mightycruisequeen

We've canceled all the cruises we had booked, except for one in December of next year, precisely because of all the Covid requirements to cruise on HAL.  We're taking alternative trips that aren't so restrictive, so that vacationing actually feels like a vacation.  Being on a ship with others glaring at me if I take more than one sip of Coke Zero before masking back up is so not my idea of relaxing and enjoying.  

These Covid discussions have become the new dress code threads. (Cue someone to say "but the way you dress won't kill someone".)🙄

5 hours ago, CHPURSER said:

 Carnival saved the company from bankruptcy, then destroyed it with a Walmart Business Plan.

I am shocked that people are still dumb enough to expect HAL to somehow get better. Its not going to happen. At the same time, there are so many new cruise lines that are running circles around HAL, with better food, better service, better ships, better itineraries, better entertainment, better pricing.

I'm wondering what cruise lines you're saying are running circles around HAL for food, service, ships, itineraries, entertainment and pricing?  I'm asking sincerely.

Duck, every way they prepare it, especially the duck on gala nights.  I always order that instead of the steak and lobster, and I love steak & lobster.  They also made a really cool entree salad with little slices of seared duck breast and soft boiled eggs.  

24 minutes ago, nocl said:

It is the vibe that we have.  Spent a week in an all inclusive in Cabo, masks in all public areas, inside and outside, except when seated in bars and restaurants and in the open around the pool.

 

I guess everyone was faking that they were having fun.

Glad you made the best of it 😎

15 hours ago, jhsocal said:

Long article in Nov. 8 Los Angeles Times -judges have been tough on plaintiffs requiring details how and when exposed and proving cruise line was negligent. 

Mentioned some cruise lines have added language to ticket contracts cruisers accept risk of contacting covid on their ship.

Sounds very sensible and fair to me.

Think of all the contacts a typical cruiser makes just before and during a cruise~ shuttles/cabs/ubers, hundreds (or thousands) of people in the airport(s), more hundreds in the plane(s), another thousand or so other cruisers while waiting to board the ship, then possible exposure onboard to other pax who may have Covid, but too early in infection to test positive in pre-board tests.   And of course, there's everybody at the ports you'll visit, who may be carrying Covid.  

If you're going to travel, you have to understand that you might be exposing yourself to a whole lot of people who could infect you with Covid.  And, as we know, even the fully vaxxed can get and spread the virus.

It would only be logical and fair that the cruise lines would have limited liability for passengers getting Covid.

2 hours ago, baggal said:

This morning I thought it was my ancient desktop that was the issue.  So glad I came here to find out I'm not the only one.  I'm trying to be patient and realize that most of the complaints on these boards are "first world problems" but really - a working website is no longer a luxury for a business but a necessity.  

 

I hope all the electronics on board the ships perform better than the HAL website.

My thoughts exactly.  

On 10/29/2021 at 7:53 AM, cruisemom42 said:

 

It is a moving target but as of today, Celebrity's website says that the following islands in the Eastern Caribbean repertoire require passengers to take only ship-sponsored tours:  Antigua, Barbados, Domenica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Tortola. For Western Caribbean add Roatan. For Panama Canal add Colon.

 

Thanks.  I guess you can't blame the local authorities, but this would put a major damper on Caribbean cruising for us.

7 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

While we can't predict the future, the OP is asking about whether what s/he is reading about HAL on their FB page is true regarding not allowing folks to tour independently on some islands -- and the answer is that yes, this is currently true. 

Do you know specifically which Islands this is currently true about?

26 minutes ago, RGEDad said:

 Please enjoy your vacation - and enjoy Key West - especially now with none of those nasty cruise ships dropping of the great herds of lemmings...

 

 

I forgot about the big ships no longer being welcome in the Conch Republic! 

I'm still a lemming in my heart of hearts though.  Next chance I get to board a dam ship (without all the  crazy hoops to jump through), I'll be happily back at sea with all the other lemmings. 😊

12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

My message is simple.  Stay home and whine or accept this new normal and enjoy travel and cruising.  Many of us have simply moved on with our lives and don’t want any part of those who have made whining their personal new normal.

We're not going to stay home and whine, but we're sure  not giving Holland America our money,  only to be required to be vaxxed, tested, and masked, and try to convince ourselves that's a vacation!  Instead, we're going to go stay in a gorgeous vacation rental in the keys for that month.  That might become our personal new normal.🏝️😎

1 minute ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. I'm just happy that you and others who feel that way won't be on my cruises for the foreseeable future. 

How do you know?😊

2 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Yes, but sadly she is not alone. Someone on a social media group said that requiring a vaccine, negative Covid test and masks were going to cause him not to enjoy his HAL cruise, and he was only going because he had a non-refundable deposit. Much like mightycruisequeen here. I'm not entirely sure how he's going to sail if he is opposed to the vaccine requirement.

 

Fortunately, I think there are many more people who will only sail with these requirements than who will not sail because of it.

Try not to let it upset you too much that there are people with opinions that are different than yours.

29 minutes ago, TomBeckCruise said:

Not small potatoes to many people. Do they still put people in lines to board?  It's third grade with people breaking line.

Two times was enough for us. I haven't even considered them in the last 5-6 years.

You have a boarding group and number now.  it's not total mayhem anymore.

3 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

I also like the way the point system works with changing flights.  The unused points just go back into your account without having a one year time limit to use (which you have if you are paying cash).

Absolutely!  Thanks, I forgot about that lovely detail!  I also really like their ticket agents, as well as the funny flight crews.  

Whatever IS going on with all of the cancellations, it's not business as usual for SW.  There's something the mainstream news isn't sharing.

1 hour ago, rucrazy said:

We never fly SW...never cared for their business model.

My opinion is exactly the opposite.  SW is my favorite airline for so many reasons.  I love the 2 bags free policy.  Love the no change fee, as well as the fact that my points never expire.  I love their safety record too!  The only thing that I sort of don't like is the lack of assigned seats, but that's small potatoes.

Sure, it was weather, and IT issues.🙄

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-fllght-cancellations-pilots-association-president/

On 10/10/2021 at 10:26 AM, RuthC said:

Since smokers have to go out of their way to find a place to smoke on the ship, it's no hardship for non-smokers to go out of their way if they want to totally avoid smoke. It's a reasonable accommodation. 

Non-smokers who want to totally avoid smoke should keep pressuring cruise lines to eliminate smoking from their ships.  There's absolutely no healthy reason to allow it onboard.  (And aren't we all so into everyone's health, and worrying about the health of others these days?)

Smoking is a hardship that smokers choose to endure, and they somehow expect the rest of us to deal with it too.   That's not a reasonable expectation anymore.    

Here's the CDC's own explanation of immunity:  

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-types.htm?fbclid=IwAR2wUW7UKSJ-g_4KFKK6PF1n6sKO_1y0t4XVc8bC0vrXD7XaTBpDdUFo-b8

9 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

I am all about the cheapest price and need minimal servicing...As kazoo referenced, I know a lot about cruising (or so I think)....I've shopped various online agencies and landed on one that ALWAYS gives us the lowest price...(I do compare every time)..And the service is fine for what I need.

 

This is just me but I would never book directly with the cruise line.....I still have a belief that you need an "agent/advocate" when dealing with an expensive travel purchase w/several moving parts. Plus, it costs more.

 

As for using a local travel agent.....in the past (and it has been many years ago) when I shopped local it was enough more $$$ to not be worth it for me.

 

Of course, YMMV and it's good we have lots of choices......

 

Agree 100% with all of this.

2 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

At what point does the vaccinated community get on with life and let the unvaccinated community protect themselves as they see fit?

I'm all for everyone getting on with life.  A little "live & let live" goes a long, long way.

Thank again for a pleasant and informative exchange, nocl. 😊 

1 hour ago, nocl said:

Hawaii safe travels program does not recognize previous infection as a way to avoid quarantine, must be fully vaccinated.

No surprise there. Hawaii seems to be just about the most Coronaphobic place on the planet.

11 minutes ago, nocl said:

The EU digital COVID certificate (vaccine passport) will accept documented recovery from COVID.  But only for 180 days after infection.  After the 180 day point they do not consider it to be acceptable.

I didn't know that; figured it was jabbed only.  Is there a U.S. equivalent to that?

19 minutes ago, nocl said:

You as an individual.  I am talking about the entire class.

 

Have you joined any studies or trials for them to monitor your antibody levels?  Have you joined any studies that look at numbers of those that have been infected to track efficacy against break through infection?

 

In other words all of the data collected in large numbers of vaccinated individuals?

 

I expect you have not, and neither has most of those that have gotten infected.  As a result the data on natural immunity comes from relatively small studies.  Mostly looking at blood work showing antibody levels, not tracking of numbers in the equivalent of a phase 3 trial.

 

As a result the regulatory authorities in most countries consider the data available concerning natural immunity is not sufficient or consistent enough for them to put it in their protocols as an alternative to vaccination.

No, I wasn't part of an on-going study, just one person.   I appreciate your kind and well-reasoned responses to the issue.  Most on here have been pretty dismissive on that subject.

1 minute ago, nocl said:

There is plenty of discussion and data out there.  The problem is that 1. in many cases it is not documented whereas the date and type of vaccination is  2. The immune response is highly variable depending upon the strain of the initial infection, vs potential infection from other strains.  3. The length and effectiveness of such immunity in widely variable with different studies showing different results, as a result the ability to set a time for the length of that immunity from initial infection is limited.

 

Put all three of those together and it is easier to require documented vaccination for travel.

 

You had more countries willing to accept documented previous infection/immunity for travel in the earlier days when there was problems with vaccine supply, now not so much.

I have documentation of when I tested positive, and I also have documentation of the test results from the antibody test I took a little over a month ago.   It's still a no go for getting on a ship, unless I get a (now pointless) vaccination.  It's not scientific or fair.

I realize that big pharma isn't making billions from people who acquire natural immunity, so it looks like I'm out of luck for cruising, unless and until Holland America drops the jab mandate.