Goodtime Cruizin

3 hours ago, flyguyjake said:

I supposed fresh airflow would be the difference. I support my local restaurants using curbside pickup or delivery. No way am I sitting in a hot parking lot breathing car exhaust. Those are some die hard foodies. lol

Google the images of the tents being used. It isn’t what you’re thinking 

BTW, the Governor of Texas just opened restaurants to a level of 75% seating capacity for indoor dining this past Monday, but he also continued the closure of bars. 

On 9/22/2020 at 10:48 AM, firefly333 said:

Texas still has bars closed. 

Kinda... I mean bars w/ food service are wide open. Night clubs or dance clubs etc, yes they are closed. Pubs w/ grills, Bars w/ grills, and Restaurants w/ Bars are literally wide open and have been since May.  I have been in a couple that actually removed every other bar stool. But they were open. 

On 9/22/2020 at 9:35 AM, HBE4 said:

 

And when it starts, it will only be at 25% capacity. The rest of the state is at 50% for indoor dining.   

 

Be intertesting to see what happens when it gets too chilly for outdoor dining.

Tents... it's what has been done in Chicago & the burbs.

5 minutes ago, Life Buoy said:

Think you're are just being a Devil's Advocate. That's fine since it brings solid information to the surface.

😉 You... are... correct. I'm really a nice person, a good guy that respects all those I came into contact with despite what I post here. Some topics need to be discussed that aren't because some just can't think beyond a mask. 

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

Have had more time to look over the whole document.  One of my primary concerns is what happens if you get sick/test positive.  According to the document (and this is the gist of it, not the exact wording), the cruise ships are supposed to disembark you ASAP at the nearest port, which is supposed to agree to accept you and somehow (it is not described) get you home.  So let's say I catch the virus, and get really sick quickly.  I get dumped in a foreign port in a third world country which may not have good medical facilities, and am too sick to fly home (even if by some miracle there was some transportation pre-arranged, which I'm sorry, but I can't see always happening).   So there I am, perhaps deathly ill, put in this awful situation.  How does that make sense to anyone?!?!    And even if I am not deathly sick, what airlines will accept me onboard (and for that matter, SHOULD accept me onboard)???  I can't see them chartering flights for me!  Certainly not on their dime.  

 

Am I misreading this?  Thoughts?

I completely understand you & it is why I've been pretty much a hard### on those that are hellbent on masking up. Masks should be the least of one's worries. There are far more concerning issues than someone wearing a mask improperly or not at all. Many on these threads do not fully comprehend these things, one of which you have mentioned. Another is isolation. Some still believe that if they cruise in a suite that if they are quarantined, at least they have a nice cabin. They need to read the panel's recommendations on isolation.  

Wait. So testing is not accurate? 

But would not the testing prior to getting on the ship identify the asymptomatic? The goal is to not allow the carriers of the virus on the ship. Once the carriers are identified and prevented from getting on the ship, the masks should no longer needed. Correct? 

As of this post, over 200 hard core cruisers that follow cruising on a message board have responded to the poll in this thread. Roughly 55% have stated they'd cruise regardless of the panel's recommendations. While this is very unscientific, it does tell us that the industry is in deep Doo-Doo going forward. 

45 minutes ago, K.T.B. said:

 

In answer to your questions:

 

1. Yes. BUT I'd have myself checked out prior to leaving for my cruise to make sure.  As everyone should do nowadays, for your safety and others'.  To not do so would be inconsiderate and possibly dangerous.  (Odds are, though, you'd be fine.)

 

2.  Nope.  Nor could they without your permission.  Because in doing so, that could put you at greater risk.  IF they forced it, I'd want all sorts of assurances that me and my wife would be safe wherever they moved us and that we'd be WELL compensated for the inconvenience.

 

3. They're going to charge double.  Please provide proof (legitimate proof, not hearsay) that this has happened.  Besides, I already only book excursions through the ship when I do take them.

 

4.  As always, I'd book a cruise I could handle financially.  If they increase the prices, so be it.  They're like any other business and have the right to charge what they feel they can get from the consumer.  

 

Finally, if people don't want to wear a mask, then don't cruise.  Don't be selfish.  This isn't about you, it's to make sure everyone is protected.  (Even IF it may not be needed eventually, why take the chance?)

You really should read the details of the panel's report, especially for #1 & #2. 

And look, when I'm on vacation and schilling out $10,000 to do so... of course it's about me! 😉  No more different than you forking out money and then selfifishly demanding that I wear a mask so you feel better. If you're think it's that bad & you're that concerned, then you shouldn't cruise.   

Bottomline is I recognize that I will be required to wear a face covering to get on a ship. But there is much much more areas of concern other than a facemask that makes cruising unattractive right now. I listed a few things to bring them to the forefront for discussion. Your reponse to #2 is laughable. You're worried about a mask and telling others they MUST wear one for the protection of others but then tell us all that YOU will not re-locate to isolation to protect others. Don't be selfish. 

There is no doubt that masks will be required on future cruises for awhile. Whether it'll be enforced to alevel that some are satisfied is another issue. So to those that continue to project the mantra No Mask = No Cruise you'll get your wish. The question is will you actually go knowing the struggle of enforcement. But there are more issues than just masks....

1. Contact tracing -  Are you prepared to have your cruise canceled due to contact tracing after arriving to the port? Once on the ship, are you prepared to be quarantined because of contact tracing? 

2. Quarantine cabins - Are you prepared to be moved out of your balcony or suite and be held in another cabin w/ bunk beds and no space due to contact tracing? 

3. Ship's Excursions - are you prepared to pay double the price non-ship excursion costs?

4. Social Distancing - due to space needed, the number of cabins occupied will be reduced and as a result the cost of the cabins to be occupied will increase dramatically. Are you prepared to pay an increased price?

No Mask = No Cruise. OK...then what?  

5 hours ago, Ravbo said:

Because the cruise lines continuing existence is based on executing this correctly.

If the cruise lines screw this up and get shut down again, they are out of business.

Hate to tell you, but they'll be out of business if they go to the EXTREMES as some have suggested. 

Floating cities w/ people from all over the world facing a new infectious disease and now a pandemic. I clearly understand how easy it was for Covid to spread on cruise ships and for the cruiselines everywhere not to be able to stop it. The fact is, no one has stopped it.  Not one form of Government worldwide. Nobody. But... we have learned somethings to slow it down. All a cruise line can do is implement what known programs work and are effective. They can't and won't stop it or prevent it. We all want so badly for RCL or any cruiseline to be able to offer us cruises. Some are willing to allow themselves to become selfish in an effort to fulfil their wishes to cruise again. This includes me. Like many on cruise critic, I too have a cruise scheduled. I have steadily arranged for excursions at most of the ports that we'll visit. Whether or not we'll get on a ship is a different story. It may be canceled. We may cancel the cruise. 

All we can do is hope for the best and wish each other well. 

21 hours ago, Ashland said:

Book a cabin that you and your traveling companion wouldn't mind being isolated in, like a suite 

I'm not sure this will work any longer. It's covered in the report. It states that isolation rooms near the medical area will be in place. 😟

On 9/21/2020 at 8:34 AM, LuCruise said:

I agree with the comments. They should test at the port. If you test 5 days ahead, can't this be invalid by the time you get there?  Plus, it would be stressful getting testing in time to make sure the results are returned prior to when you leave (esp if your flight is a day or two before).  Some may choose to test themselves too prior to their trip as it would be a shame to fly all the way there and find out you are positive, but they should just require the test at the port.

 

Also, I wonder how they will sail with reduced capacity?  Will Royal just stop selling staterooms once they are say 60% sold?  What if they are already past that capacity?  Will they kick people out?  Or offer good incentives to for FCC or refund more than 100%?

SIAP as I have not read all of the responses, but the purpose for teating 5 days prior to the cruise is to stop and prevent people from flying to a port if they test positive. 

After reading this unscientific poll... the cruise industry is in major trouble. Worse than I thought actually. Look, I fully understand the cruising lifestyle & the love we all have for cruise ship vactions. But folks, that won't support the industry. They need the genersal public's support and money. If people that post on a crusing message board are stating they'll wait it out... there is no way the average John & Jane Doe along w/ their kids Jimmy & Joanie are going to book a cruise anytime soon. They, the industry is in a big hurt. There is a reason why Carnival is unloading 10+ ships. Things are changing in this industry and we will never see or experience the same type of cruise post covid as we did pre-covid. 

Healthy Sail Panel Recommendations... it's an interesting read. A few things that caught my eye....

  4,  tested between five days and 24 hours. the key word here being 'between'

They mandate one test and suggest that when/where possible two negative tests prior to boarding

13,  daily temperature checks for guests. 

Interesting. This should be very easy to set up & do. 

18, should adjust the guest & crew 'load' capacity in a manner that allows for physical distancing

This one... not so easy. Some cruisers are going to be cancelled. It's going to happen.  

43, contract tracing <------- this is a biggee imo... standing  6' < 15 mins

This is going to a very big thing.  One could get quarantined just by standing or being next to someone that has tested positive. This would be a very hard pill to swallow. It's almost impossible not to do this these days. A flight from home to Amsterdam is a great example. 

Facemasks- 

53 minutes ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

The published Healthy Sail Panel recommendations are quite thorough and I believe well done. Regarding passengers, it is quite clear that prior to embarkation, among other stipulations, guests will need to attest adherence to and compliance with all requirements while onboard. Failure to do so will result in denial of boarding.

 

I saw nothing pertinent to guest behavior once on the ship and what consequences could result from failure to comply. Apparently there are none specified. In an effort to be "guest sensitive" perhaps the panel thought it best not to rile the paying people. So there you go. I don't see any individual cruise line establishing their own penalties since it has not been recommended to do so. I wonder how folks will feel about that.

They want to sail their ships. They have to walk a fine line with government agaencies but equally as important, they NEED the funding from passengers. It sounds like to me, that they realize that while posters on cruise critic may be vocal, they understand that there will not be enough paying customers to float the boat with EXTREME MEASURES that has been suggested. No pun intended. There will not be any plank walking and the mentioned entertainment of watching people getting kicked off a ship and left stranded. 

Oh but it's science. Or so we've been told. 

It's really simple everybody. We all know this. But I guess it's worth posting. Each day, every day, in today's Covid era, each of us are required to make decisions that have effects or consequences on ourselves, our family, and others as well...all based on the behavior of others. You and/or I can jump up & down, scream to the top of our lungs our thoughts on wearing masks. None of this really matters though. What matters is what we do, the decions we make, and how we respond to other's behavior. 

So post away. Belittle others if you must. But bottomline, you either think the lack of a mask can kill or you don't. If you do, then you won't get on a ship. And if you do get on a ship, then your posts and thoughts on those that don't wear masks ring hollow. You can't have it both ways folks. 

Good day. 

1 minute ago, Dr. Pam said:

Okay....BE SMART!

One can be both. But being smart is greater than being kind when on a cruise ship in the middle the ocean during a pandemic. 

2 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

I believe that X will definitely enforce the policy. And I also think that the crew will be sure to speak to an Officer without fear of repercussion, if any guest decides that the rules do not apply to them. After all, it's not just the health and safety of guests that’s at stake, it's everyone on board, from the Captain on down.
It's one thing to be callous and ruin the vacations of people who have paid for the privilege, it's quite another to possibly infect members of the crew whose livelihoods would be at stake.

These policies, as has been pointed out, will be crucial to the future success or failure of the cruise industry. 

Cruise at all costs... including lives. The Cruise Lines want the money, and you want the pleasure. And you just think because we all wear masks my life, your life is safe. Got it. Foolishness. 

24 minutes ago, Dr. Pam said:

Perhaps Goodtime Cruizin that just maybe... someone else wearing a mask MIGHT SAVE YOU! Would you in good conscience not want to do the same?  We are all in this together.  Be kind.

Wait. You actually think I have not weighed my own risk / reward factors? Pfft. This isn't about kindness either. In fact it has nothing to do with kindness. Let's be real here. Walking into the MDR w/ a mask on and rthen only to take it off when sitting is foolishness. Your science knows this too. Many on this thread are staing that wearing a mask will save lives. Yet ignore the realities that some have already been witnessed as NOT wearing a mask. (see Petra's thread) And yet they still want to go on a ship and complain. That's not being kind. That's being foolish. 

6 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I guess there is no use further debating someone who thinks scientific facts are beliefs.  Done

Well OK... but not all science is a proven fact.  A lot of science is still theory waiting to be proven. With that said, take care and Happy Future Cruising. 

10 minutes ago, npcl said:

based upon the report from the healthy sail committee the cruiselines will be requiring masks and passengers will have to certify that they will comply with the rules

This of course was expected. 

4 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

No, actually it is not whether I believe how much a mask will save me.  I look to the medical and scientific experts to determine that, and they say that a mask reduces the risk of transmission significantly.  It has nothing to do with what I believe.  It has to do with what has been proven with scientific studies, which too many people choose to ignore because they don't like the results.   Based on that, and based on what procedures the cruise lines choose to implement, I can determine whether the risk is one I am willing to take.

You're correct in that's it's your choice to cruise based on the risk / reward factor. You're risking your life for the enjoyment of a few days to a few weeks based on the actions of others on a cruise ship in the middle of a pandemic. BTW... it is a belief. You BELIEVE this science is correct.