2inSETexas

Interesting. Most reviews of the Polaris seating have been very positive. I guess it depends on preference. I’ve flown BC on many different airlines. Favorite was Singapore Air and least favorite was British Air and Air Afrique (don’t ask). Air Canada is also comfortable and a good reason for connections through Toronto. My biggest disappointment was BC on Lufthansa’s A380 - high expectations but not all that comfortable. The current United BC seating far exceeds any other US airline BC seating in my experience. My most comfortable of all experiences was First on United and First on Air China. Slept like a baby on both.

I faxed our request on Wednesday using the FaxBurner App, and we received confirmation today that the OBC was applied.

This looks like United Polaris Business class seats. They do convert to lay-flat beds.

Depends on how you define “voluntary”. CDC says the cruise lines have voluntarily agreed to comply with its cruise requirements, but any cruise line that does not volunteer, while still allowed to sail, is flagged as not complying with CDC recommendations. It’s what we used to call “twisting the arm behind the back” volunteering. Why else would CLIA ask for CDC to change its requirements if they were truly “voluntary”?

CVS has already made this change, so I am not surprised. The cruise industry is about the only travel sector business that is still required by the government to test https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-travel-during-covid19.html

I would love to visit Antigua, but the elevation (over 5000 ft) would likely cause problems with my wife’s breathing. Has anyone done any tours out of Puerto Queztal that do not include Antigua? Thanks

You may be waiting a very long time for the FCC. I contracted the Omicron variant (twice vaccinated, twice boosted) three days before our Alaska land/cruise departure. Our TA contacted HAL the same day, and we were told the above - 100% FCC (less refunded fees, etc) - and they told us we’d get it in 10-15 business days. We are now at 28 business days and no FCC yet. Last week our TA checked again and was told we’ll get the FCC when we get it. We’ve given up on trying to rebook this Alaska season. HAL is just non-responsive and taking a very long time to put move our money from their left pocket in the right pocket. And from what our TA tells us, HAL isn't even the worse in such poor customer service.

Thanks, but they say it’s not the correct office. At least that number picked up quickly. Just couldn’t help.

I’d be happy with any reply from customer service. HAL Customer service isn't even responding to emails, not even the courtesy of an acknowledgement that they received it and will get back to us. We had to cancel in mid-May because of a pre-departure positive covid test. Our TA contacted HAL and was told the FCC would be posted by Accounting in 10-15 business days. It is now 23 business days and no FCC posted on our account yet. I just want someone to give us information on the status or ensure it was handled correctly. But nothing at all.

HAL Customer service isn't even responding to emails, not even the courtesy of an acknowledgement that they received it and will get back to us. We had to cancel in mid-May because of a pre-departure positive covid test. Our TA contacted HAL and was told the FCC would be posted by Accounting in 10-15 business days. It is now 20 business days and no FCC posted on our account yet. I just want someone to give us information on the status or ensure it was handled correctly. But nothing at all.

Depends on the country, but for the most part, No if you are vaccinated. This website has good travel information action and is generally accurate: https://www.kayak.com/travel-restrictions?

The refunds are usually pretty quick. It is the FCC that I find takes a frustratingly very long time.

Yes, we have checked our online account multiple times. Our TA has talked with HAL twice and we have sent an email. Still no FCC.

I really do not understand the dragging of feet on processing the Covid policy FCCs. I tested positive on May 15th (three days before our departure) and our TA contacted HAL that same day. HAL stated that FCCs are processed in 10-15 business days. Today is the 17th business day (or 16th if Memorial Day is not counted) and still no FCC. I’ve been Covid free for two weeks and we would love to rebook, but I am not sending HAL more money when they won’t use or credit us with what we have already sent. Just really disappointed in HAL’s front-office, which clearly is not run as well as their ships.

Omicron hasn’t changed things much in Europe. Nearly all European countries (only 2 exceptions I can think of) only require vaccinations to enter, and this particular river cruise line still does not require testing, and is doing very well this year with their bookings. Cloth masks have never been widely accepted in Europe and are not allowed in most places.

We did a river cruise last autumn on the Danube. Most European countries and this particular cruise line require N95, KN95, or FFP2 grade masks. No testing required except for one specific country and to fly home. The CDC and the ocean cruise industry could learn a lot from the European river cruise industry.

Only effective if it’s a medical grade mask.

I took a look at the Nieuw Amsterdam sailing for the Triple Denali for the ret of the summer. Quite a few were showing “Unavailable” across all cabin classes, including Inside Cabins. These could be at the capacity limits, but wondering now if these could be blocked out because of the reasons noted in the OP’s letter. I’d be impressed with the 10-15 business day turnaround on FCCs. We had a covid related cancellation for our mid-May cruisetour and still haven’t seen our FCC yet. Can’t even rebook for later this summer until it shows up.

I’m assuming you mean testing on Friday around noon with flight out on Saturday morning and boarding on Sunday. Anyway, that corresponds with the Canadian requirements website https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise “if your ship is scheduled to leave on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Wednesday, Thursday, or on Friday”

Wow. That’s new. The HAL website hasn’t even been updated yet.

Key takeaway - “However, a positive antigen test result does not necessarily mean that a person is infectious; similarly, a negative test result does not necessarily mean that a person is not infectious.”

Not necessarily. Tests conducted in the Yukon in January showed over 50% of those tested with antigen tests 5-9 days after initial testing still tested positive. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7108a3.htm

We were looking at making pre-cruise reservations for our upcoming Alaska cruise and wanted to use the complimentary dining credits. How do we do that? I selected a restaurant and date/time, but nothing appears on any page, including the payment page, to indicate using the dining credit? The instructions need to be better at using these. Thanks.