Virgin Voyages has removed mandatory pre-embarkation testing ahead of its cruises.

The line confirmed the decision to ease Covid measures was made in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ending its Covid-19 programme on July 18.

It has scrapped pre-embarkation testing for sailings from July 24 on EU sailings and from July 27 on US sailings.

Additionally, 10% of Virgin Voyages’ ship capacity will be allowed to be unvaccinated.

Ship crew on US and EU sailings will continue to be fully vaccinated, the line said.

Any recommendations made by the CDC and Clia will be considered going forward, it added.

The line said: “Passenger and crew well-being is the main focus and they continue to follow the advice of their expert medical team.”

The CDC said “new guidance” for cruise ships to mitigate and manage Covid-19 transmissions will be available “in the coming days”.