CDC bans cruises in U.S. waters until October citing ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks on ships

[CmdrThor]

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article244269937.html

Cruising is banned in U.S. waters until at least Oct. 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday.

The health agency extended its no-sail order for cruises, previously in place through July 24, for the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic amid continued disease outbreaks on cruise ships. The extension comes as the number of COVID-19 infections on land in the U.S. is surging.

The latest setback for the industry did not come as a surprise, as dozens of states are experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases, including Florida, home of PortMiami — the world’s busiest cruise port — and headquarter offices for all of the major cruise companies. Florida’s Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 13,965 new cases of COVID-19, the second highest single-day total recorded in the state since the pandemic began in March.

...

 

[T & R]

Dang my cruise is Oct 2, how's that going to play out?

 

[T & R]

What a coincidence. DCL just happened to remove those 2 weeks of cruises from their website about a month ago. Amazing right?

 

[CmdrThor]

Dang my cruise is Oct 2, how's that going to play out?

That's the last one before the Dream goes in to dry dock right? My money is on Disney is not going to cancel you yet so they can delay refunding everyone. But do you really think they'll sail one cruise and then go off to dry dock?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Dang my cruise is Oct 2, how's that going to play out?

That's the last one before the Dream goes in to dry dock right? My money is on Disney is not going to cancel you yet so they can delay refunding everyone. But do you really think they'll sail one cruise and then go off to dry dock?

Thats the same situation as my now cancelled September 2020 cruise, it was the last sailing on The Magic before the dry dock. It was cancelled at 96 days before departure, 6 days before PIF.

 

[Husker Mike]

From the DisneyCruiseLineBlog:

On June 10, 2020, CDC sent a Notice of Potential Non-Compliance with the No Sail Order to Disney Cruise Lines (DCL) relating to inadequate spacing and mixing of staterooms intended for “well” and “sick” crew and potential failure to discontinue buffet meal service during an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. These concerns were based on records and photographs received by CDC from the Disney Wonder to document compliance with elements outlined in the April 15, 2020 Extension. CDC also sent DCL a separate letter documenting its concerns regarding a sustained outbreak of COVID-19 or COVID-like illness among crew onboard the Disney Wonder during the period of the April 15, 2020 Extension. Since April 15, 2020, CDC had received reports of 181 cases of confirmed COVID-19 and 19 case of COVID-like illness associated with this ship. Of particular concern was the fact that this outbreak had continued over a ten-week time frame, including before the April 15, 2020 Extension, with the last date of COVID-like illness reported to CDC on May 25, 2020.

On June 24, 2020, DCL responded that inadequate spacing and mixing of staterooms intended for “well” and “sick” crew occurred because of the challenges of transferring asymptomatic, symptomatic, and COVID-19-positive crew members between rooms and limited availability of vacant staterooms with balconies. DCL also denied that an “active” buffet meal service was in place and affirmed that crew members would point out desired meal items and then have other crew members serve those items to them on a plate. In regard to the outbreak onboard the Disney Wonder, DCL asserted that any discrepancies in reporting positive test results to the CDC were due to inadvertent error. As a corrective action, DCL stated that it had reviewed and reinforced the proper procedures for reporting of illness to the CDC. In describing what factors may have led to the magnitude and duration of this outbreak, DCL noted that numerous crew members who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic and that some of these crew members served as essential crew and were not quarantined in their rooms until the results of ship-wide testing were received.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That's the last one before the Dream goes in to dry dock right? My money is on Disney is not going to cancel you yet so they can delay refunding everyone. But do you really think they'll sail one cruise and then go off to dry dock?

Given how hard getting crew in, quarantined and embarked is going to be...

 

[PeachKeen]

So regarding "no cruises until at least October 1st," I think it's important to remember that as soon as companies receive the green light it is not like they can instantly start sailing again. Just as it took a long time (and is still ongoing) getting crew members back to their home countries, so too will it take time to return crew to the ship and prepare to receive guests again. From reading various other cruise line websites, most estimates are in the range of 90 days to return crew to ship and prepare to receive guests. So if the "green light" came on Oct 1st, I think you wouldn't see DCL sailing until mid November at the earliest. Additionally, given that the Disney company culture puts safety above all else, I would suggest that DCL is going to be less aggressive in restarting sailings compared to other companies and will likely take a wait and see approach. That is to say, sailings seem very unlikely to restart until Dec 2020 at the very earliest. I'm even questioning whether my March 2021 Wonder cruise is even going to happen at this point, honestly. But no matter - we will all sail again someday!

 

[T & R]

That's the last one before the Dream goes in to dry dock right? My money is on Disney is not going to cancel you yet so they can delay refunding everyone. But do you really think they'll sail one cruise and then go off to dry dock?

I agree. I'm going to go ahead and start the process for changing my airfare even though DCL hasn't announced yet. It just wouldn't make sense to crew and stock a ship for just the one 10/02 cruise prior to dry dock. Very sad.

 

[ShuckyDarn1955]

I agree. I'm going to go ahead and start the process for changing my airfare even though DCL hasn't announced yet. It just wouldn't make sense to crew and stock a ship for just the one 10/02 cruise prior to dry dock. Very sad.

What I think is sad is that DCL has not went on and cancelled your cruise since it probably has a 99.99% chance of not going....it would help several hundred people change their vacation plans all the more earlier.

I understand the difficulty for DCL, but at some point, they need to start acknowledging their customers' concerns! JMHO.

We have a concierge (first time!) sched for October (San Diego) and one out of Miami in November (impulse reservation with a military rate from 1 month ago when we got worried about the October one) and we think neither will probably go......oh well, maybe next time...

Hope everyone stays healthy out there....

 

[AquaDame]

I agree. I'm going to go ahead and start the process for changing my airfare even though DCL hasn't announced yet. It just wouldn't make sense to crew and stock a ship for just the one 10/02 cruise prior to dry dock. Very sad.

I would think they will include that cruise in the next notice that goes out. If not....

 

[BartmanLA]

I would expect cancellations from DCL to start being announced now that the CDC has issued a new directive, it's obvious that they've been waiting for some kind of official declaration about resumption of cruising, now we have it, so my feeling is that there will be a spate of cancellations if not soon probably over the weekend or early next week. We shall see.

 

[Donna3271]

Well, the website said you had to be PIF for the 125%.... so I did. Crossing fingers Oct 22 is cancelled. I am nervous to go.

 

[Donna3271]

oops!

 

[Snowwhyt]

So regarding "no cruises until at least October 1st," I think it's important to remember that as soon as companies receive the green light it is not like they can instantly start sailing again. Just as it took a long time (and is still ongoing) getting crew members back to their home countries, so too will it take time to return crew to the ship and prepare to receive guests again. From reading various other cruise line websites, most estimates are in the range of 90 days to return crew to ship and prepare to receive guests. So if the "green light" came on Oct 1st, I think you wouldn't see DCL sailing until mid November at the earliest. Additionally, given that the Disney company culture puts safety above all else, I would suggest that DCL is going to be less aggressive in restarting sailings compared to other companies and will likely take a wait and see approach. That is to say, sailings seem very unlikely to restart until Dec 2020 at the very earliest. I'm even questioning whether my March 2021 Wonder cruise is even going to happen at this point, honestly. But no matter - we will all sail again someday!

I agree with you. But I also think they will give a heads-up with sailing restrictions, quietly in advance. I don’t think the CDC are monsters (not that anyone said that) I think they’re going to give them enough time to put in plexiglass where it’s needed. Accommodate extra space required for dining, the pool, the gym, the spa,...

here’s a weird thought,
Remove the seats out of the theater make it into a dinner theater as a fourth restaurant in MDR rotation. That could provide extra dinner seating space. Offer it family style and preorder on line. They could have a third show with drinks and deserts if needed.

 

[T & R]

What I think is sad is that DCL has not went on and cancelled your cruise since it probably has a 99.99% chance of not going....it would help several hundred people change their vacation plans all the more earlier.

What I think is sketchy is that DCL removed the cruises from 09/18 to 10/02 off of their website back around 06/19. Then fast forward to today and those exact 2 weeks of additional cruises were cancelled by the CDC. So that means either DCL had the crystalist of the crystal balls, just miracle guessed right or they knew in advance and did nothing until after PIF. The most likely scenario is that they've been in talks with CDC and knew in advance. It's hard to believe it's just incredible coincidence.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Dang my cruise is Oct 2, how's that going to play out?

-1000000000% chance you cruise.

 

[Snowwhyt]

What I think is sketchy is that DCL removed the cruises from 09/18 to 10/02 off of their website back around 06/19. Then fast forward to today and those exact 2 weeks of additional cruises were cancelled by the CDC. So that means either DCL had the crystalist of the crystal balls, just miracle guessed right or they knew in advance and did nothing until after PIF. The most likely scenario is that they've been in talks with CDC and knew in advance. It's hard to believe it's just incredible coincidence.

I’ll buy you a drink if you sail, you would probably come back with knowledge that I would pay handsomely to receive.

I’m sure something like this happened a Worker from CDC Said: “There’s no guarantee about this information, but this is what it sounds like it’s going to happen....” you consider the source, make a decision, Hope for the best. What could they do unless it was official. For goodness sake they don’t wanna make the CDC upset either.

If the ban was lifted maybe they would have too many people on the ship to sail anyway to have social distancing and remember all CM’s must have their own room now. They were 2 to a room before? So I assume that might just require an extra 1/2 deck of rooms to accommodate that rule. Is that still a rule?Of course I don’t know this for sure but if they cut back the staff by 25% because of reduced crowds, that leaves 25% without a room. Rooms that at this point are probably still booked

I imagine Disney would be looking for people to “jump-ship” with a 125 bump to a different sailing to accommodate room needed for dining.

If they did offer something like that, because they had too many people over what the CDC had set, I wonder what they would do.
From a business standpoint, I would offer those that paid the least first chance to “jump ship”. Of course you could always go with last on first off.
Where is a time machine when you need it.

 

[Intr3pid]

From the DisneyCruiseLineBlog:

On June 10, 2020, CDC sent a Notice of Potential Non-Compliance with the No Sail Order to Disney Cruise Lines (DCL) relating to inadequate spacing and mixing of staterooms intended for “well” and “sick” crew and potential failure to discontinue buffet meal service during an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. These concerns were based on records and photographs received by CDC from the Disney Wonder to document compliance with elements outlined in the April 15, 2020 Extension. CDC also sent DCL a separate letter documenting its concerns regarding a sustained outbreak of COVID-19 or COVID-like illness among crew onboard the Disney Wonder during the period of the April 15, 2020 Extension. Since April 15, 2020, CDC had received reports of 181 cases of confirmed COVID-19 and 19 case of COVID-like illness associated with this ship. Of particular concern was the fact that this outbreak had continued over a ten-week time frame, including before the April 15, 2020 Extension, with the last date of COVID-like illness reported to CDC on May 25, 2020.

On June 24, 2020, DCL responded that inadequate spacing and mixing of staterooms intended for “well” and “sick” crew occurred because of the challenges of transferring asymptomatic, symptomatic, and COVID-19-positive crew members between rooms and limited availability of vacant staterooms with balconies. DCL also denied that an “active” buffet meal service was in place and affirmed that crew members would point out desired meal items and then have other crew members serve those items to them on a plate. In regard to the outbreak onboard the Disney Wonder, DCL asserted that any discrepancies in reporting positive test results to the CDC were due to inadvertent error. As a corrective action, DCL stated that it had reviewed and reinforced the proper procedures for reporting of illness to the CDC. In describing what factors may have led to the magnitude and duration of this outbreak, DCL noted that numerous crew members who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic and that some of these crew members served as essential crew and were not quarantined in their rooms until the results of ship-wide testing were received.

Along with Carnival, Disney has been right up there in showing their inability to cope with a pandemic of this proportion. Forget the hasty re-openings of WDW/HK Disneyland. Not accepting responsibility for the outbreaks, dragging out cancellations, and veering way behind in flexibility all leave a very sour taste in mouth.

It's a shame that, with just four ships, they have no incentive to take a leadership role in the industry, and the de facto leader - Carnival - has been a poster child for recklessness. CDC knows there are no saints here, but when Disney of all sends this response back, I can't blame CDC for extending the order.

 

[T & R]

How long are they going to wait to officially cancel the affected cruises? When the last ban was announced on 06/19, DCL made their official cancellation notice within an hour or so on the same day. I can't imagine what the hold up is? This ban only affects less than a dozen half filled bookings, so I cannot imagine they are going to get slammed with calls like in the past when they had 2 or 3 months worth of cruises cancelled.