Hawaiidan

9 hours ago, sunlover12 said:

I use United Airlines website. Enter your destination, vaccination status and it will bring up everything you need to know and they keep it up-to-date.  It will also bring up a color-coded map of the world. Almost all of Europe is green (no restrictions).   Here is the link:

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/restrictions-map.html

Thanks my friend,    I used that  this past week in going to europe..      My quandary  is that is for " air travel arrival and departure.     My question ( worry), is there a special restriction for cruise passengers.

my plan B is  if I am denied boarding due to covid testing, will O refund my cruise fare ?     If so then I will  have a 14 day tour of europe on my own by land  ( I just  did 2 weeks fine in Europe).      

I give up.....      where do I find out which places, after August 1 ( I think thats correct for the end of testing)  are going to require a person to test/?????

I can not find any list .......Help me

2 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

Not sure whose act you're referring to or why you're saying O is holding on to a stunt.  After August 1, O no longer requires pre-boarding tests except for those instances where countries require it for boarding cruise ships.   O doesn't want to do it any more than you.

So where do I find out what countries require it?    ( so I can avoid going there)....    Who in europe?    Because I was just there and  no one cares. about that stuff

they need to get their act together.....     Need to test before boarding  needs to be   ; cancel if testing required.      Just spent 2 weeekd in france.Germany, Switzerland....   No one tests   only visiting American  wear mask....  No one tests   or want to see any doc of vac.....    If O holds on to this useless  silly stunt which will prevent nothing and  appears a liability cover their butt  why would you spend thousands to be in their play house    of anguish ??    enough is enough. ..OK  

On 6/30/2022 at 5:20 PM, AMHuntFerry said:

I hate picky people but I'm going to be one out of local pride. For the longest time I thought Snake River FARMS, SRF (not RANCH despite cattle...that's in Wyoming near the Tetons) was just another local beef source at the farmers' market and the co-op...didn't realize they were world class. Lucky me 😁

you are........its the source of choice for many of the top chefs in america....Michelin **  and *** people who make it their quest to obtain the very finest product of any type to present  to their patrons.    I just returned from France and Switzerland and did a tour de- food...     I was suprised that the much touted Scottish  and French  beef is vastly lower in quality.... (   There they do excell in Chicken , Duck and Veal.)     Of note  the french flours and butters are the world class.    I discovered in the Savoyard  area Chamonix...... that the french turn out an exceptional sourdough wheat bread ...... screw the crossants mon amis.! 

23 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

If you have the opportunity see the Normandy landing beaches and have not, it is an unforgettable experience.  Could not more highly recommend doing this as well.  Truly amazing and emotion filled, and if you can spend time at the American cemetery, add that to your time.  I hired a private driver for the day when I did this and he was a walking history encyclopedia.  

Normandy  requires a small group  of 6 or less and a custom tour......you owe it to yourself...... and THEM.

On 6/23/2022 at 6:35 PM, FolsomMike said:

Just booked the cruise with a $1200. Discount p.p. off the OLife rate and booked $1500. worth of ‘free’ shore excursions. Good deal. 

Ok I am confused...  you said you booked direct with O.in another post.    Are you saying the O sales guy offered you a $1200 pp discount off the  regular fare?    And.... in adddition you got $1500 more in free shore ex.      ALL from and O agent???      That amigo is a first I have ever heard     O giving huge discounts off its fares, far above what agents can  do        thats $3900 discount  !!!!

11 hours ago, mauibabes said:

It was in May on Marina but if I am wrong others who may be on board now will let us know. 
I am sure you can find a Polo Menu on the board to get a complete rundown. Great whole Lobster , Lobser Newburg and surf and turf and rib eyes.  You will need many dinners in Polo to work through the menu. 
Enjoy, Mauibabes

Wow...... thats a pretty spendy chunk of beef...  like $90    from Snake River Ranch    ( the premier meat source....used by Thomas Keller/ Per Se and French Laundry, and old Wolfgang       Classy        

15 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Or it could be that the pandemic had something to do with the cancellation 🤔

Well might be  but California  is  not business friendly lately...  at least LA and SF  have a ton of problems to deal with.    San Diego is the only sane one.

7 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Any idea when we will get a decision ?

Well the current "edict" was issued for  May-Jube-July"      So I would guess August   or end of ,or,mid july...  My cruise final cancel is July 22.    I would like to see it before then

I just spoke with my Swiss and French friends and they said    no restrictions or papers or tests for Switzerland.    France has the  vax rule   BUT  I was told  no one checks and no one cares in France..        People are just getting burnt out...its been 3 years for God sakes.

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

Not sure what do you mean.. the views are the same from most cabins, the cabin size on the Marina and Riviera is exactly the same as the balcony cabins, and the location is the best on the ship (deck 7 mid ship). Those are our favorite cabins since we rarely use the balcony (we don't come to a cruise to sit on a balcony).

your looking out over a sea of orange... reflecting back in your face with the ocean in the distance.... thats the view 

However, if you like them  I can not argue with that.... enough said.    

On 6/21/2022 at 12:58 PM, Robjame said:

Probably won’t be a wholesale change like flying.

 

‘’could it be if you are vaccinated and up to date with your boosters then you will not need to be tested pre-cruise. Just a guess.

one would hope in a sane world....  however power is like potato chips, once you start it is hard to stop !

23 minutes ago, FolsomMike said:

I called O and they transferred my deposit to the new cruise no questions asked. I’m very impressed with their customer service. 

Mike....you realize that by booking direct how much your loosing ?      Benefit's, OBC's   discounts, cash rebates that agents can giv eyou ???       Id think long and hard  about booking direct... as you loose way more than you will ever dream.

the net effect  I see from all these " restrictions , tests, certificates  etc. is that many Euro cruises are seeing high cancel rates for them     The cruise I am on for 11 months was 100% wait list... within the past month  everything from B4 to PH is now open.......... 

   On factor is , even if O tests  passengers getting off., is the excessive costs  involved in getting the tests to get on the ship.!!!. 

 Not the  test so much which  can cost $100 or more pp   but the  time , hotel meals taxi etc cost, added air fare for people who  need to meet the 72 hour rule  imposed but owing to where they fly from or days which have to be added several days of costs, just  getting the required tests and  waiting for a report... which can take days..    Big hassle... not what you take a vacation to do.  Takes the fun and enjoyment away

On 6/23/2022 at 2:00 PM, Montreal Marc said:

My wife and I are considering booking our first Oceania cruise on Marina (I have cruised extensively, and my wife just a couple of times).

 

Any suggestions please as to the best Oceanview cabin to book on Marina?

Many thanks,

 

Marc

Toronto

yes  do not book them     terrible views , small size lousy locations....    

16 hours ago, FolsomMike said:

I looked on their site and cannot find an answer to this specific question…After booking a cruise directly by phone a few days ago, we became aware of another Oceania cruise with a better itinerary; both leave next May. I’ll call them tomorrow but does anyone know if they will let us directly transfer our $1500. Deposit to the new cruise or will we have to request a refund and make a new payment? Also, will we really have to make the cancellation request “in Writing” and if so, how long will that process take?

Your agent can do it in seconds...  No need to call.  for either a transfer or a cancel.  That why you use an agent !!!

5 hours ago, aqua said:

According to the flyer I received from AAA and Emergency Assistance Plus,  EA+ will "cover expenses for medical transportation, medical evacuation and companion assistance." They do more than just  arrange transport.  I purchased a policy a few months ago after speaking with an agent. As with any policy, there are exclusions and hoops to jump through. I always buy traditional travel insurance when I go overseas, but I thought this was a good policy to have because it covers us when we travel in the United States.

  Thats what I thought.... I read.   In that case Its worth the minimal cost...    Med jet  says they will fly home any "companion in economy.          Thanks amigo.... for you input and help      

On 6/26/2022 at 11:14 AM, jonthomas said:

Just awful, if it isn't covid issues it is the airport issues. So crowds are ok at airports but nowhere else, except riots and protests of course. 

 

 We are doing all we can to resume travelling, but seems all around us factors are against us. 

 

We fly with O, they need to tell us what we need to do to get to the ship. Deviation fees need to be dropped to encourage coming in a day or several days earlier.  Our cruise is not till November. Hopefully things will improve by then. Cruise lines suffering from the covid restrictions will now also suffer from the hoops travelers need to jump through. Many are  cancelling their cruises because it has become terribly difficult to get to the ship and then get back home. We have made final pay and have to go through with it. 

I noticed a Sept Cruise I was on   was for 11 months 100% wait listed for ALL cabins... last week  poof...3/4 of all cabins are now open from PH1 to  b4.    The draconian restrictions... gotta wear masks on the ship in Spain, Italy  and Shipt pre testing all add up after 3 years of crap. 

 People are weary and sick of rules that everyone knows are worthless political games that do nothing.    Flights I have been on are ALL 99.99% booked    Euro flights this week  only 3 seats open on the one I am taking... Airports look like they are giving away money....  Masses everywhere       If you are not flying Business of have an elite edge  you are in for a rough time.  Some airports are showing 3-4 hour checkin times needed

1 hour ago, the more ports the better said:

Dan, I personally, love your posts, always crack me up but I disagree re PH, zebra and all, they are finally getting rid of the piles of furniture in the PH’s and opening them up.  They are much larger than A’s however, still crowded because they are full of stuff!

 

 Although Jacques is my favorite restaurant, I guess we will be in waves a lot more.  Hubby’s  favorite foods are pizza and burgers.  If there were no other foods in the world, he would still be happy!

Hey...beauty is in the eye of the beholder... 

Jean Sheppard once wrote " people only like meat and potatoes and only eat other things to impress each other.      If I am paying $700 to 1000 a day  it wont be for Pizza and Burgers.     Thats me...In fact I am headed for France for 10 days   for  a food vacation of sorts in a few days. in cuisine land        

  I looked at PH  but because of design  felt the  disabled cabins B-3 offered more facility for my wife...  ( they are about 30% larger than the veranda cabin and  only 20% smaller than a PH yet about $5000 less spendy on my cruises)  As mentioned prior, the new blah  white  and cream is reminiscent of hospitals  and institutions, no character !!! .....  Navy ships have more color  now....

tHANK YOU FOR YOUr KIND COMMENTS....   I try.     

50 minutes ago, Cruiseskier said:

U.S still has to test for Portugal.  Portugal does accept our CDC cards as proof.

+ your vax can be no older than 270 days !!!!    stupid.

6 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Our cruise ends in NYC on 7/5. Arriving 7/4 and was looking forward to watching fireworks from the west side.  Our luck- the fireworks have been moved to the East River. Oh well.

After a few days of Broadway binge, we’ll head home via EWR to SFO non-stop. Have never had an issue with mid-afternoon non-stop United flights home (from EWR). Nonetheless, we’re planning on getting to EWR 5 hrs prior! 

Flights are full  like 110%.....  ANC-DEN-SFO PSP.      next week on a 767-300   only 2 Bus seats open and all the rest 100% load.      Fireworks in new your is a hourly happening  just head to bedford S   to catch  lots of fireworks.... if you miss the fourth...     Good luck, too risky for this boy . NY is off my list any time in the future...sorry.

3 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Things are going to hell in a hand basket right now over here, and in the States. Min check at Amsterdam airport is now 3 hours, on weekends they are saying 5 hours. There isn’t enough labor at any stage: baggage handling, check in desks, security, pilots, flight attendants, etc. Long lines everywhere.

 

British Airlines is going on strike. So if you have a connecting flight with them, you may be out of luck. Plus KLM and I believe Air France has announced they are cutting about 25% of their flights, here on the Continent, due to personnel shortages . You really need to have non stop flights from the USA to your final destination! It is probably worth any premium you may have to pay.

 

Not all the problems are generated from this side of the pond. We’re on Day 8 of our cruise and you’d be amazed by the number of fellow cruisers that haven’t gotten their luggage yet! In most cases it was several days after their arrival that it even left the States. In some cases it still hasn’t left. U. S. has major issues likewise. 
 

Good Luck to all fellow travelers! Right now, attempting to fly in the day of Embarkment is just dumb. We have another week left of cruising and traveling. Hopefully things go smoothly for our return! 🙏

thanks....I am on a flight thursday  dia-ewr-zrh      Think I will do carry on.   were these luggage delay folks  in econ and into what final airport     who were they flying      I have had no trouble last week in the states  Den-Sfo routes.        

3 hours ago, Cruiseskier said:

I got the info from the state dept web site and also United Airlines for my flight.  Don't know about sailing into Portugal.

thanks for the warning  I got 28 days to pull the pin I guess     Called my agent to see whats doing   My vote is skip Portugal .

4 hours ago, Cruiseskier said:

Portugal is still requiring U.S. to have a negative covid test before entering.  They don't accept the U.S. CDC vac cards.

Hows that going to work if  your sailing to Lisbon on a 14 day cruise ???      and wont accept my vax card...........???   I have 30 days till final...  or cancel.     

 Portugal can go pack sand at this stage of things  What next Monkey pox...