Unvaccinated kids can't go ashore unless on RCCL tour?

[coldflame]

On 7/15/2021 at 2:21 PM, smokeybandit said:

Same for US-based cruises, too.

 

It reeks of a plan to maximize RC excursion bookings and nothing to do with health and safety

 

This has been the policy for all cruise lines sailing out of EU (including European cruise lines) for the last 6 months. Cruise line "Bubble" excursions for everyone until recently where (in some countries) they are allowing vaxd passengers venture on their own.

[exm]

I read somewhere that kids were supposed to get a discount on fully vaccinated cruises?

[Ashland]

29 minutes ago, exm said:

I read somewhere that kids were supposed to get a discount on fully vaccinated cruises?

Where did you read this ?

[Babr]

34 minutes ago, exm said:

I read somewhere that kids were supposed to get a discount on fully vaccinated cruises?

Do you mean a discount on shore excursions where they are required to take the ship’s excursion?

 

 

[CruisingHogFan]

2 hours ago, Snobe said:

This was true on the July 3rd sailing on Adventure. Don't know about now. 

We were on the July 10th sailing on Adventure and had no issues going into port. We left our 11 year old unvaccinated at Adventure ocean. They said this is how it’s been for all sailings….

[c-leg5]

On 7/20/2021 at 1:20 PM, little britain said:

No you cannot “walk around”…. That is the whole point!  They are unvaccinated so they must stay in the ship bubble. 

 

On 7/20/2021 at 1:22 PM, Babr said:

Pretty sure bubble excursion means door-to-door. If they are requiring such excursions, it is because they want to control you movement in order to limit exposure. It is not OK to wander around on your own before, during, or after.

One would think so but I was surprised to read in a recent review @RCCL Fan on Adventure that they were not escorted back on board at the end of their excursion (although his family did get back on because his family had a problem with the excursion to resolve). If this is the case it makes you wonder at what point people who were deemed to have ‘left” the ship excursion were considered to have “left”.
 

I also assume the purpose of the group is for “tracking” purposes rather than the safety of the group, after all you are already spending a week on the ship with these people.

 

However much of the experiences quoted on this thread are related to cruises from the US/Bahamas and may have little bearing on the protocols in place in Europe.

[exm]

17 hours ago, Babr said:

Do you mean a discount on shore excursions where they are required to take the ship’s excursion?

 

 

 

Yes, but I don't see that in the pricing.

[Babr]

13 minutes ago, exm said:

 

Yes, but I don't see that in the pricing.

 I think I read that the discounts were available when booking onboard since it was a sudden change, but that has been in place for a while. Maybe they just did not update the website to allow for additional changes that seem to happen so often.

[RCCL Fan]

@c-leg5's recount of my experience is very accurate.

 

We traveled with a party of 8 spread out between 3 cabins.   We had one unvax child age 8, who was traveling in one room.

 

1) In Cozumel all 8 of us went on the RCI shore excursions per restrictions.  We met in studio B and left the ship with our tour.  At the conclusion of the tour, we were just dropped off curbside at the taxi stand as normal.  There was no one herding us back to the ship.   There was no one stopping us from wandering the straw market or leaving in a taxi an going anywhere we wanted for that matter.   I expected to be herded back to the ship under the watch of shore excursion folks, but that did not happen.    We did go back to the ship without shopping or wandering off... and honestly didn't think about it until now, we did venture to the side and stop and take photos next to the ship.

 

2) In Freeport, 3 vax people in our party wanted to go ashore and just walk around the shops. We didn't know if they would be allowed to since we were traveling with the unvax child and they were linked to our reservation.   But they walked downstairs, and  went through security and got off the ship, without issue, or anything.  More than the vax issue, I was alarmed as a parents that the crew my 12 year old just walk off the ship without me or my wife. (she was with our friends in another cabin)  but I always assumed there would be something to stop such a thing.  But I'm hoping she was allowed because she was with our friends who were linked to our reservation.

 

 

[mek]

8 minutes ago, RCCL Fan said:

@c-leg5's recount of my experience is very accurate.

 

We traveled with a party of 8 spread out between 3 cabins.   We had one unvax child age 8, who was traveling in one room.

 

1) In Cozumel all 8 of us went on the RCI shore excursions per restrictions.  We met in studio B and left the ship with our tour.  At the conclusion of the tour, we were just dropped off curbside at the taxi stand as normal.  There was no one herding us back to the ship.   There was no one stopping us from wandering the straw market or leaving in a taxi an going anywhere we wanted for that matter.   I expected to be herded back to the ship under the watch of shore excursion folks, but that did not happen.    We did go back to the ship without shopping or wandering off... and honestly didn't think about it until now, we did venture to the side and stop and take photos next to the ship.

 

2) In Freeport, 3 vax people in our party wanted to go ashore and just walk around the shops. We didn't know if they would be allowed to since we were traveling with the unvax child and they were linked to our reservation.   But they walked downstairs, and  went through security and got off the ship, without issue, or anything.  More than the vax issue, I was alarmed as a parents that the crew my 12 year old just walk off the ship without me or my wife. (she was with our friends in another cabin)  but I always assumed there would be something to stop such a thing.  But I'm hoping she was allowed because she was with our friends who were linked to our reservation.

 

 

Agree -I would be concerned if I had a 12 year old and they were allowed to leave the ship w/o me.  I wonder what the minimum age is to do that?

Edited July 27, 2021 by mek

[FamilyCruiserUK]

How many kids  actually want to get off and walk around. Mine just wants to stay on board unless going to a proper trip, ie swimming with dolphins etc.

 

For walking around my 7 year old is sooo not interested lol

[RCCL Fan]

36 minutes ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

How many kids  actually want to get off and walk around. Mine just wants to stay on board unless going to a proper trip, ie swimming with dolphins etc.

 

For walking around my 7 year old is sooo not interested lol

 

 

My pre-teen daughter and her same aged friend were very interested in getting off the ship and walking around to  explore the shops next to the ship for t-shirts, and jewelry.   

 

I think shopping goes hand and hand with many of the pre-teen girls I know.  However,  we're all different, that's what makes the world a wonderful place.

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

1) In Cozumel all 8 of us went on the RCI shore excursions per restrictions.  We met in studio B and left the ship with our tour.  At the conclusion of the tour, we were just dropped off curbside at the taxi stand as normal.  There was no one herding us back to the ship.   There was no one stopping us from wandering the straw market or leaving in a taxi an going anywhere we wanted for that matter.   I expected to be herded back to the ship under the watch of shore excursion folks, but that did not happen.    We did go back to the ship without shopping or wandering off... and honestly didn't think about it until now, we did venture to the side and stop and take photos next to the ship.

@RCCL Fan - thanks so much for your original review and for repeating parts here. There were several factors that concerned me about your excursion reviews.

 

I know  you have  had issues with excursions in Cozumel previously and was disappointed to hear of your limited choices this time round.
 

However, I was surprised to hear of the choice you did make with a young child. I would have thought Chankanaab would have been offered as a ship excursion or Playa Mia, since your first choice was Sanchos, but perhaps you have already been to them?

 

That said I would be interested to know the names of the beach clubs you actually did visit and were you kept as a separate group while you were there? On the east side, I am assuming it was the old Diablo’s with the bar in one side of the road and the beach on the other, since you said it was in the middle of nowhere? (FYI in the future,  you were lucky to be able to pay by credit card on the east side as cell service is VERY unreliable on that side - it was not just the owners being awkward, wanting cash.)  I am not sure how far away your tour guide could have gone as he would certainly be wanting his vehicles back but I agree he should have been present to negotiate for you. 

 

I had assumed the purpose of the ship excursion requirement was for tracking purposes, rather than any protection for your group per se and so the fact that you didn’t have to return to the ship at the end is concerning and makes me wonder if all the blame lies with the cruisers that have supposedly “broken their bubble” as we are led to believe. It is one thing to leave the excursion in the middle but totally different if you “delay” your return if you are not instructed otherwise. If you are allowed to return “at will” then it negates the whole purpose of requiring the ship excursion in the first place. 

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

In Freeport, 3 vax people in our party wanted to go ashore and just walk around the shops. We didn't know if they would be allowed to since we were traveling with the unvax child and they were linked to our reservation.   But they walked downstairs, and  went through security and got off the ship, without issue, or anything.  More than the vax issue, I was alarmed as a parents that the crew my 12 year old just walk off the ship without me or my wife. (she was with our friends in another cabin)  but I always assumed there would be something to stop such a thing.  But I'm hoping she was allowed because she was with our friends who were linked to our reservation.

As far as Freeport goes I would be very concerned if they were not aware of which adult was responsible for your daughter. I have heard of minors being flagged at security in the past and needing to prove who was the responsible adult. I find it strange with such a limited capacity on board that they didn’t check, but possibly because there was a limited capacity they were aware who was traveling together as a group?
 

The other issue here is that your daughter was able to exit at all. She was in a party with an unvaccinated person and yet previous reports stated that one/both parents couldn’t exit leaving their  child with another responsible person unless they  were all on a ship excursion. That ruling may have changed over time because we are reading now that at least on some ships  parents can leave the ship leaving their child at daycare. 

Edited July 27, 2021 by c-leg5

[RCCL Fan]

25 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

 

I know  you have  had issues with excursions in Cozumel previously and was disappointed to hear of your limited choices this time round.

 

This one perplexes me.  I don't know of any previous issues we had in Cozumel.  Care to refresh my memory?

 

 

29 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

However, I was surprised to hear of the choice you did make with a young child. I would have thought Chankanaab would have been offered as a ship excursion or Playa Mia, since your first choice was Sanchos, but perhaps you have already been to them? 

 

We have visited Chankanaab more times than I can count on two hands....     We've never been to Playa Mia as it appears as a waterpark/slide   hamburger hot dog  kinda spot and that's not typically what we are looking for.

   Playa Mia was an option through Royal, once onboard,  I don't believe Chankanaab was.  Perhaps it was sold out (as we had limited options being forced to book onboard)  or not offered at all.  I'm just not sure. 

 

As for Mr. Sanchos,  It was our reluctant choice this trip.  We've never been there.  During past visits with multiple ships in port, it seemed very spring break loud music party vibe and packed. We kept hearing AMAZING reviews about the place, and have been curious to try it but always said no, and driving by seeing the crowds going in we were always comfortable with that choice.   However, this trip, only having one ship in port, that was reduced capacity, we said if there was ever a time to try Mr. Sancho's and see what everyone raves about,  this would be the time.     So we booked it.

 

Once we got onboard, and learned we couldn't go, we checked in with Shore excursions.  There were 4 or 5  options given to us, but some we couldn't do because our daughter was too young.   Bottomline, after accounting what still had space, and would allow a 7 year old to participate.... we had the choices of a city tour on a bus, the ruins, or the dune buggy.   The dune buggy was the obvious choice

 

 

42 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

That said I would be interested to know the names of the beach clubs you actually did visit and were you kept as a separate group while you were there? On the east side, I am assuming it was the old Diablo’s with the bar in one side of the road and the beach on the other, since you said it was in the middle of nowhere? (FYI in the future,  you were lucky to be able to pay by credit card on the east side as cell service is VERY unreliable on that side - it was not just the owners being awkward, wanting cash.)  I am not sure how far away your tour guide could have gone as he would certainly be wanting his vehicles back but I agree he should have been present to negotiate for you. 

 

 

I don't know the names of the two stops we made.   The first was very near the port, before Chankanaab. 

 

The second spot on the east side of the island was not the old Diablo's  with the bar on one side and the beach on the other.   This place was much, much further down.  I looked on a map, it doesn't have a name that is listed on Google Maps   so I can't tell you any more specifics.

 

As for being separate, there was no one else there when we arrived.  at either club.   Both were completely empty except for our group.  

 

I didn't think the owners were being awkward at all, about the credit card and I didn't think anyone was doing anything to trick us.  I honestly think it was a miscommunication.   The fact remained, we were in the middle of nowhere,  with no way to pay them as much money as we spent with except  a credit card.  I am so grateful they got a signal as I don't know what would have happened next.

 

I didn't know where our guide was, I doubt he was far away either.  We just were face with the need to pay and the one person who told us we didn't have to pay was no where to be found.   So it was tense.   I'm sure seconds felt like minutes. 

 

26 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

As far as Freeport goes I would be very concerned if they were not aware of which adult was responsible for your daughter. I have heard of minors being flagged at security in the past and needing to prove who was the responsible adult. I find it strange with such a limited capacity on board that they didn’t check, but possibly because there was a limited capacity they were aware who was traveling together as a group?

 

I don't know that they didn't check.  I'm actually operating on the trust and belief that they did.

 

All I can tell you was my 12 year old and her friend (in another cabin but linked to our reservation) wanted to go ashore and walk around the shops.   The mother in the other cabin agreed to take them, but I questioned whether any of them would be allowed off the ship, especially my 12 year old.

 

I said, all we can do is try.    So all four of us got in the elevator and went down to deck 1.    My daughter, her friend, and the parent all walked ahead to get off the ship, I hung behind but within earshot to see what happened.

 

All 3 bonged, and walked off.  first the adult, then the two girls. 

 

No questions about my unvax kid,  no stopping the 12 year old, no need for dad to say, "it's ok she can get off I know who she's with"   They just got off.

 

So I shrugged my shoulders and got back in the elevator and went back to the pool.

 

But I'm trusting the security system saw our cabins were linked and thus no alarms sounded. 

[jcc1025]

This was interesting information. We are on the 8/15 cruise out of Galveston and have been to these ports several times and wondered what it was going to be like. We fully expected that this was not going to be cruising as normal. We have an unvaccinated 7 year old with us. As someone mentioned, at this age he would just as well spend his whole time at Kids Club and let us do our own thing. 

We did observe that the ship cruise options were limited and expected that. I contacted a couple of the outside locations that we have enjoyed before since we would be allowed to take off ship tours and they were all closed at this point. So I expect that some of the tours the ship offers are also not back in operation or may have gone out of business without the traffic over the past 18 months. 

 

Even if all we do is let him go to Kids Club and we go out and stroll around the port pier area we will be good with that. Just getting back on a cruise is a plus for us and knowing that it will get better over time and slowly back to normal is enough. 

 

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

This one perplexes me.  I don't know of any previous issues we had in Cozumel.  Care to refresh my memory?

Perhaps I misunderstood previously, I thought you had problems on the Enchantment (I remember because we also had bad experiences on the Enchantment) and ended up having to take an excursion you didn’t intend to.

 

 

We have visited Chankanaab more times than I can count on two hands....     We've never been to Playa Mia as it appears as a waterpark/slide   hamburger hot dog  kinda spot and that's not typically what we are looking for.

   

As for Mr. Sanchos,  It was our reluctant choice this trip.  We've never been there.  During past visits with multiple ships in port, it seemed very spring break loud music party vibe and packed. We kept hearing AMAZING reviews about the place, and have been curious to try it but always said no, and driving by seeing the crowds going in we were always comfortable with that choice.   However, this trip, only having one ship in port, that was reduced capacity, we said if there was ever a time to try Mr. Sancho's and see what everyone raves about,  this would be the time.     So we booked it.

I didn’t realize you didn’t really want a beach club i thought with children that was perhaps you were after somewhere with activities. I agree we have never been to Sanchos as it seems too big and noisy for us but we don’t have children to amuse so are looking for the quiet life! I agree this would have been a good time to give Sanchos a try, with limited occupancy. Likewise Playa Mia would have been much quieter than normal, I believe it only reopened specifically for the cruise ships returning. 

 

It seems you had a very limited number of options available which seems such a pity for somewhere like Cozumel
 

Quote

 

 

 

I don't know the names of the two stops we made.   The first was very near the port, before Chankanaab. 

 

The second spot on the east side of the island was not the old Diablo's  with the bar on one side and the beach on the other.   This place was much, much further down.  I looked on a map, it doesn't have a name that is listed on Google Maps   so I can't tell you any more specifics.

 

As for being separate, there was no one else there when we arrived.  at either club.   Both were completely empty except for our group.  
 

Thanks, I was interested to  know if El Diablo was currently open. I know the bike and buggy tours have stopped there in the past - it has been many names over the years.We were in Cozumel middle of June but the sargassum was so bad on the east side we cut our tour short and didn’t go all the way round this time so didn't get as far as San Martin Beach and El Diablo area. Not sure from your description if you mean the northern end, or the southern end of the east side? 
 

I think I had read the tours may have stopped at Tortugas, near Chankanaab previously. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

18 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

All 3 bonged, and walked off.  first the adult, then the two girls. 

I would have been a lot more concerned about them being let back on the ship, instead of them being let off the ship...