1st cruise after Covid......a success

[MsTabbyKats]

Although this isn't bad news, it really isn't any news:

 

MSC Cruises said that their first cruise back was a success.

 

What brand is going to tell you that their product isn't good? 

 

This article is  100% public relations, as reported by MSC.

 

 

 

[KmomChicago]

I wonder my why post, which I thought was relevant and not negative, was removed, as was a slightly critical reply to my post, while other argument posts continue here?

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

10 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

 

It means the other countries are way better off than us because ALL their population are on the same page.

You might want to check the current statistics to correct your post.

[PhillyFan33579]

30 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Although this isn't bad news, it really isn't any news:

 

MSC Cruises said that their first cruise back was a success.

 

What brand is going to tell you that their product isn't good? 

 

This article is  100% public relations, as reported by MSC.

While I understand your point, if anything negative happened on the ship it would be all over the news. When the four passengers got kicked off the ship for leaving their excursion group, it was reported all over the place. I read about it in the local newspaper, heard about it on the local news, saw multiple videos about it on YouTube, and read countless articles on the Internet. 

[MsTabbyKats]

20 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

While I understand your point, if anything negative happened on the ship it would be all over the news. When the four passengers got kicked off the ship for leaving their excursion group, it was reported all over the place. I read about it in the local newspaper, heard about it on the local news, saw multiple videos about it on YouTube, and read countless articles on the Internet. 

And I noticed that it wasn't reported in the article.  I don't know why not...as it showed enforcement of policy.

I wanted to see reviews by passengers...but nothing's posted.

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Unfortunately that idea has been perpetuated, intentionally or not, by the media and the CDC. 

This is a fact

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Although this isn't bad news, it really isn't any news:

 

MSC Cruises said that their first cruise back was a success.

 

What brand is going to tell you that their product isn't good? 

 

This article is  100% public relations, as reported by MSC.

 

 

 

If there were a breakout they would say it.  The point of posting it is there was success and not failure.  

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, sanger727 said:

I wasn’t saying that I fear air travel. But that the limitation of testing upon boarding is that it won’t catch someone who just caught is, like if they caught it on the way to port. So inevitably a Covid positive person will eventually make it on board.

 

my concerns with cruising as MSC has defined the safety measures is that I don’t want to test upon boarding and risk testing positive and get stuck in the embarkation city, don’t particularly want to wear masks all the time on my vacation, and don’t want to be stuck with cruise shore excursions or staying on the ship as my only options

I understand.  This is a step, and a significant step, regardless if it hits all the buttons that you or I would like.

[MsTabbyKats]

5 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

If there were a breakout they would say it.  The point of posting it is there was success and not failure.  

And the point of my post was they MSC said it was a success....nobody else.

 

Of course they're going to say it was a success...because during the 7 days there wasn't a breakout.  Did they monitor each passenger daily to make sure they were still "covid free"?  

 

How did they handle "non-compliance issues".  Were the people satisfied?  Were the people who took their excursions satisfied?

 

My definition of success is not "self-reported success".

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

And the point of my post was they MSC said it was a success....nobody else.

 

Of course they're going to say it was a success...because during the 7 days there wasn't a breakout.  Did they monitor each passenger daily to make sure they were still "covid free"?  

 

How did they handle "non-compliance issues".  Were the people satisfied?  Were the people who took their excursions satisfied?

 

My definition of success is not "self-reported success".

 

 

 

CHeck on the MSC boards and see if there is anything.  Let me ask you this.  Based on everything that has happened, do you really thin if there was a breakout we would not have heard about it.  EVERY single cruise related event has been broadcasted loud and clear.  You can define the post however you want.  If you look hard enough, you can find the bad news you seem to desperately need to see.  Lighten up and let a little good in, you might like it.

[xDisconnections]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

What brand is going to tell you that their product isn't good? 

 

 

 

Certainly never Carnival.

[jimbo5544]

15 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

And the point of my post was they MSC said it was a success....nobody else.

 

Of course they're going to say it was a success...because during the 7 days there wasn't a breakout.  Did they monitor each passenger daily to make sure they were still "covid free"?  

 

How did they handle "non-compliance issues".  Were the people satisfied?  Were the people who took their excursions satisfied?

 

My definition of success is not "self-reported success".

 

 

 

Here is a link For the sailing on the MSC board, happy reading.

 

 

[jimbo5544]

9 minutes ago, xDisconnections said:

Certainly never Carnival.

Only Princess cruisers do that.....

[Formula280SS]

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Here is a link For the sailing on the MSC board, happy reading.

 

 

 

Not wanting to jump in on commenting in this thread, the above link to that thread that I started is a good one.

 

The thread has a lot of really detailed information, pre-embarkation to the return to Genoa, independent videos from the cruise and from cruise commentators, comments from passengers to CC members in the thread, and from MSC, as well as CruiseCritic Editors that followed up on questions and provided responses and information they received, etc. 

 

Good points and very civil even on discussion of masks versus shields (didn't get out of hand, good issues raised) in the food server/service positions.

[sanger727]

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

I understand.  This is a step, and a significant step, regardless if it hits all the buttons that you or I would like.

absolutely. It is a significant step towards restarting cruising in general. But in the short term at least, not much progress for me personally since the safety measures make it too undesirable for me to cruise. So good for MSC and hopefully that translates to US cruise lines, but I still won’t be booking anytime soon. 

[TexasBrit]

Who were the passengers on this cruise?

Willingness to comply with rules varies tremendously from country to country.

Also was this a cruise that stopped at ports outside Italy, or just a round trip from Genoa within Italy?

If the latter, these are not permitted from US ports.

Edited August 29, 2020 by TexasBrit
clarity

[jimbo5544]

13 minutes ago, TexasBrit said:

Who were the passengers on this cruise?

Willingness to comply with rules varies tremendously from country to country.

Also was this a cruise that stopped at other ports, or just a round trip from Genoa?

If the latter, these are not permitted from US ports.

Fair questions, this was an Italian line that had Italian ports.  From that perspective it would not work here.  That said, it did not have to, it had 4 stops with real excursions.  The most important point is that it did not have break outs of the virus, proving that it can work.  

Edited August 29, 2020 by jimbo5544

[TexasBrit]

Unless in a US built and flagged vessel, which I don't think any of the major cruise lines operate (other than in Hawaii).

 

[TexasBrit]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

Fair questions, this was an Italian line that had Italian ports.  From that perspective it would not work here.  That said, it did or have to, it had 4 stops with real excursions.  The most important point is that it did not have break outs of the virus, proving that it can work.  

But who were the passengers? All EU, I understand. Does anyone really think that this

would work here? People don't want to follow the rules on masks and distancing in their own locations. Bars are being opened and then shut down again. Watch what happens to the case numbers after Labor Day. Cruises will be no different. The most hopeful course is for the vaccines. Even then people will refuse to get them. There are a substantial number of people who don't even believe the virus death numbers. Sorry to be perceived as negative, but it is reality.

 

[jimbo5544]

4 minutes ago, TexasBrit said:

But who were the passengers? All EU, I understand. Does anyone really think that this

would work here? People don't want to follow the rules on masks and distancing in their own locations. Bars are being opened and then shut down again. Watch what happens to the case numbers after Labor Day. Cruises will be no different. The most hopeful course is for the vaccines. Even then people will refuse to get them. There are a substantial number of people who don't even believe the virus death numbers. Sorry to be perceived as negative, but it is reality.

 

I never implied that we would follow the exact protocols set forward by MSC.  People were saying all over the place that cruise ships were virus incubators, cruise lines were made out to be the bad guys. Those statements were wrong, to does not matter what variables you like or do not like nor does it matter where the cruise was or who went on it.  

 

Let’s deal with what happens in our country as it happens, not making predictions based on zero facts.  You want an example of what opening up further brings?  FLorida schools have been been open since near the beginning of the month, how are Florida numbers doing?  Dramatically down.  We have no idea if vaccines will be required, whether a pretext will be required.  LEt’s decide on what will happen when we KNOW what the variables will be.  

 

If it turns out testing is needed and having a vaccine gets you options that not getting one does not, then we can deal with those when they are here.  As I stated in the beginning, this was a step in the right direction, a very successful step. 

[TexasBrit]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

 

If it turns out testing is needed and having a vaccine gets you options that not getting one does not, then we can deal with those when they are here.  As I stated in the beginning, this was a step in the right direction, a very successful step. 

I agree, for this cruise in this location. I imagine similar cruises could be done in other countries, such as a cruise around the UK just for UK residents among others.

My point was that it is unlikely to be replicated for sailings from US ports which I believe is the preference of the majority of the readers of this board, myself included.

(BTW, children in schools are completely different from adults on cruise ships. The children obey the rules and instructions).

[jimbo5544]

5 minutes ago, TexasBrit said:

I agree, for this cruise in this location. I imagine similar cruises could be done in other countries, such as a cruise around the UK just for UK residents among others.

My point was that it is unlikely to be replicated for sailings from US ports which I believe is the preference of the majority of the readers of this board, myself included.

(BTW, children in schools are completely different from adults on cruise ships. The children obey the rules and instructions).

Did I say it had to be replicated?  Did I say it was the only way it would work?  If you think all kids in schools obey the rules and instructions, that is a different topic.  I will not go down a rabbit hole.  The point was large influxes of people together.  Florida colleges have been is session also, how do college kids do obeying?

[Moviela]

My understanding is all the pax were Italian nationals, and they did sail to one foreign port. Many commented that only cruise line excursions were allowed ashore was a to increase the profits of the company. That is not correct. Italy does not allow pax to go ashore unescorted, and the group must be isolated from other people. In the bubble if you please. 

 

I don't know if this was the voyage that the family was booted for wandering away from the excursion, but it sounds like they are serious about following health protocols. 

 

Speaking of protocols, I know a mask does not stop covid, but it is another line of defense. If you have a mask, and maintain social distancing your chances of remaining healthy go way up. 

 

If we follow the rules, we can cruise sooner.

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, Moviela said:

My understanding is all the pax were Italian nationals, and they did sail to one foreign port. Many commented that only cruise line excursions were allowed ashore was a to increase the profits of the company. That is not correct. Italy does not allow pax to go ashore unescorted, and the group must be isolated from other people. In the bubble if you please. 

 

I don't know if this was the voyage that the family was booted for wandering away from the excursion, but it sounds like they are serious about following health protocols. 

 

Speaking of protocols, I know a mask does not stop covid, but it is another line of defense. If you have a mask, and maintain social distancing your chances of remaining healthy go way up. 

 

If we follow the rules, we can cruise sooner.

 

 

 

All true, nice post.  

[cruiser man 60]

34 minutes ago, Moviela said:

My understanding is all the pax were Italian nationals, and they did sail to one foreign port. Many commented that only cruise line excursions were allowed ashore was a to increase the profits of the company. That is not correct. Italy does not allow pax to go ashore unescorted, and the group must be isolated from other people. In the bubble if you please. 

 

I don't know if this was the voyage that the family was booted for wandering away from the excursion, but it sounds like they are serious about following health protocols. 

 

Speaking of protocols, I know a mask does not stop covid, but it is another line of defense. If you have a mask, and maintain social distancing your chances of remaining healthy go way up. 

 

If we follow the rules, we can cruise sooner.

 

 

 

The cruise was open to all residents of schenghen countries which is most of Europe but not UK. Passengers were mainly Italian, French, German & some Scandinavia.

reviews I have seen in Facebook are positive with many videos on YouTube, masks were required by staff but not passengers unless in confined spaces like corridors etc