SteelMagnolia9

Decided to find out the current position of the American Heritage. It is on a cruise from New Orleans to St. Louis, going to Natchez, Mississippi. Will continue to follow its position using Cruise Mapper.

St. Louis received additional heavy rains and flooding today. It is historic flooding and looks pretty bad. I’m really sad for the residents there.The cruise is secondary, but I will not be surprised if it is canceled.

DaveinCharlotte, thank you for the good information on the complementary cruise. All of my ACL cruises have been one week with the exception of the upcoming Ohio River cruise. I have completed some solo and some with a friend. I’m going to keep in mind what you stated about booking. I’m planning on booking #10 while on board. Are they still offering the onboard booking discount?

I am on the American Heritage. I believe it is the refurbished Queen of the Mississippi.

According to our itinerary, we arrive in Pittsburgh at 2:00 a.m. on 8/15. We disembark on 8/16. 

I have an upcoming cruise with ACL. In my account, it lists my number of past cruises as six, although I have eight previous cruises with ACL and my upcoming Ohio River cruise is #9. I called them and they did confirm with me that my upcoming cruise was #9. I am getting close to #10 and the complementary cruise, so I wanted to be certain there was no error on their part.

It states in my account that cruises prior to a certain date (I can't remember the year) will no longer be reflected in your past cruises. Also, my 2019 Cumberland River cruise is not reflected in my past cruises as it is no longer offered. Additionally, in my past cruises it reflects that I went on the new San Francisco Bay cruise back in 2018. I'm not even booked on it. It's a mess.

Recommend that you check yours for accuracy.

Thank you for your replies. I have been offline with eye surgeries, limiting my computer and reading time. 

My cruise is now less than two weeks away departing Aug. 5th. I am very much looking forward to it and will be happy with a slow pace. The itinerary has changed twice since I booked. Here is the latest lineup as of 7/25/22:

St. Louis, MO

Paducah, KY

Evansville, IN

Louisville, KY

Cincinnati, OH

Maysville, KY

Marietta, OH

Wheeling, WV

Pittsburgh, PA 

I've booked my shore excursions, although Hendersonville, KY is now off the itinerary with Evansville, IN now on and replacing it. Cape Girardeau, MO was originally on the itinerary and is also off. I've been there previously on the Cumberland River cruise which is no longer offered. Nothing has been offered yet for Evansville nor for Wheeling, WV. I'm sure there will be the usual shore excursion talk the first day of the cruise. I've been to Paducah, KY on the Cumberland River cruise, so I didn't sign onto any excursion there. When I return home, I'll post all the offered shore excursions on my Ohio River cruise.

I'm a bit concerned about flight delays and cancellations going to St. Louis. In hindsight, I probably would have added an additional day in St. Louis at the Drury Plaza at the Arch (ACL pre-hotel) in case of delay. I booked my flight through ACL, so if there are flight issues, hopefully, they will be there to assist. This will be my third stay at this Drury in St. Louis. It was the beginning point for my Upper Mississippi River cruise and Cumberland River cruise. You can walk a short distance to the Arch. It is very close to the hotel. 

I booked a transfer today from the airport to the Drury through Viator. I booked a private sedan, price $54.42 for one person. I'll provide a brief review of that service here when I return.

Can"t wait!

Well, I decided to take the plunge and booked the ACL Flat Rate Domestic Airfare Option on my Ohio River cruise. I filled out the online Travel Request form which asked some basic information including my preferred airport and preferred seating, i.e. aisle, etc.The same day (likely because I recently booked my cruise and it is just 2 months away) I received an email from an ACL Travel Coordinator with a tentative reservation and a flat rate quote of $495 for Economy, Main Cabin. I was requested to respond to whether I wanted to proceed and confirm the reservation within 24 hours. The reservation was on Delta. 
 

I checked the Delta website for comparison pricing from my Florida airport (RSW) to St. Louis and then return to Florida from Pittsburgh and it was just about the same as the flat rate quoted. I did ‘tweak’ a couple of the legs as I wanted an earlier departure time going to St. Louis and coming home wanted more time between my flights in Atlanta (I transit through Atlanta frequently and 40 mins. between flights cut it too close for me). I responded with my requested changes and then received another tentative reservation which I approved. I then received a confirmed reservation with aisle seats as I had requested.

It was all very easy and completed through email with an ACL Travel Coordinator. I had my confirmed reservation on my flights within 24 hours of the first email I received.

YMMV depending on your own variables and pricing is fluid. My experience with the reservation process was excellent and they accommodated my requested changes. 
 

A “Flat Rate” to me would mean that the rate of $495 applies to everyone from all domestic airports. I don’t know if that is ACL’s definition.  A rep from ACL when I booked my cruise told me

they only utilized three airlines, American, Delta and one other airline I can’t remember - I think it was United, but I’m not sure. 

I did not know this until I read this thread.   Yes, no mention of it as being included on my upcoming cruise in August.
 

The internet on some of my past cruises was abysmal at times and I usually commented on it on the post-cruise surveys that it needed to be upgraded. Apparently, it’s clear they decided to eliminate it altogether as a cost cutting measure rather than upgrade it. At the price point for ACL cruises, excellent internet service should be a given.

Has anyone used ACL’s flat rate domestic airfare option? If so, your thoughts or experience? Thank you!

Just booked the Ohio River cruise for the Aug. 6th departure, St.Louis to Pittsburgh. Have not been on ACL since fall of 2019 (Hudson River cruise) due to Covid. Anyone booked or have been on the Ohio River cruise?

I received an email yesterday asking me to rate my shore excursions from my early December cruise. Like some others, one was just identified by a number, 31304, and the survey did not include all the shore excursions I booked. I have no idea what excursion 31304 was. I’m going to pass on this poorly sent survey.

8 hours ago, crashedfsu said:

I'm a diamond platinum member. Had multiple cruises cancel in 2020 and used a certificate to book Symphony of the Seas Jan 22 2022. Royal just cancelled the cruise less than 2 weeks before sailing, and according to the cruise line, its not for guest safety but "staffing." 

Since we used a cruise credit from a cancelled sailing they are offering NOTHING. They said we can have the certificate back or our money back. They won't issue either for at least a month, so I can't even book another Royal Cruise the same week with that money. Is this completely absurd? Is this how they are treating Diamond Platinum customers? Am I stupid for continuing to give this company my business? Help. 

I would request the money refund and not take another certificate. Money in YOUR pocket instead of Royal holding your money for an indeterminate period of time. 
 

Also, since you would have to book another cruise with other monies, why not have a new experience and go on another cruiseline that same week? I like Royal, but booked and went on a HAL cruise in early December after 11 years of not sailing with them as I liked the itinerary and had a wonderful time. Select one and go. It’s always good to have new experiences.

All the best whatever you decide.

Thank you!

Is the Pinnacle Grill open for lunch on the Nieuw Amsterdam? If so, when? I am onboard for a week beginning Dec. 4th. My Navigator app indicates lunch is available, but there is no way on the app or online to make a reservation.

This is likely a very simple question; however, I have not been on a HAL ship in over 10 years, so trying to figure it all out. Thanks!

I’ve been on both and would recommend the Pearl. Although there are more venues in the Getaway, it seemed claustrophobic and confining at times. Even though it’s a large ship, the layout didn’t lend itself to a lot of outside access. Would not go on the Getaway again. 
 

With the Covid issues, smaller is better right now and I’m wondering if some of the ports will initially restrict the larger ships from docking to limit the numbers coming in to the ports.

I remember the $1.00 deposits on Black Friday. Princess needs cash, so I guess we won’t see the $1.00 deposit promos again anytime soon. That is the only way I would book right now until the cruise lines are operational. I’m not investing any monies in travel that may not happen.

13 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

The post you referenced was nothing but speculation on the part of the person who posted it. 

Yes, that was me. I based it on a speech recently from the projected presidential winner who indicated that he was not anticipating that Covid-19 would be under control until November 2021. I don’t believe he is going to allow cruise ships to operate out of the U. S. Ports next year. I’m listening carefully to what he and his transition team are saying and it’s about more restrictions, not less. Yes, I guess it’s just my 2 cents. 

2 hours ago, packercruising said:

I really do not want to discuss politics on here, but a new administration is more likely to close everything down than the current one. Also, please note that, under the current regime in Cuba, your tourist dollars do not help the economy. 

You are correct. Cruising will not begin from the U.S. until Jan. 2022 at the earliest.

I believe it is just marketing/public relations to create more excitement and anticipation for cruising and their brand. No way are they going to fly in a random person to participate in a test cruise. I live in Florida and don’t believe they’ll just take random people from around the state.  The test passengers will be hand selected and vetted. 
 

Now they have the names, emails, phone numbers, C&A, etc. of people who are anxious to cruise and can begin targeting them as a group who want to immediately get on board once they can sail. That’s the real reason they are collecting this information under the guise of recruiting volunteers.

Based on the projected results of the U.S. presidential election, I don’t see cruising going forward until 2022 from the U.S. Had the election gone the other way, cruising would likely be under way by spring.

Based upon the projected results of the U.S. presidential election, it’s unlikely there will be any cruise ships sailing from or to the U.S. in 2021. 

15 hours ago, dcipjr said:

This is wonderful news.

 

It's still going to take some time, but the takeaway here is that there will be a vaccine and the pandemic will end and we will be cruising again!

 

I have high hopes for 2021. That first sailaway post-pandemic is going to be extra amazing.

It is good news about the vaccine; however, it’s unlikely any ships will sail from the U.S. in 2021 based upon the projected results of the presidential election. 

I live in Florida and would go on a 3-5 day cruise from Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa. It would be a solo cruise for me, R&R. Would book a balcony cabin. Relax, enjoy the sea, the food and just let each day unfold. No agenda.

Probably the safest time to sail if you can drive to the port and are healthy with a flexible attitude.

Will not, however, invest any monies or book any date until the cruise line is operational.

I canceled a November 11 night S. Caribbean cruise on August 6th (before HAL announced cancellations through Dec.15th) and received my deposit refunded back to my credit card on August 15th. Also received a refund on my Allianz travel insurance back to my credit card within 24 hours of my request.

3 hours ago, neuronbob said:

I have a Thanksgiving week cruise from FLL on Nieuw Amsterdam.  As I watch people not wearing their masks, and see the worsening of the pandemic here in the US, I am increasingly unlikely to go. The full payment is due in only a few weeks.  It's going to be a game time decision as to whether I pay it, or just reschedule for 2022.  The latter is looking likelier.  Keeping fingers crossed for some kind of improvement in the next few weeks.

I am booked on a 11 night cruise to the S. Caribbean on the Nieuw Statendam departing Nov. 11th. I’m cancelling and having my refundable deposit returned. There is no indication HAL will be sailing by then. Unless there is a compelling reason you have to rebook, I would not give any cruiseline any monies towards a future trip until they are operational.

Thank you for the information. Good to know. I am booked on a 11 night S. Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam in November (booked in January). Was to be my first HAL cruise in 10 years.