RCCL - Please Say No to Cruise Ships in Jacksonville for the Republican Convention!

[yogimax]

Now that it looks like the Republican convention will be held in Jacksonville in August, one of the problems will be hotels/housing.  Here's what the Republican state chairman (Gruters) said might be a solution...

 

"Gruters acknowledged a shortage of hotel space remains an issue for Jacksonville and the convention, which normally could attract 50,000 people. He said anchoring cruise ships at the city’s port could be an option..."

 

Please, RCCL, dismiss this nonsense before it gains traction.  All we need is an outbreak of COVID-19 on a Royal Caribbean ship.  That could set back any future reopening by months!

 

 

[ONECRUISER]

Not that matters but Rare Royal does this type thing anyway, over the years it's usually a Carnival thing. Ship's are not staffed and doubt any would be available for any type Charter/Contract. Most if not all won't be doing Reg Cruises at the time... Been on Cruise Critic since 1997, one safe places free from Politics. Let's keep it that way

Edited June 13, 2020 by ONECRUISER

[mugtech]

Gotta wonder if the CDC would require some sort of plan be submitted and approved before this could happen.  Cannot imagine why any cruise line would want to do this, in boxing it is called leading with your chin.

[Billy Baltic]

Just being devils advocate but it could be a way to test whatever processes they’re planning to put in place for cruising. If they’re not in a position to trial paying guests on one ship for a couple of days in port by August then they’re in serious trouble. 

[Tee & Chilli]

Due to the bridges many ships cannot fit in Jacksonville.

[deliver42]

There won't be any social distancing at the convention, so the virus will be a happy camper. Wait for about 2 weeks after the convention for a huge spike. A cruise ship doesn't need that kind of exposure. The industry has had enough.

[badvector]

3 hours ago, mugtech said:

Gotta wonder if the CDC would require some sort of plan be submitted and approved before this could happen.  Cannot imagine why any cruise line would want to do this, in boxing it is called leading with your chin.

 

Would they require the same type of planning from other hotels, bars and restaurants in the area?

 

* - This post is not meant to be political in any way nor either for or against it. 

[mugtech]

3 minutes ago, badvector said:

Would they require the same type of planning from other hotels, bars and restaurants in the area? 

Probably not.

[SkaterJasp]

Well it’s going to be very easy for Royal Caribbean to say no because they don’t seem to have any ships in Jacksonville. However, it appears that Norwegian has 3 ships there. 

[S.A.M.J.R.]

1 hour ago, deliver42 said:

There won't be any social distancing at the convention, so the virus will be a happy camper. Wait for about 2 weeks after the convention for a huge spike. A cruise ship doesn't need that kind of exposure. The industry has had enough.

Like that huge spike that happened after the Ozarks party?

 

Looks like a pool deck on a ship. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

7 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Not that matters but Rare Royal does this type thing anyway, over the years it's usually a Carnival thing. Ship's are not staffed and doubt any would be available for any type Charter/Contract. Most if not all won't be doing Reg Cruises at the time... Been on Cruise Critic since 1997, one safe places free from Politics. Let's keep it that way

Super Bowl Miami 

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 hours ago, Tee & Chilli said:

Due to the bridges many ships cannot fit in Jacksonville.

Maybe, our Government could make Mayport available as a dock for civilian use. 

[TMLAalum]

@S.A.M.J.R.

It's been over 14 days since the Ozark Pool Party and to the best of my knowledge there was one COVID case identified the following week and another just recently, although that person may have contracted it elsewhere. Also the 2 Missouri beauticians who styled patrons while having COVID symptoms evidently have not passed the virus on- both they and their customers were masked.

 

There is so much we do not yet understand about the transmission. Most passengers on those several cruise ships with COVID outbreaks, including those under quarantine for weeks, did not get ill. 

 

So who knows what will happen if ships are used as hotels in J-ville?

[S.A.M.J.R.]

2 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

@S.A.M.J.R.

It's been over 14 days since the Ozark Pool Party and to the best of my knowledge there was one COVID case identified the following week and another just recently, although that person may have contracted it elsewhere. Also the 2 Missouri beauticians who styled patrons while having COVID symptoms evidently have not passed the virus on- both they and their customers were masked.

 

There is so much we do not yet understand about the transmission. Most passengers on those several cruise ships with COVID outbreaks, including those under quarantine for weeks, did not get ill. 

 

So who knows what will happen if ships are used as hotels in J-ville?

That was exactly my point.  People were saying "watch for the spike from the party" and "watch for the spike from the beauticians", but it never happened.  Logic does not work on this virus.

[cured]

30 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

That was exactly my point.  People were saying "watch for the spike from the party" and "watch for the spike from the beauticians", but it never happened.  Logic does not work on this virus.

Absolutely correct, logic does not fit, which means erring on the side of caution is prudent.  Luckily it seems there was no one contagious at the Ozarks party. On the other hand, there was a college party last week at the school my son attends, again with symptom free students. There are already several cases of covid linked to that party and everyone who attended and has come in contact with the students is now being tested.

 

You never know who is going to be that one person who is a super spreader.  A convention would seem to be more susceptible  than a swimming event with everyone taking deep breaths to whoop, holler and cheer, especially when masks and social distancing will be discouraged.

 

(Not political, this would pertain to either party's conventions or any indoor large gathering with lots of cheering)

Edited June 13, 2020 by cured

[logan25]

24 minutes ago, cured said:

You never know who is going to be that one person who is a super spreader. 

In which case, you should be fearful of everyone and everything they contact.  Based on current guidance, humans will never again be closer than six feet from another human.  Because masks are not 100% guaranteed spread prevention.  So say goodbye to human contact.

[cured]

10 minutes ago, logan25 said:

In which case, you should be fearful of everyone and everything they contact.  Based on current guidance, humans will never again be closer than six feet from another human.  Because masks are not 100% guaranteed spread prevention.  So say goodbye to human contact.

That seems a bit dramatic. Several vaccines are in the works and show promise. The whole world is working on vaccines,.  Looking at the history of pandemics and major crippling diseases, this virus too will be controlled eventually and life will go on as usual.  People just need to be patient.  

 

But, people chafing under restrictions and refusing to follow social distancing and masks are only prolonging the time needed to social distance and wearing masks as they are giving the virus an avenue to spread.  They are their own worst enemies. Until a vaccine is available, masks especially help control your (general you) emissions if you happen to be that unknown super spreader.

Edited June 13, 2020 by cured

[zonacruiser25]

6 minutes ago, logan25 said:

In which case, you should be fearful of everyone and everything they contact.  Based on current guidance, humans will never again be closer than six feet from another human.  Because masks are not 100% guaranteed spread prevention.  So say goodbye to human contact.

Agreed, the "fear" of the unknown is still paralyzing so many communities.  Living in the Phoenix AZ area, we are now described as a hot spot.  Well, only over the last 3 weeks did they try to accomplish any large scale testing.  I will not be staying home but I will practice good hygiene.   

I have seen that NCL has provided hotel ships at Superbowls (Bud Light hotel) and Rio Olympics, maybe they would provide a ship if that is what Jacksonville wants to do.  Any exposure/spread of any virus can happen at any hotel or venue.  We have to start living again.  Be smart and be safe.

[time4u2go]

I don't think it really matters which cruise line might provide ships for this event.  If an outbreak occurs on any of them, it will be bad for the whole cruise industry.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

21 minutes ago, cured said:

That seems a bit dramatic. Several vaccines are in the works and show promise. The whole world is working on vaccines,.  Looking at the history of pandemics and major crippling diseases, this virus too will be controlled eventually and life will go on as usual.  People just need to be patient.  

 

But, people chafing under restrictions and refusing to follow social distancing and masks are only prolonging the time needed to social distance and wearing masks as they are giving the virus an avenue to spread.  They are their own worst enemies. Until a vaccine is available, masks especially help control your (general you) emissions if you happen to be that unknown super spreader.

How's that cancer vaccine coming?  AIDS?  Common Cold?  Hope for a vaccine?  Sure.  Plan for a vaccine?  Nope.  Odds are against having a vaccine soon.  

[cured]

13 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

How's that cancer vaccine coming?  AIDS?  Common Cold?  Hope for a vaccine?  Sure.  Plan for a vaccine?  Nope.  Odds are against having a vaccine soon.  

Cancer is a different animal than a virus, you are comparing apples to oranges. Athough there are some vaccines being developed like the HPV and Hep-B vaccines that prevent diseases that can lead to cancer.  

 

AIDS vaccines are continuously evolving, the latest ones have shown success in eliminating measurable viral load in humans. It is also not as communicable as covid-19  and has known and proven prevention methods. 

 

Exactly how much research has been put into a vaccine for the common cold, a virus that is common with an extremely rare mortality rate?

 

The difference is that early research has shown that covid-19 is vulnerable to a vaccine and early trials are looking promising.  The jury is still out whether it will be an annual vaccine like influenza and whether or not the vaccine will eliminate the virus completely from the body, akin to HIV, necessitating further treatments if caught.  

 

We have to remember this is a novel virus. It has never been seen in humans. Knowledge of it is still evolving.

Edited June 13, 2020 by cured

[LXA350]

13 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

How's that cancer vaccine coming?  AIDS?  Common Cold?  Hope for a vaccine?  Sure.  Plan for a vaccine?  Nope.  Odds are against having a vaccine soon.  

 

Therefore we all need to help to fight the virus and continue with social distancing and wearing mask in public, especially in areas where social distnacing cannot be obtained.

[firefly333]

9 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Not that matters but Rare Royal does this type thing anyway, over the years it's usually a Carnival thing. Ship's are not staffed and doubt any would be available for any type Charter/Contract. Most if not all won't be doing Reg Cruises at the time... Been on Cruise Critic since 1997, one safe places free from Politics. Let's keep it that way

I'm with you. More carnivals thing. Carnival already said only 3 ports in august so they arent booking other ships, they are just sitting there in august. 

 

Idk what if anything rcl might sail out of Jacksonville but probably nothing, so no impact whatsoever on rcl. Quit worrying about August cruises imo. 

 

I'm wondering why Jacksonville anyway. Dallas would have the convention center and hotels ... why such a small town, the covid rate? But no clue what will happen. 

Edited June 13, 2020 by firefly333

[S.A.M.J.R.]

2 minutes ago, cured said:

Cancer is a different animal than a virus, you are comparing apples to oranges. Athough there are some vaccines being developed like the HPV and Hep-B vaccines that prevent diseases that can lead to cancer.  

 

AIDS vaccines are continuously evolving, the latest ones have shown success in eliminating measurable viral load in humans. It is also not as communicable as covid-19  and has known and proven prevention methods. 

 

Exactly how much research has been put into a vaccine for the common cold, a virus that is common with an extremely rare mortality rate?

 

The difference is that early research has shown that covid-19 is vulnerable to a vaccine and early trials are looking promising.  The jury is still out whether it will be an annual vaccine like influenza and whether or not the vaccine will eliminate the virus from the body, akin to HIV.

The point is MANY people have been working on Cancer and AIDS vaccines for DECADES.  Just saying "many people are working on a CV vaccine" means nothing.  And do you want to rely on a vaccine that's been rushed to market?  

[cured]

15 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

The point is MANY people have been working on Cancer and AIDS vaccines for DECADES.  Just saying "many people are working on a CV vaccine" means nothing.  And do you want to rely on a vaccine that's been rushed to market?  

The difference is that early research has shown that the virus is susceptible to a vaccine.

 

The Oxford animal trial, while extremely small with only 6 monkeys, was very promising. The vaccine created antibodies and the monkeys were protected when introduced to massive doses of the virus. The first human trial also showed promise.

 

The researchers also have a leg up in that they have been studying SARs related viruses for years, so can piggy back this vaccine on what they have already tested. 

 

Although I am very biased as my child is a chem/bio engineer in pharma working on one of the vaccines, so I have faith in him and his coworkers.

 

I will follow the science, not the hand wringing of the frustrated populace. And yes, as long as my physician feels comfortable with the test results, I will be in line for a vaccine.

 

This has gone totally off topic as the original post was not about vaccines, so I will now shut up 🙂

Edited June 13, 2020 by cured