Mask protocols updated to Feb 14th

[Tree_skier]

4 minutes ago, warburg said:

I am sad to say I cancelled my April cruise on Odyssey because life wearing a mask whenever indoors is not for me.

This seems premature to me. I expect significant changes coming very soon. 

[Ozzie26]

We are currently on Harmony and will be back on the Independence  in a few weeks.  I am required to mask up at work 10 hours a day. If wearing a mask is the hardest thing I need to do each day count me in. I am so grateful for the opportunity to vacation and specifically cruise. The “no smoking” in the casino is an unexpected plus!  😊 Everyone  has to decide for themselves what is tolerable. I myself will waste no time waiting for this to end.  If Covid doesn’t catch me something else may. 

[KayRaeRae]

It cracks me up that so many people will let a little piece of cloth ruin their trip.  Kindergartners wear masks all day; you can, too. 

[not-enough-cruising]

2 hours ago, warburg said:

Greetings from South Beach, Everyone. I am sad to say I cancelled my April cruise on Odyssey because life wearing a mask whenever indoors is not for me. Getting rid of the mask aboard doesn't seem possible now because so many people are afraid to do without it. I have a TA booked for April of 2023. Absent mask, I will be aboard.. This TA sails to Lisbon, a beautiful port. We were there several times, and it was enjoyable. The seafood lunch we once had in Cascias, a town near Lisbon, was extraordinary, as was the setting..I am cautiously optimistic about getting on a cruise ship in the future.

Mary

Boy, I think you jumped the gun on that one

[vacationlover_mn]

I’m actually super glad to see this!  Happy that our Feb 6 cruise will have this in place 🙂.  I just wish I could find kn95s or n95s that have cute designs, instead of just all black or all white…

[vacationlover_mn]

37 minutes ago, KayRaeRae said:

It cracks me up that so many people will let a little piece of cloth ruin their trip.  Kindergartners wear masks all day; you can, too. 

We wear masks whenever we go someplace public.  I think the only mandate they could enact, that would make us cancel is- mask on your balcony and on beaches 🙂

[Biker19]

Royal Caribbean International has updated its health and safety protocols for sailings from the United States, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. The guidelines, which have been developed in partnership with the company’s Healthy Sail Panel, will be in place through April 14, 2022

 

The cruise line has made few changes to the protocols already in place; therefore, testing mandates before the cruise, vaccination requirements, and mask use on the ship have seen no changes. But, Royal Caribbean did announce that it is looking at possible changes to several conditions. 

Royal Caribbean Sends Out Update on Health Protocols

The update on the health protocols for Royal Caribbean ships came in a letter sent to travel agents, which are now also available online. Royal Caribbean has made it a practice to provide periodic updates to its onboard health and safety measures over the last months. 

 

The protocols are effective today, February 2, through April 14, 2022. Although there have not been any significant changes to the onboard protocols that have been well-established over the last eight months, the cruise line has already made provisions for changes that it could implement soon.

 

“Future protocols may require boosters, lowered vaccination ages, and changes to testing. While currently not required to sail, the US CDC has recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for those eligible, prior to cruise travel. As a result, we strongly recommend guests getting boosted before their cruise.”

 

A possible booster shot requirement has been something on the mind of many past and present cruise passengers, but for now, the company has decided to keep it a recommendation and not a requirement. 

 

Neither has the age limit for the smallest of cruisers been adjusted; the vaccination mandate remains in place for guests 12 years and older. Younger guests ages 2-1, if fully vaccinated, can follow the guidelines for fully vaccinated guests.

So, What’s Changed?

Royal Caribbean has made little changes to its protocols that have already been in place for the past period. The company states that if changes are coming, they will be announced in due time.

 

“Due to the fluidity of this situation, our protocols are subject to change and we are committed to keeping you informed if they do. Whenever possible we will provide prior notice for any changes. Just the same, we’ll let you know if any requirements are reduced or eliminated.”

 

Although one cruise line is already changing its protocols to allow recovered guests onboard, Royal Caribbean remains steadfast with its requirements. A recovery certificate is not yet accepted to sail. Many people had hoped that the cruise line would be letting go of some protocols by now, but it seems the wait is not over yet.

It means that masks are still required to be used onboard the ship at all times when inside the vessel. On the outside decks, if not too crowded, and around the pool, a mask is not required. Neither is the mask needed on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Royal Caribbean testing requirements for the US, Barbados, and Puerto Rico

For US sailings, vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than two days before the day they board the vessel. Kids aged 2 to 11 should provide a negative PCR test taken no more than three days before boarding day; however, this test should not be taken on embarkation day as it could affect an antigen test that needs to be taken before boarding. 

Puerto Rico

For Puerto Rico, the rules are a little more complicated. Suppose guests are boarding a cruise ship in Puerto Rico, regardless of vaccination status. In that case, they should show a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before arriving at the airport in San Juan. For international travelers, this requirement goes down to 24 hours.

 

For boarding the ship, a test result is also needed; however, provided you time it right, it can be the same result you used to enter Puerto Rico. 

 

One rule is significant for guests who wish to stay in Puerto Rico, especially those with small children that have not been vaccinated. If you arrive in Puerto Rico one or more days before the cruise, any unvaccinated guests have to quarantine for those days. Any unvaccinated non-residents staying in Puerto Rico post-cruise must quarantine for seven days.

 

There has been some good news regarding Puerto Rico this week. The island will be letting go of its testing requirements for port calls to the islands.

 

Barbados

 

For Barbados, vaccinated travelers ages five years old and up must provide a negative test result to come into the country. This can be a PCR test taken within three days or a rapid PCR test taken within one day before arrival. 

Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 should provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test result at the cruise terminal taken no more than three days before the day you board the ship. This can be the same test used for entry into the country.

Royal Caribbean will be testing all guests again in the terminal before embarkation and before leaving the ship. The cruise line will shoulder the cost for these antigen tests. The departure test can then also be used for flying home if they satisfy the entry requirements for your country.

 

Although some countries have already let go of COVID measures, Royal Caribean does not feel it is the time just yet. The health and safety procedures will likely remain in place for cruise lines for the time being. Not just for Royal Caribbean, but for all cruise lines worldwide.

 

Royal Caribbean International Updates Health Protocols (cruisehive.com)

[Jimbo]

11 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Royal Caribbean International has updated its health and safety protocols for sailings from the United States, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. The guidelines, which have been developed in partnership with the company’s Healthy Sail Panel, will be in place through April 14, 2022

 

The cruise line has made few changes to the protocols already in place; therefore, testing mandates before the cruise, vaccination requirements, and mask use on the ship have seen no changes. But, Royal Caribbean did announce that it is looking at possible changes to several conditions. 

Royal Caribbean Sends Out Update on Health Protocols

The update on the health protocols for Royal Caribbean ships came in a letter sent to travel agents, which are now also available online. Royal Caribbean has made it a practice to provide periodic updates to its onboard health and safety measures over the last months. 

 

The protocols are effective today, February 2, through April 14, 2022. Although there have not been any significant changes to the onboard protocols that have been well-established over the last eight months, the cruise line has already made provisions for changes that it could implement soon.

 

“Future protocols may require boosters, lowered vaccination ages, and changes to testing. While currently not required to sail, the US CDC has recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for those eligible, prior to cruise travel. As a result, we strongly recommend guests getting boosted before their cruise.”

 

A possible booster shot requirement has been something on the mind of many past and present cruise passengers, but for now, the company has decided to keep it a recommendation and not a requirement. 

 

Neither has the age limit for the smallest of cruisers been adjusted; the vaccination mandate remains in place for guests 12 years and older. Younger guests ages 2-1, if fully vaccinated, can follow the guidelines for fully vaccinated guests.

So, What’s Changed?

Royal Caribbean has made little changes to its protocols that have already been in place for the past period. The company states that if changes are coming, they will be announced in due time.

 

“Due to the fluidity of this situation, our protocols are subject to change and we are committed to keeping you informed if they do. Whenever possible we will provide prior notice for any changes. Just the same, we’ll let you know if any requirements are reduced or eliminated.”

 

Although one cruise line is already changing its protocols to allow recovered guests onboard, Royal Caribbean remains steadfast with its requirements. A recovery certificate is not yet accepted to sail. Many people had hoped that the cruise line would be letting go of some protocols by now, but it seems the wait is not over yet.

It means that masks are still required to be used onboard the ship at all times when inside the vessel. On the outside decks, if not too crowded, and around the pool, a mask is not required. Neither is the mask needed on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Royal Caribbean testing requirements for the US, Barbados, and Puerto Rico

For US sailings, vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than two days before the day they board the vessel. Kids aged 2 to 11 should provide a negative PCR test taken no more than three days before boarding day; however, this test should not be taken on embarkation day as it could affect an antigen test that needs to be taken before boarding. 

Puerto Rico

For Puerto Rico, the rules are a little more complicated. Suppose guests are boarding a cruise ship in Puerto Rico, regardless of vaccination status. In that case, they should show a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before arriving at the airport in San Juan. For international travelers, this requirement goes down to 24 hours.

 

For boarding the ship, a test result is also needed; however, provided you time it right, it can be the same result you used to enter Puerto Rico. 

 

One rule is significant for guests who wish to stay in Puerto Rico, especially those with small children that have not been vaccinated. If you arrive in Puerto Rico one or more days before the cruise, any unvaccinated guests have to quarantine for those days. Any unvaccinated non-residents staying in Puerto Rico post-cruise must quarantine for seven days.

 

There has been some good news regarding Puerto Rico this week. The island will be letting go of its testing requirements for port calls to the islands.

 

Barbados

 

For Barbados, vaccinated travelers ages five years old and up must provide a negative test result to come into the country. This can be a PCR test taken within three days or a rapid PCR test taken within one day before arrival. 

Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 should provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test result at the cruise terminal taken no more than three days before the day you board the ship. This can be the same test used for entry into the country.

Royal Caribbean will be testing all guests again in the terminal before embarkation and before leaving the ship. The cruise line will shoulder the cost for these antigen tests. The departure test can then also be used for flying home if they satisfy the entry requirements for your country.

 

Although some countries have already let go of COVID measures, Royal Caribean does not feel it is the time just yet. The health and safety procedures will likely remain in place for cruise lines for the time being. Not just for Royal Caribbean, but for all cruise lines worldwide.

 

Royal Caribbean International Updates Health Protocols (cruisehive.com)

Masks for life? Will it ever go away?

[Keksie]

Hard pass for me.  Don't wear them here, won't wear them on vacation.  Plenty of other places to spend my money.

[bucfan2]

50 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Masks for life? Will it ever go away?

It  will if the cruise lines ever want to see 50% again....heck, they may not see close to that (except, of course, the 'super-spreader' events like the Atlantis/Oasis cruise....oh, wait - still waiting for the news on that one).

Edited February 3, 2022 by bucfan2

[Sunshine3601]

That updates applies to cruises out of PR and Barbados only.   I suspect Royal will extend the feb 14th masking requirement for sailings out of US for a little longer.    My guess is up through end of February.  

I am more interested to know their capacity limitations for our March cruises.

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

That updates applies to cruises out of PR and Barbados only.   

It seems to say US as well.

[Cel_cruise]

6 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

That updates applies to cruises out of PR and Barbados only.   I suspect Royal will extend the feb 14th masking requirement for sailings out of US for a little longer.    My guess is up through end of February.  

I am more interested to know their capacity limitations for our March cruises.

I thought they just extended it thru April 14th with this announcement ? 

[Sunshine3601]

Sorry, when I first read I thought it was for sailings out of PR and Barbados only.  Didnt see US when I first read.  

My mistake, sorry😥

[bucfan2]

On 1/21/2022 at 4:33 PM, not-enough-cruising said:

Boy, I think you jumped the gun on that one

Unfortunately, it appears that their 'gut' instinct was correct, and my dreaming is nothing but dreaming, as more people seem content wearing these things forever (well, the 35% of capacity cruisers anyway).

Edited February 3, 2022 by bucfan2

[mek]

1 hour ago, Keksie said:

Hard pass for me.  Don't wear them here, won't wear them on vacation.  Plenty of other places to spend my money.

Yep - I have that one cruise I booked back in late 2019 that I keep changing because of protocols.  I now have it booked for October, 2022 and I'm going to try very hard to be on the ship regardless of the requirements,( we are fully vaxxed),  but I'm not booking anything else before then or after until the mask requirement and pre- cruise testing is over.

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by mek

[mek]

7 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Unfortunately, it appears that their 'gut' instinct was correct, and my dreaming is nothing but dreaming, as more people seem content wearing these things forever (well, the 35% of capacity cruisers anyway).

Not me and unless it is in a medical setting like the doctor's office or a hospital, I haven't worn one since last March, so wearing one on a cruise ship isn't something I'm willing to do.

[bucfan2]

6 minutes ago, mek said:

 I'm not booking anything else before then or after until the mask and pre- cruise testing is over.

 

Sure hope they've found some fool to buy some of their debt to tide them over, cause if not, it'll continue to spiral in the direction away from investors hopes.

Edited February 3, 2022 by bucfan2

[mek]

15 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Sure hope they've found some fool to buy some of their debt to tide them over, cause if not, it'll continue to spiral in the direction away from investors hopes.

There seems to be enough people willing to jump through any and all hoops to cruise - just look at the holiday sailings at full capacity.  And there are those who accept mask wearing as now just a part of life and that's fine if that makes them comfortable, but I'm not one of them.

Not sure how long cruising can continue with all of the restrictions - only time will tell.

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by mek

[BU_SicEm]

On 2/3/2022 at 10:07 AM, mek said:

Yep - I have that one cruise I booked back in late 2019 that I keep changing because of protocols.  I now have it booked for October, 2022 and I'm going to try very hard to be on the ship regardless of the requirements,( we are fully vaxxed),  but I'm not booking anything else before then or after until the mask requirement and pre- cruise testing is over.

 

Thought you said "vexed", which is how I feel.  They weren't required late last year when numbers were high, but they are now that numbers are down?  Not against masks per se, but definitely not the kind of experience we want for a vacation when we don't have to in places at home.  We're booked on Allure on 2/19 and this may tip us into cancelling.  Beyond frustrated.

[mek]

4 hours ago, BU_SicEm said:

Thought you said "vexed", which is how I feel.  They weren't required late last year when numbers were high, but they are now that numbers are down?  Not against masks per se, but definitely not the kind of experience we want for a vacation when we don't have to in places at home.  We're booked on Allure on 2/19 and this may tip us into cancelling.  Beyond frustrated.

It seems to me the vast majority of people who don't have problems with current protocols are those who live in Florida or close enough to drive to the port.

We have to fly and I'm simply not willing to do everything necessary for us to cruise only to find out at the 12th hour that we have to cancel because we test positive.  Yes, we could quarantine for a few weeks prior to leaving just to make sure that doesn't happen, but frankly I don't want to live like that just to get on a ship.

 

Ultimately, I may decide to quarantine in order to take my October cruise,(that has been changed 3X), but long term I'm simply not interested in any kind of cruising that is different from what it used to be.

Edited February 7, 2022 by mek

[Diver2014]

If they don't drop the mask mandate and precruise testing by June, we're going to cancel. Haven't worn a mask for over a year and am not going to wear one on a cruise. Period.

[gottagoacruzn]

Amen, I agree with ya!!!

[RockHoundTX]

Wore masks on Adventure in December. It was tolerable only because everything else was great (better than normal food, most staff were up-beat, etc.). Then did a cruise on Carnival Vista the following week (the week the more stringent mask requirements went into place). Really sucked. I followed all the rules but found it extremely annoying (especially the "slip and sip"). The irony of this is that my wife and I both caught Covid on that trip. She started running a fever the day we disembarked and myself the day after that.   

[Amberle3]

2 hours ago, mek said:

It seems to me the vast majority of people who don't have problems with current protocols are those who live in Florida or close enough to drive to the port.

We have to fly and I'm simply not willing to do everything necessary for us to cruise only to find out at the 12th hour that we have to cancel because we test positive.  

 

Canadian here, who has no problem with the current protocols. As someone who personally knows a healthy, athletic guy in his 30's who ended up in a coma with Covid, I'm quite happy to follow masking protocols.  Honestly I probably would even if they weren't mandatory.

 

I also have a concern with testing positive at the last minute. Our health agencies here have been handing out packs of rapid antigen tests on request so I've acquired a small stash of those and have been testing every 2 days for the last 2 weeks just so that I'll have some advance warning if I have to cancel.