sasejm

Thanks, Keith!

Does anyone know if the new Crystal has a once-a-cruise buffet near the Crystal Cove like the old Crystal Cruises had prior to bankruptcy?

Yeah, I didn't check the 9-day segments for passenger load. I would imagine it's not split down the middle. Explora has canceled one of my two booked cruises. I would probably cancel the other cruise except we are paid in full and would pay a penalty for the November 2023 cruise.

Wheelhouse - I just checked the current passenger load for the 18-day Hawaii cruise and here is what I got from a travel company that allows you to see what rooms are available, supposedly in real-time. I will put everything in approximations since I can't confirm the exact number, but I will assume this is correct. Explora 1 has approximately 461 cabins (suites, residences, etc.) There are currently approximately 172 booked cabins and 289 available cabins. If each booked cabin has 2 persons, the current passenger load would be approximately 344. That should leave about 289 bookable cabins left and around 578 passengers. I hope this helps.

Thank you for the update on Explora 2. The Explora 2 itineraries have changed dramatically.

My read on it is 30% of the full price of the canceled cruise, regardless of how you paid for it. I don't know what FJC is but in any case, you can Call: 0 800 031 8935 to verify your specific situation.

Here is what I just received in an email. Option 1 - Rebook a new journey - “Move to another journey and receive a 30% Future Journey Credit for the full value of the current Journey.” “Please take up to 30 days to decide.” “Details on the new itineraries for EXPLORA II will be revealed in approximately 2 weeks.” Option 2 - Cancellation "Clients will receive a full refund of the funds paid for their Journey." "No Future Journey credit."

Is there a way I can locate the "site" you are referring to so I can see what the passenger load is for my November cruise?

I agree, except I have a fully paid Explora 1 cruise for this November and don't want to pay penalties if I cancel. My Explora 2, February 2025 cruise will be canceled by Explora with a full refund, I assume. I will be looking at Silversea, Seabourn, RSSC, and maybe Crystal, although I'm still not happy losing money on the old Crystal Cruises.

It was a joke, nothing's free.

By the time they're done maybe you'll get a free cruise. Maybe more changes are on the way.

Yes, and the change is not for me, will be looking elsewhere.

These new itineraries for Explora 1 from May 2024 through April 2025 may have already been posted, but in case they haven't, here are the itineraries: Explora Journeys - Journey Planner EXPLORA I MAY 2024 - APRIL 2025 23082023.pdf I don't know when Explora 2's new itineraries will be coming out.

It's my understanding that the 2024 & 2025 Explora 2 cruises have been canceled, including mine per a direct phone conversation today with Explora customer service. The service rep said the itineraries that were posted on their website would be changed and that my travel advisor would contact me soon with new itineraries. So, it looks like there are both cancellations and new itineraries.

I also wanted to confirm that my February 2025 Explora 2 cruise had in fact been canceled, so I called the customer service number at 833-925-1567. The person I talked to confirmed my cruise had been canceled and that they are reworking the itineraries for 2024 & 2025 for Explora 2. She said my travel advisor would be contacting me soon for an update.

I got information through the Explora 1 onboard future cruise consultant that not only are the cancellations from mid-2024, but it is now all 2024 & 2025 Explora 2 cruises have been canceled.

I was notified all Explora 2 cruises in 2024 & 2025 have been canceled. This was according to the onboard future cruise consultant from Explora 1.

Thanks, florisdekort! I guess I’ll be looking at another cruise line to take an African cruise.

I have a February 2025 cruise booked on the Explora II from Durban, South Africa to Cape Town, South Africa. When I logged into my account the cruise was in the account and showed booked. When I do a search on Explora's website, the February 2025 cruise doesn't exist. So, I don't know what's going on and I guess I'll have to contact Explora during their business hours. You may want to check and see if your booked cruise has been changed or canceled.

I have a friend on the current Explora 1 cruise and she said there are currently about 400 passengers. She said Sakura, Emporium Marketplace, and Marble & Co Grill were all excellent. She hasn't tried the other restaurants as she has only been on the ship for about 4 days. She hasn't seen any crowds at any of the restaurants, keeping in mind there are only 400 passengers on the current cruise. Most of her previous cruises have been on Crystal Cruise & Oceania Cruises.

This is what is posted on Explora’s website for the ocean terrace suites description: “Private refrigerated mini-bar, replenished according to the guests’ preferences.”

Keith - You said: "I have a rear end with less padding than many of you. Not being insulting but that is fact. So, I have less meat and more bone." I have that same disease and it's called "No Assatol."

Thanks, Keith!

I also received the letter today. My claim was for almost three times as much as the approved amount in the letter from Crystal. When I submitted my claim, I deducted what was reimbursed by one of my credit cards used. The requested refund I submitted to Chase was denied because of the time frame. So, I really don't understand how they came up with the amount that was submitted to Crystal. Just another mess to deal with regarding the claim I submitted.

Keith, Will that fit on the balcony?