Covid Isolation Protocols Changed

[NoWhiners]

15 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

I was surprised when they reported that they could not use the balcony.  Still upon reflection I did think of a few possible explanations.  Perhaps one or a combo explain the reason…or some other reason unbeknownst to me.

 

IDK…just guessing

 

Those are good points. I have to admit, if I was in this situation, I'd go out on the balcony unless someone gave me a really good reason why I couldn't, not just "because we say so". You're already in a disappointing situation, possibly separated from your family or traveling companions and now they want to say you can't go out on the balcony?. It seems really odd, especially when I read on the Celebrity board that the people in quarantine in balcony cabins went out on theirs, no problem.

 

Again, not trying to start an argument, I'm just scratching my head about this. And thinking that this could be an issue on future cruises, where having a balcony was one way to mitigate any covid outbreak.

[Starry Eyes]

3 minutes ago, NoWhiners said:

 

Those are good points. I have to admit, if I was in this situation, I'd go out on the balcony unless someone gave me a really good reason why I couldn't, not just "because we say so". You're already in a disappointing situation, possibly separated from your family or traveling companions and now they want to say you can't go out on the balcony?. It seems really odd, especially when I read on the Celebrity board that the people in quarantine in balcony cabins went out on theirs, no problem.

 

Again, not trying to start an argument, I'm just scratching my head about this. And thinking that this could be an issue on future cruises, where having a balcony was one way to mitigate any covid outbreak.

I’m not interested in an argument either.  I am simply trying to think of reasons for such a policy; those were my best musings, though I am not sure any of them are valid.  I bet may quarantined guests would go on the balcony if they could; there are sensors and camera s trained on balconies, so they could know if guests are outside.   If I had to enforce a policy against quarantined guests opening the balcony door, I’d engage the child safety latch, cover it with tape, and attach a sign saying door should not be opened.  

[NoWhiners]

31 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

I’m not interested in an argument either.  I am simply trying to think of reasons for such a policy; those were my best musings, though I am not sure any of them are valid.  I bet may quarantined guests would go on the balcony if they could; there are sensors and camera s trained on balconies, so they could know if guests are outside.   If I had to enforce a policy against quarantined guests opening the balcony door, I’d engage the child safety latch, cover it with tape, and attach a sign saying door should not be opened.  

 

Right, I was just trying to establish the tone of my message, sometimes it's hard when writing. Your thoughts are good and you're doing a better job of thinking about it than me 😉 I'm just being more reactive than thoughtful.

 

I have to say, this doesn't inspire me to book a cruise with RCI. They seem a tad customer-hostile. I wonder what affect this will have on their public perception or if it will just blend in with all the other covid issues.

Edited January 9, 2022 by NoWhiners
add info

[D4]

Another thought on not being allowed to go out on the balcony if you’re quarantined.

Royal might not want them talking to other people on balconies … telling them about their experiences.  
 

Royal wasn’t telling the passengers onboard some of those sailings how many positive cases they had.  Passengers would probably have been alarmed to know that quarantine cabins were on 3 decks.  That would make it obvious that the Covid count was high on their sailing.

[NoWhiners]

1 minute ago, D4 said:

Another thought on not being allowed to go out on the balcony if you’re quarantined.

Royal might not want them talking to other people on balconies … telling them about their experiences.  
 

Royal wasn’t telling the passengers onboard some of those sailings how many positive cases they had.  Passengers would probably have been alarmed to know that quarantine cabins were on 3 decks.  That would make it obvious that the Covid count was high on their sailing.

 

That's a pretty interesting thought. Sort of a pre-emptive PR strike. I wonder...

[Starry Eyes]

1 minute ago, NoWhiners said:

 

Right, I was just trying to establish the tone of my message, sometimes it's hard when writing. Your thoughts are good and you're doing a better job of thinking about it than me 😉 I'm just being more reactive than thoughtful.

 

I have to say, this doesn't inspire me to book a cruise with RCI. They seem a tad customer-hostile.

I’d rather know what quarantine is like beforehand, so I am glad others have shared their experiences.  In the past if one were quarantined for Noro-like symptoms, you stayed in your own cabin…those who booked nicer digs could enjoy those comforts (to the extent their health allowed).  Even if one understands the reason, the idea of moving from a suite to an OV cabin is unappealing, and worse perhaps if one booked the suite, in part, hoping for nicer conditions if quarantined.  Better to know the situation in advance  and make an educated choice to sail or not.  

[NoWhiners]

6 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

I’d rather know what quarantine is like beforehand, so I am glad others have shared their experiences.  In the past if one were quarantined for Noro-like symptoms, you stayed in your own cabin…those who booked nicer digs could enjoy those comforts (to the extent their health allowed).  Even if one understands the reason, the idea of moving from a suite to an OV cabin is unappealing, and worse perhaps if one booked the suite, in part, hoping for nicer conditions if quarantined.  Better to know the situation in advance  and make an educated choice to sail or not.  

 

Yes, it's best to 'know before you go'. I'm hoping our October Med cruise actually goes but I am paying a lot of attention to the info people are are posting. I expect there will be frequent changes to policies and procedures as we progress thru this.

[A&L_Ont]

Just a suggestion, but maybe no one is allowed out on the balcony so they can’t smoke. 

[RFerrington]

So what do they do to you if you go out onto your balcony ?  Take you out of your stateroom and put you in isolation ?  Oh wait....

[D4]

32 minutes ago, NoWhiners said:

 

Yes, it's best to 'know before you go'. I'm hoping our October Med cruise actually goes but I am paying a lot of attention to the info people are are posting. I expect there will be frequent changes to policies and procedures as we progress thru this.

I agree.  Until I read about some of the horrible NYE cruise quarantine experiences, all the posts I had read described very organized handling onboard and after, including the private jet home.  Just like Royal promised.

 

I was shocked that the omicron surge and packed holiday sailings caused Royal to basically give up and leave some passengers to figure it all out for themselves.

[Rosy Season]

28 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Just a suggestion, but maybe no one is allowed out on the balcony so they can’t smoke. 

I could smell Cigarette smoke and looked up the fine print somewhere (sorry I can’t remember) and saw that people were allowed to smoke in their bathrooms if they were quarantined. 

[NoWhiners]

14 minutes ago, D4 said:

I agree.  Until I read about some of the horrible NYE cruise quarantine experiences, all the posts I had read described very organized handling onboard and after, including the private jet home.  Just like Royal promised.

 

I was shocked that the omicron surge and packed holiday sailings caused Royal to basically give up and leave some passengers to figure it all out for themselves.

 

OMG, yes. It all seemed to be going so well and then...it wasn't. Had some friends take an X cruise over xmas and I worried about them. Just heard from them and they are fine--but mostly stayed on their aft balcony. It is all so discouraging.

[Rosy Season]

21 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

So what do they do to you if you go out onto your balcony ?  Take you out of your stateroom and put you in isolation ?  Oh wait....

I suppose they could deny payment for any of the stuff they’re supposedly going to pay for since you broke their rules. 

[D4]

Just now, Rosy Season said:

I suppose they could deny payment for any of the stuff they’re supposedly going to pay for since you broke their rules. 

That’s what I was thinking.

 

They would select that time to enforce one of their rules

[DallasGuy75219]

54 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Just a suggestion, but maybe no one is allowed out on the balcony so they can’t smoke. 

They're allowing people in quarantine to smoke in their bathrooms.

[Interestedcruisefan]

4 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

Frankly, I was surprised by the vicious attacks on you. They'll be singing a different tune if they had to walk a mile in your shoes.

 

You're the whistleblower and the heroine of this saga. Not the company.

 

Thanks once again for warning us. The ships are sailing once again at a quarter capacity.

Yes

 

Well done. I've been following your story on Twitter mainly

 

You've taken a lot of totally undeserved stick on social media 

 

I'm glad you are ok. I hope you get all your expenses back without too much stress or delay

 

The cruise line won't like the fact you spoke out but I can tell you are very genuine

 

Keep your head held high

 

There will be lots of people who actually work for Royal Caribbean who will be embarrassed by how they've handled Covid lately let alone customers

 

They've been well and truly caught out and couldnt cope

 

Ps it could have been worse. Just be grateful you weren't in quarantine on land in Barbados!  

 

Worse conditions and way higher expenses

 

 

Edited January 9, 2022 by Interestedcruisefan

[FlorenceItaly]

Based on other isolation LIVE posts HAL and Celebrity guests ARE allowed on the balcony.

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, RFerrington said:

So what do they do to you if you go out onto your balcony ?  Take you out of your stateroom and put you in isolation ?  Oh wait....

That is funny.   But seriously, they could move them right across the hall to an inside cabin.  Or to an oceanview cabin.  If somebody’s behavior really got out of hand, they could put them on the company’s no sail list.

[Interestedcruisefan]

3 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

That is funny.   But seriously, they could move them right across the hall to an inside cabin.  Or to an oceanview cabin.  If somebody’s behavior really got out of hand, they could put them on the company’s no sail list.

Think they only use balcony cabins when insides and ocean view quarantine cabins are full? 

 

I'm sure I've seen that somewhere? 

[Rosy Season]

22 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Think they only use balcony cabins when insides and ocean view quarantine cabins are full? 

 

I'm sure I've seen that somewhere? 

No, the doctor who escorted us to our room actually said that he tries to put everyone in a balcony cabin when he can.  So I think they use the balconies first.

[Interestedcruisefan]

11 minutes ago, Rosy Season said:

No, the doctor who escorted us to our room actually said that he tries to put everyone in a balcony cabin when he can.  So I think they use the balconies first.

Thanks for correcting

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Think they only use balcony cabins when insides and ocean view quarantine cabins are full? 

 

I'm sure I've seen that somewhere? 

It likely varies a bit by ship (as do so many other policies).  Some seem to keep isolated guests close to the medical center, which are usually on low decks (thus OV cabins).  OTOH, per Rosy’s report above from Harmony, they first fill balcony cabins (deck 6 is lowest deck with balconies on Oasis class).  I personally have not heard of guests being isolated in inside cabins, but there typically are inside cabins along those hallways, so theoretically a guest who broke s ship’s balcony rules repeatedly could be moved if that’s what ship’s leadership felt appropriate.

[A&L_Ont]

3 hours ago, Rosy Season said:

I could smell Cigarette smoke and looked up the fine print somewhere (sorry I can’t remember) and saw that people were allowed to smoke in their bathrooms if they were quarantined. 

 

2 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

They're allowing people in quarantine to smoke in their bathrooms.

Good to know for those that do smoke.