SS Future Re-Open Plan: Timing, Testing Needs??!!

[docruth]

Hey everyone,

 

I put this comment on Florida’s lawsuit in another thread, but it might be worth a look for anyone planning a SS voyage that starts, stops or finishes in the US:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2780050-im-beginning-to-think-the-cdc-may-very-well-lose-the-lawsuit-that-florida-initiated/page/4/?tab=comments#comment-61132678

 

This litigation could be a game changer as it could be the start of a new legal precedent, but I think the state is unlikely to prevail, either party will likely appeal a verdict against them. JMHO.

 

Cheers,

 

Doc Ruth

[kimanjo]

From USA Today yesterday, they had this headline: “CDC updates cruise guidance, says vaccinated passengers don't need COVID test” with these highlights: “The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Friday updated its technical guidance for test cruises and initial cruises with paying passengers.  Significantly in the new guidance, the agency says that fully vaccinated passengers do not need to be tested during embarkation and disembarkation, nor during their sailings 

 

Something will have to happen with disembarkation, we still have to produce a negative test before re-entry is allowed into the US.  So, will they offer it for those flying home as a "courtesy" as opposed to being mandetory?  

 

For example, you disembark on August 1st in Athens, and your flight home is August 1st Athens to NY.  Does the ship supply your test so that you may re-enter the US with a negative test?

 

And, if you decide to stay in Athens for a few days after disembarkation, you are on your own for finding a place ( hotel) that will test you for your return flight on for example your flight home on the 4th?

 

Having to produce a negative test to get back into the US seems to still be an issue as long as that is a requirement.

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Hi Terry, thanks🙂 for always keeping us posted and giving details in such a graceful manner.   I see Ms Mukermann answered 3 questions early this morning.........hoping she comes back and is able to reply to all the rest of those threads.

 

Appreciate the kind comments from Lois and I agree that I am looking for many more, detailed, substantive responses than only the initial three answers.  Hoping for much more from their top marketing head.  Silversea customers seek and deserve much more in details and specifics.  Many excellent questions were raised.   

 

From the New York Times this afternoon, they had this headline: “Capri — First Choice of the Jet Set — Gets First Dibs on Vaccines" with this sub-headline: "Eager to jump-start the lagging tourist economy and compete with Greece and Spain, Italy allows residents of its island playgrounds to get first in line for inoculations.”

 

Here are some of the story highlights: “The ferry docked next to the blue 'Capri a Covid Free Island' billboard and the residents and workers disembarked, carrying luggage and antibodies.  Among them was Mario Petraroli, 37, freshly vaccinated and ready for the grand reopening of the luxurious hotel where he works as director of marketing.  Petraroli believed Capri should not wait around for Italy to get its act together. By then, he figured, the summer season would be over, and livelihoods, and possibly lives, would be lost.  The gruff president of the Campania region, which includes Capri, clearly agreed.  Feeling the heat from Greece and Spain, which had prioritized vaccination campaigns on their islands to lure tourists away from Italy, the president, Vincenzo De Luca, had diverged from the government’s vaccination strategy of prioritizing categories of more vulnerable Italians. Instead, he treated Capri and other holiday islands as special cases. He fast-forwarded vaccinations on Capri by flooding the island with doses.  The VIPs, equipped with private jets, yachts and personal doctors, would have less trouble getting to the island than souvenir and Blue Grotto-postcard hungry hoards of day trippers flopping around in Capri sandals and limoncello stained linen shirts, especially because the cruise industry is struggling to return to full force. 'It’s a good season to experience Capri,' said Mr. Petraroli as he reached the Capri Tiberio Palace.  The hotel is named for Tiberius, who ran the Roman Empire from Capri, throwing people off cliffs and training Caligula how to have a good time. Many here call him Capri’s first tourist.”

 

Interesting article article that brings back memories from visiting this scenic and charming location.  What they are doing is a "strategy" for Capri and other Italy island locations that might be labeled unfair and/or favoring the "elite".  Maybe!??!   BUT, it's an example for Economics 101 and trying to get the tourism econmy re-started, etc.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/world/europe/italy-capri-coronavirus-vaccinations-tourism.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Many visuals, details from two visits in a city with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 38,677 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

[Lois R]

Hi Terry, she answered my post actually......but I was really looking forward to seeing many of the other responses too..........that is strange. It is like she got to 3 answers and then got interrupted and left (and never came back).

[TLCOhio]

On 5/14/2021 at 2:42 PM, chrism23 said:

Message to Terry.  I am will be having 2 knee replacements soon.  Pass on any advice please.  

 

Good luck to our New England friend with two knee replacements planned.  Are both knees going to be done at the same time?  Or, will you spread the surgeries out from a timing standpoint?

 

Below is more one the cooling device that we are using.  There are many options available, including to be bought through Wal-Mart, Amazon, etc.  The "Game Ready" device we are using is more costly and is only rented for a few weeks.  Its set-up allows more "compression", plus the cooling all around the knee and leg area.  Yes, frozen peas and other options can work. As well?  Maybe?  Maybe not?  Like with automobiles, there are different variations, speeds, styles, etc.  

 

Having had my knee replaced three years ago, plus my wife's experience now, the follow-up physical therapy is JOB ONE!!!  Do it and without excuses, delay and/or cheating.  PLUS, it all takes patience and not trying to look for short-cuts.  Does this help?  Other questions and info needs?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 31,689 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

 

Here is a visual of the "Game Ready" device that we are using now for my wife's new knee.  This cooling wrap technology was developed for college and pro sports to aid in getting these athletes back on the courts and fields more quickly and safely.  The black wrap at the top with the light blue strip is what goes around the knee and provide an important degree of "compression" during the cooling  process.  The super cold water (which can be adjusted up or down for temperature and time, circulates on all sides and provides a consistent pattern of treatment.  The ice or frozen 8 oz. water bottles go inside the compartment on the right side to keep the circulating water at the ideal temperature.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

 

[TLCOhio]

As officials try to figure out ALL of the details for a cruising re-opening, we sometimes forget about the mega-millions spent on port facilities.  And, who pays and funds these massive capital assets and operations???  Many serious money questions??!!   

 

From the Fitch Ratings this morning, they had this headline: “Uncertain Return to Cruising Pressures US Port Revenues” with these highlights: “Recently updated cruise guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a more concrete path to potentially resuming some US cruises in July, which would help stabilize cruise port financial performance and ratings. Port revenues from cruise operations declined sharply over the last year in the US, with cruise ports recovery at a standstill.  Cruise ports have not been collecting revenues from normally stable cruise operations for over a year now. While other leisure and travel sectors started to recover from coronavirus-driven slumps, the CDC moratorium on cruises prevents a recovery in the US cruise sector. Liquidity and diversification from cargo revenues provided some cash flow relief but protracted delays in the resumption of cruising add pressure to port performance the longer they continue.  Should cruise activity not resume until July or later, port revenue streams from cruise-related activity will remain stalled into a second cruising season.  The ratings of Florida ports with 30% or more of revenues from cruise operations, namely PortMiami, Canaveral Port Authority, and Everglades, respectively the first-, second-, and third-busiest cruise ports globally, are most vulnerable to further delays in the return to cruising."

 

Here is more from their reporting: "Fitch downgraded Canaveral, which has the largest exposure to cruise revenues, to ‘A-’ with a Negative Outlook in November. The ratings of both PortMiami and Everglades, which have significant cruise operations but with sizable cargo activities to mitigate declining cruise revenues, remain at ‘A’ with a Negative Outlook.  Reviews of Fitch-rated cruise ports in late 2020 contemplated a resumption of 20% of 2019 cruise activity in 2Q21. Given the delayed cruise restart, this now appears unlikely, with the downside case of reaching 20% of 2019 levels by the end of 3Q21 seeming more probable. Longer-term we expect cruising to return to 2019 levels of operation by 2024, consistent with our rating case.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.fitchratings.com/research/infrastructure-project-finance/uncertain-return-to-cruising-pressures-us-port-revenues-19-05-2021

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 30,614 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

From the USA Today Travel Section and the AP/Associated Press this morning, they had this headline: “Dust off that passport: Europe travel closer to reality after EU decision – but timing is unclear” with these highlights: “The European Union on Wednesday took a step toward relaxing tourism travel for visitors from outside the bloc, with EU ambassadors agreeing on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in.  They also agreed on easing the criteria for nations to be considered a safe country, from which all tourists can travel.  However, it's unclear when it will officially roll out the  welcome mat to either group. The EU imposed strict measures last year to  contain COVID-19 outbreaks. Now the bloc’s 27 ambassadors say many of those restrictions on nonessential travel should be eased. They are advocating that tourists from outside the bloc who have been fully vaccinated should be allowed in.  The relaxation of rules was proposed earlier this month by the European Commission, which said entry should be granted to all those fully vaccinated with EU-authorized shots. Coronavirus vaccines authorized by the European Medicines Agency, the bloc’s drug regulator, include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. The EMA hasn’t approved any vaccines from Russia or China as of yet but is looking at data for Russia’s Sputnik V.”

 

Here is more: "An updated list of countries that meet the new criteria is expected soon, and many experts expect the United States to make the next cut.  Up until now, the list only included seven nations: Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and China, subject to reciprocity."

 

Full story at:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/05/19/eu-eases-travel-restrictions-for-vaccinated-visitors-covid-safe-countries/5161337001/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 19,738 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[taxatty]

The Miami Herald is now reporting ( https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article251349658.html?ac_cid=DM453287&ac_bid=486159824) that a federal judge in Tampa is requiring the CDC and the State of Florida to enter mediation in connection with the state's attempt to have the CDC rescind its cruise restart rules for US ports. Interestingly, the judge questioned why the state waited until last month to sue the CDC over the October conditional sail order. At last week’s hearing, lawyers for Florida argued that the state is losing out on tax revenue as US cruises remain shut down while it pays unemployment benefits to cruise industry workers, but no cruise companies joined Florida's lawsuit. Mediation could very well slow the litigation process enough where by the time the related decision could matter, it may no longer be relevant.

[Stumblefoot]

5 minutes ago, taxatty said:

Interestingly, the judge questioned why the state waited until last month to sue the CDC over the October conditional sail order.

The judge knows, just as all Americans with half a brain do, Florida’s suit is nothing more than political posturing, plain and simple.  

[TLCOhio]

From CNN and MSN News this morning, they had this headline: “UK's first cruise in over a year sets sail” with these highlights: “With most of the world still off-limits to British travelers, MSC Cruises is launching the first of many planned UK summer 'staycation sailings' that promise to introduce UK travelers to the joys of their own coastline.  The MSC Virtuosa is setting sail from the English port of Southampton Thursday, embarking on a four-night jaunt around the British Isles featuring a single stopoff -- on the rugged island of Portland in Dorset, in England's southwest.  MSC Cruises is one of several cruise lines who've swapped out international itineraries for UK-only sailings this summer, hoping British travelers desperate to escape after months of lockdown will be tempted by promises of seaside views and all the amenities of a cruise ship.  MSC's voyage, which is being seen as a test of the viability of holidays at sea in the wake of last year's pandemic shut down, is only open to UK residents, but the cruise line has opted to allow non-vaccinated guests on board.”

 

It's not Silversea re-opening, yet, but overall it shows some progress for things to start resuming and getting back closer to some form of "normal". Not sure, however, I would like just "sailing around" and not being able to do the quality, first-choice port stops.   Right or wrong?

 

 Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-uks-first-cruise-in-over-a-year-sets-sail/ar-AAKccEl?ocid=BingNewsSearch

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Completed 2019 summer with Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas!  Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

Edited May 20, 2021 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

Here is another tangible sign of "recovery??!!  From the San Diego Union Tribune this morning, they had this headline: “Why are cruise ships back in San Diego? Efforts to return to sea ramp up” with these highlights: “One by one, more than 120 crew members from Holland America’s Koningsdam filed into the B Street terminal Wednesday morning to get long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines. While there’s no word yet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on when cruising out of U.S. ports like San Diego can restart, cruise lines like Holland American are gearing up by making sure all its crew members are fully vaccinated. The 126 individuals who got their first Pfizer shots on Wednesday will return June 18 for their second doses. Between now and then, the ship will be remain off the Baja California coast near La Paz.  On Wednesday afternoon, 151 more first-dose shots were to be administered to crew on board the Royal Princess, which is docked offshore near Coronado.  On Thursday, 175 more crew members — aboard the Noordam — will also be vaccinated.  Holland America has not yet decided whether it will follow the CDC’s vaccination guidance that would allow it to resume cruising without the pilot sailings.  The crew members vaccinated Wednesday represent a number of positions on board, including cooks, engineers, housekeepers, electricians and plumbers.” 

 

Progress??!!

 

Full story at:

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2021-05-19/holland-america-crew-get-covid-19-vaccines-in-san-diego-but-still-no-word-on-when-cruising-will-return

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 253,475 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[Randyk47]

22 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

 

It's not Silversea re-opening, yet, but overall it shows some progress for things to start resuming and getting back closer to some form of "normal". Not sure, however, I would like just "sailing around" and not being able to do the quality, first-choice port stops.   Right or wrong?

First of all I think it is encouraging, actually borderline fantastic, that we are starting to see a return to cruising.  While I personally have no interest in just “sailing around” the industry has to start somewhere and somehow.   We are destination cruisers meaning we treat our cruises as a floating hotel that takes us to different and interesting places.  Though we have settled on Silversea as our cruise line of choice because of the ships, staff and crew, food, and overall onboard ambience  we have typically avoided cruises with numerous sea days.   That’s not to in any way criticize fellow cruisers who are perfectly happy to grab a book and find a cozy place to read or knit or play cards or whatever with no thought of leaving the ship.   That in fact is one of the great things about cruising in that it can be so many things to a wide range of travelers.  While we’re still in the wait and see mode and haven’t seriously researched any cruises yet we’re encouraged we will cruise again.

[Lois R]

Hi Terry, I think it is wonderful too.  I love both-----sea days and port days.........sailing around the Med for a few days without land is fine with me😃

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, Randyk47 said:

While I personally have no interest in just “sailing around” the industry has to start somewhere and somehow.   We are destination cruisers meaning we treat our cruises as a floating hotel that takes us to different and interesting places.

 

YES, we are also in the savvy group with Randy in loving the ports and interesting/varied places around the world to explore.  Also, share Randy's views and comments that the overall progress to open back up is encouraging.  Below is an article not about cruising, but it makes the point about the "HUNGER" to re-open, enjoy life and special experiences, see other folks, etc.  

 

From the Washington Post this morning, they had this headline: “What are Americans making for dinner? Reservations"  with this sub-headline: "In states including Texas, Florida and Arizona, restaurant crowds are blowing past pre-pandemic numbers.”

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “With nearly half of all Americans at least partially vaccinated and 100 percent of Americans tired of their own cooking, restaurant traffic is rocketing back.  Restaurant reservations were up 46 percent in April compared with April 2019, according to the review site Yelp (and up 23,000 percent compared with April 2020 when most Americans began staying at home during the pandemic). Yelp’s competitor OpenTable paints a similarly rosy picture.   In some states, restaurant traffic has blown by pre-pandemic levels, prompting industry experts to draw parallels between now and the Roaring ‘20s, which followed the 1918 influenza pandemic, bringing boom times for restaurants and other parts of the hospitality industry.  The weather is getting better, vaccination numbers are rising and dining restrictions are slowly being lifted, all of which has helped to push the industry toward a surprising resurgence. The demand is also playing a role in shortages of restaurant workers across the country. Total U.S. restaurant traffic is 16.3 percent below its pre-pandemic level in the week ending Tuesday, but it is rising fast, according to OpenTable. It recently reached its highest seven-day average nationally since the pandemic closures began."

 

Full story at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/05/20/restaurants-dining-out-pandemic/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 51,319 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[Lois R]

Hi Terry, so being on the water makes me less savvy?😮 I love seeing new places but in some circumstances, I love just being on a ship and don't care if there are alot of sea days.

[TLCOhio]

18 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Terry, so being on the water makes me less savvy?😮 I love seeing new places but in some circumstances, I love just being on a ship and don't care if there are alot of sea days.

 

Don't worry, Lois, you are savvy, too!!  Various people have a range of opinions, likes, etc., as to where sea-days fit on their priority list.  

 

Surprise!!  Congress has actually done something to allow more flexibility for the cruise lines.  From the Wall Street Journal last night, they had this headline: “Three Carnival Lines Plan to Resume Alaska Cruises in July” with these highlights: “Carnival Corp.said it is planning to resume Alaska cruises in July, in what would be among the first sailings out of the U.S. since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The company said each brand is planning to have one ship sailing round-trip this season. The cruises are available to guests who have had their final dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the cruise begins and proof of vaccination. The announcement comes after the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill that would let cruise ships sail directly from Washington state to Alaska, temporarily waiving a part of maritime law prohibiting foreign-flagged vessels from transporting passengers between two U.S. ports. Foreign-flagged vessels, such as cruise ships, had been required to stop at a foreign port—Canada, in this case—under U.S. law. Canada currently bans large cruise ships from sailing on its waters until the end of February 2022. Ultimately, cruise ships’ ability to sail depends on obtaining the green light from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last month, the CDC said cruise operators could restart sailings out of the U.S. by mid-July.  The CDC also said at the time that cruise ships can proceed to passenger sailings, without test cruises, if they attest that 98% of crew members and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated.”

 

More good progress towards re-opening??

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/three-carnival-lines-plan-to-resume-alaska-cruises-in-july-11621547363?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Kotor/Montenegro:  Exciting visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 48,289 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

[TLCOhio]

More good news for a re-opening?  Soon??!!  From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise Lines Budget for Extra Costs as They Prepare to Restart Sailings" with this sub-headline: "The industry hopes to offer cruises out of the U.S. in July, which the CDC says is possible.”

 

Here some of their story highlights: “Cruise lines are budgeting for extra costs as they prepare to resume voyages out of the U.S.—their main market—after a more than yearlong break because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Cruise operators, which last year reduced costs by idling ships, laying off thousands of employees and curtailing marketing spending, hope to restart U.S. sailings in July. That could be feasible if the companies meet requirements set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Cruise lines expect to book a mix of one-time and recurring expenses for enhanced sanitation, Covid-19 testing and other measures as they are vying to win back the public’s trust.  Miami-based Carnival Corp. , which operates nine brands, forecasts additional spending in the hundreds of millions of dollars, Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein said. The company sees costs needed to restart its ships as one-time expenses, while health protocol-related costs—a separate class of outlays—will depend on the duration for which they are needed, Mr. Bernstein added.”

 

Here is from this detailed reporting on alll three major cruise companies: "Royal Caribbean plans to emerge as a leaner company from the pandemic, CFO Jason Liberty said in late April, pointing to a simpler supply chain to save costs through bulk purchases. For instance, it is reducing the number of banana varieties from 19 to 11, he said.  'As we come out of this, there’s going to be some one-time costs in terms of ramping up our business,' Mr. Liberty said. 'But we’ve spent the past 13 months evaluating our cost structure and really reshaping it so that as we come out of it, we’re leaner.' "

 

Will Royal Caribbean being "a leaner company" result in any noticeable changes, positive or negative, for Silversea customers and their expectations?

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-lines-budget-for-extra-costs-as-they-prepare-to-restart-sailings-11621598402

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Nice visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic and historic location. Over 47,910 views.    

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

[kimanjo]

On 5/20/2021 at 8:58 AM, TLCOhio said:

Here is another tangible sign of "recovery??!!  From the San Diego Union Tribune this morning, they had this headline: “Why are cruise ships back in San Diego? Efforts to return to sea ramp up” with these highlights: “One by one, more than 120 crew members from Holland America’s Koningsdam filed into the B Street terminal Wednesday morning to get long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines. While there’s no word yet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on when cruising out of U.S. ports like San Diego can restart, cruise lines like Holland American are gearing up by making sure all its crew members are fully vaccinated. The 126 individuals who got their first Pfizer shots on Wednesday will return June 18 for their second doses. Between now and then, the ship will be remain off the Baja California coast near La Paz.  On Wednesday afternoon, 151 more first-dose shots were to be administered to crew on board the Royal Princess, which is docked offshore near Coronado.  On Thursday, 175 more crew members — aboard the Noordam — will also be vaccinated.  Holland America has not yet decided whether it will follow the CDC’s vaccination guidance that would allow it to resume cruising without the pilot sailings.  The crew members vaccinated Wednesday represent a number of positions on board, including cooks, engineers, housekeepers, electricians and plumbers.” 

 

Maybe all this "jabbing" being done to crew is some advance of Alaska sailings?? These ships seem to be positioned to run up the coast? 

Where would a SS ship come from if it was to do Alaska? Asia? How long does it take to cross the Pacific?

[Randyk47]

1 hour ago, kimanjo said:

 

Maybe all this "jabbing" being done to crew is some advance of Alaska sailings?? These ships seem to be positioned to run up the coast? 

Where would a SS ship come from if it was to do Alaska? Asia? How long does it take to cross the Pacific?

The majority of the Alaskan season fleet typically comes from the Caribbean and Mexican winter and spring itineraries.   Not sure what will happen this year as there was no Mexican season and still not much going on in the Caribbean.   Notionally the two Silversea ships in Alaska this season are the Muse and Shadow.  The Muse is in the South China Sea which is about 45-50+ Sailing days from Alaska at pretty much maximum speed.  The Shadow is still in the Mediterranean in Marseille and that’s roughly 30-40+ sailing days.  Both are doable but they got to get going fairly soon if they want to start Alaskan cruises in early July per their presently published schedule.   As for ships like the Koningsdam while 126 staff and crew getting vaccinated is a start that still leaves them some 800-900 staff and crew short who may or may not be able to get vaccinated in their home countries.   I’m sure they are working on the personnel logistics but a daunting task for sure.   

[kimanjo]

1 hour ago, Randyk47 said:

The majority of the Alaskan season fleet typically comes from the Caribbean and Mexican winter and spring itineraries.   Not sure what will happen this year as there was no Mexican season and still not much going on in the Caribbean.   Notionally the two Silversea ships in Alaska this season are the Muse and Shadow.  The Muse is in the South China Sea which is about 45-50+ Sailing days from Alaska at pretty much maximum speed.  The Shadow is still in the Mediterranean in Marseille and that’s roughly 30-40+ sailing days.  Both are doable but they got to get going fairly soon if they want to start Alaskan cruises in early July per their presently published schedule.   As for ships like the Koningsdam while 126 staff and crew getting vaccinated is a start that still leaves them some 800-900 staff and crew short who may or may not be able to get vaccinated in their home countries.   I’m sure they are working on the personnel logistics but a daunting task for sure.   

 

I did'nt really look that hard at the CDC restart guidelines.  So maybe these will be the "test" sailings that the CDC says they need to do?

I find it very interesting to see this almost unfold in realtime. All the decisions and logistics going into restarting. Oy, what a job!!!

 

Edited May 21, 2021 by kimanjo

[Stumblefoot]

4 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Will Royal Caribbean being "a leaner company" result in any noticeable changes, positive or negative, for Silversea customers and their expectations?

As long as they have strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, I’m good to go. 🙂

[cruiseej]

If I can't get Blue Java bananas for ice cream sundaes, and Gros Michel bananas for a creamy banana daiquiris, we're just not going to sail! Not the luxury we're accustomed to. Hmpf!

 

😉 

[chrism23]

11 hours ago, cruiseej said:

If I can't get Blue Java bananas for ice cream sundaes

If you don't mind. what ins the hell are Blue Java Bananas.  Never heard of them and it sounds like I and missing something good.  😀

11 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

😉

 

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, chrism23 said:

If you don't mind. what ins the hell are Blue Java Bananas.  Never heard of them and it sounds like I and missing something good.  😀

 

Blue Java Bananas..I have never heard of them either so I decided to do a search.......here is

some information I found:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Java_banana

[Lois R]

And here is a photo......with an article I found as well

https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/outdoor-ideas/a27285401/blue-java-bananas-ice-cream-banana-tree/