smilechav

Yes, I can apply for exemption on future cruises. They provide a contact number on the denial email and I was eligible for a full refund, even though my ticket was non-refundable. I haven’t received my refund yet, but I was advised it would take about a month and it’s only been 3 weeks. Overall, it was a simple process. I don’t really have plans to cruise in the future because the headache of being in limbo is not worth it for me. Unless something changes, I won’t be going on a cruise and that’s okay. I can update when I receive the refund because I’ve heard a lot of people are struggling with getting theirs timely.

Yes, on account of being denied medical exemption due to already reaching the 5% capacity. If that had changed I would try to rebook considering I’m missing my close friends wedding with their denial.

Did this change? I thought RC wasn't requiring boosters to sail?

I spoke with the RCCL access department and they have not received updated protocols regarding not including children under 5 years yet. As of now, everyone on the ship is counted. Just an FYI

I was booked for Oasis of the Seas 4/7/22 and applied for medical exemption almost two months in advance with a letter from my physician and was denied. I even had them make notes that this booking was for the wedding of a close friend and not for a "vacation." The denial I received was not because my letter or reasoning for exemption was inadequate, but because RCC is required to have less than 5% unvaccinated to satisfy the healthy sailing per CDC. After receiving my denial, I contacted RCC to inquire the reason it was denied. The associate stated that my "letter was perfect" but that they already had reached the maximum 5%. Kids get first priority (is this fair? not sure), so there was never actually a chance of approval. FYI, if you apply for medical exemption, it will be reviewed the month prior to sailing and it needs to have the reason(s) you're unable to be vaccinated IN DETAIL to be considered and it must be compliant with CDC guidelines (allergy to ingredient or history of myocarditis...that's it). The letter must be written by a MD or DO. No PAs or APRNs will be accepted. If you have an allergy, your doctor will need to explain why you cannot receive the alternative vaccine. For example, if you're allergic to component in MRNA, why can't you receive J&J. They say it's first come first serve but I don't believe that because I had associates say different things. I believe it to be kids first, exemption second. In my opinion as a seasoned nurse in critical care, explaining my personal medical history to a cruise line (who has absolutely no business knowing) felt like a major HIPPA violation. My doctor wasn't comfortable writing details, so I had to sign a waiver allowing it. I don't understand how these cruise lines are getting away with this. I would be fired on the spot for a breech in HIPPA. Guess RCC is a higher power than I am. Good luck to you.

Dang, so sorry for your cousin. It’s unfair, though I understand the (CYA) reasons behind it. It makes those who truly can’t get vaccinated feel like social pariahs. I just had covid too, so I most definitely have more antibodies than all those due for boosters. That’s the idiotic part of it. I’m a critical care nurse and worked all throughout the heights of the pandemic. When no one knew what Covid was I was caring for these patients, so it’s just frustrating that now being vaccinated is being held against me, when it was perfectly okay for me to risk my life daily (my choice, of course). It felt like a HIPPA violation asking my doc to write out the reasons explaining why I can’t be vaccinated for a cruise line…. I love children but I deserve a vacation too I’m disappointed but it’s obviously something out of my hands. Venting session over lol

I'm sailing Oasis on 4/7/22 for a wedding and applied for medical exemption for my covid vaccination. I know how unlikely it is that I will actually be approved, but I was curious if the <95% includes everyone on the ship, even the children that are ineligible to be vaccinated? The most passengers I've seen is 3800 during Spring Break, which would be less than 190 unvaccinated children and/or adults. Yikes, my chances are slim.