Royal Caribbean to unvaccinated travelers: No sushi (and a lot of other things) for you
Now we know the true cost of not getting vaccinated for COVID-19: You won't be able to order sushi when cruising on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.
Nor will you be able to get a pint of Guinness (or any other beer) at the ship's lively pub. And an Old-Fashioned at the vessel's iconic Schooner Bar also will be off-limits.
Royal Caribbean this week finally outlined the specific venues on its Florida-based Freedom of the Seas that would be open only to vaccinated passengers when the ship starts up sailings out of the state on Friday -- and it's a long list that includes some of the vessel's most popular places.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter.
If you're an unvaccinated traveler on your way to the ship right now, you may be in for a shock when you arrive -- and a very different cruising experience than you'd been expecting.
Royal Caribbean restarted departures in North America on June 12 with cruises to the Caribbean out of Nassau in the Bahamas. But Freedom of the Seas will be the line's first vessel to resume sailings out of a U.S. port in 15 months.
The vessel will operate short three- and four-night departures out of Miami.
Unlike with the sailings out of Nassau, the sailings out of Miami aren't starting up with a requirement that all adults over the age of 16 be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Miami sailings are open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated adults. But Royal Caribbean executives have made no secret of the fact that they'd prefer passengers on the Miami sailings to be vaccinated. And they're not making it easy for the passengers who plan to arrive without a vaccine card.
Earlier this month, the line said that certain venues on the ship would be off-limits to unvaccinated passengers, but it didn't give specifics. This week's listing of forbidden venues fleshes out the plan. The newly posted list includes:
- The Chef's Table
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
- R Bar
- Schooner Bar
- The Pub
- Viking Crown Nightclub
- Solarium Bar
- Solarium Pool
- Casino Royale (the ship's casino)
- Casino Bar
- Vitality Spa (the ship's spa)
In other words, if you don't show a vaccine card when arriving at Freedom of the Seas, you won't be able to go to the ship's casino or its spa, and you'll be locked out of many of its most popular bars plus two food venues, a pool and the nightclub.
In addition, some shows and activities on the ship (including the 1970s-themed party in Studio B and the Crazy Quest game show) will be off-limits to unvaccinated passengers.
Plus, access for unvaccinated passengers to shows in the ship's Royal Theatre will be limited to a single deck only, and unvaccinated passengers only will be able to see ice shows at the Studio B ice skating rink at select times.
Unvaccinated passengers will also only be able to work out at select times at the ship's Vitality Fitness Center.
Royal Caribbean has said the restrictions for unvaccinated passengers on Freedom of the Seas would apply both to passengers who are unvaccinated and those who are vaccinated but refuse to show proof of the vaccine.
The new rules come in the wake of threats from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that any cruise line that requires passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine will be fined. A new Florida law forbids businesses in the state from requiring customers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccinated passengers on Freedom of the Seas will be issued wristbands that show they are vaccinated and allow them access to venues reserved for vaccinated passengers only.
Passengers who are unvaccinated will have a hole punched in their key cards, known as SeaPass cards.
All passengers will have to show their SeaPass cards to access lounges, shows and dining venues on the ship.
Royal Caribbean earlier this month also said unvaccinated passengers will have to undergo additional COVID-19 testing at their own expense to sail on Freedom of the Seas.
For now, Royal Caribbean has said the new rules only apply to the initial sailings of Freedom of the Seas through the end of July.
"We believe that in the coming months, restrictions and requirements will be more accommodating as public health circumstances evolve," the line said earlier this month.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees