whitsmom

Ohio has now, after CDC made more changes, that vaxed can ditch masks 100% (nursing homes still the exception I think).  I tested this update over the weekend.  My wife and I went to a Home Depot walked in talked to staff about purchases we were looking to make etc.  No one mentioned needing masks.  
We decide to have lunch at Panera.  We are ordering food and then while taking our order the cashier asks us if we have masks.  I politely stated we are vaxed.  She then says we still need to have masks on and walks to get, I am guessing the manager.  I am not trying to be on a YouTube "worst customer" video so we went ahead and just left.
I will say my wife was a little annoyed with me because she really likes one of the salads they have, whoops ?! 
I am wondering how businesses are going to do when June 2nd rolls around when everyone can ditch their masks here.  
Edited:  I want to make sure that it is known the Panera cashier was not snotty or rude to us when asking about us having masks.  I fully believe they were just doing their job and there is nothing wrong with that in my eyes.

Agreed. If you don't like a business that has a mask policy, don't frequent them if you don't like their policy. It's your right not to wear a mask and it's their right not to provide a service to you. I think that second part has been forgotten the last year. I'm keenly aware of that, as someone who works with the public and has been called names, sworn at and had things thrown at me, because I was doing what my company pays me to do. Manage and uphold company policies.

Mask requirements are easing up effective Saturday here in TN, too. It's definitely a sign of the reopening is well underway.

Most capacity limits and mask requirements are being lifted today in North Carolina, effective immediately. No specific mention of individual businesses having the right to require masks, but unless requiring them were to violate a law they should be free to do so. 
If a place of business requires a mask and I don't like it (I don't) I have the option to not frequent that business.

Starting today Kentucky and Indiana has dropped the mask wearing mandate for fully vaccinated people for inside and outside with no social distancing (according to the CDC recommendations our Governor said today).   However, we still have to wear them on buses, planes, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters ?.  I hope this will be a giant step in the right direction for cruising!!!

Starting today Kentucky and Indiana has dropped the mask wearing mandate for fully vaccinated people for inside and outside with no social distancing (according to the CDC recommendations our Governor said today).   However, we still have to wear them on buses, planes, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters ?.  I hope this will be a giant step in the right direction for cruising!!!

When you say "Washy Washy" in your head every time you get a pump of hand sanitizer or wash your hands. Sometimes even throw in a "Washy Washy, Happy Happy" for a little extra razzle dazzle.

This.
But, as Twangster posts, "one step at a time." Let's get the cruise re-start from US ports into sight. Baring a ruling by Judge Merryday that enjoins enforcement of the CDC's CSO, I suspect that in the background, unknown to the public, negotiations are going on between the CDC and cruise line execs over the entire contents of the CSO. In light of the CDC's announcement that masks are not required for fully vaccinated people, except in some settings (I'll get to that), some provisions of the CSO won't stand.
On the issue of how the CDC views cruise ships and the risks of disease spread when sailing on them: First, let's make sure we understand that the CDC views cruise ships as "congregate residential settings." These settings according to the CDC are at higher risk for disease spread and therefor are differently regulated. You can read the recent update (5/7/21) relevant to the cruise lines here: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/instructions-local-agreements.html
IMO, it is arguable whether the science and the data support the designation of cruise ships as "residential congregate settings." Nursing homes, hospitals and prisons, I'm fine with that. Most of us are not fine with a cruise ship being designated as residential congregate setting. That's because, all things considered, cruise ships are a combination of large out door and indoor gatherings, restaurants, bars, casinos and hotels. None of these venues are subject to any kind of additional restrictions. Big contradiction given CDC's green-lighting maskless participation (normal behaviors) in any of those venues for fully vaccinated people. Nevertheless, that's where we are. Is it over-reach and falls within FL's claim and request to enjoin the CSO? Technically, no but I believe Judge Merryday is looking at this on the basis of the Amicus Curiae brief from the Association of Travel Advisors. We'll see when he rules.
There is a ton more CSO regulations pertaining to ports in the document I linked above. Read them if you like. I feel pretty confident this is government over-reach that conflicts with state's authority to regulate it's ports. The CDC doesn't have authority to regulate FL's ports past the water's edge unless they are federal facilities - none of FL's ports are that. I believe Judge Merryday is looking at this and it is where I opined earlier that we could see some of the provisions of the CSO, like these, enjoined but the CSO in total would not be enjoined.     
Back to out of the public eye negotiations going on between cruise line execs and the CDC. We've discussed some of the crazy, makes no sense mitigation measures for passengers aboard ships within this blog. The ones that will be targets for negotiations are the ones that contradict other PH guidance the CDC has provided. You know which ones these are ... the it's the long list of "stupid and makes no sense" mobility and behavior restrictions (masking between bites at a meal, no buffet style dining, limits on the number of passengers gathering in one location). If the CSO is not tossed out in its entirety I think we'll see most of this disappear. Right now, the CDC is under tremendous pressure to get it's act together. It's back-peddling ferociously and we'll see some of this in whatever COVID protocols the cruise lines end up incorporating or not into ship's operations.
On vaccinations to board/sail. Setting aside the potential conflict with FL's governor's position on this for the moment, businesses are entirely in their legal rights to require employees aboard ship to be vaccinated. Generally, where PH is concerned, it's legal to require vaccinations for certain kinds of participation. School is one of them and that has been upheld by the courts in numerous challenges. The matter of the legality of a business requiring it for patrons to receive service or enter hasn't been fully established. This is the best and most concise opinion on this I've seen:
So, can cruise ships require vaccinations to sail. I think they can and will on the basis of their ethical obligation to provide a safe environment. Will that be challenged? Yes. In time for it to affect July sailings in the US? No.
On the Desantis position within FL. Can he ban companies operating in FL from requiring proof of vaccination for service or entry? IMO, no and I've written elsewhere why. However, there is the practical matter of creating a kurfuffle for both parties involved in reaping the benefits of restarting cruising from FL ports. My take is that there will be some sort of agreement reached and cruise lines will have the option of requiring them to sail/board from FL ports or not. Again, IMO, if the cruise lines wanted to give Desantis the middle finger they would be within their legal rights to require vaccines to board.  But why considering what's at stake.

This is only one portion of the tremendous pressure that is coming to bear on the CDC at the moment which, IMO, caused the "no mask mandate" to come out yesterday. They and the WH administration have in the past four months insisted on the mask mandate, even with the vaccine that was touted as the miracle cure for getting back to normal, and it became apparent that to move forward and not lose all credibility with the general public it had to be removed. That is the first step. The negotiations which I believe are happening as one would in normal course of business and court dealings may result in the CSO being modified to allow the cruise lines to operate soon and to save face for the CDC which they desperately need right now. This would make the judges' ruling easier and can be shown as a win-win for both parties. Either way, I just hope we can get sailing soon.

Starting today Kentucky and Indiana has dropped the mask wearing mandate for fully vaccinated people for inside and outside with no social distancing (according to the CDC recommendations our Governor said today).   However, we still have to wear them on buses, planes, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters ?.  I hope this will be a giant step in the right direction for cruising!!!

Iowa never had a state mask mandate, just up to local business's

PA and NV also dropped their mask mandates for the vaxed.

June 2nd Ohio is dropping all health and social mandates from the state.  Business will be able to make the decision to require social distancing and masks if they choose to.  I am very excited to start getting back to freaking normal. 
Governor DeWine also made a lottery out of it so to speak.  
https://www.whio.com/news/local/dewines-vax-a-million-drawing-under-fire/WY53U235WRF47CM7P73FEYKDOI/

Odyssey of the Seas has sailings scheduled from Haifa, Israel through the 10/22/2021 sailing, after which the next scheduled sailing appears as 11/15/2021 from Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  The sailings from Haifa are currently open only for vaccinated residents of Israel (and those under 18 who have a negative test).
Jewel of the Seas has sailings scheduled from Limassol, Cyprus through the 10/23/2021 sailing, after which the next scheduled sailing appears as 11/15/2021 from Miami, FL. The sailings on Jewel of the Seas are open to all with proof of vaccination (and those under 18 who have a negative test), the only requirement is being able to get into Cyprus, which will open to vaccinated travelers from the United States and a number of other countries on May 10, 2021.
Harmony of the Seas is expected to be sailing out of Europe, probably Spain, but Royal Caribbean has not announced anything publicly yet. It is expected to be for vaccinated travelers only (and those under 18 who have a negative test).
Anthem of the Seas is sailing out of Southampton, England through the 10/9/2021 sailing, after which the next scheduled sailing appears as 11/7/2021 from Cape Liberty, NJ. Currently these sailings are open only to vaccinated UK residents (and those under 18 who have a negative test).
Quantum of the Seas is sailing out of Singapore. It is open to Singapore residents only, though has no vaccination requirements, just negative test requirements.
Adventure of the Seas has sailings scheduled from Nassau, The Bahamas through the 9/11/2021 sailing, after which the next scheduled sailing appears as 10/29/2021 from Galveston, TX. These sailings are open to all vaccinated travelers (and those under 18 who have a negative test). The Bahamas is open to all vaccinated travelers (and those under 18 who have a negative test).
Vision of the Seas has sailings scheduled from Bermuda through the 8/28/2021 sailing, after which the next scheduled sailing appears as 9/5/2021 from San Juan, PR. These sailings are open to all vaccinated travelers (and those under 18 who have a negative test). Bermuda is open to all vaccinated travelers (and those under 18 who have a negative test), but you should check for various exceptions and other requirements directly.

just a little insight on all the mask requirement stuff that we hear, and it's actual enforcement.  Here in the USA masks are required by TSA in all airports, except when eating and drinking.  I am fully vaccinated and have been for months so, personally I have no concerns.  No Judgement here just observations.
To set the scene I returned home today from DFW to Iowa and left out of terminal B.  While we waited to board for 2 hours we both walked the terminal and sat and read.  Of note, NO one siting in any restaurant or eating area had on a mask, whether they were actively engaged in eating or drinking, all were mask-less in those area.  Dozens of people were improperly wearing masks even while walking the corridors.  Again dozens of people were sitting in normal seats or at the counters with usb / power. without masks, most had a drink close at hand but not all.  I sat somewhat away from others and set a bottle of water in front of me and read without a mask for an hour, no one commentated to me, or ask me to put it on.  i did wear my mask onto the airplane, but as soon as the plane started its takeoff roll, I pulled it down, on the rare occasion the stewardess came down the isle I pulled it back up, though I missed it one time and nothing was said.  Now if someone would have said anything to me at any time I would have gladly said sorry and put it back on, but my point is no one did.
Just to be clear I am fully a supporter of vaccination and of the recent reports that that those fully vaccinated are not only 96+% not going to catch, but that they are also proven to be non-asymptomatic carriers.  I also found that being retired and only having to wear a mask for short time in stores as opposed to having to wear one all day at work, wearing one for a prolonged period was a big pain in my A55, therefore in view of being fully vaccinated I elected to wear one only when absolutely necessary to no cause trouble.
Here in the USA we are more attuned to everyone being allowed to have their own opinion and act as the want, and I exercised my right as I saw fit.  Sorry if i offended anyone by either actions or comments I have posted.

It's never the wrong time to do the right thing.

Last week I received an email from revenue management letting me know that my March bookings involved a pricing error but they would honor the bookings.
I had two suite cabins booked, one for me and another for a family member.  To give you an idea of the error involved my suite would normally go for 234% more while the other suite would normally be 255% more each on a solo basis given our unique qualifiers (CAS status, age, state, etc).  Both suites have the capacity for 6 guests.  I had booked both suites with a single guest in each cabin.
I offered to let the bookings go.  An email exchange followed that turned into a game of phone tag as we both worked around busy schedules but we eventually talked on the phone.   
Revenue management was very clear I could keep the bookings and they would honor the pricing.  They requested the phone call to make sure I understood they would honor them.  I told her to cancel them.
I didn't feel right taking advantage of what was clearly a pricing error.  I knew it was a error when I booked it and give Royal a lot of credit for offering to honor the bookings despite the thousands of dollars they would lose by doing so.  
A family of four booked in one of these suites would have gone for 500% more than I was booked for.  Between the two suites it amounted to an error that would cost Royal over $10k in revenue if both suites were booked at capacity not to mention losses in gratuity and onboard spending.
Simply stated it didn't sit right with me to take advantage of the company especially during these dark times with so much lost due to the pandemic.
Call me a fool but I slept better knowing I did the right thing.
BTW - nice people in revenue management.  

I guess you're looking at eastbound NJ to Southampton on May 2nd 2022? I waited and waited for that one to come out because we had been planning on doing this year's. However, we preferred this year's itinerary because it was a day longer and had a stop in Canada meaning also a max of 3 sea days in a row (deal breaker). So for us, that one's unfortunately been shelved for now. ?
So, I agree that probably you wouldn't get much use out of a balcony on that crossing but are you high enough on the C&A ladder to get a balcony discount? Because if you are, check out the obstructed balcony cabins on deck 6, as that may actually work out cheaper or not much more than the OV. Then if you did happen to get a decent day or two you could take advantage of it without having spent a fortune on it. Take a look specifically at the so-called "square cabins" which are not too badly obstructed and have a wider balcony (6254, 6258, 6654 and 6658). The ones on starboard will get you better sunshine going in that direction.
Getting from Southampton to London is fairly straightforward but will depend on whether you are planning to fly straight back to the US on disembarkation day. Cheapest is usually the National Express coach service which runs every couple of hours but which may take a while especially if there are any accidents/road works along the way. The train can be an excellent choice; more comfortable than the coach and less susceptible to traffic delays but a bit more expensive. You can't usually book either of these very far in advance but it's worth checking daily to see when they open up because the earlier you book the less you pay. Also they do have cheaper fares for the over something-or-others (can't remember the exact ages but you'll find them on the relevant websites). The third option, if you're likely to be tight on time, is to book a car service. There are several local ones in Southampton that are well-regarded.
Another option worth exploring is using a low-cost carrier out of Southampton or Bournemouth to somewhere like Amsterdam, Paris or Dublin and booking an onward flight to the US on a separate ticket. This could save you some money by avoiding the UK's hefty air passenger tax, although you need to be wary of the luggage rules and costs charged by the low-cost carrier and allow enough time to collect and re-check your bags. Dublin has the added attraction of having pre-flight US immigration so when you arrive back in the States it's as if you've arrived on a domestic flight.
Lastly, if in the end you decide to go the London route, do try and stay there for a couple of nights, if you can possibly swing it. It would be a terrible shame to miss out on visiting such a great city. There is very decent budget hotel chain in the UK called Premier Inn which has comfortable properties at sensible prices.
Sorry for waffling on for so long. I hope some of it's helpful. ?
 

From what I'm keeping track of, I have no doubt that RCL and Celebrity ships are quick-turning in Port of Miami and PEV. These are not likely to be provisioning or fuel stops although those could be a secondary reasons for the stop.
The primary is more than likely boarding crew members to go through the companies quarantine and vaccination process. I think the movement of crew from their homes to board a specific ship on which they are going to serve as crew for the restart has been detailed somewhere in this message board.
Here's a link to an article describing the re-crewing process from an interview that appeared in Cruise Industry News (forget the file photo that headlines the interview article. Has nothing to do with current crew movement). The article lays out the technical aspects of crew movement - its complicated and time consuming: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24849-happy-to-have-a-job-crew-excited-to-return-to-cruise-ships.html
Equinox and Edge will be sailing out of PEV when the re-start commences. Equinox has a quick-turn at PEV on 5/06/21 from 0700-1700. I believe one of the most productive ways to get a feel for what RCG is doing and when a restart is likely, is to follow cruise port schedules. I'm about 90% positive RCG knows precisely when they are planning each ship's restart. Given the 60d time frame from warm storage to revenue sailings, RCG has probably already identified start date windows for the ships that will be involved in the first phase of the re-start. They have to have done that in order to plan for ramping up ship's crew manning levels, completing quarantine and conducting crew training. 
https://pevvesseltraffic.broward.org/webx/  

There are two ways Royal Caribbean is applying FCCs now- one is that line item that comes off the top of your cruise, and another is as a payment. It's less confusing than when this first started, but yes that TBZ5 line item is on there when FCC is applied. 

If anyone is looking into getting travel insurance here's a link to the coverage specifically for Allianz. https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/coverage-alerts/2019-novel-coronavirus.htm
 

One unvaccinated person infected on a ship will blow up in the media and end up costing cruise lines hundreds of millions should the CDC step back in and declare them closed again.  Just the bad press from a claim of an infection from a cruise will cost all cruise lines a hit to stock prices and a drop in bookings.  That's a direct hit to their bottom line.
The absolute last thing any cruise line can afford is a case or claim of a case aboard a ship.  
I respect everyone's individual choice for or against getting a vaccine.  I also respect a business having the ability to establish policy to protect itself from a crazed media eager to see it fail.
To that end I hope cruise lines establish a vaccine requirement.  They need to do so to protect themselves. 
I'd really like to see a common sense policy of 100% vaccinated crew and guests with masks only required until you step your first foot onboard the ship.  At that point the mask comes off and the party begins.
I understand this will impact families with members that can't or choose not to vaccinate.  Unfortunately until this virus has moved past society that is an unfortunate outcome.  Once protocols are no longer used anywhere on land they can be removed from ships as well.  At that point all are welcome back on board just as they will be everywhere on land.
Cruising is NOT a constitutional right and businesses must be free to take whatever steps are necessary to operate and protect their brand.  
For those that choose not to vaccinate, including friends I have, that choice comes with consequences like not being to enjoy a cruise.  That is your right to choose, don't take this personal, it's not meant to be an attack but I'm ready to cruise and the safest way to make that happen as quickly as possible is to require a vaccine.  

If we are all forced to wear masks because some choose not to vaccinate or a cruise is forced to end early and every one must quarantine in their cabin because one unvaccinated became infected.  

The real question we should be asking is: if there is a vaccination requirement then WHY mask? I am a doctor and this is all troubling how misinformation is out there.  If you have the full vaccination then there is no need to mask.   Just like when you get the measles vaccination, you get it so you cannot contract nor spread the measles to others.  I wish the USA did a better job educating the public about how our immune systems work ?‍♀️