October US protocols only cover first half of the month

[molly361]

I wonder why that is?

[thjeepster]

12 minutes ago, molly361 said:

I wonder why that is?

Where did you see that? And when do they are changing again?

[molly361]

4 minutes ago, thjeepster said:

Where did you see that? And when do they are changing again?

Dear valued Travel Partners, It's certainly been an exciting few months as we get back to doing what we love — delivering exceptional vacations to you and your clients. Nothing brings us more joy than seeing the anticipation and excitement leading up to these long-awaited vacations. Since the restart of cruising, we've been able to deliver healthy & safe vacations as a result of our proven protocols. With October quickly approaching, we'd like to share all that your clients can expect when sailing from a U.S. homeport between October 1-15, 2021.    If booked guests do not wish to follow these protocols, we are happy to provide them with a refund or move their sailing into the future when circumstances may have evolved.    Health and safety protocols are subject to change and, as these occur, we’re committed to updating you.     Pre-Cruise Requirements Vaccination  All guests 12 years and older must bring proof of vaccination, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card, with the final dose of the vaccine completed at least 14 days before sailing. Testing All Guests: Required Pre-Cruise Testing: Guests will need to meet the new requirements recently issued by the U.S. CDC. Vaccinated guests 12 years and older are required to present a negative COVID-19 Test Result (antigen or PCR) for a test taken no more than 2 days prior to the sailing's departure date and before their arrival to the terminal. Recommend that your clients visit RoyalCaribbean.com/HomeTestKit to order their pre-cruise test with our at-home antigen test kits, shipped right to their door (anywhere in the U.S.) in 3 business days or less. Get results in 15 minutes with live video supervision by a Certified Guide. Please note, this at-home antigen test does not satisfy the pre-cruise testing requirement for children. Unvaccinated guests 2 to 11 years old are required to present a negative PCR Test Result for COVID-19 (antigen test are not accepted for children) for a test taken no more than 3 days prior to your sailing's departure date and before your arrival to the terminal. Proper documentation (printed negative test results or negative test results presented on your phone) from an accredited laboratory (no doctor’s notes) is required to sail. All costs for this test are the guest's responsibility and must be done on their own, not at the terminal. Kids Age 2-11 Years: Additional Testing In addition to the pre-cruise test, kids will take one or two more tests.  At the Terminal:  Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 years are required to take a PCR test for COVID-19 when checking in at the terminal. Registration details for this test will be sent via email in advance. This test is complimentary. Prior to Disembarking: For sailings 5 nights or longer, unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 years are required to take an antigen test onboard within 24 hours before the cruise ends. Registration details will be provided during the cruise. This test is complimentary. Guests under 2 years of age will not be tested.   Healthy Shore Excursions We've worked with local tour operators to ensure they follow our Healthy Sail Panel health guidance for all Shore Excursions. These tours are available at a variety of price points and may be purchased in advance on Cruise Planner. Mask Guidance  Below is our current mask guidance for all guests, except those under the age of 2 years, who do not need to wear a mask at any time. Masks are NOT required to be worn: In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting In the pool or any activity where they may become wet At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants and shows In your client's stateroom when they are with their traveling party Masks ARE required to be worn: While indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them Dining For Main Dining, we will designate areas for everyone, including parents and unvaccinated children, and areas for vaccinated parties only. My Time Dining will not be available to parties that include unvaccinated guests. Some specialty restaurants will be open to everyone, while others will be for vaccinated parties only.  Other Venues  If your clients have sailed with us before, they’ll notice there are fewer guests onboard, letting them ease back into vacation mode. The ship’s venues are set up to easily allow for physical distancing and there will be signage to guide them. Theaters and activity venues will offer spaced seating with options for everyone and for vaccinated guests only. Be sure to make show reservations once onboard using the Royal Caribbean app. What To Bring Travel Documentation Checklist Passport Book or Passport Card, valid for at least six months after your cruise, is strongly recommended. If you do not have a Passport, you may present a state-certified U.S. Birth Certificate (not a "baby feet" hospital certificate or baptismal paper). Guests age 16 years and older that present a Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver's License or government issued picture ID. A COVID-19 vaccination record card for all guests 12 years of age and older.  A negative test result for COVID-19 before arrival to the terminal. For ages 12 and over, negative PCR or antigen tests taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing. For ages 2 to 11, only negative PCR tests taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing. Antigen tests are NOT accepted for children. For guests under 2, no testing is required. Proper documentation (printed negative test results or negative test results presented on your phone) from an accredited laboratory (no doctor’s notes) is required to sail. All costs for this test are the guest's responsibility and must be done on their own, not at the terminal. For additional protocol information, please click the link below to read the detailed FAQs. Please note that health protocols are expected to change over time. Guidance for other ports and sailings is still in development with federal, state, and local authorities. We will update you and your clients as protocols change.  For more information, please visit the FAQs below.   FAQs HEALTHY CRUISING   NOTICE: Prior to booking, please consult all applicable U.S. Centers for Disease Control travel advisories, warnings, or recommendations relating to cruise travel, at cdc.gov/travel/notices. If a certain threshold level of COVID-19 is detected onboard the ship during your voyage, the voyage will end immediately, the ship will return to the port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed. For cruises and guests worldwide Terms and Conditions Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. Images and messaging for Perfect Day at CocoCay may include artistic renderings. All features are subject to change without notice. Perfect Day and CocoCay are registered trademarks of Royal Caribbean. You received this message because you provided your e-mail address to Royal Caribbean. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add royalcaribbeaninternationalsalespromotion@rccl.com to your address book. If you do not wish to receive any further communications from Royal Caribbean, please click here. *Features vary by ship. ©2021 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships' registry: The Bahamas. All rights reserved. 21076330

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[Biker19]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

I wonder why that is?

RCI may be looking at the sizeable fall in COVID cases and think they could ease some restrictions and don't want to be locked in for the whole month.

[orville99]

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

RCI may be looking at the sizeable fall in COVID cases and think they could ease some restrictions and don't want to be locked in for the whole month.

And the CSO is set to expire on 10/31. 

[Biker19]

Just now, orville99 said:

And the CSO is set to expire on 10/31. 

Not sure that maters much at this point. The cruise lines are already doing more than they need to. They are just being politically correct by following CDC guidance.

[2chiefs]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

I wonder why that is?

Probably because the CDC guidelines change often.

[molly361]

Hoping it's no more testing if vaccinated and  I can't believe this would be my second choice but no mask wearing

[orville99]

12 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Not sure that maters much at this point. The cruise lines are already doing more than they need to. They are just being politically correct by following CDC guidance.

True, but once the CSO expires, they don't have to be politically correct any more. Why lock yourself into a position for cruises that are mid-sailings on 10/31 if you don't have to.

[molly361]

1 minute ago, orville99 said:

True, but once the CSO expires, they don't have to be politically correct any more. Why lock yourself into a position for cruises that are mid-sailings on 10/31 if you don't have to.

But then why not just put the protocols out for the entire month of October not just the first half?  

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, orville99 said:

True, but once the CSO expires, they don't have to be politically correct any more.

Even if they don't have to, it is unlikely they'll diverge much from what CDC recommends - they didn't have to move testing from three days to two, but they did it anyway and got all the issues that came with that.

[smokeybandit]

They're probably anticipating the CDC insisting everyone takes a covid test each morning of the cruise.

[awhfy]

Sigh, our cruise is October 24th. I guess I’ll order the tests, not wanting to bet on Galveston having testing available, especially with a hurricane today. 

[Lionesss]

We are sailing October 9th.

 

We went to the site to order the home supervised test on September 8th. with guaranteed delivery their confirmation number and date of delivery was to be September 10th.

 

As of yesterday, we still did not receive them.

 

So we called their reference number last night, they are open to 9pm for questions (This site is only for questions, not for testing, the testing site is a different site).

 

The kind lady said that ever since RCI encouraged cruisers to get their own home testing kits, they have been overwhelmed with orders.

But, they will expedite ours since we are cruising shortly.

 

However, she did make the comment of companies (not mentioning any names) have ordered large quantities of testing kits, massive bulk orders.  And so far their production of test kits are keeping up with demand.  Some delays on shipping but supplies are there.

 

Just saying.

 

 

[takeabreath3]

Has anyone noticed since everyone has to be tested and vaxxed that there aren't a lot of Covid cases being reported on the Cruise ships.  So, yes, it's WAS a pain in the butt to get tested, (thank goodness for EMED), it might very well have saved cruising for all of us.

 

Hope to SEA you all on the SEA and stay safe out there,  Judy

[forgotmyCCname]

They may be anticipating  a change in protocols. If the US and some of the island nations follow the same trajectory as Spain, France and the UK we should start to see a great decline in cases of C19 and the delta variant. 
This will be interesting to watch.

[dianajo67]

Just hope it’s not so they can add a requirement for a booster for folks with Pfizer and x months from their second shot.

 

Edited September 14, 2021 by dianajo67

[PTC DAWG]

A non RCL link for anyone looking for tests.  I ordered these a couple of weeks ago, around noon on a Tuesday, they were at my door my noon Wednesday.  Will be using them Friday for Allure sailing this Sunday.

 

https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en

[abpplh]

I think they are safer releasing only for the first half - then they don't need to back peddle.  News is coming out everyday on if and when to get booster shots and I have also seen that Pfizer may have emergency auth for 5-11 year olds in October....

[Biker19]

37 minutes ago, forgotmyCCname said:

If the US and some of the island nations follow the same trajectory as Spain, France and the UK we should start to see a great decline in cases of C19 and the delta variant. 

Assuming you trust the info provided by some web site, that decline started about 3 weeks ago in the state that matters the most for cruising:

 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

50 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

A non RCL link for anyone looking for tests.  I ordered these a couple of weeks ago, around noon on a Tuesday, they were at my door my noon Wednesday.  Will be using them Friday for Allure sailing this Sunday.

 

https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en

 

Thanks....and ordering directly from EMed is cheaper.....6 for $150....than ordering through RCI. RCI is charging $69 for 2 and $99 for 3 tests. 

[ampurp85]

@suzyluv2cruiseRCG has partner with Optum, so its not RCG selling the test. Optum allows you to use HSA/FSA which is why their test are more expensive.

[ampurp85]

Also I sail Oct 31st and on the app and CP I have a Be ready to board tab that basically list the protocols for  my sailing. It mentions testing, vaccination and what happens if you don't comply. However, it says nothing about masking, which may be something that is going away towards the end of Oct. I also wouldn't hold my breath on the CSO expiring the 31st. CDC won't be slacking up during what is originally cold/flu season. 

[AshleyDillo]

3 minutes ago, ampurp85 said:

 Optum allows you to use HSA/FSA which is why their test are more expensive.

 

You can submit your eMed invoice for reimbursement for HSA/FSA same as with Optum. eMed requires a 6-pack commitment to order so it's cheaper per test because you are essentially buying in bulk.  

[molly361]

13 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Thanks....and ordering directly from EMed is cheaper.....6 for $150....than ordering through RCI. RCI is charging $69 for 2 and $99 for 3 tests. 

Not everyone needs 6 of them