Will Disney follow Royal and not require vaccines?

[ruadisneyfan2]

deleted

 

[nancipants]

I get that, however the poster I quoted insinuated that their cruise could be cut short by unvaxxed cruisers, when in fact the virus can also be spread by vaxxed cruisers. I was simply making a point.

However, I do think if you are going to test unvaxxed, then faxed should be tested as well since they as well can spread the virus, right?

If they require vaccines, they will most likely not be testing guests at each port.

 

[nancipants]

Or a vaccinated guest tests positive.

sure, if they don’t require vaccinations they’ll likely be testing every guest, and it’s possible a vaccinated guest could test positive. But if they require vaccinations, they likely will only need to test when someone exhibits symptoms, not as part of routine.

in any case, I still hope they detail what happens if someone tests positive.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

If they cant require proof of vaccine then how do they know who’s not vaccinated?

If you can’t provide proof then you’ll be treated as if unvaxed.

 

[mousefan73]

If they cant require proof of vaccine then how do they know who’s not vaccinated?

And THAT is the whole issue. As much as me personally would love to sail on a cruise where every pax is vaccinated, I know the reality, this is not possible with the tools and processes currently in place. And I cannot see all cruises becoming adullt only.


I do hope that travel and health insurance will not cover any plans/claims for non-vaccinated person's covid costs IF they were to get sick. This will force unvaxed people to think about sailing.

 

[mousefan73]

I just really, really hope they put some protocols in place if there happens to be a covid outbreak on a cruise, or even if just a few people test positive, and they let people know said protocol beforehand. The last thing I want is for my cruise to have to end prematurely because unvaccinated guests tested positive returning from a port.

The thing is you can be vaccinated and still test postive, I know of many cases personally where this happens. They all had Pfizer and work in nursing homes where patients and staff are routinely tested regardless of vaccine status. ( Here in Germany they still require testing for ALL in hospitals, homes etc..). Here in Germany we still use Covid test as screening for asymptomatic people. I believe back in the US people who are getting Covid tests are ones that actually have symptoms.

I think that at some point we need to stop freaking out when tested postive. Once most of the world is vaccinated I hope the focus focuses more on Covid patients who are actually sick vs. postive cases.

 

[soniam]

The thing is you can be vaccinated and still test postive, I know of many cases personally where this happens. They all had Pfizer and work in nursing homes where patients and staff are routinely tested regardless of vaccine status. ( Here in Germany they still require testing for ALL in hospitals, homes etc..). Here in Germany we still use Covid test as screening for asymptomatic people. I believe back in the US people who are getting Covid tests are ones that actually have symptoms.

I think that at some point we need to stop freaking out when tested postive. Once most of the world is vaccinated I hope the focus focuses more on Covid patients who are actually sick vs. postive cases.

The problem is that it will be a long time until most of the world is vaccinated, even in countries with plentiful and easy access to vaccines, not to mention those that have very little. However, sick people should definitely be a priority.

 

[JLTraveling]

Once we hit Nov 1, things change, partially because the CSO is set to expire but also because at that point the vaccine may be open to more ages, especially young kids. At that point, if anyone who wants a vaccine can get one, then it is much more about personal choice. Too afraid to cruise without a vaccine? Get one. Once you are protected, doesn't really matter who else on the ship is or is not vaccinated. That is their choice.

My only reason for saying there may be wiggle room is that Nov 1 date might push out slightly if the vaccine isnt' available yet to young kids. I can see them extending the CSO, but maybe by a month or 2 at the most. My hope is that by Nov 1, everyone can get a vaccine if they want it, the CSO expires, and life goes back to normal.

OK, here's where this argument breaks down in my opinion, specifically in respect to cruise ships:

1. It's true that vaccinated people are extremely unlikely to get infected, and even less likely to develop a severe case. BUT, when I'm paying that much money for a vacation I ALSO don't want the experience to be lessened because of unvaccinated pax. If there's an outbreak on the ship, what happens next? Do we all have to mask up? Do they cancel activities? Do all the ports refuse to let us in? Are we all quarantined to our cabins? Unlike a shoreside vacation, especially one that doesn't involve international travel, I don't get the option to just leave if the experience becomes lessened.

2. Have you ever had to seek medical care on a ship? My dad had a gall bladder attack on our Cuba cruise. Nearly had to be airlifted to Havana, but they managed to keep him going on the ship by putting an IV port in his arm, bandaging it, and having him come back to sick bay every few hours for IV antibiotics. Sick bay is a teeny tiny little room with one bed and one doctor. If the ship's dealing with a Covid outbreak, what happens if a passenger has a non-Covid medical emergency?

3. How do we get off an infected ship? Is it going to be like the Diamond Princess last year? Are we going to be quarantined at sea for weeks? Has Florida or any other state affirmed that they will receive a ship with an outbreak and allow pax to disembark?

To me, there are just way too many things that could go wrong, even for a vaccinated person at low risk of serious illness. A cruise isn't really comparable to any other type of vacation, let alone the examples people have thrown out of going to Target for an hour or whatever. I'll be sticking with fully vaccinated cruises or not cruising for the next year or two.

 

[tvguy]

Something must have happened because Royal Caribbean has now suspended a number of cruises. No reason givens. https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-cancels-cruises-until-september-whats-going-on/51531

 

[nancipants]

The thing is you can be vaccinated and still test postive, I know of many cases personally where this happens. They all had Pfizer and work in nursing homes where patients and staff are routinely tested regardless of vaccine status. ( Here in Germany they still require testing for ALL in hospitals, homes etc..). Here in Germany we still use Covid test as screening for asymptomatic people. I believe back in the US people who are getting Covid tests are ones that actually have symptoms.

I think that at some point we need to stop freaking out when tested postive. Once most of the world is vaccinated I hope the focus focuses more on Covid patients who are actually sick vs. postive cases.

I agree, this is one of the reasons I’d like to know the protocols.

 

[Weedy]

I do hope that travel and health insurance will not cover any plans/claims for non-vaccinated person's covid costs IF they were to get sick. This will force unvaxed people to think about sailing.

So if non vaccinated people have to pay their cost then how about people who smoke …
Overweighted people… people who don’t exercise
It’s a slippery slope

 

[DCLMP]

If you can’t provide proof then you’ll be treated as if unvaxed.

Except they are not allowed to ask for proof.

 

[DCLMP]

So if non vaccinated people have to pay their cost then how about people who smoke …
Overweighted people… people who don’t exercise
It’s a slippery slope

A morbidily obese 60 year old is a much greater health risk than a unvaxxed 20 year old. If I was an insurance company I’d charge the 60 year old more.

I agree with you it makes no sense cruise ships are full of unhealthy people with a variety of preexisting conditions.

Honestly I think I’ve heard it all from charging them more, locking them in their cabins, even to tossing them overboard. Social media is awesome these days.

 

[DCLMP]

Something must have happened because Royal Caribbean has now suspended a number of cruises. No reason givens. https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-cancels-cruises-until-september-whats-going-on/51531

I don’t think it means anything. They are just starting out with a few ships.carnival and NCL did the same.
My hunch is DCL will start cruises on the Dream and cancel all other sailings.

 

[TestingH2O]

2. Have you ever had to seek medical care on a ship? My dad had a gall bladder attack on our Cuba cruise. Nearly had to be airlifted to Havana, but they managed to keep him going on the ship by putting an IV port in his arm, bandaging it, and having him come back to sick bay every few hours for IV antibiotics. Sick bay is a teeny tiny little room with one bed and one doctor. If the ship's dealing with a Covid outbreak, what happens if a passenger has a non-Covid medical emergency?

I very much agree with your post about the challenges of a cruise vacation compared to a non-cruise vacation.

**Detour**
I’m curious what ship/size of ship you were on to Cuba. The reason I ask is that we have had to seek medical care on a couple DCL trips (ear infection for DD, cut leg for my dad from dishes left in the hall.) We were pretty impressed with the size of the medical center and how helpful they were. It was certainly not a full hospital, but it felt much better equipped than what you describe and I am curious if the difference is the line, the ship size...

 

[OhBother1984]

Something must have happened because Royal Caribbean has now suspended a number of cruises. No reason givens. https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-cancels-cruises-until-september-whats-going-on/51531

I almost wonder if the cruise lines know that starting up this summer is wishful thinking for most routes.

 

[DCLMP]

I almost wonder if the cruise lines know that starting up this summer is wishful thinking for most routes.

It makes sense to just start out with one or two ships and the increase one by one. They can also keep cruise high due to less supply.

 

[Sykes]

Except they are not allowed to ask for proof.

They are absolutely allowed to ask for proof. Under the Florida law they can't require proof as a condition of providing services, but they can ask for it and are welcome to treat passengers who provide proof differently than those that don't. Even with Royal Caribbean's recent reversal they indicated that they'll require additional testing and other procedures from passengers who are unable or choose not to provide proof of vaccination. Given how quickly things are changing who knows where things will end up in the end though.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Plea

So if non vaccinated people have to pay their cost then how about people who smoke …
Overweighted people… people who don’t exercise
It’s a slippery slope

My partner works for a Fortune 500 company that includes rating for smokers and the obese, enforced by yearly testing

 

[jrapps]

They are absolutely allowed to ask for proof. They can't require proof as a condition of providing services, but they can ask for it and are welcome to treat passengers who provide proof differently than those that don't. Even with Royal Caribbean's recent reversal they indicated that they'll require additional testing and other procedures from passengers who are unable or choose not to provide proof of vaccination. Given how quickly things are changing who knows where things will end up in the end though.

We keep going back and forth on this....Sykes is correct, they are allowed to ASK for proof, but not REQUIRE it.

Just like those that voluntarily pay more money for concierge get access to areas of the ship that others don't have access to, those that volunteer to show proof of vaccine can gain access to things that those unwilling or unable to show proof will get.

This is not discrimination.

All that said, I don't really see DCL of all the lines doing anything like this unless the CDC relaxes rules even further before cruising starts (which is VERY likely). Disney isn't going to segregate (Dining room A for vax, Dining room B for un-vax) but if the CDC changes the rules to say that vaccinated can go mask free everywhere, then I see Disney asking, issuing a colored band for those vaccinated, and then crew can tell who should be and should not be wearing masks.