cruising7

We’re going next week and are still unsure what we’ll do,  but  have contacted several tour operators who said it’s easy to get a bus to downtown, or many will pick up at Ward’s Cove. 

Can anyone explain NCL that current options who’s been through or knows someone who has? 

I’ve read and read and am so confused. Just wondering what options are in a cabin of 6, if 2 people are positive and can’t go, do you have options for refund, or future cruise credit? It won’t be much as they were very cheap 4th 5th passenger so FCC credit won’t be rough for those 2 to take a cruise. 
 

if anyone has had to go through this and can tell me where to start I’d appreciate it. We do have the standard trip insurance too. Thanks. 

Unfortunately he was booked and I have no other leads.  Thanks though!

This sounds amazing.  I am looking everywhere for a fishing guide for Sitka or Ketchikan, but you gave me a new idea - my husband and son are experienced fisherman and we are having trouble finding a guided trip.  Maybe we will just look for a boat and gear rental now!

On 4/24/2022 at 3:34 PM, diesel1973 said:

You might luck out and be scheduled on an American flight. Years ago I purchased an Alaskan flight and was operated by American.

Who knows but we booked American in March 2020 - $390 per person for 6 of us.  I watched and watched forever and recently gave up.  Could not find anything under $900 ( and that was not even not-stop!) Finally found Delta non-stop for $470 each.  Now I still have $2500 of American credits - but their fares are INSANE compared to all other airlines for same trips.  I guess I will never use those credits.  

Hi - 2 of our group are avid fly fisherman, from the North Georgia Mountains.  Our stops where they'd like to fish and have time are Sitka (11 AM- 6 PM) and  Ketchikan (6:30 AM- 1:15 PM).  Would love a recommendation for specific guides as well as one port over the other being best.  Thanks!

1 hour ago, Kzeeguy said:

Thanks all... Maybe for peace of mind, we will stick to the cruise line options on this item. \

I hate this port. We sailed to Belize before they built this port and had so many options and great excursions with amazing local tour operators. Then we sailed to Belize and stopped at the new port and they didn’t even allow you to leave. I guess that’s changed since there are some options but it doesn’t sound like they’re great. Maybe just stay on the boat 😞 there was absolutely no reason to get off and go pay exorbitant prices to sit around their big pool for food and drinks. We did and regretted it. 

54 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

So they can just stick with the old 100% vaccinated rules for cruises to or from Canada. Doesn't sound like a major obstacle to me. NCL has done it before, they can do it again for Canada cruises.

Yeah I’m really confused….but if what I’m thinking is the case is true, they need to change it back like you said. I’ll be really p!$$ed off if the Alaskan cruise we’ve been rebooking for three years doesn’t stop in Canada, just because NCL decided that kids 12 and under don’t have to be vaccinated anymore. 

Yes… it everyone should check into though.  We were all getting same email so we called and some of us had like you said coupons, and others had $500 that had to be applied to something or we’d lose it so it was up toward gratuities. We’ve rebooked our cruise so many times it’s confusing! 

3 hours ago, Crazy planning mom said:

Noone has a crystal ball but they seem to have less cancellations on their larger, newer more profitable ships.  The ships that are cancelled for months are the smaller older ships. Since, you are sailing the Bliss on a very popular itinerary, I would guess you have good odds.   Of course, if there is a huge outbreak on the ship among staff the week before you sail, all bets are off.  Worse case scenario that last minute scenario happens, can't you jump on another ship or take a short flight to Ketchikan?

 

Traveling with 12 people, 3 generations, last minute changes won't be a possibility.   Good thought though!  I had not even considered that individual cruises could get cancelled at the last minute due to outbreaks.  Thanks for the thoughts. 

1 hour ago, TashaB said:

The Level 4 CDC warning for Canada is rather odd given that most of Europe, many common ports of stop in the Caribbean and Cruises alone are all included on the Level 4 warning!   In addition, the majority of Canadian provinces currently have a lower rate of covid per capita than most US states.  If you notice both Alaska and Washington State sit with much higher rates of covid infection than does British Columbia where most cruises to Alaska originate or stop at on their return.

 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/covid-19-in-the-u-s-how-do-canada-s-provinces-rank-against-american-states-1.5051033

 

June is a long way off.   The Government of Canada has shown no inclination to close the ports of Vancouver and Victoria this year but will most likely require proof of vaccination etc to be able to disembark.

Since NCL requires vax for all passengers, that isn't an issue for us, but good points - thanks!

2 hours ago, ajs922 said:

We also have a cruise to Alaska set for late June and understand your concern. Will just have to HOPE that things get better before then. 

And hope that we can find something to do if our airline tickets won't allow changes.

Traveling with 12 people, 3 generations, last minute changes won't be a possibility.   Good thought though!  I had not even considered that individual cruises could get cancelled at the last minute due to outbreaks.  Thanks for the thoughts. 

UKstages,  yes I have already called and had the credit extended - purchased with American Airlines in March 2022, expired March 2022.  I was able to get them to extend it through June 2022, but once I use the credits was told that no further changes could be made.  I did check out their current cancellation policy....so I guess they're trying to push more people into buying a higher fare ticket with the assurance you can change it. The price difference is huge when buying for 12 people so this doesn't help me much.  I will still give them a call.

• No more change fees for all domestic, short-haul international and select long-haul international flying on Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares.
• Basic Economy fares bought on or after April 1, 2021 are non-refundable and non-changeable.

Exactly Cole Thornton - it's all unknown.  Sometimes "guesses and speculation" from a variety of people can be helpful, before pulling the trigger on $3000 worth of airline tickets.....not looking for hope or reassurance lol - just honest, perhaps helpful thoughts. Thanks and have a great day!!

Yes I agree....we always go a day or 2 ahead for that reason....after being stranded in Denver recently for 3 full days, due to insufficient staffing, more than ever this is important!

We have 12 people in our party, and need to buy airline tickets.  I am so confused by the cancellations recently, as it doesn't seem they are fleet wide.  

If this question isn't allowed someone can let me know....I know that nobody has a crystal ball, but if anyone has thoughts or insight as to the odds of June Alaskan cruise Bliss sailing please share.  We have a HUGE amount of airline credits to use by end of June, originally purchased for 2020 cruise and once we use them, there can be no changes so we will be stuck going to Seattle regardless.  Probably not a location we'd choose for vacation, so it puts us in a really tough situation.  If we wait too long, fares will be even higher than now!  

Thanks for any kind thoughts or perspectives. 

Ok thanks - that explained some of our confusion. I didn’t realize they could just skip Canadian ports. Thanks! 

I am having such a hard time finding information. Everything I’ve found says Canadian ports were to open November 1, 2021. 
Have a member in our  party that doesn’t believe our 2022 cruise will happen and wants us to back out. 
I am trying to convince them otherwise and having a hard time finding valid info to share.

So again , forgive the stupid question and thanks in advance for anyone that may offer valid experience or information to prove they HAVE already been sailing to Alaska and that there is no huge, current reason to believe June 2022 is in jeopardy (clearly nobody can be completely certain- just looking for reliable up to date information to guide decisions before January).

To Alaska? We have June 2022 Alaskan cruise  planned now and NCL shows it as going….but are they now? 
Some of our group may be ready to bail on the Alaskan cruise we’ve put off for 2 years now. It’s been harder to find valid information than I thought it would be. 
 

thanks for advice-  and for kindness if I’m overlooking obvious info and this is a dumb question 🙂❤️
 

No worries.  I should’ve been more specific. The perks I was wanting to keep for my daughter where the open bar and specialty dining.  Luckily those are being offered on all bookings now. The only reason we are in Haven is that’s what my MIL wants and she pays. She books 2 years out and her generous, but fixed budget doesn’t allow adding another whole cabin at this point, and since we already maxed out the capacity, it puts her in a tough spot since things have changed. We are just trying to figure out if and  how to make it work.  We’ve cruised every year since 2006 and know each one is different...this year (2020) was to be our last....so now we’re really trying to figure out how to do the last, postponed, with new circumstances! I know my daughter and her fiancé very well and they would sleep in pool chairs LOL to be able to go on a cruise with us without paying! Hard to post all those details in one post which is why I was really just asking for advice on what the Haven policies are. Super happy that I had that clarify for me. Best wishes to all and thanks for the input! 
 

11 minutes ago, UODuckMan said:

There is plenty to do outside of the Haven so I'd let your daughter and her new husband have their space outside of the Haven.  You'll be doing shore excursions together and you can meet them for other activities and some meals outside of the Haven.  Be upfront with the Butler and Concierge and I'm sure they could join you for a couple of meals either in your suite or the Haven Restaurant.  It seems like you're stressed about this, but I'm sure your daughter and son-in-law will still have one of the best vacations of their lives!!

Yes this is exactly what we are thinking now.  We know they won’t even want to eat in Haven...at most they'd want to bring their own drink and sit in the lounge before dinner...We can do that in our rooms too.....we  have 2, 2 bedroom Haven Family suites. Technically we could add him to one of the rooms, but the sleeping arrangements would be weird. Luckily all bookings offer open bar and specialty dining now, and the Bliss is an amazing ship, Haven aside!  She is Platinum anyway so they will get some perks if she’s booked with him. (we’ve cruised NCL since she was little) Definitely not stressed....if I wanted to be annoying and take advantage I would not even have posted the questions lol we would just have done it. Mostly we are wanting to be sure grandma (who doesn’t like to leave Haven except to eat 😂) could see them. In the cabins are fine!  I like the idea of being upfront with staff too so as the week goes they could potentially sit in lounge with us. 
Replies were helpful thanks! 

The extra person would not need to partake of food or drinks in the Haven .... I definitely wasn’t implying that. There are 10 of us fully booked in The Haven, so moving to another ship is not really a feasible plan. My MIL has paid over $30,000 for this trip.  Just wondering how big of a deal would it be for one non-haven guest to be with us in some common areas occasionally.  Yes an inside cabin for a solo person is pricier than for 2.....it’s about $3000 whereas the cheapest Haven room is $10,000 minimum and much more space than would be needed. We may just move her to the inside room and spend time with them in other areas....they will be newlyweds and happy with that too, and free drinks and other perks are offered for all bookings right now. The main reason for them to be in the Haven at all would be to spend time with grandma which they can do in her cabin and on her balcony, and at dinner, and we can see them on 90% of the ship.

 I genuinely appreciate the info - truly didn’t know official policy (never needed to before) but suspected there would be some reasons not to go this route. Just trying to figure out options for re-booking a year later when our family dynamic will be different than the original trip in 2020! I appreciate the (mostly) non-judgemental advice and thoughts 🙂 stay safe and kind everyone! 

Weird situation and would love some thoughts.  We were scheduled to cruise Alaska May-June in 2 Haven family Suites.  My MIL moved the cruise to next summer.  My daughter was going with us (last family vac)  but will be married by then so we are trying to figure out how to have her fiance/husband come with us, without breaking the bank!  We are booked as a family of 6 (includes daughter) which is the max for the room.  No way we can afford to book another Haven cabin.  We were were thinking we'd book an inside cabin, but only put him on that room, and leave my daughter on the Haven reservation, so we'd pay for and she can enjoy perks and he can be in the Haven with us as a guest, but she'd go sleep in the inside cabin with him.  We have cruised in the Haven before, and I can't impagine Haven staff would give us a hard time about him being in the lounges etc with us - and he'd have the full drink package etc.   HOwever it feels weird, knowing that we get to know Butler/barterder/concierge etc. pretty well so it would be obvious we had another person around all the time not booked in Haven.  I can't imagine they'd complain...I don't even feel like we'd be doing anything wrong, but wondered what official rules are on guests in Haven....we've always kept to oursleves so before I book, just tossing it out to see if anyone thinks this sounds like a reasonable plan, or if I am overlooking a potential issue? 

Thanks - we sail May 28. If anyone finds out please share!