MrMarc

Your entire premise is based on the fact that you determine what the science and data says, and the vast majority of experts that does not agree with you are wrong.  Are you going to say that you have no political agenda behind your opnion?  I agree 100% that you have the right to think and say that, just realize that a whole lot of people do not.

And I and my customer's opinion is different.  That's why I don't think we can assume anything about what the crew would want.  I don't know that they would be honest if asked.  I'm just a little embarrassed that I had never thought about it until this thread.

None of us know, unless there is some crew following this.  If I were on the ship, those issues would bother me, because of coming into contact with so many different people increases their chance of getting it greatly.  So anything that would reduce those odds would be better.  They have more risk and exposure than the passengers do.  I don't think a lot of us, me included, had thought of the crew, and have been imposing our own views on them.    I wonder if they have a union or other group looking out for their interests, rather than having their situation be dictated by the comfort or discomfort and/or political views of the passengers. 

A man, a woman, a collar, and leash walking into the candy store.  

Or maybe because there is still an emergency going on as defined by actual experts, even if the internet experts disagree.  Just because you haven't felt the effects of it, millions of others have, and still are.  It's not like Yurtle the Turtle, you don't have to see it yourself for it to be real.  I also wonder if anyone who thinks this is wrong has considered that they are not seeing the cases because of the precautions that are in place, in other words maybe it is working, and we should not stop it yet.

Or maybe because there is still an emergency going on as defined by actual experts, even if the internet experts disagree.  Just because you haven't felt the effects of it, millions of others have, and still are.  It's not like Yurtle the Turtle, you don't have to see it yourself for it to be real.  I also wonder if anyone who thinks this is wrong has considered that they are not seeing the cases because of the precautions that are in place, in other words maybe it is working, and we should not stop it yet.

Or maybe because there is still an emergency going on as defined by actual experts, even if the internet experts disagree.  Just because you haven't felt the effects of it, millions of others have, and still are.  It's not like Yurtle the Turtle, you don't have to see it yourself for it to be real.  I also wonder if anyone who thinks this is wrong has considered that they are not seeing the cases because of the precautions that are in place, in other words maybe it is working, and we should not stop it yet.

But will I have to wear a mask?  

Great summary, @MrMarc.  

Or maybe because there is still an emergency going on as defined by actual experts, even if the internet experts disagree.  Just because you haven't felt the effects of it, millions of others have, and still are.  It's not like Yurtle the Turtle, you don't have to see it yourself for it to be real.  I also wonder if anyone who thinks this is wrong has considered that they are not seeing the cases because of the precautions that are in place, in other words maybe it is working, and we should not stop it yet.

I think the value of the key varies on how many people are in your room.  I always cruise solo, and the price of the key has been near, ore even lower, than the price voom by itself or the cost of voom when added to a drink package.  On my upcoming cruise Voom has been as high as $23, but right now it's $15.99 or adds $14 to the drink package.  The Key was only !9.99, so I got it.  But if you have more than one person in the cabin, the Voom multi device packages start effectively increasing the daily cost of the Key.   If I am flying to the cruise, just a place to drop off my carry on is worth a lot to me.   So as a solo cruiser, and as long as the key is $19.99 or less, it has had enough value to me in the past, and still will with the new changes.   I will miss the lunch, but if I wake up at 3 am and want something to eat, I won't have to worry about the additional $7.50 over the tip.   But I think the value goes down as you have more people in your cabin.

Or maybe because there is still an emergency going on as defined by actual experts, even if the internet experts disagree.  Just because you haven't felt the effects of it, millions of others have, and still are.  It's not like Yurtle the Turtle, you don't have to see it yourself for it to be real.  I also wonder if anyone who thinks this is wrong has considered that they are not seeing the cases because of the precautions that are in place, in other words maybe it is working, and we should not stop it yet.

As long as they want to be sailing from the US.  And remember, it is a small, but vocal, portion of the cruising public that is looking at these things as bad, the vast majority welcome the safety protocols.

I am not sure that I follow them all, but in general I do.  My view of the situation is the exact opposite of yours.  I too have looked at the data, and I have been able to confirm that every single argument against the CDC that claims to be based on "science" actually is not.  Literally every one.  I have been able to confirm everything that supports masks, distancing and vaccines as either settled scientific fact, or at worst uncertainty that then errs on the side of caution.  I know we are turning this into a political argument and we should stop.  From my experience though, there is a vast silent majority that disagrees with you.  That doesn't mean you are wrong, just that a lot of people think you are.  And there is no question that majorities have been wrong.

Your entire premise is based on the fact that you determine what the science and data says, and the vast majority of experts that does not agree with you are wrong.  Are you going to say that you have no political agenda behind your opnion?  I agree 100% that you have the right to think and say that, just realize that a whole lot of people do not.

You are using your own definitions and ideas, assuming the entire CDC doesn't know what it is doing.  Many other people are doing the same.  The cruise lines are following the people they recognize as experts in the field, without any political agenda.  Nothing personal, but while I would certainly follow your advice on actual cruising issues, I would not on health issues.  I believe the cruise lines are doing the same thing.  Their own experts recommended the same basic protocols, in general, as the CDC.  I think the cruise lines are following the advice of people who actually are experts in this area and staying away from any political agenda.  They really cannot afford to go too far, too fast.  If people who cruise do not feel safe on the ships, they will not go.  I am fairly sure that the cruise lines are doing their own research into what their potential customers want.

I think the value of the key varies on how many people are in your room.  I always cruise solo, and the price of the key has been near, ore even lower, than the price voom by itself or the cost of voom when added to a drink package.  On my upcoming cruise Voom has been as high as $23, but right now it's $15.99 or adds $14 to the drink package.  The Key was only !9.99, so I got it.  But if you have more than one person in the cabin, the Voom multi device packages start effectively increasing the daily cost of the Key.   If I am flying to the cruise, just a place to drop off my carry on is worth a lot to me.   So as a solo cruiser, and as long as the key is $19.99 or less, it has had enough value to me in the past, and still will with the new changes.   I will miss the lunch, but if I wake up at 3 am and want something to eat, I won't have to worry about the additional $7.50 over the tip.   But I think the value goes down as you have more people in your cabin.

Or maybe because there is still an emergency going on as defined by actual experts, even if the internet experts disagree.  Just because you haven't felt the effects of it, millions of others have, and still are.  It's not like Yurtle the Turtle, you don't have to see it yourself for it to be real.  I also wonder if anyone who thinks this is wrong has considered that they are not seeing the cases because of the precautions that are in place, in other words maybe it is working, and we should not stop it yet.

As long as they want to be sailing from the US.  And remember, it is a small, but vocal, portion of the cruising public that is looking at these things as bad, the vast majority welcome the safety protocols.

There is something liberating about having the DX/DBP. 
Enjoying a special coffee like a latte in the morning, a few mimosa to start the day, a beer at lunch, a few bottles of water and you can consume your diamond vouchers before noon.  
People often focus on the financial goal of "breaking even" when deciding about the package, but it is nice when on vacation to put it out of mind and just enjoy what you feel like living in the moment.  When i don't have the package it's always on my mind.  "Am I going to have two glasses of wine tonight?" Hmmm.  Better save a voucher even though I feel like a beer right now.  
Even if you don't break even there is value not having it always on your mind and just living in the moment while on vacation.

Challenge accepted 😎 🍻

Adoption of the beverage package was just over 20% typically before the pandemic for a typical cruise.  Typically new to Royal were 50 - 60% of those on board a typical cruise.  Most C&A on board are gold.  The next biggest group is platinum followed by Emerald for a typical cruise.  The numbers of Diamond drink eligible cruisers isn't as big as you think relative to the non-Diamond eligible on board.  
Diamond drinks used to suffice for a number of eligible guests.  Between buying a few during the day and drinking during happy hour a number of eligible guests never bought the drink package before.  I did for 30% of my cruises according to my spreadsheet.
What's changed now?  A few more might not buy it now, but it won't be huge numbers relative to the bulk of guests who were the primary type of guests acquiring the drink package.  
Plus, did you ever see the number of wine bottles they went through before each night on every ship in the fleet?  The old program was not free, it had a hefty cost to it.  They are probably saving money overall.  
For those that get value out of the drink package most still will.  

On my sailing on Adventure in December, it was less than the single device VOOM package, and since I sail solo, it was an easy choice.  With the new changes, if you like room service and are not getting a dining package, it could be worth it, depending on how much it is on your particular cruise.

Except that the population of those who are "qualified" will continue to grow at some rate, and the population of "unqualified" will continue to decrease at that same rate.  However, I do think the are claiming cruises are "capacity controlled" when in fact they are just not selling as many rooms as they would like.  I think all of the cruise lines are claiming that they would be able to sail with all ships full if allowed to, however I just do not believe that.  As for the rumors regarding rule changes, I really think we should waite until we actually know something before starting rumors.  They spread online faster than any factual information.