SteveinSC

OK so i tried to type a bunch of responses without hitting the "political" filter and cant find any that work .... so lets just say $##^&^&^%*&^%(*(%***$%&^^#& and leave it at that.
Anyone pushing to get cruises back in business is doing the right thing in my book.

All the language we're seeing reported in the SEC filling information is germane. I thought the most disturbing part of it was the RCG's expressed concern over the class action lawsuit filed by investors. The part about being a distraction and diverting time and money to defend against it suggests, not surprisingly, that RCG is worried about cash. To that end, it is clear they are delaying capital investments in shipboard and land based technology upgrades and further land development projects. Those are cash and debt conserving measures that often predate bankruptcy filings.  Not suggesting RCG is on the brink but it's moving closer the longer the shuttering of this industry persists.
I also thought it noteworthy that crew contracts will be ending, not renewed and then renegotiated when a path forward on restarting operations becomes clear. That is a slam dunk acknowledgement that labor costs are a prime concern and efforts to reduce them, when it is uncertain that cruise operations will restart before the start of the 2nd quarter, 2021, are being undertaken. As I read it, when they do this, it hamstrings RCG's ability for a quick restart once operations are green-lighted. It's not just warm-restarts that take a couple weeks, it's that plus signing crew back-up. A mess.
Interpreting the events in the last week in the context of all three majors bailing on November are just telling me that in order to conserve cash, they've dumped crew. That makes a quick restart impractical. I think we heard from Carnival Corp. that they didn't see anyway that they could restart, as planned out of two ports in FL, in November. That is tacit admission that they probably don't have the crew to do it and that the reason behind that problem is that they have let a good portion of them go.
Instead of optimistic talk about continuing dialogue with the CDC that we heard after the Pence phone meeting last week, I sense some RCG frustration over the statement that the CDC hasn't responded to their STS plan. That's not a good sign and reflective of a hardening of Redfield's position on the risk of congregate settings.
Best case restart at this point is mid-December and I think that is fading fast. Worst case seems to me to be April, 2021. I think industry survival possibly up to and definitely past that date is questionable.

“Skyrocketing”??  Public data just does not support this statement. 

Im no anti-mask guy....but I have my limits, and i think its probably having to wear one while hanging out on the pool deck. Like others have said, I get it....they cant risk an outbreak, but man...pretty hard to relax with constant reminders not to. 

Well, because it doesn’t make sense. I can be outside at the port next to the ship and not need a mask, but if I’m outside on the ship, I do?  And on top of that, I just had 2 negative tests plus a health screen to get on it. 

Just imagine what those mask will smell like later in the day after you’ve sat in it in the Caribbean sun. 

Im no anti-mask guy....but I have my limits, and i think its probably having to wear one while hanging out on the pool deck. Like others have said, I get it....they cant risk an outbreak, but man...pretty hard to relax with constant reminders not to. 

This is not what was in the Healthy Sail document. It said masks were not necessary outdoors unless distancing was not possible. And to be clear, you don’t need a mask outside pretty much anywhere in the US.
 
From pages 25-26:
Recommendation 16: To prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, cruise operators should require guests

Specifically, guests should wear face coverings in any indoor, congregate setting regardless of physical distancing measures, but should not be required to wear face coverings in their own cabins. A notable exception is indoor dining. Seating in restaurants and bars/lounges should allow for physical distancing, so guests can eat and drink without needing face coverings while seated.

Face coverings are not required in outdoor settings as long as physical distancing is feasible. However, if physical distancing is not feasible in certain outdoor settings, masks/face coverings among guests should be required in those locations.

For crew members, masks should be worn any time they are engaging with other crew members or guests (i.e., in all public settings, both indoors and outdoors).

Not just the pool deck.  Outside watching the ship sail away from a port a mask is required.  Sitting on the promenade deck outside reading a book - wear a mask.   Visiting the helipad - wear a mask.  Unless you are in a pool or in your cabin, wear a mask.  They can't afford to have an outbreak or they'll be shutdown.  They are going to be excessively over cautious.  

Disappointed that masks are required on the pool deck. Hopefully that’ll change for US cruises to the Caribbean. I don’t mind wearing one walking around, elevators etc. but sitting in the sun on the pool deck is pretty much a deal breaker. 
 
Face Masks
Face masks are required in all areas of the pool deck unless you’re in the water, where you should continue to observe physical distancing

?

Taken from the Royal promise "All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. Specifically, guests should wear face masks in nearly all public settings regardless of physical distancing measures" So you need to wear them when on deck or round the pool, not sure I'm keen on that.

Jeff - I truly appreciate your inputs on these threads.  They are informative and unbiased,
and that is such a rarity anymore.   Here's hoping God will wipe the fog off of the world's 
glasses and we'll all be able to see things more clearly.
 
Still hoping for an 11/29 sailing!
 
Oh well....

Keep Bettman far away from the cruise industry, please and thank you. 

The president is a self proclaimed germaphobe.  He is more isolated than most and access is carefully controlled.  They use the best filtration our money can buy and social distance is all but guaranteed.
The SCOTUS announcement that has the appearance of being a spreading event was outdoors.  Cruise lines aren't requiring masks around the pool because it's outdoors.  Guests will at times have moments when someone walks past or a drink is served when there won't be social distancing maintained just like the SCOTUS session in the Rose Garden.  
If the best protection in the world can't keep the president safe how will joe public stand a chance on a ship?  That is not a political viewpoint, it is a practical one.

The White House has basically just proven that testing isn't an effective mitigation step to stop the spread.  So what does that mean for cruise lines that were counting on testing to be an important step in making cruising safe?   With the current situation with the President's infection will the WH still stand up to the CDC?  Only time will tell.  
If I was a cruise line I'd be hesitant to begin bringing thousands of crew back for two ships until there was an absolute green light from the CDC or CV Task Force that a restart is a sure thing.  

Damn... now i am starting to feel bummed.  I have been booking things in the planner and researching things for my trip in May 2021 , i really didnt think that this date would be in question... have already changed the booking 3 times ?  I guess I will keep my plans as they are... and if they cancel us, i will have a plan B for 4th quarter 2021 or early 2022 in mind ...and just roll with whatever happens...

I think while we may be sailing in early 2021, if the CDC didn’t seem thrilled with the original recommendations, what additional restrictions will they want in place. 

This....  I see a lot of people talking about their November cruises, December cruises...etc....and I feel like im Negative Nick over here thinking no way anything on the old schedule remains. I feel like the changes will extend deep into 2021 schedule wise.  

Wondering: Its known that once cruising resumes, it will be a trimmed list of ships going, on shorter itineraries. Right? I have heard this said over, and over. So, this has me thinking....Im booked for a 7 day on Harmony the 2nd week of March.  WILL IT CRUISE? Im beginning to lean toward no.  Especially now that we know the CDC doesnt think we should sail till Feb at the earliest?  White House has set a rolling evaluation starting Nov. 1st? Obviously nobody knows what this looks like, exactly.  But am I off to think that "at first" probably doesnt mean just the first month or so? Goodness, all of us with cruises in the next 6 months to a year have to be wondering....is my sailing safe?

I was looking at Spring Break cruises to replace my cancelled Odyssey sailing. Started last night looking at all-inclusives. 

Dang if y'all ain't as uplifting as a funeral on Christmas day.
 
#wesailin

Not just you. I've been of the opinion that there should be zero expectation of cruising starting up again before summer 2021, and "regular" cruising (longer itineraries, destination ports widely allowing passengers to disembark / go on excursions, etc.) before the 2022 season is underway. Nothing booked and no plans to until November, when those '22 itineraries get announced.

I'm supposed to cruise this Nov. 8 to the Western Caribbean. 7 night cruise. I still have not received any word about it, but I'm betting it will not happen. Not sure now if I want to go if they have a lot of restrictions. I want no masks, no social distancing, etc... I have a funny feeling cruising as we once knew it wont be normal (if we're lucky) until 2022.

Last night we moved our Empress sailing in February to 2022.   We are now on Oasis but lost a night of the itinerary.  
Just don't see things returning to normal for a long time.