Possibility of a cruise

[zqtchas]

we are booked jul 14 for iceland & betting it will go!

 

check for a M & M.

Edited February 21, 2021 by zqtchas

[Stumblefoot]

14 minutes ago, zqtchas said:

we are booked jul 14 for iceland & betting it will go!

What kind of odds are you giving?

[zqtchas]

9 minutes ago, Stumblefoot said:

What kind of odds are you giving?

75%

in monopoly money

 

BTY was that your yard with the United cowling laying there was it?

Edited February 21, 2021 by zqtchas

[Stumblefoot]

8 minutes ago, zqtchas said:

75%

in monopoly money

Okay.  I’ll take that bet and put up Baltic Avenue as collateral. 😁

[Fletcher]

14 hours ago, zqtchas said:

we are booked jul 14 for iceland & betting it will go!

 

check for a M & M.

Two days ago the Icelandic government introduced new rules.   All arrivals must produce a negative test and/or a full certificate of immunisation (this includes the phone number of not only your doctor but also the laboratory where the vaccine was made!).  You must further submit to another test on arrival, then five days of quarantine at a government approved hotel, then another test.

 

As of several months ago, all cruise ships were banned from Icelandic waters.

 

 

[TLCOhio]

5 hours ago, Fletcher said:

Two days ago the Icelandic government introduced new rules.   All arrivals must produce a negative test and/or a full certificate of immunisation (this includes the phone number of not only your doctor but also the laboratory where the vaccine was made!).  You must further submit to another test on arrival, then five days of quarantine at a government approved hotel, then another test.   As of several months ago, all cruise ships were banned from Icelandic waters.

 

Excellent details and background from Fletcher about Iceland.  This is just one example as to how certain individual countries will be setting their own specific rules and standards.  That will be part of the future challenge for Silversea and other cruise lines.  What's required will not be set by just one world-wide, ruling commission.  And these requirement will be evolving and changing.  Week-by-week.  Month-by-month.  There are many variables and "moving parts"!!  Right?

 

And there is mention of that word . . . QUARANTINE??!!  Nobody wants to get "stuck" in a country with the added cost and time to be mandated to stay there for an extra week or two.  That's especially true if you are confined to stay in your room and not be able to get out, visit dining places, etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 68,122 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[MHF]

Extra days of Quarantine are especially difficult for my younger brother and his wife who are still working and have a limited number of vacation days.  They want to do another sailing ship cruise (Royal Clipper around Italy was their last one) but can't spend vacation time quarantined.  We are planning a family trip to Black Hills/Mt Rushmore/Badlands/Devils Tower in September while we all wait to see if we can cruise later this fall.

 

Missy in MD, it's icing/snowing again

[Lois R]

Hey Missy, didn't you organize a family vacation last year too?

[etual324]

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Excellent details and background from Fletcher about Iceland.  This is just one example as to how certain individual countries will be setting their own specific rules and standards.  That will be part of the future challenge for Silversea and other cruise lines.  What's required will not be set by just one world-wide, ruling commission.  And these requirement will be evolving and changing.  Week-by-week.  Month-by-month.  There are many variables and "moving parts"!!  Right?

 

And there is mention of that word . . . QUARANTINE??!!  Nobody wants to get "stuck" in a country with the added cost and time to be mandated to stay there for an extra week or two.  That's especially true if you are confined to stay in your room and not be able to get out, visit dining places, etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 68,122 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

 

[etual324]

Just now, etual324 said:

 

I  think the following link from the Icelandic Tourist Board gives a different story than previously stated 

unless I read it wrong

https://www.ferdamalastofa.is/en/moya/news/category/1/new-border-measures-travelers-required-to-present-negative-pcr-test-before-boarding

 

• Those who provide valid proof of vaccination are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border

 

[geekgirl23]

On 2/21/2021 at 1:16 PM, zqtchas said:

we are booked jul 14 for iceland & betting it will go!

 

check for a M & M.

We are supposed to be on that one, too, so I'm hoping you are lucky when it comes to betting. For us, this is a re-book from a comparable itinerary from last year, so we are really ready to go! 

[etual324]

8 minutes ago, geekgirl23 said:

We are supposed to be on that one, too, so I'm hoping you are lucky when it comes to betting. For us, this is a re-book from a comparable itinerary from last year, so we are really ready to go! 

we are on the Cloud July 16 Tromso to Iceland  you are on the Whisper

[zqtchas]

On 2/21/2021 at 1:44 PM, Stumblefoot said:

Okay.  I’ll take that bet and put up Baltic Avenue as collateral. 😁

Just rec'd Iceland Air resvs. for 7/14/21

[cece50]

On 2/20/2021 at 2:32 AM, Fletcher said:

Asking when international cruising may meaningfully resume is a valid question and impossible to predict.   I’d guess late 2021, more likely early 2022.

 

A related question, surely, is how willing are we to climb aboard a ship again when cruising as we knew and loved it will probably never return.

 

I’m talking here about likely significant changes to our conduct aboard and what protocols might be in place.  The atmosphere will never be relaxed; indeed it could be quite tense.

 

There will be social distancing at all times and probably one-way systems in place in all public spaces.  Masks will be required at all times except when eating or drinking.  Buffets will be a distant memory.  All waiting staff will be wearing PPE and might not serve you in the traditional way.

 

There will probably be daily Covid testing and various official checks with penalties if passengers do not comply.  There may be changes to the way our cabins are serviced.

 

I imagine theatres, casinos and spas might be closed.  To ensure social distancing, restaurants might introduce staggered dining with perhaps only tables for two or four people.

 

Shore excursions will be entirely controlled by the cruise line and independent trips ashore will not be allowed.  Expedition cruising might see a big change in the way that zodiac trips are organised.

 

Passengers will have to accept dramatic last-minute changes to the itinerary, cancellation of shore excursions and the possibility of the whole ship being quarantined for two weeks.

 

So when we ask, when can we go cruising again we also need to ask - do we want to go cruising again?

Fletcher, Sadly, I have to agree with you on all points.  Even with all the recent progress in vaccines, no one seems to be able to offer an optimistic outlook, save for a few health experts who try to buck the prevailing US gov theories. All contrary thoughts are highly discouraged. While cruising poses so many unique situations, we just would love to get some encouraging news for everyday living.  We are vaccinated and still the rules apply with no end in sight.  Fortunately for us, we have not altered our lives too much at all in spite of rules.  We do wear masks only where required and have been with our 7 grandkids at will.  We only asked that they tell us if they are ill. No one was and we spent all our holidays together in one house....in a warm climate.  Spring Break is coming up and we are not cancelling it. We are on our second cancelled reunion in Tuscany but will punt into 2022.  Our cruise on the Dawn In September was cancelled many months ago.  I see no end to this in 2021.  I don’t agree, but powerless except in our own circle.  Such is our new world order.  Insiders at Johnson & Johnson are optimistic about world wide distribution but governments will do what they do. Let’s hope it’s the right thing. Life is slipping away from us all. Sorry to be a downer on board....but the cruising world is in a difficult place.  Thankfully, we chose to be fully engaged with family & friends with the hope that this will pass within our lifetime.  Sunshine & Love from Southwest Florida. 

[les37b]

Just had an interesting conversation with my Rep at SS in respect of my soon to me cancelled May cruise and potential replacement. Whilst he is not someone in the know, he passed on that no decision has been made (on vaccine and test requirements) apart from crew members being vaccinated and the logistical nightmare that brings. Governments around the world are clambering for anything and everything that's available, so not sure how even wealthy cruise lines will achieve that. I expect this will be a world wide requirement to go into ports (particularly with the cruise Covid history.)

 

Can't help but feeling a bit more upbeat now though even with my pending cancellation, but there are still so many reasons not to be so optimistic - maybe I am more glass half full than I realise.

 

It certainly worries me if excursions must be booked with the line and no DIY's allowed.

 

I'm thinking now of pushing the replacement out to 2023 and booking something else for this summer on the off chance it happens. The value of my original 12 night booking paid in full in 2018 is certainly getting worth less and less as the re-bookings occur. I'm not quite sure I expected to have paid in full at the start of 2018 for a cruise taken in 2023! 

 

 

 

 

 

[zqtchas]

6 hours ago, zqtchas said:

Just rec'd Iceland Air resvs. for 7/14/21

Also received air for Athens in august. 

[Solitarycruiser]

Also received air for Lisbon in November.

[A Tucson Guy]

27 minutes ago, Solitarycruiser said:

Also received air for Lisbon in November.

Have you paid in full for the cruise and that is why you received the air? I have not yet paid in for this Nov. Dubai to Mumbai and have not yet received anything. I assume this is SOP.

[MHF]

On 2/22/2021 at 4:20 PM, Lois R said:

Hey Missy, didn't you organize a family vacation last year too?

Well, Dad and I were the major planners.  Mom was dragged along; my brother and his wife came willingly.  Same scenario this year!  Now, if cruising opens up, Mom will be at the head of the line!

[MHF]

3 hours ago, A Tucson Guy said:

Have you paid in full for the cruise and that is why you received the air? I have not yet paid in for this Nov. Dubai to Mumbai and have not yet received anything. I assume this is SOP.

I have not paid in full and I just received air for this November to Rome and then home from Jordan.  Already have an email in to TA as flights are dreadful choices.  10 hour layover in Dubai?  No thanks.

[cruiseej]

On 2/21/2021 at 10:05 AM, kimanjo said:

If everyone is required to be vaxxed, pax and staff, there would be no need for all the above listed protocols.

 

Not necessarily so. Remember that even with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, with a ship like the Silver Moon holding 1,000 passengers and crew, on average about 50 of them (5%) could fall ill with the virus. And if someone on board shows symptoms and tests positive, do you really think a ship would just shrug it off because only a small percentage aboard might be susceptible? No. For awhile, multiple levels of safety protocols will need to exist so they can try their damndest to prevent any infections, keep their passengers and crew safe, and continue to be able to run cruises.

[kimanjo]

9 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

Not necessarily so. Remember that even with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, with a ship like the Silver Moon holding 1,000 passengers and crew, on average about 50 of them (5%) could fall ill with the virus. And if someone on board shows symptoms and tests positive, do you really think a ship would just shrug it off because only a small percentage aboard might be susceptible? No. For awhile, multiple levels of safety protocols will need to exist so they can try their damndest to prevent any infections, keep their passengers and crew safe, and continue to be able to run cruises.

Yes, safety protocols will exist.  But, no casinos, theaters, masks all the time except eating and drinking. Nope, I do not think that is what it will be like. Maybe for 5000 passenger mega ships when they begin to sail?  But a 400 pax ship, I don't think so.  But that's my 2 cents.  And you might think I'm saying this because I want it to be true. Actually, DH and I are quite anti social, we don't drink, go to bars, eat at 2 tops, don't socialize with other pax. So we are likely less affected by these protocols as we are in our daily lives. I am very careful in my daily life. Double mask, grocery curb-side pick up.  Not been to a resturant since last March. 

I do think Disneyworld will have it tough. Current masking mandate, dining restrictions, limited venues, social distancing, loads on buses, monorails etc.. They will not be able to require guests to be vaxxed like a cruisline will. I wouldn't want to bet on when they can get back to "normal".

 

Out of half a million people ( cruisers) how many would get severely ill or even die in a non-covid year on a ship? Strokes, heart attacks, severe flu. And who knows, there might very well be some therapeutics that the ships Dr can carry on-board.  

 

But then again, just my 2 cents.

 

"An Israeli healthcare provider that has vaccinated half a million people with both doses of the Pfizer vaccine says that only 544 people — or 0.1% — have been subsequently diagnosed with the coronavirus, there have been four severe cases, and no people have died."

Edited February 24, 2021 by kimanjo
addition

[MHF]

15 hours ago, MHF said:

I have not paid in full and I just received air for this November to Rome and then home from Jordan.  Already have an email in to TA as flights are dreadful choices.  10 hour layover in Dubai?  No thanks.

Talked to TA this morning.  She recommends waiting a month or two to see if Ss changes the flights before I ask for deviations.  Also said Ss computers automatically assign flights at 280 days thus accounting for the "cheap" fares with crazy routing.

[A Tucson Guy]

1 hour ago, MHF said:

Talked to TA this morning.  She recommends waiting a month or two to see if Ss changes the flights before I ask for deviations.  Also said Ss computers automatically assign flights at 280 days thus accounting for the "cheap" fares with crazy routing.

I am 266 days from maybe cruising and no flights assigned at all.

[cruiseej]

10 hours ago, kimanjo said:

Yes, safety protocols will exist.  But, no casinos, theaters, masks all the time except eating and drinking. Nope, I do not think that is what it will be like.

 

@kimanjo Me neither! 😉 I think they will have a way to use the theaters and have shows. Maybe there will be early and late shows, or maybe fewer shows on alternating nights, but I don't see them ditching entertainment. Casinos? Hard to say. Probably with wearing masks and capacity restrictions. We're not casino people, so that wouldn't matter to us one way or the other. Masks? Yes, we're probably going to be wearing them just as we are now for most or all of this year, and I expect cruise ships will be similar. There are details to be seen, like whether being out on desk removes the need for mask wearing. But wearing a mask to walk in hallways on the ship is pretty likely -- and that wouldn't really bother me. We're also typically at a 2-top, or if we're with another couple, a 4-top, for almost all meals, so wearing a mask to my table and then removing it would not be a problem for us. We sometimes partake in a hosted group table, but it wouldn't bother us if those are on hold for awhile. (I know this is a big deal for some cruisers; it wouldn't be for us.)

 

Bottom line: I think people will find ways to socialize, with and without masks on, and will have a good time because we're all so damn eager to be able to resume life and resume travel once it's safe to do so. And cruise companies know that they can't just jail people in their cabins and send them for isolated meals and have it feel like a pleasurable experience, so I'm sure they'll do everything they can to mitigate disease while providing something resembling the cruising experience of the past.

Edited February 25, 2021 by cruiseej