fairweather

Ops. Ocean Boy, you nailed. Thanks for catching my error.

Went to a play and ate dinner out tonight. It was fun and relaxing. All you have to do is wear a mask and show your vaccine card.

Things have become incredibly easy to get out and enjoy sporting events, concerts and restaurants again on land. Why has it become incredibly hard to do the same when embarking on a vacation at sea?

Why do customers have to arrange their own drug tests instead of the cruise lines setting them up at port for them during the registration process? Enough with all this juggling beforehand just to get to the security line.

Those who have not taken precautions to help protect their fellow passengers can test negative at embarkation and watch the ship leave without them. They can use the required travel insurance to cover the cost of their irresponsibility.

Wearing masks and socially distancing for a few days before going to port, after getting a vaccine, should do enough to guarantee a positive test by the cruise line at embarkation.

It certainly would be less complicated. People used to say that security lines would slow down everything but we now walk straight through them in no time, as everyone knows what is expected. That is the problem we are experiencing today. We don't know what to do.

The cruise lines need to have more control over their own operations. With conditions changing daily, let them conduct the tests so we can get rid of the chaos and everyone can feel safe. 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cdc-warns-travelers-covid-high-222332970.html

The cruise industry was on the right track when many corporations began requiring proof of vaccinations for everyone on board, but they had their business models shot down by those who know nothing about ships or medical matters. I hope the industry sticks to their guns this time and does what they know makes sense from the experience they have gained from these first few cruises. 

We have booked cruises for next summer and fall. I hope we can all feel safe by then. At this point, I don't feel any safer on land, as way too many people still act like this global pandemic is just a bad cold. 

For those preparing to sail in the next few weeks, please be on guard but don't let this news spoil everything for you. The captains will continue to monitor the situation on board and look out for you. We must look out for each other, too.

Looks like those who are vaccinated have so far not gotten sick. But these positive test results on the first test cruises indicate that there has to be protocols that keep a tight watch over those that aren't vaccinated.

I understand that some people can't get the vaccines for health reasons, but they must understand that their cruise experience cannot be the same as others on board who are. There will be times when they cannot leave their cabins or miss out on some activities onboard.

You know this is not going to go over well with some cruise customers. But if continued cruise testing indicates the need, they will have to live with it. You have to wonder how long it will be before those who have been taken off ship after a positive test or the unvaccinated in general planning a vacation risk having their future cruise curtailed or limited in scope. 

Landed resorts like All Inclusives will obviously be forced to set up the same protocols as well to insure their properties are safe and attractive to the majority who will be vaccinated.   

You have to think that most people will get the vaccinations as they become available across the globe, especially for their children. This should greatly solve the now existing problem. Testing protocols before opening up entire cruise schedules obviously is working and is the way to go.

The crews are getting vaccinated now. The test cruises begin in July from the US. We should all have a chance to cruise again by the winter season if all goes well. That means following the rules set by both the CDC and cruise lines.

If you aren't going to cooperate, stay home. If just one ship is breached and there is an outbreak,  everything will be shut down again.

We are closing in on the new normal.  We can only get there by reaching herd immunity on each ship through 90% of those on board being vaccinated and wearing masks when participating in large group activities when inside. Or by making those who try to cheat walk the plank. 

We have gone through so much in the last year and lost so many to this virus. Let's pay tribute to that sacrifice by showing respect for each other and the crews who badly need to get back to work.

And let's thank all those in scientific research who made this possible so quickly by perfecting vaccines in record time, those that participated in the trials and those who helped get those shots in our arms.

I know many are still leery of the vaccines, but there should be enough young people getting vaccines in the coming months to make up for their insecurity. It's the only way the next generation can secure a future that doesn't always include wearing a  mask.

It's going to be Ship Ahoy and Bon Voyage before we know it....if we don't screw this up.

Cruise lines are private businesses and can set their own rules onboard. No shoes; no shirt no admittance to the lido. No mask; no vaccine no chance of ever being a chair hog on upcoming cruises once they start.

I'm glad private enterprise is finally coming to its senses and is beginning to take a stand on this requirement. Setting up rules is the only way to ever get back to operations without the threat of future lockdowns. I sure don't want to get stuck in a small cabin for weeks when on vacation. A vaccine and mask gives us the safety to cruise again without irresponsible people disrupting the holiday for everyone else.

DeSantis didn't dare dictate to Disney when The Mouse decided it was too dangerous and closed for a time. When it opened again, you have to wear a mask and socially distance or they call the cops. The Governor won't dictate to cruise lines either.

Watch for Disney to begin a vaccine rule, too, after everyone has gotten a chance to get the free shots.

DeSantis hasn't dropped the requirement for everyone to get vaccinations for measles, smallpox and other diseases. Is that what we can expect form him next? Florida would become a laughingstock in on the world stage. All this to prove he's supposed to be as tough as another Russian Mafia hood?

I wonder if the cruise lines will be as strict as the national retail chains and grocery stores are about wearing masks. No shoes, no shirts, no vaccines....no chance to be a pool chair hog ever again?

We ahve booked a cruise for next summer and fall. Everything should shake down by then or we will all be back in the hospital. We will entertain ourselves in the meantime by reading the posts of those who are either pro or con masks and/or vaccination....and not going anywhere by ship unless they obey the stated rules on the contract you sign. 

Can't wait to see the social media videos of those getting kicked off the boat in the same way airlines are treating those who try to cheat. The cruise lines are taking big risks to test out protocols this summer. We need to support them in whatever decisions they make to get us back onboard.

Nobody is asking anyone to sacrifice their first born to go cruising again. Just cooperate until they get it right. They will. Can't believe how fast scientists developed new technology to address the challenge. Cruise lines are adapting as fast as they can, too.

The deal breaker for us would be not having any test cruises conducted this summer to see which virus/vaccine protocols actually work. Getting on board without knowing whether we could be stuck in quarantine for weeks in our cabins doesn't sound like a vacation. More like an ordeal by fire.

Those first cruises from foreign ports will hopefully offer some reassurance that things are getting back on track. It would be very hard to board any ship from an American port right now as our state governments has been the most irresponsible on the planet.

People are now getting sick with the new variants while many of our states drop all health precautions. This really doesn't seem to make much sense as only about a fourth of our adult population has been fully vaccinated.

Europe is witnessing a third major surge and having trouble certifying their vaccination programs. The cruises from Israel might be the best indicators of wear the industry will stand by fall.

We are going to go ahead and book two cruises for next year in both Alaska for the summer and a Halloween cruise in the Southern Caribbean. Hopefully  by then, Canada and the ABC islands will have found a way to trust US citizens not to act like this thing is still a hoax.

If you want to visit any place other than a private island, it's going to be hard not to have proof of a vaccine to get off. You can't get a visa already in a lot of countries around the world without proof of vaccination for a variety of diseases. Covid isn't going to be any different.

The CDC is working off rapidly changing medical data. New variants are developing fast and the vaccines still have not been proven to protect against them. It would be professionally irresponsible to give into the frustrations of commercial enterprises and tourists. Remember, the US has been the most infectious nation with more cases and deaths per capita.

This is a global crisis not an American problem. We all sail when it's safe and protocols have been tested and established from these first early cruises. It will take twice as long to get this right if the CDC is rushed into opening the floodgates without knowing it's OK to do so.

No matter how fast the CDC allows cruises to leave from American home ports, get ready to wear masks, socially distance and abide by the rules of the countries you visit. This thing won't go away until every poor country has vaccinated the majority of their citizens and the world reaches herd immunity.

We are moving a lot faster than any scientist ever thought was possible when this thing first took off. Count your blessings and go ahead and book a future cruise. It might be postponed to a later date but there isn't a penalty for having to cancel either. We are getting closer every day.

Patience is a virtue. Be thankful that you aren't one of the Long Haulers who may never be able to travel again.

No American is probably going anywhere on vacation out of the country by cruise boat until there is an official vaccine passport that is accepted by customs at all the countries that ships visit. The USA has become known as the most infectious and lax nation when it comes to public health measures.  I don't understand why this seems to be a matter of pride by some.

It could be common for stores, theaters and medical facilities to demand some official form of proof-of- vaccination for one to enter once inoculation becomes the standard and new outbreaks occur. Those who don't comply maybe shutting themselves out.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/vaccine-passports-summer-2021/index.html

Does anyone have any personal knowledge of what is going on in Haines, Alaska since the recent massive storm. I saw an article on a weather site that suggested that the two main roads to the ferry and Canada were closed and that Coast Guard helicopters were helping evacuate those who live along them. I love this port and want to hear that all the residents are safe.

Here is the article: https://www.ksdk.com/article/weather/accuweather/atmospheric-river-triggers-flooding-landslides-across-southeastern-alaska/507-43fe60f3-e3c1-405b-8bc8-2be46c9984c6

100% or you walk the plank when it's found out that you lied.

10 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

That is a generalization, and an incorrect assumption on your part. I don't know where you get your information from, but my Dh And I are over 60 and do NOT have high blood pressure or any other pre-existing condition. I am sure there are many other healthy people in our age group.  Perhaps you should check your facts before you make blanket statements like that.

Then I suppose some people were just born cranky and crabby?  Maybe the cruise lines will introduce a new activity for you once they reopen: Pistols at dawn on the pool deck with anyone who makes a comment that indicates you might be less than Superwoman? Enjoy your next cruise.

I don't understand how the cruise lines will handle their own pre-existing conditions stipulations. All passengers over 50 have some sort of pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure. And those younger could very well have had a mild case of Covid and may not even know it. Can they get it again? Are they still carriers? The medical professionals are learning as we go along.

And some people are leading a much more active lifestyle than others. Where to you draw the line at being safe enough to cruise? How could anyone prove it?

You also have to wonder if any physician would sign a letter that says their patient is all clear to take a cruise out of the country while the numbers of cases are surging again everywhere but in Asia.

I want to cruise again. But I want everyone to be able to enjoy their vacation without a lot of unanswered questions hanging over our heads. Good luck to those who will volunteer to do these test scenarios. With the Norovirus season fast upon us,  they might end up being quarantined in their cabins for the full cruise just as easily as Covid. At least they might not end up on a ventilator on ship?

I'll wait for the vaccine. I have faith that one will be available to everyone sometime next year. Once immunity builds up to an acceptable level by the end of the year in all ports that the ships cruise from and to, we will be on our way to cruising again.

That being said, everyone going on a board will be required to provide proof that they have taken the vaccine before boarding. Then we should be sailing with assurance to a good degree of safety again.

I have confidence that we will be OK if we use some common sense.  But don't expect precautions like masks, social distancing and reduced passenger counts to end for a while. The cruise lines can't afford even one breakout on any of their ships. They will be extra cautious to save their industry.

I, too, would like us all to take some time and remember the wonderful crew members from the various ships we  have cruised with through the years. They looked after us and many became our friends.  You wonder how they and their families are faring during this pandemic and lockdown. I worry that they are unemployed and barely making ends meet.

I also worry that they will risk their lives again when the ships sail only to see them shut down again due to those who refuse to socially distance or wear masks. It's not just Americans who suffer when others don't care if they live or die...or care if they take the rest of us along with them.

Europeans are trying to be civilized. Their reward is to cruising again with safety measures and the joy of knowing you can still have fun with them. We Americans just keep allowing others to make dumb decisions for the rest of us which we all know are wrong on so many levels. I really have no appetite now for sailing with them and ending up on Gilligan's Island where they won't socially distance or wear masks either.

I so long to sail again and feel the breeze running through my hair now that it's grown back again after my recent chemo and radiation. But I don't want to die on a Ghost Ship with a bunch of clowns who don't respect science or God.

Been walking everyday veering further and further away from our subdivision into new neighborhoods. Plan to walk every  street in the entire area by winter. Fresh air and sunshine even when it's hot and humid brightens your day.

Several of our senior citizen walking groups began meeting again in June at various parks and neighborhoods. Everyone is supposed to wear masks and social distance. People forget from time to time after we pause for a drink break. But since we are all walking in the same direction, I feel comfortable walking besides others to talk while wearing masks. We still don't use public transportation to get to destinations. Feel anxious for those essential workers who must. 

We have been going to outside venues like the zoo, botanical gardens and outside dining patios during weekdays to break up our routine. Have finally read all the Harry Potter books. But I'm done with all the baking, cleaning out the clutter, binge streaming, gardening and zooming. Looking forward to the fall to again meet one on one with another couple for picnics,  winery visits or long drives in the country.

It's time to make new memories instead of dwelling on the New Now. 

I truly identify and sympathize with the school children who are now longing  just to get back to school. This is the time of year we are busy making  plans to again visit museums, attend concerts and lectures or see the new fall/holiday movies as the tourists return home and venues become less crowded.

But we can't go inside anywhere yet. As a recent breast cancer survivor and my husband an open heart surgery patient, we cannot let down our guard. I really, really would like to make plans for our next cruise but know we will have to wait until a tried and true vaccine is available and shows true immunity after a majority of the world gets it.

Is it just me or does it appear that a lot of people just don't care any longer? We noticed several large pool parties today as we walked and a huge funeral  was being held without any socially distancing or the wearing of masks. If people on't do it in their daily lives, how can we trust that anyone would do it on vacation?

Sorry if I'm venting here. None of this is anybody's fault. Life goes on...for some of us... until it doesn't. Maybe I'll plan a cruise anyways. I've always enjoyed researching for our next. The boards here at Cruise Critic offer so many insights and tips. Love to read the reviews and see the photos from travelers who have enjoyed cruising as much as we do. 

I think I've been away from here way too long. 

Have any of you done a road trip this summer that you could share with everyone? While not being a cruise, at least it would be fun to see what others have found as they hit the road. Give us some insight into how we can prepare when cruising becomes available again?

The cruise industry is going to go bankrupt if they can't get passengers to cooperate in screening out those infected with  contagious diseases before they get on board.

But chronic conditions are another thing entirely. Most people with these conditions are continually monitored. They wouldn't book a cruise if their condition wasn't under control and would postpone one if they were not feeling well. One would think the cruise lines would want to work with these passengers and give them more flexibility in rescheduling as well as getting refunds/credits.  Repeat business is the bread and butter of any industry. 

In my state urgent care facilities accept all ages including those over 65. I'm sorry to hear that other states don't. While some are affiliated with hospitals, there are many here independently run. They offer many services including preventative health care.

If there is a need to provide a service which issues health letters for cruise passengers, you can bet there will be some enterprising medical source more than happy to offer that service in the future. And, as another person pointed out, there are literally thousands of people per ship, multiple ships per port leaving weekly who will now need them.

It's the irresponsible who refuse to cooperate in any way and think they don't have to follow the rules everyone else does who ruin things for everyone. It's outrageous that senior citizens are being blamed for this cruise problem and this pandemic. No one watches their health more.

Maybe someone will start a cruise line for the those who want to be quarantined for weeks on board and possibly die at sea, just so they don't ever have to take any precautions. Just dump their bodies over the side? No need to pay for a funeral?

Urgent care units do routine exams for school sports participants all the time. This is not an urgent situation.

These facilities offer easy access while providing routine care for those who don't want to wait for an appointment with a regular doctor's office. Most primary care doctors now function more as gatekeepers for the insurance companies, deciding when you need to see a specialist. Their nurse practitioners do most of the exams.

Most urgent care facilities would be more than happy to provide the service I outlined which would greatly increase their profits. A majority of these places are personally owned by physicians who don't make all that much money as primary care doctors any longer, so they went out on their own and set up these new alternative care units.

46 minutes ago, rockmom said:

Urgent care is for just that.  URGENT cases that can't wait.  For a routine checkup, they will refer you back to your primary care.  Many insurance plans won't pay for a visit to urgent care if it's not because of something truly urgent.  The vast majority of cruisers aren't boarding while sick.  And what if someone ill is on their flight?  Symptoms wouldn't show until they were a day or two into the cruise.  There will never, ever be a way to make sure that not a single germ gets on the ship.  But for someone with a chronic illness or at a higher risk due to age, they should make sure they are healthy enough to cruise and understand the risks that are inherent in any kind of travel or even attending large group events. Obviously, if someone isn't feeling well or knows they've been exposed to something, by all means they should see their doctor before heading out on vacation. But it's not always that cut and dried.  

Hadn't thought of that. 🙃 Maybe do the urgent care visit at home a day before leaving? The cruise line needs to have current info. Primary care doctors don't have time for this. But we do need a medical evaluation that is current.

How about requiring everyone (including all children) to visit an urgent care in the port from which they will be leaving up to two days before a cruise is to embark? You just make the appointment at the same time you make your hotel reservations.

One would be checked out for any infections that could be contagious and to assess the true state of health of those with pre-existing conditions. Not just those age 70 and above have chronic health concerns. Passengers could also get a refill of any drug prescription they may have forgotten to bring with them or lost along the way at such a facility.

Instead of asking our primary care doctor weeks before a cruise to give an All Clear letter that might not be current, this would give the cruise line a much better evaluation of every cruise passenger's current health. And since it's always best to travel to port at least a day or two before embarkation because of weather conditions, lost luggage or just to sightsee and stock up on snacks/last minute purchases, I don't see this as being an inconvenience or undue cost.

Such a checkup at the urgent care would provide us all with a much better sense of safety. If we want to have a carefree vacation, there are some responsibilities we must all take in traveling around the globe.

It might also save us some money if we have to postpone a cruise at the last minute. The cruise lines would arguably be far more flexible in giving future cruise credits if we worked with them to save the cruise for everyone else. A better, safer cruise experience benefits company profits and repeat business. A pleasant, worry free experience should be the ultimate goal of both passengers and cruise lines.

MTD is an issue for Royal in the same way as it is for Celebrity. The common denominator is that since flexible dining was introduced, they then started to allow people to reserve times in advance online or the day before. This helps those that book and grab their preferred times but vastly reduces flexibility for everyone else. MTD should be totally flexible, no reservations, everyone knows it’s first come first served and that would free up some space.

 

 

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I totally agree. If you want a personal dining experience on your schedule, go to Windjammer or specialty dining venues. RCI is creating a problem by trying to do too many things in their main dining rooms.

Thanks for the great photos and info about beaches. Can see why the Southern Caribbean should be on everyone's bucket list.

There are these rum raisin square cookies that melt in your mouth at the Cafe. Like to end the night with one of these and a glass of milk after a night of dancing and drinking. Better than ending up at Denny's at 2 a.m.for breakfast.