The Cruise Junkie

I thought Horizon was being pulled apart at a Greek yard.  Everyone focuses on Turkey and India but there are other ship breaking yards.  
Rumors circulating that two M class Celebrity ships are going to a reorganized Pullmantur.  Add Grandeur and they are back at three ships.  
Empress is garnering high prices for it's OV cabins to boutique destinations.  I could see Royal trying to keep her for those special routes.  Majesty is a different story but if she breaks even in NOLA or turns a small profit they might keep her just in case Cuba comes back in 2023 or beyond.  

I Found this great video on youtube from one of the crew onboard the Quantum OTS so I thought I would share. 
 

I Found this great video on youtube from one of the crew onboard the Quantum OTS so I thought I would share. 
 

Grandeur just pulled up to the pier in St. Maarten.  Her sisters Vision and Enchantment are at the other pier.  
PTZtv:
https://www.portstmaartenwebcam.com/

 
She can no longer be found on the website.

CATS!  (or Cat)
Photo credit: Unknown



Looks like the cat is chasing after a ball of yarn based on the float out video.
 

Not sure I like the size of the name on the side, it's huge.
 
 

Sad to hear if true but it Makes sense as Tampa can only handle smaller ships and the major lines will most likely start up with bigger ships that are better for distancing and another thing to keep in mind with Tampa is the port is consider by most of the cruise lines as a secondary market in the industry.  

Well this is interesting. Looks like the Oasis class has found a new dry dock in North America. 
Fincantieri To Build Shipyard in Mexico, Cruise Work Targeted - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
 

I didn't get into a long conversation with my contact but he said no ships will be sailing from Tampa until around May but that date could change. They are working on a plan to re-open Tampa but it's going to take a while. It's not just Royal but it's all cruise lines sailing from Tampa

Sad to hear if true but it Makes sense as Tampa can only handle smaller ships and the major lines will most likely start up with bigger ships that are better for distancing and another thing to keep in mind with Tampa is the port is consider by most of the cruise lines as a secondary market in the industry.  

Please No! I literally drove to the Port of Tampa yesterday, so sad so empty dreaming of my Brilliance sailing.....It was depressing, closed down establishments no people anywhere, so quiet. The gates to the parking garage closed & locked. I'm sailing in Q2 in June but would love to see life sooner, and those poor business owners, gees I just can't. Will they survive?

Well this is interesting. Looks like the Oasis class has found a new dry dock in North America. 
Fincantieri To Build Shipyard in Mexico, Cruise Work Targeted - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
 

Well this is interesting. Looks like the Oasis class has found a new dry dock in North America. 
Fincantieri To Build Shipyard in Mexico, Cruise Work Targeted - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
 

Well this is interesting. Looks like the Oasis class has found a new dry dock in North America. 
Fincantieri To Build Shipyard in Mexico, Cruise Work Targeted - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
 

Well this is interesting. Looks like the Oasis class has found a new dry dock in North America. 
Fincantieri To Build Shipyard in Mexico, Cruise Work Targeted - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
 

It's one thing for the CDC to ban ships sailing longer itineraries due to public health concerns.  It's another matter altogether for the CDC to become involved with how cruise lines market cruises.
Someone needs to challenge this in court.  It's a government overreach and potentially violates freedom of speech.  "If you talk about cruises longer than 7 days we are going to shut you down".  
#DefundTheCDC. ? 
 

Sunset from Mallory Square isn't bad either.

Good news that some have tested negative now
 

Here is the link to the Official post.
https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1470/royal-caribbean-announces-updates-to-2021-summer-cruises/
 

So good to see even folks from the government starting to get the cruise economy to restart again soon! Here is @Matt article on this matter.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/09/16/us-senators-introduce-bill-allow-cruise-lines-restart
 

Quick nap before dinner then I woke to a sunset in the Mediterranean. 

Sunsets at sea are the best.

 

Now I only see one problem with there testing guidelines. It seems like no at pier testing for guest.  

The requirement to book cruise line excursions is not unexpected and understandable given the need to maintain the "bubble" as much as possible from start to finish.  
The comment that they should should consider the cost of shore excursions to make them more cost attractive is encouraging.

I believe testing in the terminal would occur in some cases during secondary screening, but not for all guests arriving at the pier.  
As stated in the report, the desire is to avoid people who are positive from traveling to the embarkation point (Terminal).  If testing is done at the terminal then other guests are potentially exposed.  If testing is done at home before leaving for the terminal then anyone with a positive test result can avoid going to the terminal which reduces opportunity for spread to other guests during the check in process.