Cruising choices with an active Pandemic

[odysseus]

Yes, that Russian crewed charter already completed its sailings from 2 months ago. It was operated by Heritage Expeditions. That company is co-owned by Aaron Russ.

Aaron Russ is also the owner and general manager of Wild Earth Travel. That is the company that organised the entry of Ponant LaPerouse. So with that experience and involvement, there's no reason the Ponant cruises should have gone differently - except for a change of attitude by the NZ Government. Dressed up to blame the travel agency, so as not to have the government look bad before the NZ public, including NZ customers with bookings.

 

[Pushka]

There is a cruise starting next week from Outer Harbour touring South Australian Islands.
"South Australia’s first cruise since the pandemic struck departs Outer Harbour on Wednesday at 5pm under strict conditions to avoid any risk of a COVID incident.
Passengers have to fill in a comprehensive health declaration, have been asked to self-isolate as much as possible for a week before the departure, obtain a GP’s clearance also a week ahead, and have proof of a negative COVID test taken 72-24 hours before embarkation.

Transfers will take them to the terminal to avoid using public transport, where masks will be worn while waiting to board, temperatures taken and hand hygiene enforced."

No mention of masks needed whilst onboard and 50% capacity.

 

[Anna]

touring South Australian Islands.

Including Granite and Garden?

 

[Pushka]

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Australian cruises 2021: Despite cruise ship ban, you can still cruise our coastline

International cruising remains in the doldrums but Australia's success in containing COVID-19 has already seen domestic small-ship cruises back in business.

www.traveller.com.au

 

[Spongbob]

What is "sailing safe"?

If quarantine hotels are not safe where guests stay in their rooms, I am not sure how a large passenger ship can be safe.

 

[Pushka]

What is "sailing safe"?

If quarantine hotels are not safe where guests stay in their rooms, I am not sure how a large passenger ship can be safe.

Well, currently any cruises in Australia consist of Aussies who by and large have never had any contact with Covid so I'd consider these safe.

 

[drron]

Well Alaska is out for cruising for 2021.

Alaska cruise season could be over before it begins as Canada bans ships for all of 2021 - The Points Guy

In a blow to the cruise industry's efforts to restart operations, the Canadian government on Thursday banned cruise ships from its waters for the rest of the year, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

thepointsguy.com

Alaska’s canceled 2020 cruise season was devastating. Another one could be catastrophic.

Royal Carribean is going to pay for all crew to be vaccinated.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article249212550.html

Florida looks at delaying cruising for another year.

Coronavirus complications may delay 'significant' Florida cruise activity for a year or more, lobbyist says

The cruise industry in Florida might not return for another year or more, according to a lobbying group dedicated to the niche business sector.

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[tgh]

Interesting.. (copied from a post on CC)

An interesting piece in the Times of London today on the future of cruising in general.
To quote from the 1st paragraph “A passage on the Oceania Cruises 2023 world voyage is no cheap ticket. Fares start at £38,059 for the lowliest inside cabin, rising to £74,019pp for a suite. Yet when sales for the 180-day voyage opened on January 27, all the berths were snapped up in a single day. “Despite the challenges the world faces today, travellers are clearly bullish about the future,” said Oceania’s president and chief executive, Bob Binder, in something of an understatement.
It goes on to say that 2022 and beyond will see a spending spree especially for high end cruises in far off places.
The bank of England claims that Brits are sitting on £250 million in unspent savings accumulated during this pandemic. According to Uniworld 2022 bookings are up 425% on last year. Expedition cruises popular before Covid are benefiting from people wanting to fulfill bucket list trips and to hell with the cost

 

[tgh]

Wow indeed Drron , we are going to pay a lot more au peso's for our cruises...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting.. (copied from a post on CC)

An interesting piece in the Times of London today on the future of cruising in general.
To quote from the 1st paragraph “A passage on the Oceania Cruises 2023 world voyage is no cheap ticket. Fares start at £38,059 for the lowliest inside cabin, rising to £74,019pp for a suite. Yet when sales for the 180-day voyage opened on January 27, all the berths were snapped up in a single day. “Despite the challenges the world faces today, travellers are clearly bullish about the future,” said Oceania’s president and chief executive, Bob Binder, in something of an understatement.
It goes on to say that 2022 and beyond will see a spending spree especially for high end cruises in far off places.
The bank of England claims that Brits are sitting on £250 million in unspent savings accumulated during this pandemic. According to Uniworld 2022 bookings are up 425% on last year. Expedition cruises popular before Covid are benefiting from people wanting to fulfill bucket list trips and to hell with the cost

I agree. Looking at Cunard's grand voyages the duplex suites and master suites have sold out on many sectors if not for the entire cruise! And that's in the region of AUD350,000+ for the room! (around 100 days)

So there's money out there... even if it's just the deposit paid... that's dropping $35K!

 

[zenyattamondatta]

The bank of England claims that Brits are sitting on £250 million in unspent savings accumulated during this pandemic.

*billion", presumably. The macroeconomy wouldn't get out of bed for £250 million.

 

[VPS]

CCL shares nearly $25 US after a low of $7.80 this time last year

Carnival CEO: "By the end of this year, most, if not all, of our fleet will be in action"

Cruise fans looking for optimism about the return to service should look no further than Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald's latest comments.During...

www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

 

[Pushka]

CCL shares nearly $25 US after a low of $7.80 this time last year

Carnival CEO: "By the end of this year, most, if not all, of our fleet will be in action"

Cruise fans looking for optimism about the return to service should look no further than Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald's latest comments.During...

www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

There is an article from a Prof at John Hopkins University Hospital in the Aus today with the expectation that because Covid was rampant and not tested, mostly symptomless, that a majority of people have antibodies, then by April the pandemic in US will be over.

 

[OZDUCK]

In a little bit of sad, but not really unexpected news, the worlds oldest cruise ship received no bids in an open auction the other day. The Astoria operated cruises between Singapore/Fremantle and along the W.A coast for a number of years until fairly recently. For those of an historical 'bent', in its initial guise as the MS Stockholm, she was involved in the famous collision with the Italian liner Andrea Doria in 1956. It is stated that the Stockholm had an 'ice breaking really probably just strengthened) bow'. The Andrea Doria sunk and the Stockholm was dubbed the "ship of death" by the Italian press. For some reason this was never mentioned in the advertising for the cruises out of Fremantle.

When we were in Annapolis Royal in Novia Scotia I had a pleasant talk with the owner of the little suite we stopped in. He had been a 'harbour pilot' in Sydney, Nova Scotia and had piloted the Astoria plus the QE2 and a number of other well known vessels.

No Offers for the World's Oldest Cruise Ship

OPEN TO READ - ABRA PARA LER

www.cruiseharbournews.com

MS STOCKHOLM – Collided with the Italian Line’s Andrea Doria and, as the MV ATHENA, was attacked by pirates.

Cruise History: MS STOCKHOLM - Collided with the Italian Line's Andrea Doria and, as the MV ATHENA, ...

www.cruiselinehistory.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In a little bit of sad, but not really unexpected news, the worlds oldest cruise ship received no bids in an open auction the other day. The Astoria operated cruises between Singapore/Fremantle and along the W.A coast for a number of years until fairly recently. For those of an historical 'bent', in its initial guise as the MS Stockholm, she was involved in the famous collision with the Italian liner Andrea Doria in 1956. It is stated that the Stockholm had an 'ice breaking really probably just strengthened) bow'. The Andrea Doria sunk and the Stockholm was dubbed the "ship of death" by the Italian press. For some reason this was never mentioned in the advertising for the cruises out of Fremantle.

When we were in Annapolis Royal in Novia Scotia I had a pleasant talk with the owner of the little suite we stopped in. He had been a 'harbour pilot' in Sydney, Nova Scotia and had piloted the Astoria plus the QE2 and a number of other well known vessels.

No Offers for the World's Oldest Cruise Ship

OPEN TO READ - ABRA PARA LER

www.cruiseharbournews.com

MS STOCKHOLM – Collided with the Italian Line’s Andrea Doria and, as the MV ATHENA, was attacked by pirates.

Cruise History: MS STOCKHOLM - Collided with the Italian Line's Andrea Doria and, as the MV ATHENA, ...

www.cruiselinehistory.com

Oh. I just looked at some youtube on the cabins:

I actually quite like the decor! Feels a little 60s Hawaiian! Like a real holiday!

 

[Port Power]

Australian cruises 2021: Despite cruise ship ban, you can still cruise our coastline

International cruising remains in the doldrums but Australia's success in containing COVID-19 has already seen domestic small-ship cruises back in business.

www.traveller.com.au

The article is very informative. I have booked on one of Ponant’s west coast cruises and was definitely under the impression it was all sanctioned and would go ahead. Silly me! I was wondering what the rules are and have been searching for information. At least the contract does specify a refundable deposit and the Qantas flights are also fully refundable. At least I am not the least anxious if it goes ahead or not.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I'm always keen to read new posts on this thread - I've just booked a Ponant cruise for mid-Mach 2022 from Mauritius to the Seychelles - hopeful but still concerned that the cruise will not be cancelled and/or that we will be able to travel overseas (freely).

 

[drron]

There are some more optimistic noises being made by the larger cruise lines.Then again they would say that wouldn't they.
First Norwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line Racks Up More Losses as Ships Remain Sidelined. Shares Sink.

The cruise operator is hopeful Covid vaccines will help it return to sailings, but the timing remains uncertain as health protocols are devised.

www.barrons.com

The 1 number that will tell us when cruising will resume, according to a top cruise executive

Then Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean confident that CDC will allow cruises to resume soon

Royal Caribbean executives won’t predict a date for the company’s return to cruising from United States ports, but they say they’re confident it’s going to happen soon. Trac…

www.baltimoresun.com

Contains a little on their experience with the Quantum of the Seas cruising out of Singapore for nearly 3 months.
"Tracking bracelets and facial recognition software being tested aboard the company’s Quantum of the Seas voyages from Singapore could be among safety measures passengers will find throughout the company’s fleet when operations resume, they said."

Then a resource with most lines and predicted start times.

When will cruises resume? A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy

Major cruise lines around the world stopped departures in March 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak spread. Here's a look at when they plan to return to the seas.

thepointsguy.com

 

[tgh]

All this good Covid news is wonderful for the cruise lines who are about to promise Nirvana to millions of cashed up supplicants.
We will probably miss the first wave ; I want to see how it all works, what on board irritations are to be borne , and how visited countries treat the vaccinated hordes pouring in to their partially vaccinated country.
Will the present vaccine continue to protect ?
Will we need follow up shots as time passes and what level of protection will we have while awaiting newer miracles?
Things are looking good but the travellers path has some debris to be cleared to allow safe and enjoyable passage.