Odds of our January 8th cruise sailing

[Crashe]

1 hour ago, Scubadoc said:

I’ve done all inclusive and lots of cruises. To me no comparison. First of all unless you spend a ton of money I think the food on cruises is much better than the all inclusive so I have done. Plus there’s just something magical and mystical about being on the open ocean. I love it so much and I’m just praying that we will be able to go on the regal January 14!

Agree %100!  One of the most relaxing things I ever experienced….

[Clownfish Cruiser]

3 hours ago, Scubadoc said:

I’ve done all inclusive and lots of cruises. To me no comparison. First of all unless you spend a ton of money I think the food on cruises is much better than the all inclusive so I have done. Plus there’s just something magical and mystical about being on the open ocean. I love it so much and I’m just praying that we will be able to go on the regal January 14!

Same for us on the Regal January 14th! I watched her leave Port Everglades today at 4:00...via the webcam. We are soooooooooooooo beyond ready. 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Clownfish Cruiser

[fabby50]

We cruise and go to all inclusive resorts.  We were on the Grand in September and had a great time.  It was shortie to see how cruising was going and ended up being her first voyage after restrictions were lifted (didn't plan that).  It was great.  We just returned from 17 nights at Sandals Grenada, that was wonderful!  The one thing I will say is that at the all inclusive we spent all our time outdoors except when we were in our room.  I felt extremely safe.  The opportunity to do that doesn't really happen on a cruise ship - we did spend a lot of time on our cruise walking the decks, but bars, restaurants, activities were mostly inside.  Heck, its not work, so I'll take either one.

[palolake]

I'm going to be on the Sky January 8th!  I just read that there are currently more cases on land vacations than cruise ships.

[Clownfish Cruiser]

6 hours ago, palolake said:

I'm going to be on the Sky January 8th!  I just read that there are currently more cases on land vacations than cruise ships.

Makes sense! I have a friend who is coming back from Disney (Orlando) tonight. She said it was EXTREMELY crowded and everybody on Main Street was packed in there like sardines for the fireworks. 

[ukestrummer]

follow money trail, it will tell you what to expect

 

[Syracusefan44]

Today the Princess website changed the 1/4/22 cruise to Hawaii as “Currently Not Available.”

 

Edited December 30, 2021 by Syracusefan44

[Kelownabccan]

Latest from Hawaii blog.....sure glad I got the idea of a Hawaii cruise out of my system fast....

 

The state is pondering what to do next on a day when it just reported by far the highest number of new daily Covid cases ever: 3,484. Hospitalizations are also up over 100% in the past two weeks as Hawaii hospitals requested FEMA aid, and while still low compared with earlier in Covid, this appears to be just the beginning.

[Dar & Bob]

28 minutes ago, Syracusefan44 said:

Today the Princess website changed the 1/4/22 cruise to Hawaii as “Currently Not Available.”

 

They also did this for the Regal that sailed yesterday at the beginning of the week.  They may just be trying to limit the number on board 

[chamima]

10 hours ago, palolake said:

I'm going to be on the Sky January 8th!  I just read that there are currently more cases on land vacations than cruise ships.

 

Have fun!!!!

We're supposed to be on the Caribbean on Sunday but who knows now?

[palolake]

1 hour ago, chamima said:

 

Have fun!!!!

We're supposed to be on the Caribbean on Sunday but who knows now?

Fingers crossed!  Seems the whole world is letting us know what the CDC says!!

[happywhencruising]

On 12/29/2021 at 11:45 AM, Buckeye10640 said:

We returned from the 11/30 Enchanted sailng a few weeks ago so just ahead of this current surge. One port cancelled so 4 sea days on the 10 day cruise.  I like sea days although I would rather not have 10 of them! If I were cruising again in Jan (and I wish I was) I would probably be more concerned about flight delays and cancellations than cruise ship cancellations.  This is not the time to be flying in day of  departure, nor is it a time to have your heart set on a particular port.  Be sure you have travel insurance and scope out alternative flight options, just in case. And know going in that ports can change literally any time.  And get a booster, its just a matter of time before its required imho.

We have B2B2B starting 1/27/22 out of FLL. I would happily sit on my cabin balcony but my concerns are abut flight cancellations and/or testing positive necessitating quarantine in a Florida hotel. I have also heard CDC saying people should quarantine for five days after cruise. How would that affect those of us who have to fly home? 

[happywhencruising]

8 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

 

In the first place, do I need to cruise during the worst outbreak of the pandemic?

 

In your situation, I would get a quick test before I fly home. If negative, get home and follow CDC guidelines. If positive, get a PCR test to confirm. For a public health clinic, tell them that you got off a cruise ship. Insist on an appointment because of the positive quick test.

 

In the worst case scenario, you have to make a choice based on your circumstances and travelling companions. I wouldn't take omicron home to my neighborhood.

 

Be safe. 

 

 

Thanks for your thoughts! This is such a hard call!

[suzyed]

15 minutes ago, Crashe said:

CDC recommended the vaccinations, now throw they them out the door.  Almost hilarious if it wasn’t so sad.  Leaving the 8th…

What ship and where are you sailing?  We're on the Sky right now.

[Crashe]

Just now, suzyed said:

What ship and where are you sailing?  We're on the Sky right now.

Sky…on the 8th.  Enjoying it?

[suzyed]

19 minutes ago, Crashe said:

Sky…on the 8th.  Enjoying it?

Yes!  Very much...we get back on the 8th and unless something big happens, I think you will be able to sail.
We love all the staff on this ship. So friendly and helpful and you can just tell that they are happy to be back working. The ship is in tip top shape and they are constantly cleaning and sanitizing.  As soon as you get up out of your chair in the casino the chair and the machine are wiped down.  Even the tenders were cleaned in between guest coming and going.

[Crashe]

6 hours ago, suzyed said:

Yes!  Very much...we get back on the 8th and unless something big happens, I think you will be able to sail.
We love all the staff on this ship. So friendly and helpful and you can just tell that they are happy to be back working. The ship is in tip top shape and they are constantly cleaning and sanitizing.  As soon as you get up out of your chair in the casino the chair and the machine are wiped down.  Even the tenders were cleaned in between guest coming and going.

Great news!  Like everybody, been waiting a while to get back on the water…

[Crashe]

Capt Tuvo the captain?  Funny guy to listen to.

 

[suzyed]

On 12/31/2021 at 8:25 AM, Crashe said:

Capt Tuvo the captain?  Funny guy to listen to.

 

Yes!  Bye-Bye!

[mojitoman]

My wife and I are scheduled to be on the Emerald beginning the 8th.  Chatted with a Princess rep and was told the cruise will go forward.  Although, they are expecting cancelations following the latest from the CDC.  Have our vaccinations, boosters and test kits so hope to be at sea at this point next week!

[nocl]

On 12/30/2021 at 5:53 PM, happywhencruising said:

We have B2B2B starting 1/27/22 out of FLL. I would happily sit on my cabin balcony but my concerns are abut flight cancellations and/or testing positive necessitating quarantine in a Florida hotel. I have also heard CDC saying people should quarantine for five days after cruise. How would that affect those of us who have to fly home? 

The CDC says those that are not vaccinated should quarantine after travel/cruise  not vaccinated passengers, though they do recommend everyone should test 3-5 days after returning.

 

It really comes down to do you have to be home on a certain date, or can you deal with a few days delay if the relatively low probability event of testing positive happens.  If you test during one of the B2B tests then quarantine for 5 days then fly home.  Test during the last cruise quarantine for 5 days on and off ship then fly home.  If you are vaccinated (and especially if boosted) that is likely the absolute worse than can happen and the odds of that is relatively slim.  After all most airlines allow flights to be rescheduled without rebooking fees (you might check to make sure that yours are as well).

 

If you can go and enjoy with some degree of uncertainty, and prepared to deal with any surprises then I would say go and enjoy.

 

If you are going to worry and stress that something might go wrong and have it ruin your cruise experience then stay home.

 

If your health is fragile, even though you are vaccinated and boosted then you might want to stay home.  

 

Only you know your own health and state of mind.

[CruisinFinsUp]

The message on the Princess phone line when I call from Canada currently states cruises departing in January 2021 may be changed without cancellation penalties.  Call Princess if you booked direct, or your TA can rebook on their TA portal. 
 

We are booked for Jan 19.   Now trying to decide what to do but at least we have an option that isn't filing a Princess Platinum Insurance cancel for any reason claim for FCC.