Dwtlion

In 2022 the race is 5/26-29. Could that impact getting a hotel?

4 minutes ago, Smbruner said:

I agree!   One man on our tour this AM (Liverpool) wouldn’t wear his mask on the bus and he has a slight cough.  So rude!

It's been my experience that a member of the crew is on the tours. Why are they not proactive on the masks if that the policy?

I did it several years ago on Azamara. We got off early at the next to last stop, La Spezia, as we wanted to spend some extra time in Cinque Terre there rather than continuing on to Rome and then go back to Cinque Terre.

The one thing I learned is that leaving early takes a lot of coordination between the home office, the ship's front office, the local port agent and customs & immigration. We unfortunately experienced poor communication; and it took a threat of legal action at the last minute to get everything coordinated. Our documentation saved us.

View leaving early as if you arrived by private plane and had to clear C&I. Someone from C&I will have to meet you when you get off and maybe inspect your luggage. This all takes coordination and involves the local port agent.

Bottom line is to keep all written communications and, once on board, continually confirm with the ship's hotel staff.

The real issue now is whether or not the injunction that was issued against Florida will remain in place through the appeals. If it is canceled along the way, it could change NCLH sailing plans. Although the Judge's opinion augers well for its continuance.

I wonder how long it will take NCLH to revise ports or terminals for the cruises with Venice on their

itineraries? Courtesy of VTG, here are the first ships next year with Venice stops:

Regent Explorer-April 10

Oceania Marina- March 19

Norwegian Star-April 3

Air arrangements will become an issue in another 30-60 days.

3 hours ago, Jayne E said:

This is from my TA regarding Amsterdam-Venice cruise 9/20/21:

”I double checked with Oceania regarding the port in Venice. They have never been scheduled to dock at the Lagoon port in front of St. Mark's Square so the ban at this time does not effect them.  The ship is going to dock in Venice as it always has just on the outskirts of Venice at StazioneMarittima - Pier 1 - Port of Venice.  The agent that I work with at Oceania
forwarded me a map of the port showing the port location.  I'll forward that to you to follow this email.

Wrong. 

Can i assume that if I buy no package until after boarding, I can purchase the prestige and get the Reserve discount?

On the one hand, I don't understand why the lawsuit was not instigated several months ago so the issue might be settled or much closer to that point than is now present. The other point to consider is that the public has no knowledge of what back channel/back door discussions are taking place so all parties can save face and NCLH sails from Florida. Unless its unlike every similar dispute I have been involved in, discussions are taking place.

I believe all Regent ships will be banned as they are over 25k gross tons. Same for all Oceania's ships.

4 hours ago, golfguyhhi said:

Bob,

 

When you first introduced us to the new Vista, you said you would be giving us an update/sneak peek at more details of the ship each month, to keep our excitement at a fevered pitch (as if that was needed).  I was hoping to see more info about cabins and suites, as well as dining venues other than Compass Rose.  And I thought you'd show us any new dining options, as well as the Vista Lounge theater.

 

Do you have your main DR's on cruise lines confused? Regent uses Compass Rose- not O.

2 hours ago, GOARMY said:

Dwtlion:  

 

Well, if you substitute Mariner for Splendor--then Yes.  If you are sticking with Splendor--

 

then no. 

 

 

  

GOARMY:

 Big brain hic-up. I meant Mariner, but was thinking about a Splendor  TA cruise booked for Nov '22.

I am doing the other pre-cruise offered: Tokyo & Hakone.

DWTLION

Thanks GOARMY.

Am I correct that I will be able to meet you on Splendor's Tokyo-SF cruise?

Dwtlion

A little off topic but since 2 posters have raised it, I'll ask: tell me more about the block parties. Every cruise? By deck, half deck or? Food & drinks? Assume early in the cruise?

Thanks in advance for your information.

3 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 "Sthrn" is correct in that you need to consider the cost of included  hotel and transfers because you lose them when you make your own arrangements.   We almost always use miles so we take the credit.  

 

 

 

 

I do not believe you loose your concierge level hotel night if you book your own air. Am I wrong?

Transfer from airport to RSSC hotel on day before departure, maybe. But can't you purchase this?

How is this different than paying well in advance for shore excursions? I just paid for April shore excursions on a Splendor  '22 cruise.

2 hours ago, Pcardad said:

 

Welcome to 3000 people emailing you about FCC and cabin transfer to Explorer and If you will change deposit due dates and masks and vaccines...stock up on vodka, you will need it.

 

Read your response 10 minutes ago and I'm still laughing. 

30 minutes ago, lj77346 said:

In the past, if you booked a cruise as a grand voyage, you only receive a shareholder credit based on the length of that voyage.

I would hope that's not the case- especially a WC.

I need help as I can't seem to get an answer out of the folks that handle shareholder OBC's. My question is the amount of credit for Riviera's grand voyage Monte Carlo to Miami. This cruise is also marketed at 2  separate voyages: Monte Carlo-Rome (10 nights) and Rome-Miami (16 nights). Seems to me my credit should be based on the 2 cruises or $100+$250=$350. Or is my OBC based on one cruise over 15 nights or $250?  A $100 difference. The first option seems much fairer; and eliminates gaming the booking process. I realize there is a small discount for a B2B; and a similar one for booking a grand voyage.

Where you are cruising can make big difference due to number and location of satellites. The further north or south of the equator you are; fjords and other natural objects can impact the satellite internet

reception.

On Riviera's Nov 17, TA, the port just prior to MIA is San Juan, a US territory. Does this stop alter the Customs & Immigration in MIA?

+1

I thought I would pass on some insurance surprises I encountered today looking at insurance options for my upcoming November Riviera cruise. Since final payment is due in 2 weeks, now was the time to look at insurance.

I wanted a policy that covers pre-existing conditions (PEC) knowing there would be a look-back period of from 60-120+ days. What I found was that, except for a very few policies, PEC coverage was not available unless you purchased insurance within 14 days of your FIRST payment or deposit. I made my deposit almost 1 year ago: June 8 ‘20. Given the state of uncertainty back then, coupled with the 18 months before the cruise, no way was I tying up insurance dollars that long. Now, I find only a handful of companies that allow a PEC rider if final payment is made after the insurance purchase. A real “catch twenty-two”. 

Because I upgraded my cabin on a February  '22 cruise, O sent me a new guest statement that has the following wording:

GUESTS MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED BY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO CRUISE.

So much for DeSantis and his ridiculous stance on vaccine requirements.

One thing I find curious that no one is commenting on is Mariner’s ATW cruise departing in January. Australia and NZ are totally shut down until summer of ‘22. How is Regent going to replace several weeks of A &NZ ports and keep this itinerary going and passengers happy? In my mind, this is the elephant in the room Regent has to contend with in deciding if & where Mariner restarts.

4 hours ago, mauibabes said:

If you are booked on Riviera, November 7, Monte Carlo to Rome Grand Voyage, just heard from O that our FP date was pushed back to August 19. It had been June 10 so this kicks it back to a 60 day payment window.  We are on B2B Grand Voyages beginning in Istanbul 10/18 and both have been pushed back to 60 day FP’s. 
if you have any “normal” FP dates that can be 90-150 days out, have your TA follow up with O. 
Ciao 

August 19th is about 75+_ days- not 60 by my reckoning. A new holding pattern date for O to use?