Cruise industry announces US sailing suspension extended until Sept. 15

[48traveler]

I just called Carnival, 30 minute hold time, and the agent said there would be an announcement on Monday  and if his assumption is correct our Sept 14  Galveston cruise will be cancelled, just like our May cruise. We all just keep going round and round. I asked him, OK , if it is cancelled again should I re book 5 years from now.  Starting to get very frustrated  just like many of you I am sure. If it is cancelled I want to try for May 2021 , and if so, you watch, the prices will be sky high..

[tonit964]

40 minutes ago, joeyancho said:

Short of pre-boarding testing there is no solution.  Everything about a cruise makes for the perfect vector to spread this airborne disease.  If you close the buffet then there will be more pressure on the MDR. Long lines to get in, tables really close together, etc.  If you limit large groups what is everyone going to do for entertainment?  You cannot limit the elevator to one person or one family. People using the stairs we'll have to touch the handrails. What is the solution for that? Sure you can clean them once an hour but theoretically that means everyone touching the germ for an  hour. How many people go up and down the stairs every hour. Dozens if not hundreds. Bottom line, a cruise ship is just not designed for social distancing.

Very well said. Exactly what I've been thinking.

[tonit964]

31 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

They aren't shutting down hotels. I've stayed in five hotels in the past month or so. The only thing they're shutting down is the free breakfast. Fairfield has replaced it with a grab and go breakfast bag. But some of the others just totally shut it down.

I don't think hotels and a cruise ship are fair comparisons. We saw what happened with outbreaks on ships and being stranded as they were not allowed to disembark anywhere for quite a while.

BTW, I love reading your reviews and was so excited while reading your Panorama review back in March as I was supposed to be on it Oct 17th but I canceled. Glad you got that cruise in before the shutdown.😊

[Saint Greg]

46 minutes ago, joeyancho said:

Short of pre-boarding testing there is no solution.  Everything about a cruise makes for the perfect vector to spread this airborne disease.  If you close the buffet then there will be more pressure on the MDR. Long lines to get in, tables really close together, etc.  If you limit large groups what is everyone going to do for entertainment?  You cannot limit the elevator to one person or one family. People using the stairs we'll have to touch the handrails. What is the solution for that? Sure you can clean them once an hour but theoretically that means everyone touching the germ for an  hour. How many people go up and down the stairs every hour. Dozens if not hundreds. Bottom line, a cruise ship is just not designed for social distancing.

 

Well you'd have to have food in the buffet. Just served by employees. One of my suggestions for entertainment would be add additional shows. Add another main show at 5pm or something. Start the PG comedy earlier. Adopt the late night comedy showcase in the main lounge on all ships.

[Saint Greg]

17 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

I don't think hotels and a cruise ship are fair comparisons. We saw what happened with outbreaks on ships and being stranded as they were not allowed to disembark anywhere for quite a while.

BTW, I love reading your reviews and was so excited while reading your Panorama review back in March as I was supposed to be on it Oct 17th but I canceled. Glad you got that cruise in before the shutdown.😊

 

Thanks! I didn't realize how lucky I was at the time to just barely get that one in. Unfortunately it looks like my next one will be officially canceled on Monday.

 

I think the main thing with the ships is the fact that they visit other countries. If you go to the beach right now (I was there the last two weekends) it's packed. The hotels are packed. The restaurants are packed. The bars are packed. Nobody is wearing masks. Nobody is practicing any distancing. The difference is you don’t have to clear customs leaving a beach hotel.

 

Edited June 20, 2020 by Saint Greg

[Markmom18]

3 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

It's not that some people think cruises won't resume until a vaccine.  Most people here have no problem with other people's opinions.  But it's the constant negativity that some people would inject in every single conversation.  There's nothing wrong with believing cruises won't happen for a very long time.  However, hammering it in to every conversation with negativity is what people are referring to with gloom and doomers.  They try to bring down every single conversation with their negativity instead of simply discussing things.  I know some people won't be able to see the difference, but many people do.

There are people in my life who are constantly negative about everything.  It's a downer to have conversations with people who ALWAYS see the worst in situations.

 

TNCruising,

  Thank You for your kind reply. The negative Nancy/Tom constant remarks from folks gets real old ... 

  🛳🛳

  Bobbi 

[CarnivalCruiser875]

16 minutes ago, Jasalth said:

Sorry... you said no need to respond, but I just have to. Because this is based on your knowledge. Alas... just to let you know tamiflu doesn't cure the flu, it actually doesn't do very much past what OTC meds do with the flu. It on average takes 1 day off of having the flu... just 1 day. People are also still contagious for the full duration even while taking Tamiflu. Also on top of that, Tamiflu is only about 55% effective if taken to prevent the flu in someone who has been exposed. In retail pharmacy, we maybe only filled about 10-20 Tamiflu Rx's in a season, Long-Term Care was different as they used it as a preventative measure and if someone was diagnosed with the flu, it was given to everyone on the floor. 

 

Now, I probably wouldn't have posted this unless you said "I love being right" and then put unreasonable statements after it. But logically, even if there IS a Tamiflu like product for Covid, I want to make sure you realize that it isn't a cure, it isn't even something that wouldn't make someone not contagious for the time period they have it! And as the majority of people who have had Covid don't have any major symptoms, there isn't even a reason someone who is a carrier would take it. Just want to let you know from a Pharmacy point of view, that this isn't a reasonable thing. Then again, with how the general vaccines are in effectiveness AND how long it generally takes for a vaccine to hit the market, this is really rushing it, and while I love my vaccines and keep everything up to date in everyone in my house for all vaccines, I can honestly say I will not let anyone in my household get a Covid vaccine 6-12 months after it is just developed. 

Took the words right out of my mouth. I work for a large pharmaceutical company. I've seen the testing, research, and development it takes for any kind of drug, vaccine etc. Takes many batches, many tests. 100% agree with waiting on a vaccine, however I won't let the lack of a vaccine keep me from traveling and living my life.

[UPNYGuy]

I’m going to start testing the all-inclusive waters. I am getting sick of the “book-cancel-book-cancel“ bs. I get the reasons why, but I have the feeling that the ships aren’t going to be sailing any time soon. 

[TNcruising02]

8 minutes ago, UPNYGuy said:

I’m going to start testing the all-inclusive waters. I am getting sick of the “book-cancel-book-cancel“ bs. I get the reasons why, but I have the feeling that the ships aren’t going to be sailing any time soon. 

That's a good idea.  

Although it's not an all inclusive, my family had a wonderful trip about ten years ago to Atlantis.  If cruising doesn't start back for awhile, it's definitely something I would like to do again.

[joeyancho]

42 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Well you'd have to have food in the buffet. Just served by employees. One of my suggestions for entertainment would be add additional shows. Add another main show at 5pm or something. Start the PG comedy earlier. Adopt the late night comedy showcase in the main lounge on all ships.

All good ideas. Shows would have to be dismissed by rows to avoid a traffic jam.  I think service at bars would have to be discontinued. Table service only by servers in hazmat suit,  lol.  

[UPNYGuy]

16 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

That's a good idea.  

Although it's not an all inclusive, my family had a wonderful trip about ten years ago to Atlantis.  If cruising doesn't start back for awhile, it's definitely something I would like to do again.

I will drop my Vista cruise (August 2020) for Club Med Sandpiper - Florida. I dropped a cruise in November for Club Med Cancun, and I added a weekend in October  for S’s and G’s at Club Med Turkoise - Turks & Caicos. Club Med is almost as inclusive as you can get. If I can’t go and restrictions tighten I’ll just say F it and stay home 😂

Edited June 20, 2020 by UPNYGuy

[LHARTWICK]

Feel free to loan out your time machine to the vast majority of posters (including me) whose original booking was before Covid-19 was a term.  

AMEN!


Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[TNcruising02]

7 minutes ago, UPNYGuy said:

I will drop my Vista cruise (August 2020) for Club Med Sandpiper - Florida. I dropped a cruise in November for Club Med Cancun, and I added a weekend in October  for S’s and G’s at Club Med Turkoise - Turks & Caicos. Club Med is almost as inclusive as you can get. If I can’t go and restrictions tighten I’ll just say F it and stay home 😂

I've never been to an all inclusive, but I might take a look at Club Med in Turks & Caicos if the fall looks good for traveling but not cruising.

Edited June 20, 2020 by TNcruising02

[tonit964]

53 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Thanks! I didn't realize how lucky I was at the time to just barely get that one in. Unfortunately it looks like my next one will be officially canceled on Monday.

 

I think the main thing with the ships is the fact that they visit other countries. If you go to the beach right now (I was there the last two weekends) it's packed. The hotels are packed. The restaurants are packed. The bars are packed. Nobody is wearing masks. Nobody is practicing any distancing. The difference is you don’t have to clear customs leaving a beach hotel.

 

Yeah, I camped at the beach a couple of times in the last month and it's always packed.

 

I hope you're able to cruise sooner rather than later and we can follow along on your live review. 😄

[UPNYGuy]

5 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

I've never been to an all inclusive, but I might take a look at Club Med in Turks & Caicos if the fall looks good for traveling but not cruising.

take a look at the Club Med website right now if I can make a suggestion. It functions like a cruise site. You can book a room non refundable, or fully refundable with a deposit (slightly more and what I did). They have some great sales going on currently. I got a week at the one in Florida for less than what a Havana cabana cabin goes for without inclusions, and this is almost all inclusive. 

[puerto penasco lady]

Totally depressed, I just called my travel agent and cancelled 10 of my 15 cruises I had booked for this year....Now my next cruise is not until November 22.....hope I can survive...lol.  Would have made Pinnacle in Feb, but who knows when I will make it now.

 

Brenda

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, CarnivalCruiser875 said:

Took the words right out of my mouth. I work for a large pharmaceutical company. I've seen the testing, research, and development it takes for any kind of drug, vaccine etc. Takes many batches, many tests. 100% agree with waiting on a vaccine, however I won't let the lack of a vaccine keep me from traveling and living my life.

There have been a lot of people on this site, including some posters in this thread, who have been adamant that a vaccine would be available soon for this virus. I assume with your background you know the fastest a vaccine has ever been developed was four years for mumps. Why  people think a vaccine can now be developed in under a year is baffling. Despite this, I would go on a cruise tomorrow if it was an option. However, the CDC seems determined to keep that from happening as long as possible. 

[PhillyFan33579]

5 minutes ago, puerto penasco lady said:

Totally depressed, I just called my travel agent and cancelled 10 of my 15 cruises I had booked for this year....Now my next cruise is not until November 22.....hope I can survive...lol.  Would have made Pinnacle in Feb, but who knows when I will make it now.

 

Brenda

Do you realize you are posting on a Carnival board?  It would probably be more appropriate to post on an RCI board when discussing reaching Pinnacle. Still find it interesting the 500 day difference between RCI’s top loyalty level and Carnival’s top level. 

[seaman11]

i received no notice for my aug cruise. from carnival and it still showing on my bookings also. 

[BlerkOne]

18 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 Still find it interesting the 500 day difference between RCI’s top loyalty level and Carnival’s top level. 

 

It has to do with Carnival isn't looking for people who cruise for perks, but people who like the brand. Novice cruisers are a primary target market for Carnival.

[PhillyFan33579]

4 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

 

It has to do with Carnival isn't looking for people who cruise for perks, but people who like the brand. Novice cruisers are a primary target market for Carnival.

I definitely agree with you. I have posted more than once on this site that Carnival’s ideal cruise is all blue cards. 

[geckoaz]

My horizon cruise to abc islands is still possible. However at the moment i cannot fly to any of those islands. Heck i am from ariz and i cannot fly to kansas without doing a 14 day qurantine. Az casinos opened but 3 closed for 14 days. School starts july 20 for my grandkids and i worry about that too. I love to cruise but i respect all opinions and hope everyone is safe.

 

[Cruiseboy06]

2 hours ago, 48traveler said:

I just called Carnival, 30 minute hold time, and the agent said there would be an announcement on Monday  and if his assumption is correct our Sept 14  Galveston cruise will be cancelled, just like our May cruise. We all just keep going round and round. I asked him, OK , if it is cancelled again should I re book 5 years from now.  Starting to get very frustrated  just like many of you I am sure. If it is cancelled I want to try for May 2021 , and if so, you watch, the prices will be sky high..

your Sept 14th cruise WILL BE CANCELED  and rest of Sept cruises...

[Cruiseboy06]

Just now, geckoaz said:

My horizon cruise to abc islands is still possible. However at the moment i cannot fly to any of those islands. Heck i am from ariz and i cannot fly to kansas without doing a 14 day qurantine. Az casinos opened but 3 closed for 14 days. School starts july 20 for my grandkids and i worry about that too. I love to cruise but i respect all opinions and hope everyone is safe.

 

when is your cruise?

[Cruiseboy06]

12 minutes ago, seaman11 said:

i received no notice for my aug cruise. from carnival and it still showing on my bookings also. 

your August cruise will still show in your profile after it being  canceled........