Posted on 09/28/2020 10:15:51 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
Are you the kind of cruiser who loves roaming on your own during port calls? You may not like a new rule that appears to be in the works at many cruise lines.
Health experts advising some of the world’s biggest cruise brands on how to restart cruising unveiled recommendations this week that included a call to significantly restrict passenger movements during port stops.
The main trade group for the cruise industry, the Cruise Lines International Association, this week also released guidelines for a healthy restart to cruising that included a ban on passengers roaming ports on their own. The association said the rule would be mandatory for ships operated by its member lines on itineraries subject to CDC regulation.
The touring rule is just one of many that cruisers are likely to see when cruising resumes in North America. The Healthy Sail Panel also called for:
Passengers to be tested for COVID-19 between five days and 24 hours before sailing. Those testing positive would not be allowed to cruise.
Passengers to wear cloth face coverings or masks on ships in accordance with CDC recommendations.
Cruise lines to only allow indoor excursions during port stops if physical distancing, use of masks and other recommended protective measures can be implemented.
Cruise lines to modify onboard facilities so passengers can remain socially distanced in accordance with CDC recommendations (at least six feet separation).
Daily temperature checks for all passengers.
All of these are things that some would-be cruisers may find onerous.
(Excerpt) Read more at thepointsguy.com ...
Here is some info on what some of the Cruise lines are suggesting.
My self and my wife are confined now to cruising to Bermuda from Boston.
On one of the days there, I like to take the ferry or bus to the from the Dockyard to the other end of the Island and have a nice dinner at a particular restaurant there. We have done that for 5 years in a row.
These new rules , would not allow that, and would give me second thoughts about going as would some other restrictive rules - Tom
I’m not going to pay all that money to travel with restrictions.
Not a chance I’d pay for a “vacation” like that. Maybe when they are hurting enough they will put pressure on the central committee of the DC soviet.
But...what will happen to those buffet lines??
(Admittedly, I am NOT a cruise person.)
Capt Tom
Thank you. I appreciate you posting these cruise industry updates.
I agree with you on this. I have rarely purchased the official cruise company sponsored tours, preferring to go off on my own and get a feel for the ports on my own terms.
We will see this week whether the CDC approves the industry’s proposal to begin operating again from the US. One factor that is not considered is that not only will the US authorities need to approve, but the various port countries need to approve too. I have a once in a lifetime 6 week voyage from Africa to Rome via Dubai scheduled for March with over a dozen different ports and countries. I can’t imagine all those countries will be ready to welcome cruises in time for that cruise to take place. I imagine the big companies will keep it simple and “close to home”, with basic itineraries, when they get going again, whenever that is.
“”Health experts advising””
I don’t usally go on cruises but when I do, I use my own boat.
Why leave the port?
I can't blame you.
I keep a low profile and limited things to do on cruise because of my wife's health and our age. (Mid 80s) So one of the things we like to do is off limits, and the shore excursions are only for those approved and paid to the ship.
The CDC will be out with their sail or no-sail report any day now. - Tom
Capt. Tom wrote: “Freepers on other threads have shown a dislike for some of these restrictive new cruise ship rules.”
The only ones who like these new rules are those who are cowering in their basements from fear. They’re the ones with the deer in the headlights look when they encounter someone in the aisles at Walmart. I suspect that many of them wet their pants when someone passes them.
I’m fairly certain we will cancel our Sep 2021 cruise because of these kinds of rules.
Taking the fun out. May as well dock or anchor the ships for good. Or make ‘em all casinos for the gambling set.
Stupidity deserves to be punished. And in this case, it will.
Mrs. JimRed and I had a cruise to Bermuda scheduled for May; needless to say it was canceled.
Indoor excursions in the Caribbean. Sounds like a winner.
My wife and I go on a cruise every year that is basically a floating music festival (Shiprocked). 20+ hard rock bands with concerts throughout the day and night. There's no way our cruise would ever happen with these restrictions. Social distancing at a rock concert. LMAO - Not happening.
I’m hoping for “sail”.
I also picked up on the cruise line association shooting themselves in the foot and coming up with restrictive rules to detrimentally affect their own cruise line business.
Keep your mouth shut, and ask the hostile CDC what do we need to do to get back in action, is the course the Cruise lines should have taken.
If the CDC continues the shutdown until next year , NCL may very well declare reorganization bankruptcy. -Tom
l talked to Carnival this morning...they have their new virus policies listed in their website ...the rules come from CLIA...the international cruising committee...
100% crew and passengers have to have a note from their doctor confirming they are negative for the Wu Hu Flu...the test must be within the last 14 days...
this is for each separate cruise...its part of the required boarding forms...
I left a message with my doctors nurse to find out if I need to come in before he will refer me for the test or what...
Consider this...
we wont have symptoms
its not a necessary test
theres no hurry for the results
10’s of 1,000s of people will suddenly be requesting one...
Good luck getting that paper in time to leave for the cruise..
and what if youre going to have a land vaca for a few days on the way to the ship ???
Abbot and Trump are sending 150 million rapid tests out this week. I’m sure the cruise industry and the airline industry will get some.
“I’m not going to pay all that money to travel with restrictions.”
Ditto for us. Looks like our cruising days are over.
Ditto for us. Looks like our cruising days are over.
To me the Cruise Industry has shot themselves in the foot by coming up and suggesting restrictions to placate the CDC that given the opportunity, will cripple the cruising industry. -Tom
Bayley=(Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley)
Excerpt from the article -
Bayley said it was hard to say how long the new protocols would remain in place. It depends in large part on the progression of the virus and a vaccine. But he confirmed that Royal Caribbean would not allow passengers to roam in ports on their own when the line resumes cruising.
“We will start with highly controlled shore excursions,” he said.
The touring rule is just one of many that cruisers are likely to see when cruising resumes in North America.
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