What will you do differently when we are able to cruise again?

[ZoeyVictoria]

My SO and I have been putting a lot of thought into things we can do differently to adapt to the new “normal” of cruising, specifically during  our first few cruises.  So far, we have decided to:

 

     Book cabins located on the middle decks to make it easier to take stairs only and avoid elevators.

 

      Park at the port instead of off-site parking lots to avoid the shuttles.

 

     Keep tiny bottles of hand sanitizer with each of us constantly, and use it after being seated and ordering from menus, but before we eat.

 

     Possibly purchase the unlimited dining plan to avoid the larger MDR and dine only in the smaller specialty restaurants.  We don’t normally  eat such heavy meals every night, but this might be a good idea for a while.

 

     Pack plenty of masks and wipes (assuming the hoarders will eventually leave enough wipes on the shelf for those of us who have found  none so far).

 

     Pack more reading material than usual, for quiet time enjoying the ocean away from crowds.

 

We are open to any suggestions from others.  Have you made plans?
 

 

 

***    It would be really nice if us optimists could enjoy one positive thread without pessimists jumping in to make sure we know that we won’t need this info for at least a year, or maybe never 🙄.  Please, just this once?  *** 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by ZoeyVictoria

[Biker19]

9 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Have you made plans?

Nope.

[rtazz17]

Not worried and wont change a thing. Its a risk walking out my front door but I dont walk outside in a bubble. Perspective.. I still drive a truck,huge risk there. I take calculated risks. Risk/benefit and whats the likelyhood. 

Edited May 1, 2020 by rtazz17

[Sunshine3601]

I am usually not concerned about my cabin.   We usually get an standard OV cabin as we really only use it for showers & sleeping.     Sometimes we get a balcony or our favorite spacious OV Balcony, depending on the ship and the itinerary.       Now, we have decided for all our future cruises to make sure we are in cabins that we will enjoy spending some extra time in, if necessary. 

 

I always carry hand sanitizer since my DH is immuno-compromised so I don't see any of our cleaning habits changing as we are always on high alert when traveling anywhere.   

 

I like your request for the pessimists to avoid jumping in...hopefully they will honor your request.

Maybe some day we will meet on a cruise.    Stay Well!

[ZoeyVictoria]

21 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Nope.

Okay, neutral works for me 😄

[sea shepherd]

Not going to do anything different. 

[NHProud]

I like your suggestions except for packing of masks. If a mask is required, I’d rather stay at home .  I’m mulling over not buying anything pre-cruise like excursions, specialty dining , gratuities, zoom or any other extras . Wait and see if the refunds are issued. There is already a problem with getting a refund instead of FCC which RCI has already issued. TA is trying to rectify the problem.  

Edited May 1, 2020 by NHProud

[CRUISEFAN0001]

1 minute ago, NHProud said:

I like your suggestions except for packing of masks. If a mask is required, I’d rather stay at home .  I’m mulling over not buying anything pre-cruise like excursions, specialty dining , gratuities, zoom or any other extras because RCI has issued FCC instead of a refund on next month’s canceled cruise. My TA is trying to rectify the problem.  

Looks like a fair number of people will stay home then.  Even the airlines have indefinitely mandated the wearing of masks, and Royal has copyrighted a name specific to the masks you'll find on their ships.

 

Masks will likely be a part of any travel experience for the near future at minimum and foreseeable future most likely.

[WeLuvVacation]

I'll still take cruises, I'll use the hand sanitizer a lot more, still will play in the casino, still eat in the MDR most of the time, wear a mask at least in the early going, still frequent the bars. Of course  this is after a shot is available and I have gotten it.

Edited May 1, 2020 by WeLuvVacation

[NHProud]

11 minutes ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

Looks like a fair number of people will stay home then.  Even the airlines have indefinitely mandated the wearing of masks, and Royal has copyrighted a name specific to the masks you'll find on their ships.

 

Masks will likely be a part of any travel experience for the near future at minimum and foreseeable future most likely.

Trying to stay positive however wearing a mask fogs my glasses and that is not very practical.  RCI will have to issue instructions on how to drink their beverages with a mask on . How about the smokers ?  Perhaps a mask with a front zipper ? 

 

We  can only hope for a quick vaccine.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by NHProud

[molly361]

49 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Nope.

 

28 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Okay, neutral works for me 😄

Nope for us as well

[karena1]

1 hour ago, rtazz17 said:

Not worried and wont change a thing. Its a risk walking out my front door but I dont walk outside in a bubble. Perspective.. I still drive a truck,huge risk there. I take calculated risks. Risk/benefit and whats the likelyhood. 

Same here. We won't change a thing.  Cannot wait for the cruises to open up again so we can go.

[ECCruise]

1 hour ago, rtazz17 said:

Not worried and wont change a thing. Its a risk walking out my front door but I dont walk outside in a bubble. Perspective.. I still drive a truck,huge risk there. I take calculated risks. Risk/benefit and whats the likelyhood. 

Think whatever you want, the cruise lines aren't going to allow you to take the risks you think are no big deal.

Prepare for the new normal or don't cruise.

[pstone1]

Yep, no changes here unless masks are required.  Then, I guess we will wear them!

 

I always wipe down the cabin when we arrive, bring our own pump container of hand sanitizing soap for the bathroom, take advantage of the hand sanitizer stations around the ship, often use the stairs, and MOST important, keep hands away from the face!

[ECCruise]

7 minutes ago, karena1 said:

Same here. We won't change a thing.  Cannot wait for the cruises to open up again so we can go.

The cruise lines are gonna make you change.  Sorry.

[mac_tlc]

Well you got about a dozen posts before your plea was ignored. Sorry, it was a valiant effort😜. 
 

mac_tlc

[mek]

7 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

The cruise lines are gonna make you change.  Sorry.

I have no desire to cruise until it can be the way it was prior to the pandemic. I wash my hands frequently and have always been careful to not touch my face when out in public.  Anything more than that is not necessary if and when the virus is under control.  I have absolutely no intention of wearing a mask on a cruise and if that is required, then I simply won't cruise.

[Milwaukee Eight]

I’ll be at least a year older. 

[ECCruise]

1 minute ago, mek said:

I have no desire to cruise until it can be the way it was prior to the pandemic. I wash my hands frequently and have always been careful to not touch my face when out in public.  Anything more than that is not necessary if and when the virus is under control.  I have absolutely no intention of wearing a mask on a cruise and if that is required, then I simply won't cruise.

I get what you are saying and I agree.  If cruising becomes too restrictive (and in the short term it absolutely will be, no question) then we will likely demur.  Have 11 booked in the next 18 months or so, waiting to see how things shake out to make decisions.

[karena1]

15 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

The cruise lines are gonna make you change.  Sorry.

I will do whatever they want me to do, but personally not changing a thing.

[ECCruise]

Just now, karena1 said:

I will do whatever they want me to do, but personally not changing a thing.

You said "I won't change a thing" so I assumed that you won't wear a mask, socially distance, not be permitted to share a dining room table, have restricted theater usage, etc. etc.  Misunderstood.

[zekekelso]

Not too much different. I’ve always been a bit of a germ a phobe so lots of hand washing, not touching, etc. I’ve always thought the hot tubs are a bit skivey, but I’ve used them. No more. 
 

oh and I’ll be drinking lots and lots of alcohol. Might not do anything to kill germs, but it can’t hurt 🙂

[BillieJeanKaraokeKing]

I've ordered a cheap spacesuit from Wish. 

[karena1]

7 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

You said "I won't change a thing" so I assumed that you won't wear a mask, socially distance, not be permitted to share a dining room table, have restricted theater usage, etc. etc.  Misunderstood.

We never sit with anyone at dinner so not an issue.  What I said was I would not change a thing.  If the cruise requires me to do something, I will abide by the rules.  If not required - no I won't wear a mask, but I don't see that happening anyway.  Fine with theater less people, we always go early so we will get a seat.  I will do what the cruise says I should do, that is different than me personally making changes

 

[Booking It]

12 minutes ago, mek said:

I have no desire to cruise until it can be the way it was prior to the pandemic. I wash my hands frequently and have always been careful to not touch my face when out in public.  Anything more than that is not necessary if and when the virus is under control.  I have absolutely no intention of wearing a mask on a cruise and if that is required, then I simply won't cruise.

 

I feel the same way. I had a B2B booked for the end of July/early August. I canceled not out of fear of being on the ship, but because I don't want to cruise with extra restrictions that would affect my enjoyment. Using hand sanitizer more frequently or washing my hands more often? Fine. That won't have a negative impact on my enjoyment. But needing to grab my mask any time I want to leave my cabin, no swimming, limited seating at shows, etc... will affect my enjoyment. 

 

I still have my flights booked, and I was thinking about keeping them and having a Florida vacation instead. But now it seems like hotels are going to have restrictions such limited or no housekeeping, limited food options, etc... Airlines aren't serving food or drinks (I always book first class tickets, and those are some of the basic services that I expect with that class of ticket), and I just got an email today from American saying that all passengers are going to be required to wear masks starting on May 11th. Luckily I can cancel those flights and hang on to the vouchers until December 2021.