maryred

Currently for St Thomas and St Maarten (that's where the dock is) there are no special restrictions for unvaccinated cruise passengers being allowed off ship to tour around. Not sure if the St Martin (French) side of the island has any restrictions when crossing from the Netherlands controlled side. Do KIM that these allowances and restrictions can change at ports of call in a heartbeat and at the discretion of the local government special protocols can be applied to individual ships rather than any/all making a port of call stop there. Current "Caribbean" ports of call (that I know off) with special no disembarkation restrictions for cruise passengers: Bermuda, Bonaire, Colombia, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Tortola. All of which bar passengers over a certain age without full vaccine status from leaving the ship. There may be others as well that limit unvaccinated cruise passengers to certain select government pre-approve tours or limit them to just the secured port complex area, and it is best to consult each port's individual website &/or that country's division of tourism pages just prior to boarding.

Felicia R Jones, Do you realize this community forum is not associated with any cruise line but is run by a cruising information and news consolidation website?

You initial post makes no mention of Covid, just complaints on pricing for services available. As for the risk of Covid that is industry wide https://www.cruzely.com/cruise-ship-covid-status-tracker-daily-update-chart-news-and-possible-cases/ . It's very evident that any cruise line is susceptible to having an "outbreak" on board at a percent high enough to trigger a CDC reporting and none of the cruise lines with 3 or more ships have stayed in the "green" for an entire month on ships they have passengers on. (Some have stayed green on ships that are still being used for crew quarantine only.)

Just want to say Royal is in no better shape. Stewards are servicing up to 20 cabins daily. Service in the MDR is the slowest I've even seen. Buffet selections seem to be of a much lower grade than pre-Covid plus a significant lack of variety, not to mention hours to access the Windjammer have been decreased. Shows are frequently cancelled because the cast or entertainer is being quarantined. When shows do happen the lack of rehearsal time is very evident. Activity options seem to be closed more hours than open and many are only accepting same day reservations for use or have increasingly long line to access. Loyalty perks have been cut back 3 times since restart, including no more priority boarding or disembarkation for Diamond levels, only Pinnacles and Star class suites. Drink package base price has increased to $109/passenger/day (was $89/person/day in April) without increasing the allowed value of drinks included. Other opt-in add-ons have increased in prices or the usual and customary sales prices are not being offered in the Cruise Planner.

Since the fall the online check-in period for Royal has been between 30-45 days ahead of the cruise. Royal will send out an email about 3-7 days prior to the opening of check-in to the address on file for each passenger.

MARSEC and local restrictions at various ports of call. Other cruise lines already had this blanket restriction or are/have revisited their policy lately.

No Royal cruise ship has launderettes, not even ironing "closets". The bags are pretty close to being 16"x20" but do not have a bottom gusset. I wear women's large and hubby wears 2xl and we can carefully fill the bag with 2-3 days worth of clothing for the 2 of us. Be warned though the machines used are industrial types with your clothing being transferred to mesh bags for washing in very hot water using the same detergents as they do for the ship's linens and then dried on high. DO NOT send anything that can bleed or shrink. And the service it self can take 2 days, if you want next day service the price is per piece plus 50% surcharge for the faster service. For those prices it tends to be less expensive to pay an airline charge for a checked bag.

Because it is the ports of call requiring cruise passengers to be vaccinated if over a certain age or can't prove medical ineligibility.

At this late point your only recourse might be to cancel and immediately reschedule for a cruise where somebody 25 or older can travel with the 2 of you or for a date after your friend turns 21. Personally I'm not sure how you were even able to book the trip, as the online booking system at Carnival would not of accepted the a reservation for a cabin without there being all passengers over the age of 21 or the presence of somebody 25 and older on the same booking. And if you booked through a 3rd party that company should of informed you of the age stipulations at booking or warned you if there had been a 3rd that was old enough that later cancelled that the booking was in jeopardy of breaching the age policy. The problem is that anyone under 21 needs to travel with a "guardian" that is 25 or older. This does not mean that somebody in the cabin need be 25 but that there is a cabin that has the person of "guardian" age linked to yours. So if by some chance you are traveling with other family or friend that have a cabin with a person over 25 willing to assume responsibility for the 20 yo you can call Carnival or the travel professional that booked your travel to make sure the bookings are linked together.

Per Royal https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-recovered-from-covid-19-need-to-be-vaccinated-or-take-a-test-to-sail it is a little more formal than just a note from the doctor(s). There is a specific format and certain requirements to the "Certificate of Recovery" letter that must be met to be considered a valid alternative to a negative test results in the time frame prior to boarding. As you can see below a confirmed positive PCR test must be done, not just a positive antigen test, and the healthcare professional must be able to attest you have completed your isolation period within a certain timeframe prior to boarding day. From Royal's website : "Q If I’ve recently recovered from COVID-19, will I still need to be vaccinated to sail? Will I still have to take a COVID-19 test before or during my cruise? A For Cruises Departing the U.S. ports, Puerto Rico and Canada A Certificate of Recovery will not be accepted in lieu of a vaccination record card for guests of vaccine eligible age. All Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. For all sailings departing on or after March 11, 2022, a Certificate of Recovery, for a positive COVID-19 case at least 11 days before boarding but no more than 90 days ago, may be provided in lieu of a pre-cruise COVID-19 test result to board the ship if it meets certain requirements. However, certain ports (listed below) will not permit guests to go ashore using a Certificate of Recovery. The following two documents must be presented: A certified medical health certificate from a doctor stating that you have fully recovered from COVID-19. It must meet the following requirements: Official letterhead from a healthcare provider, public health official or telehealth provider showing: Their name Their address Their phone number Confirmation of your recovery and completion of isolation Must be typed (not handwritten) and signed by the provider Must confirm the sample collection date of the positive PCR test, which must be a minimum of 11 days and a maximum of 90 days before the departure date of your cruise A positive result document for a COVID-19 PCR test taken a minimum of 11 days and a maximum of 90 days before the departure date of your cruise. An antigen test result will not be accepted with a Certificate of Recovery. The test results document from your test provider must include the name of the lab that processed the test, the lab’s CLIA Lab Number or Certification Number, the address of the lab, your name, the date the test was taken, type of test, and your positive result. This can be a printed document, email, or telehealth app notification. Fully handwritten doctor’s notes (such as those written on a prescription pad) will not be accepted. Minimal handwritten components (such as a check mark on a “positive” box) are acceptable as long as the other required information is printed on the document. NOTE: Though Royal Caribbean will accept documentation meeting these requirements to board, many countries are not currently accepting Certificates of Recovery. In these ports, guests who provided certificates would not be allowed to debark. The following ports are currently not accepting a Certificate of Recovery for debarkation: Curacao St. Kitts Panama Panama Canal Jamaica Bonaire St. Lucia Guatemala Colombia Trinidad & Tobago St. Vincent the Grenadines Haiti Cayman Islands Bermuda For Cruises Departing from Europe A Certificate of Recovery will not be accepted in lieu of a vaccination record card for guests of vaccine eligible age. All Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. A Certificate of Recovery, for a positive COVID-19 case at least 11 days before boarding but no more than 180 days ago, may be provided in lieu of a pre-cruise COVID-19 test result to board the ship if it meets certain requirements. However, certain ports (listed below) will not permit guests to go ashore using a Certificate of Recovery. The following two documents must be presented: A certified medical health certificate from a doctor stating that you have fully recovered from COVID-19. It must meet the following requirements: Official letterhead from a healthcare provider, public health official or telehealth provider showing: Their name Their address Their phone number Confirmation of your recovery and completion of isolation Must be typed (not handwritten) and signed by the provider Must confirm the sample collection date of the positive PCR test, which must be a minimum of 11 days and a maximum of 90 days before the departure date of your cruise A positive result document for a COVID-19 PCR test taken a minimum of 11 days and a maximum of 90 days before the departure date of your cruise. An antigen test result will not be accepted with a Certificate of Recovery. The test results document from your test provider must include the name of the lab that processed the test, the lab's CLIA Lab Number or Certification Number, the address of the lab, your name, the date the test was taken, type of test, and your positive result. This can be a printed document, email, or telehealth app notification. Fully handwritten doctor's notes (such as those written on a prescription pad) will not be accepted. Minimal handwritten components (such as a check mark on a "positive" box) are acceptable as long as the other required information is printed on the document. NOTE: Though Royal Caribbean will accept documentation meeting these requirements to board, many countries are not currently accepting Certificates of Recovery. In these ports, guests who provided certificates would not be allowed to debark."

Only unvaccinated children and exemption granted adults need the PCR test for cruising on Carnival. For fully vaccinated (completed the minimum CDC guidelines series of shots) they have the choice of telemed proctored or in person rapid antigen and NAAT testing as alternatives but only if the sample is taken 2 days prior to embarkation day. For those completely up to date with boosters they have the same testing options but get 3 days prior to boarding to get which ever test they choose done giving extra wiggle room if the written report is delivered late (on app reports also accepted for all vaccination levels). For those the fully vaccinated that can not secure free testing by a pharmacy, lab, testing clinic, local health department, or their own health care provider with assurances of having their report in hand (or on an app) prior to boarding can opt for telemed supervised at home test kits. Most popular are the Abbott BinaxNow AG CARD test kits with the proctoring cost as part of the initial purchase price, at about $28-$35/kit (or less if you submit for insurance or HSA reimbursement), depending on which online provider you purchase through eMed (6 packs only) or Optum choice 2 or 3 packs). Gaining popularity is the use of the free testing kits provided by the government using a 3rd party telemed site if you have a test kit they already support (telemed visit cost is dependent on your location and insurance coverage and could be as little as $20 to as much as $50 per test witness & report written). Google "free test kits" + "proctor sessions" or "for travel instructions".

Simplest answer is any American can experience the same VISA or passport problems as the international workers simply because the ships are not registered to the USA. Being most cruise ships are registered in Panama or the Bahamas a Us citizen would still need to satisfy the overseas work laws from those nations. Also how many American would work for the wages plus compensation paid by most cruise lines? On average a customer forward entry level worker on a cruise ship, meaning a steward or wait staff, makes about US$300-400/month in contracted set wages plus room and board with the rest of their income being derived from tips. They work 6 days a week usually on 12 hour shifts with an hour meal break and 2x 30 minute "coffee" breaks for 4-8 months straight before being allowed to head home. (And as long as the contract is completed without any major problems air transport only to home is provided.) That why on any cruise line most US and Canadians will be found working in the Entertainment departments as their wages are more on par with what an extra or background/chorus actor or a radio DJ gets, $25-35K/contract year (2 weeks -1 month rehearsals off ship and 3-4 months on board preforming then a month off). While those that work the retail shops tend to be low paid by USA standards, usually between $5-8/hour, they make most of the wages through commissions. But the bigger problem cruise lines are having right now is not with the entry level personnel but with the specialized and management staff. This means competent head chefs, sous chefs, HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers most with experience during the cruise pause were forced to ply their trade elsewhere and found they were equally successful (meaning wages plus family life quality) without the travel away from home.

Each passenger must fill out and pay for what amounts to a "Health Visa" prior to being allowed on any conveyance to Bermuda. If not able to show proof of application prior to boarding you will be denied boarding by the carrier. https://www.gov.bm/applying-bermuda-travel-authorisation

As of right now there is NO camp or night owl babysitting option for unvaccinated kids with Carnival. But the news last week did report that the 6 months-5 years version is seeking "emergency" approval and we may get an update from the FDA on it within the next 3 weeks (there doesn't seem to be the same urgency there was as for the tweens and teens). It is quite possible about a week or 2 after that announcement that Carnival might revamp their protocols like they did once the 5-15 year old sets could receive the shots. Other cruise lines on Monday updated their children's policies to start to allow by reservation only x-xx number of hours per cruise for babysitting only (non-group activities) of unvaccinated kids, but at the same time pulled back on the minimum age to sail to 1 years olds instead of 6 months.

For Carnival there is what amounts to a vaccine survey that pops up immediately upon booking and really should be completed prior to final payment date (or immediately upon booking if after that date), though that's not the full health assessment. The survey does ask if you are fully vaccinated and if you have read the Covid return to service info but not for any details, then tells you additional info will be needed closer to the sail date when doing the full online check-in. If the OP is seeing that the full health assessment is done in the Things to Do sidebar, then yes there is a problem because it's well over 2 weeks (16 days if Platinum, Diamond, or booked to a suite) prior to the sailing date for something tied to the online check-in to even be available to fill out and should contact Carnival IT to see what happened.

No heated pools or waterpark on the Pride. The midship pool area though has a removable enclosure effectively making it an indoor pool. If too cold for swimming the forward and Serenity pools will not even be filled, though the hot tub/spas in those areas could be open.

Essentially NO, if you don't buy your travel arrangements through Fly to the Fun you will need to buy the airline's insurance at the very least ( or segmented coverage from a 3rd party travel insurer). If not going by air, but driving in, wanting something more than your own auto-policy coverage for clauses like trip interruption or delay or if going by train or bus and you want your lodgings covered as well a 3rd party travel package that includes open mode of transport is a must. If you check insuremytrip.com you can compare multiple policies and there coverage options side by side.

Cruisehive is an article, press release, and announcement consolidation outlet for cruise related info, basically a blog. It is not affiliated with any cruise line nor even a travel/booking agent. If you want the most accurate and current info about Covid requirements for a cruise line you should check the cruise line's direct website or discuss it with your travel/booking agent. Carnival's is at https://www.carnival.com/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_040122 , and make sure you read all 3 subsections to fully understand what's allowed and required concerning Covid.

No one knows for sure past what is currently posted at each cruise line's health statements. Currently Carnival requires all passenger to be tested prior to boarding and provide a copy of the test results showing negative. All being boosted does for you is grant 1 extra day prior to boarding to do the test (again current protocols). Also since you are going to Italy as your final destination there maybe extra layers of testing or specific tests types that might have to be used. Unfortunately the knowledge on those won't happen until closer to your sail date. Also just like with island ports closing quickly if there are local spikes in Covid numbers, the same could happen on a transatlantic. So make sure any return travel is flexible in nature and that you have read and understand exactly what is covered by your travel/vacation insurance.

If your sailing was post 3/15 is it possible that a member of the booking made a purchase in the Cruise Manager using the OBC prior to boarding, as that is now an option.

Production costs have increased across the board and not just for liquor (have you seen the price of eggs lately). The price being charged by Carnival is the exact same price it was before the shut-down, so why wouldn't the company increase it's daily price for a package? At least they gave a heads up and are still cheaper than the other cruise lines. Royal's is $89.95/adult and though unlimited in alcohol quantity it does cap the drink price at $13 per glass and restricts you to having the drink made as described on the menu (no top shelf substitutions). While NCL is now over $100/adult and now requires you to purchase a child's beverage program for those under age if the adults on a booking (not just the cabin) choose the drink package, and with a low price threshold than Carnivals and certain label restrictions even if you order a custom mixed drink, plus it doesn't included bottled water or specialty coffees.

Here are the current guidelines on timing for testing by Royal as found at https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise . This webpage should be checked at least 1 month prior to departure and again closer to your sailing (1-2 weeks depending on test scheduling in your area) for any changes or updates. All Guests: Required Pre-Cruise Testing Before arriving on boarding day, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test on your own, at your own expense, to meet boarding requirements in line with U.S. CDC guidance. Vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day. Kids age 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the testing protocols for vaccinated guests. Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR test (not antigen) taken no more than 3 days before boarding day. Unvaccinated kids' pre-cruise test cannot be taken on boarding day, because that may affect the sample taken during the kids' test at the terminal. Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test.

Why remove the gratuities, unless you get less than satisfactory service and then you would of course remove them for your whole party not just the children. On a cruise a child, even an infant, is still a passenger that the crew will cook, clean-up after, and provide some basic entertainment activities, so why not allow them the auto-gratuity they are usually expecting. I can understand not wishing to prepay the gratuities until you have seen what services the crew preforms, but many do just it so it's not an added expense on their on board room account. Remember even if traveling with an infant that's still on formula or eating baby food some of the crew will need to preform duties that they otherwise would not have to such as disposing of soiled diapers, extra linen changes on the porta crib or trundle bed, providing you with bowls of boiled water to warm the baby's/toddler's food, etc. Plus even if the child is not eating the menu food at restaurant venues you will see the staff try to entertain the child that you may get a few courses down unencumbered of having to fulfill that task yourself.

Before the travel insurance company will cover an expense, especially a medical claim, they want to be sure there is no duplication of benefits through your traditional insurance. The easiest pathway to that is to submit to your health insurance and wait for the denied EOB (or other letter if in an HMO/Preferred provider situation), then along with the copies of the on board billing submit them to the insurance carrier listed for the policy. For Carnival's Vacation Protection that insurance company's claim portal is here https://www.aontravelclaim.com/#/home

Not sure if you have sailed yet, but any add-on is not a real requirement, as all can be purchased or paid for a la carte once on board. It's just for some the various packages make better financial sense, while for others they can do without. The big thing for many is by prepaying or making a purchase order through the Cruise Manager lowers their on board spending so that they can spread the payment for these things out at their own pace and aren't hit with a big single bill to settle at the end of the cruise. In fact with proper planning and knowledge it's possible to not spend another dime on the ship once on board, though you will want cash or other funds for possible use especially while in ports. Almost every cruise line has moved their (alcohol inclusive) drink packages to a condition where everyone of age in a single cabin must have the same package. Though this works well for adults that enjoy at least 6-9 alcoholic drinks a day it is a hard press to justify the cost if even one is only doing non-alcoholic beverages during the trip because that person would need to have 2.5-4 times the amount of beverages to equal the package price vs. paying as they go. On Carnival they have gratis self serve beverages available 24/7 for the duration of the cruise. Here's a cut-n-paste of one of the best list I've found of the beverages without a menu price attached: On board fares included beverages are: Ordered from room service between the hours of 6a-10pm (cash tipping is tripping is traditional and expected) - coffee - unsweetened iced tea by the glass - hot chocolate - hot tea (must specify regular, decaf, and green teas) - milk in school cartons (must specify 2%, fat free, or chocolate milk) - juice sometimes by the glass or school carton (usually orange, tomato, apple, or grapefruit & can be from concentrate) - you can also ask for glasses of ice - cream, ½ & ½, sugar, and sugar substitutes should be specified otherwise hot drinks are served “black” Upon request from any wandering server or bar/lounge bartender (cash tipping is appreciated) - filtered tap water - milk by the glass (but the service area may only have 2% or low fat not both can be made as chocolate milk) - you can also ask for glasses of ice From any restaurant during service hours - filtered tap water - lemonade - iced tea - hot chocolate - milk by the glass (specify 2% or low fat can be made as chocolate milk) - hot tea (must specify regular, decaf, and green teas) - milk by the glass (must specify 2%, fat free, or chocolate milk) - juice by the glass during breakfast brunch hours only (usually orange, apple, cranberry, tomato, pineapple, or grapefruit from concentrate) - you can also ask for glasses of ice - must also ask for cream or milk as well as sugar or sugar substitutes from server From self-service stations in the Lido buffet area (and on some ships the ocean plaza or lanai BBQ area) - filtered tap water - lemonade - iced tea - hot chocolate - milk in school cartons or in pitchers (choice of 2%, fat free, or chocolate milk) - hot tea (choice of regular, decaf, and green teas) - juice, breakfast hours only (usually orange or apple, from concentrate) - juice cocktail 10:30am-9pm (usually passion or mango based Hi- C style only about 10 % juice, from concentrate) - glasses of ice Some of these areas will also have milk substitutes like soy or almond milk and a few also will provide lactose free milk but generally these are hidden and must be asked for including at the buffet. For Carnival the menu prices for other beverages not mentioned start at $2.25/2.50 + 18% auto assessed gratuity for a soda, juices, and bottled waters and go up from there. Also with the exception of a parent allowing religious wine at a meal or a faith service, if a cruise line finds any adult giving a minor an alcohol based drink that is grounds for all the passengers from that adult's booking to be removed from the ship at the next port, with the responsibility on the individuals to obtain transport back to home or port of departure. (As for slipping you daughters a drink most Caribbean ports the drinking age is 18 or in some they turn a blind eye to a parent to buying alcohol for a child over a certain age, plus most frozen drinks are cheaper in port anyway.)