Frankly, I'm Really Worried....

[Lovincruisin1321]

I always have been excited to cruise.  It was my escape, my journey.    My husband and I love to sit with complete strangers at dinner, share our cruising stories, have idle chit chat and the most fun was catching up with each other every evening about our excursions.   At the end of the cruise we always come home with a group picture and shared e-mails.  

 

Is this cruising scenario a dream of the past?     Will cruises ever be social again?

 

I viewed a few of the recent videos that were suggested on this site regarding what Europe is proposing with age segregation, outdoor only activities, 4 persons to a pool, no more social dining, family/friends only, temperature checks daily, heavily "advised" breakfast in stateroom, limited cruising numbers and the list goes on for 49 pages.....

 

This has left me feeling like my cruising days are coming to an end.   Will it become like the Titanic with segregation by deck?   How could they even pull that off?   

 

With all the new installation of plexi-glass, gloves, special masks and other COVID 19 amenities, cruise prices will surely become a "Luxury" once more.  No more free wi-fi/drinks.  Not that was really a deal, because we all know those "free" was really just worked into the price.  Marketing is really going to have a challenge this go around!

 

What are your views?

[Thrak]

I too am worried. I fear that when cruising returns it will be changed so much I will no longer enjoy it at all. Only time will tell.

[Mud_Shark]

I hear you.  My wife and I love the same dinner conversations as we get caught up on what our dinner mates have done in the various ports or with their days and vice versa.  

 

I think those days will return, but for the immediate future, things will be different.  I am willing to sacrifice something of the past experiences in order to still cruise during the COVID crisis, but look forward to a day when talking and mingling with fellow passengers will resume.  

 

I still love cruising, and even with masks and social distancing and possibly less onboard programming or activities, believe it can still be a rewarding and memorable experience and look forward to our next adventure.  Just hope there are not too many more cancellations before those adventures can once again get off the ground.

 

Don

[Musky Ike]

In all our cruises we have never done room service meals, but balcony meals are looking better now.  Tables for two in the MDR may also be more common. We shall see.

[aftforward]

DH and I are the rare couple that prefers a table for 2, but I share your fears as well. I have hope that we will get the experience the cruises we all know and love again, but it may be awhile before we do. I think once there is a legitimate way to treat those that catch it, prevent it with a safe vaccine and have a simple, quick result test, then we will see things get back to a more normal way of cruising, but I do think somethings may change for good. When we went on our last cruise back in November, Princess really pushed the touch screen experience... even games for the kids to play... it was just lovely with all those little germy hands all over the screen. Yuck! If they insist on getting rid of paper maps, I see the need to update their app so that you can do the same thing on your own phone vs. touching those nasty screens next to the elevators. Speaking of elevators, I think we'll see more of them vs. getting rid of them to squeeze in more rooms! And the promenade deck, we need those back for fresh air instead of forcing people inside in hopes of us spending more money!

[ceilidh1]

Add me to the worried group, too! I have 3 future cruises booked from before this all went down. While 2 are for early 2021 and I'm not convinced they will actually go, the third is for 2022. As others have mentioned, what will the new experience be like? I cruise with my 2 kids and grandma, so the age separation wouldn't work for our group. My kids love the kid and teen programs, but if those are no longer running, then what? The dining isn't a concern as we usually request our own table and we aren't huge buffet people, but it sure is handy having that buffet option when you just want to grab something fast. We love the shows, trivia, atrium events, etc - will these be a thing of the past or now limited (it's hard enough getting a seat in the theatre at the best of times...lol). Four to a pool? How on earth would that be enforced when it's next to impossible to enforce the chair hogging (I joke, but you get my drift). I, too, am concerned that all the new protocols will take the joy and fun out of cruising and push the pricing to a level that makes it unaffordable for my family...

[seacruise9]

Hi, 

 

I am worried, too. I obviously love cruises (94 cruises - began cruising in 1967 before my third birthday), but I am afraid that many of my favorite parts of cruising will no longer be possible. I greatly enjoy having dinner with a large table of shipmates each night, attending the shows each evening, etc. It seems like cruises will be very different when they finally resume.

 

Chuck

[azbirdmom]

It will be different, even after we are past this pandemic.  I wonder how it's going to work with shore excursions which are usually on fairly crowded buses and where lunches are typically served buffet style.  I also wonder how all of this is going to work with the environmental rules they are mandated to follow.  They were eliminating a lot of single use items but those are the safest right now.  I do hope to cruise again and have two booked, but it remains to be seen what the conditions will be and if they are ones that will truly allow us to "escape completely" and to "come back new".

[13cheermom]

Have to agree, not sure I like the look of cruising going forward.  I'm glad that my husband and I went ahead and took some 14-day extended cruises before we retired, because I don't think it will be a possibility in the near future.  So much for enjoying future retirement vacations. 😪

[cruzsnooze]

I have a cruise booked for next year and took a full suite. I feel it will be safer, and more enjoyable if we need to have room service or spend more time in our cabin. 

[getting older slowly]

The longer this goes on.... with no sight in end..... I think cruise as we know it could be a long way off,  if ever...... along with being too expensive.....

 

At least we have cruised and enjoyed it.... 

 

After our last cruise Nov-Dec 2019... I made a photo book of all our cruise photos......

( when I got the book ..I wondered if that was our last cruise.... this was late jan 2020 )

Little did one know what was going to happen....

 

So stay safe.... and remember the wonderful cruises you have be on

 

Cheers Don

 

[MJSailors]

   I wouldn’t say that I am worried about the state of future cruises and our enjoyment of them.

My DH and I have enjoyed many cruises ranging from the Big Red Boat to Cunard QE 2,although most of the cruises were on Princess.

  The way things are going due to Covid-19,  Cruise vacations may be a past chapter in our lives.

We will move on to other types of vacations,maybe...hopefully.

     If I want to worry,I will be concerned with two friends who are fighting cancer in this awful pandemic,or a friend who lost a husband in the early Spring and we have yet to give her a hug and our respects to a very good man, or how my goddaughter is feeling after postponing her wedding from this September to next September, or not being able to hold our new grandniece who turned 6 months old today.

     There are many things my DH and I can be concerned about at this time. But,following the AA prayer....give me the strength to change what I can,accept what I can’t  and the ability to know the difference (I am paraphrasing a bit)

   This is my view.

[JimnKaren]

We have booked ocean view for many years; however, for our 2 booked cruises for next year, both are balcony cabins. We have 'dined' in our cabin in the past, generally to watch a cool movie.

I do have a big concern with the dining room arrangements. We have had 2-tops and those that are much larger. It just depends on what happens. My concern is how close most of those 2-tops have been to other tables. I cannot imagine folks wearing masks in the dining room and some tables (anchored to the deck for safety) are just too close. What arrangements might be considered to avoid closeness in those dining rooms? Yeah, you can check my temp every time I show up at the dining room, but that won't really eliminate folks who are positive and carrying, but don't have symptoms. That is for the main dining room, what will happen in the buffet areas, remove half the tables? Even if we are served in the buffet, it is still close quarters there. What are the cruise lines considering to help avoid problems?

Jim

[WAMarathoner]

That's Europe.  It's not going to fly for North America.  One positive I see going forward is that the adults-only areas (including pools) are more likely to be enforced now.  Nothing like getting ready for a quick dip in the adult pool only to have it closed because "something" fell out of a 2 year old's diaper :-(.  Personally I think, while some new protocols will be in place, it's going to be more along the "sign this waiver" thing that a clever lawyer has drawn up.

[Cruise Raider]

My only worry is standing in long lines for everything.  I don't even mind eating my meals in my cabin but a balcony would probably make that all the more desirable.  But, unless they significantly restrict the capacity, I just don't see it working.  Now, mind you ... I had to go to the DMV today and online, it showed a 2 minute wait.  It was actually a 2 hour wait but, that's done and we survived. 

I don't mind being a hermit on a cruise, I don't mind eating in a venue outside of the MDR, I don't mind room service.  But, I would mind not being able to see a show, play a game to get a seat in the casino or the pool or waiting in 2 hour lines to board, etc.  I would miss the pop choir, dancing to some great live music or heading to the spa.  

Time will tell .... I'd be willing to give it a try but, I think my DH would refuse to go unless we had a balcony or better.  

[SNJCruisers]

10 hours ago, Lovincruisin1321 said:

 

This has left me feeling like my cruising days are coming to an end.   Will it become like the Titanic with segregation by deck?   How could they even pull that off?   

MSC has had a caste system for years.  First class is the Yacht Club, second class is Aurea, third class is Fantastica and fourth class is Bella.  Besides the cost differentiations, there are also differences involved with each class when it comes time for dinner.  The Yacht Club is the ship within a ship concept similar to the Haven on NCL, but at a substantially better price point.

[Linsifer]

13 hours ago, Lovincruisin1321 said:

I always have been excited to cruise.  It was my escape, my journey.    My husband and I love to sit with complete strangers at dinner, share our cruising stories, have idle chit chat and the most fun was catching up with each other every evening about our excursions.   At the end of the cruise we always come home with a group picture and shared e-mails.  

 

Is this cruising scenario a dream of the past?     Will cruises ever be social again?

 

I viewed a few of the recent videos that were suggested on this site regarding what Europe is proposing with age segregation, outdoor only activities, 4 persons to a pool, no more social dining, family/friends only, temperature checks daily, heavily "advised" breakfast in stateroom, limited cruising numbers and the list goes on for 49 pages.....

 

This has left me feeling like my cruising days are coming to an end.   Will it become like the Titanic with segregation by deck?   How could they even pull that off?   

 

With all the new installation of plexi-glass, gloves, special masks and other COVID 19 amenities, cruise prices will surely become a "Luxury" once more.  No more free wi-fi/drinks.  Not that was really a deal, because we all know those "free" was really just worked into the price.  Marketing is really going to have a challenge this go around!

 

What are your views?

I feel the same way you do.  We have a cruise to Alaska out of S.F. for next August 2021.  I’m still not feeling comfortable even though it’s over a year away.  Like you, I would not want to sail with all those restrictions. What fun is that?   And once on the ship, I would be concerned that there would be a detected COVID case and we would all end up being quarantined forever.  

[Andrew J. Cat]

1 hour ago, Linsifer said:

And once on the ship, I would be concerned that there would be a detected COVID case and we would all end up being quarantined forever.  

That is absolutely my biggest concern about future cruising. 

That being said, we still have two upcoming cruises booked, Jan '21 and Dec '21.  

Hoping for the best. 🤞

[SargassoPirate]

She Who Must Be Obeyed and I have cancelled all cruises through 2021 - well almost, I still have a cruise with HAL that I have yet to cancel but I'm waiting for them to blink first since I have a non-refundable deposit.  I'll cancel before the final payment date if they don't blink.

 

We are not traveling anywhere commercially - train, airplane, or ship - until there is a vaccine in widespread use.  We have extrapolated our recent shopping and dining experiences onto a cruise ship and we just cannot see how it would be a pleasant experience.  Cruising is supposed to be an escape from everyday life and not a struggle.

 

Think about this the next time you are at Home Depot standing on one of the social distance 6 feet markers on the floor or encounter one-way shopping aisles.  Plus, as an older person with hearing loss, clerks behind a plexiglass screen and a mask sound like they are talking through a pillow.

 

No thanks.  Crusing is a luxury, not a must-have. We can wait and see.

[ontheweb]

24 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

Think about this the next time you are at Home Depot standing on one of the social distance 6 feet markers on the floor or encounter one-way shopping aisles.  Plus, as an older person with hearing loss, clerks behind a plexiglass screen and a mask sound like they are talking through a pillow.

 

No thanks.  Crusing is a luxury, not a must-have. We can wait and see.

I know that hearing problem all too well. It happened to me just yesterday when I finally figured out that the cashier was asking me if I had change as I guess her register was short of quarters and she would have rather taken 2 from me and give me an extra dollar in change than give me 2 quarters.

 

As for the original topic question, I too wonder if cruising will come back as the fun experience we all have known. And if it does, how long will it take to get there as the present proposed protocols seem to drain all the life out of the cruise experience.

[AF-1]

SargassoPirate;  I think a lot of people share your view.  Wait and see what happens.  In the meantime there is nothing we cruisers can do to speed up how the cruise lines deal with changes.  I read that Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have teamed up to work together to make necessary changes on their ships; once the CDC allows them to sail again.  So we sit and wait.  Not a big deal;  just a little inconvience

Edited July 8, 2020 by AF-1

[skynight]

Our view is no cruises until at least 2022, assuming that this timing will be post vaccines, post pandemic. If the cruise experience at that time isn't one we would enjoy then we'll just pass and find other recreational experiences. 

[antmaril]

11 minutes ago, skynight said:

Our view is no cruises until at least 2022, assuming that this timing will be post vaccines, post pandemic. If the cruise experience at that time isn't one we would enjoy then we'll just pass and find other recreational experiences. 

This is how I feel, too.  We won’t be cruising again for quite a while, if ever.  Sadly.  

[SargassoPirate]

59 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

SargassoPirate;  I think a lot of people share your view.  Wait and see what happens.  In the meantime there is nothing we cruisers can do to speed up how the cruise lines deal with changes.  I read that Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have teamed up to work together to make necessary changes on their ships; once the CDC allows them to sail again.  So we sit and wait.  Not a big deal;  just a little inconvience

 

One thing I hope continues is the enhanced sanitation.  They were working on it pretty well pre-covid because of the constant threat of the norovirus.

 

And I hope the pre-set tables in the buffet are gone forever.  I've complained about it on every Princess and Viking Ocean cruise I've been on and am most always told that it's corporate policy.   I always wonder how many of those corporate suits would want to be served coffee or juice from a buffet table where the table was wiped down with a used cloth napkin and the "unused" mugs and tumblers repositioned instead of being removed?  But, I digress.

 

One thing we are enjoying about our pause from cruising is our enhanced bank account!  Every cloud has a silver lining.

[AF-1]

You quote some funny but true statements.  Have a great day