Ovation Turned Away Half a Dozen Unvaccinated Cruisers in Seattle

[read2learn]

The vaccine is free~a shot would have eliminated this problem. Just saying....😷

 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, SeaHunt said:

From Seattle news:

 

More than half a dozen cruise passengers say they were not allowed to board a Royal Caribbean vessel because they are not vaccinated.

No sympathy whatsoever. I have been on 2 Royal cruises and there is no question on what the protocols are. Royal goes out of their way to let passengers know what they need. 
 

They should be counted as no shows with no refunds. 

 

For cruises departing Seattle in August 2021: All guests age 12 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing.

 

 

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. 

[smplybcause]

57 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Probably, the whole article is rife with error.  They couldn’t have been planning the trip for 2 years since these itineraries have only been available since they passed the law letting them skip Canada.  If you look at Royal’s site it is quite clear that those itineraries need a vaccination. I can’t imagine a TA being that uninformed but all things are possible apparently.  It is really hard to be sympathetic when they seem so belligerent and unwilling to accept any responsibility.  If it was me I’d just be embarrassed. 

 

That's not entirely true. My friend is currently on the cruise they missed. He originally booked a 2020 sailing in summer of 2019. It was then l&s to the current sailing. So his has been planned for two years. Some in his group actually l&s to the 2022 sailing before the law was signed allowing Canada to be skipped. 

 

The rest I agree with though. It's been quite clear since they announced those sailings ARE going that everyone 12+ would need to be vax. 

Edited August 14, 2021 by smplybcause

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, SSBrickNJ said:

Seeking an answer as well.

I am vaccinated but my wife and daughter have thus far chosen not to be.

We have a RCL cruise out of Cape Liberty NJ in December.

???My wife and daughter can have a negative result on a Covid test within the 72 hours timeframe before sailing and they or good to go?...Or....like this thread's topic...everyone needs to be vaccinated?

 

From my understanding,   NJ sailings will require Everyone 12 or older to be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR or Antigen test done no earlier than 3 days before your sail date.    

If vaccines for children younger than 12 become available this fall, cruise lines may change their age requirement from 12 to 5 years old (or whatever the new age group will be).

Of course, all of this could change by December but I doubt they will relax on the vaccination requirements.

 

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, SSBrickNJ said:

Seeking an answer as well.

I am vaccinated but my wife and daughter have thus far chosen not to be.

We have a RCL cruise out of Cape Liberty NJ in December.

???My wife and daughter can have a negative result on a Covid test within the 72 hours timeframe before sailing and they or good to go?...Or....like this thread's topic...everyone needs to be vaccinated?

 

We don't exactly know what the actual protocols are sailing from Bayonne.  We do know that RCL announced a month or so that only FL sails would have unvaxxed Paxs.

 

Sailing on Oasis on Sept. 5 and no protocols available yet.   I guess, they are waiting for the completion of the test sail that will begin on August 22 and end on the 28th.  

 

Ps:  Hope I get notified, because I never got any notification from RCL or my TA that check-in was available.  It was only on this board that I decided to check my reservation  and lo and behold check-in was open.

 

No tags yet,

[Sunshine3601]

37 minutes ago, read2learn said:

The vaccine is free~a shot would have eliminated this problem. Just saying....😷

 

Exactly,, and if they are retired as article says, they could be in a high risk group and all the more reason to get vaccinated. 

I do not feel sorry for this people at all.   They are seeking pity saying they are on fixed income and cannot afford a hotel for the night.   Oh come on!    They were just looking for a hand out, IMO. 

[Sunshine3601]

Just now, nelblu said:

We don't exactly know what the actual protocols are sailing from Bayonne.  We do know that RCL announced a month or so that only FL sails would have unvaxxed Paxs.

 

Sailing on Oasis on Sept. 5 and no protocols available yet.   I guess, they are waiting for the completion of the test sail that will begin on August 22 and end on the 28th.  

 

Ps:  Hope I get notified, because I never got any notification from RCL or my TA that check-in was available.  It was only on this board that I decided to check my reservation  and lo and behold check-in was open.

 

No tags yet,

I noticed yesterday that check in is available for my 9.26 Oasis sailing but I didn't receive an email either.

[crzndeb]

1 hour ago, SSBrickNJ said:

I am on hold w/ RCCL for the purposes of asking questions....no rash decisions...I just want to educate myself on hypothetical stuff

Delete....Poster got answer

Edited August 14, 2021 by crzndeb

[suzyluvs2cruise]

1 hour ago, SSBrickNJ said:

I am on hold w/ RCCL for the purposes of asking questions....no rash decisions...I just want to educate myself on hypothetical stuff

 

If the protocols for sailing from Cape Liberty are not on the RCI website no phone rep will be able to give you any information........especially any hypotheticals. This is a fluid situation with protocols/requirements changing almost daily. You'll have to sit back....take a deep breath......and wait. 

Edited August 14, 2021 by suzyluvs2cruise

[James4me]

1 hour ago, zekekelso said:

Hopefully someone will chime in with the current rule. But be very aware that rules are constantly changing. They should be prepared for the possibility of not be allowed on the cruise, or to be subject to lots of restrictions. Best of luck and happy cruising. 

Why not just call Royal, tell them the ship they are on and ask for the rules regarding Covid and boarding?  You’ll get your answer.  Just to be sure ask the name of the representative to document your call.  

[kearney]

1 hour ago, SSBrickNJ said:

Seeking an answer as well.

I am vaccinated but my wife and daughter have thus far chosen not to be.

We have a RCL cruise out of Cape Liberty NJ in December.

???My wife and daughter can have a negative result on a Covid test within the 72 hours timeframe before sailing and they or good to go?...Or....like this thread's topic...everyone needs to be vaccinated?

 

For anyone sailing on Royal... keep this link and check it frequently ... especially the closer you get to your cruise date... just scroll to your point of departure.https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise

 

Having recently canceled a cruise... the changes came almost daily... finally a cruise that was to be everyone over 12 being vaccinated..with no masks... ended up requiring masks indoors except in some bars, casino and during certain times in the gym and spa. It was a death by a thousand cuts...finally decided that the reason for a cruise was a sense of normalcy and relaxation... I did not like the idea that I had to print out pages of rules.... I pushed back other cruises to next year.. and I hope things will improve. I do wish I had taken one of the early sailings...but stupid me.. I thought things would improve over time... naive I guess.

[kearney]

9 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

If the protocols for sailing from Cape Liberty are not on the RCI website no phone rep will be able to give you any information........especially any hypotheticals. This is a fluid situation with protocols/requirements changing almost daily. You'll have to sit back....take a deep breath......and wait. 

I just noticed that.... well.. then the answer is... they don't know yet... but best bet is to be vaccinated and expect to wear masks indoors most places... or spend time in the casino or designated bars... better get a beverage package 🙂 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

3 minutes ago, James4me said:

Why not just call Royal, tell them the ship they are on and ask for the rules regarding Covid and boarding?  You’ll get your answer.  Just to be sure ask the name of the representative to document your call.  

 

Best thing to do is as @kearneypost. Check the RCI website at this link. RCI phone reps don't always have the current, up to date information. 

 

Getting Ready to Cruise

[mek]

2 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Best thing to do is as @kearneypost. Check the RCI website at this link. RCI phone reps don't always have the current, up to date information. 

 

Getting Ready to Cruise

You can be sure when it's time for us to cruise in January, I will be checking that frequently before our departure.  (Probably hourly the week before we leave - LOL!)

[Merion_Mom]

42 minutes ago, kearney said:

For anyone sailing on Royal... keep this link and check it frequently ... especially the closer you get to your cruise date... just scroll to your point of departure.https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise

 

Having recently canceled a cruise... the changes came almost daily... finally a cruise that was to be everyone over 12 being vaccinated..with no masks... ended up requiring masks indoors except in some bars, casino and during certain times in the gym and spa. It was a death by a thousand cuts...finally decided that the reason for a cruise was a sense of normalcy and relaxation... I did not like the idea that I had to print out pages of rules.... I pushed back other cruises to next year.. and I hope things will improve. I do wish I had taken one of the early sailings...but stupid me.. I thought things would improve over time... naive I guess.

 

You aren't naive.  Things change.  The Delta variant changed things.  Things WERE improving, but too many people didn't take the vaccine even though it was easily and freely available to them.  That has give the virus a chance to mutate and spread.

[SSBrickNJ]

To review what I've  posted in this thread: myself, I'm fully vaccinated....my wife and 19 yr old daughter are not. We have a RCL cruise scheduled on Dec. 24th out of Cape Liberty NJ. Balance due the end of next month. Ok....everyone is caught up.

I want to just cancel and get our deposit back.

Now that my wife has been filled in she feels the same way.

Our daughter is at her retail job but she was never really excited to begin with so it is highly likely I'll call and get us cancelled....just get out deposit back.

A month ago when I learned I'd have to wear a mask in all public places on the ship even though I'm fully vaccinated....well when I heard that I lost interest in going on the cruise anyway.

Maybe we'll go in 2027 or 2028.

This Covid thing is beyond annoying! 🙄

*

(At least we are 3 healthy people with jobs. Feeling thankful for that 😊 )

Edited August 15, 2021 by SSBrickNJ

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, SSBrickNJ said:

I want to just cancel and get our deposit back.

That is not likely to happen now unless you get a very accommodating CSR on the phone. 

[SSBrickNJ]

5 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

That is not likely to happen now unless you get a very accommodating CSR on the phone. 

It will happen. I could have done it earlier with that CSR.

It'll be fine.

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, SSBrickNJ said:

It will happen. I could have done it earlier with that CSR.

It'll be fine.

Then don’t even think about it, just do it. 

[Hogbay]

Have a International Certificate of Vaccination passport from the 90's ,if you don't know the current travel requirements you should not travel . Nothing new here just another virus. 🙄

[forgotmyCCname]

4 hours ago, xxHadleyxx said:

Honestly, I can't fathom travelling anywhere these days without checking regulations and rechecking close to travel dates...and for my two upcoming cruises RCI has sent us multiple emails with all the most recent rules.  Yes, there is a lot of information in those emails to read, but it's my responsibility to do so and know the regulations.   Not the cruise line's fault if I don't.

*We have only one upcoming cruise in September.

we have received exactly ZERO emails about any changes in procedure or any emails except for those asking us to purchase another cruise. If I wasn't on CC and was not obsessed with checking the Royal website regularly, we would not have any information about healthy sailing, testing, the suite lounge not offering beverages 11a-11p, etc.* 

 

I also check my junk email. Nothing there.

 

I haven't watched the video because that load mouth that pretended to be vaccinated and for escorted iff with her Covid and asthma was quite enough for me.

Maybe these folks don't use computers regularly or have the world's most inept TA. 
 

My only point is that we have had no communication from Royal except for sales on add-one and cruise adverts.

 

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by forgotmyCCname

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, SSBrickNJ said:

It will happen. I could have done it earlier with that CSR.

It'll be fine.

I didnt realize they were giving cash refunds of deposit money if someone calls and says they are not vaccinated.    Interesting.  

I thought they were only giving FCCs to be used on a sailing before 9.30.22

 

Any chance your family members will get vaccinated?

[Sunshine3601]

9 minutes ago, forgotmyCCname said:

*We have only one upcoming cruise in September.

we have received exactly ZERO emails about any changes in procedure or any emails except for those asking us to purchase another cruise. If I wasn't on CC and was not obsessed with checking the Royal website regularly, we would not have any information about healthy sailing, testing, the suite lounge not offering beverages 11a-11p, etc.* 

 

I also check my junk email. Nothing there.

 

 

Protocols for september cruises have not yet been released.  Expect to hear in the coming week or two.  

 

[brillohead]

In fact, she says they are all retired, all on fixed incomes. And they frankly can’t afford to stay the night in Seattle and then fly home early to Illinois.

 

 

This is the part that kills me... if you don't have the money for a hotel room, you didn't have the money to take the cruise.  Were you not going on ANY excursions?  Were you not planning on paying any tips?  You don't have a couple hundred bucks or a credit card?

Many major airlines are waiving change fees in the current climate... so spend the night in a no-tell motel and change your ticket to fly home the next day.  

 

 

 

[MaryZ]

We just booked the Anthem for December today. 
Yes it is required that we be vaccinated.  And that we bring proof of a negative covid test. 
NY requires you to be vaccinated to go nearly anywhere starting within a week or so now.  We have the empire pass that shows our covid vaccines with a qr code.
Since the ports are run by ny/nj requiring vaccines is going to be mandatory. 

Two of my children are not vaccinated.  Both are in their 30's and have questions about what will the vaccine do.    My answer to them both is science is just better and faster today.  What took years when I was young is only months now.
I notice it's a huge thing with the 20-35 yr olds ...conspiracy theories....lol  almost as bad as the old people who made it political.