Do you think it’s safe to go on a cruise during the current situation?

[Cheburashka]

We toured Shawshank prison in Ohio this week and the phrase that stuck with me is “get busy living or get busy dying”. If you keep waiting that is completely fine and I understand some want to do that, but at some point you have to live. There will be another variant and another virus in the future. Life is too short. Wait the two weeks, then until the vaccine, then until zero cases…you will be waiting forever. Would cruise tomorrow if I could but have until February till our next cruise.

That's a bit glib when you're talking to people whose children are unvaccinated and therefore completely unprotected from a variant that is more contagious and dangerous than the original virus was last year when everything was closed.

There is plenty of living that can happen safely, while you ride out the most dangerous period (the Delta surge while your children are unvaccinated) at home. There's more to life than vacation. Some people put their children's future first.

 

[John VN]

We cancelled. The Delta variant wasn't the only reason, but it was one of the reasons. It's unfortunate but it's also a relief to have made our minds up and not have to worry about it anymore. We have airline credits that expire this year, so we'll use them to visit family cross country, instead. Glad to be getting a full refund including my concierge deposit via DCL's temporary refund policy. We have tentative plans to cruise in December 2022, but we'll just have to see if that really happens. Not going to book concierge again- I want total freedom to change my mind and walk away without penalty until this time next year.

DW has our PIF on Monday for October MSC YC and will book another YC for our 49th Anniversary on a May/June during the call. Thinking that a couple months extra will get the wrinkles out if any exist between now and October and for our January YC for sure will be smooth sailing unless a new variant comes into play.

 

[kathi]

So, "safe" is kind of a relative term. I've been vaccinated, so I feel pretty much safe wherever I go on a daily basis. I am perfectly aware of the Delta variant, and that being vaccinated isn't a silver bullet. But, at some point, you either have to shut it all down OR realize that you are going to have to assume some level of risk.

I did a workout at the park this morning, and it was a circuit of different stations- 40 seconds work, 20 seconds rest- so there wasn't time to sanitize equipment between rotations. You used the same equipment, you used the same mats, as the person ahead of you. Is it ideal? No. But the options are not participate or...assume the risk that comes with doing this particular workout.

I would not feel unsafe going on a cruise right now, but I would also know, just like we did last September, when we went to WDW, that there is still a certain amount of danger involved. I also know that the kiddos, if they did catch something, would more than likely be fine. And, they have just as much a chance, if not more, catching something at school. That said....it would make me feel a lot better if there was a vaccine for children.

I think where we have landed on it, though, is that while we may personally feel safe. While we may personally feel fine assuming a small amount of risk. Even if we personally feel like the kids would more than likely be okay if it came to that. We don't want to get stuck quarantined in a stateroom. We don't want to take the chance of a massive outbreak, meaning we may miss ports of call. So...yes we feel mostly "safe" in the health-sense of the word. Not sure we are feeling safe as far as safe from potential consequences of Covid on a sailing.

This is pretty much how we feel and I think a very sensible perspective. We are to sail Fantasy 9/25, only vaccinated adults. We are in a "wait and see" mode right now.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

This is pretty much how we feel and I think a very sensible perspective. We are to sail Fantasy 9/25, only vaccinated adults. We are in a "wait and see" mode right now.

I'm with you on the waiting. I have my eye on the Aug 27 3-nt double dip. I wouldn't want anything longer than that for now. Baby steps. Hopefully that's not even enough time for someone to start developing symptoms.
If someone on the ship tests positive for covid, does the whole cruise get cancelled and we return to PC early? Does everyone have to quarantine in their cabins? We are both vaccinated and adults only so it's unlikely we'd get sick but we realize it doesn't make us invincible. I'm just longing to sit out on our balcony and see the ocean. I don't even need to see any shows.

 

[sethschroeder]

If someone on the ship tests positive for covid, does the whole cruise get cancelled and we return to PC early?

We don't know the Disney policy but not how it's working on other lines.

 

[DenverDis]

I'm with you on the waiting. I have my eye on the Aug 27 3-nt double dip. I wouldn't want anything longer than that for now. Baby steps. Hopefully that's not even enough time for someone to start developing symptoms.
If someone on the ship tests positive for covid, does the whole cruise get cancelled and we return to PC early? Does everyone have to quarantine in their cabins? We are both vaccinated and adults only so it's unlikely we'd get sick but we realize it doesn't make us invincible. I'm just longing to sit out on our balcony and see the ocean. I don't even need to see any shows.

Same, and we are on the 8/27, both vaccinated. Supposed to at WDW in October but I’m more worried about that at this point with what are certain to be big crowds and packed conditions. I do feel better about a short 3-day cruise as they are over in the blink of an eye so seemingly there is less time for things to go completely off the rails (and yes I’m rationalizing my way into this a bit). That said I will watch and read every scrap of news from the 8/9 Dream sailing that departs tomorrow before making my final decision. Can change our minds up through 8/12 (15 days prior) and move to 2022 if it looks questionable. Sure hoping the 8/9 cruise goes well, yes a bit for selfish reasons, but mostly for the safety and health of all passengers and crew. I’ve so missed my DCL, and so want to go again.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We don't know the Disney policy but not how it's working on other lines.

This is what DCL states but they are not clear what the threshold actually is. It could be 2% or 20%. I really wish they would be more open, honest and transparent with details. Being mysterious and secretive these days does not instill confidence in me. It is partly why I hesitate to book. Having factual information is what helps guide me in judging my risk in sailing.

“If a threshold of COVID-19 is detected on board the cruise ship during a voyage, the voyage will be ended immediately and the ship will return to the U.S. port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed.”

 

[sethschroeder]

This is what DCL states but they are not clear what the threshold actually is. It could be 2% or 20%. I really wish they would be more open, honest and transparent with details. Being mysterious and secretive these days does not instill confidence in me. It is partly why I hesitate to book. Having factual information is what helps guide me in judging my risk in sailing.

The reason they don't list it likely is so they can use judgment and as to not make people worrisome over something likely never to happen.

There are tons of safety protocols Disney doesn't publish. If there was something that made me worried it would be the capacity.

Also if you are crusing this fall you should have insurance that covers Covid19.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

The reason they don't list it likely is so they can use judgment and as to not make people worrisome over something likely never to happen.

There are tons of safety protocols Disney doesn't publish. If there was something that made me worried it would be the capacity.

Also if you are crusing this fall you should have insurance that covers Covid19.

Yes, the capacity and lack of information regarding that worries me too.
I can be understanding that some things dont need to be explicit, such as plain clothes security/police.
There is no excuse or rationale why DCL should be hiding their numbers.

 

[sethschroeder]

Yes, the capacity and lack of information regarding that worries me too.
I can be understanding that some things dont need to be explicit, such as plain clothes security/police.
There is no excuse or rationale why DCL should be hiding their numbers.

Are other lines disclosing their specific number?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Are other lines disclosing their specific number?

IIRC, they were initially, ranging from 50-80% capacity though I didn't screen capture it and I cannot find it now.

 

[Sykes]

Are other lines disclosing their specific number?

Some are. Celebrity was telling travel agents in their webinars that they were capping capacity at 50% on the early sailings. It seems to be pretty well-accepted that Carnival is capping at 80%, although I don't know if that's from an official source or just people hearing it.

 

[DenverDis]

This is what DCL states but they are not clear what the threshold actually is. It could be 2% or 20%. I really wish they would be more open, honest and transparent with details. Being mysterious and secretive these days does not instill confidence in me. It is partly why I hesitate to book. Having factual information is what helps guide me in judging my risk in sailing.

“If a threshold of COVID-19 is detected on board the cruise ship during a voyage, the voyage will be ended immediately and the ship will return to the U.S. port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed.”

Do they say anything on how they will “detect” the threshold that would trigger end of voyage, whatever that threshold may be? There is no testing once onboard (is there?) unless someone reports sick to medical with symptoms and gets tested. And then maybe there is some kind of contact tracing for those they can confirm were in close contact with whomever tested positive? But absent ongoing testing for everyone it’s not clear to me how they are going to detect any threshold, especially on a 3-day cruise. But it’s entirely possible I missed something somewhere on this?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Do they say anything on how they will “detect” the threshold that would trigger end of voyage, whatever that threshold may be? There is no testing once onboard (is there?) unless someone reports sick to medical with symptoms and gets tested. And then maybe there is some kind of contact tracing for those they can confirm were in close contact with whomever tested positive? But absent ongoing testing for everyone it’s not clear to me how they are going to detect any threshold, especially on a 3-day cruise. But it’s entirely possible I missed something somewhere on this?

No. It would be much more reassuring if they said point blank: "We're sailing at 50% capacity, which on the Dream = 2000 passengers." (I made up that number as an example.)
"Once we reach 5% of our passengers, ie: 100 passengers, reporting covid symptoms and subsequently testing positive while onboard, that's the end of the cruise kids. We all go home."

A statement such as that would be very helpful for those of us on the fence and waiting. If they say that 5 covid + passengers would end the cruise, that would really make it easy for me to decide. Also if that threshold was 30%, that would also make it easy to decide.

I don't know. I just like knowing what to expect given a set of circumstances. If x, then we do y.
Are they really just wanting people who don't give a crap and just want to sail?

 

[sethschroeder]

IIRC, they were initially, ranging from 50-80% capacity though I didn't screen capture it and I cannot find it now.

No I meant for canceling the remainder of a cruise that % or number.

 

[sethschroeder]

Do they say anything on how they will “detect” the threshold that would trigger end of voyage, whatever that threshold may be? There is no testing once onboard (is there?) unless someone reports sick to medical with symptoms and gets tested. And then maybe there is some kind of contact tracing for those they can confirm were in close contact with whomever tested positive? But absent ongoing testing for everyone it’s not clear to me how they are going to detect any threshold, especially on a 3-day cruise. But it’s entirely possible I missed something somewhere on this?

Correct no testing unless you report or they suspect symptoms. Possibly a requirement to test if contact tracing says so as well.

We will see if it's different with the Fantasy.

 

[DLgal]

Are they really just wanting people who don't give a crap and just want to sail?

IMO, yes. That's exactly what they want. It is nothing short of irresponsible for Disney to be sailing out of Florida at this point in time without testing EVERYONE onboard, every single day. They seem to want passengers who just don't care, or feel invincible, I guess.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

No I meant for canceling the remainder of a cruise that % or number.

No but it should be public knowledge. They should not be ashamed to tell us the truth.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

IMO, yes. That's exactly what they want. It is nothing short of irresponsible for Disney to be sailing out of Florida at this point in time without testing EVERYONE onboard, every single day. They seem to want passengers who just don't care, or feel invincible, I guess.

I agree. Anything else will only discourage passengers from reporting symptoms.
At least test every other day. Maybe guests with a res # ending in an odd number do one day, an even number do the next day.
I’m really not a worry wart and I have close public contact every day but it’s brief and I am well protected. If someone is coughing and insists it’s just allergies, we still take care of them but they’re out the door in 15-60 minutes, not sitting near us every night for dinner.

 

[DCLMP]

I don't think they should test every day, but at least before boarding. After the first outbreak among vaccinated passengers, I'm sure they'll start testing everyone.