Why did you volunteer for a Royal Caribbean test cruise?

Looking for some help with a blog post I'm writing.

If you signed up as a volunteer for a Royal Caribbean test cruise, can you write 2-3 sentences why you did?

If you did not, can you share why you did not?

Can't promise I can use all the quotes, but thank you in advance!

I have worked with the public everyday with my job since the pandemic has started. I wear a mask, use proper social distancing guide lines and wash and sanitize my hands often. I have also followed those guide lines when out in public places like the grocery store.  I don't see any differences if I cruise.

I volunteered because I'm in a position to (retired, able to quarantine if necessary, willing to accept the risks involved, in good health) and because I want to support RCL in returning to cruising.  My eyes are wide open; I know this will be a test, not a 'cruise' as such, and that many of the things I love about cruising will not be occurring.  That's okay.  I believe at this point, the industry needs support; more than that, I think it needs belief and trust.  

I volunteered because I love cruising, and I am eager to be part of the return to sea. I want to help test the procedures and provide the feedback they need so that we can ALL get back to cruising. 
If the other cruise lines put out volunteer forms like RCCL, I would volunteer for as many as possible so that I could help with comparison information "xx cruise line did this which worked really well, while yy cruise line did this a little different".

I'll probably not volunteer. It's safe to say the sailing will depart from Florida and living in New York means quarantine when I return. It has nothing to do with work, I'm just not willing to do that, unless of course I was exposed. Additionally, with rising cases in my area and new restrictions being put in place, I'm not sure non-essential air travel is a good idea. It does sound like an amazing "once in a lifetime" opportunity and would love to be part of it. (Honestly, what would be the odds of actually getting picked anyway LOL)

I did not sign up because it would be unethical for my medical provider to write a statement that I do not have any underlying conditions. My asthma is very well controlled, but still qualifies as an underlying condition.

I signed up because I need some ship time, also I have a cruise in late June and I am hoping these test cruises will help secure a real cruise, I work at an airport and have been around folks since this all started.

I signed up to volunteer so that others will have a chance to experience what the meaning of cruising truly is in a safe manner and what it means to someone who has cruised for over 40 years. My love of cruising started when I was 14 years old and as a teenager the great memories with family and friends that I have met, which I still keep in contact with, is absolutely priceless. I have carried these specials moments close to my heart and I hope by sharing them with others it will open their curiosity to a whole new experience that they will treasure for years to come as much as I have.

I signed up because I realized they were actually surveying for volunteers and I have a reasonable level of reading comprehension.  

But seriously, I have nothing keeping me from being able to go on a test cruise and I would be absolutely willing to follow the protocols and give feedback.  I live in Florida and can limit travel exposure by driving a personal vehicle to the port.  I am working from home currently and wouldn't be subject to missing work upon my return due to a quarantine, so why the heck not.  I've cruised several times prior and I'd be able to compare the experience to what it was pre-COVID.  If it's not personally tolerable or enjoyable with the new precautions then that would give me more insight to make my decision as to where to spend my travel dollars for the foreseeable future.

I signed up because I would love to be part of what makes it work. Being part of the process to get back to sailing would give me joy. Living in Florida and being within driving distance of the ports allows me to remove other impacts;  for example air travel. I know I could be a flexible participant, standing by and patiently working with and alongside the team for a meaningful outcome. My love of the ocean and sailing drove me to sign up and support RCCL efforts, I personally feel they have gotten a pretty raw deal. 

I have not signed up because:

1. I live in Australia, so this is not an option anyway;

2. There are more ways to vacation than taking a cruise; and

3. Now is not the time to be taking a cruise. Cases are spiking so why take the risk (to yourself and to your loved ones)?

I think it would be an interesting experience to see the inner workings of a ship laid a bit more bare than when you're on a normal cruise, and I'm in the Pfizer vaccine trial so if I get infected at least it would be useful.

I volunteered because in order for all to return to normality, I was happy to be involved in training the crew the new ways of cruising. I want all to cruise safely and to do that staff need training. How else are they going to learn the right way and allow us to enjoy our future vacations. 

I would have liked to be a volunteer -I’m healthy with no preexisting conditions; very committed to mask wearing, hand washing, and cleanliness; and I have a job where I am currently working from home (and could work from anywhere). However, I have 3 young children and a spouse with a preexisting condition so it would be best for me to observe from the sidelines and cheer on those who are able to get cruises rolling again. Much success to those who are selected!

I signed up because cruising is the most relaxing way to vacation for me. I have always been one to volunteer to help in an emergency situation and I feel the cruise industry needs our help.  What better way to get the industry cruising again so that others can enjoy the experience as well.

I signed up because I could really use a vacation, even if said vacation is a test cruise and may require more of me than what the "new normal" would be.

With that said, because I live in Canada, the odds that I would be selected to volunteer is less likely than someone in the U.S., so I feel like this is a longshot at best.

I'm late to cruising (first one in '15, and I'm 58).   I feel like I'm missing a large chunk of time that could have been used for cruising.

I've seen the RC crewmembers at work when there was no thing as a Covid virus pandemic, so I have every confidence in their

ability to keep me safe.  The company officers have spent a LOT of money to ensure adhesion to the CDC protocols and I am sure

they know what they're doing; after all, this is their livelihood.  

I work from home now (thanks, covid), so quarantining won't be a problem if necessary.  

All I know is that I need to be on a ship.  Living in Charleston, we don't have any mountains to jump off!

I volunteered because I would like to do anything I can to help get life back to normal and for me that includes cruising early and often.

I dont have any underlying health conditions so my risk is minimal and I have the ability to take time off to make it happen.

My wife & I volunteered because we are both 64, no pre-existing health conditions, Diamond Plus members, and the simple fact that everyone boarding will be tested multiple times prior to boarding.  We follow all guidelines from the CDC so we do not live "in fear" of this virus.

I was asking about this even before they asked for volunteering.  I want to see fair treatment of ALL Travel Suppliers.  Hoping that by planning and showing people that you can travel without cases happening if everyone is following rules and careful, will get us all back to some resemblance of normalcy.  

I volunteered. I'm in the travel industry (a separate branch from cruising) and have family in the amusement park industry.  The sooner we can find ways for people to safely enjoy these activities again the better. And I desperately need to see the "line where the sky meets the sea".

There are 2 simple reasons for me to volunteer. First, free cruise. Second, curiosity.

I signed up because, like all of us, we miss cruising. But maybe even a bigger reason was that maybe I could help get us all back to cruising sooner by going thru the process, that would be a good thing.

I signed up.

I've been around covid this entire time. I've been tested a couple dozen times. So being subject to testing isn't an issue for me.

I am extremely interested in participating in some of the drills. I want to see how they manage some of there bigger issues. I have a ton of procedures in place for my business but it could be extremely helpful to see it from a different perspective. Maybe i could learn something.

I would have no anxiety being on the first cruise out even if they weren't doing a volunteer cruise.  If my Sept sailing would have been a go I would have gone without a second thought.

Sadly, I had just fallen in love with cruising, it would have been my "new" vacation trend. I had since moved on to a "covid resistant" form of vacationing that required a sizable investment so I probably wont be cruising much anymore (RVing if anyone was interested) . I need scheduled breaks from work to stay sane and I just wasn't going to get that with cruising for the time being.

Great idea and execution from Royal Caribbean.  Float the idea, let it leak and marinate a little bit, then launch it.  Honestly hard to believe that they actually *need* anyone's name or contact info, they have thousands and thousands of people who had cruises booked for whichever time period, region or ship they choose to start with (although there seems to be a lot of consensus for those factors that seem valid).   It will be a new or newly remodeled ship with the latest safety and tech, launching from Miami (or FLL) and maybe just going to their own island and back.  That's what I would do for maximum control.

This whole volunteer sign up program does achieve a couple other key objectives 

• adds layers and layers of liability shielding for RCL, letting them make any prospective passengers aware of the risk and agree to it many times over on top of the standard guest contract
• gives RCL, indeed cruising in general, a ton of free, good vibe publicity
• locks in thousands and thousands of new prospective customers as well as targeted data points on many of their existing customers (as I see you can enter your C&A society number with your application).  it's a dream come true for the marketing and sales team and they didn't have to do very much work to get TONS of hot leads on countless prospective customers.

If my wife wasn't currently pregnant I would have signed both of us up in a heart beat.

If I didn't, how would I ever know that I would not get selected.

If I can be a part of helping get the industry back  to normal I will do what I can... I'm of the firm belief that cruising can be safer than  being on land. I'm semi retired and its the least I can do to help...