CDC ruling out today in trades

[LHT28]

8 hours ago, drkitkat123 said:

Can one do two 7 day cruises in a row?

I do not believe so  even the European ships now sailing do not allow B2Bs

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, tennis said:

We just made the final payment for the Jan 3, 2021 Riviera cruise from Miami.  I may be the eternal optimist but am still hoping that we may be able to go. 

 

I would not start packing yet 😉

 FDR said late Jan or Feb before any ships will be sailing  if/when they get the nod

[RJB]

16 hours ago, Jancruz said:

True but that is just an advisory you have a choice and I choose to cruise!!

Jancruz1

WE all need to do what we think is best for us.  No one can tell me what is good for me as no one can tell you.  Just all need to stay safe so we can continue to cruise.  Can't wait to go.

[msears101]

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

FDR said late Jan or Feb before any ships will be sailing

Who is FDR.  I only know of the president, FDR.

[msears101]

10 hours ago, drkitkat123 said:

Can one do two 7 day cruises in a row?

 

The CDC conditional return to sailing does not forbid two 7 day back to back cruises.  You may have to get off the boat and get back on and/or book them as separate cruises strictly speaking to be compiance.

[njhorseman]

4 minutes ago, msears101 said:

Who is FDR.  I only know of the president, FDR.

Assuming you're serious...it's Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Oceania, Regent Seven Seas and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

[msears101]

16 hours ago, njhorseman said:

No...that's just certification to allow crew changes.

Agreed.  Some were saying it would be 90 days, this just shaved off 28 days to enter US water was my point.  The 60 Days of crew testing at the end of the CDC document, it is not clear that it must be completed before sailing  with paid passengers can begin.  It is not expressly stated how it factors into a timeline, ie do this before that or that it could have already been done and the cruise lines just need to have records of it.  The cruise line should react on Monday.  

[msears101]

11 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Assuming you're serious...it's Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Oceania, Regent Seven Seas and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Frank is not on my Christmas card list.  I do not know who he is. 

 

Assuming he did say that I am curious to know why cruises are not already cancelled.

 

They are already in trouble according this article - https://www.law360.com/transportation/articles/1324566/investors-say-norwegian-cruise-liable-for-virus-sales-fraud

Edited October 31, 2020 by msears101

[Tranquility Base]

22 minutes ago, msears101 said:

 

The CDC conditional return to sailing does not forbid two 7 day back to back cruises.  You may have to get off the boat and get back on and/or book them as separate cruises strictly speaking to be compiance.

With a negative test result required both before embarking, and prior to disembarking, and extra cleaning requirements, I would not be surprised to see at least one night in port whilst the ship was prepared for each subsequent cruise.

[njhorseman]

10 minutes ago, msears101 said:

Frank is not on my Christmas card list.  I do not know who he is. 

 

Assuming he did say that I am curious to know why cruises are not already cancelled.

 

They are already in trouble according this article - https://www.law360.com/transportation/articles/1324566/investors-say-norwegian-cruise-liable-for-virus-sales-fraud

All of the Big Three cruise line holding companies have not exactly been a model of good business ethics, to put it mildly, during the pandemic. They have all been advertising, promoting and selling cruises that they knew would not be able to sail, or at best had only a minuscule chance of sailing. 

[LHT28]

39 minutes ago, msears101 said:

Who is FDR.  I only know of the president, FDR.

sorry most here know  Frank Del Rio  President /CEO of NCLH   previous part owner of Oceania

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, msears101 said:

Agreed.  Some were saying it would be 90 days, this just shaved off 28 days to enter US water was my point.  The 60 Days of crew testing at the end of the CDC document, it is not clear that it must be completed before sailing  with paid passengers can begin.  It is not expressly stated how it factors into a timeline, ie do this before that or that it could have already been done and the cruise lines just need to have records of it.  The cruise line should react on Monday.  

Plans can change but Oceania had no intention of Regatta sailing until the start of its Alaska season and as a result has leased the Astoria dock into April. As a result I'm not sure if Regatta's presence in US waters will have any practical effect on when Oceania will commence operations.

[susiesan]

19 hours ago, njhorseman said:

 

NCLH in fact owns two private islands, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize. One of my Oceania cruises made a day long port stop in Harvest Caye. There's nothing prohibiting Oceania, or Regent Seven Seas, ships for that matter from using either of the private islands. However despite being private islands they are still part of the Bahamas and Belize, respectively, and would have to abide by the rules of those countries. It's not inconceivable that those countries could soften their restrictions to allow calls at the private islands since the number of their citizens that would be directly exposed to cruise ship passengers would be small, and the passengers would all have tested negative for COVID-19 under the CDC's plan.

Oceania could run a 7 day private island cruise. Leave from Miami, sail to Great Stirrup Cay on day 2. Sail over to Belize to Harvest Caye for a day, maybe take 2-3 days to get there, stay a day, sail back to Miami. It would be like a transatlantic with 2 stops to get off the ship. I doubt this would have much appeal to Oceania regulars but maybe someone who just wants to be on a cruise would bite. Not me. NCL could do the same thing since they own these 2 private islands.

[RJB]

51 minutes ago, susiesan said:

Oceania could run a 7 day private island cruise. Leave from Miami, sail to Great Stirrup Cay on day 2. Sail over to Belize to Harvest Caye for a day, maybe take 2-3 days to get there, stay a day, sail back to Miami. It would be like a transatlantic with 2 stops to get off the ship. I doubt this would have much appeal to Oceania regulars but maybe someone who just wants to be on a cruise would bite. Not me. NCL could do the same thing since they own these 2 private islands.

Does not seem like much fun to me.  Can always go to the beach here in Florida for a lot less money.  They will need much more for us to start up again. 

[njhorseman]

3 hours ago, susiesan said:

Oceania could run a 7 day private island cruise. Leave from Miami, sail to Great Stirrup Cay on day 2. Sail over to Belize to Harvest Caye for a day, maybe take 2-3 days to get there, stay a day, sail back to Miami. It would be like a transatlantic with 2 stops to get off the ship. I doubt this would have much appeal to Oceania regulars but maybe someone who just wants to be on a cruise would bite. Not me. NCL could do the same thing since they own these 2 private islands.

 

2 hours ago, RJB said:

Does not seem like much fun to me.  Can always go to the beach here in Florida for a lot less money.  They will need much more for us to start up again. 

No way I would spend dime for that type of cruise. I love cruising but I can do without it until I can get the type of cruising experience I want. 

[kitty9]

I know it’s early in the process to start up, but we’ve been wondering about a lot of things.  Will the pools and hot tubs be closed?  My guess is yes.  How does one practice social distancing in elevators?  Will they have staff on each floor in the elevator lobbies loading each car?  Will the casinos be closed?  What about Baristas?  I can’t see the little snack buffet being open.  Can’t play 8 person team trivia and socially distance at the same time.  I guess what I’m saying is, I feel sorry for all those who will have to make tough decisions that they know will have a negative impact on the cruise line we all like so much.  It won’t be an easy job for the O employees.  Just look at how they will have to redo every itinerary on every ship in the fleet.  Nasty task.

 

But I do know that until the full Oceania experience comes back to as close to normal as we know it, I just can’t see us booking a cruise, although we do already have a B2B scheduled for 12/21.  I hope things are much better by then. I wish all the best to those who decide to cruise in the near future.

[Jayne E]

5 hours ago, RJB said:

Does not seem like much fun to me.  Can always go to the beach here in Florida for a lot less money.  They will need much more for us to start up again. 

Completely agree!  Furthermore, Belize private island has been our least favorite of any Caribbean port. No umbrellas and hard uncomfortable chairs. 

[KirkNC]

On 10/30/2020 at 9:59 PM, D C said:

Private islands seem to be the only way initially. 

Agreed.  We are a loooooong way from anything remotely resembling normal cruising.  Some say negative, I say real.

[KirkNC]

15 hours ago, susiesan said:

Oceania could run a 7 day private island cruise. Leave from Miami, sail to Great Stirrup Cay on day 2. Sail over to Belize to Harvest Caye for a day, maybe take 2-3 days to get there, stay a day, sail back to Miami. It would be like a transatlantic with 2 stops to get off the ship. I doubt this would have much appeal to Oceania regulars but maybe someone who just wants to be on a cruise would bite. Not me. NCL could do the same thing since they own these 2 private islands.

I would bet something like this is how it will start.

[KirkNC]

12 hours ago, njhorseman said:

 

No way I would spend dime for that type of cruise. I love cruising but I can do without it until I can get the type of cruising experience I want. 

I continue to be amazed at those who are willing to get on a ship with no idea of what the experience will be like.  Not criticizing, it’s their right but it still amazes me.

Edited November 1, 2020 by KirkNC

[bob brown]

Since it doesn't visit any foreign ports, I am wondering if NCL's Pride of America might be the first cruise ship back in service, on its weekly Hawaiian cruise?

[susiesan]

A private island only cruise might appeal to people who go to an all inclusive resort for a week. You have your food, beverages, entertainment, and opportunities to be I the sun on the ship while at sea and a few days at the beach on the private islands.

[susiesan]

Because I have cruises booked on both Oceania and Windstar for 2021, I monitor both cruise line web sites and CC boards. This is one new policy that Windstar has announced:

 

Guests are asked to wear masks when traveling to the ship. At the terminal prior to boarding the yacht, guests must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test and undergo a health screening. Embarkation times will be staggered in order to ensure social distancing.

 

I expect Oceania to soon announce the same policy. Unless the cruise line provides the means for this test, how would this work? Example, I will arrive in Papeete 2 days before my Windstar cruise and 2 days in Copenhagen before my O Baltic cruise. Will I be expected to run around cities in a foreign country trying to get tested? In the case of French Polynesia, you have to have already been tested to fly there but then would have to get another one. Unless the cruise lines provide the pre boarding tests this is not workable.

[drkitkat123]

There will be businesses established to do testing for passengers at the ports (I know of  a few people thinking about this). Also ships will buy their own pcr machines and set up their own labs. Again I know of a  200 people ships doing this...

[ORV]

1 hour ago, susiesan said:

A private island only cruise might appeal to people who go to an all inclusive resort for a week. You have your food, beverages, entertainment, and opportunities to be I the sun on the ship while at sea and a few days at the beach on the private islands.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I've seen someone on a Ports Of Call thread ask about where the closest beach is at XY or Z(pick your port). Personally, laying in the hot sun on a sandy beach is very much at the bottom of things I enjoy, but I realize I'm in the minority. I feel the cruise lines will have no problems filling to the capacity they're needing by floating around and going to private islands. By the same token I've seen many, many people mention in posts that they rarely get off at the Caribbean ports, they're just there for the ship experience, or the warmth of that area in the winter. 

 

Most of those attitudes you tend to see more on the Mass Market forums, Oceania cruisers for the most part are in a different niche. I usually try to go somewhere I haven't seen before, and take a historical type tour.