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On 2/21/2024 at 11:54 PM, Chicanocruiser said:

I'm disappointed that no one is receiving approximately seven days notice but I can definitely work with around 24 hours notice.

 

The T&C does say the list will be reviewed within 7 days of departure. 

In practice the list will be reviewed if cabins are available. If the ship is sold out then someone cancels two days out that would be when you would be informed that a cabin is available. I have seen at least one person in Florida that said the received notice yesterday for a 3 March sailing

3 minutes ago, cruisedoctor said:

Just received the following from Oceania.  At least these folks are getting a 16 month notice, as opposed to a 2 week one.

 

Dear Travel Partner,

We have an important update regarding the first six sailings of Allura’s inaugural season scheduled for the summer of 2025. We have been informed by the shipyard (Italy's Fincantieri shipyard) that Allura’s delivery will be delayed. As a result, we will need to cancel her scheduled sailings in June and July of next year.  We are as disappointed as you are yet will eagerly await her July arrival. 

The shipyard can adjust their project during construction and anticipate delays. Although the reason Princess gave short notice is not known it looks like it was during sea trials and something unpredictable needed to be adjusted. You are not comparing apples to apples. 

25 minutes ago, UKWildcatCruiser said:

I am not "upset" and am not surprised that there are issues - I could have booked the inaugural but chose not to.  If I were a paying customer I never would have booked a new ship, but it was a great offer so I did. I find it hard to believe why you can't understand why I would like SOME info from Princess about what to expect on board.  For instance, I was on a first sailing on NCL after the Covid shutdown.  I received a few pre-cruise emails from them outlining protocols, and explaining about venue capacity, what wasn't going to be available, etc. It tempered expectations and also put me at ease about sailing.  I can cruise for free on just about any cruise line so I don't have put up with inept communication from one line. Regardless, I going to Rome on 2/16.  If the ship sails I'll be on it and if not I'm going to have two glorious weeks traveling Italy. Whether or not I continue my relationship with Princess remains to be seen. 

Princess have communicated that the first sailing is cancelled and the 18 February is expected to sail as normal. What other communication do you expect? 

11 minutes ago, ian441672 said:

I am so sorry for all those 100's of passengers so bitterly disappointed; I can imagine how frustrated, angry, upset you all may be. I would be too.

 

We are booked on the inaugural Star Princess next July, so you can imagine I will be on tenterhooks for the next 18 months! They surely couldn't cancel two inaugurals in a row, could they.....?

The Sun is the first in class with new technologies. I doubt there would be a delay to the inaugural of the second in class but I have no doubt the project management team are frantically working on possible revisions to the flowcharts! 

On 1/26/2024 at 6:07 PM, Cdude said:

That’s great and I hope you’re properly informed but right now Princess isn’t exactly reputable and from the passenger’s perspective it doesn’t matter if YOUR builder didn’t deliver. How about you make sure there is a proper buffer before you sail before people spend hard earned money, take time off of work and commit emotional spend? Same goes for airlines. They barely have the last passenger off and they are reboarding. Not clean and not safe! It’s all about company profits and 0% about customers which is why Princess deserves a heaping pile of dong salad right now. Why did all those other inaugural sailings that were canceled give guests so much notice? Better management and a long term perspective regarding their reputation! Don’t make excuses. Own it!

Ranting at an enrichment speaker is pointless. They have nothing to do with Princess but are (unpaid) contractors. Leave the guy alone and appreciate the information he is able to add. In the meantime rant all you like about delays in sea trials which unfortunately happen and obviously this is a last minute glitch which sadly has meant the cancellation of the first sailing.  Princess appear to be dealing with to the best of their ability. Do you have a better solution? Sorry if you were on the inaugural and I hope you manage to enjoy a cruise in the near future. 

4 hours ago, twangster said:

The point is I wouldn't visit any country that required a $3,000 deposit to enter.  That's terrible marketing by the way.

 

"Things are so bad here you are probably going to die so we'll go ahead and charge a large sum upfront so we don't get stuck with your body".

 

Heck if Canada required a $3,000 deposit for non-residents I wouldn't go.  Same with France, Germany, UK, etc.

 

If you don't want tourists to visit just ban them.  

Cambodia is closed to foreign tourists. The entry process is for workers and foreign residents. They are not trying to market, their border is still closed to the majority of visitors. You won't be going to Canada either since only Canadian residents and family can enter at the moment. 

The deposit is for foreigners only. Khmer still need to do test and quarantine at hotel while waiting results, government covers the cost for them. 

4 hours ago, terry&mike said:

Yes, DH and I are visiting Thailand and Cambodia independently next March, before we board the Grand Princess in Singapore. (Well, you know, we hope we are visiting them....) And we've been reading on this.  Currently, we'll pay a $3,000 per person deposit to enter Cambodia, and that will cover the required COVID-19 test at the airport, and if needed, quarantine, medical care, etc. They've made it so that if one person tests positive on the plane, then we have to enter 14 days quarantine. We are keeping a watch on this, as we'll drop Cambodia from our trip rather than navigate this.  

With the current restrictions you will not be able to visit because tourist visas are not available for Thailand or Cambodia.  Undoubtedly everything will change later when their borders open for tourists. 

What is relevant at this time is that the Cambodian borders are  currently closed to tourists and the protocols to open the borders to tourists have not been published.  Cruises are being sold on the assumption that, by the time of sailing, cruise ships will be allowed to visit. 

It is not relevant to any tourism at this time since Cambodia is not issuing tourist visas. (and because there are no cruises for months) 

The $3000 deposit exists at the moment although Cambodia is not issuing any tourist visas. It is aimed at allowing workers to return to the country and is paid direct into one of two banks. The balance of the deposit is returned at the end of the 14 day quarantine period minus the test fee and 2 days accommodation (about $300).  Perhaps the UK could adopt this since it now requires a 14 day quarantine and travel insurance may not cover Covid-19.

The country has an amazing culture and Siem Reap is well worth a visit as it is steeped in history.  You could also spend weeks exploring other parts of this developing nation to broaden the mind and understand more about South East Asia. 

42 minutes ago, kangforpres said:

HAL Brand's reputation has really hit the skids, and not all of it has to do with the parent CCL. It seems like HAL knew things where going to go bad on this cruise but decided to sail none the less.

 

-Paul

You think they knew that the ports would suddenly close? Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the crystal ball does not work that well in comparison. 

17 hours ago, frankh1969 said:

What does it mean when all the cabins are sold out today and three days ago all cabins were avalible? Do you think it is really sold out, going to be canceled or at 505 full now. ever happen to anyone else?

It means you should talk with a travel agency which still have Guarantee cabins available to book.  Of course there is no certainty it will be sailing! 

I think you need to change the title to something positive since you now have money back. 

There has been no announcement about the banning cruises. In fact yesterday the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority put out a statement "Staff continue to work with Transport Canada and Health Canada on the return of cruising when it is safe for everyone, including residents. The nationwide suspension of cruises in Canadian waters are the jurisdiction of Transport Canada. The suspension is currently in place until July 1, 2020."  Certainly, sadly, no Carnival Corporation lines will be visiting Alaska or Canada this year. 

We did 32 nights in early 2012 part of the World Cruise on QM2- it was one of those can't miss deals balcony for under $5000 each Hong Kong to Cape Town.

Cunard is very formal-no shirt sleeves in the dining room men wear a jacket every night. Food no better than X , a little better than Princess. Cabins as it is a ocean liner unless you are in a very good cabin (grill class) you have an opening cut in the metal hull of the ship for your balcony.

Would I do it again only if the deal was very good.

On the Queen Mary there are hull balconies but there are many more ordinary balconies too, you do not need to upgrade to a Grill to take advantage of a normal balcony. On the QV and QE I believe there are no hull balconies. Cunard fairly recently relaxed their dress code so that it is not so formal. Passengers do dress for dinner and since Cunard does their themed Balls so well many will still be in Tuxedos on quite a few nights. It is a different atmosphere, not stuffy but remaining in that elegant era of cruising.

The big spanner in the works will be what bones my TA is willing to throw back from their increased commissions. Will probably have to be all OBC that hopefully will be refundable as we will have no need for it.

For the minimal extra amount your TA will make he/she will probably be able to buy you a Snickers bar. This will make it easier for your agent to focus on giving great person service rather than being distracted by having to understand all the fine print of yet another promotion

I checked with Celebrity and the upgrade price for those who already have the package is, and will remain, at $10.

If you purchase a classic package in the future it will be $55 and the upgrade will be $10.

the other reason for returning to your cabins is so that the public spaces all then empty and can be searched thoroughly by the crew, it is not just to make it easier to do a headcount.

See my review of the Royal. The Chef's table experience on the Royal/Regal is very different than what you are used to in presentation. I'd still do it, but be prepared for some differences (no tableside preparation for example)

Which is precisely why I do these things to experience something new on occasions. :)

The Chefs Table is a great experience. The menu varies among ships and it is a convivial evening with a group of new people. I would recommend it and will hopefully do it again in 2 weeks on the Regal along with the Winemakers evening on a different night.

Please Please take this seriously. I had Dengue last year when I cam home from Mexico. It is NOTHING to take lightly. 103 degree fever, pancreatitis, and every other issue that when you google Dengue fever I had. ended up in the emergency room getting all kinds of drugs and fluids. There are 4 levels and I had the worst which over 1 million people around the world die from.. I now use all kinds of repellent, wear light weight long sleeve and pants when I go out in the evenings and early morning when Mosquitos are prevalent.

 

Please don't get what I had, I would t wish it on my worst enemy. If you do start to get any symptoms, go to your doctor immediately, because it will hit you so quickly you won't even know it is coming on...

I got Dengue fever after visiting Samana, Dominican Republic. I would second your thoughts that it is something you do not want to get! It has taken me 18 months, including a crazy amount of hospital time and drugs, to recover from it.

Talk to your travel agent. I have no doubt she/he will be more than willing to help you.

You could look at your edocs pdf online on page 8 and it will confirm the package you have.

Thank you for the informative review! I think you will find you cannot squeeze 4 in a taxi in Seattle, the maximum capacity for a passenger vehicle taxi is 3, after that you must be in a van.