Zurc

Harmony of the Seas cruises avail for booking out of Galveston now.
Nov 1, 2023 a 4 day Wednesday to Sunday.
7 day Sun-Sun after that, 
 
 

Lots of changes on the construction site now. Most of the building is up as of yesterday when I got on Adventure of the Seas for my 5 night cruise. It was a cool dreary day and lots of people were looking at me odd while I wore shorts and a sleeveless shirt taking these but I think it was worth it. 

 
But things are looking good so far. I just hope that we don't just swap Liberty for something else and end up with less routes to enjoy the new terminal with. 

Wow, couldn’t pas up this new Itinerary - Cape Liberty r/t to Greenland!  
 
Jewel of the Seas, Sept 14-28, 2023 
 

Thanks for this!.  
I’ve been wondering who would replace Allure, since her last cruise listed in Oct 2023 is only a 6-day  Assumed she may be repositioning after that short trip. 
Exciting to be able sail on both from Galveston within 2 years. 
it’s strange to think we don’t even have Allure yet, and we are discussing her potential replacement.
 

 
 
 

Bring it 

Did a random search for cruises from Galveston and the calendar stops at the October 2023 sailing like it has been. Except today, April 2024 was also lit up.

 
Clicked on it, and it's Harmony to the usual Galveston run of Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan. Perhaps a foreshadowing of next week's release?

Autism Mom here....call RCL's special needs guest line.  Accommodations can absolutely be made.  We've sailed twice since the bracelets have been in effect without issue and my kiddo didn't have to wear his bracelet OR a lanyard holding it.  We just had to show it at certain times.
I also have a shameless plug...check out Autism on the Seas.  Google it.  They provide volunteers for staffed cruises that have many accommodations in place for our kiddos (young and old) if you need assistance and respite.  We are going on our 8th cruise with them and we wouldn't travel without them.

I booked it! 

It looks fabulous. I really wish the timing worked for us. 

Wow, couldn’t pas up this new Itinerary - Cape Liberty r/t to Greenland!  
 
Jewel of the Seas, Sept 14-28, 2023 
 

Yes you are probably right. As most cruisers who cruise from the U.S are based in the U.S.
For many people who are travelling into the U.S for a cruise it will mean they will just have to do one test instead of 2 which is nice from a hassle and cost perspective. 

In the 5 to 11 age group if there were a large number unvaccinated and sailing  ….. as of right now and even with the changes coming on March 1, that age group is not required to be vaccinated to sail.

They don't require 5-11 to be vaccinated even though they are eligible for the vaccine.  
They do require 12+ to be vaccinated.
The 5% unvax are the 5-11 unvaccinated and any other eligible unvaccinated 12+.  Yes, Royal does have a system to allow very specific exemptions for 12+.  It's been very hard to get but it does exist.

The vaccinated kids don't have to wear them unless they're in AO. That's what makes it more maddening.

Done

I admit that I did not read this thread from the beginning.  I picked up with yesterday’s posts about opting in to Highly Vaccinated (95% +).  
 At the time, I was happy to read masks not required  for vaccinated!
Then the happiness subsided when I saw all youth (vaccinated or not) would still be required to wear masks in Adventure Ocean.
After some thought, I realize this is not the news I expected from CDC and the cruise lines.  I honestly felt there would be a point this year (2022) where all protocols were listed as optional - including vaccines.  My family is vaccinated, but this does effect others who may not be. 
@Matt, I am trying to keep to the “No arguments of masks or vaccine rule” with my statement above.  
I truly felt most protocols would end soon.   With the new CDC opt-in categories, I see that is not going to happen.   Guess I did not have realistic expectations ?

I admit that I did not read this thread from the beginning.  I picked up with yesterday’s posts about opting in to Highly Vaccinated (95% +).  
 At the time, I was happy to read masks not required  for vaccinated!
Then the happiness subsided when I saw all youth (vaccinated or not) would still be required to wear masks in Adventure Ocean.
After some thought, I realize this is not the news I expected from CDC and the cruise lines.  I honestly felt there would be a point this year (2022) where all protocols were listed as optional - including vaccines.  My family is vaccinated, but this does effect others who may not be. 
@Matt, I am trying to keep to the “No arguments of masks or vaccine rule” with my statement above.  
I truly felt most protocols would end soon.   With the new CDC opt-in categories, I see that is not going to happen.   Guess I did not have realistic expectations ?

@Matt or Moderators, we have 2 threads - one yesterday under news and rumors, and this thread under discussions.
is there any way to merge both under Discussions?   Easier to follow combined    Thanks!

It's still early though. By mid-summer it's entirely possible more and more protocols get removed. The new CSO seems to be a bridge to that, especially with how drastically the new CSO changed in the past week. The draft format would have been a disaster. The format cruise lines opted into is definitely a step in the right direction.

Or the "We regret to inform you that due to CDC guidelines you are not eligible to cruise with us tomorrow" email.  

That’s good to see the children under vaccination age are excluded from 95%.     But, it’s sad to see that all adventure ocean youth still need to mask in those facilities.   Poor kids. 

The new CSO allows mask optional as long as you've gotten your initial vaccination series.  Boosters are encouraged, but not tied to mask wearing.

That’s good to see the children under vaccination age are excluded from 95%.     But, it’s sad to see that all adventure ocean youth still need to mask in those facilities.   Poor kids. 

That’s good to see the children under vaccination age are excluded from 95%.     But, it’s sad to see that all adventure ocean youth still need to mask in those facilities.   Poor kids. 

We don't really know what it all means. 
There has long been a back channel of private communication between the cruise lines and the CDC.  Back when the original CSO had ambiguous and conflicting verbiage there was communication and direction from the CDC to the cruise lines that we never saw.
I expect the same will occur here.  The CDC will have its very official and super strict program on display but the cruise lines will work out a functioning approach through the maze using private communication that we don't get to see.
What we really need is for the public health emergency declaration to be withdrawn.  Then and only then will cruise lines be free to craft their own policies.