Cruising Options Now and in the Near-Term Future

Posted by acraven (Washington DC) on 04/02/21 12:34 PM

The title of this article notwithstanding, it provides an update on several areas where cruises are currently operating or are expected to resume soon.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/italy-may-be-in-easter-lockdown-but-the-party-s-on-at-sea/ar-BB1femwt?ocid=msedgntp

This is an interesting statistic (though I have no idea how reliable it is):

"According to an independent consulting firm, Bermello Ajamii & Partners, just 23 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on ships since the industry began its tentative relaunch last summer, for a passenger infection rate of 0.006%."

Elsewhere, the article says 350,000 people have cruised since July 2020; that's the universe from which 23 cases were reported.

For those who might consider cruising from Italy, this may also be important: "Passengers from outside Italy must arrive with negative COVID-19 tests taken within 48 hours of their departures and only residents of Europe's Schengen countries plus Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria are permitted to book under COVID-19 insurance policies." I think that means Americans and Canadians are not currently welcome, but it's also possible it just means they wouldn't be able to purchase (Italy-based??) travel insurance with COVID-19 protection.

Posted by MariaF

Ontario, Canada

04/02/21 01:19 PM

4657 posts

Wander over to the MSC website, click the Updates link, and they clearly post "....we welcome guests from...(Schengen and the 3 mentioned)..." No mention of the insurance.
I have 2 cruises booked with them and besides the fact I have a cruise credit it with them, it is because they were the first ships over 200 passengers out of the gate last summer and have set the framework for the rest of the fleet for covid protocol. They stick to their guns and if you break away from your port bubble excursion, you don't come back on board. Too bad, so sad. Youtube on the Grandiosa last week shows many fewer travelers.
Consider that staff never left ship for months so on board outbreaks were cleaned up. Passengers were limited to only a few countries last summer and from the start, they were in bubbles even in port. Air handling was completely changed to outside venting. Video shows dining set up of travel groups or solo or 2 top tables with empty tables between. Despite all this, I doubt either of my cruises will happen. I cruise for a little pampering (someone else to cook for me) and an easy way to get to some areas of interest so I can get off to explore. Port bubbles dictating how long (or short) I can visit the Hermitage in St. Petersburg is a real negative in my book. I respect why this has to be, but if they don't loosen that rule by June when I have to make final payment, then I don't go.
Keep in mind, these articles about 'cruise ships' are for the cruise ships over 200 passengers. There are also smaller luxury or niche market ships that don't fall under these rules, and have been sailing this past year, albeit few and far between. They seem to have adopted similar on board rules as MSC, but their positive numbers, though low are a bigger percentage of overall cruisers for that size ship.
I never thought to wonder about the small 15 passenger ships in Galapagos. Hmmm.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

04/02/21 02:57 PM

17563 posts

Uncruise will take you cruising in Alaska if you are fully vaccinated.

https://uncruise.com

This might be a good time to see Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage without the big cruise ships--they are not sailing that area this summer due to the Canadian border closure.

Posted by Elizabeth

L'Occitanie, France

04/02/21 08:17 PM

10675 posts

You're right, Lola. Perfect time.

Every Celebrity and Royal Caribbean advertisement I've received for 2021 sailings, including the ship that they have put in the Mediterranean Sea, require passengers over 16 to be vaccinated.

But who in the heck do they think will be able to take their Mediterranean cruises? If North Americans can't go to Europe, the British have to stay home, the Europeans are behind on vaccine shots, then the ships will have only older grandparents with their non-inoculated grandchildren.

Celebrity still has a an almost sold out trans-Atlantic from Bayonne, NJ (no sailings allowed from the US yet) that claims to have stops in Halifax NS, Shetland Islands, and finishes in South Hampton. The rep asked me if I wanted to book. Does anyone have a clue how this ship can sail from and to places it's not allowed?

Posted by Travel Boss

Myrtle Beach, USA

04/06/21 03:22 PM

12315 posts

I recently looked at Vacationstogo.com to see what was going on. They're an online travel agent that specializes in cruises (best search engine in the industry).

According to their site, everything they're booking is requiring vaccination for anyone over 18 and negative COVID tests for passengers under 18. They also say they have no idea if the cruises will be canceled, regardless of how far out you book.