Posted on 05/04/2021 4:54:45 PM PDT by Capt. Tom
Christine Duffy received a fair share of criticism when she announced Carnival Ships would remain in the US and would not be sailing from foreign ports. A decision based on the constant ‘Carnival is America’s Cruise Line,’ which the president of the US’ largest cruise line repeated whenever there was a chance.
With a return of cruising looming brightly ahead, and ships expected to start sailing, although in minimal numbers, in mid-July, it seems the former Cruise Lines International Association president was on the money when she decided to keep the ships in the United States.
Advantage Carnival Cruise Line Sure, the threats were there a few weeks ago when Christine Duffy said she might be forced to send ships to foreign ports if the CDC did not deliver soon. But in hindsight, that might just have been all it was, a threat.
If Carnival Cruise Line would have sent its 24 vessels that currently homeport in the United States to foreign ports, it would have been one of the biggest shocks in cruise history.
Nonetheless, Carnival Cruise Line will be well underway in getting all of its 14 homeports in line and undersigning all the documentation the CDC requires from the vessels.
Carnival could plan to start operating with just three vessels in July, which is likely based on testing the waters, so to say. The cruise line plans a phased restart from that point onwards, bringing ships back into service step by step. The cruise line has also stopped the sale of most cruises in July while it works through the guidelines from the CDC.
Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line:
I like to say carnival cruise line is America’s cruise line. We sail from 14 US homeports around this country. We keep our ships in these communities and these ports year-round; we consider this their home.
It means then that Carnival Cruise Line can now put all of its focus on getting ships sailing from US 6ports. As other cruise lines will juggle the various rules and regulations elsewhere, Carnival can evaluate day by day and focus solely on the most significant market worldwide, with perhaps the most pent-up cruise demand.
Vaccinations The CDC has asked for a 98% crew vaccination grade, and a 95% passenger vaccination grade also makes things a lot easier for Carnival Cruise Line.
While vaccinations have been going at an extremely high pace in the United States, this is certainly not the case elsewhere in the world. Sure, the UK and Israel are in the same ballpark, but that’s where it ends.
It is also where, again, it’s advantage Carnival Cruise Line. Three US ports have so far committed themselves to give high levels of support when it concerns getting crew members onboard the ships vaccinated as soon as possible. Port Canaveral, Port Miami, and the Port of Galveston have all started with vaccination drives for crew members of the cruise ships.
And there is a good reason for this. In 2019 the cruise industry’s contribution to the US economy grew to $55.5 billion in 2019, generating more than 436,000 American jobs.
Not only is it in the best interest of Carnival to have crew vaccinated as soon as possible. Having ships sailing from US ports will create jobs and be a massive stimulus to the US economy.
It is often said that the cruise lines do not contribute and have no benefit to the US economy as the ships are registered in ‘ports of convenience,’ and sure enough, this part is true.
However, with $55.5 billion in 2019 and virtually $0 in 2020 and the first months of 2021 due to the cruise ship ban, the ‘no contribution to the economy’ theory has been thoroughly debunked.
It looks now then that Carnival Cruise Line not only contributes to the US economy, but it also has one of the biggest supporters in its President, Christine Duffy. Carnival Cruise Line, it really is America’s Cruise Line.
It still has to happen and you never know if the CDC is going to come up with more curveballs. - Tom
I still prefer Royal Caribbean.
Ships are full...granted its a limited full...but people are booking and rebooking...
We dont know yet whether Carnival will require vax to cruise...
Depends on the ship. One of the worst cruise for me was on a RCCL smaller ship, I believe it was Monarch of the Seas, and one of the best cruise was also on RCCOL’s Oasis of the Seas, a 6000 passenger behemoth of a ship and ironically the least crowded ship among my 36 cruises. It even has a living forest zone on ship and birds live there permanently.
For my next cruise I am going to try MSC cruises 135,000 ton ship called Divina. They have 100% vaccinations only passengers.
I will not board any ship in 2021 which allows non-vaccinated folks on ship, both passengers and crew.
Good ... leaves more room for the rest of us ...
I had no interest in taking a vacation in a floating petri dish even before COVID.
We took a repositioning cruise from Florida to Malaga Spain on Allure of the Seas. It was the best trip we’ve ever taken. And compared to the cost of a business class airline ticket, we save money. We plan to do it again. It is the best way to see the grand kids in Europe.
I just find the decor on Carnaval ships a by gaudy. Costa is worse. Star in Asia is worse still.
Carnival is a cattle ship for younger cruisers. I prefer RC too.
Hope you get out there in 2021.-Tom
Can’t wait....just don’t want to FLY to the Bahamas to get on!
“It is often said that the cruise lines ... have no benefit to the US economy”
I guess the people saying that have never seen the ports’ hotels, transportation, restaurants, tourism, etc., used by passengers pre- and post-cruise.
Is the CDC a governmental agency? Non-governmental? Quasi-governmental? I’ve heard all of those things.
Whoopee. More room for us.
“Carnival is a cattle ship for younger cruisers.”
Carnival is more than just Carnival ships with the Carnival logo on them. Carnival also owns Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, P&O, Costa, AIDA, P&O, and Cunard.
I was on one Carnival ship in the ‘80s and it was dreadful. Have been on many of the newer Princess ships, and they’re beautiful. Friends like Cunard.
We were hoping to try RC this year, but it looks like that won’t happen. I believe our cruising years are over. :(
Why? You’re vaccinated, so what does it matter if others aren’t?
The jabs protect you, correct? Correct??
LOL you are not allowed on any ships in 2021, so with unvaccinated people left in the port catching the paper ribbons thrown by passengers on ship, ships will be less crowded haha.
Jab does not protect you from catching infection. What the jab does is reduces chances of ending up in a plastic tent in hospital’s isolation ward, connected to a ventilator.
Because the vaccine creates anti-bodies and thus the body is better prepared to fight the invading virus.
No problem. I’m glad I had my big adventures in my “yout”. If I can’t get on a cruise ship in my 70s, I can live with that.
I’m cracking up at the pathetic snowflakes who want masks and “vaccines” on boats because they’re scared of a cootie, with a .03% risk of death. People did survive on a rickety boat (that almost sank). IN the winter. ON the Atlantic. With nothing at their destination. Facing a .03% chance of survival.
It’s sad, funny, and ironic all at the same time. We’re a sorry bunch.
“Is the CDC a governmental agency? Non-governmental? Quasi-governmental? I’ve heard all of those things.”
It appears the CDC has muddled their status.
Below is Robt. Kennedy’s take on the CDC. -Tom
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