Omicron Cancellations?

[ledbyrain]

Hello,

 

My family is supposed to sail on the 26th and I'm trying to decide whether to cancel our reservation due to Omicron.  I'm wondering about the chances of RC cancelling the cruise themselves or CDC suspending cruising by then. Is this likely/possible? My main concern (given the level of contagiousness) is that so many crew/passengers could become positive that the cruise just can't function well (e.g., meals). I would love others thoughts. I'm so sad to even be posting this...

[bucfan2]

9 minutes ago, ledbyrain said:

Hello,

 

My family is supposed to sail on the 26th and I'm trying to decide whether to cancel our reservation due to Omicron.  I'm wondering about the chances of RC cancelling the cruise themselves or CDC suspending cruising by then. Is this likely/possible? My main concern (given the level of contagiousness) is that so many crew/passengers could become positive that the cruise just can't function well (e.g., meals). I would love others thoughts. I'm so sad to even be posting this...

Multiple threads...don't even have to scroll far.  Here's one to get ya started:

 

 

[OnTheJourney]

33 minutes ago, ledbyrain said:

due to Omicron. 

Well, at least so far it has been stated that the threat caused by Omicron is not as bad as that of the Delta variant. That said, I share your concern - not so much from the standpoint of getting real sick but rather the hassles involved with testing (especially a positive one), quarantine, having to leave the ship, whatever. I have a RCL cruise in March. Typically by now my enthusiasm and anticipation level would be around an 8 out of 10 but instead is probably around a 2 or 3. I'm anxious to cruise again, but not sure this 'new normal' - if that's what it turns out to be - is all that appealing. Some here, who have cruised, said it's surely not the same experience we've all come to enjoy over the years. 

[OnTheJourney]

38 minutes ago, ledbyrain said:

I'm so sad to even be posting this...

I know. Even nearly 2 years into this mess I'm still almost in a state of disbelief that all of us are actually living during a pandemic. Feels like living in a Michael Crichton novel.  Used to look at pictures of people routinely wearing masks in parts of Asia, etc. and always thought how awful and somewhat inconvenient that would be, let alone during a global pandemic. 

[bucfan2]

1 minute ago, OnTheJourney said:

Used to look at pictures of people routinely wearing masks 

Again, there are great options out there for those who prefer 'not'.

[bucfan2]

4 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

do you think it'll come down to Tampa Bay and the Chiefs again?  Mahomes was pretty awesome last night against the Chargers. I could easily see Arizona getting in the super bowl. See which team can stay out of covid problems!! That could be an issue. 

It's the bucs...we never expect much lol.  Last year was certainly a treat.

[soremekun]

7 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

It's the bucs...we never expect much lol.  Last year was certainly a treat.

I'm a Tom Brady fan and by default a Bucs fan.  I really want Brady to win another Super Bowl this season and then retire.  Nothing like going out on top.

[vandy]

You may be better off going soon. 

[crewsweeper]

Presence of Omicron, Lambada, Delta (dominant one is US) makes no difference regarding cruise ship guidelines.  You get it before cruise, you can't cruise. PERIOD.  You test negative you can cruise.

 

What they ae finding is that while Omicron can spread faster than Delta or the Original (not sure if the media reported 70X faster is an actual spread or a relative spread) in the respiratory system, it is 10X slower than the original in developing in your lungs, making it less likely to cause hospitalization or death.  and vaccines do help to mitigate Omicron.

[MommaBear55]

1 hour ago, bucfan2 said:

Made the mistake of going on celebrity (no mask/spacesuit req'd).  Been on a few RC's as well...in comparison, the experience blows.  My opinion only, as some people adore the masks.

I've yet to meet anyone who adores masks. I didn't when I was working, I don't now although I acknowledge their value.

[ONECRUISER]

1 hour ago, soremekun said:

I'm a Tom Brady fan and by default a Bucs fan.  I really want Brady to win another Super Bowl this season and then retire.  Nothing like going out on top.

Agree, Well said!

[OnTheJourney]

2 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

47 are unused if you'd like them).

No thanks we have plenty, and plan to wear them on board any ship for the foreseeable future, save for outside on the decks, etc. 

 

2 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Last year was certainly a treat.

I've never followed them closely. Prior to Brady joining, how have they done in the past? Astounding (as much as I'm admittedly not a Brady fan though acknowledge his extraordinary accomplishments) that he comes in and takes them to the super bowl his first year. Wouldn't be surprised for a repeat though statistically the odds are probably against it. Chargers quarterback impressed me last night also. Should be an interesting remaining few weeks as to who winds up on top of the divisions. 

Edited December 17, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

2 hours ago, soremekun said:

I'm a Tom Brady fan and by default a Bucs fan. 

Nope. I have nothing against the guy but just, in general, dislike seeing 'dynasties' in any sport. Patriots really sort of had one going there for 18 years - just got tired of seeing them in the playoffs and superbowl so often. I felt the same way about the Tom Landry era.  That said, I'd LOVE To see the patriots beat the bucs if it'd come to that!!  

Edited December 17, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[jean87510]

well Tom Brady and crew had about 700 offensive yards back in 2018 and were beat by the backup QB from MY team.  He is a legend but he didn't beat us that time!!  Yes it was our 1st and only win but what a way to do it.  My picture on here is from the parade.  EAGLES!

 

I may add my favorite role for him was in Ted 2.  Classic.

Edited December 17, 2021 by jean87510

[crewsweeper]

1 hour ago, MommaBear55 said:

I've yet to meet anyone who adores masks. I didn't when I was working, I don't now although I acknowledge their value.

There is some efficacy to wearing masks.  Primarily the N-95 masks.  These block 70-75% of any viral leaks from you. That helps others NOT catch your cold, flu, COVID.  Cloth masks are around 40%.  Supposedly an N-95 and a cloth mask together block 90%.  For me that would make it difficult to breath normally.  But unless you wear the mask properly they are no effective.  That means tight fits around nose and mouth, not just mouth, frequent changing, etc.  Most people do not follow these protocols. Thus masks do not do their job.

[nelblu]

I've sailed Oasis in Sept. and Mariner in Dec. and enjoyed both immensely.  Protocols were more stringent on Oasis as it was her first sail.  I have no problem wearing a mask as it's not total 24 hours need.  Don't require them on the pool decks, nor in the casino (optional), theatre and other entertainment venues identified as for vaxxed only.   

 

MDR, masks were not required for deck identified as vaxxed , but social distancing and mask wearing was required for decks identified as everyone.   Social distancing was observed in the WJ on Oasis, but not on Mariner.  Oasis limited only 9 in pools at any given time, but no such restrictions on Mariner.  Oasis required use of sanitizers, but did not see this enforced on Mariner.

 

Again, I have no qualms cruising as I have 2 Allure 8 nights cruises in late January and early September.  The prices were right, especially for solos.  Booked the Sept. one on board as I had a $200 Casino coupon to use.

 

I also have a family cruise on Easter, but since my grandkids are not vaxxed, we will not be able to sail under the present H&S protocols.

[Joseph2017China]

We need to cut and paste from the Delta threads.  

[smokeybandit]

Cruising has done just fine through Delta, so you shouldn't be concerned about omicron which is the mildest version yet.

[barbeyg]

Opinions and $5 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks, but I agree with @smokeybandit.  They didn't shut down for Delta.  I really don't expect them to shut down for this.

[Babr]

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Cruising has done just fine through Delta, so you shouldn't be concerned about omicron which is the mildest version yet.

It is not the effects of Omicron so much as the transmissibility that is concerning. A positive test will result in the same protocols being enforced such as denied boarding or quarantine. 
 

If you think that is of little consequence, read the account of the couple who recently tested positive on RCL. They actually had symptoms which made them uncomfortable, but the quarantine experience made it worse. 
 

The article was in USA Today this morning.

[smokeybandit]

5 minutes ago, Babr said:

It is not the effects of Omicron so much as the transmissibility that is concerning. A positive test will result in the same protocols being enforced such as denied boarding or quarantine. 
 

If you think that is of little consequence, read the account of the couple who recently tested positive on RCL. They actually had symptoms which made them uncomfortable, but the quarantine experience made it worse. 
 

The article was in USA Today this morning.

 

That's what pre-cruise testing is for.

[Babr]

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

 

That's what pre-cruise testing is for.

They did test pre-cruise. Perhaps the example of denied boarding was distracting.
 

The point is that a positive result causes protocols to be enforced. In this case, the couple tested positive during the cruise, but RCL could not arrange transportation so they had to quarantine for three days in a small room with meals served in take-out containers. 

Edited December 17, 2021 by Babr

[smokeybandit]

15 minutes ago, Babr said:

They did test pre-cruise. Perhaps the example of denied boarding was distracting.
 

The point is that a positive result causes protocols to be enforced. In this case, the couple tested positive during the cruise, but RCL could not arrange transportation so they had to quarantine for three days in a small room with meals served in take-out containers. 

 

Yeah, sucks for them, no doubt. Meanwhile 99.8% of the rest of the cruise went about their business as normal, which is the point of the protocols.

[Babr]

4 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

 

Yeah, sucks for them, no doubt. Meanwhile 99.8% of the rest of the cruise went about their business as normal, which is the point of the protocols.

Indeed. Let’s see if that holds true for Omicron. With more cases, even if they are not severe, we may see more instances of people having to quarantine or more examples of ships being denied port entry like the one turned away from St. Lucia.

[Rosy Season]

1 hour ago, Babr said:

It is not the effects of Omicron so much as the transmissibility that is concerning. A positive test will result in the same protocols being enforced such as denied boarding or quarantine. 
 

If you think that is of little consequence, read the account of the couple who recently tested positive on RCL. They actually had symptoms which made them uncomfortable, but the quarantine experience made it worse. 
 

The article was in USA Today this morning.

Which is why I'll only have balcony rooms going forward.  In the event of an unfortunate quarantine.