Coming Out of Hibernation

Bear Emerging from Hibernation With Cubs                                 Reuters/Denis Balibouse

(Updated 10/6/2021)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bear?

Why am I asking that question in a cruise blog?  It struck me, when I started writing this post, that our lives are about to parallel that of a bear coming out of hibernation from a long winter's nap.  We've been cut off from others, we are cautiously coming out from our safe hiding place, and are longing for a new beginning as we emerge.

What have you missed the most during your COVID-19 hibernation?  For many, it's been the lack of interaction with others, or visiting your usual hangouts (churches, schools, restaurants, bars, stores, etc.).  For the avid cruiser, they missed the sea, and everything associated with cruising.

As the bear emerges, they are cautious, not knowing what dangers may be lurking outside safe haven.  Slowly, they adventure further and eventually return to some normal activities.

There are differences of course between bears hibernating and our forced isolation.  Bears do this every year, they expect it, and build up supplies to last them thru the winter.   We on the other hand, did not expect it, were caught short of essential supplies, and hopefully, this isn't a repeatable situation.

What are cruisers expecting as they emerge from hibernation?   Here's what a recent CLIA survey discovered:

What is Your Desired Cruise Experience 

• Cruisers want to experience the full cruise experience but are willing to compromise once they are ready to cruise 
• Most likely cruises to be selected is the “traditional” 7 to 10-day cruise with multiple destinations 
• Second most popular is a short cruise with limited destinations, a perfect cruise type to resume operations 
• As of June 2020, one out of 3 cruisers likely to cruise again, was willing to cruise within six months, thus the end of year, another 46% within a year

What is the Cruiser's Mindset 

• Cruisers are not waiting for a vaccine before committing to cruising 
• It will be safe to cruise once a vaccine becomes available scores at the lowest level of all protocols expected 
• Cruisers are disciplined and are willing to follow the protocols to ensure a safe cruising experience for them, other passengers and crew members 
• 93% are willing to wear a mask 
• 92% will follow a social distancing 
• 88% will take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking 
• 87% support daily temperature checks

Anticipate Change

If you've never cruised before, you have no basis for comparison, so everything will seem just right.  However, for those that have cruised before, we anticipate things will be different when you come out of hibernation.  Here are a few changes we anticipate:

• Sanitation has always been important, so you won't see much change there, except perhaps in frequency of cleaning.
• Closer monitoring of hand-washing stations at restaurant entrances.
• Screening for illness at embarkation and throughout the cruise
• It won't be as crowded, which most people will like.
• Dining will be spread out - table size or capacity will be reduced.
• Buffets won't be self-serve (if they aren't eliminated completely, at least initially).
• Some services, such as pools and spas may be closed or have limited capacity.
• Entertainment will be impacted by social distancing - reservations will probably be needed.
• You won't have to shave - since everyone will have a mask on - who's going to know.
• Shore excursions will have limited capacity and probably won't have food included.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but we think it's representative of the kinds of changes that will be noticeable.    There will be behind the scenes changes, such as improved filtering, which you won't notice but will be happy it's been implemented.

The cruise industry is best equipped to deal with these safety implementations, since they've historically had similar measures in place.   

Update - The Current Experience

Since cruising has resumed this past summer, cruisers are experiencing ships at 50% or lower capacity, crew very eager to serve,  and all that they loved cruising for to still be possible.  Masks are in use when safe distancing isn't possible, but other than that, things appear to be better than normal.  Cruise lines have reported higher satisfaction rates than pre-Covid.

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by"                              ~Sea Fever, John Masefield

 

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