markinct

You summed it up better than I could. If the things that make cruising such an attractive vacation option are removed or reduced, is it worth it?

I'd say there's no wrong answer here. For some (like me) the compromises will likely outweigh the fun and joy of cruising for a "normal"-ish cruise with ports of call. But if it's an "out and back" to Coco Key or Labadee, I'd be far more likely go because I don't think I'd have the feeling of "missing out".

I really hope your cruise on Radiance happens. A Panama Canal cruise is definitely on my bucket list. I got the opportunity to see the Mira Flores locks from the land side many years ago. It's impressive what the engineers were able to accomplish so long ago.

God, I hope not... and I don't even drink.

One of my colleagues had COVID-19 in the spring of 2020. He still suffers from insomnia and 'brain fog'.

I'm not sure if fairness is on the agenda where the pandemic is concerned.

New CDC ruling makes wearing a mask during the entire cruise mandatory.... Even if you're on deck with no one near you, it would appear. At what point do the restrictions and limitations outweigh the fun and relaxation of cruising? I'm starting to think that even if the major lines get cruises going in July, the cruises will probably be fairly dystopian. Maybe short runs to Coco Key or Labadee? What do you think? How drastic do the limitations have to be for you to decide to wait 6 - 12 more months?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... you can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning....

I think it's likely I'm using the wrong terminology, and I apologize for adding confusion. We're working with @michelle who has been wonderful since we started looking into an Alaska cruise 2 years ago. I guess instead of an actual L&S it was more like moving a reservation. Sadly, I reset my count down timer to the 2022 date... 515 days. Ugg.

We were booked for a May cruise, but we just did the lift and shift to June of 2022, and we'll be using the FCC from our cancelled June 2020 cruise.

I'm so sorry to read this. I do hope you'll be able to see him soon!

Selfish feelings aside, I really worry about the towns that get a good injection of cash from the cruise industry, and the excursion operators. How are they going to make it after 2 empty years?

It really looks like the entire 2021 cruise season for Alaska is in serious danger of getting totally wiped out. My wife and I were set to cruise in June of 2020... which turned into May of 21.... which looks like will flip to 2022. This Canadian TA on YouTube has an interesting take on the situation: I think Provincial and national gov officials in Canada have implied over the last couple of months that they don't see normal leisure travel until a vaccine is widely available to ordinary people. That may not happen for Canadian residents until September....

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I can't imagine the extra burden of cancer treatment during the pandemic. And yes, 'chemo brain' is real!! My wife has been in "remission" from NHL since 2002; it seems it does get better/easier to deal with over time. But it beats the alternative! I hope you have a swift and uneventful recovery!

Given the public statements of cruise line executives - that the vaccine is The Game Changer... and that I think it's reasonable to assume many of the popular ports of call will require it, it's almost a certainty that it will be required to board a cruise. That said, I think by the time the vaccines become available to the general public, there will be an established body of knowledge regarding each vaccine's common (and uncommon) side effects.