Article NCL Reps Talk Buffets, Social Distancing and Muster

[SeaHunt]

No real new news here, but interesting anyway. If you don't want to read the article, here's some snippets 😄

 

During a seminar with travel partners, several Norwegian reps offered more details on the Sail Safe policies the company recently rolled out. Given the situation around the country and the world, social distancing on board the ships will be important. And that will begin the moment people arrive at the terminal.

 

Chief Sales Officer Katina Athanasiou explained that NCL will be implementing “staggered embarkation [times] and advance on-line check-in” that will essentially see guests pre-reserving an arrival time.

 

Theoretically, if people arrive at their assigned time — and have taken advantage of the ability to check-in online in advance — she said they should be able to “breeze through from the terminal right to onboard.”

 

<snip>

At least for the foreseeable future, NCL — and, presumably, the other major cruise lines — will sail at reduced capacity. “The second part of this,” continued Athanasiou, “is then reducing the capacity in all of our public areas throughout the voyage.”

 

<snip>

Asked how long they believe social distancing will be required, the reps admitted that was one of many as yet unknown things. “What is important is that responsible social distancing is required today,” she said, “so that is what we are going to do and focus on and make sure that we are nimble, flexible and able to pivot” in order to provide guests the best experience possible.

 

What type of personal protective gear will be required — and who will be required to wear it — was another hot topic. It was also an area in which Derrick Lloyd, Canada’s National Director of Sales for NCL, admitted was very much up in the air.

 

“Obviously, what might be a requirement today might be significantly different as to what’s required or expected in 60 days, 90 days or in six months’ time,” he said. “So it’s one of those things that will continue to evolve.”

 

After making it very clear that she was stating a personal opinion as opposed to company policy, Athanasiou offered her thoughts on the topic. “I don’t know that there will be a requirement across 100 percent of our guests to wear masks,” she theorized. “I suspect from a crew and team-member perspective we will, but the indications so far have not [indicated] that masks would be required to be worn by guests.”

 

She quickly reiterated that this was not confirmed, “but that’s my gut-check today.”

 

<snip>

Glen Rothe, Vice President of National Accounts, tackled the much-discussed topic of buffets. “The buffet will be full service,” he declared. “I think we’re actually sort of eliminating the buffet experience for Norwegian. Because now, all crew members will be available at the buffets to make sure that guests are served instead of being self-served.”

 

This will, he added, extend beyond food service. “Not only at the buffets, but also at all the beverage and drink stations,” Rothe elaborated. “They will be full-service, with crew members serving any guest that wants to get a coffee, a glass of water or some juice.”

 

<snip>

One thing many passengers have wondered is how muster drills will be impacted by everything that’s been happening. That was another area in which the trio could provide no definitive answers, as protocols were still being hammered out not only by the CDC, but also to make sure they comply with The International Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) guidelines.

 

<snip>

Asked directly if they knew when ships would welcome passengers again, the trio acknowledged that at this point, that was the great unknown. “The short answer,” said Athanasiou, “is [we don’t know], the reason being we are still waiting on final guidance from the [Centers for Disease Control], some additional public health authorities and, of course, ports around the world,” all of which have “very different rules and regulations.”

 

<snip>

While many changes are being made to the medical center and its protocols, the two biggest involve the addition of a dedicated Public Health Officer and special isolation quarters. The public health officer’s “entire responsibility is to make sure that” all of the new and existing health protocols are being correctly implemented and followed, said Rothe.

 

<snip>

Finally, Rothe also addressed one of the most controversial medical-related issues to arise: The possibility of some guests having to essentially provide a doctor’s note in order to board. ”We have not yet received updated guidance on if we will require a fit-to-travel medical certification of any sort,” he shared. “We are not indicating that we are, and we are not indicating that we are not.”

 

https://cruiseradio.net/norwegian-cruise-line-talks-masks-buffets-and-muster-drills/

[ColeThornton]

Yep, a lot of "nothing" speak there.  In other words..stand by and we'll let you know when we know.

[FLAHAM]

Just don't get within six feet of me in my Atrium chair, on my bar stool, in the elevator or on the buffet line.  

[atanac]

I believe as long as the virus can still be transmitted, jamming guests even at half capacity, won't

allow for six feet of social distancing. We all know what the elevators are like after the muster

drill. Does anyone want to actually be the guinea pigs on the first sailings and risk being

quarantined...in an inside cabin? I want to enjoy as many vacation cruises as I can afford in

the future but now that we've seen what can happen on these floating petri dishes I'm going

to hang back and observe. 

[beerman2]

8 hours ago, atanac said:

I believe as long as the virus can still be transmitted, jamming guests even at half capacity, won't

allow for six feet of social distancing. We all know what the elevators are like after the muster

drill. Does anyone want to actually be the guinea pigs on the first sailings and risk being

quarantined...in an inside cabin? I want to enjoy as many vacation cruises as I can afford in

the future but now that we've seen what can happen on these floating petri dishes I'm going

to hang back and observe. 

There are many on here who will sail tomorrow if they could. The end result will be

1) We had a great time, no problem adapting. It wasn't bad.

2) We thought it would be OK, wasn't what we expected.

3) The rules/regulations were terrible and we didn't enjoy ourselves. And we feel we should be compensated for it.

4) WTH were we thinking! Duh you weren't, time to clean the rose colored glasses.

 

It will most definitely be a new/different experience.

 

 

[Stealthdog]

People are going to go as soon as they reopen (which looks like in the next couple months).  There will be restrictions and precautions as they try preventative health.  Some people will have a great time, others will complain about the experience, food, and poor crew not getting tipped enough.  Then more people will go, and restrictions will slowly ease as advanced medical techs get introduced on ships and medicines become available for COVID.  
 

I won’t go right away because I won’t find the experience enjoyable, but I have no doubt people are going to to go.  And I won’t pass any judgement on them because ultimately they will be the testers to make everything safer for everyone else.

Edited June 9, 2020 by Stealthdog

[Rick&Jeannie]

hmmm...sounds like no more than one person per elevator!  😁

[numberguy]

It will force me to take all the steps!  Eschew the elevators!  (If you physically are able to)

 

--Michael

[mking8288]

Here in the Northeast US, 2 major casino-hotel-resorts are limiting 4 to an elevator (from my last "read" on their posts) among other measures (maybe it will be released further, later this month or next, who knows) and theirs are big ... much more spacious than the ones onboard the NCL fleet.  Those with cardio-respiratory and/or mobility issues aren't going to find it fun to cruise in the near future.  

 

Whether one is planning to cruise, travel and go somewhere this Fall or not, anything is possible, to each her/his own on being risk-takers and adventurous.  

 

At the moment, our revised vacation plans this Fall is set, booked and land-based, not flying on an aluminum tin can to get somewhere and/or in a steel hull.  But, as NY residents - we cannot even book lodging in the State of Vermont right next door due to Covid-19 (hotels might/should ease up the rules to imposed restrictions and quarantine for out-of-state non-essential travelers based on residency, by counties ... yulk.)  

[Loucat]

Can you imagine the wait for an elevator if they allowed only 4? This would take monitoring on every deck as those who just have to get on will push their way in. Cannot say how many times we wound up like sardines in a can!

Even 4 without masks could be an issue and virus reductions in many states are not happening!

[bmwman]

OK lets talk honestly 

 

The experience will be different and those who love to cruise and are not worried about the Covid will cruise.

 

Others who are worried will not cruise- simple 

 

And anyone with any sort of respiratory issues or diabetes needs their head examined if thy think a little face mask will protect them or even a big mask. If you are not risk averse you will cruise if that is your want.

 

We fall into the following bracket -Love cruise Love NCL-  will not wear useless  non surgical masks (they are ineffective after one hour or if you touch I)t and do not go looking for trouble. So no travel except at home and there is nothing as good as England in the summer if you know where to go. 

[pinkie60]

I just don’t see how they can do the muster drills the way they used to. You can’t have 5 rows of people jammed on the deck of the ship. It was so dangerous doing that without covid19. I would imagine if they were smart they would televise it and then go cabin to cabin to have everyone swear and sign an affidavit  that they watched the video. Or have them in the main theater with staggered seating. 

[bmwman]

I think the latter would b more approriate 

[boatseller]

On 6/8/2020 at 8:52 PM, SeaHunt said:

Theoretically, if people arrive at their assigned time — and have taken advantage of the ability to check-in online in advance — she said they should be able to “breeze through from the terminal right to onboard.”

About dang time.  Compared to Royal or even Carnival, NCL's check-in process is grind.

[dexddd]

21 hours ago, pinkie60 said:

I just don’t see how they can do the muster drills the way they used to. You can’t have 5 rows of people jammed on the deck of the ship. It was so dangerous doing that without covid19. I would imagine if they were smart they would televise it and then go cabin to cabin to have everyone swear and sign an affidavit  that they watched the video. Or have them in the main theater with staggered seating. 

Does any swear word work or do they have a list?

[numberguy]

I've heard that Royal Caribbean will be conducting their muster drill through their app.  It would be interesting to see if Norwegian could do something like that.

 

--Michael

[All-ready2cruise]

11 minutes ago, numberguy said:

I've heard that Royal Caribbean will be conducting their muster drill through their app.  It would be interesting to see if Norwegian could do something like that.

 

--Michael

Now that sounds like a great idea!!  They'll already have reservation information, so, just watch the info for the muster drill on your phone/phablet/tablet and botta bomb botta bing... good to go, right?

[pinkie60]

11 hours ago, dexddd said:

Does any swear word work or do they have a list?

Not sure what you mean?

[hloakes]

On 6/8/2020 at 9:43 PM, atanac said:

I Does anyone want to actually be the guinea pigs on the first sailings

 

If the start up schedule that is going around is to be believed, we will be on the first sailing of the Jade in November. I am happy to be on it and look forward to it as long as I am not required to wear a mask the whole time.

[hloakes]

On 6/10/2020 at 10:06 AM, pinkie60 said:

I just don’t see how they can do the muster drills the way they used to. You can’t have 5 rows of people jammed on the deck of the ship. 

 

I have not had a muster drill like that in years. The last few cruises we have been on we checked in at one of the common areas (lounge, casino, etc.), listened to the speech, and left. Of course it was a hastle getting back to the cabin, but it beats carrying a life jacket and standing outside in the heat.

[pinkie60]

13 hours ago, hloakes said:

 

I have not had a muster drill like that in years. The last few cruises we have been on we checked in at one of the common areas (lounge, casino, etc.), listened to the speech, and left. Of course it was a hastle getting back to the cabin, but it beats carrying a life jacket and standing outside in the heat.

On the NCL Sky and all of my cruises with Carnival have all been outside on a hot deck sandwiched in 4-5 lines deep.  What ships have you been sailing on that have inside muster drills.

[Love Blue]

17 minutes ago, pinkie60 said:

On the NCL Sky and all of my cruises with Carnival have all been outside on a hot deck sandwiched in 4-5 lines deep.  What ships have you been sailing on that have inside muster drills.

We have had a number of muster drills on the deck like you describe, but on our most recent cruises, Carnival Magic Feb 2019, we were in one of the dining rooms and on the Bliss April/May 2019 we were in the Local.

[shof515]

1 hour ago, pinkie60 said:

On the NCL Sky and all of my cruises with Carnival have all been outside on a hot deck sandwiched in 4-5 lines deep.  What ships have you been sailing on that have inside muster drills.

i noticed the newer ships from like 2009 and on wards have the muster drill inside and all of the older ships have it outside

Edited June 12, 2020 by shof515

[hloakes]

2 hours ago, pinkie60 said:

On the NCL Sky and all of my cruises with Carnival have all been outside on a hot deck sandwiched in 4-5 lines deep.  What ships have you been sailing on that have inside muster drills.

 

I have had cruises on Princess, RCCL, NCL, and Carnival over the past seven or eight years and I believe they have been inside without having the lifejackets. Before that it was the typical drag out your lifejacket, put it on and stand in ranks. Then try to get back to your cabin to drop off the lifejacket.