Small European cruise line cancels out to March 2021

[ScooterScott44]

As the EU starts to open (without the US) just saw an interesting article about Celestyal a small cruise line out of Greece. They cancelled cruises until March 6, 2021.

That is interesting because things seem to be progressing the other way, with the EU relaxing restrictions. Anyone think this is being overly cautious on their part or that cruising will that hampered in resuming? Any thoughts on implications to larger lines?

 

[T & R]

Hard to say. How much do they rely on American tourists? That's one small line going one way but there are many other's going the other way. You have some small lines that have already started back up.

 

[otten]

This is an unpopular opinion on this board but I don’t think cruising can be done safely without a vaccine or effective and accessible therapeutics.

Relaxing restrictions is about resuming as much of life as possible while managing the risk of the pandemic. A lot of the things being done to achieve that (reduced occupancy, 6 feet apart etc) can’t really be achieved on a cruise ship. Reopening doesn’t mean the threat is over.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Smart move. Im sure none will happen before then anyway, but the cruise lines prefer to hold your cash and earn interest off it so they wont be saying that out loud.

 

[stsomewhere]

This is an unpopular opinion on this board but I don’t think cruising can be done safely without a vaccine or effective and accessible therapeutics.

Relaxing restrictions is about resuming as much of life as possible while managing the risk of the pandemic. A lot of the things being done to achieve that (reduced occupancy, 6 feet apart etc) can’t really be achieved on a cruise ship. Reopening doesn’t mean the threat is over.

I total agree with you.

 

[aggiedog]

I think at least some of the recent resurgence of Covid is due to people getting together in enclosed spaces (bars, restaurants, parties) and not social distancing. Like otten says, cruises do not lend themselves to social distancing or lots of open space and fresh air (in that there is very little risk of transmission outdoors but indoors is much, much higher.) So I agree that it may be a long time until cruising is safe. Or, maybe they sail at significantly reduced capacity, which I have to think may not be profitable.

 

[T & R]

A lot of the things being done to achieve that (reduced occupancy, 6 feet apart etc) can’t really be achieved on a cruise ship.

We're in a country of 330+ million people and growing. Having an expectation in life that you can stay 6 feet apart may look good on paper but it is not reality and is not reasonable. If 6 feet apart needs to be achieved to run a business, then make it a law. Until then, it's just someone's opinion on what is best. Can't be achieved in many other businesses either, so why single out cruise ships? Airplanes, buses, barber shops, massage parlors, daycares, nightclubs, schools, nail salons, casinos etc. That's just for starters, you can fill a page. Where are the CDC smack downs on those businesses? If cruising is to dangerous, then you regulate through laws and laws are passed by our elected representatives. The CDC is playing king by picking cruising as the sole business in the world to ban. If cruising needs banned then do it the right way and get the votes. Notice all the governors and even people on this board are blaming bars for the recent Covid resurgence (on the news I noticed millions of people taking to the streets all across the country in the last few weeks and now we have a Covid resurgence but I guess we can blame the bars, sure). Will the CDC make a move on bars? Nope, they won't go there. Cruising is a much easier and less resistant target.

If there are people who are scared to cruise because 6 feet distance cannot be achieved, then don't cruise. It's just that simple, nobody will be forced to get on a cruise ship. In my state we have several Covid rapid testing sites where you get your results within 15 mins. Put a testing site at the door, write the cost of the tests into the price of the cruise and let's get on with this. Guaranteed way to have a Covid free cruise. If you think the test may be false negative, then test 2, 3, 4 or whatever many tests you feel satisfies the requirement. Right now Covid tests are manufactured for sale from $50-$200 each. When you're paying tens of thousands for a cruise, that's a drop in the bucket that I would gladly pay if that's what it takes to get the CDC off the cruise industry's back.

 

[AquaDame]

We're talking about a social disease... it is not as simple as, don't like it, don't cruise. Your actions affect others when you get back to land. I'm not going to go into laws and governance as that's politics.

Lets try to keep the thread on topic. AMA Waterways was also one of the first to cancel as far out as they did - the reasoning being they were well sorted to absorb the loss in business and didn't see a way forward that would give the best guest experience. Perhaps this company is the same. Or perhaps their ships are small enough that they didn't see how to follow new restrictions that may come into play on distancing and sanitation?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Guaranteed way to have a Covid free cruise.

Not really. Someone recently exposed may not have enough viral load to get a positive test. And then they get on a ship (with a negative test) and boom, lots of people get it.

 

[yowcruiser]

We can look at what a bunch of other cruise lines may or may not do as "clues" as to what happens with DCL. Disney has already been on record saying that DCL is the last division that will likely come back online. For DCL to resume activities, baring any restrictions from authorities, they will need the following and will not compromise on any of these:

• They can provide a safe experience to crew/castmembers
• They are able to efficiently re-crew the ships to sufficient levels
• They can provide a safe experience to guests
• They can provide an experience that is magical enough, and allows Disney to do what it is that they do best
• They will be able to do all of the above in a way that allows them to break even, or at the very least would allow them to burn significantly less cash than they might do in the current situation.

Some of these things may prove more challenging than others, especially as it relates to crew. DCL (and other cruise lines) have a tendency to pick specific nationalities for specific functions on board and some important areas may be critically understaffed as a result...

 

[Karin1984]

Regardless of what cruiselines can do, should do and vaccins or not. Greece has had some very rough years financially. Greece is now also more careful than other EU countries to let tourists back in.
Plus this cruiseline has normally 2 ships in Greece and 2 in the Caribbean in the summer (as I can Google it).

It is probably just not feasible this season.

 

[bavaria]

Cruises have resumed in Ha Long Bay. These are small ships ranging from super budget to high end boutique. The last time we were there I believe that there was six cabins on our ship, but there are certainly many larger ships. Obviously that is the extreme example, and Vietnam has not had any community transmission for about two months (but is also starting to open up) As soon as they do lift restrictions, I'm planning a leisure trip as I usually am in Vietnam yearly.

In Europe, the Rhein, Donau, Douro cruises have restarted.

While these are not the mega ships, there is certainly already a precedent for resumption of some parts of the cruise industry. While Americans may not be able to take part, there is certainly demand for the ships not marketed to Americans in Europe, and strong domestic demand in Vietnam (and from Europe, once they open up to us again)