Tracking Cruising Restart: News and Updates

[PirateFrank]

For 2021, Didn’t they ditch the cruises that were >7 nights before they cancelled all the Spring and Alaska sailings? Was your cruise one of the longer journeys?

(Yeah, not really the point of your post; just a minor point of clarification).

Hope you get on that cruise someday. I really enjoyed an 11-night Med cruise on DCL in 2010.

Lynne, I think the 7-day issue was based on one of the CDC guidelines over the past year that cruises not be greater than 7 days. Since my cruise was a mediterranean cruise, and was not porting in the US, the itinerary wasn't subject to CDC guidance. Im not sure if similar guidance from the EU or WHO would have eventually impacted my cruise, but with respect to the CDC guidance - it wasn't subject to it. In fact, if you go to the CDC or NIH page for cruise ship readiness, the Magic isn't even listed because I dont think it's slated to sail out of a US port until October, 6-7 months from now.

...and thanks! We're hoping to get on the 2022 equivalent whenever its released. 3rd times a charm!

 

[gismo1554]

Lynne, I think the 7-day issue was based on one of the CDC guidelines over the past year that cruises not be greater than 7 years. Since my cruise was a mediterranean cruise, and was not porting in the US, the itinerary wasn't subject to CDC guidance. Im not sure if similar guidance from the EU or WHO would have eventually impacted my cruise, but with respect to the CDC guidance - it wasn't subject to it. In fact, if you go to the CDC or NIH page for cruise ship readiness, the Magic isn't even listed because I dont think it's slated to sail out of a US port until October, 6-7 months from now.

...and thanks! We're hoping to get on the 2022 equivalent whenever its released. 3rd times a charm!

Yep completely right. It was only 7+ night cruises where they originated or ended in a US port between now and October 2021. This has meant that there are still a few kicking around out there (mainly the European ones until the recent cancellations but also the Eastbound Panama Canal in November).

 

[Intr3pid]

More talks are happening behind the scenes to salvage the summer 2021 Alaska season:

https://www.travelmarketreport.com/...Update-ASTA-Gov-Officials-Push-for-a-Solution
It may not be a bad idea to send some vaccines over to Canada after May!

 

[brentm77]

Speculation that R.C. may bypass the CDC by porting in Cozumel starting in May. I'm not surprised. Many will disagree with me, but the CDC would be better off by providing a reasonable path to returning to cruising safely from the U.S., then forcing lines to other countries. It would be less risky for U.S. citizens to leave from Florida with CDC-approved safeguards, than having people flying in an out of a foreign country and sailing from there. I suspect ships will follow similar safeguards regardless of whether the CDC has jurisdiction, but why add the extra travel and touchpoint in a foreign country?

The CDC is going to shoot themselves in the foot by not releasing the test sailing guidelines. Billions of dollars are at stake and cruise lines won't wait forever.

https://www.cruisehive.com/is-royal-caribbean-planning-to-homeport-in-cozumel/47501

 

[BadPinkTink]

Speculation that R.C. may bypass the CDC by porting in Cozumel starting in May. I'm not surprised. Many will disagree with me, but the CDC would be better off by providing a reasonable path to returning to cruising safely from the U.S., then forcing lines to other countries. It would be less risky for U.S. citizens to leave from Florida with CDC-approved safeguards, than having people flying in an out of a foreign country and sailing from there. I suspect ships will follow similar safeguards regardless of whether the CDC has jurisdiction, but why add the extra travel and touchpoint in a foreign country?

The CDC is going to shoot themselves in the foot by not releasing the test sailing guidelines. Billions of dollars are at stake and cruise lines won't wait forever.

https://www.cruisehive.com/is-royal-caribbean-planning-to-homeport-in-cozumel/47501

Royal Caribbean are doing closed loop fully vaccinated sailings in Singapore for Singapore residents and have announced the same for Israel, so I'm not surprised to hear possibility of them restarting using Cozumel as a home port. P & O and Princess have announced they plan to do closed loop sailings for UK residents in summer 2021. This seems to be the way the cruise industry will restart and I expect many more cruise lines will follow.

 

[ChicosWife]

Speculation that R.C. may bypass the CDC by porting in Cozumel starting in May. I'm not surprised. Many will disagree with me, but the CDC would be better off by providing a reasonable path to returning to cruising safely from the U.S., then forcing lines to other countries. It would be less risky for U.S. citizens to leave from Florida with CDC-approved safeguards, than having people flying in an out of a foreign country and sailing from there. I suspect ships will follow similar safeguards regardless of whether the CDC has jurisdiction, but why add the extra travel and touchpoint in a foreign country?

The CDC is going to shoot themselves in the foot by not releasing the test sailing guidelines. Billions of dollars are at stake and cruise lines won't wait forever.

https://www.cruisehive.com/is-royal-caribbean-planning-to-homeport-in-cozumel/47501

This is a very good point. For us, it's not a big deal where we have to fly to board our ship. It's the same difference to us!

 

[Intr3pid]

Disneyland is all set to re-open:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/05/cov...-major-league-baseball-disneyland-reopen.html
So that removes the last remaining internal hurdle from DCL's own path to return.

We have reached the end of the queue!

 

[brentm77]

Disneyland is all set to re-open:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/05/cov...-major-league-baseball-disneyland-reopen.html
So that removes the last remaining internal hurdle from DCL's own path to return.

We have reached the end of the queue!

So glad to see some movement in the right direction for Disneyland. The restrictions are going to be very heavy at first - 15% capacity, California residents only, no indoor dining, and mostly outdoor rides (it appears some indoor rides will be allowed based on the length and occupancy capacity - but reading conflicting news reports). But, it gives me hope that we may see more normal operations there by mid-summer.

 

[AquaDame]

Disneyland is all set to re-open:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/05/cov...-major-league-baseball-disneyland-reopen.html
So that removes the last remaining internal hurdle from DCL's own path to return.

We have reached the end of the queue!

I'll feel it more once this little nugget has also been removed... "[...]the parks initially will be open only to state residents." I guess maybe PC cruises /could/ sail with just Floridian residents..?

 

[Missingmypooh]

I'll feel it more once this little nugget has also been removed... "[...]the parks initially will be open only to state residents." I guess maybe PC cruises /could/ sail with just Floridian residents..?

I think the Florida Governor would disagree. He wants everything open for tourists and said if the CDC/WH does a reverse travel ban for Florida he’d fight it. I’d assume that means he won’t be limiting out of state visitors/participants from activities either.

my honest speculation is that as soon as Florida drops it’s State of emergency, that cruises ported there could do closed loops (and likely just take the CDC to court. DCL might not pursue it legally, but the others can’t sustain this closed indefinitely business model)

 

[otten]

I'll feel it more once this little nugget has also been removed... "[...]the parks initially will be open only to state residents." I guess maybe PC cruises /could/ sail with just Floridian residents..?

My understanding is that that restriction has to do with the State of California’s advisory against interstate travel. Florida has no such advisory.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Some 'rumblings' regarding Alaska cruises with Canada borders still closed.

"Two U.S. Senators, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced a bill to Congress to allow foreign-flagged cruise ships to sail to Alaska without having to stop in Canada.

The Alaska Tourism Recovery Act is meant to alleviate the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) restrictions for cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska."

Source: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/...ise-ships-sail-alaska-without-stopping-canada

I know that PVSA has been an ongoing debate on Dis; I was curious to see this topic being brought up to Congress by Alaska.
Even if this would go anywhere, I would still not expect to see any cruising before Fall.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I'll feel it more once this little nugget has also been removed... "[...]the parks initially will be open only to state residents." I guess maybe PC cruises /could/ sail with just Floridian residents..?

Think I see CA. v. FL. as two separate health minded governments also. WDW been open almost right away compared to DL by state choice as I thought I understand it.
Now upon getting home for some travelers to a stricter state I could see a state require a 10 day “ foreign country requirement“ like maybe CA. but by the time DCL gets rolling I think that’s unlikely. But they could require a reduced capacity, from say CA. ports and maybe CA. only tourists.
California has a pretty safe place to live, if you overlook the earthquakes, the fires, and that whole shelf thing that might fall into the ocean.
Man I get so many jokes rattling around in my head but I don’t wanna offend you a nice California people. Bless you all.

 

[islandsnoopy]

DCL restart question at today's Walt Disney Company shareholder meeting. Bob Chapek responded that maybe this Fall some limited operations. Also mentioned Wish maiden voyage Summer 2022.

 

[brentm77]

DCL restart question at today's Walt Disney Company shareholder meeting. Bob Chapek responded that maybe this Fall some limited operations. Also mentioned Wish maiden voyage Summer 2022.

Not surprised, but very disappointed that they aren't aiming for some summer cruises, especially with the option to require vaccines for all adults. Unless variants cause major issues, it seems like this summer would be an ideal time to start.

 

[kathi]

That does not sound encouraging at all. Very disappointed.

 

[sabrecmc]

Looks like UK domestic cruises can restart May 17. Cruise Industry News article

 

[SierraT]

Can’t believe I haven’t ventured over to this board.

I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that indicated the possibility of “test cruises” before the cruise ships actually start sailing completely full. I would like to volunteer to be invited to participate if this is the plan Disney!

Really, I do wonder if various lines will invite a smaller group of people to “test the waters?”

 

[Starwind]

Can’t believe I haven’t ventured over to this board.

I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that indicated the possibility of “test cruises” before the cruise ships actually start sailing completely full. I would like to volunteer to be invited to participate if this is the plan Disney!

Really, I do wonder if various lines will invite a smaller group of people to “test the waters?”

Under the current CDC requirements for cruise lines sailing out of or to US ports, they are REQUIRED to have a test cruise for each itinerary as part of the process of being approved to resume sailing. The test cruise has to have actual (non-paying) passengers.

There is extensive discussion elsewhere in the forum about the test cruise requirements.

None of the cruise lines have announced their US test cruises. Some of the cruise lines have publicly stated that CDC has not yet given them all of the technical requirements needed to begin the return to sailing process [which is a multi-month process].

SW

 

[Makmak]

Can’t believe I haven’t ventured over to this board.

I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that indicated the possibility of “test cruises” before the cruise ships actually start sailing completely full. I would like to volunteer to be invited to participate if this is the plan Disney!

Really, I do wonder if various lines will invite a smaller group of people to “test the waters?”

We received an email about volunteering to cruise. I have a child so can’t go. Make sure you are signed up and check the email associated with your cruise card (like the membership/frequent cruiser cards that are called different things) we are very high up on the particular line that emailed so I wonder if they are reaching out to very frequent cruisers? Maybe bc the eco Erie version will be altered I was thinking they wanted people that “know the ropes”?