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https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/05/26/cdc-gives-cruise-lines-relaxed-face-mask-guidelines-and-issues-new-rules-vaccinated

Thank you Doug for the post in a Facebook group for the June 12th sailing. Updates below:

Provided cruise ship operators with more discretion regarding fully vaccinated travelers. Provided additional discretionary considerations for ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated.

New Information I noticed:

Mask Usage

  • Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos; bars; spas; entertainment venues; and dining areas, including self-serve buffets).
  • For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.

Shore Excursions

  • Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops. The cruise ship operator is additionally advised that foreign jurisdictions may have their own requirements.
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Also the entire Physical Distancing and Food Services sections are merely a recommendation on 95% cruise.

 

Also no requirement that shore excursion companies make you social distance/wear masks on shore excursions if you're vaccinated.

 

But this is the big one to me, if that means kids won't have to wear masks.

 

  • For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.
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14 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Also the entire Physical Distancing and Food Services sections are merely a recommendation on 95% cruise.

 

Also no requirement that shore excursion companies make you social distance/wear masks on shore excursions if you're vaccinated.

 

But this is the big one to me, if that means kids won't have to wear masks.

 

  • For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.

Yeah ... that's a bit confusing.

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This is finally heading in the direction I thought it would when the whole 95% Crew/98% Passengers Vaccinated thing was initially announced. The goal the CDC wants to have is cruises with mostly, if not fully, vaccinated passengers, to help increase vaccination rates (and reduce risk of the minimal possibility of Covid spread to as close to zero as possible).

This helps that goal. BUT, with Richard Fain stating he doesn't believe Royal Caribbean will go that route due to being a family cruise line, this could slow down the restart of cruising due to ships having to do the test/simulated sailings protocols. Also, keep in mind that the protocols on the Conditional Sailings with less than 95% vaccinated passengers, will more than likely be stringent (PCR Tests for all, Masks for all, in all public areas, social distancing requirements, tracelets, ship only excursions, etc.). I don't know if it would get to Quantum levels of protocols, but IMO, it'll be far closer to that, than what the pre-covid cruise experience was. Also, I don't think it'll make a difference if you're vaccinated or not. If it's a conditional cruise, the rules will be for everyone. 

This now falls on Royal (and other cruise lines) to decide to have ships that follow these new guidelines AND ships do the test protocols, or to delay cruising by not taking advantage of the opportunity provided.

(note: Adventure's protocols are unknown as of 5/26/21, and while Ovation/Serenade have vaccination requirements, I don't know if a) it'll meet the 95% threshold set by the CDC, and b) if Royal even wants to try, meaning Ovation and Serenade would have to do test sailings as well, and be subject to the conditional sailing protocols).

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33 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Also the entire Physical Distancing and Food Services sections are merely a recommendation on 95% cruise.

 

Also no requirement that shore excursion companies make you social distance/wear masks on shore excursions if you're vaccinated.

 

But this is the big one to me, if that means kids won't have to wear masks.

 

  • For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.

Question of kids masking up is my biggest concern as well...

I'd love to know what % of guests are usually below 12, if a 95% would ever be closely attainable. 

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About 9% under 12, both worldwide and just North American passengers

 

Who knows what demographics are looking like for these restart cruises though. It wouldn't surprise me if a lot less kids are on board. Maybe that's why Richard Fain wasn't too concerned about meeting the 95% rule.

 

https://cruising.org/-/media/research-updates/research/2019-year-end/updated/2019-north-american-market-report.ashx

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