Seeking advice about cruising in December

[CupcakeSusie]

 

Hubby and I are looking out for a deal for the Quantum sailing to the South Pacific on December 28 because it suits our work schedules.

 

Does anyone think it’s a bit risky?

 

I’m one of those ‘fully vaccinated and boosted, but has pre-existing health conditions so *really* doesn’t want to catch Covid again’ people (it really knocked me very badly last time) and now that Royal Caribbean is talking about scrapping the pre-cruise test in the USA I’m a bit worried that it will happen here. But Australia is opening up to unvaccinated travellers soon, so I’m not sure if my concern is misplaced.

 

Add to that, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are not open to cruise ships yet.

 

I want to make up my mind so that I can jump on a deal as soon as I see it.
 

I’m pretty torn. Thoughts and opinions please? 

[By The Bay]

3 minutes ago, CupcakeSusie said:

 

 

Hubby and I are looking out for a deal for the Quantum sailing to the South Pacific on December 28 because it suits our work schedules.

 

Does anyone think it’s a bit risky?

 

I’m one of those ‘fully vaccinated and boosted, but has pre-existing health conditions so *really* doesn’t want to catch Covid again’ people (it really knocked me very badly last time) and now that Royal Caribbean is talking about scrapping the pre-cruise test in the USA I’m a bit worried that it will happen here. But Australia is opening up to unvaccinated travellers soon, so I’m not sure if my concern is misplaced.

 

Add to that, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are not open to cruise ships yet.

 

I want to make up my mind so that I can jump on a deal as soon as I see it.
 

I’m pretty torn. Thoughts and opinions please? 

Unfortunately, this is a decision YOU have to make. Is your heath your first concern? Or is having a cruise that important? Good luck with your decision.

[GUT2407]

I’m riddled with conditions, and for me December it too soon. A massive question is about insurance, can you get it, what it will or won’t cover and at what cost?  We have book for March 2024 and have till Dec 2023 to cancel without penalty, I hope by then to have a better idea.

[Ozwoody]

Difficult decision, as By The Bay said one that only you can make.

 

But take into account that if you really wish to cruise, and your worried re the virus, there is no reason you cant wear a mask when ever you leave your cabin, and if your in the older risk catagory, you could see your doctor re the anti virus medication that is being made available to the higher risk people.

 

I think if your going to feel stressed while on the cruise it will take the gloss off it.

But on the other hand maybe with care and advise of your doctor, you could have a wonderful cruise.

 

Good luck and best wishes on your decision.

 

Regards

John

 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Ozwoody

[Sparky74]

Let me share my experience for what it’s worth. 
 

DW and I took our first post-lockdown cruise last week, 7 nights to North Qld on the Coral Princess out of Brisbane. 
Handwashing was required (staff supervised) before entering the buffet but no sanitizer was required in the MDR. Masks were required to enter and leave the MDR and Buffet but we’re removed once seated. Masks were required anytime you were walking around the buffet but it was the usual self service. 
Bars, lounges, and the theatre were "sip and cover" venues; masks were required but you could pull them down to sip your drink. Masks were supposed to be worn in the lifts and anytime you couldn’t socially distance inside. They were encouraged in the corridors. 
My observation was that people were fairly compliant on the first few days but became more complacent as the week went on. 
We travelled with my Auntie who celebrated her 78th birthday last Friday, day 6 of the cruise. She felt a bit off colour on Thursday. She returned a negative self administered RAT on Saturday morning but on Saturday night left dinner after the entree. We disembarked on Sunday morning and that night Auntie presented to the ER of a private hospital and she tested positive for COVID. Auntie has had her 2nd booster but is immune compromised. 

Auntie had two friends on the cruise, a couple also in their late 70s. They apparently have it also. The CC Roll Call is still active and I think about 8 members have reported that they are now positive. I tested negative on Wednesday afternoon. DW and I continue to monitor for symptoms but at this stage feel fine. We both received our first booster a couple of months ago. 
Someone on the Roll Call has reported that there were a number of passengers confined to their cabins.

We have another four cruises booked this year and I must admit that I’m a little nervous about our 23 day transpacific but we will have our 2nd booster before we go. We've also booked a South Pacific Quantum of the Seas cruise but ours isn’t until February 2023. If you end up going, I'd be interested to hear about your experience. 
 

I hope this helps you make an informed decision. 

[arxcards]

You are not alone in your thoughts.

 

Just a couple of points.

Vanuatu is open to cruise ships, but I have no idea on where New Caledonia is at.

 

Royal Caribbean has no say over pre-cruise testing here. It is presently required by our state governments. As with the US, the pre-cruise testing doesn't prevent covid being on board, and it is present on nearly every active cruise ship in the world, but within pre-defined levels. The test is just a point in time, and anyone infected during transit will still bring it onto the ship. You get more protection by adhering to mask and sanitising than anything a pre-cruise test can provide. In current conditions, covid will be present on the ship so the risk remains.

 

Unvaccinated travellers don't pose any additional risk, as vaccination is not stopping people from spreading it. The risk is to the unvaxxed individual, and that is entirely their choice. You currently need to be vaccinated, have a medical exemption, or be under 12 to cruise from Australia. 95% of passengers need to be vaccinated, while medical exempted and unvaxxed under 12 can only be a maximum of 5% of passengers. I can't see that being relaxed by the end of the year.

[MMDown Under]

42 minutes ago, CupcakeSusie said:

 

 

Hubby and I are looking out for a deal for the Quantum sailing to the South Pacific on December 28 because it suits our work schedules.

 

Does anyone think it’s a bit risky?

 

I’m one of those ‘fully vaccinated and boosted, but has pre-existing health conditions so *really* doesn’t want to catch Covid again’ people (it really knocked me very badly last time) and now that Royal Caribbean is talking about scrapping the pre-cruise test in the USA I’m a bit worried that it will happen here. But Australia is opening up to unvaccinated travellers soon, so I’m not sure if my concern is misplaced.

 

Add to that, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are not open to cruise ships yet.

 

I want to make up my mind so that I can jump on a deal as soon as I see it.
 

I’m pretty torn. Thoughts and opinions please? 

Depends how risk adverse you are.  I think with pre-existing heath conditions, December 2023 might be a better option to consider 

My passions are travel and theatre.  With 100% occupancy at the theatre, I was reluctant to return for longer shows, so returned gradually to shorter shows.  

 

[Chiliburn]

3 hours ago, CupcakeSusie said:

 

 

Hubby and I are looking out for a deal for the Quantum sailing to the South Pacific on December 28 because it suits our work schedules.

 

Does anyone think it’s a bit risky?

 

I’m one of those ‘fully vaccinated and boosted, but has pre-existing health conditions so *really* doesn’t want to catch Covid again’ people (it really knocked me very badly last time) and now that Royal Caribbean is talking about scrapping the pre-cruise test in the USA I’m a bit worried that it will happen here. But Australia is opening up to unvaccinated travellers soon, so I’m not sure if my concern is misplaced.

 

Add to that, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are not open to cruise ships yet.

 

I want to make up my mind so that I can jump on a deal as soon as I see it.
 

I’m pretty torn. Thoughts and opinions please? 

I would go .

You probably have as much chance of catching it at the supermarket.

Royal Caribbean is the best line to back you up if you catch it .

If you test positive before the cruise ,full refund.

If you test positive onboard,free medical and a refund plus they will put you up in a hotel for the time required ,all expenses paid and fly you home to your front door.Free of charge.

 

This virus is going to be around for a long time and you can’t hide forever.

[CupcakeSusie]

Thanks for all of your posts, I have lots of great points to consider. Very much appreciated. I’ll keep you posted re a decision.

[losfp]

Good luck with your decision. I agree with most other posters that it really has to be an individual decision and up to you as to the level of risk you take.  COVID is out there. And it's going to be present on ships too. With 3000+ people, it's statistically inevitable unfortunately.  All you can do is decide on your own personal comfort level, and take precautions for yourself.

 

I'm pretty much back to normal activities, but will put a mask on if I have to be in close quarters indoors - like movies, theatre etc. I'm not too bothered outdoors or if there's space to mantain distance indoors.

 

Our first cruise in 3 years is coming up in January.. and I'll be keeping a close eye on what happens between now and then. I'm happy to be extra careful on-board, it's not a huge deal to mask up, maintain distance and wash/sanitise etc.  We're not really into dancing or socialising so I'm hoping some of the risk is taken away.

[Snoopkat]

This was our experience from our P&O cruise 2 weeks ago. YMMV.

 

• staff were quite strict about hand washing in the buffet and hand sanitisation in the MDR. Everyone waiting for their table outside Dragon Lady had to be masked up and there was staff on standby handing out masks.
• We had to mask on at embarkation and disembarkation. People were quite good on the first day with masks but not as vigilant on the last day and staff didn't really enforce the rule (not that we were expecting them to anyway).
• We didn't use the lift but I read online beforehand that masks in lifts were also mandatory.
• The theatre had 'sip and cover' rules but again, I don't think the staff were overly strict with that mandate. In saying that, most of the older crowd were pretty good about keeping their masks on.
• There were areas like The Sanctuary we could go to to get away from the crowd and eating outside of peak dining hours meant we were also able to easily avoid the masses. 

 

We have another 2 cruises this year with one of them being the Dec 28th South Pacific Quantum cruise and will continue to mask up if required and wash our hands before meals (which we have always done on land pre COVID anyway).

 

 

[SuitesRbest]

Covid is here to stay. You are better going as we are not getting any younger. RCCL is the best in the market if, god forbid you do pick it up. It will be much similar to other cruises, was your hands regularly. Keep your hands away from your face and sanitize a lot. 

[CupcakeSusie]

We may change our minds but at this stage we would be more comfortable waiting a bit longer to see how things play out. We are looking at a Celebrity cruise 12

months later which sounds good and hopefully they will have similar protections in place as Royal Caribbean.

[MMDown Under]

8 hours ago, CupcakeSusie said:

We may change our minds but at this stage we would be more comfortable waiting a bit longer to see how things play out. We are looking at a Celebrity cruise 12

months later which sounds good and hopefully they will have similar protections in place as Royal Caribbean.

I think you will be happy with your decision.  Did you see Coral Princess currently has 100 crew positive and 4 passengers since boarding on Sunday? 

 

 

 

[lyndarra]

39 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

I think you will be happy with your decision.  Did you see Coral Princess currently has 100 crew positive and 4 passengers since boarding on Sunday? 

 

 

 

IIRC code orange on Coral was mentioned - whatever that means.

[CupcakeSusie]

49 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

I think you will be happy with your decision.  Did you see Coral Princess currently has 100 crew positive and 4 passengers since boarding on Sunday? 

 

 

 

I did! It cemented in my mind that we have made the right decision for now. There will be plenty of cruises in the future.

[Sparky74]

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

IIRC code orange on Coral was mentioned - whatever that means.

Amber status which means 30-99 positive cases per 1,000 people on board. 
 

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/travel/cruising-rules

Edited July 12, 2022 by Sparky74
Typo