The possible new rules and the flavor of cruising

[evandbob]

When a majority are vaccinated, and herd immunity is achieved, some of these restrictions will go away.  They are being suggested now as if cruising will reume under present conditions.

 

Cruising won't resume until mitigation and prevention methods increase and the virus becomes "contained" or less devastating. Different coping mechanisms will be thought of - remember, we are learning as we go along.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Initially, it would be nice to see vaccinations or antibody tests be required of guests. That, itself, would most likely help keep them from sailing at/near capacity - though you never know!

 

As for the staff, from all their home countries - I can't yet envision how they're going to manage getting them all vaccinated. 

 

What a mess... glad I don't have to figure it out!

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 hour ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

What a mess... glad I don't have to figure it out!

Oh, didn't we tell you?

 

You are to report next week to the Carnival-Connected CDC-CLIA COVID-Control Conference (CCCCCCC) as lead speaker on addressing these very logistics!

 

(Oh, and by attending, you can say you have sailed the seven Cs.)

[Top_of_the_Cube]

I enjoy a variety of types of vacations, but there is nothing to me like being out on the ocean with the views and the constant motion, and the excellent and responsive crew.  Restrictions due to COVID may have me reimagining portions of the cruise experience, but it would take quite a lot to deter me from cruising altogether.

 

Hopefully, though, we can soon start relaxing the restrictions.  I still haven't gotten used to wearing that dang mask, and keep forgetting to put it on!

[dcwalker]

The longer I can't cruise, the more I'm willing to compromise to get back on a ship. I will accept the new normal, whatever that turns out to be. At first the thought of having to go on a Carnival-sponsored excursion felt like a deal breaker. I love to get off the ship and find my own way around a port. But never doing that again is much more attractive than never cruising again! One of the first posters here said something to the affect that we have to wear masks anyway, so I 'd rather be wearing one on a cruise ship! I second that.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

4 minutes ago, dcwalker said:

The longer I can't cruise, the more I'm willing to compromise to get back on a ship. I will accept the new normal, whatever that turns out to be. At first the thought of having to go on a Carnival-sponsored excursion felt like a deal breaker. I love to get off the ship and find my own way around a port. But never doing that again is much more attractive than never cruising again! One of the first posters here said something to the affect that we have to wear masks anyway, so I 'd rather be wearing one on a cruise ship! I second that.

 

I've been out of the loop for several months - has that been put forth as a requirement to get off the ship at ports of call, at least initially?

[jfunk138]

18 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I've been out of the loop for several months - has that been put forth as a requirement to get off the ship at ports of call, at least initially?

They did this in Europe.  No evidence of whether it worked or not.  But folks here seem to be for "anything for cruising", so it keeps getting parroted as if it's the only way forward.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, jfunk138 said:

They did this in Europe.  No evidence of whether it worked or not.  But folks here seem to be for "anything for cruising", so it keeps getting parroted as if it's the only way forward.

 

Let's hope not - I mean, we've been to all the Caribbean ports enough to where we've done all the excursions we're going to do for the most part.

 

For the Mardi Gras sailing we just booked yesterday (8/7/21 - which will probably be cancelled), we were just going to enjoy a margarita at Pancho's Backyard and poke around the port in Costa Maya.

 

I guess we'll all know when we know!

[crewsweeper]

17 hours ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

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. 

There's a lot of speculation on what cruises would look like once restarted out of the US. My spec is first there will be a limit on # passengers. So don't think 4-5,000 crusiers on the Horizon, for example, think 2-2,500. For outside venues on the ship seating will be spaced out.  But maybe masks not required unless in a space where seating is closer than 6 feet.  Outside in the air while underway is not conducive to getting Covid.  Inside restaurants and bars, seating will be spaced out, just like on land.  Should not be a problem if less passengers, but there could be reservation spacing and limits for Your Time Dining. And for specialty restaurants. seating limit for inside bars too. Reservations and spacing for shows.

Masks will be required inside, except in cabins, unless it can be documented that all passengers and crew have been vaccinated.  That's what is happening on the RCCL Odyssey of the Seas going out of Israel in May.  Lots of wiping down on gym equipment and probably some spacing out of various machines.  But gyms on land have not been hot spots. hope there's no useless temperature checks.  They've not proven to show anything.

I too loathe having to take a ship sponsored excursion, especially to ports where we've been and like certain places.  But again depends on where in the Caribbean they will be able to go.  The Eastern Caribbean seems to be opening up for land vacations already.  So maybe more cruises to Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia.

[Trueblueky]

On 3/1/2021 at 7:55 AM, richfret said:

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.

^ this

We always get off for at least a little while in ports. However, we would not be interested in a tour in every port (Carnival or independent).

[PhillyFan33579]

On 3/1/2021 at 5:23 PM, jfunk138 said:

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...

Delta still does not allow middle seats to be filled, although I assume they will join other airlines and start selling them sooner than later.  

[pe4all]

15 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

There's a lot of speculation on what cruises would look like once restarted out of the US. My spec is first there will be a limit on # passengers. So don't think 4-5,000 crusiers on the Horizon, for example, think 2-2,500. For outside venues on the ship seating will be spaced out.  But maybe masks not required unless in a space where seating is closer than 6 feet.  Outside in the air while underway is not conducive to getting Covid.  Inside restaurants and bars, seating will be spaced out, just like on land.  Should not be a problem if less passengers, but there could be reservation spacing and limits for Your Time Dining. And for specialty restaurants. seating limit for inside bars too. Reservations and spacing for shows.

Masks will be required inside, except in cabins, unless it can be documented that all passengers and crew have been vaccinated.  That's what is happening on the RCCL Odyssey of the Seas going out of Israel in May.  Lots of wiping down on gym equipment and probably some spacing out of various machines.  But gyms on land have not been hot spots. hope there's no useless temperature checks.  They've not proven to show anything.

I too loathe having to take a ship sponsored excursion, especially to ports where we've been and like certain places.  But again depends on where in the Caribbean they will be able to go.  The Eastern Caribbean seems to be opening up for land vacations already.  So maybe more cruises to Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia.

Nicely written.  I always thought I would be ready to jump on a cruise when they re-opened, first assuming I received my covid vaccine. (first shot today.)    My family has now gone almost a full year without being in contact with more than a handful of people.  Being mixed in with a few thousand people doesn't give me a great feeling.  I can put up with the restrictions the cruise lines may put in place.  I know I will follow the rules, but not sure others will.  Don't want to sacrifice my health- even with a vaccine - or the possibility of being quarantined on the ship or in a port - for them.  Next cruise isn't until January.  Hopefully by then this will all be worked out.

[BoozinCroozin]

It was on the news yesterday and I am not sure why I can't see it elsewhere that Biden said there will be enough vaccines in the US for everyone eligible to be vaccinated by the end of May. Reading a little between the lines, I would assume Novavax is going to be approved in the next few weeks. That gives us Moderna, Pfizer, J&J, and Novavax. 

 

We can draw a few assumptions and conclusions from this. First assumption is Biden's comment is accurate. Even though I swing slightly more across the center line to the other side, I think this statement is fairly accurate. Second assumption is that Odyssey is successful in May for RCL. This will prove the protocols work. Add in the other ships sailing, it is enough evidence to prove the point. These lead me to believe that June 1 could be the start of cruising in the US with the same requirements. I don't believe there would need to be any restrictions on a ship for capacity. However, I think the cruise lines would agree to it just to sail. I think limiting it to 2/3 capacity would be more than enough.

1. Everyone that can be vaccinate must be vaccinated
2. Those that cannot be vaccinated agree to negative covid test 3 days prior to embarkation, daily temperature checks, and take at a covid test mid-cruise.

[crewsweeper]

BoozinCroozin.

We're seeing down in Florida a lot of vaccines not being taken.  In part this is due to the so called Levels for which eligibility for vaccines are governed.  But it is mostly due to misinformation, especially in poorer and minority communities that the vaccines have serious side affects and don't really protect you.  This is unfortunate.  Hopefully the leaders in these communities will step up and encourage folks to get vaccines as some of these areas have been the hardest hit by COVID.

[bitemyfly]

This will continue to evolve and change , and now it will be changing rapidly.

Three  weeks go there was discussion on doubling masks .

With the vaccine now going in arms at larger numbers, Gov getting out of way in the vaccination  effort and letting private pharmacies in  we now see more states relaxing some lockdowns.

In NYc they are letting people in the Knick games at reduced capacity showing Covid PCR test or vaccination .. they are calling the excelsior pass.

Another two months or so will dictate opening and operating procedures .. truelynthenlightnatbthe end of the tunnel.

 

[Trueblueky]

1 hour ago, crewsweeper said:

BoozinCroozin.

We're seeing down in Florida a lot of vaccines not being taken.  In part this is due to the so called Levels for which eligibility for vaccines are governed.  But it is mostly due to misinformation, especially in poorer and minority communities that the vaccines have serious side affects and don't really protect you.  This is unfortunate.  Hopefully the leaders in these communities will step up and encourage folks to get vaccines as some of these areas have been the hardest hit by COVID.

Not seeing that in our part of Florida.  People line up to get the leftovers -- the last few shots from a vial that holds about ten.  Many in our area have driven three counties away where it is easier to get an appointment.

 

[stellarose]

I agree with bitemyfly.   everyday things change.  the Phillies are allowing fans at reduced capacity.  I am hopeful for my New Years cruise. if things continue to trend down - we may see "normal" late fall....

[embarkation75]

20 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Initially, it would be nice to see vaccinations or antibody tests be required of guests. That, itself, would most likely help keep them from sailing at/near capacity - though you never know!

 

As for the staff, from all their home countries - I can't yet envision how they're going to manage getting them all vaccinated. 

 

What a mess... glad I don't have to figure it out!

I concur as it is likely the vaccinated individuals will get a more normal onboarding but then a stringent set of tests for those that refused a vaccine. I really don't think those that are/will turn down a vaccine understand yet how much the travel industry will limit those folks from doing/participating. I could easily see shore excursions also being limited to only those with proof of vaccination.

[jfunk138]

18 minutes ago, bitemyfly said:

This will continue to evolve and change , and now it will be changing rapidly.

Three  weeks go there was discussion on doubling masks .

With the vaccine now going in arms at larger numbers, Gov getting out of way in the vaccination  effort and letting private pharmacies in  we now see more states relaxing some lockdowns.

In NYc they are letting people in the Knick games at reduced capacity showing Covid PCR test or vaccination .. they are calling the excelsior pass.

Another two months or so will dictate opening and operating procedures .. truelynthenlightnatbthe end of the tunnel.

 

It's way too early to give credit to the vaccine for falling numbers.  Israel has vaccinated 4 times as many:  Israel 96 shots/100 people vs US 23 shots / 100 people.  Nonetheless their new case rate is more than double that of the US.  The current downtrend is due to natural immunity or seasonality, this is little evidence that such low rates of vaccination will make a huge difference.

 

Cases:
https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-11-14..latest&country=USA~ISR&region=World&casesMetric=true&interval=smoothed&perCapita=true&smoothing=7&pickerMetric=new_cases_per_million&pickerSort=desc

 

Vaccinations:

https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-11-14..latest&country=USA~ISR&region=World&vaccinationsMetric=true&interval=total&perCapita=true&smoothing=0&pickerMetric=new_cases_per_million&pickerSort=desc

[solocruzin]

Regarding "temperature checks", just want to let everyone know that you are actually "therma scanned". You don't even know it's happening. You walk past a computer terminal and snap! Your temperature has been taken.

These "therma scan" areas have been set up all over hospitals, airports, some hotels, and most casinos. I would think they would have them on cruises? They were not a problem on my last land vacation.   

[kdr69]

6 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Remember when middle seats were empty on airplanes in 2020?

yes those three days were the best werent they? 😏🤣

[elcuchio24]

On 2/28/2021 at 8:16 PM, 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.

 

Yes, we would love to cruise later this year, but in all reality we'll keep doing All Inclusives until cruising gets back to, or near, normal. 

[Freckle53]

On 3/1/2021 at 8:48 AM, d12j28 said:

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

Not me because I slather myself with sunblock anyway as I burn like a lobster.  And I'm fighting aging any way I can.  LOL

[Cushing985]

Our next cruise is in March of 2022 and I'm hoping the COVID drama  is but a distant memory by then.  If it isn't I would be OK with most of the proposed requirements except for having to take Carnival sponsored excursions in order to get off the ship.  I don't have a major thing against Carnival's excursions but there are ports where we like to wander around on our own.

[asalligo]

I would put up with all of these restrictions and still cruise, but my wife only tolerated cruising before, getting her to put up with anything might be hard.