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

[MrsWaldo]

Just now, Roger88 said:

I think that its a mistake and there wont be any cruise on October 31. If the boarders are closed till the end of the year, I dont see  single reason for them or for anybody to resume cruising that early. I would check this information twice before making any conclusions 

I don't think it's a mistake on SS behalf..

 

I think they need to be upfront to our OS friends and say  "This cruise will not go ahead"  Reschedule any Aus cruises until Dec 17...

[chrism23]

6 hours ago, saminina said:

Am curious if anyone knows of a person that has been stricken with this virus.  

Two.  I wrote earlier of my mother-in-law still hanging on after 8 weeks.  And a neighbor, a MD's wife who still has some pulmonary issues and lethargy after more than 3 months.  The length of the complications from COVID infections aren't really talked about that much but over the coming months it will be a major issue.  I don't want to be dramatic here but for some recovering from COVID and is complications might be a life long process.  I hope you stay thankful.  

[Randyk47]

7 hours ago, saminina said:

Am curious if anyone knows of a person that has been stricken with this virus.  Do you know anyone that knows anyone that has contracted the virus?   I'm thankful that I do not and would like to keep it that way.   It's a question I often ask, and so far the count stays at zero.

 My wife lost one of her staff and his spouse to Covid-19 at Easter.   

[Lois R]

2 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

 My wife lost one of her staff and his spouse to Covid-19 at Easter.   

Randy, so sorry☹️

[Lois R]

5 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

My mother-in-law died of it. 

So sorry☹️

[Randyk47]

10 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Randy, so sorry☹️

It was sad and scary at the same time.    Because of the circumstances and the uniqueness of their case at the time it actually made national and international news.   Still tragic but now their story is one of many awful stories.    

[brimary]

Every single Covid death is a human and family tragedy for all concerned.throughout the World.Our thoughts are with all those directly involved.

[saminina]

At least in the US, the  crippling after effects receives about zero press.    You'll read something about the subject if you search on the internet.

[Miss Merry]

My sister died of it at the end of May.

[clo]

6 hours ago, chrism23 said:

Two.  I wrote earlier of my mother-in-law still hanging on after 8 weeks.  And a neighbor, a MD's wife who still has some pulmonary issues and lethargy after more than 3 months.  The length of the complications from COVID infections aren't really talked about that much but over the coming months it will be a major issue.  I don't want to be dramatic here but for some recovering from COVID and is complications might be a life long process.  I hope you stay thankful.  

Yes. Including organ failure. Thank you.

[Randyk47]

1 hour ago, Miss Merry said:

My sister died of it at the end of May.

Oh me.  😢  I lost my baby sister two years ago and never a day goes by I don’t think of her and miss her.   My heart goes out to you.  

Edited September 9, 2020 by Randyk47

[Miss Merry]

32 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

Oh me.  😢  I lost my baby sister two years ago and never a day goes by I don’t think of her and miss her.   My heart goes out to you.  

So sorry.  ❤️

 

 

[Lois R]

3 hours ago, Miss Merry said:

My sister died of it at the end of May.

Sending you my heartfelt condolences.......so sorry for your loss.

[Miss Merry]

23 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Sending you my heartfelt condolences.......so sorry for your loss.

Thank you, she had some major underlying health problems which made the chances of surviving COVID remote.

[TLCOhio]

5 hours ago, brimary said:

Every single Covid death is a human and family tragedy for all concerned.throughout the World.Our thoughts are with all those directly involved.

 

Appreciate ALL of the sharing in the past day or so.  Fortunately, we have not had any friends and/or family lost during this challenging period.  It's tough, especially when many are not been able to get into hospitals and/or nursing homes to see these loved ones during these period battling the medical issues.  Then, the "normal" funerals and personal connections cannot be conducted in a way to share the memories, love and concerns.  

 

We all need those opportunities to recover, do personal interactions and be able to able to move forward.  Not an easy or simple period of time for too many people.  

 

On the cruising side, the Wall Street markets have been up significantly today, BUT, the three main cruise lines were down about 2-3% today.  Why?  My best guess/speculation: The one series of vaccine tests in connection with the Oxford University research has been held up.  With the need for a safe and successful vaccine in order to resume sailing, that has probably caused the backward slide of "confidence" as rated and measured by the financial types. The markets, however, are always "VARIABLE" as they move up, down and around.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 31,063 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

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

[Lois R]

45 minutes ago, Miss Merry said:

Thank you, she had some major underlying health problems which made the chances of surviving COVID remote.

It still had to be very hard......☹️

[Tothesunset]

3 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Oh me.  😢  I lost my baby sister two years ago and never a day goes by I don’t think of her and miss her.   My heart goes out to you.  

Many condolences. Life just shouldn't work that way. 

[QueSeraSera]

So many sad stories to tell around this da** virus, my heart goes out to each of you above.  Our neighbor right across the street has (or had) it.  Home from hospital now so I hope recovered.  His case definitely put a damper on neighbor to neighbor chatting while walking or working in the yard, etc. - but I do respect that his wife put out the word to us. 

[Daveywavey70]

I only know one person and she is a nurse on the Covid ward. 

[Randyk47]

4 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

Many condolences. Life just shouldn't work that way. 

Yes she was only 63 years old, seven years my junior.  I am the only surviving member of my immediate family.   With my son, my wife, her sister, and her sister’s husband there are only five of us left.   

[Lois R]

11 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Yes she was only 63 years old, seven years my junior.  I am the only surviving member of my immediate family.   With my son, my wife, her sister, and her sister’s husband there are only five of us left.   

Hi Randy,  not sure this will give you much comfort but just in case.......immediate family......it is just me.  I have 2

sisters--that's it. Both sisters have hubbies but as for my immediate----nobody else.

[TLCOhio]

11 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Yes she was only 63 years old, seven years my junior.  I am the only surviving member of my immediate family.   With my son, my wife, her sister, and her sister’s husband there are only five of us left.   

 

Appreciate these many various personal situations.  It makes the point that life is somewhat "fragile", plus challenging and uncertain!!??  Also: short!  To me all of this re-enforces the important point to enjoy, embrace and experience ALL of the various opportunities connected with our lives.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal yesterday, they had this headline: “How Travel Will Change Post-Pandemic: 10 Expert Predictions” with some of these top highlights: “We’ll rethink Europe.  Expect a cooling of the romance with Europe’s capitals and new affection for less-crowded cities with strong cultural offerings. 'I’d keep an eye on Lyon and Hamburg,' said UK-based travel writer Annie Fitzsimmons, who also predicts a rediscovery of less populated European islands.   Alaska will beckon.  The pandemic’s searing impact will add a FOMO-like urgency to personal bucket lists. The fresh air appeal of Alaska and Montana will propel them into top spots, thinks Erin Francis-Cummings, CEO of travel data company Destination Analysts.  We’ll pay for hygiene. Germophobic fliers might have the option to pay extra for 'Hygiene Class,' a premium cabin that comes with a higher standard of cleanliness, according to Christopher Schaberg, author of 'Airportness,' and, coming later this fall, 'Grounded: Perpetual Flight…and Then the Pandemic.' Though the air filters shared equally with economy will still do the real work to prevent illness, these higher-priced seats will come with more frequent sanitization."

 

Here are a few more of the key points from their list of ten predictions: "Leopards will matter even more. Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, a nonprofit that manages 18 national parks and reserves, said countries combining good governance with conservation will become tomorrow’s stars. Two Mr. Fearnhead singles out: Benin and Malawi. The former, in West Africa, is developing Pendjari and W National Parks that feature elephants and lions, while Malawi, in southeastern Africa, is priming reserves with rhinos and leopards.  We’ll tip robot-maids. Hotels will become airy places with AI behind the scenes. Open lobbies and guest rooms that allow the outside in will be the blueprint, with frump and fuss banished. Also booted: coffee makers and minibars. Anything hard to clean will be suspect in a post-pandemic-era room.  We’ll cruise the Arctic. As pleasure ships steam past the pandemic and implement new health protocols, expect to see new destinations. Cruise industry specialist Clare Weeden sees massive growth in trips through Canada’s Northwest Passage from passengers eager to view polar bears and other Arctic species before they vanish."

 

These are many interesting "crystal ball" predictions and speculations as to how the future of travel will evolve and change.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-travel-will-change-post-pandemic-10-expert-predictions-11599674976?mod=hp_lead_pos13

 

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 30,089 views.

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

Edited September 10, 2020 by TLCOhio

[crusinbanjo]

On 9/8/2020 at 11:07 PM, saminina said:

Am curious if anyone knows of a person that has been stricken with this virus.  Do you know anyone that knows anyone that has contracted the virus?   I'm thankful that I do not and would like to keep it that way.   It's a question I often ask, and so far the count stays at zero.

I only know of four people who had the virus.  One died, two were sick but recovered and one who recovered with serious respiratory issues that he is still fighting months later.

[Bucephalus53]

Fortunately I only know one person who had Covid.

Unfortunately, I know many who lost jobs or businesses.

 

Back to sailing, my wife and I have decided it us highly unlikely we will be sailing next year so we decided to use the refund for a significant home improvement instead. Lord willing, Great Britain or St.Petersburg in 2022. 

This board has been a tremendous help throughout the 2020 mess and I thank you.  

Edited September 10, 2020 by Bucephalus53

[TLCOhio]

5 hours ago, Bucephalus53 said:

Back to sailing, my wife and I have decided it us highly unlikely we will be sailing next year so we decided to use the refund for a significant home improvement instead. Lord willing, Great Britain or St.Petersburg in 2022. This board has been a tremendous help throughout the 2020 mess and I thank you.  

 

Appreciate these great comments and the follow-up from our neighbor in the Buckeye State of Ohio.  Glad you are future-focused for excellent locations in Great Britain and/or St. Petersburg in 2022.  In 2008 during our second cruise, we had four wonderful days in the UK (Kent area) before boarding our cruise at Dover.  Our cruise explored the Baltics and included three days in St. Petersburg.  By carefully planning that adventure, we also had a day in Moscow, plus two days at the end of the cruise in Stockholm.  Great trip with amazing sights, history, architecture, food, culture and people.

 

For our future, having already done a decent amount of "sampling" in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, we might want to go back to the UK.  But, this time we would take about three weeks and explore more "in-depth" for a few key, new areas there in that region.  Cruising and/or one-night stops can be been good, but at times using more of a "living-like-a-local" strategy has certain advantages.      

 

From the web travel source below, they had today this headline: “Will CDC Extend Pause On Cruising & Is A Vaccine Actually the Answer?” with this sub-head "Travel Editor Peter Greenberg offers his thoughts on the cruise industry and the hurdles ahead."  Greenberg is the CBS Travel Editor now with a long history of writing, research and exploring the world.

 

Here are some of the key highlights from this respected travel expert: “A member of the  U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders for his contributions to the travel industry, Greenberg is an authority on all things cruising.   When cruising first paused in March, the thought of returning to normal at some point in 2020 seemed plausible. Now, those chances are slimming. When asked about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s no-sail order and when he thinks cruising will be back, Greenberg shed light on the ongoing discussions, or lack thereof, between the CDC and cruise lines.  'I have every reason to believe that the CDC will extend it even further. Remember, as part of the CDC requirements, the cruise lines were supposed to present comprehensive plans for not only redesigning their hygiene protocols and their design protocols including the floor plans of cabins and public areas. They’re supposed to be involved in an ongoing discussion with the CDC so they can implement that. I’m not aware that discussion has even started yet. So my guess is there may be one or two cruises that sneak through the end of this year, maybe in the Galapagos, maybe down in South America, but for practical purposes, we’re really talking January and February 2021.' ”

 

Greenberg's insights and comments also continued for vaccines as: "Even if a vaccine happened this moment, one third of America wouldn’t take it. One third of Americans would be standing around to see if the first third died and the last third would probably be calling Q-anon, so I’m all in favor of a great vaccine that’s scalable, that’s gone through all the proper clinical trials and that works. Right now we are not there, and despite all reports, I wouldn’t count on it."

 

Here is more on . . . "What’s the Future of Cruising?" this story noted: "The sky has already fallen on the cruise industry, so as we’re left to pick up the pieces, one question remains. Greenberg gave an example of a previous time when travel wasn’t a top priority for Americans. 'One of the things that we’re going to see is when cruising does come back, and it will come back, we’re going to model it after the 9/11 playbook. People do not want to fly over large bodies of water to get to their shipI. In those days it was terrorism, now it’s the virus,' he said.  Greenberg believes driving to port to get on a ship will be much more desirable in the short term as people are still wary of exposing themselves and their families to COVID-19 via airplane. The good news? With ports all over the country, most people who live along America’s coasts are not far from a cruise port."

 

Full story at:

https://www.porthole.com/cbs-news-travel-editor-peter-greenberg-cruise-industry-update/

 

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 18,744 views.  Connect at:

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