Posted on 10/25/2020 8:10:25 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
While the cruise industry awaited a decision on the No-Sail-Order to be issued, the CDC now recommends that travelers defer all cruise travel worldwide.
The decision from the CDC to issue this advice is surprising, to say the least. It will undoubtedly shock the cruise industry, which has been making positive noises in the last weeks about sailing to take place this year.
Whether the advice is a precursor to extending the No-Sail-Order remains to be seen, but seems much more likely.
What is the CDC saying The CDC has essentially heightened its travel advice from level two to level three: Avoid Nonessential Travel—Widespread Ongoing Transmission. In its travel advice, the CDC says that cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person infection, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on several cruise ships.
It has further stated that the CDC usually doesn’t give travel advice on specific modes of transport but has chosen to single out the cruise industry specifically in this case:
“CDC typically posts travel health notices for countries and other international destinations, not transportation, such as ships. Because of the unprecedented nature of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 on cruise ships, the U.S. government is advising U.S. travelers to defer all cruise travel.”
The CDC’s advice only covers U.S. travelers going on cruises. The CDC has no say whatsoever on anyone taking or organizing a cruise in other parts of the World.
Is the CDC targetting the Cruise Industry in particular? The CDC has made it a regular item now that cruise ships are targetted as potential super-spreaders of the disease, while conclusive evidence seems to be lacking entirely:
“Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruises highlight the risk of infections to cruise passengers and crew. Like many other viruses, COVID-19 appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships and boats. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there remains a risk of infected passengers and crew on board cruise ships.”
Cruise lines that have been operating in Europe over the last few months have been successful in keeping the virus away. Only two instances have been known onboard ships in Europe, Costa cruises had eight infections, and TUI Cruises had a possible infection which turned out to be negative.
Currently in sailing in Europe are TUI (Mein Schiff), Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, Seadream, and AIDA.
With constant testing being done on all these vessels and sailing proven to be safe, it is unclear why the CDC would say that cruise ships are a source of increased transmission risk.
Also Read: Cruise Lines Need to Be Strict Once Sailings Resume from the U.S.
What about the No-Sail-Order? The advice issued by the CDC could very well be taken as a sign of worse to come. Director Redfield has been vocal about wanting to extend the No-Sail-Order to February at a minimum.
Only due to the White House reputedly blocking that decision was the order shortened to a one month period.
It seems that the CDC is now setting up a move that would stop cruising all together, and well into the new year. Several financial analysts have already been warning investors that cruises from the U.S. would probably not start until March at the earliest. Not only that, but the CDC has now gotten support from the State Department also to include cruising as a no-go way of traveling.
What this advise will do for the cruise lines remains to be seen, that its big news with significant implications for a struggling industry seems clear.
The 2 things I have really really enjoyed in 60 years living in USA as an immigrant are (1) Membership at a private golf club Royal Oaks country club in Vancouver WA (2) 36 cruises all over the world.
I don’t golf anymore after burning 80 candles, but if cruises are stopped, it will be a huge downer.
We love cruises, and will miss them. The RATs have managed to suck the joy out of the lives of millions of people.
I think there’s no point worrying about this until after the election. The CDC is infested with little rats so it all changes once they cannot use their position to influence an election.
The cruise lines need to ignore all the blah-blah-blah and do what they need to do to get going again. The CDC is NOT a law-making body, and they have no real authority over anyone or anything.
Reactivation of the cruise industry might be a good issue for Pres. Trump to put on his list of Things To Do After The Election.
t has further stated that the CDC usually doesn’t give travel advice on specific modes of transport but has chosen to single out the cruise industry specifically in this case:
“CDC typically posts travel health notices for countries and other international destinations, not transportation, such as ships. Because of the unprecedented nature of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 on cruise ships, the U.S. government is advising U.S. travelers to defer all cruise travel.”
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So is Carnival sailing in December or not ???
Had a Baltic cruise on Royal Caribbean booked for late June 2021. It’s been cancelled.
Im booked for Jan but out of Tampa...Carnival was starting with Port Canaveral and Miami in Nov/Dec now just Dec...
The Cruise Gremlins are working overtime...
Probably depended on when the ship was due to go to Europe...
My Oct cruises this year were cancelled in April because the ship was to go to Europe in June and those cruises were all cancelled...
For next years cruises in Oct the ship goes over in March so thats going to be real close...Im not really expecting to cruise there next year either...I’ll watch to see if the ship leaves for Europe..
This is the problem uncertainty presents for the Cruise Lines. You should know shortly how this is going to work out for your cruise.
The cruise lines (CARNIVAL-ROYAL CARIBBEAN-NORWEGIAN) can get caught in a catch 22 situation by our CDC.
If they bring back the ships and crews , and get the ships fueled, staffed, provisioned by spending more borrowed dollars on that, only to have our CDC postpone the restart, again, that is more borrowed money burned up by the Lines.
The Cruise lines will not be able to redo the cold or warm layups and send the crews home again without spending a lot more money.
If the lines do nothing but wait, they will also spend millions of dollars maintaining the ships and crews , without any income, while they wait for a CDC OK to proceed.
And remember these cruise lines have creditors who have loaned them BILIONS of dollars who are looking for a return on their investment, and certainly don't want to lose the original loaned money.-Tom
I have a friend from Bali I met on Carnival cruise out of N.O. He and fifty others just left yesterday for crew work so I think so. He is cocktail server.
The CDC has no authority outside the US. Sorry, democrats, this is over reach.
We can't control outbreaks in our own hospitals or in our white house but the CDC expects the Cruise Lines to do better- or else. - Tom
The head of CARNIVAL is optimistic. You can read his opinion by clicking on the link below.
(But remember it is the opinion of DR. Redfield of he CDC that will count. We should know that opinion in a few days.)
If the CDC doesnt extend the NSO passed Oct 31 does that mean we cruise ???
When Will I Be Cruising
I’ve been cancelled, been mistreated
When will I be cruising
I’ve been put down, I’ve been pushed ‘round
When will I be cruising
When I find a new cruise that I want for mine
Its cancelled in a month or two, it happens every time
I’ve been made blue, I’ve been lied to
When will I be cruising
When I find a new cruise that I want for mine
Its cancelled in a month or two, it happens every time
I’ve been cancelled, been mistreated
When will I be cruising
When will I be cruising
Tell me when will I be cruising
From When Will I be loved Linda Ronstadt
The CDC should then allow cruises to proceed, with Covid-19 prevention measures.
This is going to be a big week for the country ,with a Presidential election coming up, in early November.
The CDC vs the Cruise lines latest tussle will happen in a few days. - Tom
We already do most of the requirements on land...the masks social distancing etc it wouldnt be hard to cruise...
now they may want the pools and steam rooms etc closed...
but restaurants already space out their tables and chairs etc
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