Cruise companies starting to require vaccinations

[Anthony12345]

Hardly a surprise, and its been discussed on these boards before with regard to DCL, but this is definately something to bare in mind for the future.

Saga cruises says all customers must be vaccinated

Anyone going on a Saga holiday or cruise in 2021 must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the tour operator has said.

Saga, which specialises in holidays for the over-50s, said it wanted to protect customers' health and safety.

The firm said it would delay restarting its travel packages until May to give customers enough time to get jabs.

People over 50 in the UK have been rushing to book holidays as vaccinations boost confidence.

"The health and safety of our customers has always been our number one priority at Saga, so we have taken the decision to require everyone travelling with us to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19," Saga said in a statement.

"Our customers want the reassurance of the vaccine and to know others travelling with them will be vaccinated too."

The firm's holidays were due to restart in March and its cruises in April after a long hiatus, but they will now both be delayed.

Saga said that meant all trips prior to May would no longer go ahead as planned, which it acknowledged would be "a huge disappointment" to customers.

"We will be contacting all guests affected to discuss their options," it said.

The firm said the vaccination policy added to strengthened safety processes already planned for when its holidays resume.
These include requiring customers to take a Covid-19 test before their trip and have a full medical screening.

Capacity on its cruise ships will also be kept to a maximum of 800 people.

Some of the most prominent early outbreaks of Covid-19 happened on cruise ships where viruses are known to spread easily.

British-registered ship the Diamond Princess, owned by the company Carnival, was quarantined for nearly a month in the Port of Yokohama in Japan.

More than 700 of its 3,711 passengers and crew were infected, and 14 died.

The UK has embarked on a mass vaccination programme as Covid-19 cases surge.

People in England are being vaccinated at a rate of 140 jabs per minute, NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens said this week.

Experts believe people could routinely asked to show proof that they have been vaccinated to get on planes, go to concerts or eat at restaurants in future.

Last week, London plumbing firm Pimlico Plumbers said that all of its staff would be contractually obliged to get the jab.

Saga cruises says all customers must be vaccinated - BBC News

 

[BadPinkTink]

Not an issue for me if DCL require this, my cruise is September 2021 and as soon as I am eligible I will be getting the vaccine. By the end of August in my country, the vaccines will be available to anyone who wants it.

 

[jane01jp]

I haven't decided about the vaccines yet.

 

[magicfan1985]

Not an issue for me if DCL require this, my cruise is September 2021 and as soon as I am eligible I will be getting the vaccine. By the end of August in my country, the vaccines will be available to anyone who wants it.

I am on the Fantasy this September. Praying it sails. I'm sure I'm in the last group to get the vaccine. Mid 30's, and healthy. I've already had covid but will absolutely get the vaccine and hope I can get it before our ship sails in September.

 

[Joe Brig]

This is a 50+ cruise line so I can understand them requiring the vaccine as most of their passengers are in a higher risk group. DCL is the opposite with many kids and young parents. Clinical trails on kids has not been completed yet, not sure who would volunteer a child for this, but many will. Disney will have to allow full refunds if they require the vaccine and people didn't know this before putting down their deposits.

 

[jlwhitney]

This is a 50+ cruise line so I can understand them requiring the vaccine as most of their passengers are in a higher risk group. DCL is the opposite with many kids and young parents. Clinical trails on kids has not been completed yet, not sure who would volunteer a child for this, but many will. Disney will have to allow full refunds if they require the vaccine and people didn't know this before putting down their deposits.

It’s only 13 and up for trials anyway.

 

[jane01jp]

This is a 50+ cruise line so I can understand them requiring the vaccine as most of their passengers are in a higher risk group. DCL is the opposite with many kids and young parents. Clinical trails on kids has not been completed yet, not sure who would volunteer a child for this, but many will. Disney will have to allow full refunds if they require the vaccine and people didn't know this before putting down their deposits.

Agree that conditions that are imposed after payments will likely have to be refunded. Maybe not technically, but practically.

 

[mom4fun]

They could require vaccine for over 17.

 

[tvguy]

We have to have adequate supplies of vaccine first for this to work. And with 330,000 doses of Moderna vaccine having issues and being held back, that is a HUGE challenge.
But more importantly, the first step will have to be getting the International staff vaccinated, many from nations that don't even have vaccine programs in place yet.
So at this point, the vaccine deadline of May seems WILDLY unreachable. I am an essential worker, and we were advised today that it will likely be April before I can get my first dose, so even as a Tier 1 essential worker, May would be too soon.

 

[KVH]

They could require vaccine for over 17.

Letting al those mobile, under 17 vectors run rampant to infect as needed . . .

 

[insureman]

We have to have adequate supplies of vaccine first for this to work. And with 330,000 doses of Moderna vaccine having issues and being held back, that is a HUGE challenge.
But more importantly, the first step will have to be getting the International staff vaccinated, many from nations that don't even have vaccine programs in place yet.
So at this point, the vaccine deadline of May seems WILDLY unreachable. I am an essential worker, and we were advised today that it will likely be April before I can get my first dose, so even as a Tier 1 essential worker, May would be too soon.

Looks like your home state is releasing them now.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article248647925.html

 

[Intr3pid]

Yes, we posted the news in the Updates thread. Carnival was also asked this question.

Check it out:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/tracking-cruising-restart-news-and-updates.3809664/post-62622253

 

[Joe Brig]

Letting al those mobile, under 17 vectors run rampant to infect as needed . . .

If the vaccine works then kids would only be infecting themselves and since they are an extremely low risk with little or no symptoms, who would know? Like a tree falling with no one around.

 

[tvguy]

Looks like your home state is releasing them now.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article248647925.html

That was a quick decision if it happens.

 

[kanerf]

Going to be a bit a problem for many people. Most states, including PA where I am are only giving vaccinations to first responders and health care workers. Over 75s are in the next group. For people under 65 it probably won't be available until late spring or early summer. Of course there are two additional vaccines in the pipeline so things might improve.

 

[jane01jp]

Letting al those mobile, under 17 vectors run rampant to infect as needed . . .

I realize that people carry communicable diseases. But, IMO, children (and people in general) are so much more than disease vectors. Again, in my opinion, one of the most unfortunate aspects of the pandemic has been objectification of other people.

As to cruises, I would be perfectly willing to travel with other people who have made their own choices whether or not to be vaccinated.

 

[KVH]

I realize that people carry communicable diseases. But, IMO, children (and people in general) are so much more than disease vectors. Again, in my opinion, one of the most unfortunate aspects of the pandemic has been objectification of other people.

As to cruises, I would be perfectly willing to travel with other people who have made their own choices whether or not to be vaccinated.

I would too - if they would just stop cancelling every cruise I schedule!

 

[soniam]

I would be all for this if I thought I could get a vaccine anytime soon. At the rate they are going, which actually seems to be slowing now here in the US, I think I will be lucky to get one next year. I was really hoping by late Summer or Fall. I was also hoping our son could get one before school starts next Fall, but I doubt that too. I am thankful my mother was able to get here first dose, 65+ in Oklahoma. My dad is still waiting, also 65+ in Oklahoma. My step-dad is 60+ with diabetes and hasn't been able to get one yet. I think DCL could make it a requirement, but I think they will lose out on a lot of customers due to lack of supply. I don't think they will make any rash decisions right now. I think they will wait a couple of months and re-evaluate the vaccine situation.

I worry that I will end up having to get one of the lower efficacy ones because that's all that will be available when my time comes. Seems such a waste to end up getting one that barely meets the CDC standards for efficacy. The efficacy will only go down in the population from the numbers seen in trials. I just hope they don't approve the one from China or Russia here unless it has been studied very thoroughly.

It’s only 13 and up for trials anyway.

Moderna is starting trials on 12-17 year olds this week in Austin, TX.

 

[jlwhitney]

I would be all for this if I thought I could get a vaccine anytime soon. At the rate they are going, which actually seems to be slowing now here in the US, I think I will be lucky to get one next year. I was really hoping by late Summer or Fall. I was also hoping our son could get one before school starts next Fall, but I doubt that too. I am thankful my mother was able to get here first dose, 65+ in Oklahoma. My dad is still waiting, also 65+ in Oklahoma. My step-dad is 60+ with diabetes and hasn't been able to get one yet. I think DCL could make it a requirement, but I think they will lose out on a lot of customers due to lack of supply. I don't think they will make any rash decisions right now. I think they will wait a couple of months and re-evaluate the vaccine situation.

I worry that I will end up having to get one of the lower efficacy ones because that's all that will be available when my time comes. Seems such a waste to end up getting one that barely meets the CDC standards for efficacy. The efficacy will only go down in the population from the numbers seen in trials. I just hope they don't approve the one from China or Russia here unless it has been studied very thoroughly.



Moderna is starting trials on 12-17 year olds this week in Austin, TX.

ah yeah your right . It’s under 12 there are no trials for yet and none really being talked about yet either .

 

[tvguy]

Looks like your home state is releasing them now.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article248647925.html

Yes. But at the same time saying it will likely be June before they have enough vaccine just for those over 65. So to the OP's post, a vaccine requirement to cruise may pretty much force cruise lines to write off 2021 too. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article248652255.html