MSC to resume cruising in August

[Edinburghgirl1]

https://mscfans.blog/2020/07/31/msc-to-restart-cruise-operations-in-august-with-2-ships/

[Grandma Cruising]

8 hours ago, Edinburghgirl1 said:

https://mscfans.blog/2020/07/31/msc-to-restart-cruise-operations-in-august-with-2-ships/

Thanks for that. I definitely wouldn’t fancy it, especially not being allowed ashore except on a ship’s excursion ( that’s how I read the last point in their Health & Safety Measures).

[excitedofharpenden]

43 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Thanks for that. I definitely wouldn’t fancy it, especially not being allowed ashore except on a ship’s excursion ( that’s how I read the last point in their Health & Safety Measures).

These restarts of cruise stories (I've read them on other boards too) have no relevance nor meaning to Azamara. Last time I looked, destination immersion was still a key selling point and I'm not sure how this will apply going forward. The stories like the Hurtigruten ship that was struck down recently mid cruise by crew testing positive for Covid-19 does little to instil confidence either. 

 

Phil 

[Haworth]

I find it hard to imagine when cruising will recommence, these recent set backs will push the delay further, we have a trip booked in January that I cant see happening and one in October, who knows if even that will go ahead, if it doesn't, then cruising as we know it will be finished.

[excitedofharpenden]

Despite what the WHO come out with in the way of vaccine negativity, I am really hoping that the news I hear from others proves correct. That or an effective treatment is the only thing in my view that will move us forward. 

 

Phil 

[uktog]

43 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Despite what the WHO come out with in the way of vaccine negativity, I am really hoping that the news I hear from others proves correct. That or an effective treatment is the only thing in my view that will move us forward. 

 

Phil 

I agree. I’m hearing positive messages from researchers personally involved but it’s a long process working against a virus whose structure will mutate and change over time. They will get there. In the meantime staycations are here to stay

[Grandma Cruising]

Same here - one of our neighbours has a son-in-law working on the Oxford Uni vaccine and he is very positive. If that vaccine works, then they are talking about potentially having large amount of it available at the end of this year - but there’s a long way to go before then.
 

Regarding the virus mutating, I heard a virologist saying that the reason that the Spanish Flu second peak was so bad, much worse than the first peak, was that the virus mutated and became more deadly. He also said that at present COVID-19 isn’t showing any signs of mutating - of course that’s not to say it won’t.

[ddpe]

I think that WHO is talking about all countries.  We all know that many diseases are still prevalent in many  impoverished countries, but not in countries that can afford vaccination programs.  I feel we will have to produce a vaccination card for many years, but we will be able to return to cruising next year.

 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Wow, it will be really interesting to see if these MSC cruises succeed.  I am skeptical, but it sure would be nice if they could get through these itineraries virus-free.

[km32937]

You must go on a shore excursion and a family who wandered away during the excursion was denied boarding when they returned.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/08/19/msc-cruises-cracking-down-passengers-who-break-covid-19-regulations/5605867002/

[hamrag]

On 8/4/2020 at 8:30 AM, excitedofharpenden said:

These restarts of cruise stories (I've read them on other boards too) have no relevance nor meaning to Azamara. Last time I looked, destination immersion was still a key selling point and I'm not sure how this will apply going forward.....

 

As a non-Azamite, having sailed only on 2 B2B Az sailings, but with 47 cruises on 15 different cruiselines let me comment. Surely most Azamara clientele would be willing, for say a couple of years, simply to cruise without 'destination immersion'?

 

Neither of the cruises we sailed had late sailaways from any of the ports and, like us, most were thoroughly enjoying their cruise!

Edited August 20, 2020 by hamrag

[Mrs Miggins]

It may be that those companies that offer included shore excursions do well in this situation.  They are used to offering several coach loads during the day often offering the same route.  Viking for example do well.  We were in Algeria, which most people had not visited, so the included excursion was very popular and there was certainly no wandering off.  There was a light police presence and possibly a heavier plain clothes presence.  Nevertheless it was a great experience.

Also river cruising may have an advantage with smaller numbers.  Would highly recommend Scenic and to cross reference this thread with another on the board, Scenic's included excursions were superb and we loved the wine, music and chateaux experiences on our Bordeaux cruise.  Similar to Azamazing evening but of course smaller and more intimate.

[excitedofharpenden]

12 hours ago, hamrag said:

 

As a non-Azamite, having sailed only on 2 B2B Az sailings, but with 47 cruises on 15 different cruiselines let me comment. Surely most Azamara clientele would be willing, for say a couple of years, simply to cruise without 'destination immersion'?

 

Neither of the cruises we sailed had late sailaways from any of the ports and, like us, most were thoroughly enjoying their cruise!

I don't think they will want a cruise without destination immersion. Think about it. There is little to do on the ships for one thing. A big ship of MSC or Royal Caribbean, maybe, but I couldn't imagine being cooped up on Azamara for days, nice ships though they are. I also have a bad feeling about cruises like this. I hope I'm wrong, but an outbreak of Covid would be a real blow to the industry. 

 

This Covid-19 thing is not to be messed with and the situation is still extremely volatile. Look at Croatia. The UK are about to put them on the 14 day quarantine list and like France there is a scramble for people to get back before it kicks in. 

 

Phil 

Edited August 21, 2020 by excitedofharpenden

[hamrag]

31 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I don't think they will want a cruise without destination immersion. Think about it. There is little to do on the ships for one thing....

 

That is certainly true, and the show lounge entertainment is poor in the evenings. The other highlight, which they would struggle to have with the food being buffet (albeit served), is white night....we have been to many of those, across various lines who have their variant, and none are even on the same graph as Az....fabulous experience.

[excitedofharpenden]

As I say, the Azamara experience is just not one that can become an MSC "cruise to nowhere". If I was on Royal Caribbean Allure I think I could stick that if I could convince myself that social distancing was possible as I thought it was an amazing ship, but I would even struggle with that concept.  Very sad. 

 

Phil 

Edited August 21, 2020 by excitedofharpenden

[ABoatNerd]

5 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I don't think they will want a cruise without destination immersion. Think about it. There is little to do on the ships for one thing. A big ship of MSC or Royal Caribbean, maybe, but I couldn't imagine being cooped up on Azamara for days, nice ships though they are. I also have a bad feeling about cruises like this. I hope I'm wrong, but an outbreak of Covid would be a real blow to the industry. 

 

This Covid-19 thing is not to be messed with and the situation is still extremely volatile. Look at Croatia. The UK are about to put them on the 14 day quarantine list and like France there is a scramble for people to get back before it kicks in. 

 

Phil 

 

Thank you so much for your post, you are totally correct about the minimization of destination.  The cruise world is increasingly fake with distractions all designed to eliminate/minimize the link to the sea while increasing onboard revenue.

Hence why we have eliminated all main lines cruise lines from our patronage.

 

I can purchase all the main cruise line product pretty much on land - pool, restaurants, entertainment etc.

 

I can also purchase land tours which do give me the immersion in destination locations without the hassals and risks of being stranded at sea on a cruise.

Once borders are open, I have 3 high end escorted tours all lined up for purchase And no cruises whatsoever.

 

 

[travelberlin]

MSC did a wonderful job. First cruise without major problems went to an end... there is a lot to learn from them...

Ivi

[NC&KY]

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

MSC did a wonderful job. First cruise without major problems went to an end... there is a lot to learn from them...

Ivi

Were you on this cruise or are you reporting what you have heard from someone who was?

[travelberlin]

I was not onboard. I have been following this cruise in several media posts. I have tried to put the link to a you tube video here but for some reason, it does not work out.

 

Ivi

 

 

[excitedofharpenden]

4 hours ago, travelberlin said:

MSC did a wonderful job. First cruise without major problems went to an end... there is a lot to learn from them...

Ivi

I read MSC threw a family off for not following their Covid-19 protocols. They went off on their own after being told they must stay wth the ship sponsored tour. Covididiots are everywhere sadly. 

 

Phil 

[travelberlin]

24 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I read MSC threw a family off for not following their Covid-19 protocols. They went off on their own after being told they must stay wth the ship sponsored tour. Covididiots are everywhere sadly. 

 

Phil 

Yes they were very strict with the rules. There are some things to learn from MSC efforts if cruise lines want to start again in 2021.

Ivi