The possible new rules and the flavor of cruising

[mredandchis]

I was wondering if how many of us cruise-a-holics would cruise if some suggested rules came into play.  If we are not allowed to get off the ship except for cruise line-sponsored or verified excursions, if masks are mandated outside the cabin and when not eating or drinking, if you must have a reservation to attend any and all venues,  plus daily temperature checks etc. ?

 

For me I think at first I may handle it on a short trip but not on long ones and I think the better half would not want to do it more than once either.  Actually she kinda made that clear as we discussed a b2b that is scheduled for November.

 

The main restrictions that would bother me is the idea that we can't get off the boat and roam on my own. The other would be have to schedule when to eat. I like to play things by ear and just enjoy the moment.  
 

I am hoping that herd protection will kick in and by November 1 prove itself.  That way maybe these rules will go away.  

[jfunk138]

Its either "old normal" or no cruise for me.   Many other places to visit that will be returning to "old normal" this summer if they haven't already.

[joeyancho]

While I am not fond of any of the proposed restrictions,   the requirement to take a ship tour in order to exit the ship while in port is the deal breaker.  

[JeanieTheMom]

Sign me up! I can handle not getting off the ship except for their excursions. I cruise for the whole experience, not for the ports only. Masks are required most every place I go. I don't like them, but I'd rather not like them on a cruise ship than on land. I'm ok with reservations and temperature checks. I just want to cruise!

 

 

[scpirate]

I had a ten day journeys cruise with 5 ports.it might be a no go because it's ten days but I'm not going if all we can do is take a 2-3 hour ship sponsored tour then have to reboard.we always find a nice tour outside the gates then when we get dropped back off we walk around and shop.i paid with carnival gift cards so I booked a 4 day bahamas so I can take the grandkids with out having to spend 2 days going back and forth to Miami and dealing with hotels.ill cancel my ten day and go on my 4 day just to use up my gift cards and be done with the whole idea of cruising.

[whyrlygig]

I am ok with pretty much all of it. I mean none of it will be permanent and we have to try to get things moving again. Masks aren’t a big deal, though I’d rather not where them at the pool. 

[Pyrate13]

9 hours ago, jfunk138 said:

Its either "old normal" or no cruise for me.   Many other places to visit that will be returning to "old normal" this summer if they haven't already.

Yup, we're with you on this. We want to cruise but not with these proposed restrictions.

[pe4all]

I can live with the restrictions they may put in place.  Luckily we have been to almost all the ports CCL (and other lines) have cruised to numerous times, and many times we don't even get off the ship anymore.

We are balcony snobs, and are content just sitting reading on our balcony, staring at the water/pier runners.  We are so used to wearing our masks now, socially distancing, and temp checks when walking into buildings, I don't think it would make a difference to us if we had to do this on a ship.  I have gotten very good at giving the hairy eyeball to those who creep up my butt when on line for something so they back up a bit - lol!

[richfret]

If I cannot leave the ship without taking a ship tour then I expect that Carnival should provide many activities on the ship while in port.  I cruise not to rest but actively participate.  So there should be Bingo, shows, comic sessions, etc.  If not, I can sit him on my lanai and get all the rest I want for a lot less.

[BrentD]

2 hours ago, whyrlygig said:

I am ok with pretty much all of it. I mean none of it will be permanent and we have to try to get things moving again. Masks aren’t a big deal, though I’d rather not where them at the pool. 

"I mean none of it will be permanent..."  Just two weeks of masks to flatten the curve, right?

[stellarose]

everyday gets better. people just need to stay the course and we will get better.  I teach 5 days a week in a school in person. masks are just part of my outfit choices. 

[d12j28]

I'm just trying to picture all the great tan lines people will have on their faces from wearing mask's.........😂

[skrufy]

14 hours ago, mredandchis said:

I was wondering if how many of us cruise-a-holics would cruise if some suggested rules came into play.  If we are not allowed to get off the ship except for cruise line-sponsored or verified excursions, if masks are mandated outside the cabin and when not eating or drinking, if you must have a reservation to attend any and all venues,  plus daily temperature checks etc. ?

 

For me I think at first I may handle it on a short trip but not on long ones and I think the better half would not want to do it more than once either.  Actually she kinda made that clear as we discussed a b2b that is scheduled for November.

 

The main restrictions that would bother me is the idea that we can't get off the boat and roam on my own. The other would be have to schedule when to eat. I like to play things by ear and just enjoy the moment.  
 

I am hoping that herd protection will kick in and by November 1 prove itself.  That way maybe these rules will go away.  

The idea of all the restrictions mentioned here bothers me. We very rarely do a 7 day cruise anymore, all 10 days or more and I to would not like to be in a controlled atmosphere for two weeks. Don’t mind the cruise line excursions, wife will not go on independent excursions. But not being able to wander the port is not to my liking, we do not do excursions in every port. Like the freedom of eating when we want, go where we want on the ship whenever we want. 

[stellarose]

we are sailing late late 21 into 22. so I am hopeful we are good. 

[topspin1267]

The reservations for venues like the casino is the deal breaker for us. Having to reserve spots and be places at a set time takes away the relaxation and freedom from a schedule too much.

[Coopdog08]

18 minutes ago, topspin1267 said:

The reservations for venues like the casino is the deal breaker for us. Having to reserve spots and be places at a set time takes away the relaxation and freedom from a schedule too much.

So I would have to make reservations to be in the casino? I just can’t come and go freely? 

[stellarose]

things change daily. we are bringing more students in person than a month ago . just wait. 

[pc_load_letter]

14 hours ago, JeanieTheMom said:

Sign me up! I can handle not getting off the ship except for their excursions. I cruise for the whole experience, not for the ports only. Masks are required most every place I go. I don't like them, but I'd rather not like them on a cruise ship than on land. I'm ok with reservations and temperature checks. I just want to cruise!

 

 

 

This x100

 

I just hope there are no reservations for the gym and pool chairs. The wife and I enjoy getting in a workout first thing in the AM then off to our pool chairs to put all those calories back in us.

 

ETA - I watched that youtube video of the New Zealand couple on the RCL ship out of Singapore. Looks great! I love the prospect of a half empty ship!

 

Edited March 1, 2021 by pc_load_letter

[stellarose]

29 minutes ago, pc_load_letter said:

 

This x100

 

I just hope there are no reservations for the gym and pool chairs. The wife and I enjoy getting in a workout first thing in the AM then off to our pool chairs to put all those calories back in us.

 

ETA - I watched that youtube video of the New Zealand couple on the RCL ship out of Singapore. Looks great! I love the prospect of a half empty ship!

 

agreed. I love to work out in the am. get my breakfast then hit the pool. again by the winter 21- I hope things are good. 

[jfunk138]

Half capacity parks might work for Disney, which has Disney+ to pay the bills.  It's not going to work very well for a cruiseline that doesn't have a content and intellectual property empire to fall back on.  Remember when middle seats were empty on airplanes in 2020?  Those days are already gone...

[whyrlygig]

8 hours ago, BrentD said:

"I mean none of it will be permanent..."  Just two weeks of masks to flatten the curve, right?

That was never very realistic to be sure.  Still, I choose to have faith and hope in a better future.  

[tonit964]

21 hours ago, jfunk138 said:

Its either "old normal" or no cruise for me.   Many other places to visit that will be returning to "old normal" this summer if they haven't already.

This is exactly how I feel too. I realize I may never step foot on a ship again but if I can't cruise the way it used to be, then so be it. Like you said, so many other types of vacations out there.

 

ETA: I think the ones that are ready to get on a ship now, can't really imagine what it will be like with the new restrictions in place. They're just remembering what their cruises were like and want to go now. Just a thought.....

Edited March 1, 2021 by tonit964

[Djptcp]

The "old normal" is just that, old. We are living in a new normal and if passengers don't think they can cope with the new normal of cruising, don't go. Wearing a mask for however long and social distancing are part of the new normal and we (DH and I) are used to it. We just spent a week in a gambling mecca (not Vegas or Atlantic City) and were comfortable with the strict Covid protocols in place - masks at all times except when eating, drinking, or smoking, social distancing, no one under age 21 allowed in the casino hotels and their restaurants (really liked this part), and disinfectant stations all over. Sure, it was hot after awhile wearing a mask and being served at buffets wasn't the same, no room service and having our room cleaned only every 3rd day was different, but we still managed to have a great time. We have both had our 2-shot vaccinations and felt safe and that is the name of the game right now.

 

We are anxious to return to cruising and hope vaccination proof is required for passengers. After 55 cruises, we hardly ever get off the ships anymore and are content to read and have a cocktail on our balconies. Having to restrict ourselves to ship-sponsored excursions is fine with us as those are the only ones we have ever taken.

 

We have realistic expectations of what cruising will be in the new normal and are okay with it. If you can't cope with the restrictions, don't cruise.

[SRQbeachgirl]

I could live with being restricted to ship-sponsored excursions. This might not be up to the cruise lines if ports end up requiring it.

 

Masks will be tricky if there is an exception for "while eating or drinking." Does that mean if you are sitting at a restaurant table you don't need to wear one? What about sitting/standing at the bars drinking? How about if you're at the pool and you have a drink in your hand? And how many crew members would they need to enforce this? Will there be hundreds of mask monitors wandering around to tell people there's been too many seconds between sips of their beer and they need to pull their mask back up? I can guarantee that if there's an exception while eating or drinking every passenger will have a drink in their hand for the duration of the cruise.

 

As for reservation for activities, I could see this happening for shows - some cruise lines already do this. But I have a hard time seeing this working for the casino, pools, hot tubs, bingo, visiting the ship's shops, playing mini golf, or any of the dozens and dozens of other activities. The reservation system would have to be massive. It would be a logistical nightmare for both the cruise line and passengers. 

Edited March 2, 2021 by SRQbeachgirl

[ray98]

It will be a no from me.  There are too many nearby places such as Florida where I can go and have a halfway normal vacation.  Having everything overly regulated and structured which takes away much of my choices simply wouldn't add up to a relaxing vacation for me.