Cruising with Unvaxed Kids - Time to Decide...

[Tjterrill]

Hey everyone, 

 

I've searched for this specific topic and didn't find find what I was looking for. 

 

We're under 60 days until our cruise on Mariner. Us parents are both vaxed. Kids (11 and 4) aren't eligible. 

 

We're at the point of needing to buy our flights, book hotels, secure rental cars, etc. ahead of our October trip. Needless to say, we're torn given the current conditions and restrictions in place that would essentially deem all of us as unvaccinated. I know things can/will change between now at then, but we're at a bit of a crossroads to make a final decision. 

 

MY QUESTION: Has anyone sailed since the re-start in this mixed status group, with parents vaxed and kids not?

 

And if so, what was your experience? I can certainly see it being limiting, but also not too big of a deal. 

 

Please keep any political, judgmental, or comments unrelated to the specific question out of this. I'm genuinely just looking to hear from those who might have sailed under these conditions for advice. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

[mac_tlc]

We will be boarding Allure 8/15, so I would be interested in peoples experiences. I will offer mine when we get off on 8/22. We get on the Allure with our group of 8, ages 62 to 3. Six adults vaxed, kids are 9 and 3. 

 

My understanding is you are considered unvaxed only if you are with the kids, not if the parents are by themselves. For us, the places where the unvaxed cant go is not where the kids would be anyway. 

 

mac_tlc 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2021 by mac_tlc

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Can't advise on what to do w/ the kids but you should be able to book hotel and car rentals w/o penalty of cancellations if/when giving a 48hr notice. W/ regards to the air fares, you might check out Royal's Air2Sea program to see if it fits your needs w/ regards to cancellations if needed. 

[honeymooner16]

We cruised on 7/19 on the Freedom of the Seas out of Miami - 2 parents are vaccinated with 2 kids not yet eligible. Happy to answer any specific questions you have. 

 

We were not allowed off in Nassau unless we were with a cruise ship tour. There were certain shows the kids couldn't go to (there was at least one "everybody" option, not always at a time that worked for little kids) and they couldn't ice skate because that was vaxed only. 

 

We did have to sit in the unvaxxed section for dinner, but for most of it there was no one else anywhere near us. The last night the table next to us came. It was oddly empty. 

 

You did have to sign up for times for the kids club, but again it was empty to the point mine were often the only ones there. 

 

We are booked again on the Mariner for labor day, but debating if I want to pay for the covid test that is now required for all of us to board. 

[dabucs]

So is a parent of an unvaccinated (too young) kid unable to go to vaccinated only venues by themselves, for example, the casino?

[rbell]

1 hour ago, dabucs said:

So is a parent of an unvaccinated (too young) kid unable to go to vaccinated only venues by themselves, for example, the casino?

I do not think so

 

[mek]

3 minutes ago, rbell said:

I do not think so

 

I think they are.  They are only restricted on the ship when with anyone unvaccinated . Not sure about shore excursions, tho.

[jacobtsf]

1 hour ago, dabucs said:

So is a parent of an unvaccinated (too young) kid unable to go to vaccinated only venues by themselves, for example, the casino?

At least as of last week vaccinated people traveling with unvaccinated children ARE allowed in the vaccinated only areas.
 

They do have dining reservations with their party, so that means no My Time Dining. 
 

They originally were asking them to go on ship sponsored excursions, but later amended that to say if the kids were in kids club on board (or with other people in their party) they could go out on their own. 

[Sianli]

14 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

We will be boarding Allure 8/15, so I would be interested in peoples experiences. I will offer mine when we get off on 8/22. We get on the Allure with our group of 8, ages 62 to 3. Six adults vaxed, kids are 9 and 3. 

 

My understanding is you are considered unvaxed only if you are with the kids, not if the parents are by themselves. For us, the places where the unvaxed cant go is not where the kids would be anyway. 

 

mac_tlc 

 

 

Happy to know our 3 yr old grandaughter will not be alone in Adventure Ocean on this sailing!

[CruiseBride926]

13 hours ago, rbell said:

Personally,I would never bring my unvaxed kids on any cruise ship right now.Just to much worrying all the time.But to each it's own.

 

 

Stay safe

Honestly the safety standards on the ship are far more strict then those at my child’s school. I’ll be thrilled to get her out of that little petri dish for a week 😂

[spooky981]

I decided long ago that the risks of my children attending public school are far greater than spending a week on a cruise ship.

[CJMini]

Thrilled to see this topic on the board!

Family cruise over Thanksgiving week on a 4 day itinerary.  We’ve been trying to do this sailing since 2019 (had to cancel twice). There will be 6 vaccinated adults and one unvaccinated 7 year old. 
As stated above, my understanding is (in our situation) our vaccinated adults may go to all the areas for vaccinated passengers IF we don’t have our 7 yr old granddaughter with us?   We, the grandparents, can babysit and other adults could do a comedy show and drinks in a bar later.  If we all choose to go to a show or say the ice rink show, then we will have to attend when unvaccinated are allowed.

 

Next concern we have is…granddaughter must have a COVID test 3 days prior to embarkation (as well as the rest of our vaccinated group), a test on embarkation day in the terminal, and again on day before we return to Pt Canaveral.  How did your kids handle that many tests?  I’m hoping we will be able to find a location which administers the antigen test for the 3 day prior because I’ve heard it’s less invasive.  Then the large candy store onboard may prove to be the perfect bribe for the embarkation test.  But the third test just three days later…well, I’m envisioning a LOT of tears!!

 

How was the experience when being out on deck at pool area and water slides?  Can granddaughter play put put golf?  I’m assuming it will be more accommodating when we have day at CoCo Cay.

 

Thank you, in advance, for any responses.  We are about a month from final payment and concerned about whether this may be just too many hoops to jump through…yet, I don’t anticipate the cruise protocol being relaxed what with numbers climbing so do we just dive in..make the most of it..and create some family memories (with masks on 😌)?

 

Thanks, CJ

[jacobtsf]

14 minutes ago, CJMini said:

How did your kids handle that many tests?  I’m hoping we will be able to find a location which administers the antigen test for the 3 day prior because I’ve heard it’s less invasive.  Then the large candy store onboard may prove to be the perfect bribe for the embarkation test.  But the third test just three days later…well, I’m envisioning a LOT of tears!!

The majority of tests they have now are not very intrusive, just a quick swab partway up the nose. Hoping the tests onboard are like those, and not the one that felt like they went clear up to the brain. 

[PCHENG]

There are lots of moving parts, and things could change with little to no notice.  I am currently booked on Oasis for Thanksgiving with my wide and 2 unvaccinated kids.  Vaccine for children may become available in October which would allow my kids to get vaccinated in time for the cruise. 

 

I feel safe having my kids go on the cruise.  With majority (if not all) of the adults on the ship vaccinated, temperature checks at every corner, regular cleaning, ventilation system modifications, enforcement of masking and social distancing, the ship is a much safer place than my kids' school or community playground.  

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

17 hours ago, Tjterrill said:

MY QUESTION: Has anyone sailed since the re-start in this mixed status group, with parents vaxed and kids not?

 

there have been several reviews on this board since the restart, in which mixed status families described their trips in great detail.

 

We'll be sailing with unvaxxed 10 yo in November. I am about to make the final payment, and I already bought airline tickets to the port, and booked a rental car for the way back.

1 hour ago, PCHENG said:

With majority (if not all) of the adults on the ship vaccinated, temperature checks at every corner, regular cleaning, ventilation system modifications, enforcement of masking and social distancing, the ship is a much safer place than my kids' school or community playground.  

Exactly. My kid's first day of school is today, and none of the risk mitigation measures are in place besides mask wearing (required for now, but masks were optional just a couple of days ago)... None of the kids are vaxxed due to age.

 

1 hour ago, MR_T said:

I really don’t understand why any parent would ever consider taking their unvaccinated children on a cruise at the moment… the only reason I can see this happening is a purely selfish one on the parents behalf.  The current risks involved with regard to the delta varient spreading so easily would be a huge risk for me to ever consider taking a cruise with anyone unvaccinated  especially children. 

 

imagine how the teachers feel at the moment, surrounded by the little germ factories. Or big germ factories who aren't vaccinated and don't want to wear a mask.

We don't have much choice but to send our kids to school right now - with all the other unvaxxed kids and masks being optional, no tests being done, no distancing, nothing, so tell me - why would they NOT be as safe on the cruise?

 

 

Edited August 9, 2021 by Itchy&Scratchy

[sabres431]

We are going on Oasis in November 7.  Since the itinerary stops at St. Thomas I envision an even safer sailing due to St. Thomas rules about vaccinations.  Also Oasis is HUGE and has plenty of outdoor space.  Hopefully they are still sailing at reduced capacity as welI. called about cancelling and didn't like the cancellation policy so we're hoping for the best.  I'm just making sure everything I book(flights, hotels, etc. ) are refundable.

[dominicr]

I’m good with taking my kids (5 and 2) on a cruise in October.   I’ll use advanced math and do some hard rounding and say there is a 100% chance they will be ok.  

[Scoobydobe7]

21 hours ago, rbell said:

I do not think so

 

I was told no by a C&A rep...I was told if you are traveling with unvaxed children..you are considered unvaxed...even with the vaccine ...because of this information we have  cancelled our cruuse in October.. 

Edited August 9, 2021 by Scoobydobe7

[dominicr]

7 minutes ago, Scoobydobe7 said:

I was told no by a C&A rep...I was told if you are traveling with unvaxed children..you are considered unvaxed...even with the vaccine ...because of this information we have  cancelled our cruuse in October.. 

 

from what has been reported by people currently on cruises you were informed incorrectly 

[spooky981]

9 minutes ago, Scoobydobe7 said:

I was told no by a C&A rep...I was told if you are traveling with unvaxed children..you are considered unvaxed...even with the vaccine ...because of this information we have  cancelled our cruuse in October.. 

 

I've never heard anything like that and I've been paying very close attention to the last 6 months. I recommend you call back and get a different representative and see if you get the exact same answer.

[Scoobydobe7]

3 minutes ago, dominicr said:

 

from what has been reported by people currently on cruises you were informed incorrectly 

I spoke with multiple reps and specific ally asked if I could go to casino, casino bar, schooners etc.. (Symphony list) and was told no..I cancelled (told rep Royal will lose my business after all my FCC are used)..I was told I MIGHT be able to cancel for full refund (after final payment) IF and when Royal announces the new protocols and I did not want to go at that point..I cut my losses..

[florida eagle]

30 minutes ago, dominicr said:

I’m good with taking my kids (5 and 2) on a cruise in October.   I’ll use advanced math and do some hard rounding and say there is a 100% chance they will be ok.  

Whatever political ways, I have grandchildren. And before the oldest goes to first grade in a few years, I would like to take a cruise with them and hopefully paying a bit less. I hope you have a great cruise with them. p.s....learning to pack for them and if a stroller or other things are needed is something to learn.

[sabres431]

I'm more concerned that we have to fly than the cruise itself.  My kids are 5 and 2 as well

[exm]

Thanks Scooby and I fully agree. 
 

My kids are 5, 7, 10.

Edited August 9, 2021 by exm

[exm]

To OP: I'll be on the 8/21 AOS with my 3 children (5,7,10). Feel free to follow the live thread for my updates!