By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
At the end of October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted the no-sail order and issued an industry-wide framework for cruises to begin sailing again. There is still a lot the cruise lines are working through, and they’re committed to taking the time to do things right. This includes training their crews on new guidelines and conducting trial sailings before welcoming guests back on board.
So what does this really mean for cruising? And when can you go?
This is a positive and important step toward allowing cruise lines to demonstrate how their new health and safety protocols will restart cruising. It may be some time in the first quarter of 2021 before larger ships start again, requiring certification that meets specific requirements. When they do start, there will be a phased return to passenger voyages – probably starting with shorter cruises that involve the cruise lines’ private islands, such as Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CoCo Cay, Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay and Carnival’s Half Moon Cay.
They are expected to begin at 50 percent passenger capacity. Screening and rapid testing – for both crew and passengers – at embarkation and disembarkation are expected to be an important part of making cruising safe during the pandemic. To do this, cruise lines will have a staggered approach to embarkation with scheduled times of arrival.
Ships will possibly have longer turnarounds between sailings to adjust to the new sanitation and health procedures. Gone – at least temporarily – are the days when cruises could arrive around 5 a.m. and leave with an entire new set of passengers 12 hours later. Laboratory testing must be available on board for passengers as well.
Viking has just completed the cruise industry’s first full-scale polymerase chain reaction laboratory at sea for COVID-19 testing. Now installed on the 930-passenger Viking Star, it will allow the cruise line to conduct PCR testing for all crew members and guests with a saliva test.
Sailing safely during the pandemic is a lot easier for smaller ships. SeaDream Yacht Club, for example, is below the minimum number of passengers covered by the CDC sailing order. The rules apply for ships with 250 or more passengers that depart from the United States. At only 112 guests, SeaDream Yacht Club has already started sailing from Barbados to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The company is offering these seven-day Caribbean sailings from now through April. It is quite easy to do the rapid testing needed for safety purposes and hold controlled embarkation and disembarkation when the passenger list is that small.
When should you start booking your cruise? Now is the time to plan, especially while cancellation and postponement policies are so favorable to travelers. There is nothing to lose from planning now, and everything to gain in terms of choice – especially with so many cruisers rebooked from 2020 to 2021 already. We are booking many clients right through 2022.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel.