Mud_Shark

hmm - I called this week to try and move our January Cruise - and was told, yes I could move my deposit and not lose it - but there was a $50 admin fee per person.  Hmm.  Our deposit under early saver fare was only $50 per person - so how exactly is that helping me not lose my deposit?  Still costs us the small amount of money we have in to move it.  So I decided to let it roll.  Maybe they will cancel our cruise before final payment, and if not, we will let it die as it still costs us the same as moving it.

Don

When cruising re-opens, it will be measured and careful.  Not 100% risk free, of course, but not the same as it was when cruise ships were COVID incubators.  Don't like it - just wait it out.

Come on people - calm down.  You who think all should conform to your idea of what is best - that is both sides - masks and no masks - need to take your foot off the accelerator and stop panicking.  

We need to quit forcing our fears on others.  This has been said before - but we are sacrificing the future of the next generations with huge debt to protect our elderly today.  Hmm - usually it is the older generation sacrificing for the future of the next generation.  Both economics and health are real issues.  To ignore the one and push only the agenda of the other is going to end in disaster - no matter which one you push.  Why can't we work together for a better outcome?  I know - silly question given the nature of humanity - but sigh.....

Don

I am in cruising withdrawal.

I will follow all those restrictions and still go.

In fact - we have a Caribbean cruise booked for November of 2021 and I already have 7 shore excursions reserved out of the 10 stops.  And one of the remaining stops is Princess Cays so no excursion likely needed for that one.  The other  two stops I have plans for a do-it-yourself day - but can change those plans if needed.  By Nov 2021 hopefully cruise only excursions will no longer be necessary - but who really knows, and if so, we are already well set.

By the way - have a boatload of OBC for this cruise (pun intended), so all excursions are booked with OBC and have not had to put down a dime of real money to hold theses excursions.

Don

 I cancelled our January cruise on Tuesday.  FCDs were set to expire in Nov.  I requested an extension while still on the line with Princess rep.  She said she had a request form to fill in - she said she completed it and I should see the result on my Princess account.

Thursday I saw the FCDs expiry was extended 2 more years - to Nov 2022.

Don

Carnival is still not giving up hope of cruising in November.  I would assume the other brands are waiting to see how things go and if cruising can somehow open up on a very limited basis in the US.  If that does occur, it would likely be short cruises to the Bahamas.  All the brands that specialize in a bit longer cruises would then see how things go and adjust their itineraries as needed to conform to requirements.  So I would guess we wont hear much until the CDC makes an announcement on their next move, and then if their is an opening, how Carnival responds.

Don

If the cruise field leans out some more in the coming months, CCL could be poised to come out of this strong - but not for a while.  If capacity continues to reduce, and demand returns, the profit margin for those still in the game will increase post COVID.  But there will be huge debt to overcome before the value of the company rises significantly.

Tragedy is opportunity.

Don

I get the same issue all the time on my home computer - which is old and no longer receives system updates because it is operating on an old version of windows (can't even recall if it is vista or XP or Win 7).  I attribute the issue to non compatibility because all displays fine on my newer laptop that I take to work.  There are other sites I visit that no longer work quite as they should as well.

Don

cancelled our Jan 2021 cruise today.  The FCD's expire in Dec.  Already have 2 other cruises booked for late 2021, so wont be booking anything else for a while.

I asked for my options and the princess rep told me I could have them extended, so that is what I did, giving me another year to use them.  Could have requested a refund - but figured might as well keep them active and see what becomes of cruising.

Don

We like PC no matter if it is first or last.

Other than the fact that the water temp is a little colder than the other Caribbean stops, it is a great beach day for those who like beach days - and that is us.

No cost, no transportation issues, no hassles.  Yes, for those who like to tour instead of snorkel and swim, it may not be your ideal stop, but for us - it is the tropical dream.  I guess I do prefer that it is the first stop because, as I mentioned, the water is a littler colder, and I tell myself - it will only get better as the trip progresses south.  More to look forward to.  But if it was on the back end, it would be the last opportunity to beach it - so I would definitely take that as well.

Don

I consistently have the same problem.  I put the cruise on hold and call princess.  Can be on hold for a while, but as soon as you get a person, they can apply the CFD and all is well in 5 minutes.

Don

HAL does have a very nice transpacific from San Diego to Sydney listed for October 2021.  A bit pricey compared with past years, but fantastic itinerary.  Oosterdam to Hawaii, Tahiti and beyond.  Plenty of port stops.

I would be very tempted, but this just isn't the time for us to plan anything too exotic.  We will stick with the Caribbean in 2021 and see how that goes, and look to a transpacific for 2022 or beyond.

Don

We were booked on Holland America for a transpacific from seattle to sydney and then on to New Zealand - that went via hawaii, fiji and New Caledonia.  Fantastic itinerary, lots of port stops and good price.  However, it was cancelled by COVID.  The reverse itinerary is still for sail in March April from Sydney, but I have my doubts it will sail either, and the price is up.  

The Fall 2021 itinerary for such a sailing has not been posted, and I think HAL is holding back on the big itineraries until they see how things will fall out.

We are loyal Princess cruisers, but HAL had far greater transpacific itineraries this year.  For 2021 we have simplified our cruise plans and will wait a year or two more before looking at something like this again.

Don

Thank you for this.  I could never understand how to fax via computer, so I mailed my stuff in by regular post.  This is far better.

Don

I am not too concerned with cabin selection.  We have an interior, now on deck 8 mid ship.  To me, just about all interiors are the same as long as they are not bunk beds.  My concern is that my wife is not feeling confident about cruising yet.  We won't be able to go if 14 day quarantine is still required upon return to Canada as her job, and mine to a lesser extent, do not make allowance for this.  Just plenty of unknowns making her not want to return to cruising yet.

We will have to make a go or no go decision on this by end of September as this is part of a longer vacation and a combination of cruises.

Don

I would have signed up for the free rewards program to see if it would work for us, but it is only available for residents of the US.

Don

Not from what I understood when I asked the question.  The booking is paid for.  The OBC was to get you to pay in full early.  Since that is done - the OBC stays with you.  If a cheaper fare comes into play prior to the original date for final payment, you can re-fare (of course, the 10% discount would then be recalculated based upon the new fare).

Don

We did not have any FCC - so no idea on that.  Our cancelled COVID cruise was with another cruise line.

Don

We had this offer applied to 2 of our 2021 cruises, and as I look at the receipt that Princess emailed me - I see that the entire fare (not including port fees and taxes) was discounted 10%, so your deposit, even if already paid - is part of the discount calculation.

Don

Same end of 2021 date for us as well.  It has been a great perk, but times are different.  The cruise industry is in a fight for its life.  If it has to go, at least we have 2 November 2021 cruises already booked for which it has been applied.

Wouldn't be surprised to see the shareholder credit also eliminated at some point.  I sold our shares already - took it on the chin but not as bad as if i still held them today.  Will think about re-purchasing if it looks like cruising is back to business and the OBC offer is still in play.

Don

Totally agree, and there are likely lots of people like you feeling the same.  I bit the bullet and booked the cruise I want without the benefits of the cancelled cruise, just feeling like that will have to be applied to the next year's (2022) cruise when it finally comes.

Don

The offer specifies that it is applicable to summer 2021 bookings and beyond.

And it does specify that you can't double dip with this 10% offer and the FCC offer for cancelled cruises.

I am intrigued.   Our Fall 2021 cruise is already priced attractively, and not likely to be reduced very much unless people are afraid to cruise and demand is low.  I Like to save money, and don't even want to consider that cruising may fold its hand completely and declare bankruptcy (if CCL goes under, will any of the other biggies do so as well)?  I want to believe we will be cruising next year.

I will think on this for a while.  We have a month to decide.

Don

Agreed, The prices for the Caribbean itineraries are very attractive.  Prices had been trending upwards and I had assumed that I would look at the Nov 2021 and later itineraries and be unimpressive by the price - but it was the exact opposite.  Am now booked for November and at a cheaper rate than my Jan 2020 Caribbean cruise (still hoping this one will be a "go"), which I thought was a good deal.

Don

For our January  Florida cruise, we were choosing between Sunrise (Pt Ev) and Sensation (out of Miami).  These were the two choices that fit as we would be coming directly off a Princess cruise and then onto the Carnival one.  We chose the Sensation because it was heading to Amber Cove and Grand Turks (and was slightly less expensive).  Now the Sunrise has replaced the Sensation - so we have the same itinerary on a better ship.  Would be a win - if this cruise actually happens.  We will wait it out, but with each passing day, it looks less likely.

Don

Hopefully that means HAL will cancel our Sept 27th cruise before final payment is due on Wednesday.  Don't want to give them more money for a cruise that is not sailing.

Don

We have a back to back on Princess and then Carnival in Jan 2021 and my wife wants me to cancel now because of the mess of Florida and the no travel order for Canada.  But  I want to hold out some hope of a cruise.  I will likely cancel before final payment but would sure like to see some positive improvements in the entire pandemic situation before then to cause me to change my mind. So we are giving it two months before we decide.

Don