Jump to content

CDC Voluntary Cruise Ship Program Ends


Recommended Posts

Wow. That was unexpected.

If I'm king of the cruise world I would immediately:

 

1) eliminate pre-cruise testing. But give some perks or enticements to those who show up with a negative test in hand. 

2) eliminate special quarantine cabins. No reason for them, even if you still want people to quarantine in their booked cabin if they test positive on board. Those things need to be sold, not set aside just in case.

3) taper down to a date where you get rid of the need to quarantine at all. I'm not sure you could do that immediately

4) scrap the 90% rule. Again like #1, give enticement and perks to those who are vaccinated, but let the unvaccinated back on board.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Wow. That was unexpected.

If I'm king of the cruise world I would immediately:

 

1) eliminate pre-cruise testing. But give some perks or enticements to those who show up with a negative test in hand. 

2) eliminate special quarantine cabins. No reason for them, even if you still want people to quarantine in their booked cabin if they test positive on board. Those things need to be sold, not set aside just in case.

3) taper down to a date where you get rid of the need to quarantine at all. I'm not sure you could do that immediately

4) scrap the 90% rule. Again like #1, give enticement and perks to those who are vaccinated, but let the unvaccinated back on board.

 

I'm going to assume mandatory quarantining for COVID will still be in place like any other contagious disease aboard. For example, they're not letting people with norovirus shoot craps in the casino.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • twangster changed the title to CDC Voluntary Cruise Ship Program Ends

I am envisioning a scene from an old Western movie where the cruise lines are standing around the O.K. Corral waiting to see who fires first.

They are nervously watching each other, waiting for a flinch.  

Once one cruise lines drops testing or vaccine requirements the others will quickly follow.  Who will flinch first?

 

giphy.gif

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's interesting viewing this as a UK resident and (full disclosure) a doctor. 

How RC deals with this now they are given ownership will be interesting, as undoubtedly it's going to demonstrate a commercial view rather than political, or health view on the pandemic protocols. 

Even if Covid is viewed in a similar was to Norovirus etc., you would still expect quarantining to exist on board. The predominance in the population currently, might mean that screening remains an effective tool commercially to maintain the confidence of passengers. Arguably antigen testing is currently around the £15-20 mark in the UK ($20-30) and I do wonder why they don't just bundle the cost in with your trip to remove the financial concerns. 

Where RC finds the balance will be interesting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/07/18/cdc-ends-covid-19-program-cruise-ships

 

BTW, I know this is brand new.  But, I just looked into Royal's FAQ and nothing has changed.  You'd think that they would be ready to go with this kind of change and just tap a computer button and there it is, their new policy/protocol that was probably written up days, weeks, months ago.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think things will remain the same through the end of the year.  Right now the possibility of a large outbreak and the resulting bad press is too much of a risk, and many of the ports will have to change their requirements before it will even be possible for the cruise lines to change.  But as we all know, covid changes can change quickly and often.  I have an august 10 cruise to Alaska scheduled, and I'm not expecting any changes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, USFFrank said:

While this is all fine and dandy, lest we forget there are country's these ships visit that will still require the shots and negative test results for any guest who would like to go ashore. So I really wouldn't expect any changes anytime soon.

Shots yes. But negative tests for the vaccinated are disappearing. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, twangster said:

I think it means that cruise lines will need to set policies.  CDC will publish recommendations like other forms of travel have.  It's up to the cruise lines now.  

A lot will depend on how all the Ports of Call now react to the news and any pressure that can be put on them by their peers to continue with their tourist economy 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Fauci's retirement isn't until the end of Biden's term.

 

14 minutes ago, twangster said:

I thought he was staying through midterms.  He isn't CDC either.  

Yes.   But who knows if he has internal clout anymore, especially as he's been out a while with the bug (with published set-backs).    When a controversial leader announces retirement, the underlings start jockeying  for notoriety and position.  Could be someone just pulling a trigger early.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

 

Yes.   But who knows if he has internal clout anymore, especially as he's been out a while with the bug (with published set-backs).    When a controversial leader announces retirement, the underlings start jockeying  for notoriety and position.  Could be someone just pulling a trigger early.

He isn't in tne reporting hiarchy of the CDC.  Different agency.  I've never heard him get deeply involved over cruise ships.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Moby Dick said:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/07/18/cdc-ends-covid-19-program-cruise-ships

 

BTW, I know this is brand new.  But, I just looked into Royal's FAQ and nothing has changed.  You'd think that they would be ready to go with this kind of change and just tap a computer button and there it is, their new policy/protocol that was probably written up days, weeks, months ago.  

Your desiring a LOT from the RC IT staff to have a change that fast!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

.....this is LONG LONG LONG OVERDUE.....a cruise line deciding today or tomorrow in relative time terms....is FAR from going fast.  This was inevitable and they could change it overnight.  We all could ink the press release.  Yes, it is that simple.  If a country only allows vax/tested....then individuals can prove it, or we can keep our precious and much needed $ on the ship.  RCCL can single out on my SeaPass whether I  have the drink package, what room I     have, a picture, etc..  They can certainly state vax/tested for those countries that need it.  Until then, take me to Coco Cay and keep the rest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, CharmMicah68 said:

.....this is LONG LONG LONG OVERDUE.....a cruise line deciding today or tomorrow in relative time terms....is FAR from going fast.  This was inevitable and they could change it overnight.  We all could ink the press release.  Yes, it is that simple.  If a country only allows vax/tested....then individuals can prove it, or we can keep our precious and much needed $ on the ship.  RCCL can single out on my SeaPass whether I  have the drink package, what room I     have, a picture, etc..  They can certainly state vax/tested for those countries that need it.  Until then, take me to Coco Cay and keep the rest.

Here here!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...