Norwegian Cruise to drop pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirement

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. said Wednesday that it will no longer require pre-boarding COVID-19 testing for its guests, unless required by local regulations. The cruise operator’s stock fell 1.7% in premarket trading. Norwegian Cruise said the new policy will go into effect on Aug. 1 across its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises operations. “The relaxation of the testing policy is in line with the rest of the travel, leisure and hospitality industry worldwide as society continues to adapt and return to a state of normalcy,” the company said in a statement. Norwegian Cruise said it still “strongly” recommends all guests be up to date on vaccinations. The stock has plunged 39.8% over the past three months through Tuesday, while the S&P 500 has lost 14.5%.

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