NCL drops vaccine requirement after September 3rd

[BlerkOne]

2 minutes ago, cruisinbeachbum said:

I wonder why lines don't have the option for both vaccinated and non-vaccine cruises. It would make both sides happy. Keep the designation as per ship say Magic and Conquest are no vaccination requirement and Sunshine and Sunrise are vaccination required. Then people who don't want to be vaccinated have an option, those who only want to cruise with vaccinated others have an option and those who are vaccinated but don't care either way can book on either. 

 

Not sure how hard this would be for the lines to keep track of, just an idea. 

Because smokers would want 50%, too.

[Bers]

22 minutes ago, Enryon said:

It seems that this thread has become toxic. Yeah I know this post will be deleted and for some reason the mods will allow many of the toxic posts to remain. 

Let's all just try to accept that there are those that refuse to accept that covid is at the omicron stage and try to ignore them because they are the minority. Then we can move on to celebrate the great news of the return to semi-normal. You know, like when thousands and thousands died from the flu without pushing constant panic... Because we knew the reality of these crappy viruses and if we were to afraid to get it, we didn't go on cruises. 

Edited August 9, 2022 by Bers

[centurycruiser]

Scanned this thread quickly and didn't see mentioned, but, unvaccinated can cruise except for departures from the US, Canada and Athens, or, if there's a port call where the destination requires it. 

So, for the most part this is clear as mud and all the celebrations are wasted.

[Bigswells]

1 hour ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

And what makes you think that?  And you say first, so who else will fail?

They are a large corporation with dropping value

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I don't think the smallest public cruise line has the power to affect the market at large.

And that should be obvious to everyone.

[bguppies]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

I don't think the smallest public cruise line has the power to affect the market at large.

That's how you leapfrog the 2 companies ahead of you and get way out in front of the many companies behind you.

Make smarter decisions.

Give the market something they want but other companies won't give them.

 

 

[Aurora17]

On 8/8/2022 at 2:55 PM, LMaxwell said:

Any Celebrity ships on west coast?  NO Solo Supplement on hundreds of cruises.  You can book a balcony for the cost of a studio on NCL.  Sometimes NCL also has 50% or 75% supplements; you might be able to book a "large" interior for the cost of a studio or less.  Bon Voyage 

Yes, there are Celebrity ships on the west coast. (At least one) We are booked on the Solstice out of LA to the Mexican Riviera for next spring. The offer went out last week to get a free balcony and double points to passengers who are members of the Blue Chip Club (their casino) and no, you don't have to gamble.

[Schoifmom]

1 hour ago, cruisinbeachbum said:

Sorry, should have specified! I meant the rapid done at a pharmacy. We prefer the rapid because we fly a day ahead and don't want to get the result when we have already flown wherever we are going. Last summer we could schedule them at a few different locations, up to 14 days in advance. Now there's only one that's not super convenient and it's only scheduling a day in advance. 

 

What company are using to proctor tests with ones you already have? I saw a few different companies but hadn't heard first hand success stories so I was skeptical. But would definitely use one that would be reliable. I agree with you that seems much easier. 

I haven't finished catching up on this thread, but just in case no one answered your question, we used On Point to proctor our testing using the free government tests.  It was quick and easy.  $15.

[bguppies]

27 minutes ago, centurycruiser said:

Scanned this thread quickly and didn't see mentioned, but, unvaccinated can cruise except for departures from the US, Canada and Athens, or, if there's a port call where the destination requires it. 

So, for the most part this is clear as mud and all the celebrations are wasted.

Clear to me that my usual western or Bahamian runs are good to go and now MIL can cruise unvaccinated and keep her sanity on any of those cruises.

 

I'd be shocked if Carnival or RCI or both don't follow NCL's lead by the weekend.

Be nice if they didn't, but they will.

Edited August 9, 2022 by bguppies
typo

[Bigswells]

18 minutes ago, bguppies said:

Clear to me that my usual western or Bahamian runs are good to go and now MIL can cruise unvaccinated and keep her sanity on any of those cruises.

 

I'd be shocked if Carnival or RCI or both don't follow NCL's lead by the weekend.

Be nice if they didn't, but they will.

One could only hope

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, bguppies said:

That's how you leapfrog the 2 companies ahead of you and get way out in front of the many companies behind you.

Make smarter decisions.

Give the market something they want but other companies won't give them.

 

 

Covid?

[skywonder]

14 hours ago, Hoosierpop said:

Why? It’s clear that the virus spreads regardless of status. And if you are vaccinated, why do you care if someone else isn’t? 
 

I get why the cruise lines started with the vaccine requirement. But it’s silly now. I had my vaccine almost year and a half ago. It’s meaningless at this point.

 

 

Spot on and well said!

[skywonder]

16 hours ago, skridge said:

It's unfortunate that they are allowing unvaccinated passengers onto ships.  I wish they would have just stopped the testing of the vaccinated and continued to only let on a small percentage of unvaccinated.

 

It is time to get back to normal and for all to cruise again! This is a good thing and many of us are very happy about it! 🥳

Edited August 10, 2022 by skywonder

[dandeck]

On 8/8/2022 at 7:00 PM, lasvegascruising said:

Well, I am NOT vaccinated, I was hospitalized, I'm not dead and as soon as Carnival drops the vaccine requirement, I will be on one of their ships.  I do get that I should be cruising very soon and that is my point.

Let me get this straight.  You have been hospitalized, still aren't vaccinated and want to get on a cruise ship??! 

[ProgRockCruiser]

17 hours ago, centurycruiser said:

Scanned this thread quickly and didn't see mentioned, but, unvaccinated can cruise except for departures from the US, Canada and Athens, or, if there's a port call where the destination requires it. 

So, for the most part this is clear as mud and all the celebrations are wasted.

That is the status for sailings up to 2 Sept.

 

As of 3 Sept:

 

"...for sailings beginning September 3, 2022, all travelers are invited to sail with us once again, regardless of vaccination status.*"

 

And that asterisk is because unvaxxed will still need to test, and:

 

"Requirements may vary by country – refer to Travel Requirements by Country Cruise Travel Requirements by Country."

 

Some countries still require a test even for fully vaxxed people (e.g. Bermuda, Canada, Greece), and some countries are not letting in unvaxxed at all (Antigua 18 and over, Canada & Bermuda for 12 and over, Greece, Cayman, some have exceptions if proof of recent recovery).

 

I am sure Carnival will do the same within a week or two (lifting testing for vaxxed for all cruises), but hopefully they'll announce it much more coherently and accurately compared to the fiasco last week.

[Host CMLA]

On 8/8/2022 at 7:53 PM, cruisin from vegas said:

Of course I do.  I still mask in large crowds, or avoid them.  I’m not living there for 7 days . I avoid crowded elevators etc.  I just got Covid last week on the Horizon.  I’ll never got it here for over two years… or two other cruises earlier this year with masks.. sooo…. Again you don’t get it..  I’m vaccinated  and double boosted and still got it.  But I’m NOT DEAD or hospitalized..  the unvaccinated will also get it on ships… but they will be sicker and more will die.  Then the media will close down the cruse industry.  That’s the point

 

I had Delta covid a year ago and this new variant 2 weeks ago.  Not vaccinated.  Never hospitalized.  I'm only pointing out that being vaccinated doesn't guarantee you won't be hospitalized just as not being vaccinated means you will.  I'm glad NCL has taken this step.  Covid will never go away.  This is a new virus we'll have to deal with.  The current variant seems to be quite harmless to most.  That's probably the best we can hope for.  

[bowulf]

For the last 2.5 years all my vacations $$$ have gone to Jamaica rather than cruising.  Jamaica has had testing in place for 18 months of that time, and on return only for the last 4 months of that time.  Carnival/NCL/Royal could have had a share of those $s but chose not to or pressure change to the CDC guidance earlier.  I am glad it is finally happening, and might see return investment into industry as well. 

Carnival with the ship sell off might however might still not get the perponderance of that money due to less interesting itineraries from ports I like. (FL - Galveston is horrible to fly into and airport transfer)

[teknoge3k]

2 hours ago, bowulf said:

For the last 2.5 years all my vacations $$$ have gone to Jamaica rather than cruising.  Jamaica has had testing in place for 18 months of that time, and on return only for the last 4 months of that time.  Carnival/NCL/Royal could have had a share of those $s but chose not to or pressure change to the CDC guidance earlier.  I am glad it is finally happening, and might see return investment into industry as well. 

Carnival with the ship sell off might however might still not get the perponderance of that money due to less interesting itineraries from ports I like. (FL - Galveston is horrible to fly into and airport transfer)

 

Same! In 2020 when cruises stopped because of Covid, we put all of our vacation money and time into going to the Dominican Republic and Mexico and loved every bit of it. No vaccine or testing requirements for either, which was nice. We went numerous times in 2020 and 2021 and can't wait to go back. 

[Flytko]

We might have to try NCL when they start cruising out of Galveston.

 

I just tested my antibodies and they are positive lol.  I don't care what your stance is on the vaccine, but thought this was a funny tidbit.  So a couple of weeks ago, my MIL who is single boosted caught Covid and my wife who just has the original Vax, also caught it.  Somehow, I tested several times while they had it and was negative.   I have never been vaxxed......  That's my 2 1/2 cents on the issue.  

[skridge]

20 hours ago, skywonder said:

It is time to get back to normal and for all to cruise again! This is a good thing and many of us are very happy about it! 🥳

If normal means that you have to be vaccinated to cruise then I agree.

[skridge]

20 hours ago, skywonder said:

It is time to get back to normal and for all to cruise again! This is a good thing and many of us are very happy about it! 🥳

Many of us would rather them drop testing and still not allow unvaccinated passengers.

[JT1962]

5 minutes ago, skridge said:

I hope they continue to not let unvaccinated passengers on cruise ships.  It is my right to have this opinion.  Feel free to have yours.

Better book quickly. Royal Caribbean just announced that they will be allowing unvaccinated passengers on cruises from some ports, including New Orleans, Galveston and Los Angeles, starting in early September. I look for Carnival to follow quickly. 
 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center?icid=hlthys_wrnssn_hlt_nbrdxp_pghdr_3467

Edited August 11, 2022 by JT1962

[BlerkOne]

13 minutes ago, bowulf said:

My CCL stock ownership prefers if you were not in charge of their business strategy. 

No need to fret. Institutions own most of the stock, individuals bring up the rear.

[bowulf]

15 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

No need to fret. Institutions own most of the stock, individuals bring up the rear.

Doesn't stop me from wanting to see an return on investment on mine.  

[sprint180]

I'm vaxed but my family isn't ,  I am so glad it is dropped so we can cruise again.  I have had covid twice since I've been vaxed.  Once I got it in my home town.  Once on an airplane.   Cruising doesn't bother me in the slightest.  I'm just glad we can go places again.  I know 8 people that have went on 3 different cruises.  All Vaxed.  I also know 8 people that came home from the cruise with covid.    I'd be on a cruise tomorrow if I could