CruisingAlong4Now

4 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Basing your decision on having previously sailed with the line is nuts - previous experience may give you specific knowledge —— but LOYALTY????

BULL!!!!

People may be calling it Loyalty, but I think it's really the comfort that comes from knowing the product compared with another cruise line and the unknown product.  Even within the same cruiseline, people are "loyal" to a particular ship because they have sailed on it and "know" the ship.

The average age of the passengers on [insert name of any cruise line here] will vary by the time of year, location, and length of the cruise.  On 1 week cruises to the Caribbean during peak vacation times, there will be a younger crowd.  On cruises longer than 14 days, usually more retired folk. This is a universal truth for all cruise lines. Also, since Regent generally costs more than budget lines, the passengers will skew older because older people have more money they are willing to spend on a cruise. 

[please don't flame me for saying that Regent costs more than other cruise lines. Generally true. Not always.]

5 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

I think the State of Florida with the Governor Ron DeSantis hasn't handled these last cruise ships properly and mostly without caring about the people on them.  Florida gets a ton of business from the cruise industry.  I think "all" cruise companies need to sit down with the State of Florida and have a heart to heart talk.  I enjoyed the few days before our cruises in Florida, but I can tell you I'll never cruise out or into Florida again.  Governor DeSantis should have to answer to the way he's handled these ships. Just my thinking.

I find it odd that a Californian feels so strongly about the Florida Governor. I seem to recall a Grand Princess sailing in circles off the coast of a large western state. And I think that you will be much happier sailing from Galveston or New Orleans.

It's so nice to read of a completed cruise with no major catastrophes. When I saw the title, I was afraid this was about another cancelled cruise.  How wonderful you were able to complete your cruise and can relax, albeit under trying conditions.

Generally when we book non-refundable fares or events, we read this to mean "if i voluntarily cancel, I lose the money." This is something we understand.  However, this is a case of "This isn't my fault. This wasn't voluntary." therefore I should get my money back.

The vendor accepts non-refundable revenue thinking "Great, I now have operating capital with which to pay my overhead." He doesn't expect to pay it back to you unless he defaults on the agreement.

Different expectations and different understanding of contract.  Expecting small enterprises to refund non-refundable revenues is pushing the envelope.  It's not your fault and it's not his fault either.

Daddy, what's a vacation?

Not just the ships are being thrown out.

"Australia's Prime Minister has told all foreign visitors and students to leave the country now amid fury at backpackers for failing to follow social distancing rules."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8184065/Australia-tells-foreign-visitors-make-way-home-coronavirus-crisis-intensifies.html

Mr Morrison said it was “lovely to have visitors to Australia in good times”. But now they should “make your way home” and “ensure that you can receive the supports that are available…in your home countries.

21 hours ago, TheJuryIsStillOut said:

Perfume.  Sometimes I need to move my seat if someone sits near me with certain fragrances.

Kat

 YES! I'm not allergic to perfume, but scents irritate my throat so I cough. Sometimes quite loudly and for a period of time.  I wish women (and men) would adhere to Coco Chanel's advice when dressing.  Put everything on and then take one thing off.  I wish that one thing could be perfume.

It's difficult to anticipate the future. We can speculate, but not adequately prepare because our crystal balls are still a little foggy from the hand sanitizer we are using.

Unless you are immuno-compromised, most people are able to process and protect against many viruses and bacteria. I too wipe the remotes and doorknobs with anti-bacterial wipes. I'm not trying to sanitize the cabin or hotel room, but just generally get it cleaner. I think the remote and the toilet lever are probably the two most disgusting things encountered when travelling.

Regarding a vaccine for the current pandemic, many adults don't get vaccines for diseases for which we already have vaccines. Flu, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, shingles, pertussis, pneumonia. And what about those parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated. Do you want your children playing with children who have not been vaccinated against measles? Cruiselines do not require any proof of vaccination against any diseases.  Measles had been eliminated from the US in 2000. However, in 2019 there were more than 1000 cases in the US, generally because the vaccination rates in some areas was below the herd immunity level needed. 

Maybe everyone should have a physical exam before cruising, just like summer camp.

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose:  The chair hogs will still hog chairs.  People will insist that their jeans are good enough for the main dining room. People will still hang wet bathing suits on their balconies. People will still say they only tip those staff people with whom they interact. People will ask about the value of the beverage package. People will continue to smuggle liquor on board. People will continue to ask if they can make a 10:00 am flight from FLL. 

Hoped for Changes:  People will wash their hands. People will use sanitizer.  Buffets will have staff servers rather than self-serve. Better internet at sea. 

Many of the people who cruise frequently, could be several times a year, will continue to cruise. There are threads on this website disparaging other types of vacations. Similar to many other special interest sites, you'll find cheerleaders for cruising.  Almost all of the cruise problems in the news these days are not caused by the cruise lines. People are expecting instant cash refunds. The cruise lines are trying to manage expectations but people are being unreasonable. Some of the posts say that the cruise lines should be able to push a button and authorize a full refund. Clearly people are smoking those funny cigarettes that are now available legally in many states. Demand will be high in 2021 because of all the FCC from this year. And then, everything will be the same.

I understand a business wanting to stay open. That's a hard decision they have to make. The small business owners and the workers have significant problems if they lose their livelihoods.  However, the real morons are the ones going to the store. There is nothing in the dress store that is essential. 

17 minutes ago, Trevor33 said:

Thank you for your reply. As you say you are able in the United states  to book the same Cunard cruise as we can in the uk but due to legislation you are able to book with a refundable deposit whereas we book on a non refundable basis. Ouch it must be time to apply for my Green Card ! 

It's not legislation that allows refundable deposits, but rather the free market that imposes no requirement regarding refund-ability of deposits. In the US, companies may offer refundable or non-refundable deposits based on their own business models and market dynamics.

Is this a record number of posts for 12 days?

I don't know that there has ever been a case like this.

coming off now

Beware the guys in suits. Not exactly social distancing are they.

Looks like they don't want to take a chance with anyone falling off the ramp

FL SE

you can see the ambulances now on the webcam

I am not going to exhale until everyone is off the ships

41800 viewers

Slightly off topic but related to the Marine Traffic, the Anthem of the Seas's destination is "Drifting".  That seems to be true for most of us.

Both ships fly the Dutch flag, a good ally.  It's been more than 14 days since any passengers disembarked at a port. They have been quarantined. Bring the ship in and take care of the souls on board.

Wow! I hadn't thought of it.  All that TP just off shore on all those cruise ships.  Hmm. Maybe HA could bribe their way in?