drlucy12

Hello everyone,

I have a cruise scheduled on the Dawn in June 22 to the Baltics.  It is a port intensive cruise.  Right now, we are in a balcony cabin.  This will be my second Norwegian cruise.  In the past, I have sailed with Celebrity but I do not like their new pricing strategy.

I know the Dawn does not have the Haven.  Is a suite worth the extra cost on the Dawn without the Haven amenities?

Thanks

3 hours ago, penlanspice said:

 

Think the US site is still showing our sept cruise too. I've just spoken to ncl and they confirmd there won't be any cruises until May on the current itinarys and nothing to tahiti next year.

Oh no.... I am scheduled on a Hawaii/Tahiti cruise in April 2021.  Has Tahiti banned cruise ships next year? 

2 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

I'd like to know who the 'officials' are...

Good point....Also I bet there will be a huge debate between the tourism sector, and politicians on when and how to resume tourism.   Are they really going to let the airlines bring in thousands of tourists before letting the POA sail again??

I would think it is the state of Hawaii.  Hawaii has done well controlling the infection rate from the virus and I am sure they are hesitant to welcome thousands and thousands of tourists again.  However, I am sure the economic effects are being felt too in the tourism industry.  

Hello,

I travel with my parents a lot and both are in good health.  We travel in the US and internationally multiple times a year (well we did before corona) - cruise and land based.

We are looking at an annual travel insurance policy.  In the past, we have paid for the policy through the cruise line and have never had to file a claim, thank goodness.

I have compared Allianz, Travel Guard and a few other companies.  Does anyone have any experience with the annual plans, good or bad?

Thanks! 
 

What if people refuse to take the vaccine? Are cruise lines and airlines going to refuse to let them board planes/ships?  You will always have a segment of the population that will refuse any vaccine, no matter what the current data shows.  However, viruses mutate.  The flu vaccine is not 100% effective every year because of mutations.  

World governments, the tourism industry, and many people on this board are placing ALL hope in a vaccine and I hope it comes to fruition but I highly doubt it.  The coronavirus is never going away.  It will become endemic in the world population just like other viruses.  There needs to be a combination of a vaccine and effective treatment.  However as post #48 succinctly put it, we can speculate about vaccines and the cruise industry but we do not know right now.  

21 hours ago, gypsymama5996 said:

 

Same with us! We booked a Panama Canal in April 2022 Nieuw Amsterdam and I turn 60 on the actual day we will be transiting.  Such a bright spot on the horizon!

I was looking at a March 2022 Panama Canal on the Volendam.  I was very hesitant to book a cruise on HAL especially with the news of the CEO resigning.  However, I may book because the deposit is low, refundable and I love the itinerary!

2 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Yet, we need to be prepared for any 'unforeseen' incidents as well.

 

As such, any one who cannot deal with a potential 'less than perfect' situation may want to reconsider pleasure cruising for some time...

 

bon voyage

I agree.  It will take the travel industry several years to recover and then we will have to adjust to the "new normal".  

3 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Actually, I do not have any staffing 'thoughts' as it is up to X to figure that out and for me to decide rather or not it is acceptable.

 

As all ships will not be sailing at the same time, I Am sure there will be enough crew to appropriately staff the ship.

 

I Am sure that there will some who will bemoan, with the reduced staffing and passengers, that something is not right with the world of cruising and you know what, they would be correct for sure to some degree or another.

 

I say let us see what X brings to the table and evaluate it from there... it is the least stressful way of dealing with it IMO, but if others want to continue down that road of speculation, that is fine too...

 

Hopefully my Edge and Silly sailings will be a go when they start up again!

 

bon voyage

I have a cruise on Norwegian in December (shhh not Celebrity HaHa) and two cruises with Celebrity next year.   I agree.....we need to have faith in the cruise lines to do the right thing even though it is hard at times!

6 minutes ago, Want2Cruise 701 said:

If a ship sails with 1/3 of it's passengers, but bookings exceed that, I wonder how it will get decided who will gets to sail or not.  

Good point - Will they eliminate inside? However I do not think there will be a huge demand in the first few months.  Hopefully cruise lines can sail a few months without an incident and it will improve their public image. 

It does make you wonder how the crew feels about coming back to the various cruise ships.  Of course, we can read the all the news reports but who knows? Will they have a hard time recruiting new crew, will the senior crew come back?????

I know this has been discussed in other threads but we are all having the same thoughts right now.  

I agree with the post #2.  They will have to sail with decreased capacity, like a "trial" run.  

1 minute ago, CruiserBruce said:

No, no real difference.

Thanks so much!

I was studying the deck plans on the Volendam.  Are there any major differences between the Neptune suite SA and SB besides the proximity to the Neptune lounge? I was looking at other posts on CC and that was pointed out as the main difference.  A few extra steps is a good thing on a cruise with all the great food!!

47 minutes ago, Roz said:

I only found a 16 and an 18 day PC itinerary on the Volendam in that time frame.  By Bahamas, are you referring to Half Moon Cay, HAL's private island?  HMC is nice, but I'm not sure it would be the determining factor for you in choosing a PC cruise.  One itinerary includes HMC, and the other stops in Aruba.  I can take Aruba or leave it.  Some people go all gaga over it.  I've never seen the appeal.

 

Do you want to go eastbound or westbound?  I see you're in AL.  When I did a full transit this past January, I started in San Diego for 2 reasons - 1st, I love SD and would rather spend time pre-cruise there than in Miami; and 2nd, I got the long flight out of the way at the beginning, and then flew home to TN from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale at the end.

Hi,

We were looking at an eastbound cruise since we live in Alabama.  Easier flight home! 😄

HMC was not a big factor for us but the extra port day in Panama was a big plus.   There are not many cruise lines that offer a day in Panama plus cruising the canal.  

Hi,

We are looking at the 18 day cruise in March 2022 on the Volendam.  From my browsing so far, I think we would prefer a full transit cruise versus a partial transit.  
 

This cruise is offered on the Volendam and has several ports that we have not been to on previous cruises.  We have been to several cruises in the Caribbean but the Pacific coast will be new for us so this is an exciting itinerary.

Questions:

1.  Is the Neptune suite worth it?

2.  What is your impression of the Volendam? I have read a few reviews that stated it need to be refurbished.

3.  14 day versus 18 day itinerary- are the extra days in Bahamas and Panama worth it? 

Thanks!

Apologize in advance for any typos- I am doing this post on my iPhone!

Hello everyone,

I have a genuine travel related question and it is not related to COVID 19.

My family and I are looking at a Panama Canal cruise in early 2022, March or April.  We usually sail Celebrity or Norwegian.  We have sailed with Holland one time, many years ago to Alaska and really liked them.  
 

I compared the itineraries for Celebrity versus Holland and Holland has a great trip for a Canal cruise.

I tried to do a general search on this board and couldn’t find a lot of information.

Any advice? 
 

Thanks!!

On 5/5/2020 at 10:26 PM, az_tchr said:

Dire predictions for months?  Until about 2 months ago there were few cases of COVID anyplace in the US.  Think you are forgetting how fast this went downhill both on land and the last group of cruise ships that left mid March were a disaster that will take a lot of discussion to reverse.

In my town in Arizona almost no cases ever.  Move into town where multigenerational housing is common and cases are still ramping up.

My question is would you cruise with COVID still active?  Lots will say yes, but a significant number won't cruise until this discover.  Lots of other ways to take a holiday.

We took advantage of Celebrity's new CWC policy and moved our August European cruise to next year.  We live in Alabama so it is very easy to take a trip to the beach or the Smoky Mountains.  My father has heart issues so we did not want to be on a cruise ship this year.  Lots of options for US travel this year! 

2 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

 

My standard description when asked about X:

 

Never had a bad X cruise, but each one now seems a little less special than the one before.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the case for all the main stream cruise lines.  We have sailed Holland, Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.  Of those lines, Celebrity was by far the best.  However, as you stated, Celebrity has changed over the years.  We usually stay in a suite but it is $$$$.   We can sail Viking for almost the same price. 

18 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

I can understand some initial confusion while the reps try to get a handle on things, but in my estimation, most of the confusion is caused by Celebrity's management's failure to provide clear direction. It's unacceptable, for both the employees and the customers, to have the T&C say one thing and the Q&A add terms that aren't included in the T&C. Celebrity really does need to get its act together.  

Agreed.  I think they are trying to avoid cancellations for as long as possible and the 125% FCC.  They need to give a  better understanding of what direction they are going.....There is no way European sailings are happening this year for example.  

Thanks for the information everyone.  We have been loyal to Celebrity for a long time and still really like them.  However, the coronavirus may change things for ALL the cruise lines, unfortunately.  We are going to wait and book in 2021 or 2022.  My parents and I usually travel together and split the cost so that is the biggest issue I see with Viking - two people per cabin.  

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

Same for us!  In fact, we won't get on a ship until we've read some reviews from those who test the return to waters first.  Live reviews will be at a premium demand when cruising resumes.

I agree. Too many unknowns right now.....

I feel so bad for the crew.  Can you imagine working in that hot galley with a mask?

2 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I just read on the RCL board that TA's were informed that crew would be required to wear masks.  The thread speculates that passengers will be required to do the same.

RC and Celebrity definitely need to improve their communication to passengers about their short and long term plans.  If I am required to wear a mask for a cruise, count me out!!

1 minute ago, Miaminice said:

It’s the typical mix of information...

The fine print is kind of confusing and some links still lead to the old policy.

This is the press release: https://presscenter.rclcorporate.com/press-release/97/royal-caribbean-group-extendsnbspcruise-with-confidencenbsppolicyrnthrough-april-2022/

Quote: To provide peace of mind in vacation planning, Royal Caribbean Group is extending its “Cruise with Confidence” cancellation policy to sailings through April 2022.

 

 

Thanks so much for the information.  I will have to go back and read it again.  Very confusing 

6 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

we have one in September. I am in no rush... especially now that the CWC program is extended. If they cancel, fine. If not and the cruise should actually sail (which we highly doubt), we will cancel with the program.

We now have all the options. So we can easily be patient.

I thought the CWC only included cruises until August 1 - both new and existing cruises.  Did I read the fine print correctly? 
 

17 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

Do you actually think there will be cruises before that? 😉

Now that they just started taking staff to their home countries on numerous ships...

 

Nope.....I would just like something official.  I have a cruise at the end of August that is paid in full (unfortunately) so I am waiting on Celebrity to cancel it.