Tracking Cruising Restart: News and Updates

[Chrissy-Mickey]

So if the test cruises have to go on for 60 days and can only be 18 and above - it seems to make a lot more sense to go with the 98/95% or 100% (even better) vaccination scenario and start sailing with paying passengers as soon as they are authorized to do so. You can get kids 12 and up on the ship along with their families and adults cruising without kids. Unless I'm missing something, it seems like a no brainer.

I agree that the restrictions for a 98 to 100% vaccinated ship would determine if I still sail on my September cruise (concierge). I'm not shelling out that kind of money for a significantly reduced experience. And if they go the test cruise route, I doubt September will happen for paying customers.

The 60 days have been brought back to 5 days by the CDC.

 

[tidefan]

The CDC does define a cruise ship as a congregating setting, so the default lens is that for a crowd. I agree It's very much possible to spread people out at the islands and do the pods as you suggest. The CDC would still have to come up with rules specific to such private islands - much like it has done for the shore excursions. It's all not very different from the cruise line being asked to enforce masks and social distancing on the entire ship even though we can argue that the top deck is 'outdoors'.

If, by November, the order is significantly modified anyways, this requirement may just be a part of what they are calling a phased restart. Walk before run, you know.

Interesting sidenote I saw in another discussion is that the Conditional Sail Order IS NOT line by line, though lines may certainly act for all of their ships through either path. However, the CSO is actually ship by ship. It is conceivable that a line could put one ship back going the vaccination route and another going the test sailing route. Not saying that DCL would do that, but it is an interesting thought...

 

[hubbard53]

these guidlines have NOTHING to do with science - they certainly are preposterous!

 

[brewcrew]

Doesn't the idea of test cruises imply that this will be the standard operating procedure on those cruise ships until the pandemic ends?

 

[kathi]

Doesn't the idea of test cruises imply that this will be the standard operating procedure on those cruise ships until the pandemic ends?

I just read the revisions to the CDC requirements and I agree that the procedures will be carried over to paying customer cruises. The policies could be modified based on the evolving state of covid in the US and the world.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The reasons masks are required on private islands is because the Bahamas has a mask mandate. Has nothing to do with the CDC.

 

[mevelandry]

The reasons masks are required on private islands is because the Bahamas has a mask mandate. Has nothing to do with the CDC.

Never thought of that (the Bahamas having their own rules). *walks away in shame*

 

[BadPinkTink]

Never thought of that (the Bahamas having their own rules). *walks away in shame*

Don't worry, many people don't realize that Disney rent the island from The Bahama Government. Many people think that because Disney "owns" Castaway Cay that its private property / American land

 

[sabrecmc]

I would honestly feel much safer on a ship with 100% vaccinated crew and passengers, like Norwegian proposes, than all these CDC rules.

 

[Princess Merida]

So do these CDC rules go away for vaccinated cruises? Like say Disney doesn't do the test run and they require the 98%/95% of crew and passengers be vaccinated. Are they then not required to have masks on the pool deck?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

So do these CDC rules go away for vaccinated cruises? Like say Disney doesn't do the test run and they require the 98%/95% of crew and passengers be vaccinated. Are they then not required to have masks on the pool deck?

Probably not based on mask guidance for large gatherings. Which, to avoid confusion: Masks likely still required, especially in indoor spaces but possibly also on deck.

 

[mevelandry]

Don't worry, many people don't realize that Disney rent the island from The Bahama Government. Many people think that because Disney "owns" Castaway Cay that its private property / American land

I was too busy being mad to even consider that. LOL

 

[Princess Merida]

Probably not based on mask guidance for large gatherings. Which, to avoid confusion: Masks likely still required, especially in indoor spaces but possibly also on deck.

The cruise lines are definitely being hammered here. It's okay to have your mask off on a pool deck at Disney or anywhere else, but not at sea. I feel so bad for all of these cruise companies. I wonder how much guidance will change between now and sailings beginning and as it does if the CDC applies said restrictions loosening to cruising restrictions or if they just continue to stick it to the cruise industry.

 

[Sykes]

So do these CDC rules go away for vaccinated cruises? Like say Disney doesn't do the test run and they require the 98%/95% of crew and passengers be vaccinated. Are they then not required to have masks on the pool deck?

Not with the current version of the CDC rules--more or less the same social distancing and mask rules apply to all cruises. The 98%/95% vaccinated rule just allows them to skip the simulated voyages.

 

[cvjw]

Mask requirements outside also vary. From reading the CDC guidelines, it appears that masks will be required on the pool deck. Just not when actually in the pool.

We are considering the crystal cruise, that is sailing from the Caribbean. No mention of masks at the pool deck. Only states masks outside in certain circumstances and inside when social distancing can’t be done.

 

[tidefan]

Mask requirements outside also vary. From reading the CDC guidelines, it appears that masks will be required on the pool deck. Just not when actually in the pool.

We are considering the crystal cruise, that is sailing from the Caribbean. No mention of masks at the pool deck. Only states masks outside in certain circumstances and inside when social distancing can’t be done.

If it is not sailing from the US and not porting here, then CDC has no jurisdiction.

 

[hubbard53]

The cruise lines are definitely being hammered here. It's okay to have your mask off on a pool deck at Disney or anywhere else, but not at sea. I feel so bad for all of these cruise companies. I wonder how much guidance will change between now and sailings beginning and as it does if the CDC applies said restrictions loosening to cruising restrictions or if they just continue to stick it to the cruise industry.

b/c it has nothing to do with science... a mask on the pool deck while in the sun? A mask on between bites of food? preposterous!

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Norwegian is threatening not to sail out of Florida if they can't require vaccines:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/norwegian-cruise-line-florida-vaccinations/index.html

 

[cvjw]

If it is not sailing from the US and not porting here, then CDC has no jurisdiction.

Yes, that is how these other cruise lines sailing out of the Bahamas and Caribbean are able to ease their restrictions. They are just getting around the CDC. Sitting on the pool deck with a mask on is a dealbreaker for us. That is why we are thinking of moving to a sailing out of the Caribbean without all these rules imposed by the CDC.

 

[LambertLion]

How much fresher Air can you get, when you are outside on a weather/pool deck on a ship??? If the ship is still, there is almost always an ocean breeze blowing and if the ship is moving, the air is changed/in motion by the second. I could understand if you could not even get 3 feet of social distance to mask, but not under any situation on a ship when out in the weather and fresh air other than that. The restaurant guidance is just silly, masking after each bite/sip. CDC really just wants cruising dead. They will make it so hard to get sailing, or for it to be enjoyable, that it will die off. Only then will they be satisfied. I can draw no other conclusions for the unreasonable rule set they are imposing on this one and only industry.