New CDC Guidance 5/26, significant changes for masks and dining

[Blauelini]

Just now, BecciBoo said:

I think this whole supposition is gobbledygook.  I don't read that into what Fain said at all, they will require the vaccinations and those with kids who cross over the percentage will not cruise...that's how I see it.  And like Mauraoel said I don't care either.  Endless speculation is worthless when it finally doesn't materialize.  Either way, we are sailing in September.

You're reading it incorrectly. 

[BecciBoo]

Just now, Blauelini said:

You're reading it incorrectly. 

My apologies, done and done.

[3kidsncats]

2 hours ago, Blauelini said:

So everyone reading this understands, RCCL own Richard Fain has stated Royal will not be able to meet the 95% threshold. The only Royal Caribbean Group line that will is Celebrity. They will require a vaccine for those eligible but due to large amounts of children and families,  they will not meet it. On some cruises ,depending on amount of kids, it could be in the 70 or 80% range. Thus RCCL has elected to do test cruises (every single ship will have to do them) and sail under the CSO's stricter guidelines. Thus the no mask, no social distancing changes from yesterday will not apply to Royal cruises. Strict mask wearing,  no self serve buffets and social distancing, limited capacities for onboard events will be in full effect for a long time. They are really screwing every vaxxed person that cruises without children. I encourage you to reach out to RCCL to tell them your thoughts. 

Not sure how I am being “screwed over” — I booked a cruise knowing it was expected we would have to mask up and social distance except for our cabin (which is why I booked a nicer cabin than usual).  If even some of the masking protocols are relaxed for my sailing following the new CDC guidance, it’s an improvement over the terms I booked.  Seems fair to me.
 

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by 3kidsncats

[ace2542]

11 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Just because you neglect to wear one doesn't mean you are endangering others

It actually does you know. In the UK we did a very hard hitting advert a number of years ago about a woman dying  in a car crash with the tagline being she knew her killer and show cars or trucks driving close and saying it was her son in the seat behind her not wearing his seatbelt and killing her with the impact of his body into the rear of her seat during the accident.

[Blauelini]

1 minute ago, 3kidsncats said:

Not sure how I am being “screwed over” — I booked a cruise knowing it was expected we would have to mask up and social distance except for our cabin (which is why I booked a nicer cabin that usual).  If even some of the masking protocols are relaxed for my sailing following the new CDC guidance, it’s an improvement over the terms I booked.  Seems fair to me.
 

 

Missing the point. Fain would rather punish now with the updated CDC guidance all adults that are vaccinated rather than tell a bunch of kids they can't sail (for now). Fain is out of touch with what the majority want, cruising without masks and social distancing. 

[BecciBoo]

1 minute ago, ace2542 said:

It actually does you know. In the UK we did a very hard hitting advert a number of years ago about a woman dying  in a car crash with the tagline being she knew her killer and show cars or trucks driving close and saying it was her son in the seat behind her not wearing his seatbelt and killing her with the impact of his body into the rear of her seat during the accident.

🤪

[BSocial]

2 hours ago, Blauelini said:

So everyone reading this understands, ... RCCL has elected to do test cruises (every single ship will have to do them) and sail under the CSO's stricter guidelines. Thus the no mask, no social distancing changes from yesterday will not apply to Royal cruises. Strict mask wearing,  no self serve buffets and social distancing, limited capacities for onboard events will be in full effect for a long time. They are really screwing every vaxxed person that cruises without children. I encourage you to reach out to RCCL to tell them your thoughts. 

I hope you are wrong.  If Royal requires all adults (all12+ Starting October 1) to be Vaccinated, they should be able to, at their discretion, not require 12+ to wear masks, and to go on independent excursions, is this correct interpretation?  
 

if Vaccines are required for all 12+, and RC still requires masks and social distancing for all - that’s when I will cancel.    Require vaccines - no problem.  Treat us all as unvaccinated, strict requirements, big problem.

Edited May 27, 2021 by BSocial

[exm]

2 minutes ago, Blauelini said:

Missing the point. Fain would rather punish now with the updated CDC guidance all adults that are vaccinated rather than tell a bunch of kids they can't sail (for now). Fain is out of touch with what the majority want, cruising without masks and social distancing. 

 

A bunch of kids and their parents. I'm one of those parents. Thanks for your understanding.

[Blauelini]

Just now, BSocial said:

I hope you are wrong.  If Royal requires all adults (all12+ Starting October 1) to be Vaccinated, they should be able to, at their discretion, not require 12+ to wear masks, and to go on independent excursions, is this correct interpretation?  
 

if Vaccines are required for all 12+, and RC still requires masks and social distancing for all - that’s when I will cancel.    Require vaccines - no problem.  Treat us all as unvaccinated, strict requirements, big problem.

As it stands TODAY, all passengers on cruises that don't meet the 95% threshold,  which is all RCCL cruises, will be treated the same once on board. Masks and social distancing. Only advantage will be skipping the required covid 19 test. So again, all kids under 12 will be the cause of this.

[jrapps]

4 minutes ago, Blauelini said:

Missing the point. Fain would rather punish now with the updated CDC guidance all adults that are vaccinated rather than tell a bunch of kids they can't sail (for now). Fain is out of touch with what the majority want, cruising without masks and social distancing. 

Just because his plan is out of touch with what you personally want, I would not assume that it is out of touch with what the majority want.

 

I am not saying it is or isn't what I personally want either, just looking at it from his perspective. They are offering solutions both to those that want to sail vaccinated with no masks or distancing, and solutions to those that want to bring their kids. They are running a business, the last thing they want to do is totally piss off their demographic. Weather you like it or not, RCI plays very heavy  into the family demographic.

 

I don't see him punishing anybody. They are doing they best they can given the limitations from the CDC and state of FL.

[Blauelini]

5 minutes ago, exm said:

 

A bunch of kids and their parents. I'm one of those parents. Thanks for your understanding.

My understanding is you should cruise without them or wait until they are vaxxed. Percentage wise,  why should 80%+ of passengers have to mask and social distance for 20% or less that are under 12? And many of the little buggards will be running around, unsupervised and not wearing the mask anyway!

Edited May 27, 2021 by Blauelini

[RFerrington]

1 hour ago, mek said:

Honestly, I simply don't care what Royal does or does not do now. I will sit back and enjoy watching what unfolds over the summer and early fall.

 

I have a balcony, so if I don't like the rules then I will retreat to my cabin and spend time out there relaxing.

I think this is a wonderful attitude.  I feel the same way.  Our first cruise out of the gate we will be Star Class so if they make the protocols so onerous and we decide to remain in our suite, it will be a-ok.  Specialty dining delivered to our suite for every meal ?  No problem.  All of our drinks delivered ?  OK.  The only thing we may miss would be going to the casino....and that will just result in saving us money so....win-win.  We won't have to fight anyone for seats at the theaters....they will all be reserved for us with social distancing built in, no doubt.  No problem.

 

As you say, life will go on.

[jrapps]

Just now, Blauelini said:

My understanding is you should cruise without them or wait until they are vaxxed. Percentage wise,  why should 80%+ of passengers have to mask and social distance for 20% or less that are under 12? And many of the little buggards will be running around, unsupervised and not wearing the mask anyway!

Wow. If you are so anti-children, why aren't you cruising a line like Celebrity, or Virgin?

[Blauelini]

1 minute ago, jrapps said:

Just because his plan is out of touch with what you personally want, I would not assume that it is out of touch with what the majority want.

 

I am not saying it is or isn't what I personally want either, just looking at it from his perspective. They are offering solutions both to those that want to sail vaccinated with no masks or distancing, and solutions to those that want to bring their kids. They are running a business, the last thing they want to do is totally piss off their demographic. Weather you like it or not, RCI plays very heavy  into the family demographic.

 

I don't see him punishing anybody. They are doing they best they can given the limitations from the CDC and state of FL.

This is why as soon as I reach Diamond, our plan is to status match on Celebrity and never look back save for some TA's.

[BSocial]

Just now, jrapps said:

Just because his plan is out of touch with what you personally want, I would not assume that it is out of touch with what the majority want.

 

I am not saying it is or isn't what I personally want either, just looking at it from his perspective. They are offering solutions both to those that want to sail vaccinated with no masks or distancing, and solutions to those that want to bring their kids. They are running a business, the last thing they want to do is totally piss off their demographic. Weather you like it or not, RCI plays very heavy  into the family demographic.

 

I don't see him punishing anybody. They are doing they best they can given the limitations from the CDC and state of FL.

no reason why they couldn’t take ports with 2 or more RC ships, and make one a 95/98 ship, and the other(s) from same port test cruise ships.  Now THAT would be giving people a real choice, 

[Blauelini]

Just now, jrapps said:

Wow. If you are so anti-children, why aren't you cruising a line like Celebrity, or Virgin?

Have you seen the Virgin cabins? Awful.  Once Diamond,  planning on heading to Celebrity. Almost there. 

[Blauelini]

1 minute ago, BSocial said:

no reason why they couldn’t take ports with 2 or more RC ships, and make one a 95/98 ship, and the other(s) from same port test cruise ships.  Now THAT would be giving people a real choice, 

Agree  1000%.

[jrapps]

Just now, BSocial said:

no reason why they couldn’t take ports with 2 or more RC ships, and make one a 95/98 ship, and the other(s) from same port test cruise ships.  Now THAT would be giving people a real choice, 

I see nothing wrong with that.

 

Of course, I also see nothing wrong with a Celebrity ship being offered out of Miami and a RCI ship being offered out of Ft. Lauderdale...they don't need to be at the same port on the same day to be options.

[jrapps]

Just now, Blauelini said:

Have you seen the Virgin cabins? Awful.  Once Diamond,  planning on heading to Celebrity. Almost there. 

I wish you well on your journey.

[3kidsncats]

5 minutes ago, Blauelini said:

Missing the point. Fain would rather punish now with the updated CDC guidance all adults that are vaccinated rather than tell a bunch of kids they can't sail (for now). Fain is out of touch with what the majority want, cruising without masks and social distancing. 

Or, more accurately, I think your point is incorrect.  Pretty sure the goal is to get cruises going again with the best balance between all the issues/factors in play.  Punishment and screwing over are not in play — the hard realities that this pandemic created are.  So we all have to make adjustments so we can get back to some normalcy as soon as possible.  If that means we wear masks on a cruise, so others can bring their kids who are not eligible to get the vaccine, no problem.  I have zero interest in wearing masks due to eligible people choosing NOT to get the vaccine.  But kids under 12?  For them, I would mask up — or sail on Celebrity 

[BSocial]

Part of the confusion on sailing restriction toleration, is that many of us got surveys a few months ago, where most may have said they will cruise with mask mandates.   Now that vaccines are so readily available, that restriction tolerance question, if asked today,  may not have the same response.    Fully vaxxed adults?  Most respondents would say,  sure,  vax but no masks.      RC needs to ask tolerance now with updated scenario 

Edited May 27, 2021 by BSocial

[BSocial]

3 minutes ago, jrapps said:

I see nothing wrong with that.

 

Of course, I also see nothing wrong with a Celebrity ship being offered out of Miami and a RCI ship being offered out of Ft. Lauderdale...they don't need to be at the same port on the same day to be options.

true, but Galveston will have 2 RC ships, and no Celebrity (and just the one port). 

Edited May 27, 2021 by BSocial

[jrapps]

Just now, BSocial said:

Part of the confusion on sailing restriction toleration, is that many of us got surveys a few mo this ago, where most may have said they will cruise with mask mandates.   Now that vaccines are so readily available, that restriction tolerance question, if asked today,  may not be have the same response.    Fully vaxxed adults?  Most respondents would sa, sure,  ax but no masks.      RC needs to ask tolerance now with updated scenario 

If there is one thing I have learned form being on this forum, is that there are plenty of people across the divide who will or won't sail with a variety of restrictions. If they do a cruise with masks everywhere, you will get some people ready to go and others waiting. If it was possible for there to be a cruise with no masks and no vaccines, some would jump at the chance, and others will fall back. Vaccines required, some want it, some don't. No matter which way you go, SOMEONE will cruise.

 

They aren't getting their entire fleet up on the same day. It will take time. So no matter what they do, they will get people to sail as they gradually ramp the fleet up, and the restrictions down.

 

They are going to start gradually the safest way they can to avoid an outbreak and bad press. By the time they ever hit a point where filling the ship would be in doubt, the restrictions will be relaxed enough to make that a non-issue.

 

[jrapps]

3 minutes ago, BSocial said:

true, but Galveston will have 2 RC ships, and no Celebrity (and just the one port). 

Just wait, Desantis is going to kick the Celebrity Edge out of FL...maybe it will go to Galveston LOL

[kstetser]

2 minutes ago, jrapps said:

Just wait, Desantis is going to kick the Celebrity Edge out of FL...maybe it will go to Galveston LOL

I hope it comes to NJ!