RCCL requires Drs, note

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, Dennis#1 said:

Sure hope this is the correct answer.

Me too but I have no inside intel  I don't know that my husband will even bother asking his doctor

Edited April 8, 2020 by molly361

[steveru621]

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

 

Untested so far but I don't see how they could NOT give a refund

 

Excellent question.  But in that light, if you show up without the proper paperwork (ID-BC, or passport) do you get a refund?

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

 

Excellent question.  But in that light, if you show up without the proper paperwork (ID-BC, or passport) do you get a refund?

Different scenario.  If you show up without proper paperwork that's on you.  Not the same as a doctor that won;t sign a release  You have no control over that

Edited April 8, 2020 by molly361

[steveru621]

2 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Different scenario.  If you show up without proper paperwork that's on you.  Not the same as a doctor that won;t sign a release  You have no control over that

 

Won't sign or didn't try?  How does RCI know?

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

 

Won't sign or didn't try?  How does RCI know?

You test it and let us know how it works out for you😇

[Ourusualbeach]

4 hours ago, red devil said:

Over 70--When do you need note? At time of booking (which could be 18 months from sail date) final payment or day of boarding??? If booked and you can't go because you do not have note from Doc. do you get refund?

No.  Royal has changed their policy and will allow you to transfer ownership of that FCC to someone who can sail. 

[steveru621]

27 minutes ago, molly361 said:

You test it and let us know how it works out for you😇

 

Good point, but I think I'll pass.😀

[molly361]

41 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

No.  Royal has changed their policy and will allow you to transfer ownership of that FCC to someone who can sail. 

Which means that the requirement is NOT going away anytime soon.  Might be changing bookings to solo traveler 

[ZoeyVictoria]

20 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Which means that the requirement is NOT going away anytime soon.  Might be changing bookings to solo traveler 

I wish I had the heart to do that, but I don’t.  So I am 67 and can’t sail.

[fairweather]

How about requiring everyone (including all children) to visit an urgent care in the port from which they will be leaving up to two days before a cruise is to embark? You just make the appointment at the same time you make your hotel reservations.

 

One would be checked out for any infections that could be contagious and to assess the true state of health of those with pre-existing conditions. Not just those age 70 and above have chronic health concerns. Passengers could also get a refill of any drug prescription they may have forgotten to bring with them or lost along the way at such a facility.

 

Instead of asking our primary care doctor weeks before a cruise to give an All Clear letter that might not be current, this would give the cruise line a much better evaluation of every cruise passenger's current health. And since it's always best to travel to port at least a day or two before embarkation because of weather conditions, lost luggage or just to sightsee and stock up on snacks/last minute purchases, I don't see this as being an inconvenience or undue cost.

 

Such a checkup at the urgent care would provide us all with a much better sense of safety. If we want to have a carefree vacation, there are some responsibilities we must all take in traveling around the globe.

 

It might also save us some money if we have to postpone a cruise at the last minute. The cruise lines would arguably be far more flexible in giving future cruise credits if we worked with them to save the cruise for everyone else. A better, safer cruise experience benefits company profits and repeat business. A pleasant, worry free experience should be the ultimate goal of both passengers and cruise lines.

[Ocean Boy]

^Are you for real?

[davekathy]

17 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

^Are you for real?

^ You beat me to it. 

[rockmom]

28 minutes ago, fairweather said:

How about requiring everyone (including all children) to visit an urgent care in the port from which they will be leaving up to two days before a cruise is to embark? You just make the appointment at the same time you make your hotel reservations.

 

One would be checked out for any infections that could be contagious and to assess the true state of health of those with pre-existing conditions. Not just those age 70 and above have chronic health concerns. Passengers could also get a refill of any drug prescription they may have forgotten to bring with them or lost along the way at such a facility.

 

Instead of asking our primary care doctor weeks before a cruise to give an All Clear letter that might not be current, this would give the cruise line a much better evaluation of every cruise passenger's current health. And since it's always best to travel to port at least a day or two before embarkation because of weather conditions, lost luggage or just to sightsee and stock up on snacks/last minute purchases, I don't see this as being an inconvenience or undue cost.

 

Such a checkup at the urgent care would provide us all with a much better sense of safety. If we want to have a carefree vacation, there are some responsibilities we must all take in traveling around the globe.

 

It might also save us some money if we have to postpone a cruise at the last minute. The cruise lines would arguably be far more flexible in giving future cruise credits if we worked with them to save the cruise for everyone else. A better, safer cruise experience benefits company profits and repeat business. A pleasant, worry free experience should be the ultimate goal of both passengers and cruise lines.

So you're saying that for an Oasis Class, run 6000 people through urgent care?  That would be nonstop for at least a week at an Urgent care, hahaha!  And while it's 'nice' to get to the port a day or two ahead, many don't have that luxury because of work, school and not being filthy rich and living a life of leisure.  😂🙄  

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, rockmom said:

So you're saying that for an Oasis Class, run 6000 people through urgent care?  That would be nonstop for at least a week at an Urgent care, hahaha!  And while it's 'nice' to get to the port a day or two ahead, many don't have that luxury because of work, school and not being filthy rich and living a life of leisure.  😂🙄  

Port Everglades can move 20,000 on a Saturday and another 20,000 on Sunday during high season.

[rockmom]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

Port Everglades can move 20,000 on a Saturday and another 20,000 on Sunday during high season.

Exactly, my point was that for just ONE ship it would take a week.  Lunacy.  

[red devil]

More room in the Diamond Lounge without the 70s and up crowd.

 

[davekathy]

7 minutes ago, red devil said:

More room in the Diamond Lounge without the 70s and up crowd.

 

Dream on. 🤣

[fairweather]

Hadn't thought of that. 🙃 Maybe do the urgent care visit at home a day before leaving? The cruise line needs to have current info. Primary care doctors don't have time for this. But we do need a medical evaluation that is current.

[rockmom]

4 minutes ago, fairweather said:

Hadn't thought of that. 🙃 Maybe do the urgent care visit at home a day before leaving? The cruise line needs to have current info. Primary care doctors don't have time for this. But we do need a medical evaluation that is current.

Urgent care is for just that.  URGENT cases that can't wait.  For a routine checkup, they will refer you back to your primary care.  Many insurance plans won't pay for a visit to urgent care if it's not because of something truly urgent.  The vast majority of cruisers aren't boarding while sick.  And what if someone ill is on their flight?  Symptoms wouldn't show until they were a day or two into the cruise.  There will never, ever be a way to make sure that not a single germ gets on the ship.  But for someone with a chronic illness or at a higher risk due to age, they should make sure they are healthy enough to cruise and understand the risks that are inherent in any kind of travel or even attending large group events. Obviously, if someone isn't feeling well or knows they've been exposed to something, by all means they should see their doctor before heading out on vacation. But it's not always that cut and dried.  

[Ocean Boy]

11 minutes ago, fairweather said:

Hadn't thought of that. 🙃 Maybe do the urgent care visit at home a day before leaving? The cruise line needs to have current info. Primary care doctors don't have time for this. But we do need a medical evaluation that is current.

<SIGH>

[bia]

On 3/13/2020 at 12:23 AM, rt1092 said:

That is entirely up to you. But you must be super-human. To be over 70 and not have a doctor.

we all have some type of doctor for whatever reason.  Some of us are lucky to have very good health even if they are over 70,  No doctor will write a note because they don"t want to be sued/. so therefore I cannot take a cruise and I am healthy

 

[fairweather]

46 minutes ago, rockmom said:

Urgent care is for just that.  URGENT cases that can't wait.  For a routine checkup, they will refer you back to your primary care.  Many insurance plans won't pay for a visit to urgent care if it's not because of something truly urgent.  The vast majority of cruisers aren't boarding while sick.  And what if someone ill is on their flight?  Symptoms wouldn't show until they were a day or two into the cruise.  There will never, ever be a way to make sure that not a single germ gets on the ship.  But for someone with a chronic illness or at a higher risk due to age, they should make sure they are healthy enough to cruise and understand the risks that are inherent in any kind of travel or even attending large group events. Obviously, if someone isn't feeling well or knows they've been exposed to something, by all means they should see their doctor before heading out on vacation. But it's not always that cut and dried.  

 

[fairweather]

Urgent care units do routine exams for school sports participants all the time. This is not an urgent situation.

 

These facilities offer easy access while providing routine care for those who don't want to wait for an appointment with a regular doctor's office. Most primary care doctors now function more as gatekeepers for the insurance companies, deciding when you need to see a specialist. Their nurse practitioners do most of the exams.

 

Most urgent care facilities would be more than happy to provide the service I outlined which would greatly increase their profits. A majority of these places are personally owned by physicians who don't make all that much money as primary care doctors any longer, so they went out on their own and set up these new alternative care units.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Wine-O]

How do people know they need a note from their Dr. if they are over 70?  I heard some were refused boarding if they didn't have a note before they cancelled all the cruises.  Is your TA supposed to notify you once cruises start back up that they have to have a note?  The majority of cruisers don't read cruise critic.  How are they going to get notified? 

 

I would be really upset if I got to the pier and told, "Oh, you don't have a note?  Sorry, you're not going on the cruise." 🍷

 

 

[Ought To Be Cruising]

11 hours ago, red devil said:

Over 70--When do you need note? At time of booking (which could be 18 months from sail date) final payment or day of boarding??? If booked and you can't go because you do not have note from Doc. do you get refund?

I am thinking at boarding , I believe I read that.  That's  my question, I am thinking there is no way we will get a refund.