jticarruthers

Reading the newly posted article on the home page of this blog it appears as though the testing requirement will remain in place for at least a few more months according to Royal Caribbean's CEO.  Which could mean the testing requirement might still be in place this fall or perhaps even this winter.
And as far as the vaccine requirement to cruise and when that might go away he had no concrete answer because according to him many countries/destinations still require a high degree of vaccination for all arriving cruise ships. I personally (even though vaccinated) was hoping the vaccine mandate would go away by the end of this year but after reading his comments that he gave on Ovation this week I'm starting to think the vaccine mandate will still be in place well into 2023. 

Definitely can see both sides.
For me I am starting to get past my "I miss cruising" phase and headed into my "I miss hanging out with my group of friend's while on a cruise" phase ... since a good number of them cant cruise because of the restrictions that has me looking at "where can we go as a group without boarding a cruise ship" which reveals lots of other destinations .... and ultimately is going to cost the cruise lines business if they are the only vacation destination that doesn't allow the unvaccinated to participate.

Definitely can see both sides.
For me I am starting to get past my "I miss cruising" phase and headed into my "I miss hanging out with my group of friend's while on a cruise" phase ... since a good number of them cant cruise because of the restrictions that has me looking at "where can we go as a group without boarding a cruise ship" which reveals lots of other destinations .... and ultimately is going to cost the cruise lines business if they are the only vacation destination that doesn't allow the unvaccinated to participate.

Definitely can see both sides.
For me I am starting to get past my "I miss cruising" phase and headed into my "I miss hanging out with my group of friend's while on a cruise" phase ... since a good number of them cant cruise because of the restrictions that has me looking at "where can we go as a group without boarding a cruise ship" which reveals lots of other destinations .... and ultimately is going to cost the cruise lines business if they are the only vacation destination that doesn't allow the unvaccinated to participate.

We can hope for sooner 🙂

Definitely can see both sides.
For me I am starting to get past my "I miss cruising" phase and headed into my "I miss hanging out with my group of friend's while on a cruise" phase ... since a good number of them cant cruise because of the restrictions that has me looking at "where can we go as a group without boarding a cruise ship" which reveals lots of other destinations .... and ultimately is going to cost the cruise lines business if they are the only vacation destination that doesn't allow the unvaccinated to participate.

I herd/saw both articles/rumors.
The Carnival one sounded like basically "medical exemptions are on the honor system". I dont recall how Carnival is setup vis a vis the whole %of unvax/allowing exemptions deal. It might basically be meaningless since they can only take a very small # of unvax individuals anyway.
I know the common wisdom is that it is going to be a while yet, i just dont see how much longer one tiny segment is going to be enforcing rules that no one else is even thinking about.

I think a year ago those cruising only because of the vaccine requirement would be pretty high.  In 2022, I can't see it being the same.

Every protocol that has been implemented chips away at the ability to enjoy a vacation.  Every protocol impacts the travel industry.  Some more than others and some in ways that aren't as easy to quantify.  The removal of the testing requirement for inbound international flights has created significant impact on the travel industry.  Just because planes were full before they removed testing doesn't mean there was no impact from the testing requirement for international flights.
Other protocols like pre-cruise testing impact the travel industry.  Vaccination requirements impact the travel industry.  There are people now that are not cruising because of these protocols. 
At the moment there are many new to cruise booking travel that is largely rebound or pent up demand from having minimal travel for two years.  There will soon come a time when that pent up demand has been satisfied.  The state of the economy and inflation may soon put the brakes on travel demand.  When that occurs the industry will need the folks who are currently avoiding travel due to protocols. 
Just because ships are full doesn't mean that there is no impact from the current protocols.

Not to debate this with you because it would be a political debate.  But, my antidotal evidence is that there are still a lot of people that haven't been jabbed, will never be jabbed and refuse to cruise/travel because of the jab.  So, I believe that if the jab mandate goes away, business would be even better for the cruise/travel industry. 
Going from zero passenger count to what it is today isn't remarkable.  Bookings were going up from day one, when it was required to wear a mask 100% of the time, excluding in your own stateroom and actually eating/drinking, and you had to be jabbed.  People were just happy to be out and about.  I think people would have cruised if you told them they had to wear "Depends" over their head and give urine specimens ever 3 hours.  JMHO
 

We can hope for sooner 🙂

I herd/saw both articles/rumors.
The Carnival one sounded like basically "medical exemptions are on the honor system". I dont recall how Carnival is setup vis a vis the whole %of unvax/allowing exemptions deal. It might basically be meaningless since they can only take a very small # of unvax individuals anyway.
I know the common wisdom is that it is going to be a while yet, i just dont see how much longer one tiny segment is going to be enforcing rules that no one else is even thinking about.

I'm posting this in the Rumors section b/c I have not seen it but one place, so far.
La Vida Loca is reporting that Celebrity will be lifting the vaccination requirement for passengers under 17 years old, for cruises from Europe.
Granted, this is a subset of a subset of a subset of cruisers, but to my knowledge this is the first time I have read of any vaccination requirement being lifted anywhere.  Testing requirements ?  Yes...but not vaxxes as far as I know.
Anybody else hear this anywhere officially ?  Could there be a crack ?

Hmmmm maybe it would be nice to drop testing, allow unvax/vax to cruise but say it is required to bring 1 or 2 test depending on cruise length. They could use those cheap government style test and if at any point, you feel sick you test and be honest. Otherwise, you live life and continue to be careful and kind. 

i think you hsve your answer already but yes, all the uploading is basically worthless as i have to show my passport and vax card every time even though they have digital copies already ... makes no sense but it is what it is.

i think you hsve your answer already but yes, all the uploading is basically worthless as i have to show my passport and vax card every time even though they have digital copies already ... makes no sense but it is what it is.

The Trade association CLIA that represents the interests Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian and other cruise lines is now asking the CDC to drop its recommendation that recommends all cruise passengers present a negative COVID test prior to boarding. Although CDC only recommends passengers be tested it appears as though (at least here in the US) cruise lines will not take the next step and remove the testing requirement on their own unless the CDC first ends their recommendation that the test be required.  This probably has more to do  with legal ramification no cruise line wants to be sued by someone claiming they got COVID onboard a cruise. The CDC's recommendation is a problem for cruise lines as long as it exists.  Should the recommendation go away that then may provide legal cover for cruise lines against someone looking to file a frivolous lawsuit.  
According to the article (link provided below) the CLIA is only asking for the CDC to remove its testing recommendation there are no signs yet that the industry is looking to move away from the vaccine requirement. 
The CDC finally caved into the pressure from the nations airlines, lets see if they extend that same courtesy to the cruise line industry.
https://www.thestreet.com/investing/cruise-lines-call-for-cdc-to-change-covid-testing-policy

Although, I  don't agree with the snale pace slow roll of dropping protocols that have mainly served to add cost and inconvenience and could've been dropped months+ ago, I    am thankful it is finally happening.  Please keep removing them.  I    agree, they will likely be gone by the end of 2022.
We are looking forward to jumping on Independence in August, but the extra hoops and costs are making us look at All Inclusive for future vacations which are actually significantly less expensive now compared to RCCL.

So far 61 countries no longer require international travelers to present a negative test to enter including a few Caribbean Islands (which have seen their vaccination rates jump) and on Sunday at midnight that number becomes 62 as the US joins the list.
If some articles are to be believed by the end of July the list of countries no longer requiring negative test should reach 100 or more as more and more countries continue to drop the testing requirement for entry.   I would appear as though governments around the world are finally realizing what normal everyday people have been saying for months if not a year or more which is we are going to have to learn to just live with COVID.

Actual verbiage from the onboard C&A offer letter can be found in this thread:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/25934-crown-anchor-on-board-offers-20212022-edition/
It is one day of Surf for Diamond and two days of Surf for Diamond Plus or the equivalent onboard price for a day(s) of Surf as a discount from a full voyage plan on board.  Length of cruise has no bearing.  

I think D is one day free and D+ is two days (or equivalent $ off a package) but only when purchased on board so you cant take advantage of any of the cruise planner discounts.
Not sure if the # of days free varies based on length of cruise or is fixed but I do know I had one day as a D and 2 days as a D+ on my most recent cruises.
I think it was based on Surf and Stream, one device pricing but could be wrong.

I think D is one day free and D+ is two days (or equivalent $ off a package) but only when purchased on board so you cant take advantage of any of the cruise planner discounts.
Not sure if the # of days free varies based on length of cruise or is fixed but I do know I had one day as a D and 2 days as a D+ on my most recent cruises.
I think it was based on Surf and Stream, one device pricing but could be wrong.

Yep, enforced boarding time are great and so so much safer:
 

Thank you.  It really is too much.  The Memorial Day sale deluxe drink price for my 7 night cruise on Radiance in Dec was $66. per person, today it is still $66.  With gratuity it comes to $1090.32 this is more than I paid for the cruise!  (Ocean View)  
 
Having said that I still prefer that Royal does not bundle drinks and charge higher fares that some of us could not afford.  Am happy with what is included and the options/sales to buy the Royal Refreshment and Soda packages as well.  I do wish Royal had one more package that included Beer and Wine for those of us who don’t drink liquor.  

Gotta keep that "record on board spending" going somehow ... for me its having the opposite effect, with prices going nuts I am doing more "booking with third parties for excursions" and "carrying on 2 bottles" again.