FManke

As usual, more questions than answers.

I completely agree. We knew some people many years ago that packed food in their luggage while traveling to Mexico because they didn't trust the food. I don't get it, but to each his own! ?

I think that's a fair statement.

Welcome to the boards. Sorry. I should have started with that.

I'd rather cruise with some restrictions in the meantime than wait until everything is back to normal. Who knows if that will ever happen.

As others have stated above, there is no guarantee of anything, whether you are on a cruise, at a concert or sporting event. When you put large groups of people together, there is always going to be a risk. At least in the near future. I'm hoping the efforts put for by RC and others, to add extra cleaning and sanitation will help mitigate the risk of Covid as well as other "cruise" illness's such as Norovirus.

As funny as this is, it truly is a sign of the times.

I personally would be more concerned about itinerary changes than ship changes. I know everybody has personal favorites when it comes to ships and it seems like the changes are between somewhat comparable ships. It's not like they are taking you of Brilliance and putting you on the SS Minnow! At least you're cruising, right?

This I know to be true as I survived bacterial meningitis back in 2002. I had all the classic symptoms, but a spinal tap was needed to confirm the suspicions. I was sick for a couple of days before with some symptoms and even visited the ER and was told it was an "inner ear infection". The "classic" symptoms in my case, came on quickly and according to my Doctors, I was a couple of hours away from dying, even though it was only an "inner ear infection" a couple of days sooner. I don't know if the RC DR was to blame or not. I know some of the early symptoms in my case, mimicked a lot of other ailments. My thoughts and prayers go out to the little girl and her family.

Same for our Greek Isle cruise next Oct.

Yes, we would go on a river cruise but as @twangstersaid, not just because RC was the cruise line. I have always liked the idea of cruising not only to the country of choice, but through your country of choice. I equate it to taking a road trip. You really get to see the countryside that way. That being said, like others have mentioned, they tend to be very expensive, especially the ones here in the US. If RC ever decided to expand their company into river cruising, I think it would probably involve buying an existing line and transforming it to an RC product. I can't see them starting from scratch.

This all makes perfect sense. Cost savings will be as important, if not more, until a full cruising schedule comes back online.

I hear ya! I'm concerned about ours and we don't sail until Oct! The only thing we know for certain, is that things are uncertain.

I don't think anybody knows that for sure.

Looks like they moved that intern to the PR dept.

I'd like to see a happy median that allows cruisers the option of protecting their bookings in these uncertain times, but also allows RC to not have to take a "loss" which in the long run could hurt the company.

Good news for European cruisers. I fear the US is still a ways away.

If you have ever been to Disney, you are used to waiting in lines.

It seems like this could be done anytime, in anticipation of the No Sail Order being lifted. Although, no one knows for sure what the new rules might be when it's time to cruise again, so it might needed to be tweaked before submission.

Finally! Something positive coming out of Covid-19!

Until the Covid-19 situation comes under control with a vaccine and such, all of the speculation as to what's going to happen is just that. Speculation. But, since speculation is all we have now, what do you think might be permanent changes to the way we cruise in the future? Temperature checks prior to boarding? Advanced health screenings? Any permanent onboard changes? Happy (future) Cruising!

At some point, like owning a car, you can't keep throwing money into something older and less efficient. You need to bit the bullet and buy something new.

Or Thunder Dome. Two ships enter, one ship leaves!

Hey, what about Hanukkah Harry?

I agree @twangster. Especially those that have chosen to purchase the key on some of the smaller ships, where the perks you mentioned above, seem to be the biggest draw for some.