adstz

We are in an outside stateroom with open veranda, level c.

Does AQSC supply distilled water for use in a CPAP? If so, how do I request it?

Also, is there room on the nightstand for the machine? If not, where do you put it while using it?

We are sailing on the American Queen, Memphis to New Orleans, October 11, 2021

TIA

On 3/19/2021 at 7:11 AM, nogihs said:

I thought AQSB used the Peabody. 

The included pre cruise hotel is the Sheraton Memphis Downtown. Maybe the Peabody is for those who purchase the extra pre cruise package.  Their "city stay" packages tend to use nicer hotels.

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Princess said in a webinar today that FCCs on Princess cancelled cruises can, upon request, be put in the name of the person who paid for the cruise.  So if the person who will still be able to sail in the future was the one who made the payments, the FCC for other people on the cancelled booking can be put in the payer's account.

 

Again, must request this.

This is FANTASTIC  news! I paid for a cruise for 7 people for June 2020. We have now moved the cruise to June 2022 and are not sure everyone can go. I love that I can get the FCC moved to me if need be. 

We had a 10 day Alaska round trip from San Francisco booked for June 2020. My price was $1911 per person (taxes and fees included) for a mid-aft mini suite.

We rebooked for June 2021 which also was canceled.

We have now rebooked for June 2022. Same trip is now $3363 per person. This time does include the gratuities, wi fi, drinks package, and specialty dinner (Best Sale Ever) but that does not account for an increase of $1452 per person.

We are a group of 7 people in 3 cabins so that's a lot more money!

.

This is the host hotel for the first night of our Memphis to New Orleans cruise.

Has anyone got personal knowledge of this hotel? It has pretty crappy reviews.

We are coming in a few days early. I had hoped to just check in and stay until we board the ship.

Now I'm thinking we should find someplace else for a few days then move to the Sheraton for the last night before the cruise.

Thoughts?

We are booked for the American Queen Memphis to New Orleans October 11-18, 2021.This is a rebook from October of 2020 as it was canceled.

It includes pre cruise hotel on October 10 at the Sheraton Memphis with embarkation on the 11th.

Since we are planning on before and after stays we decided to look at what AQSC was offering.

Here is the info I have found about the pre stay package in Memphis:

The pre stay is at the Peabody Memphis. You don't move to the Sheraton Downtown. It is 2 nights. The dates are the 9th and 10th.

But you already should have one night included since it in in your cruise fare!

(It includes 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, some passes and transportation and $50 on board credit to use.)

For $699 per person.

Ridiculous.  Be aware that you are paying twice for one of the nights if you book this. I can think of a few better things to do with $1400 (for 2).

7 hours ago, Chrome Diva said:

I just booked May 9 St Louise to Memphis.  Great rate of $1399pp plus all the perks.  Very excited to try a USA River Cruise.  First Timers 

Wow, that would be a great rate. Currently on their website it show interior (least expensive room) for $2699 per person. How did you get $1399 per person?

$59.99 per person per day for the drink package

$14.99 per day for Medallion Net for up to 4 devices

$15.50 per person per day for gratuities in a mini suite

$90.48 plus tax

Add in $29 per person for specialty dining and an unknown charge to upgrade the room (depends on the upgrade).

So $100 isn't far off.

There's no way anyone would know you are doing this so I don't see why not. Might have to add in a night or 2 in a hotel to make it work but great idea.

We have done #1 twice! Once on our first trip to Alaska in 2008 (we have been back 6 times and are going again). We were scheduled to do it a third time with friends but they didn't get tickets (thought they had clicked the right button) so we gave them ours.

Definitely sit on the right side of the train if you are taking it down to Skagway. Best views.

On 11/22/2020 at 2:42 AM, YORKI1 said:

The title of your post is misleading, the Coral 16 June 2021 cruise has not been cancelled.....not yet anyway.

Here we are 2 days later and that particular cruise in on the cancelled list.

Mine was to be June 10, 2021, Ruby Princess, and it was cancelled too. (Had June 2020 booked for same cruise).

We had our September 2020 fully paid cruise cancelled. We chose to receive FCC (of 125%) instead of taking the refund. We then rebooked for October 2021. 

Last week I received a credit to my credit card for the port fees and taxes (for the 2020 canceled cruise).

Within a few days I received an email from my TA saying AQSC was demanding payment of our port fees and taxes for the October 2021 cruise as you can't use FCC for those.

So... I turned around and charged the port charges. They had over $9,000 of mine but were threatening to cancel my reservation if I didn't pay the $398. 

I have credit with American Airlines for flights to get to the cruise but I think I am going to hold off on booking until we get a little closer. So tired of canceling travel plans.

We are booked for a California Coastal in April 2021. I understand that you will only be allowed off the ship on a ship sponsored tour. (yes, I know this may change before then)

I was looking at the excursions for San Diego. There is one called "San Diego Zoo On Your Own". How is wandering the zoo "on your own" any different from getting your own transportation to the zoo and wandering around? This would break the "ship bubble" and expose the participants just as much as doing the whole thing on your own.

I am not trying to cause trouble but I really don't see the reasoning behind this. 

Or - will they change all the excursions to ones where you have zero exposure to other people? 

I just don't see how all this will work.

18 hours ago, trvlwrld said:

We have done 7 cruise tours with Princess...all of them had exceptional hotels...asia, australia, south america, egypt, israel, europe, africa...be sure to take a carry-on to use as your suitcase on the cruise tour section as they will store your big bags until you get on the ship ( no big bags allowed on the land portion).  They do a great job with food and hotels while on land!

That is not necessarily true. On all 3 of the cruise tours we have taken with Princess we have kept our regular suitcases with us. My husband and I each have a 30" wheeled suitcase. They are pretty big. We had no problems taking them with us. On the first tour we took I did pack our formal night clothes into a hanging suitcase and handed that over at the beginning. It was in our cabin when we got on the ship a week later.

We have not been to Italy but have done 3 Princess cruise tours in Alaska and Ireland. Alaska is different as they own their own hotels there. They are all very nice with decent restaurants. The hotels in Ireland were all very nice too. Mostly what I would consider 4 star with good restaurants too.

Once you book your cruise tour, go to your booking and look at the itinerary. I remember that the hotels were listed in the detailed itinerary maybe 6 months before you leave. My understanding is that when you book you are given a standard room automatically. Contact Princess (or your TA) to purchase an upgrade to your room.

We have never been disappointed by the hotel or its location.

Our FCC comes from a family cruise to Alaska, San Francisco 10 days round trip, June 2020. We had 3 cabins, 7 people. I have rebooked the same cruise for June 2021 and we used all the FCC.

4 hours ago, diplomats said:

Below is the text of the "Terms and  Conditions" for FCC contained in the email I received informing me of my FCC for a AQSC cancelled cruise:

 

Terms and Conditions

·         Future Cruise Credit is calculated at 125% of the original voyage fare paid, plus 100% of any purchased hotel nights or City Stay packages.

·         Valid on any 2020 -2022 cruise date.

·         Valid for use on any American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) or Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) vessel.

·         Valid for original traveler only.

·         Future Cruise Credit can be combined with any public promotion at time of booking.

·         Reservation requires port fees to be paid at time of booking.

·         Future Cruise Credit is applicable toward voyage fare, city stay packages, Unlimited Beverage Package (AQSC only) and onboard credit.

·         Onboard credit can be used toward shore excursions purchased on board, spa services (where available), bar purchases and gift shop purchases.

·         Any remaining balance after application of the Future Cruise Credit is due at time of final payment.

·         Reservation must be booked by original travel agency.

·         Future Cruise Credit may be returned at any time for a refund of original payment amount.

·         After credit redemption, there is no cash value on any remaining credit that is not used.

·         Future Cruise Credit is redeemable toward one future reservation.

·         Once reservation is made utilizing the Future Cruise Credit, reservation would be subject to standard applicable fees if modified (refer to Cancellation and Change Policy).

·         If reservation utilizing the Future Cruise Credit is cancelled prior to sailing, the credit is forfeited.

·         Credit must be redeemed by expiration date.

 

 

Points  7 and 8 together would suggest that excursions booked on board would be charged as "onboard credit" and thus be eligible for use with FCC.  Personally, I would want something in writing, either for TA or AQSC to be safe. 

If you bring a copy of this email then you DO have something in writing from AQSC. 😁

We have FCC that we want to use October 2021. Where on the AQSC website can I find their policy for using FCC?

I believe it can only be used for cruise fare but I want to see it in writing. I know I have to pay port charges myself but was hoping we could use any extra for excursions.

Thanks for the help.

3 hours ago, TinCan782 said:

While I was on the phone with my AQSC agent this morning, I asked her about that. She said that was an error and they are actually still on the list. I've worked with her enough over the past year that I have a high confidence in her statement. Cancelled last summer's cruise and I'm re-booking another for 2021.Take it as you will.

BTW, Victory Cruise Lines (which AQSC owns) remained on the list.

John

Got an email today from my travel agent. Attached was the email she got from Allianz after she was informed they no longer cover AQSC.

I went on the Allianz website. Down the bottom is a link to covered suppliers. It states that the list is complete as of "today" (so any given day).

Here is the first few listed under cruise lines - 

Cruise Lines  Alaskan Dream Cruises  All Discovery Cruising  AMA Waterways  American Cruise Lines  Azamara Cruises  Blount Small Ship Adventures  Carnival Cruise Lines 

Note - American Queen Steamboat Company is not there.

My TA also said she was notified by Allianz that this includes Crystal.

Anyway - Allianz is returning my full premium.

But back to the original question - I am very concerned and seriously considering cancelling my October 2021 cruise. If they go under I am out almost $10,000. If they declare bankruptcy it is gone. I would not be happy.

Anyone have any other info about this?

Is anyone else considering cancelling their 2021 trip? This news concerns me. There are 4 of us traveling together. We had originally scheduled for September 2020. We took the 125% FCC (got the email with FCC today). We rebooked for October 2021.

I am now very concerned. Allianz is a big travel insurance company. If they feel they can't back AQSC because of lack of financial stability, then should I really leave almost $10,000 with them for a year?

Big decision to make. We really want to take this trip but...

3 hours ago, Haysiedaze said:

Just found out that American Queen Steamboat has just been removed from the Allianz Covered Suppliers list as of 8/28/20.  Allianz won't cover if they default. Also removed were Crystal and WIndstar.

 

Sure makes one wonder about their financial health.

Does that mean we can't use Allianz insurance to cover a trip that includes AQSC?

UPDATE - 

Notified by my travel agent today that AQSC has canceled our September 20, 2020 cruise.

They are giving us an extra 25% as compensation. We will rebook for October 10, 2021. Hopefully we can sail by then.

Now to deal with the airline. Supposedly we will get credit that can be used for our next trip.

From the Princess site - 

Our Endless Summer Sale is here! For a limited time, book your next cruise with our low price "no frills" Princess Savers fares + discounted fares for 3rd & 4th guests**. Or, if you prefer our best value, you can book with our Princess Plus fare with drinks^†, Wi-Fi^‡‡ and gratuities^‡ included to also receive this special offer.

Looks like the discounted fares is the perk. Not much of a sale, imo.

2 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

Per our June 2021 Cruisetour documents:

 

 

The important part of this is that when you do your online check in, give your arriving flight information. That way they know to expect you.