Is it Enjoyable to cruise right now?

[1kaper]

6 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Interesting, it's the complete opposite for us, we like the energy of a lot of happy folks, people socializing, vibing and interacting, and all the pomp and circumstance of cruising. I can get quiet, personal space, food, drink, read and be anti social at home for nearly free, well, minus the food/drink costs but those can be had for much cheaper than a cruise. It's actually one of my biggest fears that the cruise will be boring, people scared of everyone else, standoffish, afraid to lets their kids play/hang at the clubs, and just a general down low energy basic cruise of eating/drinking. I'd feel disappointed in a cruise like that. Hate the masks also but could just avoid areas where they are required and deal. I think we are going to try one soon and hope for the best but would sure miss the energy we expect from a cruise vacation.     

Oh my kid is going to the club.  😆

"I can get quiet, personal space, food, drink, read and be anti social at home for nearly free"
 But I can't be warm with a sea breeze in March doing it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being social.  I was exaggerating a bit.  Our very first cruise we ended up seated with two guys our age and had a great time with them. Playing jokes and stuff.  I will still talk to people but I'm not usually the one to strike it up. 
But I'm also just fine not talking to anyone else. 

I won't tell you how many books I read on our honeymoon cruise 😆

Edited January 26, 2022 by 1kaper

[csm5986142]

I would say it's absolutely enjoyable, but as others have mentioned, it probably depends on what you want out of a cruise/vacation.

Where I live, we are required to wear masks everywhere inside and show negative test results for major events, so that really doesn't bother me on the ship (it's pretty routine).  Plus, there is ice and snow all over the place here! 🙂

We work so much, that when I get on a ship all I really care about is relaxing and enjoying sun and ocean.  I don't really care for crowds and have never been much for the clubs and things like that.  So to me, very little has changed, except I can always find a quiet lounge chair.  

[BlerkOne]

We have fun on any cruise and have been on 4 since cruising restarted with more booked. But I do have to wonder if someone needs to ask a question like that or is stressing about it would. It depends on your attitude.

[emoorehead]

2 hours ago, 1kaper said:

I won't tell you how many books I read on our honeymoon cruise 😆

Talk about anti-social....😉

[MrMarc]

I've been on 2 Carnival and 1 RCCL and had a great time on all 3.  I avoid the venues that make me uncomfortable and sometimes have to wait for or get off an elevator because the some people don't have enough integrity to follow the rules they agreed to.  But except for the momentary annoyance of those few people, I had a great time.  I've spoken to a couple of the Public Health Officers, and if the numbers start creeping up again I think  the cruise lines will provide them with staff and begin backing them up with consequences for not following the protocols.  Things are much better now than they were in September and I think that trend will continue.   Is there a chance you could get COVID?  Absolutely, but you are better off on the ship than pretty much anyplace else in the world.  Just understand some ports may change or be missed, some shows might not happen and some restaurants may be closed and you will not receive any compensation (or sympathy here).  As long as you understand that things are different and can enjoy yourself under those conditions then you should go.  If it is critical that you stop at any particular port, that some show happen, or it's not ok if your food or drinks take a bit longer if they are short staffed, or you think you know more about COVID than the cruise lines then you should absolutely not get on a ship now.

[britbritrawr09]

I honestly can’t wait to cruise at lower capacity. I think with peoples social levels everyone’s opinion would be different. Me and my bf are introverts who prefer each others company. Not to say we won’t talk to people but Covid didn’t effect us in that aspect because we like to stay home. Though I may be doing the same things on a cruise at home, I don’t have to cook or clean or take care of my four monstercats. Plus no work! 

[TechDiva]

5 hours ago, Scotto97 said:

Halloween isn't a standard cruise, and I'm sure it attracted a more fun-loving crowd. I'm sure the same could be said for the Upcoming St Patrick's Day. I was speaking about cruises on normal non-festive dates.

Interesting. I don't think the level of fun that anyone has is dependent on the date that a person cruises.  So, we'll just have to respectfully disagree that the only time anyone has had any fun on Carnival was on "normal non-festive" dates.

[ArchieCruise]

I think cruising during the pandemic is a personal choice.  We got off the Panorama a couple weeks ago and many people cancelled before our trip. 
 

the thing I have said is that if you are nervous about getting COVID and about the heightened protocols then cruising right now may not be the best choice.  With that said if you are fine going with the flow and willing to accept change (missed ports, masks, etc) then cruising right now is great.  I typically only cruise once every other year and have sailed once this year and have two more booked for this year and one for next.  Prices are great right now and enjoy the smaller crowds and lower prices.  If you feel good quality is down then use the savings from the cheaper fare and treat yourself to the specialty restaurants while on board.  

[Guest BasicSailor]

12 minutes ago, TechDiva said:

Interesting. I don't think the level of fun that anyone has is dependent on the date that a person cruises.  So, we'll just have to respectfully disagree that the only time anyone has had any fun on Carnival was on "normal non-festive" dates.

I had the pleasure of sailing on 3 or 4 of those Halloween cruises, absolutely love them. I have to say they compare right up there with Christmas holidays. The spirt of cruisers are more excited and extreme over the standard cruise. People are just plainly more excited to be on a ship during holidays.

[TechDiva]

1 hour ago, BasicSailor said:

I had the pleasure of sailing on 3 or 4 of those Halloween cruises, absolutely love them. I have to say they compare right up there with Christmas holidays. The spirt of cruisers are more excited and extreme over the standard cruise. People are just plainly more excited to be on a ship during holidays.

 

I can see being more excited during holidays, maybe it's just that I don't consider Halloween to be comparable to a holiday like say, Christmas. 

Either way, I'll be finding out soon enough just how fun cruising will be during one of these normal cruises.

Thanks for the response!

[mz-s]

It is not as enjoyable as it was before COVID, but it's still very enjoyable especially when you consider the deals that are out there to cruise right now.

 

The masking is the biggest problem to me. If they got rid of the masks, I'd be 100% behind them. They're not doing anything.

[Scotto97]

12 minutes ago, mz-s said:

It is not as enjoyable as it was before COVID, but it's still very enjoyable especially when you consider the deals that are out there to cruise right now.

 

The masking is the biggest problem to me. If they got rid of the masks, I'd be 100% behind them. They're not doing anything.

Same here - The pre-testing and vaccination requirements should allow us to make mask wearing voluntary. Carnival should offer free, N95 masks that would actually protect the people that wish to wear them. Instead of making it my responsibility to protect strangers.

[icft]

6 minutes ago, Scotto97 said:

Same here - The pre-testing and vaccination requirements should allow us to make mask wearing voluntary. Carnival should offer free, N95 masks that would actually protect the people that wish to wear them. Instead of making it my responsibility to protect strangers.

This past Sunday we got back from a cruise on the Glory and they had two KN95 masks waiting for us in the room when we boarded and a note to ask the Stateroom Attendant if we needed more. We didn't use them as we had our own N95 masks (US made) and about half the KN95 (Chinese made) are counterfeit.

[Scotto97]

5 minutes ago, icft said:

This past Sunday we got back from a cruise on the Glory and they had two KN95 masks waiting for us in the room when we boarded and a note to ask the Stateroom Attendant if we needed more. We didn't use them as we had our own N95 masks (US made) and about half the KN95 (Chinese made) are counterfeit.

Great to hear they are supplying masks that can actually protect the wearer.....

[icft]

29 minutes ago, mz-s said:

It is not as enjoyable as it was before COVID, but it's still very enjoyable especially when you consider the deals that are out there to cruise right now.

 

The masking is the biggest problem to me. If they got rid of the masks, I'd be 100% behind them. They're not doing anything.

The masks are a pain in the butt however on our recent cruise it was so cold at times I actually found myself occasionally wanting to wear one 😄

[sgttami]

I have no interest whatsoever in cruising right now. Testing, masks, sip and cover when drinking etc. 

 

I see pictures of friends on recent cruises with everyone masked up on excursions and Lido deck parties and it's not enticing at all.

 

Dining room staff in masks looked like dinner was in the emergency room.  It's a total turn off.

 

I have no idea how long this will be but I'll wait till it's more like the old days.  Not a big deal for me.  If you go and enjoy, good for you.  I don't want any part of it.

[day-day]

I have recently cruised twice on the same Western Caribbean cruise on the Glory.  The cruise left out of New Orleans and went to Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay (Roatan).  This is a 7-day cruise; one in October and one last week.  The one last week seemed to have fewer passengers than the one in October but both had very few passengers.  I don't know the actual numbers.  The one last week seemed to have a few more kids but not many and the group of passengers seemed to have a slightly lower average in age than the October cruise.

 

I'm looking for another deal in the near future because I enjoyed these cruises.  I like to cruise out of New Orleans because it is a relatively short drive so I don't have to commit to air travel but I don't like the one or two days of cold weather.  I like leaving out of Florida where I'm closer to the Caribbean to start with and will keep looking for a deal on cruises out of Florida as well.  I also wanted these specific ports (Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan) because I felt there was less chance of the ship being turned away from those ports since I have not heard of that happening yet though my belief may not really be valid.

 

Service was great and the staff were friendly.  Burgers and fries were great and most dining room dinners were good; the one exception that I had was the tenderloin steak that had a lot of gristle.

 

The shore excursions all went well and were also very enjoyable.

Edited January 27, 2022 by day-day

[skridge]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

It is not as enjoyable as it was before COVID, but it's still very enjoyable especially when you consider the deals that are out there to cruise right now.

 

The masking is the biggest problem to me. If they got rid of the masks, I'd be 100% behind them. They're not doing anything.

Masking helps stop the spread of Covid. 

[icft]

41 minutes ago, day-day said:

I have recently cruised twice on the same Western Caribbean cruise on the Glory.  The cruise left out of New Orleans and went to Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay (Roatan).  This is a 7-day cruise; one in October and one last week.  The one last week seemed to have fewer passengers than the one in October but both had very few passengers.  I don't know the actual numbers.  The one last week seemed to have a few more kids but not many and the group of passengers seemed to have a slightly lower average in age than the October cruise.

 

I'm looking for another deal in the near future because I enjoyed these cruises.  I like to cruise out of New Orleans because it is a relatively short drive so I don't have to commit to air travel but I don't like the one or two days of cold weather.  I like leaving out of Florida where I'm closer to the Caribbean to start with and will keep looking for a deal on cruises out of Florida as well.  I also wanted these specific ports (Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan) because I felt there was less chance of the ship being turned away from those ports since I have not heard of that happening yet though my belief may not really be valid.

 

Service was great and the staff were friendly.  Burgers and fries were great and most dining room dinners were good; the one exception that I had was the tenderloin steak that had a lot of gristle.

 

The shore excursions all went well and were also very enjoyable.

We were also on the Glory last week. It WAS a fun cruise. Agree about the burgers (good) and steaks (bad; we even got a bad steak in the Steakhouse) but the MDR was good and the service great. And as for cold - see my comment a couple of posts up.

 

I also agree about Cozumel and Roatan ports likely staying open. Carnival owns those ports so has some sway with the local authorities.

[DPTexas]

We cruised in September and are looking forward to another, longer one in a few weeks.  I love cruising and find them so much fun, relaxing and a great change from a very busy work and personal schedule.  The decreased capacity is nice, the food is always great, and I enjoy the entertainment.   Wearing a mask is no different than my everyday life right now.   We are looking forward to no-smoking in the bigger casino, although we thoroughly enjoyed the smaller annex casino that had no smoking last time.  What is a bit disappointing is the lack of a variety of excursions.  Plus, the recent change in itineraries forced a cancellation of a parasailing excursion that we were really looking forward to.  We are trying to decide on others.  So, we will continue to look forward to the count-down, pack, I'll put on my "Pollyanna" pants and enjoy the most-relaxing vacations I have ever experienced. . . aboard a ship.

[ray98]

We have had a blast.  The mask sucks but we still found it was mostly the same experience as before.

[Pellaz]

5 hours ago, icft said:

I also agree about Cozumel and Roatan ports likely staying open. Carnival owns those ports so has some sway with the local authorities.

 

Carnival does not own Cozumel.  They built the Puerta Maya Pier at the main cruise terminal but there is also the International Pier and the "downtown" city pier at San Miguel, Punta Lagosta.  

While Carnival ships usually make port at Puerta Maya and Royal's ships at the International Terminal, this is not always the case.  I've seen a Carnival ship docked at Punta Lagosta, and ships from other lines will generally dock there...or tender.  

 

As for Roatan, Carnival DID build the facilities at Mahogany Bay.  

[RWolver672]

9 hours ago, sgttami said:

I have no interest whatsoever in cruising right now. Testing, masks, sip and cover when drinking etc. 

I have no idea how long this will be but I'll wait till it's more like the old days.  Not a big deal for me.  If you go and enjoy, good for you.  I don't want any part of it.

 

I couldn't have said it any better.  Not worth the stress of not knowing if you are going to test positive before the cruise or if you can even find a place to test.  

 

I get almost daily offers for cruises with everything from free rooms to suites for $150, WiFi, DOU, and $500 casino play.  Until this is all in the past, we won't even consider taking a cruise.  

 

I think most people have already decided if it's worth it or not.  Some on here have made it clear that with the cutbacks that have happened, they aren't going on another cruise.  Others have said they are still booking more.  It just depends on what your idea of having fun is.

 

[mz-s]

8 hours ago, skridge said:

Masking helps stop the spread of Covid. 

that must be why we are in the midst of the biggest surge in cases we have yet seen right?

 

 Even the cdc admits masks aren’t doing anything. Unless you wear a properly fitted n95 you are wasting your time. 

[naxer]

I and my friend had a very good time on the Mardi Gras in November/December.  That said, I've cancelled two cruises since because my other sailing chums are unvaccinated.  Normally, I would just go solo, but with all the other rigamarole, most especially the antigen test right before the cruise, I decided cruising isn't for me right now.  Because of Carnival cancelling a few of my cruises, I did discover Disney, and that's the direction I'm going for the foreseeable future.  It's more expensive, but it's manageable.