Fredspak

Apparently CDC is soliciting input on guidelines for how the resumption of cruising should proceed.  It's a bewildering array of open questions and makes one wonder if the whole nature of the experience will be so radically changed as to be unappealing.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/07/21/2020-15812/request-for-information-related-to-cruise-ship-planning-and-infrastructure-resumption-of-passenger?fbclid=IwAR1vmT7pwlxocBK41i4TCxvoLwp_SpXvfImrqnEJ4cBs0yERuvgpDWY8dfA

51 minutes ago, whogo said:

I am surprised that some of the luggage was not sent by FedEx from Asia (or Australia), wasn't that one of the perks for those who booked the world cruise early?

I think all of the "perks" went out the window when we were dumped off the ship in Australia.  Probably would involve too much red tape and hassle to FedEx all the luggage individually back to the US.  Much easier to send it in a bulk container and sort it out at the FedEx terminal in Miami.

22 minutes ago, Indianadaytripper said:

Trouble is that when you sell a cruise ship it take market share. 

II doubt that is a big concern now while they're still in the "stop the bleeding" mode.  Besides, the buyer would have found another ship somewhere else, anyway.

2 minutes ago, HokiePoq said:

Your luggage has had an adventure even if you didn't.  I came on this thread to find out about your luggage.   Glad to hear it's scheduled to be repatriated in August.   They better not sell it with your luggage onboard!  Has it been transferred to another ship?

Luggage has been loaded into containers and is now aboard the container ship Gulf Bridge.

Gulf Bridge port Itinerary

Port                                       Sail in          Sail Out

VUNG TAU, VN                     7/14/2020 7/15/2020 SP‐SSA INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL

HONG KONG, SAR , CHINA 7/17/2020 7/17/2020 HONG KONG INTL TERMINAL

SHEKOU, CN                         7/18/2020 7/18/2020 SHEKOU CONTAINER TERMINAL LTD

NINGBO, CN                          7/21/2020 7/22/2020 NINGBO MEISHAN ISLAND INTERNATIONAL

SHANGHAI, CN                     7/23/2020 7/23/2020 YANGSHAN DEEP WATER PORT

BUSAN, KOREA, KR              7/25/2020 7/25/2020 BUSAN NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL

HOUSTON, TX, US                8/18/2020 8/20/2020 BAYPORT CONTAINER TERMINAL

MOBILE, AL, US                    8/21/2020 8/22/2020 APM TERMINALS MOBILE ALABAMA

MIAMI, FL, US                       8/27/2020 8/28/2020 SOUTH FLORIDA CONTAINER TER

3 minutes ago, bcummin said:

The good Captain Jonathan Mercer must be heartbroken,

Perhaps not.  All things must come to an end, and this was not totally unexpected.  At least Capt. Mercer was able to command her last official voyage, and they sort of retired together.  And we can have the distinction of being Amsterdam's last paying passengers.  What a trip!

16 minutes ago, Storylady said:

Posting on “World Cruise 2020 HAL Amsterdam” is that the luggage was offloaded and that Henk personally locked the eight containers. 

Where do you find a link to this?

53 minutes ago, REOVA said:

Yep I saw Ali posted pics of the Barge but it looked like supplies 

Looks to me like a luggage rack being unloaded into the shipping container.

2 hours ago, michaelfl said:

and then ? packed in a hot container for more than 2 months in the hot sun ?

Well, at least it will be nicely pressed................🙁

57 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

It's disappointing that we have not heard anything further from Captain Mercer since before he departed the Amsterdam.  I know he is now retired.  But, his blog seems very inappropriately "unfinished".  I know that Captain Albert does not blog unless he is "on duty".  Maybe that is what HAL permits?  If so, maybe that explains Captain Mercer's silence as well?

I'm sure Capt. Mercer has a lot of more important issues to deal with now that he is (hopefully) home again and trying to re-establish his life.  I will look forward to seeing the next edition of his book with a new chapter devoted to his last cruise.

1 hour ago, Indianadaytripper said:

I suppose you meant  to say $25,000?

 

I think this was referring to the $2,500 cap on travel expenses.  We got a similar email and chose the cash but have yet to see the check.  Everything else has been received - except, of course, luggage - so we are in pretty good shape.  Bank of America will transfer our credit balance to our bank within 2-3 days.

56 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

During his retirement, I hope he will consider writing a book about his career.  A book detailing the stories of the 2020 Grand World Cruise might be enough for a volume.  

He's already written the  book (I have a copy), but this new experience certainly deserves an added chapter.

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Why has Malaysia been selected as the layup area?

Maybe because it will be more convenient for repopulating with crew if/when the ship returns to service?

57 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I do agree!  She had sailed to so many ports and had such a wealth of knowledge:  so helpful for a cruise guest!  Plus, she was a very pleasant and up-beat woman as well!

So true!  What a contrast from her "King Neptune" photo (above).  😄

This was my response from HAL regarding refund of over $2,000 credit on my on-board account:

It's not unusual for credits to take a week or more after the cruise to show up on your account. 

1 minute ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

Did HAL rep. tell you it wasn't covered, or did the insurance carrier tell you?  

I was merely quoting the actual text from the on-line insurance policy description.

45 minutes ago, mrmoviezombie said:

What was the reason given that it didn't cover the interruption? In my reading of the policy, it seemed like it didn't have a lot of exclusions you normally see.

Page 14: "Coverage does not include default of a Participating Organization or other organization that results in a loss of services."

I am aware  Auckland is now closed for airline transit passengers from USA. My question us: were any other Amsterdam folks routed through Auckland on March 22?

We were told at the Perth airport that US passengers would not be allowed to transfer flight through New Zealand.  Did anyone else have this experience??  

11 hours ago, Wehwalt said:

 I don't know if they are waiving shipping charges from FLL for those that don't already get it free. 

Shipping charges are not waived.  Same rates apply as before.

On 3/24/2020 at 1:57 PM, Tampa Girl said:

 

 Besides, you do have a 125% FCC or 100% cash back, I believe.  It seems to me that HAL has made every attempt to make you whole.

Refund option is NOT 100% cash back, but 50% cash plus 50% FCC.