Mahogany

Do you think Valiant Lady will sail?

May 5 canceled 2 B2B:

Voyager CPT RT and CPT-Rio  Dec. 22-Jan 5-19 and Splendor Mia-BCN RT (Canaries) Mar 25-Apr. 8-18

May 13 I received credit for all deposits to my AMEX account.

I love my TA and Regent right now - what a quick turnaround!

I canceled Crystal the same day for the fall; haven't heard a peep.

19 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Thankfully, nothing political has been said prior to your post.  However, it is true that everyone is being blamed for the virus.  I have said repeatedly that this is a worldwide crisis - one that no one was responsible for.  It is how we deal with the crisis that is important.   Once we start wearing masks and keeping our distance, we will be able to resume cruising (as well as having our children go back to school, people going back to work, etc.). 

 

The one thing that I am guilty of is defending a company that I personally feel has done everything possible for their customers.

Aren't you also guilty of having your nails done during lockdown? Just kidding...

I guess I'm confused about what one does in the Regent restaurants while wearing a mask. Up and down for each bite?

Just reread SLSD's initial post on January 28. Can anyone believe what has happened since then. It seems like a year ago, not 3 months.

20 hours ago, Paulchili said:

That sounds like a sweetheart deal. Do you have a status with SB?

We were not so lucky.

We too cancelled before SB did although more than just a couple of days. All we got was 100% FCC - no refund or even 125% FCC

Me too. I cancelled on March 11 for a March 15 sailing; Seabourn cancelled March 14. No special for me, just 100% FCC. I don't like to hear about special treatment for some. And I am Gold status.

23 hours ago, wripro said:

I have never thought it fair that some people expect TAs to subsidize part of the cost other cruise. Especially now that they're doing three times the amount of work on some bookings. 

As a 4-month a year cruiser, maybe not as often as Travel Cat, I too am annoyed at the braggarts who don't stop talking about their TA rebates. My TA's company doesn't do that, but I wouldn't change to one that did for that reason. So, yeah, we poor slobs who don't get rebates get that you do; just give it a rest. 

I’m booked on the August 7 sailing. Curious what I’ll be offered. Can’t believe my cruise will become the inaugural for the same price. Wouldn’t mind a refund.

17 hours ago, Videopark said:

 

Look how simple and direct some cruise companies are doing:

 

"Holland America said it will offer all guests affected by the cancellations a full refund, a 50 percent future cruise credit and reimbursement of cancellation fees."

 

Another poster said HAl  owns Seabourn. I thought they were all part of the Carnival umbrella. Regardless, different policies across brands  of a company doesn't make sense IMHO.

You really think they are considering cancelling the several cruises leaving this weekend? I'm not asking for a refund for my 36-day cruise next Monday. I just want a FCC for 72 hour cancellation like the other Carnival brands, including HAL.

1 hour ago, Covepointcruiser said:

If Seabourn cancels your cruise you will get 100% refund plus 25% off another cruise.  I would think they are currently working the March cruises then will look at April.   I hope all this media panic will calm down by then and we will be able to cruise if we are healthy.

I’m in the same boat (but don’t want to be 😄) with Quest leaving Monday from BA. I’m on for 36 days so a lot for me to lose if I cancel . Artlee, at least you are covered by the April 1 policy to cancel. Those of us scheduled to sail before April 1 are not. My health is basically good,  but I am elderly and had upper respiratory issues in the past. I would think Seabourn wouldn't want me to be onboard.

4 hours ago, westmount said:

Anyone who believes they can beat an insurance company is living in another world. Anyone who has respiratory issues cannot in good conscience get on a plane or cruise ship right now, why do it? 
 Give the scientist a bit of time, the oceans will be there, the ports will be there, Seabourn has treated  fabulously given all we see is water every day, and once things settle down, book the cruise of your dreams. I’m on the balcony looking over the Indian Ocean thinking how lucky I am to be here, although not happy how things have gone.

this is still the best way to see the world, and maybe the Sojourn the best of the best, so if you have medical issues etc, postpone your cruise for a year, and if you don’t, things will straighten themselves out within 30 days, and I really doubt the cruise lines will really stiff those that feed them. 
  Good luck to all, and I’ve decided on the Patio tonight, as the sky is clear, and who can beat fresh everything at the pool with an open sky and open bar. 
   To be honest, being stuck out here really isn’t too bad, but we’re not off the ship yet, and never quite sure what they want to do with us, to be continued, 

You say, why do it? Because my Quest cruise starts in a week, and the cancellations for a FCC only apply for cruises after April 1. So, I'm caught between asking my doctor to lie (as if he would) and get a medical reason for cancelling, or lose my whole cruise fare. So, I will fly to Buenos Aires (two flights), and board the Quest hoping for the best. And when I cough for food caught in my throat, hope that my fellow passengers won't have me committed/quarantined/whatever. And yes, I am of the elderly persuasion. Princess (another Carnival company)is allowing cancellation with 3 days notice. Seabourn? Not that I've heard of yet.

9 hours ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

On the Cruise Critic boards for other cruise lines with similar tipping policies, tipping is also a perennial topic.   On those boards, the discussion almost always immediately descends into a bunch of rabid name-calling. Good on you folks on this board for keeping the discussion reasonably civilised.

A small anecdote about tipping and different cultures that is not directly relevant but perhaps amusing.  Some years ago I was on a small out-island in French Polynesia (Manihi) staying at a lovely resort.  Being me, on the first night I went to the bar for a refreshing beverage and, being a North American, I left a tip for the bartender.  The next night I went back seeking another refreshment, and the bartender was really angry with me.  I had to sweet talk her to get a beer!  Finally I got her to admit that she was insulted that I had left a tip; this violated the norms of her culture.  The only way I could make it up to her was to allow her to buy me and my wife a drink after she got off her shift. Then all was well for the rest of my stay.

This cultural norm is not really true any more in the big city (Papeete) but echoes of it persist in the rest for French Polynesia.

David, the post just became less "reasonably civilised ". Whoa, nuclear testing now? Let's stay on topic - tipping, wasn't it?

Yeah, me too!

On 3/2/2020 at 1:29 PM, pc_load_letter said:

 

Mind telling us your age? Retired? Wife and I are in our 40's and when something goes wrong, we are capable enough to figure things out ourselves.

 

We had to come back from Europe once when my brother had a heart attack. It was not difficult to cancel, book and make those last minute arrangements to get home.

Well, yes, if you don't travel as much as I, then you won't encounter as many problems. As an example, TA was able to solve the lost luggage in Morocco problem from the US. But you sound very capable.

22 hours ago, OliviaAdventurer said:

I think most travel agents are a little bitter because aren't they becoming obsolete?  I haven't used one in years...

I travel 4 months a year, and when something goes wrong, my TA is my go-to person. Though I do most of the basic research, she does the finalizing and interaction with international companies. Sure, I could do all the grunt work, but why? "Obsolete", maybe somewhere. " A little bitter" , maybe some. "haven't used one in years",  your choice, not mine.

Forgot to add, used her for my VV booking.

VV says you may bring onboard 2 bottles of wine. Does anyone know if you may bring one, open or unopened,  to a restaurant - and would there be a corkage fee. Or must you consume it in your stateroom.

17 hours ago, garymfreedman said:

Why what? IF referring to instagram, because that is the social media that Virgin Voyages is focused on.

I don't subscribe to ANY social media, so guess I'll miss a lot. But I seem to have survived without it, so que sera, sera

1 hour ago, garymfreedman said:

 

Great video, showing the onboard souvenir store and lots more-Need Instagram account-Well, if you are cruising on VV, you need Instagram account anyway.

https://instagram.com/stories/virginvoyages/2245110288162803059?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=14pfyxvw25vau

Why?

18 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

 

All of the other cruise lines apps collect the same info, though I guess it's different since you don't have a choice with the band

Do you mean the other cruise lines can track your location on the ship by GPSing your room key card?

3 hours ago, spinnaker2 said:

We received our flight info from Dubai back to USA.

Silversea has us going thru Canada to MIA with a short layover in Toronto  at 5 something in the morning.

 

Not acceptable. The flights are on air rouge and air Canada. 

 

There is a nonstop on Emirates. It would require us to spend a day and night in Dubai but here's the kicker. After already paying for business class we now have to pay 1500 plus more per person plus the hotel.

 

Still deciding.

 

I'm flying on Air Canada from Dubai to Orlando via Toronto with Crystal's air. I didn't think it was unacceptable. Am I too agreeable or missing something?

On 2/6/2020 at 1:15 PM, LauraS said:

(1 p.m. EST) -- Virgin Voyages ship will debut a wearable technology known as The Band to replace functions normally performed by a traditional plastic keycard. The device, which will be mailed to cruisers prior to sailing on the line's flagship, Scarlet Lady, will be made of recycled ocean plastic, thanks to a partnership with BIONIC Yarn, a ...

View the full article

The article says the band will allow the ship to keep track of sailor's location. Hmm, Big Brother is watching...

7 hours ago, creativegenius said:

 

On our last Celebrity Cruise, we checked in via the app before we boarded. At the port they just had to scan the barcode on our phone to let us on board, then our key cards were waiting for us at the cabin. Took 5 minutes to board and get our keys. I know other lines are experimenting with this same type of boarding. This is where I think Virgin could go with these bracelets. Check In via app, board the ship and get your bracelet at your cabin. 

One of the tasks at Check-in is registering a Credit Card. Under your system on Celebrity, did you register a CC online or see Reception  once on board?

On 2/1/2020 at 7:10 PM, orvil said:

I liked the dragon in front of Pacific Rim.

 

I predict that will be the place where everyone will have to have their picture taken.

I'm going to miss the prayer wheel!