New Sail Safe Covid Polices Effective 9/2/22

[kasimir]

I am seeing this topic being locked in 3, 2, 1 ... 

🤣😂

[funfetti]

A different way forward for NCL could have been to pursue the market of past/potential cruisers reluctant to return to travel for health reasons. (Grandpa just recovered from cancer and dreams of seeing Alaska with the grandkids!) I do not think NCL has adequately used data science to drive business decisions. There are already plenty of places for the "get back to normal" crowd to spend their travel dollars. Instead of competing there, lean into being a cleaner, safer way to travel.

 

I think NCL could have done this by running one or more ships at 100% vaccination including kids (who are now all eligible! yay!), testing all passengers at the pier, and potentially mid-cruise testing on longer voyages. 

 

[kasimir]

7 minutes ago, funfetti said:

A different way forward for NCL could have been to pursue the market of past/potential cruisers reluctant to return to travel for health reasons. (Grandpa just recovered from cancer and dreams of seeing Alaska with the grandkids!) I do not think NCL has adequately used data science to drive business decisions. There are already plenty of places for the "get back to normal" crowd to spend their travel dollars. Instead of competing there, lean into being a cleaner, safer way to travel.

 

I think NCL could have done this by running one or more ships at 100% vaccination including kids (who are now all eligible! yay!), testing all passengers at the pier, and potentially mid-cruise testing on longer voyages. 

 

why? just why? 

 

when grandpa goes to the supermarket or hangs out with the family for thanksgiving is he not also at risk to contract COVID? 

what if grandpa wants to take a cruise and needs to fly to the city to start his cruise... Is he not running a risk to catch covid when being for hours at the airport or sitting for hours in a confined metal tube with unvaccinated or even positive cases? 

 

what do we learn? grandpa needs to wear a mask at all times and socially distance himself if he is a person at risk! 

 

[cruiseny4life]

7 minutes ago, funfetti said:

A different way forward for NCL could have been to pursue the market of past/potential cruisers reluctant to return to travel for health reasons. (Grandpa just recovered from cancer and dreams of seeing Alaska with the grandkids!) I do not think NCL has adequately used data science to drive business decisions. There are already plenty of places for the "get back to normal" crowd to spend their travel dollars. Instead of competing there, lean into being a cleaner, safer way to travel.

 

I think NCL could have done this by running one or more ships at 100% vaccination including kids (who are now all eligible! yay!), testing all passengers at the pier, and potentially mid-cruise testing on longer voyages. 

 

I'm sorry, but you don't need an MBA to see how bad an idea this is. Look on these boards and on social media. No one wants to test anymore. I've mentioned that I don't care about testing, but in a world of let's test you vs. let's not test you, I'll take the let's not test. 

 

NCL is a mainstream cruise line - it doesn't have a niche, except perhaps for those that cruise in the Haven. Even then, is that really a niche? Luxury cruise ships abound that offer a similar to experience. 

 

As for the the get back to normal crowd: that's everywhere. Where else do you (did) need to be vaccinated? There might be a few places, but nothing that's mainstream. As stated on the Q2 call today, Norwegian will have 65,000 berths to fill. Do you think they can do this by being the only outlier out there? I think not - bookings are already hurting as they are only filling 65% of their ships. 

 

 

[ugagrad97]

On 8/8/2022 at 9:21 AM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I think Spain is the only EU country remaining with ANY covid protocols (Canada and Bermuda the only NA countries)

 

The world has opened up. No pretesting, no vaccines, no quarantines!!

 

https://www.traveloffpath.com/countries-without-any-travel-restrictions-or-entry-requirements/

 

Spain does still have some rules.  But I am confused about Spain too.  If you google requirements for Spain, you CAN get it without a vaccine.  Delta airlines has country guidelines too and says you can fly to Spain without a vaccine.  You just need a negative covid test OR a certificate of recovery within permitted time frames.  So why does the NCL site have Spain listed as one of their few with country specific requirements?  Does anyone know the real answer about getting on a ship in Barcelona without being vaccinated?  If you call or chat NCL, they're just going to regurgitate their website...which is confusing and contradictory to everything you can find about traveling to Spain on the internet.  

[ugagrad97]

On 8/8/2022 at 7:03 AM, mlsetc said:

It looks like Spain only requires testing if you don’t have a booster. 

Spain does still have some rules.  But I am confused about Spain.  If you google requirements for Spain, you CAN get it without a vaccine (not just lacking a booster).  Delta Airlines has country guidelines too and says you can fly to Spain without a vaccine.  You just need a negative covid test OR a certificate of recovery within permitted time frames.  So why does the NCL site have Spain listed as one of their few with country specific requirements?  Does anyone know the real answer about getting on a ship in Barcelona without being vaccinated?  If you call or chat NCL, they're just going to regurgitate their website...which is confusing and contradictory to everything you can find about traveling to Spain on the internet.  

[JT1962]

I have to believe the most recent financial results sped up the decision to modify the testing and vaccine requirements. Sailing at 65% capacity when the competition is nearing 100% or more isn’t good for the bottom line. 
 

“(Reuters) - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd forecast a loss for the current quarter and revenue below estimates as occupancy rates remained stubbornly below pre-pandemic levels, sending its shares down 12% on Tuesday.   
 

Its second-quarter occupancy of 65% compared with more than 107% in 2019, a level the company does not expect to reach till the second quarter next year.  
 

In contrast, rival Royal Caribbean Group forecast triple-digit occupancy by the end of this year and Carnival Cruise Line expects to approach 110% during its current quarter.”

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/norwegian-cruise-misses-revenue-estimates-occupancy-constraints-2022-08-09/

[cruiseny4life]

14 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

I have to believe the most recent financial results sped up the decision to modify the testing and vaccine requirements. Sailing at 65% capacity when the competition is nearing 100% or more isn’t good for the bottom line. 
 

“(Reuters) - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd forecast a loss for the current quarter and revenue below estimates as occupancy rates remained stubbornly below pre-pandemic levels, sending its shares down 12% on Tuesday.   
 

Its second-quarter occupancy of 65% compared with more than 107% in 2019, a level the company does not expect to reach till the second quarter next year.  
 

In contrast, rival Royal Caribbean Group forecast triple-digit occupancy by the end of this year and Carnival Cruise Line expects to approach 110% during its current quarter.”

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/norwegian-cruise-misses-revenue-estimates-occupancy-constraints-2022-08-09/

Gosh...if only there were something that truly differentiates the three lines....oh! Could it be the pricing strategy?

[JT1962]

7 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Gosh...if only there were something that truly differentiates the three lines....oh! Could it be the pricing strategy?

Yes, the NCL pricing strategy of not giving large discounts to get people onboard seems to be a bad decision. I doubt the decision to change the Covid requirements will make much difference, because the other lines will soon fall in line with their requirements as well. NCL will likely need to offer better pricing as well to get the occupancy rates up.

Edited August 9, 2022 by JT1962

[DCGuy64]

6 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Gosh...if only there were something that truly differentiates the three lines....oh! Could it be the pricing strategy?

Haha, take a trip over to the discussion forums at Carnival and RCI. If it's a day ending in "Y," chances are people are complaining about their prices, too! 😁

[JT1962]

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

Haha, take a trip over to the discussion forums at Carnival and RCI. If it's a day ending in "Y," chances are people are complaining about their prices, too! 😁

Carnival is offering ridiculously low prices. I went 8 days to Alaska for $ 125, 5 days to Mexico from Mobile for $ 90, both solo. I get offers almost daily for solo rates of $20 per day or less. Those are not Casino rates.   If it was not for expensive airfares, I would book several more.

[DCGuy64]

Just now, JT1962 said:

Carnival is offering ridiculously low prices. I went 8 days to Alaska for $ 125, 5 days to Mexico from Mobile for $ 90, both solo. I get offers almost daily for solo rates of $20 per day or less. Those are not Casino rates.   If it was not for expensive airfares, I would book several more.

Good for you! But complaining about the prices is a time-honored custom here on CC. Just sayin...

[BermudaBound2014]

46 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

I have to believe the most recent financial results sped up the decision to modify the testing and vaccine requirements. Sailing at 65% capacity when the competition is nearing 100% or more isn’t good for the bottom line. 
 

“(Reuters) - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd forecast a loss for the current quarter and revenue below estimates as occupancy rates remained stubbornly below pre-pandemic levels, sending its shares down 12% on Tuesday.   
 

Its second-quarter occupancy of 65% compared with more than 107% in 2019, a level the company does not expect to reach till the second quarter next year.  
 

In contrast, rival Royal Caribbean Group forecast triple-digit occupancy by the end of this year and Carnival Cruise Line expects to approach 110% during its current quarter.”

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/norwegian-cruise-misses-revenue-estimates-occupancy-constraints-2022-08-09/

 

You have to be careful here. I believe this reuters article is written poorly. 

 

CCL is only expecting to operate at 80% occupancy Q3. As you probably know, CCL includes HAL, Princess, Cunard, Costa, etc...   Carnival cruise lines (0ne small branch of CCL) is expecting SOME sailings this summer to reach 100% occupancy but they do not expect occupancy much better than NCL is reporting. 

 

Same with RCL. While significantly better than NCL, RCL only reached 82% occupancy second quarter. They do have higher predictions on some ships, but as a whole, RCL does not expect to be sailing at 100% occupancy anytime soon. The article is misleading. 

 

You can verify this information in their quarterly releases submitted to the SEC.

 

I do agree that both lines are drawing in more occupancy than NCL. I'm just stating that none of the cruise lines are anywhere near 100% occupancy as a whole.

 

 

Edited August 9, 2022 by BermudaBound2014

[negn]

Cayman Islands also require you be vaccinated.   So looks like my Western Caribbean cruise will require everyone be vaccinated.    Can’t imagine trying to keep those that aren’t from getting off the ship

[greg_atlanta]

Are the Canada rules applicable to port of embarkation (cruise departing from Vancouver), port of call (cruise stopping in Victoria), or both?  NCL website isn't clear.

 

My Sept 21 Spirit cruise (roundtrip from Seattle) has two Canadian ports of call (Victoria and Vancouver).

[LisaC0503]

Time to book a cruise again!!!!   Super excited about their new no vax policies!!!!

[BermudaBound2014]

7 minutes ago, greg_atlanta said:

Are the Canada rules applicable to port of embarkation (cruise departing from Vancouver), port of call (cruise stopping in Victoria), or both?  NCL website isn't clear.

 

My Sept 21 Spirit cruise (roundtrip from Seattle) has two Canadian ports of call (Victoria and Vancouver).

 

Yes. Starting in Canada, or stopping in canada for an hour is the same rules.

[victory2020]

38 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

Carnival is offering ridiculously low prices. I went 8 days to Alaska for $ 125, 5 days to Mexico from Mobile for $ 90, both solo. I get offers almost daily for solo rates of $20 per day or less. Those are not Casino rates.   If it was not for expensive airfares, I would book several more.

I have taken advantage of a couple of greatly reduced prices on Carnival (with no single supplement on one). The people on these cruise I met spent ALOT of money onboard in extras. That's where the real revenue comes from

[BermudaBound2014]

6 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

I have taken advantage of a couple of greatly reduced prices on Carnival (with no single supplement on one). The people on these cruise I met spent ALOT of money onboard in extras. That's where the real revenue comes from

 

Onboard revenue is a huge factor. However; we have to get bodies onboard in order to spend. Here are the results of 2nd quarter occupancy rates as filed with the SEC: 

 

Quarter 2 results:

NCL sailed at 65% Occupancy

CCL sailed at  69% occupancy

RCL sailed at 82% occupancy

 

They all lost money.

[roboref]

56 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Haha, take a trip over to the discussion forums at Carnival and RCI. If it's a day ending in "Y," chances are people are complaining about their prices, too! 😁

I am not complaining about Carnival pricing. $150 for a 7 day cruise out of Long Beach on Panorama is a great deal. NCL has dug a big hole with the way they have treated me. I am considering letting them keep the $110 FCC I have as it is cheaper and the product much more to my liking on RCCL and Carnival.

[deniseatnycs]

11 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Yes. Starting in Canada, or stopping in canada for an hour is the same rules.

This makes our TA crazy re testing.   We embark in Southampton UK on the 23rd September.   We will need to test 2 days before (within the restrictions) .  Making that 11 to 12  days before we reach Canada, which is not the disembarkation port.

[BermudaBound2014]

1 minute ago, deniseatnycs said:

This makes our TA crazy re testing.   We embark in Southampton UK on the 23rd September.   We will need to test 2 days before (within the restrictions) .  Making that 11 to 12  days before we reach Canada, which is not the disembarkation port.

 

For what it's worth (and I'm just speculating), but I foresee Canada making changes to their protocols. They are one of the few remaining places that have entry requirements. Let's cross our fingers.

[Laszlo]

They should have dropped testing requirements for all and kept only vaccinated passengers 

[Traveller20074]

it starts 9-3-22

 

 

bein picky here 😁

Edited August 15, 2022 by Traveller20074

[roomba920]

I'm not sure where NCL is getting their info for Greece sailings.

The Greece government site info differs.

 

"7. What is the situation with cruise ships?

 

As of 14.05.2021, cruise restrictions have been completely removed, always imposing very strict protocols that apply to these activities."

 

https://travel.gov.gr/#/