It's finally the news you have been patiently waiting to hear.

[keels81]

2 hours ago, vermonter16 said:

My vaccination 'card' is an entire sheet of paper....It is going to be hard keeping that piece of paper in check without a whole lot of folds.  But, I'll gladly do it.

 

My husband had a piece of paper "card" -- his first Pfizer was from a mass event, but then he scheduled his second at a CVS closer to home. They were happy to give him a new card that can fit in his wallet -- I actually think her words were "Oh baby, lets get you a real card instead of this thing". 🤣

 

So if you happen in to CVS or Walgreens, you might see if they're willing to rewrite your info on a card!

[cangelmd]

1 hour ago, DrKoob said:

 

To achieve their 95% total they are going to have to ask if you are vaccinated. They are right. They said they will then test you before you leave. So tell me, how will they know to test you if you they don't ask you to prove vaccination?

I thought the test before US entry was a CDC or Border Control thing, not necessarily cruise related?

[kearney]

2 hours ago, iamaqt2 said:

Because without knowing the threshold of infection that causes the cruise to terminate, none of us want to spend 1000's of dollars on the possibility of a ruined vacation.

Don’t forget hurricane season can also impact your cruise. I get travel insurance. Risk of an outbreak is very low and unlike ‘20, they now have plans in place to reduce the risk and deal with the sick

[graphicguy]

4 hours ago, Plum Happy said:

You know doing this is a Federal Crime.

 

Some try to make it sound “easy” to counterfeit Federal CDC Covid vaccine ID’s. Truth (coming from the tech visual ID and artificial intelligence industry), but it’s not that tough to find those who are trying to sell or present fake COVID vaccine IDs, no matter how “easy” they make it sound.  If you’re willing to forfeit your cruise fare, and deny boarding, and be subject to felony prosecution, go ahead and try to fake your vaccine proof to board.

Edited June 9, 2021 by graphicguy

[jagoffee]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

 

Some try to make it sound “easy” to counterfeit Federal CDC Covid vaccine ID’s. Truth (coming from the tech visual ID and artificial intelligence industry), but it’s not that tough to find those who are trying to sell or present fake COVID vaccine IDs, no matter how “easy” they make it sound.  If you’re willing to forfeit your cruise fare, and deny boarding, and be subject to felony prosecution, go ahead and try to fake your vaccine proof to board.

Federal CDC Covid vaccine ID?  No such thing as far as I know.  The current administration has also repeated stated that we would not have a Federal database available.  No mention of a Federal vaccination ID.

[KKB]

This is great!

I can VOLUNTARILY show u my card.

Those who don’t “want” to—different set of protocols for them👍

[iamaqt2]

3 minutes ago, KKB said:

This is great!

I can VOLUNTARILY show u my card.

Those who don’t “want” to—different set of protocols for them👍

Not only will they not have a pleasant cruise experience, the CDC has also stated that the cruise lines can create dedicated areas for vaccinated individuals only.  So not vaccinated?  No buffet, casino, or theater.  I think very few unvaccinated individuals would choose to sail under those limitations.

[Lunesse]

6 hours ago, ILgirl said:

If you are vaccinated why do you care?

Because vaccination doesn't equal 100% invincibility.

Because I care about those who can't get one, for a medical reason, and I would hate for them to have elevated risk when not neccessary. 

Because I care about those in the countries we visit and their health.

❤️ 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2021 by Lunesse

[alibaba1]

Important Notifications× Sent Tue, Jun 8, 2021 Has anyone else received this from your TA?  XXXXXXXXXXX has received a very important notification regarding your upcoming cruise. The notification is copied below: "Dear Guest, We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Equinox® for your 12-Night Ultimate Southern Caribbean cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before we depart, we have some important information to share regarding your itinerary. Celebrity Cruises has been working closely with health and government authorities, in each country we sail from, to outline a clear path for cruising with new health and safety measures. As we thoughtfully plan our return to service, we are evaluating all current itineraries and the status of travel conditions around the world. This means some of our sailings will need to be modified. Specific to your future Celebrity Equinox sailing, our sail away from Fort Lauderdale has been adjusted to 6:00 PM. Celebrity Equinox will sail with a vaccinated crew. For details on our current health and safety protocols please visit  https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea. Face masks are not required on board and optional for guests who choose to wear them. However, face masks may be required while ashore based on local regulations. We’re sailing with fewer guests for more space – and more luxury with even more activities to avoid large gatherings in public spaces. Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to your sailing departure date in line with the most up to date recommendations from local government and health officials as well as our Healthy Sail Panel. These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these unique circumstances. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruises vacation. Sincerely, Celebrity Cruises"		Print		Share

[Antropos]

8 hours ago, lambiemom said:

I think a bigger concern is that people can print cards that look just like the original vaccination card and use that to say they are fully vaccinated when they are not at all.  

 

 

It also goes the other way around: how does the representative at the pier know what all original vaccination cards in the world look like? I guess they all look more or less the same for US travelers, but what about us from Europe, for example? Every country in Europe has it's own format. Same goes for Australia, all Asian countries, and so on.

[ipeeinthepool]

8 hours ago, DrKoob said:

 

That makes sense. I know they didn't say it but then again, they didn't NOT say it.

 

Actually the Celebrity Sales VP said that at the previous webinar, however she said that technology wouldn’t be available for the initial cruises.

[ipeeinthepool]

9 hours ago, Lmm79 said:

Because I don’t want to get trapped aboard the ship and not allowed to disembark because some variant of the virus is widespread. Or have you forgotten that ship that had no where to dock in March 2020?

 

Last time there were no agreements in place between the ports and the cruise lines on the procedures to handle an outbreak.  This time the CDC has required the ports and the cruise lines have agreements in place to handle outbreaks before they cruise.  No one wants to see a repeat of ships looking for a place to dock.

[cscurlock]

5 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Federal CDC Covid vaccine ID?  No such thing as far as I know.  The current administration has also repeated stated that we would not have a Federal database available.  No mention of a Federal vaccination ID.

That could change for international travel especially to Europe.  The G7 are meeting to discuss a digital vaccination passport, something the EU already has.  The US will need to provide the verification to the EU in order for that traveler to enter the EU.  So I think they will have to do that in order to meet the EU requirement for entrance.  I don't think initially it was something that the current administration wanted to do but I think in order for people to travel to Europe and maybe other countries it might be a requirement.  

[Antropos]

5 minutes ago, cscurlock said:

That could change for international travel especially to Europe.  The G7 are meeting to discuss a digital vaccination passport, something the EU already has.  The US will need to provide the verification to the EU in order for that traveler to enter the EU.  So I think they will have to do that in order to meet the EU requirement for entrance.  I don't think initially it was something that the current administration wanted to do but I think in order for people to travel to Europe and maybe other countries it might be a requirement.  

And the other way around... in EU we indeed have a digital vaccination passport (which will be operational from July 1), but is useless outside the EU.

[bebe08]

Looking forward to getting back to cruising!!  

 

Regarding this piece of information:  We’re sailing with fewer guests for more space—and more luxury.  What is happening with cruises that were booked before the Covid outbreak/protocols?  I have a cruise booked for Jan 2022 that was booked in 2019 before the world changed.  Do we know what the lower capacity actually is?  I read it is 30 percent for the cruises that are just starting up now, but assume this will increase as time goes on and once there is more confidence that Covid is no longer a major threat.  Wondering what will happen if a cruise is already fully booked or almost fully booked.    

 

Also regarding this:  Curious if something was done to enhance the HVAC systems onboard or was this always the case.

100% Fresh, Filtered Air

HVAC system continuously supplies and filters 100% fresh, filtered air to all spaces. You can breathe easy knowing the robust system’s layers of protection make the transmission of aerosol particles between spaces extremely low to virtually impossible.

 

 

[bebe08]

31 minutes ago, Antropos said:

And the other way around... in EU we indeed have a digital vaccination passport (which will be operational from July 1), but is useless outside the EU.

We also have a digital document, I can print it out so will be doing that. This is fairly new and still being rolled out and fine tuned where we live (Quebec, Canada).   I believe Canada is looking at doing this more widely.  Here is the info: The digital proof of vaccination is a PDF document downloadable onto your computer or cell phone. The document contains your personal information, the vaccine that you received and a QR code containing this information. For now the QR code is not decodable.  

 

The last thing is the testing requirement,  My concern is I book my trip/flights and go for my test 3 days prior and don't get the results in time.  Yikes!!!  I haven't travelled since pre-Covid...I assume this is a standard requirement.  How have others managed to ensure they get the test results in time to travel?

 

[cangelmd]

3 minutes ago, bebe08 said:

We also have a digital document, I can print it out so will be doing that. This is fairly new and still being rolled out and fine tuned where we live (Quebec, Canada).   I believe Canada is looking at doing this more widely.  Here is the info: The digital proof of vaccination is a PDF document downloadable onto your computer or cell phone. The document contains your personal information, the vaccine that you received and a QR code containing this information. For now the QR code is not decodable.  

 

The last thing is the testing requirement,  My concern is I book my trip/flights and go for my test 3 days prior and don't get the results in time.  Yikes!!!  I haven't travelled since pre-Covid...I assume this is a standard requirement.  How have others managed to ensure they get the test results in time to travel?

 

It is my understanding that Celeb will provide that testing onboard before you depart, likely the antigen test - it takes about 15-30 minutes to run

[bebe08]

3 minutes ago, cangelmd said:

It is my understanding that Celeb will provide that testing onboard before you depart, likely the antigen test - it takes about 15-30 minutes to run

In order to fly into the US though international travellers need to have a negative test.  I don't see anything about vaccinated passengers not requiring this.   If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States (US) and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

[bikerunner]

8 minutes ago, bebe08 said:

In order to fly into the US though international travellers need to have a negative test.  I don't see anything about vaccinated passengers not requiring this.   If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States (US) and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

A negative test is required by the airlines to get on the plane,  i been fully vaccinated since January, I just got back from going to the Dominican Republic to an AI and resort did the tests 2 days before we left. Took test in morning and had results later in the day.  Was very quick and painless.   I am assuming will be the same procedure to come back on a cruise ship overall but still not clear from what I can tell with the ones leaving and returning to us ports.  So worse case you get a positive what happens on debarkation overall. If I had a positive result in the DR I had to quarantine there for 14 days etc.  coming back on a cruise ship with a positive result, stuck in a hotel for 14 days?   

Edited June 9, 2021 by bikerunner

[PAGA]

5 hours ago, alibaba1 said:

Important Notifications× Sent Tue, Jun 8, 2021 Has anyone else received this from your TA?  XXXXXXXXXXX has received a very important notification regarding your upcoming cruise. The notification is copied below: "Dear Guest, We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Equinox® for your 12-Night Ultimate Southern Caribbean cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before we depart, we have some important information to share regarding your itinerary. Celebrity Cruises has been working closely with health and government authorities, in each country we sail from, to outline a clear path for cruising with new health and safety measures. As we thoughtfully plan our return to service, we are evaluating all current itineraries and the status of travel conditions around the world. This means some of our sailings will need to be modified. Specific to your future Celebrity Equinox sailing, our sail away from Fort Lauderdale has been adjusted to 6:00 PM. Celebrity Equinox will sail with a vaccinated crew. For details on our current health and safety protocols please visit  https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea. Face masks are not required on board and optional for guests who choose to wear them. However, face masks may be required while ashore based on local regulations. We’re sailing with fewer guests for more space – and more luxury with even more activities to avoid large gatherings in public spaces. Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to your sailing departure date in line with the most up to date recommendations from local government and health officials as well as our Healthy Sail Panel. These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these unique circumstances. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruises vacation. Sincerely, Celebrity Cruises"		Print		Share

This itinerary has a port call in St. Croix, USVI. As noted in my prior post on this thread, I live there...and on Monday the USVI Governor said that the Territory (which includes St. Thomas) *may* not allow ships whose passengers are not 95% vaccinated. He also has a goal of half the Territory being vaccinated by July 1 (we've been stalled at 40k for a few weeks...need to get to 50k)...and has stated he does not feel we are ready for cruise ships until that goal is reached. So maybe those recent statements have something to do with Celebrity's announcement?

Also heads up to anyone whose itinerary visits the USVI, our Governor has extended the "no mask/no service" mandate and has NOT adopted CDC guidance for vaccinated persons when it comes to mask-wearing. Unlikely to change soon, as while St. Croix has almost no cases, St. Thomas currently has been having a surge over the past month.

So while things may change, right now in the USVI masks are still required by everyone any time you enter a business (including outdoor/open air beach bars & restaurants), on all transportation, and even outdoors if you cannot maintain 6ft distance (this has not been enforced on beaches). Our bar-top seating just re-opened about a week ago...but you still must be seated to be served and groups at bar are to be seated 4 ft apart - no service across the bar to standing patrons except at designated "service windows." So yeah...probably going to be a fairly restrictive experience for vaccinated folks compared to Stateside. But better to "know before you go"

[PAGA]

5 hours ago, alibaba1 said:

Important Notifications× Sent Tue, Jun 8, 2021 Has anyone else received this from your TA?  XXXXXXXXXXX has received a very important notification regarding your upcoming cruise. The notification is copied below: "Dear Guest, We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Equinox® for your 12-Night Ultimate Southern Caribbean cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before we depart, we have some important information to share regarding your itinerary. Celebrity Cruises has been working closely with health and government authorities, in each country we sail from, to outline a clear path for cruising with new health and safety measures. As we thoughtfully plan our return to service, we are evaluating all current itineraries and the status of travel conditions around the world. This means some of our sailings will need to be modified. Specific to your future Celebrity Equinox sailing, our sail away from Fort Lauderdale has been adjusted to 6:00 PM. Celebrity Equinox will sail with a vaccinated crew. For details on our current health and safety protocols please visit  https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea. Face masks are not required on board and optional for guests who choose to wear them. However, face masks may be required while ashore based on local regulations. We’re sailing with fewer guests for more space – and more luxury with even more activities to avoid large gatherings in public spaces. Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to your sailing departure date in line with the most up to date recommendations from local government and health officials as well as our Healthy Sail Panel. These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these unique circumstances. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruises vacation. Sincerely, Celebrity Cruises"		Print		Share

Also, St. Kitts is on the itinerary and announced recently they are only welcoming vaccinated tourists and their un-vaccinated children under age 18. The article speaks to land-based tourism, but may impact cruises, too. https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/st-kitts-nevis-covid-restrictions-vaccinated-tourists A lot of islands trying to figure out how to keep their people safe now that the resumption of cruising is underway, and DeSantis has decided to throw a kink in to the CDC measures to keep these small islands with limited medical resources safe.

[bajathree]

Im sure port experiences are going to vary and probably be fluid to change.From some video blogs I follow one had a very recent  visit to Nassau....they said masks were required everywhere including outdoors and were being enforced by police. Another was in Cozumel where the person said that vaccines are hard to come by and most people aren't vaccinated. A mask mandate was also in place there but said wasn't being enforced. Both said that they are very hungry for $ and welcome tourists and can't wait for cruise ships to return. 

Myself....Im still on the fence how much wondering around Im going to be doing at port stops.

[vermonter16]

13 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

Vermonter, I think the most common Vaccination Card is about 4 by 3, two sided.  They are selling waterproof Covid Record Card Holders, I just bought two of them.  I hope your full page record doesn't get too creased up!

I was in the vaccine trials and that's what they gave me.  It already came folded up since they mailed it to me after I got unblinded from the study.  I'll have to ask them when I go back if they have an actual card or something better they can give me.  It is the original because it is handwritten out on the piece of paper....it is just full size, lol.

 

Edited June 9, 2021 by vermonter16

[TeeRick]

4 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

Last time there were no agreements in place between the ports and the cruise lines on the procedures to handle an outbreak.  This time the CDC has required the ports and the cruise lines have agreements in place to handle outbreaks before they cruise.  No one wants to see a repeat of ships looking for a place to dock.

iPee- any update on the cruise line agreements with the state of FL.  You seemed to think a week or two ago that agreements were imminent.   I believed you so I am not going against you here.  Just asking if your information has changed?

[Jeremiah1212]

5 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

iPee- any update on the cruise line agreements with the state of FL.  You seemed to think a week or two ago that agreements were imminent.   I believed you so I am not going against you here.  Just asking if your information has changed?

 

Port agreements had to have been made and signed off on prior to any simulated or restricted cruises being approved to sail.