tilournextadventure

Cranky 64 - we also requested for a refund December 10 for our April 2021 sailing. This was a rebooked sailing and we no longer need the TA as a means for transporting our dog, therefore asked for the refund. I did notice today that I can no longer access our booking when logging onto Cunard. I am taking this as positive news the cancellation refund will be issued shortly. Our kennel refund took 3.5 months when Cunard initially cancelled back in March 2020 for our April 2020 (we didn't ask for the refund as we had booked kennel space for April 2021 - they apparently were refunding any "extras" purchased).

Hopefully good news will follow for you as well. 

22 minutes ago, IB2 said:

 

Cunard are usually pretty good at telling you when a kennel space becomes free.  Provided you are on top of your emails you shouldn't need to keep phoning them, or go touting around on other forums.  The peak time for cancellations is around ninety day before embarkation, although cancellations can come through right through to sailing day.

Thank you, IB2, that is helpful to know about peak cancellations around 90 days before embarkation. 

4 minutes ago, HUNKY said:

I have a mixed breed (beagle/boxer/who knows) dog, 38 pounds.  Why can't your dog fly?  Just curious.

 

Boxers and any mix of boxer are banned on American Airlines and Delta, due to their snub-nose (or hereditary features). This is posted on their website. Also at this time, neither are accepting of any cargo/checked pets. 

3 minutes ago, BlueRiband said:

The chances that somebody will see your post here, have booked two kennels, and need to cancel are about as likely as hitting a major lottery jackpot.  There is a wait list and you are trying to jump the queue. 

 

We had a similar post last year from a person in the same situation.  She kept calling Cunard and finally got her kennels. 

Thanks for your comments. I'm not trying to jump the wait-list. I figured it would be easier on Cunard at this time, rather than calling in every week to check, to be informed if someone canceled. Also, if there is a wait list, Cunard will not book me before others, so again, no intentions of going in front of anyone else. 

Hi, we were on the voyage leaving Southampton on April 18 to NYC with our large dog. Since the trip was cancelled we have rescheduled for next April 2021 (the earliest booking available). Our dog cannot fly due to breed type (boxer mix) and thus we are "stuck" in Europe for an additional year. Once the QM2 commences sailing again, if anyone that has a large kennel (2) booked on a voyage this year and cancels, could you let us know. We are willing to take any trip from Southampton to NYC as long as it is before April 2021. 

Many thanks!

Two crew are currently being tested for COVID-19 on QM2, per the article linked below. I hope all crew and passengers are feeling well and this is just a precaution. 

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/covid-19-tests-carried-out-on-crewmen-onboard-queen-mary-2-45737493

8 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

I think you may be misinterpreting these terms. They represent a relaxation of the 120 day final payment date and the usual US cancellation fee schedule where penalties would normally start to apply at the 120 day mark, for sailings through September 30. Anyone on a US booking scheduled to sail by July 31 can still take advantage of the flexible cancellation terms offering FCC on sailings through July 31. That's how I interpret it anyway.

Ah, okay, that's good to hear. Thanks, bluemarble. 

7 hours ago, beaveh said:

 

My cruise with Cumard is on 31st May, so my balance was paid just before the corona thing was kicking off. 

 

Since then I have had nothing but uncertainly.  The terms for cancellation to start with were quite good 40% cash and 60% FCC. Cancel up to 48 hrs before and get 125% fcc.

 

So I didn't jump to do anything. Now the offer has been reduced to 110% fcc with no cash refund if I cancel.

 

The situation is regularly changing and after all this is over (?) I expect there will be more restrictions on what health conditions insurance will cover, making cruising much harder for the older or those with pre-existing health conditions.

 

If I was you... And you can afford it.. I would forgo the deposit, cancel and not pay the balance. Then you can see what shape the re-emerged cruise industry is in before rebooking.

 

I’m going to stick it out.. Expect canard to cancel at the last minute and by then I bet it will be a refund by way of a FCC, meaning I'm tired to Cunard and the itineraries they offer. 

Cunard has yet again revised the US cancellation schedule, which is the strictest yet:

Cancellation Fee schedule will be as follows

• 31 to 59 Days to Sail: 50% of net fare
• 15 to 30 Days to Sail: 75% of net fare 
• 0 to 14 Days to Sail: 100% of net fare 

There is now no FCC offered when canceling less than 60 days. 

37 minutes ago, hypercafe said:

This may sound nuts but the cargo ships are not effect by this and some carry passengers.

Yes, they carry passengers but the companies we have looked at do not carry animals as they are not able to clear border control with pets. We certainly appreciate the alternative measures. And if we missed a company that does allow pets, happy to have that contact information. 

4 hours ago, Vogatrice said:

So for every transatlantic that is cancelled, 20 or so of us have a unique problem. The kennels are fully booked up for the next 18 months. That's 20 of us on each trip who may not be able to rebook within the offered window to use FCC because we can't get a kennel, and most of us are using it as transportation for pets who can't fly, not (only) as a cruise. I'd like to encourage Cunard to temporarily add extra kennels up on deck 12 with the others to clear the backlog, once they resume sailing. Otherwise, my first opportunity to get my dog to Europe is now August 2021 and fading further out every day. I know there is no point trying to get their attention now, but does anyone have any bright ideas how to start this discussion with them later?

This is my concern as well. My husband and dog are booked for April 18 TA and if he doesn't make it due to cancellations, we are unsure what we will do as the dog cannot fly (part boxer so he is a banned breed). 

6 hours ago, Canuker said:

Interesting. The kennels are usually reserved for animals.
Still, good room service, eh?

Well, if you knew my husband, you would understand why we have to stay in the kennels. It's a tad noisy some days but ordering "off-menu" is a lovely perk. 

6 minutes ago, VK3DQ said:

 

just about the only ship with kennels on board ,,keeping up a long tradition much nicer that shoving the dog in a cage on an aircraft

 

Hope hubby and pooch make it ok

 

Regards

John 

Thanks John. We certainly hope it does work out. Yes, very thankful Cunard allows pets aboard. We have used their kennels previously and were very happy with them. 

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

We are on April 25th eastbound TA. It is highly likely now that this cruise will not go ahead although . I have not cancelled yet for 40/60 refund I shall wait and see. It is unlikely the westbound TA April 18th will sail so the eastbound is defacto cancelled at that point.

My husband and dog are on the 18th of April TA. I sure hope Cunard continues this cruise.  

Hi, if your final destination is NY, you will want to review the importation requirements for NY, which does require rabies vaccination for animals over 3 months. A certificate of veterinary inspection is also required and issued within 30 days of entry. Pet passports are not accepted in NY. 

I will note the CDC and the USDA does not require rabies vaccination to enter the country, as you are coming from the UK, which is considered rabies free, so this makes it confusing. If NY is not your final destination, than you will want to review the state's importation requirements to verify what documents are required. 

Website: agriculture.ny.gov/AI/import_export/Companion_Animals.pdf