HAL requiring masks?

[rucrazy]

5 minutes ago, zelker said:

Just heard from TA - HAL agreed to give us a full refund rather than part in FCCs.  So glad I happened to read that you and others were getting full refunds.  Just one more reason I ❤️ CC!

Good for you Barb!

[atexsix]

9 hours ago, PreOtter said:

Our cruise was for 9/11-18, so we had 7 days to cancel and get the FCC.  I cancelled yesterday.  For me the final straw was requiring masks for a fully vaccinated and tested cruise.  This morning I heard on TV that the feds will withdraw recovery funds from cruise companies (and others) that don’t require masking.  Aaaarrrrgggghhh!

 

We have cruised Alaska before, and were only using it for a fun break, and this helped take the fun out.

I knew the government was in on this, I got ripped for suggesting that yesterday.

[atexsix]

5 hours ago, Boytjie said:

 

HAL's website states:

"Effective with cruises departing on August 7th, ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino except when eating or drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board."
 

Someone on the RCI board stated they were not allowed to wear masks around the pools because they'd be useless if they got wet....but, logic?  Is the virus going to avoid the Lido?

 

Also wonder about hot tubs and the thermal suite, with the latter being a major bummer if they close it down.

 

Either way, I have trouble believing they can control it, will there be mask police stationed everywhere?

 

 

Edited August 6, 2021 by atexsix

[agathasmum]

4 hours ago, zelker said:

Just heard from TA - HAL agreed to give us a full refund rather than part in FCCs.  So glad I happened to read that you and others were getting full refunds.  Just one more reason I ❤️ CC!

Glad I could help. I was so surprised when they offered 100% refund at such short notice I wanted to share for other people who might be in the same situation. Hope to be able to try and do this cruise next year instead , fingers crossed 🙂

[zgscl]

1 hour ago, agathasmum said:

Glad I could help. I was so surprised when they offered 100% refund at such short notice I wanted to share for other people who might be in the same situation. Hope to be able to try and do this cruise next year instead , fingers crossed 🙂

So glad to hear they are doing the right thing for those who the new requirements don’t work for 

[Tridentnyc]

1 hour ago, agathasmum said:

Glad I could help. I was so surprised when they offered 100% refund at such short notice I wanted to share for other people who might be in the same situation. Hope to be able to try and do this cruise next year instead , fingers crossed 🙂

Newbie question here. We went through a TA, is their fee refundable as well, never had to cancel a cruise before. Thanks!

[zgscl]

1 hour ago, Tridentnyc said:

Newbie question here. We went through a TA, is their fee refundable as well, never had to cancel a cruise before. Thanks!

 

Was the fee for airfare? Usually they earn a commission from the cruise line and don't charge anything directly to the client. 

[Tridentnyc]

12 minutes ago, zgscl said:

 

Was the fee for airfare? Usually they earn a commission from the cruise line and don't charge anything directly to the client. 

I shopped around pretty hard and bought my ticket though USAA TA program. Pricing was very transparent, USAA was about $300 less than everyone else. The bill showed a TA commission of approx $600, this was NOT additional, rather part of the total I negotiated. The remaining balance was paid to HAL. Just wondering if I get the $600 back, I think I should, just curious. Thanks!

[Nymich]

It is my understanding that even if paid in full if outside 30 days that one can cancel and get FCC as part of the worry free?

[zgscl]

37 minutes ago, Tridentnyc said:

I shopped around pretty hard and bought my ticket though USAA TA program. Pricing was very transparent, USAA was about $300 less than everyone else. The bill showed a TA commission of approx $600, this was NOT additional, rather part of the total I negotiated. The remaining balance was paid to HAL. Just wondering if I get the $600 back, I think I should, just curious. Thanks!

Ah I think that makes sense. If that is the case it sounds like the typical setup where they get a commission based on actualized revenue in which case you should get a full refund. The TAs only get paid if you actually travel. I am honestly surprised they disclose this, TAs usually get a 10% commission but I have never seen it listed on any of my documents what they actually got paid. 

[zgscl]

6 minutes ago, Nymich said:

It is my understanding that even if paid in full if outside 30 days that one can cancel and get FCC as part of the worry free?

I don't think it is necessarily part of the worry free. The text from their website states "Book a cruise by September 30, 2021 (that departs through December 31, 2021) and you can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before departure and automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit with our Flexible Cancellation. Additionally, you may cancel up to your sailing date if you test positive for COVID-19 and will also receive a Future Cruise Credit." 

This seems to indicate within 30 days you must test positive to qualify. It seems like they are being more flexible than the letter of the policy in response to the new requirements which is absolutely the right thing to do IMO. 

[12cruise2]

On 8/4/2021 at 10:01 PM, Red Haired Lady said:

I called the local Walgreens. They do the "Rapid Abbott ID Now"  test which he said is a molecular test.  HAL requires a PCR or antigen test.  This is not the same he said.  So wonder if it would be accepted?

At 8/7 on the Holland America Q&A, this info is shown, so the Rapid ID Now should be acceptable.  HA has said antigen or NAAT!  See below:

 

"Guests must be tested with a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). 

 

Antigen tests include:

• Rapid antigen test 
• Viral antigen test  
• Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay 
• Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay  
• Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
   

NAAT include:

• PCR - Polymerase chain reaction  
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR   
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)  
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test  
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) test  
• Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test  
• Isothermal amplification  
• Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)  
• Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)"

[cbr663]

17 hours ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

My DD who lives in Taiwan now is home for the summer. It’s the first time she’s left Asia since before the pandemic. She is used to a world where vaccines are still scarce and countries around them have frightening death tolls at this time. She still can’t get her head around the North American ( both Canada and the US) attitude that the pandemic is over and we should be back to travelling freely like it’s 2019.

 

I can relate as at times it certainly feels that way.  The reality is though that we are all still knee deep in a pandemic and anyone travelling today, whether by air, plane, rocket (as that's possible now) or cruise ship must be prepared for sudden changes as the situation is still very much fluid.

 

The Canadian Gov't, for instance, has not changed its advisories on travel and still advises that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel outside of Canada.

[Red Haired Lady]

6 hours ago, 12cruise2 said:

At 8/7 on the Holland America Q&A, this info is shown, so the Rapid ID Now should be acceptable.  HA has said antigen or NAAT!  See below:

 

"Guests must be tested with a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). 

 

Antigen tests include:

• Rapid antigen test 
• Viral antigen test  
• Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay 
• Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay  
• Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
   

NAAT include:

• PCR - Polymerase chain reaction  
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR   
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)  
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test  
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) test  
• Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test  
• Isothermal amplification  
• Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)  
• Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)"

Thank you, Thank you!!  I have read the "worry free promise" but never went down to all the FAQ's. That is a poor place for them to bury such important information.  It is the 8th question answered under FAQ.

[12cruise2]

3 minutes ago, Red Haired Lady said:

Thank you, Thank you!!  I have read the "worry free promise" but never went down to all the FAQ's. That is a poor place for them to bury such important information.  It is the 8th question answered under FAQ.

You're welcome.

[KirkNC]

20 hours ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

My DD who lives in Taiwan now is home for the summer. It’s the first time she’s left Asia since before the pandemic. She is used to a world where vaccines are still scarce and countries around them have frightening death tolls at this time. She still can’t get her head around the North American ( both Canada and the US) attitude that the pandemic is over and we should be back to travelling freely like it’s 2019.

Isn’t that an interesting perspective.  I think she is right more then most are willing to admit.

[panamashark]

We canceled our HAL Eurodam 24 day cruise on September 12th.  There is too much risk regarding the changing policies.  It is masks today and possibly only ship excursions in the next 30 days.  We decided to book a Europe land trip with a rental car and go through Italy, Czechia, Croatia and Austria.  We are hoping for Hungary but will depend if it opens up.  Safe cruising.

[syesmar]

HAL Masks Online

HAL-branded masks, as well as other apparel, are available online here.

Edited August 13, 2021 by syesmar