Virgin Voyages is removing the requirement for pre-embarkation testing before the end of this month.

And from 24 July, P&O Cruises will still require passengers over 5 years old to take a pre-departure test, but they’ll no longer have to provide a certificate. Guests will simply have to confirm that they took a negative test no more than two days before embarkation.

The changes follow the US Centre for Disease Control’s decision this week that it will drop its voluntary COVID-19 programme for cruise ships, meaning cruise lines are now free to make their own policies regarding vaccination, testing and quarantine requirements.

Virgin Voyages will end pre-departure testing on 24 July for European sailings, and from 27 July on US sailings.

The cruise line said it’s evaluating its policy on vaccinations, but for the time being, passengers will need to be fully vaccinated in order to sail.