Freedom and unvaccinated in Nassau

[Thenagers]

I’m not sure what she heard but someone currently on Freedom posted on our Facebook group. She was imploring unvaccinated not to take it out on the RCL staff for the restrictions in Nassau. She reminded them that it was clearly stated they had to do RCL tours and that this was a Bahamas rule. She also pointed out that Atlantis requires a vaccine card to even come on the property. I am assuming someone booked it and weren’t let off because they are unvaccinated. It is a good reminder to know the rules of the country you are going to. Most are still wearing masks everywhere! 

[smokeybandit]

There is no vaccine requirement in the Bahamas, other than for indoor dining.

 

Bahamas still has a strict mask policy for public spaces (though that doesn't include beaches)

[forgotmyCCname]

But there is, according to a passenger, a vaccine requirement at Atlantis. The limiting of excursions to RCL is on their website as well.

 

[smokeybandit]

There is not a vaccine requirement at Atlantis.

 

https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/travel-updates

[TYMAN]

Here's what I'm reading from the travel updates. Looks like proof of vaccination to enter the casino:

 

We welcome all visitors and residents to the Paradise Island Safe Zone to enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, bars, lounges, retail shops, Marina Village, the Atlantis Casino, and Mandara Spa. Visitors and residents must present one of the following: proof of vaccination and have passed the two -week immunity period, or a negative Rapid Antigen or COVID-19 RTPCR test result taken within five (5) days of entry to the resort.
 

[Husky1987]

10 minutes ago, TYMAN said:

Here's what I'm reading from the travel updates. Looks like proof of vaccination to enter the casino:

 

We welcome all visitors and residents to the Paradise Island Safe Zone to enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, bars, lounges, retail shops, Marina Village, the Atlantis Casino, and Mandara Spa. Visitors and residents must present one of the following: proof of vaccination and have passed the two -week immunity period, or a negative Rapid Antigen or COVID-19 RTPCR test result taken within five (5) days of entry to the resort.
 

There is an "OR" in there.  Proof of vaccination OR negative test.

[Thenagers]

11 minutes ago, TYMAN said:

Here's what I'm reading from the travel updates. Looks like proof of vaccination to enter the casino:

 

We welcome all visitors and residents to the Paradise Island Safe Zone to enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, bars, lounges, retail shops, Marina Village, the Atlantis Casino, and Mandara Spa. Visitors and residents must present one of the following: proof of vaccination and have passed the two -week immunity period, or a negative Rapid Antigen or COVID-19 RTPCR test result taken within five (5) days of entry to the resort.
 

I also believe the Bahamian government requires a health visa. Cruisers don’t have to do this as long as they are vaccinated or booked on cruiseline approved excursions. Unvaccinated are not allowed to self explore. 

[Thenagers]

2 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

There is an "OR" in there.  Proof of vaccination OR negative test.

Doesn’t matter since Atlantis isn’t a cruiseline excursion so unvaccinated can’t go. I just wanted people to know to bring documents. 

[orville99]

According to the Bahamian government, there are substantial hoops to jump through if you are unvaccinated. This is the transcript of the chat that I just had with their agent:

 

"I'm considering coming to Nassau on RCL's Freedom of the Seas, and am not vaccinated. What protocols must I follow to be allowed off of the ship when it docks?

Bahamas Agent 4

Bahamas Agent 4 sent

Welcome! This is The Islands Of The Bahamas' Live Chat! My name is Mara and it will be a pleasure to assist you!

Bahamas Agent 4 sent

For those traveling via a cruise, if you are vaccinated, you are to fill out your Health Visa (upload your vaccination card) before travel and be approved. You do not need to take the day 5 rapid antigen test. For those who are unvaccinated, you are still required to take an RT PCR Nasal Swab test 5 days before travel, upload your test results to the Health visa portal and take the day 5 rapid antigen test on the cruise (there are provisions made on the cruise for your day 5 test). For any further requirements, please contact your cruise line.

[mauraoel]

18 minutes ago, orville99 said:

According to the Bahamian government, there are substantial hoops to jump through if you are unvaccinated. This is the transcript of the chat that I just had with their agent:

 

"I'm considering coming to Nassau on RCL's Freedom of the Seas, and am not vaccinated. What protocols must I follow to be allowed off of the ship when it docks?

Bahamas Agent 4

Bahamas Agent 4 sent

Welcome! This is The Islands Of The Bahamas' Live Chat! My name is Mara and it will be a pleasure to assist you!

Bahamas Agent 4 sent

For those traveling via a cruise, if you are vaccinated, you are to fill out your Health Visa (upload your vaccination card) before travel and be approved. You do not need to take the day 5 rapid antigen test. For those who are unvaccinated, you are still required to take an RT PCR Nasal Swab test 5 days before travel, upload your test results to the Health visa portal and take the day 5 rapid antigen test on the cruise (there are provisions made on the cruise for your day 5 test). For any further requirements, please contact your cruise line.

How can that be correct when you said Freedom of the seas which doesn't have a day 5?

[TYMAN]

46 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

There is an "OR" in there.  Proof of vaccination OR negative test.

Correct.....I guess I mistook the verbiage from the OP. I was thinking guidelines not vaccination requirements. Yes, either will work. Glad I'm vaccinated!! 

[orville99]

49 minutes ago, mauraoel said:

How can that be correct when you said Freedom of the seas which doesn't have a day 5?

Not my problem...Bahamas Gov't made the statement.

[LeeW]

5 hours ago, mauraoel said:

How can that be correct when you said Freedom of the seas which doesn't have a day 5?

 

If you had done any research for the islands you would know the answer to this.  Bahamas requires unvaccinated to get a second test at the five day point.  If the Bahamas cruise was longer than five days then the second test would be required and the cruise line would have arranged for it.  Agent was quoting the generic rules for anyone visiting that island.  Pretty common for any of the places currently requiring a test to enter.

 

As we have some cruises scheduled later this summer we are keeping a close eye on requirements for all the islands we are supposed to go to.  Will be nice to be back after having 17 cruises cancelled (I keep being optimistic that the two week shutdown will end....).

Edited July 8, 2021 by LeeW
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[mauraoel]

10 minutes ago, LeeW said:

 

If you had done any research for the islands you would know the answer to this.  Bahamas requires unvaccinated to get a second test at the five day point.  If the Bahamas cruise was longer than five days then the second test would be required and the cruise line would have arranged for it.  Agent was quoting the generic rules for anyone visiting that island.  Pretty common for any of the places currently requiring a test to enter.

 

As we have some cruises scheduled later this summer we are keeping a close eye on requirements for all the islands we are supposed to go to.  Will be nice to be back after having 17 cruises cancelled (I keep being optimistic that the two week shutdown will end....).

You didn't read either, the 3-4 day cruises that leave the US don't need the 5th day test as they are back in the states by then please actually read the comment before assuming that I am wrong?  As i said above I believe the person he was chatting with was confusing Freedom of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas

Edited July 8, 2021 by mauraoel

[mauraoel]

4 hours ago, orville99 said:

Not my problem...Bahamas Gov't made the statement.

Of course it isn't your problem its the problem of the person who is on this site and listens to your miss information.

 

SMH

[smokeybandit]

5 hours ago, mauraoel said:

How can that be correct when you said Freedom of the seas which doesn't have a day 5?

Nor is Freedom based out of the Bahamas.

[karena1]

7 hours ago, forgotmyCCname said:

But there is, according to a passenger, a vaccine requirement at Atlantis. The limiting of excursions to RCL is on their website as well.

 

Royal is not allowing anything but ship excursions if you are not vaccinated.  So makes no difference what Atlantis requirements are.

[Sunshine3601]

6 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

There is an "OR" in there.  Proof of vaccination OR negative test.

does royal give you written proof of the test they do at cruise terminal?   If so, someone could use that otherwise they won't be able to enter unless they are there on day 2 of their cruise to satisfy the 5 day requirement.    Test 3 days before boarding, test at cruise terminal......

[PTC DAWG]

A simple vaccine solves all these issues…yet…

[zekekelso]

Bottom line is that everyone should expect hoops to jump through, changing rules, and misinformation. And the unvaccinated will face many more hoops and restrictions. Be prepared to go with the flow, or maybe think of putting off cruising for a while. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, karena1 said:

Royal is not allowing anything but ship excursions if you are not vaccinated.  So makes no difference what Atlantis requirements are.

It seems it does since the unvaccinated passenger was not allowed to go there. That is a coordinated response between Atlantis, the tour operator and the ship. 

 

The fact that Freedom passengers are even allowed to set foot in the Bahamas without paying for a Bahamas Health Visa and Bahamas COVID insurance is a coordinated response between the cruise line and the Bahamian Government.

 

Yes, unvaccinated passengers on the Adventure of the Seas must satisfy the 5th day testing requirements of the Bahamian Government. Royal and the Bahamian Government have agreements in place that the ship's disembarkation testing which is preformed as late as Day 7 will satisfy the requirement. 

Edited July 8, 2021 by BirdTravels

[LeeW]

23 hours ago, mauraoel said:

You didn't read either, the 3-4 day cruises that leave the US don't need the 5th day test as they are back in the states by then please actually read the comment before assuming that I am wrong?  As i said above I believe the person he was chatting with was confusing Freedom of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas

 

Hmm - didn't read my statement.  IF THE CRUISE HAD BEEN LONGER THAN 5 DAYS they would have needed a test mid-cruise to arrive in Nassau and the cruise line would arrange for this.

[DeniseT]

On 7/8/2021 at 8:18 AM, Thenagers said:

Doesn’t matter since Atlantis isn’t a cruiseline excursion so unvaccinated can’t go. I just wanted people to know to bring documents. 

Actually, the tour to Atlantis WAS thru the Cruise line when we did it in 2019, I can't imagine its any different now.