Cruise Ship Industry Dying From Virus. Ships Being Scrapped

I never thought I'd enjoy a sea cruise because of the crowds. Learning about Viking Ocean Cruises--which are about half passenger capacity of comparable sized ships--changed my mind. Not just the smaller crowds, but the older age demographic, laid back atmosphere (they use the word 'serene' a lot in marketing videos) and their focus on history and culture. I expect Viking to weather the pandemic and do well once cruises start sailing again.

Regardless of Covid-19, I still would consider a Baltic Sea cruise with Viking once they're sailing again.
 

Booze cruises must be something unique. The prices of alcohol on a regular week long cruise are very high. Have a pre-dinner specialty-priced drink, it adds up quickly.

Anything above the basics included is expensive.

Our favourite cruise was through the Panama Canal.
 
Keesha said:
I don’t have to actually go on a cruise to KNOW I won’t like it. I judge things based on my ‘core’ likes and dislikes and that’s from knowing myself well. If I don’t drink , don’t like drunken crowds, then it’s a ‘no brainer’ that I won’t like this.

I’ve never been to a casino but know it’s not for me.
I don’t gamble, drink or like being around crowds.

If this is your type of thing, that’s ok. I’m not judging ‘you’ personally for enjoying it. To each their own. ✌
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That's a pretty extreme overgeneralization, Keesha. It might be a good description of a typical Carnival cruise, but that company is notorious. It is possible, and not at all difficult, to go on a cruise with a line that caters to an older, more sober and responsible crowd, and not touch a drop of alcohol, not go anywhere near the casino, and stay in the quieter locations of the ship away from the crowds.

The better cruise lines have quiet lounge areas, libraries, small group games such as Trivia and bridge, and there's always the deck, where you can walk around by yourself if you prefer, and sometimes not see another human being, it's just you and the ocean. The dining rooms, theaters, etc. are no more crowded than those places are on land.

I've never been on one of those Viking river cruises, but they do sound quieter and more civilized in general. The people who are paying big bucks to visit European palaces and museums are probably not there to participate in drunken stupidity.

However, I also would not go on a cruise, even after coronavirus is finally defeated. There are too many other infectious diseases out there to catch, and I've heard horror stories about entire cruise ships being infected.
 
Sunny said:
That's a pretty extreme overgeneralization, Keesha. It might be a good description of a typical Carnival cruise, but that company is notorious. It is possible, and not at all difficult, to go on a cruise with a line that caters to an older, more sober and responsible crowd, and not touch a drop of alcohol, not go anywhere near the casino, and stay in the quieter locations of the ship away from the crowds.

The better cruise lines have quiet lounge areas, libraries, small group games such as Trivia and bridge, and there's always the deck, where you can walk around by yourself if you prefer, and sometimes not see another human being, it's just you and the ocean. The dining rooms, theaters, etc. are no more crowded than those places are on land.

I've never been on one of those Viking river cruises, but they do sound quieter and more civilized in general. The people who are paying big bucks to visit European palaces and museums are probably not there to participate in drunken stupidity.

However, I also would not go on a cruise, even after coronavirus is finally defeated. There are too many other infectious diseases out there to catch, and I've heard horror stories about entire cruise ships being infected.
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It’s an OPINION Sunny based on my preferences. If I want solitude and privacy then going on a cruise ship isn’t a logical choice for me.

If you and those other people wish to pay big bucks to visit European palaces and museums via cruise ships , then perhaps this is perfect for you but once again, it’s NOT for me. Perhaps you assume you know me better than I know myself but I can assure you that you don’t. I can find quiet dining rooms, theatres, libraries and museums without spending a fortune to do so and without risking my life.

I would NOT like this and YES I think it’s fair to generalize just how much I wouldn’t like it and the last I recall, I’m allowed to have personal preferences that differ from others.

And personally, I find it somewhat hypocritical that you would write a post declaring how wrong I could be about cruises considering there are more expensive, quieter cruises available that you’ve NEVER BEEN ON!



Give your head a shake there Sunny. 🥴
 
I quite like cruising, usually Royal Caribbean but have been on other lines. As some have mentioned, Carnival caters to the booze-cruise demographic. Lots of younger people, lots of drinking, some obvious debauchery and loud behavior. No big deal. Not my scene but I don't begrudge their existence.

Packed like sardines? Hardly. Germ infested? Again, not true. For at least the past ten years hand sanitizer is ubiquitous, people are encouraged by signs and crew members to wash our hands frequently and to liberally use sanitizer.

I'm not an apologist for cruise lines, but let's be fair. Yes early Covid was a disaster for them, but it didn't go so swell in a lot of other situations either. Proportionately a Washington church choir practice turned out to be a whole lot more contagious (52 sickened, 2 deaths) than any of the cruise ships. Let's also remember that ports refused to allow ships to dock or passengers to disembark.

I love the ocean - it soothes my soul like nothing else can. My favorite cruise was a 14 day transatlantic from Barcelona to Galveston. We'd sit on our balcony and just watch the ocean for hours on end. Read, nap, relax, eat, watch the ocean. Repeat. Ahhh.... heaven.

We've cruised the Caribbean many times (gorgeous ocean, beautiful weather, charming ports). Also Europe, Alaska and Mexico.

When Covid is over we hope to take a transpacific to Hawaii. Like many situations in life, when we know better we can do better. I have complete confidence that cruising on a reputable line will be at least as safe as attending a wedding at a reputable venue.

Cruising isn't the perfect vacation for everyone, that's for sure. That's ok. Nobody is forcing anyone to climb aboard.
 
I get the feeling that "cruising" ain't what it used to be- elegance, pampering, fantastic foods, a wonderful sea voyage. The incidence of diseases spreading throughout a ship bothers me. Why? Also, I think the ships have gotten way to large. When they dock they overwhelm the touristy areas with thousands of tourists, who have to cram in the "sights" in a short time. I only know of one friend, who went on a cruise. She sailed into Hurricane Hugo. It was not a happy experience. But still I think a ship is cool.
I'm thinking of going, post Covid, what do other members have to say?
 
Went on a Caribbean cruise years ago .... not a bad time or anything, but just not my idea of a great time really. And not worth repeating.
I would not go again, under any circumstances.
 
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Keesha said:
It’s an OPINION Sunny based on my preferences. If I want solitude and privacy then going on a cruise ship isn’t a logical choice for me.

If you and those other people wish to pay big bucks to visit European palaces and museums via cruise ships , then perhaps this is perfect for you but once again, it’s NOT for me. Perhaps you assume you know me better than I know myself but I can assure you that you don’t. I can find quiet dining rooms, theatres, libraries and museums without spending a fortune to do so and without risking my life.

I would NOT like this and YES I think it’s fair to generalize just how much I wouldn’t like it and the last I recall, I’m allowed to have personal preferences that differ from others.

And personally, I find it somewhat hypocritical that you would write a post declaring how wrong I could be about cruises considering there are more expensive, quieter cruises available that you’ve NEVER BEEN ON!



Give your head a shake there Sunny. 🥴
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Hey, Keesha, don't get your knickers in a knot over this, it really isn't worth that level of outrage. I have to wonder why the subject makes you so angry!

I am not paying "big bucks to visit European palaces," and have never said I did. I said "The PEOPLE who pay big bucks, etc." I was making the point that that group of travelers is not likely to behave like the bunch of drunken rowdies you are describing.

I am not paying big bucks, or even small bucks, in the future, for any cruise! Didn't you read my note? I would not go on one, because I've seen firsthand and heard too many stories about illness on these ships. Nothing to do with rowdiness, packing people like sardines, gambling casinos, etc.

As far as knowing you better than you know yourself, that statement is totally absurd Who ever said they know you better than you know yourself, or implied that you HAVE to go on a cruise? My answer to you had nothing to do with getting you to go on a cruise; why would I do that? I was simply pointing out the error in your logic, making what my high school English teacher would have called Glittering Generalizations. You are describing all cruises as if they are Carnival's drunken revels. And that is all I was discussing. Not everything is about you. Of course you are "allowed" to have personal preferences that differ from others. Nobody is attacking you!

Your last sentence makes no sense at all. There are more expensive, quieter cruises available that I've never been on? Of course there are. So what?

I've been on three cruises in my life; one, the Alaska one, was wonderful; the other two were pretty good. The second was a Mediterranean cruise, and the third was up the coast of New England and Canada. They were all reasonably quiet and dignified, the amenities varied, I liked some better than others. None of them involved drunkenness, gambling, etc. except for those who specifically wanted those things. There was plenty to do without that. And that was the entire point I was making.

Time to chill, perhaps?
 
Three cruises have always intrigued me.

1. An Alaskan cruise.
2. A New England sailing cruise up the coast
3. A Great Lakes cruise, from Quebec or Montreal to Chicago. Or, one from (somewhere) around Lake Superior.

The last two are very pricey, but far more intimate and personal.
 
Drunken cruises are not necessarily synonymous with Carnival only. The 6 mass market cruise lines all have packages that include drinks. The key to look for would be length of cruise. The shorter ones like 3 to 5 days normally attract younger people who let it all hangout. Furthermore, there are short music cruises that are nothing short of wild. Seven day cruises to certain extent can have people overconsuming.

Seniors who cruise have a lot of time (and money of course), so they normally populate the extended cruises. Like the trans-atlantics/pacifics that are usually 13 to 18 days. Certainly less rowdiness but I have seen oldies putting away their share of alcohol. Furthermore, you have other itineraries of extended cruises that go from 20 to181-day World Cruises. Very few younger working people can get that much time away from a job.

When some people say there are diseases on cruise ships, I bet they are talking about norovirus. Norovirus is commonly referred to as the stomach flu. CDC says that you hear more about outbreaks on cruise ships because the media sensationalizes it. However, I bet many here don't know that nursing homes are most prevalent for norovirus. According to CDC, nursing homes and hospitals are the worse, followed by restaurants, schools, and bringing up the rear: cruise ships. CDC says cruise ships only account for 1% of all reported norovirus outbreaks.

Wonder how many will swear off living their final years in a long-term care facility?

When it comes to COVID-19, statistically more people have died in long-term care facilities than on cruise ships.

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/trends-outbreaks/outbreaks.html
 
I'mnotdeadyet said:
Three cruises have always intrigued me.

1. An Alaskan cruise.
2. A New England sailing cruise up the coast
3. A Great Lakes cruise, from Quebec or Montreal to Chicago. Or, one from (somewhere) around Lake Superior.

The last two are very pricey, but far more intimate and personal.
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Dear notdeadyet,
I have attached the trip stories so you can cruise vicariously with us. Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • CANADA 2011.pdf
    2.1 MB · Views: 1
  • ALASKA APRIL 2019.pdf
    2 MB · Views: 1
What is your source, rgp? From what I've been reading in the stock market reports, all the cruise line stocks are WAY down. They are recommended as a good "buy," which I've always believed means the prices are lower.

And there are articles about whether the cruise lines will "bounce back." Doesn't sound too promising.
 
Sunny said:
What is your source, rgp? From what I've been reading in the stock market reports, all the cruise line stocks are WAY down. They are recommended as a good "buy," which I've always believed means the prices are lower.

And there are articles about whether the cruise lines will "bounce back." Doesn't sound too promising.
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It was shown on the wall street report on .....CNBC,and Fox business.
 
Nosy Bee-54 said:
You can say that again!

Regardless of how bad the pandemic is, how many people are out of work, how many businesses are closing, how many hurricanes are doing damage, etc, etc., the stock market keeps rising.

Now, there is a company that plans to convert a cruise ship into apartments.

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/want-to-live-on-a-converted-cruise-ship.html
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You say that like it is a negative ? Is it in your opinion ?

In times of stress / destruction, isn't a strong economy / stock market a good thing?
 
My Facebook feed has turned up adverts for Princess line cruises for the Summer of 2021/22. Most are very short term cruising around the Australian coastline with some to New Zealand. Australians lover cruising and these shorter, cheaper cruises could just introduce new customers to this kind of holiday.
 
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