Summary of Carnival's policies for July & August sailings from John Heald

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, CeleBrat said:

 

We are proud of her for being in the trial.

 

Sadly, it looks like one of these dirt-cheap fall cruises is a no-go currently, as Novovax is not currently approved by the CDC.  So, my daughter falls into a weird vaccinated/not-considered-vaccinated category with the cruiseline.  When/if it gets approved (they are saying 3rd quarter for submission for approval) she can cruise.  

 

Until then, we will live vicariously through you all!

 

CeleBrat

 

 

If approved by W.H.O. and/or CDC it would be okay, but I don't know that it has or what they are waiting for. By fall I would think the odds are good.

[Honolulu Blue]

UPDATE #3:  I wanted to capture some changes that were made on Friday to sailings on the Horizon and Vista (but not the Breeze?) in Mr. Heald's own words:

 

I a so very sorry that for the first few cruises in July and August on Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista that we have decided that Camp Ocean will not be open and w are unable to entertain and provide the children with the usual fun that is such an important part of their cruise experience.

 

...

 

However, we have as of last night announced that Circle C and Club O2 will be open since these kids, ummmm, tennns, ummm young adults will be over 12 and will be vaccinated.

 

I am very sorry for any confusion and this again shows how this return to service is continuingly evolving and I must thank everyine for their patience.

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

My opinion is this is a pretty big change to spring on cruisers at the last minute who already had to go through the hassle of applying for exemption(s).  Further discussion on this issue is being held here:  

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by Honolulu Blue

[ninjacat123]

I don't follow JH so thanks for the info!

[Cruise Related]

3 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

I don't follow JH so thanks for the info!

Nor do I! So any important info is definitely appreciated! Ditched social media during the pandemic. 

[jimbo5544]

Changes tot he fun times.  They will be delivered to fun hub, but a paper copy will be available at GS desk. 

 

Spa services will continue as normal, masks will be required for unvaccinated guests.

 

Towel animals will continue.

 

Masks required in terminal, ends there for vaccinated guests.

Edited June 28, 2021 by jimbo5544

[reeinaz]

On 6/23/2021 at 2:45 PM, Lee Cruiser said:

I'm curious as to how long Carnival goes with these protocols in Florida now that Celebrity has joined RCI in not requiring vaccination proof, but making it more difficult for non-vaccinated guests.  As far as it looks now, Carnival is the only cruise line that is going to try to require proof of vaccination in Florida.  If they start getting hit with fines, they may change as well.

NCL is 100% vaccinated only on cruises departing through 10/31. They have FL departures scheduled for August.

[Honolulu Blue]

46 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Changes tot he fun times.  They will be delivered to fun hub, but a paper copy will be available at GS desk. 

 

Spa services will continue as normal, masks will be required for unvaccinated guests.

 

Towel animals will continue.

 

Masks required in terminal, ends there for vaccinated guests.

 

Thanks.  I had a chance to review the video and here are some other things I spotted.  I wouldn't call this a full update, since you listed the most important items:

 

• More information on the "bubble tours" (for unvaccinated passengers) will be relayed this week
• More tours will be added for Bimini and Alaska this week also
• Mr. Heald partially backed off the closure of Camp Ocean, saying that it was confirmed for July only
• The official line now is they're not sure about closing Camp Ocean in August
• He did confirm that the teen clubs would be running as normal
• Outdoor smoking areas haven't changed
• They're waiting for final protocols for smoking in the casino (better hurry!)

Edited June 28, 2021 by Honolulu Blue

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

16 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

...

• They're waiting for final protocols for smoking in the casino (better hurry!)

 

That would be great if they opted for non-smoking (doubt they will), but it would have been much more handy for me had they done that years ago when I spent a few hours each evening in there!

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

That would be great if they opted for non-smoking (doubt they will), but it would have been much more handy for me had they done that years ago when I spent a few hours each evening in there!

 

Tom

You would have a better shot on winning powerball

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

5 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

You would have a better shot on winning powerball

 

At least the Mardi Gras won't yet have a baked in smell of cigarettes in the casino when we jump on in (not that I'm counting) 40 days!

 

Tom

[JEANMR1]

3 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

Thanks.  I had a chance to review the video and here are some other things I spotted.  I wouldn't call this a full update, since you listed the most important items:

 

• More information on the "bubble tours" (for unvaccinated passengers) will be relayed this week
• More tours will be added for Bimini and Alaska this week also
• Mr. Heald partially backed off the closure of Camp Ocean, saying that it was confirmed for July only
• The official line now is they're not sure about closing Camp Ocean in August
• He did confirm that the teen clubs would be running as normal
• Outdoor smoking areas haven't changed
• They're waiting for final protocols for smoking in the casino (better hurry!)

I think the camp ocean is only definitely closed for the first two cruises. I don’t think there’s anything definite for after that. 

[jimbo5544]

27 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

At least the Mardi Gras won't yet have a baked in smell of cigarettes in the casino when we jump on in (not that I'm counting) 40 days!

 

Tom

Hope springs eternal.  We were on the third sailing of the Horizon and I was shocked at how much there was of that lousy smell.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

43 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Hope springs eternal.  We were on the third sailing of the Horizon and I was shocked at how much there was of that lousy smell.

 

Well, perhaps the first ones there really wanted to leave their "mark" !   

[jimbo5544]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Well, perhaps the first ones there really wanted to leave their "mark" !   

Could be worse…….

[Honolulu Blue]

UPDATE #4:  Today John Heald had a post summarizing the content of his two videos yesterday at https://www.facebook.com/JohnHeald/posts/5956610037714841?__tn__=K-R .  The major items have mostly been covered here and elsewhere, other than the fact that he will make another video tomorrow covering some outstanding items (like bubble tours, September cruise rules & protocols, and smoking).  I'll try to watch the video when it comes out, but I make no guarantees.

 

I will note other threads covering specific items:

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Honolulu Blue

[Honolulu Blue]

UPDATE #5:  John Heald announced his plans for the next few days.  As most of you know, he will be cruising on the Horizon from Miami on Sunday.  This was his post in his own words, with some editing:

 

For the seven people left reading, here is a schedule for you.
 

Thursday - American Airlines Fart 39 to Miami
Friday - Meetings with beards. Facebook Live Coffee with John from the Mother Ship

Saturday - Join Carnival Horizon in Miami - Meet with Captain and crew and confirm events and schedules for the cruise. First ship " walkies" highlighting the crew and how the ship is being prepared for the return of Fun.

Also on Saturday a Facebook live event with Carnival Vista as I share their special day as the first ship to return to cruising again.
Sunday - Host press event in the terminal building along with our President Christine Duffy. Run ( waddle ) to the ship, throw off my Facemask with a loud " Yipppeeeee " and then welcome guests in the atrium and of course film this for all to see.

And then the cruise begins.

 

Normally when I cruise I find a place to work but this cruise is different. I will not be answering questions. I have been answering for the last 15 months and so I owe it those who have booked to be with me to spend as much time with them as possible. So I shall each morning film my early morning 7:00amish walkies and then plonk my bottom in a chair in the Ocean Plaza and remain there should anyone wish to come and say hello.

 

I will also host the morning shows, events and activities and a special question and answer session with our wonderful president Christine Duffy. And I will share as much of this with you all as i can through the lenses of my eye phone.

 

...

 

I will let you know what I am doing after the July 4th cruise sometime next week.

 

---------------------------------------------------------

 

BTW, the original post is at https://www.facebook.com/JohnHeald/posts/5961090183933493?__tn__=K-R . I'll deal with the video later.  Stay tuned.

 

[Cruise Related]

Really appreciating these updates, thanks Honolulu! 

[Honolulu Blue]

32 minutes ago, Cruise Related said:

Really appreciating these updates, thanks Honolulu! 

 

You're welcome!  I'm glad they're appreciated.

 

Anyway, I had a chance to watch the videos (it was split into two thanks to Facebook issues), so is everyone ready for...

 

UPDATE #6:  John Heald had his coffee time this morning.  These are the points he covered that I found most interesting:

 

• Mr. Heald thought it was pointless to announce any protocols for September sailings because too much was likely to change between now and then
• They're still working on the "bubble tours" and excursions for Bimini.  They should go live "soon".
• For the July 10 sailing of the Horizon, Bonaire is OUT as a port of call, and Curacao is IN.
• He didn't know when ChiBang on the Mardi Gras would stop being complimentary
• Big news - THE BUFFET WILL BE SELF-SERVE!!!!  There will be staff to make sure you use your hand sanitizer, but you can mostly serve yourself as before.  
• Ice cream, coffee, and other areas will also remain self-service
• Please don't hug or kiss the ice machine
• Please don't ask the crew to remove their masks
• Mr. Heald doesn't technically have to wear a mask in passenger areas since he's not considered crew, but sometimes he will wear one.  He'll wear one for sure in crew areas.
• Please don't hug or shake hands with Mr. Heald if you see him.  Elbow bumps are OK.
• No Chef's Table or Behind the fun on these early sailings because they're held in crew areas
• The Diamond and Platinum VIFP gift for the next month or so is... drum roll please... the luggage tag!  They have a backlog of them to give away.
• For the July 3 sailing of the Vista and the July 4 sailing of the Horizon, you should be able to go straight to your cabin from check-in.  It's not like they've had a bunch of passengers in these cabins over the past 15 months...
• They removed the bar in the center of the casinos on the Vista and Horizon and added more slot machines and table games
• Smoking will be allowed on the port side of the Vista and Horizon.  Also, be sure to play while you're smoking.  They say they'll police this more than in the past.
• Mr. Heald suggests heading to the muster station first to check in
• There's a two-drink limit until you finish your eMuster video
• Mr. Heald will for sure be hosting a Q&A with Christine Duffy on Sunday
• Ms. Duffy might also be in Galveston on Saturday??
• Mr. Heald will post stats for the first two sailings tomorrow or Friday.  They'll include how many guests, where they're from, and other things.  They'll be in the same form as the stats from selected sailings before the pause, if you remember those.
• One stat he shared today - there will be 753 first-time cruisers on the Horizon!  WOW!  He said it was a similar number for the Vista.

I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to go on for so long.  Please carry on with your previous discussions.

[Joe817]

Many thanks for the updates H.B.! Since I don't do FB, I find your postings most informative. 👍

[TNcruising02]

Thank you so much for the updates!!  That's nice that the first cruisers will be able to access their cabins immediately.

[LHARTWICK]

THANK YOU again for these updates, especially for those of us who are not on FB or any other social media outlets - so helpful! 👍 

[LHARTWICK]

3 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

• One stat he shared today - there will be 753 first-time cruisers on the Horizon!  WOW!  He said it was a similar number for the Vista.

Wow!  That's wonderful news! 🥰

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'll bet a higher percentage (than normal) of those Blue Cards are coming from other lines.

 

Tom

[tap_out]

3 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

I'll bet a higher percentage (than normal) of those Blue Cards are coming from other lines.

 

Tom

Bingo! 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, tap_out said:

Bingo! 

 

-- and certainly, on the Mardi Gras, giving a bunch of Carnival newbies some free specialty dining options is a smart move.

 

Tom