Evilmuffin

@rafinmd   Thank you so much.   I just returned back to CC after a few years of being land bound.   My last cruise was 2016.   Moved from Europe back to Canada in 2017 and decided it’s time.   I am so looking forward to my upcoming cruises.   I met some excellent people during the cruises.   It will be my first time cruising solo.  But I have walked twice across the top of Spain by myself so I’m sure I will do fine.   

Wrt the transfering of OBC and perks to other cruises, my situation was a little different.   I was booked in Dec 2020 for a 11 day Panama Canal on the Zuiderdam, which of course was cancelled.  My PCC contacted me and offered a cruise in January 2021.   I told her that chances are it would have to be cancelled again.   I asked her to rebook me for one around the same timeframe in 2021.   A day or so later, I get the new itinerary, but it’s now 10 days and $800 more.  I called and pointed this out, and she said to me “oh, but this one has more perks.   You are getting a beverage package, a dining package, prepaid svc charge and 10 dys Internet.”   So I told her I would call her back.   I sat and calculated it all out, comparing my original perks of prepaid svc package.  The increased amount I would have to pay would be more than if I just purchased these “perks” myself, plus the cruise was 1 day shorter.   I called her back and pointed all of this out and my new cruise is now $1900 cheaper than my original booking, and I get to keep the prepaid svc charges as the perk.     Hopefully this cruise actually happens.   One never knows what will happen these days.  

From my understanding of reading the exclusions, wrt COVID, they don’t cover if there is an advisory.  But even once the advisory is lifted, they will cover any quarantine period but the original trip must be more than 31 days.   It’s the quarantine insurance that I can’t seem to find.   

I’ve only been in a Neptune suite or Pinnacle Suite with HAL.   I will have to check out Celebrity.   

Since not everyone wants the passport or needs it, then why not just allow people that want it so they can travel.  Just like your normal passport that is required to go to another country.   

4 hours ago, BS102 said:

I saw on a Princess board they are doing some upgrades on ships leaving in February.

I just looked at Zuiderdam in Oct 21, and that ship is almost empty.  It was supposed to be at 50% capacity controlled...but it is no where near that.  If there was ever a time when upgrades made sense, it is now.  Lots of cabins are available, and passengers are going to considerable trouble, ie vaccination, testing, mask, port cancellations, restrictions on activities, etc.  An upgrade would be an appropriate gesture.  It is quite possible that we will have restrictions...both on shore and outside our rooms.  Having a nice balcony might be where we are spending most our time.

Where can you find how many are booked on the ships?   

15 minutes ago, choose2cruz said:

Welcome @Evilmuffin  I'm also taking my first solo cruise in December, but on a different line. The10-Day Panama Sunfarer sounds great. Hope you will tell us about your experience when you're back. Is the Caribbean cruise on HA also?

Thank you for the warm welcome.   Both cruises are on the Eurodam.   I have been booked on the 10 day cruise since around February.   I just booked the 7 day today.   They are back to back.   I’m hoping to get the same cabin.   Unfortunately the cabin I am in for the 10 day, is already booked for the 7 day.   I have asked to be put on a waiting list in the event the person cancels.   With the new worry free policy, people are more apt to wait to the last minute to cancel.   

HI.  First time solo cruiser.  Booked on the Eurodam, 10 Day Panama Sunfarer 05 Dec - 15 Dec, and then 7 Day Caribbean 15 Dec to 22 Dec.   

This is interesting.   The Eurodam is not expected back to the US until 14 Nov.   If they can’t sail for 14 days, that takes it to 28 Nov.   This would effect two sailings, 14 Nov - 24 Nov and 24 Nov - 05 Dec.   I’m currently on the 5 Dec - 15 Dec.   I’d be good to depart on the 28th and have a 18 day cruise, if they giving me a really really good deal.  Yeah, I know it won’t happen… but one needs to have dreams.  

5 minutes ago, Lido deck main said:

Sue what time do you fly out.  I just checked Pearson airport for testing they have rapid antigen, results back in 30 minutes.  They are open at 5:00am.  You can book an appointment.   Find out in the country you are going to will accept that test.  We are testing same day we fly out here in Vancouver we plan to arrive to airport 7 hours early to get testing and results before flight.  We are going to US they accept antigen.  Not an ideal situation to sit around airport for that length, but we don’t want to be in a position where we would have to get second test.  Good luck.

Thank you for your info.   I am in the same “boat”, in Ottawa and flying to Fort Lauderdale to board.

Is the test required for entry to the USA, the same as the cruiselines?    For example, if I got an antigen test here in Ottawa on a Thursday/Friday, board a flight on Saturday, and sail on Sunday, will that one test be good enough?    Although hopefully by the time my cruise departs, (Dec) I’m sure lots will have changed.

1 hour ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

I searched FLL for their options and it looks like they do have testing at the baggage claim level in terminal 3 https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Flights/advisories/pages/default.aspx .  You can also check CovidClinic.org for locations nearby.  I hope that helps.

Thank you so much.   I’m hoping I can get one here in Canada that will be good for both the flight and the cruise.   Cruise isn’t until December but better to start early.

Thank you for your post.    I am trying to figure out the best time for testing for me.    As a Canadian, I will have to be tested before I fly.   I don’t want to fly in on the day of departure and was planning on two days before (maybe overkill).   If I come too soon, I may have to get two tests unless I can time it right.   And I have no idea where to go for testing in Fort Lauderdale if I need it.   

If one of the issues would be the amount of time to test everyone, perhaps they should not sail the same day they arrive in port.   

Canadian Forces Veteran - solo cruiser - Birthday

05 Dec 2021 - 10 Day Panama Canal Sunfarer

Eurodam

21 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

New rules out today for HAL cruises  on the website -

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well.html

Medically observed tests is excellent.   However, where do you get this test done?   Will HAL be providing the test or at least a place to go?

I went through this whole thread and wrote down the names of every company mentioned.   Tomorrow I will start calling them all.   And if I do get a positive answer from someone, I’m definitely asking for it in writing.   I am booked on HAL Eurodam 5 - 15 Dec 2021.   HAL has this on their website.   If I chose the Platinmum Plan, would I still need to get insurance from a company in Canada?  The price for the Standard plan is $987 and the Platinmum plan is $1500.   Apparently they have a cancellation program in effect if you test positive for COVID for any cruises until Dec 2021.

I am booked for a cruise in December on the Eurodam and I am just starting to look for travel insurance.  It’s all over the place with policies.   I found one that covers COVID but if the trip includes any sort of cruise travel, they will not insure.   I found another one that said that if you travel to a place where there is a Travel Advisory such as avoid all travel due to conflict, they will not cover you if you are injured from the reason there was a travel advisory, but will cover you if it’s not related.  (Good to know as I am travelling to Kenya next year).   Any suggestions for an insurance company would be greatly appreciated.

Can’t imagine what it would cost.   I would want to be in the Pinnancle Suite for that length of time.   My upcoming 10 day cruise in Bahamas is just over 13K.   (Hence the reason I don’t cruise too often).    I doubt I could afford a Neptune Suite for that long.  Maybe include cabin or down below in the engine room.   But there is always the lottery so never say never.

My Home Depot gives a 10% discount to active military every day.

 

 

 

All nationalities? I'm gonna just have to go ahead and say no, I don't agree with that one.

At the risk of starting a flame war... I would like to know what "Nationalities" you feel that should not be given the same discount?

Don't know about weather , but for sure you gonna have lots and lots of kids :rolleyes:

The guy at MSC who I did the booking with said that he thought that because School started Prior to our return, there would be less children. Wish MSC would do Adult only Cruises. :mad:

This will be our 5th cruise, 3rd with MSC, but first time during "winter season". We depart from Genoa on 27 Dec and return 7 Jan. Ports are Spain, Morocco, Canary Islands, Portugal. Just wondering if anyone has ever sailed this area during this time Frame. How cold will it be? Too cold for the outside pools and hottubs? Is the Yacht Club outdoors area open after it is dark? And did you find there was alot of children? I believe School is back in before we are back for disembarkation.

Any hints or tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Interesting enough, I am a retired Canadian soldier with 30 years of Service. On the MSC Website for Canada, it mentions a Military Discount. However, since I am living in the Netherlands as my husband is here with NATO, I book through the Netherlands Office. I asked about the miliitary Discount and I was told that it is not available in the Netherlands. I was told I could contact the Canadian booking Office by phone, and book thru them instead. Sounds pretty stupid to me as it is all one Company. And all countries should be included regarding Military Service.