More restrictions for unvaccinated passengers

[nelblu]

8 minutes ago, HicksRA said:

The webinar today stated that if you’re booked on a particular cruise and don’t want to abide by the COVID protocols for that cruise, they will refund cash back from any fccs used on that sailing. This is a new development.  
Maybe we’re not understanding each other. 

No misunderstanding here.  I just did not see that in the link.

[coffeebean]

1 hour ago, ipeeinthepool said:

I think everyone is ignoring the effect on the vaccinated passengers.   Most of the ship is open to all of the passengers and everyone in those areas will be treated as an unvaccinated passenger.  This includes wearing masks.   This is truly a case of the tail wagging the dog.  The few unvaccinated people impacting the enjoyment of the majority.  

I still do not understand why anyone who is fully vaxxed and NOT traveling with anyone who is un-vaxxed would subject themselves to the protocols of a mixed passenger cruise.

 

I mentioned this in another thread and there were a couple of fully vaxxed people who said they would not mind masking in areas where vaxxed and un-vaxxed people were together. That would not be me or my husband. This is why we are not cruising out of Florida on a Royal ship.

 

Another head scratcher for me is........why would anyone who is fully vaxxed, not want to show proof of their vaccine? They would rather be considered un-vaxxed and have to subject themselves to the un-vaxxed protocols when cruising out of Florida? Who does that?????

[Moltar]

3 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

I still do not understand why anyone who is fully vaxxed and NOT traveling with anyone who is un-vaxxed would subject themselves to the protocols of a mixed passenger cruise.

 

I mentioned this in another thread and there were a couple of fully vaxxed people who said they would not mind masking in areas where vaxxed and un-vaxxed people were together. That would not be me or my husband. This is why we are not cruising out of Florida on a Royal ship.

 

Another head scratcher for me is........why would anyone who is fully vaxxed, not want to show proof of their vaccine? They would rather be considered un-vaxxed and have to subject themselves to the un-vaxxed protocols when cruising out of Florida? Who does that?????

Anyone claiming they have been vaxxed but refuse to prove, is full of it. They have not, most likely will not. Those people live in an "alternative facts" universe.

Edited July 1, 2021 by Moltar

[HicksRA]

2 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Does Ms Rodriguez have a title or better yet an email or tele #.

“At a webinar with travel agents on Wednesday, Royal Caribbean International Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez, told travel agents guests can get a refund for their FCC on sailings where protocols have been announced.”

[coffeebean]

1 hour ago, ipeeinthepool said:

I think everyone is ignoring the effect on the vaccinated passengers.   Most of the ship is open to all of the passengers and everyone in those areas will be treated as an unvaccinated passenger.  This includes wearing masks.   This is truly a case of the tail wagging the dog.  The few unvaccinated people impacting the enjoyment of the majority.  

This is Royal's call. They could have easily done what Celebrity has done when sailing out of FLL and not violated the law. All they have to do is ask if their passengers would like to VOLUNTEER to produce their vaccine proof. Keep with the 95% vaxxed passengers on board and all those pesky protocols for un-vaxxed do not have to be implemented. That would make for a MUCH nicer cruise experience for everyone on board.

 

I honestly do not understand the rationale Royal has taken with their strategy to keep un-vaxxed off their ships. Just do what Celebrity  has done.

[ipeeinthepool]

47 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

This is Royal's call. They could have easily done what Celebrity has done when sailing out of FLL and not violated the law. All they have to do is ask if their passengers would like to VOLUNTEER to produce their vaccine proof. Keep with the 95% vaxxed passengers on board and all those pesky protocols for un-vaxxed do not have to be implemented. That would make for a MUCH nicer cruise experience for everyone on board.

 

I honestly do not understand the rationale Royal has taken with their strategy to keep un-vaxxed off their ships. Just do what Celebrity  has done.

 

Yep, it was certainly Royal's call.  from my perspective it was a bad call.

[jrapps]

44 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

This is Royal's call. They could have easily done what Celebrity has done when sailing out of FLL and not violated the law. All they have to do is ask if their passengers would like to VOLUNTEER to produce their vaccine proof. Keep with the 95% vaxxed passengers on board and all those pesky protocols for un-vaxxed do not have to be implemented. That would make for a MUCH nicer cruise experience for everyone on board.

 

I honestly do not understand the rationale Royal has taken with their strategy to keep un-vaxxed off their ships. Just do what Celebrity  has done.

I honestly think what Royal was trying to do was have their cake and eat it too. They were trying to appeal to the family dynamic where more than 5% of the ship would be children, while at the same time hoping that the CDC would change guidelines just enough before sailing to have the same no mask experience as the 95% sailings.

 

Think about it if they matched guidelines on land and said the only people who had to wear masks on the ship were unvaccinated then it doesn't matter what percentage your ship is and Royal can allow all the kids they want. I think Royal is still holding out that this change is coming in the not to distant future.

 

Of course enforcing and policing it is an entirely separate story.

[ipeeinthepool]

You know what I don't understand?  I want to cruise again under normal conditions as much as much as anyone.  I also don't have any young children.  Covid is still out there and children will catch it.  Sure most kids won't get seriously ill but some will.  I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children.  If I had a young child we wouldn't cruise as a family until everyone could get vaccinated or Covid fades into the sunset.  Just my opinion.  I don't understand Royal's approach.

[mauraoel]

14 minutes ago, jrapps said:

I honestly think what Royal was trying to do was have their cake and eat it too. They were trying to appeal to the family dynamic where more than 5% of the ship would be children, while at the same time hoping that the CDC would change guidelines just enough before sailing to have the same no mask experience as the 95% sailings.

 

Think about it if they matched guidelines on land and said the only people who had to wear masks on the ship were unvaccinated then it doesn't matter what percentage your ship is and Royal can allow all the kids they want. I think Royal is still holding out that this change is coming in the not to distant future.

 

Of course enforcing and policing it is an entirely separate story.

And since it is the end of the day on the 2nd of July it is coming in the not so distant future the CSO becomes a recommendation as of the 18th since I haven't heard of any submissions via the mediation to submit an more narrowly worded CSO.

 

And no the extension that the judge just gave them is for the lawsuit not the injunction.

[forgotmyCCname]

12 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

You know what I don't understand?  I want to cruise again under normal conditions as much as much as anyone.  I also don't have any young children.  Covid is still out there and children will catch it.  Sure most kids won't get seriously ill but some will.  I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children.  If I had a young child we wouldn't cruise as a family until everyone could get vaccinated or Covid fades into the sunset.  Just my opinion.  I don't understand Royal's approach.

I don't understand the parents's approach either. While the child who contracts Covid will most likely not be seriously ill- your entire party is sent home/quarantined. And there is a small chance if the child becoming seriously ill while at sea. I am perplexed , especially when there are other alternatives.

[Jkaczanowski]

21 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

You know what I don't understand?  I want to cruise again under normal conditions as much as much as anyone.  I also don't have any young children.  Covid is still out there and children will catch it.  Sure most kids won't get seriously ill but some will.  I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children.  If I had a young child we wouldn't cruise as a family until everyone could get vaccinated or Covid fades into the sunset.  Just my opinion.  I don't understand Royal's approach.

I have 2 unvaccinated children.  We’re booked in a Grand Suite on Independence in February.  It will have been almost 2 years since this all started and at some point we just need to adjust to the “new normal”.    COVID is never going to go away (fade into the sunset.). We’re just going to learn to manage it.

 

[Goodtime Cruizin]

25 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

You know what I don't understand?  I want to cruise again under normal conditions as much as much as anyone.  I also don't have any young children.  Covid is still out there and children will catch it.  Sure most kids won't get seriously ill but some will.  I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children.  If I had a young child we wouldn't cruise as a family until everyone could get vaccinated or Covid fades into the sunset.  Just my opinion.  I don't understand Royal's approach.

 

Well according to RCL, the ships will be in better shape than anywhere on land. With kids starting school in 6-8 weeks, why would they not want to go on a a ship w/ 95% vaxed vs a school w/ a much much lower % ?

[jerseygirl3]

16 minutes ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

Well according to RCL, the ships will be in better shape than anywhere on land. With kids starting school in 6-8 weeks, why would they not want to go on a a ship w/ 95% vaxed vs a school w/ a much much lower % ?

First of all it won’t be limited to 95% vaccinated. We are planning a family reunion at my brothers mountain home and my son and DIL have 2 kids (ages 3 and 7) who can’t yet be vaccinated. They wouldn’t commit to coming for the planned weekend until we verified everyone is fully vaccinated. There will be a total of 21 of us in a main house that sleeps 25 and a guest house that sleeps 10. So we clearly won’t be on top of each other. But there’s no way they would have put their kids at risk if there was even one person unvaccinated. 

[ipeeinthepool]

27 minutes ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

Well according to RCL, the ships will be in better shape than anywhere on land. With kids starting school in 6-8 weeks, why would they not want to go on a a ship w/ 95% vaxed vs a school w/ a much much lower % ?

 

Maybe because you control the environment at home?  You control the contacts and the risk at home.  If you think it's worth the risk, we differ in opinion.

[ipeeinthepool]

30 minutes ago, Jkaczanowski said:

I have 2 unvaccinated children.  We’re booked in a Grand Suite on Independence in February.  It will have been almost 2 years since this all started and at some point we just need to adjust to the “new normal”.    COVID is never going to go away (fade into the sunset.). We’re just going to learn to manage it.

 

 

If you think it's worth the risk, I guess we differ in opinion.  The fact that it's been two years, is irrelevant.  I wouldn't sail until  all of my children could be vaccinated. That's just my assessment of the risk.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

9 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

Maybe because you control the environment at home?  You control the contacts and the risk at home.  If you think it's worth the risk, we differ in opinion.

 

There is more'control' on a ship w/ 95% vaccinated people than a school room w/ 15 to 30 kids per room, multiplied  and a school building w/ 20-30 rooms. Yep... we most definitely differ in opinion.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Just now, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

There is more 'control' on a ship w/ 95% vaccinated people than a school room w/ 15 to 30 kids per room that has 20-30 school rooms. Yep... we most definitely differ in opinion.

 

[shutterbug63]

5 hours ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

What I'm wondering is if these restrictions will apply to families of young kids who can't be vaccinated but all the adults in the family are?  I'm travelling with my 9 year old niece, along with both my parents.  All adults in the party have been vaccinated since March (me and my mom have been vaccinated since January due to us both being healthcare workers), but my niece (for obvious reasons) hasn't.  She understands the rules and is fabulous with her masking and social distancing, so she'll be fine with this on the trip.  

 

What I would like to know is which set of rules we're supposed to follow as a family.  None of us have issues showing our vaccine cards and carry copies of them with us everywhere we go, so the proof of vaccination is a non-issue.

 

I believe if you are all together your group is considered unvaccinated while on board.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

22 minutes ago, jerseygirl3 said:

First of all it won’t be limited to 95% vaccinated. We are planning a family reunion at my brothers mountain home and my son and DIL have 2 kids (ages 3 and 7) who can’t yet be vaccinated. They wouldn’t commit to coming for the planned weekend until we verified everyone is fully vaccinated. There will be a total of 21 of us in a main house that sleeps 25 and a guest house that sleeps 10. So we clearly won’t be on top of each other. But there’s no way they would have put their kids at risk if there was even one person unvaccinated. 

 

That's extreme by any measure. 

[JMKreno]

So the question is in a party with a child under 12 how does the restriction to venues work? There are venues that a child wouldn't go to on the list regardless of Covid vaccine restrictions, such as the casino. If I go on a cruise with all guest fully vaccinated except a 6 year old who isn't, I can't go to the Solarium (6 year old not allowed there normally), Casino (no one under 21 anyway), or other venues if I do not go with the 6 year old? I get the dining concern as groups are assigned together, that's fine. We only have a day planned at Coco Cay and we can skip Nassau for now if needed. We can just say on the Oasis OTS all week, so the limited, RCCL required shore excursions are not an issue, either.  

 

Basically, if I want to go to dinner with my unlimited dining pass, I can't go to Izumi without my 6 year old? Or my parents staying in a separate cabin? 

 

That might be a deal breaker and an interesting twist. Not sure what option we have. Our final payment is due for October tomorrow and a LOT can happen between now and then. Looks like we will have to gamble and see what the requirements are in October. That makes for a terrible overall experience despite our entire family doing their part (and the 6 yr old will be vaccinated the day it becomes available to her). Hmmm

 

 

EDIT: looking at the Serenade of the Seas list, looks like the only real venue restrictions are the Casino, Silent Party, Diamond lounge (which I can't use anyway), the Pub, and Viking Crown lounge. None of which my youngest would even use. So, I can't use the Casino? Eh, Not that bad...but still interesting. 

 

EDIT 2: Reading through the print, looks like they clarified all of these concerns. "Travel parties with vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, such as parents with kids, should stick to those venues marked for everyone when together"

 

Last sentence resolves my concerns! Looks like if we are not with our child (parents watching, or in the kids club) we can enjoy the ship as normal. Not much different than any other time! 

Edited July 1, 2021 by JMKreno

[ReneeFLL]

5 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I know that as far as shore excursions those travelling with unvaccinated passengers (kids included) will be forced to take Royal excursions (bubble) and not be allowed off on their own even if they are going ashore without the kids

Don’t they also have to eat with the unvaccinated or am I wrong? I haven’t paid that much attention to unvaccinated info since we are vaccinated and we are special since Royal wants us on board. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Ok, true about the vaccinated part but not the special part. 😁

[ipeeinthepool]

12 minutes ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

There is more'control' on a ship w/ 95% vaccinated people than a school room w/ 15 to 30 kids per room, multiplied  and a school building w/ 20-30 rooms. Yep... we most definitely differ in opinion.

 

Enjoy your cruise and I wish you good luck

[forgotmyCCname]

1 hour ago, ipeeinthepool said:

You know what I don't understand?  I want to cruise again under normal conditions as much as much as anyone.  I also don't have any young children.  Covid is still out there and children will catch it.  Sure most kids won't get seriously ill but some will.  I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children.  If I had a young child we wouldn't cruise as a family until everyone could get vaccinated or Covid fades into the sunset.  Just my opinion.  I don't understand Royal's approach.

 

53 minutes ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

Well according to RCL, the ships will be in better shape than anywhere on land. With kids starting school in 6-8 weeks, why would they not want to go on a a ship w/ 95% vaxed vs a school w/ a much much lower % ?

Because on the ship one will be subject to cruise ship medicine , possible evacuation to a city in which the passenger probably does not live and 2 weeks of the entire traveling party quarantined in a hotel or such.

Getting sick at home is much differ than getting sick abroad.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

4 minutes ago, forgotmyCCname said:

 

Because on the ship one will be subject to cruise ship medicine , possible evacuation to a city in which the passenger probably does not live and 2 weeks of the entire traveling party quarantined in a hotel or such.

Getting sick at home is much differ than getting sick abroad.

 

Well you're comparing what happens to you or others. I was responding  to a statement of

"I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children."  My response was that per RCL people are safer on a ship than on land which also translates to children are safer on a cruise ship than they are in a classroom. 

[Jkaczanowski]

27 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

If you think it's worth the risk, I guess we differ in opinion.  The fact that it's been two years, is irrelevant.  I wouldn't sail until  all of my children could be vaccinated. That's just my assessment of the risk.

The problem is that I don’t foresee a future without COVID and we won’t put our lives on hold indefinitely.  We are fully vaccinated but currently have no intention of vaccinating our children.  My husband is a physician so I’ll trust his assessment of the risk, thanks.