Snooze - you loose??

[Memepoppy]

We were planning a family cruise in the February-March timeframe. Only one of the 11 are vaxed, so when the cruise lines started announcing the end of the vaccine requirement we got very excited. Alas, Disney has chosen not to play at this time so we moved our cruise to RCL. I know the loss of 11 fares will be a non issue for Disney, and I know we'll sacrifice some (rotational dining, high quality shows, our comfort level on the Fantasy, etc.), but we weren't going to wait to see what Disney is going to do when. Also, the grandkids are getting older(6 ranging from 11-18), so we feel there's more to do for this age range on RCL. The big win is 3 balcony staterooms on an 8 day eastern carribean for about 65% of the cost of a 7 day eastern on the Fantasy. We had to add in the soda package (for the occasional wine/beer/alcohol, it's cheaper for us to purchase that ala carte, which would be what we do on Disney). We don't do specialty dining on Disney and won't on RCL. If we have a good experience we may not return to Disney. In addition to the cost factor, the wider variety of destinations, with RCL, NCL, Celebrity, etc. is a big plus. I think Disney needs to make a directional decision soon or they risk the loss of more of their base. I'll report back after to review our experience and what the family consensus is.

 

[Rob1872]

Your choice. I'm fine with only cruising with vaccinated passengers, but was happy when I didn't have to wear a mask everywhere but while dining. Everyone has their own preference. I don't think Disney is worried about losing passengers over them transferring to a non-vaccine cruise line. It is risk management; their analysis is that they are better off not risking a massive outbreak on the ship.

 

[lklgoodman]

They may loose some and they may gain some because of their vaccine stance. I personally would rather cruise with DCL because of their policies.

 

[Cheburashka]

We were planning a family cruise in the February-March timeframe. Only one of the 11 are vaxed, so when the cruise lines started announcing the end of the vaccine requirement we got very excited. Alas, Disney has chosen not to play at this time so we moved our cruise to RCL. I know the loss of 11 fares will be a non issue for Disney, and I know we'll sacrifice some (rotational dining, high quality shows, our comfort level on the Fantasy, etc.), but we weren't going to wait to see what Disney is going to do when. Also, the grandkids are getting older(6 ranging from 11-18), so we feel there's more to do for this age range on RCL. The big win is 3 balcony staterooms on an 8 day eastern carribean for about 65% of the cost of a 7 day eastern on the Fantasy. We had to add in the soda package (for the occasional wine/beer/alcohol, it's cheaper for us to purchase that ala carte, which would be what we do on Disney). We don't do specialty dining on Disney and won't on RCL. If we have a good experience we may not return to Disney. In addition to the cost factor, the wider variety of destinations, with RCL, NCL, Celebrity, etc. is a big plus. I think Disney needs to make a directional decision soon or they risk the loss of more of their base. I'll report back after to review our experience and what the family consensus is.

Please report back and let us know how the cruise went. I hope you enjoy your cruise.

 

[cvjw]

I hope your family enjoys the cruise. RCL mega ships look great for kids the age of your grandkids. So many activities for them to do!

 

[dreamer17555]

Personal choice. I like disney‘s policies with vaccinated adults. I wish they would get rid of pretest for vaccinated passengers but I don’t think that’s going to happen until the Bermuda cruises are over.

I have looked at a royal cruise but I just keep going back to Disney for several of the things you mentioned- rotational dining service entertainment. Hope you enjoy your sailing.

 

[Travel60]

As someone who lives with a person with comorbities, I also prefer to sail with those who are vaxed (I'm double boosted). I continue to mask indoors or in crowds.

We've sailed a total of ~ 8 weeks this year with another planned for October. So far, our entire family including kids and grands have avoided Covid or had such mild cases we didn't know it. So far we've tested at port. Have to figure out pre-testing for next cruise. Not in a hurry because it may change.

 

[Karin1984]

Because I am curious:
Your cruise is 6 months away. Cruiselines only have been announcing the past 2(?) weeks that they will allow non-vaxxed. Disney is always slower than others.

Why did you decide to already cancel your DCL cruise and change to Royal?

With the upcoming Autumn/Winter it can go all ways, DCL might relax the rules, Royal might need to tighten the rules. It is a risk whatever you do.

 

[nikem3]

I assume this is leaving out of a different port than Florida? Royal Caribbean's vaccination rules are still the same in Florida. All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated unless leaving from California, Louisiana or Texas.

 

[nancipants]

Disney has made a decision. They still require vaccinations at this time. I’m not sure why this would cause them to “lose their base”.

 

[tink2424]

Good for you! I agree that over time this will become more of an issue and eventually everyone will drop their requirements. In the meantime you may become a loyal customer to another brand and if that is the case then its Disneys own fault. I like RCL so have a GREAT time!

 

[Memepoppy]

Because I am curious:
Your cruise is 6 months away. Cruiselines only have been announcing the past 2(?) weeks that they will allow non-vaxxed. Disney is always slower than others.

Why did you decide to already cancel your DCL cruise and change to Royal?

With the upcoming Autumn/Winter it can go all ways, DCL might relax the rules, Royal might need to tighten the rules. It is a risk whatever you do.

We realize that but we didn't want to take a chance on missing the room selection/sailing date we wanted as well as prices are starting to increase since the changes. We had already canceled our November Disney cruise for this year.

 

[goofy4prez]

I don't agree with a lot of Disney's decisions, nor do I understand them. But it is their pop stand and their rules. As of right now I have chosen to play along and booked a cruise for this December. I shall see how it goes for the future.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Enjoy your cruise. I look forward to cruising with fellow vaccinated passengers in a month. I respect Disney for doing what they feel is right.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

DCL has been way more cautious than the others, who knows what it will be like in 6 months, but you will likely enjoy RCL. This wasn't the hill I was going to die on, I quit several years ago when DCL got too expensive (after 23 cruises). Going to cruise the Wish (yep, vaccinated up the wazoo) and then going back to Celebrity and RCL.

It's been awhile since I had food on DCL but I remember the dining rooms being slightly better than RCL. I do the specialty dining because that has been really good. On my next RCL I'm going on a megaship and bought unlimited specialty dining.

 

[chubbyzeus]

I really hope that they continue the testing on the unvaxxed ships. Testing everybody pre-boarding has a better chance of stopping an outbreak than the vax. You can still carry and spread the virus fully vaxxed and boosted, even when not showing symptoms or having a “mild” case.

 

[BmarieT]

Enjoy your cruise!! We also started cruising with RCL and love it. We still enjoy DCL but can do two RCL for the price of one Disney cruise. If Disney continues the testing requirement for vaccinated cruisers we probably won't cruise with them until that changes as it adds so much stress to vacation planning. (We do have the WBTA for 2023 booked - fingers crossed for things to be improved by then).

 

[AquaDame]

I hope you enjoy your cruise on RCL! Since this thread is encouraging folks to trade opinions on what the cruiselines are choosing to do back and forth which is against the covid policy, I am going to lock it.