I would like to discuss how Quantum of the seas experience could move us towards a DCL return.

[Snowwhyt]

It appears that Singapore has been allowing Quantum of the seas to sail 3n/4n/5n? Sailings to nowhere, since late November of 2020(with 1 free test cruise completed. Then December on, has been paying customers)
•The ships are running at 50% capacity
•The shows are running 30% capacity.
•No lines for dinner and buffet is open but not self-serve.
•Masks always worn except at meals.
•No positive Covid test 180 days prior to sail.
•At least One cruise has come back a day early for a Covid Positive patron. •They are still sailing on these short cruises to nowhere for three full months now, it shows to continue until 10/2021
Please refrain from “I will not” and use “I look forward to when” statements. That will help this thread from becoming argumentative.
I have not researched other blogs about the Quantum but did read several items on social media.

 

[braysmommy]

Only those from Singapore can book these and their Covid rates are extremely low so not surprising they are doing well. I don't think this would correlate well to cruises out of the US with our current rates but does offer hope to those countries that get Covid under control.

 

[Intr3pid]

It's better to look at MSC and other European ships running out of Italy and Germany. RCL essentially took the European script and applied it to the Quantum.

MSC, in particular, has done a remarkable job of allowing zero outbreak on board with one or two ships running pretty much non-stop since August last year.

Plus, the European cruises are 7 days (or longer) in length - versus very short cruises to nowhere (so far) in Singapore. European cruises have also operated shore excursions - and famously booted out some who decided to flout their rules.

 

[Snowwhyt]

It's better to look at MSC and other European ships running out of Italy and Germany. RCL essentially took the European script and applied it to the Quantum.

MSC, in particular, has done a remarkable job of allowing zero outbreak on board with one or two ships running pretty much non-stop since August last year.

Plus, the European cruises are 7 days (or longer) in length - versus very short cruises to nowhere (so far) in Singapore. European cruises have also operated shore excursions - and famously booted out some who decided to flout their rules.

Have those ships been running consistently since their first test cruises? I’m trying to find MSC ships that are sailing but I’m only finding info on new MSC ships.
What are the % of fill on those ships?
What are the Covid requirements to getting onto the ship?
When did they start sailing? Maybe I need to know from where so I can understanding what they are doing.

 

[lorimay]

Are any of these ships that new sailing stopping in ports?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Key to Quantum in Singapore is that community transmission in Singapore is low - 10 to 20 total per day for the last two months. (that's not cases per million - it's total population, so that's 10-20 per day in a population of 6 million. So roughly 3 or less per day per million population.)

They're administering roughly 6500 tests per million population each day. That is 3x what the US is doing in that regard (testing).

So it really isn't apples to apples.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Key to Quantum in Singapore is that community transmission in Singapore is low - 10 to 20 total per day for the last two months. (that's not cases per million - it's total population, so that's 10-20 per day in a population of 6 million. So roughly 3 or less per day per million population.)

They're administering roughly 6500 tests per million population each day. That is 3x what the US is doing in that regard (testing).

So it really isn't apples to apples.

I’m hoping eventually we could be that low, kinda expect it really but maybe I shouldn’t. And then good to see what another was doing at that rate of infection. I mean they are that low and using constant masks?

 

[Chemist]

I’m hoping eventually we could be that low, kinda expect it really but maybe I shouldn’t. And then good to see what another was doing at that rate of infection. I mean they are that low and using constant masks?

I suspect they are using masks and to get that low probably really avoided gatherings and followed other public health measures until the virus was eradicated. (Once your numbers ACTUALLY get low, its probably easier to KEEP them low, rather than easing up while the virus is widely circulating.) Australia is also back to a "normal life", but any time virus pops back up there is a serious lock-down, which we really don't do and have never REALLY done.

 

[Intr3pid]

Have those ships been running consistently since their first test cruises? I’m trying to find MSC ships that are sailing but I’m only finding info on new MSC ships.
What are the % of fill on those ships?
What are the Covid requirements to getting onto the ship?
When did they start sailing? Maybe I need to know from where so I can understanding what they are doing.

They have been running one or two ships since August 2020. MSC Grandiosa, one of them, is among the largest cruise ships - larger than the Quantum. Italy, France, and broader Europe have had rough last 3 months, but the cruise ships have stayed mostly virus free.

Check out the first post in the thread below - which was started at around the same time when MSC resumed last year:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/tracking-cruising-restart-news-and-updates.3809664/

 

[Delrea]

I currently in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (15 months to go until we're back home in the US) Singapore is a quick 1 hour flight south. Everyone wears a mask here and in Singapore, if not you are fined. Singapore is one of the safest cities in the entire world with very little crime because their laws are so so tough. You can literally eat off the ground in singapore... there is no litter and it's so clean.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I currently in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (15 months to go until we're back home in the US) Singapore is a quick 1 hour flight south. Everyone wears a mask here and in Singapore, if not you are fined. Singapore is one of the safest cities in the entire world with very little crime because their laws are so so tough. You can literally eat off the ground in singapore... there is no litter and it's so clean.

You must feel very safe there. It sounds wonderful.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Part of it is culture, but part of the culture is also driven by being islands. Island peoples don't mess around about certain things.

Hawaii right now is pretty safe. The biggest risk there right now is in fact tourists. The locals wear masks and local type stuff (so less so stuff like big resorts that attract mainlanders) is pretty normal.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Part of it is culture, but part of the culture is also driven by being islands. Island peoples don't mess around about certain things.

Hawaii right now is pretty safe. The biggest risk there right now is in fact tourists. The locals wear masks and local type stuff (so less so stuff like big resorts that attract mainlanders) is pretty normal.

It amazing that an entire culture can handle this so much better with the right mindset. I’m kinda jealous over what they have. Good for them. I wonder if their life expectancy went down like ours?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It amazing that an entire culture can handle this so much better with the right mindset. I’m kinda jealous over what they have. Good for them. I wonder if their life expectancy went down like ours?

Well, some of it is historic. Think Moana: the island gives us all we need.

An island has a very set border, and every island has experienced being cut off from shipping lanes. They know that outside help can be unreliable.

 

[kathi]

Do you think that the rules may change (at least in the short term) to only permitting vaccinated individuals on cruise ships? It would allow for cruise lines to make money and practice new systems/processes with folks less likely to get sick. Seems like some of these other lines that are already sailing would be in a better position to do so once enough paying customers are vaccinated.

 

[Clojel]

Do you think that the rules may change (at least in the short term) to only permitting vaccinated individuals on cruise ships? It would allow for cruise lines to make money and practice new systems/processes with folks less likely to get sick. Seems like some of these other lines that are already sailing would be in a better position to do so once enough paying customers are vaccinated.

I am assuming vaccinations will be required to sail....unless you have a medical exemption or are under 16.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Do you think that the rules may change (at least in the short term) to only permitting vaccinated individuals on cruise ships? It would allow for cruise lines to make money and practice new systems/processes with folks less likely to get sick. Seems like some of these other lines that are already sailing would be in a better position to do so once enough paying customers are vaccinated.

I like that idea, love it really. But isn’t that inviting those “lawyer happy” individuals to say “you excluded me because of blah blah blah? If we can’t get a mask required like obviously Singapore can, we have no chance to sail with that kind of safety.

Maybe I can rent the entire ship as a religious retreat for my new
Church Of Vaccinated Individuals Disposition
Our moto: We believe in science! And we are all card carrying members.
I’m just being silly but did you notice COVID? I’m funny right? I’ll just see myself out.

 

[deliela999]

I like that idea, love it really. But isn’t that inviting those “lawyer happy” individuals to say “you excluded me because of blah blah blah? If we can’t get a mask required like obviously Singapore can, we have no chance to sail with that kind of safety.

Maybe I can rent the entire ship as a religious retreat for my new
Church Of Vaccinated Individuals Disposition
Our moto: We believe in science! And we are all card carrying members.
I’m just being silly but did you notice COVID? I’m funny right? I’ll just see myself out.

I have an American Chemical Society card. Does that count??

 

[Snowwhyt]

I have an American Chemical Society card. Does that count??

Have your vaccines listed on one side? You can be on the research and safety Committee!

 

[auntlynne]

Whichever cruise line and where should not be as important as to the fact that IS possible to safely cruise. It would seem that there are enough people who would gladly get on a cruise ship for 3-5 days and sail around with no port visits. Many veteran cruisers seem to enjoy that experience already, not getting off in port. sort of like a short TA, without the stops at the end.

With Castaway Cay, DCL could still have that beloved port of call, with little-to-no indigenous interaction.