Retired Happy Camper

We're cruising in Europe in May.  I'd like to buy some euros before we go.  My bank and my TA offer very poor exchange rates for USD-EUR.  Can any experienced cruisers offer advice about how they do currency exchange?

35 minutes ago, Jimmcdaniel said:

I have been carefully reading the threads on the Regent and I am puzzled: It seems like the introduction of vaccines to cruising should be a much bigger game-changer than some of things I have been reading would indicate. It seem like maybe we are missing something.

 

Given the fact that the two mRNA vaccines have tremendous benefits in dramatically reducing death and illness and the J&J vaccine has a 100% track record for eliminating hospitalizations altogether, why aren’t we thinking more positively about a restart? If we went back in time to a pre-Covid period and there was a disease out there that was pretty contagious but not very serious (i.e. not fatal and not requiring hospitalization) do you think cruising would be shut down? I don’t think so. Cruise lines would manage the situation much like they do with noroviris, influenza and other rather common diseases. BTW—I am NOT saying Covid is the same as the flu—but with vaccines, its effects on vaccinated people might be considered in a similar vein. With beefed up medical staff on board, isolation options, plans for disembarking sick passengers and rigorous testing protocols, Covid seems like it could be managed and still make for an enjoyable experience.

 

I realize that there is the still unanswered question of whether the vaccines prevent transmission, but if everyone on a cruise is vaccinated, I am not sure it matters much to those on the ship. The virus basically has no where to go and will die out. I don’t even see much reason to require masks on board. Because vaccines aren’t 100% effective in preventing Covid, anybody going on a cruise will need to acknowledge that there is a risk they may get sick (as they should anyway), but the illness they experience shouldn’t be anything like pre-vaccinated Covid and should be entirely manageable.

 

There is the question of what will countries think of having vaccinated cruise ship guests arriving on their shores. For the next year or so (until they can vaccinate a large majority of their populace) they may require social distancing and mask wearing while ashore. I could live with that. But will they totally exclude cruise passengers? Again, I don’t think so. Many countries seem eager to restart their tourism industries. And will vaccinated cruise passengers really pose any more of a threat to their citizens than their own people?

 

Maybe it is I who am missing something. I would love to hear what others on this board think of these ideas.

Jim, I think you are correct.  Our next cruise is 6-7 months away and I suspect that by that time Regent will require vaccination for all crew and passengers.  I agree that we'll be quite safe on board.  However, excursions will be an entirely different matter.  We'll wait and see, but we may not risk the local populace anywhere.

Regent assured me today that our 8 Oct Voyager sailing has not been cancelled.

Travelcat2, I think you're right again.  You are awesome.

Voyager is also wait-listed for Oct 2020.  I just received, today, my Final booking statement for an 8 Oct 2020 Voyager embarkation from Athens.  Perhaps I just don't understand what "wait-listed" implies.

Travelcat2, terrific response!  You just made CruiseCritic a terrific asset.  I hope my TA reads your response so she can better inform new clients.  Wouldn't it be great if Regent would post this info on their website so new guys (like me) wouldn't have so much trouble getting basic information?

On 3/6/2019 at 10:33 AM, Flgreg said:

Thanks for all the info. We had our TA contact Regent's air desk. They gave us some options. Since we have the pre cruise hotel night due to cabin category we arrive the day before embarkation.  We decided to stay one night after the cruse. Regent is stating very clearly that this is not a deviation, it is custom air.

Can someone clarify what "air deviation" means?  Deviation from what?  While we're at it, how is "custom air" defined?

We're booked on Splendor Rome-Athens Sept 24, 2020 for our 50th Anniversary. First time on Regent. Reference potential cancellation for a cruise two years away, we opted for the trip insurance.