Nervous about capacity

[Jerseygirl1416]

19 minutes ago, sgmn said:

I also wish the ships would enforce their own rules with regard to chair hogs. Their present system seems to reward those people who don't play fair

They do enforce the rule but usually you have to know that a chair has been vacant for over the allotted amount of time and tell an attendant. Ive only seen them monitoring the chairs themselves once. But I’ve seen peoples stuff moved by attendants almost every time I'm in a pool lounger.
 

What I find ridiculous is the people who sleep late, go work out and or have breakfast and then come to the pool and expect to find empty loungers. And just because there’s a towel on the chair and not a person the 2 seconds you see the chair doesn’t mean the person isn’t using the chair in accordance to the rules. They could be in the pool….

[bucfan2]

32 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Rates are through the roof here in the UK, since we dropped all restrictions in Feb. 

Up by a million last week alone

Apparently they are expected to peak in two weeks then go down again 

 

BBC News - UK Covid infections climb by a million in a week
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60872687

Not much interest out there any longer.  Florida remains pretty much the same as the rest of this country, and we never had any restrictions in this area....but that's also boring news.  Enjoy your day.

[orville99]

43 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Rates are through the roof here in the UK, since we dropped all restrictions in Feb. 

Up by a million last week alone

Apparently they are expected to peak in two weeks then go down again 

 

BBC News - UK Covid infections climb by a million in a week
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60872687

Rates of infection have become less relevant, and hospitalization rates are now being used as the better metric. The hospitalization rate of 17 per 100,000 in the UK is not exactly “spiking”

Edited March 26, 2022 by orville99

[exm]

2 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

For those nervous about Covid, over the last two years, a pattern has developed.

 

cases surge in Nov-Jan, April, July-Sep, and then recede in the other months.

 

So your best bet to sail when Covid cases are low is to avoid these 7 months.

 

Just my layman's non-expert opinion.

cases surge in July-September, the summer months? Huh? Are you in the Southern Hemisphere?

[cruisingguy007]

4 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Not much interest out there any longer.  Florida remains pretty much the same as the rest of this country, and we never had any restrictions in this area....but that's also boring news.  Enjoy your day.

 

Rates matter but not as much as hospitalizations and death, those get peoples attention. As long as cases remain mostly on par with a cold or mild, the show will go on and folks will carry on. People's capacity for restrictions/theater will be much more difficult to overcome now than it was when hospitals were overrun and refrigerator trucks were all over the news. With vaccines and improving therapeutics, it can be managed vs ran from. Hopefully, it stays this way, fall/winter will be the real big test IMO. 

[Morecruisesplz]

4 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

 

In that case, just be advised that ships are starting to sail close to or at capacity.  They are saving space for potential quarantine, but, of course they are selling triple/quad cabins.  If sailing with so many people does not suit you, you should consider canceling (or not booking in the first place), as you may find yourself on a nearly full ship. Perhaps another travel option is now more suitable.

Thanks for your unsolicited opinion. 

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Thanks for your unsolicited opinion. 

That’s the purpose of these boards, as you know, having frequently shared your opinions.

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, exm said:

cases surge in July-September, the summer months? Huh? Are you in the Southern Hemisphere?

Probably somewhere warmer than New York.  Warm weather states have had spikes the last two summers.  As there are so many cruiseports in Florida, look there as an example.  Perhaps this summer caseloads will not rise; certainly hope severe cases do not.

BTW, does anybody still live in NY?  It seems like they have all moved down here. jj

Edited March 26, 2022 by Starry Eyes

[topnole]

On 3/25/2022 at 12:19 PM, Tntt said:

My cruise on independence  is showing sold out the last week of April, this will be our 1st  cruise back  since covid, I was thrilled that the ships were at reduced capacity but it seems RC has raised their capacities here lately. I am a little nervous rather or not the cruise is sold out due to reduced capacity or if it is 100% full. I know during spring break the ships were full but during my cruise dates spring breaks should be over and kids should be back in school. How can I found out independence of the seas capacity limits?

If you are looking for information to make a decision, you won’t have it in a perfect sense.  The best assumption is that it will be at pre Covid normal capacity.  If I was to factor in capacity as a decision issue, I would cancel if full capacity was something I wanted to stay away from.  Not worth the stress and anxiety while on vacation if full capacity weighs on you.  
 

If capacity is reduced, it likely means another major spike. If that happens you may not want to cruise for fear of having much higher exposure potential.  Either scenario is a problem for someone who is worried about Covid.  

[Lane Hog]

The important thing is hospitalization and deaths.  Both plummeted with Omicron, and are expected to be the same with this new scariant.  That's what happens to viruses --- they become less and less potent as they mutate.  Killing off the host kills the virus... they want to survive, too.

[topnole]

1 hour ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Thanks for your unsolicited opinion. 

Pretty sure any post on here is a solicitation for a response. All of us are free to not post if we don’t want to hear another’s opinions on our comment. 

[cruisingguy007]

28 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

I have a simple system. I watch the numbers pick up, and watch the CDC. Once the CDC raises the risk advisory, then its game on.

 

In the meantime, I would sail while wearing KN95/N95. Of course, I wouldn't sail with a ship that has crazy protocols; no masks, no vax, no testing and full capacity! 🙄

 

That said, I have to clarify that I have had three doses. Been infected early in the pandemic, and possibly with omicron in January.

 

For those who are elderly or vulnerable, IMO it's best to follow the CDC guidance. New development in the UK...

 

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/covid-19-more-elderly-people-171700692.html

 

Be safe!

 

Also from article: "Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said 60% of COVID-positive hospital patients are being admitted to treat other conditions and the virus is incidental."

 

That is a pretty big deal in and of itself. Any increase should be monitored but those numbers, in context, are hardly anything to be concerned about. 75+ year old cruisers with health conditions are probably a tiny fraction of the overall cruise population. It would be nice if a second booster was offered here in the US for anyone who wants one. Sometimes it seems like we are always reacting too slowly instead of getting out ahead of things. They'll continue talking about it while the European wave works it's way over (already happening actually), then decide to act in a reactionary manner. Numbers are steady but if people want that extra protection, they should be able to get it now. 

Edited March 26, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[Tree_skier]

23 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Also from article: "Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said 60% of COVID-positive hospital patients are being admitted to treat other conditions and the virus is incidental."

 

That is a pretty big deal in and of itself. Any increase should be monitored but those numbers, in context, are hardly anything to be concerned about. 75+ year old cruisers with health conditions are probably a tiny fraction of the overall cruise population. It would be nice if a second booster was offered here in the US for anyone who wants one. Sometimes it seems like we are always reacting too slowly instead of getting out ahead of things. They'll continue talking about it while the European wave works it's way over (already happening actually), then decide to act in a reactionary manner. Numbers are steady but if people want that extra protection, they should be able to get it now. 

You're not supposed to read the whole article and delve into the minute details... You are supposed to be scared by the headline.  Give your head a shake.

[orville99]

3 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

Probably somewhere warmer than New York.  Warm weather states have had spikes the last two summers.  As there are so many cruiseports in Florida, look there as an example.  Perhaps this summer caseloads will not rise; certainly hope severe cases do not.

BTW, does anybody still live in NY?  It seems like they have all moved down here. jj

I think, and this has no scientific basis, that when it is too hot and humid to be outside in the south that people retreat to the hermetically sealed air conditioned indoors, and in the north when it is to cold to go out, people retreat to the hermetically sealed heated indoor environment. Viruses love enclosed hermetically sealed spaces. 

[blueslily]

8 hours ago, BND said:

And, not to mention, the virus is not what it once was.  It's more contagious but a lot less serious for almost everyone, especially everyone who is vaccinated.  

 

BTW,  there are not enough years of data to say those are "the" surge months. That's just been the pattern over two years.

 

The OP said in a reply that they are not nervous about COVID . 

[blueslily]

8 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said:

We sailed on Odyssey the first week of March and it was around 60%.  We didn’t wait for lines anywhere, saw all the shows but the solarium was packed by 8:30 every morning.  The glass elevators were down much of the week (6 of them) so we still had elevator waits. The schooner bar was always packed and hard to find a seat.  One night we had trouble finding a seat in the music hall, even upstairs.  We did love that the casino was down in the depths of the ship ( we don’t use it.)
 

Based on this, we will not choose to cruise this class of ship again soon.  (I’m not saying never.) We discussed how we doubt we’d enjoy it at 100% capacity.  It is beautiful, the crew was great and the activities wonderful.  But Oasis class has never felt super crowded to us and the smaller ships don’t seem as crowded except when getting out of a show. 
 

Capacity will increase.  If you are uncomfortable don’t go or wear a mask.  Some still did on our cruise.  Even that won’t ensure you won’t get sick.  But pre cruise testing weeds out most.  We felt pretty comfortable and honestly it’s just great to be back cruising even with some risk.  We’ve done 2 since the restart and can’t wait for the next one.

 I will be one in the boat of choosing not to cruise when ships are sailing full. I had a great time on sailings with lower passenger counts. I can relate to folks who replied here saying that they may indeed be reconsidering cruising or choosing a different cruise option when ships are full again. Man, how in the world did I enjoy cruising back before the pandemic, lol. It's so interesting how things are so relative in life. Now that I've experienced something better (for me and to me), I dont want to go back to the old way. Time for other great vacation experiences 🤗

Edited March 26, 2022 by blueslily

[LGW59]

10 minutes ago, blueslily said:

 

The OP said in a reply that their post is not about COVID. 

Please reference the reply post #

[blueslily]

2 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Please reference the reply post #

 

I was in the process of editing that reply. it was a person who replied who said they are not nervous a out COVID. I had gone back to look for the post number as well. It was someone else. Sadly, the OP has not come back yet. 

 

I can relate to them wishing for lower passenger counts on a sailing. I enjoyed that experience. I knew it would not last for ever, so forth, so forth. But, I indeed enjoyed it and have no desire for full ships again. So, will use other vacation options. I  posted my edit.  Thx. 

[blueslily]

21 minutes ago, blueslily said:

 

The OP said in a reply that they are not nervous about COVID . 

 

Correction. It was someone else who replied that. Not the OP. 

[RD64]

If you are concerned about 100% capacity ( which seems to be the new normal), you always have the option of cancelling and staying home. Reduced capacities are not guaranteed on any ship or by any cruise line.

[link99]

Just off March 20- 26 Odyssey first full Capacity Cruise. 1000 kids. Had a blast. Noro popped up. No Covid related stuff as far as I know. Royal is back 100% Kids Sail Free offers out now.No going back unless Covid rates go up. Ware a mask if you want no one cares but 99-% are not.

[sford75]

On 3/25/2022 at 1:08 PM, colliece said:

Just got off the Odyssey on Sunday, we sailed at 92% capacity, this weeks sailing is over 100%.  I am going to be honest and some may disagree, but it was not as great an experience.  I know the lines need larger capacities to make a profit, but their were not enough deck chairs or activities on board for that many people.  Long lines for or reservations required, never did get to to iFly or the Zone Zero. 

 

Got spoiled with 50% capacity on our last few cruises.  I would personally pay more to have fewer passengers on board, but we may be in the minority. 

 

On an unrelated note, I wish the "Chair Hogs" would have to walk the plank.  I would be up early to go to the fitness center and at 7am there was plenty of chairs, but at 8:30 after my workout and before breakfast, every chair was "claimed" with a towel/boo/etc.  They they would be unoccupied for hours.   

 

Just got off today and I could not agree more. It's not being at 100%, its that the ship is either 1. not staffed at full capacity or 2. not prepared for 100%. We didn't mind the lines, etc, we were mentally prepared for that. But ordering a Diet Coke 3xs at dinner and never receiving it and dinner taking 90 minutes and walking out before dessert because it's been 20 minutes since anyone said a word to you is not acceptable. The crew were trying, but were overwhelmed. I can't speak for other ships, but Odyssey was not ready for 100% capacity.

Edited March 27, 2022 by sford75

[LGW59]

20 minutes ago, link99 said:

Just off March 20- 26 Odyssey first full Capacity Cruise. 1000 kids. Had a blast. Noro popped up. No Covid related stuff as far as I know. Royal is back 100% Kids Sail Free offers out now.No going back unless Covid rates go up. Ware a mask if you want no one cares but 99-% are not.

5000 passengers, 1000 of whom are kids, oh dear god, no never!

[Morecruisesplz]

48 minutes ago, RD64 said:

If you are concerned about 100% capacity ( which seems to be the new normal), you always have the option of cancelling and staying home. Reduced capacities are not guaranteed on any ship or by any cruise line.

People should be able to express concern without being told to cancel and stay home! Duh! Everyone knows that is a choice.

[Morecruisesplz]

23 minutes ago, sford75 said:

 

Just got off today and I could not agree more. It's not being at 100%, its that the ship is either 1. not staffed at full capacity or 2. not prepared for 100%. We didn't mind the lines, etc, we were mentally prepared for that. But ordering a Diet Coke 3xs at dinner and never receiving it and dinner taking 90 minutes and walking out before dessert because it's been 20 minutes since anyone said a word to you is not acceptable. The crew were trying, but were overwhelmed. I can't speak for other ships, but Odyssey was not ready for 100% capacity.

Crew members were all moved to the Wonder to make a good impression on media and free ta guests.