Rare travelberlin Posted February 17, 2021 #26 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Thanks very much for sharing Phil! I miss Azamara. This winter is a long one... I hope Azamara will start sailing again. Ivi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riocca Posted February 17, 2021 #27 Share Posted February 17, 2021 19 minutes ago, teacherman said: Our first Azamara cruise was supposed to be this month out of Capetown. We are hoping to do it next January, or just do a land trip through South Africa. But maybe a light at the end of the tunnel - our CDC said yesterday that once you have had a second vaccine shot, and then waited 2 weeks, it would be safe to associate with other people who had also had the second shot. So, maybe by November things can start back up. Would be nice to think so but the problem comes with the new variants of the virus like the South African, Brazilian and those in the uk. All of these are more transmissible and it’s unclear if any of the current vaccines are as effective against them. AstraZenica are working on an updated vaccine, as no doubt others are, and it’s probable that we will need a booster vaccine later in the year. I think it’s very doubtful that long haul travel will return for some time yet. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare travelberlin Posted February 17, 2021 #28 Share Posted February 17, 2021 26 minutes ago, Riocca said: Would be nice to think so but the problem comes with the new variants of the virus like the South African, Brazilian and those in the uk. All of these are more transmissible and it’s unclear if any of the current vaccines are as effective against them. AstraZenica are working on an updated vaccine, as no doubt others are, and it’s probable that we will need a booster vaccine later in the year. I think it’s very doubtful that long haul travel will return for some time yet. I am afraid you are right. The light at the end of the tunnel is less bright due to the mutations. Vaccines, despite all the expectations, will probably not be enough. I hope that effective treatments are also developed. Ivi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted February 17, 2021 Author #29 Share Posted February 17, 2021 3 hours ago, travelberlin said: I am afraid you are right. The light at the end of the tunnel is less bright due to the mutations. Vaccines, despite all the expectations, will probably not be enough. I hope that effective treatments are also developed. Ivi I'm more hopeful on the mutations. Not to say we won't have to adjust the vaccine like we do for flu, but our medical knowledge base (which is extensive) seem very much on the case with this. I listened to Dr Jonathan Van Tam who is an extremely sensible and no nonsense scientist whom I trust and he gave a very good summary at a recent Covid-19 briefing. As far as the restart of Azamara goes, I agree with Riocca. It's very complex, not least that the crew come from all over the world. It's going to take a while to get things going again. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riocca Posted February 17, 2021 #30 Share Posted February 17, 2021 3 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said: I'm more hopeful on the mutations. Not to say we won't have to adjust the vaccine like we do for flu, but our medical knowledge base (which is extensive) seem very much on the case with this. I listened to Dr Jonathan Van Tam who is an extremely sensible and no nonsense scientist whom I trust and he gave a very good summary at a recent Covid-19 briefing. As far as the restart of Azamara goes, I agree with Riocca. It's very complex, not least that the crew come from all over the world. It's going to take a while to get things going again. Phil Not just the crew which is going to be a very complex logistical exercise, I think borders for leisure travel are going to open slowly. Even with a successful vaccination campaign there’s going to be a level of international mistrust about how other countries are tackling it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigster Posted February 18, 2021 #31 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Thank you for sharing this video! Very much looking forward to and hoping for our first Azamara sailing November 2021. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise47 Posted February 19, 2021 #32 Share Posted February 19, 2021 We were planning our first Azamara cruise this year but had to cancel because of the covid pandemic. We are Elite Plus with Celebrity. Looked that video and the small cruise ship atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welwyngirl Posted February 19, 2021 #33 Share Posted February 19, 2021 On 2/15/2021 at 1:48 PM, excitedofharpenden said: I’ll take a gin and tonic on the Sunset Veranda!🙂 Phil Save two seats for us, Phil! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwestchick Posted February 19, 2021 #34 Share Posted February 19, 2021 On 2/17/2021 at 11:14 AM, excitedofharpenden said: I'm more hopeful on the mutations. Not to say we won't have to adjust the vaccine like we do for flu, but our medical knowledge base (which is extensive) seem very much on the case with this. I listened to Dr Jonathan Van Tam who is an extremely sensible and no nonsense scientist whom I trust and he gave a very good summary at a recent Covid-19 briefing. As far as the restart of Azamara goes, I agree with Riocca. It's very complex, not least that the crew come from all over the world. It's going to take a while to get things going again. Phil That certainly doesn’t sound very promising for our July British Isles cruise. I hope they make a decision before final payment is due in March. My TA hasn’t had any recent updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted February 19, 2021 #35 Share Posted February 19, 2021 8 minutes ago, midwestchick said: That certainly doesn’t sound very promising for our July British Isles cruise. I hope they make a decision before final payment is due in March. My TA hasn’t had any recent updates. I believe the UK government is currently considering mandatory government run quarantine for 10 days for travellers arriving from the USA. It already applies for direct arrivals to Scotland from the USA. You need to keep an eye on that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted February 19, 2021 #36 Share Posted February 19, 2021 2 hours ago, uktog said: I believe the UK government is currently considering mandatory government run quarantine for 10 days for travellers arriving from the USA. It already applies for direct arrivals to Scotland from the USA. You need to keep an eye on that Do you think this ruling will change once vaccines have been made available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted February 20, 2021 #37 Share Posted February 20, 2021 8 hours ago, TeaBag said: Do you think this ruling will change once vaccines have been made available? Vaccines are fully available in the UK. In all four nations they are bring rolled out under the control and management of the government supported by the army. People are invited to one of the vaccination points in order of priority. Priority is based on age and is risk related. Virtually everyone over 70 has now had their first dose, many over 60 are being done this week and the schedule is to have all over 50 vaccinated by May. Borders are closed except in a few special exemptions to prevent the importation of new mutations, we have no idea for how long this will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted February 20, 2021 Author #38 Share Posted February 20, 2021 12 hours ago, midwestchick said: That certainly doesn’t sound very promising for our July British Isles cruise. I hope they make a decision before final payment is due in March. My TA hasn’t had any recent updates. No it doesn't, but then this is just my opinion. I'm sure Azamara will want you to make final payment. From then who knows? The decision by you to pay it for a potentially cancelled cruise is a difficult call. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted February 20, 2021 #39 Share Posted February 20, 2021 I have a similar decision to make for a cruise starting in the UK so in theory an easier decision. I’m not optimistic currently and am also so scared as it’s my final booking with the dreadful travel agent. We only got resolution this week for a cruise cancelled in April 2020 with the help of the LCV team. To go through that again is something I cannot face. It’s one of these coin toss decisions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwestchick Posted February 20, 2021 #40 Share Posted February 20, 2021 4 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said: No it doesn't, but then this is just my opinion. I'm sure Azamara will want you to make final payment. From then who knows? The decision by you to pay it for a potentially cancelled cruise is a difficult call. Phil That’s what I’m afraid of. And yes it is difficult since I have 4 free nights on that cruise. Not sure what this new company will allow as far as keeping them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted February 20, 2021 #41 Share Posted February 20, 2021 2 hours ago, midwestchick said: You will not know until your cruise is cancelled what the position will be regarding the complimentary nights however in the previous rounds of cancellations the free nights were rolled forward to a new deadline. I doubt the new owners would want to disadvantage loyal cruisers by removing nights previously issued, however until we see the rule in black and white nothing can be certain. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted February 20, 2021 Author #42 Share Posted February 20, 2021 9 minutes ago, uktog said: You will not know until your cruise is cancelled what the position will be regarding the complimentary nights however in the previous rounds of cancellations the free nights were rolled forward to a new deadline. I doubt the new owners would want to disadvantage loyal cruisers by removing nights previously issued, however until we see the rule in black and white nothing can be certain. Neither can I. The last thing they'll want to do is alienate their loyal client base that they recognised as so important when deciding to buy Azamara. Phil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwestchick Posted February 21, 2021 #43 Share Posted February 21, 2021 On 2/19/2021 at 2:47 PM, uktog said: I believe the UK government is currently considering mandatory government run quarantine for 10 days for travellers arriving from the USA. It already applies for direct arrivals to Scotland from the USA. You need to keep an eye on that Even if people have been vaccinated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scots Caz Posted February 21, 2021 #44 Share Posted February 21, 2021 7 minutes ago, midwestchick said: Even if people have been vaccinated? yes, currently all direct international arrivals into Scotland (excluding Ireland) require hotel quarantine...irrespective if vaccinated or not 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted February 22, 2021 #45 Share Posted February 22, 2021 7 hours ago, Scots Caz said: yes, currently all direct international arrivals into Scotland (excluding Ireland) require hotel quarantine...irrespective if vaccinated or not I think that’s because there is not yet enough evidence about whether the vaccine prevents transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabo Posted February 22, 2021 #46 Share Posted February 22, 2021 A somewhat related question . . . How are airport connections being made at Heathrow. If an international passenger has a connecting flight, can that person easily go from one terminal to another to make that connection? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted February 22, 2021 #47 Share Posted February 22, 2021 24 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said: I think that’s because there is not yet enough evidence about whether the vaccine prevents transmission. There is also concern about the impact of the virus on new strains. New strains will come from countries where the virus is considered not to be under control (less than 5% test positivity) as defined by the WHO. Unfortunately USA has quite a way to go to reach that measure but time will tell. Rabo if your transit does not involve immigration eg it’s international to international there is no quarantine 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthebalcony Posted February 28, 2021 #48 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Hi Phil from the UK! This is onthebalcony. We sailed with you in May 2013 on the Journey thru the Suez Canal! Wonderful trip!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted February 28, 2021 Author #49 Share Posted February 28, 2021 38 minutes ago, onthebalcony said: Hi Phil from the UK! This is onthebalcony. We sailed with you in May 2013 on the Journey thru the Suez Canal! Wonderful trip!! Anne, lovely to hear from you. That was a indeed a wonderful trip. Love those Suez cruises. I hope you are well. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted February 28, 2021 #50 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Now this whets my appetite even more. I can't wait for this cruise through the Suez, May 2022. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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