Bermuda making change to vaccine and testing

[molly361]

7 hours ago, mpdog42 said:

Why are you making this so personal...Do you own Bermuda? Do you work for the Government of Bermuda?...I just think that the Bermuda Government is doing this in a way to make some money..

Period end of story.

He must have some affiliation. He is very defensive of them on all Bermuda threads 

[Charles4515]

5 hours ago, molly361 said:

He must have some affiliation. He is very defensive of them on all Bermuda threads 

I don’t have any affiliation and I don’t like their governments policies. It is understandable that a small island with one hospital would be defensive about Covid but their TA was confusing and the fee is past it’s due date. I object to misrepresentations like the one that it is a shakedown. The fee has been in effect for over a year and no one was forced to book. The whiners could have canceled if they didn’t know about it when they booked. Many countries had restrictions and fees and the $40 fee should not be a dealbreaker. The US charges visitors a $21 fee and many countries have visas with fees. Fees unfortunately are part of International travel. Bermuda’s mistake was probably not adding it to the port taxes. That would have hidden it. Also they did not need the separate TA bureaucracy as the cruise lines could have verified vaccination status and tests at embarkation but they boxed themselves in by outsourcing the TA with a contract ending in March 2023. Foreign governments have the right to decide who enters and with what documents, requirements, fees but Bermuda’s government did it pretty stupidly with negative effects to it’s residents. It will be up to Bermudian to deal with that. 

[nferr]

On 9/30/2022 at 5:18 PM, Charles4515 said:

You won't be out on the deck enjoying the pool. It would be great weather in Bermuda if you golf. Not beach weather at all and all the in in season tourist  business's  will be closed.  

 

Not a beach person. I don't cruise to go to beaches. 60's to 70 degrees break in the winter is fine with me. Just like spring and fall weather.

[nferr]

On 9/30/2022 at 5:19 PM, Charles4515 said:

RCI is not looney enough to go to Bermuda in the winter. At least not yet. 

 That's your opinion. NCL seems to do just fine with it.

[nferr]

Just now, nferr said:

 That's your opinion. NCL seems to do just fine with it. I presume you wouldn't do a maritimes cruise, or Alaska or a repositioning Transatlantic either. Not everybody cruises only tropical all the time. 

 

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, nferr said:

That's your opinion. NCL seems to do just fine with it. I presume you wouldn't do a maritimes cruise, or Alaska or a repositioning Transatlantic either. Not everybody cruises only tropical all the time. 

 

I have been on Alaska, transatlantic, etc cruises. Norway, North Cape. I have been to Iceland. Been to Bermuda over 15 times and it is my opinion that taking 2500-3000  passengers in February is off kilter. It is off season there for a reason. I fear that a lot of those NCL passengers will be under the impression that Bermuda is tropical. Most of the tourist busnesses will be closed. The ferries run on winter schedule with reduced service. It is going to rain a lot. A lot of Bermudians will be vacationing in Florida in February because there is not much to do in Bermuda in the winter. I would go to Bermuda in the winter if I golfed or I wanted a very quiet do nothing getaway. But I would fly in as hotel rates are low then. Since this is the Royal Caribbean board I think it is within bounds to say NCL is looney for  going then. Been on NCL a few times and they are less professional than Royal so maybe they don't care or it is an experiment. 

Edited October 2, 2022 by Charles4515

[mpdog42]

On 10/1/2022 at 6:26 PM, BirdTravels said:

The Bahamas did the same we had to pay for entry for our cruises on the Adventure out of Nassau. 

True..But that doesn't make it right!

[mpdog42]

19 hours ago, molly361 said:

He must have some affiliation. He is very defensive of them on all Bermuda threads 

Possibly he is the Governor General...

[nferr]

4 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

I have been on Alaska, transatlantic, etc cruises. Norway, North Cape. I have been to Iceland. Been to Bermuda over 15 times and it is my opinion that taking 2500-3000  passengers in February is off kilter. It is off season there for a reason. I fear that a lot of those NCL passengers will be under the impression that Bermuda is tropical. Most of the tourist busnesses will be closed. The ferries run on winter schedule with reduced service. It is going to rain a lot. A lot of Bermudians will be vacationing in Florida in February because there is not much to do in Bermuda in the winter. I would go to Bermuda in the winter if I golfed or I wanted a very quiet do nothing getaway. But I would fly in as hotel rates are low then. Since this is the Royal Caribbean board I think it is within bounds to say NCL is looney for  going then. Been on NCL a few times and they are less professional than Royal so maybe they don't care or it is an experiment. 

 

Those cruises aren't inexpensive and they haven't really dropped the prices so I don't know. I have no problem going to Bermuda in 60 to 70 degree weather, and I really doubt a of of people are going to go there "under the impression that Bermuda is tropical". I think most people do a little more research than that. It's a nice 5 day break from the middle of winter. If the prices drop I might do one in February. Touring Hamilton etc. is fine. And I don't know where you're getting "its going to rain a lot", highest rainfall is July through October. December thru March is actually pretty low. 

[Ret MP]

On 10/1/2022 at 10:18 AM, Charles4515 said:

It is a fee not a shakedown. I guess posting an untrue rant must have made you feel better. Oh the horror a $40 fee. 

Rant?  Did I miss something.  A single short sentence with the word "Shakedown" in it is now a "RANT".   Man, I guess I'm missing something.

 

BTW, yes it is only $40.00.  Oh, but wait, doesn't Royal, et al, add port taxes and fees at the time of booking to go to Bermuda?  I think so.  And this application fee is none refundable, for ANY reason.  So ya, I'd consider it a "Shakedown".   YOU can call it whatever you want to call it.  A rose is a rose..........  If I'm not mistaken, and I think I read this on the Bermuda official website, when they first imposed the application and fee, it was for the purpose of mitigating and paying for the mitigation of COVID and pay for the administration or words something to that effect.  

 

And yes, I know we can all decide as to weather we want to pay that "Shakedown"/"fee" or not.  I gladly elected not to.  I really like Bermuda, but I'll not pay port taxes and fees and then add a sham of an additional feet, not to mention the revenue cruisers pump into the economy.  Oh, I haven't mentioned the filling out of an application, on line, where a foreign entity is gathering your information about you and you have no idea how secure it is or what they are going to do with it.   When they drop it, I'll consider going back.  As I said, we really enjoyed Bermuda when we were there a few years ago.  

 

 

[Charles4515]

9 hours ago, nferr said:

 

Those cruises aren't inexpensive and they haven't really dropped the prices so I don't know. I have no problem going to Bermuda in 60 to 70 degree weather, and I really doubt a of of people are going to go there "under the impression that Bermuda is tropical". I think most people do a little more research than that. It's a nice 5 day break from the middle of winter. If the prices drop I might do one in February. Touring Hamilton etc. is fine. And I don't know where you're getting "its going to rain a lot", highest rainfall is July through October. December thru March is actually pretty low. 

The average temp will be 65 and it will likely be windy making it seem cooler than that. The sun sets at 6 so less daylight in the winter. Bermudians wear parkas in February. Your reading the stats in a way to justify the cruise in your mind. If the temp does reach 70 that will be a short time high. Most of the day it will be closer to 60. The voyage to and back is likely to be rough and the sea days are going to be brisk on deck at that time of year. NCL is not a good cruise line for that type of voyage at that time of year. I did an NCL cruise in the winter to the Bahamas and the first day out was miserable. They have water slides and the like.  RCL at least has ships with indoor pools.  Anyone doing research wanting a break in the middle of the winter should fly to Florida, Mexico or the Dominican Republic. Or cruise out of Florida or Texas. That would be a real winter break. 

Edited October 3, 2022 by Charles4515

[Engineroom Snipe]

On 10/1/2022 at 9:18 PM, BND said:

Every time I start a thread, which isn't all that often, I ask myself, "where will this go"?  Because it always goes off the rails and off topic lol.  

Just like a train going downhill that suddenly loses its brakes. Hold😉 on for the ride! 

[nferr]

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

The average temp will be 65 and it will likely be windy making it seem cooler than that. The sun sets at 6 so less daylight in the winter. Bermudians wear parkas in February. Your reading the stats in a way to justify the cruise in your mind. If the temp does reach 70 that will be a short time high. Most of the day it will be closer to 60. The voyage to and back is likely to be rough and the sea days are going to be brisk on deck at that time of year. NCL is not a good cruise line for that type of voyage at that time of year. I did an NCL cruise in the winter to the Bahamas and the first day out was miserable. They have water slides and the like.  RCL at least has ships with indoor pools.  Anyone doing research wanting a break in the middle of the winter should fly to Florida, Mexico or the Dominican Republic. Or cruise out of Florida or Texas. That would be a real winter break. 

 

That's you. I cruise almost every year out of NYC in the winter. I love it. And you make it sound like 60's is brutal. 60's is great weather IMO. If it's not for you don't cruise out of NY in winter. Not everybody is you. 

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, nferr said:

 

That's you. I cruise almost every year out of NYC in the winter. I love it. And you make it sound like 60's is brutal. 60's is great weather IMO. If it's not for you don't cruise out of NY in winter. Not everybody is you. 

I think it is fine for you  but as I said I think it is looney for NCL to do cruises to Bermuda in the winter low season. I don't  think you are looney. To each their own.  I think it is a looney business decision. I am all for inovation but cruise lines have not traditionally done Bermuda sailings in the winter for a reason. We shall see how it works out for NCL. You said it was not inexpensive but I looked it up and the February sailing is inexpensive. Don't see them making money on it.  Bermuda is very important to NCL that is why I chuckle at people who have posted that NCL would or could drop out of Bermuda over testing or $40 fees. NCL wants to do more Bermuda port calls not less. It would be great for Bermuda if it could become a year around cruise destination but I am a sceptic. I would be fine with being proved wrong and winter Bermuda cruises becoming popular.

Edited October 3, 2022 by Charles4515

[nferr]

45 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I think it is fine for you  but as I said I think it is looney for NCL to do cruises to Bermuda in the winter low season. I don't  think you are looney. To each their own.  I think it is a looney business decision. I am all for inovation but cruise lines have not traditionally done Bermuda sailings in the winter for a reason. We shall see how it works out for NCL. You said it was not inexpensive but I looked it up and the February sailing is inexpensive. Don't see them making money on it.  Bermuda is very important to NCL that is why I chuckle at people who have posted that NCL would or could drop out of Bermuda over testing or $40 fees. NCL wants to do more Bermuda port calls not less. It would be great for Bermuda if it could become a year around cruise destination but I am a sceptic. I would be fine with being proved wrong and winter Bermuda cruises becoming popular.

 Not arguing the point but if you want to see inexpensive look at some RCL Bahama cruises out of NY. You can't pick and choose one date. You may be right and next year NCL will drop winter cruises to Bermuda. It's not like they're doing dozens of them. It looks like one or two a month. We'll see. I'm doing RCL to Bahamas Nov.27 and the Oasis to Bahamas next October. I still think the NCL Getaway to Bermuda is overpriced for a 5 nighter in February, but I'll jump on it if prices plummet after final payment date passes.

[mpdog42]

7 hours ago, nferr said:

 

That's you. I cruise almost every year out of NYC in the winter. I love it. And you make it sound like 60's is brutal. 60's is great weather IMO. If it's not for you don't cruise out of NY in winter. Not everybody is you. 

But who would want to visit NYC these days?..possibly 3/75 Ranger Battalion😜

[nferr]

1 minute ago, mpdog42 said:

But who would want to visit NYC these days?..possibly 3/75 Ranger Battalion😜

 NYC is great to visit. Restaurants, shows, sports. I live an hour away by train so it's no big deal. I take the train to Manhattan if I'm cruising NCL, or Amtrak to Newark if I'm cruising RCL. 

[mpdog42]

Just now, nferr said:

 NYC is great to visit. Restaurants, shows, sports. I live an hour away by train so it's no big deal. I take the train to Manhattan if I'm cruising NCL, or Amtrak to Newark if I'm cruising RCL. 

Sure🙄

[robc1972]

Leave on Sat, too bad no changes before then. Free testing is a pain to find locally for us.
The 40 fee for the TA I am sure will stick around, nothing else just add the 40 into the port fees we pay so they still get the money they have become used to.

[nferr]

23 hours ago, mpdog42 said:

Sure🙄

 LOL. It's only one of the top visited tourist cities in the world.  What are you scared to walk in Manhattan after dusk?

[ashleyriley]

If you Google best time of the year to visit Bermuda, many travel sites say March or April. The weather is a great temperature, in the 60's and 70's and the crowds will be significantly less than in the high season of May-October. 

[Ret MP]

2 hours ago, nferr said:

 LOL. It's only one of the top visited tourist cities in the world.  What are you scared to walk in Manhattan after dusk?

That's an easy question to ask when you know that it can't be answered with a fully qualified answer because of the rules.  

[BND]

3 hours ago, ashleyriley said:

If you Google best time of the year to visit Bermuda, many travel sites say March or April. The weather is a great temperature, in the 60's and 70's and the crowds will be significantly less than in the high season of May-October. 

That is based on weather and crowds.  Bermuda is best known for beaches and golf which is why May-Oct is the high season.  

[Charles4515]

3 hours ago, ashleyriley said:

If you Google best time of the year to visit Bermuda, many travel sites say March or April. The weather is a great temperature, in the 60's and 70's and the crowds will be significantly less than in the high season of May-October. 

 

I don't know where you googled that it is the best time of year. But if you like the 60's and not doing the beach I guess that is the time for you. Beach season begins at the end of May. March and April would be great golf weather or whale watching  but there are no crowds because there is not much to do in March or April.  Also no casinos and entertainement is pretty limited. Not only limited cruises in the winter but limited flights to Bermuda. 

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

That's an easy question to ask when you know that it can't be answered with a fully qualified answer because of the rules.  

 

It is funny to me that two ex military police are scared of Manhattan.  I have been there many times day and night and your fear gives me a chuckle.