kittenmom

I wish they would ban smoking in the casino too. We were wishing the no smoking would stay. Our party of six will not be spending our money in the casino because of this change on our Wonder cruise next month. 

me too. I'd spend a lot more time in there if it wasn't so disgusting 

Another vote for no smoking in the casino. I hate even walking through there.

Can you change the title to "Beginning February 15th Non-Smokers Need Masks in the Casino to Breath"
Just kidding, just kidding

Hate that they've lifted the non-smoking in the casino  I guess Royal doesn't care about it's traveler's health!
 

These are NOT the proctored antigen tests and, therefore, not accepted by cruiselines.  They are the in-home tests for you to  self-check.  
Also, FYI, for all retired military seniors and dependent spouses...  the new reimbursement program (by your insurance company) for these same Covid in-home tests that was effective Jan 15th does not help us.  Neither Medicare nor Tricare for Life insurance programs are covered.  We're on our own!

Royal is still allowing bookings for that cruise via website.
You are only tested 2 days prior to cruising.  Only unvaccinated children are tested at port.
In today's times, always have travel insurance.  This will help in case your trip is canceled due to Covid (for hotel and such).  I, personally, do not know who is liable if you test positive at port.  Once on the ship Royal steps up and covers expenses.
Contingency plans are vital if cruising now.  When cruising are you prepared and willing to accept if events/ports of calls/shows are cancelled?  So much to think about now...

These are NOT the proctored antigen tests and, therefore, not accepted by cruiselines.  They are the in-home tests for you to  self-check.  
Also, FYI, for all retired military seniors and dependent spouses...  the new reimbursement program (by your insurance company) for these same Covid in-home tests that was effective Jan 15th does not help us.  Neither Medicare nor Tricare for Life insurance programs are covered.  We're on our own!

I'd rather them cancel cruises than risk the health of both crew and passengers.   We have 3 weeks booked for March that are paid in full.  If they cancel and offer us the 100% refund plus 100% FCC... I'll be doing the happy dance!   

I'd rather them cancel cruises than risk the health of both crew and passengers.   We have 3 weeks booked for March that are paid in full.  If they cancel and offer us the 100% refund plus 100% FCC... I'll be doing the happy dance!   

I'd rather them cancel cruises than risk the health of both crew and passengers.   We have 3 weeks booked for March that are paid in full.  If they cancel and offer us the 100% refund plus 100% FCC... I'll be doing the happy dance!   

I'd rather them cancel cruises than risk the health of both crew and passengers.   We have 3 weeks booked for March that are paid in full.  If they cancel and offer us the 100% refund plus 100% FCC... I'll be doing the happy dance!   

I'd rather them cancel cruises than risk the health of both crew and passengers.   We have 3 weeks booked for March that are paid in full.  If they cancel and offer us the 100% refund plus 100% FCC... I'll be doing the happy dance!   

I'd rather them cancel cruises than risk the health of both crew and passengers.   We have 3 weeks booked for March that are paid in full.  If they cancel and offer us the 100% refund plus 100% FCC... I'll be doing the happy dance!   

From what I've read...if you test positive DURING a cruise Royal will take care of your expenses to get you home.  If you test positive PRIOR to boarding then they will refund 100% of your cruise but you are responsible for all other expenses.  

We do have a child with special needs who is unable to wear a mask.   We contacted RC via [email protected].   We were requested to have a doctor supply a written note explaining our son's condition.  We have not been on our cruise yet.   (His condition is severe developmental delay)

Unfortunately I feel this issue is negatively impacting folks with a valid medical reason because we have doctors that are willing to write notes for a small fee waiving mask requirements due to their political beliefs and greed.
This is an issue in Florida with mask requirements in school systems.  There are doctors who for $50 will write a note without ever seeing a patient, declaring the student has a medical reason to not wear a mask.  
Given how ridiculously easy it is to obtain a doctor's handwritten note it places companies like cruise lines in a very difficult position and it impacts the small number of people with a valid medical reason due to the fakers. 
Much like bogus service animal certificates impact valid service animals, bogus mask exemptions are impacting valid mask exemptions.

I think I saw this idea come up a while ago and I believe the idea was they shouldn't sail. I don't know if they were forced into cancellation but anyone who has a medical exemption from a mask most likely has a pre-existing respiratory weakness that would put them in the high risk category if they caught covid. For their safety, more than the safety of other passengers...they would probably be advised not to sail and offered refunds or FCCs i guess.

That is definitely something to call Royal directly about. There are a very limited set of circumstances in which medical exemptions for masks can be considered, but they are very few and very far between (far fewer exemptions than most anti-mask people like to believe).

In my humble opinion, no mask no sail. It's just that simple. They are a business and to participate in the business the business stated protocols must be adhered to. That's a slippery slope I don't think they would take on. Just wait to sail when the mask protocol is lifted. I just can't see it.