ighten

Trips are the ships only and you must not leave that bubble at anytime during the tours.. You can pay individually or buy a package - rather like MSCs method (reports are they are well priced compared to normal)

You can get lots morel info and some updates if you log into the .it site for Costa as its the only site they actually sell these from. Just use Edge or Chrome or a browser that auto translates

https://www.costacrociere.it/nuovi-itinerari-settembre-2020.html

Hmm looks like Stornaway/Lewis has been dropped from the Scottish itins  - pity, it was the one place I was hoping to visit.  I guessing the Bol cant get in.

Has to be said UK CCL shares look like an absolute bargain at the moment (TBF most things (airlines and shipping)in the cyclical consumer look well placed for a good 3 or 4 year lift) even if divs are held back.

19 hours ago, drsel said:

My Costa itinerary is still showing that I have to board on the 19th of October in Abu Dhabi.

if they cancel how much advance notice do they have to give us, because I have to buy the air ticket

TBF it seems to be cruise companies policy (and Im not just looking at Costa re this) at the moment that the cancel is done as late as possible - usually after the final payment!! - things are getting better though with some companies now writing off the year..

Costa, MSC though are in a different position as they are actually cruising so they may be very optimistic and say to countries - "look our systems work, here's the proof - let us in". End of the day though it comes down to the individual countries.

14 hours ago, drsel said:

16 hours ago, Lunenburg said:

Thanks for the current details, Anne, it would be very surprising for cruiselines to leave Europe for the Middle East if they have no way of boarding passengers there. They must have been given some hope of things opening up to make the trip. What happens to all the folk who are due to leave the ships in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on arrival from Italy?
 

Costa Diadema is the first Cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi on 19th October and in Dubai on 20th october 2020.

I suspect those will be cancelled and Diadema will stay performing more of the current style of  runs in the Med from Italian ports (but perhaps opened up for all Schengen pax..

Other than Germany and perhaps the Canary islands + some Northern European zones I cant see much happening this year (though Blue cruises may be possible)

35 minutes ago, sidari said:

I think that would put me off for the time being, just as well we cannot cruise due to Government advice.

Its not to bad when somone else does it - its the self test swabs that leave you in a sneezing fit 🙂

By the way you can now cruise in the UK - just been checking out the severn valley EHC cruises.. Not bad value when you consider whats included - Majestic line are also in operation in Scotland though they are pretty much sold out 🙂 - Im not quite sure though how are FCO decides whats a cruise ship and whats a river cruise as technically you would think Majestics would class as sea cruises.

Are MSC selling the trips as a entire package like Costa ?

@Petra

Thanks for this - following

Leaving Trieste from yesterday evening

are the ports open to cruise ships though in UAE - or is the suspension still in place

7 hours ago, comcox said:

Frustrated that I keep getting emails about new ship sales starting 9 am tomorrow, Sept 7th, but there is not information on the website yet to even consider what to book.

Not to state the obvious but thats because the itins are not released till tomorrow

I suspect they will be the same (ish) with changes made to reflect change of ship size (I suspect less tenders) and peraps a cpl of early suprises (short Blue only sailings - though that would rely on our govts methodology having any rhyme or reason)

looking at the webcam and all her (Deliziosa) signal flags are out in the dressed position... Envious 🙂

If they follow Aida (now postponed due to Norway closing ports) cruise  rules they may move it to schengen after the first couple of voyages - they are the same sub company and seem to be following the exact same practices - and Costa are the more international brand for Costa Crociere

Tui Mein Schiff quickly changed its from German only to any Schengen before they actually had the first departure (with the usual caveat being you had to be allowed in - Its this which may be impactful for Costa in the coming weeks as they do have a high Spain and France presence and both countries are now on the red list for Italy)

On the otherhand I believe MSC who always allowed Schengen are having to cancel one due to lack of demand -  this is always going to be an issue thats multiplied if its one country only

So fingers crossed.. 

15 hours ago, Formula280SS said:

Okay, so far so good.

 

It's not over. 

 

IMO, the original odds of 'nothing C-19 happening and being reported (embarkation, ports, excursions, etc.) so far were unimaginable (still quite shocked, but pleasantly).

 

I fully expected there to be such issues and thought the important ramification would be "how was it, or them, handled" and how did the ports and governments react (and the media).

 

The "bubble concept" on a cruise ship was something I did not expect to see attempted so soon.

 

So, until the passengers are disembarked and, likely again at least swab tested by MSC (IMO, for self-protection that passengers were 'clean when they left), fingers are still crossed.

 

🤞

The key thing is not that anything C19  doesnt happen (because it will - its impossible now or in the future for it not to happen) -- Its how its handled when it does..

As long as processes are in place and are followed then there is no issue..  It comes down to the individual if they like these restrictions or not  but if your living a dream where the vaccine solves everything and its back to normal, forget it..

MSC, Mein Shiff, and Hapag seem to have got the ball rolling succesfully (as do several river cruise companies Its a  pity re Hurtigruten but they have proved you simply cant get away with ANY shortcuts or sloppiness in procedures which Im sure has been noted by the others).. In 2 weeks we have Costas two brands starting:- Costa and Aida.. Best of luck to them all... Im hopeful and excited to be cruising in Europe soon.

Im slightly curious re future pricing and those booked in outsides currently .. Wouldn't the ratio of balconies to outsides be totally different - or is it not an issue as they probably hadn't sold many in the current situation...

2 hours ago, FiftyOnePlus said:

How absolutely dreadful.

This is not a relaxing, enjoyable holiday.

 

Oh dear... Dont go then

Good to see the first steps being taken in Germany and Italy... This virus is not going away even with a vaccine..  Its time to get back to enjoying ourselves instead of living in a fear dome.. Even when it goes wrong its still a great first step, a lot was learnt from Hurtigrutens mistakes.

Just a correction.. As of the moment worldwide entry is permitted as follows..

• Australia
• Georgia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay

In addition, 

• Japan
• South Korea and
• China
• as soon as the possibility of reciprocal entry is established.

SHORT TRIP TO DENMARK

A) 3 days from/to Kiel with AIDAblu

10/9.....17/9....24/9

SHORT TRIP TO NORWAY & DENMARK

B) 4 days from/to Kiel with AIDAblu

6/9.....13/9......20/9.....27/9

NORWAY'S COAST

7 days from/to Hamburg with AIDAperla

19/9.... 26/9... 10.10

Couple of odd things --- Aida is going straight for the port visits with overnights.. However on speaking to them it is not confirmed and there is every chance they may be change to blue cruises rather like TUI depending on the situation at the time..  (Personally I think its a little risky unless you can keep every one who disembarks at each port in a total bubble before they re embark -- for example your only allowed on a sight seeing coach tour with fellow passengers and you dont leave the coach )

Cruises are open to book and as long as your allowed in Germany and the countries visited your good to go.. This makes it for anyone outside of Germany quite a risky booking though as we have already seen how quickly quarantines or total bans can come about.. So as of today (and it could change daily) that means (according to Re-open EU) the following rules are in force..

From an EU country or from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, may I enter or exit this country for tourism?

Travelling to Germany
Travelling from EU countries is allowed without restrictions, as long as a country or an area is not defined as "high-risk" by the Robert Koch Insitute (RKI).
Travelling from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein as well as the United Kingdom is also allowed without restrictions, as long as a country or an area is not defined as "high-risk" by the Robert Koch Insitute (RKI).

Currently, the following countries or areas are classified as "high-risk":
Belgium: Province of Antwerp (since 5/8/20)
Bulgaria: Districts ("oblasts") of Blagoevgrad, Dobritch, Varna(since 7/8/20)
Luxembourg (since 14/7/20)
Romania: Districts of Argeș, Bihor, Buzău, Neamt, Ialomita, Mehedinti, Timis (since 7/8/20) - Districts of Bacu, Brsila, Brasov, D'mbovica, Galai, Gorj, Ilfov, Prahova, Vaslui, Vrancea and the metropolitan region of the capital Bucharest (since 12/8/20)
Spain: Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands (since 14/8/20)

And BAsically every where else worldwide is a No.

However there is a caveat to remember - you also have to take into account your own countrys rules -- So for example the UK sets its own FCO advise which allows you to travel to Germany however it still advises against Cruise Travel.. (As usual in the UK nothing is actually enforced however it would nullify your insurance for the cruise part of the trip) -- theres also odd things on the FC page re GErmany (though I cant see why you would ever have to use the following airport) --- If you use Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport to return to the UK, you will transit France and therefore will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK. ..

However if you transit Schipol or CDG which would be the normal route to Hamburg , as long as you do not leave airside then you dont need to quarantine on return (This makes no sense to me as surely your still mixing with people from landside and France and the Netherlands are now on the UKs quarantine list)....  Quite how this is implemented I wouldnt like to put to the test and personally I would bank on it being 14days quarantine when you arrive back in the UK)

Hopefully we should get some reports and vlogs coming in from the first trips..

10 minutes ago, zeberdee said:

Two days ago on the UK BBC news, the head of the UK covid vaccine task force ( Kate Bingham) said they didn't think a vaccine if found against covid would give immunity, but would lessen the severity of illness if infected.
 

I think its still too early to believe that an effective vaccine will be found soon.

Everyone has their own thoughts and opinion about vaccines, this is just a different slant on the hope that some sort of vaccine will be found.

 

TBF even the WHO have said the vaccine is not the silver bullet people seem to think...  However I think we have reached a point where the govts are going to bite a bullet and say - thats it here's a vaccine (not sure if it does anything)   back to normality/new normality - but its all at your risk now..

Odd I just spoke to Costa and they are now saying its avail to all EU inc UK however it will change if your country becomes a listed one (I presume they mean blacklisted), He also said the itinerary is as yet not fully confirmed.. I wouldnt book anything then till the very last minute.

Has Spain now been removed as well

good news - 

In the UK its irrelevant if its non refundable as "they" cancelled the flight.. Our return from Quebec was obviously cancelled and later so was the UK to Boston section... Only offered a voucher.. I Claimed against the Credit Card - refunded in 3 days and then a follow up email saying it wasnt being challenged.

Lesson learnt will never use them again - United have been much better to deal with.

The videos on the celebrity pages mixed in with his report. As mentioned its not the poster but its the same report and pretty much the same conclusions (ie very positive)

3 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Excellent post , as in others of yours I've read !! 

With 5000-6000 people on board " someone " is bound to get sick and everyone quarantined .

I just can't understand why so many people are prepared to take the risk of cruising as soon as ships are permitted to sail ? 

Why take the chance ????

 

Posts like this baffle me -- So whats your solution to starting up or are we just going to sit and allow an industry to die..

If your not prepared to partake in the slow start up , fine but at least have an alternative answer... If there isnt a slow start up - nothing will happen and cruising is finished as an industry..

If you think a Vaccine is the answer -- Noooooo.... How many times can it be said it is not an answer.. Even the WHO have today now stated this because they have started to realise people are being misinformed about what a vaccine will actually achieve.

Just now, mlockhart said:

I'm a little confused about the expedition sailings cancellations. We have a sailing booked to Antarctica in late December on the MS Fridtjof Nansen. When you look at their website, it only says that expedition cruises booked in August and September have been cancelled. However, the press release says all are cancelled until further notice. 

Are they only cancelled for those two months?

Yes at the moment -- though tbf the antartica ones were looking risky even before this given the issues in South America