Ogilthorpe

I called Club Royale last week and part of the conversation was about the accumulated comps in the queue which could likely expire before we could use them. While they could not tell me any particulars, they did say that an additional extension to the March 31, 2022 date  is being considered. 

1 hour ago, Renate said:

... are booked in October, no way are we going to PAY to be treated like second class citizens ...

I feel the same way ... but I don't plan to cancel and lose money. After consultation with RCCL, they intend to offer FULL refunds (including FCC) for those that don't agree with their restrictions. In my case, I will lend them the final payment amount for a few weeks in order to recover all of my funds. I would rather cruise, but I suspect they don't want my business currently  ...

I have learned over time that there is always more to the story.  Newspaper articles today claim the passenger in question had and recovered from COVID19. Statistically, that would make her much less likely to test positive than a fully vaccinated person. Since that claim could easily be verified, is there a greater propensity for a false positive with onboard testing? While her approach isn't impressing most observers, one must wonder if she has a bit of a point in her argument, and is there a possibility of this happening more often?

3 hours ago, LovetoCruise87 said:

I believe that the CDC is always still planning. 

Planning ...or plotting and scheming?

I'm excited to see they have extended the double points. Now, if they would just extend the Casino benefits that have been stacking up since last March  ...

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

 

I'll be curious how many unvaccinated adults even waste their time with that.

My sample set is small, and therefore not likely to be considered statistically significant, but so far I see 0%.

54 minutes ago, mjkpreno said:

 ..... the checkboxes just check themselves

Unless I missed something, it appears that you just checked all the same boxes. 

36 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

only an .... would get on a ship sailing like that

Hey! I resemble that remark!

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

You say that TIC, but a completely unvaccinated cruise would be the ultimate test case.  It'd be great to compare against the last unvaccinated cruise test case, Diamond Princess.

Perhaps I wasn't clear (Sometimes I'm not), I wasn't calling for an unvaccinated cruise ... just one in which it wasn't a factor. Pre-March 13, 2020 rules, no segregation, no testing,  no paranoia ... just a cruise. A sailing that nobody was worried about being near "Those people", just a cruise. 

I would add a 3rd ship to the poll ... completely free from vaccine consideration ... I would be onboard without reservation.

To quote Billy Joel: "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun"

34 minutes ago, mworkman said:

Then it will be the flu…if you haven’t been vaccinated for the flu..you can’t cruise.

Good Evening, and Welcome to SlipperySlope of the Seas ...

As it has been noted, there are options for OBC or a discount with NEXT Cruise. The option I prefer is the OBC. That credit, unlike OBC that is part of a promotion is not subject to change if you re-price your cruise at a later date. Also, you have the option to rebook your cruise without a change fee for 30 (60?) Days once you make the reservation.

55 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

If you go to Royal's site, there is a drop down menu for each port.

You are correct they have information for other ports, but only the Miami rules accommodate unvaccinated adult passengers at this time.

28 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Glad to see this line: Passengers who don’t want to pay for the additional testing or follow the newly announced protocols for the ship can cancel the trip for a full refund, Royal Caribbean said.

I agree that it is encouraging that RCCL is taking this approach. Unfortunately, the scope, at this time is quite narrow: Miami, Freedom of the Seas, July. Outside of those criteria we still have no real answers. 

55 minutes ago, Reigert2008 said:

We all know what the policies and requirements are and no matter what our individual opinions are on it, there continued conversations ...

I would agree completely if we truly knew what the rules and options were. At this juncture, we only know what the rules are for today, and the rules change frequently and are open ended. What may be more of a concern for many, the restrictions have been suggested and not stated: ambiguous at best. 

Until we know whether 40% of us will ultimately be excluded from cruising, I believe it will be a ongoing discussion. 

You may be correct, but I see two completely different situations. For the NFL players, some may not mind being treated like second class citizens when they are being paid several million a year to put up with the inconvenience. Cruise passengers,  on the other hand, are paying to be onboard and can choose to spend their money elsewhere.  

I can see the NFL stumbling into a PR disaster when, for example, an MVP candidate won't play along with their tactics.

19 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

.  I think (but cannot remember for sure) that one of the O class ships even has a hot tub up on their suite sun deck.

Both the Harmony and the Symphony have a Hot Tub on the Suite Deck (Sometimes referred to as the Afterdeck) Neither the Allure nor the Oasis, even post-amplification have the Hot Tub. I have not seen an attendant on the suite deck on the Anthem either. There is a door to the stairs leading to the deck that may be closed and require a Sky or Star class sea pass card to open.

29 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

 

In the UK there have been concerns around mass testing of vaccinated people and having people test positive due scenario 2, and not because the virus was reproducing internally.

Another possibility is, based on recent studies, they could have recovered previously from the virus as those individuals, vaccinated or not, can have positive test results. The testing is imperfect at best.

51 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

 

80% of covid deaths are 65+.  Almost 60% of deaths are 75+. This disease has hit the vulnerable very, very hard, but has hit the younger, healthier populations consistent with the flu.

I agree with your observations. Based on data published by the CDC, when looking at survivability/mortality rates by age group, all were consistent with the flu except for those over 70. In that age group, the flu was slightly more deadly.

I recognize that this isn't answering your question, and it is not my intention to be a troll, but ....

... I find the concept of a Baconly room both intriguing and appetizing!

7 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

So agree with you about antibody and natural immunity.  I think it will come about soon.

From what I have read, European countries are already viewing vaccinated and 'recovered' individuals in the same category. Additionally, research results in the US that prove natural immunity and vaccine immunity to be the same are gaining traction.  If all of this is taken into account, the Cruise lines should be able to sail at nearly 100% passenger immunity without additional costs, restrictions, lawsuits or needless political debate.

There is a lot of room for speculation as to motives and protocols. Based on what is a rapidly changing set of rules in every state, it seems likely there will be fewer restrictions than what many assume. The fact that the  Celebrity sailing this weekend could only attract a 25% capacity in the face of an overwhelming demand after a 15 month shutdown speaks volumes. I believe fewer restrictions will be in place in order to fill ships.

I'll weigh in with a couple of my favorites:

DBP - Deluxe Beverage Package

UDP - Unlimited Dining Package

4 hours ago, RBRSKI said:

I think if you don't mind vaccinating your 12 y/o or older, it won't affect you!  In our case, we couldn't get the vaccine and have enough time to follow the protocol Royal mandated for the June 19th cruise so they are refunding all monies or FCC.

Do you have link to reference the RCL refund options for those impacted by these rules changes? I haven't found any information beyond your post, and inquiries to Royal could provide no answers so far.

The debate continues, and likely will for some time. There may or may not be rules that some customers will or will not be willing to accept. The question that I keep coming back to is: If the vaccine works, why are the vaccinated so worried about the unvaccinated?