Tracking Cruising Restart: News and Updates

[Intr3pid]

A few more updates:

Carnival CEO doesn't feel that the cruise line would generally require vaccinations - though they may do so for brands favored by the seniors:

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/03/15/carnival-ceo-sees-2-troubled-years-coming-for-crui/
On the other hand, Virgin Voyages will require them:

https://thepointsguy.com/news/virgin-voyages-to-require-covid-19-vaccine-to-sail/
Lobbying effort is underway in Canada to allow at least a technical stop in Victoria to keep the BC cruise economy from disappearing:

https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/acta-seeks-to-modify-cruise-ban.html
NCL has cancelled all its cruises until the end of June.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruise-lines-push-restart-july/

 

[Intr3pid]

Celebrity is starting summer 2021 cruises from St Maarten:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/cruise-deals/caribbean-cruises-from-st-maarten-2021
Of note:

"Celebrity Millennium will sail with vaccinated crew and will be available to vaccinated adult guests and children under the age of 18 with a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of embarkation."

We loved Millie's transformation - refurbished under the Celebrity Revolution program. Had a great time on board our 14-night cruise from Singapore to HK - a must-do itinerary for the traveling aficionados.

 

[OKW Lover]

Lobbying effort is underway in Canada to allow at least a technical stop in Victoria to keep the BC cruise economy from disappearing:

No real info as to what a "operational" or "technical" stop would be. If its just a ship putting into port but not disembarking passengers then I don't see how this helps the port at all. If it does include disembarking passengers then I don't see how this protects Canadian citizens from potential infection by the passengers.

 

[bcwife76]

No real info as to what a "operational" or "technical" stop would be. If its just a ship putting into port but not disembarking passengers then I don't see how this helps the port at all. If it does include disembarking passengers then I don't see how this protects Canadian citizens from potential infection by the passengers.

It would bring in a little bit of money to the port of Victoria and would allow longshore workers to have some more work and maybe even provision providers. But it would be a drop in the bucket compared to what a cruise ship full of paying passengers actually brings in to the economy when they got off (each cruise ship brings in more than a $1million to the local economy).

 

[Intr3pid]

No real info as to what a "operational" or "technical" stop would be. If its just a ship putting into port but not disembarking passengers then I don't see how this helps the port at all. If it does include disembarking passengers then I don't see how this protects Canadian citizens from potential infection by the passengers.

That a temporary PVSA modification may be "accommodated" permanently for Alaska, is what concerns them. Alaska isn't a swing state, but you never know...

 

[Intr3pid]

Celebrity is starting summer 2021 cruises from St Maarten:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/cruise-deals/caribbean-cruises-from-st-maarten-2021
Of note:

"Celebrity Millennium will sail with vaccinated crew and will be available to vaccinated adult guests and children under the age of 18 with a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of embarkation."

We loved Millie's transformation - refurbished under the Celebrity Revolution program. Had a great time on board our 14-night cruise from Singapore to HK - a must-do itinerary for the traveling aficionados.

Now, here is how the RCL policy for Adventure of the Seas reads:

"At this time vaccinations will be required for adult guests to sail on Adventure of the Seas. Guests under the age of 18 will need to provide a negative RT-PCR test result."

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center
This means we should probably read the Celebrity policy similarly as well:

"Celebrity Millennium will sail with vaccinated crew and will be available to vaccinated adult guests - and children under the age of 18 with a negative PCR test result - within 72 hours of embarkation."

 

[Intr3pid]

The Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) is asking the CDC to allow sailings to resume in July:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/24/cru...gs-from-us-ports-to-resume-in-early-july.html
Not clear what they want the CDC to change. The CDC has given them a path to a restart; most of them just haven't done much about it.

 

[brentm77]

The Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) is asking the CDC to allow sailings to resume in July:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/24/cru...gs-from-us-ports-to-resume-in-early-july.html
Not clear what they want the CDC to change. The CDC has given them a path to a restart; most of them just haven't done much about it.

I had the impression that, although the general guidelines was released, the technical guidance was still missing to do the test cruises. I think it was the CEO or Royal Caribbean who said that. He was waiting to get that information and then would need time to get the test cruises staffed, but hopped to have it soon. This was several weeks ago. Am I remembering that wrong? Or has the CDC given that information now?

Update: The Royal Caribbean Blog has a post from March 18, that says this:

First, the question was asked if the U.S. Center for Disease Control had provided technical guidance to the cruise lines for test cruises to start. "Conversations are happening every week, multiple times during the week," Ms. Freed said in response to the question. "We don't have the actual dates yet for the sample cruises... but we're getting closer."

Update. Since the article doesn't have the full press release, here it is if others want to read it. It sounds like they think the standards in the CLIA are too burdensome and don't account for vaccines.

WASHINGTON, DC, March 24, 2021 –CLIA, which represents 95% of global ocean-going cruise capacity, today called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) and allow for the planning of a phased resumption of cruise operations from U.S. ports by the beginning of July. The earlyJuly timeframe is in line with President Biden’s forecast for when the United States will be “closer to normal.”

“Over the past eight months, a highly-controlled resumption of cruising has continued in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific—with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets. These voyages were successfully completed with industry-leading protocols that have effectively mitigated the spread of COVID-19. Additional sailings are planned in the Mediterranean and Caribbean later this spring and summer,” said Kelly Craighead, CLIA’s President and CEO.

According to the trade association, the very small fraction of reported COVID cases (fewer than 50 based on public reports) is dramatically lower than the rate on land or in any other transportation mode. “This is a testament to the industry’s unparalleled expertise, gained over more than half a century, in coordinating movements of guests and crew, efficiently organizing complex embarkations and excursions, and designing vessels that are more technologically advanced and operationally agile than any other mode of transportation,” said Craighead.

“The cruise industry has adopted a high bar for resumption around the world with a multi-layered set of policies that is intended to be revised as conditions change. Our Members continue to follow this multi-layered approach to enhancing health and safety that has proven effective, making cruising one of the best and most adaptable choices for travel,” she added. Craighead also noted “the accelerated rollout of vaccines is a gamechanger in providing for the health and well-being of the public, especially in the United States, where President Biden expects all adults will be eligible for vaccinations by May 1, 2021.”

“The outdated CSO, which was issued almost five months ago, does not reflect the industry’s proven advancements and success operating in other parts of the world, nor the advent of vaccines, and unfairly treats cruises differently. Cruise lines should be treated the same as other travel, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors,” Craighead emphasized.
While some cruise lines have announced a few sailings catering to those who have received vaccinations, CLIA does not currently have a policy related to vaccines. The organization and its members are exploring a workable approach for how to consider vaccinations, once widely available, as part of robust protocols.

According to CLIA, restarting cruises as part of the broader travel industry will provide a much-needed boost to the U.S. economy—with the cruise industry supporting nearly 450,000 American jobs and contributing over $55.5 billion annually, prior to the pandemic. Based on economic modeling by research firm BREA, more than 300,000 jobs have been lost in the United States due to the suspension of cruises. The majority of those impacted are independent business owners or individuals employed by small- to medium-sized businesses—including travel agents, taxi drivers, port employees, baggage handlers, and longshoremen, as well as airline, hotel, and restaurant workers.

 

[DCLDVC1]

“Over the past eight months, a highly-controlled resumption of cruising has continued in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific—with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets. These voyages were successfully completed with industry-leading protocols that have effectively mitigated the spread of COVID-19. Additional sailings are planned in the Mediterranean and Caribbean later this spring and summer,” said Kelly Craighead, CLIA’s President and CEO.

Those cruise lines didn't have to deal with American ignorance and arrogance.

 

[Intr3pid]

“The outdated CSO, which was issued almost five months ago, does not reflect the industry’s proven advancements and success operating in other parts of the world, nor the advent of vaccines, and unfairly treats cruises differently. Cruise lines should be treated the same as other travel, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors,” Craighead emphasized.

Generally agreed with the disproportionate hammer - but I think the CDC would take this more seriously if the industry had shown at least some progress in these five months. I mean, there isn't even a single test cruise run in these five months!

The CDC's CSO has much more guidance in it than its European counterpart. If they can run cruises in Europe with fewer guidelines, they should be able to do so in the US too.

 

[AquaDame]

“Over the past eight months, a highly-controlled resumption of cruising has continued in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific—with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets. These voyages were successfully completed with industry-leading protocols that have effectively mitigated the spread of COVID-19. Additional sailings are planned in the Mediterranean and Caribbean later this spring and summer,” said Kelly Craighead, CLIA’s President and CEO.

Those cruise lines didn't have to deal with American ignorance and arrogance.

I don't disagree this is a big problem but my brother lives in Leiden (Netherlands) and they keep having large gathering protests against closures. He said no one is wearing masks outside (they certainly are not in the pictures he has shared) and the general attitude is that it isn't fair. We are not alone in our hubris... so I agree its time to at least try test cruises here as well even if actual resumption of limited cruising is a ways off.

 

[JMommyof3]

"UPDATE: In an interview with CNBC, the CDC reiterated that their Conditional Sail Order will remain in effect until November 1, 2021. CNBC also reported that cruise line stocks fell today after the announcement. Watch the video below for more."

From the Dis Article. If I'm I reading this right it means that before Nov 1 there are no sailings at all?

 

[AquaDame]

"UPDATE: In an interview with CNBC, the CDC reiterated that their Conditional Sail Order will remain in effect until November 1, 2021. CNBC also reported that cruise line stocks fell today after the announcement. Watch the video below for more."

From the Dis Article. If I'm I reading this right it means that before Nov 1 there are no sailings at all?

It means the conditions to sail have been extended to at least Nov 1st. They can still sail if they meet the guidelines prior to that date (and it may keep getting pushed back).

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/CDC-Conditional-Sail-Order_10_30_2020-p.pdf

 

[sullivan.kscott]

The CSO was always a one-year document, right? So, any sailing from its inception until 11/1/2021 would have been subject to the CSO. Currently, if it expires then sailings can just resume 11/2 (not that I really believe it will play out that simply).

A lot of movement in the Caribbean recently. It’s high time both the CDC and CLIA sit down and have a meaningful framework that factors in current viral conditions.

 

[gismo1554]

It means the conditions to sail have been extended to at least Nov 1st. They can still sail if they meet the guidelines prior to that date (and it may keep getting pushed back).

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/CDC-Conditional-Sail-Order_10_30_2020-p.pdf

The condition to sail was always through to November 1st though so not sure how this has been extended? I think they've just reiterated it won't be changing?

 

[AquaDame]

The condition to sail was always through to November 1st though so not sure how this has been extended? I think they've just reiterated it won't be changing?

Ah you're right. With all the chatter Id thought maybe they had done more than just been asked to bring the date forward.

 

[gismo1554]

Ah you're right. With all the chatter Id thought maybe they had done more than just been asked to bring the date forward.

Great to know! Thought I had missed something but as I'm on the PC cruise in November I've been keeping an eye on that date as its so close to when we are meant to sail.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Its official, Disney Cruise Line announce summer 2021 UK residents only sailings. They will be cruises to no where, departing from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton. They will be a mix of 2, 3 and 4 night cruises and will go onsale in April

New! UK Staycations with Disney Magic at Sea

 

[NC State]

Its official, Disney Cruise Line announce summer 2021 UK residents only sailings. They will be cruises to no where, departing from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton. They will be a mix of 2, 3 and 4 night cruises and will go onsale in April

New! UK Staycations with Disney Magic at Sea

I see why the Magic is still in the UK.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I see why the Magic is still in the UK.

Other than a short trip to France for dry dock, The Magic has been in Dover since May 2020.