Justalone

On 3/1/2020 at 6:21 AM, SargassoPirate said:

As I approach 70 and am still an avid cruiser, there are certain things that I used to think were almost mandatory or things that I would obsess about prior to the cruise.  I do still obsess about cabin location and whether there is a wrap-around promenade, but beyond that I'm pretty well satisfied by most any day on the ocean.  I no longer feel the need to.....

 

Be the first on or off the ship.  As long as I get on before the ship sails, I'm good.

 

Attend every production show.  I find most of them annoyingly over amplified anyway.

 

Use a lounger on the Melanoma Deck.  I enjoy a lounger on the promenade much more.

 

Get off the ship in every Caribbean port.  Been there, and they all start to look alike anyway.

 

Use ship excursions.  Some of my best days have been walking around the port city and discovering a small coffee shop or cafe to enjoy.  Beats marching to the tour guide's clock on a crowded excursion bus.

 

Eat evening meals in the MDR.  I find it much more relaxed to eat breakfast and lunch in the MDR, and then have a light evening meal in the buffet.  Frees up a lot of m y time in the evening also.

 

To a youngster, I probably sound like an old curmudgeon, but one of the beauties of cruising is that you are free to enjoy the cruise and the ship in your own way.

 

How about you?

 

 

I have never been obsessed with the cruising lifestyle,  so I won’t miss cruising..other kinds of leisure travel for me. 😁
Do you think this Covid-19 pandemic is a way of “thinning the herd”, either through natural selection, or if you are religious, is God’s/Jehovah/Mohammed, plan?

Safe travels however that might be.🙏

7 hours ago, fireman999 said:

We are in a similar position it the UK as our government has just issued a statement indicating that people over 70 with chronic health conditions such as diabetes should no go on a cruise holiday. My wife and I both have diabetes and my wife has other health problems and we are due to sail on the QE on the 12th April 2020 on a Circumnavigation Cruise of Australia.

Obviously, we have contacted both our cruise agent by email 4 times with no response except to send us the tickets, together with Cunard who have responded indicting that they are reviewing the situation. Some insurers in the UK are stating that travel insurance is for unexpected events and coronavirus is a known event so they are not liable and if you travel against government advice you may not be covered.

This obviously puts us in am impossible situation and makes think we will never cruise again.

If no cruise line or government restrictions in the UK for a Fit to Travel certification is required, then go on the cruise.   What is the worse thing that could happen to you? Especially if you accept liability if , God forbid, something does happen to you or  your wife on the cruise.

Carry more medication that you need just in case you are quarantined.  At least 28 days worth?

Enjoy your cruise and safe travels.

Has Viking implemented Fit to Cruise policy where passengers need a signed Fit to Cruise certification from their  doctor?

On 3/12/2020 at 9:00 AM, airtana said:

Now that the company has suspended all operations through at least April 30th and offering cash refunds and/or 125% future cruise vouchers, we wonder if they can sustain such losses and still remain in business.  We were booked on the Sea which was to depart today from San Juan heading to Barcelona,  so we were like deer caught in headlights when we got the call last night at 11:21pm (yes, indeed, the 11th hour)from a Representative saying it had been cancelled.  Yes, Viking is definitely stepping up in a very generous way to offer these cash refunds or 125% in Future Cruise vouchers, but  I am wanting to gauge what people are feeling about making the decision between the two.    If (and that’s a big IF) this coronavirus outbreak continues to get worse and they have to make more major cancellations, and subsequently are forced into bankruptcy, that 125% might not be worth anything.  Any opinions or thoughts???? 

If it were me, I would take the money and run.  Real money, a sure thing.   Not Future Cruise credit vouchers, not knowing what the future holds for Viking.
FWIW, I am risk adverse.   YMMV.  Risk versus potential reward.

Good luck whatever you decide.  Safe travels.

10 hours ago, johnandlinda said:

Just being announced. Ships in excess of 500 passengers banned till July. Certainly glad now we did not book Alaska for May...we were that close to doing so but decided to just let things ride for now for our June river cruise

So Viking river cruises are exempt from the ban?

Enjoy your cruise.

1 hour ago, WmFCoyote said:

All this is well and good but PCL remedy is to provide a Future Cruise Credit with an expiration date. What happens if there is no cure for the Crono Virus and the diabetes does not go away before that time? PCL is not offering me a refund based on anything I can control. A FCC with an expiration date with PCL determining how suitable it is for me to cruise is not acceptable.

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

 

If I had a paid-in-full cruise cancelled I would take the second option where I would get 100% of my money back plus a 100% FCC. The 225% FCC seems to me to be more of a "sparkly thing" to attract people's attention so they will take the "better" option that might not really be of any real value to them. How lame to take the huge FCC option and then find out you are now going to be "too old to cruise".

Wouldn’t that make FCC basically worthless if you are no longer able to cruise, or you cannot find a suitable itinerary?  Or you decide not to cruise in the future /deadline to use FCC?   Or the cruise line either drastically reduces the number of sailings, or the cruise line goes bankrupt?

Isn’t FCC just a clever way for cruise lines to keep customers on the hook to continue cruising with them?

3 hours ago, WmFCoyote said:

I received the following e-mail from my T.A. this afternoon. I tried to call her back but was not able to get through to her. Both of us are over 70 and I have diabetes so it looks like we are out in the cold. We still have an Alaska cruise scheduled for 16 May 2020 RT from LA and we have not canceled as of yet. It doesn't look like any "bonus" FCC will do us any good as we probably will not be allowed to board the ship. I am assuming that our cruise to Asia on 16 December is also shot. Guess there is not much we can do.....

Dear xxxxxx

It's no secret that the world is a challenging place at the moment which is affecting all of us in some way or another!  Many of you have already canceled your upcoming travel plans or maybe trying to decide what to do in the coming weeks.  I wanted to make you aware of a new policy being implemented by almost all cruise lines as they continue to make sure they keep their passenger and crew as safe as possible.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, any person age 70 or older must present written verification from a qualified physician certifying that the person has no severe, chronic medical condition and is fit to travel and in good health. Additionally, any person with a severe, chronic medical condition, including those specified by the CDC – i.e. chronic heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or cancer – will be unable to sail.

It's important to confirm if you are going to continue with your cruise plans that you are aware of any new policies and procedures for boarding.

If you are unable to provide a "fit to travel" letter from your physician or have a compromising medical condition, they will provide you with a Future Cruise Credit to come back and sail with them at a later time.

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me and we will walk thru the changes together!  I can't thank you all enough for your business and hope that going forward you will help spread the word how important it is to use a travel professional!

My Best

Agree with you.  For the time being, at least until a vaccine is developed, tested, and safe for the public.   Especially since you are in a high risk group.  Your age, plus underlying health issue, diabetes. I would heed the warnings from CDC, NIH/Dr. Fauci, and U.S. State Department.  And especially to avoid cruises.     Plus if implemented, your Dr. cannot sign off on the Fit to Travel certificate.  FCC advantage to the cruise lines for obvious reasons.

When it is more safe, you may be able to cruise again in the future.

Good luck, and safe travels (just no cruises for now).🙏🙏

JMO

7 hours ago, koolforkatz said:

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/canada-to-ban-all-cruise-ships-over-500-people-until-july-1.4851940

 

 

It is the beginning of the end.  Oy Vey🙏
Where will ships be able to dock?

18 minutes ago, Bridget2 said:

 

Depends.  Are you or anyone in your group “high risk “ according to CDC, U.S. State Department, NIH/Dr. Fauci?  (See their websites)

Well, I am 59 and my husband is 60.  Sounds like we are considered "elderly" in some circles LOL.  My husband has glaucoma; not sure if that is an "underlying condition" that they refer to?

15 minutes ago, OCruisers said:

 

Check with your Dr. and see what he recommends.

Good luck, and safe travels. 

22 minutes ago, rich_cathybrock said:

Great news for those who have been folliwing the Abels!  David is NEGATIVE!  Sally is having a bath, and he's up next.  Just wanted to post an update to let everyone know these two wonderful people are on the mend, and prayerfully on their way home in short order!  Kudos to them and to Princess for demonstrating such fortitude in the face of diversity.  I, for one, would choose Princess first based on how they have stepped up in light of this outbreak.

 

It is not what happens to us, but how we rise to the occasion that defines us!

 

Don’t they have to test negative of Covid-19  3 times in a row before are released from hospital and can go home?  Have they both met that requirement?

45 minutes ago, Bridget2 said:

We have an Alaska cruise booked and paid for in July, sailing from San Francisco.  Should we be worried?  We bought the travel insurance, so wondering if we should be ducking out now while we could still get most of the money back.  I believe the amount you can recover goes down as time goes by right? 

Depends.  Are you or anyone in your group “high risk “ according to CDC, U.S. State Department, NIH/Dr. Fauci?  (See their websites)

If your answer is no, you are good to go.

FCC should be the least of your concern.   Health is.  Risk versus reward.

Enjoy your cruise.  Safe travels.

49 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

I am booked for a cruise at the end of the year and was just checking my cruises in my personalizer and noticed that Princess upgraded me from an obstructed oceanview to a premium balcony.  What a lovely surprise!!  Happy happy happy ... 

 

Good for you!   Nave try for an upgrade to a penthouse suite?.🙂

Maybe by the time you cruise, the Covid-19 will slow down.

Enjoy your cruise, and safe travels.

2 hours ago, jow623 said:

What is everyone's opinion of the future of the Diamond Princess?  Curious, as we are booked on it a year from now.  Thanks!

Question:

• Would you sail on the Diamond Princess once it has it's cleaning, and returns to service?

Or, will there always be a lingering doubt in your mind, that no matter what Princess says or do with cleaning the Diamond,  it will still be an Covid-19 infested cruise ship?

Maybe, Princess will rename the Diamond, avoiding the stigma of being the “quarantine ship”.

Or, Princess sells the ship to another cruise line?

For me, it is risk versus reward to cruise.  Cruise vacations for me is non-essential travel.  I follow the science, and it is telling me to avoid cruising at this time..  I will not cruise until a Covid-19 vaccine is developed, tested, and safe for the public.  It could be 18-24 months from now.  For now, it will be staycations, and road trips for me.

Wishing safe travels for those who have made their risk versus reward assessment,  and decide to still cruise on Diamond, or any other cruise ship, the  near future.🙏🏼

13 minutes ago, hllwdcruiser said:

We are currently at the Captain’s cocktail party.
 

We actually never docked at Amber Cove The Pilot boat just dropped off some test kits. 
 
The Captain explained that they picked up the kits just as a precaution. No one has symptoms on the ship that they know of. They are trying to avoid a situation where we aren’t allowed to dock in PE and then we have to wait for a helicopter to bring the kits on. 
He assured us that we are on schedule to dock in PE on time on Saturday. 
So far, so good!

So, is everyone at the Captains party practicing social distancing?  Hand shaking?

2 hours ago, Spikesgirl said:

I am very proud to call myself a Princess person.  I think what they did took guts and they will lead the industry by example.  Our cruise is set for June 3rd and I hope it's still a go, but if not, then I know it will be because Princess thinks it best.  I'm sorry that you lost out on your cruise.

Most likely you will be fine.  Not 60+, no underlying health issues like HBP, diabetes, heart, lung, kidney or lung disease.  No compromised immune system.

Enjoy your cruise.  Safe travels.👍

16 minutes ago, voljeep said:

Independence of the Seas - pulling out now PE/FLL ...

 

Carnival Sensation to follow

are you seeing the Sail Away party?   

On 3/11/2020 at 1:25 PM, WaterView2 said:

At this moment a useful doctor's note is not feasible since testing for this virus is not widely available in many countries and would be denied in most jurisdictions for this type of purpose. Even if you tested negative you could still come down with it as the symptoms can take days to develop.

Are you certain this is about needing a Dr. note you have been tested for Covid-19 virus?
Am I missing something?

So, If you have HBP, diabetes, heart, lung, kidney, and liver disease? Someone with compromised immune system?  Dr. will not sign off on the health certification.  The ships will be sailing maybe half full,  or cancelled?  Sign of the times?

Oy Vey!😱

Thanks for your report.   It sounds like you are having a relaxing without stress cruise.

How many ports missed?

Fortunate no one onboard  has been infected with Covid-19.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.  👍

1 hour ago, DaveSJ711 said:

Like any big company (public or private), Viking will have lines of credit it can draw on.  And Viking will, if necessary, contact its lenders to restructure or suspend debt payments for new ships and other capital obligations.  For these and other reasons, the potential for a Viking bankruptcy is vanishingly small IMO. 

Isn’t Viking highly leveraged?

49 minutes ago, heidikay said:

 

49 minutes ago, heidikay said:

Panama authorities came on took all our temps before we could go on tours today.  The first tender left the ship and got sent back.  All tours cancelled.  Does anyone know if Costa Rica received cruise ships today?   We are going there tomorrow.  

Other than port cancellations, how is the cruise going?  Everyone observing social distancing, and using the hand sanitizer stations?
Plenty of seats in MDR, theater, trivia, bingo, and art auctions?    
What is the passenger count?

Enjoy your cruise.

7 minutes ago, npcl said:

There are clear signs that the credit industry is locking up.  The Fed has announced a massive liquidity injection in order to try and stop it. All three major companies have high current debt, limited cash on hand.  HCLH and RCL have already started to tap their revolving lines of credit. All three have substantial assets, but they are in the very not liquid form of ships. 

 

Very likely that at least 1 of the major cruise companies will end up going through bankruptcy in some form.  Most likely one similar to what some of the airlines have done, where the stock holders are wiped out, the debt holders get equity in the restructured company and the customers remain intact.

 

Actually getting a bail out of the cruise industry through Congress will not be easy considering that all of the cruise lines are non-US companies and in general do not pay US taxes.

CCL going under?  Or smaller cruise lines like Oceania/Regent, or Viking?

22 minutes ago, maxw97 said:

I said the same thing a few days ago when it was $23. Now it's $17. Give it a few more days. 😉

Go buy at $5-$7 next week.

Good luck.

2 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

for the record bankruptcy doesnt mean they shut down a business

 

If CCL files for bankruptcy, what do you believe the common stock will be worth?  
Would you buy the stock now as it’s free falling, or buy when it files for bankruptcy?

With bankruptcy, will CCL stop the annual dividend?
If CCL goes bankrupt,  will FCC, FCD, and OBC still exist?

Say it isn’t true.   What a nightmare if it is.    😩