Ellaleah

I prefer to do excursions on my own for all the obvious reasons, but in this case, I don’t want people to be left to their own choices left to do as we wish out of the bubble.  If the cruise lines can get away with making cruisers buy their excursions, why wouldn’t they and why wouldn’t  they keep that rule as long as they can?  Seems like a Bonanza fir them!

I, too, am certainly hoping that vaccines are required for all!  I have gotten my first Pfizer and will be vaccinated.  Why would I want to be on a ship with those that are not?  I don’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want this to be the case. I have rebooked for 12/22.  I think that children will be vaccinated by then and there should be fast, cheap tests for boarding.  Of course, I would prefer it if masks were not necessary, but I am happy to comply.  As far as cruises for  2021, I would not need the cruise line or the CDC to tell me that it is not safe.  I have concluded it for myself.  Too much of a gamble!

On 1/21/2021 at 2:26 PM, sarmat1 said:

 

Agreed.  Carnival's bread and butter demographic is families.  Individuals under 16 are currently ineligible to be vaccinated, so a vaccine mandate by Carnival will have them intentionally alienating their main clientele.  Not offering up any opinion as to whether mandating is good or bad (I'm on the vaccine list waiting for one), just stating that it is unlikely to be a Carnival mandate.

If they don’t mandate vaccines there might not be any bread and butter.  No way they will take that chance!

2 minutes ago, mek said:

4 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

 

And at least for a while that shouldn't be a reason to not require vaccinations to cruise.  Sorry, if they start making exemptions for one thing then it will be difficult to not make exemptions for something else.

No vaccination, no cruising - period.

Amen!

1 hour ago, vwrestler171 said:

15 hours ago, Ellaleah said:

 

COVID is not horrible to the MAJORITY of the population either.  I know several people who have had it and the only reason they knew was they lost their sense of taste and smell.  I also know a few who had a more sever case, but said it was no worse than a horrible cold.  The fact that you fear a virus with over a 98% survival rate says more about you than it does the people you claim are stupid that they don't line up for a vaccine that may or may not even prevent you from getting COVID, nor are there any long term studies to know any potential side effects.

Well, I guess I know the other ones, but just like you, I should not be siting anecdotal evidence.  I have family members in their 40’s that are very fit and had horrible experiences that I would not wish on anyone.  We need to listen to the experts, who largely don’t see things the way you do!

4 hours ago, coffeebean said:

On 1/25/2021 at 7:31 AM, Ourusualbeach said:

 

One cruise line has already done that so why not all mass market lines? Agree, 100% of the population will not be vaccinated, whether is be their own choosing or a medical issue that prevents them from being vaccinated. Those are the folks who will not have the ability to board a cruise ship.

I so hope you are correct!  I was to cruise with the 100% vaccinated!

3 hours ago, Disco Duck said:

am hoping that all cruise lines will make it mandatory for vaccines for everyone.

Me too!

55 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

2 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

To answer your first question.  They are different than other businesses because no other business has a captive audience for a week stuck in a specific geographic area.  Cruise ships should make vaccines mandatory.  And then as "insurance", have masking,  social distancing and bubble shore excursions in order to eliminate the possibility of spreading to a minimum since the vaccines are less than 100% effective.  Cruise ships are being treated differently than airlines and hotels by the media, so they need to react differently. 

The large swaths of society that do not get immunized have zero effect with this scenario.  If people don't  get immunized, they don't  cruise.  It's  as simple as that.  All cruisers as well as all crew need to be immunized, at least for the short term.   If this short term occurence leaves children in it's wake since there is no vaccine for them, they will be a casualty for the short term.  By the time a vaccine is available for them, then maybe herd immunity will have occurred and it'll be a moot point.

If cruising returns without vaccines being mandatory and a breakout occurs, it could be the death knell of the industry.

I couldn’t have said this better!  Whether or not the government can mandate vaccines, the “Floating  Petri dish” companies can!  It is so unbelievable how many people on here are anti science and so willing to take risks!  Covid is not the flu and neither would a Covid outbreak be on a ship.  I can’t help but think that some have no experience of people close to them having had it.  Even if one survives, it is not pretty!

3 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

"To be clear, this isn't United Airlines policy, yet. (A company spokesperson said United is "strongly considering" mandatory vaccines.) Frankly, there aren't enough doses yet to make this policy possible."

 

When there is, they'll be no reason to make it mandatory (things will work themselves out naturally). Makes zero sense for a company to jump the gun and hamstring themselves. 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by cruisingguy007

Makes a lot of sense if they want older people on their ships.  I am not the only one that will not go on a ship with unvaccinated people and I don’t think cruise lines will take the risk nor do I think the ports will take the risk of letting ships dock.

39 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

44 minutes ago, quickrate said:

 

Yes...but if everyone is vaccinated, the chance of someone having covid is reduced by 95%.  

I have nothing against a test...if vaccinations are required.   But, not testing in lieu of vaccination.

AGREE!

14 hours ago, mek said:

15 hours ago, molly361 said:

I don't understand how anyone can think that if vaccinations are required to cruise that there can be any exceptions whether it be crew , children or adults.  It boggles my mind

Well, exactly.  I don't think there will be any exceptions when cruising starts back up and if that excludes children, people who for medical reasons can get a vaccine, or those who won't get the vaccine from causing for a while then that's the way it will have to be.

DITTO!

9 hours ago, cured said:

The decision is up to the cruise line and the ports of call they visit. If they mandate the vaccine, so be it.  You have freedom of choice to patronize a business or a country mandating a vaccine or not mandating a vaccine.

 

I am 100% for mandated vaccines. Every time a person contracts the disease, even if the symptoms are mild, that person is a possible vector for further mutation no matter how small the chance.  Allowing unvaccinated people of any age that can spread the virus to congregate in closed spaces out in the middle of the ocean without a hospital nearby would be scientifically irresponsible.  

 

So would allowing unvaccinated people to disembark onto an island that may or may not have the vaccination status of bigger countries be scientifically irresponsible.

Amen!  I wish there was a poll on here cause I’d like to be on your cruise.  I rebooked for 12/22, but no way I’m going with the unvaccinated!

8 hours ago, M&A said:

On 2/3/2021 at 11:11 AM, Mapleleafforever said:

 

But the cruise ships won't have access to vaccines for crews, the vaccines are being bought by governments.  It's going to be much easier for passengers, especially North Americans to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

I think the cruise lines will take the risk of starting up with requiring passengers to show they've had the vaccine.   But they will take the risk with the crew and just have them tested.  The crew are coming from places like the Phillipines, Indonesia, India etc where it's going to be impossible to get a vaccine probably for a few years.  The cruise lines are not going to wait that long, they are going to take the risk with having passengers only requirement.

 

Sounds really cray cray!  I got  my first vaccine today and with any luck, I figure I might be able to go to Costco by St Patrick’s Day.  I have pretty much been home for 11 months.  I have taken care not to allow myself to be exposed.  If you think I’m going to get on a ship with people that cook and serve my food, who are unvaccinated, that makes you cray cray!  The question is most why would you?  Or anyone?  I keep thinking that you really don’t know anyone well that has  had COVID.  This is not the flu!  I wish you were smarter!

8 hours ago, pc_load_letter said:

The vaccines aren't even cleared for under 18 year olds. There are no vaccines for kids

I have heard in the news that children’s vaccines should be available by the end of summer.  This will not be the reason for cruises not sailing.  I don’t think there will be cruising before these are available.

This  is the goofiest post on the board.  I am over 70.  I have been in the house almost exclusively since last March.  I have had a lot of time to think about this.  The kids will be alright.  This will pass and it will become a memory for them.  My contemporaries, on the other hand, are losing the end of our lives.  You are making it sound like kids today are living through Europe during WWII with bombs dropping around them.  It sounds like a lot of people on this board have little experience with Covid.  My whole family has had it and the kids were barely effected, but you don’t have to be old to get very sick.    We are in Arizona and that means that everything is open.  My grandchildren go to school and sports.  I’m not saying that is good, but just bring the kids here us you want them to sacrifice less.    Arizona is the number #1 hotspot for Covid in the country.  It is too dangerous to go to the grocery store.

Children will be vaccinated by the end of the year and I think that is when cruising might resume.  I don’t believe that any cruise line will risk lawsuits allowing anyone on who is not vaccinated.  I continue to be amazed by all the people on here that want to cruise before it is safe.  Do you really need the cruise line or the CDC to tell you that it is not and will not be for quite awhile?

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

1 hour ago, M&A said:

 

If you mandate passenger vaccines, but do not vaccinate crew; you have achieved absolutely nothing

AGREE!

2 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

8 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

To those who do not want to get vaccinated in order to cruise since the cruise lines may make it mandatory....stay home.

To those who don't want to cruise because of the laundry list of possible restrictions that may be implemented once cruising resumes in the US that were itemized in post #1....stay home.

To those that don't want to cruise because "masking up" could still be a requirement even after vaccinations....stay home.

To those that don't want to cruise because if vaccinations were required and children could not get vaccinated initially and thus their family could not cruise....stay home.

To those that don't want to cruise because shore excursions will be mandatory via cruise line sponsored tours only....stay home.

 

With all of these groups staying home, there should be no problem meeting the reduced capacity that the cruise lines will be sailing at once the test cruises and CDC hoop jumping is over with so those of us that wish to go on a cruise vacation, even with the aforementioned restrictions can do so.  Those that wish to go "on holiday" via other methods that are less restrictive, enjoy....that's why there's vanilla and chocolate.

 

Expand  

I agree. I think the cruise lines also agree and realize that capacity will be down which explains the big jump in price for next year.  Those 125% FCCs won't buy much.

I also agree.  I booked a cruise for 12/26/20 in March, 2018 for my whole family.  It was cancelled (thank goodness) and I rebooked for 12/27/22.  My 12/22 cruise is not as expensive as ty e almost identical one 12/21, which is almost fully booked.  I think that if there was no CDC, the cruise lines would still not be sailing under the present conditions.  It is baffling to me that so many on these boards are so desperate to sail that they would take the risk of being stranded in the middle of the ocean with this life threatening illness.  I have had several family members experience Covid and it is not pretty even if it is not fatal.  I don’t need the CDC to tell me it is too dangerous for them to give the “go ahead!”

14 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

One of Biden's covid advisors, Michael Osterholm, said the other day that 2 masks is actually more harmful because it'd force more particles out the side of masks.

He was on this morning and did not say that.  He indicated that 2 masks may protect you better.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Remember back when all we had to do was wear masks and use social distancing to return to normal?

 

The minute the vaccine entered the picture, masks and social distancing no longer meant anything. Now it's "everyone needs vaccined to return to normal"

Yes, that is correct!  Try to keep up!

2 hours ago, billf0401 said:

We are quite sad that the cruise protocol requiring masks (forever?) look to be in place for some time.  We have cruises booked for Oct 21 and Jan 22, however, we will cancel if the mask mandate is in place....Will we ever be able to cruise again in "normal" conditions....by the way we have been vaccinated

Let’s see now.... masks or death?  Masks or long hauler syndrome?  Hmmm.....

if I want to cruise I will mask abs I will put myself in the safest situation available.

4 minutes ago, EscapeFromConnecticut said:

19 minutes ago, fandash03 said:

why is it when someone doesn't agree with something for them and they express their views ... it doesn't take long for people to make out they are selfish... I am not selfish person but I do believe I have the right to chose what I put in my body... and a vaccine that IMO has been rushed too quickly to be Able to determine its safety is not for me.. it takes years to determine side effects I was basically putting forward MY views on ME and MY FAMILY being able to decide whether we want the vaccination or not ... and our choice is not to and to just let the immune system do what it is supposed to.  I am not criticising or anything for people who want the vaccination as that is their choice but what I was saying is that if I make that choice and it is mandatory is does not seem right to me that we would have to get it to resume cruising but like I Said even though we would be sad to not cruise if that is what we would need to do then we would need to and we would seek out a different holiday for us 

Expand  

 

No “Right to Cruise “ in the constitution.  It would be next to “Right to not wear a Mask!”  It’s hard for me to take this stuff seriously.  Selfish people that think their right to do as they wish supersedes  others’ rights to be safe.  Antivaxers = anti science and that is anti educated!  I am so sick of all the people that say, “you do what you want and I’ll  do what I want.”  We are 1 year into this and if you don’t get it by now, you are most likely hopeless!   I believe that proof of vaccines will be required for  quite sometime.  To answer your question..... the rights of the herd supersedes  the rights of one selfish cow!  Find another vacation type where they will allow you to expose the others!

On 1/28/2021 at 2:34 PM, TheMastodon said:

LOL.  Stay home and let us live.

 

And what would that degree of vulnerability be?  Please quantify for us.  

Vulnerability would be lawsuits and I do not believe they will take that risk.  Get your shots and stop complaining!

24 minutes ago, Suncoastsailors said:

Today 6.5 % of the nation is vaccinated. If cruise lines would mandate the vaccine for crew and passengers and give a realistic start date. Those who want to cruise can focus on getting the vaccine. Let the ports of call know that all crew and passengers will be vaccinated. This seems like the answer to cruises returning. Testing can be relaxed, ship precautions can be reduced. Even if someone gets the virus onboard it won't spread to other passengers or crew. Those who don't want the vaccine can cancel, but those still booked on cruise ships want to cruise.

I do not believe that being vaccinated will be an option.  Cruise lines will not take the risk.  People with vaccinations will still have a degree of vulnerability.

10 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

 

It doesn't seem fair to exclude families with younger kids just because kids can't get the vaccine, despite kids getting and spreading covid at 50%, if not higher, rates than adults.

Plus how often would you as a 65 yr old cruiser being spending time in close contact with a kid you don't know?

I am 72 and I can’t tell you how fair this seems to me.  No way they can allow unvaccinated kids on a cruise.  Your post about a 65 year old cruiser being in close contact with a kid sounds ridiculous.  Turn on the tv.  Everyday there is a more transmittable strain.  Why do you think so many schools are closed.  Vaccines for kids are in trials now.  They are expecting to have vaccines fir kids by the end of this year.  That is probably when cruising will resume.

I believe that all cruise lines will require vaccines.  It would be crazy not to.  If people want to cruise they will get vaccinated!  If all cruise lines do it, it will not be an issue.