Celebrity will start sailing with only 50-60% capacity

[jelayne]

7 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

I guess I don't know this...  Other than being a gambler, how do I sail in a suite for less than a veranda?

 

Eventually the gamblers will pay a lot more their cabins.

I don't frequent the casino.  But booking early, catching a deal through a consolidator, watching for charters cancelling or schedule changes which opens up a ship they want to fill can result in some pretty good deals.   Currently have a SS on the Apex for $800 less than a IV ( booked early) and a CS on the Reflection that is only $100 more than a

AQ.   

[TeeRick]

4 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I think you would also need to take into consideration the fact that:

 

• Numbers of vaccinated will likely ramp up faster now that workable processes are pretty much in place, and also now the first responders are vaccinated -- so more vaccines will go to the 65+ population.
• Some folks from neighboring states (GA, AL, SC) may be willing to drive to the ports, or some are even willing to fly.
• The CDC framework for restarting cruises has already specified that the initial voyages WILL be at a reduced capacity. So I would definitely assume not more than 50-60% occupancy on initial cruises, even assuming vaccination due to a) requirements, b) need for crew to get up to speed with new requirements.  Also, remember that crew themselves may NOT have had opportunity to be vaccinated.

Agree with all of your comments on ramping up and including vaccinated 65+ from neighboring states.  And yes the CDC has its restrictions currently.  

But in my crystal ball I am trying to see when the  industry can return to actual profitable, full capacity cruising even if only with fully vaccinated seniors out of FL ports.  That was in reaction to the comment from @verizon's post.  Not for a long time is my conclusion at this point.

[Fouremco]

25 minutes ago, sydbarrett said:

Shockingly, not a hockey fan but if I have to choose, Canadiens!!

The Habs are great, but I'm surprised that you didn't go with the Mooseheads!

 

 

[Miaminice]

On 1/28/2021 at 3:43 PM, cruisemom42 said:

If they plan to start at 50% capacity, I wonder how they will deal with bookings that already exceed that?

This has been discussed many times...

 

When cruises resume it will not be the ones already booked. Due to the new regulations and different rules in different countries it will be different itineraries, possibly 7 days max etc. etc.

 

So the same thing that happened with all the cruise lines which already sailed in Europe is going to happen = existing cruises are canceled and new cruises / itineraries are opened for booking.

 

That way they press the reset button and it’s first come first serve...

 

Edited January 29, 2021 by Miaminice

[kwokpot]

31 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

This has been discussed many times...

 

When cruises resume it will not be the ones already booked. Due to the new regulations and different rules in different countries it will be different itineraries, possibly 7 days max etc. etc.

 

So the same thing that happened with all the cruise lines which already sailed in Europe is going to happen = existing cruises are canceled and new cruises / itineraries are opened for booking.

 

That way they press the reset button and it’s first come first serve...

 

BINGO! Easy, fair, no fuss or muss.

 

Edited January 29, 2021 by kwokpot

[Fouremco]

38 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

This has been discussed many times...

 

When cruises resume it will not be the ones already booked. Due to the new regulations and different rules in different countries it will be different itineraries, possibly 7 days max etc. etc.

 

So the same thing that happened with all the cruise lines which already sailed in Europe is going to happen = existing cruises are canceled and new cruises / itineraries are opened for booking.

 

That way they press the reset button and it’s first come first serve...

 

 

7 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

BINGO! Easy, fair, no fuss or muss.

 

Easy? Yes, definitely an easy solution, treating all the booked passengers equally badly.

 

Fair, no fuss or muss? Not so much.

 

Currently booked passengers would now have to turn around and rebook, at an increased price no doubt, with no guarantee of the same cabin selection or perks previously booked. Hardly a win-win situation.

 

I won't say that it can't or won't happen, but to say that it is fair to existing booked passengers or that there will be no fuss or muss is a tad overly optimistic IMO.

 

 

[paulh84]

34 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

BINGO! Easy, fair, no fuss or muss.

 

 

Agreed. I would bet money the newly published Edge sailings are available with limited capacity. All of the 8/9/12 night summer sailings on Equinox will be reconfigured to shorter itineraries anyway. Less nights = more potential sailings they can shift people towards. That takes care of the bulk of Caribbean cruises through October so the ramifications really aren't that significant. 

[cruisemom42]

28 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

That takes care of the bulk of Caribbean cruises through October so the ramifications really aren't that significant. 

 

There are a number of Med cruises still on the books. Not really sure what will happen with those.

[Ken the cruiser]

39 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

Agreed. I would bet money the newly published Edge sailings are available with limited capacity. All of the 8/9/12 night summer sailings on Equinox will be reconfigured to shorter itineraries anyway. Less nights = more potential sailings they can shift people towards. That takes care of the bulk of Caribbean cruises through October so the ramifications really aren't that significant. 

We're currently booked in a SS on the Aug 15th 12 day cruise on the Equinox. It will be interesting to see if the itineraries are in fact shortened, will we get an advanced notice to rebook on one/some of the resulting shorter itineraries before they are released to the general public.

[kathynorth]

3 hours ago, Pinboy said:

Not a joke--- I asked about that awhile ago and the answer was no.

I'll bet you are a Toronto Maple Leaf fan ??

 

Jan. 27, 2021 ©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.

Page 1 of 7 SAILINGS CANCELED BY CELEBRITY CRUISES DUE TO GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS*

 

Q. #22: May I transfer my FCC to another guest? A: Yes, we will allow a one-time transfer of an FCC from any sailing Celebrity Cruises cancelled due to global suspension of sailing. The deadline to request a transfer is April 30, 2021. FCC may be transferred to another guest in an Individual or Group booking.

[Pinboy]

9 minutes ago, kathynorth said:

Jan. 27, 2021 ©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.

Page 1 of 7 SAILINGS CANCELED BY CELEBRITY CRUISES DUE TO GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS*

 

Q. #22: May I transfer my FCC to another guest? A: Yes, we will allow a one-time transfer of an FCC from any sailing Celebrity Cruises cancelled due to global suspension of sailing. The deadline to request a transfer is April 30, 2021. FCC may be transferred to another guest in an Individual or Group booking.

Thanks----This is something new-- We cancelled our booked cruises prior to Celebrity cancelling and I was referring to a conversation I had with them quite a while ago.  

 

Edited January 29, 2021 by Pinboy

[Fouremco]

11 minutes ago, kathynorth said:

Jan. 27, 2021 ©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.

Page 1 of 7 SAILINGS CANCELED BY CELEBRITY CRUISES DUE TO GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS*

 

Q. #22: May I transfer my FCC to another guest? A: Yes, we will allow a one-time transfer of an FCC from any sailing Celebrity Cruises cancelled due to global suspension of sailing. The deadline to request a transfer is April 30, 2021. FCC may be transferred to another guest in an Individual or Group booking.

I was aware of the Q&A, but had understood it to mean that you could transfer an FCC to someone else on the same individual or group booking. I'm not sure that @Pinboy's kind offer to gift his FCC's to another CC member is what Celebrity had in mind. Or would allow. 

[paulh84]

52 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

There are a number of Med cruises still on the books. Not really sure what will happen with those.

 

Based off of recent shifts with Edge, I suspect summer Med cruises are cancelled all together. 

[paulh84]

2 hours ago, Fouremco said:

 

Easy? Yes, definitely an easy solution, treating all the booked passengers equally badly.

 

Fair, no fuss or muss? Not so much.

 

Currently booked passengers would now have to turn around and rebook, at an increased price no doubt, with no guarantee of the same cabin selection or perks previously booked. Hardly a win-win situation.

 

I won't say that it can't or won't happen, but to say that it is fair to existing booked passengers or that there will be no fuss or muss is a tad overly optimistic IMO.

 

 

 

Give existing passengers a modified Lift and Shift option. Royal has said they are keeping L&S for cruises they cancel. Is Celebrity following? Rebook at a prorated daily rate on a shortened itinerary or cancel for a refund.

 

May-October there are only 8 Equinox sailings that exceed 7 days. I'm oversimplifying the logistics, but you could squeeze in 12 different 7 night trips in that timeframe assuming the ships have ports that will allow them in. 

 

Bermuda has taken a very hard stance against COVID and I would be shocked if they would allow cruise passengers this summer, so Summit may be freed up as well. This is aside from the 18 new Edge cruises that will tentatively run July-October so roughly 30 available cruises. There are plenty of options in place. 

Edited January 29, 2021 by paulh84

[Fouremco]

4 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

Give existing passengers a modified Lift and Shift option. Royal has said they are keeping L&S for cruises they cancel. Is Celebrity following? Rebook at a prorated daily rate on a shortened itinerary or cancel for a refund.

 

May-October there are only 8 Equinox sailings that exceed 7 days. I'm oversimplifying the logistics, but you could squeeze in 12 different 7 night trips in that timeframe assuming the ships have ports that will allow them in. 

 

Bermuda has taken a very hard stance against COVID and I would be shocked if they would allow cruise passengers this summer, so Summit may be freed up as well. 

I don't envy Celebrity management the hard decisions they face. There are so many possible approaches that need to be considered, and no matter which one is ultimately chosen, there will be unhappy customers. They best they can hope for is that there are more happy ones than unhappy.

[cruisemom42]

32 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

Based off of recent shifts with Edge, I suspect summer Med cruises are cancelled all together. 

 

Apex and Infinity are both scheduled to be in the Med all summer -- I know because many have just shifted from Edge to Apex and from Constellation (also canceled) to Infinity. Silhouette and Reflection also both have some itineraries in the Med as part of their European season.

 

If they plan to cancel the season, why not do it when they canceled Edge and Constellation?  (e.g., all at once)

Edited January 29, 2021 by cruisemom42

[middlehaitch]

@paulh84 Celebrity  offered a cruise specific variant of lift and shift for the cancelled Constellation and Edge Med cruises for 2021 (offer dated 12/01/21 expired 26/01/21)

Limited date range, same class ship, price (based on a per day rate) and perk protected. I think Royal are doing a similar offer.

 

Cruises are still on the books for the Med, just fewer ships, who knows if they will sail.  

 

Cheers, h.

[kathynorth]

1 hour ago, middlehaitch said:

@paulh84 Celebrity  offered a cruise specific variant of lift and shift for the cancelled Constellation and Edge Med cruises for 2021 (offer dated 12/01/21 expired 26/01/21)

Limited date range, same class ship, price (based on a per day rate) and perk protected. I think Royal are doing a similar offer.

 

Cruises are still on the books for the Med, just fewer ships, who knows if they will sail.  

 

Cheers, h.

 

This may be so, but Celebrity also redeployed several ships by dumping the itineraries. Example, Summit. Celebrity stated these changes came under redeployment and not cancellation due to covid, so the passengers didn't receive rate protection or perks protection when rebooking. Instead booked passengers were offered $200 to rebook at prevailing rates that are substantially higher. 

[jelayne]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Apex and Infinity are both scheduled to be in the Med all summer -- I know because many have just shifted from Edge to Apex and from Constellation (also canceled) to Infinity. Silhouette and Reflection also both have some itineraries in the Med as part of their European season.

 

If they plan to cancel the season, why not do it when they canceled Edge and Constellation?  (e.g., all at once)

Because they hope to get some ships sailing.  
We have a Oct cruise on the Infinity and but skeptical it will happen.  There is still time to get the virus under control in Europe, U.K., etc but currently it isn’t looking good.  I put the chances of our October cruise at 30/70.   Looking at the cruise logistics of flying to & from Europe with Covid tests, quarantines it’s looking less & less appealing.  Our planned trip which includes pre & post cruise time requires at least 4 Covid tests, none of which are covered by insurance and 1 false positive and we are toast..  

[phoenix_dream]

Here are some of my thoughts on some of the comments on this thread.  My opinions may have changed somewhat from my posts even a few weeks ago but here goes.

 

I think they absolutely will begin sailing out of the US some time this summer.  May?  Perhaps.  But I think definitely this summer.  By then there will be enough people fully vaccinated with the very effective vaccines to ensure there will be no serious illnesses with the passengers.  There are enough people who can't wait to cruise again that I think they can fill 50-60% capacity easily.

 

I think it is a problem getting enough crew, and also getting vaccinated crew.  But I think that there will only be a couple ships sailing for awhile, so I think the numbers are manageable.   

 

How will they get to 50-60% capacity for cruises seemingly booked higher than that?  I think the requirement of a vaccination (which I have to believe will be there) will cause many cruisers to cancel - either because they have not been able to secure one yet, have not been able to have both shots yet (for the double dose shots), or because they are anti-vaxxers, or the  "I may take it eventually but I'm too scared to take it now" crowd.  

 

If they need to "bump" people (and based on the above I think most of it will take care of itself for awhile) I am of the opinion that loyalty status will mean nothing, but how much you paid for your cabin will.  They need money, and they need it yesterday.  I personally don't think having many passengers on a particular floor is that big a deal.  Elevators are crowded regardless of the floor.  They may need to make some changes - like turn a specialty restaurant into Luminae temporarily, or the same with Blu.  I will be shocked beyond words if they use a lottery process or something similar.

[luckyinpa]

the elevator comment rings so true with regards to future issues. we all know what it's like at the rush hours. people literally fighting to get in. unless you have armed guards at each elevator ready to shoot, i predict no way will cruise people obey any distancing rules. ive been to an all inclusive and some casinos recently and they mostly obey, but i cannot see it every workign on a ship with thousands of people (even at 50%). imagine the fights that will break out with people in the elevator not wanting anyone else to enter. i pity anyone not on a top or lowest floor, in the middle you literally wont ever get an elevator at peak times. 

 

regarding changing in seating. ive never been on an X ship but if the move the tables a lot farther apart for the suite restaurants, thats a fantastic thing. the pics ive seen have you on top of each other and thats not what i want when i pay a ton of money for s suite. 

[Germancruiser]

According to my own experience on board both Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2- both aprox. the size of Solstice Class - I never at any time - peak time or not did i experience any rush, fight or whatsoever at the elevators. Only four people were allowed in the lift´s. There where stripes tapped to floor of the cabin- to show everyone ones place in the elevator.

Of course when sailing at full capacity that whould have been a different story. But when the times comes for ships to sail again at full capacity- the Virus is a thing of the past- or at least well in hand - to allow doing so.

[cachouonacruise]

Thank you very much for this thread, which I found very interesting and at time funny.

 

Reading people discussing who should be on board first when cruising re-start is sooo refreshing.... Not so long ago, the discussion was more about who will cancel first! 

 

For those interested, 3 veranda staterooms will soon open on the May 29, 2021 cruise out of Southampton on Silhouette, as a result of our group’s cancellation between now and the end of February.

 

In Canada, non essential flights to the Carribbean and Mexico have been cancelled to the end of April. People returning to Canada from an international flight will be subjected to a forced expensive 3 day quarantine in a hotel. (It could get worse for people who will test positive).

 

In Canada, because we don’t have a Covid Manufacturing company yet, our vaccination program is slow. My wife and I will be lucky, if we are allowed to be vaccinated before September 2021.

 

Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for the green light, to hold in our arms, our children and our first grand-child. 

 

So, to my mind, although I am really looking forward to return to cruising, I will not be upset, if told that I am not first in line. If flights resume, if ships begin to sail again, if I can see, hug, shake hands with family and friends, I am willing to wait for a cruise, since I will be reassured it will happen again. And will be so thrilled to live these experiences again.

 

P.s. Thank-you to Kathynorth for the information on the person to person transfer of FCCs. I did not know it was possible and it may help us!

[LGW59]

4 minutes ago, cachouonacruise said:

Thank you very much for this thread, which I found very interesting and at time funny.

 

Reading people discussing who should be on board first when cruising re-start is sooo refreshing.... Not so long ago, the discussion was more about who will cancel first! 

 

For those interested, 3 veranda staterooms will soon open on the May 29, 2021 cruise out of Southampton on Silhouette, as a result of our group’s cancellation between now and the end of February.

 

In Canada, non essential flights to the Carribbean and Mexico have been cancelled to the end of April. People returning to Canada from an international flight will be subjected to a forced expensive 3 day quarantine in a hotel. (It could get worse for people who will test positive).

 

In Canada, because we don’t have a Covid Manufacturing company yet, our vaccination program is slow. My wife and I will be lucky, if we are allowed to be vaccinated before September 2021.

 

Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for the green light, to hold in our arms, our children and our first grand-child. 

 

So, to my mind, although I am really looking forward to return to cruising, I will not be upset, if told that I am not first in line. If flights resume, if ships begin to sail again, if I can see, hug, shake hands with family and friends, I am willing to wait for a cruise, since I will be reassured it will happen again. And will be so thrilled to live these experiences again.

 

P.s. Thank-you to Kathynorth for the information on the person to person transfer of FCCs. I did not know it was possible and it may help us!

INDEED, so many more important things to think about and look forward to!  Cruising I love, but way down on my list of priority.  The folks on here here who took their usual opportunity to bash LLP on a recent video call, garbled mic etc, I was like you people need to find a real problem.  My saying that is not obviously going to change it and I know that.  Cruising is awesome, being able to be normal in my personal and professional life is far more so.  Sorry Lisa was static but get over it,  I know your PUPS are oh so important to you, but really.

[UnorigionalName]

48 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

the elevator comment rings so true with regards to future issues. we all know what it's like at the rush hours. people literally fighting to get in. unless you have armed guards at each elevator ready to shoot, i predict no way will cruise people obey any distancing rules. ive been to an all inclusive and some casinos recently and they mostly obey, but i cannot see it every workign on a ship with thousands of people (even at 50%). imagine the fights that will break out with people in the elevator not wanting anyone else to enter. i pity anyone not on a top or lowest floor, in the middle you literally wont ever get an elevator at peak times. 

 

regarding changing in seating. ive never been on an X ship but if the move the tables a lot farther apart for the suite restaurants, thats a fantastic thing. the pics ive seen have you on top of each other and thats not what i want when i pay a ton of money for s suite. 

 

Force everyone to wear social distancing donuts.  Then you won't have problems with overcrowding in elevators!

 

As an accommodation, couples would be allowed to share a donut.