Norwegian Cruise Line dropping mask requirement

Norwegian Cruise Line is preparing to loosen its COVID-19 protocols, including a mask mandate for passengers. 

“All guests age five and over, as well as crew are required to be 100% fully vaccinated, so you can cruise with confidence,” Norwegian said in a statement about its safety guidance.

Starting on March 1, guests must also show a negative test upon checking in. For those cruises, guests will not be required to mask, the guidelines said.

The cruise line added that the company recognized “the added protections provided when wearing a mask covering and recommend that all guests do so onboard when indoors.”

“The decision to wear a mask covering when onboard is at the discretion of each guest,” the statement added.  

Before that change is implemented, the cruise line said that anyone aboard ships departing now through Feb. 28 will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test provided by the cruise line and receive a negative test result. During that time period, masks will still be required inside for all guests and crew members. 

In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised Americans to avoid traveling by cruise ships regardless of their vaccination status as a result of the uptick in COVID-19 infections fueled by the omicron variant. 

That same month, a Norwegian ship arrived in New Orleans with at least 10 people who had tested positive for the virus, all of whom were asymptomatic.