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Back in October, I took a calculated risk by going on a Disney Cruise with my daughter. Due to DCL’s protocols which included vaccine requirements, masks indoors, mandatory PCR tests the day before and embarkation antigen tests, we felt safe. It was a great cruise with low capacity. No cases were reported on board, and the ship remained in green status according to the CDC Cruise Ship Color website.
My entire family is looking forward to cruising on Royal Caribbean in early 2022. This will be the last cruise before my son turns 18 and therefore the last time he will be eligible to participate in the teen club on any ship. We have an awesome suite booked at a great price. We were supposed to go on this cruise in 2021, but it was canceled.
What’s Happening on Cruise Ships Now
How quickly things change. Over the past few weeks, there have been some Covid outbreaks on cruise ships. Nothing as big as the big Diamond Princess outbreak of 2020 where over 700 were infected and some died. But, smaller outbreaks are happening on several ships.
The Norwegian Breakaway docked in New Orleans with 17 Covid cases. Symphony of the Seas just had 48 cases on board, and Odyssey of the Seas has 55 Covid cases on its current sailing.
Of course, these cases are milder than the Covid cases of 2020 and represent less than 1% of people on board. And, we understand the virus better and have treatments available.
However, these on-board Covid cases definitely impact cruise vacations. Odyssey of the Seas was denied entry at its scheduled stops at Curacao and Aruba this week. The captain tried to find alternative ports, but no place would allow the ship to dock. In addition, shows on board the ship have been canceled, presumably due to sick crew members.
A couple of Carnival ships and at least one other Royal Caribbean ship had enough cases on board for ports to turn them away.
Our cruise is not dirt cheap. I’m ok with forgoing a few amenities based on safety protocols. But, skipping ports and shows is a bit too much.
In addition, if we were required to quarantine after the cruise, it would be problematic for my family. My husband has work commitments and my kids have school.
Searching for a Backup Plan
I’m not 100% sure that we will cancel our upcoming cruise. I intend to closely watch what happens on cruise ships the next few weeks. If these past two weeks were just a blip and things go back to “normal”, we will considering keeping our cruise. However, if these disruptions continue, we will change our plans.
It’s not easy searching for a backup plan for an early spring break trip with little notice. Decent beach rentals are almost impossible to find. I’ve looked.
While I’ve tossed around different ideas, the easiest thing for us to do is keep our flights to Orlando and find something else to do in the area. We visited Disney and Universal parks this past summer, and I have no desire to repeat those so soon. But, Orlando has a lot to offer. We may end up booking a rental house or condo with outdoor resort amenities like a lazy river and water slides. My kids would actually love to just relax, maybe play some tennis and swim.
Bottom Line
Cruising has always posed a risk during the pandemic. However, with this new wave of cases, the risk is currently a bit higher. I hope things settle down and we can cruise again soon. But if not, my family will proceed with alternative plans.
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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.
Life and travel will never go back to normal at least not now. I truly value the trips pre-Covid and wish I would of traveled more. You have to be so flexible and unemotional because something suddenly changes. Had to cancel a local hotel stay with my out of town friend and kids because I have Covid, and I am vaccinated. So many people spending their holidays sick.
@Bonnie I’m so sorry to hear that your family is sick and that you had to cancel plans. My family is in the same boat, so to speak. You’re so right about having to be flexible and unemotional with travel during these times. I hope you all feel better soon.
Omicron seems to be targeting the vaccinated mostly, since they have weakest immunity.
Obviously boosters do nothing, especially in the first 2 weeks when they make it worse.
So, imagine a cruise ship and college campuses are worth avoiding for…EVER.
Any place with 100% vaccinated will be petri dishes of disease, likely for life.
You want to be with people with natural immunity, or healthy lifestyle choices.
Certainly not the demographics you find on a cruise ship!
Don where did you come up with this logic “Omicron seems to be targeting the vaccinated mostly, since they have weakest immunity.” Stupidest thing I have read in a long time. IMHO.
Put down that Doobie!
BloggerGeorge, meet Don. Don is MFF’s resident troll. Think of him as that crazy uncle that shows up unannounced to your family Christmas gathering that everyone does their best to ignore.
Nancy,
Maybe if you go to Orlando you can plan activities cater to each of your kids. Like a private tour or private lessons of something they like it.
Happy Holidays.
Tania
Happy Holidays, Tania!
Then there’s alway this option… stay at home and hang out? Oh the horror. 😉
@Patrick I thought of that actually LOL! It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve just stayed at home during spring break. But, I’d rather travel. The majority of schools near us have the same spring break, and local places are very crowded. Also, usually the weather isn’t so great.