Social distancing on a cruise: what changes would you actually enjoy?

[DCLCrazy64622]

I prefer to sit with one other family that also has an only child. Usually they do a good job of matching us up and my daughter has an instant friend for the remainder of the cruise. We are still friends with two of them to this day!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

Purely brainstorming, without much consideration as to what's really possible, here's my list:

• Reduce passenger capacity
• Assign and enforce embarkation/disembarkation times
• In-room muster drills
• Cast members serve majority of food at buffets; gloves required to go through line
• No children allowed in buffet/drink/condiment lines whatsoever
• Add handwashing stations and enforce sanitizing at entrances to EVERYTHING and upon exiting dining rooms
• Private tables in the MDR for those who want them
• Add third dinner option or formal lunch option in MDR
• Add a rotation in Cabanas and/or enhanced in-room dining experience to dinner options to thin crowds
• Fill adult dining options to capacity, offering reduced prices if necessary
• Space between families in theaters and game venues, etc.
• Add matinees for the main shows to give a third option; increase showings of movies where possible to thin out crowds
• 6 and up in family pools; potty trained to age 6 in Mickey pool; mandate no children under 15 in hot tubs
• Restrict number of individuals in all pools at any given time
• Deck chairs pushed apart and unavailable for more than 2 hours at a time when occupied; 30 minutes when unoccupied to discourage chair hogs

 

[mevelandry]

Purely brainstorming, without much consideration as to what's really possible, here's my list:

• Reduce passenger capacity
• Assign and enforce embarkation/disembarkation times
• In-room muster drills
• Cast members serve majority of food at buffets; gloves required to go through line
• No children allowed in buffet/drink/condiment lines whatsoever
• Add handwashing stations and enforce sanitizing at entrances to EVERYTHING and upon exiting dining rooms
• Private tables in the MDR for those who want them
• Add third dinner option or formal lunch option in MDR
• Add a rotation in Cabanas and/or enhanced in-room dining experience to dinner options to thin crowds
• Fill adult dining options to capacity, offering reduced prices if necessary
• Space between families in theaters and game venues, etc.
• Add matinees for the main shows to give a third option; increase showings of movies where possible to thin out crowds
• 6 and up in family pools; potty trained to age 6 in Mickey pool; mandate no children under 15 in hot tubs
• Restrict number of individuals in all pools at any given time
• Deck chairs pushed apart and unavailable for more than 2 hours at a time when occupied; 30 minutes when unoccupied to discourage chair hogs

I thought they had removed hot tubs from the main pool area?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Purely brainstorming, without much consideration as to what's really possible, here's my list:

• Reduce passenger capacity
• Assign and enforce embarkation/disembarkation times
• In-room muster drills
• Cast members serve majority of food at buffets; gloves required to go through line
• No children allowed in buffet/drink/condiment lines whatsoever
• Add handwashing stations and enforce sanitizing at entrances to EVERYTHING and upon exiting dining rooms
• Private tables in the MDR for those who want them
• Add third dinner option or formal lunch option in MDR
• Add a rotation in Cabanas and/or enhanced in-room dining experience to dinner options to thin crowds
• Fill adult dining options to capacity, offering reduced prices if necessary
• Space between families in theaters and game venues, etc.
• Add matinees for the main shows to give a third option; increase showings of movies where possible to thin out crowds
• 6 and up in family pools; potty trained to age 6 in Mickey pool; mandate no children under 15 in hot tubs
• Restrict number of individuals in all pools at any given time
• Deck chairs pushed apart and unavailable for more than 2 hours at a time when occupied; 30 minutes when unoccupied to discourage chair hogs

all of this and possibly more such as reduced housekeeping in staterooms

the only things I don't see working are the the matinees for shows. I don't expect live entertainment such as the shows returning for the 2021 season. I also think that entertainment such as bingo or the trivia will have limited availability, a first come first served type of thing, with a set amount of people allowed in the room or area and that a crew member will have clicker to count people in.

I also can't see a third dining time in MDR being offered, purely from a practical, logistic aspect.

I am also expecting very reduced menus in MDR and other food places throughout the ship. Social distancing does not apply to just passengers, it will apply to crew too. The kitchens wont be able to have the same amount of staff as pre Covid, which will lead to a reduced menu availability. Also you can forget about that pre Covid habit of asking your MDR server to get you that menu item you had last night in the other MDR. The MDR servers most likely wont be allowed to go to a different kitchen or service area.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

I agree totally. But, after sanitizing my hands on previous cruises, my waiter always wanted to shake my hand. I hate having my hand shaken.

That's one of my favorite benefits of this pandemic... no more handshaking!

 

[mevelandry]

That's one of my favorite benefits of this pandemic... no more handshaking!

Handshaking and kisses on the cheeks used to drive me nuts during flu season.

 

[mevelandry]

all of this and possibly more such as reduced housekeeping in staterooms

the only things I don't see working are the the matinees for shows. I don't expect live entertainment such as the shows returning for the 2021 season. I also think that entertainment such as bingo or the trivia will have limited availability, a first come first served type of thing, with a set amount of people allowed in the room or area and that a crew member will have clicker to count people in.

I also can't see a third dining time in MDR being offered, purely from a practical, logistic aspect.

I am also expecting very reduced menus in MDR and other food places throughout the ship. Social distancing does not apply to just passengers, it will apply to crew too. The kitchens wont be able to have the same amount of staff as pre Covid, which will lead to a reduced menu availability. Also you can forget about that pre Covid habit of asking your MDR server to get you that menu item you had last night in the other MDR. The MDR servers most likely wont be allowed to go to a different kitchen or service area.

Someone suggested using Cabanas as a fourth rotational dining option in order to reduce the amount of guests in each dining room. That would be a good idea.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Someone suggested using Cabanas as a fourth rotational dining option in order to reduce the amount of guests in each dining room. That would be a good idea.

they used to do this before Covid, a reduced menu and the servers were in training for MDR

 

[mevelandry]

they used to do this before Covid, a reduced menu and the servers were in training for MDR

Yes. It was an option for people who didn’t want to dine in one of the three dining rooms.

They could officially make it part of the rotation... for a while and create a new experience out of it.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Someone suggested using Cabanas as a fourth rotational dining option in order to reduce the amount of guests in each dining room. That would be a good idea.

I've had dinner there a few times. I quite enjoyed it as an additional experience.

 

[squirk]

I've only dined in Cabanas once for dinner, and that was only because our Port Adventure got back late and there was no vacancy in the MDR second seating for us.

The Cabanas server was very nice and was working very hard, but you could very much see why he wasn't working in the MDRs yet. I'm in no rush to go back for dinner.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

For me personally, I don’t want or go on a cruise to avoid social contact with everyone. If we have to eat alone and physical distance...what kind of cruising experience will that be. I do understand there will be restrictions initially, but I really hope eventually they will all be lifted. More thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures and maybe full serve buffets I think will be permanent.
I just really hope we get back to a point in time where we are not afraid of contact with people. I realize this is many months away still and I’m not suggesting we pack a full ship today and hug everyone... but eventually would love to accidentally bump into someone walking by and not get a dirty look
Even though things are still grim in North America where we live, hope is on the horizon. All the current measures such as masks and physical distancing have become such normal part of life, but I don’t believe they are here to stay for good.

 

[mevelandry]

For me personally, I don’t want or go on a cruise to avoid social contact with everyone. If we have to eat alone and physical distance...what kind of cruising experience will that be. I do understand there will be restrictions initially, but I really hope eventually they will all be lifted. More thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures and maybe full serve buffets I think will be permanent.
I just really hope we get back to a point in time where we are not afraid of contact with people. I realize this is many months away still and I’m not suggesting we pack a full ship today and hug everyone... but eventually would love to accidentally bump into someone walking by and not get a dirty look
Even though things are still grim in North America where we live, hope is on the horizon. All the current measures such as masks and physical distancing have become such normal part of life, but I don’t believe they are here to stay for good.

2021 and probably parts of 2022 will be different.

And we’re trying to be resilient and positive...

So... What « social distancing » change would you enjoy?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

2021 and probably parts of 2022 will be different.

And we’re trying to be resilient and positive...

So... What « social distancing » change would you enjoy?

Haha... none!
I am very optimistic and positive (hope by 2022 social distancing is old news) to me if we have to do it, things are not safe.
Seriously though, if I had to pick something I could do without crowded deck/atrium parties. Even without covid, it’s just too crowded. Hope they add more shows that kind of thing to spread the crowds around. Not because of covid though, as I said if we are cruising I hope covid is no longer a big concern. Fingers crossed for late 2021

 

[jlwhitney]

For me personally, I don’t want or go on a cruise to avoid social contact with everyone. If we have to eat alone and physical distance...what kind of cruising experience will that be. I do understand there will be restrictions initially, but I really hope eventually they will all be lifted. More thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures and maybe full serve buffets I think will be permanent.
I just really hope we get back to a point in time where we are not afraid of contact with people. I realize this is many months away still and I’m not suggesting we pack a full ship today and hug everyone... but eventually would love to accidentally bump into someone walking by and not get a dirty look
Even though things are still grim in North America where we live, hope is on the horizon. All the current measures such as masks and physical distancing have become such normal part of life, but I don’t believe they are here to stay for good.

We will get back to that where people aren't afraid of others. There will be some that will be, but there has always been those people. Thankfully seeing where I live where the restrictions are very loose and no mask mandates many people aren't afraid of others now and still will crowd in to places and such. It is not all lost, and I do believe a lot will be back before the end of the year. Some places will take longer to remove them then others.

 

[mevelandry]

We will get back to that where people aren't afraid of others. There will be some that will be, but there has always been those people. Thankfully seeing where I live where the restrictions are very loose and no mask mandates many people aren't afraid of others now and still will crowd in to places and such. It is not all lost, and I do believe a lot will be back before the end of the year. Some places will take longer to remove them then others.

I’d REALLY like this thread to stay open... Can we please stay on topic? I’m begging...

 

[mevelandry]

Haha... none!
I am very optimistic and positive (hope by 2022 social distancing is old news) to me if we have to do it, things are not safe.
Seriously though, if I had to pick something I could do without crowded deck/atrium parties. Even without covid, it’s just too crowded. Hope they add more shows that kind of thing to spread the crowds around. Not because of covid though, as I said if we are cruising I hope covid is no longer a big concern. Fingers crossed for late 2021

Less crowded deck/atrium. Good! I’d enjoy that very much too!

 

[DisneYE]

Less crowded deck/atrium. Good! I’d enjoy that very much too!

That's hard to implement.. usually the atrium gets real crowded around MDR dinner times with all the characters there for pictures and what not.. one way I see they could lower the atrium crowds is to do photo and character sessions outside on deck 4 or deck 11 but it seems ppl like to converge in the atrium bc its close to the MDRs and so much is happening there at nights with the singers, bars nearby etc.
They need to figure out a way to move a lot of the entertainment outdoors.

 

[BadPinkTink]

That's hard to implement.. usually the atrium gets real crowded around MDR dinner times with all the characters there for pictures and what not.. one way I see they could lower the atrium crowds is to do photo and character sessions outside on deck 4 or deck 11 but it seems ppl like to converge in the atrium bc its close to the MDRs and so much is happening there at nights with the singers, bars nearby etc.
They need to figure out a way to move a lot of the entertainment outdoors.

I dont think crowding in the atrium before MDR dinner times will be a problem, as this is what I think will happen when sailings restart

1. less passengers due to limited capacity sailings
2. timed dinner times, as in half the people for early dinner at told to arrive at 6.00pm and the second half of people are told to arrive at 6.30pm , and the same staggered seating times for late dinner
3. no characters / entertainment

 

[gotomu212]

Purely brainstorming, without much consideration as to what's really possible, here's my list:

• Reduce passenger capacity
• Assign and enforce embarkation/disembarkation times
• In-room muster drills
• Cast members serve majority of food at buffets; gloves required to go through line
• No children allowed in buffet/drink/condiment lines whatsoever
• Add handwashing stations and enforce sanitizing at entrances to EVERYTHING and upon exiting dining rooms
• Private tables in the MDR for those who want them
• Add third dinner option or formal lunch option in MDR
• Add a rotation in Cabanas and/or enhanced in-room dining experience to dinner options to thin crowds
• Fill adult dining options to capacity, offering reduced prices if necessary
• Space between families in theaters and game venues, etc.
• Add matinees for the main shows to give a third option; increase showings of movies where possible to thin out crowds
• 6 and up in family pools; potty trained to age 6 in Mickey pool; mandate no children under 15 in hot tubs
• Restrict number of individuals in all pools at any given time
• Deck chairs pushed apart and unavailable for more than 2 hours at a time when occupied; 30 minutes when unoccupied to discourage chair hogs

Preventing kids in buffet/drink/condiment lines isn’t workable. Parents aren’t setting their 2-5 years olds on chairs alone while they go off to get food and drinks. Whether it’s single parents, a parent that has stayed back with younger kids while everyone goes on a shore excursion or just one parent off with kids while other parent sleeps in/goes for a drink/spa/etc the majority of parents are alone at some point with kids while needing to get food and drinks.

I also don’t see anything workable about limiting pool/deck time. The reality is there aren’t that many public places on the ships. They rely on the pool and activity deck to hold a large number of people while at sea. Restricting that pushes people to the atrium, theaters, family activities that will be under more constraints.

And even with spread out times, everyone who has been on the ship experiences those crowded areas and lines when people just don’t have anywhere to go while waiting for shows/dinner/disembarking/shore excursions and just start to line up.

I think there are some options for spreading people out but honestly there’s no way to keep to social distancing guidelines with even 50 people in those restaurants, unmasked, and eating.