ArtsyCraftsy

If you want to see what it looks like and the area it's in, pull up Bravo TV's "Top Chef: Seattle" (Season 10) -- Olive 8 was home for the competing chefs for the duration of the Seattle shootings.

Lana in Bellingham, WA 

1 hour ago, Mary in Tucson said:

We are planning to go on a 6-month-long cruise in 2022. We are having trouble finding trip cancellation insurance that will cover the amount paid and the length of time. Someone suggested buying four policies to cover it, but didn't say how to do this. We have medical coverage for the trip, but really want cancellation/interruption coverage as well.

Any ideas? Thanks

I’ve used Trip Insurance Store for several cruises including the aborted 2020 Regent Seven Seas 131-day World Cruise.  Steve is excellent at putting together the perfect combo of policies to cover your trip.  I’m working with him right now on a 94-day Arctic cruise in 2021.  No relation to his company other than a very satisfied customer.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

On 9/24/2020 at 12:55 PM, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Hi Lana

I deal directly with Regent. Check everything out and give deposit for our cruise.I notify Regent the name of my travel agency.  Within a few days, I phone my travel agent and have her pickup the cruise. Additionally, I have her inform Regent that I am allowed to discuss details, except financial and changes and cancellations, with Regent. 
It works wonderfully well. When my docs are sent to us by our agent, we also receive our rebate check, which can amount to $1,000 plus. 
easy..Peasy!
sheila

I’m posting this in response to Sheila’s post but it’s really in response to everyone who encouraged me to at least try using a TA.

You were right. With some help, I found a TA and transferred my booking to her today.  I’m getting a very generous rebate and I can still contact my guy at Regent as long as it isn’t related to $$$ or changes to the schedule (as Sheila mentioned above).  My Regent guy still gets credit for the initial booking, and everyone seems happy, including me.

so thanks again for your encouragement.  I think this will be the ”new way” I’ll be dealing with cruises in the future.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

3 minutes ago, rallydave said:

Hi Lana,  

 

Your concerns are valid however you were talking to the wrong TA's.  Have checked and your single status does NOT change the rebate you would get.  Whoever you were talking to was trying to sell you a bill of goods.  Does not matter if it is single ore double occupancy, the rebate is the percentage the TA pays less any non-commisionable items.

 

Honestly, the feeling I had was that I was being "brushed off" -- by both of them.  Didn't give a good impression for sure.  I'll try again -- we'll see what happens.

Thanks --

Lana

On 9/23/2020 at 6:41 AM, rallydave said:

You do know you are leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table booking direct with Regent?  Plus the service of great TA's who most certainly will do more for your than a Regent employee should issues occur.

I appreciate the sentiment, but no, actually, I don't know that.

When I booked the 2020 World Cruise, on the urging of more experienced folks both here and on the FB group, I spoke to two different luxury cruise specialty TAs that came highly recommended about this, and the best they could offer was a savings of maybe $1,000 on the cruise (one said $750) and some OBC.  For a six-figure cruise, the hassle of having to go through a TA for every question or issue just wasn't worth the minimal savings offered.  Both of them explained that it was due to the fact that I travel solo, so they have less flexibility due to the "single supplement" situation.  I guess after 10 cruises, the savings might add up to "tens of thousands" but for a one or two cruises? doesn't seem likely.

And after going through the end of the 2020 WC and the quick/early disembarkation in Fremantle, Australis, after seeing how many of the TA-serviced fellow guests were treated vs how those of us who had booked directly with Regent, I'll take Regent any day in such a situation.  In many cases, it seemed to be a dumpster fire of confusion and missed connections.

Unless things have changed a lot since 2018 (when I booked the 2020 WC), I don't see much of an advantage using a TA as a solo cruiser, and frankly I'd rather have the option of calling Regent directly to get issues/answers resolved, rather than having to explain it to a TA, waiting for the TA to contact Regent, hoping that the TA understood my issue/question and can explain it to Regent, waiting for an answer, and if I have to followup, going through the entire process again ad nauseam.  Plus I've gotten serious discounts/rebates/OBC on every cruise I've booked directly with Regent by taking advantage of current promotions.

My bottom line is this:  Is the expected experience worth the $$$ I have to invest to get it?  and part of that expected experience is having someone I can contact who can supply official/accurate answers quickly.  So far, I haven't found the benefit of using a TA worth the cost.  Others' mileage will likely vary.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

14 minutes ago, mrlevin said:

Marcie, I got the email; just curious as to why no mention on website.

 

Lana, as you were on 2020 world cruise, have you been able to book 2023 already or do you have to wait until 23rd?

 

Marc

I'm booking directly through Regent -- and Michael said he could start the process prior to the 23rd.  Right now, I'm just waiting to see which of my 3 "preferred" cabins are available, so I think they're actually taking deposits now.  

Lana

1 minute ago, mrlevin said:

World Cruise has still not been announced beyond link in email.  No press release; no mention on home page; and no listing in cruise list.  If they are truly open for bookings as of Wednesday, it would seem (from past introductions of world cruises) that Regent would be touting this trip.  

 

The brochure never mentions a date for booking availability; it says to contact Regent or TA as if bookings were currently available; could Regent be delaying the date for bookings?

My email said it would be open for bookings on September 23.  When I called my cruise planner guy at Regent, he said it was open for booking for prior guests with priority given to prior World Cruise guests.  So they may be delaying a more general announcement until the 23rd.  Just a guess ...

Lana in Bellingham, WA

I'm definitely booking this one.  For me, it's a "dream" itinerary.  I'll be on the 2022 WC so there's some overlap (some overlap with the 2020 WC, too), but there are enough "new"  (to me, anyway) ports to make it worthwhile.  I'm going to check to see if there's a way to get from Barcelona back to the US via a ship, -- or perhaps see what the Mariner is up to after the WCers disembark.  If it's doing a Mediterranean cruise, I might just be interested in staying onboard for that.  Lots of time to figure that out.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

5 hours ago, Christine4 said:

Thanks to all that responded. My sister loves oysters on the half shell.  Do you think I could ask for that?  On that day we will be in Dubrovnik.

If they have good fresh oysters and/or know ahead of time that you want them and they have a local source for them, it shouldn't be a problem. If you use a travel agent, go through them to get your preferences to Regent.  If you don't use a travel agent, go through your Regent cruise planning specialist.  If there's a particular wine or beverage she would like you'll be able to get that as well.  Regent will do everything they can to fulfill your wishes.

I'll be celebrating my 70th birthday in July 2021 on the Grand Arctic Adventure (May 31 - Sep 2) and the Navigator be in Helsinki that day.  I'm trying to think of the kinds of things I'd like (I travel solo).  My Regent planning guy has told me "ask for whatever you want -- if it exists, we should be able to get it."  It'll be a fun day, for sure.  😄

Lana in Bellingham, WA

On 8/15/2020 at 9:27 PM, ronrick1943 said:

One can only hope, we'll cruise in early 2021.  We enjoy cruising period, ports come a far 2nd for us--yes I'd do a cruise with no ports of call.

I'm with you on this.  I'm holding out hope for May 31 on the Navigator out of NYC, but I'm not holding my breath.  If it sails and they'll let me board, I'll be on it.   I cruise for the shipboard experience.  Actually going ashore in ports is a secondary consideration for me.

6 hours ago, Smokeyham said:

It seems that most people who book a world cruise do so through a travel agent, so I am curious to hear if there are those who do the booking themselves?  I was reading some horror stories of travel agents (in Britain) who were demanding full payment 100 days in advance of the cruise line's deadline, and also who were sitting on refunds that had been issued.

What are your thoughts?  Pros and Cons of using a travel agent?

I haven't been cruising that long (my first cruise was in September, 2017), but I've taken 6 1/3 cruises so far.  I travel solo so additional cost (single supplement) is a major factor in my planning.  

Most of my cruises have been longer -- 21+ days -- including part of a World Cruise.  I was on the ill-fated Regent Seven Seas 2020 World Cruise that ended early on March 17 in Fremantle (Perth), Australia after only 51 days.  And I currently have six more Regent cruises booked -- it would have been more, but two scheduled for this year have already been canceled (a 15-day Alaska trip scheduled for last month, and a 68-day South America trip scheduled for this fall/winter, both on Regent).  One of those six future cruises is the 2022 World Cruise (Elements of the Pacific -- 120 days, covering ports in Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, Russia, and Alaska).  Another is a 94-day Arctic Adventure through the North Atlantic next summer (May 31 - Sep 2).

I haven't used a travel agent yet, preferring to book directly with the cruise line.  For me, it's more a matter of the level of control I want/need in handling questions/issues that might arise.  I prefer to deal directly with the cruise company rather than having to explain my issue or question to a travel agent and hope that they understood what I was asking when they then talk to the cruise line. Then there's a delay for the agent to get a response from the cruise company, and then relate it to me.  The risk is that the travel agent may have misunderstood either me or the cruise line's response.  I think I had a few too many negative experiences when I as traveling fairly frequently internationally on business some years ago.  I have to say that Regent was wonderful to work with as the World Cruise ended earlier this year.  I really think dealing directly with them helped with the relatively smooth operation to disembark, transfers to hotel in Perth, and business/first-class flights all the way home to Washington state in the US.  

If I'm dropping 6 figures on a world cruise, I really need to be able to get answers quickly and accurately.  I've talked to a few agents recommended by friends but I don't see the "value added" other than (perhaps) some additional OBC.  I already get OBC from the various promotions as well as stockholder benefits, and on Regent, it's difficult to spend it as everything is included in the fare.  For me, the stress level just isn't worth it.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

On 8/3/2020 at 2:46 PM, pappy1022 said:

What specifically will it take for you to believe that it is safe to cruise again? 

 ...

I really do feel that the answer to this depends on your individual reasons for and expectations of cruise travel.  I'm single, no kids/grandkids, no pets, no houseplants, so my situation is probably a little different than most Regent travelers.  

For me, the onboard experience is more important than excursions and port calls.  I have some physical challenges that make walking even moderate distances tricky so a lot of excursions are just not possible.  I'm also in a "highly vulnerable" population (over 65, overweight, COPD & asthma).  So I tend to spend more time onboard than off.  COPD is progressive and fatal -- it will eventually kill me if I don't die of something else first.  So I know my time for travel of any kind is limited.  I want to maximize that time as much as I can and cruise travel allows me to do just that.  And Regent provides the best experience I've found so far under the circumstances.

At this point, I've lost 3 Regent cruises this year: the truncated World Cruise in March, a 15-day Alaska cruise last month, and the upcoming 68-day Grand Cape Horn Adventure scheduled to leave on Oct 29 that was just canceled last week.

I still have 6 Regent cruises on the books.  The next up is the Grand Arctic Adventure that leaves NYC on May 31, 2021 for 94 days -- almost 10 months from now.  I have every intention of taking that cruise unless it's canceled.  I figure that by that time, protocols will have been worked out to minimize risk.  I had a conversation with my cruise planner guy at Regent who said they're looking at a lot of things including reduced onboard population for both guests and crew as well as revamping the air circulation systems.  I would like to think that they'll take a hard look at crew quarters as that seems to be a fairly common denominator in recent outbreaks including the recent Hurtigruten situation.  

I have no problem at all wearing a mask while out and about onboard if it means the difference between cruising and not cruising.  I'm fine with social distancing, too.  I'm almost a textbook introvert so small groups work well for me while large groups do not, and staying in my cabin is fine.

I don't expect any cruises to sail before January -- i just don't think they'll have protocols that all cruise lines can buy into before then.  I hope I'm wrong for those who are booked on November and December cruises.  But I'll be ready for May.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

On 8/3/2020 at 6:05 PM, SusieQft said:

I look forward to sailing on this amazing line and gaining enlightenment.  I hope they treat first time Regent cruisers with the same "unique family feeling."  The bar has been set amazingly high.

My first cruise on Regent was in 2018:  a 28-day trip starting in Vancouver to Alaska, then down the west coast, Central America, through the Panama Canal, and ended in Miami.

I had sailed twice before that on Holland America including a 38-day North Atlantic cruise, both times in a Neptune Suite (I mention that only because the "amenities" and perks are similar to what is offered on Regent's Concierge suite although here's a size/square-footage difference).

I was so impressed by Regent that on day 10 of the cruise, I booked the 2020 World Cruise.  I couldn't tell if it was a function of the smaller ship size (HAL's Amsterdam was 1378 passengers; Mariner is 700) or just the general "vibe," but it fit and I knew I would be fine traveling alone on a much longer cruise.

I know that not every cruise line will appeal to every traveler, but Regent ticks all the boxes for me.  I'm hoping that you'll enjoy your time with them.  They'll certainly do their best to make it happen.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

Yeah -- my 68-day Oct 29 -- Jan 5 Cape Horn cruise was canceled this morning.  

I'm still jockeying my FCCs from the truncated 2020 world cruise plus the canceled 15-day Alaska cruise a few weeks ago, but so far, it looks like my next cruise (94-day Arctic Adventure NYC-NYC starting May 31, 2021) and the three cruises I just booked last week for late 2021 are mostly covered except for the airline upgrade on the Nov 14, 2021 cruise.  

Keeping my fingers crossed for summer 2021.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

1 hour ago, BBWC said:

Sounds like the Med for the Explorer then. And Mariner returning to Alaska after arriving in San Francisco in May.

I saw that, too -- I'm tempted to book that SF to Vancouver cruise for after the 2022 World, since I live about an hour from Vancouver.  That way I wouldn't have to fly from SF to Seattle and then shuttle to Bellingham,  Something to think about, anyway.  🙂

6 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Wow - that is exciting.  I'm curious if you have plans to try any other Regent ships.

Absolutely!  I'll be on the Navigator for the Arctic cruise next year.  And I keep checking itineraries/schedules for the other ships to see if I can find something that fits.  

I much prefer cruises that either start or end (preferably both) somewhere in the US as I tend to avoid long international flights as much as possible.  It just seems that, for now, the Mariner offers more cruises that work with my schedule and preferences.  

This particular group of cruises immediately preceding the 2022 World Cruise was a happy coincidence:  I get to see the Amazon which I'll have to miss when my October 2020 South America cruise is (most likely) canceled in a couple of weeks, I'll get a shorter 10-day Caribbean cruise to some of the less-visited islands/ports (I've been avoiding them because I don't like short cruises), and I'll get to see the Panama Canal again from the "other" direction on the same ship in the same cabin as my first transit in 2018.

My goal is to sail on all of the RSSC ships at some point.  I'd like to do Alaska again in the summer of 2022, but it looks like that will still be the Mariner's summer home, so we'll see.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

Well, let’s see ...

I booked the 2022 World Cruise while on the (truncated) 2020 World Cruise.  If all goes according to plan, I could book the 2023 World Cruise while on next summer’s Grand Arctic Adventure (94 days, R/T from NYC starting May 31, 2021).  I’m assuming that this fall’s 68-day South America cruise will be canceled (Oct 29-Jan 2).  Nothing official yet, but things don’t look good for it.  So my next booked cruise will be the Arctic trip.
 

And I just booked three additional cruises on the Mariner: the 3 cruises immediately preceding the 2022 World.  Starting November 14, I’ll be on the 24-day Amazon trip, the 10-day Caribbean (both of those R/T out of Miami), and the 18-day Miami-to-San Francisco.  Added up, that makes for 172 days on the Mariner November 14, 2021 to May 5, 2022.  And to me, that sounds like heaven.  
 

I’ll have to assess the health situation before committing to the 2023 World, but it sounds amazing.  My goal always is to maximize travel opportunities wherever I can, and RSSC is a great fit.  
 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

My first ever cruise was on the Amsterdam -- 14 days to Alaska, roundtrip out of Seattle -- in September, 2017.  I was hooked.  I've sailed her once since then -- 35 days Sep-Oct, 2019 - Incan Empires, Seattle to San Diego via Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, and Peru.  I've also sailed on the Rotterdam -- 35 days, Voyage of the Vikings, in July-August, 2018.  I don't do well on larger ships, so it's unlikely I'll be able to sail HAL again unless they get some smaller ships in their fleet (not likely).

I was hoping for an opportunity to sail the Maasdam next summer or sometime in 2022, but that's off the table now, too.  Depressing, for sure.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

33 minutes ago, farmersfight said:

 

Hi Lana. And I thought 12, 15, 17 day cruises were long! 68, 94, 120 day cruises...all I can say is "WOW"!! Not to mention the 2020 World Cruise. I can only imagine how many days that one was.

 

You've got great spirit and a great attitude. I hope you have many more sailing days ahead of you! Best wishes for your 2021 and 2022 cruises to go (I bet they will by then).  Here's also wishing you good health so you can enjoy these remarkable cruises (more like voyages).

Thanks --

The world cruise was supposed to be 131 days -- it ended after 51.  It was great while it lasted and a lot of us really didn't want to leave.  In mid-March, COVID was mostly in WA state where I live, so I actually felt safer on the ship.  

Regent ships are small -- the two biggest ships hold 750 guests; I was on the Mariner - 700 guests --- so there's a lot of room to "spread out."  I always tell people I love going places and seeing new things, but I *HATE* to travel -- the airports, schlepping luggage, (stressing over) making connections, etc.  Once I'm on the ship, though, all that disappears and I can totally relax.  That's why I like longer cruises -- more time to relax before I have to worry about "traveling" again.  

Let's see ...

My upcoming booked cruises (all on Regent Seven Seas) are:

• 68-day South America - Los Angeles, CA to Miami, Oct. 29, 2020 around South America with about 10 days on the Amazon, ending on Jan 5, 2021.  This will almost certainly be canceled.  I've already made final payment using the 125% FCC I got for the interrupted 2020 World Cruise.  The ship made it from San Francisco on Jan 24 to Fremantle, Australia before they cancelled it on March 17 - plus another 125% FCC for a canceled July 2020 Alaska cruise (yes, I would be on it right now if it hadn't been canceled -- 15 days, R/T from Vancouver to Seward, July 1-15).  The leftover FCC from all that was applied to the next cruise, ... 
• 94-day North Atlantic/Arctic - R/T New York, May 31 - Sep 2, 2021.  Final payment due on Jan 1, 2021 -- if the cruise above gets canceled, the applied FCC from that will more than cover the final payment for this one, and overage will be applied to the next cruise, ...
• 120-day Pacific - R/T San Francisco, Jan 5 - May 5, 2022.  Final payment not due until about a year from now.  

I'm ready to go whenever they start again.  I'm not planning to cancel anything myself unless something happens (heart attack, house burns down, etc.).  At my age, my "sailing days" are numbered anyway.  I have a couple of progressive medical conditions that will render me unable to travel at some point, so I'm determined to get in as much as I can while I'm still able to do it.

I'm keeping my eye on the news but whenever cruise travel resumes, I'll be ready.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

I posted last December (2019) upthread as I was preparing for my world cruise and the sale of a house in WA state.  I can now report my experience --

Whether or not E-sign is permitted depends on the state and the specific document.  WA state requires a notarized wet signature on the Warranty Deed -- this is changing effective October 1, 2020 to allow E-signature & E-notarization but at the time I went through this process, I needed a notarized wet signature.  I did not know before I left about the Warranty Deed notary requirement -- I had been told by my real estate broker that I would only need to be able to print and sign the Warranty Deed and then return it via UPS/DHL/FedEx to the escrow company. 

Further, the signature must happen on US soil/territory, and the notary must be credentialed for that location.  US soil/territory includes all US states and US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, etc.) plus any embassy or consulate building anywhere in the world.  Most US states have "reciprocity" for notaries, so, for example, a notary credentialed in Alabama could notarize a signature taking place in Colorado.  When we're looking at non-state US territories, it's not so clear.

So the notarization requirements added a level of complexity that ended up consuming about 2 weeks of my trip as I tried to figure out how to get myself to a US location where I could get a signature notarized.  Not all embassies/consulates provide this service every day -- they have specific schedules that may or may not coincide with the ship's itinerary.  

Add to this the complexity of the unfolding coronavirus situation ...  

SO ....

Papeete (Tahiti) didn't work due to schedule (Consular Office is open only 2 days a week, and neither matched our schedule)

Next option: American Samoa -- Super!  US territory, they provide notary services by appointment, etc.  EXCEPT - the governor cancelled our stop there due to coronavirus concerns.

Next option:  Fiji -- except we were going to dock in Lautoka and the US Embassy is in Suva, a 4.5-hr drive from Lautoka.  Our stop was scheduled for 8 hours, so this wouldn't work.

Next option:  Auckland, NZ -- US Consulate -- except they didn't provide notary service on the two days we were scheduled to dock there, and they would not schedule a special appointment for this.

By this time, our entire Southeast Asia leg had been canceled so they added a stop in ...

SUVA, FIJI!!!  Alright!  I emailed the Embassy to make the appointment while the Concierge  on the ship worked with the port folks to round up transport from ship to Embassy to DHL office back to ship.

My buyers now have something not too many people have:  a Warranty Deed notarized by the Deputy Ambassador at the US Embassy in Suva, Fiji.

Lesson learned:  make sure you understand PRECISELY what the requirements are before you leave.  Had I know about the notary requirements, I would probably have executed a limited power of attorney to someone to sign for me or or at least build in some more time before closing to allow for hiccups along the way.

Lana in Bellingham, WA

22 hours ago, johng75370 said:

Just caught the typo; it’s the October 12th on the Mariner.  F cabins there look great from a midship location standpoint. 

My first Regent Cruise was on the Mariner In September-October 2018 in a Concierge E cabin (972).  I liked it so much that I booked the 2020 World Cruise in the same cabin.  
 

I’ll be on the Mariner again at the end of October (Oct 29) this year for the 68-day LA to Miami South America cruise, again in a Concierge Suite (this time in a D), and one more time in 2022 for the World Cruise again in my favorite Concierge E (972).  972 is located just aft of the aft elevator lobby on the port side; the Concierge D I’ll be in for the South America cruise (956) is more midship, about equidistant from the two elevators.  Other than location, the suites are identical.  The Mariner is a lovely ship with a sort of quiet relaxed elegance, with superb food, service, and “vibe.”  I travel solo and find the space and layout of the Concierge (and F categories) perfect.  
 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

5 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 <snip ... >

 

Note:  Carole, did your get your fancy mask locally or online?  If online, could you give us the website name?  Thanks!

 

Editing to say that I found one site for fancy masks https://www.etsy.com/market/rhinestone_face_mask

I've gotten a few here:  https://www.zazzle.com/s/masks -- not with crystals, but hundreds of patterns OR you can design your own using your own photos/etc.  Nice quality, pocket for filter, etc.  

29 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

 

You are right about cloth masks, however, they now have filters for the masks (replaceable) that helps in terms of effectiveness. IMO, wearing a mask and social distancing together is the best solution that we have right now.

 

I do see that many posters do not intend to wear a mask on a cruise ship.  Hopefully these same people understand that they may not be able to cruise unless they comply.  It is up to each of us individually to determine whether they can put up with portocols or not.  I really hope that Regent has a form for passengers to sign that they understand and will comply with all protocols (and the consequences if they do not).   

 

rcandkc - just saw your post and obviously agree with you 100%.

Just a point to consider (and in support of what you outline above) --

When I had strep throat on the World Cruise, I was required to wear a mask whenever I was outside my cabin (after a couple of days of "confined to cabin" protocol) until cleared by the medical staff.  Before I left the medical office on that initial visit when I was diagnosed, I had to sign a "discharge" form which contained the details of the visit, the diagnosis, the required treatment (antibiotics), and my responsibilities for the duration of care: Confined to cabin until cleared to leave (2 days in my case), and wear a mask in all public areas until I was told otherwise, with the note that failure to follow the instructions would be grounds for disembarkation at the next available port.  The information about mask wearing and consequences were already pre-printed on the "discharge" form and were checked off by the doctor so it's something that is routine enough to warrant preprinting it on the form.  I was also told that my stewards as well as the food & beverage staff would be made aware of my situation:  the medical office provides a list of guests who are under medical restrictions so they can deal with those restrictions per their respective protocols.

So Regent already requires the wearing of masks in certain situations with clearly spelled out consequences.  I don't think it would be a major issue to expand that requirement under these new circumstances and require guests to sign a consent form prior to boarding, possibly as part of filling out the health questionnaire.

Also on the issue of washing cloth masks, I don't see that as an issue, honestly.  I believe every cabin is equipped with a bathroom that contains at least one sink and either a bathtub or a shower (sometimes both) with a clothesline.  Washing a cloth mask shouldn't be a problem.  

Lana in Bellingham, WA

2 hours ago, SusieQft said:

It is possible, but by no means guaranteed and maybe not even likely, that the usual crowded conditions seen in the past will be much less so.  Maybe the only tourists there will be the crazy ones who think they are invincible.  I have to count myself in that category, since I just made the final payment on a Regent cruise scheduled for this October.  However, I still think there is probably less than 50-50 chance my cruise will actually sail.  If it does, I plan on wearing a mask on the tenders and buses, making liberal use of hand sanitizer, and maybe not doing all the excursions I have planned.

 

I agree with SedonaJoel that many people will ignore social distancing and not wear masks.  Mixing with a crowd of such people will definitely increase one's risk of catching any contagious disease.

My attitude is similar to yours, Suzie.  I just made the final payment on my October 29, 2020 cruise from LA to Miami around South America (68 days on the Mariner).  I suspect this cruise will be canceled given the situation in South America, but I booked it almost 2 yrs ago and I was able to use a portion of the FCC awarded as a result of the truncated 2020 World Cruise for the final payment (so no additional cash outlay).  If it's canceled, I can reuse the FCC to apply to either of the two additional booked cruises (2021 and 2022).

I have a progressive medical condition that will kill me eventually if I don't succumb to a heart attack or stroke first.  I have a choice: 1) wait to travel until there's a surefire vaccine available and risk the possibility that by the time that happens, my condition will have progressed to the point where travel is impossible; or 2) take a calculated risk to travel while I'm still able physically to do so with the understanding that even with all efforts on my part as well as the ship's part to mitigate that risk, there's a possibility that I'll contract the virus.  I'm choosing travel.  If the Mariner sails in October, I'll be on it.  

Everyone will have to make whatever decision best suits themselves and their circumstances weighing the relative risks of available options.  I'm normally not much of a risk-taker, but in this case, I'm willing to take the chance.

Lana in Bellingham, WA