WAAAYTOOO Posted July 15, 2021 Report Share Posted July 15, 2021 Looks like Royal's protocols out of Texas will be the same as those out of FL. Dear valued Travel Partners, This is memory maxing from the Gulf Coast. Your clients can take thrills to the next level from Galveston, Texas onboard Independence of the Seas® and embark on island hopping journeys. And there are plenty of Texas-style adventures to be had even before they board — from Galveston’s amusement park thrills to spicy seafood sensations. Before we welcome booked guests back onboard with open arms this August, we would like to share some important details with you. Please ensure you carefully review the enclosed message to assist your booked clients. The information below applies only to sailings departing from Galveston, Texas on Independence of the Seas this August. We will continue to update these protocols as public health situations evolve. Your booked clients will be provided full details specific to their port of departure prior to sailing. Pre-Cruise RequirementsVaccination RequirementAll guests 12 years and older are required to bring proof of vaccination, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card, with the final dose of the vaccine completed at least 14 days before sailing.Testing At the terminal: Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 years are required to take a PCR test for COVID-19 when checking in. Registration details for this test will be sent via email in advance. Prior to disembarking: Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 years are required to take an antigen test onboard within 24 hours of the end of voyage. Vaccinated guests who require an antigen or PCR test for entry into their destination country may receive one onboard at no charge. Registration details will be provided during the cruise. Both of these tests are complimentary. No testing is required for guests under age 2 years. Going Ashore At ports of call, fully vaccinated parties have the choice of booking a shore excursion or visiting freely. Parties that wish to go ashore and include any unvaccinated guests, including parents traveling with unvaccinated children, must book a shore excursion through Royal Caribbean that is provided by an independent local tour operator that has agreed to comply with recommended health protocols. Vaccinated parents wishing to go ashore freely can visit our youth facilities once onboard to learn about drop off program hours and availability, and reserve time for their child on the day they wish to go in port. Shore excursions may be purchased in advance on the Cruise Planner website. Once onboard, they can be purchased at the shore excursions desk or by using the Royal Caribbean app. All guests are also subject to restrictions and requirements as defined by local authorities in the ports we visit. What to Expect OnboardIf guests have cruised with us before, they will notice some changes. Royal Caribbean, like all cruise companies sailing from U.S. ports, is guided by CDC regulations which currently govern many aspects of our operations. On the sailing, guests 12 years and older and all our crew will be vaccinated.While we are ready to give all our guests an amazing vacation, we do want to share some details about the experience, so your clients know what to expect.Please note, a guest’s SeaPass card will be required to access lounges, shows, and dining venues, so it’s best to keep it handy at all times during the cruise. Face Masks and Physical Distancing When indoors, CDC guidelines require all guests 2 years and older to wear masks unless they are actively eating or drinking. The CDC makes allowances for guests to remove their masks in venues and events dedicated to fully vaccinated parties. Since so many of our guests are vaccinated, they’ll find plenty of these opportunities. Masks are not required while in a guest’s own stateroom when with their traveling party or outside on the open decks, unless in a crowded setting. Updates will be shared as changes to the CDC mask guidelines occur. Guests will find the boarding process and entire ship set up to allow for physical distancing, which is encouraged whenever interacting with those outside of a guest’s traveling party. Dining For Main Dining, we will designate areas for everyone, including parents and unvaccinated children, and areas for vaccinated parties only. My Time Dining will not be available to parties that include unvaccinated guests. Some specialty restaurants will be open to everyone, while others will be for vaccinated parties only. If a buffet is preferred, Windjammer will be open to everyone for breakfast and lunch, and the food will be served by our crew. We recommend that guests make dining reservations via Cruise Planner before the cruise or the Royal Caribbean app once onboard. Grab-and-go cafes will also be available for everyone. Other Venues Theaters and activity venues will offer spaced seating with options for everyone and for vaccinated guests only. Show reservations can be made once onboard using the Royal Caribbean app. Youth spaces will be open to all children and teens. Spa services, except those offered in treatment rooms, are available to everyone. The Fitness Center will have dedicated operating hours for everyone, as well as hours reserved for vaccinated guests only. The Casino will be open to vaccinated guests only. What To BringTravel Documentation Checklist A Passport Book or Passport Card, valid for at least six months after the cruise, is strongly recommended. If guests do not have a Passport, they may present a state-certified U.S. Birth Certificate (not a “baby feet” hospital certificate or baptismal paper). Guests age 16 years and older that choose to present a Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver’s License or picture ID card issued by the government. A COVID-19 vaccination record card for each vaccinated guest with the final dose at least 14 days before sailing. For additional protocol information, please click the link below to read the detailed FAQs. Please note that health protocols are expected to change over time. Guidance for other ports and sailings is still in development with federal, state, and local authorities. We will update you and your booked clients as protocols change. Neesa, Tanner, Zurc and 3 others 2 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanner Posted July 15, 2021 Report Share Posted July 15, 2021 Just got mine. Going to cross post now that is confirmed Canadians can get a PCR test on board! A little sad about some of the requirements since we will be with little ones but very happy over-all!!!!! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L454S Posted July 15, 2021 Report Share Posted July 15, 2021 Will NOT try for a last minute out of Galveston like I had hoped. Have 2 booked for January out of Galveston, will cancel those if this silliness is still going on. Good luck RCI, but I hear the road calling................ WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 Has anyone tried using a Passport Card for ID? I know a Passport Book is needed for flights (in case of emergency) but a card is much more convenient to present at the port. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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