Carnival Cruise Line in America received some backlash after posting a list of its new health protocols for when cruises restart.
The line called it is CruiseHealth Program which the line said also applied to all Carnival Corporation brands.
But the line took the list of new protocols down from their website and replaced it with basic health requirements from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The protocols, only online for a couple of hours, generated many comments from American cruise fans, both in support and against the rules.
RoyalCaribbeanBlog posted the story to its Facebook page, where the group received hundreds of comments from their fans.
Most of the comments were from those who refused to wear a mask on cruise ships. The most contentious issue that came up was where guests were required to wear masks in places like the pool deck. Or even at all.
“I am NOT going on a cruise if I have to wear the mask,” said Ben Breslin.
“As badly as we want to cruise, there is no way I’m wearing a mask or jumping through all these hoops to do it,” said Dawn Thompson.
Others were in support of Carnival’s health protocols.
Emerson Pratt thought the rules were what we should all expect, “I don’t think there is anything there we weren’t expecting. I think this is probably the standard all will adopt with additional protocols added depending on the cruise line/ship/country.”
Here are the rules Carnival Cruise Line had posted:
Check-in
- Only booked guests are permitted to enter the terminal and boarding area
- Guests must arrive within their selected time to facilitate physical distancing during the check-in and boarding process
- Guests arriving earlier than their scheduled time will not be allowed to enter the terminal until the time of their arrival appointment
- This also applies to VIFP Diamond/Platinum and Casino guests.
Testing
- All guests and crew will be required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to embarkation
- Every guest 2 years of age or older will be required to provide documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test taken between 5 days to 24 hours prior to the date of embarkation
- Guests must provide the original document confirming a negative test result that is legible, identifies the approved and licensed testing entity, sample collection date and type of test, and identity of the tested individual
- Any guest who fails to provide the required documentation or testing at the terminal or on board will be denied boarding or disembarked, and no refund or credit will be issued.
- If at any time within 14 days prior to embarkation, or at any time during the cruise, a guest tests positive for COVID-19, exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19, has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19, or Carnival otherwise determines in its sole discretion that guest is unfit to board due to risk of any communicable illness, guest shall be subject to denial of boarding, denial of re-boarding, quarantine, isolation and/or disembarkation.
- Under these circumstances, unless the guest has failed or refused to comply with these Policies and Procedures, they will be provided with a Future Cruise Credit.
Health Screening
- All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire beginning 72 hours before the date of embarkation
- Identification of symptoms or potential exposures does not automatically result in denial of boarding
- All guests will have their temperature taken as part of the boarding process
- Any guest who refuses to be tested, screened, or to follow these Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures will be denied boarding, and no refund or credit will be issued
- All guests, but especially those with an increased risk as identified by the CDC, should consult with their own physician about their own risk factors and tolerance
Environmental Sanitisation
- Routinely use a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill novel coronaviruses
- Staterooms and public areas sanitized more frequently with cleaning and disinfection protocols developed in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- Ships and terminals undergo more thorough sanitization between cruises
- Expanded disinfection methods using emerging and advanced technologies that are proven effective against coronavirus and other germs
Onboard the ship
- Guests may be required to undergo at least daily temperature checks and must submit to any requested medical screening during the cruise
- Temperature checks may also be conducted prior to disembarking at a port of call and before participating in certain onboard activities
- Responsible physical distancing for all guests and crew managed by adjusting the flow, timing and size of groups
- Hand Hygiene – Additional hand washing facilities and hand sanitizing stations positioned in high-traffic areas throughout the ship
- Health Information – providing regular health reminders about the ways to stay healthy onboard and when ashore
Face masks
- All guests over the age of two will be required to wear a mask when indoors except
- Inside their own stateroom
- Eating and drinking seated at a table
- When using the cardio equipment at the gym and physical distancing is maintained
- Guests are required to wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained
- Masks should have two or more layers and be worn over the nose and mouth.
- Gaiters and bandanas are not allowed, and face shields are permitted when used with a mask.
Social Distancing
- Access to public spaces will be limited and venues/activities will operate at reduced capacity
- Carnival may use a reservation system for our public areas, such as pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment
- Social distancing means staying at least six (6) feet (2 meters) apart from other people who are not the guest’s cruise companions (family or immediate travel group).
- Guests can expect appropriately distanced seating in theaters, dining facilities and other common venues, modified entertainment showings and meal services to control capacity
Contact Tracing
- All guests may be required to provide identifying information and information about certain activities engaged in during the cruise so Carnival can perform contact tracing in the event any person on board is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.
- Â Various location tracking technologies may be used to assist in the collection of contact tracing information such as wearables, video surveillance, transaction data, and photographs taken during the cruise.
Shore Excursions
- Guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed and escorted by vetted tour operators who maintain Carnival’s level of COVID-19 controls during the initial return to sailing.
- Shore side visits may be also limited to port areas that have no public access.
- Self-exploration or non-Carnival sponsored excursions will not be permitted.
- Carnival may, in its sole discretion, avoid a pre-planned destination should a concern arise regarding the level of COVID-19 community spread in that destination or impose certain restrictions on shore excursions relating to capacity, participation, locations, times, eligible venues and persons with whom the guest may come into contact
- Carnival may offer indoor excursions only if physical distancing, use of masks, and other recommended protective measures can be implemented.
- Any noncompliance by guest or members of guest’s traveling party with Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for refusal to re-board after going ashore, or other steps deemed necessary in Carnival’s sole discretion to protect the health and safety of others.
- Â If a guest is denied boarding or disembarked due to failure to comply with Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, they will not be entitled to a refund, credit, or compensation of any kind. Guests will be responsible for all costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses.
