Anubi

2 minutes ago, cbr663 said:

I would expect that 2 of those ships will be cancelled.  It's frustrating as HAL knows this and for some reason isn't releasing the details yet.

 

I am seeing lots of people complaining about itinerary changes.  I understand the frustration.  We had a Norway cruise booked for next year and HAL made changes so we transferred it to a 14 day British Isle cruise and it has also been affected by many changes.  So much so that it isn't the same cruise at all and we will be cancelling it.  We also booked a California Coastal cruise and the HAL rep had to share with me 3 changes while booking.  

 

As more and more port cities push back against cruise ships I think you are going to see more and more this.  Personally, I think our cruising days are going to become less as right now we simply don't feel comfortable booking a cruise and then having to deal with so many port changes.   

We booked this cruise because of Bonaire and its cancelled or if HAL hasn't cleared this up by final payment, we will cancel the HAL cruise.  

1 minute ago, KAKcruiser said:

I know.  It also shows a Royal Caribbean ship on April 3 with the Rotterdam.  I don't know how they will resolve this situation.  And, HAL doesn't advise any changes until way after the last minute.

Hopefully, it will be before final payment.  

3 minutes ago, KAKcruiser said:

The website bonaire.portcall.com shows the cruise ship schedule.  They are showing the Rotterdam in Bonaire on April 3.  However HAL is still showing it as April 2.  

Thanks so much!!  I will keep monitoring this.  Problem is, it still shows Horizon on April 2.  

We are on the Eurodam and HAL has switched the dates we visit Curacao and Bonaire and that's fine with us.  The problem is, according to Cruise Port Schedule,  Eurodam, Rotterdam and Carnival Horizon are all still scheduled for Thursday 02Apr and Bonaire only allows one ship per day. 

I checked with HAL and they have updated our itinerary with the change but when I check the Rotterdam itinerary for 29Mar, it also shows Rotterdam in Bonaire on 02Apr and Carnival Horizon itinerary for 30Mar is also showing the Horizon on 02Apr.  I have read that several HAL cruises have lost Bonaire and get an overnight in either Curacao or Aruba.  Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out if we have Bonaire or do I have to wait for confirmation.

2 hours ago, JAGR said:

The usage that Ate provides is correct.  I would add that it is limited to the newer "smart ships", which would be Meraviglia and Seaside classes and newer.  Also, note that they are complimentary for Aurea and Yacht Club experience.  You would have to pay for the use of them in the Bella and Fantastica experiences.   You can get by easily with you card only, so there isn't a real reason to rent them if you don't want to pay.

Excellent.  Thanks for the information.  🙂 

New to MSC, what is the wristband for?

This thread is a great find.  We just booked Euribia on Friday and I'm trying to find out what I can.  This will also be our first MSC cruise so I'm looking for all the information I can get.  🙂   

3 hours ago, horseymike said:

Hello Everyone,

We were notified of a itinerary change yesterday, Bonaire has been cancelled, the Curaçao call will now be an overnight call.

Any suggestions on something to do in Curacao on an overnight port call ?

What cruise?  We are on the Eurodam in late March and got an email that Curacao and Bonaire are switched.  We just hope they don't cancel.  😞 

On 8/18/2023 at 3:39 PM, LACruiser88 said:

This past November, we were on the Regal's Med/TA.  The crossing occurred during the first week of December.  We had perfect warm weather for all 6 sea days to Ft Lauderdale.  We spent the whole time in the Sanctuary!

We were also on that amazing cruise.  But being prone to seasickness I always go prepared and on one day the ship was pitching front and back and I took to my cabin for the day.  I am fine when its side to side because the ship can use the stabilizers but front to back there is nothing they can do so not good for me.  So I went to my cabin, settled in for the afternoon, got some room service and watched a couple of movies...for me it was still a great day!!!  Other than that one day, I had no problems.  It was such a good cruise that we are doing it again in 2024 for 21 days.  You should definitely go but take something with you...just in case.  🙂 

On 4/29/2021 at 12:07 PM, hallasm said:

An Alaska cruise cannot be compared with Baltic cruise - a Baltic cruise does include cultural cities like Copenhagen, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Riga - Might  have meant a Norwegian Fjords Cruise - the deep Norwegian fjords are impressive.
Many Baltic and Norwegian Fjord cruises originate from Copenhagen and are ideal for B2B.

Just be aware that not all Norwegian cruises does include the long fjords - look for itineraries like Geiranger, Flåm, and Olden - a Norwegian fjord Cruise should include at least one of these ports - preferable two in order to navigate the scenic fjords in my video in post #7.

 

I found a series of 7-day cruises on MSC that does both Geiranger and Flam and its the only cruise that I have found that does that.  We are looking at that for 2025.

None of the Norway cruises call into Geiranger.  😞  

58 minutes ago, amindu said:

 

you mind sharing which thread? thanks. 

Found it!!  If you find out, can you give me a hint?? LOL

15 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Apex is not LNG powered.

Oh, my apologies, its not LNG, its flex, whatever that is.   That's really going to limit ships into the fjords.  😞  I guess its back to research for the right ship.  

2 minutes ago, MarkedAngel said:

With the new UNESCO regulations going into place in the Fjords we are all very unsure of a royal will have that itinerary. NCL does on the Viva but that ship is LNG with shore power as are the MSC ones showing there.

Celebrity Apex also has the LNG, that's the one we have our hopes pinned on.  But darned if it isn't the most expensive one out there.  😞 

2 minutes ago, cruisin from florida said:

So quiet here! No rumors or gossip for 2025-26 repos? Mama wants to book a CRUISE!

Someone on another thread said that a 'big internet' company has a bunch of 2025 fall cruises posted but I don't know which ccompany it is.  Maybe you will have better luck.  

3 minutes ago, 1965 said:

I love that your DH gets to wear a tux & my DH doesn't have to. It's one of the reasons we love Princess. ❤️ 

Exactly.  Just because my husband does, doesn't mean everyone has to.  😊

My husband always takes a tux or two, depending on length of cruise.  He says that he spends so much time in his overalls (at work) and dressing casually the rest of the time, that appreciates the opportunity to dress up for a cruise.  🥰  

I checked our Travel Summary and both my husband and I are "saving" $28.35 for Medallion shipping.  I'd just as soon pick it up at the port.  

5 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

BUT, the port stops are generally short on the coastal voyages other than one larger city per day where you will be in port for maybe 3 hours.  These are working ships which carry cargo and people from port to port as well as the full voyage passengers.  Please check the timetable below.  The coastal voyages on both Havila and Hurtigruten are about the scenery mostly. They go into Geiranger between June 1st and the end of August. It's not the same as a regular cruise.  Check the YouTube and Cruise Critic reviews before you decide.  

 

Sailing schedule - Havila Voyages

 

Good luck with planning!  

 

~Nancy

Yes we noticed that, the number of ports vs the number of days.  Clearly more research is necessary but if that's the only way to get into Geiranger then that's the way we will be going.  

15 hours ago, oakridger said:

Next year I am going on the new Havila coastal voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes to Bergen.  They are not a "cruise" but the ships are beautiful and actually exceed the future Norway environmental regulations for ships.  Hurtigruten in nice too but was more expensive for the same voyage when I booked Havila.  Havila ships can sail on only battery power into the Geirangerfjord in the summer.  Imagine.......sailing along with no engine noise!!!  

 

The coastal routes are something to consider if one isn't tied to going on an actual cruise ship.

 

Skipene - Havila Kystruten (havilavoyages.com)

 

 

~Nancy

Thank you so much for that link.  Norway is my husband's Ultimate Bucket List and Geirangerfjord is one of his Must Do ports.  We are more about the ports than the ship.  I think this will suit admirably.  🙂 

CDG is hell on earth and should be avoided at all costs.  Just sayin.....

Just now, ONECRUISER said:

Though when I started on Royal it wasn't a Family Cruise. Cruising then use to be Called the Newlywed and Nearly Dead. Was on the then Brand New Largest and First Mega Cruise Ship, Sovereign of the Seas. This a Summer 4th of July Cruise and there was only 2 younger(18yrs old) onboard then Me/Wife(23yrs old)

We honeymooned on the Monarch of the Seas, one of the few at the time with balconies.  We had to upgrade to a junior suite and it was worth every cent.  🙂 

15 minutes ago, Gerbilicous said:

😲

This has been top of list and figured 2025 so been waiting to book. Sad to hear if true. While I could handle other line or even doing it backpack style. My wife would not 😆

 

side question: you guys are looking up public info for ports for schedule bookings? Thats how seeing what is planned since nothing on RCL to actually book?

I've been doing that but not seen any RCL ships yet. 

We are looking at Celebrity for Norway 2025 so this is a very timely thread.  Thanks for taking us along.  🙂 

2 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

 

I also am interested in Norway in 2025 and would love it on Brilliance! How do we get more info?

I've been checking some of the Norway ports but no RCL ships are listed for any of the ports I'm looking at.