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

[chrism23]

I have been quiet for awhile but its time for a couple of observations.  I love this thread. Doesn't the picture of Richard Fain posted by Stumblefoot with his hair blowing around look like John Goodman, one of my favorite actors.  I looked at it without reading and thought what the hell does John Goodman have to do with this.  Regarding DeSantis, he is already running for President in 2024.  He is going to milk this issue for every sound byte, media mention, his face on TV that he possibly can.  It is millions of dollars of free publicity. He has learned from the master.  

 

Then I must be unpopular.  For the immediate future I support a 100% vaccinated mandate except for people with documented medical conditions of which there are very few. For both crew and passengers.  Pfizer has begun testing on children as young as 6 months.  There have been reported cases of infection in infants and more importantly with all the variants the virus is spinning off god only knows what age groups are going to get hit hard next.  Yes there are risk factors, the solution is simply young ones don't sail until this is sorted out.   Sailing is an optional activity not an entitlement.   It should be the parent's determination whether their child is vaccinated and sails or not.   No vaccination, you stay ashore, under present circumstances.  (Besides I hate kids)  Mickey, Minnie and Goofy may have to take a hit. Humor.  

 

Then I second Randyk's point on the logistics of getting the crew back and vaccinated.  Couple this with Frank Del Rio's assertion that it will take at least 90 days to have a ship ready to sail, bottom line is we are not going anyplace any time soon.  I got absolutely skewered in another thread.  I have signed up for the Silver Moon grand voyage in 01/23, and I was just checking out the scuttlebutt on the Moon, and lo and behold, the Moon is scheduled to sail from Piraeus on June 18th.   I tried to say that Greece's infection rate is spiking, that Turkey has just locked the country down for 17 days, as well as the crew issue and others, and I got my butt kicked.  I'll say it here again, and once again volunteer to become a human pineta, its not going to happen.  No way.  I'll wait with baited breath for Ms. Muckerman, god I would hate to have her job, tells you different on May 18th.  

 

Terry deserves some sort of award for keeping this thread running and the extremely useful information that it provides.  I think it is perhaps the best source of information on the cruise industry and what is happening on the web.  Hell, Terry, if I see you on a future SS cruise I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.  

 

 

 

[Silver Spectre]

57 minutes ago, chrism23 said:

Hell, Terry, if I see you on a future SS cruise I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.  

 

 

 

Monopole or Pommery?

 

By the way I agree with you, 100% vaccinated, no ifs no buts.

[TLCOhio]

25 minutes ago, chrism23 said:

I love this thread.  I second Randyk's point on the logistics of getting the crew back and vaccinated.  Couple this with Frank Del Rio's assertion that it will take at least 90 days to have a ship ready to sail, bottom line is we are not going anyplace any time soon.   Terry deserves some sort of award for keeping this thread running and the extremely useful information that it provides.  I think it is perhaps the best source of information on the cruise industry and what is happening on the web.  Hell, Terry, if I see you on a future SS cruise I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.  

 

Super appreciate the very kind comments and follow-up from our friend in New England.  YES, I would love to take you up on your nice offer to buy me a bottle of Champagne.  Both Monopole or Pommery would be sounding wonderful!!  Doing both the fun beverage and sailing together would be an exciting experience!  Having personally toured the caves of Pommery in Reims, France, maybe I would lean to that excellent brand as my first choice.  

 

As to the question of the Florida Governor versus NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio, both love media attention and are not shy in their comments.  BUT, my  "take-it-to-the-bank"  prediction is that Norwegian Cruise Line will not stop its sailings from Florida.  They will work it out.  BOTH the Florida Governor and the NCLH CEO are very unhappy with the CDC and the lack of forward-looking "clarity" from this Federal health bureaucracy.  It will take time and patience, but a solution will come forward during the next few weeks.  Maybe??  Sooner . . . or later!!

 

From the FOX business news anchor Neil Cavuto yesterday, they did a lengthy, live interview with cruise executive Frank Del Rio. Here is their summary headline: “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO: CDC guidelines for cruises are ‘stupid’ ” with this key highlights: “the CDC is ‘trying to prevent’ people from cruising and he’s ‘had it’ with their guidelines.”  As mentioned, Del Rio is not shy or subtle. View it and make your own judgement. Del Rio says the CDC will be requiring, even with all passenger on the ship having received vaccine, to be putting their masks back on after every single bite of food or/or each sip of a beverage.  Masks on and off constantly!!??  Plus, when outdoors when sunbathing by the pool, you must wear masks.    Del Rio views this as totally unfair compared to how all other transportation and entertainment venues are being treated by the CDC.  In this interview, Del Rio was very combative and openly attacking the CDC. Is Del Rio correct and/or unfair with his comments and frustration?

 

View full video/interview at:

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6253235741001#sp=show-clips

 

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 253,443 views.

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

 

From the cable business news interview that NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio did Friday afternoon, here is how he appeared.  Was his hair and background superior compared to that of Royal Caribbean's top executive??.:

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

[etual324]

CDC Guidelines

Mask wearing

The CDC makes clear that it expects guests and crew, as well as port personnel, to wear masks in indoor and outdoor areas except for brief periods while eating and drinking and says that "removal of the mask for extended meal service or beverage consumption would constitute a violation of this Order."

he mask order includes while guests are seated in outdoor pool areas.  If you are swimming you can remove your mask as long as you maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet --with the number of bathers restricted. Cruisers will not have to wear masks in their own cabins.

Social distancing

The CDC also suggests as a best practice that face-to-face interactions between crew and passengers be reduced "to the extent possible."

The CDC order requires social distancing of at least 6 feet "between individuals who are not traveling companions or part of the same family."

Cruise ships must also put in place crowd reduction measures in all areas where passengers congregate and high traffic areas such as limiting capacity in restaurants and entertainment venues. In theaters and casinos, ships have to provide social distancing between seats -- and "set up physical barriers where it is difficult for individuals to remain at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart."

 

 

[Lois R]

I agree, Terry gets the gold medal for keeping us all updated about everything🙂 and the information has been enlightening for sure.

[A Tucson Guy]

2 hours ago, chrism23 said:

I have been quiet for awhile but its time for a couple of observations.  I love this thread. Doesn't the picture of Richard Fain posted by Stumblefoot with his hair blowing around look like John Goodman, one of my favorite actors.  I looked at it without reading and thought what the hell does John Goodman have to do with this.  Regarding DeSantis, he is already running for President in 2024.  He is going to milk this issue for every sound byte, media mention, his face on TV that he possibly can.  It is millions of dollars of free publicity. He has learned from the master.  

 

Then I must be unpopular.  For the immediate future I support a 100% vaccinated mandate except for people with documented medical conditions of which there are very few. For both crew and passengers.  Pfizer has begun testing on children as young as 6 months.  There have been reported cases of infection in infants and more importantly with all the variants the virus is spinning off god only knows what age groups are going to get hit hard next.  Yes there are risk factors, the solution is simply young ones don't sail until this is sorted out.   Sailing is an optional activity not an entitlement.   It should be the parent's determination whether their child is vaccinated and sails or not.   No vaccination, you stay ashore, under present circumstances.  (Besides I hate kids)  Mickey, Minnie and Goofy may have to take a hit. Humor.  

 

Then I second Randyk's point on the logistics of getting the crew back and vaccinated.  Couple this with Frank Del Rio's assertion that it will take at least 90 days to have a ship ready to sail, bottom line is we are not going anyplace any time soon.  I got absolutely skewered in another thread.  I have signed up for the Silver Moon grand voyage in 01/23, and I was just checking out the scuttlebutt on the Moon, and lo and behold, the Moon is scheduled to sail from Piraeus on June 18th.   I tried to say that Greece's infection rate is spiking, that Turkey has just locked the country down for 17 days, as well as the crew issue and others, and I got my butt kicked.  I'll say it here again, and once again volunteer to become a human pineta, its not going to happen.  No way.  I'll wait with baited breath for Ms. Muckerman, god I would hate to have her job, tells you different on May 18th.  

 

Terry deserves some sort of award for keeping this thread running and the extremely useful information that it provides.  I think it is perhaps the best source of information on the cruise industry and what is happening on the web.  Hell, Terry, if I see you on a future SS cruise I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.  

 

I partially agree with what you have stated but the no vaccination and no cruise should apply to everybody on the ship, not just children. Let's say there are adults that for whatever reason can't be vaccinated. They go on a shore excursion and catch covid and bring it back on the ship. I have been vaccinated but I catch the virus with no symptoms. Multiply this by 50 to 100 other people. Now that we have the virus (with no symptoms) and we are not able to fly back to the US of A or wherever our homes are.   We are stuck in a foreign land- nice. I think you are either pregnant or not pregnant- you can't be almost pregnant! Until this is over, those that medically cannot take the vaccine should not be cruising. Sorry but I think this is the new reality. Tough love!

 

 

[A Tucson Guy]

I partially agree with what Chrism23 has stated above but the no vaccination and no cruise should apply to everybody on the ship, not just children. Let's say there are adults that for whatever reason can't be vaccinated. They go on a shore excursion and catch covid and bring it back on the ship. I have been vaccinated but I catch the virus with no symptoms. Multiply this by 50 to 100 other people. Now that we have the virus (with no symptoms) and we are not able to fly back to the US of A or wherever our homes are.   We are stuck in a foreign land- nice. I think you are either pregnant or not pregnant- you can't be almost pregnant! Until this is over, those that medically cannot take the vaccine should not be cruising. Sorry but I think this is the new reality. Tough love!

[QueSeraSera]

1 hour ago, A Tucson Guy said:

those that medically cannot take the vaccine should not be cruising. Sorry but I think this is the new reality.

Agreed.

Additionally, medically exempt should require an M.D. has signed off on the exemption.  This was not  what I observed locally at retail when it seemed anyone could declare they were medically exempt from wearing a mask.

 

 

[tosteve1]

https://thepointsguy.com/news/australia-wont-reopen-2022/
 

Not the news I was looking for, but not surprised. We are booked on the Muse February 2002 from Sydney. 

[cece50]

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Super appreciate the very kind comments and follow-up from our friend in New England.  YES, I would love to take you up on your nice offer to buy me a bottle of Champagne.  Both Monopole or Pommery would be sounding wonderful!!  Doing both the fun beverage and sailing together would be an exciting experience!  Having personally toured the caves of Pommery in Reims, France, maybe I would lean to that excellent brand as my first choice.  

 

As to the question of the Florida Governor versus NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio, both love media attention and are not shy in their comments.  BUT, my  "take-it-to-the-bank"  prediction is that Norwegian Cruise Line will not stop its sailings from Florida.  They will work it out.  BOTH the Florida Governor and the NCLH CEO are very unhappy with the CDC and the lack of forward-looking "clarity" from this Federal health bureaucracy.  It will take time and patience, but a solution will come forward during the next few weeks.  Maybe??  Sooner . . . or later!!

 

From the FOX business news anchor Neil Cavuto yesterday, they did a lengthy, live interview with cruise executive Frank Del Rio. Here is their summary headline: “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO: CDC guidelines for cruises are ‘stupid’ ” with this key highlights: “the CDC is ‘trying to prevent’ people from cruising and he’s ‘had it’ with their guidelines.”  As mentioned, Del Rio is not shy or subtle. View it and make your own judgement. Del Rio says the CDC will be requiring, even with all passenger on the ship having received vaccine, to be putting their masks back on after every single bite of food or/or each sip of a beverage.  Masks on and off constantly!!??  Plus, when outdoors when sunbathing by the pool, you must wear masks.    Del Rio views this as totally unfair compared to how all other transportation and entertainment venues are being treated by the CDC.  In this interview, Del Rio was very combative and openly attacking the CDC. Is Del Rio correct and/or unfair with his comments and frustration?

 

View full video/interview at:

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6253235741001#sp=show-clips

 

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 253,443 views.

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

 

From the cable business news interview that NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio did Friday afternoon, here is how he appeared.  Was his hair and background superior compared to that of Royal Caribbean's top executive??.:

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

I agree Terry that Gov DeSantis & Mr Del Rio will comes to terms. I don’t think the Gov wants to tell him how to run his business. His posture is to keep mandates at a minimum, but will come to agree that large cruise ships are for the time being smart to allow only vaccinated passengers.  Their common ground is their opposition to the CDC bizarre protocols that will be mandated onboard.  Norwegian will not sail from anywhere this summer. 

[worldtraveller99]

I wonder how long it will be until people rebel re the constant wearing of masks? I take A Tucson Guy's point re the (hopefully slim) possibility of a vaccinated passenger catching the virus in a port - so maybe only pretty much vaccinated countries should be visited? Another argument for helping the worldwide vaccination programme. 

[kimanjo]

What I just don't understand.  Pick any bar/resturant here in the US.  Their are people drinking 3-4 hours til midnight, indoors, poor ventilation, no masks, shouting over loud music possibly. Many, unvaccinated patrons and servers.

 

Why on earth is outdoors on a pool deck, glorious ventilation,100% vaccinated ( and crew) would the CDC say a mask is necessary??  They already just said, outdoor, vaccinated people don't need to wear a mask.  I just doesn't make any scientific sense.  

 

And, what is different about a "bubble" of 100% vaxxed households being together, safely without masks, really any different than a ship of 100% vaxxed persons being together.  At least the people boarding the ship ALSO will have the extra layer of being tested before boarding. That layer does't happen now in group get-togethers.

 

We also know, the chance of a vaxxed person serious illness or death from Covid, is less than .001 .  If it even makes it on the ship, and if it even manages to find a host, it will be asymptomatic, and find difficulty being able  to jump from one pax to another.  You will NEVER get a super spreader event on a ship of 100% vaxxed pax and crew. 

 

Sure, socially distance tables in the indoor dining venues and bars and theatre, gym. No masks needed.  And absolutely no masks for outdoors.  This would probably be so much easier to start for the 300-500 pax ships ( sailing at reduced capacity). They need to get those sailings underway, as "test" runs to show what community immunity looks like with 100% people vaxxed.

 

Rant over.

 

 

[worldtraveller99]

Go kimanjo!

[Lois R]

Good morning.......this is just to lighten up the room a little bit on this Sunday........I want to take a moment and wish all the Mom's, Grandma's, Step Mom's, etc.....whoever is in the role.........

and wish all of you 

[daddyo]

https://news.yahoo.com/greeks-holiday-cancellations-pouring-country-154711280.html
 

 

not good news!

[Lirio]

13 hours ago, worldtraveller99 said:

I wonder how long it will be until people rebel re the constant wearing of masks? I take A Tucson Guy's point re the (hopefully slim) possibility of a vaccinated passenger catching the virus in a port - so maybe only pretty much vaccinated countries should be visited? Another argument for helping the worldwide vaccination programme. 

I wouldnt go to a country with high rate of covid 19. So many variants.

[Stumblefoot]

5 minutes ago, Lirio said:

I wouldnt go to a country with high rate of covid 19. So many variants.

How are things in Brazil?

[chrism23]

Quite a few things.  Daddy'O's link above on Greece does show it raising its alert level to Amber.  I want to put this in reverse context.  The SS inaugural  Silver Moon cruise is slated to depart Piraeus on June 18th which is being much ballyhooed. And nearly all of its spring and summer schedule is sailing out of Piraeus If the Greeks have put a rigorous testing and quarantine system in place for their own citizens how are they going to deal with the hundreds of tourists coming in to board  and disembark the Moon and scores of other ships.  Also 2 PCR tests and a 10 day quarantine?  This I assume goes for everyone not just SS passengers  And it has to be a sign that the situation in Greece is getting worse rather than better.  Second, I have a good friend who holds both US and Israeli passports.  She is trying to return home.  Israel has a similar system as the Greeks's amber system, a PCR test 3 days before departure.  Another PCR test on arrival, and then a hard lock down quarantine for 10 days as if you were in jail.  And she is vaccinated.   This includes spot checks and arrests.  The SS June 18th itinerary includes stops at Haifa (beautiful gardens) and Ashod in Israel.  Does anyone for one second believe that the Israels are going to let cruise passengers disembark with such Draconian measures in place for their own citizens.  No, no, and further more, no.  This leads to something that I fear is most likely to happen, that ports as advertised will be scratched.  Resulting in a lot of sea days and disappointment.  

 

I feel that SS has to know this. I realize that Ms. Muckermann has a forum scheduled for May 18th.  They have to, indeed, the whole cruise industry, has to start being honest about the situation.  They aren't.  They  keep running magical thinking scenarios.  They are not going to be landing in Israel, unless hell freezes over, and since Israel is the land of miracles anything is possible, but really...   

 

Oh BTW, in the NYTmes yesterday there was an article basically saying that the 6 foot transmission criteria is worthless, spread is by aerosol particles that can remain in the air for hours.  I tried to post the link here but I can't make it work for non-subscribers, so please go look it up, it is urgent and worth it.  Don't throw your masks away this for awhile.  

 

And Terry  I first knew that SS was a class act when getting on board they were pouring Mo-No-Pol as their house champagne.  It is the second label of Piper-Heidesick and goes for $35--40 a bottle here.  Classy plonk.  But, for you, I will smuggle a board a bottle of Kristal or Dom,  your choice.   Hell if I ever get on ship again, I'll buy a case and we can all have a party.   Cheers.  Chris

 

[kimanjo]

Chrism23 and others...

 

Isn't the real, bottom line, how "dangerous" a vaccinated person to others, and to themselves???

 

We have pretty good idea of harm  to ourselves through tracking  breakthrough cases.  Serious illness and death.  Something like .01%.  Mostly deaths were in the aged. Serious illness about the same. ( that's the number after being unlucky enough of being one of those breakthrough cases, something like 9,000 of 97,000,000)

 

Danger to others...should one contract the virus after being vaccinated, how much of a "virus shedder" can you be, and infect others?

 

That I see is the basic calculation countries have to make in order to not loose another tourist $$$ summer. And the cruiselines are also making that calculation.  To prove a ship filled with 100% vaccinated people is about as safe as you can get anywhere, at this point in time.

 

Where in the world can you find a "community" of 100% vaxxed people??? And won't we know in short order, after those Royal Caribbean Bahamas sailing in  mid June.  I believe RCCL is 95% and 98% crew requirements, so not as perfect as SS and the other requiring 100%.

 

 

 

[Stumblefoot]

6 hours ago, chrism23 said:

I will smuggle a board a bottle of Kristal or Dom,  your choice.

No smuggling required.  Both are available on the ship. 🙂

[docruth]

6 hours ago, kimanjo said:

 … Mostly deaths were in the aged... 

 

Um, I’m not so sure that’s the case anymore. The elderly, the weak and the infirm always succumb first in a pandemic, but the rest of the population usually follows. The risk only increases as the virus mutates and forms new variants. My real concern is really about the lingering effects after having Covid, especially for kids and working parents, mental deficits are pretty common ones. So called Covid brain fog.

 

If you look at the burials in Brazil, and the cremations in India, the numbers are massive, but we’re not seeing all old folks. Those countries are known for how well they responded to smallpox and MMR vaccine programs. Now, more folks being taken in their prime because they have to go to work, get exposed there, and are infected as they can’t or won’t get vaccinated. Many of the ports I’d like to go to have a very low percentage of vaccinated populations.

 

I’d like to be wrong here, however there seems to be a growing consensus among world leaders that handling this pandemic is going in the wrong direction, not improving, and that concerns me.

 

Yep, I’m officially today's Debbie Downer. lol

 

Cheers,

 

Doc Ruth

Edited May 10, 2021 by docruth

[Mocamps]

Just to clarify as I think some may be getting the wrong end of the stick?

 

It's the UK who have classed Greece as Amber and not Greece itself? And a lot of people are pretty disappointed about that - especially those of us who are hoping to cruise from Piraeus this summer.

 

But we're optimistic that this will change as I think that Greece is stepping up its vaccinations, especially on the islands.

[TLCOhio]

On 5/10/2021 at 6:49 AM, chrism23 said:

Quite a few things.  And Terry  I first knew that SS was a class act when getting on board they were pouring Mo-No-Pol as their house champagne.  It is the second label of Piper-Heidesick and goes for $35--40 a bottle here. For you, I will smuggle a board a bottle of Kristal or Dom,  your choice.   Hell if I ever get on ship again, I'll buy a case and we can all have a party.   Cheers.  Chris

 

Appreciate this great follow-up and offer by Chris for that wonderful case of Champagne.  YES!!!  Nice, friendly offers and opportunities.  A bottle of Dom would be nice, too!!  Here is a picture below from when visited the source where the Dom is produced in France.   All sounds excellent!!!  BUT??

 

Below are a couple of stories that might be of interest.  From USA Today late yesterday afternoon, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line aims for July restart from Florida and Texas, cancels other sailings through July” with these highlights: “Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Corp.'s flagship line, announced schedule shifts Tuesday, canceling some cruises as it jockeys to restart some sailings in U.S. waters in July on select ships.  'Carnival hopes to begin operating sailings on three ships from Florida and Texas, including Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, and Carnival Horizon from Miami,' the cruise line said in a statement.  Cruises could start sailing from U.S. ports this summer, according to a letter from the CDC to the cruise industry that USA TODAY obtained late last month. If the company can also find a solution for cruise ships to visit Alaska, where ships are unable to sail through February 2022 due to Canada's cruise ban, then Carnival Miracle will take on some of Carnival Freedom's Seattle departures.”

 

Second is from this stock market web review site and MSN News this morning with this headline: "Summer Is Sailing Away From Cruise Line Stocks" with these story highlights: "For a while, it looked as though the stormy seas of the pandemic would calm in time for the major cruise lines to get their U.S.-based ships fully back into operation and sailing from domestic ports again by mid-July. Now, it's clear that was a bit too optimistic a view.  Carnival is canceling voyages on most of its ships until the beginning of August, depriving it of revenues for another portion of the seasonally potent summer travel period.  Cruises have historically been a popular year-round vacation option for retirees and other seasoned travelers, but now, the operators are trying to market them to younger potential customers. And families' windows for travel are largely open during the summer, spring break, or year-end holidays when kids are out of school.  Given that, August might seem like prime summer cruising season, but public school students in Galveston and Miami return to their classrooms for the new school year on Aug. 23. Obviously, cruise sailings aren't just for home port locals, but after more than a year of repeated cancellations, it will be hard for anyone else to take scheduled restart dates seriously until after Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line have actually started bringing passengers aboard again."

 

Full stories at:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2021/05/11/carnival-cruise-line-eyes-july-restart-3-ships-florida-texas/5043111001/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/summer-is-sailing-away-from-cruise-line-stocks/ar-BB1gED0R?ocid=BingNewsSearch

 

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 241,851 views.

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

 

From "The Source", here is a wonderful, historic site in France.  Great, refreshing beverages!!  And, Champagne always tastes better when enjoyed on a classic cruise ship like when with Silversea and nice fellow passengers??!!:

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

[TLCOhio]

From USA Today this evening, they had this headline: “CDC loosens mask requirement for COVID-vaccinated cruise passengers” with these highlights: “In a major win for vaccinated cruise fans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its Conditional Sailing Order on Wednesday to loosen mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated cruise passengers. The update also allows vaccinated cruise passengers to explore independently on shore at ports of call.  In the updated rules for the resumption of cruises, the CDC says cruise ship operators 'at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that – if they are fully vaccinated – they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings.'   The CDC further says cruise lines may allow fully vaccinated passengers to explore ports on their own. The agency says those who are vaccinated 'may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops, if they wear a mask while indoors.'  The CDC notes, however, that foreign countries could have their own requirements concerning independent port exploration.  Cited as particularly onerous in the original guidance were restrictions on how long cruise passengers can take off their masks to dine, as well as rules to wear a mask outdoors by the pool. The updates appear to address some of these concerns.”

 

Good news??  Common sense could be coming to the CDC??

 

Full story at:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2021/05/12/cdc-cruise-guidelines-no-masks-covid-fully-vaccinated/5064871001/

 

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 233,270 views.

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

[TLCOhio]

From the Washington Post this evening, they had this headline: “CDC lifts some mask rules for vaccinated cruise passengers” with these highlights: “Cruise passengers who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to take their masks off outdoors as long as they aren’t in crowds, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.  The agency included the new guidance in an update to its operations manual for cruise lines to follow when they eventually restart sailing under new coronavirus-era rules.  'Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that — if they are fully vaccinated — they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings,' the manual says.  Spokeswoman Caitlin Shockey said the revision was made to 'align with the CDC’s current guidance for fully vaccinated people.'  More updates are coming soon, she added.”

 

Here is more: "Passengers are also advised not to wear masks when doing anything that might get them wet, like swimming. Instead, the CDC says, it is “particularly important” for people to keep at least six feet of distance from anyone who isn’t part of their traveling group.  Ships are supposed to reduce the number of people who use pools and other water facilities to allow for enough distance between users who aren’t together, and place pool chairs or sun beds six feet apart unless they are being used by members of the same group."

 

Both credible media sources seem to agree!!  Must be true and happening.  Right?

 

Full story at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/05/12/cruise-mask-rules-covid-cdc/

 

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 90,401 views.

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