Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[tussking]

I just purchased my tickets and booked reservations. I must admit I am excited. Can I get suggestions? Arriving @ Epcot around noon tomorrow and MK Thursday open to close. What time does the toll booth open for parking? What time does the boat or monorail start from the Visitor Center? Looking for the best plan and opinions. Thanks!

 

[Miss Bella]

If people are struggling with the decision to go to a restaurant or a theater than I don't see masses of people lining up to sign up for cruises unless the prices are really low.

Prices won’t be low with reduced capacity. Bookings are high for 2021 with everyone moving their bookings and taking the cruise credit. Some European cruises on DCL next Summer are nearly sold out.

 

[Miss Bella]

For us, it isn’t the masks as much as it is the changes to onboard entertainment.

Mardi Gras started sea trials, so CCL should be ready to take delivery soon. She has a scheduled sailing that is a perfect substitute for our Fantasy Spring break sailing. That price is more palatable for the proposed experience than DCL, and were *this* close to “jumping ship.”

I’m not much of an entertainment type person. I’m more of a relax and read a book type person. I really enjoy being out at sea.

 

[Archie123]

Big picture, probably not. For Disney cruises, definitely not. But I would be willing to wager that Norwegian and carnival wouldn’t have much issue filling limited capacity four night cruises out of the Florida ports. There are plenty of people in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral areas that are filling those bars and would pay Florida resident rates on those ships.

I think you would be very wrong with that. I think cruises are screwed until a vaccine is rolled out. Not many people want to wear masks all day on board and not be able to leave the ship unless they pay for an approved ship excursion.

 

[Parker in NYC]

CDC ban on cruising ends tomorrow. I’m sure the debates over the next few months on the cruise forums will make this thread look like a love fest.

10 bucks says which side you'll be on. Starboard?

 

[Miss Bella]

I think you would be very wrong with that. I think cruises are screwed until a vaccine is rolled out. Not many people want to wear masks all day on board and not be able to leave the ship unless they pay for an approved ship excursion.

I agree with you, but with the reduced fleet and reduced capacity they will probably be able to fill what sailings they offer. It will be more expensive for us. We were used to taking advantage of last minute travel industry discounts and I don’t see those coming back for a while.

 

[Miss Bella]

10 bucks says which side you'll be on. Starboard?

20 bucks says your on the port side. I can’t see you as a cruise person so never mind.

 

[Parker in NYC]

20 bucks says your on the port side. I can’t see you as a cruise person so never mind.

I love cruises. But for the foreseeable future, I'm a landlubber.

 

[Twisted Ballerina]

Prices won’t be low with reduced capacity. Bookings are high for 2021 with everyone moving their bookings and taking the cruise credit. Some European cruises on DCL next Summer are nearly sold out.

My question to Americans as I am from Canada is what if the ban to these European countries are still in place by the time these cruises are to take place?

 

[sullyinMT]

I think you would be very wrong with that. I think cruises are screwed until a vaccine is rolled out. Not many people want to wear masks all day on board and not be able to leave the ship unless they pay for an approved ship excursion.

They don’t want to have the mask on all day. And they wouldn’t have to, either. Drink at the bar? Mask off. Another trip to Lido grill or dip in the pool? Mask off. Dinner, second dinner, lunch, breakfast, second breakfast? Mask off. The newer ships on all lines, which are the ones that have been proposed to return first, are 60%+ balcony staterooms. As @LUVMCO said, a lot of people are happy to listen to the wake of the ship and kindle it up. Mask off.

Week long cruises won’t fill even to limited capacity and won’t likely go for a while. Probably until masks are relaxed a bit. But I do think RCCL, CCL, and NCL could do a number of 3 and 4 nighters to get their “sea legs.” Carnival has the corporate advantage after dropping the ball with Princess in that two of their lines are or will be sailing in Europe.

 

[Archie123]

They don’t want to have the mask on all day. And they wouldn’t have to, either. Drink at the bar? Mask off. Another trip to Lido grill or dip in the pool? Mask off. Dinner, second dinner, lunch, breakfast, second breakfast? Mask off. The newer ships on all lines, which are the ones that have been proposed to return first, are 60%+ balcony staterooms. As @LUVMCO said, a lot of people are happy to listen to the wake of the ship and kindle it up. Mask off.

Week long cruises won’t fill even to limited capacity and won’t likely go for a while. Probably until masks are relaxed a bit. But I do think RCCL, CCL, and NCL could do a number of 3 and 4 nighters to get their “sea legs.” Carnival has the corporate advantage after dropping the ball with Princess in that two of their lines are or will be sailing in Europe.

Casinos? Mask on. Shows? Mask on? Walking through the ships? Mask on. Art auctions? Mask on. Anything that doesn't involve the bars, eating, or the sauna will involve wearing a mask.

Will they try it once they get approval? Yes they will and they should but most movie theaters are open and they are finding out that just because you open doesn't mean people will show up and right now the cruise industry has probably the worst image when it comes to the CV.

 

[Miss Bella]

My question to Americans as I am from Canada is what if the ban to these European countries are still in place by the time these cruises are to take place?

Disney will most likely Cancel. Their customers are predominately Americans.
I really don’t know about NCL or Royal. The only European cruises Ive done were Disney and Carnival and Carnival was also mostly Americans.

 

[Miss Bella]

Casinos? Mask on. Shows? Mask on? Walking through the ships? Mask on. Art auctions? Mask on. Anything that doesn't involve the bars, eating, or the sauna will involve wearing a mask.

Will they try it once they get approval? Yes they will and they should but most movie theaters are open and they are finding out that just because you open doesn't mean people will show up and right now the cruise industry has probably the worst image when it comes to the CV.

It’s very similar to what people are doing at Disney World.

 

[ABQ]

Didn't a whole bunch of cruise lines already cancel everything though the end of the year anyway?

 

[Miss Bella]

They don’t want to have the mask on all day. And they wouldn’t have to, either. Drink at the bar? Mask off. Another trip to Lido grill or dip in the pool? Mask off. Dinner, second dinner, lunch, breakfast, second breakfast? Mask off. The newer ships on all lines, which are the ones that have been proposed to return first, are 60%+ balcony staterooms. As @LUVMCO said, a lot of people are happy to listen to the wake of the ship and kindle it up. Mask off.

Week long cruises won’t fill even to limited capacity and won’t likely go for a while. Probably until masks are relaxed a bit. But I do think RCCL, CCL, and NCL could do a number of 3 and 4 nighters to get their “sea legs.” Carnival has the corporate advantage after dropping the ball with Princess in that two of their lines are or will be sailing in Europe.

I think CLIA recommended keeping cruises “short“. Their definition of short was under 10 days. I don't think they will cancel or shorten the 7 day cruises.

 

[Miss Bella]

Didn't a whole bunch of cruise lines already cancel everything though the end of the year anyway?

Some did. The big three are hoping to resume soon.

 

[sullyinMT]

Casinos? Mask on. Shows? Mask on? Walking through the ships? Mask on. Art auctions? Mask on. Anything that doesn't involve the bars, eating, or the sauna will involve wearing a mask.

Will they try it once they get approval? Yes they will and they should but most movie theaters are open and they are finding out that just because you open doesn't mean people will show up and right now the cruise industry has probably the worst image when it comes to the CV.

A lot of the offerings you cite (I’ve never attended an art auction but love the rest) are why I mentioned my family isn’t likely to sail soon. We also would need to fly across the country, adding to the cost by an average of $2k per trip. Not worth it for us personally. Our next sailing is in 5 months and we all know a lot changes in that period of time. Heck, it’ll probably take 2 or more just to restaff and reposition.
The casinos are an interesting one. If they cut table games and spaced slots out/made machines unavailable, it would be theoretically as possible to allow mask relief as it is in a dining establishment. Whether or not that’s a good idea is a different story, but for the folks willing to take the first cruises out I’m not sure they’d care either way.
The movie theater industry’s plight is multifaceted, from prices to fear/concern, and competition with home release. AMC locally is hurting, but our two niche/art theaters are comparatively gangbusters right now with better offerings.
The cruise industry as a whole took a massive hit from a few bad players mostly under the CCL main banner, no doubt. It will be interesting to watch the first few months of the industry’s return, whenever that is. I’m an eternal optimist, and maybe a bit of a hopeless romantic, but I’m holding out hope that the industry can survive as best as possible.

 

[sullyinMT]

I think CLIA recommended keeping cruises “short“. Their definition of short was under 10 days. I don't think they will cancel or shorten the 7 day cruises.

You’ve mentioned industry ties in other posts. Do you think we’ll see 3-4 week of alternating 3 and 4 nights just to adjust before going 5-9 night “longer” itineraries, or will the lines just jump straight back to their posted calendars? I know port agreements and calendars play a role in this, as well.

 

[Miss Bella]

A lot of the offerings you cite (I’ve never attended an art auction but love the rest) are why I mentioned my family isn’t likely to sail soon. We also would need to fly across the country, adding to the cost by an average of $2k per trip. Not worth it for us personally. Our next sailing is in 5 months and we all know a lot changes in that period of time. Heck, it’ll probably take 2 or more just to restaff and reposition.
The casinos are an interesting one. If they cut table games and spaced slots out/made machines unavailable, it would be theoretically as possible to allow mask relief as it is in a dining establishment. Whether or not that’s a good idea is a different story, but for the folks willing to take the first cruises out I’m not sure they’d care either way.
The movie theater industry’s plight is multifaceted, from prices to fear/concern, and competition with home release. AMC locally is hurting, but our two niche/art theaters are comparatively gangbusters right now with better offerings.
The cruise industry as a whole took a massive hit from a few bad players mostly under the CCL main banner, no doubt. It will be interesting to watch the first few months of the industry’s return, whenever that is. I’m an eternal optimist, and maybe a bit of a hopeless romantic, but I’m holding out hope that the industry can survive as best as possible.

I will go to the movies as soon as they release something I want to see. I generally only pay movie theatres prices for a blockbuster type movie.

 

[Twisted Ballerina]

Didn't a whole bunch of cruise lines already cancel everything though the end of the year anyway?

This would be for like the Summer of 2021.