Would you go on a "socially distance" cruise

[iancal]

2 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

To a great extent, that's how things would work.  Some have mentioned assigned dining times, room service required on certain nights to offload MDR, etc.   Specified times to use the pool.  I imagine shore excursions would be restrained, only limited seating on buses, masks required, etc.  Why bother.  

I cannot imagine what anyone would pay for this.  Am I missing something?   Seems to me that the cruise lines would have to pay people to subject them to these restrictions.

[RocketMan275]

5 minutes ago, iancal said:

I cannot imagine what anyone would pay for this.  Am I missing something?   Seems to me that the cruise lines would have to pay people to subject them to these restrictions.

There would seem to be a number of posters here on CC who would.  Their posts indicate that they want these restrictions imposed to minimize their vulnerabilities to the virus.  

[KroozNut]

On 6/9/2020 at 2:07 PM, vswan said:

We just got back from a local casino - an overnight stay. After months of being careful, wearing my mask, wipes in the car, social distancing, I was ready to go out and about. Most state casinos have been open a week or more. Knew I'd have to wear a mask and deal with other safety precautions. It was not pleasant. Even though I've become used to the mask for shopping, etc., it was different to have to wear all the time. The place was very clean and people were careful with distancing, but the atmosphere was skittish. We took our food to our room to eat, staff walked around reminding people to only take their mask off when drinking, then immediately put it back on. It was far from normal and even though it felt good to get away from home, I won't be doing it again anytime soon. Can't imagine a cruise being any fun under these types of restrictions...

 

This is exactly the type of experience I would rather avoid when it comes to cruising. Doesn't sound like ANY fun to me.

[RocketMan275]

It's looking more and more likely that we will cancel our December cruise.  Even if HAL doesn't require social distancing, masks, etc., it's looking more likely that we will get more 'stink eye' looks than if we wore cut off blue jeans to the MDR on formal nights.

[HAL4NOW]

7 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

It's looking more and more likely that we will cancel our December cruise.  Even if HAL doesn't require social distancing, masks, etc., it's looking more likely that we will get more 'stink eye' looks than if we wore cut off blue jeans to the MDR on formal nights.

You could use the legs from the cut-off-blue-jeans to make a few masks:)

[LogCabinGirl53]

I'm a solo traveler.   Am I going to be put at a table at dinner by myself all the time and never meet any other passengers?  Even though I can be flexible, that defeats the purpose of the cruise for me.

[RocketMan275]

On 6/15/2020 at 11:34 PM, HAL4NOW said:

You could use the legs from the cut-off-blue-jeans to make a few masks:)

Great idea.  I could sell them to those who think they need to wear masks on a cruise.

[cruisetheworld67]

Well.....it would totally depend on how much the cruise line would be willing to pay me to go on such a cruise. If the cruise line met my price, I would go.

[KroozNut]

5 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Great idea.  I could sell them to those who think they need to wear masks on a cruise.

 

When the CDC ends the no-sail order, and cruise lines begin operating again, it will not be up to the guests to decide whether they need to wear a mask. That decision will be made for them, like it or not.

If mask wearing and physical distancing is a deal breaker for cruisers (as it seems to be for some in this thread), then they can choose to cruise or not, based on the rules currently in place onboard the ships.

[bEwAbG]

Two stories sticking out within the past week re: mask use. 

 

One is from the hair salon in Missouri that had two workers who came into contact with 150 people while sick (with symptoms).  The use of masks is being credited with none of those people testing positive.  Of course, they all had to spend 14 days in quarantine first.

 

The one most important for travelers is that airlines are in the process of rolling out policies that may result in passengers being banned from future flights if they refuse to wear their mask.  Rather than making their staff deal with the hard-heads, the crew will just file a report about it, and they'll take action after an investigation into the circumstances.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

American Cruise Lines which has small ships under 250 passengers, I think, are about to start cruising again in the U.S. - river cruising. On their web page, they have a section called Covid19 Operating Protocol which I found to be interesting reading. Because of the size of their ships, I think it is doable. I don't know if the larger ships could do it.

 

http://www.americancruiselines.com

 

 

 

[bouhunter]

On 6/15/2020 at 11:09 AM, RocketMan275 said:

To a great extent, that's how things would work.  Some have mentioned assigned dining times, room service required on certain nights to offload MDR, etc.   Specified times to use the pool.  I imagine shore excursions would be restrained, only limited seating on buses, masks required, etc.  Why bother.  

Wouldn't go on that cruise if it was free.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, KroozNut said:

When the CDC ends the no-sail order, and cruise lines begin operating again, it will not be up to the guests to decide whether they need to wear a mask. That decision will be made for them, like it or not.

If mask wearing and physical distancing is a deal breaker for cruisers (as it seems to be for some in this thread), then they can choose to cruise or not, based on the rules currently in place onboard the ships.

It will still be up to the individual whether to wear a mask.   If our decision to not wear a mask means cancelling cruises, so be it.    But it will be our decision, not the CDC or the cruise line.

 

Some of us find these proposed protocols deal breakers especially when we consider how small the risks.   These protocols are economically unsustainable, like it or not.  Already more and more people are deciding to ignore these protocols, like it or not.

[KroozNut]

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

It will still be up to the individual whether to wear a mask.   If our decision to not wear a mask means cancelling cruises, so be it.    But it will be our decision, not the CDC or the cruise line.

 

Some of us find these proposed protocols deal breakers especially when we consider how small the risks.   These protocols are economically unsustainable, like it or not.  Already more and more people are deciding to ignore these protocols, like it or not.

 

If cruise lines are requiring physical distancing and masks onboard, then the individual's decision is whether to cruise or not under those protocols.

It is not the cruiser's choice whether to wear a mask or not after boarding a ship knowing the onboard requirements to do so. To me, that's the difference in what we're saying.

DW and I have a cruise booked for next March, and if the onboard protocols at that time require distancing and masks, we will likely cancel prior to final payment rather than sail under those cruise line requirements.

[iancal]

I do not know what a socially distant cruise really is.   Someone's active imagination?   Probably an oxymoron in practice.

 

Not in any way interested in it....let alone actually paying money for it.

[BlueNorth]

I was literally just about to book a cruise package but then read about the possible new rules and as I'm not interested in a cruise with social distancing and all the inconveniences it brings I've decided to wait it out until there is more clarification as to what will happen.  I can't really see how it can be enforced anyway!

[Harters]

Had things been normal, we would have just returned from an Alaska cruise - an early 70th birthday present to myself. I am not sure when we will feel it safe to cruise again (not least as most cruises involve air travel for us, which may well be even riskier). But, one thing is certain, if we do cruise again in the foreseeable future, it will only be in circumstances where there are things like social distancing and mask wearing when you're moving about a ship. If cruise lines say they are not going to have protections like that (and that would be accommodating most people who have contributed to this thread), then we will not be booking with them. Just too risky. Full stop.

Edited June 18, 2020 by Harters

[MarathonMan31214]

I would not like to do a socialy distant cruise. I sleep in my stateroom and thats it, I would not want it to be a prison. What is the point if you can't mix with people to chat and dine etc. isn't that why we love cruises?. .

So many people say yes they would as they miss cruising, but it will not be how they remember it to be.

We had a Mexican Riviera cruise booked for April 2020, together with LV, LA stays before the cruise and a SF stay afterwards. Luckily we got all our costs back.

We have booked the same cruise for next April, but at the moment are reluctant to book the flight and hotels etc. for the stays. If the cruise lines are making SD mandatory, we could pull out of the cruise, possibly lose the deposit, but if the UK government say its safe to travel (and the US will allow us in) we would have to either travel or stay at home at lose all the costs, as travel insurance would not cover it, if its our chice not to go.

It make the future difficult for us at the moment, and all the comments posted on social media that you read speculating what will happen are absolutely no help whatsover. You know the ones, they always start with "I've heard or I've read"..........

We have to wait for official announcements before decisions can be made.

I'm just hoping that things will be back to near normal in 10 months time, but accept there have to be changes, some of which will probably be for the better. 

 

[MrsBoxerDog]

Most definitely NOT.  How on earth would this work and it would take the enjoyment out of everything having to stop and think every time one took a step.  Sorry P&O, won't be travelling with you again until I can be sure of not having to wear a mask or social distance.  Very sad.😞😢

[Kayak32]

I am glad most people are saying no to social distancing and masks. Hopefully the cruise lines monitor these forums and realize this will be absolutely disastrous to their industry.  

[KroozNut]

4 minutes ago, Kayak32 said:

Hopefully the cruise lines monitor these forums and realize this will be absolutely disastrous to their industry.  

 

Problem is that it will not be the cruise line's decision to make. They will be obligated to comply with CDC and other health requirements (distancing, masks, temp checks, etc.) when they are allowed to sail again.

[HappyInVan]

30 minutes ago, Kayak32 said:

I am glad most people are saying no to social distancing and masks. Hopefully the cruise lines monitor these forums and realize this will be absolutely disastrous to their industry.  

 

 

Welcome to the world of covid.

 

It would be even more disastrous if there was another Diamond Princess or Ruby Princess incident. 

 

In any case, its your decision to make...

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/18/american-airlines-bans-passenger-who-was-kicked-off-flight-for-refusing-to-wear-a-mask-on-board.html

 

 

[Cruisin Kay D]

There are 7 of us, close friends (3 couples and a solo), who have booked a HA cruise for last week of January 2021.   We have all booked oceanview cabins located fairly close together on same deck; we like to gather together for dinner, for drinks, for trivia.....maybe not all 7 together for breakfast or lunch.   Some want room service; others like to go to dining room. 

We all have been on numerous cruises (we have done 60) and none of us have ever been sick and never have gone to the medical facility on any cruise.   We don't use public restrooms too often, preferring to use it in our cabin.  

We don't think cruise ships have ever been dirty -- we have been impressed with cleanliness.  We have felt the airplanes are NOT too clean, people sit so close together.   So we frequently drive from Tenn. to Fla for cruises.     

We sure hope we can get together on a cruise; otherwise we will find somewhere to meet. 

[Kayak32]

1 hour ago, KroozNut said:

 

Problem is that it will not be the cruise line's decision to make. They will be obligated to comply with CDC and other health requirements (distancing, masks, temp checks, etc.) when they are allowed to sail again.

Yes however there will be requirements and recommendations. Recommendations are just that.  The question is will they go overboard like many states have?  The recommendations can really reduce their traffic and thus their profits could become nonexistent. However going over the top will really hurt them as is apparent from the comments here. The majority of us are not willing to support social distancing let alone masks.  There are some who will. If you are high risk and choose to go you can also choose to be more cautious.  However if the industry wants the majority of their passengers back it needs to find a way back to normal not a “new” normal. 

[HappyInVan]

1 hour ago, Kayak32 said:

Yes however there will be requirements and recommendations. Recommendations are just that. ..The majority of us are not willing to support social distancing let alone masks. 

 

I'm am confused by your comments. The airlines and cruise companies will comply with the best science available. That is, social distancing and masks save lives. It is the job of the CDC etc to veto any arrangement that is a public health hazard. 

 

As I understand it, the majority of Americans do practice social distancing and wearing masks.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/americans-social-distancing-decreases-as-coronavirus-pandemic-persists-poll-finds/ar-BB13VjhJ

 

So, it is your personal decision to fly/cruise or not. But,  the world has changed. The air travel and cruise industries are in contraction. Carnival is retiring ships and reducing capacity. 

 

Cause and effect. Mitigation safeguards are in place because the disease has not been defeated. As long as the disease is active, safeguards are needed. Should you wish to continue cruising without distancing, defeat the disease first.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/18/coronavirus-parts-of-the-us-are-on-the-cusp-of-losing-control-gottlieb-says.html

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/18/california-arizona-florida-report-record-spikes-in-coronavirus-cases.html