Expat Cruise

You do not have a lot of time but you have enough to see loots of things. The port is close to downtown Boston, you could walk to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market in about 30 minutes. But have several options with public transportation. From Quincy Market you can walk to the North End, Freedom Trail, Boston Common & Public Garden, and the waterfront.  

I would not recommend the Hop on Hop off bus for you not enough time to really use it and hope off. Unless you want to use it to do the complete route and not get off. You can also consider a taxi or Uber,  The Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution is worth seeing and it is a short taxi ride from Quincy Market. If you want to visit Harvard Square in Cambridge you can take the MBTA Red Line from Government Center.

Enjoy your time in Boston I was born just outside of Boston and lived in the Area for 40 years, it is a wonderful City.

On 3/16/2020 at 4:06 AM, wm1985 said:

I'm booked and paid for a cruise on the Empress of the Sea on June 22, does  anyone know if that cruise was cancelled, it's scheduled to dock in St Johns and Halifax in Canada, that week, prior to July 1?

Sorry you are not sailing on this cruise. The cruise will be cancelled. 

Asia is still here and moving along like the rest of the World.  My wife & I are still at our home in the Philippines. The country is under a lock down with limited travel and limited business open. Most hotels are closed, most retail is also closed here. No domestic air travel and very limited international air travel. Food stores are still open and retail serving basic needs doctors, food suppliers, etc. 

Life is moving on here. Have talked to my friends in Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, all are working through the current issues. Once the virus is over Asia will be back again strong and ready to welcome tourist again. 

Had two cruises book that are effected here. We took Option 1 for many reasons. First we have 3 more cruises with Princess already booked over the next two years. Second want to support Princess and leave the cash with them. We understand cash flow the problems they have now. Third Princess (CCL) is not going to go bankrupt, they are in the best position of the big three, they have the lowest debt and the best ability to pay. I hold CCL stock have purchase a lot more shares over the last few weeks, strongly believe in the company. My stock is worth more per share than the current market prices.   Princess will get through this and be stronger than ever.

Look forward to many more years sailing with Princess Cruises.

17 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

 

You are correct  - they essentially re-labeled the the "Best Sale Ever" as "Princess Plus" (with the same inclusions) which will be a permanent fare option going forward.  For those that prefer "no perks" there is also a "Saver" fare option at a savings of $40/pp/day  as compared to Princess Plus.  Both Princess Plus and Saver fares will have  refundable and non-refundable deposit options.  Non-Refundable deposit rates will be marginally lower than refundable deposit rates for both fare types, and still have the same per day differential between Princess Plus and Saver options.   Additionally the Princess Plus inclusions can be combined with travel agent promotional group fares at no extra cost, which in some cases may be lower than even the Saver fare.

 

Occasionally they may also offer limited time (booking/sailing date specific) promos that combine with one or the other of the fare options, or both, or may even offer stand alone promos with different inclusions than Princess Plus.  I think the "normal" set of revolving promotions (Anniversary Sale, Red White and Blue, 3 for Free, Sip & Sail, etc) will not reappear under the same names or with the same inclusions - we will see new names/offers going forward.

When you use FCD your deposit is always refundable, great to have them and use them when ever you book with Princess.

3 hours ago, Griller said:

If they did then anyone who accepted all their money back as a FCC would be an unsecured creditor and likely to get nothing back

Not true credit cards protect clients from merchants going bankrupt. You will get back the amount you charged on your credit card. 

https://www.mic.com/articles/182435/get-money-back-what-to-do-if-a-business-you-paid-goes-bankrupt-before-you-got-your-purchase

4 hours ago, 2+2 said:

Not my reply. They need to do a better job of maintaining their fleet. I would only book their newest ships.

Which means you would still book with  Princess Cruise again. So When I posted "Every single reply says they will book Princess again." The statement was correct as you posted before my post. 

Booking newer Princess Ships is booking with Princess. Interestingly  the oldest ship in the fleet the Sun Princess has the most experienced Princess Guests on it, the last cruise 1400 out of 2000 guests were Elite.  So the most traveled guests on the line seem to be happy with the older ships.   Thank you for supporting Princess Cruises

17 minutes ago, amajaa said:

Yes we are Elite so cruised with Princess before.

Managed to get a message to a TA who sent an e - mail saying we are only eligible for option 1 now I read that bit on the bulletin as meaning we could also take the higher option of option 1. How did everyone else read it?

Still no e mail from Princess which TA says will come from them. 

Your travel agent seems to be giving you false information. Here is the letter I got for one of my two canceled cruises.  Since it is being done by Princess, what your travel agent wants is meaningless. You can use the link in this letter to take you to the Princess site and anyone can cancel and select the option they want. 

Dear Todd, Recognizing our responsibility to our guests, our crew and the global community, and after very serious consideration of the evolving COVID-19 situation, Princess Cruises has made the difficult decision to voluntarily and temporarily pause our global ship operations for 60 days, effective immediately through May 11, 2020. While we know you were anticipating sailing with us, we apologize and sincerely share in your disappointment at hearing this news. Please watch this video I recorded last night which provides more information and the rationale behind the decision. This decision was not made easily, but following on the heels of the World Health Organization officially classifying the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic, with the virus now present in almost 115 countries and regions, we felt it was our duty as a global partner. We hope you will stick with us by selecting Option 1, and give our team a chance to shine at a later date by transferring money paid and accepting a significantly higher value future cruise credit that can be used on any voyage through May 1, 2022. For some, choosing the future cruise credit may not be financially possible, so we have Option 2 that is a combination of a refund and future cruise credit at lower value. Your Departure Date In 2020 Option 1: Transfer Money Paid + Bonus Future Cruise Credit (higher value) Option 2: Refund + Future Cruise Credit (lower value) March 12 - March 25 225% future cruise credit 100% refund + 100% future cruise credit March 26 - April 8th 175% future cruise credit 100% refund + 50% future cruise credit April 9th – May 10th 150% future cruise credit 100% refund + 25% future cruise credit Please let us know your preference through this easy-to-use online form. We appreciate your loyalty and look forward to welcoming you onboard. As we embark on the immense task to pause service of our fleet of 18 ships, our goal is to reset the environmental conditions onboard, incorporating all the learnings from the world’s public health experts like the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will also use this time to refocus our attention on providing the best service and experience possible for you. With your support, we will emerge from this time of trial even stronger. We look forward to serving you while connecting the world for years to come. Thank you for your understanding, patience and ongoing support.

Sincerely, Jan Swartz  President

The Diamond Princess is a great ship it is not going anywhere. Princess is not going to cut back ships the demand on Princess ships has always been very strong.  Some have suggested that Princess should long term park some ships. Sorry you do not long term pit assets worth 100's of millions into long term parking. All the ships will be back in service, it may take some tome to get the ships up to the sold out level Princess has been on but it will happen. 

In the meantime I think for the next 1 to 2 years we will see get deals on Princess Cruises. I'm looking forward to doing my 3 to 5 cruises per year with Princess, the ships crew and sailings are great and always will be. 

We always keep several FCD coupons on hand that way can book and hold any cruise regardless how long it takes Princess to process credits. 

Every single reply says they will book Princess again. I agree,  we took a future cruise credit for our cancelled April Hawaii  Cruise, have three more booked and 8 FTC $100 dollar coupons each. Also I have been buying and adding more Princess Stock, so I now have a great investment in the future of the company at a much lower price per share. it is a win for everyone all around.

OP  You need to get the message here,   Virgin does not believe they need travel agents. No reason to pay agents who really add no value to a cruise, just give the guests a better product at a lower price, because of the savings of not paying travel agents.  I happen to agree with this Travel Agents add nothing to Cruise Travel.

But I do have several issues with the ship and what they have done. The standard cabins without real beds is a stupid choice of design. That in the standard cabins no double, queen or king size beds will hurt them, single beds only. The bathrooms are really small. I been on private boats under 50 feet in  size that have bigger bathrooms, this is a big missing of the mark.  And the ship has no pool, the little thing they are calling a pool would not even be considered a pool for a tiny private home.  

They did not use people who cruise when they designed the ship and made many errors that can be seen just from the PR information. The other mistakes will not be known after a cruise.  I do find the pricing to be reasonable considering all the things included.

8 hours ago, anykiad said:

I've worked in hospitality for almost seven years now and let me tell you something. There is NOTHING worse than having to leave home, leave your family go to work just to be treated lesser by someone who is upset because their vacation isn't "perfect". If I'm out and I see servers, waitresses, whoever being treated wrongly by the people they are there to help I stand up for them as often as I can.

 

Just please please for God's sake be kind. It doesn't take that much effort, and its so much more refreshing than being rude. 

Why do people believe they have the right involve themselves in things that is not their concern? I was at a port call, and saw another cruise member in a dispute over a travel fee. Could tell it was another cruiser off the ship because wearing the cruise card. A second unrelated cruise traveler came over and she want to get involved. The driver was not happy and knocked her to the ground. She went to the hospital the local security let the driver go.  So be careful involving yourself in things you have no place in. It could be harmful.

3 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

 

 

As they had a limited number of tests available, perhaps Japan was saving them for those who had a fever or exhibited symptoms of the virus.  

 

Without having direct knowledge or actual proof beyond a news article written, it's awfully hard for me personally to speculate on what Japan had done in that particular instance at that point in time of the virus situation on the Diamond.

Yes you could be correct but if you take this report and the video here it starts to look  more and more likely what has happen. 

1 minute ago, gphb said:

 

For some reason the original video post was not showing in my current view of the boards, so thanks for reposting it otherwise I never would have seen it.   In case it disappears again, here is the apparent whistleblower video link with alleged first hand knowledge of whats going on behind the scenes.     Perhaps someone can archive it in case it is censored by Google.
 

I get all the support for Princess management in a difficult situation, they can't control the quarantine, but I always thought under maritime law a Captain had absolute control of her/his ship, and so for example while they cant leave the dock or disembark, they could have hired and brought on board their own infection control expert and for example established red and green zones as the doctor suggests, or required informed consent to be verbal or electronic not written on paper that is carried from cabin to cabin.   For there to be apparently no one on board that is an infectious disease control expert is astounding.

 Especially since they go out to sea every 2 to 3 days wouldn't they have more rights themselves under maritime law in terms of what happens on their ship?   

 

 

Yes you are correct. But in this case it is like the ship is under arrest. And while the Captain could go to sea and just leave under the law he really cannot. Japan can revoke the docking and transferring   through it waters,  they can also issue a arrest warrant for the Captain if he does not follow what they say. So while he can he can't in this case.

This link may explain part of the reason we are here now.   Here is part of that news report from the 11th of February 8 days after the start of the quarantine.  And with only 135 positive.

"Within the Japanese government, debate continues over whether to put valuable resources toward screening everyone on board the ship, diminishing its ability to deal with future outbreaks."

Seems clear they made choices about testing to save the resources they had.  They did not want to spend the money and use the test kits. They wanted  to save for Japan.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/02/00ff9a937d41-focus-japan-torn-over-whether-to-test-all-on-cruise-ship-for-coronavirus.html

Princess Cruises  is my first choice for cruising, I was on the Sapphire in January, will be on the Emerald in April and if it is still sailing the Diamond Princess for Christmas here in Asia,   I'm not happy because this has effect not only guests and crew but  also friends on mine on the ship.   

David Abel is a friend of mine and we have talked up until today, I know he will pull through this with his wife. It is very strange that they are sending him to a place with no internet or outside contract. it really seems like Japan wants David and Sally to stop reporting to the World.  It is also clear the quarantine on the ship was a total failure, in fact the ship seems to have spread this virus. So far less than half the guests have been tested, if the infection rate holds better than 50% of the ship would be infected.  right now it is over 28% of the complete tests are positive.  I hope to get more information if David's phone is working or he gets a Japan prepaid phone to use.   

Thant is the sad bad news...How about some good news? Do people remember the Honeymoon Couple David and Sally talked about.. Alan & Wendy Steele?  Alan who is young just about 59 tested positive a few days into the quarantine on the ship. But had no signs, he was sent to the hospital, and retested many times. His wife Wendy was left alone in the Cabin. Alan was told today a few hours ago (Now 10:30 pm Tuesday in Japan) that he will be released from the Hospital tomorrow and he is free.  

Wendy was just tested about 12 hours ago and it will take a couple of days to know if she is virus free. I do not understand why they (Japan) waited almost two weeks to test her? seems crazy to me.  Hoping her tests is clean and she can go home. Have talked to Alan several times over the last few hours he is very happy and will go to a hotel near the port. His first stop will be McDonald's as he hates the local hospital food he was served.   Several of them around the port so he will be happy. It is good news he is cleared, bad news is he will miss the UK flight home as it should leave before Wendy is cleared.  

So again yes sad that David & sally are positive but I know they will be fine. Happy that Allan and Wendy are one step closer to this being over and done.  

2 hours ago, CissyFuss said:

Disappointed to say our cruise on Sapphire Princess has been cancelled and so we won't need to apply for e-visas for Vietnam.  Thank you for your help, Expat Cruise.  Frustrated that Princess insisted that e-visas would not be acceptable when it is patently obvious that they are.

Sorry your cruise was cancelled but really for the best in my honest opinion. The Sapphire is a great ship we were on her in January just as this all started to break. I do home the coronavirus does not turn you off to cruising Asia in the future. it really is a wonderful part of the World.

6 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

Drop your own mic with that overused expression.  If you want to stiff employees and try to justify it on Cruise Critic by criticizing Americans, have at it.  If you're on an American based cruise line that does business in an American system, well, screw the Filipino,  I guess.  They have it coming.

The ships do not operate as US Companies, the Corporations conduct all business outside the US System and therefore play almost no US Taxes...  If anything the cruises lines are anti American at their core.  

8 hours ago, ssawjo said:

We will be in Manila next February arriving at 7 AM and staying overnight leaving the next day at 6PM.  I have been looking for a tour guide to take my DW and I to Bataan on the first day.  Her father was captured there in WWII.  Would anyone know of a company that would do a day tour like that?  I would not mind combining that tour with a tour the next day to Corregidor.  Also, we would not mind staying somewhere overnight off of the ship if that would be easier.

 

You can email if you prefer to ssawjo at cox dot net.  Thank you.

 

Bill and Kathi

It will take you about 3 1/2 hours by car to get to Bataan from Manila. From Bataan you can take a small boat to the Island. You can also take a ferry from the Port of Manila to Corregidor Island which is about 2 1/2 hours transit time.  From Corregidor to the mainland Battaan is a short trip.  Because of transit times better to stay off the ship in  Bataan.  My wife is from Bataan, the Bataan Port is about 90 minutes away from our house. You may also want to consider spending the night in Subic Bay, several nice beach hotels. 

Here is a local company you can look at. https://traveltales.ph/destinations/corregidor

Here is the notice from Princess Cruises

Updated February 4, 2020 at 4:30 PM PT

Confirmed cases of Coronavirus on Diamond Princess

Princess Cruises can confirm that the first phase of health screening of all guests and crew onboard Diamond Princess, by the Japanese Ministry of Health, has been completed. We were notified that amongst the samples that have completed testing, 10 people have tested positive for Coronavirus.

These 10 persons, who have been notified, will be taken ashore by Japanese Coast Guard watercraft and transported to local hospitals for care by shoreside Japanese medical professionals. It has been confirmed that the ship will remain under quarantine in Yokohama. The length of the quarantine will be at least 14 days as required by the Ministry of Health.

The ship plans to go out to sea to perform normal marine operations including, but not limited to, the production of fresh water and ballast operations before proceeding alongside in Yokohama where food, provisions, and other supplies will be brought onboard.

Guests will continue to be provided complimentary internet and telephone to use in order to stay in contact with their family and loved ones, and the ship’s crew is working to keep all guests comfortable.

Princess Cruises will continue to fully cooperate with and follow the instructions of global medical authorities and the Japanese government.

We will also be cancelling the next two Diamond Princess cruises departing Yokohama (Feb 4 and Feb 12) and will begin notifying guests today.

Princess Cruises confirms there are 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew currently onboard covering a range of nationalities. Approximately half the guests onboard are from Japan.

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/diamond-princess-update.html

8 minutes ago, leck57 said:

 

I think you might be behind Expat. I thought I read a thread on here that the next cruise is cancelled and Princess have offered very reasonable compensation.

 

Edit ; here you go

 

Yes I knew it was cancelled the 24 hour delay I was talking about was the passengers leaving the ship. I should have been clearer, my bad..... This has create big problems many of those on the ship have missed flights home.  And most of the passengers from America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand would have already been in transit to the ship for the next cruise.

This is going to get much worst before it gets better. I'm concerned about our Hawaii Cruise in April..... will we be able to even fly from the Philippines to Los Angeles..... A single short cancelled cruise (5 to 7 days) costs the cruise line in revenue 3 to 4 million dollars. 

Countries are closing borders without notice. The Philippines within the last 24 hours banned travel from Hong Kong and Macau, Mainland has been banned already. Other countries are putting their heads in the sand, in Cambodia  the PM Issues a statement saying he would throw anyone wearing a masks in public out of the country. Lots of false information around the only thing I see happening for sure is more and more cases.

China just built several new hospitals... 10 days from ground breaking to open. This is real and very few firm answers available today.

Late night your choices are limited. International Cafe will have salads, soup, and sandwiches, also desserts. Around 4:00 am they will change over to breakfast mode with muffins and danish and egg sandwiches, this last until about 9 am in the morning.  On most cruises we keep fruit, cookies, breads in our cabin. Bring zip lock bags from home is a big help. My wife has taken cold cuts and cheese from the buffet to make sandwiches during the night.

Here is the notice from Princess Cruises about the Diamond Princess. Which was held for 24 hours in quarantine during a 24 hour turn around.

Updated February 4, 2020

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Feb 4, 2020 GMT+9) - Princess Cruises has confirmed the turnaround of Diamond Princess has been delayed for approximately 24 hours to allow Japan public health authorities the opportunity to review the health status of all guests and crew on board.

On the previous voyage, a guest from Hong Kong, embarked in Yokohama on January 20, sailed one segment of the itinerary, and disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25. He visited a local Hong Kong hospital, six days after leaving the ship, where he later tested positive for coronavirus on February 1. While on the ship he did not visit the ship’s medical centre to report any symptoms or illness. The hospital reports that he is in stable condition and the family members traveling with him remain symptom-free.

The safety, security and well-being of all guests and crew is our absolute priority. The review of the arriving guests and crew, by Japanese health authorities, is standard practice after a guest tested positive for coronavirus and we are working closely with the local authorities to provide detailed records to facilitate their review.

Diamond Princess arrived in Yokohama early from a 14-day round trip itinerary, which departed from Yokohama (Tokyo) on January 20 and was scheduled to return on February 4. There are 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew on board. 

We will provide a further update once we have more information. 

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/diamond-princess-update.html

5 hours ago, toots22 said:

Does anyone know which harbour the sun princess (12th July) will dock. I think there is a choice of 2 - Pier 4 or Pier 15 - a bit confusing.  Want to  visit Fort Santiago  and Manila Cathedral. Thanks

You should come into Pier 15 or the Pier next to it, Pier 4 is for the local ferry services. I do not believe they are setup for customs at pier 4. In any case they are less than 1.5 miles apart 2.7 Km.   From Pier 15 Fort Santigago is a 1.2 km or a 10 minute taxi or 15 to 20 minute walk.  From the Fort to Manila Cathedral is only about 500 meters. 

A tour is not needed you can do this on your own, English is the common langue in Manila so no issues with that,  it is a fairly safe area as long as you do not wear lots of jewelry and flash cash. Prices are in pesos but many exchanges both at the port and along the way, also ATM machines, to take pesos. 

My wife and I live about 2 hours north of Manila I know the area well she knows it very well if you have other questions.