What lines will have test runs with Volunteers?

[kangforpres]

The CDC gave permission for this today, not sure how it fits into any one lines schedule. Maybe Carnival, RCI and NCL? I'm guessing HAL will not and just learn the best practices and procedures from corporate cousin Carnival.

 

-Paul

[CruiserBruce]

10 minutes ago, kangforpres said:

The CDC gave permission for this today, not sure how it fits into any one lines schedule. Maybe Carnival, RCI and NCL? I'm guessing HAL will not and just learn the best practices and procedures from corporate cousin Carnival.

 

-Paul

If you read the various threads on the subjects, test cruises will have to be done if the ship (not cruise line, ship) doesn't require 98% cruise vaccination and and 95% pax vaccination. So far, as far as I know, the ships that have actually announced sailings, all have indicated they will meet the vaccination requirements.

[cruisegirl]

Thanks for reminding me what the CDC has already said about vaccinations. I had forgotten that.

[nocl]

On 5/5/2021 at 4:16 PM, kangforpres said:

The CDC gave permission for this today, not sure how it fits into any one lines schedule. Maybe Carnival, RCI and NCL? I'm guessing HAL will not and just learn the best practices and procedures from corporate cousin Carnival.

 

-Paul

the test runs are not by company or line but by ship. If a cruise line does not go the 95% vaccination route then each ship would have to do a test cruise if it was going to sail  to/from US ports

[nocl]

On 5/5/2021 at 4:29 PM, CruiserBruce said:

If you read the various threads on the subjects, test cruises will have to be done if the ship (not cruise line, ship) doesn't require 98% cruise vaccination and and 95% pax vaccination. So far, as far as I know, the ships that have actually announced sailings, all have indicated they will meet the vaccination requirements.

so far the only line that has verbally committed to requiring vaccinations for US cruises is NCL.

[vicd1969]

Unlikely there will be official "test run" cruises without revenue-paying passengers. More likely the cruises from other Caribbean ports like the Bahamas or Jamaica will serve as the de-facto test runs.

[JRG]

On 5/5/2021 at 4:16 PM, kangforpres said:

The CDC gave permission for this today, not sure how it fits into any one lines schedule.

 

And maybe to your point....we haven't yet seen the  big bru-ha-ha yet to come... 

 

Has the call for volunteers gone out yet?

 

 

[JRG]

2 minutes ago, JRG said:

Has the call for volunteers gone out yet?

 

Or does the CDC just designate one of the initial US scheduled sailings to be a test cruise,   whether or not pax's signed up for that?

 

 

[KirkNC]

1 hour ago, JRG said:

 

And maybe to your point....we haven't yet seen the  big bru-ha-ha yet to come... 

 

Has the call for volunteers gone out yet?

 

 

I recall RCI signed up thousands of volunteers some time ago.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, KirkNC said:

I recall RCI signed up thousands of volunteers some time ago.

But I don't believe any of them have been on a test cruise.

[Turtles06]

A thread was started on the NCL board on May 5 by a CC Member who reported they'd received an invitation from NCL to "register for a test cruise in early August."

 

 

[harkinmr]

20 hours ago, vicd1969 said:

Unlikely there will be official "test run" cruises without revenue-paying passengers. More likely the cruises from other Caribbean ports like the Bahamas or Jamaica will serve as the de-facto test runs.

The CDC said specifically in their instructions that cruises outside the US cannot be a substitute for test cruises out of the US. 

[harkinmr]

20 hours ago, JRG said:

 

Or does the CDC just designate one of the initial US scheduled sailings to be a test cruise,   whether or not pax's signed up for that?

 

 

No.  The instructions are very clear. No revenue cruise and volunteers only. Ship by ship basis. Obviously, the best way forward for the cruise lines is to commit to vaccinated sailings.  I honestly do not understand why it is taking them so long to do so.  A mistake I think. 

[rucrazy]

1 minute ago, harkinmr said:

the best way forward for the cruise lines is to commit to vaccinated sailings.  I honestly do not understand why it is taking them so long to do so.

Agreed, I want to see the waiver that will be in place for each guest to sign before boarding

[vicd1969]

29 minutes ago, harkinmr said:

The CDC said specifically in their instructions that cruises outside the US cannot be a substitute for test cruises out of the US. 

By "De-facto" I meant from the perspective of the major cruise lines - not the CDC. By sailing from other ports, the cruise lines will get to see if their cruises are economically and health-wise viable under their lines' protocols. If so, they have further ammunition to lobby for easing CDC restrictions (or support Florida and Texas' lawsuits). If these Caribbean cruises don't work, then they either have to kiss and make up with the CDC or suspend cruising. Based on their experiences in Europe and Asia, NCL and RCI are betting on the former. CCL seems to not be as aggressive in making this bet, admittedly.

Edited May 12, 2021 by vicd1969

[JRG]

1 hour ago, harkinmr said:

1.No.  The instructions are very clear. No revenue cruise and volunteers only. Ship by ship basis.  2.Obviously, the best way forward for the cruise lines is to commit to vaccinated sailings.  

3.I honestly do not understand why it is taking them so long to do so.  A mistake I think. 

 

Outlining is mine.

 

1.   This is debatable.   Even our on-board escorts are scratching holes in their head.

2.   Everybody I talk to agrees and so do I.

3.   I asked this question the other day and nobody responded.   They need to disclose in outline fashion why they cannot just do 100%.    

 

It just seems to me that (If the test cruises are ramping up) we would be hearing from more CC posters about being 'selected' for the big test cruises and they would be asking the usual pre-travel questions and actually making 'travel plans'.   If that was happening we would hear about it right here on the QT,  I mean the CC.

 

If you think about logical next steps,   the CDC has to get us from point  C to point D.    The easiest way for them to do that is to just say,  hey you CCL (for example) ,   you can take those Alaska cruises and we will consider them test cruises as long as you meet the other leftover requirements.   We were just kidding about the volunteers and revenue cruise thing.   Sorry cruiselines.  

 

You said they would not abandon the phased approach,    yet they modified it,   they can modify the wording in a New York minute and make alot of mid-summer night dreams come true for people sailing to Alaska.

 

Let's start talking about what should be happening with the test cruises and why it isn't.

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, JRG said:

 

Outlining is mine.

 

1.   This is debatable.   Even our on-board escorts are scratching holes in their head.

2.   Everybody I talk to agrees and so do I.

3.   I asked this question the other day and nobody responded.   They need to disclose in outline fashion why they cannot just do 100%.    

 

It just seems to me that (If the test cruises are ramping up) we would be hearing from more CC posters about being 'selected' for the big test cruises and they would be asking the usual pre-travel questions and actually making 'travel plans'.   If that was happening we would hear about it right here on the QT,  I mean the CC.

 

If you think about logical next steps,   the CDC has to get us from point  C to point D.    The easiest way for them to do that is to just say,  hey you CCL (for example) ,   you can take those Alaska cruises and we will consider them test cruises as long as you meet the other leftover requirements.   We were just kidding about the volunteers and revenue cruise thing.   Sorry cruiselines.  

 

You said they would not abandon the phased approach,    yet they modified it,   they can modify the wording in a New York minute and make alot of mid-summer night dreams come true for people sailing to Alaska.

 

Let's start talking about what should be happening with the test cruises and why it isn't.

As for any cruises to Alaska, there is still the PVSA, which is not controlled by the CDC.

[JRG]

22 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

As for any cruises to Alaska, there is still the PVSA, which is not controlled by the CDC.

 

The necessary powers can still turn a third blind eye with the right backing.

 

I'm watching Carnival on the planned Alaska sailings to see if they tip their hand and  become candidates for the test cruises,  I think there may be discussions ongoing that the general public is not aware.    

 

..ponder the logical next steps in section 3,  paragraphs 3 and 4.     If you were one of these volunteers,  wouldn't you be talking about it right now or getting ready.   

 

Deductive Reasoning speaks volumes.

[ontheweb]

15 hours ago, JRG said:

 

The necessary powers can still turn a third blind eye with the right backing.

 

 

What exactly are you saying?

 

When the Alaska Senators tried to introduce a bill to alter the PVSA it went nowhere.

 

Canada seems adamant at blocking sailings in its territorial waters and docking at their ports.

[wolfie11]

Oooh!  Free cruise! No revenue means no drink sales on board and I doubt they're going to give it away.  Masks and social distancing required.  No entertainment, gambling or spas (no revenue), or specialty restaurants open.  Sounds like loads of fun...

[JRG]

3 hours ago, ontheweb said:

What exactly are you saying?

 

With the right backing,  the necessary powers can turn a third blind eye.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, JRG said:

 

With the right backing,  the necessary powers can turn a third blind eye.

Could you be more specific? The "right backing" from whom?

[ChutChut]

21 hours ago, ontheweb said:

As for any cruises to Alaska, there is still the PVSA, which is not controlled by the CDC.

We're all assuming the CDC has its current authority over cruise lines...

[JRG]

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Could you be more specific? The "right backing" from whom?

 

Haven't you ever read anything by Dan Brown?

[JRG]

22 minutes ago, JRG said:

Haven't you ever read anything by Dan Brown?

 

On second thought,  better get back on topic.

 

Where do you think the volunteers are at right now? Do they have a Roll Call setup?

 

I am just curious how that element of the planning is working out for the cruiselines.