Test Cruises

[prov2727]

How do you think they will decide on passengers for the test cruises? Can we volunteer?

[Formula280SS]

15 minutes ago, prov2727 said:

How do you think they will decide on passengers for the test cruises? Can we volunteer?

 

Here's todays' narrative on that.  You might be able to if you qualify.  🤞

 

The First Cruise Ships to Sail and Who’ll Be Allowed on Them

Published  2 hours ago November 3, 2020

By  Doug Parker 

 

https://cruiseradio.net/first-cruise-ships-to-sail-us-and-who-will-be-allowed-onboard/

Edited November 3, 2020 by Formula280SS

[farmersfight]

@seaman11 - this may be the opportunity to get out on a cruise sooner than Feb. Perhaps even in Dec or Jan. You can volunteer to be a passenger on one of the CDC "simulated sailings".

 

Per the link below, the prerequisites to be a volunteer passenger (aka guinea pig) don't look too onerous. Mainly written certification from your doctor stating that you don't have any preexisting health conditions that would make you high risk and a monitored observation period and lab testing before you're allowed to embark.

 

https://cruiseradio.net/first-cruise-ships-to-sail-us-and-who-will-be-allowed-onboard/

 

You're definitely the most enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated cruiser on these CC boards. I'd say "go for it"! Let us know how it turns out when you get back.

[prov2727]

1 hour ago, Formula280SS said:

 

Here's todays' narrative on that.  You might be able to if you qualify.  🤞

 

The First Cruise Ships to Sail and Who’ll Be Allowed on Them

Published  2 hours ago November 3, 2020

By  Doug Parker 

 

https://cruiseradio.net/first-cruise-ships-to-sail-us-and-who-will-be-allowed-onboard/

I'd like to- I'm younger than the stereotype of a cruiser so I think I'd have a good chance of getting a certification from my doctor and being an ideal volunteer.

[GA Dave]

I wonder if people who have already had Covid, recovered, and now have the antibodies would be the best choice. 

I know two people who had Covid very early on (they thought it was the flu), and found out a couple of months later that they tested positive for the antibodies.  They have been donating blood to be used in medical research and were found to still have a strong level of antibodies on their last serology check.   They would seem to me to be perfect candidates for something like these test cruises.

Edited November 3, 2020 by GA Dave

[hallux]

I imagine it would be open to trusted partners (TA's?) that meet the health requirements.  If they can't get enough there, maybe a reach out through social media.  I know of a couple vloggers (that are TA's) that have said they would be more than happy to get on those trips and provide feedback about how things could be done differently and also be cheerleaders for things that are done right while also showing potential customers (for themselves and the cruise lines) that sailing CAN be done safely.

 

I also imagine the first ask would be for Florida residents, to avoid any need for quarantine before/after the test cruise.

[BirdTravels]

So, if your business depended on the mock cruise executing to perfection and "passengers" participating in mock COVID lockdowns and escorted tours, would you trust random people off the street or trusted employees/carefully selected people who *will* follow the rules? Take the members on this board as a cross section of the cruise population, all you need is one anti-mask person get onbaord and the entire cruise line could be shutdown. 

[sanger727]

13 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I wonder if people who have already had Covid, recovered, and now have the antibodies would be the best choice. 

I know two people who had Covid very early on (they thought it was the flu), and found out a couple of months later that they tested positive for the antibodies.  They have been donating blood to be used in medical research and were found to still have a strong level of antibodies on their last serology check.   They would seem to me to be perfect candidates for something like these test cruises.

it really depends on what the purpose of the test cruise is for. If it’s to test the crew to see if they will follow protocols and enforce rules, this would be an option. If it’s to test the process to see if it prevents Covid outbreaks on the ship then they would need to have passengers that could catch Covid. If that is the purpose, the Putting only Covid immune people on the ship would be filling a vaccine trial with Covid immune people and then declaring it a success when no one catches Covid.

[complawyer]

my wife upped my life insurance policy and then signed me up as a volunteer.  mere coincidence?  just saying!

[farmersfight]

3 hours ago, complawyer said:

my wife upped my life insurance policy and then signed me up as a volunteer.  mere coincidence?  just saying!

 

[All-ready2cruise]

Not sayin' I'd ever do anything like that but ummm.....

 

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.... right? 

 

Stay safe, stay home 🥂 😉

Be well!

[farmersfight]

16 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Stay safe, stay home 🥂 😉

Be well!

                                                                                                                                                                                          

          

 

[All-ready2cruise]

@farmersfight at least you got 1 of my favourite actors anyway.... no, not Jim Carry... 😉

[BoundForSea]

They have got to he putting together a schedule change for this. Id just like to begin by knowing when the 28day waiting oeriod begins. Just that info would be helpful. 

[allison0523]

On 11/3/2020 at 3:38 PM, GA Dave said:

I wonder if people who have already had Covid, recovered, and now have the antibodies would be the best choice. 

I know two people who had Covid very early on (they thought it was the flu), and found out a couple of months later that they tested positive for the antibodies.  They have been donating blood to be used in medical research and were found to still have a strong level of antibodies on their last serology check.   They would seem to me to be perfect candidates for something like these test cruises.

I completely agree with you and this is really the safest option.  I had covid in March, recovered and still have antibodies as well.  I have donated convalescent COVID-19 plasma many times.

[Gershep]

Interesting article

[PelicanBill]

Excellent article translating the CDC requirements for us.  I would find it fun to participate.

[Buford T Justiice]

My question is: On these simulated cruises, will the ship(s) even leave the dock?  They could easily provision the ship, pull the gangway up and "cruise"... while still tied to the pier... next morning "welcome to Miami, please line up to exit the ship and have your key cards ready" (as the staff direct guests off one gangway and back onto the other gangway ...

[prov2727]

22 hours ago, Buford T Justiice said:

My question is: On these simulated cruises, will the ship(s) even leave the dock?  They could easily provision the ship, pull the gangway up and "cruise"... while still tied to the pier... next morning "welcome to Miami, please line up to exit the ship and have your key cards ready" (as the staff direct guests off one gangway and back onto the other gangway ...

One You Tuber I listened to said it would have to be a real cruise with excursions to be sure that those companies also followed policies and that cruisers getting off the ship didn't increase cases among the local population. I don't think that is a fact and was just the person's opinion.

[prov2727]

https://nypost.com/2020/11/10/royal-caribbean-is-offering-free-cruises-during-covid-pandemic/?utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=NYPTwitter

 

 

[sid_9169]

I would volunteer in a second for anything that gets me on board!... Where do I sign up?...

[hallux]

On 11/6/2020 at 4:05 PM, BoundForSea said:

They have got to he putting together a schedule change for this. Id just like to begin by knowing when the 28day waiting oeriod begins. Just that info would be helpful. 

In the article linked in this thread - 

it looks like the test cruises will be January.  I noted in another thread (might have been in a Royal Caribbean thread) that unless there was some odd requirement I don't see why they couldn't start doing the EDC (Enhanced Data Collection) reporting now so that the delay once they get to this side of the world is reduced.  Keep in mind - it's not a hard and fast 28 day waiting period, it's a requirement that they have 28 days of EDC data submitted by the ship prior to arrival in US waters.  If the ships never stopped reporting the data there's no waiting period.  For the Escape(?) and Joy that were recently or are still in the Philippines they could start now and possibly have those 28 days "banked" by the time they arrive.

 

 

[Formula280SS]

On 11/3/2020 at 12:26 PM, prov2727 said:

How do you think they will decide on passengers for the test cruises? Can we volunteer?

 

Royal has announcement today and special website and facebook page now for volunteers.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23855-royal-caribbean-opens-website-for-cruise-volunteers.html

 

Here's the link to the website and the online application "Volunteer of the Seas" (cruise with planned stop at private island).

 

https://cruisesimulationform.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=5XK/ENZTPo8%3D&_ct=Pn5tlS7miUngtcvwXp2un7SFp6WcpfEU

 

 

[farmersfight]

3 hours ago, Formula280SS said:

 

Royal has announcement today and special website and facebook page now for volunteers.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23855-royal-caribbean-opens-website-for-cruise-volunteers.html

 

Here's the link to the website and the online application "Volunteer of the Seas" (cruise with planned stop at private island).

 

https://cruisesimulationform.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=5XK/ENZTPo8%3D&_ct=Pn5tlS7miUngtcvwXp2un7SFp6WcpfEU

 

 

 There ya go @seaman11. December is looking very good for cruises going. I told you it would be RCL first to their private island...

[BirdTravels]

While they are walking back that it is definite, the COVID task force is on a path to shutdown of the country for 4-6 weeks after inauguration which will stop test cruises and relaunch. This was the action promised by the President-elect, so it is likely to happen. 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/11/11/biden-covid-advisor-says-us-lockdown-of-4-to-6-weeks-could-control-pandemic-and-revive-economy.html