Meet the Insane People Still Planning Cruise Ship Vacations

[mystery-ak]

Meet the Insane People Still Planning Cruise Ship Vacations
COME SAIL AWAY

Some people see the prospect of a deadly virus and a 14-day quarantine and run far, far away. Others see the deal of a lifetime.
Sam Stein

Politics Editor
Updated Mar. 10, 2020 5:53PM ET / Published Mar. 10, 2020 2:22PM ET

The cruise ship industry is reeling. The outbreak of the new coronavirus has made the basic fundamentals of the business medically inadvisable to the point that the State Department has issued a warning to U.S. travelers—chief among them the elderly—to stop taking cruise ships until the threat has passed.

And yet, even as thousands of people have found themselves stuck on ocean liners, in close confines with others suffering from a deadly virus, not everyone is ready to bag their cruise ship getaway. Indeed, while some shudder at the prospect of enduring severe flu-like symptoms and a 14-day quarantine, others see the vacation deal of a lifetime materializing before their eyes.

Kenny Human, a 33-year-old lawyer from Kentucky, is one of those deal seekers. Five days ago, in the height of the coronavirus scare, he decided to purchase a Carnival Cruise trip leaving New Orleans in May for a venture through the western Caribbean. He doesn’t believe the coronavirus is a hoax. He doesn’t think fears of it are overhyped. And his girlfriend tried to convince him it was a bad idea. But, in the end, the price—about $400 per ticket when counting taxes and cancellation insurance—was just too damn good.

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https://www.thedailybeast.com/meet-the-insane-people-still-planning-cruise-ship-vacations-despite-coronavirus

[Applewood]

This is the time to travel.  Southwest too is offering airfare reductions under the guise of one of its numerous fare sales.  If I wanted to go to Tampa in a couple of weeks, I can find fares as low as $49 one way.  Don't see major reductions at hotels though, at least not yet. 

One thing though about cruise ships.  They aren't known for cleanliness.  Remember the Norwalk virus?  I sailed five times and never had a problem, but it is risky especially if there is a possibility of illness and the passenger already has health problems.

I love cruising and would go if I could, but I don't want to leave the US these days.  Still, I don't blame these people for taking advantage of a bargain.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Latest

Cruise industry proposes travel restrictions for passengers over 70 as coronavirus spreads
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/coronavirus-cruise-industry-proposes-travel-ban-for-people-over-70.html

This must be tough for them, as the +70 crowd has the cash and the time both.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

This is the time to travel.  Southwest too is offering airfare reductions under the guise of one of its numerous fare sales.  If I wanted to go to Tampa in a couple of weeks, I can find fares as low as $49 one way.  Don't see major reductions at hotels though, at least not yet.

Why not try to get a hotel room in Houston sometime in the next two weeks?

I bet the canceling of the Rodeo will have a lot of empty hotel rooms they need to fill.

[catfish1957]

Kenny Human, a 33-year-old lawyer from Kentucky, is one of those deal seekers. Five days ago, in the height of the coronavirus scare, he decided to purchase a Carnival Cruise trip leaving New Orleans in May for a venture through the western Caribbean. He doesn’t believe the coronavirus is a hoax. He doesn’t think fears of it are overhyped. And his girlfriend tried to convince him it was a bad idea. But, in the end, the price—about $400 per ticket when counting taxes and cancellation insurance—was just too damn good.

Has there even been a reported Coronovirus death in the U.S. of anyone under 50?

[musiclady]

We're keeping our cruise plans for late June to Alaska.

Won't cancel unless things get a whole heck of a lot worse.

And I'm 70.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

[Applewood]

Why not try to get a hotel room in Houston sometime in the next two weeks?

I bet the canceling of the Rodeo will have a lot of empty hotel rooms they need to fill.

Well, if I had any reason to go to Houston, I probably would.  I was looking at rates in my favorite state-- Florida.  Right now, I guess much of  Florida still has the spring break crowd and the hotels aren't hurting there yet.  But afterwards -- who knows?

[Applewood]

We're keeping our cruise plans for late June to Alaska.

Won't cancel unless things get a whole heck of a lot worse.

And I'm 70.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

You're smart to hold onto those reservations.  At this point, no one knows what will happen -- for all we know, the virus could be gone by June. 

I was thinking -- maybe you could get a cabin upgrade if there are cancellations?

By the way, enjoy!  I've never been to Alaska, but from the photos I've seen from people who have been there --the scenery is spectacular. 

[mountaineer]

We're so glad not to have planned to go to Boston for the marathon next month (We go most years, and Mr. M frequently runs the race). We always book far in advance, and if it ends up getting cancelled, would be out a lot of $.

[Gefn]

You're smart to hold onto those reservations.  At this point, no one knows what will happen -- for all we know, the virus could be gone by June. 

I was thinking -- maybe you could get a cabin upgrade if there are cancellations?

By the way, enjoy!  I've never been to Alaska, but from the photos I've seen from people who have been there --the scenery is spectacular.

My mom went the summer after my dad died. It was the trip of a lifetime for her. Also perfect timing because the two years later she’s pretty much unable to do walks of any distance without assistance.

She found her cruise through AARP, so it was all adults, no children. Some people might want that.

I hope you can go @musiclady. It sounds wonderful

[Idiot]

We're keeping our cruise plans for late June to Alaska.

Won't cancel unless things get a whole heck of a lot worse.

And I'm 70.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

I took my mom and my brother and his family on an Alaskan Cruise a few years back.  It was the trip of a lifetime.  Take all of the excursions you can afford.  We flew a helicopter up to a glacier in Juneau plus whale watching there.  Flew by pontoon boat around whatever national park that is at Ketchikan and also salmon fishing.  Coming from West Texas where we have no water or mountains or trees for that matter....it was an absolute treat.  I hope you have a great time!!!!

[Dexter]

We're keeping our cruise plans for late June to Alaska.

Won't cancel unless things get a whole heck of a lot worse.

And I'm 70.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Good for you. I really don't think there's a need for panic. Alaska will be beautiful in June.

[Idiot]

Well, if I had any reason to go to Houston, I probably would.  I was looking at rates in my favorite state-- Florida.  Right now, I guess much of  Florida still has the spring break crowd and the hotels aren't hurting there yet.  But afterwards -- who knows?

I have NO reason to ever return to Houston....too many people.  We played in a tennis tournament there in a few of the downtown indoor tennis clubs.  You'd finish one match and it would take you over an hour to make it to the next match location downtown and they were only blocks apart.  We played at the City Club, Galleria and the Met....I think there was another one as well.  Great facilities, but who wants to live like that.

[catfish1957]

I have NO reason to ever return to Houston....too many people.  We played in a tennis tournament there in a few of the downtown indoor tennis clubs.  You'd finish one match and it would take you over an hour to make it to the next match location downtown and they were only blocks apart.  We played at the City Club, Galleria and the Met....I think there was another one as well.  Great facilities, but who wants to live like that.

Outside Clayton Library (which is one of the best genealogy libraries in the country) and Minute Maid Park for an Astros game,   I really have no need or desire to go anywhere within the 610 loop. 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I have NO reason to ever return to Houston....too many people.  We played in a tennis tournament there in a few of the downtown indoor tennis clubs.  You'd finish one match and it would take you over an hour to make it to the next match location downtown and they were only blocks apart.  We played at the City Club, Galleria and the Met....I think there was another one as well.  Great facilities, but who wants to live like that.

I agree, living like that is one thing.  I could say that about any city in the world.  But staying in a hotel and visiting is something else.

[Idiot]

Outside Clayton Library (which is one of the best genealogy libraries in the country) and Minute Maid Park for an Astros game,   I really have no need or desire to go anywhere within the 610 loop.

My parents have 3 file cabinets full of genealogical info that they collected over the years.  They couldn't pass a cemetery without them going in to look for head stones.  Turns out we are kin to Abraham Lincoln's wife....she was crazy you know....LOLOLOL.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Outside Clayton Library (which is one of the best genealogy libraries in the country) and Minute Maid Park for an Astros game,   I really have no need or desire to go anywhere within the 610 loop.

Then pray no one in your family gets cancer like my wife has, which is the reason I happened to be in Houston this week visiting MD Anderson.

And if someone does get cancer, MDA is the best and will take one inside the loop.

[Idiot]

Then pray no one in your family gets cancer like my wife has, which is the reason I happened to be in Houston this week visiting MD Anderson.

And if someone does get cancer, MDA is the best and will take one inside the loop.

MDA is the best.  Adding you and your wife to my prayers...….

[IsailedawayfromFR]

MDA is the best.  Adding you and your wife to my prayers...….

TY

[Gefn]

Then pray no one in your family gets cancer like my wife has, which is the reason I happened to be in Houston this week visiting MD Anderson.

And if someone does get cancer, MDA is the best and will take one inside the loop.

I’m so sorry @IsailedawayfromFR . Adding your wife and family to my prayers as well. 

[Applewood]

@IsailedawayfromFR

Adding my prayers for you, your wife and family.

[verga]

Then pray no one in your family gets cancer like my wife has, which is the reason I happened to be in Houston this week visiting MD Anderson.

And if someone does get cancer, MDA is the best and will take one inside the loop.

Adding to prayers. Please add her tot he prayer list. http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,215160.0.html

[thackney]

We're keeping our cruise plans for late June to Alaska.

Won't cancel unless things get a whole heck of a lot worse.

And I'm 70.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

@musiclady

If you have not gone to Alaska before, and if you are traveling and stopping or starting near Anchorage, I highly recommend a bus or train trip up to Denali.  We lived in Alaska for 4 years before returning to Texas.

[musiclady]

@musiclady

If you have not gone to Alaska before, and if you are traveling and stopping or starting near Anchorage, I highly recommend a bus or train trip up to Denali.  We lived in Alaska for 4 years before returning to Texas.

Thanks!

Our plans are to fly into Fairbanks, go south to Denali and Mt. McKinley, then take the train to the coast and the cruise ship from there.

We have several good excursions planned as well, one of which is to take a smaller ship into one of the glaciers.

I really, REALLY hope this trip doesn't have to be canceled!

(If you have any suggestions as to what kinds of things to see in a short time in Fairbanks, Ketchican, Skagway and Juneau, let us know.  We've basically just got city tours planned, but if there's some place special you know about, let me know!)

[musiclady]

Good for you. I really don't think there's a need for panic. Alaska will be beautiful in June.

I can't wait.  We'll only cancel if we have no choice, but the conversation we had with the cruise line a few days ago sounds like there have been no problems in Alaska at all, so I think we'll be good.