DO you want to CRUISE again?COME HERE!

[sverigecruiser]

7 hours ago, hoops71 said:

 

At the same time, we should be willing to modify some of our behaviors for the good of society and cruising to get it up and going again.  For example, wearing a mask just like you would indoors at a grocery store.  

 

It's much easier to think that it should be okay to wear a mask on a cruise if you are used to it. I want to cruise but I shouldn't enjoy it if I had to wear a mask so that is not an option for me.

[bina]

I would love to cruise again, I have a cruise booked for Aug 2021.  My issues is  I do not want to wear a mask or do ship only excursions, so I may push my cruise out until 2022 

[Oulton Jim]

I noted today that part of the now adopted CLIA protocol this is the wording regarding shore excursions:-

 

Shore Excursions: Only permitted shore excursions according to the cruise operators’ prescribed protocols, with strict adherence required of all passengers and denial of re-boarding for any passengers that do not comply.

 

 The devil will be in the detail as interpreted by cruise lines -but if the only way to go ashore would be as part of a chaperoned ship excursion, my wife and I have some hard thinking to do.....

[hamrag]

8 hours ago, Summerstravel said:

I have a cruise booked for Thanksgiving week out of New Orleans and I would love for it to sail. I am good with the new covid-19 safety procedures....I'm ready.  

 

Sadly the problem you have for USA sailings is that, thus far, no 'covid-19 safety procedures' have been agreed as acceptable to the CDC. Until the day that happens, there is no prospect of cruising and then it will take a number of weeks to get their ducks all in a row before passengers can board.....not least new training for all crew members, quite apart from the logistics of getting them to the ships and self isolating for a couple of weeks once they travel to the embark destinations!

Edited September 22, 2020 by hamrag

[Trimone]

43 minutes ago, Oulton Jim said:

I noted today that part of the now adopted CLIA protocol this is the wording regarding shore excursions:-

 

Shore Excursions: Only permitted shore excursions according to the cruise operators’ prescribed protocols, with strict adherence required of all passengers and denial of re-boarding for any passengers that do not comply.

 

 The devil will be in the detail as interpreted by cruise lines -but if the only way to go ashore would be as part of a chaperoned ship excursion, my wife and I have some hard thinking to do.....

Jim, just imagine the same people leading the excursions have done it everyday that week, then mixing with others at home, no space for COVID-19 testing? 

[Oulton Jim]

1 hour ago, Trimone said:

Jim, just imagine the same people leading the excursions have done it everyday that week, then mixing with others at home, no space for COVID-19 testing? 

Is it not unfair that holidaymakers can fly into these same ports and wander around unchaperoned? 

[roger001]

I don't wish to cruise if a mask is required.  But mostly I don't want to take a chance of getting quarantined away from home for up to 2 weeks if the virus occurred on the ship.  That's not scared.  Just first, a fun factor missing with the mask, and the other, an extreme inconvenience that I just can't afford.  So, I'll wait.  

[JoLoves2Travel]

20 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

This has already been discussed in a few threads.  Most seem to think it's a waste of keyboard ink.  Hope that doesn't break your "doom and darkness" rule.   🙂

I wasn't aware, I had been MIA. Well, hopefully it works for something.

[JoLoves2Travel]

19 hours ago, sammee said:

No to original poster who actually put that in  the post? I apologize, I should have quoted it.  Just tired of everybody with the "too scared to" garbage. Most of us aren't scared, we weigh things out.

 

I have been on FB groups and as soon as you post that you want to go on a cruise, people go in saying is too risky killing the joy of anyone that's looking forward to return back to cruising and that's why I put the warning in my post. Hell, I even got kicked out of a group last night as well as others for an innocent comment. If you didn't like that part, you could had ignored my post. 

[JoLoves2Travel]

17 hours ago, hoops71 said:

I have been following this ongoing debate for several months now.  Most of the time it appears that people refuse to even consider the merits of the other sides argument.  Some like to selectively choose which data to treat as the gospel while ignoring just as meaningful data which contradicts their opinion or position.  Some claim their should be zero cruising until COVID is essentially eradicated or 100% of society is vaccinated. Others want the cruises started today, but don't want to make any changes or take any steps that doesn't fit with their own enjoyment level.  

 

I guess I fall somewhere in between.  COVID is serious and should be treated as such.  But by society as a whole, not just the cruising industry.  The hypocrisy of allowing fans at football games, full flights, full casinos etc., but saying no to cruisers is disheartening.

 

At the same time, we should be willing to modify some of our behaviors for the good of society and cruising to get it up and going again.  For example, wearing a mask just like you would indoors at a grocery store.  Just as the airlines have a "no fly" list for purposeful noncompliance, the cruises could have the same.

 

Anyone who isn't comfortable cruising right now should not be shamed.  It is understandable.  There is risk involved.  Probably even higher risk than everyday activity around their hometown.  No one is forcing them to go.  Likewise, those who don't like new protocols that are designed to reduce risk of spread don't have to go on a cruise.  No one is forcing you to go either.

 

I want to get back to cruising so bad it hurts.  I am willing to follow new protocols to do so.  I just don't believe that cruising should be held to either a higher or a lower standard than other industries.  The only concern I would have at this point is the protocol for what to do once a case is discovered onboard.  There has to be solution that doesn't involve just cancelling the rest of the cruise.  They are returning to states and ports that are already reporting thousands of new cases a day anyway.  What is twenty or thirty more?  The affected parties should be treated and concern.  All other issues should be handled just as if you are in a hotel or casino.  No better. No worse.

 

My wife and I are booked on  November 1, 2020 Encore out of New York.  I have no expectations that it will go.  But I sure would like to see some movement  towards cruising soon.

 

 

I am glad you mentioned the hypocrisy and made some valid points. A lot of it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. And when you question people about it they can't even answer themselves. In example, I see kids playing at parks and parents having BBQs with no mask on around a lot of people but yet they don't want to send their kids to school. If we are to assume everyone has covid then no one should be taking off their masks around anyone. I have also known people that got covid and lived with their spouses but they didn't get it themselves. We also have had protests for more than 100 days and experts stated that it led to no covid spikes. There's a lot more that I want to say but I'll stop there as I think you also get the point.

 

Anyways, I'll just wait when things change around. In the meantime, I know people with boats so maybe I'll just take boat rides  and call it a day. I don't see myself returning to cruising anytime soon if those are the rules. However, I'll enjoy seeing videos and pictures of those that will resume back to cruising. Actually, saw someone post on a group they are in Europe cruising. Luckily my last cruise was November 2019, so I still have recent memories.

 

 

[lgdesign]

17 hours ago, hoops71 said:

I have been following this ongoing debate for several months now.  Most of the time it appears that people refuse to even consider the merits of the other sides argument.  Some like to selectively choose which data to treat as the gospel while ignoring just as meaningful data which contradicts their opinion or position.  Some claim their should be zero cruising until COVID is essentially eradicated or 100% of society is vaccinated. Others want the cruises started today, but don't want to make any changes or take any steps that doesn't fit with their own enjoyment level.  

 

I guess I fall somewhere in between.  COVID is serious and should be treated as such.  But by society as a whole, not just the cruising industry.  The hypocrisy of allowing fans at football games, full flights, full casinos etc., but saying no to cruisers is disheartening.

 

At the same time, we should be willing to modify some of our behaviors for the good of society and cruising to get it up and going again.  For example, wearing a mask just like you would indoors at a grocery store.  Just as the airlines have a "no fly" list for purposeful noncompliance, the cruises could have the same.

 

Anyone who isn't comfortable cruising right now should not be shamed.  It is understandable.  There is risk involved.  Probably even higher risk than everyday activity around their hometown.  No one is forcing them to go.  Likewise, those who don't like new protocols that are designed to reduce risk of spread don't have to go on a cruise.  No one is forcing you to go either.

 

I want to get back to cruising so bad it hurts.  I am willing to follow new protocols to do so.  I just don't believe that cruising should be held to either a higher or a lower standard than other industries.  The only concern I would have at this point is the protocol for what to do once a case is discovered onboard.  There has to be solution that doesn't involve just cancelling the rest of the cruise.  They are returning to states and ports that are already reporting thousands of new cases a day anyway.  What is twenty or thirty more?  The affected parties should be treated and concern.  All other issues should be handled just as if you are in a hotel or casino.  No better. No worse.

 

My wife and I are booked on  November 1, 2020 Encore out of New York.  I have no expectations that it will go.  But I sure would like to see some movement  towards cruising soon.

 

Beautifully and rationally stated... I agree with most everything you said.

[sammee]

1 hour ago, JoLoves2Travel said:

 

I have been on FB groups and as soon as you post that you want to go on a cruise, people go in saying is too risky killing the joy of anyone that's looking forward to return back to cruising and that's why I put the warning in my post. Hell, I even got kicked out of a group last night as well as others for an innocent comment. If you didn't like that part, you could had ignored my post. 

So you're going to start off your post with "scared of cruising" and "doom and darkness" terms? Is that in retaliation for other posts that didn't go your way? Second thought, don't answer, I don't care.

[jebhoward3]

We have 5 cruises booked for 2021 and are hoping all 5 are a "GO".   Would rather not wear a mask, but it's not a deal breaker for us.  Social distancing is not an issue as we do not like crowds.  We normally spend a lot of time in our suite enjoying the ocean from our balcony and reading or listening to audio books.

 

We do wish that cruise lines would video the entertainment in the main show lounge and the educational presentations and then show them later on the TV in staterooms/suites.  This way it could keep the show lounge less crowded and those who do not attend can still enjoy the entertainment.

[JoLoves2Travel]

2 hours ago, sammee said:

So you're going to start off your post with "scared of cruising" and "doom and darkness" terms? Is that in retaliation for other posts that didn't go your way? Second thought, don't answer, I don't care.

 

Way to jump into conclusions. Not retaliation just because I have seen how nasty and vicious people can get. The posts were not made by me on those FB groups but by people that have cruises coming up and post that they hope they can cruise soon and people start posting things how risky it is and about death. This is why I made my warning of doom and darkness not because posts didn't go my way. But since you don't care, then don't read this post. If you didn't want me to answer then maybe you shouldn't had quoted me.😄

[JoLoves2Travel]

2 hours ago, jebhoward3 said:

We have 5 cruises booked for 2021 and are hoping all 5 are a "GO".   Would rather not wear a mask, but it's not a deal breaker for us.  Social distancing is not an issue as we do not like crowds.  We normally spend a lot of time in our suite enjoying the ocean from our balcony and reading or listening to audio books.

 

We do wish that cruise lines would video the entertainment in the main show lounge and the educational presentations and then show them later on the TV in staterooms/suites.  This way it could keep the show lounge less crowded and those who do not attend can still enjoy the entertainment.

Hope you get to cruise soon! Keep fingers crossed! I haven't booked anything yet, will wait. 

[hamrag]

2 hours ago, jebhoward3 said:

We do wish that cruise lines would video the entertainment in the main show lounge and the educational presentations and then show them later on the TV in staterooms/suites.  This way it could keep the show lounge less crowded and those who do not attend can still enjoy the entertainment.

 

That would make a lot of sense and, apart from night 1, would enable those wishing to do this view a show in their stateroom every evening.

[hloakes]

We are booked out of Tampa Thanksgiving week. I do not know if it will go but I hope so. I am not sure what we will do if masks are required, I refuse to where them to stores, restaurants, etc. but may do so to go on a cruise.  The real breaker for me is a required vaccine; that is a no go. 

[macandlucy]

22 minutes ago, hloakes said:

We are booked out of Tampa Thanksgiving week. I do not know if it will go but I hope so. I am not sure what we will do if masks are required, I refuse to where them to stores, restaurants, etc. but may do so to go on a cruise.  The real breaker for me is a required vaccine; that is a no go. 

I'm so curious as to why you refuse to wear them. Is it because you don't think they are effective? Don't want to be required to wear something?  They are uncomfortable or make breathing harder? Don't think Covid is as big a concern as others do ie only harmful to people in high risk groups and often inconsequential for the rest? Some combination of those?

 

Sorry, don't mean to derail the thread -- I have seen this sentiment expressed here and there and I just wonder why. But I will say that I expect masks to be absolutely mandatory in shared spaces for a while on cruises, with a zero tolerance policy at first.  I can't see it happening any other way.

 

[hloakes]

4 hours ago, macandlucy said:

I'm so curious as to why you refuse to wear them. Is it because you don't think they are effective? Don't want to be required to wear something?  They are uncomfortable or make breathing harder? Don't think Covid is as big a concern as others do ie only harmful to people in high risk groups and often inconsequential for the rest? Some combination of those?

 

Yes! 

 

They are uncomfortable and I have difficulty breathing in them. If you want to wear one, I have no problem with that but to require it seems over the top to me. There is some data that actually show that the states where masks are required have increasing infection rates as opposed to states that don't and show a flat or decreasing rate. 

 

If one is in the high risk group and fear they may be effected (affected?) by the virus, then they should take every precaution they believe is necessary, but that does not mean that anyone else should not be allowed to go on as they see fit. Because of some past events in my life I may be in the high risk group but I choose to move on. Again I do not have anything against anyone who wants to take any precautions they believe are needed, just don't push them on me. I do not take the flu shot and have no intention on taking a CV vaccine that has been rushed to market. If it is proven effective after some time and shows no side effects, maybe latter. I also believe CV will be with us for a long time, and like the flu, will flare at time, maybe seasonally. 

 

You are probably correct about the mandatory use of masks and I will have to weigh that into our decision as to weather we go.  

 

I hope that answers the question for you. 

[HowardK]

I had one scheduled for May this year (Encore to Bermuda) and see they are not doing the same combination (week, port, ship) the next few years. 

I wasn't planning on going in 2021 but given I missed this years am looking for something for fall of '22.

Personally, I think it will take a combination of a vaccine and less cases.

[macandlucy]

1 hour ago, hloakes said:

 

Yes! 

 

They are uncomfortable and I have difficulty breathing in them. If you want to wear one, I have no problem with that but to require it seems over the top to me. There is some data that actually show that the states where masks are required have increasing infection rates as opposed to states that don't and show a flat or decreasing rate. 

 

If one is in the high risk group and fear they may be effected (affected?) by the virus, then they should take every precaution they believe is necessary, but that does not mean that anyone else should not be allowed to go on as they see fit. Because of some past events in my life I may be in the high risk group but I choose to move on. Again I do not have anything against anyone who wants to take any precautions they believe are needed, just don't push them on me. I do not take the flu shot and have no intention on taking a CV vaccine that has been rushed to market. If it is proven effective after some time and shows no side effects, maybe latter. I also believe CV will be with us for a long time, and like the flu, will flare at time, maybe seasonally. 

 

You are probably correct about the mandatory use of masks and I will have to weigh that into our decision as to weather we go.  

 

I hope that answers the question for you. 

It does answer my question, and thank you so much for such a thorough explanation :)

 

I'm a devoted mask wearer myself, but I am not too bothered by people who don't wear them. I wear a good mask to protect myself, my advice to others is to wear a good mask to protect themselves, but some people can't wear them and I understand that. To be honest, I don't have much confidence in the masks other people wear anyway -- the materials, the fit, a lot of them look pretty useless to me, so I rely on mine and not others'. 

 

I'm pretty sure masks will be required on cruise ships, at least for the near future, but it won't be forever. Here's hoping we don't have too long to wait before things get back to (mostly) normal.

[Bramcruiser]

Hi, as it currently stands now I say yes to planning another cruise. When and where matters. I think 2021 right now is a toss up so I have booked us on a 2022 cruise. Its going to be tough as we used to cruise at least once a year. With us not doing one in 2019 and our 2020 cruise being cancelled it means 4 years between cruises. So yes, I am more than itching to go. I am already overdue.

 

I figured Iceland is a good start for a Canadian.....reduces the entry into countries where the current rates of Covid are too high. 

 

Would I go with a mask and adhere to a cruise ship only organized tour? Sure as long as the mask is only needed for public spaces and who know if this pandemic will even be at the same levels by then. People complain about being forced to take a tour if its forced on them by a cruise line over letting them go off on private tours. Yes, I get the arguments that they have but for safety sake the cruiseline is responsible for your safety and those of others. What's to prevent someone from unknowingly catching Covid while out and around. I think that aspect is more important than the cruiseline ripping you off for more money.

 

Anyway this is all conjecture. No one has a crystal ball and, for me, 2022 is a long way off. Everything could be completely different by then.

Edited September 23, 2020 by Bramcruiser

[hladygirl]

We have only taken cruises as vacations. I want cruising to start up as much as anyone here. I do not want to pay for a cruise and have to worry about social distancing, masks and not being able to explore on my own. My biggest worry is if someone tests positive on the cruise. Will we be quarantined on the ship? Too many negatives for me to cruise right now. Will have to wait to see what the future holds. It stinks!!!! We can not change life right now. It is what it is. It sucks but we have t live it for now. All we can do is follow recommendations for masks and distancing. I work in healthcare and can assure all that this is not a hoax or over exaggerated. This truly is about life or death!

Edited September 23, 2020 by hladygirl

[sammee]

10 hours ago, hladygirl said:

We have only taken cruises as vacations. I want cruising to start up as much as anyone here. I do not want to pay for a cruise and have to worry about social distancing, masks and not being able to explore on my own. My biggest worry is if someone tests positive on the cruise. Will we be quarantined on the ship? Too many negatives for me to cruise right now. Will have to wait to see what the future holds. It stinks!!!! We can not change life right now. It is what it is. It sucks but we have t live it for now. All we can do is follow recommendations for masks and distancing. I work in healthcare and can assure all that this is not a hoax or over exaggerated. This truly is about life or death!

We are waiting for the same reasons. I really struggle with the mask (health problems), but I use it anyway. I keep my outings shorter. I can't gamble with placing more money down either. Even if the cruiseline does sail, it doesn't mean my husbands employer will let him. Quite a few people are under that pesky rule of not leaving their states. I had to cancel a road trip too. When that rule is lifted, than we'll try. Can't even do a road trip, oh I wish he was retired.

[oteixeira]

22 hours ago, jebhoward3 said:

We do wish that cruise lines would video the entertainment in the main show lounge and the educational presentations and then show them later on the TV in staterooms/suites.  This way it could keep the show lounge less crowded and those who do not attend can still enjoy the entertainment.

I just wanted to say this is a brilliant idea.  Can someone alert the CEOs?   🙂 I kid about alerting the CEOs but I really hope they do this.  If we can muster via the TV and a card scan, why can't we watch the live shows via remote camera from their sound booth?  Good call by you @jebhoward3