Royal Caribbean cruises out of Florida to require unvaccinated passengers buy travel insurance

Royal Caribbean cruises departing from Florida are requiring unvaccinated passengers above the age of 12 to buy travel insurance for medical and travel costs that could occur if they get COVID-19.

The company announced on Tuesday unvaccinated passengers must get $25,000 in medical expense insurance and $50,000 insurance for quarantine and medical evacuation costs.

The insurance is required for cruises that leave from Florida from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. 

The policy will not apply to people who booked their cruises between March 19 and Monday.

“This new insurance requirement is yet another policy change aimed to address unvaccinated cruisers sailing from Florida homeports, where cruise lines cannot mandate vaccines for its passengers due to Florida laws,” the company stated.

Along with proof of insurance, unvaccinated passengers will have to wear masks indoors and won’t be allowed in certain lounges and areas of the ship.

The costs of COVID-19 tests will also be put on unvaccinated passengers with tests for cruises less than six days being $136 and cruises more than seven days being $178.

The company will pay for COVID-19 tests for children under the age of 12 who can not get vaccinated.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has banned businesses from being able to ask for proof of someone’s coronavirus vaccination status. 

The cruise industry has been hit hard by the pandemic with Royal Caribbean having its first ship set sail in over a year out of the U.S. this Friday.