Information from DCL or lack of?

[n2mm]

A new week begins…. hopefully something will be released this week.

 

[epcotrulz]

A new week begins…. hopefully something will be released this week.

They HAVE to this week, right? (I need a picture of Charlie Brown/Lucy with a football)

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I think they would suffer a lot. Most of the sailings out of PC are families with kids under 12. It would be like saying no one under 12 can go to WDW. I don't think that is feasible. The lack of information is only problematic if you are booked in the next 60 days, but people booked on other cruise lines aren't any better off. I don't think any cruise line has any idea what they are going to do 2 months from now. They are all taking it one day at a time. Whatever protocols they have posted today could change by next week.

Carnival is sailing from Miami next week. I work with two people who are booked on that cruise. They have had tons of communication telling them what the protocols are and are told they will be sailing with 95% of adults who are vaccinated.

 

[belle032]

Carnival is sailing from Miami next week. I work with two people who are booked on that cruise. They have had tons of communication telling them what the protocols are and are told they will be sailing with 95% of adults who are vaccinated.

We are cruising CCL to Alaska in September and we knew right from booking that it was a fully vaccinated sailing (I know that's not feasible for DCL and ships sailing out of FL). Which, among other things, means no required masks and we are able to book independent excursions. If we had not known that prior to booking, we wouldn't have booked.

I completely understand that protocols change, but a tiny bit of communication goes a long way. Yes, people will be upset either way, but at least they can act on the information they are given. At this point, it's pretty obvious that DCL is not going to require vaccinations nor can do the 95% rule simply due to the nature of their clientele. So what's left? Strict protocols that are seen on UK sailings? Ok great, let your guests know that even if it's not set in stone, this is the direction we are heading.

A little off-topic, but I know a poster in the Carnival vs. DCL thread just sailed on the Vista out of Galveston, which sailed under the 95% vaccination rule. I'll be very interested to hear the full review, but they did pop in to post some info about lower capacity and some of the protocols onboard. And it seemed very positive. It was nice to see!

But I genuinely hope that anyone sailing DCL in the next 2 months gets the communication you deserve!

 

[laceltris3]

A little off-topic, but I know a poster in the Carnival vs. DCL thread just sailed on the Vista out of Galveston, which sailed under the 95% vaccination rule. I'll be very interested to hear the full review, but they did pop in to post some info about lower capacity and some of the protocols onboard. And it seemed very positive. It was nice to see!

The Vista is sailing under the same vaccinated guest protocols (scroll to the bottom for the list of ships):

https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols

 

[lodge]

Opinions please: Disney clientele consists of a large % under 12, no vaccinations for that demographic yet. Please inform of speculation why NCL wants 95% vaccinated mandatory other than to affect a competing cruise line. Trying to keep this from being political, but genuinely interested in a perspective that intent of NCL is not due to malicious competition. Is it safety awareness? Is it looking out for the better good of society? Why not just make it their own business protocol than cruise-wide? Fear of the industry shutting down again?

 

[DCLMP]

Carnival is sailing from Miami next week. I work with two people who are booked on that cruise. They have had tons of communication telling them what the protocols are and are told they will be sailing with 95% of adults who are vaccinated.

A lot of people had to cancel because they couldn't take their kids. I'm not sure DCL wants childfree cruises.

 

[DCLMP]

Opinions please: Disney clientele consists of a large % under 12, no vaccinations for that demographic yet. Please inform of speculation why NCL wants 95% vaccinated mandatory other than to affect a competing cruise line. Trying to keep this from being political, but genuinely interested in a perspective that intent of NCL is not due to malicious competition. Is it safety awareness? Is it looking out for the better good of society? Why not just make it their own business protocol than cruise-wide? Fear of the industry shutting down again?

NCL wants that, but Florida has said no vaccine passports so NCL is suing Florida. I'm not sure what the intent of NCL is, but I know they weren't in great financial shape before the pandemic. I think they just want people sailing and booking cruises and they think that is the answer.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Opinions please: Disney clientele consists of a large % under 12, no vaccinations for that demographic yet. Please inform of speculation why NCL wants 95% vaccinated mandatory other than to affect a competing cruise line. Trying to keep this from being political, but genuinely interested in a perspective that intent of NCL is not due to malicious competition. Is it safety awareness? Is it looking out for the better good of society? Why not just make it their own business protocol than cruise-wide? Fear of the industry shutting down again?

NCL does not want it mandatory for all providers. They want the mandatory option to be legal in Florida.

Other lines are welcome to do test cruises and follow the guidance for sailing at lower vaccination rate.

 

[epcotrulz]

NCL does not want it mandatory for all providers. They want the mandatory option to be legal in Florida.

Other lines are welcome to do test cruises and follow the guidance for sailing at lower vaccination rate.

I agree with this approach let the cruise lines choose their approach and the customers can choose which line they want based on their approaches. A state-by-state patchwork is not needed at this time to further complicate things for the cruise lines ...

 

[DCLMP]

I agree with this approach let the cruise lines choose their approach and the customers can choose which line they want based on their approaches. A state-by-state patchwork is not needed at this time to further complicate things for the cruise lines ...

I agree with that. Unfortunately, everyone has a favorite cruise line and they want their cruise line to comply with how they think it should be done. If I ever cruise again I won't be so discriminating. I'll cruise on whoever fits my criteria.

 

[dvcdisney]

I think they would suffer a lot. Most of the sailings out of PC are families with kids under 12. It would be like saying no one under 12 can go to WDW. I don't think that is feasible. The lack of information is only problematic if you are booked in the next 60 days, but people booked on other cruise lines aren't any better off. I don't think any cruise line has any idea what they are going to do 2 months from now. They are all taking it one day at a time. Whatever protocols they have posted today could change by next week.

I can fully appreciate that DCL needs to keep in mind that their cruises are very popular with families with young children. I would think that they would need to weigh the risks both ways as I would hope other cruise lines are doing.

I'm sure we can all sympathize with what they are going through. Regardless of what they choose to do, some people will be disappointed. And I'm sure they know that. So, I'm unclear as to why they aren't providing even a tiny bit of info to allow people to decide if the want to go forward.

 

[jrapps]

 

[kathi]

Opinions please: Disney clientele consists of a large % under 12, no vaccinations for that demographic yet. Please inform of speculation why NCL wants 95% vaccinated mandatory other than to affect a competing cruise line. Trying to keep this from being political, but genuinely interested in a perspective that intent of NCL is not due to malicious competition. Is it safety awareness? Is it looking out for the better good of society? Why not just make it their own business protocol than cruise-wide? Fear of the industry shutting down again?

I've been following the other cruise lines pretty closely. NCL, Celebrity and Carnival Mardi Gras are or will be sailing at greater than 95% vaccinated. It allows them to remove mask mandates, strict social distancing protocols and generally have a much more "normal" cruise. That sounds MUCH better to me than what is happening on Royal Ships sailing out of FL and what is required on the Magic in the UK.

NCL will not have trouble filling their ships to whatever capacity is set and in the long run, they are unlikely to lose enough customers to make a difference. I don't think DCL will sail 95% vaccinated, but I truly believe they could in the short term and not lose many customers. We sail at the end of September on the Fantasy in a 1BR concierge cabin (our 21st DCL cruise). I can get a suite on EDGE for less money and not have to wear a mask or reserve time at the pool or for shows and could get off in many ports without taking a ship excursion. It's becoming more and more tempting. And unlike families with young children (my daughter is 17), if I love Celebrity, there is less incentive for me to go back to DCL for every future cruise.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

They HAVE to this week, right? (I need a picture of Charlie Brown/Lucy with a football)

 

[jrapps]

I've been following the other cruise lines pretty closely. NCL, Celebrity and Carnival Mardi Gras are or will be sailing at greater than 95% vaccinated. It allows them to remove mask mandates, strict social distancing protocols and generally have a much more "normal" cruise. That sounds MUCH better to me than what is happening on Royal Ships sailing out of FL and what is required on the Magic in the UK.

NCL will not have trouble filling their ships to whatever capacity is set and in the long run, they are unlikely to lose enough customers to make a difference. I don't think DCL will sail 95% vaccinated, but I truly believe they could in the short term and not lose many customers. We sail at the end of September on the Fantasy in a 1BR concierge cabin (our 21st DCL cruise). I can get a suite on EDGE for less money and not have to wear a mask or reserve time at the pool or for shows and could get off in many ports without taking a ship excursion. It's becoming more and more tempting. And unlike families with young children (my daughter is 17), if I love Celebrity, there is less incentive for me to go back to DCL for every future cruise.

Kathi, my recommendation to you and others without small kids is to cruise on a line that fits the experience you desire, even if that sadly is not DCL at the moment. I am trying to convince my parents to go on the Edge later this year too. I think it is a great choice!

We all want our preferred cruise line/port/experience to all magically mash up and unfortunately very few of us will get lucky enough to get that. I still firmly believe DCL will hold to their family-first approach above all else, even if that means they have to sacrifice experience by requiring masks, testing, distancing, etc. No way Disney goes for a 95% model, even as a short term solution. If Disney ever gets a chance to improve the experience down the road (like if heath situations improve, or they are at some point willing & able to require vaccines, the CDC updates guidance, etc), I have no doubt Disney will jump at the chance to make things better.

Sadly, I think they are trying to wait until the experience is "great" instead of "good enough" and are just dragging their feet. I'm all fine for "good enough" as long as they tell me with enough notice that I can determine if their version of good enough is worth what I am paying.

 

[epcotrulz]

That’s it!!!

 

[stitch'sgirl]

I've been following the other cruise lines pretty closely. NCL, Celebrity and Carnival Mardi Gras are or will be sailing at greater than 95% vaccinated. It allows them to remove mask mandates, strict social distancing protocols and generally have a much more "normal" cruise. That sounds MUCH better to me than what is happening on Royal Ships sailing out of FL and what is required on the Magic in the UK.

NCL will not have trouble filling their ships to whatever capacity is set and in the long run, they are unlikely to lose enough customers to make a difference. I don't think DCL will sail 95% vaccinated, but I truly believe they could in the short term and not lose many customers. We sail at the end of September on the Fantasy in a 1BR concierge cabin (our 21st DCL cruise). I can get a suite on EDGE for less money and not have to wear a mask or reserve time at the pool or for shows and could get off in many ports without taking a ship excursion. It's becoming more and more tempting. And unlike families with young children (my daughter is 17), if I love Celebrity, there is less incentive for me to go back to DCL for every future cruise.

I'm right where you are too. DS is 19, and I just want to cruise without all the restrictions. I am hoping we love Celebrity! My DH is the one that is having a hard time letting go of DCL for now.

 

[dvcdisney]

A lot of people had to cancel because they couldn't take their kids. I'm not sure DCL wants childfree cruises.

Absolutely. But I also think it's possible that some people would also cancel because they want what would be included in a cruise that's 95% vaccinated (ie. less restrictions). I can see people accepting some protocols but would want something closer to what they feel is a normal cruise.

If a buffet is important to a family, and it's not feasible because of the restrictions, they may not book until this is part of the experience. Some people don't like making reservations for pool time or theatre times, so perhaps, they will choose to wait until most of that is gone. They may be fine with physical distancing and masks at some locations, but that may be as far as they would go with the restrictions. If they need to take several tests during the cruise, they may also cancel until this is removed.

And if they do have vaccinated and unvaccinated, there will likely be some type of restrictions on unvaccinated people that no one wants to see.

Personally, I'm okay with no buffets, making reservations for certain things, possibly wearing mask and physical distancing etc. What I don't want is possible infection rates increasing to the point that the cruise is interrupted and it has to go back or it isn't permitted to dock. So from my perspective, I need these odds to be much lower, which to me is sailing with the majority of passengers as vaccinated.

I understand I can cruise with other cruise lines, but we do prefer DCL and if they choose protocols that don't match our needs, then we will choose to cancel. We have 3 DCL cruises booked and we are ready to cancel if we don't feel safe. I don't expect DCL to care about what I want, I expect them to choose the least problematic path in order to sail again. I'm good if they are just waiting it out to see how the other cruise lines are doing with their restrictions. I like that DCL is cautious. But they still need to let us know.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

I've been following the other cruise lines pretty closely. NCL, Celebrity and Carnival Mardi Gras are or will be sailing at greater than 95% vaccinated. It allows them to remove mask mandates, strict social distancing protocols and generally have a much more "normal" cruise. That sounds MUCH better to me than what is happening on Royal Ships sailing out of FL and what is required on the Magic in the UK.

NCL will not have trouble filling their ships to whatever capacity is set and in the long run, they are unlikely to lose enough customers to make a difference. I don't think DCL will sail 95% vaccinated, but I truly believe they could in the short term and not lose many customers. We sail at the end of September on the Fantasy in a 1BR concierge cabin (our 21st DCL cruise). I can get a suite on EDGE for less money and not have to wear a mask or reserve time at the pool or for shows and could get off in many ports without taking a ship excursion. It's becoming more and more tempting. And unlike families with young children (my daughter is 17), if I love Celebrity, there is less incentive for me to go back to DCL for every future cruise.

So much to agree with in this post (at least for me). I could easily seem them doing certain cruises at 95% vaxxed up therefore making them, essentially, adults only cruises. We are booked on the Jan. 22-29 2022 Fantasy Cruise to the Eastern Bahamas. How many parents will have their 5-17 year olds pulled out of school for that week? I know that's a far ways away, but I could easily see them doing some cruises under restrictions w/ no vax requirement (family) and others with no restrictions and vax requirements. You can do both.

I do see Disney losing out to other lines if people venture out of their DCL bubble and decide they can get the same service, close to the same experience, for a cheaper price and less restrictions. We have a NCL sailing booked for Nov. 2022. It will be our first foray outside the DCL bubble. Should be interesting to see the comparison.

But going back to the original point of the thread - I still find it baffling, rude, and quite frankly unprofessional the lack of info DCL is putting out there for people to make an informed decision at this point. They should tell us what they know and people will have to make that decision on their own to cruise w/ DCL or not, assuming there's a risk the information / conditions can change. It's like they really don't care at this point.

And I get that it's a business, etc., but any re-start was not going to be profitable from the first sailing. It's going to take time to return to profitability, so why not share what you know and not worry about the cancellations, etc.?