Live from the first cruise in the Pandemic

[Miaminice]

1 hour ago, Germancruiser said:

 

TUI CRUISES plans to go on 7 night cruises now- ALLOWING SHORE EXCURSIONS-  in my opinion that is at a to early stage in den pandemic, allowing passengers bring the virus back on board. 

🤔 Hmmmh, I haven’t heard of any yet! The 7 night Panoramic Fjord Cruises are just the same as your 4 nighter... no shore excursions!

 

[Miaminice]

1 hour ago, BigAl94 said:

 

This could be a game changer https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1155243-norway-suspends-cruise-ships-with-100-people-on-board-from-disembarking-at-ports

Tragic - plus unacceptable because Hurtigruten obviously neglected some regulations.

However, different circumstance and, compared to the TUI cruise Germancruiser reported from, apples and oranges ... 100 people on a small expedition ship hardly allows for the same distancing as 1000 on a large 3000 passenger vessel offering more distancing spacious areas etc.

 

While I could have been tempted to sail on a cruise like Germancruiser, I was very skeptical about the Hurtigruten cruises myself. 

[ighten]

3 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

I just came across the message that Hurtigruten stopped their ships again, after the infected crew members. 

TUI CRUISES plans to go on 7 night cruises now- ALLOWING SHORE EXCURSIONS-  in my opinion that is at a to early stage in den pandemic, allowing passengers bring the virus back on board. 

Wouldn't it a terrific blow to the cruiseindustrie to get stopped again after their careful soft opening?

I know many planed cruises for next year- i still hesitate to do so. Even though my fingers are itching book... 

 

The 7 day NOR Fjord blue cruises through Aug and early Sep have no shore excursions..  The later ones come with a huge huge "if allowed t&c" attached based on the country involved..  If I was booking I would plan on it being blue

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with the rest of us cruise-deprived!

[JerseyGem]

Germancruiser- Thank you for sharing your cruise with us.  I've enjoyed reading about your trip and your perspectives on cruising during this pandemic.   Stay safe and healthy! Lynn

[Bru92]

On 7/28/2020 at 7:37 PM, jelayne said:

Paper menus would be very costly.  1200 passengers x 3 meals a day=3600 menus add wine lists for lunch and  dinner maybe another 1200 menus.  Say 6 bars go through 500 menus each a day 3000.  Snack menus, room service menus conservatively another 1200.  That’s a lot of paper, printing equipment and ink plus trash everyday.  
Menus on a app are easily changed and much more cost effective.

It's not like you don't get that much unrequested paper from the spa, casino, and onboard shops anyhow....

[gadabout60]

@Germancruiser 

 

Thank you for your very interesting review.

I understand this was a solo cruise for you. Did you find it sociable? With social distancing I assume you always had to eat at a table by yourself. Was it possible to chat to other cruisers in bars snd coffee bars?

I think the new cruising could be difficult for solo cruisers who want to enjoy the social aspects of a cruise

[Bo1953]

6 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

I just came across the message that Hurtigruten stopped their ships again, after the infected crew members. 

TUI CRUISES plans to go on 7 night cruises now- ALLOWING SHORE EXCURSIONS-  in my opinion that is at a to early stage in den pandemic, allowing passengers bring the virus back on board. 

Wouldn't it a terrific blow to the cruiseindustrie to get stopped again after their careful soft opening?

I know many planed cruises for next year- i still hesitate to do so. Even though my fingers are itching book... 

... there are different cancellation policies in your part of the world vs the U.S., correct?

 

Mainly the deposit in non-refundable?

 

bon voyage

[Von & John]

@Germancruiser

 

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. 

Your enjoyment of being on the water again is fabulous!!! 

Although we don't currently have the capacity to cruise safely, it's encouraging to know others have the ability...

If you find yourself on another last minute &/or not-so-last minute cruise in the future - we'd love to enjoy it with you again!

Cheers & Thanks  --  Von

[Germancruiser]

Thanks to all of you. Sorry for the slight missunderstanding. Mein Schiff 1 has offered - via  E- Mail- I am now in their mailing system- LOL- a 7 nighter going to the Baltics and praises the wonderful sights in St. Petersburg. In St. Petersburg- really- i thought- Rusia - Covid riddled Rusia- a sightseeing tour there... !

I rather would go on one of those 7 nighters without going ashore.

[Germancruiser]

3 hours ago, gadabout60 said:

@Germancruiser 

 

Thank you for your very interesting review.

I understand this was a solo cruise for you. Did you find it sociable? With social distancing I assume you always had to eat at a table by yourself. Was it possible to chat to other cruisers in bars snd coffee bars?

I think the new cruising could be difficult for solo cruisers who want to enjoy the social aspects of a cruise

You have a good point there. I was thinking the same - I delibertately kept to myself. Usualy, when I cruise on board X or Cunard I love to meet and mingle- up to a point- I love to have time for myself and still can stand my own company. LOL:

Withing a few days one meets the same people at same bar- so conversations are flowing- THAT I LOVE! So interessting to meet people from other parts of the world- with different views and so such things.

I had some nice and sometimes even funny chats in front or in the eleveator. There were only four people allowed in one elevator- so that made for a few nice missunderstandings. One Lady was waiting along with me for her ride up. The car arrived and we both looked eagerly inside- if there was still room for the both of us. The good Lady tried step in and came right back out. I only saw three people in it- so I asked- wasn´t there room for one more- oh no there were already four people in it. No. 4 must have hidden in the corner so I could not see him.

So I said- Oh and I thought you did not like the faces of the other three. So we had a good laugh about that on our way to deck 14.

I mean , nothing against my fellow country people- but for me it does feel I am at home and meet people.

[Germancruiser]

7 hours ago, Miaminice said:

Tragic - plus unacceptable because Hurtigruten obviously neglected some regulations.

However, different circumstance and, compared to the TUI cruise Germancruiser reported from, apples and oranges ... 100 people on a small expedition ship hardly allows for the same distancing as 1000 on a large 3000 passenger vessel offering more distancing spacious areas etc.

 

While I could have been tempted to sail on a cruise like Germancruiser, I was very skeptical about the Hurtigruten cruises myself. 

Oh no those ships a far to small for my taste- some or all- i am not quite sure- more like post ships. If you can get the time off for one of the blue journeys,  Miaminice- just go for it. I am sure you will like it. It helps to come over the cruise withdrawel.

Tui Cruises offer a nice prodcut- and is really a lot like X- foodwise and so on.

Oh how I would love to stay in Sunny Isles for a week and then take a cruise out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale for a week....! I know you mentioned you live in Sunny Isles partly.

The prices of my favorite Hotel there rised up to the riddicolous - the Aqualina- former the Pan American Ocean.

[Miaminice]

5 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

Miaminice- just go for it. I am sure you will like it. It helps to come over the cruise withdrawel.

Tui Cruises offer a nice prodcut- and is really a lot like X- foodwise and so on.

 

🙂 I am well aware that the product is very similar to Celebrity in terms of ships and quality. I always said that if I was ever to be found on a German cruise ship, it would be TUI. However, under regular circumstances you wouldn´t find me on a German ship. Now... well, we´ll see. At least distancing would come automatic for us LOL.

At the moment we have other plans and will spend a few days at the Largo di Garda. But since our September Holy Land cruise is not happening (as was to be expected), we are still looking into alternatives. If TUI still offer these cruises then - maybe.

 

5 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

Oh how I would love to stay in Sunny Isles for a week and then take a cruise out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale for a week....! I know you mentioned you live in Sunny Isles partly.

The prices of my favorite Hotel there rised up to the riddicolous - the Aqualina- former the Pan American Ocean.

 

Yeah... the good old hotels of Motel Row - Pan Am, Suez, Bel Aire... 

Sunny Isles has changed into an impersonal collection of monstrosities 😞 My second home for over 40 years is still the Thunderbird. As run down as it is, it´s still my refuge and santuary. My personal memory lane. It hurts my heart and soul to know it has like two more years or so. Plans to build a 794 ft tower on the spot have been approved last year. My only hope is that Corona has brought one little positive thing. With the crash of the economy the Thunderbird might live for a year or two more.

We canceled our flights for December a few days ago. As homesick as I might be, it makes no sense at all to leave the relative safety of Germany to spend time in Miami. 

 

Anyway... thanks a lot for your report! I hope I did not hijack it too much by providing some input and background. I tried to hold back as much as I could because I know how it feels like when others answer questions directed at me. 

 

Safe travels on all of life`s journeys!

 

 

[steamboats]

15 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

I just came across the message that Hurtigruten stopped their ships again, after the infected crew members. 

TUI CRUISES plans to go on 7 night cruises now- ALLOWING SHORE EXCURSIONS-  in my opinion that is at a to early stage in den pandemic, allowing passengers bring the virus back on board. 

Wouldn't it a terrific blow to the cruiseindustrie to get stopped again after their careful soft opening?

I know many planed cruises for next year- i still hesitate to do so. Even though my fingers are itching book... 

 

The 7 night cruises were planned without shore excursions. And yesterday the Norwegian government announced that all cruise ships with more than 100 passengers are not allowed to disembark for the next two weeks at least. So no shore excursions. Currently should be the last short cruise til Friday on Mein Schiff 2 and then the 7 nighters.

 

steamboats

[Germancruiser]

14 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

🙂 I am well aware that the product is very similar to Celebrity in terms of ships and quality. I always said that if I was ever to be found on a German cruise ship, it would be TUI. However, under regular circumstances you wouldn´t find me on a German ship. Now... well, we´ll see. At least distancing would come automatic for us LOL.

At the moment we have other plans and will spend a few days at the Largo di Garda. But since our September Holy Land cruise is not happening (as was to be expected), we are still looking into alternatives. If TUI still offer these cruises then - maybe.

Hi Miaminice- exactly how it happend on my cruise a few days ago- social distanicing worked perfect. LOL.

 

16 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

Yeah... the good old hotels of Motel Row - Pan Am, Suez, Bel Aire...

I remember them so well. I am not a big fan of these skyscarpers lining the beach either - after 4 pm there is only shadow to get on the beaches of Sunny Isles- behind those biggies anyway. They should rename it to Shaddy Isles.

If they have left the Pan Am alone I sure would book there - however run down it might be by now. They kept it nicely until they broke it up. In the last year I think it was no longer a hotel but kind of a country club.

Largo di Grada- always a good choice. Quite lovley there- the parts around Limone are my favorite ones.

19 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

Anyway... thanks a lot for your report! I hope I did not hijack it too much by providing some input and background. I tried to hold back as much as I could because I know how it feels like when others answer questions directed at me. 

 

Safe travels on all of life`s journeys!

On the contrary- I wasglad you helped out. The Internet was really not quite stable. So I have to thank you! For you, too- safe travels and Godspeed.

[Germancruiser]

19 minutes ago, steamboats said:

Currently should be the last short cruise til Friday on Mein Schiff 2 and then the 7 nighters.

Thanks steamboats- those Baltic cruises seems to have vanished. I am very very tempted to book one of those 7 nighters... I hope they are doing more of those after August. A bit early to go back on board in four week. LOL

[Germancruiser]

23 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

If TUI still offer these cruises then - maybe.

A cruise with just Germans  is still better no cruise at all. LOL. I am sure the Mein Schiff´s would also to the liking of our American friends- except maybe for the relaxed smoking policy.

[Redrobo]

On 8/3/2020 at 5:15 AM, Germancruiser said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For me the absolute highlight was the fleet meeting in the Deutsche Bucht- before entering German waters. First Mein Schiff 1 arrived – identical sister to our ship- so it was great to see “ ones own ship” sailing past. The sailed alongside for a while- stopped and started the “ horn competition”! Quite a nice gesture from Tui Cruises. In the early evening hours three other Mein Schiff´s arrived next to us. Mein Schiff 1 left already- she had to get ready for her first passengers the next day.

 

Mein Schiff´s 3, 4 and 5 sailed a while next to us- then all engine´s to the stop- and all four ships- MS 2,3, 4 and 5 stopped in row – slightly staggered. Then the captain came over the intercom and introduced those ships, when they came out and so such things.

 

 

 

Bye for now! If you have any further question- just ask!

 

 

Was the captain Thomas Roth, nice man who we met on Adventure. I had heard that he had joined Mein Schiff. 

[Germancruiser]

Oh yes- that was the captains name. I did not even now that he sailed for RCI . Very sociable and outgoing.

[Redrobo]

9 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

Oh yes- that was the captains name. I did not even now that he sailed for RCI . Very sociable and outgoing.

 

We met him on Adventure of the Seas when he was Staff Captain. We did see him later on a TV Programme when he was on one of RCI larger ships, still as Staff Captain.

[Germancruiser]

14 hours ago, Redrobo said:

 

We met him on Adventure of the Seas when he was Staff Captain. We did see him later on a TV Programme when he was on one of RCI larger ships, still as Staff Captain.

So he just changed ships - well almost inside the company , since RCI owns 50% or so of TUI´s shares.

[steamboats]

6 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

So he just changed ships - well almost inside the company , since RCI owns 50% or so of TUI´s shares.

 

The marine operations are still done by RCG 😉 on TUI Cruises ships.

 

steamboats

 

[Germancruiser]

Thanks, oh my you are well informed- I did not know that. X could addopt the juice bar of Tui Cruises- I am sure that would be hit!

I loved it!

[Miaminice]

3 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

X could addopt the juice bar of Tui Cruises- I am sure that would be hit!

I loved it!

 

It sound like the Spa Cafe with the custom made smoothies is similar...

But I have no comparison, since I have never been on a TUI ship.

On Celebrity some use it, most don´t. The main factor holding people back seems to be that the smoothies are extra and not even included (any more) in the premium packages.

[gfkcruiser]

On 8/4/2020 at 3:18 AM, Germancruiser said:

A cruise with just Germans  is still better no cruise at all. LOL. I am sure the Mein Schiff´s would also to the liking of our American friends- except maybe for the relaxed smoking policy.

Everything sounded great for this cruise line but then I read about the smoking policy.  That is what keeps me from sailing RCI - smoking in casino which spreads to surrounding areas.  Did a Baltics cruise on the Brilliance of the Seas this past August and had to walk through the casino if crossing to an area on that floor.  Appreciate the smoking policy on Celebrity.