bosslaydee

1 hour ago, sanger727 said:

The problem with wondering who and why they are taking the inaugural cruise is that at this point, no one booked in 2020 knows yet if they are taking the inaugural cruise.  Carnival announced they would be sailing in May - didn’t happen, then that they would be sailing in June - didn’t happen, now that they will be sailing in August - who knows. Someone who rebooked for October or November at this point could unintentionally end up on an inaugural cruise.

Oh that’s definitely true. Ports keep pushing back their reopen dates so that messes with a ton of itineraries. Here in Canada, I think our ports are closed for the entirety of the summer.
 

But regardless of actually going on it, I wanted to know why people chose to book or rebook for those first sailings. I was just interested in their thought process, it makes for good discussion. In my opinion.

29 minutes ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

I don't think the criticism was about their decision it was more to do with the phrase "a bad day at sea is better than a good day at home". I see this phrase a lot in these threads and IMO it does kind of trivialise some of the really awful situations that have happened on cruises. A bad day is a bad day no matter the circumstances😕. 

But isn't that just your opinion? Maybe someone's worst time at sea (a cancelled show or excursion, sunburn after laying out in the sun all day) is better than their good days which could be spent alone with a book. Not a bad day but they rank a day at sea higher. I know i could, depending on the day at home. Which is a pretty blessed life that i think a lot of us have experienced. I've never had a TRULY horrible experience on a cruise but yes, others have. And some people have truly horrible home lives, it really varies from person to person.
It's also never that deep, it's just a silly saying which we all understand is just glorifying cruising. Which is the common denominator of these discussions. I think the jump to extreme illness was a bit much. Personally.

7 minutes ago, CorrieCJ said:

 

Point taken. I didn't mean to make light of anything.  

I don’t feel you made light of anything. I think you made a conscious decision with your family, and were kind enough to tell us. Thank you. 
If the cruises sail, people are going to be on it. Why can’t it be you? Don’t feel bad about choosing a vacation that’s open to the public.

2 minutes ago, mnocket said:

Accordingly, I feel it is the responsibility of the elderly and compromised (e.g. me) to protect themselves.  The young may not socially distance, but I must.  When leaving the house, the young may wear cloth masks, or no mask at all, but I must wear a N95 or equivalent mask.  When restaurants reopen, the young can eat inside, I can't.  I think it's time we stop complaining about the young and healthy returning to normal, and start taking responsibility for protecting ourselves.  I we enter environments where social distancing is impossible (e.g. cruise ships), we are responsible for any outcome.

Thank you so so much. That has been a big part of what i've been trying to say. It's not about being "selfish" it's just taking responsibility for your best interests. Be it your own health or a loved one's at home. Not all young people have just themselves to take care of, so they have to be aware of the elderly or immunocompromised people they regularly come into contact with or take care of in acute situations. It's easy to say "People should look out for each other" but that's not reality. If you want to stay safe, you have to make your own safety happen for yourself and your family.

2 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

These are the results of a study where they tested all of the women who came into a NY hospital to deliver their babies -

 

"Between March 22 and April 4, 2020, a total of 215 pregnant women delivered infants at the New York–Presbyterian Allen Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center . All the women were screened on admission for symptoms of Covid-19. Four women (1.9%) had fever or other symptoms of Covid-19 on admission, and all 4 women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (Figure 1). Of the 211 women without symptoms, all were afebrile on admission. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 210 of the 211 women (99.5%) who did not have symptoms of Covid-19; of these women, 29 (13.7%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Thus, 29 of the 33 patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission (87.9%) had no symptoms of Covid-19 at presentation."

 

Looks like in this study, 14% of the women were asymptomatic.  

 

Here is an abstract from a paper published on the outbreak of the disease on the Greg Mortimer -

 

"We describe what we believe is the first instance of complete COVID-19 testing of all passengers and crew on an isolated cruise ship during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 217 passengers and crew on board, 128 tested positive for COVID-19 on reverse transcription–PCR (59%). Of the COVID-19-positive patients, 19% (24) were symptomatic; 6.2% (8) required medical evacuation; 3.1% (4) were intubated and ventilated; and the mortality was 0.8% (1). The majority of COVID-19-positive patients were asymptomatic (81%, 104 patients). We conclude that the prevalence of COVID-19 on affected cruise ships is likely to be significantly underestimated, and strategies are needed to assess and monitor all passengers to prevent community transmission after disembarkation."

 

Does that sufficiently respond to my highlighted part of your post?

 

DON

Good to know, thanks for sharing. Could you share the link for these studies?

4 minutes ago, Cruzaholic41 said:

You’re just the latest victim. This is what I was referring to back in post 95. Anyone who doesn’t think like these select few get beaten into submission. And don’t think you’ll win. You can’t compete against someone who never logs off. 

Thank you lol You're right, I am ignoring that person. I don't have to defend my character to strangers looking for a fight.

1 minute ago, clo said:

I was preparing to thank you for your well stated thoughts. Until this. So obviously there will be no vaccine by then and I'm betting no good treatment. So you're willing to contract it in whatever form it takes. And, if asymptomatic, then bring it home and infect others. Okey dokey.

Do you know the percentage of asymptomatic cases? I'm guessing no since tests aren't even frequent enough to test SYMPTOMATIC cases. So, let's stop throwing that word around like asymptomatic is a huge, definitive probability.

Secondly, i don't know how the states do it, but if i leave my country, the minute i return i'll have to be under 14 day quarantine. I live alone so why do you assume i'd spread anything? Please do not assume i'd willingly infect people.

And lastly, the most important point that was unfortunately missed; I'm considering it. I have made no plans. I have put no money down. I have time to think it over and choose a different course of action. I'd like to wait for people to go on the august cruises and come back and see how they fare. Until then, i have no set plans.
Please do not bully me into thinking like you. I'm very open minded to all of life's possibilities.

1 minute ago, clo said:

 

I was referring to this comment of yours. So I guess you agree with me that cruising is treacherous should it resume before/if there's a solid vaccine. So MAYBE two years.

My position through covid and on CC has always been this: the highest percentage of deaths are the elderly, people with pre existing conditions and the immunocompromised. I feel they should protect themselves above all else.
But ANYONE old, young, big, small, should focus on their health. Covid is a mystery of sorts and not everyone knows everything. So if anyone feels worried their life could be in danger, they should stay away from people. Especially in this time where its accepted and accommodated. Cruising is a luxury in general (covid or not) so its not a necessity. Taking a break is not the end of the world. Take a different type of vacation, there's plenty to choose from where you're not sharing a floating hotel with 4000 other people. But if someone wants to do it, it doesn't affect me, they are their own adult. I do not bash people for making any decision that affects their well-being.
I am considering returning to cruising late fall of this year.

2 minutes ago, clo said:

I guess you've not kept up with the latest data. 30+% of patient are between 20 and 40. And more and more children are getting the wicked version. Oh, right, and one can be asymptomatic and contagious. Sounds to me like everyone should stay home based on that alone. Right?

Everyone IS staying home based on that. Most of the world was under lock down. Some countries with unfortunate government are stuck inside at gun point.

29 minutes ago, txjim09 said:

Interesting, thanks for the link.  I was struck by the statement:

"These include mandatory touchless temperature screenings at embarkation, when returning to the ship, and before entering onboard events and dining venues."

 

and wondered what happens to people off of shore excursions who have elevated temps for any reason.

Oh that's a good point! I didn't even think about that. Maybe there is a cool down area, some ships offer water and fruit to returning passengers, even before the epidemic. Or maybe there will be a more detailed screening with questions so we can give any symptoms we're feeling (dizziness/light headedness, muscle pain/tenderness, sore throat, etc.); since high temperatures alone cannot give a definitive diagnosis.

1 hour ago, evandbob said:

I just received an email this morning from NCL concerning changes to their safety protocols, which led me to this section on their web site:

 

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/book-with-confidence?cheetahid=5000005432601&cid=EM_MKD_NA_PRO_EML_im_EML_PEACEOFMIND_SAFETY060220#safety

All of that is on cruise critic, along with other cruise lines

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5369/

1 hour ago, simmingdenise said:

I’m on the Magic for the August 1st sailing. It was a rebook from a canceled May 9th sailing. 
At the time I rebooked I didn’t imagine the shut down would go on this long. I’m not thrilled about being the test subjects for the return to cruising but I’m thankful I’m booked in a balcony on deck 11.

I sincerely hope masks will not be required of passengers. The rest of it I’ll just roll with whatever happens. I’m holding off on rebooking Cheers because it took 60 days to get the last one refunded and at this point Carnival has enough of my funds tied up. I have 4 cruises booked over the next 2 years and two are paid in full.

Since we’re a rebook we don’t fall under the Covid cancellation policy with Carnival and since we made a fee-free change to our AA air tickets once we can’t do another....so if she sails then we sail and just make the best of it.
If she cancels then we do a land trip to Miami and wing it.

Thank you! Okay, all that makes a ton of sense. That sucks that you cant cancel if you get cold feet though.

5 minutes ago, KnowTheScore said:

People have been "planning" to cruise for months.  What they've been met with is an ever increasing extension of cruise line's ceasing of operations.  That imho will continue, demonstrated today by Carnival's announcement regarding P&O.

 

But this is a side issue.  Your OP stated that some people were ready to try new protocols yet I haven't seen a single cruise line yet state clearly what their protocol is for dealing with on-board cases of COVID-19.    Surely that is the most pressing and salient protocol to understand?

 

.

Are you sailing in August? I am not sailing in August, so that question you keep asking, doesn't relate to me.
People who are sailing in August, will give us their reasons for why they are still sailing. That was my OP.

2 minutes ago, KnowTheScore said:

 

Lots of people are keen to cruise again, including myself.

 

However it's completely dependent on the agreed protocols for dealing with on-board cases of COVID-19.

 

Nobody, I feel sure, would willingly place themselves in a Diamond Princess situation no matter how much they enjoy cruising

 

.

Well, we can't speak for others. That's why i started this thread to get the opinions of those who are going to sail, because like it or not, people are planning to sail on Aug 1. People have gotten their March/April/May vacations cancelled, and rescheduled for August, or booked for august years in advance.

8 minutes ago, skrufy said:

We will be on the Carnival Horizon on September 5th for our B2B that is replacing the cancelled Carnival Mardi Gras. I believe all safety measures will be implemented and we will have a great cruise. Also need to get away from this virus insanity for a couple of weeks.

Yeah my family and i are waiting to see how the august sailings go (unfortunately, they're the guinea pigs lol) and then we'll decide if we want to purchase the December 5 sailing for POA. It would be the first time for all of us visiting Hawaii, but we're Canadian so doing anything with the states freaks us out a little bit lol

1 minute ago, KnowTheScore said:

 

Sorry but AFAIK no cruise line has yet agreed the protocols for dealing with on-board cases of COVID-19

 

That's the primary protocol that matters

 

Until it's resolved I don't think anyone can make any kind of sensible judgement about future cruising.

 

.

Oh, you're wrong there. There are some folks in some August 1st roll calls who are pumped to sail away. I'd ask them for their opinions but that's not really what the roll calls are for, especially since i'm not on their sailing lol

1 minute ago, mnocket said:

Either.  People who are booking these cruises don't know what the protocols will be.  They are nonetheless planning on going.  

Exactly! At this point, they've already made up their minds and are going to sail no matter what. I just wanna hear their perspective.

6 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

Do you mean cruising with wearing masks and social distancing or cruising the way it was prior to the pandemic ?

I guess however your chosen cruise line chose to proceed with its travels.
Every cruise line seems to be doing different but similar things.

Are you sailing on one of the first embarkations?

2 hours ago, clo said:

Infuriating. Outrageous. And, yeah, I guess sad that they're willing to kill others to indulge their silliness.

How do you find that people choosing to go on an obviously crowded vacation during social distancing would be killing others?
Not everyone dies from covid. And the ones who do (elderly and immunocompromised) should stay home.
No one can be "killing" people who choose to leave their homes.

3 minutes ago, ldubs said:

Interesting topic.  I don't have any current plans for the inaugural cruises.  I read many  speculations about new protocols here on CC.  Have cruise lines actually defined actual new protocols? 

I've only seen what cruise critic has put out.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5369/

So I saw the list of cruise lines and their dates to start sailing again. Most seem to be in August, some in september and of course carnival is in July.
Is anyone planning on being on these "inaugural" sailings? I'd love to hear your reasons on why you're ready to try these new protocols. 🙂 NO attacks here, just open, judgment-free discussion.

Stop the hysteria. Wash or disinfect your hands before coming in contact with your face or food (like you SHOULD) and keep a healthy, immune friendly diet and you'll be fine. Same thing you should do with seasonal influenza (the flu).

Fellow torontonian here.

It really depends on the DJ. I was on Carnival December 2018 and the main DJ was trash but a girl came to relieve him and the party took OFF she took requests where the main guy didnt, she played caribbean soca and dancehall and EVERYONE, of all ages, was getting low. my family definitely helped start the party but Olivia killed it with her set. Then the main DJ came back and we all left the venue lol

24 days!!

On 10/31/2018 at 10:28 AM, crbnlvr said:

I sailed on Fascination last month during my Bday.  I received the $50 spa card.  We had a port every day so I didn't have time to use the card.  I did however call and ask if I could use the card towards products and they said no.  I have read that others have been able to purchase products with the spa card (so maybe at least try if you aren't using it on a service).  

 

We did not mention my bday to anyone because we dine on our time.  One evening the servers sang and brought a piece of cake with a candle.  The cake was... interesting.

 

 

What was the flavor of that “cake”? Lol did it come like that or was the picture taken after several bites?