Jaconso

I believe the wording in the FAQ is very careful to say " ...guests who choose not to provide proof of vaccination..." and also "...to meet the requirements of The Bahamas..."

They did for the current immunocompromised booster recommendation, but they haven't for the general booster, since that's not been formally announced yet - it's a leak/trial-balloon/float to gauge public response and start discussion. There is data/research supporting the immunocompromised linked in/with that formal announcement and I expect there will be similar linked data/research with the general recommendation (if it happens). Some of this is driven by the data from Israel where they're already doing these boosters, since they're ahead of the rest of the world with vaccination and have seen the vaccine immune response wane over time.

CDC hasn't made the formal recommendation yet for 8-month booster for all - it's "being reported" that this will be the case, so likely will be the case "soon". I expect that once the formal recommendation is made, then the time-line will be firmed-up (they're saying 8-months, since it's a 6-12 month "window" for the booster after full vaccination). For myself, my 2nd Pfizer was on 4/12, so my full vaccination date was 4/26 - which would place my 8-month Booster at/around xmas, with the "window" being from October - April. Royal will evaluate and make changes down the line, but I wouldn't expect anything right-away. If I were to place a bet, it would likely be that they require you be "fully vaccinated" within the past 12 months AND/OR have a booster logged within the past 12 months (since, this will likely be something akin to an annual Flu-shot as variants die/emerge/compete - like the Flu variants).

I keep hearing that South Beach isn't open/available at this time. Perhaps for the early capacity-limited cruises they're keeping that part of CocoCay closed to "drive" business to the Beach Club? I can see Royal trying to reduce costs by not having to staff that area and making Coco Beach Club the option for people looking for the "secluded" area. I think they're shooting themselves in the foot, though, since Coco might get packed full and not be as relaxing.

We received that this morning as well. It is legitimate and leads back to Royal's web-site. You do need to add all the guest on your itinerary and/or let them answer themselves, if you've put their email addresses in properly on your booking (i.e. I booked the trip under my account, but my wife also received the email as well...but I answered for both of us). Give you three options (I'm paraphrasing here): Fully vaccinated and willing to provide proof Not vaccinated Don't want to share info Answer 1 = Vaccinated "bucket" and Answers 2,3 = Unvaccinated "bucket". In my opinion, it looks like Royal *might* be looking into going the 95% vaccinated / 5% unvaccinated route with their cruises and this would be the first step in gathering that information. Given their stance at wanting to be a family cruising company during the restart, they may likely "reserve" as much of the 5% for children under 12 that are unable to be vaccinated and perhaps (NOTE I'M JUST GUESSING HERE) cancel/shift/refund the unwilling. Royal's cruise contract has language permitting capacity controls and denying boarding at their discretion, so...this is compliant with the FL law and pretty much in-line with Carnival, NCL, Celebrity, etc.

Perhaps Royal is preparing to go the 95/5 route? I'll be on Freedom of the Seas for the 8/30 sailing and just received an email from Royal titled "Important information needed before you sail" and it was a "Vaccination Status Request". Takes you to a form where you confirm your birthdate and then can voluntarily provide your status: I am fully vaccinated and am willing to provide proof of vaccination I am not vaccinated I prefer not to answer You have to add ALL the guests on your itinerary and answer. Both answers 2 & 3 place you into the unvaccinated "bucket". This conforms to the FL law, so no harm, no foul - you aren't required to provide proof of vaccination. Royal already has capacity controls in their contract, so they could just "adjust" their formula and if the amount of 2 & 3 answers is over 5%, then they could start cancelling/moving/refunding/etc. - i.e. the Carnival model. My "guess" would be that they look to cancel/move 2 & 3 parties with no children and attempt to "reserve" the 5% for children - the ones that truly can't get vaccinated yet? Perhaps the above email/request is old news, but my wife and I have been reading and researching for a while and I didn't run across this before, so it seemed like a new thing to me - given Royal's position of having a mix of vaccinated/unvaccinated on-board. FYI - Wife and I are fully vaccinated (Pfizer-BiotechN), follow mask guidance, and have no issue with providing proof...so this doesn't bother me at all. I've even been lightly planning to get a free PCR test scheduled the Friday before the Monday sailing, even though 4-night itineraries don't require one for fully vaccinated folks...just in case.