Posted on 10/09/2020 10:54:10 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
Will Americans still cruise if they have to wear a mask and social distance on ships?
A few months ago, many were saying “no” in the strongest possible terms, according to industry watchers. But there’s been a sea change, so to speak, in the thinking on the topic as the coronavirus crisis has dragged on.
“Back in March, they said ‘no way’ to things like masks and social distancing,” Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, said Wednesday at Seatrade Cruise Virtual, an online version of the cruise industry’s annual meetup. “They’re much more prepared to take (it) on now.”
McDaniel, who cited Cruise Critic surveys of readers as pointing to the shift, was speaking on a panel on “the future of the guest experience” that included several cruise line representatives who echoed her comments.
“In April, they were saying, ‘Well, (if) I have to wear a mask, I’m not going to go,'” said Dan Blanchard, CEO of small-ship adventure company UnCruise Adventures. “Now they’re saying, ‘If you don’t require me to wear a mask and everybody (else), I’m not going.'”
Blanchard suggested that the majority of Americans now don’t want to go anywhere unless they know they will be in a bubble of safety. If that means sometimes intrusive anti-COVID measures, so be it.
MSC Grandiosa is one of the few cruise ships that has resumed sailings since March. It’s operating voyages out of Italy that are open to European travelers only. Bernhard Stacher, vice president of global hotel operations for MSC Cruises, said his company had seen something similar in Italy, where the line recently resumed limited sailings for Europeans only.
Stacher said MSC Cruises customers had become more comfortable not just with mask-wearing and social distancing on ships but even more extreme anti-COVID measures such as rules forbidding passengers to disembark in ports on their own.
“In the beginning, it was, like, ‘Hmmm. We can’t go ashore and explore now?” he said. “Since we’ve run (ships with the policy for) a few weeks, and other cruise lines have said they are going to do the same, people feel very comfortable (with the idea).”
The changing consensus comes as Americans become more accustomed to anti-COVID measures in all aspects of life, McDaniel noted.
“They’re just getting used to it in their day-to-day lives,” she said of things like mask-wearing. “It’s something that just becomes routine and habit.”
McDaniel added that after so many months without cruising, cruise fans were ready to do just about anything to get back on ships. Cruise Critic surveys show that, despite the COVID outbreak, about 75% of readers are planning to cruise again in the next year.
“If (wearing a mask) means that they can get back on board cruise ships, they’re ready to do it,” she said.
Most major cruise lines haven’t operated a single departure since March, when health officials declared the new coronavirus a pandemic. But the main trade group for the industry, the Cruise Lines International Association, has said in recent weeks that it would require its members to implement a wide range of safety protocols when they restart operations.
The protocols will include such things as mandatory COVID testing for all passengers, restrictions on port touring, mask-wearing on ships at times and social distancing on ships.
Already, a handful of lines that have resumed sailings out of Italy and other European countries are implementing such protocols, and the early word is passengers are complying with the rules, not complaining in great numbers and still enjoying the cruise experience.
“Italy was very hard-hit during the initial stages of the pandemic … and thus (had) already really changed their culture to accept mask use and the distancing and certain restrictions,” Stacher said. “So they (have been) very obedient.”
Stacher said passengers on the two ships the line now is operating out of Italy sometimes forget to put on their masks when walking in public areas. But the crew is trained to politely remind them, and the passengers have been very accepting of such nudges.
“They do follow (such requests), and they actually are very appreciative and say ‘thank you very much,'” he said. “I think it’s a big success story.”
I have spoken to 5 cruisers and gotten their attitudes about Covid procedures on Cruise Ships
I am interested in what Freepers have to say . -Tom
Forget it. They are and remain floating petri dishes. Other modes of travel are much better.
My wife and I have gone on a number of cruises. No way would we do it again if we have to wear masks. Plus the fact that they’re planning on keeping the buffets closed. That’s a non-starter as well.
Reruns of early Love Boat are enough.
yeah, I’m practicing distancing. The nearest cruise ship from me is about 120 miles away!
It’s tough to stuff your face at the buffet and tell the insurance salesmen to P off after the 5th time he hands you a business card when you are wearing a mask.
I probably wouldn’t go at this time. Having to purchase an excursion from the cruise company to get off the ship in ports is suspect to me. The ships make big bucks on excursions, I don’t see them giving this up until absolutely necessary.
I would not go if we have to wear masks all day and all night.
Would you pay the extra for a balcony cabin with a window/door to fresh air ?
Or would you buy an inside cabin with 100% recycled air, 24/7 ?
“Forget it. They are and remain floating petri dishes. Other modes of travel are much better.”
No, they aren’t
You pretty well summed up my attitude.
Also I feel this is a whistling past the graveyard article.
I noticed the Airlines are trying to take the same tack to bolster up business.
The handful of cruisers I have talked too have all indicated they would not pay for a hospital ship cruise, and will wait for changes in the Cruise protocols for Covid-19. -Tom
No way. If I have to wear a mask everywhere I go, socially distance, and I’m not allowed to explore on my own at port stops, I wouldn’t waste my time on it. It has to be normal or I’m not interested.
I just don’t want to go on a cruise at all, the way things are now. It wouldn’t matter if I had a cabin with a balcony akd fresh air.
“No way would we do it again if we have to wear masks. Plus the fact that they’re planning on keeping the buffets closed.”
Plus excursions now very limited with no free wandering.
The fun’s been heavily clipped.
Good God no! I’ve been on at least 12 cruises with carnival, royal Caribbean and celebrity. It would destroy being on a cruise.
We have had 5 cruises cancelled. We will cancel the 6th if we have to wear masks.
I won’t cruise if I have to wear a mask all the time.
Sorry, not gonna do that.
No mask required on my Catalina 445.
You’d have to drug me, tie me in a sack, and hoist me aboard ship to get me on a cruise anyway - masks, no masks, whatever.
Does not appeal to me in the least. I have a huge fear of open water.
*SHUDDER*
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