travelhound

12 minutes ago, Susan in Maine said:

We leave for our cruise 4/16/22. Is it too early to order the pre-cruise COVID test?

 

I know which one we need - we used them for our cruise in November.

 

Thanks!

The protocols are changing very quickly.  I would wait a couple of weeks.  

12 hours ago, pcur said:

A month (or two???) ago, RCCL took several ships out of service to use as quarantine ships.  Rather than send crew home, they had them stay on these ships to contain an omicron outbreak.  All the crew were vaccinated.

 

This is what the testing is for:  to stop the spread.  A fully vaccinated person can be walking around with COVID, be asymptomatic, and definitely start spreading it.

 

The protocols, including testing, masking, social distancing are to stop the spread of the virus.  It's not like the virus will ping-pong off a vaccinated person:  they will have it and spread it to others, just like an unvaccinated person.  The vaccine keeps us from getting extremely sick, or dying.  But, it doesn't keep us from spreading the virus. 

Omicron is receding now and most protocols are being lifted throughout the US.  It's about time that RCL follows the science 

8 hours ago, MightyMike said:

I long for the day when tests are no longer required for vaccinated passengers and all they have to do is point a thermometer at our foreheads.

👍

On 2/25/2022 at 9:36 AM, pcur said:

Except daily life doesn't keep you in the same location with the potential exposure to the same people.  

 

To me, it's not the fact that I'm vaccinated and boosted, so I'll be OK.  It's the fact that I am repeatedly exposed to children who are unvaccinated, and I can pass the virus to someone who is at high risk and is susceptible. Like another young child, or an adult who is unvaccinated for medical reasons.  To me it's not all about protecting me, it's also about protecting others.  So, I welcome being tested to make sure I'm safe to be around AND I'm not sick.

I have no problem with other people wearing masks or testing themselves.  At this point it just seems ridiculous to continue to require these ridiculous protocols for fully vaccinated passengers.

9 hours ago, pcur said:

I think it's because we are mixing with the little kids that aren't/can't be vaccinated, so we could pick it up and spread it.  RCCL takes it very seriously.

Yup, but most people already do that in a hotel and daily life.  I think the RCL needs to adopt what most major venues are doing:  Show proof of vaccination or a negative test, but not both.

On 2/21/2022 at 12:54 PM, kimlet said:

I live in Canada. It says I need to take the test 24 hours before departure. My question is my flight time is 6:55am Saturday, can I take the test any time on Friday. 
Can I also use the same test to get on the ship the Sunday. That will be in my 2 day window.

Thanks

Everyone, including US fully vaccinated passengers, are struggling with these ridiculous protocols.

1 hour ago, pcur said:

Unfortunately, all passengers over 12 on a b2b cruise do have to be tested.

That's ridiculous for fully vaccinated passengers.

1 minute ago, davekathy said:

For us it starts way before that. We haven't lived in a bubble or hid in our basement and still heathy. We only wear a mask where/when it is mandatory. We are glad RC is going forward with the no mask policy. 

Yup it's a small step forward, but I hope RCL can do more to relax these ridiculous protocols.

16 hours ago, pcur said:

On a b2b, I want to be tested after spending X days dodging 2-4 year old kids who are not vaccinated.  Plus, it's free.

I have no problem with that, just don't force all vaccinated passengers to do the same.  Most public venues are adopting, show proof of vaccination or a negative test, but not both.

On 2/23/2022 at 11:21 AM, MommaBear55 said:

But you'd have to go to Florida. You'd also probably pay a lot more money for the same food and entertainment.

It's much better than being locked in quarantine on a cruise ship.

On 2/23/2022 at 11:04 AM, Maitaivegas said:

But Covid 19 is not gone, there are still cases with the existing variant. I have read studies where the Omicron 2 spreads faster than the first one. In my opinion this is not the time to relax re Covid. The CDC used to be trust worthy,  but they have flipped flopped so many times trying to play politics.

im glad people are happy about being maskless, but I hope case counts don’t increase on the ship since the crew will be affected the most.

Most people are already assuming that small risk, by staying in a hotels.

42 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I received something to scan to schedule a time. My scanner app needs wifi so I went to Customer service who told me just show up after the 8 am start time lol.

 

Then I got a call why hadnt I scheduled we been trying to call for 2 days. Right hand and left hand dont communicate.

The testing requirements are a major PIA and should not be required for vaccinated passengers.

On 2/21/2022 at 3:10 PM, S.A.M.J.R. said:

But a business (and that's what Royal is) should be able to determine what (if anything) clothing is required to enter.  IMO, if businesses are allowed to say "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service", then they're allowed to say "No Mask, No Service".  Doesn't matter if I (the customer) agree with it or not.  I'm free to go somewhere else.

 

If you want to continue to wear a mask, go right ahead.  But, using your logic of "there could be another variant around the corner", that means you will wear a mask for the rest of your life.  Personally, I'm not going to do that.  If a business requires masks and I want to do business there, I'll wear a mask.  If they don't (or don't enforce it), I won't.  

I agree, RCL also has to compete with land vacations in Florida, which do not require masks, testing or has any risk of quarantine.

2 hours ago, asalligo said:

Time to drop all covid restrictions. I know they are taking baby steps, but I am ready. 

👍

On 2/19/2022 at 3:58 PM, karena1 said:

Same here, we only wear them when it is required.  Have been that way since this started.   I agree, hope they either move the testing to 3 days or eliminate it all together which would be my preference.

Yup, the testing is still a major PIA and should be not necessary for vaccinated passengers.  

On 2/18/2022 at 7:07 PM, BND said:

Michael Bayley just posted on his FB page about this.  Masks are optional for fully vaccinated.

 

Here's what he posted:

 

As many may know the CDC conditional sail order expired mid January and we continued to operate voluntarily under the program. Recently the CDC issued the next phase of guidelines consisting of three categories each built on the same foundation of protecting health and each with specific guidelines based on vaccination and booster status. All cruise lines had until today to opt in or out of the program.

Today Royal Caribbean confirmed we will participate in the CDC’s voluntary Program. Specifically, we will operate under the program’s Highly Vaccinated category beginning with sailings departing from the U.S. as of Friday, Feb. 25.

Requirements include sailing with 95% of crew members fully vaccinated, which Royal Caribbean already exceeds with 100% of its crew fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible. Ninety-five percent of guests must be fully vaccinated as well -- this excludes children under five years who are not eligible for the vaccine. The updated protocols will include face masks being optional for all fully vaccinated guests and expected for unvaccinated children. All kids will be required to wear face masks during Adventure Ocean youth program activities.

We are thoughtfully working through the details regarding other changes to our health and safety protocols which we will share with our guests and travel advisors before Feb. 25.

👍

11 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-3/coronavirus-cruise-ship

 

 

Hopefully this will result in a reduction of the protocols.

On 2/12/2022 at 4:35 PM, GTO-Girl said:

I am hoping they stop this testing!!  So stressful for so many people!!

Good point, they should do what most public venues are doing and only require a test for those who are unvaccinated.

On 2/13/2022 at 11:14 AM, mermaidgal said:

I’m sure this has been already covered, I wanted to confirm that the Rapid Antigen tests from CVS are an acceptable test for my Royal cruise coming up the end of February.

thanks in advance.

I really don't need the additional pressure of a test before my cruise 😒 

On 1/25/2022 at 4:10 PM, zanydoc said:

I just got a price drop on my Odyssey March 12th cruise...$500 less plus additional $50 OBC!  Many thanks to all the CC peeps who have touted checking prices on a regular basis-it finally paid off. For a while the prices just kept going up higher and higher on this cruise, but today they finally dropped, so I emailed my TA and she made the adjustment.  Yippee! 😁 

If these ridiculous protocols don't get any better, I think you may see some additional price drops 🙂

5 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Coming Fast. Even here in former Lockdown Michigan the Restaurants and Grocery Workers stopped wearing them 9 months ago. Even last couple Days County Health and Schools are starting drop the Masking r

Let's hope the cruise industry is able to get back normal 🙂

3 hours ago, 39august said:

Titles says it. Have a friend going on RCI Monday, and she hopes not to have to wear a mask indoors. And yes, all her family are vaxxed/ 

I think that most of these ridiculous protocols will unwind very quickly.  If not, we will have to look at other less stressful vacation options in Florida 🙂

11 hours ago, Acrusa said:

We're in Boca and eat out around 4 times a week but only those restaurants where the staff wear masks. Those are the hardest to get into.

I like the fact that Florida gives you the freedom to choose 🙂

16 minutes ago, CruisingSince1982 said:

Come on down. We've been free pretty much this entire time.

 

Yup, you gotta love Florida 🙂 

29 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

If by "oppressive protocols", you are referring to the masks, then your disdain is mis directed.  The CDC is still the one controlling the mask mandate (same reason you have to wear it on a plane or train)

There is a difference between the lines, so RCL is imposing additional restrictions.  I am also comparing our vacation options.   If we decide to vacation in Florida, there would be no masks, no testing and no risk of quarantine.  Why would I want to pay someone to make my life more stressful.  I can get that for free in Minnesota.