Royal Caribbean Blog

After a year of Royal Caribbean cancelling cruises due to the global health crisis, is there a pattern to when they cancel sailings?

There are plenty of theories out there that the announcements come on Fridays, or after 5pm, or before calls with travel agents, but it is not clear if there really is any kind of pattern.

I wanted to determine if Royal Caribbean follows any sort of pattern when it cancels its cruises by looking at the past cancellation notices and trying to determine if there is truly a "method to the madness" of cancellations.

Read more: The unconfirmed cruise ship rumors that get repeated a lot by cruise fans

To accomplish this, I looked back at past RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com posts about the cancellations.  I always posted them very soon after Royal Caribbean made the announcement to cancel, so it is an easy way to get a sense of when the cruises were cancelled, as well as how many days before the scheduled sailing was to begin.

• June 20201
  • Cancelled Tuesday, April 6 at 2pm
  • 56 days before first sailing
• May 2021
  • Cancelled Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10am
  • 53 days before first sailing
• March/April 2021
  • Cancelled Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 9am
  • 48 days before first sailing
• January/February 2021
  • Cancelled Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11am
  • 61 days before first sailing
• December 2020
  • Cancelled Monday, November 2, 2020 at 4pm
  • 29 days before first sailing
• November 2020
  • Cancelled Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 4pm
  • 26 days before first sailing
• October 2020
  • Cancelled Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 10am
  • 57 days before first sailing
• Mid-September 2020
  • Cancelled Friday, July 17, 2020 at 10am
  • 46 days before first sailing
• August/Early September 2020
  • Cancelled Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 9am
  • 39 days before first sailing
• July 2020
  • Cancelled Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at noon
  • 42 days before sailing

Looking back at these cancellations, the only thing resembling a pattern are cancellations most often occur on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Read more: Top 8 things repeat cruisers seem to say all the time

There appears to be no pattern to the time of day tends to favor before noon eastern, although there were a few that came in at the end of the day.

How many days before the first affected sailing also seems to not follow much of a pattern, unless you count "more than 26 days and less than 60 days" as a pattern.

The best takeaway I can determine from this data is Royal Caribbean cancels cruises when they come to a consensus that there is no chance for these cruises to occur.

Industry pattern

There is a different pattern for cruise cancellations that Royal Caribbean is absolutely following, and that is following other cruise lines.

When one of the top three mainstream cruise lines cancels a cruise, usually the other two lines follow with similar cancellations a few days or weeks later.

There has not been a pattern which cruise line starts first, but so far Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have been following each other's leads when it comes to cancelling more cruises for the same duration of time.

Cruise fans looking for optimism about the return to service should look no further than Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald's latest comments.

During a webinar, Mr. Donald told travel industry insiders that he thinks many of his brands ships will be cruising by the end of the year.

"What I will predict is this: I think that certainly by the end of this year, most, if not all, of our fleet, I’m optimistic, will be in action."

"I think there’s a really high probability that all of them will be back by early next year if things continue to progress the way they have."

Why is Mr. Donald so bullish on the return of cruises?

In short, he thinks a faster rollout of the vaccine, better treatments and low-cost testing are all working towards move the global health crisis away from a public health emergency.

"The combination of all that bodes really well and puts us in a good position," he said about the advances being made.

"The knowledge about covid has changed. The ability to manage covid has changed. All these things have moved in a positive direction."

Mr. Donald's comments echo similar comments from Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain who has pointed to positive signs in the fight against covid.

Earlier this month, Mr. Fain touted the rollout of the vaccine and new health protocols as a key component to moving towards a restart.

"The vaccines and other steps we are taking are also important to protect the crew. In the beginning, it was really very difficult to ensure that the crew members were virus free. But the new vaccines, testing and other steps are giving us the opportunity to protect them as never before."

Speaking of the vaccine, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, co-chair of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ and Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel, told CNBC he believes covid vaccine appointments will be widely available by April in the U.S.

"I think we’re going to run out of demand sooner than we think. I suspect that in some point in March and certainly by the end of March, we’re going to have to make this generally available."

"That doesn’t mean everyone can go and get a vaccine on April 1, but I think everyone is going to be able to go online and get an appointment sooner than we think."

Dr. Scott Gottlieb was the Commissioner of the FDA from 2017-2019 and served as the agency’s Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs from 2005- 2007.

He believes supply constraints will remain throughout February that justify having more narrow eligibility criteria. "But at some point in March, states are going to have to make decisions about how to open this up more widely."

Royal Caribbean Group has scheduled its fourth quarter earnings call with investors, and this call is going to be our best chance at a tangible update on where things stand with the cruise line.

The purpose of the call is to provide a business update and discuss fourth quarter 2020 financial results.

Earnings calls are hosted by Royal Caribbean Group's top executives, and it is a combination of disclosures and Q&A. 

Royal Caribbean Group will host their call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Monday, February 22, 2021.

Executives may start off the call with some insight into where they see things headed in the near term, but the bulk of the call will be investors asking the cruise line executives about things not in the report, which may have an impact on guests as well.

As we gear up for this conference call, here are the big questions cruise fans are just as eager to know answers to as Wall Street.

When will test cruises begin?

If there is one milestone cruise fans and Wall Street is eager to see, it is test cruises beginning.

Test cruises are a requirement of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s Conditional Sail Order to demonstrate that the new health protocols the cruise line proposes will actually work.

Test cruises are seen as an indication of progress, and the return of ships to sea for simulated voyages would be as important to the morale of the cruise industry, as it would be for satisfying the CDC's requirements.

Up until now, there has been no indication at all by any cruise line that test cruises are on the horizon.

Just last week, Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, told travel agents there has not been any updates on test cruises because nothing is planned yet.

"The reason you haven't heard anything is because we don't have dates yet," Freed said. "We don't have any more information."

Read more: Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean test cruises

When will cruises restart outside of Asia?

In conjunction with test cruises, the other major question is when will revenue sailings actually restart.

Wall Street has seen some pretty dismal numbers from Royal Caribbean Group since the cruise industry shut down.  Billion dollar losses are easier to tolerate if there is a plan for revenue to improve, and cruises need to restart for Royal Caribbean Group to return to profitability.

The reality is we will almost certainly not get any kind of firm answer on this topic.  However, there could be enough "reading between the lines" information for analysts to get a sense of confidence from the executives.

Even if we all know the answer is "no one knows", that will not stop analysts from asking (likely) many questions about it.

Read more: No, nobody knows if the cruise you have booked will actually sail

How cooperative has the CDC been?

In the months since the CDC lifted the No Sail Order, there has been very little visible progress in cruise lines getting back to service and that has some wondering about the relationship between cruise lines and the CDC.

Carnival Corporation indicated during their quarterly earnings call this month that they are still waiting on the full instructions from the CDC, almost three months after the No Sail Order was lifted.

While Carnival did not come out and say it, it sounded like the CDC was dragging their feet in the process and it would not surprise me to hear at least one Wall Street analyst ask about the relationship with the federal agency, and what hurdles remain.

Royal Caribbean has not said much on the topic of the CDC, but Ms. Freed told travel agents that the cruise line has to "tread very carefully" when it comes to working with the government to get cruising restarted.

"We can't push them to make us sail," she said. "It has to be jointly agreed upon. We have to tread very carefully with them, and we want to work with them as a good partner. We don't have answers yet, because we're waiting for answers."

Read more: Why haven't cruise lines been more aggressive with the CDC?

Any plans to sell more ships?

Royal Caribbean Group has sold Majesty and Empress of the Seas, as well all of Azamara.  Will more ships be sold?

Shoring up the company's bottom line has been something other cruise lines have done by selling cruise ships, and the question if more ships will be sold or scrapped remains a hot topic.

Cash is king for cruise lines right now, as the more money you have on hand, the longer you can survive the industry shutdown without revenue.  Outside of taking out new loans, selling ships has been a popular option for other cruise lines.

As we all know, these plans can change at any time, especially if the losses start adding up.

Read more: Which Ships Did Royal Caribbean Sell?

New protocols

Assuming Royal Caribbean Group does not have all the answers on a firm restart plan, the next best thing to assuage investors is a plan for cruises to be able to restart in a safe manner.

While the Healthy Sail Panel has provided key recommendations on what it says cruise lines should do, Royal Caribbean has not specified exactly which of its Royal Promise rules are intended for Singapore sailings versus the entire fleet.

The new rules have an additional effect on the psyche of the public prior to cruises starting, by adding confidence that the operations are indeed safe. Similar to how airlines and local businesses added new protocols to keep guests safe, the cruise lines are looking to demonstrate the lengths at which they will go to in order to keep everyone healthy.

An update to the Cruise Contract provides insight into the direction they are thinking.

Read more: Top 10 most surprising new cruise health protocols

How strong is demand for cruises?

Royal Caribbean (and all cruise lines) are hurting financially now, but the promise of a better tomorrow is what investors are most interested in, especially once cruises can restart.

One of the saving graces for Royal Caribbean has been very strong demand for cruises in the months to come.

A combination of pent-up demand by the public to travel once the global health crisis eases, along with veteran cruisers eager to get back onboard has bolstered cruise bookings over the course of the next few months.

Investors will likely want to know how well-booked Royal Caribbean is not only for the remainder of 2021, but into 2022 and beyond. 

The exact date cruises will resume is unknown, but being able to hit the ground running with good demand will help Royal Caribbean rebound faster.

Read more: Latest update from Richard Fain

How you can listen to the earnings call

There will be full coverage of anything intriguing that comes out of Royal Caribbean Group's fourth quarter 2020 earnings call right here on RoyalCaribbeanBlog, but if you would like to listen on your own, here's how.

The call will be available on-line at the company's investor relations website, www.rclinvestor.com.  

You will be able to listen via the link provided close to the start of the call.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires people on public transportation to wear masks, but what is the penalty if you don't comply?

If you don't wear a face mask on an airplane, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will fine you, but the Coast Guard will not do the same for cruise ship guests violating the new Federal rules.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) passed a new order that requires people to wear masks on public transportation, which includes aircraft, train, road vehicle, vessel or other means of transport.

Passengers who refuse to wear masks can be fined $250 for the first infraction and up to $1,500 for repeat offenses on airplanes, airports, passenger rail, or buses.

What about cruise ships?

The CDC order definitely includes cruise ships as part of the order, but the TSA does not cover cruise ships.

Enforcement of the CDC's order on cruise ships will fall to the U.S. Coast Guard, and it appears there will not be the same type of individual fines levied.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard for clarification on fines for someone who goes on a cruise ship and tries to buck the cruise line rules by not wearing a mask.

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard provided a vague explanation that they intend to ensure cruise ships are enforcing the rules, but stopped short of saying they would fine passengers caught breaking the rules in a similar way that the TSA does.

The Coast Guard said that cruise lines must "use best efforts" to enforce the face mask rules, which includes:

• boarding only those persons who wear masks;
• instructing persons that federal law requires wearing a mask on the conveyance and failure to comply constitutes a violation of federal law;
• monitoring persons onboard the conveyance for anyone who is not wearing a mask and seeking compliance from such persons;
• at the earliest opportunity, disembarking any person who refuses to comply; and
• providing persons with prominent and adequate notice to facilitate awareness and compliance of the requirement of this Order to wear a mask; best practices may include, if feasible, advanced notifications on digital platforms, such as on apps, websites, or email; posted signage in multiple languages with illustrations; printing the requirement on transit tickets; or other methods as appropriate.

"Conveyance operators may be subject to civil or criminal penalties should they fail to make best efforts to take appropriate actions regarding non-compliant passengers on their vessels.

"Failure to implement a mask wearing program may result in control action taken by the COTP directing the movement and operation of a vessel."

"Additionally, if passengers refuse to wear a mask, operators may provide the persons with prominent and adequate notice to facilitate awareness and compliance of the requirement of this Order to wear a mask, and instruct the person that federal law requires wearing a mask on the conveyance and failure to comply constitutes a violation of federal law; and Vessel operators are directed to make best efforts to, at the earliest opportunity, disembark any person who refuses to comply."

"Repeated failure to impose the mask mandate could result in civil penalties and/or criminal action. The Coast Guard is also charged with enforcing CDC laws and regulations, failure to adhere to the CDC mask order may result in civil or criminal penalties issued by the Coast Guard on behalf of the CDC.

"The COTP may issue orders prohibiting vessels from mooring at a port facility that fails to implement the CDC mask requirements."

While the Coast Guard may not fine anyone like the TSA will, they do recommend the cruise line kick them off the ship as soon as possible.

In the CDC's order, the agency says that criminal penalties are an option, but thinks most people will comply.

"While this Order may be enforced and CDC reserves the right to enforce through criminal penalties, CDC does not intend to rely primarily on these criminal penalties but instead strongly encourages and anticipates widespread voluntary compliance as well as support from other federal agencies in implementing additional civil measures enforcing the provisions of this Order, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order of January 21, 2021"

Royal Caribbean requires guests to wear face masks on its Quantum of the Seas sailings in Singapore, and its cruise contract for all guests clearly states guests must wear masks in most locations outside of the Passenger’s cabin while onboard, during embarkation, disembarkation and shore excursions.

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds COVID-19 into cruise contract for all passengers

The cruise contract goes on to say that if a passenger (or anyone in their traveling party) engages in noncompliance with new health protocols, they can be disembarked and reported to government authorities.

Royal Caribbean joined five other cruise lines in signing up for an initiative to bring shore power to PortMiami.

Along with the CEOs of Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean announced they support a new push to bring shore power to PortMiami.

This marks the first step in making shore power a reality for cruise ships for cruise ships at Port Miami.

Miami Dade's mayor's office will convene a working group with representatives of each company to work toward an initial installation and eventually a full rollout in the years to come. 

Entrepreneur and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is helping lead this initiative as a volunteer special advisor focused on the future of cruising, working with the Mayor's office, the Port, and cruise companies to shape a more resilient cruise industry.

What is shore power?

Ordinarily, when a cruise ship is docked at a pier, it runs off its engines while in port, similar to how your car idles at a red light.  The ship is burning fuel during the process, which like any fossil fuel burning mode of transportation, emits smoke into the air around the port.

Shore power allows cruise ships to "hook up" to electricity at the port, so that the engines do not need to operate while the ship is letting passengers off the ship and bringing new ones onboard.

This means ships using shore power save on fuel use while on port that they would otherwise need to keep the ship going. It also reduces air pollution emissions.associated with consumption of that fuel.

Many ships were built to use shore power. Cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron says over half of Carnival's fleet could take advantage of shore power.

The source of this electricity for shore side power will likely be provided by Florida Power and Light, which obtains most of its electricity from natural gas, followed by Nuclear power.

While natural gas and Nuclear power are cleaner than Diesel engines, there is still air pollution from the electricity generated by natural gas and Nuclear power has its own sets of challenges, including where to store the waste.

While Royal Caribbean tries to salvage the 2021 Alaska and New England cruise season, guests will have more time to make final payment.

In an effort to keep guests from canceling their cruise to Alaska or New England due to Canada's ban on cruise ships, the cruise line announced on Wednesday the final payment date will be reduced from 90 to 45 days.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, told travel agents that the cruise line is working to figure out a way to legally sail cruises while skipping Canada, but in the meantime the final payment date will be reduced for these cruises.

"I know this was not news any of us wanted to hear, and we truly hope that your clients will stick with us as we work through this evolving situation."

"Therefore, we've made the decision to push the final payment due date for Alaska sailings and Canada sailings to forty five days before sailing so that we have more time to hopefully work through all of the challenges of getting back into service."

Specifically, the 45 day final payment date applies only for those sail dates that approach and reach the final payment date that will get it pushed to forty five days for final payment.

In addition to pushing back the final payment date, Royal Caribbean has offered guests options for changing their sailing or getting a refund:

• Leave their bookings as they are, and wait to see what happens. All final payment dates have been extended to just 45 days prior to embarkation day.
• Request a 100% refund of the amount they've paid, to the original form of payment, to be processed by June 30, 2021.
• Choose a 125% future cruise credit (for sailings booked by April 30, 2022, and departing through September 30, 2022). Credits will be issued by April 16, 2021.
• Select a modified Lift & Shift, allowing the reservation to be moved to the same date next year (plus or minus one week) on the same ship with the same itinerary.

Canada recently announced a year-long ban on cruise ships from its waters and ports until February 2022, which means Royal Caribbean cruise ships sailing from the United States are unable to offer cruises to Alaska or New England due to American cabotage laws.

Without access to Canadian ports, Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines cannot sail without violating U.S. maritime law.

Last week, Royal Caribbean said it was still working through some ways it can still offer these cruises and has not cancelled any sailings.

Read more: Why hasn't Royal Caribbean cancelled Alaska 2021 cruises yet?

"At this time, we have decided not to cancel any sailings scheduled to visit Canada," the line said in a letter sent to travel advisors on Friday.

"It's our hope that your clients will maintain their existing reservations with us as we work with the government and CLIA on potential alternatives."

Royal Caribbean has not specifically said what those alternatives are, but there are a few different options they are exploring.

Read more: Congress members call Canada's ban of cruise ships "unacceptable"

Reducing the final payment date to 45 days is an option the cruise line has not exercised at all during the cruise shutdown. Instead, they have relied on the flexible cancellation terms under the Cruise with Confidence program to allow guests the choice of canceling after final payment for a future cruise credit.

With the 2021 sailings to Alaska and New England, many guests are leery of making a final payment for a cruise that seems very unlikely to occur.

Many aspects of the cruise experience are going to change, including the check-in process at the pier.

Between what has changed with Quantum of the Seas sailings in Singapore and comments from Royal Caribbean executives, we have known arriving at the cruise terminal was going to undergo significant changes to spread guests out and ensure everyone is healthy to board.

Royal Caribbean recently updated its online check-in process, and some guests who have cruises booked for May 2021 are seeing some of the changes listed.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Leroyr55 shared a screenshot of the check-in process that lists a few notable changes.

Wellness check

Guests arriving on embarkation day have always been asked some common questions about their health, but that process is now much more elaborate.

The wellness check is part of your pre-selected check-in time at the cruise terminal.

"We’re doing everything we can to ensure our ships sail with healthy guests and crew by implementing wellness checks for all guests."

Your arrival time is also when you take your pre-cruise wellness check.

What exactly the wellness check entails remains to be seen, but Royal Caribbean's cruise contract indicates it will likely include:

• Providing an accurate, truthful and complete health questionnaire in a form
• Pre-embarkation testing and temperature checks of each passenger

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds COVID-19 into cruise contract for all passengers

Negative test required

Another major step is a negative covid test is required when you arrive to prove you have recently tested negative.

"We require all guests to complete SARS-CoV-2 (rtPCR) testing prior to sailing and bring the results to the pier prior to boarding."

Royal Caribbean committed to fully testing all passengers and crew in October 2020 (along with the entire cruise industry).

The check-in process does not indicate if the test taken before you arrive to the cruise terminal will be paid by the cruise line or by the guest, nor where they can get one done.

On-time arrivals

Another change is the check-in times matter.

Before the global health crisis, check-in times were never enforced, but now it appears that has changed.

"Your arrival time is also when you take your pre-cruise wellness check. Please plan to get to the terminal during that time window - not before or after - so you board smoothly."

You can get an arrival time by completing the online check-in before the cruise via Royal Caribbean's app.

Read more: Royal Caribbean says its app is required when cruises restart

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, and getting around is very easy.

The island underwent a major refurbishment, and re-opened in 2019 as Perfect Day at CocoCay, which offers guests a wider choice of fun activities to do while visiting.

Getting onto the island is complimentary, and not dissimilar from any other port you visit.  Since this is a private island, only Royal Caribbean ships can stop here, and the choice of what you can do during the day is quite extensive.

You will find plenty of signs around the island to let you know how to get to various places, but a map gives a great overview of the layout of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The island is divided  up into a few major areas to help navigate, as well as provide a simple overview of what is offered in each area.

Read more: Do's & Don'ts of Perfect Day at CocoCay

You'll also see color coded paths around the island's main walkways.

The light green walkway will take you to Chill Island, which is the classic beach day experience.

The light blue walkway will take you right to the CocoCay water park.

The orange walkway will take you to Oasis Lagoon pool.

Chill Island is the name of the traditional beach day area on the island's west end. If you had been to CocoCay before it became Perfect Day at CocoCay, this should be the most familiar to you.

Chill Island is a laid back area, which features a large beach expanse with plenty of seating and umbrellas for guests to use.

There is no cost to access Chill Island.

Oasis Lagoon is located in the center of the island, and is the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.  For those that prefer a pool day over a beach day, this is heaven and features a large swim up bar.

There is no cost to access Oasis Lagoon.

Coco Beach Club is an exclusive area for guests that want a limited access, elevated beach day experience.

When you pay to get into the Coco Beach Club, there is an private beach with seating and umbrellas, as well as an infinity pool. The beach club has its own restaurant available for anyone who enters the club, which serves up the kind of top-notch food you would find on the cruise ship.

Read more: I tried it: Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay

There is an extra admission cost for Coco Beach Club.

South Beach is located on the eastern side of CocoCay, and is the perfect beach retreat for anyone that values seclusion.

Another holdover from the original CocoCay, South Beach is a long expanse of sand and shore to enjoy.

There is no cost to access South Beach.

Thrill Waterpark is where water slide fans will want to visit to enjoy some incredible thrills.

At the heart of Thrill Waterpark is Daredevil's Tower, which has a slides of various thrill factor, including the tallest waterslide in North America, Daredevil's Peak.

The other major slide complex in the park is Splash Summit, which has six really fun slides for the entire family.

Thrill Waterpark Map

You will also find the Caribbean's biggest wave pool to enjoy in Thrill Waterpark.

There is an extra cost for admission into Thrill Waterpark.

Harbor Beach is the closest beach to the pier that brings you back to the ship, and it is great for anyone that wants no waves.

Since it is an inlet, it is a great area for unexperienced swimmers, young children, or anyone else that prefers extremely calm ocean water.

There is no additional cost to access Harbor Beach.

Perfect Day at CocoCay cabana map

Cabanas are a very popular option for a day in the sun, and here is a map of all of the cabana and daybed locations at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay are available for rent in six different areas, while day beds are availble in four areas.

More Perfect Day at CocoCay information:

• 10 things you didn't know about Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 8 things you should know about the Coco Beach Club before you go
• Guide to Perfect Day at CocoCay Cabanas
• Top 10 Perfect Day at CocoCay secrets and tricks
• Summer 2021 Cruise Planning Guide
• Perfect Day at CocoCay Price List

Travel advisors can now apply for Royal Caribbean's new $40 million program for financial support.

The "Pay It Forward" program is designed to support travel advisors hit hard by the slowdown in travel and are now taking applications by travel agent owners.

The new program makes a $40 million pool of funds available to qualifying travel advisors, who can apply for three-year, interest-free loans of up to $250,000 to keep their businesses focused on a return to growth.

Travel partners can seamlessly submit loan applications on this dedicated site accessible through CruisingPower.com. The site provides additional information and everything advisors need to know, including additional program details and eligibility parameters.

“We know our travel advisor friends are suffering, too, and we will get through this tough period together, just as we always have,” said Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group’s chairman and CEO.  “Our travel partners have stood strong beside us for more than 50 years, and we are determined to be there for them now. We’re going to get to the other side of this challenging time together.”

Read more: 10 Secrets Royal Caribbean travel agents wish you knew

In March 2020, Royal Caribbean Group launched RCL Cares as a travel agent support program to provide resources for travel professionals.

Who can apply?

To qualify for the funds, it's required that:

1. The applicant be the owner or an authorized representative of the travel agency.
2. Agency commission earnings with RCG have been at least $4,000 for bookings that sailed between July – December 2019. These minimums and eligibility requirements may vary by state.

Please note that travel agencies in California, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. are not currently eligible to apply, but Royal Caribbean is working to get those locations included.

In addition, in light of the Small Business Administration reopening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to make additional federal funding available to small businesses, we’ve teamed up with ACAP + The Loan Source to help facilitate travel advisors PPP applications. ACAP + The Loan Source specializes in helping to ease the application processes for PPP loans and forgiveness. Travel partners can begin their PPP loan application here with ACAP + The Loan Source at any time.

The contract you agree to when you book a cruise now includes additional disclosures regarding COVID-19.

Royal Caribbean has updated its Cruise Contract with new language related to the current global health crisis at some point in the last few months.

Section 4 of the contract used to cover simply "medical care and other personal services" has been updated to now cover "public health, COVID-19 policies and procedures, knowing acceptance of the risks".

What is a cruise contract?

If you have been on a cruise before, you have agreed to plenty of other protocols and policies through Royal Caribbean's cruise contract.

Every cruise line includes this as part of the agreement you make when you book a cruise.  

Upon placing a deposit, Royal Caribbean adds a check box to indicate the guest has read through the Cruise Contract and agrees to everything inside.

Airlines also have something similar, known as the Conditions of Carriage, that cover almost every scenario a passenger can encounter to clearly indicate expectations of rules and penalties for violating those rules.

Here's what the revised section includes:

Recommended Consultation with Personal Physician

Passengers are encouraged to discuss going on a cruise ship for travel with their personal physicians and to review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) website for updated
information.

Further, the passengers acknowledges, understands and accepts the risk of contracting COVID-19, influenza and/or Norovirus while on the ship, in the terminal, or on shore.

Furthermore, guests understand that there is a limitation in what Royal Caribbean can do to limit exposure and that that all risk cannot be eliminated.

"Passenger knowingly and voluntarily accepts these risks as part of this ticket contract, including the Risk of serious illness or death arising from such exposures, and/or all related damages, loss, costs And expenses of any nature whatsoever."

Agreement to Abide by Current COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Passengers agree to comply with Royal Caribbean's health protocols at all times including pre-embarkation, while onboard, during port calls and shore excursions and/or final disembarkation.

These health policies are subject to change based on guidance and directives from established health authorities in the U.S. and other destinations where the Vessel
visits, including the CDC.

"Passenger’s agreement to abide by Carrier’s COVID-19 Policies and Procedures constitutes an integral part of this Ticket Contract."

COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Royal Caribbean lists some (but not all) of the health policies to expect to follow:

1. Providing an accurate, truthful and complete health questionnaire in a form and containing any and all health or travel-related questions as required by Carrier in its sole discretion, for each Passenger prior to boarding
2. Pre-embarkation and/or periodic testing and temperature checks of each Passenger
3. Modified capacity rules for activities (including but not limited to restaurants, gyms, and entertainment events onboard and for shore excursions) which may limit or eliminate the ability of Passenger to participate in particular activities
4. Mandatory use by each Passenger (except where medically contraindicated) of face coverings in most locations outside of the Passenger’s cabin while onboard, during embarkation, disembarkation and shore excursions
5. Mandatory social distancing of Passengers at any/all times while on board and during embarkation, disembarkation, and shore excursions
6. Additional restrictions during shore excursions depending on local conditions, including but not limited to denial of disembarkation at destinations unless participating in only Carrier-approved shore excursions
7. Mandatory hand sanitizing by Passenger upon entry or exit of any public areas
8. Confinement of Passengers to cabins, quarantine or emergency disembarkation of Passenger if, in Carrier’s sole discretion, such steps are necessary to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19
9. The required completion by Passenger in a timely manner of any written authorizations or consent forms required for Carrier to carry out its COVID-19 Policies and Procedures (including but not limited to medical information, medical privacy, or personal data privacy consent forms)
10. Other policies and procedures deemed by Carrier in its sole discretion to be necessary to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19

Mandatory Compliance with COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

This section deals with noncompliance and ensuring everyone is following the rules onboard.

"Any noncompliance by Passenger or members of Passenger’s travelling party with Carrier’s COVID-19 Policies and Procedures or this Ticket Contract shall be grounds for refusal to board, refusal to reboard after going ashore, quarantine onboard the Vessel, disembarkation, reporting to governmental or health authorities, or other steps deemed necessary in Carrier’s sole discretion under the circumstances to protect the health and well-being of others."

If someone violates one of the COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, it is grounds for the passenger to not receive a refund or compensation of any kind.

Passenger will be responsible for all related costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses and for proper travel documentation for any port, or for departure from or arrival to Passenger’s country of residence.

Passenger Testing Positive for COVID-19 Pre-Cruise

Within 14 days of the cruise beginning, if a passenger tests positive for COVID-19, exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19, has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19, Royal Caribbean reserves the right to deny boarding to that person.

In such a a situation, any passenger denied boarding because of a known or suspected infection with COVID-19 will be entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the Cruise Fare Passenger paid to Royal Caribbean.

Passenger Testing Positive for COVID-19 During Cruise

If you test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit symptoms, Royal Caribbean may disembark, refuse re-boarding after a shore excursion, or quarantine Passenger as well as members of Passenger’s traveling party, or take other steps which Carrier determines, in its sole discretion, are necessary under the circumstances to protect the health and well-being of others. 

If that were to occur, you are entitled to a prorated refund or future cruise credit for the unused portion of the Cruise Fare.

Each such Passenger is responsible for all other related costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses.

Old cruise contract language from November 2020

New cruise contract language from February 2021