Coronavirus and DCL Megathread - Suspension of Departures for the fleet until early November. Booking only available from early December.

[spiders]

Pure speculation but I think it’s likely they won’t sail again until mid April since Royal, Carnival and MSC all agreed to stop for 30 days beginning tomorrow at the request of The White House.

 

[Intr3pid]

With the situation in US many times worse than Canada, I am surprised US hasn't done the same. I am admittedly somewhat biased as I am hoping to reschedule my cruise scheduled for mid June. Still, the US needs to take a much more proactive approach to slow down the spread.

LAX

Yup, Canada is doing it right. What US should have done at least two weeks ago. I suspect the administration had one eye on the stock market. Now that horse has bolted, it's time to declare a national emergency.

 

[smmco]

Yup, Canada is doing it right. What US should have done at least two weeks ago. I suspect the administration had one eye on the stock market. Now that horse has bolted, it's time to declare a national emergency.

Canada didn’t close it’s borders to China. Vancouver has a huge Chinese population. We should have closed our border between US and British Columbia. I’m not sure what Canada has done that is right.

 

[LAX]

It amazes me as to the number of experts we have here. Do you really think that Disney and Disney Companies along with all the other large cap. Companies would take such a hit if the underlying info. didn't suggest a potential outbreak. I agree; hype is ridiculous but so is burying your head in the sand. Just saying...

I am not sure what you are referring to as being "hype." The fairly quick spread of the virus in US is real and I suspect the actual number of people currently infected is much worse than reported because many people aren't being tested. While most infected people are not dropping like flies, the quicker and more widespread this pandemic gets, the more likely at-risk groups get infected. Take a look at the nursing home up in Washington state. The vast majority of the deaths there came of out of that. That's why slowing down the virus spread is important.

LAX

 

[mousefan73]

Canada didn’t close it’s borders to China. Vancouver has a huge Chinese population. We should have closed our border between US and British Columbia. I’m not sure what Canada has done that is right.

Some facts below.
Contact,travel, and interaction between the Chinese took directly place with Americans This virus did not exclusively enter the US via a cruise ship, Europe or Canada. The entire month of January this virus was spreading already here. As Chinese and Americans were traveling back and force in the 1000s daily. https://www.google.de/amp/s/www.for...s-from-china-before-americait-didnt-work/amp/

 

[pearljammer]

Let me just say this, it appears as the only way you will get tested in my area is if 1) you travelled in areas on their list and 2) have the symptoms with a fever OR 1) you have the symptoms AND the fever. If you aren’t having shortness of breath nor have had a fever, you likely won’t get tested. If you ask, they’ll decline as you aren’t meeting the criteria. If you do get tested, you self quarantine for 4 days while you wait on results.

 

[tidefan]

Let me just say this, it appears as the only way you will get tested in my area is if 1) you travelled in areas on their list and 2) have the symptoms with a fever OR 1) you have the symptoms AND the fever. If you aren’t having shortness of breath nor have had a fever, you likely won’t get tested. If you ask, they’ll decline as you aren’t meeting the criteria. If you do get tested, you self quarantine for 4 days while you wait on results.

They started drive-thru testing in the Birmingham area today...

 

[tidefan]

They started drive-thru testing in the Birmingham area today...

Assurance Scientific Laboratories is providing drive-up Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their facility at 2868 Acton Road in Vestavia. The company has 4,000 tests on hand with an expected 15,000-20,000 additional tests by early next week. The test is an oral swab test with results delivered within 4-6 hours. Talk is growing statewide and nationwide about drive-thru test locations.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The test is an oral swab test with results delivered within 4-6 hours. Talk is growing statewide and nationwide about drive-thru test locations.

I hope they offer this is San Diego. I watched the special live report yesterday (in San Diego) and a reporter asked why only people who are laid up in the hospital able to get tested. Apparently, a 70 year old woman with a history of lung disease was ill with a fever and cough saw her doctor and asked to be tested. She was told she wasn't eligible to be tested because she wasn't hospitalized and was still able to walk around. That question was skirted, but eventually someone asked about drive through testing since they have it in other areas and the answer was that our officials are hoping that we can get that.

 

[lklgoodman]

They started drive-thru testing in the Birmingham area today...

Can anyone go to the drive up and get tested? I live in Ohio and they are only testing people who have all the symptoms, have been tested first for the flu with a negative result, and then you have to have a doctor's order. So far there are 13 people in Ohio who have it, yesterday it was 6. Interesting to hear how different states are handling everything. I haven't heard of Ohio doing the drive up testing.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

On Twitter Scott from the cruise blog reports that CLIA (Disney is a member) has announced all cruises to US ports will be suspended for 30 days. That brings us to 4/12.

 

[Coffee66]

On Twitter Scott from the cruise blog reports that CLIA (Disney is a member) has announced all cruises to US ports will be suspended for 30 days. That brings us to 4/12.

Still not enough . should be 6 months. Need time to sanatize the ships properly. Also 100% cash refunds to everyone that wants it.

 

[AquaDame]

On Twitter Scott from the cruise blog reports that CLIA (Disney is a member) has announced all cruises to US ports will be suspended for 30 days. That brings us to 4/12.

Saw that too... as soon as there is an official announcement I'll edit the title.

 

[CM Dad]

DCL does 2N/3N cruises from San Diego to Ensenada every year.. And Ensenada was the port used in 2012 for the 14N to HI from LA. I think it satisfies the requirement. BUT, San Diego may shut its terminal, too. We've just had 5 new cases with 2 community spread.

Anyway, just positing an option if DCL is committed to this cruise.

EDIT: 2012 cruise was LA to HI, not SD to HI

The 2N/3N cruises from San Diego are closed loop cruises, so they don't need to stop at a "distant" foreign port. The distant port requirement needs to be met when the starting and ending ports are different US cities. I believe Puerto is an exception. Ensenada would not qualify for a one way cruise from CA to HI. If I remember correctly, the 2012 HI cruise was a round trip, not 2 one way cruises

 

[Gentry2004]

Saw that too... as soon as there is an official announcement I'll edit the title.

Phew, that will include our cruise. Fingers crossed.

 

[Gentry2004]

The 2N/3N cruises from San Diego are closed loop cruises, so they don't need to stop at a "distant" foreign port. The distant port requirement needs to be met when the starting and ending ports are different US cities. I believe Puerto is an exception. Ensenada would not qualify for a one way cruise from CA to HI. If I remember correctly, the 2012 HI cruise was a round trip, not 2 one way cruises

What is the history behind all these weird rules?

 

[Husker Mike]

I have a question with the credit I'm going to be offered for the Monday's cancelled Dream cruise. I'd be interested in rescheduling, but I have a huge concern that this virus will still be circulating then and we won't have a vaccine or treatment available. The 125% future cruise credit supposedly reverts back to a refund if you don't use it... but if you book a new cruise and then we realize as the new cruise approaches that we still have a problem. At one point am I like I was a week ago, with a non-refundable cruise that would be a really bad idea to board. (Granted, I suspect Disney won't board again until this virus is under control, but I'm hoping to keep my options open. After all, when I made my final payment and money started becoming non-refundable three months ago, Corona was only a beer to most of us.

 

[spiders]

What is the history behind all these weird rules?

The ships are not American flagged.

Airlines also follow something called the freedoms of the air. Qantas flies between Los Angeles and New York. However, they cannot board anyone for just the Los Angeles to New York segment. Likewise, on the return from New York, they can't just take you from New York to Los Angeles. If you're getting on at New York then you have to be going to Australia. Only American airlines can fly you domestically.

 

[Starwind]

Saw that too... as soon as there is an official announcement I'll edit the title.

https://cruising.org/news-and-research/press-room/2020/march/clia-covid-19-toolkit
QUOTE


Press Release | March 13, 2020
CLIA Announces Voluntary Suspension in U.S. Cruise Operations

Washington, DC (13 March 2020)—CLIA ocean-going cruise lines will be voluntarily and temporarily suspending cruise ship operations from U.S. ports of call for 30 days as public health officials and the U.S. Government continue to address COVID-19.

“CLIA cruise line members are voluntarily and temporarily suspending operations from the U.S. as we work to address this public health crisis,” said Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, CLIA. “This is an unprecedented situation. Our industry has taken responsibility for protecting public health for more than 50 years, working under the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and prides itself on its ability to deliver exceptional vacation experiences for guests, as well as meaningful employment opportunities for crew. This has been a challenging time, but we hope that this decision will enable us to focus on the future and a return to normal as soon as possible.”


The temporary suspension will take effect at 12:00AM EDT on 14 March 2020. CLIA ocean-going cruise lines are focused on the safe and smooth return of those currently at sea onboard ships that will be affected by this decision.


“We do not take this decision lightly, and we want the traveling public to know in no uncertain terms the commitment of this industry to putting people first,” said Adam Goldstein, CLIA Global Chairman. “During this time, we will continue to work with the CDC and others to prepare for resumption of sailings when it is appropriate. We know the travel industry is a huge economic engine for the United States and when our ships once again sail, our industry will be a significant contributor to fueling the economic recovery.”



The cruise industry is a vital artery for the U.S. economy, supporting over 421,000 American jobs, with every 30 cruisers supporting one U.S. job, and annually contributes nearly $53 billion to the U.S. economy. Cruise activity supports travel agencies, airlines, hotels and a broad supply chain of industries that stretches across the United States.


Guests who are booked on cruise itineraries which will be impacted by this decision are encouraged to contact their travel advisors or reach out to their cruise lines directly. For additional information, please contact press@cruising.org.

 

[CM Dad]

The AK cruises are closed-loop but must stop at any foreign port, however with all Canadian ports closed there is nowhere else to stop except for US ports.

Since Russia is really close to Alaska, maybe they can find some Russian port instead of Vancouver