Is Royal the only line not requiring vaccines in Florida?

[jrapps]

5 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Lots of blind faith on here, about tying up lots of money on an unproven process 

I will agree with you that there is a lot unproven, and many things are likely to change from now to sailing date. This is all just based on what has been said as of today.

[coaster]

4 minutes ago, cruisingator2 said:

Ever get the feeling that your beating your head against the wall? I’m having one of those moments. I will leave this thread knowing that I will board a ship that has at least 95% of the passengers vaccinated. Happy cruising. 

 I get it. A shame that Royal and Celebrity chose different paths even when they are under the same corporate umbrella. You are lucky to be booked on Celebrity at this point. I am sure there is not much of a debate on the Celebrity board like here.

[jrapps]

6 minutes ago, sm3ds said:

So what's Royal's policy today?

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25210-u-s-cruise-restart-which-cruise-lines-require-covid-19-vaccination.html

 

For Freedom, Odyssey, Allure, Symphony and Mariner sailing out of Florida ports in July and August, vaccines are “strongly recommended” for all eligible guests. Approximately 90 percent of the passengers are expected to be vaccinated, but those choosing not to be vaccinated or not willing to verify vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols at their expense. 

[cscurlock]

1 minute ago, jrapps said:

I think there will still be SOME drama at the port. They can only let 5% onboard of the total that have already boarded. What if from the 95% someone misses the ship, or is denied boarding due to medical issue or covid symptoms. There is likely going to be somebody who made the cut 3 days before but might not make it on the ship day of.

I think that is about a close as you can get to 95%.  Because the person has completely paid for the room and will not get reimbursed because of medical issues.  As far as the cruise line is concerned they are in the room and its paid for so they will count it.  They should do the final total of the 5% based on paid rooms at that point.   If you have not uploaded your documentation by early check in then be prepared to get a cancellation letter.  Once that is sent the cruise is over so no need to go to the port.  Some unvaccinated people might get cut that are in the 5% at the port but I don't think the cruise line is going to try and micro manage this.  That day 3 is the cut off.   

[Tapi]

 

13 minutes ago, cscurlock said:This post really is scary. So no verification at all they just marked you as vaccinated?  I understand your children not being vaccinated I am specifically stating you.  

I wouldn’t call it scary. It actually makes sense. 
 

The way that it’s been explained to me is that Celebrity expects that all adults over the age of 12 (for a September sailing) will be vaccinated as delineated in their requirements. These were emailed to me with my confirmation and are also available on their website. Children under 12 are obviously unvaccinated so they are automatically placed in the 5% bucket. 
 

If a particular sailing reaches the allowed 5% of unvaccinated guests, the system won’t allow more unvaccinated children on that sailing and it will also leave zero wiggle room for adults who are unvaccinated or who choose not to volunteer that information.
 

I also read on another thread from someone who booked directly with Celebrity that at some point in time in the booking process they were asked if they’d be vaccinated. Once again, I booked through a TA, so my process was different. 

[not-enough-cruising]

Just now, jrapps said:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25210-u-s-cruise-restart-which-cruise-lines-require-covid-19-vaccination.html

 

For Freedom, Odyssey, Allure, Symphony and Mariner sailing out of Florida ports in July and August, vaccines are “strongly recommended” for all eligible guests. Approximately 90 percent of the passengers are expected to be vaccinated, but those choosing not to be vaccinated or not willing to verify vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols at their expense. 

Which means absolute nothing to the vaccinated passenger about what their cruise experience can be expected to be. 

[jrapps]

4 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Which means absolute nothing to the vaccinated passenger about what their cruise experience can be expected to be. 

Cruise Experience (for masks at least) can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html

 

Mask Use

At this time, all persons, including port personnel, crew, and passengers are advised that CDC’s Mask Order remains in effect and requires the wearing of masks on conveyances entering, traveling within, or leaving the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs. 

 

• While the Order permits temporarily removing a mask for brief periods of time while eating or drinking, removal of the mask for extended meal service or beverage consumption would constitute a violation of this Order.
• Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise all passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask if outdoors. CDC still recommends that people wear a mask if they are not fully vaccinated and in a crowded area.
• Masks do not have to be worn while inside one’s own cabin.
• Travelers should not wear a mask when doing activities that may get the mask wet, like swimming at the beach or in recreational water facilities. A wet mask can make it difficult to breathe and may not work as well when wet. This means it is particularly important for bathers to maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet (2 meters) when in the water with others who are not traveling companions or part of the same family.

Fully Vaccinated Travelers

• Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask.
• Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise crew who are fully vaccinated that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in areas of the ship that are inaccessible to passengers.
• Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos; bars; spas; entertainment venues; and dining areas, including self-serve buffets).
• For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.

Edited June 13, 2021 by jrapps

[cscurlock]

7 minutes ago, Tapi said:

 

I wouldn’t call it scary. It actually makes sense. 
 

The way that it’s been explained to me is that Celebrity expects that all adults over the age of 12 (for a September sailing) will be vaccinated as delineated in their requirements. These were emailed to me with my confirmation and are also available on their website. Children under 12 are obviously unvaccinated so they are automatically placed in the 5% bucket. 
 

If a particular sailing reaches the allowed 5% of unvaccinated guests, the system won’t allow more unvaccinated children on that sailing and it will also leave zero wiggle room for adults who are unvaccinated or who choose not to volunteer that information.
 

I also read on another thread from someone who booked directly with Celebrity that at some point in time in the booking process they were asked if they’d be vaccinated. Once again, I booked through a TA, so my process was different. 

Right but what I am saying is since you didn't volunteer anything and they marked you as vaccinated, they are assuming you are vaccinated and with that it means they are assuming everyone is vaccinated unless they are under 12. So technically there is no 5%.   Let me know when they actually request your vaccination card before boarding. Very scary.

Edited June 13, 2021 by cscurlock

[coaster]

10 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Which means absolute nothing to the vaccinated passenger about what their cruise experience can be expected to be. 

Unfortunately, they failed to mention that masks will be required indoors and out for all Royal sailings from Florida. Vaccinated or not. A slight oversight 🤥.

Edited June 13, 2021 by coaster

[jrapps]

1 minute ago, coaster said:

Unfortunately, they failed to mention that masks will be required indoors and out for all sailings from Florida. Vaccinated or not. A slight oversight 🤥.

I think Royal is failing to mention that little tidbit because they are HOPING the CDC changes rules before those cruises sail. If you go by what rules are today, masks will be required.

[cscurlock]

Just now, jrapps said:

I think Royal is failing to mention that little tidbit because they are HOPING the CDC changes rules before those cruises sail. If you go by what rules are today, masks will be required.

Yeah, good luck with that.  That won't happen.

[Catnip]

25 minutes ago, cruisingator2 said:

Ever get the feeling that your beating your head against the wall? I’m having one of those moments. I will leave this thread knowing that I will board a ship that has at least 95% of the passengers vaccinated. Happy cruising. 

Hey!   Long time, no see.   Yeah, lot of head banging in this forum for me also. 😉

[jrapps]

2 minutes ago, cscurlock said:

Yeah, good luck with that.  That won't happen.

10000% agree

[coaster]

7 minutes ago, jrapps said:

I think Royal is failing to mention that little tidbit because they are HOPING the CDC changes rules before those cruises sail. If you go by what rules are today, masks will be required.

We can all hope for something better in the future. Good changes may happen and maybe not. Just not right that Royal is not being upfront that all guests will be required to wear masks on their under 95 percent vaccinated cruises as it stands now.

Edited June 13, 2021 by coaster

[not-enough-cruising]

19 minutes ago, coaster said:

Unfortunately, they failed to mention that masks will be required indoors and out for all Royal sailings from Florida. Vaccinated or not. A slight oversight 🤥.

Which, for me, would be a huge problem. 

Im glad I was able to get a refund for my July sailing. 

[Tapi]

20 minutes ago, cscurlock said:

So technically there is no 5%.   Let me know when they actually request your vaccination card before boarding. Very scary.

I don’t know if it will be requested at the time of online check in or at the time of boarding, but I’m including a screens shot of what their website says.

 

They are requiring that everybody over the age of 16 (it will change to 12 in August) is vaccinated as a condition to sail. So any adult booking a Celebrity cruise who doesn’t meet that requirement and hoping that they will be allowed to board as part of the 5% of unvaccinated guests will be taking a significant gamble if there are enough children booked to meet the 5%.
 

I guess it can be very scary for someone who chooses not to provide proof or who isn’t vaccinated. If I weren’t vaccinated, or if I wanted to sail without providing proof, I wouldn’t be booking a celebrity cruise to begin with. 

[coaster]

 Celebrity has got it right! Royal....FAIL! I can't say it enough.

Edited June 13, 2021 by coaster

[not-enough-cruising]

33 minutes ago, coaster said:

 Celebrity has got it right! Royal....FAIL! I can't say it enough.

Spot on 

[coaster]

Celebrity and Royal being unified in their position would of been a good thing. It is not helping  that they are taking different approaches to resume sailings. The same corporate ownership is putting out different standards for Celebrity and Royal  It can't help but make those of us booked on Royal feel slighted as Celebrity cruisers are able to not wear masks and us Royal folks are forced to wear masks.

[Tree_skier]

14 minutes ago, coaster said:

Celebrity and Royal being unified in their position would of been a good thing. It is not helping  that they are taking different approaches to resume sailings. The same corporate ownership is putting out different standards for Celebrity and Royal  It can't help but make those of us booked on Royal feel slighted as Celebrity cruisers are able to not wear masks and us Royal folks are forced to wear masks.

Have you cancelled your Royal cruises?

[harkinmr]

5 hours ago, forgotmyCCname said:

I spoke with Celebrity about a booking on Edge

and was told that vaccines were not required but they were hoping that most would be. It was a change from last week or so when o was told by Celebrity that vaccines are required.

The 95/98 vaccination compliance is required by the CDC to sail without a test cruise, so any “hope” to achieve that is not the right measure. They MUST achieve it to leave the dock.  They need to get around the Florida ban on vaccine requirements by not stating that they are required, but then actually reaching the required numbers through back channels. It’s unfortunate legal gymnastics that must occur. 

[coaster]

6 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Have you cancelled your Royal cruises?

No. Waiting until final payment to see if there is some change to the mask mandate. First final payment is due in July.

[Tapi]

18 hours ago, jrapps said:

Has another line yet announced their intent to start in FL with no vaccine mandate?

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines has plans to start operating the Grand Classica on July 2nd without a vaccine mandate. 
 

 

 

[CRUISEFAN0001]

If people would just do the right thing and everyone was vaxxed...all this would be irrelevant.

 

Rest assured the added cost to deal with those without vaccine compliance is raising prices on cruises for all passengers. Taking a step back and seeing the cruise situation...the anti-vaxxers are creating  most of the problems, increases in prices,  and shuffling of policies. 

 

With less than 1% of legitimate medical exceptions...its a sign of the times that there are people who go around justifying their choice not to get the vaccine based on a myriad of self-indulgent excuses. Those people are intentionally and knowingly exposing other people to a much higher level of health risk. Their baseless choices is the primary drivers behind the CDC mandate shuffles and cruise line dances to address appropriate compliance.

 

I don't blame the cruise lines for their ongoing to attempt to resume their business among the CDC mandates - they are simply trying to survive within the rules. 

[jrapps]

2 hours ago, Tapi said:

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines has plans to start operating the Grand Classica on July 2nd without a vaccine mandate. 
 

 

 

Do we really consider this a cruise line? Or is it more of a shuttle to the Bahamas that uses an old cruise ship?