MIAMI — Carnival says it will be the largest cruise line to use the VeriFLY solution for its operations from U.S. homeports, with a pilot program that started Jan. 22 for passengers boarding Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral.

Carnival also has plans to expand in-terminal testing capabilities for vaccinated guests prior to embarkation, specifically for short itineraries of 3- and 4-day voyages. Once implemented, vaccinated guests will be able to meet the pre-cruise testing requirement as part of the embarkation process. Pre-registration will be required, and there will be capacity limits based on the resources of testing providers.

Carnival also said it will continue to operate under its current protocols, sailing vaccinated voyages, requiring pre-embarkation testing and following onboard indoor mask requirements until further notice.

VeriFLY, now widely used in the U.S. airline industry, allows Carnival guests to upload their proof of vaccination and testing information so that it can be verified in advance of the sailing – resulting in a streamlined embarkation experience at the terminal.

Carnival says it intends to move quickly to implement the solution across its fleet, once the pilot at Port Canaveral is complete.

Testing sites to support short itinerary cruises will be phased in and announced by the end of January.

Carnival also said it intends to follow its Have Fun. Be Safe. operating protocols until further notice. Passengers and travel agents will be receiving more details on operations for February and beyond over the coming days, according to the cruise line.

Earlier this month Carnival restarted operations from another homeport, with Carnival Sunshine returning to its year-round schedule from Charleston, SC.  Carnival now has 19 of its 22 U.S.-based ships in operation.