travelpeon
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On 4/16/2020 at 1:01 PM, Muffinz said:
The good news is we are both immune to measles and have a letter from the doctor to say that.....
That's actually a good bargain when I think about pandemic preparedness! I keep fairly up to date on my travel immunizations but may not be needing typhoid resistance for a bit. I'm wondering if my medical provider will do a drive thru flu shot/jab this fall instead of indoor flu shot clinic.
6 hours ago, 3DogChrisB said:Rash guards for snorkeling in Grand Cayman and Bonaire...
Although that cruise has been cancelled, they're useless now mostly because of depression eating and now not fitting.
I made my partner get some UPF shirts and sun hat. He looks awful in hats. The shirts will probably still come in useful when he runs out of clothes in the summer and it is very hot out since they're also wicking & no ac in the house. Hat can distract co-workers on virtual meetings from quarantine no-hair-cut if he gets desperate enough.
I bought some swim leggings which I'm sure I'll eventually wear, too. They're made of stretchy swim fabric which I guess I could also repurpose into ear loops for home sewn masks and hem the uppers into capri's or anti-chafe under-skirt-shorts or something else like that.
It's been interesting looking at things I have (and so much of it) to repurpose them and avoid having to go to the store or wait for online shipments. Thick hiking socks have become cozy house socks. A few extra boxes were a laptop stand. Spare organizers? I have plenty of clutter to corral or re-organize. Orphaned socks - pop them over lotioned hands (a bit dryer thanks to ramping up hand washing) for the night.
New cruise clothes? I bet some friends wouldn't be so resistant to a themed virtual cocktail party.
My travel supply stash of sanitizing wipes and tiny hand sanitizer was fortunate...
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4 hours ago, El turista said:
I was on this ship. They told us we were a healthy ship until the very last minute before debarkation began yesterday. I'm not showing symptoms at the moment but I am feeling quite scared.
Wishing you good health. Perhaps it would be a good time to step back a bit and take good care of yourself to reduce stress levels. There may be links showing stress weakening the immune system https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune
Of course self isolate but this is a case where there is no time machine (I wish there were) so please eat healthy, do happy things to stay busy, sleep plenty, and call your most cheerful optimist friends & family.
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Actually, while I do enjoy cruising, I've always told new-to-cruising friends about the many vacation upsides along with the downsides like difficult to eradicate viruses, environmental challenges, differences in labor practices, flags of convenience/difference in oversight, and safety awareness. It's easy to hear about the awesome perks of cruise vacations. It's also not difficult to hear about cruises being vilified for a specific aspect (ie those who bash for noro but not emissions or waste discharge). It can require more individual effort and forethought to find out details of potential downsides to cruising in general and specifics with each cruise line.
We all have different risk tolerance levels and things we enjoy.
I'm not a travel agent, cruise line shareholder, or cruise marketing team. Why in the world would I be upset that when presented with some data, friends decide that cruising isn't for them at this time? Similarly, why would I be upset that they are pointing out some real concerns when they're trying to discuss something which can impact my and community health (unless you plan to self-quarantine post-cruise in a pre-vaccine, no-readily-available-tests world)?
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One of my local airport's twitter feed has been showing battery operated sprayers filled with disinfecting cleaning agents.
It could be similar to plane deep clean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xSxbEqzohI
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1 hour ago, Bruin Steve said:
If there's no "pandemic", I don't have a problem with cruising--and prefer it to a bus tour anytime. I believe your odds of getting ill on a bus tour are also pretty high--you're crammed together with 40 others for long hours on a bus...and staying in large hotels, etc.
Perhaps I'm not estimating correctly how many CC'ers would stitch together their own travel plans (hotel, train fare/rental car, 3-8 hour local city tour) vs book a "Italy in 14 days" package bus-type tour. I know plenty of cruisers do book airfare, cruise, pre-cruise hotel from a travel agent and rely on the cruise line's excursions. Some people like all inclusive vacations at beach type resorts or a few weeks in Hawaii. There's others who basically plan everything themselves and use the ship as transportation, lodging, and certain meals.
Just pointing out an alternative style of travel. DIY travel is not for everyone, for sure, but does give some options at this time who have the means and the will.
It sounds like that's not what you prefer so it's option 1 vs option 2. What's the potential return on the number for option 2? Would you use or invest the money elsewhere?
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OP - If you cancel/rebook for the future and stars align to permit travel in the summer, would you think about a land based trip with independent local tours? Land based trips put more money into the local economy than cruises and for those determined to travel, it also gives people more flexibility (especially refundable bookings) to adjust plans at their own will rather than the cruise lines. It also has more personal space for most.
Once people pay (saying yes), they have different considerations which generally allows the marketing department to entice them to say yes even more. Echoing NMTraveller.
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They should refund port taxes and fees to credit card, right? From the FAQ:
"Guest will remain responsible for paying the applicable deposit amounts, taxes/fees, port expenses and gratuities for the new booking."
I was wondering if it could be applied it to an existing late 2020 or 2121 booking like a gift card value but it needs to be a new booking. Fine print at the bottom of the FAQ:
" The FCC is non transferrable and may not be redeemed for cash. The FCC certificate’s value may be applied toward the cruise fare due on a new booking on the brand originally purchased. "
Also not transferrable so the original cruiser(s) must be on the new booking.
There's also a potential benefit to rebooking on an earlier sailing if you find a good deal as you could fully use up the credit on two cruises if needed. Not sure how b2b (or b2b2b...) works. If you currently cancel b2b, that's two future bookings you can use FCC on? Can it be combined to upgrade to a more exotic & expensive itinerary? It is clear that one can't cancel a single more expensive cruise and apply that fully to two back to back sailings based on the wording below.
"If you apply the Future Cruise Credit on a cruise that’s less expensive, the cruise fare will be covered in full. Any leftover amount will be issued as a remaining balance Future Cruise Credit 30 days after the sailing and must be used within 6 months."
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1 hour ago, jp2746 said:
Exactly! My husband's employer is already unhappy that we are leaving for a week. I can't even imagine if he was gone for three. Plus we would probably be eating pasta for the next year if he lost two weeks pay! 😮
Would his workplace want him to come back in after the cruise or quarantine at home? Losing one week's vacation money might be better than losing two weeks of pay.
For those who would be less impacted without two weeks pay, consider how it looks to the employer, too. My long time employer's asked us to evaluate personal travel for a few weeks and all international business travel is halted. The optics may not be great in my case if I decide to travel when the company has put travel on hold or find alternative ways to accomplish them.
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Wishing you speedy recovery. I imagine it will be more comfortable to do so from home.
Thank you for doing the right thing. Ports have turned away ships if a number of people onboard have cold or flu like symptoms. Echoing the advice to get a second visit with a different practitioner. Perhaps a letter to Celebrity's team with documentation of the infection & bronchitis given the current world events would get at least a small future cruise credit out of goodwill.
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51 minutes ago, cruise kitty said:
I posted in another thread that I visit Disneyland at a minimum of once a week (it's actually more 😉 ) I've done that for 30+ years, so far, I've seen no changes in crowds or behavior.. In addition, we live in a little city in the hills with a lot of restaurants, so we get a lot of people on the weekends coming for breweries & restaurants, last night was as packed as I've ever seen it... so for us day to day life is exactly the same, except when someone sneezes or coughs you can bet I step away 🙂 It will be interesting to see what the next two weeks brings us here in CA.
+1 more person on Sat, housemate of the Santa Clara County case confirmed Friday. No symptoms (no cough or sneezing) and is self isolating.
The potential cluster cases in at Life Care Center near Seattle is a bit of more concern for proximity to Vancouver with two presumed positive. They seem to be tracing contacts for self quarantine. Still, it is a few months away from the start of the Alaska cruise season.
https://www.kirklandreporter.com/news/lwtech-students-may-have-been-exposed-to-coronavirus/
I think it will look a little more sparse in our area the coming week and weekend.
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24 minutes ago, travelpeon said:
I'm a few miles north of Jim and even closer to the hospital. Today, I went out with friends to eat brunch at a popular outdoor cafe in Menlo Park
Adding the cafe was very full with a 15-20 person line to order. I also went to the bank around lunch and some Girl Scouts were selling cookies outside. Downtown marketplaces looked busy.
I will note that there was a lack of hand sanitizer at Target, drugstores, and office stores last weekend. There was some giant pumps of sanitizer at Costco on the Friday before the weekend and good stock of TP at that point. It probably looks picked over right now but seeing as many people are still out and about, we're all just preparing in case we need to stay home for a while.
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5 hours ago, cruise kitty said:
If Celebrity decides to apply the same restrictions to Seattle as they did N. Italy, then obviously we're in for a change.
trying not to obsess, but being that I obsess over planning our travel, why would this be any different ??
Keeping your immunity levels up is the best thing to help you stay healthy. It can help to get plenty of rest and reduce stress.
6 hours ago, diamondintn said:Jim, are the people of your neighborhood taking precautions such as wearing masks, staying home, school or business closures?
I'm a few miles north of Jim and even closer to the hospital. Today, I went out with friends to eat brunch at a popular outdoor cafe in Menlo Park, not far from where two Palo Alto students were sent home from school as a parent had come in contact with a COVID-19 positive person. https://www.mv-voice.com/news/2020/02/28/as-third-coronavirus-case-comes-to-light-in-santa-clara-county-palo-alto-unified-alerted-to-parent-exposed-to-disease
I saw two people wearing masks at the entire cafe. One also had facial hair which would have prevented proper sealing if it was an N95. Their group was seated next to our table and an unmasked person asked if they were sick, possibly also joked? they were not feeling well.
A stiff cold wind blew at my table. You can guess I moved to a table further away as we have a cruise scheduled from NZ at the end of the month and expect health checks if we exhibit cold or flu symptoms. I get chilly easily. I'm also keeping my distance from people who might be sick and larger groups when possible.
They had laid down the masks, cone up, on a paper towel, sitting on the cafe table. Neither of the mask wearers used hand sanitizer before eating though they might have washed their hands. Both sat around after eating conversing with table mates unmasked.
I bet they didn't think I was paying that much attention to them. I also noticed another table near ours with a solo diner looking at his phone and a girl who was removing her shoes inside the cafe. Call me House or Monk.
Our employers, as of Thursday before the second N. California unknown case which is local, have also cancelled all international business travel for three weeks, require self-quarantine if traveling to/through a Level 3/hot spot, and asked us to consider personal travel. Mine has also stopped all future business travel bookings. Employees have been requested to confirm that our remote network software is working from home under a few different conditions.
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6 minutes ago, dragonlord24601 said:
It is something I would like to do more research on because with the number of viral cases on that ship I no longer feel safe with existing sanitisation methods. The whole bowl could be a breeding ground for bacteria and virus.
I'm always for people doing more independent quality research, though not entirely from their own news preference. Bias goes both ways.Cruise ships are petri dishes and I do tell friends new to cruising that they are. It isn't a clean industry, either in bacteria or ecological impact.
Funny enough my partner's biggest hang up wasn't noro or flu dangers (before coronavirus) but whether meat was being stored properly. Silversea Silver Shadow was surprise inspected by US Public Health and fined for storing raw meat in non-refrigerated areas like crew quarters. Silver Spirit also failed public health inspection by US Public Health in 2019. The CDC has advisory and test results available on their website https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm
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The study is for comparing a communal bowl of standing wash water.
Under the Conclusion:
"In the absence of running tap water in most locations, provision of “bowl water” for handwashing in preschools has been a common practice within the Accra Metropolis. The current study demonstrated the presence of microbes of faecal and zoonotic origin in some of the swabs and water samples examined (except for rotavirus)"
The sample size was 3 water sources + 3 hand swabs from 6 schools in Ghana*, though logic does follow that sharing someone else's wash water isn't a wise health idea.
The hand blower vs paper towel bacteria spreading research is largely done as sponsored studies by the corporations which produce such things https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/25/hand-dryers-paper-towels-hygiene-dyson-airblade
I think the standalone highly visible washing stations near the entrances of buffets or other dining venues is a good thing. In fact, add some to the youth clubs when checking in and out. You can wash your hands in the cabin AND at the hand washing station which is assuredly better than sharing serving utensils and public common surfaces with the people who don't wash at either.
* Publishing in a journal doesn't mean something is reliable science. It's one of the most startling things I learned from a few friends who got their science PhD's in different areas from excellent universities. It could be
- Outright fraud https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/10/what-massive-database-retracted-papers-reveals-about-science-publishing-s-death-penalty , https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/18/haruko-obokata-stap-cells-controversy-scientists-lie , https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/08/researcher-center-epic-fraud-remains-enigma-those-who-exposed-him
- Problems with reproducibility after publication (other researches will take the procedures and reliably reproduce)
- Errors
- Lack of sufficient sample size
- Insufficient peer review
- Funding bias as they seek to prove a specific hypothesis. Sometimes the lack of research for an opposing view is a matter of funding.
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2 hours ago, PlayCousin said:
Lol...I agree the foot thing is disgusting. I rarely go barefoot in my own home let alone publicly. While I've never verbally confronted anyone whose bare feet were on furniture that didn't belong to them I have been known to stare. Sometimes they notice and alter their behavior.
Not a foot issue but similar... once I saw a couple refilling their water bottles right next to the very visible sign that says please don't refill your water bottles. I stared. The husband noticed and asked if he could get me something. I shook my head, smiled and pointed at the sign. They shrugged and went on their way.
If I remember correctly, there is a small foot washing station near the lawn on S class ships.
Cruise ships should really install proper touchless water dispensers like many airports have. Some airport lounges even have taps which dispense hot, cold, and carbonated water.
I'd appreciate water stations in addition to hand washing stations and a proper "Hygiene quiz" with online check in. Get something free onboard for completing the quiz at 90% or better. Use those RFID tags like Princess Medallion or Royal Wow Band to virtually collect stamps before hand washing like those exercise reward programs to get free merchandise.
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@Fouremco Thanks for trying! The first link is about Michener, not the book itself? I'm not quite sure where the second screenshot comes from. In any case, I've got nothing against paperbacks but have been a bit spoiled by eBook spacing options.
Regarding Kindle books, I guess it could depend on if you're reading traditionally published current books vs independents. Kindle does allow a lot of independent publications which I find varying in quality. One of my favorite authors has a blog and every so often opens up a post asking for new book recommendations. Sometimes it is specifically for independents or various genres and I've found a few favorites there. Otherwise, I don't tend to buy new-to-me prolific independents, especially if they don't traditionally publish, who price everything under $4 as I usually don't find them well written, edited, or particularly thoughtful. TBH the downside here is not being able to snap shut my kindle (no case) and send it to book purgatory for wasting my time.
I usually stick to favorite authors when buying eBooks and recommendations from fellow humans instead of algorithms. I used to feel bad for giving a book about three chapters to audition for my time until I met a bookstore owner on a cruise who gave her reads one chapter.
Anyhow, read and let read 🙂
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15 hours ago, Denny01 said:
One suggestion since libraries are on the way out on all ships is to go over to the Roll Call for your cruise and suggest book club/exchanges there. Done it and it worked nicely.
Excellent idea. You could also start a book club or reading list for the fellow cruisers. I just picked up a used copy of "Tales of the South Pacific" by Michener as our itinerary is the South Pacific and plan on reading it, then bringing it onboard for someone else to enjoy. It doesn't come in eBook (oh boy is the font small and my vision is 20/20 at reading distance).
Most of the used bookstores closed or moved out of my area due to rising rent prices but you could probably get a nice stack at a thrift shop near the port to leave onboard when you are done. Bibliophiles tend to love browsing book stores, anyhow, so it'd be a nice pre-cruise treat to stop by a local book shop. My local library also has a used books for sale section where proceeds benefit the library.
Perhaps the better question is which cruise lines still have sizable physical libraries? It looks like Viking Seas do https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2473413-viking-library-on-board/
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Book sanitizers exist! https://twitter.com/VRobins1/status/1067318235148644352
It's kind of an extra large version of a UV sanitizer. I don't believe most viruses will stay on books for more than a 7-9 days under high temp? If the cruise is in a hot & sunny place they could simply lay them out near a window but the "ship librarian" (a small paid crew gig to re-shelve books) probably doesn't have access to that.
I also love reading and enjoyed finding new-to-me things in the library. I've taken to using Overdrive to borrow ebooks from my library while on cruise ships & have wifi package. Still have plenty of selection which I wouldn't have purchased on my own and a tablet kindle isn't too expensive. I know some of the new eink kindles are water resistant so you can even take them into a hot tub AND they are so much lighter than a hardback. Much better for my wrists.
Most of the Solstice class ship libraries had a section for book donations. Perhaps you can visit the used book store or thrift store to bring some to leave behind?
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3 hours ago, hammo said:
Agree with Muffinz .... we have several private shore excursions planned for the same cruise and some require prepayment and or C C details . Bit of a dilema as to whether to go with these now. Obviously not a concern for Celebrity I know .
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Luckily we just love being on the ship .
Also with Muffinz and on the same cruise. I judge cruise lines rather seriously on their change management skills which includes good near term planning. There should be a plan B, C, and D. Ship berths don't just magically appear and it must take time for ports to be re-arranged, routes re-calculated, and weather checked. I joke about them needing additional alcohol provisions for a cruise to nowhere but truth is that most food & drink supply orders are submitted at least two weeks before the sailing by the Food & Beverage department.
Things like this family with an infant being denied boarding due to 3 consecutive sea days can happen https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2733819-shame-royal-caribbean-ovation-of-the-seas and then the weather also impacted the sailing (which the family was not on)
Same policy on Celebrity, search for
Is there a minimum age requirement for an infant to sail on Celebrity Cruises?
Add to that US State department basically issued a "reconsider about cruising within in Asia Pacific" advisory. RCCL acknowledges the new travel advisory but doesn't specifically list altered itineraries through mid-March https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates
I also like sea days but ahem, not so much that I'd wish for a Diamond Princess style extension. The pricing for a transatlantic is also substantially lower than the South Pacific for us. I hope Celebrity's already shipped a lot of thermometers and ordered a huge amount of industrial cleaners. There was a 'bout of flu on this itinerary same time last year which unfortunately spread onboard and that would definitely be met with suspicion at all ports.
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4 hours ago, lucymorgan said:
I returned recently from a cruise to NZ from Sydney with a flu and then later an associated bacterial infection. My doc explained that despite having had the flu injection last April (next should be available in Australia this April), the flu changes and someone from the Northern Hemisphere on the ship probably gave me a Northern Hemisphere version not covered by the last Australian flu injection. My lesson from that is although not foolproof, I should get the flu injection more than once per year to keep cruising (special order needed if out of normal flu season). https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Influenza/Pages/travellers.aspx
(edit: and I am meticulous about cleaning and avoiding possibly infected surfaces/places)
We don't have any further cruises booked yet - will wait to see how this all goes
The how and why of what goes into each seasonal flu vaccine is interesting https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-selection.htm https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2019-2020.htm
You can also see the flu shot effectiveness for US by flu season
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/effectiveness-studies.htm
Yes, far from foolproof.
https://www.statnews.com/2019/10/14/updated-guide-changing-science-flu-shots/
I'm sorry to hear the NZ/AU flu season may have already started and that you caught it. I thought April 2019 was early but it is only Feb! Perhaps a Northern Hemisphere traveler imported it.
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1 hour ago, dopey1200 said:
Does anybody have a favorite brand? I need at least 50 SPF and I'm open to try either spray-on or lotion. Thanks!
I've tested a lot of mineral sunscreens. I like Thinksport Kids for the body https://gothinksport.com/collections/kids-sun-care The consistency isn't overly greasy, spreads well, non-nano particle zinc oxide, and comes in 3oz squeeze tube which makes it easy to take as a carry-on. It's also easy to pack a rash guard with UPF 50+ to reduce sun exposure. Amazon carries both the SPF and various rash guards for different body types.
I like a separate SPF for the face. The mineral ones sold for the body can run in sweat and if you put it above your eyes, sweat, then prepare stinging eyes.
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On 2/5/2020 at 7:42 AM, morfred said:
I missed that. I need coffee. Thanks
To that effect, I'll be bringing some extra tea bags (individually packaged since we're going to NZ with serious food inspections) because I do not do well without a calming cuppa. I'd even take a cold cup of tea, shaken hard in a water bottle, if there for 14 unplanned days.
10 hours ago, jb008 said:Travel insurance is is a great safety blanket. In a pinch you can get a new RX and either get it filled locally/regionally or can get something filled and airmailed to you anywhere in the world.
Do check when you purchased the policy as most policies purchased after some point in late Jan do not cover any medical concerns surrounding coronavirus, even as a quarantined non-carrier. Some don't cover you unless you test positive https://thepointsguy.com/guide/epidemic-not-covered-travel-insurance/
Look at your itinerary and do not assume medications can be filled and/or shipped quickly. Many cruise itineraries visit small and remote areas whose residents routinely must leave that area for urgent and specialized medical care.
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9 hours ago, Pushka said:
We have been in a few Princess cruises and there is just something about them I don’t like. Maybe it was the ships we went on as we haven’t been on one of the newer ones.
I went on the Island Princess through Alaska last summer. I sailed on Celebrity Infinity in 2016. Both are smaller ships and refurbished. Both sailings in OV cabins added on after refurbishment. I was a bit surprised that the point which stuck out for me on Princess was the very standard classic American dining menu. We have a lot of different cuisines available in my area including plenty of ethnic grocery stores and while I wasn't expecting a huge variety in Alaska, I probably encountered more food variety on land than on the ship. Celebrity offers some more modern fare like a kale salad, as is my preference. This could be a great thing for others whose tastes run the other way, though.
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I'm one of "those people" who takes photos of their cruise meals. I don't post them but use them to look back as the cruise goes along to make sure I'm eating healthy. My memory isn't the worst nor the best but hey, with so much food onboard, it can be a little hard to remember how much red meat and carbs I ate in the last 5 days. A quick skim of photos reminds me ;D It also helps remind me of the "meh" items. Why eat lackluster desserts and carbs? They aren't even worth the time in the gym to burn them off.
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Cancelled Cruises Refund Tracker/Discussion (merged topics)
in Celebrity Cruises
Posted · Edited by travelpeon
Refund received on US credit card.
59 calendar days elapsed between requesting refund and receiving funds.