Restrictions that reduces the FUN

[ledges1]

With the anticipated return of cruising, excitement is high as are bookings. Many of us remember cruising as it once was. With new restrictions, will this limit the FUN on Carnival and possibly sour the experience until restrictions are lifted. This could take a year or two. Will these possible restrictions limit the FUN.

1. Mask required

2. Limited seating in nightclubs

3. Limited seating in shows

4. Limited seating/games in casino

5. Slow turnover of players in casino resulting in waiting to get a slot machine

6. Carnival only excursions

7. Fewer ports of call due to slow reopening by other countries.                  8. Key West no longer available as a destination and Grand Cayman may limit cruise ship visits.                              

9. Hairy chest contest eliminated.          

10. Lido deck games removed due covid restrictions; putt putt, cornhole, chess, ping pong, ice carving, mixology contest, hot tubs, etc...                               I have no real insight to what the restrictions may be, but in reallity, these could all occur.  Will this effect your experience?

[jetsfan58]

In my honest opinion Cruising has always been the most relaxing and impactful vacation experience. How do we really can't measure each individual Cruisers experience as fun or disaster? One persons idea of fun may be reading all day; as a result they didn't attend the Worlds Hairiest Chest Contest. While others may have enjoyed all of the outdoor activities. In a real World this could actually become our new World of Cruising. See it goes way beyond our new and intense "Mask or Not To Mask" mindsets.  

 

I can't tell you how many life long friends we have engaged while cruising. To me, those are the "Fun" things about cruising. Maybe I am in the minority when I say that "I will be wearing my mask and having fun exploring the ship in new ways. Maybe there is hidden treasure on board? Don't laugh because some of us were to busy trying to have "FUN" to really know the hidden treasures of cruising.

 

Happy Sailing Cruise Nuts.    

[dbrucern]

Well  said Jetsfan58

 

[ColeThornton]

1 hour ago, ledges1 said:

 I have no real insight to what the restrictions may be, but in reallity, these could all occur.  Will this effect your experience?

 

After that list of restrictions you really need to ask?  😉

[ledges1]

People cruise for many reasons, the younger the cruiser, the restrictions may have more impact. Especially those with children. Some cruise for the casino experience, this could also be impacted. Some cruise for the view and bingo. Some cruise for the personal interaction with people. 

[Tapi]

Personally, I don’t cruise for the casino, or the shows, or the hairy chest contest, or the night club, or the games, or the hot tubs, etc, etc. I cruise for the very basic and sheer pleasure of being out at sea, strolling around the ship, while sailing from one place to the next. Not much more. 
 

As far as masks go, I’ve had to wear one on a daily basis for a year now to the point where I don’t even think about it anymore. So having to also wear one to go on a cruise would be a non-issue to me. The most objectionable thing I find is having to abide by cruise line sanctioned excursions, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a small price to pay. I can navigate through the excursion restrictions as well if that means that I get to cruise again. 

 

Of course cruising will not look the same when it restarts, and we will all need to learn to navigate the new restrictions until they can actually be lifted. But at least for me, I don’t foresee these restrictions having a deal-breaking impact on the reasons why I cruise and my overall enjoyment. Bring it! 

[joeyancho]

Leaving the ship only on a ship excursion and restricted access to food will be a deal breaker for me.  

[Aplmac]

And then there's this too!

 

If anyone on your cruise comes down with Covid..

the entire cruise is screwed!

 

Please please,

just get vaccinated, so we can get past this curse!

 

[cruisingguy007]

I think many folks are underestimating the impact of masks and social distancing will have on the cruise experience. Imagine a craps table with only three players? A bar with people spaced six feet apart? A pool with folks just standing 6 feet apart? Some things just aren't the same when the social aspects and benefits are removed. It becomes a sad version of what would otherwise be an exciting, energy filled, and social occasion. Not to mention, long lines of folks 6 feet apart to get a guys burger or some tacos? There wouldn't even be enough room for that. 

 

 The whole thing would be weird. It will also take time for a lot people to deprogram from the standoffish and avoidance behaviors that has been pounded into their psyche for the last year+. Many will have PTSD/anxiety carryover and may be skittish and/or paranoid in group settings, even when things are safe and risk minimal. Cruising just wasn't built and intended to operate in the type of conditions that would be required to satisfy the distancing/masking that people think would be so easily implemented. It really changes the experience entirely.          

[1025cruise]

Until actual restrictions are announced, anything on this list is pure speculation.

Let's wait for final decisions to be made before going all doom and gloom.

[19cruiser59]

I don't think i will mind some of the restrictions. But i would like to see the cruise line ( Carnival, NCL, whoever ) also bear some responsibility and limit the number of guests onboard that will make it more palatable to abide some of these restrictions.

 

If like the airlines they just go full speed ahead and pack them in then i am not sure how much 'Fun' it would be.

[OZ.]

2 hours ago, ledges1 said:

With the anticipated return of cruising, excitement is high as are bookings. Many of us remember cruising as it once was. With new restrictions, will this limit the FUN on Carnival and possibly sour the experience until restrictions are lifted. This could take a year or two. Will these possible restrictions limit the FUN.

1. Mask required

2. Limited seating in nightclubs

3. Limited seating in shows

4. Limited seating/games in casino

5. Slow turnover of players in casino resulting in waiting to get a slot machine

6. Carnival only excursions

7. Fewer ports of call due to slow reopening by other countries.                  8. Key West no longer available as a destination and Grand Cayman may limit cruise ship visits.                              

9. Hairy chest contest eliminated.          

10. Lido deck games removed due covid restrictions; putt putt, cornhole, chess, ping pong, ice carving, mixology contest, hot tubs, etc...                               I have no real insight to what the restrictions may be, but in reallity, these could all occur.  Will this effect your experience?

With all the restrictions where would the FUN be?

[cruisingguy007]

4 minutes ago, OZ. said:

With all the restrictions where would the FUN be?

 

Exactly! Self appointed mask police everywhere complaining about others trying to eat/drink. No socializing unless you yell to each other 6 feet away. No dining with others who may be traveling alone or as a couple who may want the social options of dining with others. Games, shows, casinos, deck parties, sail away, sea days on lido, bars, nightclub/dancing, kids clubs, shopping, port; nearly everything would be impacted in some form or fashion.   

[miataman19]

As stated by JetsFan58, everyone's idea of what is "FUN" on a ship is up to the individual. Only issue I'll have with restrictions is if they limit my access to The Alchemy Bar..lol..I go on a cruise for the relaxation of a ship at sea. You'll usually find me on a top deck smoking a cigar and having a drink (in designated areas) just enjoying the ocean as it goes by. I look forward to diner in The Steakhouse every night. That's my "FUN".  

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, cruisingguy007 said:

I think many folks are underestimating the impact of masks and social distancing will have on the cruise experience. Imagine a craps table with only three players? A bar with people spaced six feet apart? A pool with folks just standing 6 feet apart? Some things just aren't the same when the social aspects and benefits are removed. It becomes a sad version of what would otherwise be an exciting, energy filled, and social occasion. Not to mention, long lines of folks 6 feet apart to get a guys burger or some tacos? There wouldn't even be enough room for that. 

 

 The whole thing would be weird. It will also take time for a lot people to deprogram from the standoffish and avoidance behaviors that has been pounded into their psyche for the last year+. Many will have PTSD/anxiety carryover and may be skittish and/or paranoid in group settings, even when things are safe and risk minimal. Cruising just wasn't built and intended to operate in the type of conditions that would be required to satisfy the distancing/masking that people think would be so easily implemented. It really changes the experience entirely.          

And 6 feet apart trivia is hard to imagine. I really do want to add to my collection of ships on a stick.

 

And the lines for the elevator or the stairs with those limitations will be awful. And what about embarkation and disembarkation? Hard to imagine those working well with social distancing.

[BlerkOne]

Death of you or a loved one is sort of a restriction, don't you think?

[stellarose]

being able to watch the sunrise or sunset off the lido deck- mask or no mask is still amazing. being with family- still amazing.  I will find new fun. All I want is a chair/ my kindle and iPod.  happy teacher I will be. 

[jperry2011]

Personally I don't picture many restrictions at all once cruising resumes. Maybe just a few at the beginning. 

If the cruise line requires vaccinations that could help alot as well. 

The mask stuff probably won't be able to be enforced once the ship is in international waters.

 

Can the virus be deadly for the elderly or people with pre existing conditions? Yes of course 

But once everyone who wants to be vaccinated is vaccinated then the government doesn't have much ground to stand on in limiting our personal freedoms. 

[joeyancho]

6 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

I think many folks are underestimating the impact of masks and social distancing will have on the cruise experience. Imagine a craps table with only three players? A bar with people spaced six feet apart? A pool with folks just standing 6 feet apart? Some things just aren't the same when the social aspects and benefits are removed. It becomes a sad version of what would otherwise be an exciting, energy filled, and social occasion. Not to mention, long lines of folks 6 feet apart to get a guys burger or some tacos? There wouldn't even be enough room for that. 

 

 The whole thing would be weird. It will also take time for a lot people to deprogram from the standoffish and avoidance behaviors that has been pounded into their psyche for the last year+. Many will have PTSD/anxiety carryover and may be skittish and/or paranoid in group settings, even when things are safe and risk minimal. Cruising just wasn't built and intended to operate in the type of conditions that would be required to satisfy the distancing/masking that people think would be so easily implemented. It really changes the experience entirely.          

I agree with what you say. I think of my own self and how I feel when I see someone without a mask. It certainly has changed us. And not for the better.

[vswan]

No one likes wearing a mask, but we have been doing it for a long time now. I have stayed healthier this year then most. No colds, no flu - yes I had vaccine- and no covid - to my knowledge.

 

It really depends on what is important to you on a cruise. I don't cruise to meet lifelong friends, can do without the pool games and wouldn't care if the nightly entertainment was repeated on multiple nights to reduce capacity while getting a quality show. The shore excursion thing would bother me. Rarely use the ship excursions and love to plan my own. Which place to go to, how to get there,etc.  But I'm guessing that many ports will require the restrictions to avoid mixing with populations who could be at risk. I would still take a cruise with this requirement at first for safety. The casino situation could be a boon for the cruise line - waiting in line for a slot machine to throw your money in. LOL

 

I cruise to get away from it all, no cooking or cleaning, no driving and waking up in a new place everyday.

[ledges1]

Thanks to everyone that responded. All of your opinions are interesting and provides insight to our various Interest in cruising. Hopefully we will all sail soon.

[stobe1]

I wouldnt consider the hairy chest competition going away as a bad thing. That would be a plus in my book.

Edited March 7, 2021 by stobe1

[ledges1]

28 minutes ago, stobe1 said:

I wouldnt consider the hairy chest competition going away as a bad thing. That would be a plus in my book.

Agree!!!!

[NavyCruiser]

Besides Ship-only sponsored excursions, we're not to concerned about the rest of the list of restrictions.  The limited seating situations will be alleviated by reduced capacity on amount of cruisers allowed onboard, so I believe a 3000 person capacity ship might initially sail with just 1500, so all seating venues onboard will also be cut in half...

[mredandchis]

For us the social aspect of cruising is important..  I find a lot of cruisers are a lot of fun and good to know.  

 

When we first cruised we saw everything offered.  The games the shows and the food.  As time went by we changed and found ourselves just hanging out.  

 

I wonder how it will be socially on ship.  I think the masks and distancing will fall apart.  It is already falling apart at the local stores.  

 

In a few months those rules will be lifted or at least no longer will be logical to have.