CRUISING START UP

[pasta1]

When do you think cruising in the Caribbean will start and how normal will it be?

[4774Papa]

2021

[Lady Arwen]

We’re booked for May 2021 in Europe and I think we have a fifty fifty chance of actually sailing.  If the cruise is a go, we’re prepared for major itinerary changes.  Wait and see.

[Sam.Seattle]

Great question....

I am ready to board now!

 

However... I am still waiting for my refund.  Paid in Full in November 2019.  Cruise cancelled March 2020... Celebrity is still holding my money hostage!

 

* New normal needs to at least include Celebrity being able to refund money paid in 30-days or less for cancelled cruises.

 

* New normal needs to clearly identify what will be offered on the ship.

 

* New normal I expect should include:

     * Guests will sign liability release at time of ticket purchase acknowledging risks associated with traveling on a cruise ship 

        and agree to not sue if any disease is contracted. 

     * Elevator buttons will be sanitized every 30-minutes.

     * Open Gym - Sanitizer to be at each piece of equipment and equipment will spaced further apart for safe use. 

     * Open dance floor & live music. (Guest will wear masks)

     * pool with reasonable capacity allowed. 

     * spa - Sauna - hot tubs - will have posted limited number of people allowed and guests assume liability.

     * shore excursions will be provided.

     * Buffet with staff providing food service. No more mass sharing of serving handles.

     * Staff will wear masks when in direct contact with guests.

     * Guests will wear masks when walking to any public destination in order to pass safely.

     * 100% enforcement of not refilling water bottles in water dispensers.

     * provided plastic straws

     * Theater will require 1 open seat between family members (family can sit side by side, strangers must leave one open seat)

     * Walking 

 

Well, here is my list off the top of my mind....

 

Your turn!

 

 

[TeeRick]

56 minutes ago, pasta1 said:

When do you think cruising in the Caribbean will start and how normal will it be?

There are many opinions and posts on this topic of cruising start up.  There is not a solid, factual answer.  Everything you see or hear on CC will be complete speculation - although some very good educated guessing in some cases.  Nobody really knows.  It is not only about which ships and when.  It is about which countries and ports will allow cruise passengers.  Unless you want to consider a caribbean cruise to nowhere as an early option.  Or to a cruise line private island.

[wrk2cruise]

I hadn't heard anyone speculate about the liability waiver before but our HOA amenities are in the process of opening slowly with outdoor activities starting about a week ago tennis/pickleball and the pools opening next week.  All with pretty stringent requirements including signing a new liability waiver including covid-19 specifically called out.  You have to have a sticker on your key card indicating you signed it before allowed entry.

 

So yes I think there will be a waiver for cruising.

[1025cruise]

I hope by this fall. 

This virus isn't going away until a vaccine comes out. So its either stay home until then, or take basic precautions and let life get back to normal. What is happening now isn't sustainable.

[Denny01]

I realize most of us on this forum would love to be cruising now, but when posters say they are ready to cruise now, is that what they really mean? You would cruise now if somehow some Line started cruising?? As most have, I’ve cancelled cruises earlier this year, two; and unless COVID suddenly disappears this month, I”ll probably cancel my Oct 2020 cruise prior to my final payment date. And of course most of our ‘cancelling’ is when the Line cancels the itinerary. 

 

Even with some businesses and faculties opening up, I’m not about to climb into a ‘facility’ with 2,000+ and try to practice social distancing and hope no one in the 2,000+ are infected and the entire ship is then quarantined. 

 

No idea when any Line will open up. But I know when I’ll take advantage of them opening. 

 

Den

[yorky]

3 minutes ago, Denny01 said:

I realize most of us on this forum would love to be cruising now, but when posters say they are ready to cruise now, is that what they really mean? You would cruise now if somehow some Line started cruising?? As most have, I’ve cancelled cruises earlier this year, two; and unless COVID suddenly disappears this month, I”ll probably cancel my Oct 2020 cruise prior to my final payment date. And of course most of our ‘cancelling’ is when the Line cancels the itinerary. 

 

Even with some businesses and faculties opening up, I’m not about to climb into a ‘facility’ with 2,000+ and try to practice social distancing and hope no one in the 2,000+ are infected and the entire ship is then quarantined. 

 

No idea when any Line will open up. But I know when I’ll take advantage of them opening. 

 

Den

We would personally not cruise this year but may still take our cruise next Feb if available. A lot can happen between May and February.

[Denny01]

12 minutes ago, yorky said:

We would personally not cruise this year but may still take our cruise next Feb if available. A lot can happen between May and February.

Agree. And we are really hoping to take our May 2021 cruise and that’s with a flight to the UK and back from Norway. We have indicators that we May...May have a vaccine sooner than normal; we have indicators that we May.....May have a reduction in COVID infections. We also have indicators of a 2nd wave. 

 

Enough. COVID - a virus will decide when cruising opens up and I haven’t seen any posts from the virus.

 

Den

Edited May 30, 2020 by Denny01

[Arizona Wildcat]

Instead of speculation how about what is needed for cruises to resume?

Obviously a plan approved by the CDC for cruises using US ports.

There need to be open ports. Definately open and receptive of cruise ships?

Norwegian seemed to ignore the CDC requirement in its plan to resume.  Many others have apparently determined the no sail order will simply go away on July 24th.

As to ports, many are closed through November/December 2020.  Others mentioned a vaccine.  Still others closed as long as till 2022.

Several statements about resuming with reduced passenger count.  Lots of good plans to improve onboard issues.  

A requirement for a fit to sail midst a declared pandemic for passengers over 70 appears to have gone away.  It was put forth very early and would many doctors sign it?

The complete wildcards are - 

#1 will people return with a mask requirement?

#2 will people return without a vaccine?

 

[MHF]

I was browsing the Celebrity site and they are still taking bookings for August 2020.  There are several Caribbean ones on offer that are tempting just to get me on a cruise!  However, the new "sale" with free perks only includes cruises for October 2020 and after.  I am going to wait until July to see what happens with the August cruises.

 

Melissa

[marieps]

We are scheduled for Grand Cayman and the ABC islands in November.  Aruba just announced it has zero active cases and is planning to reopen its borders.  They are asking visitors to take a survey:

 

https://www.visitaruba.com/news/general/corona-virus-and-travel-to-aruba/

 

Grand Cayman is closed to international travel until 1 Sept.  That may change.  Curacao is also being very cautious and is not open to cruise ships as yet.  Bonaire is open, and arriving ships must sign a health pledge.  No symptomatic passengers may disembark.

[Fouremco]

We had a 12-night March 2021 Caribbean cruise booked but bumped it to the same cruise in 2022. Too much uncertainty as to when cruising will restart, the extent to which the Caribbean ports would be open, and the onboard conditions. By pushing things for another year, we hope that all of these questions will be resolved to our satisfaction and that a viable vaccine will be available.

[Stevanb]

3 hours ago, Sam.Seattle said:

Great question....

I am ready to board now!

 

However... I am still waiting for my refund.  Paid in Full in November 2019.  Cruise cancelled March 2020... Celebrity is still holding my money hostage!

 

* New normal needs to at least include Celebrity being able to refund money paid in 30-days or less for cancelled cruises.

 

* New normal needs to clearly identify what will be offered on the ship.

 

* New normal I expect should include:

     * Guests will sign liability release at time of ticket purchase acknowledging risks associated with traveling on a cruise ship 

        and agree to not sue if any disease is contracted. 

     * Elevator buttons will be sanitized every 30-minutes.

     * Open Gym - Sanitizer to be at each piece of equipment and equipment will spaced further apart for safe use. 

     * Open dance floor & live music. (Guest will wear masks)

     * pool with reasonable capacity allowed. 

     * spa - Sauna - hot tubs - will have posted limited number of people allowed and guests assume liability.

     * shore excursions will be provided.

     * Buffet with staff providing food service. No more mass sharing of serving handles.

     * Staff will wear masks when in direct contact with guests.

     * Guests will wear masks when walking to any public destination in order to pass safely.

     * 100% enforcement of not refilling water bottles in water dispensers.

     * provided plastic straws

     * Theater will require 1 open seat between family members (family can sit side by side, strangers must leave one open seat)

     * Walking 

 

Well, here is my list off the top of my mind....

 

Your turn!

 

 

However... I am still waiting for my refund.  Paid in Full in November 2019.  Cruise cancelled March 2020... Celebrity is still holding my money hostage! 

 

Call Credit Card company and tell them services not rendered.

[Snit13]

5 minutes ago, Stevanb said:

However... I am still waiting for my refund.  Paid in Full in November 2019.  Cruise cancelled March 2020... Celebrity is still holding my money hostage! 

 

Call Credit Card company and tell them services not rendered.

I called credit card company and they told me even if I filed a dispute it would be 60 to 90 days for any results, mainly with many employees working from home.  So I will just be patient.  My cruise canceled May 20 so most likely won't see money until Sept.

[Stevanb]

We called our Credit Card  had  refund  in four days  Then if cruise disputes it they recharge our account but that can not happen as they cancelled our cruise not us

[Bead Pirate]

Went out on the Victory Casino Ship out of Port Canal last Thursday (very well done by the way masks and gloves required at all times, plenty of social distancing and sailed with 25% of normal passengers).

 

The Victory ship goes out three miles and basically cruises back and forth while patrons gamble. Very strange to be so close to many of the cruise ships that are anchored out there. You could clearly see the staff waving from the balconies. Must have been at least 10 ships anchored out there.

 

We are paid up on a September 14 2020 eleven night on Equinox and are booking a holiday cruise to cover Christmas and New Years. We will just have to wait and see how it goes...

[bouhunter]

3 hours ago, Sam.Seattle said:

 

 

 

     * Open dance floor & live music. (Guest will wear masks)

    

     

 

 

Gee that sounds fun.  As long as masks are required on ships our cruising days are over.  We'll happily contribute to reduced occupancy to achieve "social distancing" guidelines and restrictions.

[Sam.Seattle]

39 minutes ago, Stevanb said:

However... I am still waiting for my refund.  Paid in Full in November 2019.  Cruise cancelled March 2020... Celebrity is still holding my money hostage! 

 

Call Credit Card company and tell them services not rendered.

yup... that is my comment too!  Already filed the dispute.

[Stevanb]

1 hour ago, Bead Pirate said:

Went out on the Victory Casino Ship out of Port Canal last Thursday (very well done by the way masks and gloves required at all times, plenty of social distancing and sailed with 25% of normal passengers).

 

The Victory ship goes out three miles and basically cruises back and forth while patrons gamble. Very strange to be so close to many of the cruise ships that are anchored out there. You could clearly see the staff waving from the balconies. Must have been at least 10 ships anchored out there.

 

We are paid up on a September 14 2020 eleven night on Equinox and are booking a holiday cruise to cover Christmas and New Years. We will just have to wait and see how it goes...

We  have deposit on the Reflection   Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020  Christmas and New Years  paid almost nothing for a front facing cabin we do not care where it is at  and free beverage and gratuities . We have till Sept for final payment will decide on what is happening on the ships before that payment is due

 

[yorky]

3 hours ago, Fouremco said:

We had a 12-night March 2021 Caribbean cruise booked but bumped it to the same cruise in 2022. Too much uncertainty as to when cruising will restart, the extent to which the Caribbean ports would be open, and the onboard conditions. By pushing things for another year, we hope that all of these questions will be resolved to our satisfaction and that a viable vaccine will be available.

You were not tempted to hold on a while, March next year is a long way off.

[wrk2cruise]

I've been trying to understand what will be available for travel medical insurance.   I've recently been using GeoBlue Trekker annual plan.  They will no longer cover medical payments for covid-19 treatments from what I read.  I don't know if that will change when the CDC lowers travel advisory.   I've heard most companies are no longer selling cancel for any reason policies etc.   I have been asking questions on the travel insurance board but I'm wondering what my fellow Celebrity cruisers are thinking.   Or have you not been thinking about this?

[Arizona Wildcat]

1 minute ago, wrk2cruise said:

I've been trying to understand what will be available for travel medical insurance.   I've recently been using GeoBlue Trekker annual plan.  They will no longer cover medical payments for covid-19 treatments from what I read.  I don't know if that will change when the CDC lowers travel advisory.   I've heard most companies are no longer selling cancel for any reason policies etc.   I have been asking questions on the travel insurance board but I'm wondering what my fellow Celebrity cruisers are thinking.   Or have you not been thinking about this?

Travel insurance policies generally have specific exclusions.  The two that appear most often are acts of war and areas with travel health advisories such as COVID.  Cannot see that changing.

Agree with you that until COVID vaccine available it will be excluded from coverage.

[Fouremco]

24 minutes ago, yorky said:

You were not tempted to hold on a while, March next year is a long way off.

Oh, definitely, it wasn't a quick decision by any means. Nevertheless, we are both in our 70s and both have comorbidities, and believe that next March cruising will still be in an experimental mode. Consequently, we were leaning towards cancelling and booking something later in the year, possibly a Pacific Coastal cruise. Then along came the Lift & Shift program, which provided an excellent opportunity to defer for a year at no additional cost, retain our perks, use our FCCs from a cancellation earlier this year, and even keep the same cabin. So we decided to take advantage of this opportunity, knowing too that if our concerns were addressed to our satisfaction in the shorter term, we could still book a cruise for next year. Win-win.