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

[brimary]

Terry...Thanks for the detailed update from  CEO Fain.Despite being head of RC his conclusion regarding restart date are are no clearer than any of our individual thoughts which you rightly summarise as guesses.Sad but it reflects the day by day varying scenario faced Worldwide.Just learnt yesterday that Our Gods own County Yorkshire starts full lockdown Midnight Sunday! Last thing on our minds is SS cruising again until SS cruising returns exactly as it was on our last cruise in late 2019 and this I Guess will be a long time ahead.

[TLCOhio]

7 hours ago, brimary said:

Terry...Thanks for the detailed update from  CEO Fain.  Despite being head of RC his conclusion regarding restart date are are no clearer than any of our individual thoughts which you rightly summarise as guesses.  Sad but it reflects the day by day varying scenario faced Worldwide.  Last thing on our minds is SS cruising again until SS cruising returns exactly as it was on our last cruise in late 2019 and this I Guess will be a long time ahead.

 

Appreciate these various comments and follow-ups. Agree that CEO Fain is somewhat unclear as to when and what happens next.  BUT, I appreciate his honesty in not trying to spin, guess, hope and/or be too much of a "cheerleader".  No value in overhyping with false dreams during the period of significant uncertainty.  

 

As of 1:52 pm Friday/today, the Royal Caribbean stock for most of this week has a had a downward slide.  But, then in the last few minutes, it bounced up.  Strange??!!  Hard to figure and explain.  Maybe the supposed lifting of the "No-Sail Order" caused this uptick??

 

For those wanting to know much more from the financial analysts call yesterday, there is this headline: “Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) CEO Richard Fain on Q3 2020 Results - Earnings Call Transcript” with the full text and word-for-word summary available from this web link: 

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4382720-royal-caribbean-cruises-ltd-rcl-ceo-richard-fain-on-q3-2020-results-earnings-call-transcript

 

From the Miami Herald this morning, they had this headline: “ ‘Beyond frustrating’: $1.3 billion Q3 loss for Royal Caribbean as cruises remain canceled” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean Group reported its third 10-digit loss of the year Thursday as cruises in the U.S. — its biggest market — remain canceled.In the third quarter of 2020, the second largest cruise company in the world reported a net loss of $1.3 billion or $6.29 per share, compared to a net income of $883.2 million or $4.20 per share in the same time frame last year. Cruises on the company’s four brands — Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea — have been canceled since mid-March. The cruise industry has committed to testing passengers before boarding when cruises restart but has so far not specified what tests companies will use for U.S. passengers, or when and how passengers will be tested. Fain said it is too early to tell. 'I won’t get into the specifics because if I do, I think I’ll be wrong tomorrow,' he said.  The company said that bookings for the first half of 2021 are what it had anticipated given its plan to restart cruises on just a few ships at first; bookings for the second half of 2021 are 'within historical ranges.' Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley said that customer bookings are closely linked to feelings about COVID-19.”

 

Full Miami Herald story at:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article246805742.html

 

Mid-day announcement:  Press release for Silversea taking delivery today of the new Silver Moon: 

www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silversea-cruises-takes-delivery-of-new-ship-silver-moon-301163954.html 

 

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 231,278 views.

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

 

From the Wall Street Journal, below is the mid-afternoon stock charting for Royal Caribbean reflecting the downward trends during this past week.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

[TLCOhio]

From MSN news and the Miami Herald reporting in the heart of the cruise companies, they had this headline: “CDC lifts cruise ban, says companies can restart once they prove COVID-19 protocols work” with these highlights: “The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set the stage for the return of U.S. cruising with the release Friday of a detailed series of requirements that could put ships back in operation in the coming months.  The decision from the CDC to let its no-sail order expire in exchange for a conditional sail order is a win for the Florida-based cruise industry, which has been paralyzed since it shut down passenger operations on March 13 amid COVID-19 outbreaks on several ships. Still, cruise companies will have to prove to the agency that COVID protocols are working with specific testing requirements and trial runs before passengers can return.   Most cruise companies — Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages — have canceled all cruises leaving from U.S. ports until at least Dec. 1.  The CDC still has its Level 3 travel notice for cruise ships in place, which warns against anyone taking a cruise because of the high risk of COVID-19 infection on ships.”

 

As noted by the Miami Herald, this is still a "developing story" that will be updated during the upcoming hours and days.  CDC seems to have a "green light" showing in one hand, while the other hand holds flashing red-yellow lights saying "NOT SO FAST"??!!

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-lifts-cruise-ban-says-companies-can-restart-once-they-prove-covid-19-protocols-work/ar-BB1ayee7

 

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 89,077 views.

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

[Randyk47]

 

Quote

 

As noted by the Miami Herald, this is still a "developing story" that will be updated during the upcoming hours and days.  CDC seems to have a "green light" showing in one hand, while the other hand holds flashing red-yellow lights saying "NOT SO FAST"??!!

 

I would agree the emphasis is on the “NOT SO FAST” for US based cruises.   It is going to take weeks to clear the CDC hurdles.   Of course the CDC requirements notwithstanding the cruise lines have their own substantial issues to address.  Off the top of my head, and certainly not all challenges for the lines,  is reassembling crew and staff,  potentially isolating/quarantining crew and staff for a week or two, basic training/refresher training for the crew and staff,  bringing the ships back to cruising condition, making renovations/changes to meet new health requirements, getting some of the ships from their wide spread holding locations to embarkation ports, and so on.   Once they get that done or in some cases at least started they still have to clear the CDC hurdles.  I can imagine the CDC will come up with a numerical rating system or go/no go evaluation.   Fail and you don’t sail until you get the required numerical score and/or eliminate the no-go failures.   Of course if you’re sailing from a US port you still have the required Coast Guard and USPHS inspections that are totally separate from the CDC business.   This is not going to be easy or quick.   

Edited October 30, 2020 by Randyk47

[twangster]

On another forum a cruiser I have sailed with before was in Miami this week for real estate purposes.  They posted pictures from a Miami area hotel that was holding a crew meeting at their hotel for Royal Caribbean ship crew.  This ship is known to be one of their start-up ships.

 

It appears Royal Caribbean International has been arranging crew movements for a few weeks now.  At least some crew are already boarding the ship.

 

I suspect they had an idea this was progressing in their favor.  

[Observer]

1 minute ago, twangster said:

On another forum a cruiser I have sailed with before was in Miami this week for real estate purposes.  They posted pictures from a Miami area hotel that was holding a crew meeting at their hotel for Royal Caribbean ship crew.  This ship is known to be one of their start-up ships.

 

It appears Royal Caribbean International has been arranging crew movements for a few weeks now.  At least some crew are already boarding the ship.

 

I suspect they had an idea this was progressing in their favor.  

 

I wonder if this is a ship going to Singapore to do cruises to nowhere for SIN residents only. 

[twangster]

40 minutes ago, Observer said:

 

I wonder if this is a ship going to Singapore to do cruises to nowhere for SIN residents only. 

 

The Royal Caribbean ship destined for Singapore is Quantum of the Seas.  This is a different ship that is already in Asia. 

 

Royal Caribbean began assembling that crew separately a few weeks ago.   An American who lives in Alaska works on that ship with the entertainment department and has been vlogging his experience on YouTube.  He recently published an update as he makes his way back to rejoin the ship for the December start in Singapore.  

 

Ahh to be young again but it is interesting to follow as he lived through much of this on board that ship, finally got home to Alaska and now has been recalled to Asia.

[alexandria]

Note this provision in the CDC conditional sail order:  "The cruise ship operator must not sail or offer to sail on an itinerary longer than 7 days."

 

How many Silversea itineraries involving a US embarkation, disembarkation, or port of call are seven (7) days or less?

 

[Lois R]

Good morning,

I just checked the SS website.....there are a couple of cruises in January sailing out of San Juan

that are 7 nights. They are part of the USA so those would be it.........the ship is The Shadow.

[TLCOhio]

On 10/30/2020 at 3:41 PM, Randyk47 said:

I would agree the emphasis is on the “NOT SO FAST” for US based cruises.   It is going to take weeks to clear the CDC hurdles.   Of course the CDC requirements notwithstanding the cruise lines have their own substantial issues to address.  Off the top of my head, and certainly not all challenges for the lines,  is reassembling crew and staff,  potentially isolating/quarantining crew and staff for a week or two, basic training/refresher training for the crew and staff,  bringing the ships back to cruising condition, making renovations/changes to meet new health requirements, getting some of the ships from their wide spread holding locations to embarkation ports, and so on.   Once they get that done or in some cases at least started they still have to clear the CDC hurdles. Fail and you don’t sail until you get the required numerical score and/or eliminate the no-go failures.  This is not going to be easy or quick.   

 

Appreciate ALL of these great comments, insights and follow-ups.  Great sharing, including about Silversea and other cruise lines starting to get their crews together.  Agree strongly with Randy's wise comments quoted above.  So much needs to happen, first, before "REAL SAILING" can happen with actual passengers going to different ports in the Caribbean and for other parts fo the world.  Many questions and challenges still exist for airline flights/connections, testing, refund policies if you end up with Covid after arriving in the boarding port, etc., etc.  

 

From the New York Times Travel Section over last weekend, they had this headline: “Cruise Ships Can Sail Again, With Strict Rules. Here’s What to Know."  This was their sub-headline: "Cruise companies must follow stringent health and safety protocols to be allowed to resume passenger excursions.”

 

Here some key highlights from their reporting and analysis: “Under the new structure, cruise companies must demonstrate adherence to stringent health and safety protocols including extensive testing, quarantine measures and social distancing. If they meet these C.D.C. standards, first on a series of crew-only test sailings, they will eventually be allowed to resume passenger excursions.  On Friday, the C.D.C. said the benefits of the new framework outweigh the costs of not allowing cruise ships to sail, providing flexibility for companies that have taken necessary precautions to mitigate risk, while continuing to prohibit operations for those that fail to implement the necessary measures.”

 

Here are a number of their key questions and the responses/analysis offered by the NY Times reporter: 

 

Question: How soon will I be able to get on a cruise?

Response: "In short, not soon.  The first ships to sail in U.S. waters will be simulated voyages designed to test a vessel’s capabilities to implement health and safety protocols and prove the cruise line’s ability to mitigate the risks of Covid-19 onboard. Cruise lines will not be allowed to commence passenger operations until they meet all the requirements and are granted a conditional Covid-19 sailing certificate issued by the C.D.C."

 

Q.: What safety measures can I expect?

"The ships will be required to provide rapid laboratory testing of all passengers and crew on the day of embarkation and the day of disembarkation. Onboard testing capabilities will be developed in coordination with the C.D.C. to test all symptomatic travelers, including crew members and future passengers."

 

Q.: What happens if I test positive for the coronavirus?   

"Passengers who test positive for Covid-19 before boarding a cruise ship will not be permitted to board. Those who test positive onboard a ship will be isolated and then transferred to a dedicated facility on shore. All remaining passengers and nonessential crew will also be required to go into quarantine. In the spring, some passengers spent weeks confined to their staterooms after cases broke out on board their cruises.  Cruise operators are expected to have the proper medical equipment, expertise and training to treat severely ill passengers who contract Covid-19 while on board until they can be safety transferred to onshore medical facilities."

 

Q.: Will passengers be allowed to go on shore excursions?

"Initially shore excursions will be closely controlled and limited to private and domestic destinations. Cruise operators are devising protocols to vet vendors for onshore excursions to ensure that they comply with health and safety protocols that are applied on board ships."

 

Reactions, comments, questions, etc.??

 

Full NYT story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/travel/cruise-ships-new-rules.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 67,631 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[TLCOhio]

From MSN news and experienced travel writer Gene Sloan this morning, they had this headline: “3 major cruise lines cancel December sailings in wake of CDC order” with these highlights: “You’ll now have to wait until at least January to take a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The parent company of the three brands, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, on Monday said it would extend its halt to cruise operations through at least Dec. 31. Until today, the company only had canceled sailings through the end of November.  The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announcement comes just three days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted its longstanding 'no-sail' order for cruise ships sailing in U.S. waters — a seemingly positive sign for the cruise industry. But the CDC replaced the no-sail order with a new 'framework for conditional sailing' order that will require lines to jump through a number of hoops before they can resume sailing.  Among the requirements of the new order is that cruise lines apply for what the CDC is calling a Conditional Sailing Certificate at least 60 days before they want to resume sailing. That means that even if a cruise line applies for a certificate today, it wouldn’t be able to resume sailing in U.S. waters until at least Jan. 1 at the very earliest.”

 

As I mentioned earlier, don't be in too big of a rush for packing your bags.  This new CDC action shows "light at the end of the tunnel", but it is a long, long tunnel to travel before being able to see the actual light.  Right??  Or, wrong??

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/3-major-cruise-lines-cancel-december-sailings-in-wake-of-cdc-order/ar-BB1aCqLs

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 50,398 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication of Barron's this morning, they had this headline: “Norwegian Extends Sailing Suspension, Delivering a Shock to Cruise Stocks” with these highlights: “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has extended its suspension of cruise voyages by another month, through Dec. 31, signaling the challenges of quickly resuming operations for the entire industry.  Monday’s announcement by Norwegian comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that it was lifting its no-sail order for U.S. ports as of Oct. 31. Norwegian shares were down 7.4% in early trading, at $15 and change, as the broader market was up sharply. Even though the CDC gave the cruise industry the green light, it attached some stringent requirements. There will be four phases in the relaunch, the first involving 'the establishment of testing of crew onboard cruise ships in U.S. waters,' according to the CDC.  The second phase will have simulated voyages, which will include volunteer passengers, 'to test a cruise ship operators’ ability to mitigate COVID-19 on cruise ships.' The next phase requires cruise operators to get certified by the CDC. The final phase would entail a return to passenger voyages.  It will take some time for the cruise operators, including Carnival, to work through these phases. As Norwegian’s extension of its timeline for cruise sailings shows, it will be difficult for these companies to resume operations by the end of the year—making a resumption of any significance early next year more likely.  A wild card, of course, is the recent surge of Covid cases in the U.S. and Europe.”

 

Here is more from their detailed analysis this morning: "Whenever cruising does resume in the U.S., the CDC is expected to require strict Covid testing of passengers and crews before the board ships and when they leave the vessels as well.  In a recent research note, J.P. Morgan’s Brandt Montour calls those requirements 'a heavy lift to be sure, but we believe this can be done using shore-side testing facilities on both ends of the trip.' "

 

Not trying to be negative, just sharing more "depth" to follow-up the Friday CDC announcement that looked, initially, good in reading the early headlines.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.barrons.com/articles/norwegian-extends-sailing-suspension-and-cruise-stocks-are-sinking-as-return-to-seas-gets-blurrier-51604329785

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Kotor/Montenegro:  Exciting visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 47,958 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

[cruiseej]

I'm surprised any of the reporters, or stock analysts, seem "shocked" that cruising won't resume in December. Many of the cruise lines, like Silversea, had already canceled their December cruises. Aiming for limited resumption of cruising in January had already seemed to me to be where things were headed, even prior to the CDC  announcement on Friday.

 

Let's also remember that cruising doesn't have to be to/from US ports, and therefore doesn't have to comply with the rules and regulations and timelines of the CDC. Seabourn, for instance, has cruises in the Caribbean scheduled in January which don't touch any US port. So it will be interesting to see if small Caribbean countries allow cruise ships to resume operations, or if they hold cruise ships to the US standards. 

[TLCOhio]

22 hours ago, cruiseej said:

I'm surprised any of the reporters, or stock analysts, seem "shocked" that cruising won't resume in December. Many of the cruise lines, like Silversea, had already canceled their December cruises. Aiming for limited resumption of cruising in January had already seemed to me to be where things were headed. Let's also remember that cruising doesn't have to be to/from US ports, and therefore doesn't have to comply with the rules and regulations and timelines of the CDC. 

 

Appreciate these great above comments and follow-ups from our Pennsylvania "neighbor" next door in the northern Philadelphia suburbs.  Agree, maybe, if and if, that potentially some limited, short cruises could be starting in January 2020.  What "shocks" Wall Street these days is an interesting question/debate during these challenged times!!!

 

As to the powers and reach of the CDC, agree that all other counties are free and able to set their rules and standards.  But, is my understanding correct that many other counties, especially those smaller with more limited staff/resources, tend to follow the lead and practices of the CDC??  Also, the CDC has staff located around the world and impacts a wider audience than just within our 50 states and our various territories??  Happy to hear more from others as to this impacts and influences by and for the CDC.

 

From the Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch reporting yesterday, they had this headline: “Cruise stocks fall to buck the broad market rally after Norwegian extends suspensions” with this sub-headline: "Investor concerns over effect of pandemic on cruise industry spills over to airline sector as new COVID-19 cases continue to surge".

 

Here are some of their story/analysis highlights: “Shares of cruise operators were hit hard Monday, as they failed to ride the rising tide of the broader stock market after Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced an extension of its cruise suspensions until next year.  Investor disappointment over Norwegian Cruise’s move, which comes as more countries announce lockdown measures as new COVID-19 cases surge, also extended to most airline stocks.  Norwegian’s move may have also fueled growing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic heading into the winter months, with the U.S. averaging more than 80,000 new cases a day in the past week, up 45% from the average two weeks ago. And as new cases also surge in Europe, a number of countries have enforced new lockdown measures.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cruise-stocks-dive-to-buck-broad-market-rally-after-norwegian-extends-suspensions-11604335487?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D83525736702819880560616321424717637990|MCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%40AdobeOrg|TS%3D1604414747

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Nice visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic location. Over 47,556 views.    

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

[cruiseej]

3 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

What "shocks" Wall Street these days is an interesting question/debate during these challenged times!!!

 

3 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced an extension of its cruise suspensions until next year.  Investor disappointment over Norwegian Cruise’s move...

 

How can investors, whether individual or large institutional investors, have been expecting anything else? With the US having record levels of new cases, and much of Europe hunkering down for stringent lockdowns this month, a delay until January (or beyond) in the resumption of (most) cruising seems obvious. Yet the analysts are telling us it caught investors by surprise??

 

I just don't think I'll ever understand Wall Street! 😉 

 

(Like last week, when Apple released quarterly numbers which beat the same quarter last year, when there was no pandemic and they had introduced a new line of phones -- yet the price dropped because analysts were disappointed Apple didn't provide any earnings estimates for the next quarter. Even though Apple just introduced their new iPhone 12 line which has a lot of pent up demand for 5G service and they're introducing new Macs next week. It's amazing that the analysts set their own expectations, without guidance from the company, and then punish the stock if reality doesn't beat their guesses. Sheesh!)

 

Back to cruise line stocks, they soared a bit twice last month for no really good reason. Oooh, a couple cruise lines completed a few short short cruises, so we can extrapolate that cruising is resuming and stock prices are undervalued! Buy, buy, buy! Oh, wait, the pandemic is still with us, and cruising will be delayed. Sell, sell, sell!! It's been painfully obvious to us as interested but casual observers that there's a long and slow path to recovery for the cruise lines. Heck, even the cruise line executives, who are prone to hype and hyperbole and frothing positivity, have been painting that realistic picture of what the future holds. Yet Wall Street can't take it slow and steady, so the stocks are subject to giant roller coaster climbs and falls on every hiccup or smile, when the long-term picture hasn't changed much in the past month.

[taxatty]

CLIA has now announced that the suspension of cruises in US waters through the end of 2020 will apply across the board, as reported by USA Today.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/11/03/cruises-2021-industry-extends-us-sailing-suspension-until-next-year/6133922002/?for-guid=567c071b-5a1f-4ef9-9f0a-7ff04d1ab99c&utm_source=usatoday-Travel&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=baseline&utm_term=hero

[Randyk47]

I want with all my heart and mind that you all get to cruise from US ports in January if for no other reason than it means we have collectively turned the corner on this pandemic.   My heart and mind notwithstanding I think January and even into spring is more of a dream and hope than a reality.   With no viable treatments for the multiple symptoms, no approved and widely available vaccine or vaccines, and the significant increase in cases in the Northern Hemisphere it is not encouraging.

Edited November 3, 2020 by Randyk47

[A Tucson Guy]

I am wondering if my Thanksgiving 2021 cruise Dubai to Mumbai will even happen- hope springs eternal!!

[spinnaker2]

Silver Spirit is  Malta at the moment

 

[TLCOhio]

On 11/5/2020 at 7:49 AM, chrism23 said:

This has to be the longest running thread in the history of Cruise Critic.  I have new idea,  (Oh No).  Randy, your piece from last Friday where you listed many, if not most of the hurdles that Silversea would have to overcome to sail again was superb, really well thought out, albeit that it portrayed a reality more daunting than I imagined.  This is starting to feel like a cyber community of some sort.  

 

YES!!  This thread has received and shared many excellent comments, questions, etc.  Keep it coming!!!  We are still many, many weeks until things return to any form close to what might be called "normal".

 

From the Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch reporting late last week, they had this headline: “Cruises from the U.S. can begin sailing again — but be ready for shorter voyages, multiple COVID tests and no more buffets” with this sub-headline: "While the cruise industry can start to take steps to reopen, the CDC’s final approval could take months to receive."

 

Here are more story highlights: “Public-health officials have given cruise lines the green light to begin a phased reopening in the U.S. following months of no-sail orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.  But it could be months before travelers start sailing the high seas again out of American ports.  Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it was not extending the full no-sail order that had shut down the cruise industry for months. The no-sail order, as a result, expired on Oct. 31, and in its place the CDC introduced a conditional sail order laying out the requirements that cruise lines must meet to resume operations.  However, on Tuesday, the Cruise Line International Association, the primary trade group representing the cruise industry, announced that its members had elected to voluntarily suspend operations in the U.S. through the rest of the year.”

 

Here are a couple of added key points from their reporting/analysis: "Some sailings may be canceled even after a cruise line starts operating again.  One restriction the CDC is keeping in place is that cruises, once allowed, can be no longer than seven days. And the public-health agency reserved the right to shorten (or expand) that time frame going forward.  That short time frame may not preclude popular itineraries, such as cruises to the Bahamas or Western Caribbean. But it could mean that certain sailings will not be able to happen. For instance, Panama Canal voyages would not be feasible. Similarly, trips from California to Hawaii and Alaska would likely be off the table based on that timeframe, Chiron said.  Going on a cruise vacation will involve multiple COVID-19 tests.  The CDC itself requires that passengers and crew be screened on the day of embarkation and the day of return. Passengers will also be required to have been tested and received results prior to getting on the ship.  Many of the perks and amenities of a cruise vacation may be curtailed.  The cruising experience may not be as carefree as it once was so long as the pandemic continues, experts said. 'We can expect to see much of what we also see on land.'  Rather than being able to plan out your own activities when visiting a port, travelers will be required to book a pre-designed excursion from the cruise line directly.  In fact, cruise lines will likely be so strict about what passengers can and can’t do when at a port of call that rule-breakers could be denied re-entry to the ship.  The other factor here is whether Caribbean nations will allow cruise ships to return. At least one cruise line has resumed sailings out of Barbados, but the region otherwise has not seen activity since the pandemic began. While the cruise industry is critical to many of these countries’ economies, the public health risk could lead to some states opting not to allow visitors in."

 

Full story at:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cruises-can-start-a-phased-reopening-but-be-ready-for-shorter-voyages-multiple-covid-tests-and-no-more-buffets-11604542627?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D90210640688701282522873839270861036918|MCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%40AdobeOrg|TS%3D1604855181

 

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 252,345 views.

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

 

[TLCOhio]

Forget large-scale cruise ship stops in Key West!!  Gone, maybe!   Good or bad?  BUT, however, exact details and certain specifics are little unclear and to-be-determined. 

 

From the Fox News business website, they had this headline this past week: “Key West votes to limit cruise ships because of coronavirus pandemic” with these highlights: “Residents of Key West have voted to impose restrictions on cruise ships.  Three coronavirus-related referendums were voted on Tuesday.  In total, 63.33% voted in favor of limiting the number of cruise guests who can disembark per day to 1,500, 60.69% voted in favor of prohibiting cruise ships carrying 1,300 guests or more from disembarking and 81.20% voted to give priority to cruise lines that have the best environmental and health records, according to preliminary results reported from Keys Weekly.  Before the global coronavirus pandemic hit the cruise industry, nearly 400 ships brought 1.2 million cruise guests to the shores of Key West in 2019, according to the Miami Herald.  It is not immediately clear how the referendums and the CDC framework have affected operation plans for 2021.”

 

While we have never done a cruise ship stop in Key West, we love the character, style, history, etc., for this unique, "Southern Most" city in the United States from a number of visit driving down the super scenic Overseas Highway.

 

Full story at:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/key-west-votes-limit-cruises-coronavirus-pandemic

 

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 240,749 views.

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

[TLCOhio]

From Forbes Magazine four days ago, they had this headline: “First Cruise Ship To Offer Onboard COVID-19 Testing Has Arrived” with these highlights: “Viking Star will offer daily PCR testing to all passengers and crew via the first floating laboratory of its kind at sea.  Once considered the petri-dish of the pre-pandemic era, cruise ships, and the cruise industry in general, have been making serious strides towards a better, cleaner future. This week, those strides come to us from luxury cruise line Viking, who says they have just completed the first of its kind PCR laboratory at sea.  Capable of testing all guests and crew aboard their 930-passenger vessel Viking Star, the lab, and subsequent PCR testing, will consist of a non-invasive saliva sample, according to a statement released by Viking.  The newly built lab aboard Viking Star has enough capacity for daily testing of every crew member and guest in the hopes of providing the 'flexibility needed to respond to COVID-19 prevalence levels around the world.'   A demonstration of the new PCR lab, as well as the new design and operating procedures, will be made available once the Viking Star arrives in Oslo, Norway in mid-November, Viking said.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellegross/2020/11/04/the-first-cruise-ship-to-offer-onboard-covid-19-testing-has-arrived/?sh=631d4c9b2bde

 

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 231,278 views.

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

[TLCOhio]

From MSN News and written by experienced travel writer Gene Sloan this morning, they had this headline: “I just boarded the first cruise ship to sail in the Caribbean since March. This is what the process was like” with these highlights: “The process of getting on board a cruise ship is going to be a little different for a while. But maybe not as different as you might think. Within minutes of arriving at the port of Barbados on Saturday afternoon to board the first cruise ship to resume sailing in the Caribbean since March, I found myself in a medical tent, face-to-face with two staffers in full Contagion gear — masks, goggles, medical gowns, the works.  They were there to test me for COVID-19 — my second such test in just three days. It’s a new requirement for anyone who wants to step onto the vessel, SeaDream Yacht Club’s SeaDream 1.  I also had my temperature taken, underwent a pulse oxidation test, was asked to sanitize my hands, had my luggage sprayed down with sanitizer — even my hand luggage! — and had to produce several pages of medical-related forms.”

 

Here is more from this former USA Today travel reporter/expert: "Compared to the way boarding a cruise ship was just a few months ago, it was all a bit bizarre.  But it also was not nearly as obtrusive as I had imagined. And it was all over relatively quickly.  From the moment I was dropped off at the port in a private, COVID-safe transfer, to the moment I stepped on board SeaDream 1 — a new, negative COVID test officially under my belt — less than one hour had passed.  Forty-eight minutes to be exact.  Assuming all goes well with this sailing and more than a dozen other voyages SeaDream plans in the region over the coming weeks, it’ll prove that a safe resumption of cruising in the Caribbean — the world’s biggest cruise destination — is possible."

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/i-just-boarded-the-first-cruise-ship-to-sail-in-the-caribbean-since-march-this-is-what-the-process-was-like/ar-BB1aOiJJ

 

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 89,077 views.

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

[Randyk47]

Good reporting Terry.  Certainly there is some hope that these small efforts blossom into bigger ships, more open ports, well defined procedures, etc.   Scaling to larger ships is possible but then again we’re talking 112 guests at full capacity and under 100 crew and staff with SeaDream yachts.   In the meantime we still continue to slide backwards with the pandemic.   I can’t help but wonder if the new US administration isn’t going to have to tighten things up in late January if the situation doesn’t turn around by then.  Certainly a large part of Europe has or is headed back to the late spring/early summer restrictions, bans, and curfews.   

[TLCOhio]

18 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Good reporting Terry.  Certainly there is some hope that these small efforts blossom into bigger ships, more open ports, well defined procedures, etc.   Scaling to larger ships is possible but then again we’re talking 112 guests at full capacity and under 100 crew and staff with SeaDream yachts.   In the meantime we still continue to slide backwards with the pandemic.   I can’t help but wonder if the new US administration isn’t going to have to tighten things up in late January if the situation doesn’t turn around by then.  Certainly a large part of Europe has or is headed back to the late spring/early summer restrictions, bans, and curfews.   

 

Great above background and comments from Randy.  Many challenges are still ahead in dealing with Covid.  As happened in certain states, including here in Ohio under our Governor Mike DeWine, the push to "FLATTENED THE CURVE", worked.  Initially.   BUT, we did not make the virus go away.  It was simply "delayed" and pushed out into the future.  It's still out there.  Risks have not gone away.  However, this morning there was promising vaccine news.  Maybe, if and if??!! 

 

From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication of Barron's this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise Stocks Get a Boost on Vaccine News. Return to Sailing Is Still a Way Off.” with these highlights: “Cruise stocks were making 20%-plus gains Monday morning following positive news about progress on developing a coronavirus vaccine. Carnival, the largest of the big three U.S. cruise operators, was at $18 and change Monday morning, up more than 30% on the session. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings had gained more than 20% to around $21.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.barrons.com/articles/cruise-stocks-get-a-shot-in-the-arm-on-vaccine-news-return-to-sailing-is-still-a-way-off-51604936372?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D82793203267160828523351825210851149591|MCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%40AdobeOrg|TS%3D1604939323

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 67,631 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696