What Potential COVID-Related Changes Would You Welcome??

[Essiesmom]

2 hours ago, Radiioman46 said:

I haven't read anywhere what the protocol will be for elevators. But to me, this is going to be a real problem if they limit access to the elevators. Meaning, only two ppl can get on an elevator or something along those lines. The elevators can hardly keep up with the demand like it was.  

A lot of the guests would benefit from using the stairs.  It disturbs me when healthy people get on the elevator for one deck.  EM

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, Radiioman46 said:

I haven't read anywhere what the protocol will be for elevators. But to me, this is going to be a real problem if they limit access to the elevators. Meaning, only two ppl can get on an elevator or something along those lines. The elevators can hardly keep up with the demand like it was.  

If vaccinated and wearing masks, you should be able to cram them full. The exposure time, especially with the newer on demand elevators should be minimal.

[balcony bound]

9 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

A lot of the guests would benefit from using the stairs.  It disturbs me when healthy people get on the elevator for one deck.  EM

Seriously?  There are many folks with issues you cannot "see"

[ledges1]

1. Eliminate hairy chest contest

2. Eliminate crowded jewelry giveaways in fun shops

3. Eliminate liquor tasting, long line and over crowed for a thimble full of liquor.

[Joehult]

The main problem with eliminating self service, is if the server is sick(with corona, noro, rhino, influenza) he is now spreading that illness to nearly every guest that takes food from him. If a sick passenger gets his fingers on an ice cream cone, or serving utensils, only a few people that come in direct contact after will become sick. So instead of hundreds of people getting sick from grabbing ice cream, maybe three get sick that day. Also you’re increasing the the chances of crew members getting sick, since they are now coming in direct contact with at least 1 tenth of the ship.

[Jasonsterling]

On 4/23/2021 at 8:37 AM, MistyRo76 said:

I know there's been a high focus on what potential changes to cruising could lessen the fun for everyone. And I get it...there are certain things I'm not too jazzed about having to potentially do when I cruise next. That's why I booked our next cruise for Fall 2022 in hopes that things would mostly return to normal. 

But not ALL change is bad - usually! So what potential changes could you see Carnival implementing that may make the experience better for you. 

 

For me - the ship capacity limits aren't a terrible thing. I would even be willing to pay a little bit more for things onboard the ship to not feel like the ship itself is overly crowded. Having to wait in lines for everything can sometimes detract from the cruising experience. 

 

Also, I could see Carnival requiring reservations for shows on board to combat over-crowding of the theaters and show-rooms. This would be a plus in my book. It would be nice knowing that I didn't need to show up somewhere 30 minutes early just to get a decent seat. Perhaps they could even use this to add extra benefit for Platinum/Diamond members by giving them access to the show space 10 minutes early to select the seating they'd like. Not sure if that's feasible - just spit balling ideas. 

 

I could also see a move back toward standard twice a day cabin servicing to enhance the cleanliness of the cabins. This one wouldn't impact us as we usually select twice a day servicing anyway. But it seemed like pre-COVID, Carnival was definitely moving toward an eventual fleet-wide once a day stateroom cleaning. 

 

And as has been discussed on other threads, the addition of a virtual type muster drill would be great! While many ships have already gone away from making people stand outside in the heat, smushed together like sardines, even the gatherings in the indoor spaces could get very over-crowded. A virtual format (watching a video before sailing on on your stateroom cabin or the HUB app) could be a big upgrade! 

 

What else could change that would be a positive? 

I wouldn't mind the virtual lifeboat drill especially since I've seen it over and over but otherwise I'd welcome NONE of the changes due to COVID-LOL. Even things like capacity limits, I for one really like the crowds and the festive atmosphere of a lot of people around. I'll put up with various restrictions that might go along with cruising in the short run but I don't really like any of them. I'd like to see a return to normal and yes I know things "will never" be back to exactly as they were but as much as absolutely possible I think we need to accept COVID as it was- A very dangerous virus, like very dangerous viruses of the past, and move past it. Life for the survivors does go on and that's where we are. I can appreciate your point of view though and nothing your suggesting is horrible and obviously wouldn't stop me from cruising. I'd still go.  

[ledges1]

3 hours ago, fyree39 said:

1. Virtual muster drill

2. Limit capacity

3. No more self-serve anything (especially the ice cream machines)

 

 

I agree as long as I can get my ice cream anytime. It is ok if a crew member serves. Got to have my ice cream.

[bluesman0711]

If most of the changes we've suggested were to become normal operating procedures, increased manpower needs would surely result in more expensive cruises.

[MRVEGAS711]

NO SMOKING!

[Bevv]

On 4/23/2021 at 9:05 PM, Radiioman46 said:

I haven't read anywhere what the protocol will be for elevators. But to me, this is going to be a real problem if they limit access to the elevators. Meaning, only two ppl can get on an elevator or something along those lines. The elevators can hardly keep up with the demand like it was.  

That is why I changed cabins for my scheduled cruise in September. I love cove balconies (deck 2)  but have no urge to walk up 8 flights of stairs to the Lido deck when I want breakfast or to hang out by the pool, so now we are in a cabin on deck 8. So 2 flights of stairs to our main hangout space on the ship.

[Joebucks]

On 4/23/2021 at 12:16 PM, bdever said:

1.Virtual muster drill

2. capacity limits on number of total passengers 

 

3. I would say a reservation system however this is going to be a slippery slope as I believe it most likely will mean reservations for the pools & hot tubs.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

The current muster drill process is a complete joke. No one has any idea what is going on. It would be way more effective to do some sort of virtual certification then physically check in at your muster station when you board.

 

I absolutely hate the idea of reservations for shows. That doesn't fix anything. It's just more of the "here's a problem, so any action is a fix". All that happens there is the early bird gets the worm. Aka, all of the busybodies will eat up all of the tickets, so anyone just looking for something to do, is screwed. Not everyone wants to plan every facet of their cruise in advance.

 

Through all of this, if capacity is limited, say even 25% less people, then that is a huge step in the right direction of less crowded venues, pool decks, lines, etc. 

[Sugar67]

On 4/24/2021 at 1:20 AM, Essiesmom said:

A lot of the guests would benefit from using the stairs.  It disturbs me when healthy people get on the elevator for one deck.  EM

How do you determine what a healthy person looks like?  I look healthy but because of past back/hip issues and surgery, I am unable to do stairs.
 

1. I would like to see staff serving in the buffet

2. Room service fees waived
3.  Less passengers

[crooooze]

I don’t know how they’d implement it, but do something to eliminate the packed crowding on the stairwells before the gangway is opened at a port.

 

 

[Tippyton]

Our only HAL cruise they had a noro outbreak the cruise before ours.  Lots of washy washy and no self service at the buffet.  Handled without missing a hitch.

 

I'd be ok with getting rid of smoking too.

[SNJCruisers]

On 4/23/2021 at 8:40 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

1. Eliminating the Havana area wristband scheme to help spread people out during pool/hot tub use and relive congestion from the other pool/hot tub areas.

Only pertains to 4 ships out of 25 in the fleet.  You have 21 ships without Havana.  Don't know why you are so obsessed over the removal of the Havana area.  Get over it, it was the best thing that Carnival has come up with in the 35 years that I have been cruising with them.  It is a revenue producer for them and the bean counters will never remove it.  It has been added to the two Excellence Class ships and will probably be on all future builds as well.

[SNJCruisers]

On 4/24/2021 at 12:32 AM, BlerkOne said:

If vaccinated and wearing masks, you should be able to cram them full. The exposure time, especially with the newer on demand elevators should be minimal.

But the idiot CEO of Carnival at this point is not requiring vaccinations, so do you want to be crammed full in an elevator with a bunch of non vaccinated cruisers?  If they are against the jab, then more than likely they are against the mask, so you know they will push the envelope whenever possible with that as well.

[SNJCruisers]

On 4/23/2021 at 10:43 AM, jetsfan58 said:

I don't think that it would be a good idea for Carnival to provide Diamond/Platinum early seating. Do you know how many cruisers (non Diamond/Platinum) are starving to cruise?

Would you prefer a roped off area for Diamonds/Plats?  Other cruise lines do this with no problem and it would be a perk for those who have earned it. Would really be helpful in the comedy show venue.  Don't particularly care about the majority of the playlist shows, but the Celestrial Strings I saw on the Horizon was fantastic.

[mar214]

The ONLY way I will get back on a cruise is if self serve anything is eliminated, at least for now. YES, I totally hate this idea, but if anyone has seen what I have seen, such as passengers sneezing into their hand and then getting coffee at the self serve area using that sneezed-on hand, or serving themselves from the buffet, eating off their plate while moving along in the line, etc., I think you might agree that germs are passed around way too easily. And as suffering from Noro-virus on a cruise several years ago, despite hand-washing and taking all precautions, no one can ever be too careful. Now with the possible results being worse than stomach upset, cruise lines have no choice but to change the way things used to be. Who wants to go through all the effort to get on a ship, only to have a Covid outbreak result in a canceled cruise on Day 2 because cruisers insisted on serving themselves? If cruising returns, we all must accept what just might be temporary changes. I'm in!!!!!

[balcony bound]

2 hours ago, mar214 said:

The ONLY way I will get back on a cruise is if self serve anything is eliminated, at least for now. YES, I totally hate this idea, but if anyone has seen what I have seen, such as passengers sneezing into their hand and then getting coffee at the self serve area using that sneezed-on hand, or serving themselves from the buffet, eating off their plate while moving along in the line, etc., I think you might agree that germs are passed around way too easily.

I hear you, and as a self professed germaphobe - I have never cruised without using Zoono daily!  I think it will continue to serve well for some protection from touching surfaces.  I can't get down those flights of stairs without using the railing, either.

[Moviela]

I would enjoy increased cleaning and sanitizing protocols, service in the buffets, and the smoking lamp is off for the entire ship.

 

I don't think changing the muster drill is a good idea. It at least gives you an idea of where you are to go in case of an emergency. Showing a video would be good reinforcement, but not on it's own. I cringe every time I see an airplane crash on the runway and passengers are running away with their rolling luggage. Blue cards should be treated to a practice fitting of the life vest. 

 

Show reservations could have reserved seats, and ten minutes to curtain all no-show seats are released. People in the theater could then move to any open seat, then at 7 minutes, open the doors to standby audience. 

 

I don't think limiting ship capacity is necessary. The company needs to make money. I don't find the lines or the crowds all that hurtful. I would like to see a priority line for boarding tenders on the land side though. 

 

I would like to see crew chosen at random be allowed to occupy vacant passenger cabins due to no-shows as a single to relieve congestion in the crew areas.  

[SNJCruisers]

6 hours ago, Moviela said:

I would enjoy increased cleaning and sanitizing protocols, service in the buffets, and the smoking lamp is off for the entire ship.

 

I don't think changing the muster drill is a good idea. It at least gives you an idea of where you are to go in case of an emergency. Showing a video would be good reinforcement, but not on it's own. I cringe every time I see an airplane crash on the runway and passengers are running away with their rolling luggage. Blue cards should be treated to a practice fitting of the life vest. 

 

Show reservations could have reserved seats, and ten minutes to curtain all no-show seats are released. People in the theater could then move to any open seat, then at 7 minutes, open the doors to standby audience. 

 

I don't think limiting ship capacity is necessary. The company needs to make money. I don't find the lines or the crowds all that hurtful. I would like to see a priority line for boarding tenders on the land side though. 

 

I would like to see crew chosen at random be allowed to occupy vacant passenger cabins due to no-shows as a single to relieve congestion in the crew areas.  

Muster drill change is mandatory because of social distancing.  The video can be downloaded to the app and shown in the cabin for those without a cell phone.  A code of some sort can be at the end of the video as proof of watching.  This code could then either be entered into a kiosk or given to an attendant at each muster station as proof of watching the video and knowing where your muster station is.

 

Capacity will probably start at 60% and increased to 80% after a month and up to 100% at month three, similar to the proposal to the CDC by NCL.

Edited April 26, 2021 by SNJCruisers

[iahawkize]

Any suggestions on the spacing in the Casinos? Down here in Florida the Seminole Casinos have plexiglass partitions between all slots and the table games also use those partitions. Handling of the chips at the table games is another issue. as well.

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 10:28 AM, mondello said:

How about food carts or pop-up restaraunts? Spread out the food and the people. Social distancing will be nearly impossible. I really don't see them restarting cruises until the pandemic is fading. Limiting capacity sounds great but they still have to buy nearly the same amount of fuel. Now that I think of it, didn't they propose or have a fuel surcharge back when prices were sky high?

I do recall years ago that Carnival always had that caveat about being able to implement the fuel surcharge if fuel prices increased above a certain level. Many airlines have been operating at a reduced capacity for some/all of the pandemic, but I don't recall them implementing any additional fuel prices/charges. It will be interesting to see what demand/supply changes will do to cruise pricing. 

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 10:34 AM, TNcruising02 said:

I really don't like the reservation system for shows, so that would be a negative for me.  But I would consider the following things positive changes:

Crew members serving the buffet food

More hand washing machines on the ships

Paper towels instead of hand drying machines.

Buttons that open doors instead of using door handles

Virtual musters

condiments and salad dressing in small cups instead of the large public dispensers and containers

 

A big yes for me on paper towels in the bathrooms instead of hand dryers. Those hand dryers are known for spreading germs! 

 

And my work spent alot of time/money at the start of the pandemic making doors automated or at the very least where you could open them with your food or by using the crook of your elbow. That would be helpful on the ships as well although not sure when/how they would make those changes for ships not scheduled to be in dry dock soon. 

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 10:43 AM, jetsfan58 said:

I don't think that it would be a good idea for Carnival to provide Diamond/Platinum early seating. Do you know how many cruisers (non Diamond/Platinum) are starving to cruise? God forbid Carnival start that "Preferred Tier" system with every event. There will probably be some sort of "unnecessary" uprising that would take place onboard all cruises.

 

The best thing that Carnival can do to keep us all safe is to thoroughly evaluate "All Areas" of the ship's service and entertainment and make the appropriate alterations. So what if we can't sit beside our Favorite Cruise Nut, we can't lounge all day poolside (this may actually give a few cruisers a chance to finally grab a prized "Hogged" chair), so what if we get "served" our food without being able to grab 12 slices of bacon? In am all for whatever change is needed to cruise "Safely". If this means wearing my "Two" masks in my cabin so be it. 

 

When we are truly dedicated to the Carnival Brand we should be accepting of the things that are going to be initiated for the health of us all!!!   

I am certainly dedicated to the Carnival brand as I've never sailed another line in the 23 years I've been cruising. But there are also certain things that would detract from the experience enough for me to decide to just stay home. This isn't related to just cruising either...that would go for land vacations as well. I know resorts in many destinations are open and from pics I've seen from friends who've traveled, it seems that restrictions are limited enough to allow people to still enjoy their vacations. I wonder how large resorts are handling buffets, pools, etc??