Will You cancel Your Upcoming Cruises if Royal Caribbean Doesn't Require Vaccinations

[pthjudy]

17 hours ago, Blauelini said:

No worries, by September at the latest RCCL will have  Covid outbreak on one of their ships due to this policy. Media will pounce,  images of people in biohazard suits escorting people off the ship will be broadcast nationwide. RCCL will change their policy overnight for fear of being being shutdown by the CDC.

My thoughts exactly. The cruise environment has notoriously been a place where germs seem to thrive. From buffets to large groups of relaxed passengers, germs from noro to colds have always been a risk. If there is a COVID outbreak on a cruise ship, it will be covered by the press and once again this weakened industry will take a damaging hit. Vaccinations may not end COVID on a ship, but will lessen it dramatically as it has on land. 

[A&L_Ont]

Maybe RC should offer ships with fully vaccinated (95% plus) and ships with vaccine optional. At least for the initial startup. 
 

People could book the one they prefer.🤷‍♂️

Edited June 6, 2021 by A&L_Ont

[PRNole47]

17 hours ago, Blauelini said:

No worries, by September at the latest RCCL will have  Covid outbreak on one of their ships due to this policy. Media will pounce,  images of people in biohazard suits escorting people off the ship will be broadcast nationwide. RCCL will change their policy overnight for fear of being being shutdown by the CDC.

Yep, my concern is not whether I will be at risk for infection or not. Being fully vacc'd I don't expect to contract Covid, and if I do, I expect to live through it. At home I eat at restaurants that have 100% capacity, no longer wear a mask in businesses I frequent (they've all removed their 'masks required' from their entry doors), etc.  What my concern is, say 10% or more of the pax on an open,  non-vacc cruise comes down with Covid, somehow, that could be a high enough number of pax to cause the line to either alter their ports (because they may prohibit the ship from docking), cause a return to home port to unload the infected pax, or in some other way alter the original schedule so they could medically attend to the pax that are infected and overwhelming the ship's medical services.

[JsMom2]

14 hours ago, divincenzo said:

Who's to say Caribbean countries will even allow non-vaxed people disembark?  

Good point. This could be an issue at any port.  You can get on the ship, but must show proof of vaccination to go ashore! 
 

But I don’t cruise the Caribbean for the ports, so maybe others won’t mind staying on the ship. 

[yraapt]

If RC un-vaxxed cruises have to wear masks now and NCL fully vaxxed cruises don't have to wear masks...  then yeah we are definitely cancelling

Edited June 6, 2021 by yraapt

[florida eagle]

7 minutes ago, JsMom2 said:

Good point. This could be an issue at any port.  You can get on the ship, but must show proof of vaccination to go ashore! 
 

But I don’t cruise the Caribbean for the ports, so maybe others won’t mind staying on the ship. 

Cruises going to their cays in short duration will make out.  Shorter ones will profit. It is for the more economically minded and /or partying people.  The cruise lines know this. But the longer cruises are in the way because of the politics of people who want more power.

[GetToLivin]

This negates the big picture though and is only focusing on cruising. If you're truly concerned about only being around vaccinated people, living life in general would also have to create big issues for you, not just the cruise. How do you know the people you grocery shop next to are vaccinated? Or at work? Do you currently go to the movies, restaurants, what about that? How do you know the people you're flying with are vaccinated? Once you're off the ship and on an excursion, how do you know the people you're around are vaccinated? What about those nice tight lines in customs with people jammed together! 😉 My point is that if it's truly an issue of grave concern I would imagine it's just best you stay home, because the truth is, you don't know the medical information of the people you're around just by living life day-to-day. 

Edited June 6, 2021 by GetToLivin

[toocruisin2]

We are booked on Anthem December 31, 2021 out of Bayonne.

 

Our decision will have less to do with allowing unvaccinated folks on the ship (our family is fully vaccinated), and more to do with RCI's approach should Covid infiltrate the ship.

 

I intermingle with unvaccinated people all the time in stores, restaurants, etc. so I'm not worried about getting Covid on a ship any more than I would be worried anywhere else.

 

The issue for me is how RCI will handle a positive case, should it appear on board. Pre-screenings don't always work: Golfer John Rahm was contact traced last Monday as coming into contact with a Covid positive, and he was tested every day until Saturday when he finally tested positive (twice), disqualifying him from a tournament. The other players will be allowed to continue the tournament and spectators will be allowed, without masks.

 

As long as RCI has a plan that meets my expectations should a case arise, I'm going to sail; if they don't I'll cancel and re-book. It would be unacceptable to me to: force me to wear a mask when I'm vaccinated and have proof via NYS Excelsior Pass; quarantine an entire ship because of a case or cases; force me to stay in my stateroom for 14 days because I came in contact with a Covid positive; abandon ports of call or dis-embarkments because of a case; etc.

 

If RCI has a plan to handle cases on the ship that doesn't disrupt the sailing, I'll go; if not, I'll cancel, even if they claim 95%, 98% or 100% covid vaccinated. 

[BSocial]

I can’t help but think that, at least during the time the CSO is still active, families with kids under vaccination age may not have the cruise vacation they anticipate.    Protocols haven’t been rolled out for the kids yet, but if masking, reduced capacity and social distancing indoors are mandated, that could really impact families’ use of Adventure Ocean or Nursery.   
 

Our family has multi-generational cruise vacations, so I’m not anti-children at all.  I just can’t imagine some families’ experience who depend on kids facilities will be the same while CSO is in effect.    
 

imho these measures will be temporary until CSO is canceled (hopefully not extended!).

 

 

Edited June 6, 2021 by BSocial
Clarify

[Iamcruzin]

2 hours ago, lr657 said:

I am curious what the protocols at the ports will be. The current cruises are not sailing from the US so either have all adults vaccinated or do not have any port stops (Singapore). I wonder if we will now need to book ship excursions in order to get off the ship, as the vaccinated cruises don't require this. Also curious if some of the scheduled ports will now deny the ship access since all passengers are not vaccinated. Hopefully Royal will make this information available in a timely enough manner so those booked can make a decision whether they want to sail or not. 

I bet it would start a chain reaction of cancelations if you can’t leave the ship without being on a sponsored tour. The unvaccinated are the same people who pitched a be atch about wearing a mask in Walmart during the thick of the pandemic

Edited June 6, 2021 by Iamcruzin

[Tree_skier]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Of course I've heard of the names of those diseases, just never was forced to lay attention to the cdc and their biases  ...  like being told by teachers what to say and kids sit home on zoom. I'm outraged and wish someone would fire them. Political body. Dont follow science. No studies proving staying locked up was better than opening. ..mistake after mistake. Bunch of idiots controlling my cruises. 

 

I'd like to go back to ignoring them. I don't tolerate idiots well.

Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel. 🤠

[Jimbo]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Of course I've heard of the names of those diseases, just never was forced to lay attention to the cdc and their biases  ...  like being told by teachers what to say and kids sit home on zoom. I'm outraged and wish someone would fire them. Political body. Dont follow science. No studies proving staying locked up was better than opening. ..mistake after mistake. Bunch of idiots controlling my cruises. 

 

I'd like to go back to ignoring them. I don't tolerate idiots well.

You just don't like following rules or having anybody tell you what you have to do..........then wow, you better stay off of cruiseships.

Find another kind of vacation please where you are more in control.

Edited June 6, 2021 by Jimbo

[broberts]

Has there been any official detailing of mask wearing and other practices that will be required aboard an unvaccinated cruise?

[Tree_skier]

1 hour ago, A&L_Ont said:

Maybe RC should offer ships with fully vaccinated (95% plus) and ships with vaccine optional. At least for the initial startup. 
 

People could book the one they prefer.🤷‍♂️

While not available on every ship and every port, in a small way they have.  At this point those that are adamant about vaccines can book cruises on Serenade, Ovation and Adventure through mid Sept.  Others can book from the four ships that will begin early sailings.  Strangely, the adamant ones that are making the most noise about this decision aren't queueing up for the vaccinated cruises.

 

Royal was damned if they did, damned if they didn't.  No matter what decision they made there was a segment that was going to be disgruntled.  I'm sure the decision rested on the potential for future revenues.  Families, with children represent more in the way future earnings.

[Jimbo]

4 minutes ago, broberts said:

Has there been any official detailing of mask wearing and other practices that will be required aboard an unvaccinated cruise?

I think it's a given, unvaccinated cruise's are going to require masks at time's in and around the ship during certain times.

Edited June 6, 2021 by Jimbo

[orville99]

Interpretational bias is rampant in this thread. Here is what RCL actually said in their press release (the bold is mine for emphasis):

 

U.S. Health and Safety Measures
Travelers can plan their cruise adventure with peace of mind knowing that all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date. 

 

As I read this, when you get to the port, you will be asked (probably on the Health Questionnaire) whether you have been vaccinated, and given a choice - voluntarily present your documentation, or have a swab shoved up your nose and follow a higher level of restrictions on board.

 

All the state law says is that RCL cannot require proof of vaccination, not that they can't accept it if a passenger voluntarily offers to provide it, or enforce stricter health protocols if a passenger chooses not to voluntarily present it.

[Tree_skier]

2 hours ago, ricksurf said:

I have too many bad memories of cruises gone bad from last year; so I will cancel any cruise which is not fully vaccinated.  I will not book any cruise which is not fully vaccinated.  I think for the first few months of cruising then these strict protocols should be in effect.  We want to keep cruising open and don't want to doom it in the first few cruises.

If RCI is so short sighted and did not learn any lessons from the past then they might be doomed for the future.

There are cruise ships sailing in several other parts of the world that are operating successfully without vaccine mandates.  Their protocols are being proven effective in real time.  Rci is learning from actual data, on real cruise ships, that have adopted best practices learned since March 2020.  

 

To think that your memory of a couple early ships and the mistakes made at the earliest part of this pandemic should be the guiding principles for going forward is the epitome of shortsightedness.  

[janazaz]

15 hours ago, divincenzo said:

Who's to say Caribbean countries will even allow non-vaxed people disembark?  

But, what if you encounter a non-vaccinated, Covid carrying Caribbean resident and they accidentally sneeze on you?  Maybe you shouldn’t even get off the ship. Same worry and just as ridiculous sounding, right?  

[Jimbo]

1 minute ago, Tree_skier said:

There are cruise ships sailing in several other parts of the world that are operating successfully without vaccine mandates.  Their protocols are being proven effective in real time.  Rci is learning from actual data, on real cruise ships, that have adopted best practices learned since March 2020.  

 

To think that your memory of a couple early ships and the mistakes made at the earliest part of this pandemic should be the guiding principles for going forward is the epitome of shortsightedness.  

Why do people keep continuing to say about what other ships are doing in other parts of the world.............We are talking about American Passengers........you know the ones that butt inline, the ones that that try to beat the system, the ones that don't listen to directions, the ones that don't like to be told what they can and can not do on a cruise........you know the ones at Customer Relation bitching and moaning about any little thing.........

Jeeze, stop the thing, what other ships are doing with non american people onboard.

[Tree_skier]

9 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Interpretational bias is rampant in this thread. Here is what RCL actually said in their press release (the bold is mine for emphasis):

 

U.S. Health and Safety Measures
Travelers can plan their cruise adventure with peace of mind knowing that all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date. 

 

As I read this, when you get to the port, you will be asked (probably on the Health Questionnaire) whether you have been vaccinated, and given a choice - voluntarily present your documentation, or have a swab shoved up your nose and follow a higher level of restrictions on board.

 

All the state law says is that RCL cannot require proof of vaccination, not that they can't accept it if a passenger voluntarily offers to provide it, or enforce stricter health protocols if a passenger chooses not to voluntarily present it.

I read this too and have been perplexed by many of the comments on this thread.  It's almost as if folks haven't actually read what Royal has said and jumped to whatever conclusion is their worst case scenario.

[3kidsncats]

4 hours ago, Heymarco said:

Here is what a 60% vaccination rate did for the United States. Case levels are back to March 2020 levels and continually trending towards zero. Maybe it’s you that has your head in the sand. My observations are based on science and facts, not mystical hypothetical situations.

 

 

If you choose to not factor in all of the relevant data and variables, you can expect to have less than accurate models.  Regardless of the current stats in the US, the reality is that we don’t live in a bubble.  Our citizens travel internationally, and return home.  Foreign nationals travel here.  Other countries are not doing as well, variants are continuing to show up — as we can expect because science proves that is what happens when viruses are not contained— globally.  I have no idea why you seem to want to ignore the reality, but that doesn’t make it less true.

[PCWalton1]

I am more concerned with you nasty folk who don't know how to wash their hands and spread noro around

[Tree_skier]

5 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Why do people keep continuing to say about what other ships are doing in other parts of the world.............We are talking about American Passengers........you know the ones that butt inline, the ones that that try to beat the system, the ones that don't listen to directions, the ones that don't like to be told what they can and can not do on a cruise........you know the ones at Customer Relation bitching and moaning about any little thing.........

Jeeze, stop the thing, what other ships are doing with non american people onboard.

I have cruised with Germans and Italians on MSC.  Their behavior was no better than any American dominated cruise I have been on. They are just as likely to push and shove, cut into the queue and shoulder their way to the front at a bar as anyone else.  As well as cruising on MSC I have done many land based trips to Europe. Your assumption that American are more poorly behaved than Europeans is an unfounded stereotype that I have never seen in all my travels abroad.

[Demongear]

16 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Interpretational bias is rampant in this thread. Here is what RCL actually said in their press release (the bold is mine for emphasis):

 

U.S. Health and Safety Measures
Travelers can plan their cruise adventure with peace of mind knowing that all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date. 

 

As I read this, when you get to the port, you will be asked (probably on the Health Questionnaire) whether you have been vaccinated, and given a choice - voluntarily present your documentation, or have a swab shoved up your nose and follow a higher level of restrictions on board.

 

All the state law says is that RCL cannot require proof of vaccination, not that they can't accept it if a passenger voluntarily offers to provide it, or enforce stricter health protocols if a passenger chooses not to voluntarily present it.

I believe people who aren’t vaccinated will get tested  before embarking because they have to but the same guests adhering to other protocols after the ship has sailed is a different story altogether. 

[lr657]

9 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

There are cruise ships sailing in several other parts of the world that are operating successfully without vaccine mandates.  Their protocols are being proven effective in real time.  Rci is learning from actual data, on real cruise ships, that have adopted best practices learned since March 2020.  

 

To think that your memory of a couple early ships and the mistakes made at the earliest part of this pandemic should be the guiding principles for going forward is the epitome of shortsightedness.  

 

They are operating successfully, but with numerous protocols that wouldn't be required on a ship with vaccination requirements. Personally I prefer not to cruise under the those protocols. We have several cruises already booked which will require vaccinations and plan to keep them. For our other cruises out of Florida we will see what the protocols will be for vaccinated passengers, and if we will be required to mask, social distance and follow the same protocols that apply to unvaccinated passengers, we'll cancel them.