AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 23, 2022 Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 Please refer to Matt's blog post regarding the kids sail free promo starting tomorrow for sailings starting June 1st. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/03/23/royal-caribbean-bringing-back-kids-sail-free-deal I had the feeling that as long as Royal is participating in the voluntary CDC sailing guidelines, they wouldn't offer a kids sail free promotion. So, seeing this sale come up for cruises starting on June 1st has me thinking. Is Royal banking on having sufficient ages 5-12 vaccine percentages in order to be above the 95% passenger vaccination requirement? Or is Royal intending on dropping out come June 1st? Or is there planned changes to the CDC program before that date? The protocols were recently extended for sailings through May 31st and the sale applies for sailings starting June 1st. It could just be a coincidence those dates line up like that, but I think there's something more happening behind the curtain. I don't expect them to eliminate vaccine requirements, but it seems like they may drop out of this CDC program. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 Maybe Royal read this news and said... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorskin76 Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 2 hours ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said: Maybe Royal read this news and said... Since 5 and under don't count against the 95%, not sure how that would be a factor at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 54 minutes ago, gatorskin76 said: Since 5 and under don't count against the 95%, not sure how that would be a factor at all. That's correct, as of today. However. they specifically don't include them as they are not vaccine eligible (quote from their footnotes below). If Moderna gets EUA, then kids 5 and under are now eligible which might lead them to changing their rules for the ratio count. Note the first words of the footnote. "[5] At this time, children under the age of 5 years (i.e., children who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccines) will not be counted when determining the percentage of passengers on board who are fully vaccinated or up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines." from https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/management/technical-instructions-for-cruise-ships.html Obviously this is is speculation, but I don't think it's unsubstantiated. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorskin76 Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 12 minutes ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said: That's correct, as of today. However. they specifically don't include them as they are not vaccine eligible (quote from their footnotes below). If Moderna gets EUA, then kids 5 and under are now eligible which might lead them to changing their rules for the ratio count. Note the first words of the footnote. "[5] At this time, children under the age of 5 years (i.e., children who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccines) will not be counted when determining the percentage of passengers on board who are fully vaccinated or up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines." from https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/management/technical-instructions-for-cruise-ships.html Obviously this is is speculation, but I don't think it's unsubstantiated. So what is your speculation then, that they are going to leave the voluntary program? If your speculation on 5 and under being included is correct, that wouldn't help RCI with hitting the 95% figure as I would imagine children under 5 will be vaccinated at a much lower rate than the other age groups, especially at this stage of the virus. So unless you are speculating that they drop from the CDC program, I am not sure how that would change their calculus with offering kids sail free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 31 minutes ago, gatorskin76 said: So what is your speculation then, that they are going to leave the voluntary program? I feel like they would be obliged to do so, especially if the age eligibility limit is removed by the CDC. I think they are finding it hard enough to maintain a >95% rate right now. When you factor in kids sail free, Summer sailings, and possibly the CDC eliminating age limit vaccine eligibility they are going to struggle. I'm not arguing that they won't do the sale. I'm sure it will happen. I'm just saying that unless something changes with their involvement in the CDC program or a change in the program itself (in Royal's favor), they likely wouldn't meet the criteria on many of their sailings. I don't like to have to explain a meme, but the concept was: Royal sees news about Moderna seeking EUA for under 6, decides to say screw it, offers a kids sail free promo, and says "imma head out" to the CDC program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorskin76 Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 1 hour ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said: I feel like they would be obliged to do so, especially if the age eligibility limit is removed by the CDC. I think they are finding it hard enough to maintain a >95% rate right now. When you factor in kids sail free, Summer sailings, and possibly the CDC eliminating age limit vaccine eligibility they are going to struggle. I'm not arguing that they won't do the sale. I'm sure it will happen. I'm just saying that unless something changes with their involvement in the CDC program or a change in the program itself (in Royal's favor), they likely wouldn't meet the criteria on many of their sailings. I don't like to have to explain a meme, but the concept was: Royal sees news about Moderna seeking EUA for under 6, decides to say screw it, offers a kids sail free promo, and says "imma head out" to the CDC program. Yeah, it makes sense now, sorry you had to explain it. Here is to hoping you are correct as I have a June 25th cruise booked with an unvaccinated 13 year old. interesting that Moderna is going for under 5 when I didn’t think they were even yet approved for 5-11. fireclan and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 10 hours ago, gatorskin76 said: Yeah, it makes sense now, sorry you had to explain it. Here is to hoping you are correct as I have a June 25th cruise booked with an unvaccinated 13 year old. Glad that it's cleared up. I'm hoping for you that things change so you can go on your cruise. 10 hours ago, gatorskin76 said: interesting that Moderna is going for under 5 when I didn’t think they were even yet approved for 5-11. I guess I forgot about that fact. Interesting indeed. Honestly, it'll be a tough sell to the CDC when conducting a risk-benefit analysis for that age group and the current viral climate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilechav Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 12 hours ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said: That's correct, as of today. However. they specifically don't include them as they are not vaccine eligible (quote from their footnotes below). If Moderna gets EUA, then kids 5 and under are now eligible which might lead them to changing their rules for the ratio count. Note the first words of the footnote. "[5] At this time, children under the age of 5 years (i.e., children who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccines) will not be counted when determining the percentage of passengers on board who are fully vaccinated or up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines." from https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/management/technical-instructions-for-cruise-ships.html Obviously this is is speculation, but I don't think it's unsubstantiated. 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilechav Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 Quote [6] “Fully vaccinated” is defined in CDC’s Technical Instructions for Implementing Presidential Proclamation Advancing Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic and CDC’s associated Order. While CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships operates as a voluntary program and not pursuant to an order, CDC is incorporating this definition as a program component for consistency. [7] Up to date with COVID-19 vaccines means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. For CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, the following criteria should be used when evaluating if a traveler is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines: “Up to date” status: If an eligible traveler has not received a booster dose but is within 6 months after completing their primary series of an mRNA vaccine, or within 3 months after a J&J/Janssen single dose, then they can be considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. If it has been more than 6 months since a traveler completed their primary series of an mRNA vaccine, or more than 3 months since a traveler’s single dose J&J/Janssen vaccine, the traveler is not considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Did this change? I thought RC wasn't requiring boosters to sail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 27 minutes ago, smilechav said: 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 Also interesting, considering the CDC updated their page with that guideline on Feb 18th. You called just to ask that question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 1 hour ago, smilechav said: Did this change? I thought RC wasn't requiring boosters to sail? No, Royal Caribbean is not requiring boosters as of today WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 9 minutes ago, Matt said: No, Royal Caribbean is not requiring boosters as of today I did see that Carnival announced they were requiring boosters for one cruise, apparently due to the length at 16 nights. I'm hoping that's an aberration not a precursor. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 I checked my cruises including one I booked yesterday, no price difference . Edit: duh, was looking at the wrong cruises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilechav Posted March 25, 2022 Report Share Posted March 25, 2022 20 hours ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said: Also interesting, considering the CDC updated their page with that guideline on Feb 18th. You called just to ask that question? 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCruisePlanner Posted March 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2022 4 hours ago, smilechav said: 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 they tell you whether you'd be able to apply for exemtion on future sailings? Also, did you get a full refund or FCC? I know this was for a friend's wedding and you might not have plans to cruise otherwise in the near future. I'm just curious what they laid out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnstewarth Posted March 25, 2022 Report Share Posted March 25, 2022 On a happy note: based upon this thread, I contacted my travel agent @Sharla and saved almost $600 on my June Quantum cruise to Alaska! My sister's family saved almost $1000! Matt, WAAAYTOOO, Neesa and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilechav Posted March 28, 2022 Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 On 3/25/2022 at 10:46 AM, AspiringCruisePlanner said: Did they tell you whether you'd be able to apply for exemtion on future sailings? Also, did you get a full refund or FCC? I know this was for a friend's wedding and you might not have plans to cruise otherwise in the near future. I'm just curious what they laid out for you. 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. WAAAYTOOO and AspiringCruisePlanner 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micheleyd Posted April 15, 2022 Report Share Posted April 15, 2022 I have our first ever cruise booked for November with 2 unvaccinated kids aged 9 &11. I was wondering how this would work as well with them needing to be at that 95% vaccinated rate. I do hope things lighten up by that point but who knows? WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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