New vaccination thread

[Até]

Sorry to open another vaccination thread since the old one was locked, but I think the new CDC guidance on fully vaccinated cruises warrants discussion.  CDC now says cruises that meet 95% vaccinated passengers no longer need to wear masks nor social distance anywhere on the ship.  Self service buffets are also okay.  I really can't see how MSC will be able to look at this and still not re-think their position. 

 

The CDC also now states the cruise lines can alternatively designate certain areas as vaccinated only and relax the protocols there but I have no idea how this would be implemented nor enforced.  I suppose MSC may try to go that route in the US.  MSC please don't make me consider going back to NCL, I guess if the CSO expires I'll be back after November.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html

[MotownVoice]

Nope.   Not even gonna bite.

[paceyswife]

You are very brave!  But seriously, I do hope MSC starts out with vaccinated cruises. 

[Até]

Apparently Celebrity just announced all vaccinated cruises out of Florida.

[Até]

Personal and political opinions about vaccination are what got the other thread locked.  I guess I opened the door about Florida but there are plenty of threads to post specific thoughts about that topic.  I think it would be better to stick to what the CDC is now allowing and how MSC might respond.  I'm more interested to see if MSC finally announces test cruises, indicating they are going to allow non-vaccinated, or changes their position to make the cruise experience more like pre-pandemic times.   With US based July cruises still on the books it's now way past time MSC let people know.

[neptuno]

OK, its all about Florida.  Will MSC rise to the occasion?  Or just sail offshore like NCL?

[Até]

If that has been their plan I really wonder if there's now enough time for MSC to do test cruises before the early July cruises from Miami.  Cruises aimed at the US market based from close foreign ports seem to be dropping fairly fast.

[Stockjock]

For better or worse, the GF (J&J) and I (Pfizer) are all vaxed up and ready to go.

Almost no side effects for either of us, although I am starting to grow a 2nd head.  But I hear that two heads are better than one, so I am not too worried about it.

[ziggyuk]

Florida have shot themselves in the foot, the change in the law means the cruse lines are turning their back on Florida and clambering for Alaska where they can run a US only cruise without ridiculous anti business laws.

 

I have just rebooked an Alaska cruise for October that bypassed Canada. Third time lucky 🤩 Just need the US to open the door for tourism now 🤔

[ziggyuk]

5 hours ago, neptuno said:

OK, its all about Florida.  Will MSC rise to the occasion?  Or just sail offshore like NCL?

 

NCL have pulled theirs and redeployed the staff to the Bliss for Alaska now the law has been changed.

[sidari]

MSC have begun the process of getting crew together for Meraviglia, info comes direct from a video chat with friends who will be boarding in June.

[kelleherdl]

A daily review of Cruise Mapper reveals consistent cruise ship activity in and out of Port Miami and Port Canaveral.  Both ports have established vaccination facilities for crew, with photos posted by MSC senior crew being vaccinated.  Meraviglia has been spending at least 80% of the time either in port or at Miami Beach anchorage in US waters.  Armonia has been in Miami as well, probably for crew vaccinations in addition to crewing and supplies.  So I think it clear that not only are other cruise lines prepping a subset of ships for resailing, but so is MSC.  
 

Dennis

Edited May 27, 2021 by kelleherdl

[KennyFla]

MSC is currently sailing in multiple places without requiring vaccination.  You would think that if any cruise line is ready to go immediately it would be them.

 

On another note, vaccinations have slowed down in Florida, you can literally walk into Publix and get a shot.  So it looks like the percent that won't get vaccinated may be as high as 40% (that's a guess).

Edited May 27, 2021 by KennyFla

[Até]

So far MSC has been pretty vocal they want to remain "family oriented" and don't want to require vaccines.  So in the US that means masks and social distancing in any part of the ship where there are unvaccinated passengers.  But MSC would still have the discretion to designate certain areas for vaccinated only.  I've read some interesting ideas regarding this.  Such as keeping the kid's areas, certain pools and certain dining rooms for the kids and unvaccinated which would require masks and social distancing guidelines, then keep other areas like the casino, certain bars, separate adult pools and other dining rooms for vaccinated only and not require masks or distancing.  There has been speculation on how this would be implemented, but to me it seems MSC's wristband technology could easily be used for that purpose.  A quick scan at the entrance let's them know if you are allowed in or not.

[lifeasme123]

8 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

Why would they want a battle in Florida when they are welcome in Washington State?

I see that you are in the UK so I do not know your familiarity with US geography.

 

Washington State is cold, rainy for a good portion of the year.  i do not believe cruising is available year round.

 

Florida - cruising is available 365 days. 

[KennyFla]

17 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Regardless of what the EO says the effects are what matters, and those can be seen clearly.

 

The cruise lines that want to sail vaccinated crew and customers have voted with their feet and decided Florida is just to much hassle right now, they have decided that either offshore sailing or sailings from more amenable states are a better option.

 

Why would they want a battle in Florida when they are welcome in Washington State?

This is from another thread by Ate:

Joy is already cancelled from Jamaica.  I also foresee doom for the Gem from Dominican Republic.  As well Bermuda sailings are gone.  Maybe even the St. Maarten sailings are in jeopardy depending on how Celebrity goes but with them already announcing sailings from Florida in June it isn't looking good.  I never had any urge to consider those CDC evasion cruises and surely don't now.

 

 

[Até]

The Joy crew were pulled and will go to the Bliss for Alaska sailings so what Ziggy stated has some truth, NCL could have easily just moved Joy to Florida.  So far I only heard that Celebrity has come out directly and stated they will sail fully vaccinated out of Florida, in direct contradiction to the governor's order.

 

My personal opinion is the cruise lines know the Florida order will have no bearing on them.  Several lines like CCL and RCCL are just going to implement test cruises and not require vaccinations based more on their customer demographics than on the order.

 

ETA: I think NCL is just trying to make a point because FDR was offended, but my bet is NCL will pretty quickly reinstate Florida sailings. That is why I predict Gem will not sail from DR.  All speculation.

Edited May 27, 2021 by Até

[KennyFla]

3 minutes ago, Até said:

The Joy crew were pulled and will go to the Bliss for Alaska sailings so what Ziggy stated has some truth, NCL could have easily just moved Joy to Florida.  So far I only heard that Celebrity has come out directly and stated they will sail fully vaccinated out of Florida, in direct contradiction to the governor's order.

 

My personal opinion is the cruise lines know the Florida order will have no bearing on them.  Several lines like CCL and RCCL are just going to implement test cruises and not require vaccinations based more on their customer demographics than on the order.

Have you heard anything about MSC?

[Até]

8 minutes ago, KennyFla said:

Have you heard anything about MSC?

Practically nothing regarding US sailings.   Homosassa recently made an interesting post in the "When will MSC start cruising again from the United States?" thread.  Perhaps they can elaborate.

[ziggyuk]

34 minutes ago, lifeasme123 said:

I see that you are in the UK so I do not know your familiarity with US geography.

 

Washington State is cold, rainy for a good portion of the year.  i do not believe cruising is available year round.

 

Florida - cruising is available 365 days. 

 

Not saying they won't return, I am 100% sure they will and quickly, not to mention (for NCL) their new terminal however in the short term Seattle and Alaska are welcoming a restart while Florida are fighting.
Alaska must be jumping for joy at Florida's attitude.

 

Alaska makes a perfect restart & they are being welcomed with open arms.
 

Edited May 27, 2021 by ziggyuk

[Até]

10 hours ago, Até said:

I think NCL is just trying to make a point because FDR was offended, but my bet is NCL will pretty quickly reinstate Florida sailings. That is why I predict Gem will not sail from DR.  All speculation.

...and reports on the NCL forum are starting to come in that Gem bookings from Dominican Republic are frozen.  Some people are being told the sailings are being cancelled and the ship is being moved "to another port".

Edited May 28, 2021 by Até

[neptuno]

So this is the new vaccination thread.  Maybe we should all take a vote and send it to MSC:  "Do we want all adults aboard to be vaccinated?"  My vote would be yes.

[Até]

9 minutes ago, neptuno said:

Maybe we should all take a vote and send it to MSC:  "Do we want all adults aboard to be vaccinated?"

It's easy enough to start a Poll thread.

[sidari]

6 hours ago, Até said:

It's easy enough to start a Poll thread.

For the USA  you may get away with it, but in Europe you have no chance because their business relies on families many of whom are Italians. If you want a totally vaccinated ship there will be plenty of US cruise lines happy to oblige you. The last thing the Majority want is MSC to become just like the rest.

Edited May 28, 2021 by sidari

[dexddd]

19 hours ago, Até said:

The Joy crew were pulled and will go to the Bliss for Alaska sailings so what Ziggy stated has some truth, NCL could have easily just moved Joy to Florida.  So far I only heard that Celebrity has come out directly and stated they will sail fully vaccinated out of Florida, in direct contradiction to the governor's order.

 

My personal opinion is the cruise lines know the Florida order will have no bearing on them.  Several lines like CCL and RCCL are just going to implement test cruises and not require vaccinations based more on their customer demographics than on the order.

 

ETA: I think NCL is just trying to make a point because FDR was offended, but my bet is NCL will pretty quickly reinstate Florida sailings. That is why I predict Gem will not sail from DR.  All speculation.

Things are starting to move fast and I agree with your thoughts based on seeing what is happening.

 

NCL has a slow restart schedule that I bet gets accelerated.  MSC site has US trips from July onward likely now to happen we just have no details for protocol.

 

To others with Bliss doing Alaska, I understand NCL rakes in the cash on those trips but excursions are probably going to be duds as the seasonal workers probably not there.