Uhm....Bahamas is now requiring vaccinations for all passengers over 12..

[orum]

I agree with epcotrulz, I suspect there have been fervent discussions with the Floridian gov't over the weekend and ongoing. No matter how badly the gov't folks want to enforce their "vaccine passport" rule, they simply can't in this case, or they'll force the cruise lines to all not run at all. So the gov't needs a way to exempt the cruise lines from the rule and presumably try to spin it in the news to save face. However you feel about it politically, this whole process would be far simpler for the cruise lines if it weren't for that rule. I'm sure Disney would rather avoid a legal battle if at all possible, so I suspect that if they thought that they could talk the gov't into a cruise ship exemption, that would be preferable to joining Norwegian's lawsuit.

I am somewhat surprised that we haven't seen the other lines joining Norwegian's lawsuit since they've all now publicly said that they're going to do what the rule specifically says that they can't. I'm sure there's behind-the-scenes wrangling going on by all of them!

I don't even understand why this is an issue once the Bahaman govt added this condition to dock. Does Florida prevent an airline from asking for vaccine data and denying a passenger from boarding that doesn't meet the requirements to enter the country they are flying to?

 

[skoi]

Until then we'll cruise less often and do other kinds of vacations.

This is what we decided. We were leaning that way even before this latest round of lack of information. We've already been doing that, going to national parks, Hilton Head, etc. But for what we pay for even just two of us on a cruise, we can do a lot of other things.

 

[jrapps]

Can't you cancel any Fantasy stateroom category by 9/1 for any reason and receive a full refund if the sailing is before March 26th, 2022?

I'm on the Dream 9/3 sailing. We are 11 days out.

Once you get into the 14 day ‘Covid’ window you can- it’s the gray area between now and then..

Can you just call them up and claim "I have Covid"? I was pretty sure they'd make you upload some PCR test as proof to cancel, otherwise it's a blanket Cancel for any reason..aside from the whole ethical consideration of lying.

I'd rather go on the Doube Dip if it sails. If they don't sail, or cancel Castaway, I'd prefer to move to Royal.

 

[DCLMP]

We sadly didn't like RCCL either. We decided to try it between Christmas and NYE since DCL was so pricey. I was soooooo hoping we would love it. DH thought it was OK and liked the savings. I strongly disliked it. I know all ships are different but we have limited vacay time and I'm not willing to take that risk again. Maybe when we retire we'll try some other lines and try to find some alternatives for both pricing and itineraries.

Until then we'll cruise less often and do other kinds of vacations.

The rest of my family liked it. I can't really put my finger on why I didn't. My husband and son cruised on NCL and liked it. I guess I prefer ships overrun with children like DCL and Carnival lol.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'm on the Dream 9/3 sailing. We are 11 days out.


Can you just call them up and claim "I have Covid"? I was pretty sure they'd make you upload some PCR test as proof to cancel, otherwise it's a blanket Cancel for any reason..aside from the whole ethical consideration of lying.

I'd rather go on the Doube Dip if it sails. If they don't sail, or cancel Castaway, I'd prefer to move to Royal.

Q. Do I need to provide proof of my COVID-19-related health concern?

A. No. If you or anyone in your sailing party experiences a qualifying COVID-19 health scenario within 14 days prior to your sailing, you can contact Disney Cruise Line to change your sail date or request a full refund.


Q. What COVID-19-related health concerns qualify for a refund without Disney-imposed cancellation fees?

A. Qualifying scenarios include Guests who in the previous 14 days:

• Have symptoms of COVID-19
• Have a temperature of 100.4°F or greater
• Have had known exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
• Have tested positive for COVID-19

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/flexible-refund-policy/proof-covid-19-related-health-concern/

 

[DCLDVC1]

We sadly didn't like RCCL either. We decided to try it between Christmas and NYE since DCL was so pricey. I was soooooo hoping we would love it. DH thought it was OK and liked the savings. I strongly disliked it. I know all ships are different but we have limited vacay time and I'm not willing to take that risk again. Maybe when we retire we'll try some other lines and try to find some alternatives for both pricing and itineraries.

Until then we'll cruise less often and do other kinds of vacations.

Our last cruise was on Royal. I did not care for it at all, but I did like Carnival. I would cruise with them again and I would like to try MSC.

Which RCCL ship(s) were you on?

 

[epcotrulz]

I have my first RCCL cruise coming up in June on Harmony. Only reason I’m going is because of a large group preference. I’m actually starting to think differently about RCCL (in a positive light). First, I can get a Cabana on their private island without being concierge and secondly they aren’t putting their customers through this anguish that DCL is doing right now …. Granted the really proof will be once I actually sail on that massive floating city …. But its somewhat arrogant and disrespectful towards your customers/“guests” to let this go for so long ….

 

[bethy]

Which RCCL ship(s) were you on?

The Independence out of Port Everglades. One thing we disliked about that ship was it was too big. Our favorite Disney ships are the classics, so I don't think we'd enjoy some of the even bigger newer RCCL ships.

 

[bethy]

Which RCCL ship(s) were you on?

That said - if you have a recommendation for a smaller ship with a less party like atmosphere and preferably no casino let me know for sure!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

For the next 5-6 weeks (less with J&J), someone who currently isn’t vaccinated can’t become fully vaccinated. That is the impossible part I was referring to. This also assumes there isn’t an option for medical exemption.

Children ages 12-17 cannot get the J&J vaccine yet. Children who are not yet 12, but will be at time of sailing, cannot be vaccinated in time.

 

[epcotrulz]

The Independence out of Port Everglades. One thing we disliked about that ship was it was too big. Our favorite Disney ships are the classics, so I don't think we'd enjoy some of the even bigger newer RCCL ships.

Ditto, the Magic and Wonder are still my favorite ships.

 

[erionm]

Does Florida prevent an airline from asking for vaccine data and denying a passenger from boarding that doesn't meet the requirements to enter the country they are flying to?

Airlines fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government (DOT & FAA) and I don't believe FL can pass any laws that affect how they operate.

Cruise ships have very little federal oversight. One of Florida's arguments is the the CDC has no authority over the cruise industry.

 

[Sykes]

I don't even understand why this is an issue once the Bahaman govt added this condition to dock. Does Florida prevent an airline from asking for vaccine data and denying a passenger from boarding that doesn't meet the requirements to enter the country they are flying to?

Airlines are slightly different because the Airline Deregulation Act explicitly prohibits individual states from enacting (most) laws that affect airlines that provide interstate or international air transportation, so the federal law very clearly preempts enforcement of the state law. For cruise lines there is no such explicit prohibition on that kind of regulation (especially while cooperation with the CSO is voluntary in Florida) so cruise lines are mostly relying on the Commerce Clause (and the First Amendment), which is almost certainly applicable (at least is according to the federal judge in the NCL case), but is a bit less cut and dry.

 

[orum]

Airlines are slightly different because the Airline Deregulation Act explicitly prohibits individual states from enacting (most) laws that affect airlines that provide interstate or international air transportation, so the federal law very clearly preempts enforcement of the state law. For cruise lines there is no such explicit prohibition on that kind of regulation (especially while cooperation with the CSO is voluntary in Florida) so cruise lines are mostly relying on Commerce Clause (and the First Amendment), which is almost certainly applicable (at least is according to the federal judge in the NCL case), but is a bit less cut and dry.

Thanks. I was just thinking that even without the CSO in place, how can a state say you have to take on a passenger that then prevents you from going to your destination?

 

[Sykes]

Thanks. I was just thinking that even without the CSO in place, how can a state say you have to take on a passenger that then prevents you from going to your destination?

That's the Commerce Clause argument, and in her preliminary injunction for the NCL case the judge basically said that they can't in this case (but the standard she applied wasn't a simple yes/no answer--she applied a test which weighs the burden on interstate/international commerce against the benefit to Florida and determined that it was unconstitutional because the burden was very high but the benefit to Florida was limited and unproven). That argument is significantly strengthened by the Bahamas, Sint Maarten, and other countries making vaccine documentation mandatory.

 

[sethschroeder]

25 mins until 4pm EST, can't imagine anything released later than that.

 

[2XPCV]

One of the members (who owns a travel agency) in a cruise group I am in for an upcoming cruise just posted that they were contacted by their DCL business manager and that DCL will be requiring 100% vaccination for 12+; affected guests to be contacted throughout the week.

 

[msjprincess]

Our last cruise was on Royal. I did not care for it at all, but I did like Carnival. I would cruise with them again and I would like to try MSC.

I'm the opposite. I love RCCL and hated Carnival.

 

[zeferjen]

Still waiting!

 

[jrapps]

I'm the opposite. I love RCCL and hated Carnival.

Same. We cruise Royal more than Disney. Never liked Carnival.

I guess that is why it's great that there are different lines with different experiences. Something for everyone!