Carnival Cruise guests notified of the change in destination requirements

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests to inform them of a change in vaccination requirements for one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. Effective April 1, 2023, Grand Turk no longer requires guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before visiting.

Grand Turk lifts vaccination requirements

Carnival Cruise Line has emailed guests an update on Grand Turk, advising that the island’s vaccination requirements have been lifted. This is amazing news for cruise travelers looking to visit the popular destination during the busy spring and summer season.

“We continue to work with our destination partners and are pleased to report that public health officials in Grand Turk have just informed us that as of 1/1 our tours or independent viewings are suspended,” the email is

The first Carnival cruise ship to benefit from the vaccination waiver Carnival Freedomwhen the ship visits Grand Turk on Tuesday, April 4th as part of a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral.

Carnival Freedom was also one of the first ships to sail to Grand Turk when the Island reopened in December 2021 after the industrial shutdown.

Both will follow on Wednesday, April 5th carnival legend And carnival magicwhile carnival spirit will be visiting Grand Turk on Thursday April 6th. Carnival Sunrise And carnival also have several calls scheduled into Grand Turk in April.

More ships will follow through May and into the summer months, including the new Carnival Venice in June, which makes this news very welcome indeed for cruise travelers.

Health protocols in Grand Turk

The largest of the Turks Islands of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk has a population of just 4,831 residents — less than the passenger capacity of some cruise lines.

is carnival Excel class carnivalFor example, 5,282 guests can be received with double occupancy and up to 6,465 passengers with full occupancy. On Wednesday April 5, 2023 when both carnival legend And carnival magic are in the port, more than 7,300 guests can visit at the same time.

This has been a factor in the island’s continued strict adherence to health and safety protocols long after other destinations dropped not only pre-visit testing and vaccination requirements, but other pandemic-related initiatives such as face coverings, required travel insurance and quarantine periods.

Grand Turk has dropped requirements for pre-visit testing, travel insurance, and permit forms effective May 1, 2022. Now, 11 months later, the final requirement – full vaccination – ends.

Grand Turk is one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean, welcoming nearly one million cruise guests each year. This easing of the last lockdown will reopen the island to many visitors.

Also Read: 22 Things to Do in Grand Turk While on a Cruise Vacation

Travelers should note that any cruise destination or cruise line may reintroduce health and safety protocols at any time if such action is warranted, and guests are always encouraged to take reasonable precautions to protect themselves when visiting a port of call or at any time Enjoy on board a cruise ship.

Other affected cruise lines

While Grand Turk is primarily served by Carnival cruise lines, other ships in the Carnival Corporation family occasionally call at the island, including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line ships.

As a matter of fact, New Statendam will be the first ship to visit the island in April without compulsory vaccination, calling at port on Monday 3 April. royal princess will join Carnival Freedom The next day.