Cruising with Unvaxed Kids - Time to Decide...

[Tjterrill]

Hey everyone - thanks for your contributions to the topic. It certainly provided different insights and plenty to think about. 

 

In the end, we made the decision to go on the cruise - but leave the kids at home. 😂 We collected that refund in fare and put it towards DBP and specialty dinning instead to make sure we have a GREAT time. 

 

We know that these regulations/updates/recommendations are changing daily at this point, but like I said, we reached the point where we needed to make a decision. Ultimately, we knew the kids wouldn't be vaccinated in time, and it's just not worth the additional risk. Plus, mom and dad haven't had a vacation alone in maybe eight years, so it was well overdue. 

 

Cheers! 

[dominicr]

8 minutes ago, Tjterrill said:

Hey everyone - thanks for your contributions to the topic. It certainly provided different insights and plenty to think about. 

 

In the end, we made the decision to go on the cruise - but leave the kids at home. 😂 We collected that refund in fare and put it towards DBP and specialty dinning instead to make sure we have a GREAT time. 

 

We know that these regulations/updates/recommendations are changing daily at this point, but like I said, we reached the point where we needed to make a decision. Ultimately, we knew the kids wouldn't be vaccinated in time, and it's just not worth the additional risk. Plus, mom and dad haven't had a vacation alone in maybe eight years, so it was well overdue. 

 

Cheers! 

I respect your decision and say that’s great.  Parents absolutely need a break from the kids and some alone time to relax.  On the other hand kids also need vacations to unwind. 

[coffeebean]

On 8/8/2021 at 5:19 PM, rbell said:

Personally,I would never bring my unvaxed kids on any cruise ship right now.Just to much worrying all the time.But to each it's own.

 

 

Stay safe

What is the difference between the kids being on a cruise ship or in a classroom with children that do not wear masks?

[long4acruise]

2 hours ago, Tjterrill said:

 

In the end, we made the decision to go on the cruise - but leave the kids at home. 😂

I know that was a hard decision for you and your family to come to.  Do enjoy your much deserved "me" time!  Hopefully very soon all parents and grandparents will feel very comfortable traveling with young and unvax'd children and they'll be a brighter light in this "tunnel of unknowns" for all to feel safe and return to some sense or new normalcy.

[spooky981]

I feel like my kids are safer on a boat that is 95% vaccinated with pre-boarding COVID tests than they are in a school that is 0% vaccinated. However I can't blame anyone for not wanting to deal with the hassle of travelling with unvaccinated children right now.

[exm]

^ I am so jealous! Wish I could cruise with just my wife. Enjoy!

[OnTheJourney]

On 8/8/2021 at 4:30 PM, Goodtime Cruizin said:

W/ regards to the air fares, you might check out Royal's Air2Sea program to see if it fits your needs w/ regards to cancellations if needed. 

Or insure the flights under a policy that provides for CFAR, except that the policy has to have been purchased only so many days following when the otherwise non-reimbursable expenses were made. Even then, you only get as much as 75% of the cost back. 

[sambao21]

So is there an official position published by royal Caribbean on what vaccinated parents can/can't do if they are traveling with unvaccinated kids? Whether they are physically with them or not at any given time? The only thing I saw was that you can't get off the ship unless book excursion through RC and that when dining with kids in dining room you'd be in unvaccinated area.

 

I presume when in the presence unvaccinated kids, any activities you'd have to attend the unvaccinated showings.

 

Mainly I wanted to know if I'm not in the presence of the kids (say they are asleep or with other adults elsewhere and I'm on my own), am I restricted or not. Is there any officially policy?

 

I'm gonna call today to speak to a rep, but if it's published online, that would be ideal.

[Babr]

8 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Or insure the flights under a policy that provides for CFAR, except that the policy has to have been purchased only so many days following when the otherwise non-reimbursable expenses were made. Even then, you only get as much as 75% of the cost back. 

There is a problem insuring air fare under any kind of policy because the airlines issue a voucher if you cancel. The insurance company considers you reimbursed at that point and will not pay. The only thing you can do is inquire about forfeiting the voucher in exchange for a cash reimbursement. Ask before you buy the policy.

[jacobtsf]

32 minutes ago, sambao21 said:

So is there an official position published by royal Caribbean on what vaccinated parents can/can't do if they are traveling with unvaccinated kids? Whether they are physically with them or not at any given time? 

If you are with the child you can’t go to vaccinated only areas, but if you are NOT with the child you can. 

Royal also recently changed the excursion rule. If you are getting off the boat with the child you must be on a Royal excursion, if the child is staying on the boat (with someone from your party or in child care) you can go out on your own. 

[DonJuan77]

I always find threads like this slightly comical as they always get away from the first question. I am also taking my 3 year old with my Wife and I who are fully vaccinated in November on Indy. We've had 2 cancelled cruises so far so we booked this one. We cannot get our child vaccinated but seeing as she's in a daycare 5 days a week with other un-vaccinated kids, I'm not concerned at all about getting on a cruise where 95% of people need to be vaccinated and tested. The reason I find it comical is that most of us have to A) go to an airport, board a plane with 300+ people for 3+ hrs and fly in said plane that you fully trust will get you there. Then once you land B) rent a car and drive around doing 70 mph in a state you're not familiar with, then C) stay at a resort/hotel with no testing/vax requirements all to get to a cruise ship where it has some of the strictest testing/vax requirements. 

 

Not only as a parent but as a human being you have to decide whether all of those risks (A,B,C) are worth taking to board a cruise. Then you take into account the tiny fraction of % of kids who may get covid and then also suffer from it, it's just insane to me that everyone keeps having this debate. The people who are saying "How could you take your child on a ship to die!" in my opinion shouldn't even be commenting on these threads. I've also been looking to see what the testing requirements will be for my child and it's impossible when you have to sort through 3 comment sections of people arguing about the "risks" of COVID. We are all aware of the potential risks, but we also want to move on with our lives and try to enjoy what time we have left.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

34 minutes ago, DonJuan77 said:

I've also been looking to see what the testing requirements will be for my child and it's impossible when you have to sort through 3 comment sections of people arguing about the "risks" of COVID.

you may want to look at the RCI's website for the current testing requirements instead of the forum. 🙂

[DonJuan77]

1 minute ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

you may want to look at the RCI's website for the current testing requirements instead of the forum. 🙂

I have but I meant from people who are getting on cruises now with kids. The website changes all the time so I wanted to hear from someone who has done it.

[mac_tlc]

40 minutes ago, DonJuan77 said:

I have but I meant from people who are getting on cruises now with kids. The website changes all the time so I wanted to hear from someone who has done it.

Before this thread gets locked, and it’s well on its way, I thought  I would add some real info from someone currently on a Royal Caribbean ship with two unvaccinated grandkids ages 9 and 3. 
 

We have a group of 8. Everyone got a rapid response antigen test at CVS two or three days before sailing. All negative. 
 

At the pier the test results were scanned/checked at least three times. Kids were tested again at pier, about 40 minutes for results. They tested negative. No tears for vaccinated folks at pier. No mid-cruise test for anyone. Kids will be tested again on e last day. 
 

Only 1510 folks on Allure. Mask adherence good and a lot of employees checking vaccinated bracelet at “vaccinated-only” locations. 
 

mac_tlc

[FishLips23]

We are planning on cruising with our 4yo, should our b2b actually sail on Harmony in November. As others have mentioned, we have mitigated the risks and feel cruising is safer than his school/work/grocery store. We will probably spend most of our time on our balcony and outside decks, boardwalk, central park, etc...I'm not sure how comfortable we are dining on the unvaxxed floor, so we will likely explore other options such as taking meals to go and specialty restaurant outdoor dining. We are both vaccinated, religiously mask, follow all cdc guidelines...when the vaccine is approved for <12 yo, he will be the first in line. I think there is a very fine line between being safe and living smartly with this thing, and being unnecessarily overcautious.

[DonJuan77]

10 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Before this thread gets locked, and it’s well on its way, I thought  I would add some real info from someone currently on a Royal Caribbean ship with two unvaccinated grandkids ages 9 and 3. 
 

We have a group of 8. Everyone got a rapid response antigen test at CVS two or three days before sailing. All negative. 
 

At the pier the test results were scanned/checked at least three times. Kids were tested again at pier, about 40 minutes for results. They tested negative. No tears for vaccinated folks at pier. No mid-cruise test for anyone. Kids will be tested again on e last day. 
 

Only 1510 folks on Allure. Mask adherence good and a lot of employees checking vaccinated bracelet at “vaccinated-only” locations. 
 

mac_tlc

 

Thank you! This is all I wanted coming to this thread haha. 

[OnTheJourney]

3 hours ago, Babr said:

here is a problem insuring air fare under any kind of policy because the airlines issue a voucher if you cancel. The insurance company considers you reimbursed at that point and will not pay. The only thing you can do is inquire about forfeiting the voucher in exchange for a cash reimbursement. Ask before you buy the policy.

I'm aware of all this and researched the company - and spoke to one of their agents. He assures me that even if the airline issues a voucher they will honor the CFAR insured amount. I would suspect that they'd want some sort of proof that the airline offer was declined or not used. I ultimately have no idea, having never had to activate a CFAR clause before. It's looking like I'll get my chance,  however, since I'm becoming increasingly convinced that now is not the best time to take a driving trip out west. See what happens by later next month. I have time yet to make a decision. 

[Babr]

6 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

I'm aware of all this and researched the company - and spoke to one of their agents. He assures me that even if the airline issues a voucher they will honor the CFAR insured amount. I would suspect that they'd want some sort of proof that the airline offer was declined or not used. I ultimately have no idea, having never had to activate a CFAR clause before. It's looking like I'll get my chance,  however, since I'm becoming increasingly convinced that now is not the best time to take a driving trip out west. See what happens by later next month. I have time yet to make a decision. 

Maybe it is because CFAR reimburses less than 100% of covered expenses. Am I correct that you have to insure all non-refundable costs but get back something like   75%?

[JMKreno]

53 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Before this thread gets locked, and it’s well on its way, I thought  I would add some real info from someone currently on a Royal Caribbean ship with two unvaccinated grandkids ages 9 and 3. 
 

We have a group of 8. Everyone got a rapid response antigen test at CVS two or three days before sailing. All negative. 
 

At the pier the test results were scanned/checked at least three times. Kids were tested again at pier, about 40 minutes for results. They tested negative. No tears for vaccinated folks at pier. No mid-cruise test for anyone. Kids will be tested again on e last day. 
 

Only 1510 folks on Allure. Mask adherence good and a lot of employees checking vaccinated bracelet at “vaccinated-only” locations. 
 

mac_tlc

We will be on the Oasis in October...fingers crossed. Hearing about the LACK of people on the Allure is actually making us more excited for our cruise. Our first experience on Royal AND an Oasis class ship after years of Carnival. The Vista/Magic were PACKED and having a quieter/less crowded experience is fine by us, easier to use ship amenities (flow rider, slides, pools, central park, relaxing). Masks, not a fan, but we did a week in Vegas with masks a few weeks ago and we survived wearing them and had a great time (literally and figuratively!). 

 

But, you mentioned that your youngest got a RAPID ANTIGEN TEST prior to the cruise? I thought that under 12/unvaxxed had to get a PCR (not rapid antigen) 3 days before? If that's the case, then I am not worried so much. We will be traveling to the cruise and in NYC 3 days prior to our cruise so was having difficulty finding locations that do PCR & RApid Antigen tests without costing a fortune. Please confirm???

Edited August 18, 2021 by JMKreno

[JMKreno]

Oh, nevermind. Looks like they can do an antigen test under 12! That makes things a LOT easier...!! I can schedule all 4 of us at the CVS right by our Hotel in Jersey City with a rapid antigen test the morning we get to New Jersey before we start our other activities. 

 

Required Testing for All Guests on All Sailings

All guests age 2 and older — regardless of their vaccination status or the length of their cruise — will need to take a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) with an accredited test provider, such as a drugstore chain or diagnostic lab, no more than 3 days before arriving at the terminal and show their negative test result upon arriving. The results can be printed out, or can be presented on your phone, such as the email result from your test provider. Costs associated with this test are the guests' responsibility.

[mac_tlc]

1 hour ago, JMKreno said:

We will be on the Oasis in October...fingers crossed. Hearing about the LACK of people on the Allure is actually making us more excited for our cruise. Our first experience on Royal AND an Oasis class ship after years of Carnival. The Vista/Magic were PACKED and having a quieter/less crowded experience is fine by us, easier to use ship amenities (flow rider, slides, pools, central park, relaxing). Masks, not a fan, but we did a week in Vegas with masks a few weeks ago and we survived wearing them and had a great time (literally and figuratively!). 

 

But, you mentioned that your youngest got a RAPID ANTIGEN TEST prior to the cruise? I thought that under 12/unvaxxed had to get a PCR (not rapid antigen) 3 days before? If that's the case, then I am not worried so much. We will be traveling to the cruise and in NYC 3 days prior to our cruise so was having difficulty finding locations that do PCR & RApid Antigen tests without costing a fortune. Please confirm???

All 8 got the rapid antigen test. We would not have been able to get the results of a PCR test in time to sail, given the 3 day limit and the time it was taking for turnaround of the results. 
 

6 of us got the tests in the Orlando area, two others in CT before they flew down. Granted, we made the test appointment as soon as Royal announced the need for the tests. If you wait too long it will be very difficult to find an appointment. 
 

Mu wife and I will be on the Oasis in September and fully expect to need to get tested. We will make the appointment at some CVS near us in CT as soon as their two week window opens.

Edited August 18, 2021 by mac_tlc

[forgotmyCCname]

On 8/9/2021 at 5:37 PM, Scoobydobe7 said:

I spoke with multiple reps and specific ally asked if I could go to casino, casino bar, schooners etc.. (Symphony list) and was told no..I cancelled (told rep Royal will lose my business after all my FCC are used)..I was told I MIGHT be able to cancel for full refund (after final payment) IF and when Royal announces the new protocols and I did not want to go at that point..I cut my losses..

We may be on Symphony in September. No protocols have been posted on RCL specific to this ship so I'm not sure how the rep "knew " this. 
But cutting losses is usually a good idea . We are 6 weeks away and I think there's a 50:50 chance that we will even get on the ship. Way past final so we will make a decision as soon as we see the protocols. 

[AustinCruise]

Our kids are vaccinated and we are leaving them home 🙂

 

Next time (November) they can go along. They have been on many cruises. Finally a no kid vacation in many many years. 

[sambao21]

6 hours ago, jacobtsf said:

If you are with the child you can’t go to vaccinated only areas, but if you are NOT with the child you can. 

Royal also recently changed the excursion rule. If you are getting off the boat with the child you must be on a Royal excursion, if the child is staying on the boat (with someone from your party or in child care) you can go out on your own. 

Do you have a link to where that's stated for the first part? I couldn't find anything on rc website explicitly explaining that, and didn't want to take chance on my own personal interpretation.

 

I did found link for the excursion part though.

[jacobtsf]

11 minutes ago, sambao21 said:

Do you have a link to where that's stated for the first part? I couldn't find anything on rc website explicitly explaining that, and didn't want to take chance on my own personal interpretation.

 

I did found link for the excursion part though.

There have been many many cruisers reporting it here. If you are vaccinated you get the special wristband. If you have the special wristband you get to go to vaccinated only areas (if you are not with someone who is unvaccinated)

 

This could change, but as of the cruises going on this week it is true