Ray

1 hour ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said:

 

Vaccinated people being allowed to travel between borders starts to make sense and possible...

If as has always been mentioned both shots of vaccine are required for it to work correctly and protect us to the best of its capabilities how can we as a country ( UK ) plan International travel when most people will only have had the 1 shot come june? 

13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm surprised at how the vaccine roll outs have been in Europe.  Seems a lot of in fighting.

Because we all basically hate each other!!! 

23 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

 

And does this mean that now you have to switch from Scotch and beer to red wine? They say it's good for your heart, after all.

Never been a whisky drinker, hate the stuff. But i have stopped smoking! 10 days now cold turkey,  had to be done.

7 minutes ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said:

hope all least all other states join in as I know so many people (even those that don't cruise) that love the sound of a British Isles cruise and go al the way round...gotta say I'd be up for it

Doubt Nicola will allow it until shes sure its safe, money etc wont come into it, for her keeping country safe is what matters

41 minutes ago, JeffB said:

What is happening in Italy was entirely avoidable if vaccines had been obtained and distributed within EU nations at the same rate that they were obtained and distributed in the UK, US and similarly in Israel and the UAE. 

EU has more than twice the population of US so it needs a lot more vaccine to go around. 

Uk is only giving 1 shot not the recommended 2 shots as other European countries are doing. Im 52 and have just been diagnosed with a heart condition yet i have still not heard anything about getting my 1st shot.

 Where some countries have held onto their vaccines just for themselves,  vaccines made in EU countries have been shipped to other parts of the world such as Mexico to help fight the virus and when italy decides to withhold shipment heading for OZ it starts issues that will end in a court battle.

Cant blame countries or governments just the people who havent followed the rules 

15 minutes ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said:

 

8. I would keep an eye on the 12th April review and any updates on quarantine hotels (international arrivals to UK have to lockdown in hotels by law for 10 or 14 days).  

I

Scottish and English rules are different for people coming into the country, because of these differences it allows people from high risk countries to enter without the need to quarantine if they are smart.

If you stay in a high risk country and want to come to Scotland firstly fly to france or any other country that is not on the Englishgovernments list of banned countries, from there fly to England as you will not have to quarantine then head up to Scotland.

Once in Scotland you dont have to quarantine as youve came through england and you are free to spread the virus as happened with the 3 offshore workers from Brazil a few weeks ago...Brazil - Paris - London- Aberdeen 

7 minutes ago, Ray said:

Sorry but more false news and misleading headline which builds up peoples hopes when in reality its not going to happen.

 

Article states that the earliest it can happen is May 17th which is the date boris said he hoped to have things open, it could happen, hopefully it does because we need something to look forward to

23 hours ago, Mike.s said:

https://www.cruisetradenews.com/domestic-cruises-could-restart-on-17-may-reports-suggest/

The UK has just given the go ahead for UK domestic cruises from 17th May, come on RC, seize the opportunity

Sorry its not going to happen that early! 

Article states that the earliest it can happen is May 17th which is the date boris said he hoped to have things go to plan it could happen, hopefully it does as we need something to look forward to but given our history of messing things up and going backwards im not that optimistic

17 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

. I have such a phobia of flying unfortunately though.  

I was the worlds WORST flyer, at the age of 15 i was in a glider that almost crashed! Took me 15 yrs to fly again, Uk to spain just 3 or so hours but i hated every second of it. 

Best thing i did was book a trip to Orlando as the long haul flight helped me overcome a lot of my fears. 

Now ive been all over the world seeing places i could never have imagined seeing

7 hours ago, esmoov said:

 

RCL will require vaccines for all employees.  The captains are almost always from Europe so they have access to the vaccine.  For the rest of the staff, RCL may have to purchase their own supply for the balance of the employees, if there is any real chance of cruising any time in the near future. For example the Philippines is supposed to receive there FIRST shipment of vaccine on Monday 3/1.  Saga cruises (50y/o +) will requires everyone to be vaccinated 14-days prior to sailing, although most of the vaccine companies seem to represent that the vaccines are fully effective 28 days after last dose.  The way I look at it, if my next ship is not staffed 14-28 days prior to embarkation - its probably going to be canceled. Many experienced staff may not come back which may delay a full restart. 

Would RC or any other private company be allowed to purchase vaccine before it is issued to those in need and at risk? 

I know a company in the UK tried it and got rejected, actually they got slaughtered in the press for even thinking it.

With regards PH most crew are young and healthy so they wont be top of the list for vaccine, and crews not just for RC come from many countries and every cruiseline will be in the same boat so to speak, Also there are over 7000 islands making up the Philippines so getting what vaccine they receive out to these places will take time. And lets not forget that in many so called 3rd world countries bribery and corruption is commonplace at the highest level so whos to say vaccines won't be sold on the black market? 

Getting crew to ship once they finally receive their vaccine will be another issue,  having to deal with whether countries are open what their quarantine regulations are etc

Then you have all the ports of call, where will cruiselines be able to sail to thats actually open to visitors

As mentioned in my 1st post there are so many issues still to be resolved , what will be will be, just got to take each day as it comes because constantly talking, studying or worrying about covid is depressing and in all honesty the constant talk of it probably causes more issues in relation to peoples health and wellbeing than covid would. 

1 hour ago, Leroyr55 said:

Our plan is to resume sailing on May 1st. 

Did they say what year though?

3 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

. No offense to anyone but I really hope vaccines are required 

I agree but didnt mention it due to the fact any time requiring vaccines, wearing masks or social distancing are mentioned it starts the old " im not getting a vaccine or wearing a mask" debate or my other favourite " i may as well stay at home if i have to do that" 

As i said previously what will be will be and we either follow the rules and get on with things best we can or we stay at home 

According to reports in the UK the new strain found in New York is the one to watch. 

So US reports are saying UK strain is the worst and UK reports are saying its the New York one!!!

So each is accusing the other of having the worst strain, guess this is one title no one wants to win lol

The only fact that matters is the fact there are now vacccines out there and most sensible people are getting them. Are they going to be 100% successful? Not a chance!! I mean the flu jab isnt 100% , we just need to try and focus on each day without thinking to far into the future because everything could change again in months to come

There are still a lot of issues to resolve so way i see it, it will happen when it happens. 

yes the sooner the better but no one wants short cuts to be taken when peoples safety is the priorty

1 hour ago, Sharla said:

No, nor have they said they will require vaccinations.

Thanks Sharla 

I did think that but wasnt sure if i had missed something...guess its just all hearsay and our wild imaginations running wild until RC and CDC come out with whats actually happening and whats required

19 hours ago, Seymoure1991 said:

If the cruise lines don't allow kids under eighteen, can they survive. I think it would be a devastating effect. I mean if you don't want to sail with children, they have options for that.

Have they said they wont allow children? 

23 hours ago, JeffB said:

 

• Australian, Asian and European itineraries with US citizens on board are less certain in my mind and that is because of the perception by health authorities there that US travelers are higher risk for disease spread than EU or Asian citizens. 

100% correct....this is why the US is red and those entering the UK from the US must self isolate in a designated hotel room without leaving for 10 days at a cost over roughly £1200...

Oooops my mistake 

US isnt red!! Its not on the banned list 

Anyone coming in from there doesnt have to do as was mentioned..

Now if your coming from Portugal which is EU or UAE which is Asia then yeah you are seen as higher risk than someone from Florida or new york etc so US citizens are NOT seen as higher risk. 

Ps river cruises have already started in germany as has been reported a while back 

With regards EU both germany and france are looking at going into another lockdown. 

On 2/24/2021 at 2:23 AM, Jill said:

According to this article, a vaccine that has not been approved cannot be required by law. Currently the Covid vaccines are under EUA: Emergency Use Authorization. 
 

Interesting......

https://www.statnews.com/2021/02/23/federal-law-prohibits-employers-and-others-from-requiring-vaccination-with-a-covid-19-vaccine-distributed-under-an-eua/

 

 

This clearly relates to employees of companies only not customers...

Its like a restaurant or a nightclub..yes you can make a reservation but when you turn up they can refuse entry if you're not dressed properly or appear intoxicated. 

So what this means in relation to vaccine is that companies ( we will say RC ) employees dont have to agree to get the vaccine, however given the fact most are on rolling contracts those that refuse probably won't get contract renewed. 

With regards customers whatever rules RC apply we have to adhere to, if we are not happy with them then we just dont book and allow someone wanting to cruise no matter the restrictions the chance. 

If your are able to wear contact lenses then this option 100% 

On vacation i wear them everyday, only issue i have is if i forget my reading glasses when i have contacts in, makes it impossible to read the cocktail list so i just start at the top and work my way down

Every other post is doom and gloom!!! 

Everyday is like groundhog day with the same virus talk being said over and over again.

Im not wearing a mask onboard! Thats fine but you wont be sailing!!

Its not a vacation!If thats how you feel stay at home!!!

Cant make me do this or that! Well if you want to cruise they can!!

Against my rights etc etc etc

I can read and its on tv every hour i dont really want to log on here and its the same! 

Its boring to be honest! Way i see it we can all try and predict the future but no one really can, if we could would we really predict when cruising will restart or what that weekends lotto numbers will be? right now its all guess work and just waiting to see what happens.

Personally i would rather read a made up blog about relocating to florida or whats the best beach or hotel in Bermuda than some of the depressing posts about Covid. 

Lets get back to the fun without all the covid, government and science posts, at the end of the day what will be will be and the only way we can change things is by following the rules and advice given 

What would be too much???

To book a cruise knowing of all the restrictions and measures RC and governments of ports of call have implemented then have to listen to fellow guests who signed up agreeing to all of the measures constantly complain about it.

KLM gave me vouchers instead of cash refund last year, i used vouchers to rebook flights for my rebooked cruise which was meang ti be in 4 weeks. Obviously cruise was cancelled and my concern was that because i used vouchers i would again be given this, but no!!!! To my shock KLM issued a full cash refund even though flight has not been cancelled. 

KLM got a lot of bad press last year its good to see they are now trying to make up for that.

4 hours ago, princevaliantus said:

 but if you don't get to cruise in 2021, will you consider it a bust if you, specifically, can't sail?? I would.

Nope because i havent booked for 2021!! Right now i cant even travel 20miles never mind 2000!! 

Now IF cruises start anytime in 2021 i will be straight onto websites looking for not the best deal but thd one that gives me the best chance of actually getting there with minimum hassle.

With regards how i quote you! MAYBE just maybe if you didnt write as if your word was god and everyone should listen to you and you alone you may find people dont question you so much 

7 minutes ago, princevaliantus said:

The earliest I see it coming back would be 4th quarter in October sometime and that is being optimistic and given that test cruises and crew training have yet to start, no certificates has been granted from the CDC, etc. Stay tuned folks.

Which contradicts your 1st post when you say 2021 is more like a bust!!!!

And you sayin Oct at the earliest which is actually earlier than the nov mentioned on the Carnival photo so you are in fact going against what cruiselines are predicting and like thd rest of us hoping for it sooner

10 hours ago, Mike.s said:

Here in the UK looks like we are about to introduce a mandatory 2 week quarantine on arrival in the UK, effectively killing off any sort of overseas holiday.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-travel-industry-expects-mandatory-hotel-quarantine-to-be-introduced-imminently-12198896

Think the chance of cruising in 2021 is looking less likely by the minute

Yip 2 weeks in a hotel at your own expense on arriving in UK........should have done this months ago!!!!!