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Just read Matt’s latest blogs and it’s so unfortunate (My opinion) that the CDC is making the call on when it’s safe to cruise unlike all these other travel / vacation industries.  I’m afraid it’s going to be a really long time before the CDC says it’s safe.  

I was at a beach resort in Florida for Memorial Day week with a large group and we are fine. There was some capacity reduction indoor of restaurants and masks were worn in retail stores.  Outside bars and restaurants ran at regular levels.  Other than indoor stuff everything was basically normal especially the pools and beach. it was in Walton county on the pan handle and there has been no change in the local numbers. 

It’s just too bad that cruising has been targeted here. It would be interesting if it was the call of the originating port governor.....

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At what point do we passengers grab our torches and pitchforks? I’m about ready to start making some noise. ?

If you can sit in a movie theater on land, you should be able to sit in a theater on a ship. 

If you can sit in a restaurant on land, you should be able to sit in a restaurant on a ship. 

If you can fly on an airplane that can have upwards of 1,000 passengers in a day, all smooshed together breathing recirculated air, why not a cruise ship? 

So if we all did start being squeaky wheels, WHO do we complain too? Senators/Representatives/Governors of port states? 

Inundate the CDC phone lines and social media? 

I think it’s time they hear from US! 

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August 23rd is looking further and further away...looks like I could be missing my 2nd cruise, 1st time I'd be on Oasis.  Yes, we have to make some noise somehow, this is insane.  And, if we have to self-quarantine when we get back or 14 days, I can't go anyway, I can't do my job remotely.  This f$&king bites.

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I just called CDC 1-800-232-4636, they have NO idea what is going on. 1st went medical line, they have nothing to do with policy only health care answers. Nothing re: cruise lines,They sent me to the media line, all that did was tell me what I already know. July 24. They were not any help at all, would not transfer me to another supervisor, ẅe are very busy, click! Getting my wife and daughters and friends to call and just ask if they have any more answers. 

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8 minutes ago, ehw51 said:

I just called CDC 1-800-232-4636, they have NO idea what is going on. 1st went medical line, they have nothing to do with policy only health care answers. Nothing re: cruise lines,They sent me to the media line, all that did was tell me what I already know. July 24. They were not any help at all, would not transfer me to another supervisor, ẅe are very busy, click! Getting my wife and daughters and friends to call and just ask if they have any more answers. 

Pretty sure that the CDC has more important things to do, than answer your personal question of when you can drink a labadoozie again...

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The people are learning that safety can't be micromanaged by central bureaucracies. The CDC will never learn because they think they are too important. They need to continue moving goal posts in order to justify what they do. Any complaints to the US government will fall on deaf ears. Any appeals to using common sense and individuals taking responsibility for their own decisions will fall on deaf ears. Letters to elected legislators has fallen on deaf ears in my case. It is completely futile to expect control freaks to give up and let people live their lives. It could be a lot worse, but it is getting worse every day.

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We have been to the beach twice within the last 2 weeks, staying overnight during the middle of the week as well as a Friday night. The first stay was in Clearwater Beach the second time St. Pete Beach. BOTH times the places were PACKED. People made attempts to social distance, employees wore masks and the out of State plates outnumbered the Florida ones. There were roving groups of people everywhere, the ocean water was 88 degrees and everyone was enjoying a dip. I was sitting there thinking if the cruise ships don't pack us in like sardines, maybe sail at 70% we could do it. Maybe a bit differently, but it can be done. The collective attitude was "I know what is best for me and my family" type deal. Everyone was smiling and just soaking up the vitamin D. 

Disney World here in Florida is opening in July. Universal is open now. I believe where we are in Florida they are opening the schools in August. The CDC guidance is sadly lacking, they should have been proactively on this coupled with transparency the entire time. I never sailed until 2016 and never understood the euphoric nature of being on the water, I fell in love and miss sailing a great deal.  I believe if the CDC were really concerned about our health on the ships they would have facilitated guidelines well before now and implemented then. (Ever been on a winter sailing when everyone is coughing & sneezing the entire Holiday?)

I wish I felt comfortable & secure with this agency, I don't. I am sure there is a lot going on "behind the curtain" I picture the CDC as the "WIZARD" in the land of OZ. That being said the goings on are most likely not what should be!

END. RANT. 

wizard of oz GIF

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16 hours ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

Pretty sure that the CDC has more important things to do, than answer your personal question of when you can drink a labadoozie again...

Really, what is their function but to answer questions? The people who answer the phones are there to answer questions, that is their job, they are not policy makers. They are there to disseminate information to the public. 

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Here's my rant.

How are theme parks and casinos different than a cruise ship?  Visitors are coming in from across the country via cars or airlines.  Same as cruise ships.  They have hotel accommodations, just like cruise ships.  Wynn Resorts have announced that their buffets will re open in the next week or so at their casinos.  IMPO, I would not go to a Theme park, regardless of a mask or not.  We always stay on site at Disney, and in their higher end hotels (Yacht and Beach, Plantation, lowest end was the military Shades of Green) No way, shape or form would I say that their hotel accommodations are kept to the level of an RCL ship.  Night time they are vacuuming and wiping down like a ship, but on a ship it is 24/7 that you always see them even prior to Covid, on the staircases wiping the hand rails through out the day.  They are in your room cleaning it at least 2x a day.  Hotel maids come in, clean your room in the a.m. and call it a day. I have stayed at hotels like the Williard in DC, and there is no turn down service for just the "avg" customer.  

RCL could go back out and do just a private island cruise to Coco Cay or Labadee.  They could have full control.  Compare that to Vegas.  I book a room at the Venetian, but they are not going to lock me into the hotel.  That means, if I decide to go to the M & M store they won't stop me.  How is it that there is less likelihood of me getting the virus than getting off the ship in OSJ ? 

Where is the CDC stopping these hospitality industries?  

Don't even get me started on beaches being opened in NJ.  Last I checked social distancing is not occurring.  Anyone from NJ knows on any given day you will see a ton of NY and PA license plates.

I truly feel that they have it in for the cruising industry.  They industry shows they are in compliance, and their response is: OH Wait, we forgot to tell you that you must also do this too.  It is as if they keep moving the goal post, or at least throw a technical flag on the field.

Part of me wonders is if this is  the one travel/hospitality industry they can control since they are not US companies like the others.  They are not about to fight the governors for places like Vegas, NYC New Orleans or Miami that are demanding and needing those tax dollars from the hospitality industry.  I think cruise lines need to stomp real hard on the governors of their ports and force them to fight their cause of re-starting sailing from a tax revenue aspect.  

OBTW I have no bone in this fight bc the only cruise now on my books is May 21.  Just ranting bc I feel the pain on both sides.  Passengers with sailings are ticked.  RCL is trying to get back to sea, but the CDC is stopping them, yet, passengers don't see how the CDC are messing with their ability to do so.  RCL than doesn't cancel because they need to see if they cleared the newest jump set by the CDC.  Cruisers are ticked since the 90 day marker is there and they feel that RCL should have known. 

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18 hours ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

Pretty sure that the CDC has more important things to do, than answer your personal question of when you can drink a labadoozie again...

It's about more than just when we will sail again. If the CDC continues to be like this they can successfully mortally wound if not kill the cruising industry. Let's just say that they stop cruising for an entire year, which is possible, then a good few of the cruise line will go belly up, Virgin probably being one of the first. If that happens it will effect many other travel industries and the economies of other countries that depend on the tourism. Many of us are tired of being told what to do by a group of people who don't seem to completely know what is going on as they keep changing their statements and their numbers always seem to just not add up completely. The CDC thrives on panic and confusion and (IMO) they are enjoying this sudden rush of power.

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11 minutes ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

It's about more than just when we will sail again. If the CDC continues to be like this they can successfully mortally wound if not kill the cruising industry. Let's just say that they stop cruising for an entire year, which is possible, then a good few of the cruise line will go belly up, Virgin probably being one of the first. If that happens it will effect many other travel industries and the economies of other countries that depend on the tourism. Many of us are tired of being told what to do by a group of people who don't seem to completely know what is going on as they keep changing their statements and their numbers always seem to just not add up completely. The CDC thrives on panic and confusion and (IMO) they are enjoying this sudden rush of power.

Why in the hell would they be enjoying this? Cmon. Was the CDC running better when you were in charge of it?

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21 minutes ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

Why in the hell would they be enjoying this? Cmon. Was the CDC running better when you were in charge of it?

Because they are finally in charge of something. It's bureaucratic crap. This is the only time they are relevant and "important" and they are making the best of it. When else does anyone pay attention to them? It sounds like you are in a sarcastic and smart axx mood today. Maybe you should take a cruise and distress....oh wait...nevermind.

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I think the issue might be very simple : 

If you ask CDC as an health organization they will tell you that the best way to fight the C19 (or any other virus) is to close everything , everyone will stay at home and the army will bring the food and water. few weeks/month like that and everything will be OK. 

On the other hand you have the local business  and others organization  that are pushing to open everything so the economy can  recover. Theme parks = lots of local jobs and taxes at the parks/hotels/restaurants/laundries and many other business. They have someone to shout and push on their behalf. The cruise industry dose not have this  , they do not pay taxes in the US and the number of local jobs they provide are limited. 

That is why the CDC allowing other things to be open while keep the cruise shut, Its not because they hate cruising they just could not keep all  the other things close ...

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25 minutes ago, Traveler said:

  The cruise industry dose not have this  , they do not pay taxes in the US and the number of local jobs they provide are limited. 

That is why the CDC allowing other things to be open while keep the cruise shut, Its not because they hate cruising they just could not keep all  the other things close ...

Well, they do pay some taxes, just not the way people think they should pay.

https://cruiseradio.net/fact-check-do-cruise-lines-pay-us-taxes/

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3 hours ago, Bean79 said:

I don't know about you guys but the only time I feel packed in on a cruise ship is during the muster drill!!

Only times I have ever felt crushed in were the muster drills, pirate night (on the Disney Wonder), and the champagne waterfall (on Princess ships....mostly busy due to free champagne to all).  Overall, I feel much more packed in when going to movies, shopping, on a plane, etc....

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The CDC may never declare cruising safe, because nothing in the world is completely risk free.  Therefore the  bureaucratic mindset says "don't declare it safe because someone  somewhere will get hurt or sick"

 

Of course cdc only controls us ports...anyone up for a cruise OUT of the Bahamas? 

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49 minutes ago, steverk said:

The CDC may never declare cruising safe, because nothing in the world is completely risk free.  Therefore the  bureaucratic mindset says "don't declare it safe because someone  somewhere will get hurt or sick"

 

Of course cdc only controls us ports...anyone up for a cruise OUT of the Bahamas? 

I am honestly looking at a destination vacation to St. Thomas or St. Martin with my family if they decide to extend the no sail order. If we have to cancel through August and then again through October after I have rebooked to then, my kids will have completely lost out on having a vacation this year. This has been such a horrid year for kids, they need the vacation just as much if not more than we adults do. Their lives have been turned upside down. Plus, they end up hearing about all of the craziness going on in other places (especially in the US) and it adds to the stress. I would gladly fly to catch a ship at this point.

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5 hours ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

Because they are finally in charge of something. It's bureaucratic crap. This is the only time they are relevant and "important" and they are making the best of it. When else does anyone pay attention to them? It sounds like you are in a sarcastic and smart axx mood today. Maybe you should take a cruise and distress....oh wait...nevermind.

Wow, are you really suggesting the the CDC (the people who worked to stop the spread of Ebola, SARS, Swine Flu, Measles, Aids) are ENJOYING THIS?????  I'm sorry but I cannot believe any human being would accuse them of such a horrible thing.  

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10 hours ago, Traveler said:

I think the issue might be very simple : 

If you ask CDC as an health organization they will tell you that the best way to fight the C19 (or any other virus) is to close everything , everyone will stay at home and the army will bring the food and water. few weeks/month like that and everything will be OK. 

On the other hand you have the local business  and others organization  that are pushing to open everything so the economy can  recover. Theme parks = lots of local jobs and taxes at the parks/hotels/restaurants/laundries and many other business. They have someone to shout and push on their behalf. The cruise industry dose not have this  , they do not pay taxes in the US and the number of local jobs they provide are limited. 

That is why the CDC allowing other things to be open while keep the cruise shut, Its not because they hate cruising they just could not keep all  the other things close ...

I liked this and frankly could not agree more that it’s this simple. I don’t think at all they(CDC) mean to disrupt the industry. It’s just a position that is completely coming from a medical perspective. Just like if you work for a big company and the legal team is asked what to do and they give a very conservative opinion based on limiting liability....or the security officer gives an opinion based on protecting the company from hackers. But those folks are usually not the ones calling the shots and instead it’s someone who weighs the advice and ultimately makes a business decision that sometimes doesn’t follow the advice. 

The point here back to my original post is that if I can choose to take a vacation with my family to the beach and pool and restaurants While staying in a hotel in Florida, why not do the same things on a cruise ship pulling out of a Florida port?  Its really the same thing from an exposure perspective and is a decision I am making  

 

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3 hours ago, DunwoodyDad said:



The point here back to my original post is that if I can choose to take a vacation with my family to the beach and pool and restaurants While staying in a hotel in Florida, why not do the same things on a cruise ship pulling out of a Florida port?  Its really the same thing from an exposure perspective and is a decision I am making  

 

Let me ask, you would have no problem with you and your family boarding Enchantment, Vision, Independence, Adventure, or Liberty this weekend from some Florida port? Let’s say sailing an exciting itinerary of Labadee, Colon, Maracaibo, and top it off with a stop in Mobile? Is it of any significance Royal has implemented zero changes In passenger health and safety over the past 3 months? Would you like your cruise to be “business as usual” of Coca Cola freestyle machines, escape rooms, rides on a North Star 300’ in the air, or zip lining,  rock climbing, or maybe iFly (as long as the kids wear a helmet)? How about a 50 person hot tub in the afternoon? An inside cabin to keep cost low?
 

You would not bat an eye to doing any of this?

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There are other things to consider. The CDC wants to keep infections under control, there job is to protect the public. Not businesses.Theme parks, restaurants, hotels etc are immovable targets. These place are also on US soil meaning that as long as they can post guidelines, the rest falls on the public. You do have every right to choose to go to the beach, Disney and stay in hotels ...at your own risk. I just read that these places have no liability if you catch COVID. The people who probably caught Covid from/at that Jackson bar has no one to blame. Cruise lines have to be careful because they are a moving target. 1000s of people from different places, visiting other places with 1000s of people who could be potentially infected and multiplying. Another reason is like the other poster said, no body is lobbying for the cruise lines. Though there are port jobs, taxes, and other incentives to consider....they just don't contribute enough to the US to be deemed necessary. How many jobs would keeping places like Vegas, Disney, United, and the Hyatt cost the economy by being closed? Finally I said this before, I think it is because cruising is negative. The general public has declared cruises nasty; they won't bat an eye to a mask-less rally but a floating petri dish is nothing but a cesspool of disease. If it true that the CDC has been shooting down all of NCL plans, that means they might be siding with the public.

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6 hours ago, bobroo said:

Let me ask, you would have no problem with you and your family boarding Enchantment, Vision, Independence, Adventure, or Liberty this weekend from some Florida port? Let’s say sailing an exciting itinerary of Labadee, Colon, Maracaibo, and top it off with a stop in Mobile? Is it of any significance Royal has implemented zero changes In passenger health and safety over the past 3 months? Would you like your cruise to be “business as usual” of Coca Cola freestyle machines, escape rooms, rides on a North Star 300’ in the air, or zip lining,  rock climbing, or maybe iFly (as long as the kids wear a helmet)? How about a 50 person hot tub in the afternoon? An inside cabin to keep cost low?
 

You would not bat an eye to doing any of this?

I would absolutely go on a Royal cruise this weekend.  But I would also not be stupid about it....just like when I went to the beach Memorial Day week.  I would wear a mask when I am inside in crowded situations like boarding, going to the shops in the promenade, regularly use hand sanitizer after touching something other people touch, and of course wouldn’t shake hands and generally keep my distance from others. But I would still go to the pool, eat in the restaurants, and have a good time. My 4 teens would do what they are going to do and hang out with friends just like they do now when I’m home and when we were at the beach. I would tell them to be careful but realize they will only do so much. 
 

in terms of RCL, they haven’t said what they will / won’t do when allowed to sail again, but I’m sure we will be getting served in the Windjammer for a while. But it’s silly to think it won’t be modified once they do sail.

Again, my key point here is that all other US travel businesses have opened or are opening...why can’t they?  I do agree with some of the posts above that it’s rooted in taxes, number of jobs of US citizens Impacted vs non citizens, bad lobbying, etc.  Plus all the negative press from the Princess ships. 

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On 6/16/2020 at 1:50 PM, ehw51 said:

Agree completely, time to make some noise. Just at least give us dates. They meet on thur so hope they get some answers.

 

While I'm not one to grab a pitchfork and make a ton of noise... I did send a message in the contact us section of their site. I asked for updates and threw in a couple lines about things opening up etc.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/resources/contact-us

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16 hours ago, Pooch said:

Wow, are you really suggesting the the CDC (the people who worked to stop the spread of Ebola, SARS, Swine Flu, Measles, Aids) are ENJOYING THIS?????  I'm sorry but I cannot believe any human being would accuse them of such a horrible thing.  

I'm not saying that it is all of those that work there. I also don't mean that they necessarily want people to be sick. What I am saying is that those who are in the most powerful of positions  are enjoying the ability they now have to control people, even if they don't say it out loud. If you think that some people don't  ever think that way then you truly don't understand the human condition and I would love to live with your rose colored glasses. You should look up the Stanford prison experiment. There is more going on with all of this than what most see on the surface. I've done my own research and there are things that aren't adding up. Anyway, yes, I believe the cruise industry is getting a raw deal. We see how RCCL and others are doing their best to do what is needed and then the rules change just as it is getting done, kind of like when Cinderella is trying to go to the ball (Disney version).

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6 minutes ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

I'm not saying that it is all of those that work there. I also don't mean that they necessarily want people to be sick. What I am saying is that those who are in the most powerful of positions  are enjoying the ability they now have to control people, even if they don't say it out loud. If you think that some people don't  ever think that way then you truly don't understand the human condition and I would love to live with your rose colored glasses. You should look up the Stanford prison experiment. There is more going on with all of this than what most see on the surface. I've done my own research and there are things that aren't adding up. Anyway, yes, I believe the cruise industry is getting a raw deal. We see how RCCL and others are doing their best to do what is needed and then the rules change just as it is getting done, kind of like when Cinderella is trying to go to the ball (Disney version).

These are the behaviors of arbitrary, capricious, over empowered, bureaucrats exercising their new found importance.  The beloved Dr. Fauci has admitted to deceiving/lying to the public regarding the use of face masks to achieve his personal agenda.  I wonder what other lies have been told by these so called experts who were proven wrong on so many of their assertions.  Do you honestly believe that they can be trusted?  I don’t necessarily believe that they are vindictive but they have certainly demonstrated that they are in over their heads and are irresponsibly abusing their position and power.

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14 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Sorry, I just don’t buy it.  Their concern, their JOB, is to supply the best health recommendations possible.  Balancing that against any other concerns is not their job.

Totally agree. They are doing their job. It just shouldn’t be their call whether the cruise lines resume or not just like it isn’t for every other industry. 

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30 minutes ago, DunwoodyDad said:

 

Again, my key point here is that all other US travel businesses have opened or are opening...why can’t they?  I do agree with some of the posts above that it’s rooted in taxes, number of jobs of US citizens Impacted vs non citizens, bad lobbying, etc.  Plus all the negative press from the Princess ships. 

Is it not impossible to think that the cold shoulder by the CDC is due the fact that cruisers are notoriously sloppy and lazy? The demographic class of the typical cruise ship passenger is over 60 years old and has known health issues? The reason the CDC has been deliberately silent is because a cruise ship has so many factors making it a pandemic bullseye that at this point in time it's off-the-charts crazy to change behaviors and make them a safe place???

Also, you are aware of what happens if any single person; passenger or crew, enters the medical facility on floor two not feeling well with a respiratory problem? You know the chain of events, right?

 

 

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and the fact that, if there's an outbreak at Disney, you have immediate access to healthcare, can send sick people to hospitals if necessary and send healthy people home.  What do you do if there's an outbreak in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico?  Life boats???  I am as anxious as anyone to be able to cruise but IMHO cruising is NOT the same as opening land establishments.

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52 minutes ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

I'm not saying that it is all of those that work there. I also don't mean that they necessarily want people to be sick. What I am saying is that those who are in the most powerful of positions  are enjoying the ability they now have to control people, even if they don't say it out loud. If you think that some people don't  ever think that way then you truly don't understand the human condition and I would love to live with your rose colored glasses. You should look up the Stanford prison experiment. There is more going on with all of this than what most see on the surface. I've done my own research and there are things that aren't adding up. Anyway, yes, I believe the cruise industry is getting a raw deal. We see how RCCL and others are doing their best to do what is needed and then the rules change just as it is getting done, kind of like when Cinderella is trying to go to the ball (Disney version).

I would love to know what lab you did your research in, and with what funding.  My friend runs a biotech lab in Boston, and they are currently hiring.

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18 minutes ago, bobroo said:

The demographic class of the typical cruise ship passenger is over 60 years old and has known health issues?

ROFLMAO

That is the straw mans' argument.

1. If that is the true demographic please explain why they have kiddie water play areas and have daycare on board?  Why do they have Pullman beds in certain cabins? Can you really see a 60+ yr old climbing up into a bunk.  Can you see them using the slide in the top level cabin?  The Lego board or the gaming stations?  

2. Disney cruises are aimed to young families, I bet their demographic is more in the 30-40 range than 60+.  Disney theme parks are a go, but not the ships.  

3. My Mom lives in a 55 and over community with a golf course.  She is 83.  She orders pizza to be delivered to her home.  She does not have to wear a mask upon delivery. She is interacting with youngsters.  She has had landscapers at her home and they are in contact with her.   Her friends and neighbors pop by and they don't wear face masks.  They too are out and about in the world.  Yet, not 1 person in her 1500 home community has died of CoVid.  OBTW those pizza delivery people and landscapers are young and are hitting the NJ shore.

4. I am 55.  When did 60 become at "deaths door"?  Have I had my hip replaced? Yep, but that was due to traumatic injury.  My husband at 56 does P90X every day.  I have already booked some of my excursions for May 2021.  We will be ziplining and doing the BOSS.  Granted I am not over 60, but I believe I am close enough to say BS!  

Have I seen people on scooters?  Yes!  Have I seen them at Wal-Mart or my local grocery store too? Yes!  Have I seen them at Disney World? Yes!  

My point is those places have the exact same health issues that a cruise ship does.  Do you think that Universal or Disney hotels will not be the same when Grandma and Grandpa pay for the family vacay?   Sure, they can get to a hospital, but be real!  They will suffer through it.  Cruise ship or hotel, if they are feeling under the weather they will stay behind and enjoy the amenities of the property instead of leaving.  

5. I would rather cruise than rent an Air B&B or beach rental.  Cruise lines have to follow CDC.  I don't see that occurring for rentals.  My family, including cousins rent beach houses every yr for family reunions, ages range from 1 to 85.  Want to talk about spreading CoVid there you go!  The houses are cleaned, but impo not to the level of a ship.

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