Encouraging stories

[ChuckElias]

It sounds like the MSC cruises in the Med have been uneventful COVID-wise. I have to be honest -- I thought 70% capacity was too high, but I haven't seen any news stories about outbreaks.

Ponant has had similar success over the last couple of months (albeit with much smaller ships):

Eight Ponant ships have sailed, a very promising start

One of the first cruise lines to resume sailing over the summer, Ponant is quite satisfied with the results, Hervé Bellaiche, chief sales and marketing officer, told Seatrade Cruise News.

www.seatrade-cruise.com

And now, small-ship cruising is scheduled to return to the Caribbean:

It's a go: SeaDream I to begin season of Barbados round-trips Nov. 7

Just as SeaDream Yacht Club became the first to restart international cruises in Europe, the line is now poised to possibly do the same in the Caribbean.

www.seatrade-cruise.com

These are obviously small steps, but it feels like progress. Fingers crossed for April

 

[RememberWhen]

I read this too. Given the recent cancellations of the early December DCL cruises I’m expecting them to cancel all of the 2020 cruises and try to start up again after the New Year. Who knows, though? Maybe they’ll try for some Christmas cruises?
I’m wishing that they would pause new bookings on early 2021 cruises. I feel like it would look so much better for them to be able to show a return to cruising with lower capacity (50%?) and increased safety.
We’re currently booked on a February cruise and we weren’t able to get the first dinner seating when we booked it. We’ve got 5 rooms booked, and the TA said she would try to move us to the earlier seating. Recently I checked and we were booked for the first seating. I’m guessing people are canceling/moving their trips later into 2021.
I hope April works out for you, but I’d be ok with February being canceled.

 

[ChuckElias]

Good news for the parks. Not sure it help us cruisers. . .

Largest U.S. theme parks report no COVID-19 outbreaks since reopening

No outbreaks have been reported at Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, Legoland and Cedar Fair parks in Florida, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia and Mic…

www.ocregister.com

 

[ChuckElias]

Yesterday, CLIA revealed their recommendations for return-to-sail protocols.

Cruise lines agree to mandatory coronavirus testing, other safeguards to resume sailing

The plan for cruise lines to return to sailing has a road map, and it involves mandatory COVID-19 tests for everyone sailing and wearing of masks. Cruise Lines International Association, the trade …

www.orlandosentinel.com

 

[RememberWhen]

Yesterday, CLIA revealed their recommendations for return-to-sail protocols.

Cruise lines agree to mandatory coronavirus testing, other safeguards to resume sailing

The plan for cruise lines to return to sailing has a road map, and it involves mandatory COVID-19 tests for everyone sailing and wearing of masks. Cruise Lines International Association, the trade …

www.orlandosentinel.com

Mandatory negative tests and masks doesn’t seem too unreasonable.

 

[Chomama]

CMs being called back to ships

 

[Surfin' Tuna]

CMs being called back to ships

This is true. I alluded to it in another thread, but didn't want to talk about it too much. I would imagine we might see cruises before the end of the year.

 

[ChuckElias]

CMs being called back to ships

This is true. I alluded to it in another thread, but didn't want to talk about it too much. I would imagine we might see cruises before the end of the year.

I'm so curious: what's your source for this news? Are you a crew member? Heard from a crew member? I'm not doubting you at all!! Just curious how you got this before it hits the Orlando Sentinel.

 

[Chomama]

I'm so curious: what's your source for this news? Are you a crew member? Heard from a crew member? I'm not doubting you at all!! Just curious how you got this before it hits the Orlando Sentinel.

Can’t say and it isn’t remotely public but I am 100% confident

 

[Chomama]

Are they being called back for all four or just one or two? Will enough ports let them in to run full out? Seems like it would be safer to ease into it and work out the bugs before firing up all four.

That I don’t know. Wonder for sure on its way

 

[Surfin' Tuna]

The Dream is also headed back. Crew headed to her in November is the latest I know.

 

[ChuckElias]

That I don’t know. Wonder for sure on its way

The Dream is also headed back. Crew headed to her in November is the latest I know.

The Wonder is currently sailing northeast (back toward Portugal). Is it heading to Europe to pick up crew? I would've thought that it would be heading back toward the US.

I just checked Cruise Hive this morning and the Magic, Dream, and Fantasy are still docked in Brest.

 

[John park hopper]

Once the cruise ships start sailing again will they have additional medical staff and facilities on board just in case ?

 

[ChuckElias]

That I don’t know. Wonder for sure on its way

@Chomama , can you confirm that the Wonder will next head to Spain for a drydock? I heard this from a trusted travel agent, but it's the first I've heard of it.

 

[ChuckElias]

 

[ChuckElias]

Hey @Surfin' Tuna and @Chomama , what's the Wonder doing right now? It left Brest, but now looks like it's turning around to go back to Europe. I was hoping it was coming home.

 

[ChuckElias]

No-Sail Order lifted!

CDC: 'Conditional Sailing Order' allows cruise lines to sail Nov. 1 but it's not likely they will

Cruise ships will be allowed to sail in U.S. waters Sunday, according to a CDC order issued Friday but that doesn't mean passengers will be on board.

www.usatoday.com

Vaccine finally in sight!

Pfizer’s Early Data Shows Vaccine Is More Than 90% Effective (Published 2020)

Pfizer announced positive early results from its coronavirus vaccine trial, cementing the lead in a frenzied global race that has unfolded at record-breaking speed.

www.nytimes.com

I'm getting excited about my April cruise!!!