Wondering what other cruisers think

[bookmama22]

Just posted on another thread that I read an interview with the Nassau Port Director stating that if/when cruising resumes, passengers will not be permitted to disembark and wander around at will as has been done since the beginning of cruising. Not sure what they will be proposing but stay tuned for those considering Caribbean cruises next winter. You never know with the Caribbean as we have a forecast for more storms than usual as we head into Hurricane season on top of everything. 

 

Not planning any cruises for a long time but with the Caribbean cruises that I have been on, always booked as a last minute deal. 

[mayleeman]

Just a note about the 72 hour pre-flight test requirement:

 

I don't think the purpose is to guarantee that all visitors will arrive in Aruba unexposed to the virus. As people point out, there are many avenues for acquiring the virus on the way.

 

A test 72-hrs prior to flying would, however, be clearly helpful in identifying anyone who tests positive from arriving at the island and transmitting to others along the way. Most people don't get tested in their day-to-day, so anyone who tests positive would likely be seeing that result for the first time.

 

No, a negative result doesn't guarantee a virus-free Aruba. But not testing can virtually eliminate any chance of early identification of virus carriers and will guarantee that someone who could have been kept away gets through.

 

Aruba did not keep their infection rate down by being stupid. 

Edited June 26, 2020 by mayleeman

[caribill]

11 hours ago, mayleeman said:

Just a note about the 72 hour pre-flight test requirement:

 

I don't think the purpose is to guarantee that all visitors will arrive in Aruba unexposed to the virus. As people point out, there are many avenues for acquiring the virus on the way.

 

A test 72-hrs prior to flying would, however, be clearly helpful in identifying anyone who tests positive from arriving at the island and transmitting to others along the way. Most people don't get tested in their day-to-day, so anyone who tests positive would likely be seeing that result for the first time.

 

No, a negative result doesn't guarantee a virus-free Aruba. But not testing can virtually eliminate any chance of early identification of virus carriers and will guarantee that someone who could have been kept away gets through.

 

Aruba did not keep their infection rate down by being stupid. 

 

Anyone who has a positive on that test should not bother traveling to Aruba or anywhere else.

[mayleeman]

4 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Anyone who has a positive on that test should not bother traveling to Aruba or anywhere else.

Yes, that was my point. I edited the sentence that you highlighted, but forgot to change "identifying" to "preventing"!

 

I guess it would not stop some notwit from travelling anyway, though, hoping to slip in. No fixing stupid. But all the more reason to require masks, I guess.

[Hlitner]

19 hours ago, mayleeman said:

Just a note about the 72 hour pre-flight test requirement:

 

I don't think the purpose is to guarantee that all visitors will arrive in Aruba unexposed to the virus. As people point out, there are many avenues for acquiring the virus on the way.

 

A test 72-hrs prior to flying would, however, be clearly helpful in identifying anyone who tests positive from arriving at the island and transmitting to others along the way. Most people don't get tested in their day-to-day, so anyone who tests positive would likely be seeing that result for the first time.

 

No, a negative result doesn't guarantee a virus-free Aruba. But not testing can virtually eliminate any chance of early identification of virus carriers and will guarantee that someone who could have been kept away gets through.

 

Aruba did not keep their infection rate down by being stupid. 

Aruba has a big problem as do many other islands.  Aruba depends on tourism in order to maintain their economy.   The island is somewhat upscale when compared to many islands of the Caribbean, but without tourism they would quickly go into a major recession.  Cruise ships are actually just a small part of their tourist economy.  The island has many hotels, resorts, timeshares, and Condos.  A majority of these folks live elsewhere (i.e. North America and the Netherlands) and the island needs these visitors with their money.  Also consider that many of these folks actually own property on the island.  We have vacationed on Aruba (for many weeks) and its a terrific place.  Social Distancing is also relatively easy for those who stay on the island and have access to a car (own or rent).  I would not be surprised to see many islands keep prohibitions against cruise ships but open up for those flying-in.

 

Many folks do not  want to admit or even consider that this COVID-19 problem could last for many years.  While shutting down economies for a few months might seem reasonable (to some folks) it is just about impossible to shut it down for 1, 2, 3 years or longer.  So choices have to be made and the world will quickly need to adjust to living with this virus.  

 

Hank

[Roberto256]

5 minutes ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

I think this is unfortunately systemic of American culture where a wide swath of the country thinks that the world only exists to serve whatever America and Americans want.  It's never been true and never will be.  And many of these people who declare themselves real "patriots" are pretty much the same knuckleheads who think that "their rights" to not wear a mask is okay and who gives a crap if they spread the disease to their fellow Americans.

 

The masks that I (and most non-medical folks can get now) are really only useful in preventing me from spraying aerosolized saliva at other people.

A properly used n-95 respirator, would protect the wearer.

 

I watched a news-clip of a gent being escorted out of costco for not wearing a mask.

He was ranting about how he woke up in a country that was free...

 

Maybe.  I woke up in a country that respects private property...

 

If the property owner, or cruiseship operator would like to toss someone, they have a lawful right to do so.

 

If you read Princess' Passage Contract, you pretty much agree to anything they may ever do,

including any order given by the captain.

 

So, it seems to me that Princess can require you to wear a mask in public spaces, or invite you to disembark.

For the people that this upsets, I think it will be a lot worse to be disembarked in some foreign port,

than simply tossed into the costco parking lot.

 

I would not be comfortable being on a ship until I had access to an n-95 respirator.

Just to keep me as safe as possible.

 

 

 

 

[caribill]

32 minutes ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

 And many of these people who declare themselves real "patriots" are pretty much the same knuckleheads who think that "their rights" to not wear a mask is okay .....

 

 

 

Most of those who object to wearing masks because of their rights do not protest much about laws that require keeping some other parts of their bodies covered.

[memoak]

2 hours ago, Roberto256 said:

 

The masks that I (and most non-medical folks can get now) are really only useful in preventing me from spraying aerosolized saliva at other people.

A properly used n-95 respirator, would protect the wearer.

 

I watched a news-clip of a gent being escorted out of costco for not wearing a mask.

He was ranting about how he woke up in a country that was free...

 

Maybe.  I woke up in a country that respects private property...

 

If the property owner, or cruiseship operator would like to toss someone, they have a lawful right to do so.

 

If you read Princess' Passage Contract, you pretty much agree to anything they may ever do,

including any order given by the captain.

 

So, it seems to me that Princess can require you to wear a mask in public spaces, or invite you to disembark.

For the people that this upsets, I think it will be a lot worse to be disembarked in some foreign port,

than simply tossed into the costco parking lot.

 

I would not be comfortable being on a ship until I had access to an n-95 respirator.

Just to keep me as safe as possible.

 

 

 

 

N95 masks are not going to do it for a cruise. Only a vaccine is going to make it safe to cruise. No one is going to wear a mask in bars, restaurants or by the pool

[Roberto256]

1 hour ago, memoak said:

N95 masks are not going to do it for a cruise. Only a vaccine is going to make it safe to cruise. No one is going to wear a mask in bars, restaurants or by the pool

 

I'm good with that, too!

 

But, from reading here, there are many people anxious to return to ships as soon as they can.

 

I just hope it can be done safely.

 

[voljeep]

"safely" - it's everyone's own decision what that means ...

 

CDC

Nations

Ports

Ships

Cruisers

[memoak]

52 minutes ago, Roberto256 said:

 

I'm good with that, too!

 

But, from reading here, there are many people anxious to return to ships as soon as they can.

 

I just hope it can be done safely.

 

I want to cruise as much as anyone. Have cancelled 3 cruises already for this year and expect to cancel one for December as well. Mostly hoping for a vaccine so my April 2021 cruise can happen

[Lucky TGO]

Hi all my Cruise Critic friends for me there’s too many If’s and butts. I will only be cruising on my Rowboat this year.

The Captain of The Rowboat,

Tony

 

[jwattle]

9 hours ago, Lucky TGO said:

Hi all my Cruise Critic friends for me there’s too many If’s and butts. I will only be cruising on my Rowboat this year.

The Captain of The Rowboat,

Tony

 

Please let us know the available dates. We will follow all of your guidelines for social distancing and masking ! We even have masks to go with our evening apparel.

Your friends,

Jo and Tom😀

Edited June 28, 2020 by jwattle

[Lucky TGO]

2 hours ago, jwattle said:

Please let us know the available dates. We will follow all of your guidelines for social distancing and masking ! We even have masks to go with our evening apparel.

Your friends,

Jo and Tom😀

Hi Jo and Tom, Your welcome any time let me know when you’re in Boston. BTW no formal nights on the Rowboat 😳😁.
Your friend!!

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Lucky TGO

[jwattle]

On 6/28/2020 at 12:23 PM, Lucky TGO said:

Hi Jo and Tom, Your welcome any time let me know when you’re in Boston. BTW no formal nights on the Rowboat 😳😁.
Your friend!!

 

We'd make a special trip to Boston for this! :)

 

[donaldsc]

On 6/18/2020 at 9:18 PM, Hlitner said:

The bigger problem is what happens when even one passenger, onboard, were to test positive.  Currently that would mean the entire ship would go into immediate quarantine, with everyone confined to their cabins, for at least 14 days.  And even after 14 days, assuming there is not any additional cases (which would mean an even longer quarantine) the cruise line would need to find a port somewhere in the world that would allow the ship to dock.   Many folks are not in a position where they can risk being imprisoned on a cruise ship for many weeks.

 

Hank

 

You can get results for the real test in less than 24 hours.  When I was at the Mayo Clinic, they got my test results back in about 18 hours.  One possible solution to the problem of getting cruise test results back quickly is for the cruise companies to set up Covid clinics in the major cruise ports.  They could then require that all passengers arrive at the embarkation port 24 hours before the start of the cruise and to be tested at the cruise company clinic before boarding. 

 

Yes - I know that some of you will complain that you will have to pay for a night at a motel and take one more day off work but if you insist on cruising under the pandemic, that is the price that you will have to pay.  The alternative is to stay home, stop complaining and wait until things get sorted out before cruising.

 

DON

Edited July 5, 2020 by donaldsc

[Hlitner]

24 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

You can get results for the real test in less than 24 hours.  When I was at the Mayo Clinic, they got my test results back in about 18 hours.  One possible solution to the problem of getting cruise test results back quickly is for the cruise companies to set up Covid clinics in the major cruise ports.  They could then require that all passengers arrive at the embarkation port 24 hours before the start of the cruise and to be tested at the cruise company clinic before boarding. 

 

Yes - I know that some of you will complain that you will have to pay for a night at a motel and take one more day off work but if you insist on cruising under the pandemic, that is the price that you will have to pay.  The alternative is to stay home, stop complaining and wait until things get sorted out before cruising.

 

DON

LOL Don.  You have created a picture in my mind of arriving at a port 24 hours early, and then being quarantined in a hard chair (in the port) for 24 hours until you can be brought aboard a ship in a space suit.  And once aboard you would need to wear the space suit at all times except when in your cabin.

 

And then what happens when you get to a port and try to reboard the ship.  Another 24 hours at the port and another test?  And if its a long cruise with 20 ports that might get a bit tiring.

 

Hank

[caribill]

7 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

You can get results for the real test in less than 24 hours.  When I was at the Mayo Clinic, they got my test results back in about 18 hours. 

 

We live in an area where

a) "if you want a test, you can get a test" still is not for real

b) The average time to get test results back if you do get one is about two weeks

c) Hospitals will not give a test to a person with Covid-19 symptoms unless that person is being admitted into the hospital. They are sent home without testing and told only to return if their condition gets worse.

 

And this is a major metropolitan area with a skyrocketing number of positive tests when testing is done. Obviously a severe under-count of actual cases.

[eclue]

On 6/27/2020 at 10:16 AM, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

I think this is unfortunately systemic of American culture where a wide swath of the country thinks that the world only exists to serve whatever America and Americans want.  It's never been true and never will be.  And many of these people who declare themselves real "patriots" are pretty much the same knuckleheads who think that "their rights" to not wear a mask is okay and who gives a crap if they spread the disease to their fellow Americans.  I couldn't imagine anything more unpatriotic then not giving a crap that your fellow citizens' lives are being literally risked by the "Karens" of this country, and God knows there's at least tens of millions of "those".

 

 

Well stated and I think they all live in Texas......these idiots here just cannot grasp the importance of public health...it is all an invasion of their personal rights or so they say....my mantra is " Wear a Mask"......Hope we can mitigate this virus.

 

[donaldsc]

15 hours ago, Hlitner said:

LOL Don.  You have created a picture in my mind of arriving at a port 24 hours early, and then being quarantined in a hard chair (in the port) for 24 hours until you can be brought aboard a ship in a space suit.  And once aboard you would need to wear the space suit at all times except when in your cabin.

 

And then what happens when you get to a port and try to reboard the ship.  Another 24 hours at the port and another test?  And if its a long cruise with 20 ports that might get a bit tiring.

 

Hank

 

Note this part of my post - "Yes - I know that some of you will complain that you will have to pay for a night at a motel and take one more day off work but if you insist on cruising under the pandemic, that is the price that you will have to pay.  The alternative is to stay home, stop complaining and wait until things get sorted out before cruising."

 

I did not say that cruising during a pandemic makes any sense. I just presented a way that would make it safer if you were so desperate to get on a ship that you would do anything to do it.  As far s I am concerned, it is not worth the hassle.

 

DON

 

[donaldsc]

8 hours ago, caribill said:

 

We live in an area where

a) "if you want a test, you can get a test" still is not for real

b) The average time to get test results back if you do get one is about two weeks

c) Hospitals will not give a test to a person with Covid-19 symptoms unless that person is being admitted into the hospital. They are sent home without testing and told only to return if their condition gets worse.

 

And this is a major metropolitan area with a skyrocketing number of positive tests when testing is done. Obviously a severe under-count of actual cases.

 

Note my previous response.  If cruise companies want to get people back on the ships, they will have to set up shared dedicated rapid response testing facilities. There are only a few major cruise ports that get a lot of ships so they will not have to set up too many of them.  The smaller cruise ports will just be out of luck.  Paying for the testing facilities will just have to be a cost of doing business that they will just have to pass onto the the people who insist on cruising when it makes no sense. 

 

If Mayo can do the tests in less than 24 hours and do it for a lot of patients, so can the cruise companies.  Of they can't or won't, we should stay off their ships and let them go bankrupt.

 

DON

[donaldsc]

8 hours ago, caribill said:

 

We live in an area where

a) "if you want a test, you can get a test" still is not for real

b) The average time to get test results back if you do get one is about two weeks

c) Hospitals will not give a test to a person with Covid-19 symptoms unless that person is being admitted into the hospital. They are sent home without testing and told only to return if their condition gets worse.

 

And this is a major metropolitan area with a skyrocketing number of positive tests when testing is done. Obviously a severe under-count of actual cases.

 

Note my previous response.  If cruise companies want to get people back on the ships, they will have to set up shared dedicated rapid response testing facilities. There are only a few major cruise ports that get a lot of ships so they will not have to set up too many of them.  The smaller cruise ports will just be out of luck.  Paying for the testing facilities will just have to be a cost of doing business that they will just have to pass onto the the people who insist on cruising when it makes no sense. 

 

If Mayo can do the tests in less than 24 hours and do it for a lot of patients, so can the cruise companies.  Of they can't or won't, we should stay off their ships and let them go bankrupt.

 

DON

[caribill]

2 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

Note my previous response.  If cruise companies want to get people back on the ships, they will have to set up shared dedicated rapid response testing facilities. There are only a few major cruise ports that get a lot of ships so they will not have to set up too many of them.  The smaller cruise ports will just be out of luck.  Paying for the testing facilities will just have to be a cost of doing business that they will just have to pass onto the the people who insist on cruising when it makes no sense. 

 

If Mayo can do the tests in less than 24 hours and do it for a lot of patients, so can the cruise companies.  Of they can't or won't, we should stay off their ships and let them go bankrupt.

 

DON

 

 

A port like Miami or Port Everglades can handle over 10,000 new cruisers a day and do this on multiple consecutive days.

 

I doubt any local testing setup for cruisers could handle that volume of performing tests and getting 100% of the results back quickly.

 

All tests would have to be performed by early afternoon to get results back within 24 hours, so people would need flights that with 100% certainty would get them to the port city early enough in the day before the cruise that they can get to the testing center in time, likely having to deal with their luggage while doing this.

[Doubt It]

So I have spent big $ to get there and to purchase a cruise product - only to find out that something is a miss while I am at the gate and I could be kicked to the curb?

 

No thank you. 

[PrincessLuver]

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

 

A port like Miami or Port Everglades can handle over 10,000 new cruisers a day and do this on multiple consecutive days.

 

I doubt any local testing setup for cruisers could handle that volume of performing tests and getting 100% of the results back quickly.

 

All tests would have to be performed by early afternoon to get results back within 24 hours, so people would need flights that with 100% certainty would get them to the port city early enough in the day before the cruise that they can get to the testing center in time, likely having to deal with their luggage while doing this.

 

We are having to take a Covid-19 PCR test 72 hours before ARRIVAL in Hawaii in August, which must be negative, to avoid the 14 day quarantine for visitors and possibly returning residents.  The fastest turn around time we have found for this testing is 48 to 72 hours if we are lucky.  Most places say it usually takes 3 to 4 days and sometimes up to a week, so we are hoping as Hawaii works out the new travel requirements that they might say you have to have a test within 72 hours of arrival and quarantine until results, negative,  are available.  Stay tuned....

Edited July 5, 2020 by PrincessLuver