Cruise industry announces US sailing suspension extended until Sept. 15

[Lottacruises]

I think we will be  cruising in November.  I hope I am right, not because I will be at sea for 28 days, but just for the fact that i can come back and say "see?? I told you so!!"

 

Fingers crossed!!!

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Meanwhile airlines keep on flying. 

And the islands are open to land based travel

[Lottacruises]

12 minutes ago, Cruiseboy06 said:

You can not book a cruise for Sept because its grayed out

Maybe they will open up as we get closer. 

[Florida Paesano]

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

i am currently waiting 92 days and counting for a refund for a cruise i canceled back in march

 

Same here.  Sorry you are too and for any others who are still waiting.

[topaz123]

1 hour ago, IcanSeaclearlynow said:

But then they couldn’t play with your $$.  If schools & universities show success resuming in the Fall MAYBE they will resume cruising in November or December.  But It has not gone well working through the phases for some states even with sweltering temps so resuming classes are going to be a big gamble.  If people get to cruise Jan 2021 I’ll be surprised.  But hey, all this time off should give them ample time to clean the nasty drapes, sofas, etc in the cabins particularly the older ships.  Just sayin is all 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hear, Hear....We've done a remodel of kitchen, and more cleaning out of closets than ever....SO....I guess there is a positive side. Just a salty taste in the mouth when Carnival keeps sending notices of cruise " specials" seemingly knowing that they do not have the GREEN LIGHT to go......sounds  a bit shoddy.

[mrhartert]

3 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

CLIA is "voluntarily" suspending cruises because they know that any progress towards meeting the CDC requirements to resume cruising, and then following up with implementation and recrewing will be mid-Sept at the earliest.  They are merely bending to the inevitable.

 

From what I have have read between the lines from a lot of different sources is that the CDC is dragging its feet on all of this and that they have been non-receptive to any of the proposals that the cruise lines have been proposing to become active again. The CDC won't even hear the proposals put forward by the cruise lines. Now granted, the CDC has its hands full right now and has a lot on their plate, but they have completely shuttered an entire industry without even giving them an opportunity to remedy the situation!

 

Until the CDC gives an announcement that they will be lifting the No-Sail order, I can't imagine we'll see any of the cruise lines sailing. I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't extend until sometime next year (which is why I haven't rushed to use my FCC just yet, even with my PVP hounding me on a weekly basis to book something new). The CDC seems to just be punishing the cruise lines at this point, and I can't draw a line as to why this is the case.

[topaz123]

Hmmmm.....just to be safe we're looking to book sometime in 2033.

[Hlitner]

3 minutes ago, mrhartert said:

 

From what I have have read between the lines from a lot of different sources is that the CDC is dragging its feet on all of this and that they have been non-receptive to any of the proposals that the cruise lines have been proposing to become active again. The CDC won't even hear the proposals put forward by the cruise lines. Now granted, the CDC has its hands full right now and has a lot on their plate, but they have completely shuttered an entire industry without even giving them an opportunity to remedy the situation!

 

Until the CDC gives an announcement that they will be lifting the No-Sail order, I can't imagine we'll see any of the cruise lines sailing. I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't extend until sometime next year (which is why I haven't rushed to use my FCC just yet, even with my PVP hounding me on a weekly basis to book something new). The CDC seems to just be punishing the cruise lines at this point, and I can't draw a line as to why this is the case.

I will not defend the CDC, but the cruise issue goes far beyond a few CDC decisions.  Folks need to be honest with themselves.  Mass market cruise ships really have no reasonable way to implement adequate COVID-19 mitigation measures.  Social distancing on a mass market ship is nearly impossible and the behavior we have seen in some areas of the country would call into question any attempt to get folks (especially younger folks) to adhere to strict mask requirements.  There is also the issue of ports who mostly will not open to cruise ships at this time.   But I do think the biggest problem of all is what can a cruise ship do if even a single passenger/crew presents with COVID-19 during a cruise.  This question must absolutely be answered before cruising can resume.  At the current time they would be forced to put the entire ship into quarantine (with passengers restricted to their cabins) for at least 14 days and then pray that there is some port somewhere they will accept the vessel.   That is just not a reasonable way to operate the cruise industry and finding an acceptable solution is a daunting task.

 

Hank

[cyclist_guy1]

10 minutes ago, mrhartert said:

 

The CDC seems to just be punishing the cruise lines at this point, and I can't draw a line as to why this is the case.

i think its a bit extreme to suggest the cdc is punishing the cruise lines. the cdc is well aware of what affects this no-sail has on the industry. i can believe that the cdc is dragging its feet on determining when its safe to sail. honestly though, id rather the cdc drag its feet on when its safe to sail rather than open too soon and put everyone's health at risk.

[Earthworm Jim]

2 hours ago, topaz123 said:

Just pull the plug and cancel till 2021 or later date and be done with it. I'd  Rather have a true date to resume, than doing the yoyo back n forth...

 

That's easy to say, but who knows what the real date when it will be safe again is? No one, including the cruise lines.

 

They are no doubt paying analysts to look at the question. But lets say their analysis is "There's a 10% chance you'll be able to offer cruises in October, 40% chance by December, 60% chance by March 2021, 90% chance by June 2021, and 99% chance by September 2021. How is Carnival supposed to pick a "true" date out of that?

 

And say they pick the date of March 2021, but it turns out they could have actually sailed in January. That two month extra delay just cost them millions and might be the difference between the company surviving or not. I don't think they can just pick some far away "safe" date and be done with it as you are asking.

[rabidstoat]

1 hour ago, waywyrd said:

Well crap. I'm booked on the Sunshine out of Charleston for Sept. 28th after having earlier cruises cancelled twice...at this point I don't know whether my husband should even bother locking in the time off from work. 😕

 

Charleston is a nice city, if you already have airfare booked you could just vacation there in the city and surrounding areas. At least it'd be a vacation.

[waywyrd]

7 minutes ago, rabidstoat said:

 

Charleston is a nice city, if you already have airfare booked you could just vacation there in the city and surrounding areas. At least it'd be a vacation.

We're only an hour and a half away, we usually just drive down the morning of the cruise. But you're right, we could just hang out in Charleston if it comes down to it, there's plenty to do.

[LouChamp]

I figured this would happen as well as many of my fellow cruisers. i know and respect may are thirsty to cruise but carnival played many long time cruisers into thinking august would happen.  Now they have deposits, final payments and can float the money.  

It’s disgusting!  Sad. 

[topaz123]

33 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

That's easy to say, but who knows what the real date when it will be safe again is? No one, including the cruise lines.

 

They are no doubt paying analysts to look at the question. But lets say their analysis is "There's a 10% chance you'll be able to offer cruises in October, 40% chance by December, 60% chance by March 2021, 90% chance by June 2021, and 99% chance by September 2021. How is Carnival supposed to pick a "true" date out of that?

 

And say they pick the date of March 2021, but it turns out they could have actually sailed in January. That two month extra delay just cost them millions and might be the difference between the company surviving or not. I don't think they can just pick some far away "safe" date and be done with it as you are asking.

I understand your points....but it seems akin to selling a product you do not have, for example the product being the cruise. I can place an order for a television and then immediately post an ad for a TV at a great price, but not having the TV in my possession. It kinda skirts the line.

[tonit964]

3 minutes ago, joeyancho said:

Bingo. It is the one thing they cannot mitigate.  

I think this is their stumbling block and what they're trying to figure out. The passenger cabin hallways are so narrow and all it takes is someone to sneeze or cough that is infected and it spreads like wildfire.

[TNcruising02]

If they cruise while the virus is still an issue, I think masks will be required in the hallways and elevators.  If Disney can figure it out, I think the cruise lines can too.  An amusement park seems like a huge risk for getting the virus, but the good news for them is that people won't get sick until after they have left the park.

I think a special area of cabins set aside for those testing positive is a good move.  If they have a rapid results test that can also detect a recently infected person, then they could test everyone before boarding.   Letting people board without testing them is a risk. I have zero concerns about cruising at this time, but don't want to cruise until after masks are no longer needed.  That will be awhile.  Maybe things will be better by the time I hopefully can cruise in January.

If they cancel my Sept cruise and offer the $600 OBC, I will roll it over into my January cruise.  If they don't offer an OBC, I will request a refund.  I think they will continue offering the OBCs because most people will probably request a refund unless they have some type of motivation to rebook.

[Ysya]

With this new cancellation until September 15, I loose another 4 cruises.  This makes 9 cruises I have had cancelled.

What makes me mad is that at least 5 of these cruises were free cruises I earned in the casino and as far as I know they are gone.  

 

Anyone else know how or if Royal Caribbean will give me these free cruises back? 

[ctkathchick]

2 hours ago, K&RCurt said:

We are booked on the Pride out of Baltimore at the end of October.  While they have Aug & Sept "greyed out" for bookings if you search for cruises in October all that is showing now are 2 & 3 day crusies.  It seems to me that is their current plan to start back up, sometime in October with only 3 & 4 day cruises. So I am pretty sure our October cruise will cancell.  In any case there is no way I will be making final payment in July for it without something more definitive on a plan to start back with CDC approvals.

We are booked for October as well and I just checked and the cruise is not available for October only 2-5 day cruises. I then went and checked my cruise and at least that one is there for now.

[trummy]

Some people never learn. Plan land vacations until this is over.

 

We are looking forward to spending the month of July in the beach house we have rented. We are able to do that because we don't have our cash tied up in a future cruise that may or may not happen.

[balcony bound]

2 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

I don't know if I agree. While I am not an expert in virology, if we have this virus that is so deadly, we can't cruise, how is this any safer on a plane?

 

I get the whole touching elevators, buffet spoons, and whatever else you want to hit me with. What is different about a contagious virus on a plane? More people fly on planes than cruise.

Especially since the virus arrived in the US via airplane.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, cyclist_guy1 said:

i think its a bit extreme to suggest the cdc is punishing the cruise lines. the cdc is well aware of what affects this no-sail has on the industry. i can believe that the cdc is dragging its feet on determining when its safe to sail. honestly though, id rather the cdc drag its feet on when its safe to sail rather than open too soon and put everyone's health at risk.

 

I think it is beyond extreme to accuse the cruise lines of all kinds of deceit. You can't just pull a cruise ship into a port, load up and go. It takes a lot of planning and contracts with the port, fuel, food, liquor, security, etc., etc.

 

If the cruise line is offering a cruise, they are planning on being prepared for it to cruise. They can't control the virus any more than the weather, although I bet they can deal with it better than many states. Now if only people on land would prepare as well...

[joeyancho]

21 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

I think this is their stumbling block and what they're trying to figure out. The passenger cabin hallways are so narrow and all it takes is someone to sneeze or cough that is infected and it spreads like wildfire.

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.

[Saint Greg]

49 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

I think this is their stumbling block and what they're trying to figure out. The passenger cabin hallways are so narrow and all it takes is someone to sneeze or cough that is infected and it spreads like wildfire.

 

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.

[Decali]

3 hours ago, bury me at sea said:

 

October cruises on the Vista and the Freedom are also unavailable.  The obvious unanswered question would be, so what about October?

 

I have a late October Freedom cruise booked and paid for. My glass half full angel on one shoulder says it's because we'll sail at reduced capacity and they're already fully booked with that scenario but the glass half empty angel on the other shoulder is telling me to make other vacation plans. Not the end of the world if that happens but damn.

 

My CCL shareholder onboard credit request that I sent in weeks ago hasn't been responded to with a yes/no/go away and I think that might be a tell too. 

Edited June 19, 2020 by Decali
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[joepeka]

45 minutes ago, trummy said:

Some people never learn. Plan land vacations until this is over.

 

We are looking forward to spending the month of July in the beach house we have rented. We are able to do that because we don't have our cash tied up in a future cruise that may or may not happen.

Same here except it's not for the entire month of July. Looking forward to it while also hoping our May 2021 cruise still happens. If not, well it may be another beach house next summer! 😁