Not Fully Vaccinated by Sail Date

[Host Jacquelyn]

I have a cruise booked for August that is now paid in full. Being Canadian, we will not all be fully vaxxed by our sail date. Have Royal Caribbean announced the policy for people who are ineligible to cruise due to non-vaccination? Any chance of a full refund? I would much prefer a refund or even L&S over a FCC.

[Biker19]

26 minutes ago, Host Jacquelyn said:

Have Royal Caribbean announced the policy for people who are ineligible to cruise due to non-vaccination?

Even if available now, it could change soon. Vaccination requirements could change at any time.

[Coralc]

What a shame. We went through that in the US. Since you have fewer people in your whole country,  than even in California, I think your vaccine availability will open open up well before August. Even though it seems worrisome now,  you may be pleasantly surprised and fully vaccinated before your sailing. 

 

Things are changing very quickly now. 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Coralc

[firefly333]

I'm not convinced rcl can have all its cruises from the usa up and running by august. That's a lot of crew to hire and get vaccinated. Depends what your cruise is, it may still get cancelled.

 

The only policy I know of is cwc. @ourusualbeach is keeping up with the new rules, but it may be too soon to see how they deal with people who cant cruise. 

[firefly333]

Doesnt look like you got a reply. Let's hope whatever your cruise is that it gets cancelled so you can request a refund.

 

It seems unlikely they would open up lift and shift as how would rcl know really who was vaccinated and who wasnt. It would be a nightmare to open up lift and shift for only people who couldnt go once we resume. Hard to police. Lots would like to protect prices of 2021 and move them. Good luck.

[Host Jacquelyn]

Thanks @firefly333. I am really hoping they cancel, but I know lots of people are hoping they don't! The best would be if they offer 100% refund for non-vaxxed pax, but I really doubt that would happen.

[A&L_Ont]

5 hours ago, Host Jacquelyn said:

I have a cruise booked for August that is now paid in full. Being Canadian, we will not all be fully vaxxed by our sail date. Have Royal Caribbean announced the policy for people who are ineligible to cruise due to non-vaccination? Any chance of a full refund? I would much prefer a refund or even L&S over a FCC.

I’d go for a full refund, with the discussion points that the policy wasn’t in place when you made final payment.
 

You could also pimp the fact that when you paid in full, you hoped that Canadians were able to travel freely.  We know that certainly does not seem to be the case as of now, with quarantines upon your return home. 

[not-enough-cruising]

I would think a Vaccine requirement would almost have to elicit a full refund offer, as the contract has been significantly altered since execution 

Edited May 22, 2021 by not-enough-cruising

[Mapleleafforever]

6 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I would think a Vaccine requirement would almost have to elicit a full refund offer, as the contract has been significantly altered since execution 

I would hope that this would be the case as well, if not it's kinda "smarmy" IMO. Having said that I really don't think there will be cruising in August. October maybe.........and that's a big maybe. 

[not-enough-cruising]

55 minutes ago, Host Jacquelyn said:

Thanks @firefly333. I am really hoping they cancel, but I know lots of people are hoping they don't! The best would be if they offer 100% refund for non-vaxxed pax, but I really doubt that would happen.

This is far from official, but a cruiser has posted on a “blog” site that he phoned RCL today and was granted full refund for an Adventure sailing, due to an unvaccinated child. 

[atgood]

1 hour ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’d go for a full refund, with the discussion points that the policy wasn’t in place when you made final payment.

This!  
 

I suspect there are a lot people facing this scenario. 

[RFerrington]

3 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

This is far from official, but a cruiser has posted on a “blog” site that he phoned RCL today and was granted full refund for an Adventure sailing, due to an unvaccinated child. 

That’s great news, if true.

[Ourusualbeach]

15 hours ago, Host Jacquelyn said:

I have a cruise booked for August that is now paid in full. Being Canadian, we will not all be fully vaxxed by our sail date. Have Royal Caribbean announced the policy for people who are ineligible to cruise due to non-vaccination? Any chance of a full refund? I would much prefer a refund or even L&S over a FCC.

Where is your cruise sailing from.  It's still not clear if Royal can require vaccinations on sailings from Florida.  Our border being open for travel is a different matter

[Host Jacquelyn]

Thanks for all the replies! What you all are saying makes perfect sense, but who knows whether Royal Caribbean sees it that way.

 

It's true that the Canadian/US border is still essentially closed and we do have the 2 week quarantine requirement at this time, but I imagine that will be lifted shortly as most people will be eligible for their first jab. I don't think many Canadians will have  their second shot by early Aug though.

 

My cruise is out of Florida, so I am definitely monitoring what's going on there. I wouldn't be surprised if cruises will begin by Aug.

[Jimbo]

20 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 

 

It seems unlikely they would open up lift and shift as how would rcl know really who was vaccinated and who wasnt. It would be a nightmare to open up lift and shift for only people who couldnt go once we resume. Hard to police. Lots would like to protect prices of 2021 and move them. Good luck.

Hopefully a medical document could give proof why one  that was vacinated, yet doesn't get the protection from Covid like others because of a medical condition. Hopefully then maybe they would re-instate the L&S to 2022. At this time for that person to cruise is still very risky. Wonder if they would take that into consideration?

Edited May 23, 2021 by Jimbo

[Ourusualbeach]

11 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Hopefully a medical document could give proof why one  that was vacinated, yet doesn't get the protection from Covid like others because of a medical condition. Hopefully then maybe they would re-instate the L&S to 2022. At this time for that person to cruise is still very risky. Wonder if they would take that into consideration?

Doubtful.  Royal has not been open to making exceptions.  You are covered under CWC and can get a FCC if you can’t cruise.

[firefly333]

7 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Hopefully a medical document could give proof why one  that was vacinated, yet doesn't get the protection from Covid like others because of a medical condition. Hopefully then maybe they would re-instate the L&S to 2022. At this time for that person to cruise is still very risky. Wonder if they would take that into consideration?

I cant see any cruiseline taking on the role of medical doctors and evaluating letters of any kind. Kve seen some who want to document why their doctor says not to get vaccinated etc and saying be sure and document. To go thru that kind of documentation rcl would either have to give mass overrides or say no. 

 

We know just from threads some booked with the expectation of getting 125% back. I know I've seen threads on it. Some took on the risk their cruises would go and they didnt get the 125%. Gaming the system .. now there will be legit reasons for not going.. it would be hard to sort legit from not. Rcl has been tight fisted thru out this.

[Jimbo]

Our case we want to go on the cruise, and took the vaccine shots but the vaccine did not work correctly. We don't want money back or the 125%. We just feel safer going next year, but still would like to protect our price.

 

Royal probably will actually be making more money if that sell our cabin at the current prices, rather then we use it now ourselves.

 

2021 prices for our cabin is going to be higher then what they could get it for in 2022. Cost of cruising now is at a premium.

 

Overall they would make more money for us not using our cabin this year.

 

When the time comes we will state our case and see how they respond. Have 4 weeks to see if they atleast state whether or not the ships is sailing that week or even that same itinerary or not in the same region. It could sail elsewhere for all we know at this time.

Edited May 23, 2021 by Jimbo

[Biker19]

49 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Rcl has been tight fisted thru out this.

L&S is more generous than other lines.

[firefly333]

35 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

L&S is more generous than other lines.

True, I was thinking of rcl changing me from allure to liberty without any obc. To me I still think some obc should have been offered. My opinion i know. 2 bookings changed from allure to liberty and terminal 3 postponed to april 1st start ..and still not going. My march dates in 2022 were allure not liberty.

 

So now I rebooked allure twice, and rcl was to restart terminal 3 april 1st and hasnt. When i booked i thought ok great, but now it's the end of may with no sign of restarting. I will be not pleased if I lose both of the 2 new rebookings for allure. The price was good for allure, not good for liberty. 

 

So from my viewpoint rcl has been tight fisted. I've also read terminal 3 is at the top of their priority chart. .their actions dont suit their words unless money is really tight. 

 

I have seen some later people with ship changes that got obc, so it seems to vary. I dont consider allure to liberty a even swap nor would I pay the same for booking them. To me oasis class is special.

 

I'm sure if I dont get my allure dec 2022 and feb 2023 there will be posters who say you knew it was iffy when you booked it, no actually I booked before the restart of terminal 3 date of april 1st. 

 

...I stick by my tight fisted comment lol

 

 

Edited May 23, 2021 by firefly333

[islandwannabee]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Our case we want to go on the cruise, and took the vaccine shots but the vaccine did not work correctly. We don't want money back or the 125%. We just feel safer going next year, but still would like to protect our price.

 

 

How do you know the vaccine did not work properly?

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Our case we want to go on the cruise, and took the vaccine shots but the vaccine did not work correctly. We don't want money back or the 125%. We just feel safer going next year, but still would like to protect our price.

 

Royal probably will actually be making more money if that sell our cabin at the current prices, rather then we use it now ourselves.

 

2021 prices for our cabin is going to be higher then what they could get it for in 2022. Cost of cruising now is at a premium.

 

Overall they would make more money for us not using our cabin this year.

 

When the time comes we will state our case and see how they respond. Have 4 weeks to see if they atleast state whether or not the ships is sailing that week or even that same itinerary or not in the same region. It could sail elsewhere for all we know at this time.

A lot of ifs. If you have a good TA it's even possible they could make a case with revenue to get you moved when the time comes. I think that might be what it takes.

 

Good luck. I assume you took a antibody test to know this. Sorry. 

 

I think there will be lots who want to postpone, many for legit reasons, like the op being from canada and cant get fully vaccinated.. legit. I'm sure in the coming weeks we will hear of other legit reasons. I think there might be some cancellations close in.

 

I'm not as convinced of the demand close in as the prices show.,I was reading on the carnival boards about some casino offers. Like free balconies to alaska now that they reopened alaska, that maybe could have sold to paying pax at less than sky high prices. For all i know rcl is doing the same and offering casino rates to drive the demand to sky high prices. 

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Overall they would make more money for us not using our cabin this year.

They do not look at that logic.  If the cruise sails you will be able to get 100% FCC. 

[Ourusualbeach]

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

A lot of ifs. If you have a good TA it's even possible they could make a case with revenue to get you moved when the time comes. I think that might be what it takes.

Very doubtful. 

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Our case we want to go on the cruise, and took the vaccine shots but the vaccine did not work correctly. We don't want money back or the 125%. We just feel safer going next year, but still would like to protect our price.

 

Royal probably will actually be making more money if that sell our cabin at the current prices, rather then we use it now ourselves.

 

2021 prices for our cabin is going to be higher then what they could get it for in 2022. Cost of cruising now is at a premium.

 

Overall they would make more money for us not using our cabin this year.

 

When the time comes we will state our case and see how they respond. Have 4 weeks to see if they atleast state whether or not the ships is sailing that week or even that same itinerary or not in the same region. It could sail elsewhere for all we know at this time.

If you have proof of being vaccinated I'd think you could board. I dont think they will count how well it worked. If the vaccine didnt work well for the both of you, then maybe it's up to you to go or not. You say you got the vaccine.