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Travel after the peak of all this...


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I know we're all trying to stay upbeat and that we're all die-hard cruise fans who can't wait to get back to sailing the seas and visiting other places, but after my social-media experience today, I can't help but find myself wondering something:

After the worst of this pandemic is over, will countries actually be accepting of travellers/tourists, even if there are no travel restrictions in place? Do you think those from elsewhere will all be eyed with suspicion for a while? That's certainly the feeling I got from a socially distanced encounter with some folks in the area I'm looking to cruise in either June or July.

To me, it feels like tourism may be a double-edged sword for a while, and as someone who loves to travel -- that makes me sad. ?

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7 minutes ago, Chadster said:

I know we're all trying to stay upbeat and that we're all die-hard cruise fans who can't wait to get back to sailing the seas and visiting other places, but after my social-media experience today, I can't help but find myself wondering something:

After the worst of this pandemic is over, will countries actually be accepting of travellers/tourists, even if there are no travel restrictions in place? Do you think those from elsewhere will all be eyed with suspicion for a while? That's certainly the feeling I got from a socially distanced encounter with some folks in the area I'm looking to cruise in either June or July.

To me, it feels like tourism may be a double-edged sword for a while, and as someone who loves to travel -- that makes me sad. ?

I think only time will tell. I think this will change the way we do and look at a lot of things after this. Some of which may be even hard to imagine right now.

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17 hours ago, Chadster said:

I know we're all trying to stay upbeat and that we're all die-hard cruise fans who can't wait to get back to sailing the seas and visiting other places, but after my social-media experience today, I can't help but find myself wondering something:

After the worst of this pandemic is over, will countries actually be accepting of travellers/tourists, even if there are no travel restrictions in place? Do you think those from elsewhere will all be eyed with suspicion for a while? That's certainly the feeling I got from a socially distanced encounter with some folks in the area I'm looking to cruise in either June or July.

To me, it feels like tourism may be a double-edged sword for a while, and as someone who loves to travel -- that makes me sad. ?

I am hopeful that some of the beach destinations or resorts will be open...lots of breeze to mitigate any fears about crowds.

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I think a lot of people at work, neighbors, etc. are going to look at anyone who goes on a cruise pretty suspiciously for a while to come.  I wouldn't be surprised at all, for example, to see workplaces insist on 14 day quarantines for anyone returning from a cruise.

Lots of people had a very negative impression of cruising before this crisis.  Now that will be taken to an extreme.  

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The main issue i see is when is the peak? In the UK we hit 1000 deaths today ? and in a broadcast from the UK Government they stated today that they are hopeful they will be able to keep the death toll caused by Covid-19 to under 20,000.... ( yes you read that correctly)  They estimate that the peak will hit in 2 or 3 weeks time.

Now Cruise companies need to get moving again as quickly as possible, simply due to the financial costs every day they are sitting still,  however as we have seen countries have peaked at various times as the virus spreads across the world, and to me here lies the problem,  People travel from all over the world for vacations not just cruises, i could fly from UK to New York for a cruise and the person next to me who is stopping in NYC has the virus, if i catch it from them,  then by the time it kicks in properly i'm half way around the Caribbean. 

1 single passenger falling ill on a cruiseship due to Covid-19 may start this all over again...we have seen Ports not let ships dock and it is still happening (  SHIP OFF PANAMA  ) 

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7 minutes ago, Ray said:

The main issue i see is when is the peak? In the UK we hit 1000 deaths today ? and in a broadcast from the UK Government they stated today that they are hopeful they will be able to keep the death toll caused by Covid-19 to under 20,000.... ( yes you read that correctly)  They estimate that the peak will hit in 2 or 3 weeks time.

Now Cruise companies need to get moving again as quickly as possible, simply due to the financial costs every day they are sitting still,  however as we have seen countries have peaked at various times as the virus spreads across the world, and to me here lies the problem,  People travel from all over the world for vacations not just cruises, i could fly from UK to New York for a cruise and the person next to me who is stopping in NYC has the virus, if i catch it from them,  then by the time it kicks in properly i'm half way around the Caribbean. 

1 single passenger falling ill on a cruiseship due to Covid-19 may start this all over again...we have seen Ports not let ships dock and it is still happening (  SHIP OFF PANAMA  ) 

Potentially compounding a reboot of the cruise industry will be the next wave that hits in the fall as temperatures decline, or if regions are allowed to re-open too soon the virus spread will flare up again delaying any possible launch of cruises.

With vaccines being over a year away this has the potential to impact the world for an extended period well beyond a few months, coming at us in waves.  That's assuming the virus doesn't morph into a new strain that takes us back to square one to start all over again.  If it does morph in a significant way all bets are off.

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Sad to say, I think we are looking 2-3 years out before cruising and global travel start to return near what it was prior to the outbreak.  Until a vaccine, antidote, reliable on the spot test  are developed and proven to work every country is going to think twice about opening its border to foreign travelers. 

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China reported 60 something new cases last week, which they reported as people entering china from outside. 

Until a vaccine is found this isnt going away and as twangster said will resurface, vouchers for cruises or flights would be better off dated for 2 yrs just in case 

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Thanks for so many insights to my question; as you all know, sitting in social-distance/stay-in mode gives you way too much time to be alone with your thoughts, especially in those off hours when not keeping yourself busy with work. My cruise this June to New England/Canada was going to be my first real vacation in years; I was supposed to go to the PNW last fall, but shortly before I was to leave, my gallbladder decided we needed to part ways, and it took me several months to rebound. I hit upon the idea of a cruise as a fun, all-inclusive sort of vacation to go someplace I haven't...needless to say, it wasn't feeling like some "luxury" to me, but rather, an important move for my mental health.

And now...all this. The sheltering in place, the social distancing, the reports of  the disease running rampant on some cruises, the bad rap cruising is getting from people right now for lots of reasons...in fact, the bad rap that tourism in general is getting from people, the financial turmoil...

It's all making me wonder if I just need to shelve my vacation plans indefinitely, but especially my cruise plans. And it really sucks to think about..and not in a whiny "I won't get to go on vacation now!" sort of way. I mean, I'm even facing the possibility that my cruise itinerary that I've been looking forward to for months will suddenly become unrecognizable and go places that I'm honestly not too keen on visiting, a proposition that will leave me on the short end of the stick from Royal.

I hate this. I hate this all so, so much.

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I think in mid-to-late April this virus will peak in the USA. We are going to lose lots of people by way of sheer stupidity, ignorance or bad luck of the draw. By May we will be inching towards our new normal. That normal is going to include a mindset, for a short period, of social distancing that will affect how, when, where and why we travel. However, I have no doubt that by summer many places will be open for visitors. I have been to plenty of third world countries that rely on tourism to stay alive....they need to live in order to live. There will be great restrictions and cleaning protocols. There is some good news in that some scientist believe that immunity is built after contracting COVID-19. The true worry is if it mutates and I have no doubt that we will see it when flu season starts.

The unfortunate situation is that fear has been attached to cruising. We will be still able to cruise. What will change is the how, when, where and why. The industry itself will bounce back, I will be on Liberty in Oct. I think the restrictions we currently see may still be in affect, those over 70 and with complicated immune systems will need permission. I don't think the itineraries will be the same, not just because certain countries will be on lock down but because of the ships available for use. Cruising is one of the best forms of vacationing but this virus has given it a bad reputation.

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Rebuilding consumer confidence in the cruise industry will be difficult.  Especially attracting first-time cruisers.  Will this cause a shift in scaling down new ship builds, design and innovation?  Can Royal still fill their OA ships on every sailing?  Nobody knows.  

Personally, it will most likely be at least 12-18 months before my wife and I can cruise again.  She is a healthcare worker and cannot afford being quarantined when her co-workers are battling this virus.  Our neighbours across the river in Detroit are taking a real beating.        

That is the reason we are going to take the full refund for our May 2nd sailing.  Spend our money locally here since small businesses are hurting badly.  Big corporations like Royal can weather this.  Different story for small businesses even with the assistance from the Canadian Federal Government.   

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1 hour ago, tonyfsu21 said:

At least we were all able to enjoy the industry for many years pre-COVID19 because it’s difficult to imagine a full recovery from this. 

Sadly, it's hard to be optimistic about the future of the cruise industry right now.  

When people, who might otherwise be first-time cruisers, think about cruising, this is what they're now thinking about: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/us/zaandam-cruise-ship-sick-passengers/index.html

I have no idea how RCI comes even close to filling its existing ships for the next 18-24 months.  

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1 hour ago, danv3 said:

Sadly, it's hard to be optimistic about the future of the cruise industry right now.  

When people, who might otherwise be first-time cruisers, think about cruising, this is what they're now thinking about: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/us/zaandam-cruise-ship-sick-passengers/index.html

I have no idea how RCI comes even close to filling its existing ships for the next 18-24 months.  

Agree. The stigma attached to this will most likely bankrupt the cruise industry. With that being said in the unlikely event that RC declares bankruptcy what will happen to everyone’s money which is likely in the form of FCC right now? Personally we have $xx,xxx.xx tied up in FCC’s just awaiting the outlook over the next 2-3 months. 

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Yes, it's difficult to see how the industry will recover after, in the near future, being heavily stigmatized...but it will recover. Probably sooner than many anticipate...people are itching to get away...even if the meaning of get away is just a trip to the local bar, restaurant, movie, casino, arts, park, road trip, etc. The industry will recover.

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1 minute ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Agree. The stigma attached to this will most likely bankrupt the cruise industry. With that being said in the unlikely event that RC declares bankruptcy what will happen to everyone’s money which is likely in the form of FCC right now? Personally we have $xx,xxx.xx tied up in FCC’s just awaiting the outlook over the next 2-3 months. 

If they declare bankruptcy, I would assume that FCC is as good as gone.  You'll be in the position of an unsecured creditor.

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3 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Agree. The stigma attached to this will most likely bankrupt the cruise industry. With that being said in the unlikely event that RC declares bankruptcy what will happen to everyone’s money which is likely in the form of FCC right now? Personally we have $xx,xxx.xx tied up in FCC’s just awaiting the outlook over the next 2-3 months. 

That is why we decided to take the refund instead of the 125% FCC..  

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I don't think RCCI or CCL will be so bad that bankruptcy is an option. I do think this will affect future plans to amp and expand. Lots of people thought flying would suffer vastly after 9/11, thought there was no way Bourbon street would return after hurricane Katrina and the world would end because God hates homosexuals(passing gay marriage). There was a little bit of an adjustment period but everything worked out. People love cruising and while cruising is not a necessity, it is very much a beloved pastime. Between all the people here and Cruise critic..plus all the FCC...cruising will bounce back.

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The financial crash of 2008/2009 didn't sink (pun intended) the cruise industry and I don't think this will either. I think you will see incredible cabin price sales while the cruise lines pick your pockets while you are on board. The strategy helped them recover in 2009 and it will work again. It is hard to imagine with the dark clouds hanging over us (and the cruise industry) right now but when the clouds clear humans have proven to have short memories as @Ampurp85 mentions above. The sales will be irresistible and the ships will fill again.

 

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I was looking forward to my cruise on May 24 with "Harmony of the Seas" at this point I don't think we will go. Today dr. Tony say virus will probably be back this fall , so planing to cruise is very hard in this moment. My favorite vacation. But I guess only time we can be sure when they develop vaccine

.  

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16 minutes ago, Cile said:

I was looking forward to my cruise on May 24 with "Harmony of the Seas" at this point I don't think we will go. Today dr. Tony say virus will probably be back this fall , so planing to cruise is very hard in this moment. My favorite vacation. But I guess only time we can be sure when they develop vaccine

.  

Check this out. Still have some time to go but sounds promising.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/30/johnson-johnson-to-begin-clinical-trials-on-coronavirus-vaccine-candidate.html

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33 minutes ago, Big Tule said:

I am trying not to think of this year (but I must admit I have already booked and paid for shore excursions for my Baltic cruise next year) I am the eternal optimist and I refuse to accept things will not get better by thenop.jpg.05dc0d9d5392cb8c2980022524ea6cce.jpg

I'm right there with you, right there with you. There is too much gloom and doom. Too much pessimism. People can't see 2 feet ahead of them. 

I am very concerned about all this. I have tears in my eyes everyday here in the Tristate area because NY and NJ are getting hit hard but there is good news out there. Just have to look for it. I'm an optimist, things will get better, things will improve. 

Thank you to all the hard work the doctors and nurses are putting in. They are the angels of America. My mother in law is a nurse. It's a mostly thankless job. 

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1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I'm right there with you, right there with you. There is too much gloom and doom. Too much pessimism. People can't see 2 feet ahead of them. 

I am very concerned about all this. I have tears in my eyes everyday here in the Tristate area because NY and NJ are getting hit hard but there is good news out there. Just have to look for it. I'm an optimist, things will get better, things will improve. 

Thank you to all the hard work the doctors and nurses are putting in. They are the angels of America. My mother in law is a nurse. It's a mostly thankless job. 

Yes I agree I worked in an ER for the majority of my career and the only thanks you get is the appreciation of the ones you serve (well most of the time)....One has to keep peoples spirits up because we all have to get through it anyhow so why not with a smile

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Hey curious question. When cruises resume, hopefully sooner rather than later but when they do, if there is a cheaper, faster and less invasive test do you think everyone will need to take one before boarding the ship? I mean seems like it would really slow things down, but would make things safer. Cost would play a part here too. Just a curious question.

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Just now, RCIfan1912 said:

Hey curious question. When cruises resume, hopefully sooner rather than later but when they do, if there is a cheaper, faster and less invasive test do you think everyone will need to take one before boarding the ship? I mean seems like it would really slow things down, but would make things safer. Cost would play a part here too. Just a curious question.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a new test added down the road, or at least another check of some kind.

They were adding temperature checks prior to the shutdown.

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People have short memories.  

So many people are being impacted by the virus right now that it's hard to imagine anyone who won't be impacted in some way either directly or through a family member.  The cruise industry already is being forgotten even with the latest ship news hitting the street.  There is so much news to digest with each passing day 

The cruise industry just went through a series of record years with incredible profits.  Cruising after this passes may not be the same.  Load factors may be down but so will be investor expectations.  Investors and Wall Street won't expect the same dividends or results.  Slowly cruising will start to resemble what it has been these past few years.  

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It will definitely be interesting to see what changes come of all this for sure. My fiancee and I are getting married at the end of September and originally were going to go Disney world since she's never been but due to being out of work for several weeks for the COVID-19 we are looking to keep the cost down and instead go on our second cruise of the year because cruises are just honestly so affordable and the best vacation there is in my opinion. We traveled on Symphony the week before the shut down so came back to an empty cruise terminal which was really weird and then we will go in the fall after all this is over so it will be interesting to see the before and after first hand

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On 3/31/2020 at 12:35 PM, Rose City Cruiser said:

I wonder if Super Mario will be living it up in Star Class for a bit w/ all the money he has saved during the suspension.

 

My guess is , that If Super Mario wanted to be in Star Class now, he could definitely afford it.

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