AOS out Nassau now requiring indoor masking

[3kidsncats]

44 minutes ago, mlm05001 said:

Our hotel we are at in Nassau does rapid. I believe that is acceptable. We are not happy about this new mask mandate. This is the reason we booked this cruise. 

They changed it to PCR only

[3kidsncats]

34 minutes ago, jentravelrn said:

Someone care to share the email? On the September 4th sailing.

It specifically says ONLY applies to August sailings

[3kidsncats]

30 minutes ago, jentravelrn said:

Suspect they must have had more positive cases on this week's sailing...

I was just thinking the same thing

[3kidsncats]

27 minutes ago, mabt said:

 

This might be the last straw for us.

 

I suspect they're going to get a flood of cancellations.  I imagine most people who booked Nassau did it specifically to avoid mask requirements.

We didn’t — when we booked they clearly indicated masking indoors was a possibility— which is why we booked a suite.  We aren’t happy about it, but always knew it was a possibility 

[dodgestang]

35 minutes ago, mabt said:

 

Only applies to August sailings, for now.

 

It doesn't say much more than what's been reported here.  Basically, they are moving to the same model for cruises out of Nassau that they have in place for US cruises.  Masks indoors except for a handful of "vaccinated only" venues, listed here.  Bizarrely, a number of venues that are really only appropriate for people who have to be vaccinated anyway (bars, teen club) are designated as "everyone", therefore masks required.

 

Plus, apparently, this PCR test requirement.

 

Just a guess....but a number of bars tend to be 'walk through' locations on the boat.....so this is most likely why.

[Joseph2017China]

Not to throw more wood into the fire, but check out the bahamas health visa.  You also need a test regardless but vaccinated 5 days before flight.    However, RCCL is 3 days, and if it is a PCR test, it can get very close to your flight.  So flight on Friday for Saturday cruise.  PCR on Wednesday, two days before flight, and the turn around is two days. than you need to submit the health visa.  Now I heard that is fast.....but still worrisome

 

[Tyro1]

13 minutes ago, 3kidsncats said:

They changed it to PCR only

The website still says Antigen or PCR, and it includes the new mask updates, I also messaged royal and they confirmed what was on website. 

[mek]

1 hour ago, mabt said:

I would have liked to know 6 hours ago, personally.  I just went to considerable lengths this morning to get a third mRNA dose so we could sail.  Would not have done that if I'd known the masking requirement was coming.

How did you get your booster?  Private physician or somewhere else?

 

[HBCcruiser]

41 minutes ago, jentravelrn said:

Suspect they must have had more positive cases on this week's sailing...

No, they do not (as reported by someone on the July 31 thread). This is a CDC thing. Other cruise lines are doing the same thing. People on the Princess Board are just as upset. At least on Royal they will have vaccinated zones where you can go maskless. Other lines are not doing that. 

[Joseph2017China]

My opinion on the masks......well I'm not pleased however, some points.  Mainly, the ship has all adults vaccinated which is a good things.  The dining room, casino, my favorite 3 inside bars, outside pool deck, inside solium and bar, the theatre, Ice rink shows all are mask free areas.  So what do you need exactly a mask for?  Just walking from place to place.  Really that's it.  So a mask is annoying, but honestly hardly need to wear it. 

 

I don't like masks, don't think it's needed, but dang it, I'm going on vacations, and 95% of my day will not have a mask on, and I will be in coco cay two days also without a mask on

 

 

[mek]

1 hour ago, kearney said:

We are outa here.... no way I am paying $$ and flying to Nassau for this... AA problems just icing on the cake...not sure I will go through with final payment for Nov cruise

My final payment date for November is a week from Monday and I think I'm going to cancel.  Just too many changes and unknowns to move forward.

[WeatherFx]

If you cancel due to the new requirements, can you get refunded on your airfare as well if booked through Air2Sea? Or do you take the hit on the airfare.

[mabt]

Just now, mek said:

How did you get your booster?  Private physician or somewhere else?

 

 

Public clinic.  But I am in Canada, so the situation is quite different here.  I suppose it was a booster, of sorts, but the point was to comply with RCCL's specific vaccination requirements (which have also changed several times since I booked), not to boost immunity.

 

[mabt]

3 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

No, they do not (as reported by someone on the July 31 thread). This is a CDC thing. Other cruise lines are doing the same thing. People on the Princess Board are just as upset. At least on Royal they will have vaccinated zones where you can go maskless. Other lines are not doing that. 

 

But the CDC has no jurisdiction over the Nassau cruises.  That was the whole point.

[mek]

Just now, mabt said:

 

Public clinic.  But I am in Canada, so the situation is quite different here.  I suppose it was a booster, of sorts, but the point was to comply with RCCL's specific vaccination requirements (which have also changed several times since I booked), not to boost immunity.

 

Oh - got it.  (I didn't think there were any boosters available in the US yet.)

[spammie]

Just now, WeatherFx said:

If you cancel due to the new requirements, can you get refunded on your airfare as well if booked through Air2Sea? Or do you take the hit on the airfare.

From what someone told me on another social media forum you lose $200 per ticket.  I'm calling and cancelling and will NEVER book with Air2Sea again.  That experience has been nothing but unpleasant!

[dodgestang]

4 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

No, they do not (as reported by someone on the July 31 thread). This is a CDC thing. Other cruise lines are doing the same thing. People on the Princess Board are just as upset. At least on Royal they will have vaccinated zones where you can go maskless. Other lines are not doing that. 

Struggling to understand why the CDC has any say over a ship sailing a Bahama flag, leaving a bahama port, and visiting places that AREN'T the United States or its territories.  😉

[BecciBoo]

4 minutes ago, Joseph2017China said:

I don't like masks, don't think it's needed, but dang it, I'm going on vacations, and 95% of my day will not have a mask on, and I will be in coco cay two days also without a mask on

 

Agree 100%.  Hate to see people cancel, but different strokes for different folks...I'll be having a blast, mask or no mask!

[dodgestang]

1 minute ago, mabt said:

 

But the CDC has no jurisdiction over the Nassau cruises.  That was the whole point.

Yes it was.....and RCCL knew damn right well that the closer to sailing they made this announcement the smaller the hit on cancels they would take.  I've already invested the time/energy in PCR and Antigen testing, packing, kennel arrangements, etc.......so you know what....I think I will order a drink from every bar I walk through and then pour it out since i have a drink package....to help vent my frustration a little

[3kidsncats]

6 minutes ago, Joseph2017China said:

Not to throw more wood into the fire, but check out the bahamas health visa.  You also need a test regardless but vaccinated 5 days before flight.    However, RCCL is 3 days, and if it is a PCR test, it can get very close to your flight.  So flight on Friday for Saturday cruise.  PCR on Wednesday, two days before flight, and the turn around is two days. than you need to submit the health visa.  Now I heard that is fast.....but still worrisome

 

Exactly what we are dealing with.  

[HBCcruiser]

2 minutes ago, mabt said:

 

But the CDC has no jurisdiction over the Nassau cruises.  That was the whole point.

 I agree but they are doing it. Again, other cruise boards are blowing up over this. Same timeline, testing and masking requirements. My guess is Royal wants to still follow CDC guidelines. 

[mabt]

1 minute ago, HBCcruiser said:

 I agree but they are doing it. Again, other cruise boards are blowing up over this. Same timeline, testing and masking requirements. My guess is Royal wants to still follow CDC guidelines. 

 

Sure, but it is still Royal's decision to make.  They can't pass the buck to the CDC on this one.

Edited August 5, 2021 by mabt

[jentravelrn]

10 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

No, they do not (as reported by someone on the July 31 thread). This is a CDC thing. Other cruise lines are doing the same thing. People on the Princess Board are just as upset. At least on Royal they will have vaccinated zones where you can go maskless. Other lines are not doing that. 

Phew! Glad to hear it's just being cautious and not anything else.

[BecciBoo]

3 minutes ago, dodgestang said:

then pour it out since i have a drink package....to help vent my frustration a little

That won't do anything but deprive you of a good drink🤔  But if you feel better, sad you're not on my cruise, I would be following you pretty close.......😇

[3kidsncats]

3 minutes ago, mabt said:

 

Sure, but it is still Royal's decision to make.  They can't pass the buck to the CDC on this one.

They haven’t said anything about cdc requirements that I’ve seen, that’s people here doing that

Edited August 5, 2021 by 3kidsncats