New Covid-19 Cruise Ship Rules

[Mapleleafforever]

1 minute ago, M&A said:

But if all the passengers are vaccinated then as far as the cruise lines are concerned that is the most important thing.  Passenger aren't going to be infected by a cruise member and a cruise member won't be infected by a passenger.  It's likely they would just keep testing crew members until they do get a vaccine down the line sometime.

If vaccines are mandatory for passengers you can bet that they'll be mandatory for crew. We still don't know for certain if they will be though. 

[Stevanb]

How are the cruise lines to administer covid tests on the ships to get passengers back into the US ports. 

[not-enough-cruising]

56 minutes ago, Stevanb said:

How are the cruise lines to administer covid tests on the ships to get passengers back into the US ports. 

I guess they will work out those logistics when and if a re entry test is mandated. 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, Stevanb said:

How are the cruise lines to administer covid tests on the ships to get passengers back into the US ports. 

Everyone eats, right?  Swab upon entry to restaurants, record on the account through a scan of the card that the swab was done.  Those that haven't been swabbed get a call to their room or get flagged for their next card scan...

Edited February 3, 2021 by hallux

[Ellaleah]

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

1 hour ago, M&A said:

 

If you mandate passenger vaccines, but do not vaccinate crew; you have achieved absolutely nothing

AGREE!

[Seville2Cabo]

9 hours ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Getting the passengers vaccinated will be the easy peasy part. Good luck getting enough crew vaccinated in the next year or 2. 

Some third world countries are relying on Russia and China for Vaccines.  Mexico has a very limited supply of AZ or Pfizer.  They are looking to approve China and Russia to provide the bulk of their needs.  We qualify for the vaccine in Mexico now, but will wait to get it in the US.  We are under 65 and healthy, so we have a wait.

 

I assume that countries that are home to many crew members will be looking toward China and Russia as well. 

[Mapleleafforever]

1 hour ago, Seville2Cabo said:

Some third world countries are relying on Russia and China for Vaccines.  Mexico has a very limited supply of AZ or Pfizer.  They are looking to approve China and Russia to provide the bulk of their needs.  We qualify for the vaccine in Mexico now, but will wait to get it in the US.  We are under 65 and healthy, so we have a wait.

 

I assume that countries that are home to many crew members will be looking toward China and Russia as well. 

What could go wrong?

[M&A]

On 2/3/2021 at 1:11 PM, Mapleleafforever said:

If vaccines are mandatory for passengers you can bet that they'll be mandatory for crew. We still don't know for certain if they will be though. 

But the cruise ships won't have access to vaccines for crews, the vaccines are being bought by governments.  It's going to be much easier for passengers, especially North Americans to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

I think the cruise lines will take the risk of starting up with requiring passengers to show they've had the vaccine.   But they will take the risk with the crew and just have them tested.  The crew are coming from places like the Phillipines, Indonesia, India etc where it's going to be impossible to get a vaccine probably for a few years.  The cruise lines are not going to wait that long, they are going to take the risk with having passengers only requirement.

 

[not-enough-cruising]

9 minutes ago, M&A said:

But the cruise ships won't have access to vaccines for crews, the vaccines are being bought by governments.  It's going to be much easier for passengers, especially North Americans to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

I think the cruise lines will take the risk of starting up with requiring passengers to show they've had the vaccine.   But they will take the risk with the crew and just have them tested.  The crew are coming from places like the Phillipines, Indonesia, India etc where it's going to be impossible to get a vaccine probably for a few years.  The cruise lines are not going to wait that long, they are going to take the risk with having passengers only requirement.

 

They lines may not have a choice.  
 

if the cruise line mandates a vaccine they may be able to skirt the crew. 
 

if the CDC requires vaccines to cruise, they will not be exempt. 

[Stevanb]

On 2/3/2021 at 2:54 PM, hallux said:

Everyone eats, right?  Swab upon entry to restaurants, record on the account through a scan of the card that the swab was done.  Those that haven't been swabbed get a call to their room or get flagged for their next card scan...

What lab is going to certify the tests at sea ?

[Pandamonia]

Every Adult will be vaccinated in the UK by May. By August both doses. 

 

They should be selling cruises out of the UK to sail to somewhere hot without restrictions. The risk is minimal in the summer anyway but i just dont see it happening as companies are idiots with the collective stupidity of their leaders and not the collective intelligence. So what we will get is floating quarantine prison priced like a 5 star holiday

[hallux]

1 hour ago, Stevanb said:

What lab is going to certify the tests at sea ?

Hasn't there been talk of setting up testing labs on the ships?  They almost HAVE to.  It might need to be the WHO that certifies it.

[Mapleleafforever]

3 hours ago, M&A said:

But the cruise ships won't have access to vaccines for crews, the vaccines are being bought by governments.  It's going to be much easier for passengers, especially North Americans to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

I think the cruise lines will take the risk of starting up with requiring passengers to show they've had the vaccine.   But they will take the risk with the crew and just have them tested.  The crew are coming from places like the Phillipines, Indonesia, India etc where it's going to be impossible to get a vaccine probably for a few years.  The cruise lines are not going to wait that long, they are going to take the risk with having passengers only requirement.

 

Um, no. Just no. 

[Iamcruzin]

6 hours ago, M&A said:

   But they will take the risk with the crew and just have them tested.  

 

So... the CDC has made it impossible for cruise lines to sail until they jump through hoops and you really think that the CDC and the cruise lines will risk not having the crew vaccinated?

[lizzius]

5 hours ago, hallux said:

Hasn't there been talk of setting up testing labs on the ships?  They almost HAVE to.  It might need to be the WHO that certifies it.

Iirc, yes. Some of the rapid antigen tests are a cartridge test that's pretty much self-contained. Doubtful a ship would ever install the ability to do full-on PCR, but the isothermal amplification "rapid" molecular test is less hardware intensive. It would no doubt require nursing staff and technicians to handle and process all of those swabs, though.

Edited February 5, 2021 by lizzius

[Ellaleah]

8 hours ago, M&A said:

On 2/3/2021 at 11:11 AM, Mapleleafforever said:

 

But the cruise ships won't have access to vaccines for crews, the vaccines are being bought by governments.  It's going to be much easier for passengers, especially North Americans to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

I think the cruise lines will take the risk of starting up with requiring passengers to show they've had the vaccine.   But they will take the risk with the crew and just have them tested.  The crew are coming from places like the Phillipines, Indonesia, India etc where it's going to be impossible to get a vaccine probably for a few years.  The cruise lines are not going to wait that long, they are going to take the risk with having passengers only requirement.

 

Sounds really cray cray!  I got  my first vaccine today and with any luck, I figure I might be able to go to Costco by St Patrick’s Day.  I have pretty much been home for 11 months.  I have taken care not to allow myself to be exposed.  If you think I’m going to get on a ship with people that cook and serve my food, who are unvaccinated, that makes you cray cray!  The question is most why would you?  Or anyone?  I keep thinking that you really don’t know anyone well that has  had COVID.  This is not the flu!  I wish you were smarter!

[Mapleleafforever]

6 hours ago, Ellaleah said:

Sounds really cray cray!  I got  my first vaccine today and with any luck, I figure I might be able to go to Costco by St Patrick’s Day.  I have pretty much been home for 11 months.  I have taken care not to allow myself to be exposed.  If you think I’m going to get on a ship with people that cook and serve my food, who are unvaccinated, that makes you cray cray!  The question is most why would you?  Or anyone?  I keep thinking that you really don’t know anyone well that has  had COVID.  This is not the flu!  I wish you were smarter!

Your quote makes it look as if I am the one who suggested that this is a possibility. I am the one who said no way that happens. 

[molly361]

I don't understand how anyone can think that if vaccinations are required to cruise that there can be any exceptions whether it be crew , children or adults.  It boggles my mind

[bucfan2]

On 2/3/2021 at 4:58 PM, Seville2Cabo said:

Some third world countries are relying on Russia and China for Vaccines.  Mexico has a very limited supply of AZ or Pfizer.  They are looking to approve China and Russia to provide the bulk of their needs.  We qualify for the vaccine in Mexico now, but will wait to get it in the US.  We are under 65 and healthy, so we have a wait.

 

I assume that countries that are home to many crew members will be looking toward China and Russia as well. 

Hmmm...getting a vaccine produced by the Chinese sounds like a great idea....where do we sign up?

[Ocean Boy]

Never mind.

[mek]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

I don't understand how anyone can think that if vaccinations are required to cruise that there can be any exceptions whether it be crew , children or adults.  It boggles my mind

Well, exactly.  I don't think there will be any exceptions when cruising starts back up and if that excludes children, people who for medical reasons can get a vaccine, or those who won't get the vaccine from causing for a while then that's the way it will have to be.

 

[MaritimeR&R]

Carnival has now added the following to its reservation page.  Currently, there is no vaccine requirement, but it does mention the possibility of having to make reservations for the pool, casino, etc. It will be interesting to see if Royal and Norwegian follow suit.

•  

Check-In

Only booked guests are permitted to enter the terminal and boarding area. Visitors are not permitted in these locations at any time. All guests must complete their online check-in and select an arrival appointment time no later than midnight (Eastern time) prior to their sailing date. Guests must arrive within their selected time to facilitate physical distancing during the check-in and boarding process. Guests arriving earlier than their scheduled time will not be allowed to enter the terminal until the time of their arrival appointment. This also applies to VIFP Diamond/Platinum and Casino guests.

Testing

As part of our efforts to keep our guests safe and healthy, every guest 2 years of age or older, joining a ship, regardless of method of travel to the ship, is required to take a SARS-CoV-2 test between 5 days to 24 hours prior to the date of embarkation and must receive a negative result. Guests must provide the original document confirming a negative test result that is legible, identifies the approved and licensed testing entity, sample collection date and type of test, and identity of the tested individual. Carnival reserves the right to reject any test result that does not meet these requirements. Per our privacy notice, test results will be shared only with Carnival personnel and/or contractually engaged third parties to facilitate our screening and mitigation protocols, or as required by health authorities. Carnival may perform additional testing at the terminal or on board the vessel. Any guest who fails to provide the required documentation or testing at the terminal or on board will be denied boarding or disembarked, and no refund or credit will be issued.

If at any time within 14 days prior to embarkation, or at any time during the cruise, a guest tests positive for COVID-19, exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19, has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19, or Carnival otherwise determines in its sole discretion that guest is unfit to board due to risk of any communicable illness, guest shall be subject to denial of boarding, denial of re-boarding, quarantine, isolation and/or disembarkation.

Health Screening

Carnival has the right to screen any guest to facilitate compliance with its health and safety protocols. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire beginning 72 hours before the date of embarkation to identify any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (or other infectious diseases) and any contact with individuals confirmed to have COVID-19 prior to the cruise. The questionnaire will be based upon the latest CDC guidance for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and guests will be required to reconfirm their responses at time of check-in. All guests will have their temperature taken as part of the boarding process.

Screening on Board

Guests may be required to undergo at least daily temperature checks and must submit to any requested medical screening during the cruise. Temperature checks may also be conducted prior to disembarking at a port of call and before participating in certain onboard activities.

Reporting COVID-19 Symptoms

Every guest has an important duty to immediately report any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to the ship’s medical personnel. Failure to do so jeopardizes individual health and that of all those on board and others ashore.

Face Masks

In our continuing effort to keep our guests safe and healthy, all guests over the age of two will be required to wear a mask when indoors except when inside their own stateroom, while eating and drinking seated at a table and when using the cardio equipment at the gym and physical distancing is maintained. Guests are required to wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks should have two or more layers and be worn over the nose and mouth. Gaiters and bandanas are not allowed, and face shields are permitted when used with a mask. These requirements apply during all aspects of the cruise, including embarkation, shore excursions and disembarkation. A limited supply of masks will be available in staterooms after boarding.

Physical Distancing

In our effort to maintain physical distancing on our ships, access to public spaces will be limited and venues/activities will operate at reduced capacity.😢👎

Our physical distancing protocols will be in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations, which is defined at staying at least six (6) feet (2 meters) apart from other people who are not the guest’s cruise companions (family or immediate travel group).

Guests can expect appropriately distanced seating in theaters, dining facilities and other common venues, modified entertainment showings and meal services to control capacity as well as other measures to promote a healthy and safe environment. These measures will apply during all aspects of the cruise, including embarkation, shore excursions and disembarkation. Buffet service is modified to eliminate or severely restrict self-service items.

Contact Tracing

All guests may be required to provide identifying information and information about certain activities engaged in during the cruise so Carnival can perform contact tracing in the event any person on board is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Various location tracking technologies may be used to assist in the collection of contact tracing information such as wearables, video surveillance, transaction data, and photographs taken during the cruise. Please refer to Carnival's Privacy Notice for more details.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

To help limit potential exposure and/or transmission to communities at destinations, during the initial return to sailing, guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed and escorted by vetted tour operators who maintain Carnival’s level of COVID-19 controls. Shore side visits may be also limited to port areas that have no public access. Self-exploration or non-Carnival sponsored excursions will not be permitted. This policy applies to all sailings scheduled during the declared Public Health Emergency involving COVID-19.

Carnival may, in its sole discretion, avoid a pre-planned destination should a concern arise regarding the level of COVID-19 community spread in that destination or impose certain restrictions on shore excursions relating to capacity, participation, locations, times, eligible venues and persons with whom the guest may come into contact. Carnival may offer indoor excursions only if physical distancing, use of masks, and other recommended protective measures can be implemented.

We will have pre-arranged transportation from the ship to the venue and back again. Guests will be able to pre-purchase shore excursions through Carnival.com, the Carnival HUB app or on board, subject to availability and capacity restrictions. All guests will have to comply with our physical distancing, mask wearing and all other COVID-19 related requirements. Throughout the duration of the shore excursion, guests will be asked to remain with their cruise companions. There may be additional restrictions during shore excursions depending on local conditions.

Any noncompliance by guest or members of guest’s travelling party with Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for refusal to re-board after going ashore, or other steps deemed necessary in Carnival’s sole discretion to protect the health and safety of others. If a guest is denied boarding or disembarked due to failure to comply with Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, they will not be entitled to a refund, credit, or compensation of any kind. Guests will be responsible for all costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses.

 

[Keksie]

Road trips here in Florida sound more and more attractive every day.  

[Ocean Boy]

33 minutes ago, Keksie said:

Road trips here in Florida sound more and more attractive every day.  

Not only in Florida.

[Keksie]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Not only in Florida.

  Some states I am not sure I would like to visit anymore than a cruise ship because of the restrictions.  South Dakota may be fun once it warms up.