cruisellama

Same timeframe for us on a B2B (different ship) - pretty sure we’ll get cancelled or will cancel. I’m not comfortable about the uncertainty of the logistics at this point. Would feel better if at least we were able to get our shots before the final payment, but we’re too low on the priority list.

They’ve been persistent in the past - wondering if they get a commision on how many they sell.

We found the most noticeable impact of the Classic package was at the Martini bar. (Having top shelf over well drinks wasn't something we cared about) Classic limit cut you off at more than half of the drinks at the Martini bar. As that is our favorite bar to utilize, we ended bumping up to premium. Now we try to stay in Sky Suites, so the premium package is standard. They also introduced a premium + for the highest end spirits and wines. We haven't seen a need to do that yet (of course we haven't sailed in quite awhile).

Well - as Matt's article on MSC following Royals lead on a bionic bartender - never been impressed with them. They're an interesting novelty, slower to order, slower than a human to prepare, no personality, and the selection is more limited, and another thing to maintain and clean. After ordering a been there have the T-shirt, prefer a human bartender. Guessing MSC is trying to add the personality thing. Might make more sense putting it in the teen areas to prep non-alcoholic drinks for an age group than might find it more interesting.

Cannot blame Canada for wanting to protect its population or borders. Its the right of every sovereign nation to do that. Alaskan legislators are raising objections, but its antiquated US law that's inhibiting the current Alaskan season to move forward. Issue waivers or fix the law. Just more political theater.

If this shutdown is artificially stretched into '22 - there will have to be some sort of port migration just to start flowing cash and keep things afloat. These companies cannot service all the debt for years with nothing coming in.

We're on her in Nov '22 - aft SS deck 12. We really enjoyed the Edge so looking to see how they applied lessons learned to Apex.

Perhaps test with a single ship see how the business case works out. Provisioning will need to meet company standards for health and safety - but a good way to restart. The USG bureaucrats will be vindictive in some manner. Make it harder to fly etc. (If this cruise ban continues into '22, lines will have no choice but to shift embarkations to other parts of the world - we'll see smaller fleets too)

Understand why clientele is drawn to cruises industry. There are some good threads on this site which gathered a plethora of opinions. I'm seeing in other blogs that folks wanting to get back to travel are booking "all inclusive" resorts to more open countries. It will be interesting to see if loyalty shifts to that travel sector. I have grown an interest in watching supply chain processes as they apply to the cruising industry, and amazed that there has not been as much leveraging within the larger groups like RCG and Carnival. They individual lines retain a fair amount of autonomy (good for brand), but not optimized for cost reduction.

Celebrity also used Power Up to incentivize bundling air travel, early booking of select spa treatments or cruise bookings to certain regions. I thought using a Power Up process to incentivize large on-board purchases - like multi-day dinner package, excursion bundles etc could bump up on-board revenues during ordinary times. It doesn't have to provide a gross amount of points, but a 1-3 pt boost could incentivize those on the cusp of the next Captains Club tier to make an extra on-board purchase.

Canada closed 'till '22, Grand Cayman closed 'till 22 -- not seeing signs of life from any US ports with no real guidance from USG. Singapore is allowing "Q" - limited activity in Italy with MSC, Costa. GE - has Aida limited operation. European theater is catering to locals - those from off continent have additional requirement. Right vibes just aren't forming for '21 for CONUS dwellers.

Its about protecting stock price. Only admit defeat one quarter at a time.

I'll guess they start them in spring '22 ?

Change in normalcy (if that's even a valid term) will be based upon events, and not an arbitrary calendar date. Can't predict when those events - like notable sustained drop in cases occur. The whole situation has spiraled in or out of control based upon your perspective.

https://www.foxnews.com/travel/st-barts-shut-down-to-comply-with-covid-19-restrictions The long slog continues.

Curious if the 24h C&A head start is open to travel agents for booking, or do C&A members get the first opportunity during that 24h period?

A layered approach - Goggles, then shield with 3 masks minimum. More is always better

When on-shore, watch where the crew goes for service. They know the best connection spots.

Just turn on, listen if you want, but WAIT till the end. If you exit early, you'll get less points.

I'm number 214,897 in my county.

We'll probably find out we need this thing every year just like an influenza shot. But this first round of pokes are key to getting travel allowed.

I'm sure a few of you have seen this link. There are a small number of ships sailing , others planning to start Feb '21. MSC sailing one, and starting another from Italy. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24279-cruise-ships-back-in-service-february-2021-update.html

Yes the CSO is a lot of work for the CDC (bureaucrats don't like work, but like making others work) - not manned sufficiently to oversee across the number different lines at the same time. Could allow "self policing" - NOT, hire contractors? Interesting web to navigate. Maybe too onerous that no company wants to go the pain at this time?

Amazing that C19 tests are not being discussed for domestic rail or bus. Lots of folks use public transportation - is that not an issue too? If you're going to restrict domestic air, gotta go back and get the other mass transit methods.

A family was sitting by the pool, and one member asked what kind of water they fill the pool with -- fresh water or sea water? The cruise director answered, "Sea water." "Oh, that explains why it's so rough today."