CruiserNic

Possibly 3 more over here.  Can't say we are loyal to royal as only my wife has been on royal.  I really want to experience a RC cruise, but if we get to cruise sooner on a different line then so be it.  

At least 2

You're right! And then if another cruise does it differently they have to go back in and reevaluate, lol.

We have been strongly considering a land vacation instead of a cruise.  We have been waiting for the vax requirement to stop.  We would be losing out on the extra 25% FCC if we did rebook.  
With this news about the CDC stepping back we are going to hold out longer.  I am hoping by the end of the year they drop the vax requirement. 

I agree but my experience with corporate decision making has me believing it will take at least 4 or 5 (2) hour meetings to get any consensus.  Then another 3 or 4 to pick the date to implement the changes.  All the while they remember they announced their intentions through Sept. so "We've' got time!"

I have always been Loyal to Royal, but I'm going with the first line to drop the vaccine and testing mandates, no second thoughts. I'll come back to Royal when they do, but I'd rather cruise on any line that just lets me cruise without the stress. That said I do think they all end at the same time, all the lines.

The problem with "up to date" is that it means different things for different people based on age. That's a huge burden to put on the check-in staff.

I think most of the "vaccinated" in the US aren't up to date. I know there is information out there on booster uptake, but it was like half of the initial group, then the 2nd booster was half of that, etc. So a huge portion of the people the cruise lines consider vaccinate right now are actually not vaccinated.  I think they should just go back to a health declaration. And they need to stop testing altogether. No tests means no outbreaks. Perfect. 🙂

I don't think it will matter as far as protocols they have in place already. They've done this before, right? Released protocols and then changed them before hand? I don't think anything keeps them to the September time frame, like it's not a legally binding thing. If people don't want to cruise with the new changes then they'll offer refunds, just like the people who booked under one protocol (no vaccine mandate, etc) and then the protocols changed and they refunded us. 

I don't really count as "Loyal to Royal" anymore but I would probably jump in a heartbeat since I have a decent pool of people that want to cruise but cant ... the group on Carnival wins over "Loyal to Royal" without a doubt.

In May Royal Caribbean extended their current protocols through September 30, 2022.  See https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/05/20/royal-caribbean-extends-north-america-and-european-cruise-protocols
 
Given demand for cruising is very high, I am not sure what motivation RC has to make a change immediately.  I know there are people who will not sail if they have to test, be vaccinated, or both but it doesn't seem that the numbers in that camp are large enough effect bookings.
Hypothetically, Carnival drops all health protocols, how many "Loyal to Royal" cruisers are going defect to Carnival?
 

Let's hope the, more information, will be the discontinuing of pre-cruise testing.

I read an article, don't remember if it was in the actual CDC website or written by a CDC official.  But, as far as MOST Caribbean Countries are concerned, that countries don't have a CDC type department that is capable of it's own research and public safety decisions.  So, the mirror what the U.S. CDC does/says/declares.  So, I wouldn't think it is going to be long before the majority of the smaller Caribbean countries start changing their protocols to mirror ours. Especially if enough of the Cruise Lines threaten them with going elsewhere if they don't change.  Many Caribbean Countries, their economy is totally dependent on tourism of which cruses are a major part of.   So, stay tuned and watch as the dominos start to fall.

No one has flinched as of right now. Just checked three major lines and the covid requirements are as they have been, no change yet. 

I like this one....like one dinner at a specialty restaurant, or a few free drinks!

Anyone else putting their unused stock pile of proctored home tests on eBay? Curious of the competition. LOL 🙂 

these ports sure are not shutting the door on planes full of unvaccinated people flying to visit them. I think they will be fine. As long as the cruise ships just drop things slowly (1 mandate here then then next week another mandate dropped there. Just do it little by little.) won’t be a cause for panic. 

I am asking a lot, and I know it won't happen, but if they would make some changes and not leave the testing/vax protocols in place through September that would be awesome. Even give a little, like no more testing if you're vaccinated, antigen tests if you're unvaccinated, something.

Here here!

OMG please let this mean the end of vaccines and testing, please.

.....this is LONG LONG LONG OVERDUE.....a cruise line deciding today or tomorrow in relative time terms....is FAR from going fast.  This was inevitable and they could change it overnight.  We all could ink the press release.  Yes, it is that simple.  If a country only allows vax/tested....then individuals can prove it, or we can keep our precious and much needed $ on the ship.  RCCL can single out on my SeaPass whether I  have the drink package, what room I     have, a picture, etc..  They can certainly state vax/tested for those countries that need it.  Until then, take me to Coco Cay and keep the rest.

Your desiring a LOT from the RC IT staff to have a change that fast!

Is this because Fauci announced retirement?

Bahamas is a good start.  If Bahamas can go without testing it opens the door for all short 3/4 cruises to drop testing and/or vaccines.  

I am envisioning a scene from an old Western movie where the cruise lines are standing around the O.K. Corral waiting to see who fires first.
They are nervously watching each other, waiting for a flinch.  
Once one cruise lines drops testing or vaccine requirements the others will quickly follow.  Who will flinch first?