Nervous about capacity

[exm]

11 hours ago, CatLadyFemme said:

I feel this OP.  As someone who haha been isolating over two years and yet still got COVID (from my partner who works at a Starbucks) and is struggling with long COVID, I was hoping our cruise next month would be slightly less hectic to ease back into it (and was lucky enough to get my 4th just today due to my immune issues). We plan on masking indoors, though am guessing no one else will. 🤷🏻‍♀️
 

We have a few more RCI cruises booked over the next two years, but I just noticed Cunard’s TA is the same cost as the RCL TA we booked for next year. Stating to think it may be time for us to jettison to an “old fogey” cruise line (as someone posted) to hopefully be a little less hectic as far as lines and seating. I certainly don’t expect Royal to change their MO.

 

To those of y’all telling us to just suck it up and chose something else, it is not always that easy. As a disabled person with food allergies, cruising is one of the only ways I can travel to multiple places, especially where they might not be aware of/able to cater to food allergies. Flying on a plane wipes me out for the whole next day. Cruises are perfect because I only have to deal with the physical impact of travel once, get to go cool places, enjoy fun entertainment, and know I can eat safely. We all cruise for different reasons;  no need to get crabby when those who have a anxieties around illness or access issues are wistful we had been able to cruise when the capacity was at 50% (my PCP would have had a cow if I had suggested traveling last year). We all love cruising or we would be here 💜  

Sorry to hear about long COVID, but that isn’t forever you will get there. Why would you mask inside? Will you use KN95? As you have observed, it’s impossible to avoid getting COVID and with Omicron being the active strain a re-infection will feel like the flu.

 

I recommend to you and OP to go live your life and stop worrying about COVID. And I mean this in the nicest possible way! 🙂

[Starry Eyes]

19 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

Would you cancel if you knew your sailing would be at (or close to) full capacity?

 

9 hours ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Yes

In that case, just be advised that ships are starting to sail close to or at capacity.  They are saving space for potential quarantine, but, of course they are selling triple/quad cabins.  If sailing with so many people does not suit you, you should consider canceling (or not booking in the first place), as you may find yourself on a nearly full ship. Perhaps another travel option is now more suitable.

[BirdTravels]

10 hours ago, BND said:

I don't get why anyone is "nervous".  100% capacity is happening.  Covid is here to stay, like the FLU.  The cruise lines need to be back at full capacity.  If you don't like it, don't cruise.  You're more likely to catch it at home than on a cruise.

 

We did a b2b in Nov/Dec on HOTS.  First week was about 40%, second was about 60%.  We board EN in 8 days and expect more than 60%.  We had a great time on our b2b.  We cruise to cruise, not for the food or coffee, but to cruise.  As I've said before, remember when people were saying they'd "just be happy to be back on a ship"?  

That's why we avoid Carnival

[topnole]

31 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

That's why we avoid Carnival

So there is more virus on carnival ships?   😂😂.  

[publicpersona]

Many of us here developed a fondness for cruising over years or decades of sailing with full capacity. The fact that ships are now returning to full capacity just brings back those days, so there's no reason to hesitate for us.

 

I did enjoy the spaciousness of cruising during reduced capacity, and took four cruises since restart (in fact, tried to take more but some were cancelled). But I knew then that this was a unique opportunity that would soon end. Now it has.

 

By the way, "full capacity" may not be the best description. Full capacity would mean every Pullman and sofa bed was occupied. Normal capacity would be if virtually every stateroom was booked.

[karena1]

22 hours ago, Tntt said:

My cruise on independence  is showing sold out the last week of April, this will be our 1st  cruise back  since covid, I was thrilled that the ships were at reduced capacity but it seems RC has raised their capacities here lately. I am a little nervous rather or not the cruise is sold out due to reduced capacity or if it is 100% full. I know during spring break the ships were full but during my cruise dates spring breaks should be over and kids should be back in school. How can I found out independence of the seas capacity limits?

Why are you nervous?  You cruised before Covid.  We cannot wait for ships to be back at full capacity. so much more to see and do.  Been on 9 since cruising started again and really did not like how quiet it was.  We love lots of people and watching the world go by.

 

 

[time4u2go]

52 minutes ago, publicpersona said:

I did enjoy the spaciousness of cruising during reduced capacity, and took four cruises since restart (in fact, tried to take more but some were cancelled). But I knew then that this was a unique opportunity that would soon end. Now it has.

Same here.  Sadly, the reduced capacity sailings are going away.  It was a unique opportunity, and I'm glad I got to enjoy it.  I'm not looking forward to full capacity sailings, although I know it's inevitable.

 

Edited March 26, 2022 by time4u2go

[CalTexCruiser]

Apparently there is a Covid outbreak currently on the Ruby Princess that is sailing at half capacity.

 

Unfortunately Covid numbers are going up again in the US and I suspect in April we will see increasing reports of outbreaks on ships.

[jean87510]

2 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Apparently there is a Covid outbreak currently on the Ruby Princess that is sailing at half capacity.

 

Unfortunately Covid numbers are going up again in the US and I suspect in April we will see increasing reports of outbreaks on ships.

There was one in January on the Ruby.  Where are you reading there is a new outbreak?

[CalTexCruiser]

Just now, jean87510 said:

There was one in January on the Ruby.  Where are you reading there is a new outbreak?

Reports from passengers on board on the Princess CC forum.

 

This is the Panama Canal sailing scheduled to return to SF tomorrow.

[jean87510]

Just now, CalTexCruiser said:

Reports from passengers on board on the Princess CC forum.

 

This is the Panama Canal sailing scheduled to return to SF tomorrow.

👍

[Sunshine3601]

I am onboard Anthem this week and we are sailing at just under 80% capacity.    I am doing a b2b and Loyalty Ambassador said next week we will be around 85% and starting April they will be sailing at or very close to 100% capacity.    

For those wondering, Yes, there are some still masking.     Do whatever you feel comfortable but cruising feels very "normal" this week. 

I did like and dislike sailing at under 40% capacity in the past but so happy we did. 

[CalTexCruiser]

For those nervous about Covid, over the last two years, a pattern has developed.

 

cases surge in Nov-Jan, April, July-Sep, and then recede in the other months.

 

So your best bet to sail when Covid cases are low is to avoid these 7 months.

 

Just my layman's non-expert opinion.

[BND]

3 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

For those nervous about Covid, over the last two years, a pattern has developed.

 

cases surge in Nov-Jan, April, July-Sep, and then recede in the other months.

 

So your best bet to sail when Covid cases are low is to avoid these 7 months.

 

Just my layman's non-expert opinion.

And, not to mention, the virus is not what it once was.  It's more contagious but a lot less serious for almost everyone, especially everyone who is vaccinated.  

 

BTW,  there are not enough years of data to say those are "the" surge months. That's just been the pattern over two years.

[cruiselvr04]

We sailed on Odyssey the first week of March and it was around 60%.  We didn’t wait for lines anywhere, saw all the shows but the solarium was packed by 8:30 every morning.  The glass elevators were down much of the week (6 of them) so we still had elevator waits. The schooner bar was always packed and hard to find a seat.  One night we had trouble finding a seat in the music hall, even upstairs.  We did love that the casino was down in the depths of the ship ( we don’t use it.)
 

Based on this, we will not choose to cruise this class of ship again soon.  (I’m not saying never.) We discussed how we doubt we’d enjoy it at 100% capacity.  It is beautiful, the crew was great and the activities wonderful.  But Oasis class has never felt super crowded to us and the smaller ships don’t seem as crowded except when getting out of a show. 
 

Capacity will increase.  If you are uncomfortable don’t go or wear a mask.  Some still did on our cruise.  Even that won’t ensure you won’t get sick.  But pre cruise testing weeds out most.  We felt pretty comfortable and honestly it’s just great to be back cruising even with some risk.  We’ve done 2 since the restart and can’t wait for the next one.

Edited March 26, 2022 by cruiselvr04

[gcelkk]

Just got home from a shopping trip to Lowes and Walmart.  Both were at 90+ capacity.  No testing required.  (not really)  I only feel safe on a cruise ship.

[orville99]

When we sailed on Harmony the last week of February, they were taking all of the deck chairs out of storage and setting them up on both deck 15 and deck 16. I take that as a very clear signal that they are quickly morphing from reduced to full capacity. We are back on Harmony for the last two weeks in April, and I expect the ship to be full. Makes no difference to us as the only capacity we worry about is the capacity on our balcony. We rarely visit the pool deck except to take a long walk around the ship, or take advantage of the solarium hot tubs when everyone else gets off in ports of call.

[Tree_skier]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Apparently there is a Covid outbreak currently on the Ruby Princess that is sailing at half capacity.

 

Unfortunately Covid numbers are going up again in the US and I suspect in April we will see increasing reports of outbreaks on ships.

Why do people say stuff like this?  This statement is completely false by any and all metrics. 

 

Over all-time 

 

 

Over 3 months

 

 

 

Over 1 month

 

 

Over 2 weeks

 

 

 

Spread your fear mongering fake news somewhere else.

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

There was one in January on the Ruby.  Where are you reading there is a new outbreak?

probably on FB, thus it must be true! 🙄

[leaveitallbehind]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Apparently there is a Covid outbreak currently on the Ruby Princess that is sailing at half capacity.

 

Unfortunately Covid numbers are going up again in the US and I suspect in April we will see increasing reports of outbreaks on ships.

Define "outbreak".   A few?  A few dozen?  A few hundred?  Not a very responsible  statement on its own IMO.

 

Most ships have had some degree of incidence since the restart, all of which were all well managed per their protocols and reported through the CDC.  And the on board changes and protocols for safe sailing are virtually the best in any industry - certainly better than anything on land at any resort, hotel, restaurant, school, mall, etc. etc., were there are virtually none.  All of which was done in concert with the CDC, who in January lifted the no sail order which included conditional sailing protocols and capacity guidelines, and who just recently changed the cruising risk from a 4 to 2. 

 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2022 by leaveitallbehind

[sgmn]

15 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

 

However, sailing at full capacity again down the road won't be an issue.  Nervous? Why should we be? That was how it was for the first 29 years of our cruising experience!  The recent two cruises were really just a fluke regarding normal capacity anyway.

 

Problem being that everytime ships go in for their four yearly maintenance they seem to shove in more cabins and take away common areas or shoehorn in another specialist restaurant leaving less space.

I also wish the ships would enforce their own rules with regard to chair hogs. Their present system seems to reward those people who don't play fair

[ONECRUISER]

3 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

 

In that case, just be advised that ships are starting to sail close to or at capacity.  They are saving space for potential quarantine, but, of course they are selling triple/quad cabins.  If sailing with so many people does not suit you, you should consider canceling (or not booking in the first place), as you may find yourself on a nearly full ship. Perhaps another travel option is now more suitable.

True, Average Royal Capacity preCovid ran 108+ percent. Have Family Members that are High Risk and they wouldnt Travel/Cruise even with low Capacity Cruises. Myself, just happy Masking is ending having 70 nites Cruising Booked next 18 Months. Got to use up all those FCC accumulated from last 2yrs with those alone paying for more then 1/3 my nites

[sgmn]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Apparently there is a Covid outbreak currently on the Ruby Princess that is sailing at half capacity.

 

Unfortunately Covid numbers are going up again in the US and I suspect in April we will see increasing reports of outbreaks on ships.

Rates are through the roof here in the UK, since we dropped all restrictions in Feb. 

Up by a million last week alone

Apparently they are expected to peak in two weeks then go down again 

 

BBC News - UK Covid infections climb by a million in a week
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60872687

Edited March 26, 2022 by sgmn

[ONECRUISER]

47 minutes ago, gcelkk said:

Just got home from a shopping trip to Lowes and Walmart.  Both were at 90+ capacity.  No testing required.  (not really)  I only feel safe on a cruise ship.

Thank you! One thing we never need to loose is our Humor!

[cruisingguy007]

10 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Problem being that everytime ships go in for their four yearly maintenance they seem to shove in more cabins and take away common areas or shoehorn in another specialist restaurant leaving less space.

I also wish the ships would enforce their own rules with regard to chair hogs. Their present system seems to reward those people who don't play fair

 

Indeed! Concur 100%. Packing more passengers into tighter spaces may end up proving to be disastrous and costly for the lines. Covid is a game changer to be sure, may change the trajectory of these practices in the near future. Even if the lines don't initiate it, passengers may, by voting with their wallets or walking away entirely. It's a fine line and delicate balance.