Celebrity cancelling cruises - will HAL follow?

[Vict0riann]

Someone raised the question on our roll call for Eurodam's TA to FLL about Celebrity cancelling cruises because of a CDC ruling.  The first paragraph of the Celebrity letter to a passenger follows.   It seems to be regarding Caribbean cruises, but I wonder if all TA's from Europe will be affected.  Or if subsequent Caribbean cruises will be...

 

"Posted yesterday at 06:05 AM

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest,   We are reaching out to provide an update on the status of your 2021 cruise vacation. Celebrity Cruises has been working closely with health and government authorities, in each country we sail from, to outline a clear path for cruising with new health and safety measures. As we continue our return to service with sailings arriving and departing from the United States, we are also ensuring alignment with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has currently advised any ship returning to the US after having traveled in international waters may not sail with guests onboard for at least 14 days. Due to this necessary requirement we will be cancelling the Celebrity Summit® sailings of August 28, 2021, September 2, 2021, September 6, 2021 and September 11, 2021."

Edited August 11, 2021 by Vict0riann

[NCTribeFan]

Let's hope not.  I'm on the 11/14 Eurodam sailing and I really want to go (booked a "free" casino fare).

 

Doesn't make sense to me (but then, lots of things don't).  They're sailing will fully vaccinated crew and pax.  Why does it matter that the ship's coming from Europe?  Do the "test everyone" thing a couple of days before arriving in Port Everglades.  Isolate/disembark any crew that tests positive. 

[cruisemom42]

This has always been part of the CDC framework for ships that have not been sailing from the US. I'm not sure why ships have not already taken it into consideration -- perhaps were hoping that the CSO would end sooner than the scheduled end of October?

[Vict0riann]

I'm not sure if Celebrity is "100% vaccinated" like HAL?  Perhaps that has something to do with it.

[kazu]

7 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

I'm not sure if Celebrity is "100% vaccinated" like HAL?  Perhaps that has something to do with it.

 

I believe they are doing the 95% passenger vaccinated but all crew is vaccinated.  My memory gets short some days though - I blame it on covid.

[Mary229]

I think Celebrity was running unvaccinated cruises.  HAL is only sailing with a fully vaccinated crew and passengers.  Big difference

Edited August 11, 2021 by Mary229

[NCTribeFan]

And here I was obsessing over the fact that I'd book my flight for the morning of sailing.  I've been searching for Ft Lauderdale hotels for a couple of weeks and the prices are outrageous (some music festival in town, apparently).

 

So, it's probably all moot.  No free birthday cruise for me!  😪

 

Going to go hunt for a replacement.  I could sail NA (which I'll be on in December) for a bare-bones fare of $1098 plus taxes and fees for 3 fewer nights.  Sigh.

[NCTribeFan]

I hope that's the case.  Then I can resume my obsessing over whether to bite the bullet and book an expensive room the night before (and change my flight).  That's much preferable than not sailing at all!

[Vict0riann]

2 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

And here I was obsessing over the fact that I'd book my flight for the morning of sailing.  I've been searching for Ft Lauderdale hotels for a couple of weeks and the prices are outrageous (some music festival in town, apparently).

 

So, it's probably all moot.  No free birthday cruise for me!  😪

 

Going to go hunt for a replacement.  I could sail NA (which I'll be on in December) for a bare-bones fare of $1098 plus taxes and fees for 3 fewer nights.  Sigh.

 

 

I don't think it's the passengers that have to quarantine, it's the ship.

[Mary229]

A quick past news review shows Celebrity was running vaccinated cruises but was allowing unvaccinated children onboard.  I don't know how that fits in the guidelines.

[Evilmuffin]

This is interesting.   The Eurodam is not expected back to the US until 14 Nov.   If they can’t sail for 14 days, that takes it to 28 Nov.   This would effect two sailings, 14 Nov - 24 Nov and 24 Nov - 05 Dec.   I’m currently on the 5 Dec - 15 Dec.   I’d be good to depart on the 28th and have a 18 day cruise, if they giving me a really really good deal.  Yeah, I know it won’t happen… but one needs to have dreams.  

[cruisemom42]

Remember, most of the CDC guidelines do not make a distinction about whether cruise ships have been sailing with or without fully vaccinated passengers. It's all about the "process" of returning to sailing from a US port. 

 

I don't have the time right now to go back and review the various documents with a fine-tooth comb, but in several cases -- even just skimming -- I pick up enough references like these to strongly suspect there are hoops to jump through:

 

"Ships that are entering U.S. waters for the first time under the CSO must complete these Phase 1 requirements."

 

and

 

"Note: For cruise ship operators with ships that have not been in U.S. waters during the period of the No Sail Order (NSO) or CSO, or voluntarily withdrew their ships, the 60-day period will begin upon: (1) CDC’s confirming to the cruise ship operator in writing that the operator has a complete and accurate NSO response plan, including having submitted to CDC a signed Acknowledgment of No Sail Order Response Plan Completeness and Accuracy; and (2) submission of the EDC form for the 14 days preceding the cruise ship’s expected arrival in U.S. waters."

 

Many have to due with testing and submitting data on crew for a certain amount of time prior to re-entering US waters ("Enhanced Data Collection") and on cruises with no passengers aboard.

 

[NCTribeFan]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

 

 

I don't think it's the passengers that have to quarantine, it's the ship.

I understand that.  As noted, I'm booked on the first sailing after the TA, which wouldn't happen if the OP is correct.

 

Just seems that since the crew and pax on the TA (for 15 nights) would all be vaccinated, wouldn't testing everyone during and prior to disembarking in Port Everglades suffice?

[Vict0riann]

6 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

Just seems that since the crew and pax on the TA (for 15 nights) would all be vaccinated, wouldn't testing everyone during and prior to disembarking in Port Everglades suffice?

 

You would certainly think so, also after 6 uninterrupted days at sea after the Azores, that anything should show up before docking in FLL.  My understanding is that the testing will be done for anyone who is flying onto a country (like Canada) which requires testing within 72 hours of arrival.   I don't know if they plan to  be testing people who will remain in the US, unless it is required.

[rafinmd]

Is the CDC conditional sail order due to expire in mid-November?  If so, that may be the difference, at least until CDC promulgates guidelines beyond that date.

 

Roy

[Vict0riann]

2 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Is the CDC conditional sail order due to expire in mid-November?  If so, that may be the difference, at least until CDC promulgates guidelines beyond that date.

 

Roy

 

 

Right, Let's hope!

[vswan]

2 hours ago, Evilmuffin said:

This is interesting.   The Eurodam is not expected back to the US until 14 Nov.   If they can’t sail for 14 days, that takes it to 28 Nov.   This would effect two sailings, 14 Nov - 24 Nov and 24 Nov - 05 Dec.   I’m currently on the 5 Dec - 15 Dec.   I’d be good to depart on the 28th and have a 18 day cruise, if they giving me a really really good deal.  Yeah, I know it won’t happen… but one needs to have dreams.  

I have a casino cruise booked on the Nov. 24th sailing. I figured we were safe since the CDC stuff only went through the end of October, I may be wrong. Of course everything can change at any time. I have been questioning if this one will go anywhere near the original itinerary - Costa Rica, Panama, Aruba, Cartagena, etc. Most of these ports could still be very low on vaccinations.

[prescottbob]

I don't know if the CDC Color Status has anything to do with the cancellations but viewing the CDC site a couple of the ships appears to be in the yellow category for their "restricted" sails.

 

Cruise Ship Color Status | Quarantine | CDC

 

Be well.

Bob

[SFO Peter]

I don't know if I am reading this correct but I think it is:

 

If the ship has returned to U.S. port and has travelled International Waters.

The ship has to allow 14 days before it can sail with passengers.

 

Perhaps this may be to protect the new passengers about to board?

 

Peter

 

 

[tamsno]

As of now unless extended or rewritten, the Conditional Sail Order is set to expire November 1.  

[Vict0riann]

November 1st is even better!   Every day brings a new adventure...

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, NCTribeFan said:

Just seems that since the crew and pax on the TA (for 15 nights) would all be vaccinated, wouldn't testing everyone during and prior to disembarking in Port Everglades suffice?

 

Fully vaccinated passengers on at least two Celebrity sailings (from St Martin and from Seattle) have already shown up. Two were asymptomatic, but one had symptoms.  I'm not sure anything is 100% foolproof, but a 14-day quarantine of the ship and crew (with a clean record for crew during the period) seems like what CDC is aiming for.

[Domer81mpc]

If this requirement is part of the Conditional Sail Order (and i take no position on whether it is or is not), it is unenforceable as the United States District Court in Florida enjoined its enforcement back in June.  The 11th Circuit ultimately did not stay that injunction pending the Us's appeal.  The CSO is simply a guideline.

[Nymich]

31 minutes ago, Domer81mpc said:

If this requirement is part of the Conditional Sail Order (and i take no position on whether it is or is not), it is unenforceable as the United States District Court in Florida enjoined its enforcement back in June.  The 11th Circuit ultimately did not stay that injunction pending the Us's appeal.  The CSO is simply a guideline.

This may be true but the lines are still following the CSO as recommendations in Florida. (Reference Celebrity Summit cancelling cruises to do the 14 days and return to Miami) Wisely they don't want to poke the Bear. 

 

The TA on the new Rotterdam arrives in Florida on November 3rd.  The people booked on that are quite aware of the 14 day rule.  I would bet the CSO is extended as I don't see the CDC relinquishing control and not extending the CSO.   I hope I am wrong.  Maybe HAL can get a waiver though......

Edited August 11, 2021 by Nymich

[NCTribeFan]

But the cruise lines have known this for quite a while, yes?  But still offered sailings on the afternoon after a ship arrives from overseas.

 

Ugh.  I just want to cruise.  

 

I still have my 2 FCCs for MSC.  If Eurodam doesn't happen, I may finally opt for a refund (I've re-booked and re-booked on HAL and Carnival) and just book something on MSC.