What Potential COVID-Related Changes Would You Welcome??

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 12:16 PM, bdever said:

1.Virtual muster drill

2. capacity limits on number of total passengers 

 

3. I would say a reservation system however this is going to be a slippery slope as I believe it most likely will mean reservations for the pools & hot tubs.

We recently traveled to Columbus, OH for a couple days of Spring Break exploring and stayed at a Hampton Inn & Suites. One of the reasons, we decided to go to Columbus instead of just exploring around Cincinnati where we live was because my kid loves staying in hotels. So we thought that would help make this Spring Break more fun for her. And part of the reason she loves staying in hotels is getting to go to the pool. We did have to make a reservation to be able to use the pool and we only got a 30 minute window to use it. We didn't have anyone else swimming with us, so I think they only reserve it to one family at a time. It was not convenient at all! Good thing the water was cloudy which made my kid not even want to swim there. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been too happy to not be able to swim more! lol

[TNcruising02]

19 minutes ago, MistyRo76 said:

A big yes for me on paper towels in the bathrooms instead of hand dryers. Those hand dryers are known for spreading germs! 

 

And my work spent alot of time/money at the start of the pandemic making doors automated or at the very least where you could open them with your food or by using the crook of your elbow. That would be helpful on the ships as well although not sure when/how they would make those changes for ships not scheduled to be in dry dock soon. 

I'm visiting Florida right now and many of the restrooms in the area have large buttons that will open the restroom doors.  Those are so convenient.  I just use a paper towel or even my elbow to push the button.  It would be even nicer if the button was on the floor and I could use my foot.  Door handles have got to be a huge source of germs, especially the door handle exiting a restroom.

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 3:44 PM, Honolulu Blue said:

I'm pretty sure the logic here goes:

 

• You can't wear a mask while smoking
• Masks are required everywhere indoors because being unmasked indoors spreads COVID-19 to an unacceptable degree
• Smoking is not an essential activity, therefore...
• Ban smoking in the casino

Also, if someone is inhaling a cigarette (or other tobacco produce) then they are exhaling it out as well which means droplets of saliva are being dispersed into the air. I would definitely find no smoking in the casino a welcome change! Perhaps limiting smoking to outside locations only. And I say this as a former smoker (socially, at least) - even when I smoked, I didn't find it enjoyable to be in smoky bars! 

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 3:57 PM, Honolulu Blue said:

 

I think the passenger capacity limits are mostly a good thing, though i don't think they'll last forever.  The buffet changes seem mostly good, though I'm more ambivalent about them than most others appear to be.  The virtual muster drill will help overall convenience.

 

Room cleaning, once cruising resumes, could go either way.  Most hotels in the U.S. have actually cut service and made much of it by request.  I would prefer NOT to see my steward in full PPE twice a day and think service that often is between fluff and overkill - even in times like these.  But, of course, there are many opposing opinions on this.

 

I suppose other changes could be net positives, though I struggle to see them at the present time.

You are correct about hotels reducing their service. I didn't really think about it much when we were at a hotel for a couple days earlier this month on Spring Break, but I do recall the signs in the room about reduced cleaning being on request only. That could make sense for the cruiselines as well. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I enjoy our cabin feeling fresh and clean daily and it helps me keep the cabin clutter controlled! lol I also enjoy the turndown service at night - but that is a luxury that I could do without. It's just nice to come back to the cabin at night and have it all ready to get into bed! 

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 6:14 PM, JMAE said:

I like some of the other suggestions.  How about a virtual check-in: Completing check in at home, a barcode is created in your hub app you scan the barcode when entering the port for check in and board the ship.  

I like this idea! You can virtually check in for most hotels these days thru their app. The only thing that may still need to be done is the travel document checks - checking passports/ID/birth certs. etc. But that could be a quick queue before going thru security. 

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 9:32 PM, Tapi said:

Distancing! If there’s one thing that I’ve never understood (even pre-pandemic) is why people feel the need to stand in line so close to you that you can feel them breathing down the back of your neck.

 

I agree with others mentioned (served buffet, capacity limits, virtual musters, etc). All welcome changes. 

I hear ya about people crowding while standing in lines! Drives me crazy, too! Personal space is a good thing! lol

[MistyRo76]

On 4/23/2021 at 10:05 PM, Radiioman46 said:

I haven't read anywhere what the protocol will be for elevators. But to me, this is going to be a real problem if they limit access to the elevators. Meaning, only two ppl can get on an elevator or something along those lines. The elevators can hardly keep up with the demand like it was.  

yes...this can definitely be a problem during peak times (after dinner or shows, getting on/off the ship in port, etc.). We try to use the stairs as much as possible - but sometimes have to take the elevators and so much of the time felt squished like a sardine in there! At my recent hotel stay they had signs in the elevators that there could only be two people in the elevator at one time unless everyone was from the same family. It was ok at this small hotel (even though they had one of the two elevators out of service), but this wouldn't work on a large cruise ship! 

[MistyRo76]

19 hours ago, Moviela said:

I don't think limiting ship capacity is necessary. The company needs to make money. I don't find the lines or the crowds all that hurtful. I would like to see a priority line for boarding tenders on the land side though. 

 

I would fully support a priority line for boarding tenders in port to return to the ship. That would be a great added perk! 

[BlerkOne]

Carnival to actually enforce any covid rules and not hesitate to ban trouble makers.

 

I see Alaska Airlines banned one Don't Tread on Me Senator.

[d12j28]

On 4/25/2021 at 8:07 AM, MRVEGAS711 said:

NO SMOKING! = EMPTY SHIP!

Fixed it for you.

[d12j28]

26 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Carnival to actually enforce any covid rules and not hesitate to ban trouble makers.

 

I see Alaska Airlines banned one Don't Tread on Me Senator.

At least this thread made it to page 3 before you started with the political BS again. 

[BlerkOne]

22 minutes ago, d12j28 said:

At least this thread made it to page 3 before you started with the political BS again. 

Feel better?

[mdin]

Keeping an 'x' amount distance when waiting in line would be nice. Some people have no awareness of personal space.

[Essiesmom]

29 minutes ago, d12j28 said:

Fixed it for you.

Not empty ship, but maybe empty casino.  That would eliminate those who go there just to smoke.  EM

[d12j28]

14 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Feel better?

Absolutely, thanks for asking.

[asalligo]

Virtual Muster Drills are awesome!

 

I personally love the end of shaking hands, always hated touching someone's hands, many men walk right out of a restroom and never touch the sink. 

 

I would not mind reservations for shows, but handling no shows would require some regulating. 

 

Love the more serious cleaning routine and washy washy. 

 

 

[cruisingguy007]

Sounds like a lot of folks are wanting a private yacht experience or a premium luxury cruise from a mass market cruise line. Private lines, private areas, exclusive pools/hot tubs, private dining, private elevators, reduced capacity, reservations etc etc. All for a mass market every-man price. It's laughable and ridiculous. Wanting a premium experience for a budget price. Good luck with that! Looks like some want to turn Carnival into Viking or Seabourn. Better get your wallets/purses out! Sounds like I won't be cruising for a while if people have these pie-in-the-sky expectations and the CDC has pie-in-the-sky zero covid expectations. I'll be sitting it out until reality comes back from vacation and sanity returns. Maybe they need a new ship called "Imaginary" because that is the ship many here will need to be on with their lofty ideas...lol.   

[SNJCruisers]

3 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Sounds like a lot of folks are wanting a private yacht experience or a premium luxury cruise from a mass market cruise line. Private lines, private areas, exclusive pools/hot tubs, private dining, private elevators, reduced capacity, reservations etc etc. All for a mass market every-man price. It's laughable and ridiculous. Wanting a premium experience for a budget price. Good luck with that! Looks like some want to turn Carnival into Viking or Seabourn. Better get your wallets/purses out! Sounds like I won't be cruising for a while if people have these pie-in-the-sky expectations and the CDC has pie-in-the-sky zero covid expectations. I'll be sitting it out until reality comes back from vacation and sanity returns. Maybe they need a new ship called "Imaginary" because that is the ship many here will need to be on with their lofty ideas...lol.   

What is laughable and ridiculous is the fact that you think cruising in late 2021 or 2022 is going to be how it was back in 2019.  Everything that is being discussed on this thread is 100% pure speculation by various posters, but one thing is certain.  When cruising does resume, there will be changes.  Occupancy percentage will probably start at 60% and then incrementally go higher.  Muster drill will change, social distancing will be applied in the larger venues, self serve at the buffet and ice cream machines will be eliminated and elevator capacity will be limited to 4 or 6.

The exclusive pools as you keep forgetting is not on 21/25 ships in the fleet, only the 3 Vista Class and the MG.

[cruisingguy007]

Just now, SNJCruisers said:

What is laughable and ridiculous is the fact that you think cruising in late 2021 or 2022 is going to be how it was back in 2019.  Everything that is being discussed on this thread is 100% pure speculation by various posters, but one thing is certain.  When cruising does resume, there will be changes.  Occupancy percentage will probably start at 60% and then incrementally go higher.  Muster drill will change, social distancing will be applied in the larger venues, self serve at the buffet and ice cream machines will be eliminated and elevator capacity will be limited to 4 or 6.

The exclusive pools as you keep forgetting is not on 21/25 ships in the fleet, only the 3 Vista Class and the MG.

 

You seem to be the self appointed expert who has the only valid opinion. Thanks again for correcting my opinion.  

[SNJCruisers]

2 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

You seem to be the self appointed expert who has the only valid opinion. Thanks again for correcting my opinion.  

All of the proposals being tossed around in this thread will not come to fruition, but some of them will.  Don't know why you can't comprehend that changes will happen, for the short term and eventually down the road things will return to how they were in 2019, which of course will make you happy.  But just like it was in 2019, the Havana Area will still remain on 4 ships in the fleet.  You still have 21 ships to choose from that are Havana free once cruising resumes to how you remember it was. 

In the meantime enjoy taking your family to an all inclusive or maybe Knotts Berry Farm or Disneyland.

[Moviela]

8 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Not empty ship, but maybe empty casino.  That would eliminate those who go there just to smoke.  EM

My observation is both very large and tiny casinos near me have a "temporary no smoking" policy. As near as I can tell they are more crowded than ever. I spoke to a manager at the largest, and they are considering banning smoking on campus. He said they are saving a bundle on the air handling system, and they have had very few complaints. 

 

Many places that formerly had smoking places set aside have started to eliminate them one-by-one. Another brand of ships are down to one outdoor deck on one side of the ship, with limited hours. 

 

[BoozinCroozin]

There would only be one that I am 100% for...eliminate smoking in any indoor place (casino specifically). All other CDC recommendations have been useless and have no effect on the spread.

[MistyRo76]

12 hours ago, Moviela said:

My observation is both very large and tiny casinos near me have a "temporary no smoking" policy. As near as I can tell they are more crowded than ever. I spoke to a manager at the largest, and they are considering banning smoking on campus. He said they are saving a bundle on the air handling system, and they have had very few complaints. 

 

Many places that formerly had smoking places set aside have started to eliminate them one-by-one. Another brand of ships are down to one outdoor deck on one side of the ship, with limited hours. 

 

That's interesting to hear! Thank you for the insights. We have several casinos around where I live as well. I'll have to see if I can find out what they are doing as far as smoking. I know a few people who are dealers there. 

[runnersuzy]

Virtual muster drill. Check in online with code to scan.  Reservations for shows and run live on TV.  Cafeteria service at buffets.  No mask mandates.  

[cruisingguy007]

7 minutes ago, runnersuzy said:

Virtual muster drill. Check in online with code to scan.  Reservations for shows and run live on TV.  Cafeteria service at buffets.  No mask mandates.  

 

I always thought the shows/comedies should be broadcast to the cabins and TV's throughout the ship. It would allow many more folks to view them. It would also be cool to have them recorded and on demand ship-tv for 12-24 hours for those that missed it and want to watch at their convenience.