Fact or Fiction? If <95% vaccinated unvaccinated will get compensated to cancel

[Funeegal]

I saw this somewhere else and I don't have any idea if this is fact or fiction.  I don't have kiddos under 12, but I am curious to find out if this is true.  Maybe @Matt has heard something?

"Royal’s plan is that if they hit the threshold they will go down the list of families with unvaccinated passengers ages 5-11 and make them a “very appealing” offer to move their sailing. You can say no. They will just go down the list. Their thoughts are that the company’s compensation package will be very strong and someone will want to cancel/reschedule."

I guess it makes sense, but I can see this as being a problem at certain times where kids on cruise ships is higher (i.e. November and December holidays, spring break, summer, etc.)

Thoughts?

[smokeybandit]

The only compensation package that would make me even bat an eye at this offer would be a full refund and move me to a suite on another cruise that same week at no cost as well as cover my transportation to the new port and back.

[twangster]

Likely someone speculating.

Until it happens it's all conjecture.  

All Royal needs to do is flood the casino peepole with offers for a free cruise.  This will increase the number of vaccinated on board to pad the numbers.  Likely a better approach compared to canceling guests and it's transparent to everyone involved.  No one is the wiser.

Time will tell.

[BowTieBrigade]

All I can think about is Carl Weathers on Arrested Development explaining how he makes a living getting bumped from flights. 

[Marlena]

On a family cruising group i am a part of peopke said they were told when over 95% unvaccinated families will be offered " compensation" to switch sailings.

[EmersonNZ]

I guess that would be a simular process to what airlines do when they overbook flights. You make offers to those wishing to go on a different flight upping the compensation until you find a volunteer. If no one volunteer the small print allows you to deny boarding. 

I also imagine RCL has a lot of data on the historical democracies of those traveling and can rather accurately estimate the number of unvaccinated they should expect on any given cruise given the booking patterns they see. Add a decent margin for error and I would be surprised if they found themselves in this situation too often (if at all).

They could also stop selling tickets to certain cruses when they reach 'x' number of children on board. They collect this information when you book so could simply stop the booking process when 'x' number children have booked and then offer other sailings through the booking process.

I really don't see this being too much of an issue for RCL as there are plenty of ways they can mitigate this occurring.

[Marlena]

And im sure this is an issue now because March break. Will def only be a few instances where its a bigger issue 

[Jill]

This was just posted this morning. 

[Matt]

Maybe they'll handle this like an oversold airline flight? Ask for volunteers to cruise a different week?

[smokeybandit]

What's a typical lead time for check in? Of course here we check in the minute it's open, but most people aren't here (their loss!).

 

I would imagine that is being sent out not as a warning, but as a pulse check to see which kids on those reservations are vaccinated.

[twangster]

As a vaccinated guest who is doing my part to increase the percentages on board can I get compensation for not cancelling? 

[Pattycruise]

3 hours ago, twangster said:

As a vaccinated guest who is doing my part to increase the percentages on board can I get compensation for not cancelling? 

Exactly!  I was thinking if they can INCREASE vaxxed guests they can compensate for the unvaxxed.  Give me “free” (or extreme discount) or double double points and I’d gladly step up and jump on a sailing!!

[Funeegal]

6 hours ago, twangster said:

As a vaccinated guest who is doing my part to increase the percentages on board can I get compensation for not cancelling? 

Love this idea!

[Jkaczano]

posted on Facebook re Adventure 3/4 sailing.  Let the fun begin. 
 

 

[Jill]

This all sounds like a Royal pain in the butt! So basically if you’re sailing with unvaccinated 5-11 year olds, it’s a game of Jeopardy/Russian Roulette/Press Your Luck

[smokeybandit]

I just got the email for our March 20 cruise, even though everyone in my group is vaccinated and already checked in with an approved vax card.

 

RC really needs to start doing a better job tailoring their marketing for situations like this

 

They need to add an option here. Say, "I'm vaccinated and you know I'm vaccinated"

 

 

However, my email does NOT say anything about the cruise not being at 95%.  Other than some graphics, this is the full text of the email

 

Your Liberty Of The Seas sailing is fast approaching, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you onboard. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to provide your COVID–19 vaccination status ahead of your cruise. Please complete the short form at the link below.

[twangster]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

I just got the email for our March 20 cruise, even though everyone in my group is vaccinated and already checked in with an approved vax card.

 

RC really needs to start doing a better job tailoring their marketing for situations like this

 

They need to add an option here. Say, "I'm vaccinated and you know I'm vaccinated"

 

 

However, my email does NOT say anything about the cruise not being at 95%.  Other than some graphics, this is the full text of the email

 

Your Liberty Of The Seas sailing is fast approaching, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you onboard. We would appreciate if you could take a moment to provide your COVID–19 vaccination status ahead of your cruise. Please complete the short form at the link below.

They cast a wide net so no one can show up at the pier and claim ignorance like we saw in Seattle in 2021.

[TXcruzer]

On 2/28/2022 at 8:00 PM, Jill said:

This all sounds like a Royal pain in the butt! So basically if you’re sailing with unvaccinated 5-11 year olds, it’s a game of Jeopardy/Russian Roulette/Press Your Luck

It’s almost as if one is being encouraged to vaccinate their 5-11 year olds…………..very simple to make this pain in the butt go away. 

[Tadams51]

In a group Im in, someone reported an email was sent 2 days before they were to board on Friday 3/4 stating "as previously mentioned, your voyage will be considered a highly vaccinated voyage under the newly announced CDC guidelines. This means 95% of eligible guests onboard must be fully vaccinated at the time of sailing. At this time, we need to find an alternative for your current vacation plans. And we have amazing offers and opportunities available to ensure you can still enjoy our beautiful ships. We need to urgently speak with you regarding your options."

RCCL called them and they were moved to a new cruise leaving Saturday out of Miami and supposedly Royal was paying their airfare. However, they are reporting today they still haven't recieved their airfare information. Apparently if you don't move the compensation is a full refund AND an FCC

I am suppose to be leaving Wed 3/9 and I'm anxiously awaiting to see what happens. I can test my kids on Sunday. It's $200 a test and I'd like to know if I'm not going to be sailing as planned. 

Edited March 2, 2022 by Tadams51
Grammer

[LizzyBee23]

On 2/25/2022 at 11:27 AM, twangster said:

Likely someone speculating.

Until it happens it's all conjecture.  

All Royal needs to do is flood the casino peepole with offers for a free cruise.  This will increase the number of vaccinated on board to pad the numbers.  Likely a better approach compared to canceling guests and it's transparent to everyone involved.  No one is the wiser.

Time will tell.

Which is hilarious, as one of the most effective measures is limiting capacity.

[twangster]

52 minutes ago, LizzyBee23 said:

Which is hilarious, as one of the most effective measures is limiting capacity.

Effective against what?  Spread is extremely low right now.  They need to crank it while they can.  If another variant comes along they'll need to ratchet it back, just like they did with Omi.

Make hay while the sun is shining.  

[LizzyBee23]

12 hours ago, twangster said:

Effective against what?  Spread is extremely low right now.  They need to crank it while they can.  If another variant comes along they'll need to ratchet it back, just like they did with Omi.

Make hay while the sun is shining.  

Sure, but this was pointing out the utter hypocrisy of achieving 95% vax rate by packing a ship full, and likely negating the marginal benefit of vaccines (not really a debate... Have a look at the latest data out of 4x jabbed Israel).

I understand this is a rah-rah cruising board, and try to remind myself of that every time a comment is deleted for being "off-topic" (though the best description would be COVID-mitigation-critical). But come on... The industry will not survive under the thumb of the CDC. It's not really the time to accept a "compromise" that so hobbles the industry (even though the reference to unmasked rugrats makes it pretty clear there is some motivated reasoning going on here).

So yes... The two things fit a reasonably sardonic definition of hilarious.

[GatorCruiser]

I am sure in time things will relax, but not yet. There is too much at stake for the cruise lines right now to revert to large covid number onboard. Once the cases  (or surges if they occur) dont equal hospitalizations/deaths, which would indicate greater population immunity, we can move past the constant national neurosis about covid. It'll take time for the media and the nation to move on from the paranoia. We will get there in time. I am sure the country was shellshocked for some time after the Influenza pandemic of 1918-1920.

[smokeybandit]

6 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

There is too much at stake for the cruise lines right now to revert to large covid number onboard.

 

There have never been large covid numbers on board. The CDC wants us to think otherwise of course

[GatorCruiser]

57 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

 

There have never been large covid numbers on board. The CDC wants us to think otherwise of course

Fair enough/Good point. The problem is the media runs with every case and unfortunately perception is reality for an industry that is much maligned and under a microscope. 

[Matt]

5 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

The problem is the media runs with every case and unfortunately perception is reality for an industry that is much maligned and under a microscope. 

Bingo. This is why they still have protocols, regardless of what's happening on land. Cruise lines are held to a double standard.

[LizzyBee23]

On 3/3/2022 at 1:46 PM, GatorCruiser said:

Fair enough/Good point. The problem is the media runs with every case and unfortunately perception is reality for an industry that is much maligned and under a microscope. 

But that's a very different argument with a very different solution than the justification for continued restrictions on board which just seems to scream "try harder". You're trying to appease an audience that cannot be sated, and destroying your actual customer base on the way. 

I'm too jaded/mentally exhausted to say "I think we may be at a turning point" for the 5th time in 2 years. With the cruise lines not making much of a fuss about the continued voluntary programs from the CDC, I really don't see an end in sight. Our last cruise (we finally went on one with our cruise crazy in laws, after delaying for most of last year) was enjoyable in the sense that Coco Cay is just awesome no matter what, and the meals in the MDR were just a blast thanks to the excellent, very kid-friendly service... but the rest of the cruise was just blah. The insanity around AO, and the limitations with scheduling shows with unvaccinated kids being huge reasons why. Thankfully there were Legos for sale in the gift shop and we had a balcony. Otherwise the time onboard would have been an absolute bust.

I mention all of that to illustrate that the way RCL (or any other cruise line) is operating is going to continue to cost them customers. You can point to transient booking numbers to say that's not the case, but we're second generation die hards and it will take a lot to get us back on a ship (unless coerced by grandma and grandpa, who for the first time ever, have stopped trying to get us on oard for our yearly get together in light of our recent experiences). I know we're not unique.

[smokeybandit]

Actually cruise lines did make a big fuss about the new CSO. Had they not, everyone would still be forced to wear a mask. The original version was much more strict (worse than the old CSO). 

[LizzyBee23]

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Actually cruise lines did make a big fuss about the new CSO.

Shhh... You're about to make me go in for a 6th time on the idea that we may actually be at a turning point. Perhaps motivated by letting myself watch Wonder videos this afternoon.

[BowTieBrigade]

Don’t do it! 

[AshleyDillo]

11 hours ago, LizzyBee23 said:

Perhaps motivated by letting myself watch Wonder videos this afternoon.

This cruise is definitely hitting different..no doubt about it.

[smilechav]

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.

[Ampurp85]

13 hours ago, smilechav said:

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.

I believe so. I actually think the 5% is set aside mainly for children who can't be vaxxed, so adults with possible medical exemptions will be low on the totem pole. 

[Cruiser4Life]

14 hours ago, smilechav said:

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.

My cousin applied for a medical exemption onboard the Oasis for our cruise this month and was denied. This was however, about 3 months ago when they denied her. Even with medical records corroborating what they asked for, the response was that hands were tied due to the Bahamian requirements…. The agent was sympathetic and said the only real chance she had was to choose an itinerary (probably non Caribbean) that did not include Nassau or coco cay or any other destination that required mandatory vaccination of all passengers over 12. However, you can fly into the Bahamas without being vaccinated so I understand how ridiculous the rule is and how high the frustrations levels are. She was incredibly disappointed and it has definitely put a damper on our trip.

[WAAAYTOOO]

8 hours ago, Cruiser4Life said:

you can fly into the Bahamas without being vaccinated

Is this true ?

[Fox Forlenza]

19 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Is this true ?

Yes, there are testing requirement windows for that. 

https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates

[Fox Forlenza]

I'm thinking the main issues with The Bahamas unvaccinated thing is the testing window for arrivals is 72 hours.  So if you count being able to test 2 days before departure on RCCL, plus travel time there, then everyone who is unvaccinated will be outside of that 72 hour window.  Vaccinated travelers do not require any testing.

[texascruiser]

I will be interested to see how this plays out. We are scheduled to sail on Adventure next Monday, 3/14. Got notice yesterday evening that the sailing is not at the 95% threshold, and we needed to confirm vaccination status of our two kids. Our 8 year old is fully vaccinated, our 5 year old gets his 2nd shot today.

We could not have (honestly) vaccinated him sooner....his 5th birthday was exactly 2 weeks ago. He'll have both doses but not be 2 weeks out from the second. 

If we get bumped, I'll detail our experience. Fingers crossed that we don't.

[Patchy]

4 hours ago, texascruiser said:

I will be interested to see how this plays out. We are scheduled to sail on Adventure next Monday, 3/14. Got notice yesterday evening that the sailing is not at the 95% threshold, and we needed to confirm vaccination status of our two kids. Our 8 year old is fully vaccinated, our 5 year old gets his 2nd shot today.

We could not have (honestly) vaccinated him sooner....his 5th birthday was exactly 2 weeks ago. He'll have both doses but not be 2 weeks out from the second. 

If we get bumped, I'll detail our experience. Fingers crossed that we don't.

I’d be curious to see the communication that you received if you’re comfortable sharing it.   I hope everything works out for your family.  

[texascruiser]

7 minutes ago, Patchy said:

I’d be curious to see the communication that you received if you’re comfortable sharing it.   I hope everything works out for your family.  

No worries, it's pretty standard boilerplate. I just hope they let us know sooner rather than later, since with kids there's always more moving parts to a vacation.