Carnival To Require Face Masks & Ship Excursions Only

[Syracusefan44]

I think we can all anticipate that Princess will have the same requirements as Carnival.
 

Carnival noted that 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.

Guests will not be permitted off the ship on their own. 

Carnival said that 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. Shoreside visits may be also limited to port areas that have no public access. Self-exploration or non-Carnival sponsored excursions will not be permitted. 

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24326-carnival-cruise-line-covid-19-policy-to-require-masks-organized-excursions-only.html

[paradiselivin1]

Sigh....while not surprised it certainly can be a game changer for a WC. Hate to spend so much just to "float" around the world without getting off. Not a fan of cruise ship tours & almost always skip the ship sponsored tours for DIY. Masks not a problem after a year of mask wearing but would only consider the new requirements on short Caribbean cruises to nowhere just to be out to sea again...

[skynight]

Not unexpected. We will not cruise during this period. It may take until 2023 for a more normal cruise experience.

[satxdiver]

Given current conditions with the pandemic, the announcement is not unexpected.  I imagine Princess will come out with something similar.  

 

[Esprit]

Works for me. Just want to be at sea.

I can live with dropping my mask everytime I sip my beer!

[voljeep]

9 minutes ago, Esprit said:

Works for me. Just want to be at sea.

I can live with dropping my mask everytime I sip my beer!

🍻

[GonzoWCS]

We can live with it if it gets us out and about!

[GottaLuvCruising]

We will wait.  

[Astro Flyer]

Their negative test requirements are also included.

 

Negative Test Required

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.

Carnival said it may perform additional testing at the terminal or onboard the vessel

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, Syracusefan44 said:

guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed and escorted by vetted tour operators

It does not state that the vetted tour operators are to only be booked via ship excursion desk.  It is quite possible that the cruise line could vet and authorize a number of local providers.  I am thinking this is what is going to happen going forward as the cruise lines will not be able to satisfy the full demand. 

 

We shall see, but I still see a crack in the wording.  We are not planning to cruise until Fall 2022 now, so hopefully things will be more normal.

[Bgwest]

54 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Their negative test requirements are also included.

 

Negative Test Required

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.

Carnival said it may perform additional testing at the terminal or onboard the vessel

Antigen or PCR? This doesn't appear to be discussed just yet. 

[Tak8]

Seems reasonable given the current situation.  I still want to cruise, once I get the vaccine which I realize isn't 100%.

[SeaHunt]

25 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

It does not state that the vetted tour operators are to only be booked via ship excursion desk.  It is quite possible that the cruise line could vet and authorize a number of local providers.  I am thinking this is what is going to happen going forward as the cruise lines will not be able to satisfy the full demand. 

 

They will be strict with compliance also:

 

"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".

 

[ontheweb]

40 minutes ago, SeaHunt said:

 

They will be strict with compliance also:

 

"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".

 

They do sound very serious about this!

[Dunk]

Here is a printout of what Carnival pax receive when they book a new reservation. There is more detail here than in the linked article above--especially reservations for public areas is interesting. 

 

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. We may use a reservation system for our public areas, such as pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. 

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.

[Steelers36]

5 minutes ago, Dunk said:

Here is a printout of what Carnival pax receive when they book a new reservation. There is more detail here than in the linked article above--especially reservations for public areas is interesting. 

 

 

Great details posted, but no thanks to cruising with those restrictions - for getting off the ship at least.  Would not want to be forced to arrive late as Elite in Princess, but that one I could deal with - once. 

 

Never interested in Carnival, but I guess we should look to Princess to mirror what you posted at the get-go.  Makes me more convinced we did right thing by putting off until 2022.

 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, SeaHunt said:

 

They will be strict with compliance also:

 

"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".

 

Gotcha with the more details posted.  No thanks to those provisions.  Wait and cruise later - but never with Carnival.

[dog]

Would like to know how they will deal with crowding elevators. 
I am ok with ship tours or staying onboard for a couple of ports, but more likely will keep pushing my next cruise further out. 

[GonzoWCS]

1 hour ago, SeaHunt said:

 

They will be strict with compliance also:

 

"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".

 

It has already happened in Europe where they denied passengers back on not in compliance...

[donaldsc]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

It does not state that the vetted tour operators are to only be booked via ship excursion desk.  It is quite possible that the cruise line could vet and authorize a number of local providers.  I am thinking this is what is going to happen going forward as the cruise lines will not be able to satisfy the full demand. 

 

We shall see, but I still see a crack in the wording.  We are not planning to cruise until Fall 2022 now, so hopefully things will be more normal.

 

All of the local tours whether booked on the ship or independently are provided by local providers.  The only difference is that if you book on the ship, the cruise company gets a piece of your booking fee.  If you book independently, the tour company gets to keep it all.  In general, the tour is exactly the same.

 

DON

[voljeep]

10 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

All of the local tours whether booked on the ship or independently are provided by local providers.  The only difference is that if you book on the ship, the cruise company gets a piece of your booking fee.  If you book independently, the tour company gets to keep it all.  In general, the tour is exactly the same.

 

DON

maybe

 

but not all local tour operators are 'vetted' by Princess / Carnival

[Thrak]

4 hours ago, Esprit said:

Works for me. Just want to be at sea.

I can live with dropping my mask everytime I sip my beer!

 

 

[brisalta]

30 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

 

 

 

LMAO. Where did you find that clip?

[Thrak]

5 minutes ago, brisalta said:

 

 

LMAO. Where did you find that clip?

 

youtube of course.

[Kenosha Cruiser]

I noticed one sentence in the Shore Excursion section that said, "This policy applies to all sailings scheduled during the declared Public Health Emergency involving COVID-19". The big question is, when will the "Public Health Emergency involving COVID-19" be lifted by the CDC. Hopefully it will be lifted by the end of the 2021 once the population gets vaccinated. Just my thought.

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene