Protocols for Encore in Alaska.....

[BermudaBound2014]

Has NCL released the protocols for Encore in Alaska? The reason I ask is that RCL just released Protocols for Serenade of the Seas, and even though they are requiring 100% vaccination, they are also requiring mask wearing and saying it is to comply with the CDC. That doesn't make sense to me. What am I missing?  Is that because they did not do a test run with the Serenade? I get that RCL can have their own (more strict) rules regarding mask wearing, but I thought that the CDC said we didn't have to wear a mask if the ship was 100% vaccinated (yet RCL is saying it's a CDC compliance issue).

 

Last question, what is the final payment due date for Encore in Alaska this fall. Is it 90days? 60days? 30 days?

 

"Royal Caribbean says it has to comply with the regulations that the CDC has set out and as such, masks are mandatory onboard the ship. All guests aged two and above must wear the masks when inside the ship, except when eating or drinking."

Royal Caribbean Releases Serenade of the Seas Alaska Protocols for July (cruisehive.com)

[RaftingJeremy]

Says to come back within 21 days of sailing. 

Edited July 5, 2021 by RaftingJeremy

[redsox1584]

I am on the Encore in September…my final payment is 60 days out. 

[Karaboudjan]

37 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Has NCL released the protocols for Encore in Alaska? The reason I ask is that RCL just released Protocols for Serenade of the Seas, and even though they are requiring 100% vaccination, they are also requiring mask wearing and saying it is to comply with the CDC. That doesn't make sense to me. What am I missing?  Is that because they did not do a test run with the Serenade? I get that RCL can have their own (more strict) rules regarding mask wearing, but I thought that the CDC said we didn't have to wear a mask if the ship was 100% vaccinated (yet RCL is saying it's a CDC compliance issue).

 

Last question, what is the final payment due date for Encore in Alaska this fall. Is it 90days? 60days? 30 days?

 

"Royal Caribbean says it has to comply with the regulations that the CDC has set out and as such, masks are mandatory onboard the ship. All guests aged two and above must wear the masks when inside the ship, except when eating or drinking."

Royal Caribbean Releases Serenade of the Seas Alaska Protocols for July (cruisehive.com)

 

RCL appears to be allowing unvaccinated children, whereas NCL is not.  I have lost track of what is or is not required by the CDC, but that probably explains the masks.

[BermudaBound2014]

1 minute ago, Karaboudjan said:

 

RCL appears to be allowing unvaccinated children, whereas NCL is not.  I have lost track of what is or is not required by the CDC, but that probably explains the masks.

 

thanks! That makes sense. On RCL, children over 12 need to be vaccinated. If I'm understanding you correctly, NCL is not allowing any children at all under 12? 

[aubreyc1988]

12 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

thanks! That makes sense. On RCL, children over 12 need to be vaccinated. If I'm understanding you correctly, NCL is not allowing any children at all under 12? 

NCL is not allowing anyone unvaccinated onboard is my understanding

[Karaboudjan]

Just now, aubreyc1988 said:

NCL is not allowing anyone unvaccinated onboard is my understanding

Yes, per Sail Safe children who are not eligible for vaccination are not allowed on cruises through 10/31.

[ColeThornton]

Not trying to tell anyone what to post but I think it would be better at this juncture in cruise line start-ups to stick to what NCL is doing and not RCL, CCL or any other lines.  There is so much info being posted that, as we can see, people are getting confused about what they have to do for upcoming NCL sailings (when that information does become known).

 

Just a thought. Cheers!

[BermudaBound2014]

Just now, ColeThornton said:

Not trying to tell anyone what to post but I think it would be better at this juncture in cruise line start-ups to stick to what NCL is doing and not RCL, CCL or any other lines.  There is so much info being posted that, as we can see, people are getting confused about what they have to do for upcoming NCL sailings (when that information does become known).

 

Just a thought. Cheers!

 

I understand what you are saying but right now I'm looking at all the lines that are sailing to Alaska this fall and when I read what RCL just published about mandatory mask wearing it shocked me and made me wonder if NCL had published their protocols and I missed them. 

 

Believe me, I get that it's confusing, but knowing how each of the lines are handling the protocols may help people like me decide between which line to choose. Example, I will likely not select RCL at this time due to mandatory mask wearing. And the fact that NCL isn't allowing ANY children under 12 is a reason for me to select the Encore over the some of the others. 

 

So, for those of us who have yet to book, knowing the differences in protocols for how each cruise lines are starting up is very helpful to make an informed decision. Although I do agree, its confusing. 

 

 

[robcolem]

My final payment confirmation for August 28th Alaska included a health and safety brochure.  Check your confirmation email or go to https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe - it's the same basic info.  The only difference I noticed is the final payment confirmation stated proof of vaccination will be required to be submitted two weeks prior to boarding.

 

• Cruise Mask-free
• No Capacity Restrictions
• No Social Distancing Required
• All Restaurants & Experiences Are Fully Open
• No Restrictions on Shore Excursions

"All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test, administered and paid for by the cruise line, prior to boarding and receive a negative result. Guests are also responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements which may include additional testing."

 

I've been checking the link every weekend and haven't noticed any changes to it in a while.

[RumRunner2021]

It's ironic, but an NCL cruise ship may now be the absolute safest place that anybody concerned with Covid can be.  Where else are you assured of 100% vaccination checks and testing prior to entry?

[redsox1584]

Just now, RumRunner2021 said:

It's ironic, but an NCL cruise ship may now be the absolute safest place that anybody concerned with Covid can be.  Where else are you assured of 100% vaccination checks and testing prior to entry?

I agree…I originally had a Carnival cruise out of FL booked in September but then switched to the Encore for that very reason 

[aubreyc1988]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I understand what you are saying but right now I'm looking at all the lines that are sailing to Alaska this fall and when I read what RCL just published about mandatory mask wearing it shocked me and made me wonder if NCL had published their protocols and I missed them. 

 

Believe me, I get that it's confusing, but knowing how each of the lines are handling the protocols may help people like me decide between which line to choose. Example, I will likely not select RCL at this time due to mandatory mask wearing. And the fact that NCL isn't allowing ANY children under 12 is a reason for me to select the Encore over the some of the others. 

 

So, for those of us who have yet to book, knowing the differences in protocols for how each cruise lines are starting up is very helpful to make an informed decision. Although I do agree, its confusing. 

 

 

I sail on Sept 4th Encore and the protocols look like "normal times" cruising. 

 

Reasons I chose NCL for this sailing: Vaccinated Only (the safest option with less risk of having cruise interruption, no kids, no masks) Over Labor Day, comped via casino at sea, love NCL. 

 

Also, I'm a bit peeved at Royal. I was hoping they would have the same protocols as NCL since they shared the same safety panel for a while. 

[aubreyc1988]

58 minutes ago, robcolem said:

My final payment confirmation for August 28th Alaska included a health and safety brochure.  Check your confirmation email or go to https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe - it's the same basic info.  The only difference I noticed is the final payment confirmation stated proof of vaccination will be required to be submitted two weeks prior to boarding.

 

• Cruise Mask-free
• No Capacity Restrictions
• No Social Distancing Required
• All Restaurants & Experiences Are Fully Open
• No Restrictions on Shore Excursions

"All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test, administered and paid for by the cruise line, prior to boarding and receive a negative result. Guests are also responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements which may include additional testing."

 

I've been checking the link every weekend and haven't noticed any changes to it in a while.

I've been checking as well, on the sailing after you! 

[RumRunner2021]

16 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

I sail on Sept 4th Encore and the protocols look like "normal times" cruising. 

 

Reasons I chose NCL for this sailing: Vaccinated Only (the safest option with less risk of having cruise interruption, no kids, no masks) 

 

Also, I'm a bit peeved at Royal. I was hoping they would have the same protocols as NCL since they shared the same safety panel for a while. 

I think RCL has shot themselves in the foot.

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, aubreyc1988 said:

Also, I'm a bit peeved at Royal. I was hoping they would have the same protocols as NCL since they shared the same safety panel for a while. 

We just sailed on Royal. Other than social distancing in public spaces, there were no masks and it was a perfectly normal cruise. 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

thanks! That makes sense. On RCL, children over 12 need to be vaccinated. If I'm understanding you correctly, NCL is not allowing any children at all under 12? 

NCL is not allowing any unvaccinated passengers through October or whenever they change their minds. 

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Has NCL released the protocols for Encore in Alaska? The reason I ask is that RCL just released Protocols for Serenade of the Seas, and even though they are requiring 100% vaccination, they are also requiring mask wearing and saying it is to comply with the CDC. That doesn't make sense to me. What am I missing?  

What you are missing is that the Serenade is not a 100% vaccinated cruise. They are allowing unvaccinated passengers onboard. And Royal is also reacting to the fact that with the exact same vaccination requirements, they have already has COVID on their ships costing them $$$$. 

 

Vaccination Requirements

All guests age 16 and older must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing.

Guests younger than 16 don’t need to be vaccinated — but if they are, they have the benefit of following the more relaxed guidance for fully vaccinated guests.

Note for cruises departing Seattle on or after August 1, 2021: The vaccination age requirement will be lowered from 16 years of age to 12 years of age. Guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 when they arrive in Seattle.

All crew onboard Serenade of the Seas will be fully vaccinated.

[MorganClark]

15 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

We just sailed on Royal. Other than social distancing in public spaces, there were no masks and it was a perfectly normal cruise. 

 

I was wondering about the difference. You're referring to Adventure of the Seas out of Nassau? I'm booked on her for July 17th and there is no mask wearing mandate onboard, so I'm assuming the difference is that it was 100% passengers & crew vaccinated (i.e. no kids onboard). If yes, I kind of agree with other posters on this thread, RCI should've retained the same protocol for its U.S. sailings (and be like NCL). Hmm...wonder why they didn't?

[Cruiseaholic07]

Our final payment for August 7 was 60 days out. As Bird previously posted we are mask free as of now with the safety protocol email they sent out the other day. Of course, it does say to check back at day 21. I believe because NCL is 100% with no exceptions, it will be Mask Free

[ChiefMateJRK]

It will be fun to hear about how the mask requirement goes on RCL.  There are a lot of people who simply won't wear a mask when sitting on a lounge chair on deck.  I feel sorry for the cruise line employees who will likely be told that they need to challenge such folks.  We'll likely be having a lot more fun over on NCL.

[zerooveride]

Interesting what if . . .

 

Some of the Alaska sailings are past final payment. What if NCL changes it at the 21-day mark to requiring masks for everyone onboard? Will they allow penalty free cancellations seeing as they advertised it as mask free? Or will they do the usual oh well, we'll do what we want . . .

 

Me and my wife are fully vaccinated and we decided on this because we wouldn't need masks. We don't want to be on vacation and have to wear masks. It would ruin the fun escape a vacation is. Now I do realize in port it may be different, but I get that as NCL has no control over it.

 

Hoping they don't change their mind seeing as EVERYONE onboard will be vaccinated!

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

What you are missing is that the Serenade is not a 100% vaccinated cruise. They are allowing unvaccinated passengers onboard. 

 

The way I am reading this is that the ONLY unvaccinated passengers are those under 12 years old (because they can't get one). Are you saying that RCL is allowing unvaccinated passengers over the age of 12? 

 

If so, to be clear, this would better read "they (rci) are allowing unvaccinated passengers under 12 years old onboard"

[ChiefMateJRK]

21 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

What if NCL changes it at the 21-day mark to requiring masks for everyone onboard?

I can't imagine why NCL would do that.

[BermudaBound2014]

23 minutes ago, zerooveride said:

IWhat if NCL changes it at the 21-day mark to requiring masks for everyone onboard?