No cruises to Canada until after July 1

[em-sk]

23 hours ago, Topdog52 said:

I am booked mid May on the Pearl out of NYC. Has NCL decided what they are doing for excursions yet. They still do not have anything listed for Portland Maine or Newport RI either. I hope they let us know soon because if they can not book any new excursions I need to cancel my Hotel and flight!!

 

There is another option.  There are two islands off the Atlantic coast of Canada that are part of France.  The ship could potentially tender to Saint Pierre or Miquelon.  However that would require the ship obtaining permission from the Government of France.  

 

The US just a few days ago made an announcement  that anyone who sets foot on French territory and and is not a US citizen or green card holder would be banned from entry into the US for 14 days.  The French were not overly impressed with how that announcement was made.  There may be some difficulties with that option.  

 

  

Edited March 15, 2020 by em-sk

[All-ready2cruise]

I'm doubtful St. Pierre Miquelon, at less than 250 square miles, and a French colony/region are unlikely to accept large cruise ships.  But, who knows, they might allow a few smaller ships.  

Not sure cruise lines would want to cruise that far, it's a bit of a journey, think Newfoundland, for a 7 day cruise. 

 

 

[happytotravel]

On 3/13/2020 at 11:25 PM, Topdog52 said:

I am booked mid May on the Pearl out of NYC. Has NCL decided what they are doing for excursions yet. They still do not have anything listed for Portland Maine or Newport RI either. I hope they let us know soon because if they can not book any new excursions I need to cancel my Hotel and flight!!

Hi,

I read that Portland Maine is refusing docking for the first 2 ships of the 2020 season both of which are in April!

My cruise on the Pearl is on the May 30th one.  So, we'll have to wait and see.  I'm sure it's not a  picnic for NCL or any of the companies to scramble and figure things out.

 

still "happytotravel"  PS:  sorry if someone else has already posted this info"

 

[mking8288]

NY health officials are planning for this virus outbreak to not ease up until the fall (September ... - there goes the busy New England/Canada foileage sailings) - I'm not hopefull that Canada will reopen their ports by July; and, if they do, going to be a slow, gradual & progressively done in stages.  

 

I can "see" other US homeports on the East Coast (Boston, NY/NJ and Baltimore, etc.) closing their ports and not re-opening them until ... (it's going to be a while)

 

Meanwhile, a T/A ship is said to have 5 confirmed cases onboard and being held off coastal Bahamas water, waiting for aid to come onboard (not NCL - but it could be any cruiselines) 

 https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/cruise-transatlantic-coronavirus-gbr-intl/index.html

 

Bermuda ?? I wonder what they will do next ... 

 

 

[All-ready2cruise]

15 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

I can "see" other US homeports on the East Coast (Boston, NY/NJ and Baltimore, etc.) closing their ports and not re-opening them until ...

Baltimore is already closed really but will allow the 2 remaining ships, Carnival and RC, to dock. Who knows how long it'll be for. 

 

https://www.cruise.blog/2020/03/maryland-governor-closes-port-baltimore-due-coronavirus#:~:text=Maryland%20Governor%20closes%20Port%20of%20Baltimore%20due%20to%20Coronavirus,the%20spread%20of%20the%20coronavirus.&text=Two%20ships%20will%20return%20to,Carnival%20Cruise%20Line's%20Carnival%20Pride.

 

 

Edited March 15, 2020 by All-ready2cruise

[em-sk]

21 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Baltimore is already closed really but will allow the 2 remaining ships, Carnival and RC, to dock. Who knows how long it'll be for. 

 

https://www.cruise.blog/2020/03/maryland-governor-closes-port-baltimore-due-coronavirus#:~:text=Maryland%20Governor%20closes%20Port%20of%20Baltimore%20due%20to%20Coronavirus,the%20spread%20of%20the%20coronavirus.&text=Two%20ships%20will%20return%20to,Carnival%20Cruise%20Line's%20Carnival%20Pride.

 

 

 

The news reports are they are negotiating with both the US and Cuba to see if one of them will permit the ship to dock and then permit the various countries to bring in charter flights to return the passengers to their home country for quarantine.   

 

Cuba is not a problem for Canadian and European passengers that may be on the ship.  May be more difficult if there are any Americans on the ship.   

 

This is an example of what the Canadian government is trying to avoid.  

 

 

 

[YVRBassElectric]

7 minutes ago, em-sk said:

 

The news reports are they are negotiating with both the US and Cuba to see if one of them will permit the ship to dock and then permit the various countries to bring in charter flights to return the passengers to their home country for quarantine.   

 

Cuba is not a problem for Canadian and European passengers that may be on the ship.  May be more difficult if there are any Americans on the ship.   

 

This is an example of what the Canadian government is trying to avoid.  

 

 

 

The article linked above lists the nationalities - no Americans. Canada reported a case from MS Braemar, didn't recognize the ship at the time. Awful that the ship is flagged in Bahamas and they won't even let the sick off 😞 That would be so scary

[em-sk]

11 minutes ago, YVRBassElectric said:

The article linked above lists the nationalities - no Americans. Canada reported a case from MS Braemar, didn't recognize the ship at the time. Awful that the ship is flagged in Bahamas and they won't even let the sick off 😞 That would be so scary

 

That makes Cuba a much more viable port.  

 

It is also disappointing that a ship that is operating under a Bahamas flag is denied entry into the Bahamas.  Especially considering nearly all the NCL ships are fly the flag of the Bahamas.

 

That said, other than Cuba,  not certain any of those countries have a medical system that could handle the volume of cases that Japan had to handle with the Diamond Princess.   If it is one or two people that need to go into an ICU that is one thing, if it is 100 that is a very different story. 

 

 

[Roger88]

Cuba will be the most desirable place to go along with Dominicans and Costa Rica. These guy are living in a different universe lol. No news concerning the V word from there. I am sure their ports are also open and besides they got some of the best beaches resorts in the world. I am sure that these countries will profit from the crisis the most. I also wonder how much does it cost to travel there. Shouldnt really be that expensive. Anyone knows whom to ask? 

[pasto5]

I have a cruise scheduled to dock in Canada on July 6 sailing out of Seward on June 29 th. Not sure what to do but I am guessing nobody knows at this point. 😬

[em-sk]

19 minutes ago, Roger88 said:

Cuba will be the most desirable place to go along with Dominicans and Costa Rica. These guy are living in a different universe lol. No news concerning the V word from there. I am sure their ports are also open and besides they got some of the best beaches resorts in the world. I am sure that these countries will profit from the crisis the most. I also wonder how much does it cost to travel there. Shouldnt really be that expensive. Anyone knows whom to ask? 

 

Cuba is a major and popular tourist destination from Canada.  Lots of all inclusive.  During the winter months there is no shortage of flights from most major centers in Canada.  A good number of them on wide-body jets.  I think the Cuban government will want to protect the reputation it has for being a popular vacation destination.  

 

Given Cuba has twice the population of Costa Rica it probably has quite a bit more hospital rooms.  

 

Regardless of where the ship docks I think it is a given no one is going to be permitted to walk off the ship.  They will be tested, those who are infected will be put into local hospitals for a few weeks and those that don't have symptoms will be repatriated back to this home country on special government charters.  

[mking8288]

4 minutes ago, em-sk said:

... disappointing that a ship that is operating under a Bahamas flag is denied entry into the Bahamas.  Especially considering nearly all the NCL ships are fly the flag of the Bahamas.

... not certain any of those countries have a medical system that could handle the volume of cases that Japan had to handle with the Diamond Princess.   If it is one or two people that need to go into an ICU that is one thing, if it is 100 that is a very different story. 

 

I supposed, it's a delicate balance for these small "countries" where many lines flagged their ship's registry, to protect their own nationals/citizens against the threats posed by the "ninja" COVID-19 sailing toward them on vessels flying their own flags.  They also depended heavily on the revenue generated by the ships docking and shore spendings by passengers & crew while visiting ... any extended shutdown and "no salings" ordered are not good for the local economy (i.e. gotten emails from the Baha Mar casino resorts about what they are doing & assurances, etc. etc. earlier this week, LOL) 

 

Case in point, even here in NY State, our US healthcare system (that's public & private combined) simply do NOT have the excess ICU capacity to handle a sudden & huge influx and surge of critically sick patients, and ventilator shortage being especially acute.  There are just 3,000 ICU beds across NY State, some of them integrated with top notch university-based heath systems that's operating at 80% capacity at all times, sometimes 90% - meaning no more than 300 to 600 beds available for acute care COVID-19 

- not all of those equipped for isolation/quarantine and negative airflow (some are ... as dealing with infectious disease, such as SARS, Measles & other biochem threats isn't really new; just not on a massive scale - this time, it's a nationwide challenge)

 

OK, full stop - going way off tangent here - suffice to say, what we are facing around the globe is edging closer to a full scale, worst case scenerio - mobile & converted field hospital beds inside a stadiums and convention halls is no longer a far fetched concept. 

[em-sk]

15 minutes ago, pasto5 said:

I have a cruise scheduled to dock in Canada on July 6 sailing out of Seward on June 29 th. Not sure what to do but I am guessing nobody knows at this point. 😬

 

Canada has said it will reopen Canadian waters to cruise ships tentatively on July 1st.  They will make decision and announcement on an extension to the bad by June 1st.  

[pasto5]

Just now, em-sk said:

 

Canada has said it will reopen Canadian waters to cruise ships tentatively on July 1st.  They will make decision and announcement on an extension to the bad by June 1st.  

Thanks for the info!

[podgeandrodge]

On 3/14/2020 at 3:25 AM, Topdog52 said:

I am booked mid May on the Pearl out of NYC. Has NCL decided what they are doing for excursions yet. They still do not have anything listed for Portland Maine or Newport RI either. I hope they let us know soon because if they can not book any new excursions I need to cancel my Hotel and flight!!

I'd say your chance of this going ahead are zero, as zero as mine in late April. This is gonna be around for awhile unfortunately.

[Jason82]

So what is the actual penalty to a ship or captain if they don’t have a foreign port?
 

Refusal to dock? Fine? Imprisonments? If it’s a fine, probably cheaper than canceling cruises...

 

 

[sr71_1]

3 minutes ago, Jason82 said:

So what is the actual penalty to a ship or captain if they don’t have a foreign port?
 

Refusal to dock? Fine? Imprisonments? If it’s a fine, probably cheaper than canceling cruises...

 

 

It's in the $700 USD / passenger range 

[Topdog52]

On 3/15/2020 at 12:19 PM, happytotravel said:

Hi,

I read that Portland Maine is refusing docking for the first 2 ships of the 2020 season both of which are in April!

My cruise on the Pearl is on the May 30th one.  So, we'll have to wait and see.  I'm sure it's not a  picnic for NCL or any of the companies to scramble and figure things out.

 

still "happytotravel"  PS:  sorry if someone else has already posted this info"

 

Have you heard of any other ports closing on the east coast?

[Topdog52]

On 3/15/2020 at 3:20 PM, pasto5 said:

Thanks for the info!

 

On 3/15/2020 at 12:19 PM, happytotravel said:

Hi,

I read that Portland Maine is refusing docking for the first 2 ships of the 2020 season both of which are in April!

My cruise on the Pearl is on the May 30th one.  So, we'll have to wait and see.  I'm sure it's not a  picnic for NCL or any of the companies to scramble and figure things out.

 

still "happytotravel"  PS:  sorry if someone else has already posted this info"

 

 

[Topdog52]

Have you heard of any other ports closing down on the east coast?

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, Topdog52 said:

Have you heard of any other ports closing down on the east coast?

 

I haven't heard/read of port closure in the Northeast U.S. (yet) but it isn't necessary to do so - just need to close ports for cruise ships and leisure boats, etc.  Cargo vessels are keys to the US (and, almost all countries around the world) in the supply chains (defined by Homeland Security as part of the 16 critical infrastructure) that has to be managed, safeguarded and kept open so the provisions can flow smoothly. 

 

Airports will be kept open - commercial flights are already cut down drastically but the flow of time sensitive international air shipment never really stopped, just briefly interrupted - both inbound & outbound.  There were fewer "pallets" being loaded & unloaded in mid/late January & early Februarywhen COVID-19 at JFK (New York City) was mostly overseas ... some of the non-US carriers were doing segments with FAA approval to extend their, sometimes circular, route to transport goods around strategic airports like ANC, SFO, LAX, DFW, IAD, JFK/EWR and BOS - not permitted to fly passengers on some of the routes but those Next Day/2nd. Day Air packages were going & coming.  

 

Cruise ships with passengers can and will likely - IMHO - be banned until mid/late Summer, maybe sooner but goods/products/supplies will continued to be exported & imported (regardless of our "trade wars" with other countries).  Keep in mind about 10% of our health care itemss, especially PPE gears including N95 masks & gloves, etc. are manufactured in that other country.  Otherwise, Walmarts & Amazons, Targets & others will have challenges restocking "JIT" their warehouse shelves.  

 

Ports will certainly stay opened & welcome those giant/monster-sized container ships in the coming days, weeks & months to help keep America running ... another lifeline that we cannot afford to cut or close down.  Apple can wait for their iPhones and we need those ventilators shipped & transported to save lives - aside from what FEMA has warehoused in the SNS (flown in pallets onboard C130's if necessary).  

Edited March 18, 2020 by mking8288

[em-sk]

11 hours ago, Topdog52 said:

Have you heard of any other ports closing down on the east coast?

 

Canada has not closed the port.  They have banned ships with more than 500 people.  Cargo ships are still coming in and out.

 

It sounds like within the next day or two both Canada and the US are to announce additional restrictions on travel across the boarder.  This will become more restrictive .....

[Jobeth66]

On 3/15/2020 at 3:03 PM, pasto5 said:

I have a cruise scheduled to dock in Canada on July 6 sailing out of Seward on June 29 th. Not sure what to do but I am guessing nobody knows at this point. 😬

 

I'm on the same cruise, and on the land portion of the CruiseTour the week before...

[Isabella Benjamin]

Canada and the US agreed to stop all non-essential travel between countries, but they are just calling it temporary. No actual dates on how long it would last at this time. 

[Named-Tawny]

On 3/18/2020 at 10:46 AM, Isabella Benjamin said:

Canada and the US agreed to stop all non-essential travel between countries, but they are just calling it temporary. No actual dates on how long it would last at this time. 

It will end before cruises start operating again, especially in North America.

If crow flu is still going around enough that the Canada/US border is closed, then it's going around enough that cruise ships won't be sailing