we"reofftoneverland
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2015
Unfortunately I do think vaccines will be mandatory. I hope they won’t be, but the cdc is being so unreasonable that I don’t think cruise lines will have a choice.
I think long term the vaccine issue will be one decided by the cruise lines. Too much liability otherwise.Unfortunately I do think vaccines will be mandatory. I hope they won’t be, but the cdc is being so unreasonable that I don’t think cruise lines will have a choice.
It doesn't seem like Disney is discounting their cruise fares in the slightest, so I would expect, for them to sail again, they will need to have no restrictions. Meaning, full entertainment, food, alcohol and pool/spa availability.
I just booked May 2022, I'm traveling with friend who has never been on any cruise, nevermind a Disney cruise. I expect her to be wowed by the shows, the dining experience, and even Palo. (or whatever it's called on the Dream)
I guess we can agree to disagree here.
People in the U.S. had a hard enough time following simple protocols when COVID was at one of its several peaks. They’re going to be even less inclined to comply once things start to taper off, especially on the super-expensive cruise they paid for.
There may be little things here and there that are different on the ships going forward - mandatory hand-washing/sanitizing before entering the restaurants/buffet comes to mind - but permanent social distancing in the theaters? I just don’t see it.
How could you carry that policy through the rest of the ship? In the pools, in the MDRs, in the night clubs? You can’t.
Theaters, pools and MDR is quite easy if you create a physical distance... They can remove seats. They can remove lounger and put space between them (bolt them to the floor if they have to!)... They could easily implement a reservation system just like they do with other activities. The lifeguard can monitor the amount of people in the pool. In the MDR, they can remove tables.
Honestly, I wish they would keep some of the measures in the future. It can be hard to find loungers at times and the dining rooms are so cramped, which is part of the reasons why I tend to prefer signature dining... More room around our table, more privacy...
I’m thinking that while they are at it, they might as well reconsider the maximum capacity permitted on each ship in consideration of the future. These measures will help preventing future outbreaks of norovirus, etc.
Plus, I wouldn’t mind paying more for a more « spacious » experience.
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My point was predicated on two (I think, fairly reasonable) assumptions:
1.) given the option, DCL is not going to sail with less people. They want to fill as many staterooms as possible on the billion-dollar ships they built. As soon as the CDC gives them the discretion, DCL will go right back to doing whatever they can to maximize occupancy.
And it’s not just the fare revenue that’s important - it’s the discretionary spend revenue as well. Less people (even if they pay a higher fare) means less people at the bars, less people shopping, less people paying for shore excursions, less people tipping the serving teams and stateroom attendants, etc.
2.) U.S. passengers, again, will not put up with the things you mentioned long-term. Pool and/or slides are too full, and my kid can’t get in or get on for hours? A reservation to go to the kids clubs or buffet? Especially given how much the cruise costs, and that such stringent measures are no longer taken on land?
DCL will abide by whatever limitations the CDC mandates in order to get sailing again, but once the handcuffs are off?
2.) U.S. passengers, again, will not put up with the things you mentioned long-term. Pool and/or slides are too full, and my kid can’t get in or get on for hours? A reservation to go to the kids clubs or buffet? Especially given how much the cruise costs, and that such stringent measures are no longer taken on land?
1) Which is why I was talking about an increase in price. To compensate for losses due to a smaller guests capacity.
2) I was thinking reservations for shows... Just like one would do for an excursion or a special event (characters meet and greet, etc.) Maybe pool time as well? (I know hotels do it right now)
I don’t know if it’s cultural but here, while there was a few exception, Canadians were pretty good at respecting health measures since the very beginning. We adapted.
It’s going to be like pretty much every sanitary rule (like when they forbid smoking in public spaces): people will whine at the beginning, but when they miss it enough, most will come back and just follow the rules.
I think the difference may be in how the ships have to respond to a percentage of positive cases. Under current guidelines ships have to return to port and debark everyone. In a land based situation, some people might be quarantined, but you would not need to evacuate an entire business, hotel, etc. The ships might continue to be more stringent to prevent having to end cruises early.
You’re proposing a permanent increase in prices on everything, not just fares, in order to keep the ships less populated on a going-forward basis? Merchandise, specialty dining, port adventures, alcohol, spa services, photo packages, drinks of the day, suggested tip amounts?
If you reduce the ship occupancy by 30%, that means that passengers will see a roughly 42% increase in those costs to make the same amount of money as a fully booked ship. That’s just cowboy math, but probably close enough to demonstrate that that would be a huge mark-up on an already over-priced cruise line.
And maybe it is cultural. I am not particularly proud of how many Americans willfully refused to follow the COVID-19 protocols, but regardless of how I feel, it is what it is. And Americans are the people who make up the majority of DCL customers.
I am not talking about reducing the guest capacity by 30%... I haven't said any number.
I'm just saying that it could be a good timing to reconsider the max capacity in other to make ships safer in the future. Whatever that percentage is.
If being safer comes with a bigger price tag, so be it.
If I'm priced out from DCL, I'll cruise exclusively on other lines and/or cruise less with them.
Unfortunately I do think vaccines will be mandatory. I hope they won’t be, but the cdc is being so unreasonable that I don’t think cruise lines will have a choice.
We just rebooked Alaska for 2022. Hoping that everything has returned to normal by then. Masks, a vaccine requirement, reduced entertainment, restricted excursions are all deal breakers for us.