OuiOnboard

9 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

They are holding tens of thousands of my $$ right now.  I cannot afford to take the risk to invest more until I feel more secure.  It's a personal decision, and that is mine.

I understand. I am over 70 and I am standing back from cruising for a bit. I am encouraging those who can do more and want to to do more to do more so =X=  is there in some form in the future.

6 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Obviously I love cruising but as I am in my late 60's I wonder if I will be able to continue.  I have no underlying health issues at this time, but at 68  I am more vulnerable.  Seeing the horror of what happened to people stuck on ships with Covid-19 I would want to know that the cruise lines have seriously upped their game plan for how to handle something like this in the future.  The CDC requirements posted were pretty significant - things like (and I know I am not quoting exactly) actual mini-hospitals rather than just sick bays, chartered flights home for passengers, and so on.  I honestly don't know how the cruise lines can afford to satisfy those requirements, and I am not sure I would sail them until they did.  Tough times.  I am hoping for the best but anticipate it may take a long time to get there.

That is why it is really important to step up in support to get over this bump.

Our last few cruises were purchased with payment in full. I think this might be one of the best ways to give Celebrity real and meaningful support.

Va nan,

You had fun  and tried to defend Celebrity. Stand down.

5 minutes ago, UnorigionalName said:

 

What people expected them to do was to bite the bullet, take the financial hit, and honestly tell the port of san diego that they had potential COVID patients on board, one who needed urgent hospitalization, and with many (dozens even) more with flu like symptoms and possible covid.

 

It could lead to another grand princess situation, but that is better for the community then letting everyone freely roam about.

 

It's this natural selfishness of "i'll do anything to not get quarantined" that has been shown to be part of human nature for thousands of years, why cruising won't start up again for a long time.

I declined to book these cruises. I think foresight and common sense can be valuable when making decisions that might involve our well-being. I have read several reports on here that, as yours does, comport with my experience with cruise lines. The selfishness that you refer to on the part of some die-hard cruisers and some cruise lines is on display in these incidents and is apparent to all but the oblivious. Again, my opinion.

9 hours ago, lostchild said:

 I was quoting the person who said he is waiting for the vaccine.  But if you already had the real thing, you don't really need to wait for the vaccine

I am the person waiting for the vaccine. I'm over 70 and I would hope that the vaccine would be less likely to render me dead than "the real thing". Thus, I'm trying hard not to get the virus.  Cruising was great and I might like to do it again someday.

Now you can transfer your excitement and anticipation to planning a cruise for 2021!!!

17 minutes ago, hcat said:

Celebrity will deny boarding for all guests with one or more severe chronic medical conditions as specified by the U.S. CDC. Additionally, boarding will be denied to any person age 70 or older, unless the guest provides written verification from a qualified treating physician that certifies the person has no severe, chronic medical condition and is fit to travel.

Can someone tell me: what are severe chronic medical conditions as specified by the U.S. CDC?

I would only book after final payment and thus with payment in full. 

Cruiselines haven't pushed harder for compliance with improved buffet hygiene because heretofore too few pax have pushed them hard enough to see such as sufficiently beneficial to them. 

56 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Exactly.  Lots of emphasis on testing and that's great for those who are symptomatic...not so much for those who show no symptoms.

 

So what is your take away from this?  Just curious...

We won't consider cruising until there is a vaccine.

16 minutes ago, Chrisclaire said:

In my opinion, guest's should be refused entry into the buffet restaurant until hand sanitizer is used.

This has got to be the first change put in place going forward!

Rebels entering the buffet might be less likely to ignore a crew member dressed in white with epaulets insisting on compliance with hand hygiene procedures.

2 hours ago, calicakes said:

Just like how things changed after 9/11.  We all adapted to it and now going thru security, no liquids, etc are all second nature to us.

Not just C19. Don't forget the global recession coming soon.

Won't consider cruising until there is a vaccine.

On 4/1/2020 at 5:26 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

If you have enough status (with CC in X's case), for the most part you won't see a huge reduction amenities.  Yet I'm not saying you cut the staff/crew in half and everything on the MDR costs money other than hot dogs and burgers.  Everything will be a very small increase, shave a crew member here and there, have an upcharge only for the lobster, increase the specialty dining packages by $5.  Very small increments.

So business as usual? Do remember we are in a global recession.

10 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

It will be roughly a year until there is a viable vaccine in sufficient numbers to begin inoculating folks.   Self distancing will be the norm until that time.  I have tried, without success, to figure out how passengers could self distance on a Cruise ship.  Maybe a 1/2 full ship with staggered dining, propositioned lounge and bar chairs, etc.  But, then there are the elevators and narrow hallways.  Pools would be off limits.  Its hard to place a bar or dinner order with 6 ft between you and the server.  How could this work?  What would the “new cruise vibe” be like?

You have made many great points. To return to the high-density model of cruising, we will need a vaccine, which many commentators suggest is at least a year out. Until then, cruising is left to the adventurous.

22 minutes ago, cachouonacruise said:

In short, in my opinion, it is unfair to judge the cruise industry in a negative light, while the Covid 19 issue is a universal issue. Most involved entities were well intended and did their best to protect. Unfortunately, the 100% virus proof vest has not yet been invented.

We just think that in light of their experience with viral outbreaks in the past, it wouldn't hurt to implement (permanently) even some of the protocols they already employ temporarily during viral events. Is that too much to ask?

2 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Well, as long as it doesn't morph into another strain for which then a vaccine is not a guarantee to protect you kind of like with the flu vaccines. God forbid that happens though because then I don't see how life as we have known it could even continue to function since you would always have to be self-isolating to avoid it.

Or we get a lot of ventilators.....everywhere....with people to operate them.

10 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Can I " assume " her native tongue was not English ????  

Strong communication !!

8 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

 

25 minutes ago, cachouonacruise said:

In short, in my opinion, cruise-lines will have to carefully balance passengers/crews health safety versus travel enjoyment.

After all, just look where the present balance of pax/crew health safety versus travel enjoyment has got us.😀

Wow!!! Look where 

1 minute ago, jelayne said:

The hand washing stations on the Edge are a great improvement and more effective than the hand santiziers. but even with crew reminding  passengers to wash their hands as they entered the buffet some had a excuse not to stop.

Ah those durn water allergies again.

57 minutes ago, davekathy said:

You can add all the verbiage, warnings you want and but you can't fix stupid.

Right! Unfortunately, stupid is as stupid.....

32 minutes ago, BEAV said:

Your personal observation about the on board hero mentality atmosphere is understandable IMO. I’d think it would be easy to fall into that trap and feel the pride of being a “clean ship” after the stories of Diamond/Grand Princess, Zaandam/Rotterdam, etc. 

That is the question. They felt the pride based on what?

I'd like to see Celebrity position as the cleanest modern luxury line (or one of them). At a minimum, institute the same protocols followed during an active norovirus situation. Not the end, but maybe a beginning. Just saying.