SS Future Re-Open Plan: Timing, Testing Needs??!!

[worldtraveller99]

Exactly CJANDH. In the UK we are coming to grips that everyone will catch it (thankfully the mild Omicron variant) and it isn't affecting us any more. Crossing all our fingers that tests for the USA and our Alaska cruise may go away.

 

Also just looking up our 2023 New York break. It appears the hotel restaurants are still all closed??

[Stumblefoot]

17 minutes ago, CJANDH said:

It once again highlights how our government's policy of requiring a negative test to return to the USA after a trip overseas is causing tremendous hardship to its citizens with no benefit to anyone. LET THEM COME HOME ALREADY!!

With all due respect, Americans who choose to travel overseas know the rules.  They may not like them, but it is what it is.  So, when the rules are set and people make a choice that involves a known risk, it's not a hardship, but rather just another one of the negatives of traveling overseas for the time being.

[CJANDH]

32 minutes ago, Stumblefoot said:

With all due respect, Americans who choose to travel overseas know the rules.  They may not like them, but it is what it is.  So, when the rules are set and people make a choice that involves a known risk, it's not a hardship, but rather just another one of the negatives of traveling overseas for the time being.

My point was not that the travelers don't know the risk, but that the rules are stupid and are hurting travelers unnecessarily. It is time for the US to get in line with the majority of the world. We can enter the USA by road, rail by sea  or on foot without a test. Why do we need one to fly?

[TLCOhio]

26 minutes ago, Stumblefoot said:

With all due respect, Americans who choose to travel overseas know the rules.  They may not like them, but it is what it is.  So, when the rules are set and people make a choice that involves a known risk, it's not a hardship, but rather just another one of the negatives of traveling overseas for the time being.

 

With all due respect to Stumblefoot saying "with all due respect", there is more to this question than just looking the other way and hoping the government is always right with whatever they say and dream up.  Yes, there are legitimate questions and doubts as to what science says is best for dealing with these challenges.  

 

Much has happened in the past two years and we are still trying to learn more, figure out the best strategies, etc.  My view is that what seemed smart and best six months ago, might not be working that well right now.  Where is the cost-benefit analysis for some of these policies today?

 

Great point and question of "We can enter the USA by road, rail by sea  or on foot without a test. Why do we need one to fly?" by our South Carolina neighbor.  

 

From my experiences both being in and dealing with government officials over the decades is that sometimes they are unwilling to adjust, be flexible and acknowledge that there might be new information and/or better, more effective alternatives to consider.  In general, governments and businesses need to be more open, honest and candid in sharing information, discussing trade-offs, shifting gears, etc.  AND, different people, depending on their age and health conditions, have varied risk levels.    In my view, one size does not and should not fit all.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Early 2020 (right before Covid shut-down), many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia.  This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc:  Live/blog;

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

[Stumblefoot]

1 hour ago, CJANDH said:

Why do we need one to fly?

Not arguing with you on that point at all.  Hopefully, you realize I agree with you in general.

To me, the U.S. rule makes no sense.  But, while I may not agree with the rule and find it totally unnecessary at this point, it was the word "hardship", i.e. severe suffering, that I took issue with.  No American who chooses to travel overseas and can't get back home because they've contracted COVID-19 is severely suffering.  Inconvenienced?  Yes.  Hardship?  No way.

[TLCOhio]

14 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

To me, the U.S. rule makes no sense.  But, while I may not agree with the rule and find it totally unnecessary at this point, it was the word "hardship", i.e. severe suffering, that I took issue with.  No American who chooses to travel overseas and can't get back home because they've contracted COVID-19 is severely suffering.  Inconvenienced?  Yes.  Hardship?  No way.

 

Appreciate this additional perspective and follow-up from Stumblefoot.  This helps clarify significantly.  Great, important question on "hardship" versus "inconvenience"??!!

 

From CNN Cable News and MSN this morning, they had this headline: “Airlines, travel industry push White House to end testing requirements” with these highlights: “White House officials met Tuesday with travel industry leaders who pressed the Biden administration to end its requirements that vaccinated international travelers take a coronavirus test before flying to the United States.  Airlines for America, representing major US air carriers, and the US Travel Association, representing the broad travel and tourism industry, said they argued the requirement does not match the current threat from Covid-19. They also say the requirement is harming the US economy.  'Quite frankly, the only impact the pre-departure testing requirement is having is a chilling effect on an already fragile economy here in the U.S.,' Airlines for America chief Nick Calio said in a statement after the meeting.”

 

Here is more from this reporting: "Roger Dow of the US Travel Association said in a separate statement that while restrictions on many other businesses have been lifted, "the travel industry remains disproportionately harmed by this requirement.'  'Other countries with whom we directly compete for global travelers have removed their pre-departure testing requirements and reopened their tourism economies, putting the U.S. at a serious competitive disadvantage for export dollars,' Dow said.  The industry has criticized the policy as out of date for months."

 

CNN sought, but did not gain a response from the White House.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.waow.com/coronavirus/airlines-travel-industry-push-white-house-to-end-testing-requirements/article_877b0dd7-dd5a-506a-a3cb-dbdeec4b20e9.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 254,877 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[TLCOhio]

From the New York Times Travel Section last week, they had this headline: “Testing Positive and Using the ‘Backdoor’ to Get Into the U.S." with this sub-headline: "Entering the United States by air requires a negative coronavirus test. Some people who can’t provide one are using a workaround: flying to Canada or Mexico, then entering via a land border.”

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “Michelle Fishman calls it the 'worst-case scenario that you don’t really think through.'  After a three-week vacation in Greece, the 52-year-old hotel art consultant from Miami and her husband took pre-departure coronavirus tests required to fly home from overseas. She tested positive, he did not.  Although coronavirus travel restrictions have eased across many parts of the world, the United States still requires all international air passengers to present a negative test taken within one day of departure. Instead, she took advantage of a quirk in the rules to head home after five days (the mandatory self-isolation period required by the Greek government) via a 'backdoor' — crossing into the United States by land, which does not require a coronavirus test, rather than by air. Because Canada does not require a test for entry, the couple first flew to Toronto and, after spending a night there, Ms. Fishman and her husband drove across the border into Buffalo and caught a flight home. (There is no testing requirement for flying domestically.)  The C.D.C. did not say why it has different policies in place for Americans who test positive at home and abroad, but a spokeswoman for the agency reiterated that travelers should follow the 10-day guidance to not travel before boarding a flight to the United States, even if they test negative. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the possibility of travelers using land borders to circumvent the testing requirement for air travel.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/travel/us-travel-covid-test.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 244,326 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[worldtraveller99]

If they are going to stop the need for tests before flying into the USA, do you think they will also stop the need for tests before getting on a cruise ship - eg our July Vancouver to Seward cruise? Because we don't need to test to get from London to Vancouver. 

[Brownie54]

Back to post 2951, we were just in NYC last week, and there were plenty of restaurants open.

You specifically mentioned hotel restaurants, and I can’t speak to that, but we had many options.

[worldtraveller99]

Thank you Brownie54, glad you had a great trip. We don't go there till next summer, so I trust things will continue to calm down! (to quote our ridiculous politician Michael Gove!)

[TLCOhio]

On 6/1/2022 at 12:21 PM, worldtraveller99 said:

If they are going to stop the need for tests before flying into the USA, do you think they will also stop the need for tests before getting on a cruise ship - eg our July Vancouver to Seward cruise? Because we don't need to test to get from London to Vancouver. 

 

Excellent question and point above about testing!!  When is enough and how to be consistent?  Not easy to fix, adjust and shift gears in moving forward as people are "learning to live with it".  Clearly, one size does not fit all.

 

From MSN News and a financial website, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean Makes a Huge Future Cruise Credit Change” with these highlights: “The pandemic has forced a level of fluidity on Royal Caribbean's decision-making process that once seemed impossible. As the cruise line was dealing with this challenging environment, it had to reassure its customers that booking was a safe option -- 'Cruise With Confidence.'  Royal Caribbean quietly ended Cruise With Confidence earlier this year, but many passengers were left with FCCs. Those cruise certificates had expiration dates.  That meant that some people held FCCs that might expire before they could use them. Now, Royal Caribbean has made a change to the program that many people holding credits will be thrilled with.  The company has seen the bigger picture and (likely) decided that goodwill mattered more than having to deal with not knowing when people would use their credits to book a cruise.  The cruise line has decided to have all FCCs issued between the start of the pandemic in 2020 and early 2022 not expire.  'As of June 1, 2022, Royal Caribbean announced that all unredeemed future cruise credits (FCC) offered under the Cruise with Confidence program will no longer expire.'  Prior to today's announcement, each credit had an expiration date when it had to be redeemed by, which gave some guests concern that they would lose out on the value of their money paid because they are unable or unwilling to cruise before the end of this year.  Royal Caribbean has not extended the redemption period for the extra 25% credit issued to people who had their cruises cancelled by the cruise line. Those credits will still expire at the original date.”

 

Very good PR and customer-friendly decision!!  Does this apply for all Silversea FCC's?

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/royal-caribbean-makes-a-change-passengers-will-love/ar-AAXYJgD?ocid=BingNewsSearch

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 237,489 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[rkacruiser]

How many newly minted Ph.Ds will be created in the next decade or more by researching all of the multitude of issues that have been created since the arrival of Covid-19?  

 

Oh, the opportunities the members of the Class of 2022 have!  

[TLCOhio]

On 6/3/2022 at 8:57 PM, rkacruiser said:

How many newly minted Ph.Ds will be created in the next decade or more by researching all of the multitude of issues that have been created since the arrival of Covid-19?  Oh, the opportunities the members of the Class of 2022 have!  

 

YES!  YES!!!  Agree with my wise SW Ohio neighbor that this Covid crisis will be a "Full-Employment Act" for many young researchers.  Lots to check out and speculate about the various theories, etc.  Appreciate this great comment and follow-up.  

 

From the Bloomberg News this morning, they had this headline: “How to Minimize Covid Risk on a Cruise” with these highlights: “Cruise ships are excellent breeding grounds for viruses.  'This means to prepare for the cruise, all four of you should be fully vaccinated and boosted,” says Jessica Justman, an infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.  'I suggest completing all booster doses a few weeks, and at least one week, before the trip starts,' says Justman.   She also suggests checking to see if your ship has opted into CDC’s Covid-19 Program for Cruise Ships, which lets passengers check to see if their cruise meets certain vaccination standards.  'I would also be interested in how many inpatient beds and medical personnel are on the cruise and compare that to the number of passengers,' says Justman. 'One might confirm that the cruise follows guidelines such as the cruise ship health care guidelines from the American College of Emergency Physicians.'  As for how to stay safe once you’re off to sea, Justman suggests tactics such as trying to eat meals outdoors when possible. Because so many Covid cases are asymptomatic, it’s not enough to simply avoid people who seem sick.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-06-05/coronavirus-daily-how-to-stay-safe-on-a-cruise

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 95,997 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[spinnaker2]

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/covid-reinfection-research-immunity/639436/?utm_source=apple_news

[A Tucson Guy]

16 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/covid-reinfection-research-immunity/639436/?utm_source=apple_news

Good article and thank you for sharing!!

[TLCOhio]

On 6/6/2022 at 10:12 AM, spinnaker2 said:

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/covid-reinfection-research-immunity/639436/?utm_source=apple_news

 

Appreciate this excellent link and sharing by Spins.  Lots happening!!.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “U.S. to End Covid-19 Testing Requirement for Air Travelers Coming to Country" with this sub-headline: "Health officials have determined testing is no longer necessary based on available science and data and will reassess the decision in 90 days.”

 

Here are the story highlights: “The Biden administration will on Sunday end a requirement that air travelers to the U.S. undergo Covid-19 tests before departure, according to a senior administration official.  The requirement, which was introduced last year for international travel, will cease because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined it is no longer necessary based on available science and data, the person said. The agency will reassess the decision in 90 days and on a continuing basis after that.  The testing requirement is set to end June 12 at 12:01 a.m. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is expected on Friday afternoon to sign an order lifting the testing requirement, an official said.”

 

Finally!!!  This should help the cruise lines as this "huge uncertainity/risk" was a serious negative worry for many like us who desire international travel  adventures and experiences.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-halt-outbound-covid-19-tests-for-air-travelers-to-u-s-11654869122?mod=hp_lead_pos1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 69,977 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[worldtraveller99]

Though do we still need to find somewhere in Vancouver (in mid-July) to test before we get on our Alaska cruise?

 

And I read that Princess etc have brought back masks throughout on Alaska cruises? How long do you think that will last?

 

This is all of course assuming we get to Vancouver. News in the UK of a ground staff (Unite union) strike in July at Heathrow which could stop all flights / make us travel hand luggage only (for a month in the wilds!!) No chance of any even informal nights!

[Lois R]

40 minutes ago, worldtraveller99 said:

Though do we still need to find somewhere in Vancouver (in mid-July) to test before we get on our Alaska cruise?

 

And I read that Princess etc have brought back masks throughout on Alaska cruises? How long do you think that will last?

 

This is all of course assuming we get to Vancouver. News in the UK of a ground staff (Unite union) strike in July at Heathrow which could stop all flights / make us travel hand luggage only (for a month in the wilds!!) No chance of any even informal nights!

Everyone who is sailing to/from or just making a stop in Canada needs to fill out information from the website ArriveCan and yes they require a test.

Here is a link:

https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/auth?returnUrl=%2Fen%2Ftravel%2Fport-of-entry

 

[worldtraveller99]

Thank you very much for this Lois - will use it!

 

Still hoping it may go away in time - after all both the UK and Dubai dropped their online entry registration, tests etc 2 weeks before we went there in March, hooray!x  

[TLCOhio]

31 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Everyone who is sailing to/from or just making a stop in Canada needs to fill out information from the website ArriveCan and yes they require a test.

Here is a link:

https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/auth?returnUrl=%2Fen%2Ftravel%2Fport-of-entry

 

Appreciate this great above link and follow-up from Lois.  Very helpful.  Much confusion with all of the different rules out there, etc.  

 

From Bloomberg and MSN News this morning, they had this headline: “Strikes and Labor Shortages Leave European Airports in Chaos” with these highlights: “The long-awaited post-lockdown travel boom is rapidly turning into a bust for holidaymakers as Europe’s aviation industry struggles to overcome crippling staff shortages and labor strife, forcing airlines to cancel hundreds of flights ahead of the peak summer period. The chaotic scenes playing out at airports from Ireland to Belgium to Germany represent a major setback for an industry hit particularly hard in the last two years of the pandemic. Airlines collectively lost billions in revenue that forced drastic job cuts and government-orchestrated bailouts for some carriers. Adding to the upheaval are strikes sweeping the travel sector, with corporate leaders wary to give in to higher wage demands despite surging inflation.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-travel-boom-has-caught-airlines-still-in-bust-mode-off-guard/ar-AAYgrDR

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 52,854 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[Stumblefoot]

1 hour ago, TLCOhio said:

Finally!!!  This should help the cruise lines as this "huge uncertainity/risk" was a serious negative worry for many like us who desire international travel  adventures and experiences.  

No help in the market today as RCL hits a new low.  The key price levels I highlighted previously still remain interesting.

[crusinbanjo]

5 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Appreciate this great above link and follow-up from Lois.  Very helpful.  Much confusion with all of the different rules out there, etc.  

 

Yes still much confusion.  With the announcement that the USA will no longer require Covid testing to enter via air, hopefully Canada will drop its entry requirements as well.   Hopefully we can get back to some consistent requirements instead of the ever changing headaches.

[jpalbny]

21 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Finally!!!  This should help the cruise lines as this "huge uncertainity/risk" was a serious negative worry for many like us who desire international travel  adventures and experiences.  

 

On our way he from Milan now. Missed it by a day! How annoying. At least we could use our last two eMed kits from the comfort of our hotel room.

 

We were sorely tempted to stay another day but alas we tested negative and decided to get home tonight and get a little rest and recovery tomorrow at home.

[TLCOhio]

20 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

No help in the market today as RCL hits a new low.  The key price levels I highlighted previously still remain interesting.

 

Yes, Royal Caribbean stock sank big-time yesterday/Friday.  Posted many details on the "Finance" thread.  It was a new RCL low for the most recent 52-week period.  Still not as low as in mid-March 2020.  Or, during earlier slumps around 2008.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

On our way he from Milan now. Missed it by a day! How annoying. At least we could use our last two eMed kits from the comfort of our hotel room.   We were sorely tempted to stay another day but alas we tested negative and decided to get home tonight and get a little rest and recovery tomorrow at home.

 

Great to hear, J.P., that you and Chris are heading back.  Stay safe and update us on your latest adventures. Lots of flying challenges these days.  Hope all works well. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio