Marga.Anders

57 minutes ago, Bobal said:

It would help if you could say the itinerary.  There could be a lot of difference between sailing around say Northern Italy and South of France on a West Med cruise and Southern Greece/Turkey on an East Med cruise. Also the earlier in October, the better chance of good weather 

You are right of course:

it's 

Rome - Limassol Cyprus, Jerusalem, Haifa, Rhodes, Santorini, Chania Crete, Rome

Starting October 7th

Due to the cancellation of our September 2021 Holy Land cruise we now have the option to Lift&Shift to 2022. The same itinerary is  only in may and/or october.

Normally I would not consider going on vacation in October because I want to be able to swim outside and have nice weather.

The may itinerary is different and we prefer the October one.

Has anyone ever cruised in the Med in October. What kind of weather should I expect? I don't need super hot, but it is important for me to be able to sit by the pool on the ship and not be cold.

So it would make sense to quickly pay the rest to my TA? 

Officially I don't know anything about a cancellation.

We had only made the $900 deposit. Does this mean that we will only get the 125% over that amount? Or over the full cruise fare?

We are thinking about lifting and shifting to the same cruise in october 2022.

Wow, I am soooo disappointed.

I understand the decision but was really looking forward to it. As everyone else of course 🙂

Strange that I haven't been informed of this by my TA or Royal Caribbean, but had to read it online.

Is Lift & Shift the best option moneywise?

I just read this news, but haven't heard anything from my travel agent or Royal. 

Is every cruise cancelled? We we scheduled on the 12 night from Rome in September.

1 hour ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

Marga thanks for sharing your photos and videos. How was the experience for you being there in person and seeing it up close? Must have been amazing.

 

@Lloyd555 Also thanks for all the updates, photos and videos from day one of this thread.

@Tall-Cruiser It was amazing! We had never seen a ship being conveyed before and it was really something. We had seen her already at a tour of the shipyard but this was so much better. We are sailing on her this September (fingers crossed) which makes it extra special. We went to 3 different spots to look and met some nice folks at all the spots. I was really exciting. Maybe also because we have been in lockdown for weeks and this was our first trip out 🙄

Last ones and finally some sun 😀

From the other side

I think the conveyance is really happening. This screenshot is from a website that posts shipping notices. It says something about there being hindrance for other ships on the river Ems due to the conveyance. (my German is not so good sorry). 

I will try to be there and take pictures and video. Any recommendations for a good place to see it? 

Of course I don't know for sure but I think July will be fine. Vaccination is going allright and the news we are getting is that we should have some version of the new normal around the beginning of summer. 

Borders are not completely closed now but hardly any flights. Hotels are open but not restaurants or stores. Face masks are mandatory in public buildings and supermarkets. 

From what I know a negative Covid19 test is mandatory to enter the country as is a quarantine. 

All covid related government info is here: https://coronadashboard.government.nl/

This is not a site meant for tourists. Just national public health and safety. 

The website for tourists is here: https://www.government.nl/topics/c/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad

Should you need any more information don't hesitate to ask. Just send me a PM. 

We are sailing in September 2021. Final payment is due in June.

Because the EUR/USD  exchange rate is positive for us now I am thinking of paying in full now, rather than in June.

Of course there is still a big chance that the cruise will be cancelled due to Covid.

I was just wondering, with respect to a cancelled cruise, does it matter if I pay now, or later?

Thanks @steamboats ! I looked into it and apparently you are allowed to cross the border without quarantine and test as long as your visit is under 24 hours.

This is only valid for border regions due to the large amount of people that cross the border for work each day.

6 hours ago, little britain said:

Lloyds’s site says 27th 

What site is this? Do you have the URL?

I know there are people on the forum who work at Meyer or work in shipping and get information from other sources than we have access to.

Besides, you never know what asking might result in. Doesn't hurt to ask is what they say, right 🙂

I heard the Odyssey of the Seas might be conveyed down the river Ems this weekend.  Since I live close by I want to go see this spectacle. 

However, it seems to be impossible to get any confirmation of this date or of times.

Meyer Werft that is building the ship is not currently giving out any information on the subject due to not wanting to attract crowds during Covid19.

Is there anyone on this board who can share more information or who can tell me where to search for more info?

Hi,

I have been on Jewel and Symphony before and both had a coffee place with specialty coffees that were included in our deluxe beverage package.

I saw today that Odyssey has a Starbucks. Does this mean that specialty coffees will not be included in the package? Or will there be 2 coffee venues onboard?

On 9/23/2020 at 3:44 AM, Merion_Mom said:

 

Exactly what did you purchase?  

 

They have not "updated" their policies.

I bought 1 deluxe beverage package for my husband and 1 refreshment package for myself.
Did it a few backs. Then cancelled because of the pricedrop and booked again. So it wasn't a temporary system glitch. 

Normally I book 2 deluxe and have to call Royal to have one changed to refreshment (I am not allowed alcohol), but this time could do it by myself.

3 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

If the package includes the unlimited beverage package, then all adults must purchase.

 

If both/all adults don't want the unlimited beverage package, then you have to separate out the beverage and the VOOM purchases.

 

You should share this information on your Roll Call.

I was able to purchase only one. Maybe they have updated their policies.

I see an added 12 night on Odyssey from Rome in May. 

Earlier this was only available in September. 

Anything from Europe to Egypt and back. There are no cruises to Egypt unless the travel onwards to Dubai where I do not want to go since I don't fly