Royal Caribbean to resume sailings in the Med with vaccination mandate. Will Princess Follow???

[Astro Flyer]

5 minutes ago, voljeep said:

yep, just like when testing for Corona first came out - private companies couldn't 'buy' testing facilities time and rapid results, huh ?

 

sorry, but money talks - ALWAYS follow the money ...

Good luck...don’t think cruise lines will purchase vaccines on the black market for their crews. 🙄

 

I want all crew to be vaccinated however as Princess stated that might not be possible before resuming cruising but hopefully they’re wrong. 🤞

 

If not all vaccinated then passengers will decide whether to sail or not.

Edited March 15, 2021 by Astro Flyer

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Good luck...don’t think cruise lines will purchase vaccines on the black market for their crews. 🙄

 

I want all crew to be vaccinated however as Princess stated that might not be possible before resuming cruising but hopefully they’re wrong. 🤞

 

If not all vaccinated then passengers will decide whether to sail or not.

the testing wasn't 'black market' why would you think the vaccines 🥼 would be ???🤑

[caribill]

11 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

 

I want all crew to be vaccinated however as Princess stated that might not be possible before resuming cruising but hopefully they’re wrong. 🤞

 

 

 

The crew will have been isolated (possibly multiple times) for up to two weeks as well as frequently tested. All of this before any passengers are allowed on board.

 

As long as unvaccinated crew are not allowed on shore at ports and do not interact with local suppliers along the way, there should be no concerns for vaccinated passengers once cruising restarts.

[chef Brian]

yesterday CEO Arnold Donald of Carnival, princess parent group. in a news story on Cruise Fever website said they probably will not require guest to be vaccinated for there cruise group.  but are still looking at information.

[LACruiser88]

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/environmental-health/virgin-voyages-commits-fully-vaccinated-cruises

[voljeep]

Details about how the company will facilitate vaccinations for crew are still being worked out, a spokesperson said.

[cruzsnooze]

I'm all for it

[skynight]

It's the smart move. No cruise line would want an outbreak on their ships. It would be a medical nightmare, and a business catastrophe. I'm for it. Now for the vaccine passport rules, what's accepted, what's not. 

[PrincessLuver]

17 hours ago, caribill said:

 

The crew will have been isolated (possibly multiple times) for up to two weeks as well as frequently tested. All of this before any passengers are allowed on board.

 

As long as unvaccinated crew are not allowed on shore at ports and do not interact with local suppliers along the way, there should be no concerns for vaccinated passengers once cruising restarts.

 

That approach worked really well at the White House......only the NBA was really able to pull off a strict Covid-19 free bubble....cruise lines are not the NBA and there are just too many ways for the virus to get onboard if they do not have fully vaccinated crews and passengers, frequent testing and strict COVID-19 protocols......

[jrblach]

awesome. all cruises should be vaccinated pax & crew

[wowzz]

4 hours ago, chef Brian said:

yesterday CEO Arnold Donald of Carnival, princess parent group. in a news story on Cruise Fever website said they probably will not require guest to be vaccinated for there cruise group.  but are still looking at information.

P&O have said that all passengers will have to be vaccinated on their initial "cruises to nowhere". Perhaps Arnold Donald forgot to tell them! 

[Tak8]

Seems like the best way to minimize the spread.  Probably the best route to sailing again.

[caribill]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

P&O have said that all passengers will have to be vaccinated on their initial "cruises to nowhere". Perhaps Arnold Donald forgot to tell them! 

 

From the press release (and note the insurance that is required):

 

Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident Covid-19 vaccinated* guests only.

 

All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and wellbeing measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises. These have been developed with guidance from our global medical and public health experts and scientists and in close coordination with UK government agencies. These protocols include enhanced sanitation measures, appropriate social distancing and the wearing of masks in certain areas of the ship. Crew will also undergo a strict testing and quarantine regime as well as regular testing during their time on board. Our protocols are subject to change, as we will continue to work with our experts and with government bodies to ensure all of our practices evolve in line with latest advice, with our primary focus always being to protect the health and wellbeing of our crew and guests and the communities we visit.  Travel insurance will also be mandatory for all guests.**

 

*Vaccine policy
Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident, Covid-19 vaccinated guests only.

For these cruises the definition of "vaccinated" is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.

All other P&O Cruises holidays currently on sale do not require guests to be vaccinated. 

 

**Travel insurance
As part of our health and wellbeing protocols it is mandatory for all UK guests to have suitable travel insurance cover in order to cruise with us. Travel insurance ensures that our guests can relax and enjoy their holiday with peace of mind that they are covered for most eventualities. This includes unforeseen incidents before their holiday, while travelling or while they are away. Typically, travel insurance covers cancellation of your holiday, stolen belongings and medical treatment. Insurance documents will be checked at the terminal and boarding will be denied, at guests' own expense, for anyone without appropriate cover. We have partnered with Holiday Extras to offer cruise-specific cover for our holidays. When travelling with us, insurance must include medical and repatriation cover of £2 million minimum that includes cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to Covid-19. To find out more, visit www.holidayextras.com/pocruises or phone 0800 093 3070 and quote PAOHX.

 

Enhanced protocols
All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and wellbeing measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises. These have been developed with guidance from our global medical and public health experts and scientists, and in close coordination with UK Government agencies.

 

In line with our requirement that crew wear face masks on board, guests will also be required to wear a face mask in certain public areas of the ship. Enhanced sanitation measures and social distancing will also be in place. Crew will undergo a strict testing and quarantine regime as well as regular testing during their time on board. These protocols are subject to change, as we will continue to work with our experts and with government bodies to ensure all of our policies evolve in line with latest advice, with our primary focus always being to protect the health and wellbeing of our crew and guests and the communities we visit.

 

 

[caribill]

For the P&O British coastal cruises this summer:

 

 

Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident Covid-19 vaccinated* guests only.

 

 

*Vaccine policy Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident, Covid-19 vaccinated guests only.   For these cruises the definition of "vaccinated" is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.   All other P&O Cruises holidays currently on sale do not require guests to be vaccinated.

 

 

 

[leck57]

I didn't think there was any doubt.

Anyone who doesn't want the vaccine, in my opinion, doesn't cruise or fly internationally anywhere.

[nocl]

18 hours ago, caribill said:

 

The crew will have been isolated (possibly multiple times) for up to two weeks as well as frequently tested. All of this before any passengers are allowed on board.

 

As long as unvaccinated crew are not allowed on shore at ports and do not interact with local suppliers along the way, there should be no concerns for vaccinated passengers once cruising restarts.

Except if an vaccinated passenger just happens to be one for which the vaccine is non-efficacious  and happens to bring the virus on board.  Once there it could then spread quite quickly through a non-vaccinated crew.

[nocl]

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

P&O have said that all passengers will have to be vaccinated on their initial "cruises to nowhere". Perhaps Arnold Donald forgot to tell them! 

P&O UK, sailing under UK rules, totally inside the UK, does not represent a general or far reaching  decision by CCL.

Edited March 17, 2021 by nocl

[restasured]

On 3/1/2021 at 5:04 PM, NavArch64 said:

We are booked on Enchanted Princess for Sept. 18, 2021 and would like a mandate for all crew and guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID19. It seems a small price to pay to allow us to feel comfortable onboard and ashore. What are the different views of the cruise critic community?

100% agree.  No vaccine, no sail.

[restasured]

On 3/1/2021 at 5:18 PM, Astro Flyer said:

I hope they have that requirement before our next cruise in Fall 2021 from LA.

 

Reading a recent USA Today article Costa, RCI & NCL aim to require crew to be vaccinated & are exploring their options for passengers. If the CDC makes vaccinations mandatory for USA cruises they will have to comply.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2021/02/12/covid-vaccine-royal-caribbean-norwegian-require-crews-get-vaccine/6743491002/

 

 

Challenge is, if, the crew is not 100% vaccinated and even if a 14 day quarantine is imposed, if that crew member is exposed, however it happened and contracts the virus, that member can expose many others on board before any symptoms if any show to the virus.  I don't believe the idea of a quarantine is sufficient.  Vaccination or no one on board sails.

[restasured]

On 3/2/2021 at 11:59 AM, chef Brian said:

everyone is talking about how they feel safe because they have been vaccinated....and want the cruiselines to make the vaccine mandatory. to be honest just cause you got the vaccination doesn't mean you can't get Covid!!! it means you have reduced chances, one is 94% percent and one is 97% depending on which you took. a condoms is 99.9% effective and we still have babies born every year from people using them. if everyone gets the vaccination will it help, of course. but there are people that can't take it for medical reasons and what about people who can't take it for religious reasons. are you telling them you have more rights then them? if the cruise lines enforce only vaccinated people can cruise, look out for the lawsuits... so who do you think the cruise line is going to pick? a passenger  that has say 300 or more days at sea but  they have a medical condition and didn't get the vaccine, or some one that might cruise once a year that got the vaccine. the answer is, cruise lines will say  show me the money!! cruise line is going to pick someone who spends the most money, with they cruiseline,  in case you are wondering, i am too young to get the vaccine yet i am 50. but i will. when it is available. but i am being realistic, read the news look at the internet there are lots of people say that they will never get the vaccine.(not enough research) even medical workers, or young people because they have a  98% recovery rate. 

but even if everyone is mandated, think about the long shore men that handle your luggage, they don't work for the cruise line! they work for a independent company. they have there own union and would have to vote for everyone to get it! and then there is the people that are bringing all the supplies to the ship are they vaccinated? and you said small price to pay to feel safe on land or shore, well if you get off ship in another country, which most are very poor and most likely won't get vaccinated, so if you want to feel completely safe all you can do is stay home. because like it or not we do not control the world we live in. yes we can reduce the risk. but unless everyone in the entire world gets vaccinated there will always be a risk!!!

You make some good points, but many are very subjective, as are most things in life.  As has been stated in a previous post the EEOC has already said companies can mandate that their employees get the vaccine or find other employment.  The part " if everyone gets the vaccination will it help, of course. but there are people that can't take it for medical reasons and what about people who can't take it for religious reasons. are you telling them you have more rights then them? if the cruise lines enforce only vaccinated people can cruise, look out for the lawsuits... 

I don't know of any medical condition that would keep anyone from getting the vaccine.  I am sure there may be a couple, but have not heard of any.  In fact people with medical conditions that put them at large risk for the virus have been moved to the head of the line.  As far as people suing the cruise lines, good luck with that.  ALL companies can refuse service to anyone, as long as those people don't fit in a "protected" classes.  And refusing to be vaccinated, isn't one of those classes.

[restasured]

On 3/3/2021 at 6:38 AM, gmjc2 said:

As has been said--vaccines ( yellow fever etc)are required for many countries so a World or partial world cruise voyage  requires mandatory proof of vaccination or no boarding. Why is this any different?

Yes the luggage porters and terminal workers may not be vaccinated but if the passengers are then it limits the chances of getting the disease  and disrupting the cruise!

 

 

And the cruise lines can require the contracted companies to only supply employees that have been vaccinated.  Doesn't matter if the contracted company is union or non union.  

[caribill]

4 hours ago, restasured said:

And the cruise lines can require the contracted companies to only supply employees that have been vaccinated.  Doesn't matter if the contracted company is union or non union.  

 

If cruising restarts have to wait until all crew from third world countries can get vaccinated, it may be a long wait.

 

The USA and Great Britain are well on the way to having anyone that wants a vaccine having one by mid-summer. The same cannot be said for many of the countries that the crew is drawn from.

[USCcruisecrazy]

7 hours ago, caribill said:

 

If cruising restarts have to wait until all crew from third world countries can get vaccinated, it may be a long wait.

 

The USA and Great Britain are well on the way to having anyone that wants a vaccine having one by mid-summer. The same cannot be said for many of the countries that the crew is drawn from.

Great point.  The only way that works is if the companies purchase the vaccine and give it to their employees from other countries.  Otherwise, it's a criteria that may take a long time to meet...if ever.

[GonzoWCS]

8 hours ago, caribill said:

 

If cruising restarts have to wait until all crew from third world countries can get vaccinated, it may be a long wait.

 

The USA and Great Britain are well on the way to having anyone that wants a vaccine having one by mid-summer. The same cannot be said for many of the countries that the crew is drawn from.

Yes sir!

[CI66774]

On 3/1/2021 at 8:28 PM, nocl said:

 

The EEOC has already ruled that companies can require their employees to be vaccinated. So you already have some civilian entities requiring vaccination

 

There is nothing that prevents cruise lines from requiring their passengers to be vaccinated. After all cruising is an optional activity, if someone does not want to be vaccinated they do not have to be, but of course they would not be able to cruise, it is their choice.

 

The interesting thing is that the law that authorizes the FDA to grant Emergency Authorization Approvals also states that products that have been granted an EUA are not to be considered to be unapproved.  So as far as legal status goes a product with an EUA is considered to be approved for as long as the EUA is in effect, even if a full submission has not occurred.

 

 

Regarding EEOC - Not a ruling. Merely guidance to employers. A myriad of cautions and exceptions in the guidance.