Has HAL decided yet? Will they require vaccinations?

[kazu]

52 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Wow how things change  rather quickly .now HAL requiring proof of vaccination  . 

 

 Seems to me a long way to travel for just 7 night cruises  .If it were us ,we be looking to add a land or river cruise tour  as well ,to make flying there  justified 

 

Actually you can do a B2B on those cruises if you wish as well.  

But, I agree with you, I woudn’t cross the pond for a 7 day cruise.  There would have to be a land adventure as well 😉 

[aliaschief]

On 5/4/2021 at 10:57 AM, mcrcruiser said:

Still can not locate any more health information on HAL's web site  than the old  postings .Does any one have any current information as to protocols on the ships ?

Seth held up the new protocol on the FB stream. The new protocol will probably be put on their advisory page when they open the bookings tomorrow or you can see them on the FB page.

 

It was definitely full vaccination required.

Edited May 5, 2021 by aliaschief

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

7 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Seth held up the new protocol on the FB stream. The new protocol will probably be put on their advisory page when they open the bookings tomorrow or you can see them on the FB page.

 

It was definitely full vaccination required.

Good news.

[mcrcruiser]

7 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Good news.

Yes it is good news  .Now both HAL & Princess require full vaccinations with proof to sail 😃

[DeeniEncinitas]

1 minute ago, mcrcruiser said:

Yes it is good news  .Now both HAL & Princess require full vaccinations with proof to sail 😃

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

I am one happy camper!! Just came back from a walk at home in Maui saw the news👍👍

we have 3 cruises 

🌺HAL doing 2 week Hawaii 

out of our home in San Diego 

12/5/21  ( we were going to ca 

if vaccines were not happening)

🌺Oceania 2/19/22 Caribbean

vaccines required  

🌺Princess 3/12 Panama Canal 

vaccines required!!

I am happy !!

Mahalo🌴

Denise😊

[aliaschief]

7 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Yes it is good news  .Now both HAL & Princess require full vaccinations with proof to sail 😃

You may be jumping ahead here. Required for these new cruises on Eurodam! Maybe more definitive answers on tomorrow’s live with Gus.

[Lido - Lanai]

41 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Yes it is good news  .Now both HAL & Princess require full vaccinations with proof to sail 

As @aliaschief pointed out.... the current vaccination requirement only pertains to the recently announced cruises from Greece. Nothing announced regarding departures from the U.S., although everyone expects an announcement soon. When it does come, I would expect it to include some onboard mask wearing requirements in certain areas or circumstances.

[SFO Peter]

In addition to vaccinations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 Guest Protocols 

A Safer Way To Cruise And Travel — Updated March 5, 2021
Holland America Line is in the process of finalizing all required COVID-19 protocols for guests. Below are the measures currently planned, which are subject to change as further details are established. They will be updated in accordance with guidance from public health authorities.

 

Booking

All guests should carefully review our pre-booking and pre-travel health advice and from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Enhanced Health Screenings

We’re taking steps to implement COVID-19 appropriate pre-embarkation screening, including:

Mandatory enhanced pre-embarkation health screenings, including 100% testing for COVID-19 prior to embarkation, touchless temperature checks and health questionnaires, in accordance with the latest guidelines

We will refer anyone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or who are identified at-risk, for additional medical screening before allowing them to board.

Secondary screenings (and health checks throughout the cruise) when necessary. 

Contact tracing is planned for every cruise.

 

Responsible Physical Distancing

Across the fleet we’re making it easier to practice physical distancing by managing the timing, size and flow of groups in onboard venues and for events and helping you make informed decisions about what to do on board. Entertainment programs and restaurants will be designed to enhance physical distancing. Physical distancing will be maintained throughout check-in and embarkation, and will be required in terminals, on board ships, on private islands, and during shore excursions.

 

Masks

When physical distancing can’t be maintained, or when mandated by public health authorities, masks will be required on board, at private islands, and during shore excursions. Masks must be worn in terminals, during embarkation and disembarkation.

 

Personal Hygiene

Guests will be encouraged to use the hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizer dispensers at venue entrances and in high-traffic areas throughout the ship. Guests will be asked to follow health information about the ways to stay healthy on board and when ashore through daily programming, entertainment systems, announcements, in-stateroom literature and our app. There will be no self-service for meals. We’ll do the serving for you.

 

Responsible Physical Distancing

We’re working with local authorities, destinations and tour operators so that the enhanced health and safety measures on board are maintained ashore. We will follow the health protocols for every port we visit. There may be a reduction in the capacity of excursions and tour vehicles. Only shore excursions that comply with our prescribed protocols will be permitted, with strict adherence required of all guests and denial of re-boarding for any guests who do not comply.

 

 

[Lido - Lanai]

2 minutes ago, SFO PETER said:

In addition to vaccinations.

No specifics about vaccinations in that announcement.... just screening.

[jimmy2x]

If all of us are vaccinated, what is the point of any mask requirement?  We spend a lot of time hanging around the stern pool. Wearing a mask there is ludicrous.  We are scheduled for 3 weeks in February. If I have to wear a mask aboard, will cancel. I can understand possibly having to wear them at ports. That is their decision to make. 

[CruiserBruce]

5 minutes ago, jimmy2x said:

If all of us are vaccinated, what is the point of any mask requirement?  We spend a lot of time hanging around the stern pool. Wearing a mask there is ludicrous.  We are scheduled for 3 weeks in February. If I have to wear a mask aboard, will cancel. I can understand possibly having to wear them at ports. That is their decision to make. 

Did you read the document? "When physical distancing can not be maintained " masks will be required. Sounds like the current CDC guidelines, which do not require masks outside unless in big crowds.

[jimmy2x]

2 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Did you read the document? "When physical distancing can not be maintained " masks will be required. Sounds like the current CDC guidelines, which do not require masks outside unless in big crowds.

I did. The stern pool area tends to become pretty crowded on sea days. Are they intending only one person at a time in a hot tub?  Only 3 or 4 in the pool?  Only 50 or so in that entire area?  I can’t even fathom that this is their intention. I’m USN retired and frankly I do the cruises to be back at sea. And the chow is a whole lot better 😆. I’m not trying to be contentious here, but it’s ludicrous to think that those sort of restrictions would be in place. 

[CruiserBruce]

Just now, jimmy2x said:

I did. The stern pool area tends to become pretty crowded on sea days. Are they intending only one person at a time in a hot tub?  Only 3 or 4 in the pool?  Only 50 or so in that entire area?  I can’t even fathom that this is their intention. I’m USN retired and frankly I do the cruises to be back at sea. And the chow is a whole lot better 😆. I’m not trying to be contentious here, but it’s ludicrous to think that those sort of restrictions would be in place. 

Initially,  the cruises will be capacity controlled. Am sure they will be spacing pool chairs more. Not sure what other structured social distancing will take place.

[aliaschief]

1 hour ago, Lido - Lanai said:

No specifics about vaccinations in that announcement.... just screening.

During today’s announcement on the live FB stream they held the new protocols for just these new Eurodam cruises. We were able to read that full vaccinations would be required for these Eurodam bookings and Seth even briefed us on it.

 

I would imagine the new protocol will be posted when these new bookings go on sale tomorrow.

 

At no time did they say that all future Hal cruises will require vaccination but these four will. We will have to wait for that decision. 
 

Watching the FB rerun will answer further questions.

[jimmy2x]

2 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Initially,  the cruises will be capacity controlled. Am sure they will be spacing pool chairs more. Not sure what other structured social distancing will take place.

Very possibly. Our cruise is not until February. Hopefully by then, the plague will be a memory with things pretty much back to normal. 

[PoolSlider]

I would suggest to look up videos on YouTube for MSC cruises. It shows clearly the reduced # of pax, the chairs spread out, and no masks required when at the pool. They require masks when guests are forced to congregate in tighter spaces such as disembarkation. 

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, PoolSlider said:

I would suggest to look up videos on YouTube for MSC cruises. It shows clearly the reduced # of pax, the chairs spread out, and no masks required when at the pool. They require masks when guests are forced to congregate in tighter spaces such as disembarkation. 

What would they do if you refuse to wear a mask during disembarkation? Kick you off the ship?🤣🤣

[mcrcruiser]

Look  this whole thing about masks  ,less people on cruises ie . As long as  every one on the ship has been vaccinated    why would you need distancing ,masks ie  protocols ?  When the ships dock will they still require masks   in ports that require the entire ship must be vaccinated to dock ? 

 

 If RCCL .Norwegian   & Even Princess requires vaccinations for 100% of pax & crew ,it is a long stretch imo that Carnival corp  will be able to go in any other direction; because they loose a ton of business to the other lines 

[SFO Peter]

3 hours ago, Lido - Lanai said:

No specifics about vaccinations in that announcement.... just screening.

=====

 

Vaccination required for Greece August 2021.   

 

Holland America Line To Restart Cruising From Greece In August 2021

Click to tweet: .@HALcruises to start cruising out of Greece with seven-day itineraries roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens) aboard Eurodam in August 2021. #ReadySetSail

Seattle, Wash., May 5, 2021 — Working in close coordination with the government of Greece, Holland America Line has received approval to restart cruising from Piraeus (Athens) in August with four departures aboard Eurodam.  Bookings for these cruises will open May 6.

Departing Aug. 15 and 29, the “Idyllic Greek Isles” itinerary features Kotor, Montenegro, plus the Greek isles of Kékira (Corfu), Thíra (Santorini) and Mykonos. “Ancient Wonders” departs Aug. 22 to explore Haifa, Israel, as well as Náfplion, Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece. Both options can be combined to form a longer, back-to-back 14-day Collectors’ Voyage.

 

Cruise and Stay Healthy with ‘Travel Well’ Protocols 
Holland America Line cruises from Greece are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, PoolSlider said:

I would suggest to look up videos on YouTube for MSC cruises. It shows clearly the reduced # of pax, the chairs spread out, and no masks required when at the pool. They require masks when guests are forced to congregate in tighter spaces such as disembarkation. 

 

I’ve seen the video and it’s a good example.

 

But, our Volendam cruise is practically sold out.  There aren’t a lot of cabins left.  Not sure how that will play out?

[Taters]

11 minutes ago, kazu said:

But, our Volendam cruise is practically sold out.  There aren’t a lot of cabins left.  Not sure how that will play out?

I imagine that there will be cancellations if ships are considered overbooked.  Two B2B cruises I booked yesterday with a casino deal are almost sold out.  I'm thinking that HAL will want to cancel my reservations, indeed!  We paid bottom dollar for an outside cabin, with bunches of perks thrown in.  I imagine that they'll want to keep the passengers who paid more.  I hope I'm wrong, but am prepared for it mentally.  Ugh.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Taters

[Heartgrove]

41 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

I’ve seen the video and it’s a good example.

 

But, our Volendam cruise is practically sold out.  There aren’t a lot of cabins left.  Not sure how that will play out?

 

Have you asked if there is capacity control on your Volendam cruise? Or is every cabin close to being sold?

 

MSC Grandiosa has a capacity of 4810 to 5772 passengers but has been sailing with only 1600-1800 passengers. One person per hot tub for 15 minutes (unless family), and limited numbers in the pool for a limited time.

[Laminator]

1 minute ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Have you asked if there is capacity control on your Volendam cruise? Or is every cabin close to being sold?

 

MSC Grandiosa has a capacity of 4810 to 5772 passengers but has been sailing with only 1600-1800 passengers. One person per hot tub for 15 minutes (unless family), and limited numbers in the pool for a limited time.

I called my PCC to make sure my friends travelling from Holland would not get bumped on our Nov 11th cruise. She told me that as long as they have a booking number they are good to go. She also said that they are not fully booking cruises due to potential capacity constraints so I think you are on the right track. 

[kazu]

7 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Have you asked if there is capacity control on your Volendam cruise? Or is every cabin close to being sold?

 

I did ask a few months ago due to assigned cabin locations (ship was switched from Zuiderdam so our cabins were all “assigned”).  I asked if there were some cabins not being sold for capacity control due to covid and if so would it be possible to switch for one of them potentially.

 

I was told at the time by the Resolution Specialist at the Office of the President that the Neptunes and Vistas were completely sold out and there were no empty cabins whatsoever.  I did not inquire about the OV’s or insides.

 

I interpreted that to mean there is no capacity control.

 

[Heartgrove]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

I did ask a few months ago due to assigned cabin locations (ship was switched from Zuiderdam so our cabins were all “assigned”).  I asked if there were some cabins not being sold for capacity control due to covid and if so would it be possible to switch for one of them potentially.

 

I was told at the time by the Resolution Specialist at the Office of the President that the Neptunes and Vistas were completely sold out and there were no empty cabins whatsoever.  I did not inquire about the OV’s or insides.

 

I interpreted that to mean there is no capacity control.

 

 

Interesting. There is a huge disparity between the two class of ships with regards to cabin classes. According to CruiseMapper, the Zuiderdam has: 2 Pinnacle, 60 Neptune, 100 Signature, 499 Verandah, 163 Oceanview, and 163 Inside. CruiseMapper shows Volendam with: 1 Pinnacle, 29 Neptune, Vista 168, Lanaii 21, Oceanview 383, and

Inside 136. 

 

I would assume that the Insides or Oceanviews could be used for quarantine if there is a Covid incident. The only problem is that the ventilation ductwork on the Volendam is zoned by area and shared among cabins in that area of the ship. It would mean sections of the ship would be cordoned off to prevent spread.

 

Newer ships uise individual ventilation units per cabin. That prevents the problem of a passenger blocking the balcony door open and affecting other cabins airflow that are nearby.