SteelMagnolia9

I live in Florida and would go on a 3-5 day cruise from Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa. It would be a solo cruise for me, R&R. Would book a balcony cabin. Relax, enjoy the sea, the food and just let each day unfold. No agenda. Probably the safest time to sail if you can drive to the port and are healthy with a flexible attitude. Will not, however, invest any monies or book any date until the cruise line is operational.

I canceled a November 11 night S. Caribbean cruise on August 6th (before HAL announced cancellations through Dec.15th) and received my deposit refunded back to my credit card on August 15th. Also received a refund on my Allianz travel insurance back to my credit card within 24 hours of my request.

I am booked on a 11 night cruise to the S. Caribbean on the Nieuw Statendam departing Nov. 11th. I’m cancelling and having my refundable deposit returned. There is no indication HAL will be sailing by then. Unless there is a compelling reason you have to rebook, I would not give any cruiseline any monies towards a future trip until they are operational.

Thank you for the information. Good to know. I am booked on a 11 night S. Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam in November (booked in January). Was to be my first HAL cruise in 10 years.

I feel certain by January your S. Caribbean cruise will be a “go”. I have a S. Caribbean cruise with HAL booked for November From Ft. Lauderdale. It’s a “ wait and see” for me if it goes in November and what it might look like if it does. Phase 2 - Movie theaters, bars, concert/theatre venues allowed to open now with reduced capacity, tattoo parlors also can open. Retail & gyms now can operate at 100% capacity. With season ended, they rarely operate at 100% capacity in the summer anyway. Restaurants are still at 50%, but if they have outdoor dining, that can be filled 100% (rain and heat are issues eating outside now).

This was my response, not Finely Retired’s response.

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Initially, there needs to be an emphasis on health & wellness to assure and demonstrate to potential customers that they will be well taken care of while onboard.

I agree. I would not put any more money down toward a cruise right now. Too uncertain and refunds are being slow walked. And who knows what cruising will look like going forward? I currently am waiting on a refund for a May cruise. Declined FCC.

I have an escorted tour booked for Eastern Canada in September with a well-known tour company. I and a friend booked it last December. The tour company is currently offering a future travel credit if one wants to cancel now. We made an early final payment in exchange for a good discount. We are in a “wait and see” posture with it being so far out. Would prefer a refund, but that is not on the table yet. It will be interesting to see how the tour companies move forward. I also have a solo cruise booked with HAL in November, 11 nights S. Caribbean. I’m probably not going, but will wait until final payment in August to decide as I have a refundable deposit. Will make my decisions as the dates get closer.

I don’t see cruising resuming until 2021. Itineraries will be limited in 2021. Cruise lines will reduce capacity on ships and prices will increase. I can foresee Canada, Alaska and Caribbean cruises initially being open for booking to only the North American market. The ‘upscale’ lines with the smaller ships will do well as their demographic will still be able to afford to cruise. Expect to see in ads how a particular cruise line will care for your health and wellness while onboard. It will be a different experience for the first year or two.

I have an 11 day S. Caribbean cruise booked for November 2020, my first HAL cruise in 10 years. I had been very excited about this cruise. Final payment is August. I am probably going to cancel. Too much risk to go this year.

If they can’t fly due to medical issues, then no.

I am sorry that I have been absent and have yet to finish my review. I hope to resume later this week and am committed to completing it!

Albany, New York We arrived in Albany, New York, the state capitol, at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2019 and departed on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 2:00 a.m. Albany City Experience: Discover Albany and see what has enticed visitors for over 400 years. Albany is one of the oldest surviving settlements from the original thirteen colonies, and the longest continuously chartered city in the United States. Take a narrated tour of the city, including external views of the New York State Capitol Building and New York State Museum. Visit the Albany Institute of History and Art, dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and promoting interest in the history and culture of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley. Enjoy free time at the Albany Heritage Visitor Center. $50.00 This excursion had two departures at 8:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019. This is a city tour. I did not sign on to this excursion and cannot provide any other information. Albany Shuttle: Explore downtown Albany on your own. Take time for shopping and strolling through town. Complementary Shuttle to downtown Albany for those interested in exploring on their own. The shuttle ran from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019. Troy Lock and Dam Cruise: Enjoy a day learning about the lock and dam system used on the Erie Canal which was originally built on July 4, 1817. This incredible project was undertaken to help create a water route from New York City to the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes in order to help increase trade and populate the region. While on tour, learn about locks, trade season, ecology, steamboats and more. $55.00 The excursion had two departures at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019. I signed on to the 9:00 a.m. departure. We boarded a boat, the Dutch Apple II, that took us further north up the Hudson River than the American Constitution as our ship was too tall to clear some of the bridges beyond Albany. It was a fully narrated excursion with a knowledgeable guide who discussed the river, history of the area, nature, ecology and more. We went as far as Troy, New York (pop. 45,900) where we transited a small federal lock before returning to Albany. I sat on the top deck of the boat under the canopy and it was pleasant out on the river. This was a really wonderful excursion and I recommend it. My friend stayed onboard at this port and did not sign on to any of the excursions. Next: Kingston, New York