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Carnival says passengers must be fully vaccinated to cruise

On the same day Carnival made their announcement, Gov. Abbott said he was going to sign a bill, banning 'vaccine passports.'

GALVESTON, Texas — If you want to take a Carnival Cruise out of Galveston, you’re in luck. The cruise line is resuming service next month.

Carnival will start guest operations again from the Port of Galveston on July 3 with the Carnival Vista. They’ll follow with the Carnival Breeze on July 15.

But according to a Carnival news release, if you’ve not been vaccinated, you can’t get on board. They say guests must have had their second COVID vaccine 14 days before the beginning of a cruise. And passengers need to provide proof of vaccination.

RELATED: Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill banning Texas businesses from requiring vaccine information

News of the cruise line’s return comes on the same day Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that bans businesses from requiring ‘vaccine passports’ for service. It goes into effect immediately.

“The current CDC requirements for cruising with a guest base that is unvaccinated will make it very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line in the news release.  "As a result, our alternative is to operate our ships from the U.S. during the month of July with vaccinated guests

RELATED: Today is vaccination deadline for Houston Methodist employees

Another Carnival ship – the Horizon -- will also return to service next month from PortMiami in Florida.

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