While many cruise lines have already mandated blanket COVID-19 vaccination requirements fleetwide, that strategy may not work for all operators. What is starting to evolve is that some lines, particularly those that cater to families, are going down a route where some ships and itineraries will carry a passenger vaccine requirement – and some will not. The decision tree stems from a choice that the lines were given by the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) for resumption of service. If lines require 95 percent of passengers and 98 percent of the crew to be vaccinated, they can bypass a lengthier test cruise process. But some lines, either because of the views of the passengers or the fact that they carry more chlldren onboard, are not able to meet that threshold. To get ships back in the water faster – without alienating key demographics -- some lines are choosing to do both. For example, Carnival Cruise line has already publicly stated it will not mandate vaccines across its entire fleet, yet its 2021 Alaska sailings require vaccinations. The older demographic attracted to Alaska would be eligible for vaccinations, but kids travelling with families to other destinations would not be. Royal Caribbean seems to be following a similar policy. Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO Richard Fain hinted that a mixed vaccine approach may be the case, at least its Royal Caribbean brand. "Everyone who is eligible for a vaccine will be expected to have one," Fain said in a video address posted May 24. "However, children under 12 can't yet get the shot, and Royal Caribbean International carries a lot of families."
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