Existing protocols extended indefinitely

[nlktx49]

Carnival had a post on Facebook this morning stating that the existing protocols are extended indefinitely. 

[groundloop]

7 minutes ago, nlktx49 said:

Carnival had a post on Facebook this morning stating that the existing protocols are extended indefinitely. 

 

Not at all surprising.  I don't mind, if I need to get tested and mask up to get on a ship so be it (especially if it means I can go to the casino without smelling the stench of stale smoke).

Edited January 21, 2022 by groundloop

[vicky3vicky]

I'm fine with that. 

[jsglow]

Carnival is simply not going to jeopardize it's ability to continue operating.  For now, any relaxation of protocols puts that at risk as they are 100% dependent on countries allowing them in.

 

I have said for a very long time, the vaccination mandate is permanent for as far as the eye can see.  Hopefully, other remediation protocols can be relaxed at some point in the future but not until this thing dies down considerably.

[1kaper]

I would have been surprised to see them lifted at this point as we are in the midst of the Omicron wave. 

[famof4togo]

I have no qualms about keeping vaccine and testing in place, but I would love sip/cover to die down before my cruise in March...

[lowroller]

Wished they stopped with the testing and just keep everything else. But I'm still sailing....

 

[HxFx]

That's disappointing, especially the sip and cover. I wonder how long that will really last. Royal only extended theirs until mid-February (so far). Waiting to hear what others are going to do! I wonder who will move first....I've enjoyed my Carnival cruises but I'm not loyal to any cruise line.

[nlktx49]

10 minutes ago, HxFx said:

That's disappointing, especially the sip and cover. I wonder how long that will really last. Royal only extended theirs until mid-February (so far). Waiting to hear what others are going to do! I wonder who will move first....I've enjoyed my Carnival cruises but I'm not loyal to any cruise line.

Are there other cruise lines that have less stringent protocols?

[nwcruiselover]

I just received 6 emails from Carnival notifying me of continuation of the protocols.  They are offering full refunds for people with cruises booked from April 2022 onwards, but only till February 15th, after which normal penalties apply.

Edited January 21, 2022 by nwcruiselover

[LHARTWICK]

43 minutes ago, groundloop said:

 

Not at all surprising.  I don't mind, if I need to get tested and mask up to get on a ship so be it (especially if it means I can go to the casino without smelling the stench of stale smoke).

Same here for sure!!!  Only exception for us is I wish the testing protocol would end at some point, but it's probably here to stay for a while. I chuckled out loud at "We are not going to try to predict when this current situation will change" in the notice I received.   Hands up - we give!!!  🤷‍♀️  Bless their hearts!  I do appreciate all the lines are doing to just survive at this point.  They're in a tough spot.  We plan to keep our current reservations in place.  I'm sure quite a few will opt for the refund.  

[BlerkOne]

As I, and some others, have said all long, the pandemic sets the schedule, and it will still be with us for some time. It is what it is.

[mz-s]

40 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

I would have been surprised to see them lifted at this point as we are in the midst of the Omicron wave. 

 

Considering how quickly case count plummeted in the UK though, I'm surprised to see them extend it - especially indefinitely - considering their current order was good through March as it was.

 

The UK just lifted all restrictions and mandates the other day.

 

Personally, I hate mask mandates. I feel that they're not very effective and are purely theater.

[keels81]

If the $10 rapid testing at the port actually works out, even the testing part of the protocols becomes so much less of a hassle/hindrance.

 

I’m on the Valor right now and relayed the info to my favorite bartender, and he is thrilled that the protocols are staying in place to keep them healthy and safe. He said the only difference between now and 2019 isn’t the money he’s able to send him (it’s slightly more now than then), it’s just wearing a mask and he doesn’t mind it.

[fuddrules]

Now we just have to keep the CDC from mandating a booster and continuing to consider the one dose J&J as fully vax.  Also many are actually recognizing previous infection too.

Edited January 21, 2022 by fuddrules

[BlerkOne]

It appears Carnival is moving to the equivalent of vaccine+ passports. Just part of the new normal.

 

1. We are piloting a program on select Mardi Gras sailings using VeriFLY, a secure, free digital health application that allows vaccinated guests the ability to easily upload required pre-embarkation information, like their vaccine attestation, proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results, and their health assessment. Completing these tasks before check-in will make embarkation a faster and more seamless experience.  Once the pilot is complete, we hope to move quickly to implement the solution across the fleet. 

[BlerkOne]

GET ON BOARD FASTER WITH VERIFLY!

VeriFLY is a secure free digital health “wallet” application that helps vaccinated guests easily and
securely submit negative COVID-19 test results, vaccination records, and required
pre-cruise surveys - before you arrive at the port!

 

[mikebisch]

13 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

I just received 6 emails from Carnival notifying me of continuation of the protocols.  They are offering full refunds for people with cruises booked from April 2022 onwards, but only till February 15th, after which normal penalties apply.

Odd.  So people booked up until Jan 31 can cancel and people booked April + can cancel, but Feb and March bookings can't cancel? 

[fuddrules]

4 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Considering how quickly case count plummeted in the UK though, I'm surprised to see them extend it - especially indefinitely - considering their current order was good through March as it was.

 

The UK just lifted all restrictions and mandates the other day.

 

Personally, I hate mask mandates. I feel that they're not very effective and are purely theater.

 

I find this interesting.  Given the low spread in summer - I doubt we see a difference this summer between the US & UK.   My next cruise is out of London and I know Carnival can do their own thing but w/hopefully many UK cruisers going out of London, they'll have their own idea of how it should be handled.

[mz-s]

1 minute ago, mikebisch said:

Odd.  So people booked up until Jan 31 can cancel and people booked April + can cancel, but Feb and March bookings can't cancel? 

 

Correct because Feb & March bookings were already under these protocols, the difference is now April and beyond are subject to the protocols.

[mouche]

Just received the email....

 

View Online GUEST OPERATIONAL UPDATE SAILINGS DEPARTING AS OF APRIL 2022   January 21, 2022 Dear Carnival Guest, We have had a very successful restart, having safely sailed nearly one million guests and operated more than 350 voyages since July. Our commitment to the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is reflected in our Have Fun. Be Safe. protocols and procedures, which were developed in consultation with our medical experts and have proven very effective during our restart and adaptable to the evolving public health situation.  Thanks to our stringent, multilayered protocols that far exceed CDC requirements, our case rate has been much lower than what has been experienced in the U.S. While we had all hoped to have been in a different place with the pandemic by now, it is clear that continued attention to these additional protocols and procedures is required to keep our guests and crew healthy and maintain the confidence of destination officials.  Therefore, until further notice, we will continue to operate vaccinated voyages with our enhanced protocols.  We are not going to try to predict when this current situation will change. Guests on vaccinated cruises must adhere to our vaccination, testing, and mask requirements, the limited vaccine exemption process and all the protocols which we are following today.  For more information on these matters, please click here . In the event guests are unable to meet our vaccination requirements and are currently booked on a cruise departing April 2022 and onward, please contact us by February 15, 2022, to receive a full refund.  After this date, all existing bookings will be subject to our normal fare cancellation policies. In addition to extending our protocols, we are pleased to introduce two other guest service programs we are implementing to facilitate your cruise preparations based on guest feedback we have received.   1. We are piloting a program on select Mardi Gras sailings using VeriFLY, a secure, free digital health application that allows vaccinated guests the ability to easily upload required pre-embarkation information, like their vaccine attestation, proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results, and their health assessment. Completing these tasks before check-in will make embarkation a faster and more seamless experience.  Once the pilot is complete, we hope to move quickly to implement the solution across the fleet.  2. We are working to expand our testing capabilities at the terminal for vaccinated guests, specifically for our short itineraries (3- and 4-day voyages).  Vaccinated guests will be able to meet the pre-cruise testing requirement as part of the embarkation process for a cost of $10 per test.  Pre-registration is required, and there will be some capacity limits, but it is our intention to make this discounted, convenient testing available to as many guests as possible. Testing sites to support short itinerary cruises will be phased in and announced by the end of January, at which time guests will receive an email to register for testing. Once again, we encourage you to please visit our Have Fun. Be Safe.  page for complete information on all our health and safety protocols, including testing, vaccine requirements, masks, travel insurance for unvaccinated guests, etc.  While we hope that current testing requirements and onboard protocols will be relaxed as time goes on, it is necessary to plan for what we know today.  Thank you for your understanding.  We look forward to welcoming you on board!     Sincerely, Christine Duffy President, Carnival Cruise Line   Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Place, 3655 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178-2428. About Us • Privacy Notice Carnival Corporation. All rights reserved. Ships' Registry: The Bahamas, Panama and Malta.

[1kaper]

2 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Correct because Feb & March bookings were already under these protocols, the difference is now April and beyond are subject to the protocols.

That’s what I assumed.  I’m booked for March. 

[BlerkOne]

As I recall, Delta exploded during the summer months. And with the CSO out of the picture, the CDC can't be blamed for this.

[HxFx]

31 minutes ago, nlktx49 said:

Are there other cruise lines that have less stringent protocols?

Not that I'm aware of which is why I wondered who would move first (on reducing the sip and cover restrictions). I will likely go with that cruise line for my next cruise (hoping to take another cruise April/May). For me, the sip and cover is the most onerous of the restrictions.

[keels81]

So, yes - Sip & Cover is annoying, but you get pretty used to it … or, don’t sit at the bar and take your drink somewhere less crowded (for me, a couch along the windows outside the casino/Red Frog currently where I don’t have to be so fastidious about the masking up between drinks.

 

But, as Lionel told me last night, he prefers people sitting at the bar wear masks for his safety. That’s good enough for me to do it if I want to sit at the bar.