cruiser man 60

4 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

I really hope that you are correct and if nothing more happen you probably are. Hopefully they won't have to close everything again during the second wave, if they get a second wave.  

I would think a second wave is more likely in America looking at news reports of packed pools, bars etc, Europe is fairly safe at practicing social distancing at present.

9 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

The UK Foreign Office still has a no travel ban to anywhere at present and anyone arriving has to quarantine for 14 days. Although countries are opening up for tourism, it doesn't look likely UK passengers will be enjoying any travel anytime soon. 

I would hope by July U.K. Will reopen borders to some European countries, it's only until 29/06 at present.

Spain have joined Italy, Greece & Malta in reopening borders to international tourists from July so dependent on when FCO change advice holidays to Europe can recommence.

Spain has joined Italy & Greece in opening borders to international tourists from 1st July so tourists will be allowed into most if not all Europe this summer.

whether this means cruise ships will be allowed as well has not been published yet, I would assume MSC along with other lines will be discussing with various tourism ministers.

With MSC being a major Italian line they may have more influence in Italy!

3 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

On a related topic....about when should winter 2023 bookings open up.  Contemplating a January  2023 Seashore sailing in Yacht Club.

Haven't got 2022 open yet!

Spain has joined Italy & Greece in opening up to international tourists from July, I would assume just European tourists at present but countries are starting to open up.

https://english.elpais.com/politics/2020-05-23/spanish-pm-foreign-tourists-will-be-able-to-return-to-spain-from-july.html

Got mine via TA 3 weeks ago for March cruise, rebooked for November 17th so hopefully that will go ahead.

5 hours ago, Rossco01 said:

We have/had a cruise booked to Norway on the Meraviglia in August. We were holding out to see if this was cancelled by MSC before making final payment, but last week - in the UK - noted that MSC now allow anyone with cruise up to September to move free of charge (in all honesty we were prepared to move for the £100 cost but preferred it free). We contacted them on the phone last week and they confirmed we can move (without paying final payment) and requested we fill out the online form which we have now done (looking at July 2021 instead).

 

This at least now gives us another 10 months before final payment is due and we can see how the cruise market looks before final committment. At the moment the most we'll have lost is the deposit.

Norway have closed borders until 20th August so probably will be cancelled but MSC are being helpful in transferring deposits etc until next year.

I doubt there will be anything like no over 70s S it would take 50 % of clients straight out but who knows, maybe a fit to travel certification for certain age groups 

1 hour ago, Preziosa said:

Now Italy Open for turist the 3. Th of June, I hope that means also for cruiseships.

I Can t wait

Only for EU citizens, can't see Europe letting any Americans in for a while as virus seems out of control there.

2 hours ago, free from work said:

Not quite an accurate status report. 

 

At the moment only England has unrestricted travel. Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland are still in lockdown and most tourist destinations are begging people not to visit. The Lake District for example have no boats, no toilets and no shopping. Many seaside resorts are also giving the same message. 

Not sure what Lake District has to do with Italy! All U.K. Residents have rights to travel in Europe but U.K. Government advises against all international travel, not too bothered what Scotland & wales do!

17 hours ago, GatorMomInNC said:

 

So here is the update to my story.  June 20th Venice Cruise.  Prepaid in full in July 2019. 

Late February began to get nervous about cruising, cancelled all onboard prepaid activities and was refunded automatically.

March 2nd, called TA and cancelled my cruise well within time frame to receive full refund.  Was told "up to 2 billing cycles" for refund. 

Called a couple times to check in and was told by TA that they can see on MSC site that my refund was being processed. 

4/20 MSC told my TA they had processed refund, it would be 12 more days (I thought my TA told me 10 days, but they keep notes of all our conversations and their notes said 12 days).  

Called at 12 days and they said it should be anytime now. 

Called today.  75 days and counting since I cancelled.  26 days since MSC said 12 days. 

MSC has now told my TA they will not BEGIN my refund until my sail date and then it will take 2 billing cycles.  My TA argued with them, pointed out that I had cancelled within my time frame to get a full refund, no reason needed, that they had told us repeatedly they were processing and she went over all the different calls and different stories we were told.  MSC says they don't care that is what they are doing. 

So MSC is totally just lying to everyone and changing their story on a daily basis.  They have spent my money and don't have it to give back to me.   Given their dishonesty and incompetence, I fully expect they are going to declare bankruptcy and keep my money.  I have no faith in them whatsoever.

I want to book a cruise next summer before prices go up (obviously not with MSC) but they have all my money - and to be clear, by money I mean my actual cash deposit, and my reward points which have cash value. 

All cruise lines & airlines are exactly the same and taking same time for refunds, read any board and you will see same stories.

i am awaiting £3k back from Emirates for flights cancelled 21st March, i have been advised that refund approved since 16th April 

Italy is reopening borders and most EU countries are following suit over next month or so, U.K. Residents still have right to travel unrestricted in 2020 but U.K. Have advised against international travel at present.

some hope for tourism this year if we can get out of U.K. 

https://www.dw.com/en/italy-to-allow-unrestricted-travel-starting-june-3/a-53461107

1 hour ago, Markanddonna said:

That is likely the situation for MSC in the Caribbean with it preferring Europeans over North Americans, especially for those who have direct flights to the islands. The other cruise lines will be catering to North Americans.

 

I do take issue with your point about Europeans having the virus under better control.  If you look at the death per millions in each country, many have a higher rate than Americans. As of today: US 263 per million in population, Spain 587, UK 501, Italy 519, France 420, Germany 95, Belgium 773, Netherlands 379, Sweden 361.  IMHO most other countries have vastly under reported and their stats can't be relied upon.  I don't mean to get into an argument here, but death stats for first world countries are the best indicator of how a country is doing.

The issue is despite Trumps claims the USA lags far behind nearly every western country for testing per capita and its widely accepted that USA deaths etc are under reported and anyone in Authority who questions that is sacked or if a journalist called stupid!

follwoing from CNN this week;

The independent data aggregation site Worldometer said the US had the highest raw number of tests completed as of May 12. But at the same time, the site's data showed, more than 30 countries were ranked higher than the US in per capita testing.

they are behind all European countries including UK for testing.

32 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

For those of us who are in America or Canada, we may be excluded from travel into many European countries. It seems that Europeans are braced for a slight uptick of cases in order to boost their economy but won't want a second wave. Really, European cruising for Americans won't happen until the spring of 2021.

Possibly but most European countries will ban Americans because of what they are doing in lack of control of virus compared to Europe.

Probably have mostly Americans going around USA and Europeans in Europe, Caribbean islands may well favour Europe over USA given many have close links to Europe like guadelope, Martinique, st Vincent etc

Europe seems to be getting a grip on virus with a number of countries signing bilateral travel agreements, e.g. France, U.K. & Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Luxembourg. So European travel may be possible from end June, not sure if they will allow cruise passengers though.

However with USA opening everything with virus still rampant not sure anyone would want to travel to anywhere in USA until its under control and no one will want cruise ships coming to ports from USA ports.

NCL have already made announcement that they have to file for bankruptcy this year as they have insufficient liquidity to continue unless crisis ends soon.

i would say Carnival and MSC safest at present.

Yes looks like the end for NCL unless the Donald bails them out, the FCC will be worth zero but some cheap ships available but of course no one will want them!

Hi Phil,

we we were supposed to be on the grand cruise as well, hoping to use on Rome to Dubai on seaview mid November. Reasonable prices but whether it will sail, who knows?

5 hours ago, Vlad 1 of 4 said:

Thanks for that.... Constructive! I'll let you know what ABTA say when I complain. 

Please do! Ryanair have announced they will take 6 months for refunds and basically said take any action you want as it won't change anything, everyone has millions of refunds to do and limited staff to do it. ABTA will do nothing only acknowledge your complaint.

It's because they are now giving 125% FCC instead which will be worth more.

1 hour ago, GatorMomInNC said:

Update.  Talked to my TA.  My understanding was 10 days from when I called on 4/20, but they said they think 12, which is today.  So I should get my refund any day now???  But not yet.

Doubt it as MSC say 120 days, RyanAir who carry the most passengers in Europe say they have 25m refunds to process with limited staff so minimum 6 months from them

10 hours ago, Vlad 1 of 4 said:

Please listen to LBC Nick Ferraris show today. (you can listen on catch up with the App) Simon Calder was giving advice on refunds. In the current climate 2 months is an acceptable time for refunds, 3 months is unacceptable and 120 days which is what MSC are telling me is in breach of the ABTA code of conduct. I will be complaining to them next. 

 

Good luck with that, the travel companies are not too bothered what ABTA say, any court cases will unlikely be heard before 2021 so may as well sit tight !

If there are any airlines left flying after this I'm sure the prices will be going up to try and claw back the losses!

were still waiting a large sum back from Emirates 40 days after claim although they assure me it's being processed!!

MSC have cancelled all cruises until 10th July so hopefully after that date some cruises can go !