Am I going back to cruising?

[Mariazur]

I've just read a review about a short cruise on the MSC Grandiosa.  My goodness was it depressing.  So my question is, am I the only one who will not go back, very sadly I might add, to cruising while the current restrictions last?. Surely the whole point of a cruise is to socialise with other people.  I can't imagine dancing with a mask on and I'm well past the age where I want to be shepherded like a school child when in port.  My husband and I have enjoyed several cruises in the past.  We like the small, all inclusive ships so the Grandiosa wouldn't be our choice.  I quite agree that ships should be clean, norovirus was always the one to be careful of.  I would like to hear if we are out of step or if the cruise companies need to wake up before they go out of business and return things to how they were. It's these large companies that need to put pressure on the restrictions being placed on them. In the meantime we are staying land lubbers.

[bigrednole]

Cruise lines have zero power in the argument. They would sail right this minute with NO restrictions if they could get passengers onboard. The problem is no country will allow them to port and countries would not allow them to return without quarantine. This is baby steps. Start off with restrictions, prove cruise lines aren't the enemy, and slowly work their way back to sailing as before. Many people are like you. Many others aren't. It is a choice everyone will have to make as cruising resumes.

[Mariazur]

Very good points.  The sad thing is that cruising, at least in my opinion, is not very attractive at the moment .  I sure I'm not alone and the huge problem for the cruise companies is servival in the face of loss of business and the lack of clients.  Also, if they decide to stop all cruises for a longer period they may never be able to restart.  It really isn't just the cruise companies that need to lobby their respective governments but all the large industries. Sadly it's the consequence of today's world.  However, I'm interested, would you cruise at the moment with the current restriction?

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, Mariazur said:

The sad thing is that cruising, at least in my opinion, is not very attractive at the moment

I believe it is not just cruising that is unattractive at the moment, as there are many offers for hotel stays in (for example) Sorrento etc from Ireland,  but who wants to fly, transfer and stay in a hotel while wearing a mask? While masks are necessary (and yes they are necessary) or required (and yes, it is correct that they are required), I will stay home.  Even a stay at a hotel within the country is not enticing.

[cruizergal70]

On 9/10/2020 at 5:03 AM, Mariazur said:

Surely the whole point of a cruise is to socialise with other people.  

NO. This is not the point of cruising for everyone. I cruise to travel to multiple ports on a single cruise. I actually avoid socializing on board.  The new regulations are fine with me.

[K32682]

I would not cruise with the current restrictions but not because I don't wish to contend with the new requirements. I have no issue wearing a mask, social distancing and being meticulous in my personal hygiene. The reason I won't cruise is the likelihood some moron with an over-exaggerated requirement for "personal freedoms" won't do the same.  One positive result among passengers or crew risks two weeks incarceration in your cabin during which time the virus runs rampant. 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2020 by K32682

[cruizergal70]

20 minutes ago, K32682 said:

I would not cruise with the current restrictions but not because I don't wish to contend with the new requirements. I have no issue wearing a mask, social distancing and being meticulous in my personal hygiene. The reason I won't cruise is the likelihood some moron with an over-exaggerated requirement for "personal freedoms" won't do the same.  One positive result among passengers or crew risks two weeks incarceration in your cabin during which time the virus runs rampant. 

 

 

What's crazy is said people will know the requirements upfront, choose to board, and then not comply on board and cause a ruckus when called on it.

[evandbob]

JMO, but I am attempting to keep my family from harm and will not pursue a voluntary and previously pleasurable experience like a cruise for the near future.  We are also not going to concerts or restaurants or other enjoyable but discretionary activities.

 

It is kind of sad to see my monthly travel log that Google sends me, as it lists a few trips to supermarkets, a big box store or 2, maybe a pharmacy and doctors appts and that's it.

 

If cruising resumes with restrictions, I don't think my family will go.  We have a cruise booked for next March, but we can make a decision based on conditions then as to embark or not.  While we prefer longer cruises, the idea of being quarantined on a ship for 2 weeks, however remote, is unappealing.

 

JMO, but in weighing the potential pleasurable reward against the potential viral negatives (many of which science still needs to discover), the down side of cruising in the current state of affairs is overpowering.  Why gamble what good health we may have left for a week at sea?  

 

We're fortunate to have traveled extensively and can smile about those memories when the travel/cruising itch calls.

Edited September 11, 2020 by evandbob

[iancal]

We are not even thinking about cruising.  It will be quite some time, if ever, for us.   We certainly would not even book unless we knew what the on board environment was or the status of the port stops.   I suspect that we will be relying on ourselves for independent travel rather than a cruise line.

[sanger727]

On 9/10/2020 at 5:03 AM, Mariazur said:

I would like to hear if we are out of step or if the cruise companies need to wake up before they go out of business and return things to how they were. It's these large companies that need to put pressure on the restrictions being placed on them. In the meantime we are staying land lubbers.

the cruise companies can’t go back to the way things were. Not an issue of ‘waking up’; if they attempt to keep things as they were they will be in the same shoes as the american lines that still aren’t allowed to sail. All of those restrictions were the result of negotiations between MSC and the Italian authorities; they wouldn’t be permitted to sail an ‘old normal’ cruise right now. I think I heard that these restrictions are costing them an extra $500,000 per cruise so I’m sure MSC would like to drop them when they can.
 

I agree that I’m not interested in sailing with these restrictions. But some are and if it keeps the Industry alive until the world gets back to normal, so be it.

[navybankerteacher]

33 minutes ago, iancal said:

We are not even thinking about cruising.  It will be quite some time, if ever, for us.   We certainly would not even book unless we knew what the on board environment was or the status of the port stops.   I suspect that we will be relying on ourselves for independent travel rather than a cruise line.

It may be “quite some time” — I’d say perhaps in the range of two years, but unlikely never.   Pandemics do not endure — with or without vaccines.  Hopefully the cruise lines (and authorities) will have learned from the past year, and not mishandle the next plague if (more likely, when) it comes along.

[iancal]

Our other issue...we have zero confidence that the cruise lines will place our safety and our well being above their financial interests.   This is not about masks or social distancing.  It is about practices that are not visable to us. 

 

We can put up with, or pass on cruise lines that defer non essential maintenance or under deliver on expectations such as food or entertainment in order to cut expenses.

 

 But not our safety from a health perspective.  Our perception is that this is exactly what transpired leading up to, and in the early stages of, covid.

Edited September 11, 2020 by iancal

[dogs4fun]

1 hour ago, evandbob said:

JMO, but in weighing the potential pleasurable reward against the potential viral negatives (many of which science still needs to discover), the down side of cruising in the current state of affairs is overpowering.  Why gamble what good health we may have left for a week at sea?  

Precisely my thoughts. I will not travel, which includes cruising, until a vaccine is available and/or the current pandemic has disappeared. I am so disheartened by the behavior of some of my countrymen - for example, the shoulder to shoulder, maskless rally attendees tend to set my hair afire.

I am circumspect and adhere to CDC/WHO protocols - I resent being lumped with the very same nitwits that engage in careless, selfish behavior. And I vigorously resent those that by virtue of sheer ignorance and science denial prolong the time in which I, and others like me, are unable to participate in activities that we enjoy.

 

[shipgeeks]

For us, the current MSC restrictions are a very small price to pay for the positives of being on a ship at sea.  That's what we cruise for; ports and socializing are way down on our list of what's important.  We would happily book an MSC cruise as soon as we are eligible.

[dogs4fun]

2 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

That's what we cruise for; ports and socializing are way down on our list of what's important.  We would happily book an MSC cruise as soon as we are eligible.

We all have different priorities which is why there is a variety of cruises/lines designed to accommodate almost any taste.

Although socializing is not on our list, ports are the number one cruise consideration for us as we are not interested in cruises to nowhere, or multiple cruises around the Caribbean - we most enjoy european river and ocean cruises with an occasional Asian cruise thrown in for good measure. 

[Mariazur]

From a purely personal standpoint, I dont feel unsafe about being with strangers and being outside.  I hate wearing a mask so, at the moment, I avoid situations where I am obliged to wear one.  But I'm for a quiet life so should I go on a cruise I would know what the score was and respect it.  However, what puzzles me is the risk that half way though a cruise you have a temperature and then test positive.  The tests are not very reliable so it might not be correct but I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be any debate about it.  Are you then denied boarding and stranded? Anyone any idea if this is the case.

[c-boy]

7 hours ago, bigrednole said:

Cruise lines have zero power in the argument. They would sail right this minute with NO restrictions if they could get passengers onboard. The problem is no country will allow them to port and countries would not allow them to return without quarantine. This is baby steps. Start off with restrictions, prove cruise lines aren't the enemy, and slowly work their way back to sailing as before. Many people are like you. Many others aren't. It is a choice everyone will have to make as cruising resumes.

an interesting and informative article  "enough is enough"  was put up by one of our hosts Laura on the cruise news thread. 

[lenquixote66]

On 9/10/2020 at 5:03 AM, Mariazur said:

I've just read a review about a short cruise on the MSC Grandiosa.  My goodness was it depressing.  So my question is, am I the only one who will not go back, very sadly I might add, to cruising while the current restrictions last?. Surely the whole point of a cruise is to socialise with other people.  I can't imagine dancing with a mask on and I'm well past the age where I want to be shepherded like a school child when in port.  My husband and I have enjoyed several cruises in the past.  We like the small, all inclusive ships so the Grandiosa wouldn't be our choice.  I quite agree that ships should be clean, norovirus was always the one to be careful of.  I would like to hear if we are out of step or if the cruise companies need to wake up before they go out of business and return things to how they were. It's these large companies that need to put pressure on the restrictions being placed on them. In the meantime we are staying land lubbers.

We wanted to do one more cruise.I have disabilities and had a terrible time on my last cruise in December 2018.A good friend of ours has terminal cancer but also wanted to do one more cruise.It is not likely that we will.

[clo]

7 hours ago, bigrednole said:

Cruise lines have zero power in the argument. They would sail right this minute with NO restrictions if they could get passengers onboard. The problem is no country will allow them to port and countries would not allow them to return without quarantine. This is baby steps. Start off with restrictions, prove cruise lines aren't the enemy, and slowly work their way back to sailing as before. Many people are like you. Many others aren't. It is a choice everyone will have to make as cruising resumes.

You didn't mention the CDC. ???

[clo]

3 hours ago, cruizergal70 said:

NO. This is not the point of cruising for everyone. I cruise to travel to multiple ports on a single cruise. I actually avoid socializing on board.  The new regulations are fine with me.

I totally agree. I 'test out' as an "extreme extrovert" but that doesn't carry over to cruising. Interestingly I just realized that when we do land travel I'm regularly reaching out. I've found that a lot of cruising mostly talk about how many cruises they've been on 🙂

[clo]

3 hours ago, K32682 said:

The reason I won't cruise is the likelihood some moron with an over-exaggerated requirement for "personal freedoms" won't do the same. 

THIS! If we're required to do those things then clearly the virus is not under control.

[clo]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

the range of two years,

If I had to put money on it - which I don't - that would be my bet. End of 2022?

[cruisemom42]

23 minutes ago, c-boy said:

an interesting and informative article  "enough is enough"  was put up by one of our hosts Laura on the cruise news thread. 

 

A very one-sided read with no comment from the CDC regarding their stance and how they've tried to work with the industry.

 

[Joebucks]

I have heard this argument all year. In multiple capacities. Frankly, I'm tired of it. "Can't go to this restaurant or bar anymore. It's not the same" "Can't go to this domestic location. It's not the same." Yea, it's not ideal to any of us. However, we still go, and we still make the best of it. Staying at home and not enjoying a year of life isn't any better. 

 

There's so many people who always focus on the negatives. This is before COVID too. It's ok if you are not dying to be on a cruise with the current environment. Just stop always finding something to be negative about. Life is always going to have curveballs. Fearing it, hating it, etc doesn't help make it any better.

[evandbob]

8 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

I have heard this argument all year. In multiple capacities. Frankly, I'm tired of it. "Can't go to this restaurant or bar anymore. It's not the same" "Can't go to this domestic location. It's not the same." Yea, it's not ideal to any of us. However, we still go, and we still make the best of it. Staying at home and not enjoying a year of life isn't any better. 

 

There's so many people who always focus on the negatives. This is before COVID too. It's ok if you are not dying to be on a cruise with the current environment. Just stop always finding something to be negative about. Life is always going to have curveballs. Fearing it, hating it, etc doesn't help make it any better.

 

For many of us who accept the fact that cruising, indoor dining and other congregate activities is utterly changed by this airborne pandemic, its not a negative outlook.  It is what it is, and we choose not to be part of it. 

 

I have a positive attitude about maintaining health. It's not fear or anger, it's accepting that I don't have to be "going against the wind" to quote Bob Seeger.