Port Canaveral: Projecting No Cruises Until July

[angelmav]

Germany is considering banning all flights...Id
say it’s wildly optimistic that cruises will
actually start back up this year.

 

[otten]

Cruise lines intentionally sail under foreign flags so US labor laws don't apply. Besides minimum wage we have required breaks after so many hours worked, overtime laws, FMLA, disability, medical insurance, etc. None of this applies to the cruise world.

I am well aware of all of that. Which is why the notion of cruise lines sailing again with only US crew as suggested in a previous post is unrealistic.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

We're on a Merrytime in Nov as well (Fantasy) - you think its going to sail? I give it 50/50 chances.

How are you feeling re: your 2nd vax dose? Any other effects?
It's been what a couple of weeks?

Yes received 1/8 (Pfizer). Feeling good; only the one day of fatigue.

DW receives her second (Moderna) tomorrow evening. I’ll post an update or few as her side effects tend to be a little more pronounced over in the vaccine thread.

We’re Fantasy Eastern 11/14. I don’t feel super optimistic, tbh. Probably same 50/50ish we sail. The ship might go out, but we’re holding out for more normal. Prices just don’t warrant a diminished experience, and we’ve done WDW twice since reopening.

 

[brentm77]

It isn’t about a lack of the right labour skills, it is a lack of people willing to work for the below US minimum wage wages that cruise ships pay their housekeeping, serving and other key crew. If they decide they are willing to pay wages that North Americans would accept then sure maybe they could do that.

Sure. I mention that in a later post. But that is a problem within the cruise line's control if cruising again was a priority. I assume it could still be done at a profit, but maybe not. Depending on demand, they may even be able to charge a labor up charge like they did with fuel charges on airlines (that never went away).

 

[brentm77]

I am well aware of all of that. Which is why the notion of cruise lines sailing again with only US crew as suggested in a previous post is unrealistic.

The low wage you previously mentioned is the biggest issue. Even U.S. workers lose protection under most federal employment laws while on the ship.

I agree that it is probably unrealistic, but it could be done if the desire was there.

On a side note, the ADA, in a limited form, has been applied to ship passengers by the Supreme Court, even when they are foreign flagged ships.

 

[DisneYE]

Yes received 1/8 (Pfizer). Feeling good; only the one day of fatigue.

DW receives her second (Moderna) tomorrow evening. I’ll post an update or few as her side effects tend to be a little more pronounced over in the vaccine thread.

We’re Fantasy Eastern 11/14. I don’t feel super optimistic, tbh. Probably same 50/50ish we sail. The ship might go out, but we’re holding out for more normal. Prices just don’t warrant a diminished experience, and we’ve done WDW twice since reopening.

We're on the sailing after you on 11/21
I just can't fathom not sailing this year, too depressing a thought.

I'm glad you're feeling well and no side effects.
Yes pls post about your DW's second jab. thx for sharing your experiences.

 

[tvguy]

It's a fair point. On the other hand, some lines might start with one ship or a few ships, requiring much less staffing. Would it be possible to pull enough staffing from the U.S. or other vaccinated countries, or is there simply not the right labor skills in those markets? I wonder why the port, which presumably has a pretty good finger on the situation, thinks it is the worst-case scenario.

Just a whole lot of complicated things have to be accomplished to make it work.

 

[brentm77]

Just a whole lot of complicated things have to be accomplished to make it work.

Agreed. It's a pretty far fetched idea. I was just throwing it out there as one way to sail faster if they can't get foreign crew. I think it's much more likely they find away to isolate and vaccinate the crew eventually.

 

[DCLDVC1]

NCL is waving the white flag for now.

http://crew-center.com/all-ncl-non-essential-crew-be-repatriated-home-april-2021

 

[brentm77]

NCL is waving the white flag for now.

http://crew-center.com/all-ncl-non-essential-crew-be-repatriated-home-april-2021

So sad for the crew.

The money these cruise lines are bleeding is astronomical too. I can't imagine they will be able to survive that much longer if things don't change in the coming months. Have any disclosed to shareholders how long they can survive without revenue or additional cash infusion?

 

[mevelandry]

So sad for the crew.

The money these cruise lines are bleeding is astronomical too. I can't imagine they will be able to survive that much longer if things don't change in the coming months. Have any disclosed to shareholders how long they can survive without revenue or additional cash infusion?

Early January, Cruise Radio News had an episode where they stated how long the most popular cruise lines could last without sailing. It was going from 15 months to 18 months if I remember correctly. That being said, we could see many changes and ships being retired in between.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope Port Canaveral is correct about cruises resuming then!

 

[MsAmerica]

Another major consideration is what ports will even accept ships. I believe Grand Cayman has already pulled the plug on 2021. I feel so bad for the islands, the citizens must be in such dire straights with no tourism...

 

[sethschroeder]

Another major consideration is what ports will even accept ships. I believe Grand Cayman has already pulled the plug on 2021. I feel so bad for the islands, the citizens must be in such dire straights with no tourism...

I don't know the US requirement but could these cruise lines make a deal to basically enter their water, do a costal "tour", and count it as a foreign port for the US laws?

Or does the ship need to dock with passengers allowed to disembark to count?

 

[Starwind]

I don't know the US requirement but could these cruise lines make a deal to basically enter their water, do a costal "tour", and count it as a foreign port for the US laws?

Or does the ship need to dock with passengers allowed to disembark to count?

The ship needs to port (dock or tender) with passengers allowed to disembark to count.

I don't know Cayman has phrased their ban -- whether it is porting or their waters. For Canada, the ban is on being in "Canadian waters", not just the ports themselves.