Protocols Extended

[not-enough-cruising]

Looks like protocols for USA embarkations have been extended to June 30th, with no changes to testing and vaccine requirements and timing. Actually, doesn’t look like anything at all has changed. 

[Colorado Buffalo]

Not a surprise especially when cases are on the rise. I'm just glad that masks are optional.

[Babr]

Mask mandate for public transportation continues. Testing for international flights continues. Spread of virus continues.

 

I do not expect any cruise line to relax protocols any time soon.

[Another_Critic]

50 minutes ago, Babr said:

Mask mandate for public transportation continues. Testing for international flights continues. Spread of virus continues.

... Whining about protocols continues.  😄

[Babr]

7 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

... Whining about protocols continues.  😄

Au contraire, my dear. Just confirming why no changes are forthcoming. I, for one, appreciate any effort to contain the virus. I don’t want to get caught in quarantine on the ship or off.

[calakerfan00]

At long as they do not change the vaccine requirement for 5-11 year olds, I am good.

[PhillyFan33579]

I wish they would just announce the obvious and state current protocols will remain in effect for the rest of the year. At least that would give people who don’t want to sail under the current protocols time to change their booking(s). 

[Merion_Mom]

2 hours ago, Babr said:

Au contraire, my dear. Just confirming why no changes are forthcoming. I, for one, appreciate any effort to contain the virus. I don’t want to get caught in quarantine on the ship or off.

I don't think that he was criticizing you.  He was continuing your post.  😄

[Another_Critic]

3 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

I don't think that he was criticizing you.  He was continuing your post.  😄

Thanks for having my back.  🙂

[tallnthensome]

The pre cruise testing of healthy people needs to end. 

[LXA350]

Things continue to be dynamic and we also have to be prepared for existing protocols to be tightened again if some new variants will come up that are more serious again.

 

You are in a closed off space on a cruisehip and viruses can spread much faster in such environment. Given the protocols are as relaxed as they are currenty is anyway to loose or for others much better than expected. For all those crazy about filling their plates  mountain full, who would have thought the buffet will come back that quickly to self serve, which I think is a big mistake.

[lovesthebeach2]

2 minutes ago, LXA350 said:

Things continue to be dynamic and we also have to be prepared for existing protocols to be tightened again if some new variants will come up that are more serious again.

 

You are in a closed off space on a cruisehip and viruses can spread much faster in such environment. Given the protocols are as relaxed as they are currenty is anyway to loose or for others much better than expected. For all those crazy about filling their plates  mountain full, who would have thought the buffet will come back that quickly to self serve, which I think is a big mistake.

I think self serve buffet has always been a mistake, given things that I’ve seen over all our cruises. And that’s only the things I’ve seen while I’m there, which tends to be not often given the things I’ve seen 😳

[LXA350]

5 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I think self serve buffet has always been a mistake, given things that I’ve seen over all our cruises. And that’s only the things I’ve seen while I’m there, which tends to be not often given the things I’ve seen 😳

 

Why were there so many Noro outbreaks and during flu season other viruses as well, well go to the buffet to find your answers 😄 It's a absolute disgrace that RCL and also other cruiselines did not think of a smart, efficient and most important safe option to evolve the whole buffet experience getting rid of self serve permanently during the pandemic. Well at the end, a few ships returning back to port per year due to some kind of virus outbreak and the collective pr damage seem to be cheaper for them than to have invested into new concepts for tbe buffet mess.

[bucfan2]

4 minutes ago, LXA350 said:

 

Why were there so many Noro outbreaks and during flu season other viruses as well, well go to the buffet to find your answers 😄 It's a absolute disgrace that RCL and also other cruiselines did not think of a smart, efficient and most important safe option to evolve the whole buffet experience getting rid of self serve permanently during the pandemic. Well at the end, a few ships returning back to port per year due to some kind of virus outbreak and the collective pr damage seem to be cheaper for them than to have invested into new concepts for tbe buffet mess.

Odds are the cruise lines know what works best for running their business, and it's doubtful they're looking for input.  All we do is choose to sail under their approved protocols, or not.

Edited April 16, 2022 by bucfan2

[time4u2go]

8 hours ago, SG65CB said:

 

Looking at the chart, they said the same thing in November, 2021

Exactly. 

[DirtyDawg]

Here's Canada case count chart. We are a couple of weeks ahead of you guys. And just like we found Justin Bieber first and then passed him over to you, a couple of times, I'm sure Omnicom will on it's way again to the bright lights of the U.S. pretty soon too.  Sorry! x 2

 

[smokeybandit]

10 hours ago, SG65CB said:

 

Looking at the chart, they said the same thing in November, 2021

In November 2021, Omicron was barely in the USA yet. In April 2022, BA.2 is the dominant variant in the country.

[Ocean Boy]

May be better to come in contact with omicron, which doesn't seem to be making people terribly ill (especially those who are immunized) and develop further immunity for some future variant that may be more of a problem. 

[Diver2014]

Darn.  Wish people could just get on with their lives and deal with whatever variant is around themselves instead of someone else setting rules.  Lots of people are testing positive and have no symptoms or have mild cold like symptoms.  Let's be done with it!

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, Diver2014 said:

Darn.  Wish people could just get on with their lives and deal with whatever variant is around themselves instead of someone else setting rules.  Lots of people are testing positive and have no symptoms or have mild cold like symptoms.  Let's be done with it!

And the people who can't figure out how to protect themselves in a self serv buffet should just stay out.

[Wineaux007]

14 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

... Whining about protocols continues.  😄

It would be nice if the protocols had some backing in science instead of shoot from the hip by politicians.  I suppose if you ask 100 scientists their opinions, you could get 100 different opinions.

[tallnthensome]

Everyone I know that had symptoms of Omicron, if any, were less then that of a regular cold, typical influenza,  and norovirus ..... All of which nothing is done precruise to prevent or test for before boarding.

[Jimbo]

[rabidstoat]

I still think the testing requirement is weird, in that you do it a few days before your cruise and then you travel for the cruise and around people and pre-partying and whatnot, and that's lots of time to pick up the virus.

 

I mean, I guess it doesn't hurt and could catch a few cases. It just seems like doing it at the pier itself would be a better precaution, but then you have the logistics of lots of tests at the pier and the drama of people testing positive when they're already at the pier with their luggage being loaded on the ship.

[happy cruzer]

I wait for the time when the crew does not have to mask up....

 

If they or anyone else wants to wear a mask, ok but seems like they are required to.