thyme2go

1 hour ago, Lido deck main said:

I just checked mine, I renewed in February 2020 was set to expire in September 2020, I got my new card about two months ago, my new expiry date is September 2025.  So I got my full five year from my original expiry date even though I renewed early.  

THANKS!!   We'll wait a little longer and do the same.........

I didn't read the entire thread, but did you check your account and look under the new credits area?   Bottom of the list........that's where our FCC showed up.   No other contact or documentation........just POOF!  and it was there about 75 days after cancellation/sail date.    : )

We have Nexus cards that expire in 2021.   If we renew them ASAP will they change the date to 5 years from renewal.......or 5 years from the original expiration in 2021?   These things confuse me.........  : /

This situation will cause some ships to be sold........no two ways about it.   But it is also causing some of us to rethink everything about cruising.   We have had cruises that were wonderful, and some that were far less than that.   One of our best was on the Ocean Princess before she was sold.............(French Polynesia Dec. 2013).   The crew, the ship, everything about it was wonderful.......and if I can count on that kind of experience I'd hold out again.    But honestly.......it will take time to sort through all the layers of Covid and international relations.   Time will tell but even  medium to large ships > 2000 people are not our cup of tea........I guess we'll get back in the kayak!

This is the problem.............no one knows the timeline they are issuing refunds on?    Or how the refund status happens?     We booked with HAL and reached out to them........ had communication we thought was reliable..........and still nothing has happened.    Earlier this month we filed with cc and will see what happens.    No credit has been issued and IF HAL refunds us I will gladly rescind the complaint with cc company..............BUT, all of this is a muddy mess and nothing seems to be any clearer now than it was over two months ago.........  : /  

Out of curiousity.........are people that are seeking refunds getting these offers?   We have not had any offers.   In other words I'm wondering if people who are not inline for a refund are the one's getting the "good" offers??     

Sooooooo, the purpose of all these health hurdles is what?    It seems it is a major CYA for the cruise industry........and it would remove some of the responsibility that the cruise industry should have......it is the cost of doing business.   

SARS-Covid 19 is an opportunity virus.......even though it hits some people harder than others--including those that are overweight!  Are cruise lines not going to allow overweight travelers if you take medical info seriously?    The reality is that any cruise ship could have had this infection on it and it was only the fact that some people were vulnerable that made it obvious.    

I see this as simply a moving of responsibility.........noro, covid, etc...... the bigger problem for the cruise industry is that you are contained to a relatively small area and cannot 'escape' at any point---yet can depart and return after port calls but that is a potential transmission source.   Transmission of covid.......or any communicable disease is an issue the industry needs to address in many more ways than asking travelers to "prove" they can travel on the day the trip starts.

So GLAD to read this...........virtual  ((  ))'s   all around!

How does one decide someone is 'objectivey seriously ill'?   This is the crux of illusions as I could not tell you who smokes without seeing them smoke.....or smelling their clothing.  Smokers are high risk and would they be considered 'serously ill'?   I don't smoke but I think this represents the simplification of issues on screening passengers. 

Cruiselines need to address the gamut of medical necessities they use/or face.   Ultimately I can't imagine my life being normalized until I have an antibody test or some testing available to me at my request locally.   We cannot extract herd immunity as proof that everyone is safe and so far ALL testing in the USA has been MIA to the point that scammers are setting up 'testing stations'.............a sad state of affairs.   This is the data and information we need........maybe CLIA can take a leadership position with this though it is a double edged sword.

4 hours ago, ljones said:

 

It was SARCASM..............  Obviously it's important (to you) that comments get your stamp of approval.............  Lesson #2:  that's sarcasm two!   See what I did there?  : )

 I heard of something called 'biological age' which is your body condition converted to an age based on behaviors, physical health, etc.    Someone who is 40, overweight, smokes, and lives on brat's and beer's would most likely not have a biological age of 40.   Someone at 70 who has been active and taken care of themselves may have a biological age of 55.    It's a bit deceptive to think that everyone over 70 is vulnerable.......and the issue of virus's is just that--an issue with that disease.     Either way, I have no desire to share any of my health history in order to take a vacation...........I make decisions and contingencies whenever I travel and decide if my plans meet my needs.      Perhaps the cruise line can just get rid of having a medical office, Dr and staff,  and say........you cruise.....you deal with whatever happens!!  Good Luck!  

YES!    Randomness with a majority MIA..................  : /

1 hour ago, gailellen12 said:

Exactly the same for me.  About the same cancellation date with the 50/50 offer also.  My cash was also applied to my card within a couple of days. Truthfully, not sure I will ever use the FCC but it is not all that much.  I am older  and not sure if I will cruise again.  In any case, I am happy to have some cash back sooner rather than later. 

This is exactly what is so frustrating.......you and DaveOKC get prompt refunds (luck of the draw?) and we cancelled on March 11 for 25% refund and crickets ever since.  There is no rhyme or reason to how HAL is managing their offers.   I wouldn't believe anything they are saying at this point, or in the past for that matter.   

UGH!   We cancelled on March 11 at 25% refund rate on an April 3 sailing.    Still no refund.   Today we received an email where we were offered a higher FCC with the statement that is what people are receiving now.   Very confusing email since it did not discuss our refund only the FCC---and honestly, it felt very manipulative.    I don't think this is a case of being overwhelmed........I think it is purposeful behavior by HAL to benefit financially at the expense of 'guests' rights under their policies............

8 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 

 

 

 

The Port Everglades Zaandam update of yesterday - before today's meeting - does include some expectations of HAL including PPE.  Of course we have no idea what changes (additions/modifications/deletions) might be under consideration now.  (https://www.porteverglades.net/zaandam-update/)

 

What are the Unified Command's requirements that must be addressed in any plan submitted by a cruise line before a cruise ship is allowed to enter Port Everglades?

The Unified Command has developed a list of conditions that would need to be addressed in any Plan submitted by a cruise line. They include:   Full compliance with all regulatory requirements of U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as the U.S. Centers Disease Control and Prevention. All illnesses, conditions, medical concerns and or items of concern must be accurately disclosed and documented. Any last-minute disclosures when the vessel is in transit to the berth or dockside will suspend all operations until the necessary fact finding is completed to the satisfaction of those in the Unified Command. The cruise line, at its expense, will provide all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all responders.  Temperature readings are for all disembarking crew and passengers before U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing. The cruise line, at its expense shall secure and arrange for private ambulatory transport.  The cruise line shall make all arrangements for care with the medical facilities.   To minimize exposure to shore staff, responders and the facility, as well as expedite transport by shuttle or bus or charter aircraft, passengers will leave the vessel with one personal item that holds only essential items.  The cruise line, at its expense, will sanitize all other luggage in a location provided by the receiving facility and arrange for reunification of the luggage as soon as possible.   The cruise line, at its expense, shall arrange for the disposal of all medical and agricultural waste in accordance with federal regulations.  To prevent cross contamination from spreading between the passengers, crew and into the local community, the cruise line will be required to sanitize the receiving facility, which may also include, but is not limited to, any equipment used by first responders, the facility, exposed equipment used by contractors and any hired equipment used for transportation of passengers. No less than 24 hours in advance of the start of debarkation, the cruise line will present a security plan for review and approval  to the Unified Command that demonstrates how passengers will debark orderly, safely and in compliance with current health advisories (i.e. social distancing). Failure to maintain good order may result in an immediate suspension of the debarkation until the situation is under control. All debarking passengers and crew must have a final, verifiable, travel itinerary prior to being allowed to debark the vessel.

I was not aware of this........thanks for posting.

Just wondering..........can a condition be made that HAL pays the port charge for the opportunity to transfer people to a land based location in the spirit of a land/cruise combination trip?   All land based services --- transfer, lodging, food, medical costs, quarantine costs and further repatriation (when Covid is proven negative in guests and crew)..........EVERYTHING would be ARRANGED AND PAID FOR BY HAL.   On the humanitarian side......this would get all guests and crew off both ships while being isolated, quarantined as well as treated and HAL would be doing all the negotiating with the final approval by the Port in this case FLL.    It seems that part of the problem is that HAL is no longer responsible once they discharge guests during a time of crisis.........this would keep them in the game until people are as 'whole' as possible.    Am I making sense?   Not sure I'm describing this clearly other than to say..........the cruise is now a Land/Cruise combo compliments of HAL.   I wish it was a pleasure combo, but this addresses a lot of the needs and puts the responsibility on HAL to "do the right thing"............. 

All the "new" hospitals are simply replacing the hospital beds being used for Covid in existing hospitals---they are not exposing anyone that doesn't need to be in the area to this virus.   The field hospitals will serve regular services for ongoing medical needs (ER's, heart attacks, accidents, etc......) all elective procedures have been cancelled/postponed.   My regular appt with a doctor was a phone call today..........I suspect Texas does not have the same procedures in place...............

16 hours ago, steve4031 said:

Thyme2go, your description of how all of this started was very helpful and informative for me.  I understood in general that this was serious, but your explanation helped me why it was serious.  

Stay safe in Chicago!!   : )

3 hours ago, bajakiter said:

So, they are looking for 7 billion.

We are just looking to get our $15,000 back, thank you very much. It is in the form of FCC because we blinked first.

We are not holding out much hope of ever realizing the value of the FCC.

Oh, and we just turned 70 so it appears that we are no longer in the desirable guest/client demographic.

 

We feel your pain and are in the same blinking boat.   To us it seems that a cancellation on a cruise that is later cancelled by HAL is basically a change in the contract since they did not sail.   Our cancellation was based on them actually sailing......which they chose not to do.   I know they take great joy in blaming the 'guest' but this is my POV and reflects poorly on HAL's business practices.    

2 hours ago, rvdnsx said:

Not trying to be insensitive in anyway, especially to the families who have lost loved ones.  But why are people still taking vacations right now?  I don’t know when this cruise started but hasn’t this Coronavirus been in the news for long enough for people to make a decision of traveling or not?  I get that people won’t get all their money back by cancelling last minute but nothing is more important then your health.  
 

A lot of what is going on in the world right now is due to people traveling without thinking of others around them.  Containment isn’t possible when people are still free to travel, especially between countries.  Just my two cents, and if anyone doesn’t agree with me then flame away.

I agree with the "common sense" of your comments...........However, I believe HAL bears the brunt of responsibility for these catastrophe's.........Any business owes something to it's consumers.......in these cases HAL made the decision to continue business as usual until March 13 which was a profit motive, not a consumer maintenance motive.....and that decision is affecting passengers.    Some of them have lost their live's........that's solely on HAL.

Also, we made the decision not to go on our cruise when we were told by HAL it was going to happen.   24 hours later they cancelled all cruises.    It's very apparent to us that HAL has manipulated their cruise information to consumers.....and continues to do so at this time.   It's not only unethical........it's far worse.   Passengers, staff and crew get all my sympathy.......corporate gets all the responsibility for this mess.

Also just saw the 'notice' to Rotterdam staff...........I'll say it again.....HAL corporate gets all responsibility for anything that happens on that ship.    One has to wonder if they have clearance to get off in the NW?    Seattle is overwhelmed already.....I can't imagine Astoria or Portland being "open" either..........

1 hour ago, sail7seas said:

 The U.S. Nav y Hospital ship  arrivd   in CA . today.

My understanding is the hospital ships will only treat non Covid patients.......they will provide back up for routine medical needs to allow existing medical beds on land to be used for Covid patients.   

At this point we are looking at our cruise payment in full,  floating away in their ocean of debt,  despite all their guess-timate's for refunds or FCC's.    Hal has lost all credibility................ 

   Of course, everyone wishes we were not fighting this battle........it's not "fun", it's not normal, it requires us all to dig deeper than many have been challenged in their entire lifetime.    To believe things would be better if we were not fighting this and just let people die.............is a sad commentary on the author.   I disagree.........there are no guarantee's this virus will bow down.   Holding our breath and hoping all will pass is not an option.    You can die that way too..............

WHY Covid-19 IS NOT "LIKE THE FLU"................read and repeat until it's understood!

This is from an immunologist at Johns Hopkins University:

Feeling confused as to why Coronavirus is a bigger deal than Seasonal flu? Here it is in a nutshell. I hope this helps. Feel free to share this to others who don’t understand...

It has to do with RNA sequencing.... I.e. genetics.

Seasonal flu is an “all human virus”. The DNA/RNA chains that make up the virus are recognized by the human immune system. This means that your body has some immunity to it before it comes around each year... you get immunity two ways...through exposure to a virus, or by getting a flu shot.

Novel viruses, come from animals.... the WHO tracks novel viruses in animals, (sometimes for years watching for mutations). Usually these viruses only transfer from animal to animal (pigs in the case of H1N1) (birds in the case of the Spanish flu). But once, one of these animal viruses mutates, and starts to transfer from animals to humans... then it’s a problem, Why? Because we have no natural or acquired immunity.. the RNA sequencing of the genes inside the virus isn’t human, and the human immune system doesn’t recognize it so, we can’t fight it off.

Now.... sometimes, the mutation only allows transfer from animal to human, for years it’s only transmission is from an infected animal to a human before it finally mutates so that it can now transfer human to human... once that happens..we have a new contagion phase. And depending on the fashion of this new mutation, thats what decides how contagious, or how deadly it’s gonna be..

H1N1 was deadly....but it did not mutate in a way that was as deadly as the Spanish flu. It’s RNA was slower to mutate and it attacked its host differently, too.

Fast forward.

Now, here comes this Coronavirus... it existed in animals only, for nobody knows how long...but one day, at an animal market, in Wuhan China, in December 2019, it mutated and made the jump from animal to people. At first, only animals could give it to a person... But here is the scary part.... in just TWO WEEKS it mutated again and gained the ability to jump from human to human. Scientists call this quick ability, “slippery”

This Coronavirus, not being in any form a “human” virus (whereas we would all have some natural or acquired immunity). Took off like a rocket. And this was because, Humans have no known immunity...doctors have no known medicines for it.

And it just so happens that this particular mutated animal virus, changed itself in such a way the way that it causes great damage to human lungs..

That’s why Coronavirus is different from seasonal flu, or H1N1 or any other type of influenza.... this one is slippery! And it’s a lung eater...And, it’s already mutated AGAIN, so that we now have two strains to deal with, strain s, and strain L....which makes it twice as hard to develop a vaccine.

We really have no tools in our shed, with this. History has shown that fast and immediate closings of public places has helped in the past pandemics. Philadelphia and Baltimore were reluctant to close events in 1918 and they were the hardest hit in the US during the Spanish Flu.

Factoid: Henry VIII stayed in his room and allowed no one near him, till the Black Plague passed...(honestly...I understand him so much better now). Just like us, he had no tools in his shed, except social isolation...

And let me end by saying....right now it’s hitting older folks harder... but this genome is so slippery...if it mutates again (and it will). Who is to say, what it will do next.

Be smart folks... acting like you’re unafraid is so not sexy right now.

How many people that are saying things will turn around and stock cannot possibly LOSE $$$ if you wait long enough??    Have any of you experienced stock loss such as Washington Mutual stock and the subsequent buy up by Chase............... stockholders were left with Bubkiss.    (spelling, but you know what I'm saying..............) and Chase purchased holdings for pennies on the dollar.........it was a thrashing for stockholders so while not common, it does happen and CCL appears to be tee'd up for such action given the disparity between what they say on any given day.......................  IMO