RCCL Explorer cruises into Covid zones. Ridiculous rules. Spoiler Alert!

[RedIguana]

42 minutes ago, DMWT Cruiser said:

Did you actually read why smokeybandit said?? 

Yes I did. I am happy for those of you who have had no effect from this other than whatever protocols have been in place. But I am able to see more than just the one stat of deaths, and empathize with all who have been affected.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

10 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

My son's school has been in person full time with no mask mandate since August 2020. No issues. There are several diseases to be far more concerned with with kids like the flu and RSV.

it would all depend on a state and location within the state and the city/town. We've had very high covid numbers and low immunization numbers.

Even with the mask mandate, we've had several school and class quarantines because of the positive cases. Our school fared a bit better than middle or high schools in the vicinity, because little kids are more compliant (surprisingly) and still listen to staff and teachers, plus they offered online schooling for 2020-2021 school year, which resulted in 40% of our school learning remotely. I believe this fact (many schools were able to offer a remote option to at least a portion of their student population) and the fact that most office workers were also able to switch to telecommuting helped curb the spread. Other countries are not so fortunate.

 

Even if you are not worried about the kids getting infected, remember that they take it home and infect others in their family who then infect others. I've seen numerous examples. It's called a pandemic for a reason. 

 

4 kids in my extended family no longer have a mom due to covid. Think about how that effects them.

Edited October 30, 2021 by Itchy&Scratchy

[gc]

18 hours ago, nelblu said:

I have no problems with the protocols.  I sailed on the first Oasis sail out of Bayonne and had a great time even with all of the strict H & S protocols.  It did not bother me that my Vaxxed card were reviewed some 5 different times before boarding or the limit of only 9 at any given time in the pools, other than the Solarium.  However, I found it a bit  annoying that since this particular sail was advertised as 100% vaxxed, other than unvaxxed children, I was stopped some 4 times to check my green wrist band.  Because it was Formal night, my long sleeve shirt was obscuring the band.  I was stopped 3 times entering/re-entering the casino and at the Adult Comedy show.  Both of these venues are strictly for adults.  Got some lame excuse.

Those officers should have spent there time enforcing the elevator capacity rule or making sure guests were wearing their  face mask while walking around the windjammer or promenade.....just a thought!! 

[nelblu]

11 minutes ago, gc said:

Those officers should have spent there time enforcing the elevator capacity rule or making sure guests were wearing their  face mask while walking around the windjammer or promenade.....just a thought!! 

On Oasis, masks were mandated in any enclosed area.   Elevators were limited to 6 at any given time and it seemed to work,  but keep in mind the Oasis' capacity was either 2,400 or 2, 700 with about 300 children.

 

WJ, masks were optional, however, maintained social distancing with every other table being empty.  Same with Chop's and Giovanni's.

 

MDR, 3rd deck for vaxxed and no social distancing, while  4th & 5th deck was for everyone.

 

Theatre, Main floor was for vaxxed only and masks were optional.  The upper deck was for everyone and required masks and social distancing.

 

Aqua theatre, they had certain shows for vaxxed and others for everyone.  Ice show, only vaxxed.  Adult show, only vaxxed.

 

Ps.  One early morning, I went out and as I'm walking to the elevator I realize that I'm maskless.  So I go for my sea pass and to my chagrin, I had left it in my cabin.  I panicked as there were no cabin attendants in sight.  So I pull the bottom of my shirt over my mouth, walked the stairs from the 12th deck to  GS and got not only the pass but a RCL emblemed mask.  Also, Starbucks kiosk had plenty of masks.

[gc]

55 minutes ago, nelblu said:

On Oasis, masks were mandated in any enclosed area.   Elevators were limited to 6 at any given time and it seemed to work,  but keep in mind the Oasis' capacity was either 2,400 or 2, 700 with about 300 children.

 

WJ, masks were optional, however, maintained social distancing with every other table being empty.  Same with Chop's and Giovanni's.

 

MDR, 3rd deck for vaxxed and no social distancing, while  4th & 5th deck was for everyone.

 

Theatre, Main floor was for vaxxed only and masks were optional.  The upper deck was for everyone and required masks and social distancing.

 

Aqua theatre, they had certain shows for vaxxed and others for everyone.  Ice show, only vaxxed.  Adult show, only vaxxed.

 

Ps.  One early morning, I went out and as I'm walking to the elevator I realize that I'm maskless.  So I go for my sea pass and to my chagrin, I had left it in my cabin.  I panicked as there were no cabin attendants in sight.  So I pull the bottom of my shirt over my mouth, walked the stairs from the 12th deck to  GS and got not only the pass but a RCL emblemed mask.  Also, Starbucks kiosk had plenty of masks.

We were on the Oasis from October 3rd to the 24th... the condition's and protocol  royal implemented in theory were adequate. It was my understanding that masks and social distancing were mandatory while walking and getting your food in the windjammer although I saw too many for my liking not. I see this as disrespect for my fellow cruiser.  

Edited October 30, 2021 by gc

[nelblu]

3 minutes ago, gc said:

We were on the Oasis from October 3rd to the 24th... the condition's and protocol  royal implemented in theory were adequate. It was my understanding that masks and social distancing were mandatory while walking and getting your food in the windjammer although I saw too many for my liking not. I see this as respect for my fellow cruiser.  

I don't know what you mean by "in theory".  This was the 1st sail after their test run in August and the CDC was involved in approving the protocols.  There was some suspicion by Paxs that on this sail, that there were some CDC personnel on board.

 

What would you suggest would be the ultimate/appropriate H&S protocols.

[gc]

8 minutes ago, nelblu said:

I don't know what you mean by "in theory".  This was the 1st sail after their test run in August and the CDC was involved in approving the protocols.  There was some suspicion by Paxs that on this sail, that there were some CDC personnel on board.

 

What would you suggest would be the ultimate/appropriate H&S protocols.

I am comfortable with Royals sailing protocol and agreed to adhere to these new rules before boarding their ship. These are my observation's over 3 sailings.  

[cruisequeen4ever]

Goodness, I’m sorry you experienced such vitriol to your post. Cruising during the pandemic brings so many added risks and potential changes. It’s understandable that you’re not pleased with the new situation. Like some said, maybe it would be better to just cancel and accept the FCC for future use. Or, you can plow ahead with it and have the best time you can have under the current restrictions. Chances are, you will still have a lot of fun.

[LeeRB]

I don’t have a dog in the fight (some would say) since I canceled the last of three cruises I had booked, all RCI, on Jun 21st. All three were canceled before the FPD and I received a full refund on them, even if one did take 167 days to get. I am also not one to just book a cruise and forget about it, except for making the payments, until it is time to pack. Even now with nothing booked I am still checking the threads and cruise line sites to see what is happening with cruising; and I do not like what I am seeing. I have sailed solo almost exclusively since 2013 and with all the restrictions and ‘bubbles’ involved with cruising right now, it doesn’t appeal to me; AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VACCINE, I had both of the original Pfizer shots (Feb & Mar), and got the Booster this past month (Oct). I also debarked from my last ship, the Rhapsody, on March 7, 2020; the week before the CDC shut everything down. While I haven’t been on as many cruises as some, I have been on a few cruises over the years (Carnival & Princess- Platinum and RCI - Diamond +).   

 

Pre-COVID as a solo I was able to meet other solos with similar interests at Meet &Mingles/Greets and other places on board. Those chance meetings have turned into small groups and occasionally large groups, with meetings for lunch on a sea day, a dinner for two or four at a specialty restaurant, slot pulls in the casino, meeting in the comedy club for the adult show, or going ashore as a group, etc. and led to many friendships being formed. From what I have seen lately, that isn’t allowed currently. These days; if I board as a solo I stay a solo until I debark at the end of the cruise with little if any interaction permitted with other passengers unless our bookings are linked which has to happen before we board. While I have been on many ships where I knew no one on board, I also have been on other ships where I have ran into others passengers I knew and under current guidance I couldn’t join them for diner or at a lounge.

 

Under the guidelines, I CAN NOT justify the cost of a cruise (with single supplement involved) just to ride around on a big boat for a few days and keep to myself most of the time; if my wife was still alive I may see it differently, but as a solo it’s just not worth it. Additionally I am not a big fan of the “Private Islands” and compound ports either and I have seen a large number of itineraries with multiple “Private Islands” in them. Coco Cay wasn’t bad until the hurricane hit and they turned it into a big waterpark in the middle of the Caribbean. I guess I will set on the sidelines until things improve or I get tired of waiting; and lose interest in cruising.

 

Rick

[nelblu]

7 hours ago, LeeRB said:

I don’t have a dog in the fight (some would say) since I canceled the last of three cruises I had booked, all RCI, on Jun 21st. All three were canceled before the FPD and I received a full refund on them, even if one did take 167 days to get. I am also not one to just book a cruise and forget about it, except for making the payments, until it is time to pack. Even now with nothing booked I am still checking the threads and cruise line sites to see what is happening with cruising; and I do not like what I am seeing. I have sailed solo almost exclusively since 2013 and with all the restrictions and ‘bubbles’ involved with cruising right now, it doesn’t appeal to me; AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VACCINE, I had both of the original Pfizer shots (Feb & Mar), and got the Booster this past month (Oct). I also debarked from my last ship, the Rhapsody, on March 7, 2020; the week before the CDC shut everything down. While I haven’t been on as many cruises as some, I have been on a few cruises over the years (Carnival & Princess- Platinum and RCI - Diamond +).   

 

 

 

Pre-COVID as a solo I was able to meet other solos with similar interests at Meet &Mingles/Greets and other places on board. Those chance meetings have turned into small groups and occasionally large groups, with meetings for lunch on a sea day, a dinner for two or four at a specialty restaurant, slot pulls in the casino, meeting in the comedy club for the adult show, or going ashore as a group, etc. and led to many friendships being formed. From what I have seen lately, that isn’t allowed currently. These days; if I board as a solo I stay a solo until I debark at the end of the cruise with little if any interaction permitted with other passengers unless our bookings are linked which has to happen before we board. While I have been on many ships where I knew no one on board, I also have been on other ships where I have ran into others passengers I knew and under current guidance I couldn’t join them for diner or at a lounge.

 

 

 

Under the guidelines, I CAN NOT justify the cost of a cruise (with single supplement involved) just to ride around on a big boat for a few days and keep to myself most of the time; if my wife was still alive I may see it differently, but as a solo it’s just not worth it. Additionally I am not a big fan of the “Private Islands” and compound ports either and I have seen a large number of itineraries with multiple “Private Islands” in them. Coco Cay wasn’t bad until the hurricane hit and they turned it into a big waterpark in the middle of the Caribbean. I guess I will set on the sidelines until things improve or I get tired of waiting; and lose interest in cruising.

 

 

 

Rick

 

I understand your anxieties under the present protocols.  After more than 40 cruises, I found myself booking a solo on the Sept. 5 sail on Oasis.  Did not know how I would handle the 7 night sail.  However, since Oasis is so big, that I always found someone to talk or simply say "I".   A few examples:

 

When we left Bayonne, I was in the new opening of the Solarium and there must have been some 200 Paxs waiting to sail under the Verrazano and many wondering how close the clear would be.  Met quite a few Pax and talked not only about the bridge, but also other cruising aspects plus where everyone originated from.

 

The first 2 nights I used the D+BOGO dining coupon and ate at Chops and Giovanni's.  Dining alone did not bother me as much as I anticipated.  Met a nice family with their daughters and I smiled as they reminded me of my grandchildren.  Got o talk a bit with them.  This was at Chop's and the only mistake was that I chose dining "Al Fresco", but it was so humid and with my sport jacket, it made it worse.  Was glad when the waiters came from inside to serve the meal and got a bit of AC as relief.😀

 

Diamond Lounge, met some nice folks to discuss and interact.

 

MDR, the tables for 2 were so close to one another that I met some  nice couples to my right and left of me.  The couple on the right were from Queens who each ordered some 2-3 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts every night.  Had some interesting conversation sine they were for our general area, including how they stayed so slim.  Maybe since they were Chinese it had something to do with their metabolism. 😃 

 

Pool area, Theatre, Aqua Show, Adult Theatre and of course the Casino,  I never felt alone.  

 

Since that sail, I was offered a 5 night free cruise from Casino Royale and booked the Mariner sailing on December 5th.  Also, have an 8 nighter on Allure for January 22.  I enjoy cruising and was looking forward to a family cruise on Anthem (transferred from the Harmony '20 sail) with my kids and my grandkids but disappointed ( as of now)  that it won't come off because of the H&S protocols.

 

If you enjoy cruising don't write it off as you don't know what to expect unless you give it a try.

 

By the way, I'm not going to sugar coat my experience as I had periods of loneliness.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

10 hours ago, LeeRB said:

These days; if I board as a solo I stay a solo until I debark at the end of the cruise with little if any interaction permitted with other passengers

that is not true at all.

[drarill]

On 10/30/2021 at 10:08 AM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

it would all depend on a state and location within the state and the city/town. We've had very high covid numbers and low immunization numbers.

Even with the mask mandate, we've had several school and class quarantines because of the positive cases. Our school fared a bit better than middle or high schools in the vicinity, because little kids are more compliant (surprisingly) and still listen to staff and teachers, plus they offered online schooling for 2020-2021 school year, which resulted in 40% of our school learning remotely. I believe this fact (many schools were able to offer a remote option to at least a portion of their student population) and the fact that most office workers were also able to switch to telecommuting helped curb the spread. Other countries are not so fortunate.

 

Even if you are not worried about the kids getting infected, remember that they take it home and infect others in their family who then infect others. I've seen numerous examples. It's called a pandemic for a reason. 

 

4 kids in my extended family no longer have a mom due to covid. Think about how that effects them.

I agree with you 100%   BTW, Puerto Rico is the US Territory/State with the highest vaccination rate, and one of the lowest transmission rates right now.  We have accomplished this with strict mask mandates and proof of vaccination to enter restaurants and many venues.  For those Explorer cruisers coming to our island, hope they understand that we didn't politicized the pandemic and we have made many sacrifices to save lives.  You are welcome, but there are rules here that must be followed.  

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

[Jimbo]

4 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

that is not true at all.

Why are you doubting what the poster posted, that is what he/she encountered on their cruise. Can't you just leave it at that?

[Itchy&Scratchy]

6 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Why are you doubting what the poster posted, that is what he/she encountered on their cruise. Can't you just leave it at that?

but he said he hadn't sailed since March 2020. So, he is only guessing that he wouldn't be "permitted" as he put it to socialize with any other people on a cruise under the current guidelines.

Judging by multiple reviews since the restart that wouldn't be true.

Edited November 1, 2021 by Itchy&Scratchy

[neverbeenhere]

Recently returned from a cruise. We had plenty of interaction with a couple different solo cruisers. Drinks(with an extra s), coffee and "breakfast" in Diamond lounge, cribbage,  a few times in port, and a meal in port. Oh, plus drinks in port.

[Lou33]

 

@RedIguana 

@DMWT Cruiser

@smokeybandit

 

The death rate is not that high among children, nobody is arguing that.  The problem is that many, many children are getting infected, and they infect somebody else, and eventually it reaches vulnerable people who die.  We are still losing 1,500 Americans every day.  

 

BTW, my family is one of the "families of 745,000 dead Americans may disagree with you."

Edited November 1, 2021 by Lou33

[cruising sister]

9 minutes ago, Lou33 said:

 

@RedIguana 

@DMWT Cruiser

@smokeybandit

 

The death rate is not that high among children, nobody is arguing that.  The problem is that many, many children are getting infected, and they infect somebody else, and eventually it reaches vulnerable people who die.  We are still losing 1,500 Americans every day.  

 

BTW, my family is one of the "families of 745,000 dead Americans may disagree with you."

I am sorry for your loss. As a pediatrician I cared for the orphaned children of Covid. Many of the children brought it home to their families. I wonder how they will work through that guilt later in life.