Cruising choices with an active Pandemic

[sinophile888]

I have bitten the bullet and booked a cruise.

I received a past passenger email from Cunard last week with some cruises which would be open to the general public the next day. It showed a Sydney to Sydney circumnavigation on the Queen Elizabeth. This was slightly tempting but I decided to research other options and up popped a 25 day Perth to Perth circumnavigation. So perfect for us.

My travel enabler prefers the Queen Elizabeth to the Queen Mary 2 and he hates flying (especially with me as I used to have a lot of trouble with my oxygen levels at altitude and now carry an oxygen concentrator). The cruise leaves Perth in November 2022. So I am hoping that everything will have settled down by then. If not, our deposit can be refunded up to 90 days before the cruise leaves. Our TA was able to get us a cabin half way between the middle and aft stairwells, which we like.

This will be our 8th Cunard cruise (and 27th in total) so we know what to expect.

I am excited to have a cruise booked which suits us so perfectly.

 

[OZDUCK]

An article about the problems in re-starting US cruises.

Why U.S. Cruises Are Still Stuck in Port (Published 2021)

Six months ago, the C.D.C. lifted its “no sail” order for American cruise companies, but they haven’t started sailing — and likely won’t soon. An explainer.

www.nytimes.com

 

[VPS]

Well someone is optimistic about CCL shares

 

[Pushka]

Currently Viking hasn't released their policy about making vaccinations mandatory. They are starting 'all uk' cruises in the middle of the year. Testing etc, but no vaccinations required. That surely must change.

 

[drron]

Royal Caribbean is beginning cruises out of the Bahamas in June.But you have to be fully vaccinated to board except for under 18s who have to have a negative Covid test.

ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

But there are facing a backlash.

MSN

However those leading the backlash are people I never want to meet on a cruise.

 

[Port Power]

Royal Caribbean is beginning cruises out of the Bahamas in June.But you have to be fully vaccinated to board except for under 18s who have to have a negative Covid test.

ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

But there are facing a backlash.

MSN

However those leading the backlash are people I never want to meet on a cruise.

I completely agree with you, they definitely don’t sound like folk I want to meet onboard. I don’t think Royal Caribbean has to worry about going bankrupt by losing their business! I also think being vaccinated should be a criteria of boarding once we have all had the chance to be vaccinated.

 

[odysseus]

What a dramatic news story. Commenting about posts with "100 likes" behind them claiming the company will go bust.

Even 88,776,000 of Trump's followers don't agree with them. ;-)

 

[tgh]

Plenty of folks with plenty of $$ busting to cruise…. +$100k pp…..

Silversea's 2023 World Cruise Is Sold Out - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News

Silversea Cruises has shattered its bookings record with its new 2023 world cruise, entitled 'South Side Story - All the World's a Stage,' according to a press release. Following the most successful pre-sale in the cruise line's history, the 139-day voyage fully sold out on the day of its general…

www.cruiseindustrynews.com

 

[tgh]

Just in case anyone is chafing at missing out.. the website is now offering availability DLX verandah suite (std cabin midships) @ $148k aud…each + taxes and other minor stuff
More than 300 big ones for Sir and Madame.. plus tips and odds and ends like premium champers and spa treatments over the 140 days…so allow another 100 if you like nice plonk a get your hair and your muscles done regularly...

addendum.. we aksherley might do a world cruise sometime before we start daisy pushing.. but not an itinerary like this..at a time like this
Why folks imagine that a world recently eviscerated by Covid will be a pleasant experience quite evades me

 

[drron]

Royal Caribbean backing off all vaccinated cruises a little after backlash.

MSN

 

[tgh]

Coral Expeditions Changes Itineraries In WA To Avoid NT Cruise Ban As Anger Grows​

Coral Expeditions Changes Itineraries In WA To Avoid NT Cruise Ban As Anger Grows - Cruise Passenger

As Australia awaits news on whether or not there will be a Kimberley cruise season in Western Australia this year - at least six lines are hoping the answer

cruisepassenger.com.au

 

[Port Power]

Coral Expeditions Changes Itineraries In WA To Avoid NT Cruise Ban As Anger Grows​

Coral Expeditions Changes Itineraries In WA To Avoid NT Cruise Ban As Anger Grows - Cruise Passenger

As Australia awaits news on whether or not there will be a Kimberley cruise season in Western Australia this year - at least six lines are hoping the answer

cruisepassenger.com.au

Bad news for Darwin, but good news for Broome.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

O.M.G why can't Aust get their act together. WA and now the NT

 

[drron]

The CDC has now released guidelines for cruise lines to undertake simulated or passenger restricted cruises using US ports.

Technical Instructions for a Foreign-Flagged Cruise Ship Operator’s Agreement with Port and Local Health Authorities under CDC’s Temporary Extension & Modification of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order | Quarantine | CDC

This document provides instructions for the next phase of CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order for cruise ship operations in U.S. waters to ensure health and safety protections for travelers (crew and future passengers) and port personnel prior to resuming passenger operations in a way...

www.cdc.gov

Basically vaccination is needed for passengers and crew.

 

[drron]

Cruise ships once again berthing in Florida - to get theimr crews vaccinated.

Port Canaveral becomes first US port to start vaccinating cruise ship crews

Port Canaveral on Friday became the first U.S. port to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine distribution to cruise ship crew members.

www.usatoday.com

 

[tgh]

Australian cruise line Scenic has been forced to cancel an exciting program of Kimberley sailings for the revolutionary Eclipse discovery yacht because it couldn’t get agreement on permits and approvals.​

Scenic Cancels Eclipse Kimberley Program After Struggle To Get Approvals - Cruise Passenger

Ponant, Silversea and Aurora are all still awaiting permission to begin a Kimberley season - though APT has reported good news with approval for Caledonian

cruisepassenger.com.au

 

[Pushka]

Australian cruise line Scenic has been forced to cancel an exciting program of Kimberley sailings for the revolutionary Eclipse discovery yacht because it couldn’t get agreement on permits and approvals.​

Scenic Cancels Eclipse Kimberley Program After Struggle To Get Approvals - Cruise Passenger

Ponant, Silversea and Aurora are all still awaiting permission to begin a Kimberley season - though APT has reported good news with approval for Caledonian

cruisepassenger.com.au

I'm waiting for Viking to make a decision on their Egypt River cruises that start again in August given that CDC has stated recently that Egypt is a total no go zone now. Full payment for a 28 trip is due in a few weeks. Of course we can't go, but will be interesting to see the dialogue that Viking tries out.

 

[mel-world]

Quote from above article: "The Scenic decision will be a big blow to the Kimberley region, where local businesses and Aboriginal tourism operators were looking to restart experiences. A recent Northern Territory decision about passengers and crew numbers aboard ships in its waters has cost local businesses more than $20 million."

I guess this pointed statement has been somewhat balanced by the fact that Coral Exhibitions has taken advantage of the problems being faced by the internationally crewed ships by having all three of their locally crewed fleet operating in the Kimberley all through winter.

 

[drron]

The problem for the Kimberleys is that the ships that have or almost certainly will cancel make up nearly 50% of the passenger capacity.
2 Ponant ships - 316 guests.
Scenic eclipse - 188 guests.
Silver Explorer - 144 guests

The 2 Coral cruises vessele - 270 guests.
Caledonian Sky-99 guests.This ship is owned by Noble Caledonia which is 50% owned by Australia's APT company.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

So on CC there is a thread about what if you get Covid while cruising. !!
Silversea policy is all staff and guests must be fully vacinated to embark.
But the latest update includes =

"Safe, Timely Return Home
Silversea has developed a robust repatriation plan should any guest or crew member fall ill with COVID-19 while on board one of our ships. We have worked closely with local authorities to ensure that immediate medical attention is provided should the need arise, and have strengthened and upgraded our telemedicine consultations. Silversea will cover COVID-19-related expenses for onboard medical and repatriation costs."

Experience All-Inclusive Ultra-Luxury Cruises

Explore the elegant lifestyle of all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising across 900+ fascinating destinations aboard Silversea intimate luxury cruise ships.

www.silversea.com