luvtravel

We have to cancel our upcoming Alaska cruise that leaves end of this month.  We did purchase HAL's premium cancel for no reason insurance.   We purchased our cruise & flights thru a big box provider that provides cancellation on line but we have questions and cannot get through to them.  No option to even be on hold for hours or a callback.   The website just gives 2 choices - future credit or cancel with penalties.  Very frustrating.   With the state of virus containment - a cruise credit for 1 yr probably won't cut it.   

Thanks for the info everyone. If we do take this cruise we won’t be eating in main dining room. Have 3 nights in specialty - sounds like spacing better.  

Have learned that HAL have transferred all passengers from Westerdam to Eurodam (on which we have a reservation ) assuming to fill one ship to capacity - they won’t divulge how many passengers. Since probably full - does anyone know if Eurodam or any HAL ship has made greater space between tables in main dining room. We have requested a table for two - but are older and trying to be safe as possible. Thanks for any info!

On 5/13/2022 at 10:18 AM, Torquer said:

I never heard of a 3PM departure on embarkation day before.  That is really early, with 4-5 PM more typical and sometimes later.  For those who fly in on embarkation day, something we would never do, that could be a real problem.

 

I'm wondering if HAL is choosing to leave ports earlier in the day so they can cruise at a slower speed overnight to save fuel.

That’s what we’re thinking too - fuel savings. Unfortunately it seriously cuts into time in ports but for us less time in Victoria is a problem. We have friends we were going to dine with. By the time we would be able to get off - takes time parking the ship, customs, etc. - we would have little time with them. Unfortunate.

18 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Not correct, unless you are talking about Saver fares, which most airlines will not allow changes.

 

From the AS website:

-=-=-=-=-=

If you need to change or cancel your travel plans, here are a few things you'll need to know.

• No change fees will apply, but a difference in fare may be charged for your new flights.
• Per our no-show policy, you must change or cancel your reservation before your flight departs in order to receive future travel credit.
• Same-day confirmed changes can be made during the check-in window. A $25-50 fee will apply, but no difference in fare is charged.
• Saver fares cannot be changed.
• Saver fares purchased on or after May 1, 2021, may only be canceled under our 24-hour cancellation policy.
• Saver fares purchased through April 30, 2021 may be canceled under our peace of mind waiver for future travel credit.

-=-=-=-=-=

 

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/how-to-manage-my-reservation

 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Not correct, unless you are talking about Saver fares, which most airlines will not allow changes.

 

From the AS website:

-=-=-=-=-=

If you need to change or cancel your travel plans, here are a few things you'll need to know.

• No change fees will apply, but a difference in fare may be charged for your new flights.
• Per our no-show policy, you must change or cancel your reservation before your flight departs in order to receive future travel credit.
• Same-day confirmed changes can be made during the check-in window. A $25-50 fee will apply, but no difference in fare is charged.
• Saver fares cannot be changed.
• Saver fares purchased on or after May 1, 2021, may only be canceled under our 24-hour cancellation policy.
• Saver fares purchased through April 30, 2021 may be canceled under our peace of mind waiver for future travel credit.

-=-=-=-=-=

 

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/how-to-manage-my-reservation

 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Not correct, unless you are talking about Saver fares, which most airlines will not allow changes.

 

From the AS website:

-=-=-=-=-=

If you need to change or cancel your travel plans, here are a few things you'll need to know.

• No change fees will apply, but a difference in fare may be charged for your new flights.
• Per our no-show policy, you must change or cancel your reservation before your flight departs in order to receive future travel credit.
• Same-day confirmed changes can be made during the check-in window. A $25-50 fee will apply, but no difference in fare is charged.
• Saver fares cannot be changed.
• Saver fares purchased on or after May 1, 2021, may only be canceled under our 24-hour cancellation policy.
• Saver fares purchased through April 30, 2021 may be canceled under our peace of mind waiver for future travel credit.

-=-=-=-=-=

 

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/how-to-manage-my-reservation

 

 

 

 

Thank you for this!  I did not see this at all when looking at flights.  I recall when covid first started this....makes a big difference!!   

We almost always make our own air plans but have had several occasions that we purchased the air as part of a package....and the air was cancelled and refunded along with the cruise (a river cruise) when it was cancelled by us prior to final payment.   That kind of arrangement is good in an 'iffy' situation like we have today - not knowing what circumstances may be like.   

Thanks for your input - appreciate it.

On 3/6/2022 at 1:53 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Refund of air? Please realize that O is only acting as a TA when it comes to air. They book  tix and handle changes et al. But any refund would be based on (and come from) the airline’s policies  (which may mean issue an FFC or ETC but not necessarily $$$).

As for what O provides: They’ll offer you a routing with a contracted carrier based on arrival on embarkation day and departure on disembarkation day. Any deviation (schedule, carriers, etc) incurs a fee which has been $175 (unless you are a Hugh enough O Club level to get free deviation). To that, add the cost of any price difference on your preferred schedule, carrier, routing (some of which may not be with their contracted carrier).

Want Bizclass? Even O’s air dept. will tell you to DIY bizclass since you have to pay the “with air” cruise fare but not get credit for those tix when you accept the bizclass quote. 
 

 

Its an Alaska cruise - starting out in Vancouver, Canada and ending in Seattle.   We'd be going Alaska air but they have discontinued their policy of cancelling/changing flights without large fees - because of covid situation.   

We have an upcoming cruise in May and purchased OLife without the air.  But in case of an unforeseen cancellation, we're thinking that we'd get a refund if we book the air thru Oceania and they cancel.    I'm wondering if we have no choice of flights thru them or we can choose and they'll book them.  I booked thru a TA who is off work a few days and Oceania tells me to go thru her.  So - wondered if anyone has actual experience booking O's air.....thanks everyone for any help!!

On 12/15/2021 at 8:46 AM, tjcletzgo said:

I booked a 10 day Sea of Cortez sailing end of February, 2022.  With the increase in Covid cases and the mandate for masks going into effect today, I'm having second thoughts.  As anyone cancelled a cruise after final payment and received a full refund?  What is Princess's policy on Covid cancellations?

 

Thanks so much!

Yesterday, we  reluctantly cancelled a March Panama Canal cruise.  We had paid the final payment but then omicron!  To us Princess’ cancellation policy read that if you cancel 90 days or greater prior to sailing - full refund.   We also purchased the cruise with a refundable ( vs non refundable) deposit.  The big box online TA where we do a lot of travel booking was so busy they couldn’t take our call - But could cancel online - which we did.   We also wondered if we had read their policy correctly.    Today we received a cancellation confirmation from the TA - full refund.    We also cancelled a January S.A. Cruise with Oceania - done before final payment because of the virus. I wish people would just get vaxxed and boosted and be considerate of others - masking, distance.   We want to be optimistic - so have booked a cruise to Alaska for summer.  Hope things are looking up by then!   

I didn't realize Princess had this type of service.   The only time I've read of a luggage service is the one in Seattle offered by the port.   I'm with you...wish it was offered in other ports.  Its hard to find a place to store your luggage.   A hotel in the city will usually let you store your luggage...just ask in the hotel lobby for luggage store and give a tip.  No one has asked us if we're staying inthe hotel or not.  Good luck!

5 hours ago, ORV said:

Could you tell us more about this service? 

Go to Portseattle.org - on that website search for complimentary valet luggage service. 

Thanks everyone for your input on being able to make the 11:10 flight.    The next flight we'd take isn't til 5:15pm....so a long time in between.   I know we definitely could find something to do in Seattle  - except if its raining!!      Still deciding if we want to chance it!   Thanks again.

Thanks everyone for replying -- and it was good to hear that we will be on that cruise!!  And yes I was referring to Concierge A1 - we would be happy with that.   A suite would be something new for us.  Definitely won't be unhappy if we don't get an upgrade.  If we did we probably wouldn't want to book anything else in the future!!  🙂

Thanks for responses.  Sorry it was confusing and Maybe there is no issue. But since we could not get a cabin assignment because there are no vacant C1s at present - all booked and waitlisted, it seems someone in that Category or higher - where there are currently no vacant cabins either and all waitlisted, will have to decide to cancel. Just wondering what happens if they don’t cancel.    I assume they are guaranteed the cabin they booked too.    Will find out in a few months!

We're scheduled to disembark the Regatta   in early June 2022 in Seattle.   The itinerary states the ship will be arriving in Seattle at 8:00am.   We can book a domestic flight from SeaTac for 11:10am.   We will either use the port's free luggage service to the airport or just walk off with our bags.   Since the ship is smaller I'm hoping we can get off by at least 8:30am and get an uber, taxi or private driver.  Wondering if anyone has recent experience with disembarking  from the smaller Oceania ships and if they actually do arrive earlier than they state.  8am does seem late to arrive.   Thanks for any help or input!!

We booked the only Concierge A1 cabin left on an Alaska Cruise in May on the Regatta.  We've only previously sailed on the Riviera and loved it.  Checking now on Oceania's website - all categories of Concierge and above are waitlisted.    I am wondering what happens to our reservation since each category is waitlisted now....seems like even if a few cancel somewhere others will be waiting also for an assignment.    Anyone have had any experience with a situation like this?  Of course we'd love an upgrade to a suite but can't imagine that happening even without any waitlistings.   Thanks for any info!!

On 10/31/2021 at 9:50 AM, Homerody said:

Chile has new non quarantine requirements from 1 Nov. 

Thanks for the update!

On 10/30/2021 at 10:12 AM, PacnGoNow said:

Here’s an explanation from the PCL website:

 

Yes, in accordance with CDC directives, ALL guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation. If sailing on Sunday, the test may be taken on Friday and Saturday, and as late as Sunday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in.

Guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board.

Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airline requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel COVID-19 testing.

We expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Thanks for clearing up the time frame for me!

We too are booked on the Jan.28 leg of the cruise that sails from Chili.  We just saw on the state department website that Buenos Aires is opening on Nov. 1 but Chili still shows that a 5 day quarantine period is in effect. That’s definitely concerning. We had planned on arriving in Santiago the day before via Oceania purchased air.   We understand too the ship is about a 90 minute drive from Santiago.  Such difficult logistics especially for the cruise lines.   

Just to clarify the term embarcation (sorry if this is a dumb question).   Our flight to Florida for the cruise from the west coast leaves at 6:15am day prior to cruise and we plan on the rapid test the day before that.   We arrive in Florida the late afternoon of the day prior to our cruise.  CVS here is not yet accepting appointments for March 2022 when our sailing occurs.   My question is - does the 48 hours start from the time we take the test/get the test results and end at the time they assign boarding or when the ship's departure time is stated.   We won't have enough time in Fort Lauderdale to take a test at the local CVS I don't think.

Since Our sailing isn't til March next year - things may be different then.

We have reservations for March on Princess - if they discontinue vaxx required - we will be cancelling.  I don't think they will discontinue that requirement...but will keep tabs.  Thanks for raising this question.

On 9/16/2021 at 12:45 PM, travelhound said:

I can understand testing unvaccinated people, but I think testing vaccinated guests is excessive and unnecessary.  Hopefully this practice will change next year.

They probably would like to stop any covid being brought on to the ship - even full vaxxed can get it and be ill, even very ill.  I'm glad they require it - till things improve.

On 9/15/2021 at 7:03 PM, muffin said:

Do hope Princess does not forget we Canadians.  It would take nothing to have  these tests shipped to us too. The internet  and zoom come here too! We presently have no option in most of our provinces except a PCR test which costs 199.00 CDN plus tax per person.  It is overkill as a rapid antigen is all that is required . Yes, Ontario and Alberta I know you can get the cheaper ones, but due to a monopoly by Life Labs we  in B C cannot.  Hope you will stand with us on this issue!?  . 
 

At the very least, Princess could  reimburse us  a set amount as a good will gesture. We represent a fair percentage og cruisers!   Rant over.

Is it possible for you to arrive for your trip a day early and get a test there....will cost a hotel room and meals, but test price probably cheaper and even with the extra hotel night might not cost  more.  Just a thought.

We cancelled our Dec.20/20 Panama Canal cruise and booked a Jan 2022 cruise to S.America.  Trying to be optimistic. Like all of you are saying sadly cannot now trust CDC but hoping that will change on 1/1/21.  The difficult part is the whole world needs to be immunized for all of us to travel safely.  Don’t even want to think about the long flights to get to Beunos Aires from the west coast US.  Here’s hoping!

  We took a cruise on the Solstice to Alaska in July but now cant get into our account on Celebrity....because we didn't create it with our email address apparently.  Weird because when we booked last time - for July -  it was using our Account #'s.   Anyway said to create a new account if it was not set up with email address (it didn't recognize either of our accounts...and we've sailed alot with Azamara, RCL and a few with Celebrity).    So tried to set it up with email.....nothing!  Frustrating!