COVID-19: Cruise ship travel requirements
COVID-19 continues to circulate in Canada and internationally. The virus can spread easily between people in close quarters, such as on cruise ships. The chance of being infected with COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
Follow individual public health measures such as wearing a mask and physical distancing, even if it’s not required.
If you aren’t fully vaccinated, or if you’re at higher risk for developing severe disease from COVID-19, you should avoid cruise ship travel.
On this page
- Vaccination requirements
- Entering Canada by land or air before embarking on a cruise
- Boarding cruises and shore excursions
- Providing proof of vaccination
- Pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing
- If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19 on your cruise
- Advice for planning cruise ship travel
Vaccination requirements
To embark on a cruise ship that will start, dock or end in Canada, if you’re 12 years of age or older, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with very few exceptions.
- Note: many cruise lines require vaccination for children 5 years and older.
Check if you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
Entering Canada by land or air before embarking on a cruise
You must complete your ArriveCAN submission before entering Canada, no more than 72 hours of boarding your flight or before entering Canada by land.
- If you’re flying in to join a cruise immediately, enter the address of your terminal.
- If you’re not joining the cruise immediately, enter the address of your hotel.
You must also submit a second ArriveCAN submission no more than 72 hours before boarding the cruise. This applies even if your second ArriveCAN submission is within 72 hours of the first submission.
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you’ve been randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test.
Mandatory random testing is part of the Government of Canada surveillance program to track the importation of COVID-19 virus into Canada, and identify new variants of concern.
Boarding cruises and shore excursions
Some requirements for boarding a cruise, either at the beginning of the cruise or as part of a shore excursion, may be different depending on where you are boarding and which countries your ship will visit.
Mandatory requirements for all travellers, including Canadians, include pre-embarkation testing and can include ArriveCAN if your ship is coming to or returning to Canada.
Choose the scenario below that best fits your cruise plans:
Starting an international cruise in Canada or arriving by cruise from another country
These requirements apply to cruises:
- arriving in Canada from a foreign country
- starting in Canada, but travelling outside Canadian waters and then returning to Canada (for example, if docking in the United States for a shore excursion)
All travellers are required to:
- complete ArriveCAN no more than 72 hours of initially boarding the cruise. This includes:
- any traveller who recently submitted ArriveCAN to enter Canada via land or air
- Canadians embarking on an international cruise from Canada that will return to Canada
- take a pre-embarkation COVID-19 test before embarking on a cruise ship that will dock in Canada at any point in the itinerary
- If you’re exempt from the vaccination requirements, you must also take a COVID-19 antigen test on the day you board the cruise ship, in addition to taking a pre-embarkation test. The test must be negative. This applies to travellers who aren’t fully vaccinated for:
- medical reasons or
- sincere religious reasons, or
- those 5 years of age or older and under 12 years of age.
- Note: If you’re a foreign national and aren’t fully vaccinated due to a sincere religious belief, you won’t be allowed to enter to Canada by land or air to board a cruise. You also won’t be allowed to disembark a cruise in Canada, unless it is for a medical emergency.
Shore excursions in Canada during the cruise
- there is no arrival testing for passengers entering Canada for shore excursions
- you may be asked to show your ArriveCAN receipt from your initial embarkation
- you won’t have to resubmit ArriveCAN
- if you aren’t fully vaccinated due to medical reasons, you’re allowed to join a shore excursion. You must have proof of a valid medical contraindication and a valid ArriveCAN submission.
- if you aren’t fully vaccinated due to a sincerely-held religious belief, you aren’t allowed to disembark the ship in Canada except in a medical emergency.
Cruises that are staying in Canadian waters or not returning to Canada
All travellers are required to take a pre-embarkation COVID-19 test before embarking on a cruise in Canada, even if the cruise ship is not leaving Canadian waters
Travellers who are staying within Canada throughout their entire journey or who are leaving Canada and not returning don’t have to complete ArriveCAN.
Providing proof of vaccination
You’re required to upload your proof of vaccination into ArriveCAN before:
- you enter Canada, or
- embarking on a cruise that is travelling outside Canadian waters (for example, if docking in the United States for a shore excursion) or a cruise, or
- embarking on a cruise that will dock in Canada at any point in the itinerary
This applies to all travellers, including Canadians. ArriveCAN is mandatory and free for all travellers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.
The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is a reliable way for Canadians to show their COVID-19 vaccination history when you travel. It has all the necessary information for domestic and international trips.
If you plan to show your proof of vaccination on your phone, we recommend that you carry a back-up paper copy with you in case of difficulties (for example, power failure of your device).
If you don't have Canadian proof of vaccination
Whether your proof of vaccination was issued in Canada or another country, it must include the following information:
- full name of the person who received the vaccine;
- the name of the government or organization who issued the proof or administered the vaccine;
- the brand name or manufacturer of the vaccine or of the mix of accepted vaccines
- the date you received your second dose of an accepted vaccine, or your first dose of Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
- your proof of vaccination must be in English or French
Protecting your privacy
Protecting the privacy of Canadians is integral to implementing these requirements. Please note that cruise ship operators, airlines and railway companies are subject to applicable Canadian privacy legislation with respect to the handling of your personal information. For information on how they process your personal information, please visit their website for their privacy policy or contact them directly.
In the event that any personal information is provided to Transport Canada, it will only be used and disclosed by Transport Canada in accordance with the Privacy Act and its regulations. The personal information collected, as well as its use, disclosure and retention, will be described in the applicable personal information banks, which are currently being developed and/or modified, and will be published on Transport Canada’s Info Source page.
Pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing
All travellers 5 years of age or older must have a COVID-19 test to board a cruise ship in Canada or to board a cruise ship that will dock in Canada at any point on the cruise. You must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results:
- Proof of a professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken no more than 2 days before you’re scheduled to board your ship
- the 2-day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time that you board
- for example, if your ship is scheduled to leave on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Wednesday, Thursday, or on Friday
- it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth online service
- the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained
- Proof of a valid negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled boarding time
- for example, if you’re scheduled to board at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
- it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth online service
- the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained
- Previous positive molecular test result: you no longer have symptoms and provide proof of a positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before you board. Counting starts the day after your test.
- for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled date you could board
- a positive antigen test result is never a valid test result for boarding a ship and can’t be used as proof of a previous infection
If you’re exempt from the vaccination requirements, you must also take a COVID-19 antigen test on the day you board the cruise ship, in addition to taking a pre-embarkation test. The test must be negative. This applies to travellers who aren’t fully vaccinated for:
- medical reasons or
- sincere religious reasons, or
- those 5 years of age or older but under 12 years of age.
- Note: If you’re a foreign national and aren’t fully vaccinated due to a sincere religious belief, you won’t be allowed to enter to Canada by land or air to board a cruise. You also won’t be allowed to disembark a cruise in Canada, unless it is for a medical emergency.
Accepted types of tests
Molecular tests
- PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
- Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
- Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
Other acceptable types of molecular tests:
- RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Isothermal amplification
- Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
- Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
- RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
- Ct (cycle threshold)
- CRISPR
- Sequencing
- Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
- Detection of the N gene
- Detection of Orf1a/b
- Detection of the S gene
- Detection of the E gene
- Detection of the RdRp gene
Antigen tests
Your antigen test must be administered or observed by a laboratory or testing provider.
Phrases indicating a test is an antigen test could include, but is not limited to:
- rapid antigen test
- viral antigen test
- diagnostic immunoassay
- lateral flow test (LFT)
- also could be noted as an Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay, Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay, or Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19 on your cruise
During your cruise, self-monitor for symptoms and report any symptoms to cruise line officials
- If you test positive while on a cruise in Canada, you’re required to isolate for 10 days beginning on the day of your positive test. You may be required to complete your isolation period in a suitable place of isolation on-shore if your cruise ends in Canada.
- Your cruise ship operator will guide you in terms of your isolation requirements.
- If you test positive or are symptomatic, you won’t be permitted to go on a shore excursion in Canada. Similarly, other countries may not allow you to enter for local excursions based on their laws and regulations.
When your cruise ends
- If you’re symptomatic at final disembarkation, a Quarantine Officer may require you to isolate.
- If you take a test after your cruise ends in Canada (for example, to fly to a country that requires a test), and the test result is positive, you will be required to follow the requirements of the local public health authority, which may include isolation. Plan to have enough funds to cover the costs of a suitable place to isolate, food, and any medical bills.
- A positive test, including a recent positive within the last 10 days, may prevent you from boarding a flight departing Canada, or being able to take other public transit.
Advice for planning your cruise ship travel
Before you go on a cruise
If you decide to take a cruise, there are some important facts you should consider.
- Complete your COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional doses as recommended in Canada, at least 14 days before your cruise begins to reduce the risk of developing severe disease from COVID-19 while you travel.
- Choose cruises and excursions that require proof of vaccination and cruises that have enhanced COVID-19 protocols.
- Buy travel health insurance before leaving and make sure you are covered for COVID-19-related medical expenses, trip cancellation, trip interruption, including if you test positive for COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight home. The Government of Canada is not responsible for changes to your travel plans.
Advice if your cruise ship travel is outside of Canada
- Ensure that your passport is valid beyond the duration of your trip and check with your transportation company and destination countries about passport requirements.
- Check the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination or shore excursion locations to find local COVID-19 restrictions and requirements.
- Buy a comprehensive travel health insurance and plan to have access to sufficient funds to cover unexpected medical bills, including COVID-19 related expenses or medical evacuation while you are abroad. The cost of required medical care could be very high and you may need to pay medical bills upfront or immediately after treatment. The Government of Canada doesn’t pay hospital and medical bills.
- Access to consular services while travelling on cruise ships may be quite limited, particularly in quarantine situations.
- You could be subject to mandatory testing, quarantine and isolation procedures onboard the ship or in a foreign country.
- Check COVID-19 requirements for returning to Canada, including ArriveCAN.
Related resources
- Travel Health Notice – COVID-19 and International Travel
- Travel advice and advisories
- Announcement of public health framework for cruise ships in Canada
- All COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for marine transportation
- COVID-19: Exposure notices from select cruise ships
- Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada
- Before you return to Canada (video for Canadians)
- Before you travel to Canada (video for foreign nationals)
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