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I never write about politics on this blog. However, it’s hard to ignore a case when politics steamrolls its way into a travel situation.
According to this article, the CDC tried to extend cruise lines’ “No Sail” order to February 2021 due to the spread of Covid-19 on previous sailings. The order was set to expire at the end of September 2020, although some cruise lines have already canceled sailings into December 2020. However, it appears the White House has overruled the CDC during a Covid task force meeting. The No Sail order was extended just one month, through October 31, 2020. Cruise line representatives will be meeting with President Trump on Friday.
Is This About the Election?
At first glance, one does have to wonder if this override is to help the election. Florida’s economy benefits from cruising, and Florida is a battleground state.
On the other hand, nobody wants to see any part of the economy shut down. The sooner we can open up all parts of the economy safely, the sooner our economy can recover and grow.
However, if cruising resumes too soon and there are Covid breakouts on board, the cruising industry will suffer even more. Travelers need to have confidence that cruising is a safe way to travel, and an outbreak could cause a setback that is a costly PR nightmare.
As for me, I’m sitting on the sidelines and watching how this all plays out. My family had a cruise booked for early 2021, but we moved it to 2022. I do have a cruise booked for October 2021, but I hope to be vaccinated by then.
What do you make of this situation? Do you think that cruising will be successful if it resumes in November 2020 (just one month from now)?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Thank you both for your comments. I guess that Friday meeting didn’t happen.
@Christian
It’s not the CDC’s job to decide what freedoms we have and what business is conducted. All bureaucratic institutions will tend to support less freedom and more control over our lives. Letting big govt. bureaucrats run wild is not what good leadership does. The facts are well established that 99.8% of people under 50 don’t die of coronavirus if they get it. The lockdown cure is worse than the disease.
I won’t be going on a cruise for the next few years. That’s a personal choice. If others care to, I see no reason to prevent it.
I must admit that this “Science is for chumps” mentality to be bizarre. The CDC has one job: keeping people safe. Let them do that.