GrandmaAirplane

Oh, I think this is definitely good news and an AIDA spokesperson said so in a quote. The thing is that here in the US we are trying to wage an unwinnable battle v. SARS-CoV-2 by mitigating the virus back to levels where lockdowns had R(t), or any other measures you might choose, to mid-April levels. I don't think that is going to happen with a return to nation wide lockdwons and, as I have said, there is no political appetite to do that. I also don't support that course of action as it will crater an already severely weakened US economy.  
The sensible alternative, IMO, is managing not trying to control the virus until a vaccine is introduced that does control it. Short term you keep CFR/IFR at politically acceptable levels with better medical management of hospitalized patients with C-19 and appropriate administration of emerging pharmaceuticals. Work to bring new case #s and positivity rates down with EO mandated local and targeted mitigation measures.
Here's the problem, though. The two German and the one Taiwanese cruise lines are setting precedent in the context of their country's COVID circumstance. Both Germany and Taiwan drove R(t) values to well below one (virus is receding) before ending lock downs. Here in the US, we are saddled with a poor federal response that produced a patch-work approach to every type  of responsible public health measure to reduce the spread of the virus. Then we compounded those failures by patch-work reopenings that had some regions doing that with the virus still spreading. As soon as mobility resumed, areas previously free of the virus saw it get seeded by travelers coming from areas where spread was still happening. Testing and tracking has also been poorly funded and executed and varies state by state.
The US and it's citizens have become a COVID pariah to countries that were better prepared and mounted more effective responses to SARS-CoV-2. I can't see how the CDC, given their current positions, both politically and on the basis of the science on this, are going to allow cruising to resume from US ports with the states, acting independently and with a lot of variance, "managing" instead of controlling the virus. The CDC has at it's disposal evidence that countries can control the spread of the virus and their transportation and PH ministers have rewarded the travel and leisure industries resident in those countries by allowing sectors like the cruise industry to resume operations.  I don't see that happening in the US until we get a vaccine that works, is distributed at scale and is proven to reduce case #s, growth rates and deaths. April 2021? That may even be a stretch.   

SpeedNoodles started another thread on Friday about this, which now has several comments and to which Jill has also posted photos.
You may want to check it out: 
 

It’ll be interesting to see if Tampa will be one of the cruise ports that would re-open early in the relaunch process...
Given that you’ll be able to see if any of the traditional Black Friday sale prices will hit your Cruise Planner shortly before your sail date, why not wait until November before buying any onboard package?
The shore excursion could be booked ahead of time through the CP though, as those prices don’t tend to budge, and they could be operating at reduced capacity (so fewer spaces.) - my 2 cents.
 

A few random thoughts.  
1). We (maybe only Asia .... followed soon by Europe) have already figured out how to "live with the virus".  They wear a mask, physically distance, and trace and track with tenacious efforts.  There is hope as we eventually follow their example. (This one seems to be fairly clear as a path foward).
2) "Herd Immunity" is probably a long shot.  COVID 19 seems to mimic other viruses, where we develop antibodies with a limited "shelf life".  It might be more like the flu.  This is good news as we know how to defend ourselves against the flu.  The flu yearly shot is not perfect ... but compared to our current situation it is Nirvana. (Still not enough data to figure this one out yet).
3).  The number of vaccines in development is very, very encouraging.  They will not be 100% effective (like the flu shot), but they will probably be good enough. (Still not enough data to figure this one out yet ... still this is the hope, this is my dream ... I will do everything I possibly can to make this happen).
Stay Safe, Stay Distanced, Stay Connected.  I hope all of you and yours are healthy, happy and wise,
 
Curt from Canada
 
   

I fully understand your worries which are legitimate but since RC are still allowing free movement of the cruise upto 48 hours before sailing I think snagging a good price is also important especially now they have moved the rebooking date to 2022.
 

U.S. cruiser here: We are not even thinking of any cruise before December 2021. Even then, if we were to book, it would be with the understanding that we would bail out on the cruise if conditions have not improved. If we got a credit or a refund, so be it. In this climate, we would have to be willing to lose any money (or argue with RCI at a much later date.)
For the first time we would be gambling on a cruise - in this case, on the cruise itself. But we're not going to bet our lives on it.
 

I have two Europe based cruises booked right now in spring of 2021.  I'm on the fence with them meaning I'm undecided.  Final payment isn't due until early in 2021 so I have some time to sit and wait to see how the pandemic evolves until then.  
I am confident that Royal will be around, so much so I am booking new cruises in 2022.  I consider the deposits toward these cruises to be low risk.  

I think you are wise to book now.  I agree with you.  Once the decision is made to begin cruising again I think prices will rise (not sure about skyrocket).  IMO if Royal isn’t cruising in Europe (or anywhere else, for that matter) by May 2021, we will have bigger issues than rising prices.

Because you don’t.

The CDC is not stopping cruising in other markets. Only in U.S. waters.
Princess and others realize that the pandemic is far from over, and not enough people will be able to or willing to cruise soon... no matter where on the oceans it may be.
Monctonguy, you keep on complaining about your cancelled cruises and inability to travel right now. Count yourself lucky that you live in a province that is not playing Russian roulette with your life... I honestly don’t think that you fully realize what this “novel” disease does to otherwise healthy bodies in the medium-to-long-term, or how deadly it is to many vulnerable people. You are indeed lucky enough to not have people around you deal with this crap first-hand.
I find it quite abhorrent that some cruisers are very willing to risk their own families and communities to be exposed to this nasty virus, just because *you* feel fine, and *you* don’t like to be told to do anything, and *you* are pissed to have your travel and vacation plans denied. You want to board your ship and enjoy your vacay, period. The real possibility of bringing home COVID-19 is “an exaggeration or false threat that is just meant to keep you afraid,” according to so many posts on this forum. 
Seriously, those of you who keep insisting that this pandemic is not as serious as it is are fools.

**masks in elevators and hallways

The new hygienic concept is working. But only because ship is on half capacity. Chairs at the pool are two meters apart and buffet restaurant is open but no self service. Silver is sealed for single use. You can’t even grab a coffee by yourself. Everything takes a lot more time. But at least back on a cruise ship. Mein Schiff 2 sealing from Hamburg in the North Sea with no stop. It’s TUI Cruises which belongs to 50% to Royal. So hopefully Miami is watching.

This is where mask wearing becomes critical. I would expect that all crew, during their travels and after boarding, are required to wear masks at all times when not in their cabins. I'd also expect the crew / staff mess to be run at reduced max capacity, serving mostly grab-and-go meals to bring back to their cabins, at least for the first couple of weeks they're on board.
Since it's shown that spread from an infected to uninfected person is less than 1% chance if both are wearing masks, this nearly eliminates the risk of ship-wide spread among the staff. Meanwhile, they get tested daily using rapid-response tests, so infected crew can quickly be isolated and contact tracing done. Assuming all crew are brought on board at least 2 weeks ahead of first sailing, that's enough time to ensure the crew is fully cleared for work. Any who get sick after they first board can be disembarked and transferred to another ship when they recover.
I don't know how realistically this part could be done, given that many areas still lack enough tests for the local populations. And a good part of the ship's storage is going to be taken up with masks for the crew to change out daily. But if cruising is going to resume during this time, that's just the bare bones of what has to be done before passenger 1 gets on board, IMO.
For passengers, the airlines have now (finally) set the precedent; Delta and American have both now openly stated that if someone refuses to wear a mask the entire time they're on board, they're not allowed to fly and will be black-listed from flights on that airline until the pandemic is cleared. More airlines will follow suit, and that gives the cruise lines all the justification they need to say the same. Obviously with some modifications -- masks can be taken off while in their cabin, after sitting down at their table to eat (with all tables spaced at least 7 or 8 feet apart to allow for unobstructed movement), and a few other public spaces like the pool or Solarium. But the theater should IMO require masks the whole time, being an enclosed space with air conditioning where you sit for at least 45 minutes (up to 2 hours for a Broadway show). Some other areas may require the same. If any passenger doesn't want to do that, they don't get to board; and if they're found in violation after embarkation, they get confined to quarters and disembarked at the next port. True zero-tolerance policy.
Sorry, but that's the only way I can even begin to see this having any chance of coming through without another PR disaster for the cruise lines and a permanent shutdown of cruising until a vaccine is delivered and at least 80% of the world's population has been given it.

There has been discussion on this board about the cruise ship being the itinerary versus the actual itinerary ports. I'm all for one of the newer ships being the itinerary with a reduced price drink package and reduced price unlimited dining package. Fun, fun, fun 'til the CDC takes the cruising awaaay! 

Not starting well. 10 out of 750 crew tested positive after testing negative leaving their country.
 
http://crew-center.com/10-crew-members-aida-cruises-test-positive-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR0N94ctuFDGqHYClnXNMz5_3D2Z9GZOIpDmHaQaEW2LtWV8V2tjBoPzfDk

Dipping their nautical toes into the water:
https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23286-1-200-passengers-are-back-on-a-cruise-ship.html?fbclid=IwAR2uQk9ljA-NCqUVcy6OyLZ_b4m1n5hDkI8EVwETKPYQK9lpFCZqXCT0vXI

Not to derail the Covid part of this topic...but did anyone else notice you can do the rescheduled Star Trek and 80's charter cruises as a B2B? I just told my husband I'll go on the first leg with him if he'll stick around for the 2nd leg with me.  ?

The CDC is not stopping cruising in other markets. Only in U.S. waters.
Princess and others realize that the pandemic is far from over, and not enough people will be able to or willing to cruise soon... no matter where on the oceans it may be.
Monctonguy, you keep on complaining about your cancelled cruises and inability to travel right now. Count yourself lucky that you live in a province that is not playing Russian roulette with your life... I honestly don’t think that you fully realize what this “novel” disease does to otherwise healthy bodies in the medium-to-long-term, or how deadly it is to many vulnerable people. You are indeed lucky enough to not have people around you deal with this crap first-hand.
I find it quite abhorrent that some cruisers are very willing to risk their own families and communities to be exposed to this nasty virus, just because *you* feel fine, and *you* don’t like to be told to do anything, and *you* are pissed to have your travel and vacation plans denied. You want to board your ship and enjoy your vacay, period. The real possibility of bringing home COVID-19 is “an exaggeration or false threat that is just meant to keep you afraid,” according to so many posts on this forum. 
Seriously, those of you who keep insisting that this pandemic is not as serious as it is are fools.

The CDC is not stopping cruising in other markets. Only in U.S. waters.
Princess and others realize that the pandemic is far from over, and not enough people will be able to or willing to cruise soon... no matter where on the oceans it may be.
Monctonguy, you keep on complaining about your cancelled cruises and inability to travel right now. Count yourself lucky that you live in a province that is not playing Russian roulette with your life... I honestly don’t think that you fully realize what this “novel” disease does to otherwise healthy bodies in the medium-to-long-term, or how deadly it is to many vulnerable people. You are indeed lucky enough to not have people around you deal with this crap first-hand.
I find it quite abhorrent that some cruisers are very willing to risk their own families and communities to be exposed to this nasty virus, just because *you* feel fine, and *you* don’t like to be told to do anything, and *you* are pissed to have your travel and vacation plans denied. You want to board your ship and enjoy your vacay, period. The real possibility of bringing home COVID-19 is “an exaggeration or false threat that is just meant to keep you afraid,” according to so many posts on this forum. 
Seriously, those of you who keep insisting that this pandemic is not as serious as it is are fools.

The CDC is not stopping cruising in other markets. Only in U.S. waters.
Princess and others realize that the pandemic is far from over, and not enough people will be able to or willing to cruise soon... no matter where on the oceans it may be.
Monctonguy, you keep on complaining about your cancelled cruises and inability to travel right now. Count yourself lucky that you live in a province that is not playing Russian roulette with your life... I honestly don’t think that you fully realize what this “novel” disease does to otherwise healthy bodies in the medium-to-long-term, or how deadly it is to many vulnerable people. You are indeed lucky enough to not have people around you deal with this crap first-hand.
I find it quite abhorrent that some cruisers are very willing to risk their own families and communities to be exposed to this nasty virus, just because *you* feel fine, and *you* don’t like to be told to do anything, and *you* are pissed to have your travel and vacation plans denied. You want to board your ship and enjoy your vacay, period. The real possibility of bringing home COVID-19 is “an exaggeration or false threat that is just meant to keep you afraid,” according to so many posts on this forum. 
Seriously, those of you who keep insisting that this pandemic is not as serious as it is are fools.

We are totally 'done' with staying home, after all our other vacations (mostly cruises) cancelled this year.  ?  We are driving to CO from TN next week, staying overnight once coming and going, and eating from our cooler.  We plan to be outdoors a lot once we arrive.  We have a condo rented there, groceries are going to be picked up curbside, and our one 'meal out' will be 'in at the condo' after picking it up curbside from the restaurant. 
The route we have planned has a lower rate of infections than the city where we both work.  We are cautious, and will be diligent about avoiding others as much as possible.  We desperately need a vacation, having both been blessed with working through this entire pandemic.  

Kinda feel like this gets lost in all of the other garbage...weve done unheard of things. 

This is the problem for all of us, unfortunately. Sure, we've gone through the SARS and 2009 Swine Flu outbreaks, both classified as pandemics; and they weren't fun, they also weren't the wildfires that this disease has become. The only people who've been through a pandemic like this one are the survivors of the 1918 Spanish Flu. The ones still alive today (if we have any) would have been babies at the time, and in an elder-care facility now, celebrating their 102nd+ birthday.
Honestly, I'm glad things of this severity aren't something a majority of people over many generations can say they've been through, even looking back at our history well before we had the technological advancements of our present day. And I'm glad that even with all the screw-ups US leadership has made in its handling, as a planet we're handling this one in a way that would have absolutely stunned the people of 1918, or during the Bubonic Plague, or other highly contagious and deadly pandemics.
Between our near-instant communications, our scientific knowledge and ability to do research, and a (mostly) general willingness by the populace to do what's best for the community, we really have done an incredible amount to mitigate the spread, misery, and deaths this disease would have otherwise caused.

Hit EPCOT for the "food and wine lite festival" on wednesday to celebrate losing my 8th cruise.
It was a fun day but was also the first time i really felt the "wow this is creepy" factor of the zombie apocalypse.
If I had to guess i would say probably 500 or so total guests in EPCOT ... extremely surreal to stand and realize you literally cant see anyone in any direction.

I guess were blessed to be so close to the beach. My parents have a condo over there, and we get to go often enough. We went down a couple weeks ago for the week, and enjoyed some great family time on the beach.  We ordered pick up from the restaurants, and went to do the fun kid stuff early to avoid any crowds. Didnt really feel like a different beach trip, all in all.....headed to the mountains this weekend.
Ultimately, we are definitely spending more time doing FAMILY things together......and that aint all bad!