Why not 95%

[Fla Senior]

I posted this as a reply on another post and no one responded. So will ask everyone:

"I really don't have a dog in this one way or the other. Just curious. Carnival is sailing from Florida with a 95% vaccination requirement and no resistance from the Gov. Wondering why NCL can't do same."

[keep on cruisin]

Carnival or anyone else for that matter cannot guarantee they will be at 95% for guest for sailings out of Florida unless they are able to require proof of vaccination.  That is the entire reason why lines like RCCL are using voluntary proof of vaccine and than charging steep prices for testing 2 before and during the sailing.  Florida has made requiring proof illegal and a $5000 fine per offense.

 

NCL could do the same but they are trying to be the ones to control there risk.  Let’s face it, none of the lines want to have a major outbreak and be kept out of ports.

[Named-Tawny]

Because sailing at 100% vacinated is safer (you can argue how much safer it is, but it's indisputably safer than the alternative) and passenger health matters.

100% means less chance of an outbreak; it means a better passenger experience.

[MichiganBound]

36 minutes ago, Named-Tawny said:

Because sailing at 100% vacinated is safer (you can argue how much safer it is, but it's indisputably safer than the alternative) and passenger health matters.

100% means less chance of an outbreak; it means a better passenger experience.

Agreed.  I would rather be on a cruise that has a 100% vaccination rate rather than something less.  It's just safer.  Not perfect...but yes safer.  

[eynsteinp]

I also agree.  While I don't want to be political, NCL is doing the absolute thing in requiring 100% vaccination cruises.  The worse thing that can happen to a cruise line at this point is a major breakout occurs on a ship.  It will kill the cruise line with bad PR.  I am booked on a cruise in October and would not sail if not 100% vaccinated.  Like others have said, not perfect but as safe as they can make it.  

[SpainAlien]

MSC were sailing in Europe last year with no vaccine and no outbreaks BUT everyone was tested, masked, socially distanced and had escorted port excursions, proving that it can be done it's just not what I want from a cruise although I quite like the social distancing lol

[david_sobe]

The other cruise lines got creative.  They allow unvaccinated passengers but they are restricted while on board.  They don't have the same access to everything that vaccinated passengers do.  This is how the video went viral of the woman who got booted off a cruise ship for testing positive for COVID.  She was mistakenly given a fully vaccinated wrist band.  The cruise line discovered the error the next day and went to test her and she tested positive and was put off the ship.  This incident highlighted the flawed policy IMHO.  Businesses should be free to operate their business how they feel is best to keep all of their customers and crew safe.  It also allows passengers to enjoy their cruise without having to mask up at places.

Edited July 27, 2021 by david_sobe

[Sam Ting]

16 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

The other cruise lines got creative.  They allow unvaccinated passengers but they are restricted while on board.  They don't have the same access to everything that vaccinated passengers do.  This is how the video went viral of the woman who got booted off a cruise ship for testing positive for COVID.  She was mistakenly given a fully vaccinated wrist band.  The cruise line discovered the error the next day and went to test her and she tested positive and was put off the ship.  This incident highlighted the flawed policy IMHO.  Businesses should be free to operate their business how they feel is best to keep all of their customers and crew safe.  It also allows passengers to enjoy their cruise without having to mask up at places.

She got exactly what she deserved.  Her fault for not being vaccinated in the first place. I suspect she knew exactly what the wristband meant and pretended she was none the wiser when she was given it in error. If she didn’t know she shouldn’t have one, then she was too stupid to be on a cruise ship in the first place. She is disgusting, putting the rest of the passengers, crew, and company at risk. 

[RaftingJeremy]

Because it’s their policy.  

[deliver42]

I sincerely hope NCL is successful in their law suit because it makes sense, Unfortunately making sense is probably the reason they lose, and will either leave Florida, which i doubt, or go along with the other lines.

[boatclub1]

7 hours ago, Named-Tawny said:

Because sailing at 100% vacinated is safer (you can argue how much safer it is, but it's indisputably safer than the alternative) and passenger health matters.

100% means less chance of an outbreak; it means a better passenger experience.

Hello,

I agree with this topic that everyone or at least 95% of people should be vaccinated.   I am vaccinated and was looking at a cruise in Jan or Feb of 2022.   I called Norwegian & Celebrity yesterday and both said that effective November of 2021 {leaving out of USA} - there are no more restrictions for vaccine and or unvaccinated people......so anyone can get on the ship.   So much for the safety of passengers.   If the cruise line have restrictions that unvaccinated people can not go here or there???  how will the cruise lines enforce that??  that is my question.   I have decided to wait as see what will happen, before booking a cruise.

Edited July 27, 2021 by boatclub1

[Laszlo]

14 minutes ago, boatclub1 said:

Hello,

I agree with this topic that everyone or at least 95% of people should be vaccinated.   I am vaccinated and was looking at a cruise in Jan or Feb of 2022.   I called Norwegian & Celebrity yesterday and both said that effective November of 2021 {leaving out of USA} - there are no more restrictions for vaccine and or unvaccinated people......so anyone can get on the ship.   So much for the safety of passengers.   If the cruise line have restrictions that unvaccinated people can not go here or there???  how will the cruise lines enforce that??  that is my question.   I have decided to wait as see what will happen, before booking a cruise.

I'm willing to bet that will change, I'm also pretty sure they will still have testing before you get on the ship

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, RaftingJeremy said:

Because it’s their policy.  

 

But it's no longer their hard written policy. Yesterday, NCL added a disclaimer to the current policy which allows anyone with a medical or religious exemptions to book. So while they recommend 100%, they are now allowing non-vaccinated to book. NCL also signed that they would keep all sailings to 95% or more vaccinated to eliminate non-revenue generating trial runs according to CDC policy, but now that policy is just a guideline so who knows. 

 

It seems NCL is doing exactly what the other lines are doing from the USA. Sailing with 95% or more vaccinated. It was inevitable from a business perspective. 

 

Disclaimer added to NCL vaccine policy: "Limited exceptions may be made pursuant to valid medical or religious exemptions".

[david_sobe]

2 hours ago, Sam Ting said:

She got exactly what she deserved.  Her fault for not being vaccinated in the first place. I suspect she knew exactly what the wristband meant and pretended she was none the wiser when she was given it in error. If she didn’t know she shouldn’t have one, then she was too stupid to be on a cruise ship in the first place. She is disgusting, putting the rest of the passengers, crew, and company at risk. 

I would disagree with you a bit because but its the crazy centralized state imposed law that created this.  Not her and not the cruise line.

[Inflatable_Catfish]

I was thinking of starting a new thread on this thought but there are enough Covid ones already so I will say it here.

 

Why doesn't NCL ask for an antibodies test if you elect to not show vaccination a week or 2 before sail date? 

I just had my blood work from my annual checkup. My family of 4 all had Covid in December. Both IGG/IGM test positive. Quest explains this has a recent exposure. We are not vaccinated. My daughter has also had the blood work during her visit last month. Antibodies positive. Out of my close friends group 2 have received the vaccine and 3 have had Covid in the past and are not vaccinated. none have had both. 

We have also seen recently, for example the Texas politicians that flew to DC, that the vaccinated can contact Covid and spread it. The vaccine is for the individuals protection so they do not get extremely sick, it does not stop one from getting it. demanding 100% vaccination can still infect the ship. 

This brings me to the 95/100%

Experts are saying herd immunity needs to be 70%-90%. If that's the case, why do the cruise lines need 95-100?

Why not make a mix of vaccinated and those with positive antibodies test count for this percentage. Allow a small percentage of those that have neither cruise. If they test positive during the cruise, treat it like Noro and quarantine to their cabin. 

 

 

[PTC DAWG]

The 95% rule seems to be working fine for Celebrity out of Florida.....

 

Sailing this Sunday...I expect no issues.  

 

Had the Joy booked, but NCL pulled the rug out from everyone earlier this summer.  

[trivimp]

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Disclaimer added to NCL vaccine policy: "Limited exceptions may be made pursuant to valid medical or religious exemptions".

 

Do you have a link?  I'm not seeing it on the (US) Sail Safe page.  

[BermudaBound2014]

3 minutes ago, trivimp said:

 

Do you have a link?  I'm not seeing it on the (US) Sail Safe page.  

 

Sure thing. It was posted in the NCLH holdings press release.

 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Great Cruise Comeback Commences With First Sailing in 500 Days :: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) (nclhltd.com)

[Alegeeter]

1 hour ago, Inflatable_Catfish said:

 

This brings me to the 95/100%

Experts are saying herd immunity needs to be 70%-90%. If that's the case, why do the cruise lines need 95-100?

Why not make a mix of vaccinated and those with positive antibodies test count for this percentage. Allow a small percentage of those that have neither cruise. If they test positive during the cruise, treat it like Noro and quarantine to their cabin. 

 

 

That is not how herd immunity works. Herd immunity is what is needed to stop the spread at epidemic rates, it does not mean it stops the spread overall. For cruises that are only a week long when there is still a pandemic throughout the rest of the world, any spread on the ship can go on to infect many others. The safest way to prevent this is 100% vaccinations, and even with that there will be some spread.

 

As for natural antibodies, I wouldn't consider yourself completely immune. It looks like more and more that Delta is less sensitive to neutralizing antibodies. And, the longer it takes for us to get to herd immunity, the more chances COVID has to keep mutating and the cycle keeps continuing.

[RumRunner2021]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Sure thing. It was posted in the NCLH holdings press release.

 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Great Cruise Comeback Commences With First Sailing in 500 Days :: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) (nclhltd.com)

Do you think somebody will add their unvaccinated kid to their Encore sailing next Saturday and try to board?

[BermudaBound2014]

6 minutes ago, RumRunner2021 said:

Do you think somebody will add their unvaccinated kid to their Encore sailing next Saturday and try to board?

No- but I think a family looking to book a last minute cruise to Alaska is a possibility. The encore is holding prices for August, but the gem prices are dropping fast. A family looking for a last minute summer vacation at rock bottom prices can sail on the gem in a few weeks for a steal.

 

Not commenting that it’s going to happen, but it is a possibility.

[Karaboudjan]

7 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

No- but I think a family looking to book a last minute cruise to Alaska is a possibility. The encore is holding prices for August, but the gem prices are dropping fast. A family looking for a last minute summer vacation at rock bottom prices can sail on the gem in a few weeks for a steal.

 

Not commenting that it’s going to happen, but it is a possibility.

 

I don't think that being too young for a vaccine would qualify as a medical exemption.  

Edited July 27, 2021 by Karaboudjan
Fix a word

[Sue Do-Over]

3 hours ago, Inflatable_Catfish said:

Experts are saying herd immunity needs to be 70%-90%. If that's the case, why do the cruise lines need 95-100?

In a community, everyone isn't elbow to elbow with everyone else 'all the time'.  The lower potential for exposure at home (alone time, fresh air, distance, shorter exposures) that cannot be assured on board.

 

As for 95% versus 100%... how'd you like to be the part-time employee at check-in explaining why HE can board unvaccinated while SHE cannot?  What if 10% or 20% turn up at the pier expecting that THEY will be accomodated?   What a nightmare!

[OrcaGirl]

Re: the 95% vs 100% thing: it was my understanding that for at least some of the mainstream lines doing 95%, that 5% was wiggleroom to allow for a small number of children under 12/16 (who are not currently eligible to be vaccinated) to sail with their fully-vaccinated parents. So it's not like it's a matter of Unvaccinated Adult A being allowed to board but Unvaccinated Adult B being turned away because she showed up for check-in 30 minutes later.

 

For example, the Celebrity website currently says (emphasis added):

We will sail with a vaccinated crew and at least 95% fully vaccinated guests. All guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. As of August 1, 2021, all guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.

 

 

[Fla Senior]

My key point is "no resistance from FL governor". If Carnival can sail with 95% and governor gives them no issues, then NCL can sail with 100% and also get no resistance from governor.  Seems to me that they just don't want to sail right now.