cruisellama

26 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

60% of the bookings are from “new people” ?  Hmmmmm ???

Rather an esoteric term.  I don’t believe for one minute that 60% of the new bookings are “new”.  MAYBE new money....but definitely not new people.  The article is a bit misleading (IMO) but nevertheless, on the positive side, so a welcome change.

New reservations most likely, doubtful that its new  customers to cruising.  I think newbees will be set back a decade.

Risk is never 0 - and not realizable.   Eventually the world will have to adjust this sickness being around, just like others.   People must weigh individual risk and susceptibility and either go on living or hide in a basement until a vaccine is invented.   If effective therapeutics and prophylactic  treatments are introduced that will go a long way to normalizing living in this new environment .

I share the interest on that one.  Especially when travel may have been booked.  If you book through the cruise line, you're probably protected.   Guessing its going to be a 50% loading and they'll keep guests who book balcony rooms and above like suites (higher revenue).  So they can enable people to be exposed to increased air circulation and get at or above break even on the profit side.

That's a good question - wondered that myself.   I still have a cruise on the books for this November, and while the APP works, I get the message "We're still working on the fun".  I think the normal preview  is out the window while under the hiatus.   But normally its as described above - you'll would see things at least within the 90-day window, and usually far earlier. Maybe the company furlowed the employees who maintain and keep the APP updated. 

I think the lines that aren't sailing yet are watching the ones who are testing to evaluate what works and what doesn't.   I think sailing from US will be more event driven than an arbitrary date.  Protocols to be decided upon, approved by the USG then slowly start with limited number of ships - each a work in progress.  If effective therapeutic and prophylactic treatments get rolled out, the travel industry will start leaning forward and a little more confidence will be in the air.  

Should have done a live blog of the RCG earnings call yesterday.

10 hours ago, jagnew said:

It looks like the single and 2 perk price points are using the classic package, and the additional upgrade to 4 perks would bring in premium.  Overall for the cost it seems a good deal, and I'm not using $2 gratuities as a deal breaker, just not sure how it fits together.

If you're not happy with the classic package you're able to upgrade to premium on-board.   You'll find the classic price allowance misses many of the specialty martinis, if you're a martini person, you may want to upgrade.    We found by adding 2 of martini's/day we could cover the upgrade at that time.  (Think it was $13/day/pp).  Now we'll book suite level and get premium as part of that package.

Saw the MSC is requiring passenger to only use cruise line sponsored excursions.  But how to you still mitigate risk to prevent contamination?   Seems a daunting task to control all personal contacts and touch points unless you put people in hazmat suites.  May private islands are the best way to control.

MSC is going that way.   Testing probably has flaws, but it will instilled confidence the cruise industry is taking advantage of more options to curb spread.   The kicker is, what about excursions?   That will be a big risk area to mitigate.

34 minutes ago, Sharla said:

They'll have to make adjustments as they go. They will have a plan A, B, C, D (and so on) in place. I do believe they will have thought of most scenarios before they sail again but there's no way it's a one size fits all kind of thing. 

I'm in your camp.  Many new procedure require testing and tuning.  From embarkation, through excursions, to disembarkation.   Need to start small and build up until there's confidence at all levels.   

Crew could plate and and out food.   Just point and its handed to you.   Better way to maybe reduce waste too.

On 7/18/2020 at 12:49 PM, ted52 said:

not surprising. Hopefully, she can sail in 2022/23

Probably about right (if we start things up in early '21).  

Pizza

Depends on ship and port.  If you carry your bags off, its easier as you're not waiting for luggage delivery on the other side.    If you've checked your bags the night before, then your tags influence the order of departure.  You might get off early, but your bags wouldn't be there.

That's a guarded statement 

So $1.6B loss, understandable, with $4B in cash / equivalent reserves.  Do we have 2 quarters left?

21 hours ago, Amber O'Hara said:

I was just watching a youtube showing Mein Shif 2 (TUI) complete a successful 3 day cruise to nowhere with zero Covid.

I am excited that they are moving forward with ways to evaluate and adapt!

Although, Mein Shif 1 had issue with Crew and COVID.  Have you heard how RCL are dealing with the incoming crew and COVID

17 minutes ago, Matt said:

Welcome to the message boards @Amber O'Hara !

Royal Caribbean is working on a series of new protocols and policies as part of the Healthy Sail Panel: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/07/06/royal-caribbean-creates-expert-panel-develop-cruise-ship-health-policies

It should happen to start exercising the protocols with small numbers of guests.   Work out the bugs.

On 8/6/2020 at 1:54 PM, eaglesfaninfl said:

We are on an 8 nighter on Lady G over Thanksgiving...final payment in two weeks. First and only time I ever booked NRD but will probably cancel. Thinking I might make the final payment since I cannot see this cruise happening which should mean I get my NRD back. I know, I know, possibly throwing good money after bad but it doesn't seem possible that any cruise happens until 1Q21(at a minimum) with 98% of the crews spread out all over the world, to say nothing of the health protocols still not decided upon, CDC decision-making, etc., etc.

When ever this starts up, it will have to be gradual.  Crews need to be moved to the ports and reconstituted.   Curious on the percentage of crew that might just hang it up because it becomes such a hassle.

Only a couple of pushbacks, but kinda trending as 2-3 months out.   Maybe staying close to a 90 day window cycle.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5510/?et_cid=3350314&et_rid=216816920&et_referrer=Boards_WAR_CC

Interesting set of protocols.  Swab tests for all that board (60-90min wait for test results).  Controlled excursions run by the line.  No touch ordering and contact tracing using the "bracelet".   

15 hours ago, Ogilthorpe said:

Seems like that should be assessed as a double minor

That's what it looks like 

A great discussion topic.  For me I've tried to gauge how probable the cruise is.  My nearest cruise has a low probability of occurrence, so I left it alone.  My spring '21 I have a "little" more hope so purchased some discounted specialty dining.

On 6/16/2020 at 9:30 AM, marti314 said:

Im guessing the amount of money they save on normal helpings/servings vs some people throwing away 80% of every plate they take will be considerable.

I share your thought on that.   It may become a calmer environment - less body checking for the cheese cake.

On 8/7/2020 at 10:17 AM, MrB said:

Since the release of this notice, Uncruise Alaska ( a small <250 person passenger and crew cruise line not subject to CDC restrictions) came back with a positive case on their first cruise. So there's that.... And there was the Hurtegruten cruise in Norway at the beginning of the week - possibly the straw that broke the camel's back for the announcement.

It's nuts to think that US based cruising is going to happen anytime soon. What "soon" is - that's the big question. It looks like later and later for every day that goes by.

Personally, I'm waiting until late 2021 or early 2022, and then only if there has been good data for at least six to nine months of sailings.

A judicious path forward.  Wait for the kinks to be worked out.    That Uncruise Alaska has some pretty pricey cruises too.