Maybe the most realistic cruising suspension...?

[pumpkinqueen93]

Oh definitely, the slow rolling cancellations has the worst optics and clearly puts profits above clients. They know, which is why they haven't cancelled November cruises but they took the November cruises off of their website. They try to play it off cool like they are just trying to reduce capacity but we know. You take the cruises off of the website because the cruises aren't going out. Just come clean, we all know. Not blaming y'all and understand it's Covid, CDC, CLIA, no ports, ect. but just come clean, we get it and are not blaming, just be up front like apparently Cunard/Carnival is doing.

Exactly. It's not just Disney, lots of other places haven't been up front either. It's giving false/unrealistic hope to people.

 

[Starwind]

It is also important to note that for Cunard is it not just pushing out their restart dates into 2021, it is also significant itinerary changes for the planned restart.

From https://www.cunard.com/en-us/contact-us/travel-health-advisories on 25 August 2020:


Changes to Queen Elizabeth 2021 sailings.

With Queen Elizabeth having returned to the UK during the pause, and with ongoing uncertainty over the re-opening of ports and countries on her intended routes next year, it is sadly not practical to continue as planned. Therefore, in addition to the extended pause, all of Queen Elizabeth’s sailings that were due to depart between March 26 and December 13, 2021, will be canceled. This includes all sailings around Australia, Japan and Alaska.

These voyages will be replaced with a program of shorter duration European vacations from Southampton and a series of Mediterranean voyages sailing from Barcelona, all of which will be available to book from September 29, 2020.

Changes to Queen Mary 2 2022 sailings.
With this new extension to our pause in operations, we recognize that Covid-19 has now impacted two consecutive World Voyages for our guests, causing a great deal of disappointment. Given how popular these routes are, we have made the decision to cancel all planned voyages departing between January 3 and April 3, 2022, including the voyage to South America, and replace them with our much loved classic World Voyage to Australia via the Suez Canal. This new 118-night roundtrip New York World Voyage will be available to book from September 8, 2020.

 

[iannovich]

As someone who has several friends who work at the CDC, I'd like to point out they have been working non-stop since the pandemic happened with little to no recognition/thanks from the administration/general public.

Agreed! They have been put in a remarkably tough spot and are not only not getting the support, but at times it appears they are being actively undermined.

I'm hopeful that the European examples will help the CDC out. Providing a realistic 'real world' example that they can use as a framework for U.S. guidelines that can get us going again.

And then, when we've demonstrated that North America can also follow the rules, Cunard can hop back in. April may be optimistic for all those dominoes to fall into place, but I am cautiously desperately optimistic (that's a thing, right?)

 

[okeydokey]

People can argue and wring their hands all they like, the cruise lines will decide. They have decided no for now. Customers will wait Until they are allowed to go. I am thinking maybe by summer 2021. In the meantime, try to enjoy life some other way besides on board.

 

[Intr3pid]

It is also important to note that for Cunard is it not just pushing out their restart dates into 2021, it is also significant itinerary changes for the planned restart.

From https://www.cunard.com/en-us/contact-us/travel-health-advisories on 25 August 2020:


Changes to Queen Elizabeth 2021 sailings.

With Queen Elizabeth having returned to the UK during the pause, and with ongoing uncertainty over the re-opening of ports and countries on her intended routes next year, it is sadly not practical to continue as planned. Therefore, in addition to the extended pause, all of Queen Elizabeth’s sailings that were due to depart between March 26 and December 13, 2021, will be canceled. This includes all sailings around Australia, Japan and Alaska.

These voyages will be replaced with a program of shorter duration European vacations from Southampton and a series of Mediterranean voyages sailing from Barcelona, all of which will be available to book from September 29, 2020.

Changes to Queen Mary 2 2022 sailings.
With this new extension to our pause in operations, we recognize that Covid-19 has now impacted two consecutive World Voyages for our guests, causing a great deal of disappointment. Given how popular these routes are, we have made the decision to cancel all planned voyages departing between January 3 and April 3, 2022, including the voyage to South America, and replace them with our much loved classic World Voyage to Australia via the Suez Canal. This new 118-night roundtrip New York World Voyage will be available to book from September 8, 2020.

It's the same reason - cancelling the world cruises. It means that QE will no longer do a transpacific journey from Asia to Alaska in April/May, so the entire Alaska season is out. The ships will stay in Europe for pretty much all of 2021.

 

[Husker Mike]

Problem is that cruising is a multi-day activity and the only way out is a (presumably) expensive medical evacuation if someone comes down with it. Comparing a cruise to a one hour pedicure is rather silly.

I do think the CDC and the cruise lines do need to start disclosing some guidelines as to what will be necessary to resume cruises. I suspect it'll be a combination of how to handle cases on board, how to handle people on board and what preventative measures will be necessary. My gut feeling is that a safe vaccine needs to be commonly available, and that a significant portion of the population in the US is protected by this disease. Until then, I don't see how cruising resumes. And the soonest time frame for that is probably spring 2021, from what I've read.

Until then, the rolling cancellations just create unnecessary work for everyone as people have been moving summer reservations to Christmas and then into next year. I think it's just costing themselves and their agents more than just admitting that the resumption of cruises is at least six months away.

 

[T & R]

Comparing a cruise to a one hour pedicure is rather silly.

I agree. If someone catches Covid from a cruise it's treated as unforgiveable but when approaching 100k a day catch it from non-cruise Covid spreading businesses within the U.S., we just look the other way and have an oh-well about it, very silly and ineffective Covid spread response. I thought UnCruise's response was a perfect template to use if there is a suspected outbreak onboard. It's sad to see the false positive killed the rest of their cruise season but still thought their response was awesome and handled in a safe manner. Safer than those catching and spreading from land based businesses. I am still hopeful that Cunard's response is not the most realistic cruising suspension. I also agree with you that it would be nice to see some guidelines on how to resume cruising instead of just endless ban renewals. If we cannot resume cruising until there is a vaccine, so be it but make the call already. Those affected would love to know so that they can plan appropriately and try to save what's left of their businesses.

 

[AquaDame]

Removed further argumentative posts that were off topic - please try to keep it friendly!

 

[kaseyC]

Seabourn has also canceled sailings until 2021. They have also delayed the inaugural voyage of their newest ship until Dec. 2021.

https://goldringtravel.com/seabourn...KbmtS2VTtBwOl93b90h3iArpmIZqnelSjXcRSBYxQUsvA

 

[AquaDame]

I've deleted yet another argumentative post. We are NOT here to argue about vaccines or put people down.

 

[icc2515]

My personal opinion is that Disney will not start sailing until a viable vaccine is widely available. And when they do start sailing they will require that you show proof of vaccination before boarding. Disney has been very strict with the face mask rules for their theme parks including a firm no exception rule for anybody over 2. They have no stomach for any bad PR and even a chance of a headline showing a DCL ship stating that the US Govt will not allow them to dock due to Covid is enough to make Chapek want to cut the cruise line division entirely. Carnival, RC, Etc need to start cruising as soon as they can. Disney can literally let those ships sit forever. Sure Disney is not making any money right now, but cruising at a level that does not contribute to profitability does not do anything for Disney. Disney is worried about getting their theme parks profitable and movies going. DCL is so far down the list for Chapek and Igor that it barely registers. The best thing that Mazloum can do for himself is keep off the radar of the Bobs. Stick to the Disney script of cancelling a week at a time and don't announce anything.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We booked and paid for a Merrytime Cruise with the consideration that we will have a cruise or more to spend on another cruise and we are OK with that.
We understand that a vaccine may be what’s needed before cruising will resume.

 

[MomOTwins]

Disney has been very strict with the face mask rules for their theme parks including a firm no exception rule for anybody over 2.

Weeeeellll, not really. They've been requiring masks to enter the parks but mask compliance was pretty dismal when we were there, and they also have tons of indoor dining with no masks and indoor relaxation stations, and VERY crowded pools. I think they know a lot of guests, especially those form out-of-states, want to see strict rules on the website to feel comfortable going, but in practice things were definitely much more lax than I was expecting, which was disappointing. I imagine the cruise will be the same way... lots of Covid "theater." little Covid protection.

Sure Disney is not making any money right now, but cruising at a level that does not to profitability does not do anything for Disney.

I wish I knew more about the economics of cruising, but it could conceivably be less costly to resume operations with a pared back crew, shorter cruises with fewer ports, and reduced offerings than to just let the ships sit empty, using up fuel to move from port to port as they are doing now. That certainly has been the strategy for the parks--they are not profitable, but according to the latest earnings announcements they are losing less money than if the parks were closed altogether.

It might be hard to cruise if they really do cut a lot of the things that make it special though. It was definitely a bit bittersweet being at the parks with no fireworks, only the occasional character sighting if you were in the right place/right time, limited dining, no mousekeeping etc. I'm not sure I want to pay what I'm paying for our 2021 Fantasy cruise if we're not going to have shows, have reduced menus, and stateroom hosts are only doing towel/trash service like the hotels (I discovered Disney sheets are REALLY hard to change for some reason--no fitted sheet and four different sheets/blanket per bed--WHY is it so complicated?). Then again, who am I kidding, I'm sure I'll cave and we'll go no matter the reductions just to get back on beautiful castaway cay for a day....

 

[monkeydawn]

I imagine the cruise will be the same way... lots of Covid "theater." little Covid protection.

THis is a horrifying thought for being trapped at sea.

 

[MomOTwins]

THis is a horrifying thought for being trapped at sea.

Unlike something like Noro that is surface based and can be avoided with hand-washing and disinfecting (and yet still manages to spread pretty quick on Disney cruises when there is an outbreak), there's only so much you can do to prevent transmission of an airborne disease, unfortunately. And it's pretty much impossible when a large number of people don't want to comply with masks.