OuiOnboard

I had been looking to come out of cruise hibernation this spring. Glad I didn't book the cruises into and out of Vancouver I was considering for later this month and next month.

Ah, the good old days. RIP Michel Roux. Thanks for the memorable meals that helped get us hooked on Celebrity.

7 minutes ago, smogfarmgirl said:

I was flamed pretty good by a few, but more and more people are seeing that this is what's happening.

Yeah, you were lit up a bit but it stings less when you are right...right?

Ah, the booking games. Maximum patience required.

2 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

The officials are trying to slow down the spread to minimize the hit to the healthcare system.

Not only a very good point, but at this time it is the only point!! Well said.

5 minutes ago, SunsetPoint said:

 

Interesting that it's a proposal FROM the leading cruise trade organization TO the White House.  Sounds to me like the cruise industry doesn't want these folks to cruise, but doesn't want to seem like "the bad guy."

There were reports that V P Pence had told the cruise lines CEO's (CLIA) that they need to come up with a strategy/protocols such that the industry would not require shut down.

57 minutes ago, RickT said:

Yes, the buffet is open and still self serve.  First cruise that I’ve seen everyone walking into Oceanview using the hand sanitizer.

Might be a good time for the cruise line to (1) institute served food in the buffet. Also, have security officers offer buffet diners the options of either (2) receiving a dollop of hand sanitizer OR (3) using the nearby hand washing facility in order to gain access to the buffet. It would be difficult to 'force' rebels to clean their hands, but the first suggestion would make it much more likely that these selfish folks would increase their own infection risk most.

We have to start somewhere.

9 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

May be a strategy. If more people cancel will that not present a much clearer picture to Celebrity about actual occupancy otherwise everyone would hedge their bets until 2 days before. They can then take decisions about (potential) full cruise cancellations.

As part of the booking process pricing games, may be a strategy to keep everyone on their toes. It is all in the details.

25 minutes ago, happy cruzer said:

Worrying about the TA or the cruise lines' bottom line.... not so much they did not worry when business was good and raised prices.  Bottomline - travel is a business that has ups and downs; including the possibility of bankruptcy (in which you could lose your deposit).

You pretty much summed my position. The key word is BUSINESS...no more..no less..nothing personal.

Sounds like reasonable advice. We all must practice great hand hygiene and apply social distancing where and when possible. Let's not be selfish.

9 minutes ago, Argo. said:

Life onboard is wonderful except for the windy conditions.  Even the outside burger bar was closed making the ocean view cafe a bit crowded at lunchtime.

Enjoy your time as best you can and Sail Smoothly.

If you snooze, you lose. That you is NOT you in this case. Congratulations!!!

12 minutes ago, sippican said:

 

No one can answer this for you. It's safe whenever you are comfortable, and can financially tolerate the possible risks. 

 

 

Similar to the pricing game when we are booking our cruises.

The message to me is that we should try to maintain social distancing as much as possible.

3 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

Either they wait until a terminal becomes available or dock elsewhere in the area...

 

bon voyage

Oh yes. Just like they did with Grand Princess.

What happens when more ships are delayed docking in Florida cruise terminals?

29 minutes ago, meechee341 said:

  ...Not everything is about corporate greed and "fat cats getting over on the little guy".  After all, how many cruisers would be willing to put their health at risk if the cruise lines offered rock bottom prices and full free perks, taking advantage of a bad situation for the cruise lines?

All of them.

You don't really think a cruise company would do that do you?

On 8/12/2019 at 1:32 PM, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said:

Hello!

We do not currently have plans to add a new tier between Elite Plus and Zenith. We do, however, appreciate the effort and dedication that it takes to move between our top two tiers. For that reason, we are looking into different ways to keep Elite Plus guests motivated on their way to Zenith. We also often run bonus point offers that allow members to earn extra points for certain sailings and activities like booking a back-to-back or using Flights by Celebrity. Keep an eye out for those to help boost your point balance.

Thank you and have a great rest of your day!

This may be a good time to dust off some old ideas to show appreciation for the effort and dedication of those between Elite+ and Zenith. A few of us would probably find new motivation.

Hang in there!!!

Canadians who are seniors are being advised by the health authorities to consider their cruise plans very carefully noting that options for care become limited when an event occurs on a cruise ship. Choose carefully.

We are 70 and healthy and love our vacations. We've done lots of cruises in the past. We have no cruises booked presently. We may start cruising again some day.

This pause in cruising  started three years ago due to our perception that the negatives of cruising began to outweigh the positives for us. We certainly see no need to resume cruising until this thing settles.

As it stands, yes we could be infected near home and on land, but going home can be more problematic from an "infected cruise ship".

It is great to have choices.

Okay. So perhaps "cruise ship as petri dish" is what we have right now. I think with the global emphasis on better hygiene practices right now as a means of keeping people well by slowing the spread of infection is an opportunity for all to appreciate that there are benefits for the selfish ones as well. Who wants to be sick on their expensive cruise vacation? The measures that can reduce the likelihood of passing on your germs to others can also reduce the likelihood of infecting one's selfish self.

It might be that positioning X as the line that appeals to someone looking for a clean, upscale cruise experience could pay benefits for all.

Jus' sayin'.

With all the press about the spread of the virus,especially with regard to some cruise ships, many people have been influenced to think of "cruise ship as floating petri dish". Perhaps this would be a great time for X to distinguish itself by leading a new era in cruising wherein cruiselines  strongly insist on adherence to a higher level of passenger personal hygiene practices. Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention.

Thanks for this. Such a relief to get away from watching the markets fall.