Attention all Canadians.....Ottawa is advising against ALL cruising!

[kazu]

43 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

I guess I am confused, Jacqui.  Is this medical insurance you are talking about, or travel insurance?  I’m wondering what the claim forms are that you mentioned?  

 

Pat has emailed our our medical insurance to see if it would still cover us in the event we travel, but I don’t think claim forms would be needed unless we had a claim to make.  

 

It’s trip cancellation Ann - it should have covered me for a good portion of my lost air fare at the least.  The only reason I took it as opposed to HAl’s was I knew how much my air fare was costing. Air Canada, Iberia and Lufthansa.

 

I can pretty much assure you that you will NOT be covered for medical if you travel.  I would have been on my medical but it’s an automatic.  For anything you have bought, with the warnings you won’t be.  

 

If they say differently, as long as you have it in writing hopefully you will be ok.  I’m not that old by HAL demographic standards and in good health but I wasn’t risking it at the end.  Not being to dock, not being able to get off the ship to do our land tour - frantically contacting tour operators on board.  Nope, not my cup of tea.
 

It’s just not worth it IMO.  It might go well and it might not.  I suspect our itinerary is going to change so much that I would have been still cancelling and going uggh.

Consider carefully before you travel - the News Conference by the Health people and the Government made it pretty clear that you could be on your own if you choose to travel against the warning.

[atexsix]

11 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

It’s trip cancellation Ann - it should have covered me for a good portion of my lost air fare at the least.  The only reason I took it as opposed to HAl’s was I knew how much my air fare was costing. Air Canada, Iberia and Lufthansa.

 

I can pretty much assure you that you will NOT be covered for medical if you travel.  I would have been on my medical but it’s an automatic.  For anything you have bought, with the warnings you won’t be.  

 

If they say differently, as long as you have it in writing hopefully you will be ok.  I’m not that old by HAL demographic standards and in good health but I wasn’t risking it at the end.  Not being to dock, not being able to get off the ship to do our land tour - frantically contacting tour operators on board.  Nope, not my cup of tea.
 

It’s just not worth it IMO.  It might go well and it might not.  I suspect our itinerary is going to change so much that I would have been still cancelling and going uggh.

Consider carefully before you travel - the News Conference by the Health people and the Government made it pretty clear that you could be on your own if you choose to travel against the warning.

The whole matters irks me.  How long have we all been traveling not knowing about this little back door the insurance companies conveniently created for themselves?  For example, you are on a grand voyage that is mostly okay, but one of the ports happens to be in a country on the list?  Will they use that as reason to deny an entire claim? 

 

I'm not happy all this is happening, but maybe it will expose their shady business practices.

Edited March 10, 2020 by atexsix

[Farmerswife4]

This might be a repetitive question, but does anyone know if there was a time line of not going on a cruise? We are scheduled to leave June 15 out of Venice! Thanks 

[cruiseing marly]

On 3/9/2020 at 11:35 AM, The Beaver said:

I am still hoping to go on  May 10th and will wait for " the drop dead date" of March 31st to recoup the cancellation fee to decide whether to cancel or not.

That still 60 days there is at least a chance it may be over in that region by then.

[Cruising-along]

2 hours ago, roddonn said:

We're on the fence re cancelling our April 22 TA cruise, and the cancellation insurance issues don't help.    However,

I just received an email from a Viator company (Finn Tours) in Dublin, advising us that they've cancelled ALL ship

related tours, and will be giving us a refund.    So... now Dublin doesn't even want us.   How long before more of the

tour agencies follow suit.     To go...or not to go??

Interesting. I'm watching our Viator tours (4 booked in Australia and NZ).  When I was on the phone with them yesterday I asked about this (I'd heard before that they were canceling cruise ship tours).  She only mentioned Italy and Asia, I don't think she mentioned Ireland -- wow. 

[Vict0riann]

We have a private tour in Ireland, too.  We'll see what happens.

 

Thank you, Jacqui.  We bought our flights to FLL through HAL, so I think they will be okay.  Coming back, we booked through a travel agent and their insurance would have had to be for the whole time we were away, which was silly, so we refused it.  So that we will either lose, or perhaps make a quick flying visit to England late April.  However, the cousin there we would particularly be going to see is in his 90's, so he might not want to see us!  So we might have to eat that flight!

[sail7seas]

On 3/9/2020 at 3:56 PM, Winters in NZ said:

North America has about 40 000 traffic deaths yearly....and apparently we continue driving our vehicles.

 

Sorry,   But  one  is so very different than the other. lots of pedestrians , while walking in crosswalks get hit by cars     .  Should we stop walking on  public streets?   😯

[kazu]

10 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

 

Good point, and one that may not have occurred to government officials. It's one thing to advise our citizens to avoid cruise travel to another part of the world, but once the economic repercussions of a shutdown hit home, there may be a reassessment of the situation. Please don't get me wrong - I am not saying that our leaders would put profit over the safety and health of our citizens, but they should take the time to think things through and review all aspects of a complex situation before acting.

 

 

 

 I think the allowance of cruise ships into ports is up to the provinces.

 

B.C. Has already announced that they will make decision on cruise ships coming to Victoria and Vancouver shortly.  They may well be refused.

 

the Government doesn’t want to have to pick up people and quarantine them and risk the spread from the ships from those that cruised.

I know there are discussions in our province right now as well as Nova Scotia as to what to do.  Cruise ship season is later here (winter is not as kind to us and spring does not come as early as to B.C sadly) so they have time to watch and wait.

We may well see a lot of places go into lockdown.  Especially if the ship in France ends up having the virus (2 cases being tested).  I suspect if they are positive, the Med will not want cruise ships at all.  No one wants another Italy scenario.

But, that’s JMO.

[1ANGELCAT]

22 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

 I think the allowance of cruise ships into ports is up to the provinces.

 

B.C. Has already announced that they will make decision on cruise ships coming to Victoria and Vancouver shortly.  They may well be refused.

 

the Government doesn’t want to have to pick up people and quarantine them and risk the spread from the ships from those that cruised.

I know there are discussions in our province right now as well as Nova Scotia as to what to do.  Cruise ship season is later here (winter is not as kind to us and spring does not come as early as to B.C sadly) so they have time to watch and wait.

We may well see a lot of places go into lockdown.  Especially if the ship in France ends up having the virus (2 cases being tested).  I suspect if they are positive, the Med will not want cruise ships at all.  No one wants another Italy scenario.

But, that’s JMO.

JacquI , what ship in France ?

Fwiw. Broward county has 4 positive cases, 3 of them work for the company that services Princess ships.

 

 

 

 

[HappyInVan]

56 minutes ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

JacquI , what ship in France ?

Fwiw. Broward county has 4 positive cases, 3 of them work for the company that services Princess ships.

 

 

 

 

 

Aidasol in Marseilles. Tests negative.

 

This si alarming...

 

"Thousands of cruise passengers may have been in contact with coronavirus-infected workers at Port Everglades"

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-coronovirus-metro-services-everglades-20200310-ocpt7i4jrzhdfkd5ilbp6sypte-story.html

 

 

[Bramcruiser]

I refuse to panic and let everyone one going in circles drive me into a frenzy. I am still planning my July cruise. I am Canadian and am taking the warnings with a grain of salt. Use precaution but don't go overboard (figuratively speaking). Assess the situation but July is a long way off and it'll likely be old news by then.

[kazu]

8 minutes ago, Bramcruiser said:

I refuse to panic and let everyone one going in circles drive me into a frenzy. I am still planning my July cruise. I am Canadian and am taking the warnings with a grain of salt. Use precaution but don't go overboard (figuratively speaking). Assess the situation but July is a long way off and it'll likely be old news by then.

 

By July, it it is hot enough and if what little they know of the virus is true, then it should be gone.  IF as they say it can’t live above 26 Celsius but if it’s like the other viruses, it will be back when things cool off.

 

Hopefully things will be a lot different in July for you.  But don’t take the grain of salt in the warnings too lightly. You are probably I safe (I hope) but for you and everyone else out there - ....

 

 I watched the news conference and they were quite serious about making sure your travel insurance will cover you and get you home.

The Government is already in talks with the cruise lines that it will be THEIR responsibility and yours to get you home.  Don’t count on chartered planes with the warnings.

 

In fact, Holland America specifically was named as having an agreement with.

 

[Sue from Canada]

12 hours ago, billbunger said:

I just got off the phone with our insurance company. We purchased a trip cancellation/interruption policy  for a 28 day cruise starting March 21, 2020.

 

Because the Canadian government has only recommended Canadians not travel on a cruise ship there is no cancellation provision. If the Canadian government decides to make a no travel advisory for any of the countries on the cruise itinerary then that would kick in the cancellation clause. The person I talked to also mentioned if any of the countries we visit declare a no travel advisory to their country that would kick in the policy too.

 

Our policy actually covers quarantine situations, if we are quarantined the trip interruption insurance kicks in and we would be covered for a refund of any remaining cruise, hotel and flight costs.

Good info.  I better go read my insurance with a fine tooth comb.

[NCTribeFan]

My wish is to cruise on 4/21.  But, since my main purpose was to visit the 5 Canadian ports, I don't see much point in it if we can't disembark.

 

Since I paid a very low casino rate ($199/pp), my FCC won't get me much if I rebook.  When I check this same sailing for 2021, it's over $2k for an inside guarantee (including taxes & fees). 😝  I don't think so!  So I may have a credit to apply to another sailing, but if this calms down and doesn't come back with a vengeance in the fall, demand will be very high with all those people wanting to rebook, which will drive the prices up.

 

Trying to not worry too much (YET) about my Carnival Med/TA B2B leaving from Venice on 10/20.  We have an airbnb booked for 4 nights in Venice prior to sailing.  At least I haven't booked my air, yet!  Don't want to get stuck with that!

 

Although I'm 67, I'm in pretty good health but have a minor underlying heart issue.  I'm going to wait a couple of weeks and then contact my GP and see if she tells me not to cruise.  This is such a mess.  Part of me thinks the world is way over-reacting.  The other part of me would be really annoyed if I put myself at risk and it kills me! 😉

[Kindergirl]

Have any of you listened to the podcast you can find at Coronaviruscentral.net ? You may see the host as an alarmist, but the most alarming thing is he shares stories from reputable sources and does the math. If you are interested give it a listen, but be prepared, it’s scary!

[HappyInVan]

Here's another alarmist...

 

"60% to 70% of the German population will be infected by the coronavirus, Merkel says"

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/angela-merkel-most-people-will-get-the-coronavirus.html

 

 

[Kindergirl]

A truthful world leader. How refreshing. 

[iancal]

Same with us.  Our plan was to spend  seven weeks touring Mexico and then return to Canada via a stop in FLL.  Our intention was to pick up a last minute seven or ten day cruise.

 

The cruise is off the table now so we will stay in Mexico.  Don’t want to go to FLL or MIA, do not want to be on a cruise that gets barred from port stops as is happening now, and most especially do not want to get quarantined anywhere for 14 days.   Contracting C virus was  smallest of our concerns.

Edited March 11, 2020 by iancal

[YXU AC*SE]

Some related Canadian news vis-à-vis Air Canada.   Scott.  

source:  https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/change-fee-waiver-existing-bookings.html

We’re waiving change fees on existing bookings to give you even more flexibility

March 11, 2020

If you purchased a ticket before March 4, 2020 for travel before April 30, 2020, Air Canada will allow you to make a one-time change to your flight without incurring a change fee up to 24 hours before your departing flight. You can also cancel your booking and credit what you paid against future travel. In both cases any fare difference will apply, any residual value resulting from a lower fare will be lost, and all travel must be completed by December 31, 2020.

Changes can be made online, through your travel agent, or by calling Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262 (Other numbers).

This policy also applies to Aeroplan Flight Reward bookings. Please contact Aeroplan directly if you choose to make changes to your booking.

Air Canada Vacations is also implementing flexible booking policies. Please see below for more information or visit aircanadavacations.comExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines..

[ski ww]

• On the noon news today WHO has issued a world wide pandemic I just checked our insurance & we are excluded from been covered because of the advisory issued by Health Canada not to cruise. So with both of these in place we will cancel, unless WHO lifts the Global Pandemic and Health Canada lifts the advisory against travel by cruise ship. 

[AncientWanderer]

Question for those who have changed flights, as allowed by some airlines:  Are they requiring you to book the same route later on, or is it a credit for any destination you choose?

(Lazy to ask the question here, but I dread being on hold forever with the airline.)

Thanks

[Vict0riann]

8 minutes ago, ski ww said:

• On the noon news today WHO has issued a world wide pandemic I just checked our insurance & we are excluded from been covered because of the advisory issued by Health Canada not to cruise. So with both of these in place we will cancel, unless WHO lifts the Global Pandemic and Health Canada lifts the advisory against travel by cruise ship. 

 

We are thinking the same, and worried about timing for a cruise later this summer.  There was an article on when the pandemic might peak on the CTV news here:  

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/when-will-the-covid-19-outbreak-peak-experts-weigh-in-1.4845523

One expert felt that things might slow down when the weather is warmer.  But the corona virus is more related to the common cold virus than to the influenza viruses, and you can get a "summer cold" (just my opinion).

[AncientWanderer]

22 minutes ago, AncientWanderer said:

Question for those who have changed flights, as allowed by some airlines:  Are they requiring you to book the same route later on, or is it a credit for any destination you choose?

(Lazy to ask the question here, but I dread being on hold forever with the airline.)

Thanks

 

I tried to edit or delete this, but couldn't.

Anyhow, I just saw another thread that addresses this question really well.  CCers know everything!

[YXU AC*SE]

13 minutes ago, AncientWanderer said:

Question for those who have changed flights, as allowed by some airlines:  Are they requiring you to book the same route later on, or is it a credit for any destination you choose?

(Lazy to ask the question here, but I dread being on hold forever with the airline.)

Thanks

 

In the case of AC-ticketed flights -- rather than simply pushing your date on your booking, you may cancel w/o penalty,  however note well that if you new booking results in a net fare reduction, you lose the residual value of the credit, and you would also of course pay any difference in fare.       

 

Scott. 

 

 

"You can also cancel your booking and credit what you paid against future travel. In both cases any fare difference will apply, any residual value resulting from a lower fare will be lost, and all travel must be completed by December 31, 2020." 

 

Terms and conditions

• Tickets must be purchased directly from Air Canada or through your travel agent before March 4, 2020 with an original travel date on or before April 30, 2020.
• Air Canada tickets can be identified by a 13-digit ticket number beginning with Air Canada’s code “014”. Tickets issued by other airlines with a different carrier code (ticket numbers not beginning with “014”) are subject to the waiver policy of the other airline.
• A single change may be made without incurring a change fee provided it is completed at least 24 hours before the original departure date.
• Any fare difference will apply any residual value resulting from a lower fare will be lost.

 

[npcl]

49 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

 

We are thinking the same, and worried about timing for a cruise later this summer.  There was an article on when the pandemic might peak on the CTV news here:  

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/when-will-the-covid-19-outbreak-peak-experts-weigh-in-1.4845523

One expert felt that things might slow down when the weather is warmer.  But the corona virus is more related to the common cold virus than to the influenza viruses, and you can get a "summer cold" (just my opinion).

Unfortunately the bad news is there has been spread in some countries in pretty warm places such an Singapore.  The good news is that the spread seems to be slower.

 

The other bad news is even if it is seasonal then expect the outbreak to get worse in the southern hemisphere as it lightens in the northern.  So even if it does follow cold/flu season it most likely would turn into an annual event. Though that would buy time for a vaccine.