sptrout

We received the same email today. Our December cruise was changed one day, but the same ship. No word if our YC cabin has been changed (cabin #). Have about 4 weeks before final payment to decide if we want to chance that any cruise departs from the U.S. this year. I guess either MSC thinks that they will be sailing in December, or are more than willing to take our money first and cancel the cruise later. What to do??????? Probably will cancel, cannot afford to give MSC a loan if they cancel the cruise.

2 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/rcl?ltr=1

They changed their name to "Royal Caribbean Group" a few days ago and even changed their logo. TeeRick beat me to the keyboard LOL.

http://www.rclcorporate.com/

27 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Celebrity is part of Royal Caribbean Company (Corporation? whatever their new name is) 

FYI - - Royal Caribbean Group

1 minute ago, Bo1953 said:

To be sure, there are at least four (4) 'potential' commercial lines with ships that will fit the criteria of the referendum, e.g. Regent, Crystal, Viking Oceania and Silverseas... to name at least four (4)...

 

bon voyage

But, will they, or do they now? I do not know. Then, they may have no choice if the other ports of call do not open up. 

Just now, Fouremco said:

I agree with you 100%. When I said that the Bahamian government would have to make an exception, I wasn't suggesting that they would or should do so.

I did not think that you were suggesting exemptions. I was just expanding on the issue; I hope LOL.

54 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

Don is not that bright. I watched a couple of his videos and quickly determined that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

I cannot determine Don's IQ based on the few videos that I have seen the past four weeks. I assume that before the current COVID disaster that his videos where all based on his cruise experiences(?). Now, he has no choice except to report and complain about the current situation all over the world. He is obviously very frustrated at current situation, and since he is Canadian, his perspective is a little different that those of us that live in the US. 

19 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

The "private islands" are still subject to the laws of the country they are part of. Unless the Bahamian government makes a specific exemption, cruise lines won't be able to use these islands if they have US passengers or crew aboard:

 

• Castaway Cay, Bahamas - Disney Cruise Private Island
• Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - Holland America Private Island
• Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas - Norwegian Cruise Line Private Island
• Princess Cays, Bahamas - Princess Cruises Private Island
• CocoCay, Bahamas - Royal Caribbean Private Island
• Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas - MSC Private Island

I do not believe that the Bahamas can, or will, make exceptions for the so called private islands within their territory. As far as I know, and certainly the ones that we have visited, local people do much of the work on these islands before returning home to their native island(s). The last one we visited was just last December at MSC's new Ocean Cay private island. MSC spent millions of dollars there, but there are still many locals that work, and stay there in what are apparently apartments, for a few weeks before returning home. A COVID outbreak there would be a nightmare.

6 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

I understand, yet per the 'referendum' it is 'passenger' count and does not include crew.

 

As such, either the calculation is incorrect for some reason or he did not fully read the proposed referendum.

 

That count is 1,300, passengers only and not crew.

 

bon voyage

I forgot how Don did his math, but his conclusion was that there will be a KW shutdown. Since all the cruise ships in US waters are much larger than 1,300 passengers, how will any cruise line be able to add KW to their long term plans? Cannot determine a KW visit based on each cruise's nose count. Will be a mess no matter what if KW votes for this plan. Cruising for the next few year I am afraid will be a mess no matter what KW decides. What will follow COVID-19? A new coronavirus, or a new bad flu? They are coming sooner or later. I guess that we will need to buy a row boat and just float down the rivers here in Texas.

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

To be 'clearer' Key West may bar certain 'size' ships, not ALL ships.

 

As well, it is a referendum to be voted on in November to take effect in 2021.

 

bon voyage

Yes, but according to "Don" (forgot his last name) of a YouTube cruising channel that he has, yesterday in his daily update he did the math. Based on the size limit rules under consideration, the limit would ban all ships used by any cruise line that operates in US waters (all over the passenger & crew limits). So, in affect, it would ban all cruise ships. Hopefully, the KW business owners will see the that they will be badly burned (out of business) if this law is passed.

You may have to look beyond 2021 in to 2022. I booked 10 days on the Reflection in an SS1 cabin for less than $4k pp (including 4 perks), for the first week in January 2022. Lowest price that I have seen in a long time for a corner aft cabin.

With new COVID rules not yet announced, all the above is what it used to be not necessarily as it will be when you sail. I would expect major changes starting at the very beginning; embarktion, all the way to disembarkation. All bets are off for U.S. sailings IMO.

Cirque du Soliel filed for bankruptcy last week so it is any body's quess if that show will ever return. I hope it can survive, it was a fascinating show.

3 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

No treatment included, and a note: the spas on the Seaside/Seaview are far bette than on other ships.

Happy cruising!

Just a note to add that the Meraviglia's spa is nearly identical to the Seaside's spa. It is really going to interesting how all the cruise lines are going to handle COVID-19 & spa access. They may have to close them for a year to let COVID fears settle down.

2 hours ago, BoundForSea said:

As I’m reading this, It just dawned on me that there will probably be alot of new restrictions and rules with the Thermal Spa. 

It will look great in the spas with everyone wearing masks, but with what will be by then twenty feet of social distancing, you will be by yourself.

No treatments included, only access to the thermal spa is included.

Here is the link to the full document:

https://www.healthygateways.eu/Portals/0/plcdocs/EU_HEALTHY_GATEWAYS_COVID-19_RESTARTING_CRUISES.pdf?ver=2020-07-01-115942-557

16 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I don't understand why we're leaving Ocean Cay at 6:00 p.m. either.  What are we going to do--sail around in circles?  MSC could easily solve the staffing problem on the island by employing some locals there.

I agree that departing OC at 6PM is a bummer and depressing (heading back to the home port). My guess, and that is all it is, is that the early departure may be to allow for a very early arrival back into Miami so the crew can start the yet unpublished new cleaning protocols that MSC may be planning for the "turn around" day. Instead of floating, they will be cleaning like never before????

As for the question/complaint mentioned about the slow service/long lines at the YC, OC restaurant, the answer that worked for us last December was to arrive early before opening and then wait (seated) at the dinner tables a few minutes for the food service to begin. This was totally by accident since we had no idea what to expect at the YC restaurant since OC was still brand new. No lines, just some peaceful time looking out at the beautiful ocean views. There was a line when we departed, so we were lucky that we arrived early. But, we are early birds so arriving early was easy for us.

3 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Nope.  Unable to access my booking online.  Have been trying for days.

Thanks for the replies! I am still getting nothing but "My Itinerary" when I check my old booking number. I guess that I have some phone calls to look forward too.

For those of you that have received email notifications from MSC of changes, did you booked directly with MSC or through a travel agency? Our situation is a little different than the specific cruise in this thread, but similar in that we have been changed. We were booked in the YC on the Meraviglia departing 12/6/20, now we are supposedly on the same ship, but now departing 12/5 (old Seaside route). No word from either the TA or MSC about the changes. Do not care about the desitiations, been to all of them; don't get off the ship, but would like to know if we are still in the same cabin (18022) and that we are still booked on something before they take our final payment money. 

I have checked our booking on MSC's website and the only information shown is the new departure/return dates with the new destinations (old Seaside route). I have not tried calling either MSC or the TA and will not for at least a few days to let the dust settle. I would prefer something in writing anyway.

9 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Why was it a "not a great experience"?  Because you felt out of place?  Or something else?

Yea, we felt way out of place. The tables were long and the couples were mixed-up so your immediate table mates were total strangers. I am shy and am not one to start, or carry on, a conversation with a person that I do not know. My wife is the exact opposite, she has never met a stranger.

Since the Horizon cruise was my wife's first, she decided to "premedicate" for possible sea sickness by wearing the "patch". Later that evening when we received the official group photo, my wife just happened to look at that moment liked she was totally stoned (was not). Patches, never again LOL. 

Also sailed the Horizon for our honeymoon back in January of 1995. This was my new wife's first cruise (my fourth). She has been sold on cruising ever since. Funny thing happen that I told my wife that would never happen again; we got invited to the Captain's Table for dinner. No idea why, just nobodies in a standard outside cabin. The following year we sailed on the then brand new Century and once again we were invited to the Captain's Table. Again, no reason why. We felt way out of place when we met our table mates for both cruises. Others were obvious choices, high-end suites, travel agents, wealthy, etc. Actually, we are kind of gald that we have never been invited since. Overall, not a great experience, but very glad that we got to do it twice.

56 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Maybe at some point in time a cruise line will offer a limited no-port-stop cruise around Alaska.  This area is truly beautiful even from the ship one could get close access with scenic bays and glaciers.  Cruising through the inner passage and maybe around Aleutian Islands too.  Wildlife and scenery without leaving the ship.  Stand on open decks with masks (or your balcony) and social distancing.  Maybe 50% passenger capacity.  Any interest??

Yea, I am in! Those ports-of-call drain your wallet quickly!

10 hours ago, Bgwest said:

And all of this is included for YC pax while on Ocean Cay?

Yes. Drinks also included. 

We had the Mahi Mahi and it was very good. Fresh caught if I remember correctly, or "locally sourced" as the menu states, which, I guess, could mean about anything. 

1 hour ago, LorraineP said:

Do you think shark netting is really that safe? We will be in YC area & I read no shark netting there. 

 You are correct in that the YC beach does not have a shark net. It is wide open to the sea, which probably makes netting difficult. Shark attacks are very rare and would not keep me out of the water. If this is a concern, you can move to one of the beaches that are protected (there are several). There are many beaches on OC which is one of the reasons that it looks so beautiful from high up on the ship.

5 hours ago, dkjretired said:

 

Actually, if you remember you could not join on your first cruise, had to take the first cruise and then join on the second.   

That is correct. We joined the CC in 02/1995 after our first Celebrity cruise in 01/95. The cost was $25 (I do not remember if it was p/p or family). We no longer have the membership cards (still have the CC lapel pins!), but I think our numbers were around 750. I was able to convince the CC CSR several years ago to accept the number of cruises we had taken without documentation. Back then 1 cruise equalled 1 CC point no matter the cabin (maybe suites were different). My current CC account correctly shows our previous cruises.