Royal Caribbean Says Unvaccinated Guests Will Face Restrictions, Higher Costs

[LoriLoriLori]

5 minutes ago, BSocial said:

Please don’t compare Texas with Florida’s law.    Not the same at all

Okay.  I'll read up on the details of the Texas law.  

 

As far as Florida -- I am not sure they can ask vaccination status.  

 

Edit:  Just read that cruises in Texas can require vaccinations since operating under Federal CDC guidelines.  

Edited June 9, 2021 by LoriLoriLori
addendum

[Goodtime Cruizin]

2 minutes ago, ricksurf said:

Stay safe and feel safe; stay out of Florida and Texas and board your cruise in a state which follows scientific guidelines.  The cruise industry didn't need those two states sticking their noses into ship protocols.

 

The balance of the country has  been following in. lock step that of Florida & Texas when it comes to the covid protocals. In fact, Texas has lead the way when Abbott reveresed the mask mandate. Now everyone is. 

[CroozFanatic]

4 minutes ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

The balance of the country has  been following in. lock step that of Florida & Texas when it comes to the covid protocals. In fact, Texas has lead the way when Abbott reveresed the mask mandate. Now everyone is. 

 

"Neanderthal thinking" - JRB, he's practically Emerson.

[jaredhamburg]

1 hour ago, LXA350 said:

RCL should have made it comulsory as a group wide policy that until further notice adults can only cruise if they are vaccinated with a take it or leave it approach. No matter where the ships of RCL sail in the world there are certain rules and regulations onboard based on group policies that might be more strict than the port they are currently docked at.

The problem with this is how to justify only testing unvaccinated people as the vaccine is not proven to prevent a vaccinated person from spreading it as well.  Even the CDC says that the vaccines are not yet proven to prevent the spread (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html?s_cid=10493:covid vaccine:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21).  So, for safety, everyone should be tested before boarding.

[Diver2014]

How about partially vaccinated (received one shot but not the second).  Asking for a friend.

[BSocial]

10 minutes ago, jaredhamburg said:

The problem with this is how to justify only testing unvaccinated people ...

So, for safety, everyone should be tested before boarding.

nope, not sure where it was updated, but CDC not requiring testing for fully vaccinated cruisers to board. 

Edited June 9, 2021 by BSocial

[whyrlygig]

Love it!

[GTO-Girl]

13 minutes ago, Diver2014 said:

How about partially vaccinated (received one shot but not the second).  Asking for a friend.

The policy says “fully vaccinated “….

[knight2096]

57 minutes ago, chefchick said:

I’m not sure how vaccination status has any bearing on morality?  If I were unvaccinated I might choose to cancel my existing bookings and/or have a different vacation experience in the meantime...I wouldn’t do something that should be illegal like getting a fake vaccination card.  You clearly have been hanging out with the wrong sort of people if you think that is “most” would do. 🙄

BINGO! Great post!

[knight2096]

40 minutes ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

The balance of the country has  been following in. lock step that of Florida & Texas when it comes to the covid protocals. In fact, Texas has lead the way when Abbott reveresed the mask mandate. Now everyone is. 

Exactly! Looks like the ones on hear cheering are going to find that out the hard way lol.

[jaredhamburg]

28 minutes ago, BSocial said:

nope, not sure where it was updated, but CDC not requiring testing for fully vaccinated cruisers to board. 

I never said that the CDC was or was not requiring it.  I said that even the CDC says that it is not proven whether vaccinated people could potentially spread COVID-19.  If we are not sure, then I am pointing out that testing everyone would be safest.

[100viper]

Well done, Royal!

[coldflame]

5 hours ago, jimd909 said:

I guess that's one way to get around the draconian law in Florida.  Don't want to show proof of being vaccinated...here's a bill for testing.

 

https://cruiseradio.net/royal-caribbean-unvaccinated-cruisers-fees-restrictions/

 

 

Literally no new information. All this was discussed to a trite a few days ago. Any measures are purely speculative at this point.

[not-enough-cruising]

3 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

How about partially vaccinated (received one shot but not the second).  Asking for a friend.

Your friend would be considered unvaccinated by the cruise lines

[harkinmr]

7 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Try again.  This article is very poorly titled, it does not make the conclusions claimed, and even The Cleveland Clinic published a follow up article correction the misinformation the author took liberties with.

Yup.  They just look at the headline that was completely inaccurate and created out of whole cloth.  No wonder so much misinformation is spreading. 

[Iamcruzin]

4 hours ago, Tapi said:

I did a mock booking on Celebrity for my family of 4, which includes 2 small unvaccinated children. If I book a cabin for 4, the 3rd and 4th guest rate is way higher than the 1st and 2nd guest rate. I can get two connecting balconies for $1,000 less than one ocean view for 4. 
 

Maybe this pricing is designed to deter families (with small children who wouldn’t want to get two cabins) from booking.

That happened on a few occasions on Princess and Celebrity when we traveled with our kids 2001-2013. It worked better for us especially when the where teens.  One or two times it was still cheaper to book 2 rooms even when the 3rd and 4th were discounted.

[Russ Lomas]

5 hours ago, Tapi said:

I did a mock booking on Celebrity for my family of 4, which includes 2 small unvaccinated children. If I book a cabin for 4, the 3rd and 4th guest rate is way higher than the 1st and 2nd guest rate. I can get two connecting balconies for $1,000 less than one ocean view for 4.

We booked 3 cabins in a row with us (the parents) in the middle cabin.  Families will still travel.  If my kids can manage in a classroom the entire year with 30 kids crammed in a small space, being vaccinated, mainly outdoors, with more space, and better cleaning protocols on a ship - I think they should be fine.

 

Frequently, you can get 2 cabins cheaper than a cabin for 4 or even 3 cabins cheaper than a family cabin that holds 6.

 

4 hours ago, LoriLoriLori said:

In states like Florida and Texas I wonder how they are going to know who is not vaccinated. 

The easiest way is for them to give you the option online while you are still at home to upload a scan of your proof.  Those who choose not to do this will need to go through whatever protocols RCCL puts in place when they arrive at the pier (including any who may have been vaccinated but not previously uploaded proof).  They will not be asking for it at the terminal.  Laws will prevent that from occurring.

 

4 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

How about partially vaccinated (received one shot but not the second).  Asking for a friend.

Currently, very few Canadians have been able to get 2 shots.  Our family of six has had their first shot and are hopeful we all get our 2nd shot at least 2 weeks prior to our August cruise.  If not, those individuals in our family will be subjected to what RCCL asks us to do.  We will live with that and deal with that.

[Tolkmit]

18 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

I dont understand why people are cheering this higher price for unvaccinated.

 

Royal Caribbean is required by CDC guidelines to test people who are unvaccinated. Either they can up prices for everyone to cover the increase in operating expenses this causes, or only up costs for the people who actually need to be tested. Personally, I'm cheering them for taking the more capitalist approach as opposed to the socialist one.

[Stick93]

9 minutes ago, Tolkmit said:

 

Royal Caribbean is required by CDC guidelines to test people who are unvaccinated. Either they can up prices for everyone to cover the increase in operating expenses this causes, or only up costs for the people who actually need to be tested. Personally, I'm cheering them for taking the more capitalist approach as opposed to the socialist one.

Has anyone thought that if they act “fairly” or “unfairly” people may chose to save other places and either not travel, not upgrade a certain meal or spa services or (and I know this will get peoples juices flowing) - withhold tips. 
 

All three would be bad as the cruise lines need all passengers to want to travel to keep demand and prices high, revenue maximized on sailings and tips covered. 
 

Capitalism works both ways. Socialism is the one that works one way. 

Edited June 10, 2021 by Stick93

[jrapps]

34 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

I dont understand why people are cheering this higher price for unvaccinated. It doesn’t help anyone who is scared as it’s possible hundreds of people will just pay and come along on your cruise. 

I think the part you don't understand is that the cruise lines don't want unvaccinated people on their ships. This isn't about compliance with the CDC, this is about getting a business started back up again as quickly and safely and as profitable as possible. The executives of these lines have said time and time again that the vaccines are their ticket back.

 

The unvaccinated act like the cruise lines are fighting for them, the little guy...they aren't. The cruise lines want all vaccinated cruises more than we do. They are fighting to restart their business. They have chosen to mandate vaccines wherever they can by law (Bahamas, TX, etc). Where they can't (FL) the lines came up with the idea of charging unvaccinated all on their own. Nobody forced that on them. If they go forward with charging exorbitant high prices for Covid tests, that is the cruise lines way of telling unvaccinated passengers to wait.

 

I personally don't care if unvaccinated people are on the ship with me or not. But I'm pretty sure the cruise line is the one that cares, and they are doing everything they can to start sailing without that hassle.

[ReneeFLL]

9 hours ago, Moltar said:

Like I said, as dumb as you can get. 5 grand and possibly 5 years in jail for a cruise? Pretty sure anyone debating that is clinically insane.

They think they will probably not get caught. If I was not vaccinated I would just wait till these restrictions go away, because sooner or later I think they will.

[Tolkmit]

1 hour ago, Stick93 said:

Has anyone thought that if they act “fairly” or “unfairly” people may chose to save other places and either not travel, not upgrade a certain meal or spa services or (and I know this will get peoples juices flowing) - withhold tips. 
 

All three would be bad as the cruise lines need all passengers to want to travel to keep demand and prices high, revenue maximized on sailings and tips covered. 
 

Capitalism works both ways. Socialism is the one that works one way. 

 

"May" being the key word there. Covid-19 tests for unvaccinated passengers represents a guaranteed cost. Besides, demand is high and artificially inflated by so many people having FCC, so if unvaccinated passengers choose not to travel, they are easily replaced by others. And if unvaccinated people actually spend less on board, Royal can just up what they charge for the Covid test.

 

An unvaccinated person costs the cruise line more to offer the same services to. The cost of the test, and the cost of having extra crew on board to act specifically as Covid Cops. That extra cost being passed on to the unvaccinated person, instead of being subsidized by everyone else, makes perfect sense.

Edited June 10, 2021 by Tolkmit

[ReneeFLL]

7 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

How about partially vaccinated (received one shot but not the second).  Asking for a friend.

If this “friend” lives in Florida or most any other state then they have had time to be fully vaccinated by now. They would not be considered vaccinated.

[ReneeFLL]

38 minutes ago, jrapps said:

I think the part you don't understand is that the cruise lines don't want unvaccinated people on their ships. This isn't about compliance with the CDC, this is about getting a business started back up again as quickly and safely and as profitable as possible. The executives of these lines have said time and time again that the vaccines are their ticket back.

 

The unvaccinated act like the cruise lines are fighting for them, the little guy...they aren't. The cruise lines want all vaccinated cruises more than we do. They are fighting to restart their business. They have chosen to mandate vaccines wherever they can by law (Bahamas, TX, etc). Where they can't (FL) the lines came up with the idea of charging unvaccinated all on their own. Nobody forced that on them. If they go forward with charging exorbitant high prices for Covid tests, that is the cruise lines way of telling unvaccinated passengers to wait.

 

I personally don't care if unvaccinated people are on the ship with me or not. But I'm pretty sure the cruise line is the one that cares, and they are doing everything they can to start sailing without that hassle.

Very well said.  

[shutterbug63]

13 hours ago, LoriLoriLori said:

In states like Florida and Texas I wonder how they are going to know who is not vaccinated.  

 

Can they legally ask if you are vaccinated?  

 

My family of four is vaccinated and I will volunteer my vaccination status, yet wondering how they will know or single people out who aren't. 

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I looked up the portion of the Florida law that talks about vaccines. It says that companies can't refuse to provide services because of vaccination status, but I do not believe it says they can't ask you to voluntarily show proof.