Royal Caribbean requires Proof of Vaccination for all passengers -- Quietly tells DeSantis off

[gwb-trading]

First let's outline the facts:

1) ALL passengers on Royal Caribbean will still be required to provide their vaccination status and proof of it if they claim to be vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated will be required to go through addition testing and follow other protocols on the ships -- which may include wearing a mask. “Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols." RCL requires you to upload your vaccination card image if you claim to be vaccinated when you upload your completed cruise paperwork.

2) Royal Caribbean caters to families. Many children cannot be vaccinated yet. Due to this Royal Caribbean has followed the test cruise protocol to allow the cruise line to avoid having to stick with a 95% threshold for passenger vaccinations -- assuming CDC approval.

3) Celebrity Cruise lines, a subsidiary of RCL, is doing the first cruises out of Florida in late June. Celebrity Cruises still requires proof of vaccination and will meet the 95% threshold. Celebrity caters to an older crowd with fewer children onboard.

Royal Caribbean reverses, won’t require passengers on U.S. cruises to be vaccinated
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article251909713.html
By Taylor Dolven
June 04, 2021 06:20 PM

Royal Caribbean International will no longer require any of its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to.

In a press release Friday announcing cruises for sale on eight of its ships from U.S. ports this summer, starting with Freedom of the Seas from PortMiami on July 2, the company said it will recommend passengers get the COVID-19 vaccine, but not require it. The announcement is a reversal from previous statements andvaccine protocols the company submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month that said it would require all passengers at least 18 years old and older to be vaccinated.

“Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible,” the company said in a statement. “Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.”

The about-face is an apparent submission to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has insisted that there will be no exception made for cruise companies to a newly passed Florida law that fines companies $5,000 each time they ask a patron to provide proof of vaccination. Royal Caribbean International’s sister brand Celebrity Cruises (both owned by Royal Caribbean Group) is still requiring all passengers 16 years old or older be vaccinated on its seven-night Caribbean cruises that are restarting from Port Everglades on June 26.

Lyan Sierra-Caro, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International, said the plans to require passengers be vaccinated that the company submitted to the CDC only applied to its test cruises. According to CDC rules, cruise ships that don’t meet certain vaccination thresholds for passengers and crew must first do a successful test cruise before they can restart revenue cruises.

“Our intention is to comply with all federal, state and local laws,” she said via email.

On May 26, the cruise line updated its website to say that passengers 16 years old and older on its cruises from Seattle and The Bahamas are required to be vaccinated. Previously, the website said passengers 16 years old and older on all of the company’s U.S. cruises had to meet the requirement.

In a statement CEO Michael Bayley thanked DeSantis and other elected officials for their support of the industry, which has been paralyzed since it was forced to shut down in March 2020 after COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths on several ships.

“As of today, 90% of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise,” Bayley said in a statement. The company said all crew members will be vaccinated.

The recently passed Florida law crafted by the Republican-controlled state Legislature and promoted by Gov. Ron DeSantis bars businesses, schools and government entities across Florida from asking anyone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, businesses can be fined up to $5,000 per violation.

It is unclear if cruise companies will be allowed to ask passengers if they have been vaccinated as part of the boarding process, even if they don’t require vaccination to board.

The summer cruises announced by Royal Caribbean International Friday are still pending approval from the CDC after each ship successfully completes a test cruise with volunteer passengers.

The CDC has so far approved nine cruise ships, including Freedom of the Seas, Carnival Horizon and MSC Meraviglia from PortMiami, for test cruises, meaning the ships won’t meet a CDC threshold of 95% of passengers and 98% of crew be vaccinated, and two ships — Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Equinox from Port Everglades — for revenue cruises.

This story has been updated to include a comment from Royal Caribbean International.

 

[gwb-trading]

Royal Caribbean still requires proof of vaccination if you claim to be vaccinated. They did not bend to DeSantis' will -- they simply decided to go the "test cruise" route so a 95% threshold of vaccinated passengers would not be required. They did this because they cater to families and many kids cannot be vaccinated yet.

Even under a 95% threshold -- passengers were not required to be vaccinated (5% were allowed to not be).

 

[jem]

that is the most illogical piece of shit propaganda you have posted...
nobody was arguing about if you had to prove your vaccination if you were vaccinated...

this was about whether you had to be vaccinated to board the ship.

you moron... liar.

at the moment RC caved.


If they start book more cruises (in terms of the normal percentages at normal rates) than their competitors... (many of them) will cave too.

(pending changes in Federal Law or courts)

 

[gwb-trading]

that is the most illogical piece of shit propaganda you have posted...
nobody was arguing about if you had to prove your vaccination if you were vaccinated...

this was about whether you had to be vaccinated to board the ship.

you moron... liar.

at the moment RC caved.


If they start book more cruises (in terms of the normal percentages at normal rates) than their competitors... (many of them) will cave too.

(pending changes in Federal Law or courts)

Let's carefully read the statement from Royal Caribbean again:
“Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.”

There was never a requirement to be vaccinated to be on the ship at all -- you are spouting nonsense. The cruise lines required that 95% of the passengers be vaccinated.

The only way for cruise lines (like RCL) to avoid this threshold was to conduct test cruises with CDC review of their safety protocols and results.

 

[jem]

Ok asshole... I knew you were going to lie or try your misdirection bullshit...

so... I was already searching..

one second scan of you posts in search and I found this quote of yours..

you asshole... liar. faucist... commie..

The cruise lines have made it very clear they will not sail from Florida if DeSantis attempts to enforce "no vaccine passports". Especially since if they did sail the ships would be nearly empty because over 70% of passengers would refuse to step foot on a unvaccinated cruise.

Will DeSantis listen to the mayors of Florida's largest cities -- probably not.

South Florida mayors urge Gov. Ron DeSantis to reconsider vaccine rules for cruise lines
Mayors of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood fearful cruise lines won't return under governor's executive order
https://www.wptv.com/lifestyle/trav...-to-reconsider-vaccine-rules-for-cruise-lines

The mayors of a South Florida county and two of its cities have sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to reconsider his refusal to allow cruise lines requiring passengers to be vaccinated to embark or disembark from Florida ports.

Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy sent the letter to the governor Wednesday.

Calling the cruise industry "extremely important to Florida in general, and to Broward County in particular," the mayors applauded the governor's efforts to make the reopening of ports a priority.

"We agreed with you that the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) needed to set forth guidelines to reopen the industry," they wrote. "In fact, Mayor Geller wrote to the Florida congressional delegation and the CDC asking them to provide reopening guidance so that cruises could once again sail from Florida."

However, now that the CDC has provided guidelines and cruise lines are resuming operations, DeSantis has said he won't exempt the cruise industry from his executive order prohibiting COVID-19 "vaccine passports."

A new Florida law, which takes effect July 1, would also impose a $5,000 fine each time a cruise ship passenger is required to present proof of vaccination as a condition for travel.

"The industry has made it clear that they will not sail from our ports unless they can ensure that their crew and passengers are vaccinated," Geller, Trantalis and Levy wrote. "Every indication that we have seen is that many passengers are not willing to start cruising again without knowing that their fellow passengers and the crew are vaccinated. We are extremely concerned that unless a resolution can be reached, this impasse over the rules will result in the loss of the cruise industry in Broward County and Florida overall."

Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has already threatened to skip Florida ports because of the governor's order.

DeSantis said last month that if smaller cruise lines choose to leave the state because of the ban on vaccine requirements, "that niche will get filled." He called Norwegian "not one of the bigger ones."

Geller, Trantalis and Levy said the cruise industry "wants to be able to assure their passengers that the crew and their fellow passengers are vaccinated."

"Our interests are in seeing the cruise ships sail again from Port Everglades, with the jobs and economic impact that this will bring to our county and cities," the mayors said.

They encouraged DeSantis "to come up with a solution that allows the industry to operate from our ports."

DeSantis announced in April that Florida was suing the CDC to end the cruise industry shutdown.

Hours after a federal court mediator declared an impasse in talks between the state and the CDC to settle the dispute, DeSantis blasted the national public health industry Thursday, saying the CDC "mothballed this industry for over a year" and has been "very unreasonable" during the mediation process.

"This whole vaccination issue is really, it's somewhat of a red herring, because, in their research, over 90% of the people that want to cruise have already been vaccinated at this point, so that's going to end up taking care of itself," DeSantis said during a news conference at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne. "You don't need to discriminate against people, and you shouldn't. CDC actually says, they count the kids. So people can't bring their families on these cruises?"

DeSantis also credited Florida's lawsuit with rejuvenating the cruise industry.

"Had we not done what we did by suing, you would not be talking about sailing right now," DeSantis said. "The CDC was not moving. They were not budging. They were non-responsive."

Geller, Trantalis and Levy concluded in their letter that their fear is DeSantis' "strict adherence" to his rules "will prevent what all four of us want, which is to reopen cruising in Florida."

DeSantis, however, was adamant that cruises will be sailing again soon.

"But there's not been a single elected official in this country who's done more to liberate the cruise lines from a bureaucracy that is totally out of touch and that, quite frankly, is exercising authority that they do not possess under the law," DeSantis said.

Read letter from mayors:

Dear Governor DeSantis:

We, the undersigned Mayors of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, respectfully request that you reconsider your position against allowing the cruise industry to set sail pursuant to CDC guidelines. Port Everglades is located within the jurisdictional bounds of the three mayors, and we all consider reopening the port for cruise traffic to be extremely important to our county and cities.

As you know, the cruise industry is extremely important to Florida in general, and to Broward County in particular. We all applaud your past efforts to recognize this by making the reopening of ports in Florida a priority. We agreed with you that the CDC needed to set forth guidelines to reopen the industry. In fact, Mayor Geller wrote to the Florida Congressional Delegation and the CDC asking them to provide reopening guidance so that cruises could once again sail from Florida. The CDC has now provided guidelines, and the cruise companies are ready to begin sailing, which would have a huge positive impact on tourism, employment and our small businesses.

While the cruise lines are ready to set sail pursuant to CDC guidelines, they are currently prevented from doing so based on the state’s “No Vaccine Passport” rules. The industry has made it clear that they will not sail from our ports unless they can ensure that their crew and passengers are vaccinated. Every indication that we have seen is that many passengers are not willing to start cruising again without knowing that their fellow passengers and the crew are vaccinated. We are extremely concerned that unless a resolution can be reached, this impasse over the rules will result in the loss of the cruise industry in Broward County and Florida overall.

We know that you are a strong conservative that normally wants to let businesses operate without over-burdensome government regulations. The private sector cruise industry wants to be able to assure their passengers that the crew and their fellow passengers are vaccinated. The industry believes that without this requirement, passengers will not cruise.

Cruise ships are either interstate commerce or international commerce, and thus it seems to us that the federal government does have the right to regulate these activities, although the state may also have some concurrent jurisdiction. Our interests are in seeing the cruise ships sail again from Port Everglades, with the jobs and economic impact that this will bring to our county and cities.

We encourage you to come up with a solution that allows the industry to operate from our ports. We fear that strict adherence to “No Vaccine Passport” rules -- an issue that the private sector opposes and the federal government (which has jurisdiction) also opposes -- will prevent what all four of us want, which is to reopen cruising in Florida.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Steve Geller
Broward County Mayor

Dean Trantalis
Fort Lauderdale Mayor

Josh Levy
Hollywood Mayor

Let's carefully read the statement from Royal Caribbean again:
“Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.”

There was never a requirement to be vaccinated to be on the ship at all -- you are spouting nonsense. The cruise lines required that 95% of the passengers be vaccinated.

The only way for cruise lines (like RCL) to avoid this threshold was to conduct test cruises with CDC review of their safety protocols and results.

 

[gwb-trading]

Ok asshole... I knew you were going to lie or try your misdirection bullshit...

so... I was already searching..

one second scan of you posts in search and I found this quote of yours..

you asshole... liar. faucist... commie..

Since the Royal Caribbean and all the other cruise lines still require vaccine passports if you claim to be vaccinated -- they have stuck it to DeSantis, who is actually powerless to take action because international cruises are strictly under federal regulatory oversight.

The cruise lines also keep in mind what their customers want -

Most Americans Would Specifically Look For A Cruise Line With A Vaccination Mandate, Per Survey
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzann...ccination-mandate-per-survey/?sh=2101c026239f

 

[Tsing Tao]

that is the most illogical piece of shit propaganda you have posted...
nobody was arguing about if you had to prove your vaccination if you were vaccinated...

this was about whether you had to be vaccinated to board the ship.

you moron... liar.

at the moment RC caved.


If they start book more cruises (in terms of the normal percentages at normal rates) than their competitors... (many of them) will cave too.

(pending changes in Federal Law or courts)

He’s desperate to save face. Vaccine passports are not allowed. End of story. DeSantis won.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Since the Royal Caribbean and all the other cruise lines still require vaccine passports if you claim to be vaccinated -- they have stuck it to DeSantis, who is actually powerless to take action because international cruises are strictly under federal regulatory oversight.

The cruise lines also keep in mind what their customers want -

Most Americans Would Specifically Look For A Cruise Line With A Vaccination Mandate, Per Survey
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzann...ccination-mandate-per-survey/?sh=2101c026239f

Cool story, bro. Nice spin attempt. You’re a joke.
What’s more is that it’s going to keep getting worse for you on this as time goes on.

Also funny how you are trying to do damage control by making a different thread spinning your narrative.

 

[gwb-trading]

Cool story, bro. Nice spin attempt. You’re a joke.
What’s more is that it’s going to keep getting worse for you on this as time goes on.

Also funny how you are trying to do damage control by making a different thread spinning your narrative.

Good luck with your fantasy. You do realize that the first cruise ship set to sail from Florida in late June is Celebrity Cruises Edge on June 26th. Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of RCL, still requires adult passengers without exemptions to be vaccinated to hit the 95% threshold. What is Ron DeSantis going to do about this -- just blather and push more wind.

Once again I am completely correct -- and you are just trying to drive a twisted narrative.

 

[gwb-trading]

So you want to cruise unvaccinated? Okay. Here's the bill for each of the daily tests we're going to administer so you can wander amongst the vaccinated masses.

Other than Royal Caribbean the other two major cruise lines with cruises from the U.S. are requiring those 16 and older to be vaccinated. Royal Caribbean plans to make the point that it is wise to be vaccinated by requiring all passengers who are eligible for vaccination but not vaccinated by charging them for tests. The expected price for these tests will most likely be more than most people paid for the cruise. These passengers will also endure additional restrictions which likely include mandatory masks in public areas and not being able to disembark in most foreign ports being visited.

Royal Caribbean will charge unvaccinated cruise passengers for tests and have different protocols
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/...ed-cruise-passengers-tests-and-have-different

If you aren't vaccinated, your Royal Caribbean cruise will likely cost you more than if you are fully vaccinated.

During a webinar with travel agents, Royal Caribbean said it plans on handling unvaccinated guests differently, which may include extra costs and different protocols onboard.

Royal Caribbean will not mandate the Covid-19 vaccine due to the fact they are a family cruise line, but local laws in Florida and Texas make verifying who is or who is not fully vaccinated difficult.

Royal Caribbean cautioned their plans could change, but as of now, unvaccinated passengers sailing from Florida can expect extra testing costs that will not be part of the cruise fare.

• CRUISES FROM SEATTLE
  • Guests who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and those 12 or older as of Aug. 1
• CRUISES FROM FLORIDA
  • It is strongly recommended that guests set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing, be responsible for any expenses incurred and follow other protocols. These expenses are still being finalized.
• CRUISES FROM TEXAS
  • Vaccine requirements are being finalized based on state law.

In addition, other health protocols may be mandated for them.

Rules for cruises from Texas are still being discussed.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, explained the current plan, "Cruises from Florida: It is strongly recommended that guests set sail fully vaccinated if they are eligible.

"Those who are unvaccinated, or unable to verify vaccination, will be required to undergo testing, and they will be responsible for any expenses incurred and follow other protocols. These expenses are still being finalized."

She said exact costs are not known yet because it is will being worked out.

Ms. Freed said protocols for cruises from Texas are "being finalized". Texas just passed a law prohibiting local businesses from asking for proof of vaccination, similar to Florida's law.

Royal Caribbean's policy mirrors what Celebrity Cruises announced yesterday, when they indicated unvaccinated guests will be able to sail, but there are implications to doing so.

It also follows up on what Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO said earlier this week in a video update, when he disclosed unvaccinated passengers would have different rules, "due to the health and legal requirements of many jurisdictions, those who are unvaccinated will need to undergo additional testing and other restrictions. That necessarily adds to their cost, and adds limitations on the cruise for those people who choose to be unvaccinated."

Mr. Fain added that there would be no additional costs for children who are not eligible for the vaccine.