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Cruising from the U.S. is starting to get underway slowly but surely with test cruises. Cruise lines have been announcing rules, then changing rules, and then changing rules again for future passengers. But the latest is that a federal judge sided with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that cruise lines in Florida cannot require vaccine passports.
So, how are the cruise lines working around this confirmed law?
The Mask Class Rules
Royal Caribbean has new guidelines published on its website. The cruise line is requesting that everyone 16 and older show proof of their Covid vaccine. If you do not wish to show proof (or if you are unvaccinated and can’t show proof), you must follow a different set of protocols.
These protocols include:
- Pre-cruise Covid test at the guest’s expense (ages 16+)
- Covid test at the cruise terminal with a cost of $136 billed to guest’s stateroom. Children under 16 will get a free Covid test at the terminal.
- Covid test upon disembarkation.
No Covid tests are required for vaccinated passengers.
In addition, once onboard, some venues and events will be restricted to vaccinated guests only. In the main dining room, there will be separate sections for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. Select shows will have special showtimes just for vaccinated guests.
I saw a headline in the Orlando Sentinel that dubbed these unvaccinated passengers the “mask class.” Such strange times we are in right now.
My Thoughts On All of This
First of all, I don’t think these restrictions will last too long as long as the world starts pulling out of this pandemic. These rules will not go on forever. But, it’s hard to say how long these restrictions will last. They could disappear tomorrow, or last through 2021.
But if you want to go on a cruise, either get vaccinated, or wait. Being restricted from certain venues and activities doesn’t sound like fun.
I do think that these restrictions will discourage unvaccinated guests from going on a cruise. And that’s fine by me. I’d like to see the cruise industry get back on its feet, and a Covid breakout on board could ruin that chance.
What do you think?
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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.
How about people just worry about their own selves instead of worrying about if everyone else has been injected? That seems to be the quickest way to get the cruise lines back on their feet!
Exactly. You can still get covid and transmit it even if vaccinated, just ask RCCL.
Seconding Lynn’s comments. This is supposed to be a free country without any individual, company or government infringing upon anyone’s right to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness.
If you are at high risk of dying from Covid, you should NOT be cruising or risking your health. Everyone else should be able to live and let live.
It sounds like RCCL has come up with some pretty creative ways to deal with things. While I’d vastly prefer that they simply require vaccinations for all 12+ year old passengers without proven conditions that prohibit vaccination, I have to give them props for protecting people reasonably well and inducing passengers to get vaccinated.
@Christian It’s been interesting to see how everything is unfolding. Now I just need to see what DCL does.
Personally, I won’t go on a cruise unless Covid-19 vaccination proof is required, including when the pandemic is over. Even then, I’m sure some will buy fake certificates on EBay, but most folks will comply. The reason is twofold. First, there is obviously a higher chance of an outbreak, which could jeopardize my chances of visiting all the ports on the itinerary. Second, my husband is on immunosuppressants and vaccine likely isn’t as beneficial for him as it is for a healthy person. Unfortunately, it looks like I won’t be sailing from Florida anytime soon.
I’m sorry, Leana. I know how much you love cruising. The rules are changing all the time, and also maybe there will be fully-vaccinated cruises out of another state?
Thanks! Yeah, it’s a bummer, but still a first-world problem, right? I will say, if I knew how things would turn out, I would have splurged on a fanciest cruise I could afford back in 2019. 😀