JC Pats

110% Agree!!!

Congrats!

I requested a refund from my cancelled cruises in 2020 (cxld in August for a October/November sailing.. after multiple attempts with RC, I filed a dispute with my bank (rc boa card) all told, I didn’t get all my money back until early March 2021 (from cruise fare and cruise planner). I would try one more time with Royal, then file a dispute with your credit card company.

Exactly. Not saying it’s preferred, but the options are limited IMO.

*In my Matt voice* Please keep on topic. The post was a simple question.. the question was asked to see if you’d be willing to put up with the restrictions on quantum for cruises out of the US. The topic of vaccines and outbreaks elsewhere is really irrelevant to this question. Why? I’m worried, that if a breakout occurs onboard, cruising will get shut down when the cdc yanks the conditional sailing certificates, that and the ensuing media circus. (yes, worst case scenario, but that HAS to be accounted for.) Therefore, this is what I believe (to some degree) is what Royal will do with the US restarts. Either this, or treat vaxxed/unvaxxed differently, which, IMO, would be more problematic. I get that it’s not fair cruising is held to a different standard. I get that it IS a double standard and I get it’s not right. But, like it or not, that’s the reality. So the cruise lines HAVE to be safe & cautious in restarting. Hence, the question of whether you’d be ok with stringent protocols if it meant sailing out of the US. Based on responses so far.. 2-1 against. I’d like to think that’s representative of the cruising community as a whole and if so, something Cruise lines should use in crafting their US restarting protocols. Thank You ?

Welcome to the Message Boards! Based on other posts in other threads, sailings on Independence of the Seas were transferred to Freedom of the Seas and will be doing those sailings Independence was scheduled for. I suspect the reservation transfer process is still ongoing as these updates were just announced on Friday (6/4/21) afternoon. I would either contact your travel advisor, if you have one, or contact Royal themselves to confirm your booking has been, or is in the process of being transferred. ?

Most likely the cruise planner hasn't been updated to add the San Juan excursions for your cruise. I doubt we'll be waiting on the CDC a from now. I would check back periodically to see what's been added. If you don't see the excursions at the 9 month mark, I would call Royal to see what's going on, or ask your travel advisor if you have one.

So with the news (currently, always subject to change) that Royal Caribbean will highly encourage, but not require passengers to be vaccinated in order to sail. It occurs to me, that Royal Caribbean, already having protocols in place with the Quantum of the Seas sailings in Singapore (Royal Promise) First look at Royal Caribbean's new health protocols when it restarts cruises | Royal Caribbean Blog - could implement these protocols for ships restarting in the United States - Royal Caribbean announces it will restart cruises from the U.S. in July | Royal Caribbean Blog. The question is, If Royal Caribbean implemented the Royal Promise protocols on ships restarting from the United States, would you actually go on a cruise with these restrictions in place? (Note - Vaccination status would not matter for the purpose of this poll). I know there are strong opinions on either side, but please keep the comments respectful.

North American.. or from the U.S. - North American would be Adventure of the Seas leaving Nassau on June 12th - United States would be Freedom of the Seas leaving Miami July 2nd. ?

I agree.. but the media doesn’t care about that - nor does a public wanting to resume life as normal and “cruise ship covid outbreak) is the leading and trending stories.. saying nothing.. about the CDC saying.. I told you so. One case or 1000.. doesn’t matter when it comes to cruise lines unfortunately. I don’t like it, and I don’t think it’s fair but it’s what we have - I would be ecstatic if I’m wrong.

Well obviously not the same - but the media will treat it as such.. Covid + Cruise Ships = profitable click bait stories. I don’t have faith in almost any media outlet (except @Matt) to report the accuracy of the issue.

Sometimes, but almost always cheaper than buying it onboard. Just gotta keep looking and checking.

And that’s the thing.. everyone has a different comfort level - and we truly don’t know the numbers.. one cruise could be 50% vaccinated and the next cruise could be 90% vaccinated. Just do many variables.

This right here is the issue. Regardless of if it’s fair or not, ONE case.. and the media will go bonkers, which will provide those that aren’t knowledgeable about cruising an incorrect narrative and create public pressure to halt cruising. We’ll see replays of Ruby and Diamond Princess non stop. The risk, of allowing unvaccinated adults who CAN get the vaccine on a cruise ship far outweighs any potential benefit IMO

That’d be interesting - IF they could or would do it, my question is when would you publish it? Would it be a rolling number? At boarding? Say only 50% of passengers are vaccinated at boarding - I really wouldn’t have an option to back out at that point, because I wouldn’t feel comfortable going on a cruise with that low a rate of vaccinated passengers. Would they offer a full FCC if that was the case? (Cancelling at boarding due to concerns of a low vaccinated rate).

I would not, and further, I will not cruise on ships that do not require a vaccine for all who are eligible.

The families I've spoken too, after the year they've had, aren't willing to put their kids at that level of risk. That's their view. You have a different one. ?

Mine not only originally came out as blank (, no cabin/deck # as I had a guarantee) but once they assigned the guarantee, my luggage tag was updated and put on the last page of the cruise contract (eDocs on cruise planner). I do believe they have blank tags available when they collect your luggage at the airport, but in a pinch, create your own tag with last name, cabin number and deck number.

But how many of these families would be willing to risk their children on a ship with a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. I think Fain's previous statements encouraged families that vaccinations for everyone eligible would be required and therefore would make the environment safer. I know several families that are now seriously re-considering going on their cruise this summer, solely because of this. At the end of the day, Royal has painted themselves into a no-win scenario. Their question now is, which decision costs them less current and future passengers.

Yup.. that's why A) I won't go on a cruise in which vaccinations aren't required for everyone eligible and B) I will quarantine when I get home for 14 days. (I work from home, so that makes it doable, but with family w/pre-existing conditions, and weak immune systems, that's what I have to do).

This is a slippery slope in differentiating between certain passengers. Yes, they do it with C&A Status, but unless it's the Diamond/Suite lounge, or the Suite/Pinnacle Sun Deck, when has anyone "checked ID"? I do think Royal has given themselves an out (I'll call it kicking the proverbial protocol can down the pier), by saying protocols for sailings other than Adventure would be released at a later date. I've racked my brain, and I really only see 2 potential generalized scenarios; 1) Identify Vaccinated guests (special wristband/seapass card, etc.) and allow them free roam of the ship (similar to Adventure's rules). Unvaccinated/Unverified passengers would have to submit to stringent protocols, similar to Quantum. There would have to be areas where Unvaccinated/Unverified passengers would not be permitted, in order to allow the vaccinated passengers to enjoy their cruise. (the problems here, are numerous and obvious) 2) Royal decides not to differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated/unverified guests ON BOARD. Those that did not provide proof of vaccination, would have to still be tested at boarding, etc.) but on board, everyone goes by some form of the Quantum/Royal Promise style protocols (Masks everywhere, physical distancing, limited hours, etc.) This option would be much easier to enforce. But I can definitely see Vaccinated persons be equally upset with this option. Royal knows they have passionate loyalists on both sides, and they're trying to find a middle ground based on the CDC, DeSantis and their own Healthy Sail Panel. I don't envy they're choices, and unfortunately, no matter what they finally end up deciding to do, they're going to lose loyal passengers. I truly hope they get this right.

I’m not in RH - and to specifically why, only Royal knows - but IMO since Rhapsody is still on this side of the Atlantic, it wouldn’t make sense to sail her over.. and have a 3 month season. (RH’s whole Euro 2021 season appears to be cancelled and her next available cruise is in December on the Royal website) As for the other TAs, Anthem, Harmony and Jewel are all in Europe and will need to return to the US for their US winter season and have/had TA’s previously scheduled. But they are also no longer available to book on the Royal website so my guess, is to say those TA’s may still happen, but only with existing passengers, no new bookings. Again, my thoughts only, things could and probably will change - we’ll have to wait for Royal to tell us what will actually happen. Hope this helps.

Totally understand! Enjoy!

I want to say they were similar to Odyssey.. 6 & 8's.. as a matter of fact, I want to say that Odyssey was going to replace Indy in November when Indy moves to 3/4 nighters from Port Canaveral