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Today, Royal Caribbean informed a group of travel agents that a doctor’s note is no longer required for people age 70 and over or guests who have underlying medical conditions. In early March, a doctor’s note was required for these at-risk groups to board a cruise before cruise lines were grounded.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) officially removed the doctor’s note requirement this month. However, CLIA and the cruise lines are working together to compile a list of other guidelines and requirements that will go in place because of coronavirus before the ships start sailing again.
Requiring a doctor’s note for older cruisers affected a large portion of regular cruisers, depending on the cruise line. And requiring a doctor’s permission for people with underlying medical conditions, like diabetes, would be very hard to regulate.
While this is certainly good news for many hopeful cruisers, the cruise industry is far from out of the woods. Unless the virus disappears, guests will likely have many more regulations to get used to. Temperature checks, face masks and other changes are bound to become the “new normal” for the cruising industry in the months to come.
Are you excited that a doctor’s note is no longer required for cruising? When do you think ships will set sail again?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
As a nurse I find the doctors note to be age discrimination. I care for many people at all ages some of them are in their 40’s and 50’s and are sicker than some in their 90’s. If there is going to be a note required from an MD then it needs to be for all ages. IMHO
@Margie Yes, that requirement didn’t sit well with a lot of people. I saw that a Hong Kong based cruise line is still requiring it for folks over 70.