SS Future Re-Open Plan: Timing, Testing Needs??!!

[Lois R]

25 minutes ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

There’s a stretch north of Bangor, Maine that’s quite traffic-free. Moose, on the other hand…

😄😄

Haha😃...Hi Carl, hope you and Ellie are both doing well🙂

[CruiserFromMaine]

@Lois R hi, Lois! We’re fine, hope you are too! 

[TLCOhio]

On 2/5/2022 at 8:21 PM, Lois R said:

I don't like 95 anywhere.........if I can use other roads, I will do it before I get on I-95.

 

We survived I-95 mid-day in going from Miami's Coconut Grove up to the Fort Lauderdale airport.  The pavement is a little rough, but traffic was not too bad.  There are, however, lots of "Cowboy Drivers" who drive recklessly, weaving in-and-out, etc.  

 

Did not make it to Joe's Stone Crab on this trip.  Great suggestion.  Been there previously.  Our celebrity seen at that time was Jimmy the Greek, then a popular sports TV figure.   With all of the traffic and challenges, my wife was more "conservative" in not wanting to driving that far, etc., over to Miami Beach.  Now at FLL airport way ahead of schedule.  In good order to catch up and prepare for our return, non-stop flight to Ohio.  Tonight, it is supposed to be down to 15F there.  We have a steep driveway and the snow and ice have not been cleared.  Will we make it home? 

 

Will post some fun pictures from doing the Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour yesterday.  Worked well.  Lots of tasty treats.  Many locals there on a lovely Sunday afternoon.  

 

For cruises and South Florida travel, we much prefer flying into the Fort Lauderdale airport.  Easier to navigate, traffic conditions better, smaller airport, etc.  Glad that Silversea offers many of their cruises from FLL.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Many visuals, details from two visits in a city with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 43,390 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

[CruiserFromMaine]

Celebrity just updated their masking policy today. Since it’s a sister company to Silversea, I wanted to share it here:

 

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking.

 

Based on our last cruise with Silversea, in December 2021, I am OK with this change. Wearing masks in the hall or walking into a restaurant, only to take it off when seated indoors near others, seemed pointless to me. I understand that was before the omicron surge but I still think that practice would not have been a big help during omicron. 
 

Note that Celebrity’s wording is not precise, as it implies many unvaccinated guests will be on board but all are required to be vaccinated unless you’re too young. 
 

This is in line with more states rolling back masking requirements. 
 

We’ll be on a Celebrity cruise next week, so we’ll see how it goes!

[TLCOhio]

16 hours ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

Celebrity just updated their masking policy today. Since it’s a sister company to Silversea, I wanted to share it here:

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino.

 

Appreciate this above great sharing and follow-ups.  YES, things are shifting these days as to the various requirements.  Clearly, we are moving to more of a "learning to live with it" approach versus playing the "total shut-down" approach.  

 

From the Washington Post and MSN News earlier this week, they had this headline: “Norwegian Cruise Line to drop mask requirement from covid protocols” with these highlights: “Norwegian Cruise Line will soon ease several coronavirus protocols for passengers, including a requirement for customers to wear masks. The changes arrive while the omicron-variant-fueled surge continues an overall decline. Norwegian said in an update that it will nix masking rules for all departures starting March 1. The company recommends passengers wear masks indoors — except when they are actively eating or drinking — and outside when social distancing is not possible. Norwegian will continue to enforce mask requirements on European sailings depending on local government rules.  For sailings that embark after Feb. 28, “'he decision to wear a mask covering when onboard is at the discretion of each guest,' the Norwegian guidance said.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/norwegian-cruise-line-to-drop-mask-requirement-from-covid-protocols/ar-AATENCf?ocid=BingNewsSearch

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit.  Now at 32,190 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

[Catlover54]

On 2/10/2022 at 12:53 PM, CruiserFromMaine said:

Celebrity just updated their masking policy today. Since it’s a sister company to Silversea, I wanted to share it here:

 

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking.

 

Based on our last cruise with Silversea, in December 2021, I am OK with this change. Wearing masks in the hall or walking into a restaurant, only to take it off when seated indoors near others, seemed pointless to me. I understand that was before the omicron surge but I still think that practice would not have been a big help during omicron. 
 

Note that Celebrity’s wording is not precise, as it implies many unvaccinated guests will be on board but all are required to be vaccinated unless you’re too young. 
 

This is in line with more states rolling back masking requirements. 
 

We’ll be on a Celebrity cruise next week, so we’ll see how it goes!

 

I take it this means that at least for now (until the next variant hoopla), masks will also not be required in the gym, i.e., X is going back to where they were pre-Omicron on-board except for a masking requirement in the Theatre and Casino.

 

However, keep in mind that in many Caribbean, Central American, and South American ports, masks are still required everywhere including on ship excursions -- including outside, and including when walking around, even if distanced. 

[TLCOhio]

On 2/11/2022 at 5:08 PM, Catlover54 said:

I take it this means that at least for now (until the next variant hoopla), masks will also not be required in the gym, i.e., X is going back to where they were pre-Omicron on-board except for a masking requirement in the Theatre and Casino.

However, keep in mind that in many Caribbean, Central American, and South American ports, masks are still required everywhere including on ship excursions -- including outside, and including when walking around, even if distanced. 

 

Appreciate this great above summary, comments and follow-up from our California friend to reflect that "things" are still confusing and convoluted as to the various rules and requirements.  I had forgotten that certain locations in the Caribbean, etc., have their own special and different standards.  That takes much of the "fun" out of doing such cruises.  

 

From CNBC cable news this morning, they had this headline: “Dr. Scott Gottlieb: Shots for kids under 5 delayed due to low Covid cases in trial” with these highlights: “The Food and Drug Administration’s plan to fast-track Pfizer’s Covid vaccine for children under 5 years old was delayed because of a 'low number of cases overall in the clinical trial,' Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC on Monday. 'Most kids are not getting symptomatic Covid,' said the current Pfizer board member and former head of the FDA. 'One case in one direction or another can tip the perception of the vaccine’s overall effectiveness.'  'The FDA wanted to take the time for this data set to effectively settle down,' Gottlieb said.   'That point’s probably going to be after they’ve administered the third dose and have the data from that third dose.' He added, 'At that point you’ll be able to get more of a fixed perception of the vaccine’s overall effectiveness' in that younger group, the only cohort not cleared in the U.S. for the shots.  The FDA had originally planned to consider authorizing two doses of what would ultimately be a three-dose vaccine for kids under 5 as soon as this month. However, the agency said Friday it’s now going to wait on data about the effectiveness and safety of a third dose, which Pfizer and its vaccine partner, BioNTech, have said won’t come until April.”

 

Although these vaccines for small children has a small impact for cruise lines such as Silversea, it is more significant for certain larger, more mass market cruise lines.  Interesting situation and challenge for making the "science" work in a meaningful manner.

 

Full story at:

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/14/pfizer-director-dr-scott-gottlieb-shots-for-kids-under-5-delayed-due-to-low-covid-cases-in-trial.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,028 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

From the Forbes business publication this morning, they had this headline: “CDC Drops ‘Avoid Travel’ Warning For Cruising—But Only If You Have Gotten A Booster Shot” with these highlights: “Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its guidance for cruising for the second time in less than a week. The agency eased its warning about Covid-19 risk, citing a lower number of Covid-19 cases reported on vessels recently. But there’s a key caveat.   The CDC ratcheted down the travel health notice for cruising from a Level 4 'very high risk' to a Level 3 'high risk,' but told cruisers to make sure they are 'up to date' on their vaccinations.  That means booster shots for those who are eligible. The agency recommends that people who have not received a booster shot should avoid cruising. As of today, only about half of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster shot, according to CDC data.  The CDC’s ship rating system now takes booster shots into consideration, with three tiers for the level of vaccination. 'Not highly vaccinated' ships will have less than 95% of passengers and 95% of crew fully vaccinated.”

 

I had my booster shot back in late October 2021.  BUT, in a few months, will another booster be offered and/or required?  Lots of questions and uncertainty are ahead in the coming months.  Right or wrong?

 

Full story at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2022/02/16/cdc-drops-avoid-travel-warning-for-cruising-but-suggests-booster-shots-for-all/?sh=3035fb5e11f3

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 20,612 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From the Washington Post late last night, they had this headline: “CDC lowers cruise travel warning from ‘very high’ to ‘high’ " with this sub-headline: "The agency says travelers should be ‘up to date’ on coronavirus vaccinations if they want to take a cruise.”

 

Yes, lowering the CDC warning level does help the cruise lines.  Will this give consumers/travelers more confidence to resume cruising sooner?

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says taking a cruise now presents a lower risk than it did at the end of 2021 — at least in some cases.  On Tuesday, the public health agency lowered its travel health notice for cruises from Level 4 to Level 3, which indicates covid-19 levels on ships are 'high' rather than 'very high.'  The agency had been warning all travelers to avoid cruise travel regardless of vaccination status since Dec. 30, after the omicron surge sent cases on ships soaring.  Under the new guidance, the CDC says travelers should make sure they are “up to date” with their coronavirus vaccines — which means the initial vaccination and a booster, when eligible — before taking a cruise.  People who are not up to date with their vaccines should avoid cruise travel, the CDC says. And regardless of vaccination status, the agency says those who are at increased risk for severe illness from covid-19 should also avoid cruises.”

 

Here is more from their reporting: "The Cruise Lines International Association welcomed the new designation Tuesday, calling the lower level 'a step in the right direction' that recognizes the industry’s health and safety protocols. Cruise companies require all crew and almost all passengers to be vaccinated, though most are not requiring boosters.  The CDC’s change comes as some cruise operators have eased mask rules for vaccinated passengers or announced plans to drop those requirements in the near future."

 

Full story at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/02/15/cdc-cruise-lower-warning/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas!  Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

[CJANDH]

5 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

I had my booster shot back in late October 2021.  BUT, in a few months, will another booster be offered and/or required?

This is a question many will face in the next couple of months. Those who acted quickly to get vaccinated early in 2021 are now approaching one year since they received their jabs. If they followed up with boosters as soon as eligible they are now approaching six months from boosting. All media articles indicate that protection is waning after four months from boosting. So when will we be allowed to get further vaccinations? And what vaccines will we need to get?

[rkacruiser]

I expect an additional booster will be recommended in the coming weeks.  I expect a change in mask guidance may come before that recommendation.  

[worldtraveller99]

I heard somewhere that your booster shot needed to be within 270 days of travel? So I guess we will all need them again next autumn - especially those of us who have a Christmas Market river cruise booked and paid for (postponed from years ago!)!x

[jollyjones]

That's the booster after the first two doses of vaccine.

There is absolutely no way to know what the scientific consensus will be about a second booster shot, nor what the rules will be nearly a year from now.

Pointless to speculate.

[TLCOhio]

14 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

I expect an additional booster will be recommended in the coming weeks.  I expect a change in mask guidance may come before that recommendation.  

 

Great comments and follow-ups as we are all trying to guess and figure out how these various rules and requirements will change and evolve.   

 

From the AP/Associated Press newswire this morning, they had this headline: “More virus rules fall as CDC hints at better times ahead” with these highlights: “The nation’s leading health officials said Wednesday that the U.S. is moving closer to the point that COVID-19 is no longer a 'constant crisis' as more cities, businesses and sports venues began lifting pandemic restrictions around the country.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing that the government is contemplating a change to its mask guidance in the coming weeks. Noting recent declines in COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions and deaths, she acknowledged 'people are so eager' for health officials to ease masking rules and other measures designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.  'We all share the same goal – to get to a point where COVID-19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives, a time when it won’t be a constant crisis – rather something we can prevent, protect against, and treat,' Walensky said.  With the omicron variant waning and Americans eager to move beyond the virus, government and business leaders have been out ahead of the CDC in ending virus measures in the last week, including ordering workers back to offices, eliminating mask mandates and no longer requiring proof of vaccine to get into restaurants, bars and sports and entertainment arenas.”

 

Clearly many states, the CDC, etc., are becoming more "flexible" and getting away from that "one size fits all" rules.  We are moving to "learn to live with it" approaches.  Reactions?  

 

Full story at:

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-pandemics-rochelle-walensky-b55c18049f901dff2a9d83aa9557bbd1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 254,478 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Americans Are Emerging From the Pandemic Ready to Splurge on Events and Travel" with this sub-headline: "More consumers are hitting theme parks, dining out and booking hotel rooms, companies say.”

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “More Americans are satisfying their wanderlust and spending big to do it, companies say.   With daily new Covid-19 cases falling, restrictions easing and the strongest consumer finances in recent history, Americans are finally emerging from the pandemic eager to splurge on everything from travel and sports events to restaurants, cruises and theme parks, executives say.  As more Americans travel, Marriott is seeing greater demand for its high-end properties, CEO Anthony Capuano said on a conference call with analysts Tuesday.  There are signs that Americans could begin to ease up on spending in the coming months. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index hit its lowest level in a decade during the first weeks of February amid a historic rate of inflation. Travis Berninger, a 31-year-old pharmacist from Orlando, Fla., said he and his husband, a pet store manager, are on their first big vacation in six years, a seven-night cruise into the Caribbean with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  'Being able to work through the pandemic made us feel we could afford a real vacation. We are planning on booking the next cruise while we’re on this one,' he said, adding that they would like to take another cruise before the end of 2022.”

 

As another key point, this aspect might be interesting: "The hassles involved in traveling right now, rather than fear of falling ill, are weighing on the demand for travel, according to Expedia Group Inc. CEO Peter Kern.  'What we observed most notably is that the issues that evolved were really issues of inconvenience,' he said last week about the Omicron slowdown. 'There were border shutdowns, there were planes out of service because pilots and crew were sick, things of that nature, but there was far less consumer fear over traveling, and really, it was an issue of the inconvenience of the health issues.' "

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-want-to-travel-and-are-eager-to-splurge-companies-say-11645093981

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 243,601 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[rkacruiser]

9 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

We are moving to "learn to live with it" approaches.  Reactions?  

 

That's where we are headed, I think.  What will the virus "think" is yet to be determined.  

[drron29]

More and more of the true experts are coming out against the idea of a 4th shot unless you are immunocompromised. Omicron has changed the game plus we are now studying the role of cellular immunity a lot more in regards to covid.

And here is an interesting paper from the Cleveland clinic studying the results of studying over 30000 of their staff getting their 3rd dose against just over 8000 that had had covid but who were not vaccinated. No significant difference between the 2 groups in protection from Omicron.

 

However the really interesting result was those who had had covid was that given a second dose actually increased their chances of reinfection.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.10.22270744v1

 

And a study from Israel showing that although the antibodies produced by vaccination or natural infection have little effect against Omicron the cellular immunity produced by vaccines or infection was 80% active against Omicron.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-01-current-covid-vaccines-robust-cellular.html

 

And cellular immunity is greater and lasts longer in thos vaccinated with J&J and the AZ vaccines rather than the mRNA vaccines. Also the best result from a booster was mixing vaccines and having a different type of vaccine to your original course.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220128/Mix-and-match-of-COVID-19-vaccine-boosters-found-to-be-safe-and-effective.aspx

[rkacruiser]

15 hours ago, drron29 said:

More and more of the true experts are coming out against the idea of a 4th shot unless you are immunocompromised. Omicron has changed the game plus we are now studying the role of cellular immunity a lot more in regards to covid.

And here is an interesting paper from the Cleveland clinic studying the results of studying over 30000 of their staff getting their 3rd dose against just over 8000 that had had covid but who were not vaccinated. No significant difference between the 2 groups in protection from Omicron.

 

However the really interesting result was those who had had covid was that given a second dose actually increased their chances of reinfection.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.10.22270744v1

 

And a study from Israel showing that although the antibodies produced by vaccination or natural infection have little effect against Omicron the cellular immunity produced by vaccines or infection was 80% active against Omicron.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-01-current-covid-vaccines-robust-cellular.html

 

And cellular immunity is greater and lasts longer in thos vaccinated with J&J and the AZ vaccines rather than the mRNA vaccines. Also the best result from a booster was mixing vaccines and having a different type of vaccine to your original course.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220128/Mix-and-match-of-COVID-19-vaccine-boosters-found-to-be-safe-and-effective.aspx

 

Is it any wonder why people remain confused?  I don't doubt the value of these studies and  reports for the medical professionals.  But, for the general public, releasing these reports, is that not helping to sow confusion and doubts of what is the proper course of action for an individual and their family?  

[TLCOhio]

On 2/18/2022 at 2:01 AM, drron29 said:

More and more of the true experts are coming out against the idea of a 4th shot unless you are immunocompromised. Omicron has changed the game plus we are now studying the role of cellular immunity a lot more in regards to covid.

And here is an interesting paper from the Cleveland Clinic studying the results of studying over 30000 of their staff getting their 3rd dose against just over 8000 that had had covid but who were not vaccinated. No significant difference between the 2 groups in protection from Omicron.

 

Super appreciate these great report links and follow-ups from excellent expert Dr. Ron in Australia.  Very key questions and serious points about where does the medical research lead us as to the best future.  Yes, the Cleveland Clinic is near us and very well respected.  

 

Wonderful, wise point by our SE Ohio neighbor on "Is it any wonder why people remain confused? "  My wife has some immunocompromised issues and I am sharing this helpful DrRon info with her.  

 

From this below-linked financial reporting website this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival Lags Behind Royal Caribbean in Making a Huge Change" with this sub-headline: "The two cruise line rivals battle for family customers and operate in most of the same markets.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Carnival and Royal Caribbean  battle for the same customers. Both cruise lines want families looking for a good value on a vacation and they attempt to win them over by using marketing that emphasizes how fun its cruise ships are.  Royal Caribbean leans in heavily on promoting its Coco Cay private island, which has a massive pool and an added-fee water park. Carnival has built its marketing around the phrase "Funderstruck," to create a vague idea of all the excitement that awaits passengers who choose to go on its ships.  Both companies clearly want passengers and potential passengers to understand that this isn't traditional cruising filled with older people having a genteel good time. Carnival and Royal Caribbean want customers to know that their ships offer water slides, pools, and onboard amenities that range from laser tag to bumper cars and roller coasters.”

 

Clearly, Silversea is not the mass market cruise line aiming for families, but here is more from this writer: "Now, as the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Conditional Sail Order (CSO), the rules under which cruise ships could sail during the pandemic, has expired, but companies have new rules, but one is waiting a little longer to make the change. Royal Caribbean promised in its Feb. 19 email to passengers that more changes are going to come. That could mean a change in the pre-boarding testing requirement.  'Effective with cruises departing Mar. 1, some additional flexibility in pre-cruise testing requirements will become available. That could mean dropping the requirement altogether or doing so for shorter cruises. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean must obey local laws when it comes to what passengers can and can't do when in port. That includes whether they need to wear a mask or carry their proof of vaccination."

 

The message?  More changes and cruise operating questions are coming!!  Right or wrong?

 

Full story at:

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-lags-behind-royal-caribbean-in-making-a-huge-change

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 235,261 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[TLCOhio]

From AFP French newswire and this website linked below this morning, they had this headline: “ 'Fortress Australia' Re-opens After Two-year Covid Closure” with these highlights: “Australia opens its international borders to all vaccinated tourists Monday, nearly two years after the island nation first imposed some of the world's strictest Covid-19 travel restrictions.  'The wait is over,' Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a press conference on Sunday ahead of the re-opening.  'Pack your bags,' he told potential visitors, adding, 'Don't forget to bring your money with you, because you'll find plenty of places to spend it.'  The first flight into Sydney Airport will arrive from Los Angeles at 6 am (1900 GMT), followed by arrivals from Tokyo, Vancouver and Singapore.  Australia closed its borders to almost everyone except citizens and residents in March 2020 in an attempt to slow surging Covid-19 case numbers.  The travel ban -- which also barred citizens from travelling overseas without an exemption and imposed a strict cap on international arrivals -- earned the country the nickname "Fortress Australia".  Every month under the policies has cost businesses an estimated Aus$3.6 billion (US$2.6 billion), according to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with tourism particularly hard hit.  While the Australian government has launched a Aus$40 million advertising campaign to lure tourists back, the Australian Tourism Export Council warned this week that 'there are worrying signs consumers are wary of travelling here with confusion over our various state travel restrictions and concern about snap border closures' ”

 

Is this good news for Australia and those who want to visit there?  Will they shut down Australia again if cases flare up and/or a new variant comes along?  How quickly will the cruise lines crank up schedules for later this year and early 2023?  Are these the right questions?  Any feed-back and insights from those in Australia?

 

Full story at:

https://www.ibtimes.com/fortress-australia-re-opens-after-two-year-covid-closure-3406787

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 94,477 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[sanne]

I believe Australia is open and will stay open now. Even WA is at last opening its borders. Overseas tourists have to be double vaxxed or go into mandatory quarantine.

 

There is still a cruise ban for overseas ships until sometime in April, when it will be reviewed.
 

Local small ship operators have been sailing successfully for a long time in local waters. Kimberley cruises have been fully booked, all with Aussies. And all the high end resorts and hotels. Hard to get a booking anywhere this year. And prices have increased a lot with the demand. 

 

 

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

How quickly will the cruise lines crank up schedules for later this year and early 2023

 

It's good news that Australia is re-opening for cruises that include guests from other countries.  There is, in my opinion, somewhat of a risk for cruise lines to make schedule changes for cruises that are North American based to go to or include Australia in their itinerary.  There are many hundreds/thousands(?) of cruisers who are irritated by the frequent itinerary changes that cruise lines have made.  Many of these are first time cruisers.  Do the cruise lines risk further alienating that base of new cruisers?  Or, indeed, those who have cruised before and may now have a feeling of being "jerked around" once again?  After all, a beach resort at whatever beach community is going to "be there" and "not suddenly change their location".    

 

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

More changes and cruise operating questions are coming!!  Right or wrong?

 

Right! 

 

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Royal Caribbean leans in heavily on promoting its Coco Cay private island, which has a massive pool and an added-fee water park. Carnival has built its marketing around the phrase "Funderstruck," to create a vague idea of all the excitement that awaits passengers who choose to go on its ships.

 

An interesting post and an advertising difference of which I was not aware.  Add to the private island attraction advertising:  MSC's Ocean Cay.  Have not been to Coco Cay; but, have been to Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay.  My visit to MSC's Ocean Cay, when it is fully developed, will "blow away" Carnival's Private Island experiences as they now are.  Just my opinion:  but, the Private Island experience on Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays has a different "vibe" than what I think RCL has created.  MSC, on the other hand, is expected to create a bit of both "vibes".  Their YC section of Ocean Cay is nothing like anything of what the other cruise lines offer.  I was told when I visited, the Coco Cay type experience was planned.

 

Then, there is Disney's Private Island.  I wish I knew more about what they offer.  

[Lois R]

RKA, you can easily find out what those private islands offer----post the question on the Disney form and the other forums. I am sure there are plenty of people that can give you those details. 

 

As for Australia, I have a deposit down for Whisper in January 2023........I put my original  amount down before everything closed up.  Hopefully by the end of this year they will know if things will still be open.

 

 

[drron29]

6 hours ago, sanne said:

I believe Australia is open and will stay open now. Even WA is at last opening its borders. Overseas tourists have to be double vaxxed or go into mandatory quarantine.

 

There is still a cruise ban for overseas ships until sometime in April, when it will be reviewed.
 

Local small ship operators have been sailing successfully for a long time in local waters. Kimberley cruises have been fully booked, all with Aussies. And all the high end resorts and hotels. Hard to get a booking anywhere this year. And prices have increased a lot with the demand. 

 

 

Although Australia is now officially open to International tourists it is not open to restarting cruising.The Commonwealth Government's ban on cruising is set to expire on April 17th. They have hinted that it will end then.

 

Unfortunately that doesn't meant International cruising will restart then. Ports are under control of State Governments and they can ban cruise ships from their ports. There is a very high probability that the Queensland and West Australian Governments will not let International cruise ships enter their ports.  Although cruising in the Kimberleys is going well it is only the smaller ships and their voyages are limited to the State of Western Australia.

[Catlover54]

6 hours ago, sanne said:

I believe Australia is open and will stay open now. Even WA is at last opening its borders. Overseas tourists have to be double vaxxed or go into mandatory quarantine.

 

There is still a cruise ban for overseas ships until sometime in April, when it will be reviewed.
 

Local small ship operators have been sailing successfully for a long time in local waters. Kimberley cruises have been fully booked, all with Aussies. And all the high end resorts and hotels. Hard to get a booking anywhere this year. And prices have increased a lot with the demand. 

 

 

 

It will be a long time, even if cruising "reopens", before I trust Australia and New Zealand to "stay open" long enough for me to book a cruise and have it happen.   I have no reason to believe, based on their prior behavior and comments, that they won't shut everything down again, short notice, i.e., take extreme measures like they did before, if we have another Covid wave. We weren't done with Australia when we were sent home mid-cruise March 2020, so we still have a lot we would in theory like to still explore, but it is a long and expensive flight to go there, or risk going there,  without having a full experience (and we cannot realistically fly coach if there is a short-notice rebooking that would require that). 

 

I have the same feelings about Norway, another country with a low cruise shutdown threshold (and a very generous social welfare system so people employed in travel can still eat etc. when their jobs become impossible to do).  These countries have to regain our trust. 

 

If I lived in Australia, I would be more likely to book after cruising reopens (thinking that in the worst case scenario, we could rent a car and then just drive home :))