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Of course the airlines are liable. But as I said before you won´t even board the plane when you don´t have ESTA (or a visa or a Green Card or are an American citizen) here in Europe as the airlines need to check the data with the US authorities prior to departure. So there´s only a limited number of pushbacks - those who want to travel with ESTA but need a visa for the special purpose of their travel as an example or those who are denied entry although they do have proper documentation including ESTA (which can happen). steamboats

As for EU citizens... when you don´t have ESTA you won´t be allowed to board the plane to the US. The data is sent to the US prior to departure of the plane and the plane can only depart when the US authorities have given their o.k. for departure. Not sure whether ETIAS or UK ETA are working the same way. steamboats

This is the official ETIAS website: ETIAS (europa.eu) It´s not a visa but as ESTA (for US) or eTA (for Canada) and ETA (UK) a visa waiver program where you simply preregister for your entry. Compared to the 21 USD for ESTA now the 7 Euro are a bargain for ETIAS. So far there is still no official start date. steamboats

Boarding with the QR Code did work yesterday - according to my DH. steamboats

Explora I is just docking in Portsmouth. steamboats

The Explora I is just arriving in Barcelona. steamboats

The next ship going into service is the Riverside Ravel in August. steamboats

Explora I is proceeding pretty well... 17 kn North of Sicily right now - close to the Lipari islands. steamboats

John is definitely a travel writer who is writing for several print publications. steamboats

Not sure whether John would call himself an influencer 😂. He's the husband of CC's editor-in-chief I've mentioned in the other thread 😉. I'm sure he'd call himself a journalist 😉. steamboats

Here´s video with a full ship tour of the Riverside Mozart. And a cabin onboard the Riverside Mozart: steamboats

Explora I left Monfalcone yesterday evening past 7 pm on her way to Barcelona. And BTW, it was not the christening by Sylvia Earle but the traditional bottle break at the delivery ceremony. The so called shipyard christening was done by Zoe Africa Vago. steamboats

More news... The christening as well as the handover will be today in Monfalcone - so four days earlier than announced. The panels stay onboard (also on the MSC Euribia) and are regarded safe. steamboats

Promising news for those on the Aug 1st cruise. There are reports that media has been invited for a preview cruise out of Portsmouth to Copenhagen. steamboats

I saw that Cruisecritic´s editor-in-chief´s husband is currently onboard the Riverside Mozart. I don´t know whether she is also onboard. But we might hear more soon. steamboats

Usually the ships have enough fuel onboard to sail for 2 weeks on regular traveling speed (which is between 13 and 17 kn). So there wouldn´t a stop needed on the way to Copenhagen. They can refuel there. steamboats

Even with leaving on July 24th (which is the lasted date they announced for the delivery) it might be a problem to be in Copenhagen on Aug 1st. If that Kiel date is correct the first cruise will be Aug 15th from Copenhagen to Hamburg. So still one cruise away from your Aug 21st cruise out of Hamburg. steamboats

@Hlitner, yes, you missed out the Aug 15th cruise out of Copenhagen. So Kiel could be either the christening or just a media/TA showcase or even short cruise to Copenhagen. steamboats

I wrote "usually" and was more referring to the European companies as we are talking about VIVA. steamboats

That´s what Explora Journeys said when they officially cancelled the first cruise on July 17th. steamboats

What age are we talking about? Kids are usually allowed on river cruises. But they might not have any triple cabins (or only one or two). VIVA is not an adult only cruise line and there are at least some board games and more. But VIVA does not have any kids´ facilities. The only ship I know of is the new A-Rosa Sena which has a kids club. My DD was 5yo on her first European river cruise (and 18 months on her first US river cruise). steamboats

Now Explora I is gone from the port of Kiel list in August... TBC... steamboats

Just to clarify... although on an ocean going vessel there usually is a medical center with a doctor they do send the patients to onshore hospitals too as soon as possible for serious illnesses. So you can end up in a hospital on some Caribbean island or Middle America which might not be up to the US standards either. steamboats

Couldn´t have said it any better! @Lalof wear whatever you feel comfortable in!! Sneakers are widely worn in Europe and popular with all ages. And you can´t avoid to be identified as a tourist. I can´t either as a German being on vacation in Italy... Why, we all dress differently when we are on vacation. We don´t go on the street in our business/office wear when we´re on vacation. We don´t wear shorts either when we go to work... Especially cobble stones can be tricky so do wear comfortable footwear!! steamboats

The article sounds like the competitor did report the failure in his tests. steamboats