Unvaccinated kids can't go ashore unless on RCCL tour?

[MariahJ]

My extended family is cruising next week on JotS out of Cyprus and my sister's 2 boys are 2 and 4, so over course, not vaccinated. My dad says he called RCCL and was told "Families with unvaccinated kids can not go ashore at all unless they are booked on a RCCL tour." Can anyone who's cruised with RCCL recently confirm if this is true?

[smokeybandit]

Same for US-based cruises, too.

 

It reeks of a plan to maximize RC excursion bookings and nothing to do with health and safety

[Itchy&Scratchy]

12 minutes ago, MariahJ said:

My dad says he called RCCL and was told "Families with unvaccinated kids can not go ashore at all unless they are booked on a RCCL tour."

and not just the families with the kids. People currently sailing on Adventure report that NO ONE from that family will be allowed to leave the ship outside of an RCI tour, even if someone stays on it with the kids.

[LadyShiva]

Have you checked prices between booking via cruiseline versus independently?  For the past few years, it has been 5 bucks more per person on my cruises.  I will pay that to make sure the ship waits, the operators are vaccinated, and I have air-conditioning in a safety-checked vehicle.

Edited July 15, 2021 by LadyShiva

[Joseph2017China]

3 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

and not just the families with the kids. People currently sailing on Adventure report that NO ONE from that family will be allowed to leave the ship outside of an RCI tour, even if someone stays on it with the kids.

Cyprus, Bahamas, and the USA all have different sets of rules.  So the rule on Adventure might not be the same as in Cyprus.  Plus on Adventure, if you arrange babysitting, you can get off the ship on your own 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

4 minutes ago, Joseph2017China said:

Cyprus, Bahamas, and the USA all have different sets of rules.  So the rule on Adventure might not be the same as in Cyprus.  Plus on Adventure, if you arrange babysitting, you can get off the ship on your own 

true. And the rules pertaining to each ship and sailing are published on RCI website.

 

On Adventure, mom reported that she couldn't even go out to the port area, while leaving kids with dad on the ship, even though both parents are vaccinated (kids are not).

[Babr]

22 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Same for US-based cruises, too.

 

It reeks of a plan to maximize RC excursion bookings and nothing to do with health and safety

I think the idea is to limit/control the exposure in order to prevent infection. Some of the places you visit may have low vaccination rates and/or high infection rates.

[smokeybandit]

16 minutes ago, Babr said:

I think the idea is to limit/control the exposure in order to prevent infection. Some of the places you visit may have low vaccination rates and/or high infection rates.

Those RC-approved shore excursions are going the same places.

[SeaHunt]

To see this in writing, be sure and read the "Getting Ready to Cruise" section - go here and choose Limassol, Cyprus in the "Where are you sailing from" box:

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise

 

When you choose Cyprus you'll see:

 

GETTING READY TO CRUISE FROM CYPRUS On Jewel of the Seas

The protocols communicated here apply only to guests departing from Limassol, Cyprus on Jewel of the Seas®. We will continue to update these protocols as public health situations evolve. Guidance for all other departure ports is still in development with national and local authorities. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure prior to sailing, however these are subject to change.

 

<scroll to "At Ports of Call">

 

At Ports of Call

Travel parties with unvaccinated guests that wish to go ashore must purchase a local tour through Royal Caribbean, including parents traveling with unvaccinated children. We have worked with local tour operators to ensure they follow health and safety guidance that aligns with our Healthy Sail Panel recommendations. Shore Excursions are available at a variety of price points and may be purchased in advance on Cruise Planner or once onboard using the Royal Caribbean App.  Entirely vaccinated traveling parties may visit the port freely. This policy is subject to change as we continue to evaluate circumstances around the globe.

 

 

 

[Babr]

14 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Those RC-approved shore excursions are going the same places.

That does not mean there won’t be limits. I expect the bubble excursions will be smaller groups who will be isolated from others and will not be allowed to wander off on their own. I wouldn’t be surprised if those excursions are shorter duration as well.

[seabeew]

21 minutes ago, Babr said:

That does not mean there won’t be limits. I expect the bubble excursions will be smaller groups who will be isolated from others and will not be allowed to wander off on their own. I wouldn’t be surprised if those excursions are shorter duration as well.

There are not special tours for vaccinated and unvaccinated on my cruise planner for my Celebrity Edge cruise. 
 

A new restriction emerged during my Adventure cruise and the unvaccinated had to book a curated tour, as they call them now, but it was an existing tour open to anyone.

[kearney]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Same for US-based cruises, too.

 

It reeks of a plan to maximize RC excursion bookings and nothing to do with health and safety

In the case of US ... I believe this is based on updated CDC guidance

[Babr]

2 minutes ago, seabeew said:

There are not special tours for vaccinated and unvaccinated on my cruise planner for my Celebrity Edge cruise. 
 

A new restriction emerged during my Adventure cruise and the unvaccinated had to book a curated tour, as they call them now, but it was an existing tour open to anyone.

In that case, I guess any ship tour is a bubble consisting of its passengers as opposed to free roaming in town or unverified vendors. It is still a way to limit exposure, yes?

[seabeew]

12 minutes ago, Babr said:

In that case, I guess any ship tour is a bubble consisting of its passengers as opposed to free roaming in town or unverified vendors. It is still a way to limit exposure, yes?

Of course passengers are in a bubble, that’s the point, but the tours are regular in length and size. 

[dd likes to cruise]

1 hour ago, MariahJ said:

My extended family is cruising next week on JotS out of Cyprus and my sister's 2 boys are 2 and 4, so over course, not vaccinated. My dad says he called RCCL and was told "Families with unvaccinated kids can not go ashore at all unless they are booked on a RCCL tour." Can anyone who's cruised with RCCL recently confirm if this is true?

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I don’t know anyone cruising this year that really expects everything to go smoothly.   This post COVID period (we really can’t even call it that yet) is going to be “all over the place”. I would not have booked a cruise, if I didn’t go into it knowing “all will not be perfect”. 

[atricks]

Cruises from the US are slightly different:

 

"Vaccinated parents wishing to go ashore freely can visit our youth facilities once onboard to learn about drop off program hours and availability, and reserve time for their child on the day they wish to go in port.

Tours are not required for any guest to go ashore at our private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay."  I.e. if you go with the kids, you need the tour, if you leave them onboard, you don't.  (Either someone stays and watches them onboard, or drop them off at Adventure Ocean)   Not sure why Adventure of the Seas is different here.

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by atricks

[jcc1025]

Yes, we are sailing out of Galveston on August 15th, just got our health and document instructions and anyone under 12 who has not been vaccinate can only go on RCCL tours. We are fine with that. Also venues on the ship (bars and casinos) will be designated as vaccinated only areas and you do not have to wear a mask. We are also fine with that. Royal has a great kids club program that we have used often and so if we want to go to these venues we will have our grandson sign up for the kids club. To be honest he likes being better that with us most of the time. 

[seabeew]

7 minutes ago, atricks said:

Cruises from the US are slightly different:

 

"Vaccinated parents wishing to go ashore freely can visit our youth facilities once onboard to learn about drop off program hours and availability, and reserve time for their child on the day they wish to go in port.

Tours are not required for any guest to go ashore at our private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay."  I.e. if you go with the kids, you need the tour, if you leave them onboard, you don't.

 

I haven’t heard this but I like it.

[mac_tlc]

3 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

 

Deleted, issue mentioned in post #16

mac_tlc

Edited July 15, 2021 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

51 minutes ago, seabeew said:

I haven’t heard this but I like it.

That language was included in the protocols we received for our August Allure sailing from Port Canaveral. 

[MississippiMom]

On 7/15/2021 at 4:15 PM, jcc1025 said:

Yes, we are sailing out of Galveston on August 15th, just got our health and document instructions and anyone under 12 who has not been vaccinate can only go on RCCL tours. We are fine with that. Also venues on the ship (bars and casinos) will be designated as vaccinated only areas and you do not have to wear a mask. We are also fine with that. Royal has a great kids club program that we have used often and so if we want to go to these venues we will have our grandson sign up for the kids club. To be honest he likes being better that with us most of the time. 

This is good information to know.  Thank you for sharing.  We have a multi-generational holiday cruise booked and two of the children will still be too young for vaccines.  They are very good at understanding when masks are required.  And none of us mind selecting from the RCCL tours to stay together.

[steamboats]

On 7/15/2021 at 8:21 PM, MariahJ said:

Can anyone who's cruised with RCCL recently confirm if this is true?

 

A friend of mine is on the Jewel right now and yes, it´s true.

 

steamboats

[bouhunter]

On 7/15/2021 at 2:35 PM, LadyShiva said:

Have you checked prices between booking via cruiseline versus independently?  For the past few years, it has been 5 bucks more per person on my cruises.  I will pay that to make sure the ship waits, the operators are vaccinated, and I have air-conditioning in a safety-checked vehicle.

In normal times there are plenty of other things to do besides just RCCL excursion options.  Like taking a walk............. 

Edited July 18, 2021 by bouhunter

[steamboats]

On 7/15/2021 at 8:35 PM, LadyShiva said:

Have you checked prices between booking via cruiseline versus independently?  For the past few years, it has been 5 bucks more per person on my cruises.  I will pay that to make sure the ship waits, the operators are vaccinated, and I have air-conditioning in a safety-checked vehicle.

 

Currently you can´t book independently as you´re not allowed to leave the ship on your own when you have unvaccinated people (basically kids) in your group.

 

steamboats

[little britain]

On 7/15/2021 at 7:21 PM, MariahJ said:

My extended family is cruising next week on JotS out of Cyprus and my sister's 2 boys are 2 and 4, so over course, not vaccinated. My dad says he called RCCL and was told "Families with unvaccinated kids can not go ashore at all unless they are booked on a RCCL tour." Can anyone who's cruised with RCCL recently confirm if this is true?

Correct. It is on their website 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise?country=GBR