The huge majority of cruisers want only the vaccinated passengers on ships. They also want the unvaccinated plague-rats kept away from them. Think cruisers are unhappy with new restrictions on ships? Guess again https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruise-ship-passenger-satisfaction-high/
At this point -- it is difficult to find anything that unvaccinated plague-rats will be allowed to do on cruise ships -- beyond sit in their cabins and sulk. The message is "Don't show up unvaccinated to our ships". Royal Caribbean to unvaccinated travelers: No sushi (and a lot of other things) for you https://thepointsguy.com/news/royal-caribbean-unvaccinated-cruiser-restrictions/ Now we know the true cost of not getting vaccinated for COVID-19: You won’t be able to order sushi when cruising on Royal Caribbean‘s Freedom of the Seas. Nor will you be able to get a pint of Guinness (or any other beer) at the ship’s lively pub. And an Old-Fashioned at the vessel’s iconic Schooner Bar also will be off-limits. Royal Caribbean this week finally outlined the specific venues on its Florida-based Freedom of the Seas that would be open only to vaccinated passengers when the ship starts up sailings out of the state on Friday — and it’s a long list that includes some of the vessel’s most popular places. If you’re an unvaccinated traveler on your way to the ship right now, you may be in for a shock when you arrive — and a very different cruising experience than you’d been expecting. Royal Caribbean restarted departures in North America on June 12 with cruises to the Caribbean out of Nassau in the Bahamas. But Freedom of the Seas will be the line’s first vessel to resume sailings out of a U.S. port in 15 months. The vessel will operate short three- and four-night departures out of Miami. Unlike with the sailings out of Nassau, the sailings out of Miami aren’t starting up with a requirement that all adults over the age of 16 be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Miami sailings are open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated adults. But Royal Caribbean executives have made no secret of the fact that they’d prefer passengers on the Miami sailings to be vaccinated. And they’re not making it easy for the passengers who plan to arrive without a vaccine card. Earlier this month, the line said that certain venues on the ship would be off-limits to unvaccinated passengers, but it didn’t give specifics. This week’s listing of forbidden venues fleshes out the plan. The newly posted list includes: The Chef’s Table Izumi Hibachi & Sushi R Bar Schooner Bar The Pub Viking Crown Nightclub Solarium Bar Solarium Pool Casino Royale (the ship’s casino) Casino Bar Vitality Spa (the ship’s spa) In other words, if you don’t show a vaccine card when arriving at Freedom of the Seas, you won’t be able to go to the ship’s casino or its spa, and you’ll be locked out of many of its most popular bars plus two food venues, a pool and the nightclub. In addition, some shows and activities on the ship (including the 1970s-themed party in Studio B and the Crazy Quest game show) will be off-limits to unvaccinated passengers. Plus, access for unvaccinated passengers to shows in the ship’s Royal Theatre will be limited to a single deck only, and unvaccinated passengers only will be able to see ice shows at the Studio B ice skating rink at select times. Unvaccinated passengers will also only be able to work out at select times at the ship’s Vitality Fitness Center. Royal Caribbean has said the restrictions for unvaccinated passengers on Freedom of the Seas would apply both to passengers who are unvaccinated and those who are vaccinated but refuse to show proof of the vaccine. The new rules come in the wake of threats from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that any cruise line that requires passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine will be fined. A new Florida law forbids businesses in the state from requiring customers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinated passengers on Freedom of the Seas will be issued wristbands that show they are vaccinated and allow them access to venues reserved for vaccinated passengers only. Passengers who are unvaccinated will have a hole punched in their key cards, known as SeaPass cards. All passengers will have to show their SeaPass cards to access lounges, shows and dining venues on the ship. Royal Caribbean earlier this month also said unvaccinated passengers will have to undergo additional COVID-19 testing at their own expense to sail on Freedom of the Seas. For now, Royal Caribbean has said the new rules only apply to the initial sailings of Freedom of the Seas through the end of July. “We believe that in the coming months, restrictions and requirements will be more accommodating as public health circumstances evolve,” the line said earlier this month.
It is interesting to note that after Royal Caribbean changed it cruises to allow unvaccinated adults on board -- they had to backtrack immediately after over 50% of cruisers in the U.S. started demanding their money back within 48 hours of the announcement. First they had to backtrack & state that unvaccinated people would only be allowed on cruises from Florida. Then they had to assure people that they would use their booking system to ensure that at least 95% vaccinated cruisers would be on the ships -- and that the unvaccinated cruisers would be severely restricted. Then with some customers -- they had to guarantee if their booked ship was not 95% vaccinated then the people would get their money back. This policy to allow unvaccinated people on their ships blew up immediately in Royal Caribbean's face. To the point where they would not be able to operate from the U.S. --- there is a business lesson in all of this about giving your customers what they want or failing as a business.
So, according to your past posts, this looks like another case of the elusive and so-called "Cancel Culture" at work again.
Unvaccinated Cruise Passengers Will Pay More. And Here's How Much https://www.cruisecritic.com/ab/agents/variation-a/articles.cfm?ID=6268 With Royal Caribbean launching Freedom of the Seas from Miami on the first return-to-business cruise from the U.S. without a vaccine requirement, there's a new reality onboard this ship. Not only will unvaccinated passengers be restricted from many areas of the ship, they will also have to pay more. And it looks increasingly likely this will not be confined to Freedom of the Seas, but all other Royal ships sailing without a vaccine mandate. Both the restrictions and fees appear to be a purposeful effort by Royal to encourage guests to get vaccinated. The line is highly encouraging vaccines. In Florida, with the state's ban on vaccine passports, this is also a practical way the line can sail without violating state law. If you choose the no-vax route for your own return to cruising, here are some extra expenses you will encounter. COVID-19 PCR Tests Add Up Unvaccinated passengers are being required to take a PCR test within three days of departure. While your insurance may cover this test it is unlikely to recover additional tests that Royal Caribbean is requiring -- one at the pier and another before you disembark the ship. The fee for these tests is $136 per person on cruises of five nights or less, and $178 per person for longer sailings. Royal will cover the cost for kids under age 16, which changes to children under age 12 on August 1 (in other words, if your kids qualifies for a vaccine and doesn't get one you will pay). We're estimating a fee of at least $356 for a family of four on a one-week sailing. Insurance Requirement Essential Royal Caribbean is requiring unvaccinated cruisers above age 12 embarking from Florida to buy travel insurance, beginning August 1 and through the end of the year. The insurance has to cover at least $25,000 per person in medical expenses and $50,000 per person in medical evacuation. You can purchase via the cruise line -- which tends to be pricey -- or via independent sellers. According to InsureMyTrip.com, a typical comprehensive plan, also including trip cancellation protection, would run about $200, based on a family of four spending $4,000 on a cruise to Mexico. There's also the option of a cancel for any reason upgrade. For a plan that simply satisfies Royal’s requirements, medical-only plans via InsureMyTrip start at about $30 for a family of four. The plans Royal sells via www.travelcruisecare.com are around $300 per family. The cheapest you'll get away with is $120, but many will pay at least double that. Ship Shore Excursions Only On the Freedom of the Seas sailings, everyone will be able to spend time at the beach at Royal’s private Perfect Day at CocoCay private Bahamas island without charge -- though, of course, you will pay extra to get into the Thrill Waterpark or do the zipline. In Nassau, unvaccinated guests will be able to explore only on shore excursions (no independent touring allowed). You can splurge on a beach day with a dolphin encounter for $99 per person, though the cruise line has also introduced on its startup sailings inexpensive experiences that for $30 per person allow you to do a sunset harbor cruise, a glass bottom reef tour or a Rainbow Reef snorkel. So if you want to see Nassau, the cheapest you'll get away with is $120. You'll Also Pay For Masks Royal is requiring all guests onboard at least the first sailing of Freedom of the Seas to wear masks. You don't need an N-95, but you'll want a selection of masks for each member of your family -- especially since masks get both sweaty and smelly in the tropical heat. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends unvaccinated people wear masks that have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric and fit snugly, with a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out the top. Special masks are recommended for kids. That may add up to $80 for a family of four. The Bottom Line All of this means you should plan to spend at least an extra $700 for an unvaccinated family of four -- even before you get on the ship and consider onboard temptations.