CDC says Cruises can start in July

[DCLMP]

Let's remember to keep this on track. This is not the place to discuss opinions on vaccines.

The restart seems to hinge on wether vaccines are required or not, but I agree with you I’d just like to know what the restart plans are. Hopefully soon.

 

[jrapps]

Seems that Carnival is making SOME decisions around July

Carnival Cruise line has now removed all cruise bookings for July except for three vessels, including Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista out of Galveston in Texas along with Carnival Horizon out of PortMiami in Florida.

While not an official communication of intent, the fact that they removed all but those 3 would either indicate that they are "at capacity" for everything other than those 3, or more likely they feel that all others will be cancelled and those are the best shots for starting in July.

 

[atricks]

The Fantasy is docked at Miami today getting crew vaccines, and Royal, Carnival, and MSC are doing some also today.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1389679516696596480

 

[sullivan.kscott]

Just before the cruises shut down, one of the surgeons I work for had a daughter sign a contract as an Oceaneers’ CM on the Fantasy. He’s been my inside source . Can’t wait to see him tomorrow and pester him for another update about whether she’s been recalled. Things really seem to be moving.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

Seems that Carnival is making SOME decisions around July

Carnival Cruise line has now removed all cruise bookings for July except for three vessels, including Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista out of Galveston in Texas along with Carnival Horizon out of PortMiami in Florida.

While not an official communication of intent, the fact that they removed all but those 3 would either indicate that they are "at capacity" for everything other than those 3, or more likely they feel that all others will be cancelled and those are the best shots for starting in July.

So, I know they’ve moved on Breeze and Vista for crew vaccines. What of Horizon? Could be that they plan to make those three the test sailing Guinea Pigs, and could ask for volunteers from the early sailings’ bookings?

Im just thrilled that things are moving!

 

[tidefan]

So, I know they’ve moved on Breeze and Vista for crew vaccines. What of Horizon? Could be that they plan to make those three the test sailing Guinea Pigs, and could ask for volunteers from the early sailings’ bookings?

Im just thrilled that things are moving!

It seems more than coincidence that, especially in Carnival's case, as soon as Galveston opened up crew vaccinations, the Breeze and Vista were there. That is why I tend to think the positioning of the Dream and Fantasy is not a coincidence either.

On an unrelated note, the WDW College Program is starting back up, so there are a lot of things moving...

 

[DCLMP]

I had put the Mardi Gras on hold for November. I got a call from a PCP telling me I should book now if I wanted to sail because they are pulling cruises for sale to reduce capacity. I didn't book. I ended up booking the 11-night holy land cruise out of Rome on the Odyssey next May. I plan on sailing on a Disney cruise next year I'm just not sure which one.

 

[Sconny]

Hearing on the news today some test Cruises might start for those ships not wanting to do the 98/95% vaccination, or for those planning on doing that just to do test cruises.

Either way moving in the right direction I am feeling.

 

[kathi]

Is there a way to see who is doing the test cruises on the CDC website? Might give us an indication of who plans to skip the vaccination requirements.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Is there a way to see who is doing the test cruises on the CDC website? Might give us an indication of who plans to skip the vaccination requirements.

Not on the site but when any test sailing goes we will easily know.

 

[jrapps]

So Norwegian reiterated today that they intend to do 100% vaccinated cruises (at least outside of FL), and they just cancelled all July sailings, saying Aug was the earliest they can get their ships staffed and ready to go. People on the NCL forum on CC also were said to be getting emails asking if they are interested in participating in Test Sailings in August (presumably if they decide to to the test sailing route in FL)

Either way, they are starting August at the earliest.

 

[DCLMP]

Is there a way to see who is doing the test cruises on the CDC website? Might give us an indication of who plans to skip the vaccination requirements.

NCL is threatening to pull out of Florida because they can't require vaccines. Good luck with that NCL.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

NCL is threatening to pull out of Florida because they can't require vaccines. Good luck with that NCL.

Why do you say "good luck with that"? I don't see any reason cruise lines can't shift their cruises to US ports outside of Florida. If it gets them operating sooner, I would guess all the crusie lines are at least exploring the opportunity.

 

[mevelandry]

Why do you say "good luck with that"? I don't see any reason cruise lines can't shift their cruises to US ports outside of Florida. If it gets them operating sooner, I would guess all the crusie lines are at least exploring the opportunity.

This, 100%.

They could easily make an offer for OBC if guests keep their bookings and accept departing from another port and offer full refunds to the people who prefer to cancel. Pretty sure Carnival has done this a few months ago (switching port of departure). It's doable.

If switching ports is the only option to sail without getting in trouble and/or potentially dealing with a potential outbreak (which would ruin any chances of a real restart before the end of the year...) I'm sure they'll do it.

 

[jerry557]

If NCL’s goal is to get DeSantis to change course, it won’t work.

But the CEO is also upset at the CDC rules and threatening to take all cruises out of the US and have Caribbean as the home ports.

 

[DCLMP]

Why do you say "good luck with that"? I don't see any reason cruise lines can't shift their cruises to US ports outside of Florida. If it gets them operating sooner, I would guess all the crusie lines are at least exploring the opportunity.

He's just blowing smoke. He can, but I don't think it will be profitable. The CDC isn't mandating vaccines and having vaccinated passengers doesn't change any of the ludicrous rules that the CDC has required. Arnold CEO of Carnival has stated that he doesn't believe they can get people to sail with all the restrictions imposed by the CDC. The test cruises aren't the problem.

 

[jrapps]

I think plenty of people will sail even with the "ludicrous" rules. I am one of them. Don't get me wrong, if I am on a cruise with 100% vaccinated people, I will agree that it is ludicrous to wear masks everywhere, but I will do it, and the joy of being on a cruise ship will so outweigh my discomfort, I won't even care anymore.

As much as some of us want the CDC rules to change, we know they won't, especially for the first cruises back. After a few months of successful sailings, who knows. But in July/Aug/Sep timeframe, those rules are etched in stone.

Staffing a ship and getting all your port agreements and stuff in place will take time. Hard to imagine how you speed that up. It will take as long as it takes.

The ONLY variables I see that has flexibility on how soon cruises can start is do a test cruise or don't, which has become the require vaccines or don't point of view, which has turned into the sail from FL or don't point of view. Seems the fastest way to set sail is to (temporarily) move operations out of FL, require vaccines, and cruise.

I'm not saying this is my preference...I choose to sail with my kids, and they are too young for vaccines. I'm just reading the tea leaves like everyone else. I think NCL pulls out of FL for a few months, and I think they will be very successful with their cruise start. I also think at some point, they return home to FL.

Others like Carnival and Royal, I saee them doing both vaccine cruises outside of FL and test cruises in the state.

DCL? No clue. My money is on test cruises out of FL but it's just a guessing game.

 

[Sykes]

If NCL’s goal is to get DeSantis to change course, it won’t work.

I honestly don't think DeSantis even really believes that the restriction on requiring proof of vaccination can be applied to the cruise industry ... I think he just cares about scoring the political points and wins on that even if his hand is forced by the industry or by federal courts.

 

[DCLMP]

I honestly don't think DeSantis even really believes that the restriction on requiring proof of vaccination can be applied to the cruise industry ... I think he just cares about scoring the political points and wins on that even if his hand is forced by the industry or by federal courts.

If it doesn’t apply to the cruise industry than what is NCL waiting for to start sailing, and why threaten to leave Florida?

 

[Sykes]

If it doesn’t apply to the cruise industry than what is NCL waiting for start sailing, and why threaten to leave Florida?

Del Rio, the CEO of NCL, says that they believe that Florida probably doesn't have the authority to do it, but I'm betting litigating that would be costly and time consuming so I imagine that they're hoping that applying political pressure allow them to avoid litigating the issue.

“It’s a classic state vs. federal government issue,” Del Rio said on the call when asked about the issue by a Wall Street analyst. “Legally, lawyers believe the federal law applies and not state law.”

As for "waiting to start sailing", Del Rio has been blustering about other aspects of the CDC guidelines which he believes are untenable at the moment, although given that the CDC just released the technical guidance for cruising on Wednesday it's not clear to me that there is "waiting" as much as there is a ramp up time to understand and figure out how to implement the guidance.