Freedom of the Seas - sets sail for 1st Trial run with Volunteers

[livingonthebeach]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/trial-cruise-royal-caribbean-covid-19-safety-protocols/index.html

 

First simulated sailing for FOTS, with employee volunteers. 

[smokeybandit]

I hope that CDC rep is one of the ones among the 5% of passengers that have to be quarantined the whole time

[Biker19]

Existing thread:

 

Freedom of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Community

[livingonthebeach]

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

Existing thread:

 

Freedom of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Community

 

Thanks - I did look to see if there was already an existing thread on this since it left last night but didn’t find one.  Thanks for pointing it out.

[livingonthebeach]

Since the existing thread is now locked....I'm posting this video here -- it was aired on CBS Miami regarding Freedom's first test cruise.  Please no bickering on this thread as I want to keep updating it as more info becomes known.  TIA

 

 

 

[livingonthebeach]

Here is another video showing FOTS being loaded with luggage, the sorting room and terminal.

 

 

[mauraoel]

Thanks for starting this, I had been watching the other one but, you know.  Hoping we get some good information from this.

[RFerrington]

13 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

Here is another video showing FOTS being loaded with luggage, the sorting room and terminal.

That was one of the best cruise ship-related videos I've ever seen !  Super cool.

[crewsweeper]

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I hope that CDC rep is one of the ones among the 5% of passengers that have to be quarantined the whole time

Read the news.  All are vaccinated and over 18.  All are RCCL employees and guests (1 per employee).

No 5% rule for this voyage.

[livingonthebeach]

New protocols for July sailings on Freedom of the Seas:

 

Those who are 16 and older and do not have or are unable to provide documentation will be considered unvaccinated.

Unvaccinated guests must undergo additional COVID-19 testing per the following:

• As a requirement to sail with Royal Caribbean, all unvaccinated guests must undergo multiple COVID-19 tests. Testing at the terminal prior to embarkation and onboard prior to disembarkation will be conducted by licensed and accredited third-party testing providers that the company have contracted.
• Unvaccinated guests must register for this testing and agree to the third-party testing provider terms and conditions. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
• The total charge from the third-party testing vendor for these tests is $136. This amount will be applied to the guest’s onboard expense account. Royal Caribbean will pay the testing vendor(s) on the guest’s behalf and will not retain any part of the testing costs. For children not yet eligible to be vaccinated, the company will cover the cost of any required testing.

The testing requirements for unvaccinated guests:

Pre-Cruise

Unvaccinated guests 16 years of age and older will need to undergo an RT-PCR test administered by an accredited laboratory of the guest’s choice, and taken within three days of sailing. Royal Caribbean said it will require documentation of a negative result for this test prior to embarkation. All costs for this test are the unvaccinated guest’s responsibility.

At the Terminal

Unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older are required to take an RT-PCR test when checking in at the terminal, which will be administered by a testing vendors. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.

Prior to Disembarking

While onboard, unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older will be required to undergo antigen testing within 24 hours of disembarking at the end of the voyage. This test will be conducted the day before the cruise ends by one of the company's testing vendors. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.

The Cruise Experience

• Royal Caribbean said that vaccinated and unvaccinated guests are required to wear masks indoors unless seated and actively eating or drinking.
• Masks are not required in a guest's stateroom when they are with their traveling party, outdoors, or at Perfect Day at CocoCay, unless in a crowded setting. Guests under the age of 2 do not need to wear a mask.
• Masks won’t be required for vaccinated guests when in venues (bars, lounges, restaurants and entertainment) or at events designated for vaccinated guests only.
• In the coming days, the company said it is expecting updated guidance from the CDC on mask policies for vaccinated guests and may revise these protocols.
• Venues will be set up with proper spacing and Royal Caribbean said it would ask guests to abide by physical distancing, especially when interacting with those outside of their traveling party.
• SeaPass cards will be required to access lounges, shows and dining venues.
• All dining venues will offer spaced seating. The company said it is "strong encouraging" guests to make dining reservations via Cruise Planner before the cruise or the Royal Caribbean app onboard.
• In the Main Dining Room, the company said it will designate areas for vaccinated and unvaccinated reservations to dine separately.
• My Time Dining will not be available to unvaccinated guests. In addition, while Windjammer will be open, the food will be served by the ship's crew
• Venues will offer spaced seating and more showtimes throughout the sailing. Select showtimes will be for vaccinated guests and others for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. More information will be provided onboard.
• All guests are subject to restrictions and requirements as defined by local authorities in the ports the ship visits. "It is reasonable to expect that unvaccinated guests will be subject to stricter protocols than vaccinated guests," the company said.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25254-here-are-royal-caribbean-s-new-protocols-for-july-cruises-aboard-the-freedom-of-the-seas.html?fbclid=IwAR1eVlT4rdRQ__WTVjAwsTZDdzwCDt0TqeV5Ze0Qs915wbDLjA7br_8LOuE

 

[livingonthebeach]

Bloomberg video on 1st test sailing for Freedom:

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2021-06-20/first-u-s-cruise-in-15-months-video

 

[mauraoel]

30 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

New protocols for July sailings on Freedom of the Seas:

 

Those who are 16 and older and do not have or are unable to provide documentation will be considered unvaccinated.

Unvaccinated guests must undergo additional COVID-19 testing per the following:

• As a requirement to sail with Royal Caribbean, all unvaccinated guests must undergo multiple COVID-19 tests. Testing at the terminal prior to embarkation and onboard prior to disembarkation will be conducted by licensed and accredited third-party testing providers that the company have contracted.
• Unvaccinated guests must register for this testing and agree to the third-party testing provider terms and conditions. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
• The total charge from the third-party testing vendor for these tests is $136. This amount will be applied to the guest’s onboard expense account. Royal Caribbean will pay the testing vendor(s) on the guest’s behalf and will not retain any part of the testing costs. For children not yet eligible to be vaccinated, the company will cover the cost of any required testing.

The testing requirements for unvaccinated guests:

Pre-Cruise

Unvaccinated guests 16 years of age and older will need to undergo an RT-PCR test administered by an accredited laboratory of the guest’s choice, and taken within three days of sailing. Royal Caribbean said it will require documentation of a negative result for this test prior to embarkation. All costs for this test are the unvaccinated guest’s responsibility.

At the Terminal

Unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older are required to take an RT-PCR test when checking in at the terminal, which will be administered by a testing vendors. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.

Prior to Disembarking

While onboard, unvaccinated guests 2 years of age and older will be required to undergo antigen testing within 24 hours of disembarking at the end of the voyage. This test will be conducted the day before the cruise ends by one of the company's testing vendors. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.

The Cruise Experience

• Royal Caribbean said that vaccinated and unvaccinated guests are required to wear masks indoors unless seated and actively eating or drinking.
• Masks are not required in a guest's stateroom when they are with their traveling party, outdoors, or at Perfect Day at CocoCay, unless in a crowded setting. Guests under the age of 2 do not need to wear a mask.
• Masks won’t be required for vaccinated guests when in venues (bars, lounges, restaurants and entertainment) or at events designated for vaccinated guests only.
• In the coming days, the company said it is expecting updated guidance from the CDC on mask policies for vaccinated guests and may revise these protocols.
• Venues will be set up with proper spacing and Royal Caribbean said it would ask guests to abide by physical distancing, especially when interacting with those outside of their traveling party.
• SeaPass cards will be required to access lounges, shows and dining venues.
• All dining venues will offer spaced seating. The company said it is "strong encouraging" guests to make dining reservations via Cruise Planner before the cruise or the Royal Caribbean app onboard.
• In the Main Dining Room, the company said it will designate areas for vaccinated and unvaccinated reservations to dine separately.
• My Time Dining will not be available to unvaccinated guests. In addition, while Windjammer will be open, the food will be served by the ship's crew
• Venues will offer spaced seating and more showtimes throughout the sailing. Select showtimes will be for vaccinated guests and others for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. More information will be provided onboard.
• All guests are subject to restrictions and requirements as defined by local authorities in the ports the ship visits. "It is reasonable to expect that unvaccinated guests will be subject to stricter protocols than vaccinated guests," the company said.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25254-here-are-royal-caribbean-s-new-protocols-for-july-cruises-aboard-the-freedom-of-the-seas.html?fbclid=IwAR1eVlT4rdRQ__WTVjAwsTZDdzwCDt0TqeV5Ze0Qs915wbDLjA7br_8LOuE

 

If these protocols make it all the way to September we are good with them, I noticed there isn't any wristbands mentioned.

[mauraoel]

Although I do wish we could get more information about families and as to whether they will be designated as unvaxed for dining rooms

[livingonthebeach]

4 minutes ago, mauraoel said:

Although I do wish we could get more information about families and as to whether they will be designated as unvaxed for dining rooms

 

From another site, TPG:

 

“Among the restrictions that unvaccinated passengers will face:

• They will not be able to sign up for My Time Dining in the ship’s main dining room — the type of dining where passengers can arrive whenever they want and sit with whomever they want. They’ll be restricted to a fixed dining time and be assigned to a designated area specifically for unvaccinated passengers.
• They will not be able to participate in some activities.
• They will not be able to access all venues.
• They will not be able to attend certain performances of theater shows that will be restricted to vaccinated passengers only.”

[mauraoel]

6 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

From another site, TPG:

 

“Among the restrictions that unvaccinated passengers will face:

• They will not be able to sign up for My Time Dining in the ship’s main dining room — the type of dining where passengers can arrive whenever they want and sit with whomever they want. They’ll be restricted to a fixed dining time and be assigned to a designated area specifically for unvaccinated passengers.
• They will not be able to participate in some activities.
• They will not be able to access all venues.
• They will not be able to attend certain performances of theater shows that will be restricted to vaccinated passengers only.”

Is this the other site that said vaxed passengers would be wearing wristbands?

 

Sorry, I really want to hear it from Royal.  There are nine of us and only the three kids aren't vaxed.

Edited June 21, 2021 by mauraoel

[BirdTravels]

Many of the unvaccinated passengers on the Adventure last week did not comply with the masking rules. 

Edited June 21, 2021 by BirdTravels

[livingonthebeach]

2 minutes ago, mauraoel said:

Is this the other site that said vaxed passengers would be wearing wristbands?

 

Several sites have said vaxxed passengers will be wearing them.  This one goes further:

 

“Vaccinated passengers on Freedom of the Seas will be issued wristbands that show they are vaccinated and allow them access to vaccinated-only venues and events.

 

Passengers who are unvaccinated will have a hole punched in their key cards, known as SeaPass cards.

 

All passengers will have to show their SeaPass cards to access lounges, shows and dining venues on the ship.

 

Royal Caribbean on Thursday also said unvaccinated passengers will have to undergo additional COVID-19 testing at their own expense to sail on Freedom of the Seas.

 

The additional testing will include a test at the cruise terminal in Miami prior to boarding the ship and another test on board prior to disembarkation. The cost for the two tests will be $136 per passenger, with a caveat: Children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated will not have to pay the charge. Children under the age of 2 will not have to take the tests.

 

In addition, unvaccinated passengers 16 years of age and older will need to undergo an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 before leaving for their cruise, within three days of sailing. Unvaccinated passengers will be responsible for the cost of that test, too.”

Passengers who don’t want to pay for the additional testing or follow the newly announced protocols for the ship can cancel their trips for a full refund, Royal Caribbean said.

Royal Caribbean said the new rules would be in effect at least through July.

 

[mauraoel]

Just now, livingonthebeach said:

 

Several sites have said vaxxed passengers will be wearing them.  This one goes further:

 

“Vaccinated passengers on Freedom of the Seas will be issued wristbands that show they are vaccinated and allow them access to vaccinated-only venues and events.

 

Passengers who are unvaccinated will have a hole punched in their key cards, known as SeaPass cards.

 

All passengers will have to show their SeaPass cards to access lounges, shows and dining venues on the ship.

 

Royal Caribbean on Thursday also said unvaccinated passengers will have to undergo additional COVID-19 testing at their own expense to sail on Freedom of the Seas.

 

The additional testing will include a test at the cruise terminal in Miami prior to boarding the ship and another test on board prior to disembarkation. The cost for the two tests will be $136 per passenger, with a caveat: Children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated will not have to pay the charge. Children under the age of 2 will not have to take the tests.

 

In addition, unvaccinated passengers 16 years of age and older will need to undergo an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 before leaving for their cruise, within three days of sailing. Unvaccinated passengers will be responsible for the cost of that test, too.”

Passengers who don’t want to pay for the additional testing or follow the newly announced protocols for the ship can cancel their trips for a full refund, Royal Caribbean said.

Royal Caribbean said the new rules would be in effect at least through July.

 

I will wait until I hear it from Royal...

[livingonthebeach]

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

Many/most of the unvaccinated passengers on the Adventure last week did not comply with the masking rules. 

 

Did they have a mask rule?  Some bloggers said you didn’t have to wear one if you were fully vaccinated.  I know you were on that Adventure sailing and can tell us.  Freedom of the Seas might have different rules since she is sailing out of a US port. 

[livingonthebeach]

2 minutes ago, mauraoel said:

I will wait until I hear it from Royal...

 

Yes — until Royal actually publishes it most of this is speculation. 

[BirdTravels]

2 minutes ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

Did they have a mask rule?  Some bloggers said you didn’t have to wear one if you were fully vaccinated.  I know you were on that Adventure sailing and can tell us.  Freedom of the Seas might have different rules since she is sailing out of a US port.

Yes. Unvaccinated passengers needed to have masks on while inside the ship and in other instances where social distancing was not possible. 
 

Since the company’s entire future is reliant upon these test cruises being successful, it is likely that test employee’s jobs are at risk for any non-compliances noted. 

[livingonthebeach]

Just now, BirdTravels said:

Yes. Unvaccinated passengers needed to have masks on while inside the ship and in other instances where social distancing was not possible. 
 

Since the company’s entire future is reliant upon these test cruises being successful, it is likely that test employee’s jobs are at risk for any non-compliances noted. 

 

Was there some distinction between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated?  Were they able to police the mask policy or was it on the honor system.  Did everyone over 16 or 18  have to be vaccinated in order to board?  

[A&L_Ont]

2 hours ago, livingonthebeach said:

Here is another video showing FOTS being loaded with luggage, the sorting room and terminal.

 

I followed them on Youtube, it is an interesting channel. 

[livingonthebeach]

This blogger, Tony, talks about the Freedom test cruise -- he was also on the AOTS last week:

 

 

 

[kstetser]

Can someone who actually sailed explain how unvaccinated were allowed not to wear masks, when required?    Is it honor system?  No way to distinguish vaccinated from unvaccinated?  Crew just not enforcing the requirements?  I think understanding these, and other facts, will be important when future cruisers are deciding to sail or to cancel.   I was under the impression from their official statements that masks for unvaccinated passengers were not optional, but required (when indoors or when social distancing was not possible).   

Edited June 21, 2021 by kstetser