The Future of Luxury Cruising (from a Regent-lover's point of view)

[SusieQft]

26 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

Apparently the distance between the UV light and and humans is a big issue.  The danger seems to be when you are close to the artificial light.

This is true.  The intensity of light or any other electromagnetic radiation decreases by the square of the distance form the source.  If you are twice as far away it is 1/4 the intensity, at three times as far, it is 1/9 the intensity, etc.  This is not significant for sunlight because we are so far from the sun already.  If you moved from the moon (which has no atmosphere) to a point half way between the earth/moon and the sun, the light and all the other solar radiation would be 4 times stronger.

 

Of course, the effectiveness of artificial UV light in killing the virus would decrease in the same proportion.  So if you had the UV light set at the right intensity to kill the virus, then moving it 3 times as far away would make it safer for people and also much safer for the virus.

[Travelcat2]

In the absence of facts, all that we can do is speculate.  I personally believe that cruise lines will resume sailing this year - even we passengers need to sign a form stating that they understand the risks, etc.

[Dolebludger]

I suggest that cruises and ships like Regent's will have to make fewer modifications than the mass market lines. Even the act of embarking or disembarking those monster ships involves being in a dense crowd. And the onboard experience is full of dense lines and crowds do to the sheer number of passengers. Regent, in contrast, with its smaller ships and more space per guest will have to make fewer modifications than NCL, for example. About 2 or 3 years ago we were on the Norwegian Pearl, only because it was a music cruise featuring players we wanted to hear. This was a large ship, but I wouldn't call it a mega ship. Still, knowing NCL's reputation for crowds, we booked a room in the Haven to get some separation. Still we could see the constantly moving crowds in the main part of the ship, and were glad we weren't in them. As we were premium passengers, we had separate and fairly uncrowded embarkation and disembarkation.But the people in the main part of the ship were in a huge, tightly packed crowd on both occasions. When there was a concert in the theater, there were huge crowds in the hall outside the theater waiting to get in and hoping for a seat. As we were premium we were able to walk past the crowds to our reserved seats. But we were too close for comfort to the crowds. The way the NCL Pearl is designed, I see no way that it can meet distancing requirements in the main part of the ship, without limiting the passenger load by 50% or more. As to mass market ships, I agree with Cool Cruiser. They are just no go until a vaccine of effective treatment is available. However, I think ships and cruises like Regent's can be made compliant with the new regulations.

 

We are in the older, most vulnerable age group and are very cautious at the moment. Still, we would board a Regent ship tomorrow without much concern of danger from being on the ship.But the airports, airlines, and other places we would have to be in to get to and from the cruise seriously concern us. 

[Travelcat2]

Dolebludger, I agree with your premise.  Having been on mainstream, premium, premium plus and luxury lines, Regent (and other luxury lines) do give a lot more distance for passengers (as well as the crew downstairs).  It would be nice if people that have yet to sail on Regent (or other luxury cruise lines) could experience the difference.  Comparing space on luxury cruise lines vs. other cruise Ines is definitely like comparing apples and oranges.  On the Mariner in particular (not my favorite ship but beautiful nevertheless) you could walk around the public areas of the ship and be 6' away from anyone else - even walking down the hallway.  Unfortunately, our favorite ship(s) have more narrow hallways where the suites are which could make distancing a problem.

[SusieQft]

I have not seen any social distancing guidelines that explicitly say this, but IMO briefly passing someone in the hallway is not nearly as high a risk as sitting or standing or even walking next to them for a prolonged period of time.  Especially if both people look away from each other when within 6 feet.

[Travelcat2]

3 minutes ago, SusieQft said:

I have not seen any social distancing guidelines that explicitly say this, but IMO briefly passing someone in the hallway is not nearly as high a risk as sitting or standing or even walking next to them for a prolonged period of time.  Especially if both people look away from each other when within 6 feet.

 

I agree to a point - as long as the person isn't coughing with droplets still in the air when we pass by.  However, if you are sitting next to a person (or even standing) talking can produce spittle that can spread the virus.  I believe (but do not know as a fact) that this is the reason for distancing and masks.  The masks protect people that may be sick from spreading it as easily as if they were not wearing masks.  

 

I'm sure that none of us want to see even one case of the virus onboard,  As a side note - totally off topic but interesting....... we have a neighbor that has a large motor home in their driveway.  It has been there for a month or so.  When asked why it is there (these type of vehicles are typically not permitted in our neighborhood), we learned that it was for insolation in case one of them (they have 4 children) gets the virus.  I was thinking about how great it would be if all of us could have one in our driveway.  

 

Time to play and relax with our kitties.  

[greykitty]

Many generous people have donated their RV's to health care workers to live in and avoid possible COVID-19 transmission to their families.  There are administrators working to match up RV owners with the people they can help so much.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/28/coronavirus-rv-donations-doctors-nurses/2932617001/

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Please don't  take away my butler!
Please don’t take away my included excursions!

Please don’t take Regent away from me!
I love Regent just the way it is.

Sheila and Herb

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by Bellaggio Cruisers

[cerise638]

1 hour ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Please don't  take away my butler!
Please don’t take away my included excursions!

Please don’t take Regent away from me!
I love Regent just the way it is.

Sheila and Herb

 

I agree Sheila

[GrJ Berkshire]

Regent was superb as we knew it. What will be the 'new normal'? Will we like this and accept the 'new normal'?

How will it work? I can't get my head round how the restaurants will function, there is not room to socially distance with 2m between tables especially not in compass rose, it will mean nearly all will have to be tables of 2 or 1. As no mixed tables would be conceivable, with people from different locations, countries could be allowed. Equally do you want waiters in gloves and masks, how about when you arrive with the 'maitre de' how do you socially distance? Open dining also may not work with people having to be staggered to arrive at different times. The theatre is another major concern ,it is not possible to leave the spaces between people and fit in all who want to attend? Queuing up to go in and out will be a problem. The lifts would have to be only those in a suite, not mixed, most will have to use the stairs, not sure many of Regent 's passengers will be able to do this. The spa, fitness area will have to remain closed, no way will these be able to work as before. Bars a key part of Regent, cannot work as they did, no mixing, no sitting at the bar, will people want this. No block party, SSSociety, could work. What entertainment, few guest acts to fly in, equally no close contact dancing could occur? Excursions and how they operate must change, can't have tendering as at present. Will places be open to visit? In the UK re-opening is not imminent.

How will muster drill be done with social distancing and complying with SOLAS?  How La Veranda will work for breakfast could be a problem, buffet style is an issue . What about the pool, hot tubs and their use? People will want to  use these. Smokers socially distancing is another problem in the connoisseur club or open areas.

Will this be the same luxury experience without these things? I can imagine having to spend more time in your own cabins, no trivia, high tea, lectures for all, no games, senior crew having to remain away from the passengers( can't risk have these people being incapacitated ) Casino will not work either.

The bigger ships with reduced numbers may work, but then is this economically viable? Navigator as a smaller ship with limited public areas could be very crowded especially if open areas are closed in bad weather.

Finally how will crew and passengers get to and from the ships, the airlines will not resume as they were! Many airlines are already in serious trouble, many will have a very different pattern of routes after covid, are they going to have to fly with 66%max passengers to socially distance? Many will not survive this.

We are next due to cruise Jan 2021 on Voyager , Buenos Aires to Lima, we are hoping that this will sail, but I would not bet on it! Whether the experience will be able to match what we know and enjoy? I hope so but again there are a lot of questions to answer !

Keep safe and well and cruise again.

 

[Travelcat2]

2 hours ago, greykitty said:

Many generous people have donated their RV's to health care workers to live in and avoid possible COVID-19 transmission to their families.  There are administrators working to match up RV owners with the people they can help so much.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/28/coronavirus-rv-donations-doctors-nurses/2932617001/

 

Thank you so much for posting that article.  It shows how many wonderful people there are in this country!

[JMARINER]

7 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

In the absence of facts, all that we can do is speculate.  I personally believe that cruise lines will resume sailing this year - even we passengers need to sign a form stating that they understand the risks, etc.

Wavier will not work to assume the risk when you have factors that are in solely control of the service provider.  It is more of a question of what Regent's liability insurers will cover as risks. So unless or until the Insurance underwriters agree to coverage nobody is sailing.

 

J

 

[rcandkc]

We love sailing Regent for the social atmosphere.  We make friends even if only for the cruise sometimes, we love block parties, country fair on a great weather day can’t be beat, we love the crew, etc... I don’t see how this experience can coexist with physical distancing.  Yes, we also enjoy quiet time reading, movies in suite, but if only that...I’m doing that now at home. 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

12 hours ago, rcandkc said:

We love sailing Regent for the social atmosphere.  We make friends even if only for the cruise sometimes, we love block parties, country fair on a great weather day can’t be beat, we love the crew, etc... I don’t see how this experience can coexist with physical distancing.  Yes, we also enjoy quiet time reading, movies in suite, but if only that...I’m doing that now at home. 

 

Yes, I agree, and I think most of us do.  That's the purposes of this thread, in a way.  If we can't have that great atmosphere, then what's the future of this mode of travel, and for some, why bother?

[Travelcat2]

Another question/comment about UV light.  I just returned from going to two stores,  The first one was a regular supermarket.  When I went into the produce department I suddenly felt that I needed sunglasses due to the strange bright lights above some of the produce.  I was wearing protective eyewear but needed to cover my eyes as it was so bright.  Following that I went to Trader Joe's who, IMHO, has the best social distancing and sanitization of anywhere that I have been.  Shoppers get freshly disinfected carts before entering.  In any case, they also had strange new lights although not pointed in the way they were at the market but still noticeable.  So, my question is whether these lights could be UV.  The only UV light that I have is for my iPhone but the case needs to be closed I order for it to activate.

 

If UV light really kills viruses and can be placed high enough not to affect humans, this may be a safer way to disinfect.

[barko4441]

Following that I went to Trader Joe's who, IMHO, has the best social distancing and sanitization of anywhere that I have been.  Shoppers get freshly disinfected carts before entering.

   I couldn't agree more about Trader Joe's. Only when someone leaves do they allow a new customer in. They have one employee at the door to ensure that happens. They also put up shade tents for people standing in line, (Arizona)

 

[eliana]

Sadly if many or even some of of the restrictions mentioned in this thread apply when cruising resumes, we are unlikely to book. We cruise to enjoy and even just social distancing would be too much. We were due to cruise on Regent in May but that has been cancelled. We will wait to re-book until Covid19 is a bad memory. Bring on the vaccinations, but as I am 86 I am likely to be at the back of the queue, which I find acceptable.

Edited April 27, 2020 by eliana

[jeb_bud]

14 hours ago, JMARINER said:

Wavier will not work to assume the risk when you have factors that are in solely control of the service provider.  It is more of a question of what Regent's liability insurers will cover as risks. So unless or until the Insurance underwriters agree to coverage nobody is sailing.

 

J

 

On a related note, what is a cruise line’s liability in the case of a norovirus outbreak on board?

 

This year the novel corona virus is, well, novel. Next year it will be a known quantity, probably with some treatments and hopefully with a vaccine. Will the liability picture really be that much bleaker than with all the other risks we already accept when we get on a cruise?

[JMARINER]

1 minute ago, jeb_bud said:

On a related note, what is a cruise line’s liability in the case of a norovirus outbreak on board?

 

This year the novel corona virus is, well, novel. Next year it will be a known quantity, probably with some treatments and hopefully with a vaccine. Will the liability picture really be that much bleaker than with all the other risks we already accept when we get on a cruise?

What is there liability?  Excellent question. The best answer is probably whatever a good lawyer can convince a jury of as being a negligent act.  Given what is now known (supposedly) about the factors in Covid-19 infection and transmission, any mistake that any cruise-line  employee makes in cleaning or disinfecting that might be considered below the known standard of care, that might be tied to an out break on the ship, would open the door to a negligence based lawsuit. Many lawsuits have already been filed over the Princess and Holland ships infections. It all circles back to what their insurance company will cover.

 

J

[Wendy The Wanderer]

People in one of the other threads have been talking about how the crew quarters might be affected in future.  No doubling up, for example, which might result in few passengers since the crew would take up passenger cabins (or the entertainers would move up.)

 

Another idea is that crew would have to wear masks in their cabins.  That's ridiculous.  First of all, mask hygiene is a big concern--people all over the planet are wearing homemade or poor quality masks that they think are protecting them.  At best, they may be partially protecting the people close to the one wearing the mask.  But taking on/off masks, and disposing of them hygienically is a big problem; same with disposable gloves.  I know that in my "winter" town, Dunedin FL, people are discarding masks and gloves all over the place.  All these items have to be handled carefully, or they are less than useless.

 

And nobody can wear a mask for hours and hours, even while sleeping.  And what about eating?

[Gray Eagle02]

5 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

And nobody can wear a mask for hours and hours, even while sleeping.  And what about eating?

Agree. Absolutely ridiculous idea.

[greykitty]

And maybe because I'm relatively new to the idea of cruising, but it makes me deeply uneasy to expect crew/employees to be wearing masks, etc., if passengers are not expected to do the same.  I'm assuming most experienced cruisers feel if it's sauce for the goose, it's sauce for the gander?  Or am I wrong there?

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

42 minutes ago, greykitty said:

And maybe because I'm relatively new to the idea of cruising, but it makes me deeply uneasy to expect crew/employees to be wearing masks, etc., if passengers are not expected to do the same.  I'm assuming most experienced cruisers feel if it's sauce for the goose, it's sauce for the gander?  Or am I wrong there?

Since we have enjoyed many cruises on Regent ships, and if it requires wearing masks, both crew and guests, count me in!

[Ladys Mom]

If the beds in the crew quarters are more than six feet apart, then it should help mitigate the problem.  In addition frequent crew health checks should also help.  For passengers, unless our roommate, spouse, partner, etc. is ill, then there is no reason to wear a mask in the cabin.  If someone becomes ill, then there is a whole different major problem.  I, for one, have no problems wearing a mask in public.  But there is still the dining issue.

[Travelcat2]

24 minutes ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Since we have enjoyed many cruises on Regent ships, and if it requires wearing masks, both crew and guests, count me in!

 

Obviously I agree.   And, has no one heard of biohazard bags (was available through Amazon at a very low cost).? I have no clue why people are not using them (I have a supply but that doesn't help others).  They could easily be put in the crew quarters.

 

According to our president, there will be millions and millions of masks available soon.  I would expect that, once the virus simmers down, the N95 masks will also be readily available.  Some people sleep with C-pap units so it is not fantasy to assume that crew members could do the same thing but with masks.

 

The Explorer has approximately 500 crew members (I know this as I purchased magnet calendars with a photo of the ship a couple of years ago for each of them at Christmas).  Obviously, there will not be enough passenger suites for them (keep in mind that officers already use passenger suites).  

 

I've already posted that I have no issue with wearing a mask when required (like when browsing the buffet in La Veranda or the Coffee Connection).  The only issue that I have is people not wearing masks at the moment - in markets, etc.  It is not only incredibly rude but is costing supermarket workers their lives.  They wear masks to protect all of us but some people don't give a darn about them.  

 

These are not normal times - failing to following rules is killing people.  If anyone is not willing to follow whatever new rules are put into place, I truly hope that they do not board a ship (not only Regent but any ship).

 

I know that my tone sounds angry but sometimes people need to look at the reality of the situation.  I am so thankful that I do not live in a state that still has rising infection and death numbers but are relaxing guidelines beginning tomorrow.  What some governor's (of any political party) are doing is akin to manslaughter.