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What happens when you test positive for Covid on a cruise ship in 2023? Family shares their experience

In:
02 Oct 2023

It's been more than two years since Royal Caribbean restarted cruises following the industry shutdown in 2020, so what's it like today if you were to test positive for Covid while on your ship?

Jewel of the Seas

The cruise industry and the world as a whole have changed how they handle Covid cases, and thanks to a combination of new treatments and changes in the strain itself, the dangers posed are seemingly less troublesome today than in 2021.

But what happens if you were to have Covid while on a cruise? 

I experienced Royal Caribbean's health protocols in summer 2022, but many of the policies in place then have since changed. 

Positive covid test result

Royal Caribbean's website does not contain a great deal of information on the matter. It states if you were to have Covid in the days before your cruise, you'll be denied boarding and that travel insurance would be a good investment to have to cover such trip interruptions.

The cruise contract still has verbiage alluding to what they could do, but there really isn't a clear indication of what to expect.

Jewel of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Jim Rose returned from a cruise on Jewel of the Seas to Greenland in September 2023, where he and his wife tested positive a few days before the end of the sailing.

He provided a recap of his experience. Keep in mind his experience may vary from your experience, as regulations are changing all the time.

Testing positive

Elevators

Towards the end, both my wife and myself tested positive for Covid.  It reminded me of an earlier story posted on Royal Caribbean Blog about what to expect.  This allowed me to better understand what to expect.  Since there hasn't been any recent reported updates about this, I figured I would report our experience in case someone else should have to experience the situation.

Starting overnight of day twelve, my wife wasn't feeling well.  By morning, she was obviously not doing well.  

Based on previous information posted on this blog, and suggestions posted on the cruise Facebook page, I had brought several Covid self tests.  I did not bring any (useful) extra medicine that had been suggested (such as NyQuil).  

I tested my wife, twice, and both quickly came up positive.  I also tested myself and it came up negative.  Based on this, we contacted medical, and were told to come over to their office on deck 2 forward and to wear masks.  Since we had brought masks, we were able to go immediately over.  

The on-duty nurse listened to what we had to say.  Then, since my wife was the positive result, they asked about medications and medical conditions (normal type questions) before being escorted to an exam room.  Explained the situation to the doctor who checked my wife.  

After verifying the result, he instructed she take generic Nyquil and cough drops (both provided by the ship) and to take an allergy medicine (which I happened to have some in the cabin).  

Medical center

He also explained that since the cruise only had 3 days left in the cruise,  she would need to remain in our cabin for the remainder of the cruise (and not the required 5 days).   Because I tested negative, I was still free to roam around and not be in isolation.  

The doctor also explained that both Guest Services and medical would call to check on her twice a day and that  Royal Caribbean would provide us with free 1-device Wi-Fi and room service delivery. No cabin change was instructed or offered.

After getting my wife back into our cabin, I was free to do as I wished.  I decided to wear a mask for most of the time I was out of the cabin.  During this time, I started to realize as the day went on that I may also be getting sick.

The next day, I also tested positive, and was called down to medical.  I went through the same medical review and exam.  I assume because my explained symptoms were slightly different from my wife's, I was given an allergy medicine, which was good since I was now running out, Thera-Flu, and cough crops.  I also knew I now was in isolation.

What it was like in their cabin

Room on Brilliance of the Seas

We found we weren't that hungry, but did order food from room service, including (for Royal Night) Lobster Tail and other items from that night's Main Dining Room menu.

Medical and Guest Services regularly called us to check on how we were doing.  Unfortunately, we weren't always able to know which one it was due to being sick. 

Guest Services also provided us with disembarkation instructions that were later clarified.

We also received letters stating Royal Caribbean would be refunding us our cruise fares (3 days for my wife, 2 days for me) and we would be notified by Royal Caribbean on what that amount would be.

Disembarkation

Jewel of the Seas

The night before disembarkation day, we received  call from Room Service asking us for our breakfast order.  We placed an order and were told it would be delivered at about 6:30 AM.

The day of disembarkation, we received a call from Room Service notifying us of our breakfast delivery.  All of our luggage was packed and in our cabin.  

Departure instructions

Then at about 8:00 AM, an officer arrived with new KN-95 masks for us and to escort us out of the room.  We were led up to Deck 5, past a number of people in line to exit the ship, and to a conference room.  This is where we joined a number of other guests also wearing masks.  

Because we could not carry all of our luggage, some was left behind in the cabin and was later delivered onto a luggage cart outside the room.

After a few more guests joined us, a couple of Customs Agents came into the room and began to process us there.  This took time since they had to take a cell phone picture of a person, take their passport, and send/receive on the the information for each person.  

Once this was done, each couple was eventually escorted out of the room.  We were eventually escorted out of the room and (with our luggage) were escorted down the forward elevators to deck 2, where we were led off the front gangplank and onto the dock.  

We walked around the side of the building, bast the gate guard, and to the front of the terminal building where we had our friend come and pick us up.

Jim's thoughts

Hallway on Brilliance of the Seas

Considering the circumstances, it appeared Royal Caribbean tried to take care of us while trying to follow the current U.S. Government rules, and to allow us to rest.  

It was no fun being sick (and still does since we are still recovering as of my writing this) and missing out the last few days of the cruise.  But, overall Royal Caribbean did a reasonable job of handling the situation.

In case anyone was interested, there were about 25 people in isolation on disembarkation day, and a number of others reported in a Facebook group post (since removed) of  feeling sick after getting home. 

Dramamine vs Bonine: Which motion sickness medicine is best?

In:
12 Jul 2023

The last thing you want is to experience seasickness while onboard your cruise. The feelings of nausea and dizziness will prevent you from fully experiencing what the ship has to offer, whether it is lounging by the pool, indulging in a three-course meal, or enjoying one of the many night time entertainment options. 

dramamine-bonine-split

Thankfully, there are remedies that help curb these unpleasant feelings, such as ginger tea, transdermal patches, and green apples. Some of the most common, though, are over-the-counter medications: Dramamine and Bonine. 

Rough sea conditions can affect anyone, regardless of whether you are a first-time or veteran cruiser.

rough-weather-cruise-ship

What are the differences between these two popular medications, and which, if any, is better? Like any medication, the answer depends on many factors, including your age, preferences, and overall health. 

Read moreHow to beat seasickness on a cruise ship

Editor's note: Royal Caribbean Blog makes no warranties with regard to the safety or effectiveness of Bonine or Dramamine. It is always best to consult with a physician prior to taking any medication, especially if you have existing medical conditions, are pregnant, or you are taking other medications.

Moreover, note that this article contains affiliate links from Amazon, which costs you nothing extra. If you purchase the item through the link, Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission. 

First, what should you know about getting motion sick while on a cruise?

ough-weather-2

When you begin to feel seasick, it is because there are conflicts between your senses while in motion. In other words, your eyes, ears, muscles, and joints are sending mixed messaging to each other, thus disturbing the inner ear, which is where the vestibular system, or body's balance mechanism, is found. The vestibular system helps to create a sense of balance and spatial orientation. 

Those who experience seasickness are subject to feel a range of mild to severe symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, irritability, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats.  

Thankfully, cruise lines do everything possible to reduce the motion of the ship felt by guests. Today's ships are designed with stabilizers, or fins that jet off the sides of the ship, to help counteract the ocean's movement. This results in less turbulence felt onboard. The newer the cruise ship, the more advanced this technology will be. 

What are Bonine and Dramamine? 

rough-ocean-weather

The goal of both medications is the same: prevent you from feeling motion sicknesses. 

Dramamine is the older of the two, having been introduced to the market in 1949. It uses dimenhydrinate, an antihistamine which has a side effect of drowsiness. 

Bonine uses meclizine, another antihistamineand came into medical use in the early 1950s to treat nausea and vertigo. It offers similar benefits with less drowsiness. 

cvs-pharamacy-stock-medication

Over the years, other products have been developed to increase each brand's presence in the market, including non-drowsy and more natural formulas, as well as fast-acting medications. You can find off-brand versions of each, too. 

If you are looking for a brand with more choices, your best bet is Dramamine, as they more options available, ranging from the original product to their non-drowsy and less-drowsy formulas. Plus, they have formulas just for children. 

Bonine (Meclizine) Original Forumla 

Bonine

Active ingredients: Meclizine HCI 25mg per tablet 

Dosage: Dosage should be taken one hour before travel commences. For those 12 and older, you should take one to two tablets once daily, or as directed by a medical professional. 

Side effects: According to WedMD.com, drowsiness, dry mouth, and tiredness may occur. More serious side effects include mental/mood changes (i.e., restlessness, confusion), fast/irregular heartbeat, shaking/tremors, and difficulty urinating. 

Warnings: You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medication, as it can increase drowsiness. Moreover, you need to talk to a doctor prior to taking this medication if you have a history of breathing problems, high pressure in the eye, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures, stomach and intestine problems, an overactive thyroid, difficulty urinating, or liver or kidney problems. 

Cost: A pack of 16 chewable tablets from Amazon costs $9.99. You can, however, buy in bulk to save money. Two packs of 16 tablets each is currently selling for $15.99. 

pill-medication-water.

Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) Original Forumla 

Original-Dramamine

Active ingredients: Dimenhydrinate 50mg per tablet 

Dosage: You should take Dramamine a half hour to hour prior to when travel commences. For those who are 12-years-old and younger, you can take one to two tablets every four to six hours, not exceeding right tablets within a 24-hour period. Children between the ages and six and eleven can take ½ to one tablet every six to eight hours, not exceeding three tablets in 24-hours. Finally, those between the ages of two and six can take ½ of a tablet every six to eight hours, not exceeding 1.5 tablets in 24-hours. Of course, if your doctor has instructed you otherwise, it is best to listen to them.  

Side effects: Per WedMD.com, the most common side effects are drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, and dry mouth/nose/throat. Serious side effects include mental/mood changes, fast/irregular heartbeat, shaking/tremors, and difficulty urinating.

Warnings: Like with Bonine, limited alcohol should be consumed when taking this medication. It can increase the level of drowsiness that is felt. Similarly, speak with a doctor if you have a history of breathing problems, glaucoma, have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland, or are taking sedatives or tranquilizers. 

Cost: Two packs of the original chewable formula from Amazon is currently selling for $10.75. 

Other formulas 

dramamine-comparison

Nobody wants to feel sleepy while on vacation, which is why many turn to non-drowsy options. 

Note, though, that these can sometimes be less effective. Compared to Dramamine's original formula, the active ingredient in the non-drowsy version is 500mg of ginger (zingiber officinale), making it a more natural option. 

Another alternative is the all-day less drowsy formula, which contains the same 25mg of meclizine as Bonine, which advertises itself to be less drowsy than Dramamine. 

If you are someone who feels as though you are prone to feeling the effects of seasickness, you may benefit from Bonine's maximum strength tablets. These contain double the amount of meclizine as their traditional counterpart, or 50mg of meclizine HCI per tablet. Per their website, "there is nothing stronger without a prescription." 

Medications for children

dramamine-for-kids-seasickness

Currently, Dramamine for Kids is the only over-the-counter medication motion sickness relief formula for children between the ages two and twelve and contains 25mg of dimenhydrinate, which is half the amount found in the regular formula. 

Like with the original medication, the first dose should be consumed half-an-hour to one hour prior to activity, with those between the ages of two and five getting ½ to 1 tablet every six to eight hours, not exceeded more than three tablets within a single 24-hour period. 

Children between the ages of six and twelve are able to get one to two chewable tablets every six to eight hours. They should not take more than six within 24-hours, unless instructed differently by a doctor. 

What are some other seasickness remedies? 

peppermint-tea-seasickness

In addition to packing the right medication, there are some other ways you can prepare for the worst. If over-the-counter medications are not your thing, there are some natural remedies that work to help reduce the effects of motion sickness. 

While this one is not foolproof, it can be advantageous to do your research prior to selecting your cabin. Some locations are more prone to feeling the ship's motion, meaning that you might, too. Staterooms that are located in the middle of the ship and on lower decks tend to feel less motion than those on higher decks or that are located in the forward or aft of the vessel. 

Moreover, it might seem counterintuitive to walk outside and look at the ocean, but if you begin to feel ill you should look out at the horizon. Staring out helps give you a sense of balance. 

cruise-family-horizon-deck

Another method to help curb the negative side effects in the moment is to try and locate ginger ale, peppermint tea, or green apples, which contain pectin, a type of fiber found in the cell walls. 

6-gingerol, an active compound found in ginger, helps to reduce the feelings of nausea, making it one of the best natural remedies for seasickness. In addition to ginger ale, you can look for ginger tea, candies, and supplements prior to leaving for your cruise. Similarly, peppermint tea contains antibacterial properties that help reducing nausea an ease stomach cramps. 

Of course, there's always sea bands and transdermal scopolamine patches, and you should make sure that you are hydrated and well-rested throughout your cruise. 

6 questions we still have after Royal Caribbean released new health guidelines

In:
24 Sep 2020

Earlier this week, the Healthy Sail Panel released its initial recommendations for every cruise line to employ in order to make a safe and healthy return to sailing, but it did not answer every question cruisers have about what cruises will be like once they start up.

The Healthy Sail Panel addressed the major topics related to keeping guests and crew healthy on a cruise, while mitigating the chances of any kind of widespread infections. However, there are still a few areas that will need to be addressed by Royal Caribbean in their cruise line-specific protocols.

Here are the major questions RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers have expressed after reading the new recommendations.

What will be the reduced capacity of ships?

For quite a while we have known that the initial cruises that start up will not be at 100% capacity. Royal Caribbean has said many times, and the Panel agrees, that it will artificially reduce the capacity of its ships by not selling as many staterooms as possible.

Neither the Panel nor Royal Caribbean have given an exact percentage to this figure.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain was not able to give an exact figure during a webinar with travel advisors on Wednesday, "I think that is something that we will be dealing with. It will change over time. One of the recommendations from the panel is that we do this incrementally. So we start back and we do some test sailing."

"I don't have a number, and any number I start with is going to be wrong right away afterwards....it may depend on the ships too, it's not there's some magic percentage."

In addition, many guests want to know what happens if a particular sailing already is sold beyond that threshold and what logic will be implemented in order to determine who is not able to sail.

Any changes to Adventure Ocean?

The Healthy Sail Panel recommendations made little mention of children, and no references at all to the children's programming onboard.

While some may believe it will continue operating like any other area of the ship (albeit with the same mask protocols and other ship-wide policies), others are wondering if additional protocols for Adventure Ocean will be added.

Could there be reduced capacity at Adventure Ocean? Will check-in or check-out be handled differently in order to promote social distancing?

Will I get a refund if I test positive?

Another major concern is what happens if you test positive, either before your cruise or at check-in. Will you receive a refund since you are unable (but not unwilling) to cruise?

While the cruise contract everyone signs when booking a cruise seemingly offers no compensation, nothing about the current situation is usual, so will there be any special handling.

One of the recommendations by the Panel is Royal Caribbean is  "incumbent upon cruise operators to foster a culture of caring and compliance for guests."

"This includes education around the need for honesty and timeliness in reporting of COVID-19 symptoms or exposure without fear of negative repercussions."

Can I sightsee before my cruise?

A popular choice for many is to fly to their cruise embarkation port early and do some sightseeing, but will that still be permitted?

The Panel recommends getting a negative test in the days leading up to the cruise, but will going out to see various tourist attractions compromise the integrity of the test.

Will there be a rule prohibiting it, or will testing at the cruise terminal be the final means of determining health.

What changes will be made to the Windjammer and other counter service venues?

A major concern over the last few months was the fate of the Windjammer buffet, but the Panel barely mentioned it.

There is one mention of buffet, where it says it should not be self-service, "the Panel believes that removal of, and substitution for, self-service buffets during this time will help to maintain these general distancing guidelines and avoid overcrowding, and should therefore be implemented across all ships."

This could be easily achieved by having crew members serve guests, but it is unclear yet as to if that will be the only change.

Exactly where will I be able to not wear a mask?

A major focal point is the requirement to wear masks while onboard, although there are at least a few areas where masks are not required.

The question remains where exactly will masks not be required.

The Panel noted masks are not needed in these locations:

  • Cabin
  • Seating in restaurants and bars/lounges
  • Outdoor settings as long as physical distancing is feasible

Will this be the only places, or are more available? How will smoking be handled in designated areas? Is the Solarium considered an outdoor setting?

All the health policies Royal Caribbean has confirmed or hinted once cruises resumes

In:
14 Aug 2020

Over the last few months, Royal Caribbean has talked, announced and even hinted at a variety of things that it will do once cruises resume to keep guests safe.

While the entirety of their new health policies and procedures will be forthcoming with the release of the Healthy Sail Panel recommendations later this month, there have been some indication of what to expect through various statements and comments.

Here is a look at the confirmed and strongly hinted at changes we can expect to be part of Royal Caribbean's recommendations.

Confirmed: Social distancing

A few different Royal Caribbean executives have stated at least initially, there will be reduced capacity on cruise ships in order to promote social distancing.

As of right now, reducing guest capacity is not expected to be permanent.

In addition, other forms of social distancing are being explored, including reduced capacity at dining and other public venues, staggered embarkation and check-in and the addition of more options for entertainment such as additional show times to allow for social distancing.

MoreRoyal Caribbean will add social distancing on its cruise ships

Hinted: Testing

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley said COVID-19 testing of guests is very likely to occur.

"Testing is part of the thinking that we have not yet reached a point in our protocols where we're ready to publish and release for for discussion," Mr. Bailey started, "But it's very likely that testing will occur."

The statement did not include if guests, crew, or everyone on the ship would be tested, but that is likely to be part of the Healthy Sail Panel's recommendations when they are published.

Confirmed: Muster 2.0

A new electronic muster drill is one of the new initiatives that blends tech innovations with guest policies, and it will allow guests to conduct the mandatory safety drill in a social distance-approved manner.

Known as Muster 2.0, guests will be able to complete the muster drill via mobile devices instead of standing in a line at the muster station.

Within a 4 hour window, guests can review safety information in the mobile app or interactive stateroom TV. Then they just have to visit the assembly station to complete the process.

MoreTop 10 questions about Royal Caribbean's new Muster 2.0

Confirmed: New Chief Medical Officer

With all the changes Royal Caribbean expects to add, there is going to be a need to implement and monitor these new policies effectively. To that point, Royal Caribbean has created its public health czar by creating a brand new role.

Dr. Calvin Johnson has been hired to be Royal Caribbean's Global Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer.

This new role will tackle the needs of the global health and wellness policy, manage its public health and clinical practice, and determine the strategic plans and operations of its global healthcare organization.

In addition, Dr. Johnson will  collaborate with the Healthy Sail Panel to ensure the company establishes and implements its protocols and recommendations. 

Confirmed: Enhanced sanitization

Cruise ships had already been aggressive with onboard sanitization, but expect a higher level of attention to this need once ships resume sailing.

Royal Caribbean has said guests can expect enhanced health and safety standards that will come out of the panel's work, such as enhanced embarkation screening, temperature screenings at the pier, and testing options for guests and crew.

Confirmed: Modified buffet

It looked like early on that the Windjammer buffet would be removed, or completely reworked, but Royal Caribbean has said the buffet will exist, albeit with some tweaks.

Royal Caribbean Global Vice President Culinary, Dining & Beverage, Linken D'Souza confirmed the buffet will remain.

"But rest assured, the buffet will exist. There may be some small modifications that allow us to ensure that we have a really great, healthy return to service. But your favorites and what you're used to at the Windjammer will still be there."

"So I'll I'll put that to rest. We will absolutely have a Windjammer with all of your favorites in a very similar fashion to what you've had previously and maybe some different service steps to ensure healthy service."

Many more health protocols by the end of August

While this list gives a preview of a few changes to expect, the vast bulk of changes are forthcoming when the Healthy Sail Panel releases its recommendations.

The first set of recommendations should be delivered to Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line by the end of August 2020.

According to Royal Caribbean, this will be a pretty good outline of what changes the cruise line should implement.

Top 10 health concerns on a cruise ship Royal Caribbean's Healthy Sail Panel will address

In:
27 Jul 2020

When Royal Caribbean announced its blue ribbon panel of health experts, it promised to deliver a new set of the best guidelines for keeping passengers and crew safe during a cruise.

The primary concern for so many cruisers is what exactly will the panel address, and what sort of policies will they come up with so that cruises can resume.

While Royal Caribbean has not divulged much information about the work the panel is engaged in, we do know some key areas to expect answers about once they deliver their recommendations.

Enhanced embarkation screening

Prior to cruises shutting down in March, we got a small taste of what to expect in the pre-cruise check-in area.

Royal Caribbean implemented mandatory temperature checks for all guests, and we should expect enhanced embarkation screening, temperature screenings, testing options for guests and crew going forward.

Another idea being considered is staggered embarkation and check-in to spread out guests on the first day of the cruise.

Social distancing on the ships

A major change that could be coming to cruise ships is social distancing, and this could come in a variety of forms.

Initially, Royal Caribbean expects to reduce the overall guest capacity on board their cruise ships to make social distancing easier, although this will not be permanent. This means ships would sail intentionally with less guests than its capacity.

The panel is exploring other options for social distancing, including reduced capacity at dining and other public venues, and the addition of more options for entertainment such as additional show times to allow for social distancing.

What if potential cases arise on a cruise ship?

While the primary intention is to create policies that totally prevent the spread of any disease on its ships, the reality is Royal Caribbean will need to come up with a plan to deal with any new cases that occur onboard.

The panel will be working closely with the governments and ports the ships visit around the world to establish plans and protocols for the resumption of cruises, including protocols to deal with COVID-19 cases that arise.

The Healthy Sail Panel will address this in its recommendations.

What if cruises resume and the recommended protocols fail?

Any good plan needs a "worst case scenario" contingency, and Royal Caribbean is no different.  Whatever the Healthy Sail Panel comes up with is based on theoretical plans, and how well it works onboard will not be known until cruises restart.

The goal of the Healthy Sail Panel is to provide a robust and comprehensive set of protocols and recommendations to cover many different possible scenarios and minimize risk.

In the unfortunate event that a situation arises, the cruise operators are committed to quickly addressing any issues and developing appropriate solutions. The main priority will remain the health and safety of guests and crew, and the communities Royal Caribbean visits, and the cruise line will act accordingly.

How long will the panel be working on addressing new challenges?

The timeline of the panel and their work seems to indicate they will be around for a while to troubleshoot issues as they appear.

The initial contract that the panel members signed is for two years, and the expert panel will work together as long as necessary.

After the fleets return to service, Gov. Leavitt and Dr. Gottlieb will continue to assist the companies in evolving their approaches as new insights emerge. Royal Caribbean will continue to evolve protocols and standards as appropriate.

How much of an increase will there be to onboard medical teams?

In order to properly implement these new protocols, as well as properly tackle any onboard situations, an enhanced medical presence onboard cruise ships could be part of the plan.

Royal Caribbean is evaluating numerous options to increase resources in terms of both personnel and equipment for the onboard medical centers.

The addition of new or enhanced protocols could result in the need to hire additional crew, including crew members with specialized expertise and training. This will depend on the final protocols and what will be needed to implement them.

Will we need to wear masks on a cruise?

Perhaps no single topic is of higher interest in the short-term than if guests will have to wear masks during a cruise, and there is no clear answer yet.

Royal Caribbean wants to deliver the same core guest experience that makes cruising so popular, but with an adapted format.

"With the gradual reopening of other leisure experiences, consumers are having to adapt to the new normal and cruising will be no different."

Once the panel makes their recommendations, we will know if masks will be part of the overall approach.

Disinfection protocols

It is very likely we will see new means of which to sanitize the ship, based on comments from various Royal Caribbean executives.

Enhanced sanitization and disinfection protocols, upgraded air filtration, social distancing, reduced occupancy, and changes to dining and other initiatives are just some of the proposed changes onboard.

The use of technology is going to play a key role, such as UV light.

Fate of the buffet

There has been quite a lot of discussion related to if there will be a buffet still on cruise ships once they resume sailings, and it looks like the buffet will remain, albeit with some changes.

While the Windjammer buffet will be there, how it operates is still up in the air. Royal Caribbean has worked through a few different scenarios, from employee service to individual portions to individual tongs for self-service, to finger koozies that you can pick up hot dishes with that can be washed and sanitized.

Thus far guests should expect the Windjammer to remain, but with some different service steps to ensure healthy service.

The crew

Just like guests, keeping crew members safe is going to be part of the Healthy Sail Panel's recommendations.

Royal Caribbean will take additional measures to ensure the protection of their crew, so expect new protocols to be part of the overall new plan.

CLIA wants cruise lines to work closer with CDC to resume cruises

In:
21 Jul 2020

The cruise line trade group thinks the best approach to get cruise ships sailing again faster is more unified approach from the industry.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) held a phone conference with members of the media on Tuesday to go over their approach for resuming cruises.

CLIA Global Chair (and former Royal Caribbean International CEO) Adam Goldstein believes the cruise industry needs to keep its "eye on the prize" in terms of getting back to service.

Goldstein indicated he expects new policies related to the current global health crisis to be added to CLIA’s Compendium of Policies, which would help in streamlining the industry's handling of health and safety onboard its ships.

"We have tried to work with member cruise lines and be as supportive as we possibly can. In some cases, members are very keen for CLIA to take the lead while in other cases individual lines have felt compelled to take the lead themselves."

"Our goal remains to emerge from this with a unified approach policy-wide, across the association, that all member lines will sign up for."

There were no specifics given on a timeline for releasing new policies or protocols, just that CLIA is actively working with the CDC.

Cruises held to a double standard

While the cruise lines have been shut down since March, other aspects of travel have re-opened without any oversight from the CDC, including theme parks, hotels and airlines.

When asked if the cruise industry was being treated unfairly compared to other aspects of the travel industry, Mr. Goldstein believes cruising already adheres to many more regulations that makes them unique.  Moreover, Mr. Goldstein feels complaining about it things being unfair will not achieve anything.

"Cruise ships live under a unique and different reporting regime because they are constantly crisscrossing international boundaries. So what people, including our regulator, believe about our environment is much greater than what they could possibly know about any of these other sister environments in the travel and tourism industry."

"Is it unfair? It’s not a question of fairness but one of preparation and execution. We need to keep our eye on the prize, lamenting on things is not going to get us there. Engagement, dialogue, preparation and execution are what’s going to get us there."

Royal Caribbean will have new health protocols by end of August

In:
08 Jul 2020

Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced their ambitious new panel of health experts earlier this week, which aims to get its first set of recommendations for both cruise lines by the end of August 2020.

The Healthy Sail Panel will is comprised of 11 subject-matter experts, who represent a diverse group of health advocates that have experience not only in their professional fields, but also working with government officials.

The Royal Caribbean Group spoke with members of the media on Tuesday, and provided a timeline of events for the panel.

Carol Cabezas, Azamara's Vice President and Chief Operating Officer indicated the panel would have their initial recommendations by the end of August.

"The panel has been together several weeks now. And the goal is to offer their initial recommendations by the end of August."

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service Vicki Freed echoed that timeline later in the meeting.

"We expect to get a first draft of a pretty good outline of what the changes we need to do by late August, they're going to be reporting back to us."

Open source transparency

While the Healthy Sail Panel is tasked with coming up with protocols for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, their findings are going to be made available to any cruise line and company.

Ms. Cabezas indicated the work of the panel is going to be open source, which means it will be available to anyone who needs it or wants it at no cost. 

"We want to make sure we're completely open, very candid on what we're doing, how we're doing it."

The Royal Caribbean Group has made it clear that it wants this work to be transparent, and freely available for all to scrutinize and build upon, regardless of which company wants to benefit from it.

"The one thing we know about our industry when it comes to safety and security," Ms. Freed said, "there is no competition."

Adding to that point, Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service, mentioned how proud she was of the work being done by this panel, "I think this Healthy Sail Panel is not only going to assist us and make sure that in the cruise industry that we have the best protocols and set us up on the healthiest and safest vacation possible, but frankly, to help all of the all of the industries, no matter what it is, hotel or airline or cruise line."

What new protocols to expect

The question on everyone's mind is what new policies and procedures the panel will come up with, and while the panel is hard at work to come up with their complete set of recommendations, we do have at least a preview of what direction they might work towards.

Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service spoke about the potential enhanced health and safety standards that will may come out of the panel's work.

"Enhanced embarkation screening, temperature screenings at the pier, testing options for our guests and our crew. Obviously enhanced sanitation and disinfection protocols, use of technology, things like the UV light."

"Clearly, social distancing when we can, and one of the ways to do that is, of course, reduce the amount of guests capacity on board, reduce the capacity in different dining venues, in public venues, and then things like, maybe doing an extra show where we have additional show times and staggered embark and check in."

Ultimately, the panel will work through all the options and practices considered, and come up with the best course of action for the cruise lines.

What changes will Royal Caribbean make to keep guests healthy once cruises resume?

In:
19 May 2020

While many cruisers are anxious to return to cruising, some are wondering what the cruise experience will be like in first few months once cruises resume.

Without a doubt, Royal Caribbean will implement a wide variety of policy changes to the onboard experience, but it remains to be seen exactly what these changes will look like until a formal announcement is made.

Here is a look at  the changes we know about, as well as what we think is reasonable to expect, once cruises start back up again.

Confirmed changes

Royal Caribbean has been very quiet in terms of announcing specifics to what it will be like once cruising resumes, but a few bits and pieces are generally known.

Prior to shutting down cruises, Royal Caribbean implemented some rules, as well as retracting others.

Temperature Checks

One of the first policies the cruise line added even before sailings stopped was to add mandatory temperature screening for guests.

Beginning on March 6, 2020, the cruise line conducted mandatory temperature screenings that looked for temperatures above 100.4°F or 38° C. Anyone with that kind of a high temperature would undergo a secondary health screening and have a medical professional evaluate and determine if they are fit to sail.

Enhanced sanitization

For the last few sailings, Royal Caribbean also took additional steps onboard its ships and in the cruise terminals by thoroughly sanitizing the cruise ship terminal before and after every sailing.

The cruise line also added extra medical staff on each sailing, special sanitizing of high traffic areas onboard the ship, and complimentary consultations with medical experts for all guests & crew.

No doctor's note will be required to cruise

Although never implemented on any sailings, Royal Caribbean added a rule to prevent any guest 70 years or older from boarding a ship without a doctor's note, but then rescinded it in April.

The rule came from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)  and said guests who are 70 years old or older, or have a pre-existing chronic medical condition would not be able to sail unless a doctor's note affirmed the guest's good health.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service Vicki Freed confirmed a health form is no longer required for those travelers ages 70 plus, nor are there restrictions for those guests with underlying health conditions.

Buffet eliminated

It looks like the buffet is also going to be done away with in light of health and safety concerns.

Royal Caribbean International President & CEO Michael Bayley spoke on the topic recently, and indicated the Windjammer buffet will not be a traditional buffet, and instead transformed into something else.

"We've got teams working on every single element of the guest experience, and we obviously have a team working on the buffet. I think in the beginning, there will not be a buffet in the beginning, that's how I see it. It depends again upon the timing. We will utilize the space, we will utilize the Windjammer, but in all probability it won't be a classical buffet. It will be something more akin to a restaurant."

"I think the key focus on dining, for example, is making sure that our guests have plenty of choice. But now, that plenty of choice has to be put through the lens of distancing, and safety and health, etc. in a more acute way. I think there will be changes for sure, and I think the word 'buffet' will diminish and we'll replace it with a new concept."

Plan is in the works

Beyond what is listed here, Royal Caribbean has indicated repeatedly they are working with health officials to craft a plan of new policies and requirements to keep guests safe.

"You need to be timing your return to service so it fits with how consumers are thinking about taking a vacation. We have some protocols that we need to really get right, and of course we need to be working with the CDC on all of these things," Bayley said recently about returning to service.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain has spoken on numerous occasions about the work going on behind-the-scenes to prepare for the resumption of cruises.

"Looking forward to restarting, health and safety are absolutely paramount as I've said before, what was fine just a few weeks ago is no longer adequate. Good enough just good enough. We need to raise the bar to new heights, and we have teams of doctors, of scientists, of epidemiologists, and teams of people who know our business, all looking hard and charting the safest and surest path forward that we can."

"At Royal Caribbean, we're using this time of the suspension to learn as much as we can about this disease, and how to contain it. We're using this time to consult with experts in the field. We're trying to understand the science. We're using this develop new ways of doing things to protect the health of our guests, and our crew. Our objective is to make our ships not just good enough, but the best they can be."

Unconfirmed changes

In lieu of much information on what policy changes Royal Caribbean is planning, lots of people have speculated on what could be coming based on what other cruise lines, theme parks and municipalities are announcing.

There are plenty of steps Royal Caribbean could take to keep guests safe, including screenings, temperature checks, on-site medical professionals, social distance markers and additional shields and safeguards, mandatory PPE training for all staff, and more.

Face masks while cruising

The role of wearing a face mask in some capacity onboard the ship is a topic of discussion among many cruisers who are concerned with what level of social distancing will be required.

While Royal Caribbean has not commented at all on the role masks will play, the cruise line did file a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for "Seaface".

The trademark lists the description of the trademark simply as:

Trademark applications usually quite vague in regard to their intended use, so it remains to be seen precisely how it will be used, if at all.

Anecdotally, while a great majority of cruisers have no issue with going back on a cruise without a vaccine, many seem to be concerned about being forced to wear a mask.

Digital muster drills

Another trademark filing made during the shutdown is for something called "emuster".

There is no other information provided, but the name has many thinking it indicates Royal Caribbean might be changing its safety drills to make them more of a self-service role.

The muster drill is a compulsory drill required of all guests to gather in designated areas around the ship in order to understand where to go and what to do in the case of a real emergency.

Currently, the muster drill involves large groups of guests lining up in close proximity to each other while being counted and briefed on what to expect in the case of an emergency.

Your thoughts

What changes do you think Royal Caribbean will make to keep its guests safe? What sort of protocols or policies do you see as absolutely necessary, and will any of these stop you from cruising? Share your opinions in the comments!

This is the longest we've gone without Royal Caribbean cancelling more cruises

In:
11 May 2020

If you are keeping score at home, we have now gone through the longest period of time since Royal Caribbean voluntarily suspended all of its cruises without any more cruises being cancelled.

Here is the breakdown of the recent timeline of cancelled cruise announcements:

The time between the first and second announcements of cancelled cruises was 11 days, and then the second and third round took 23 days.

At the risk of jinxing things, today marks 25 days since the last round of cancelled cruises.

This statistical anomaly is not necessarily an indicator that more cruises will not be cancelled. In fact, Royal Caribbean disclosed last week that more cancelled cruises are possible, as continued disruptions to travel and port operations in various regions.

However, it is a good sign that with shelter in place laws being lifted around the United States and abroad, perhaps this just one more sign that we are getting closer to cruises resuming.

More than any other question, cruisers are curious to know when will Royal Caribbean resume cruises.

Royal Caribbean has not provided much detail on when it intends to resume cruises, other than stating it will resume cruises on June 12, 2020 (with the exception of Canada, New England and Alaska sailings).

Carnival Cruises announced a more fleshed out plan to resume sailings later this summer, while simultaneously cancelling more cruises. The announcement seemed to carry more weight with it, as it provided more than just a new target date to sail again.

When do you think cruises will start back up again? Share your predictions in the comments!

Royal Caribbean trademarks name for sanitary masks

In:
22 Apr 2020

The current health crisis has lead Royal Caribbean to file a new trademark for its own brand of sanitary masks.

Royal Caribbean has filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for "Seaface".

The trademark lists the description of the tradmark simply as:

Trademark applications usually quite vague in regard to their intended use, so it remains to be seen precisely how it will be used, if at all.

The trademark was filed on April 8, 2020 and is intended for cruise ship services. The trademark lists it as a "medical apparatus".

It has been widely speculated that Royal Caribbean, like all cruise lines, will have to take extensive new measures to protect guests against the spread of any communicable ailment on its ships.

Deserved or not, cruise lines have been the scapegoat for many in the court of public opinion that they are extra susceptible to person-to-person spread.

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