KirkNC

I really think it’s a travesty that HAL does not provide testing at the end of the cruise.  You would think they would want to make it as easy as possible for their guests.  We have a later flight on the return trip so we have an appointment in the airport.

We did them in March twice for Portugal and once for Spain and no one ever asked for them.

I am a little surprised they test us before boarding yet we will ride around for 10 days in a bus without any pre testing.

1 hour ago, Alberta Quilter said:

I was concerned about him and his wife when I saw the news reports of the storm damage in Rodanthe, North Carolina .  But I think he is farther south than that.  Glad to hear they're well.

Yes were fine, a little minor flooding but thats not all that unusual especially during winter.  All part  of the adventure of living on an island.  Further up the beach on Hatteras Island there was more damage.  Thanks for your thoughts!

O its nice someone is thinking of me!!!!  👍.  We are fine, all is well.  We are in fact taking a HAL cruise in a few weeks (Triple Denali).  Just haven't been spending much time on CC and what time I have is been on the Azamara and Oceania boards as thats the direction we are headed but thanks for the thoughts!

I am hoping to get confirmation that NO negative test is required prior to joining a land first Alaska cruise tour.  Our tour starts in Vancouver and since we are fully vaccinated there is no requirement to enter Canada.  HAL documents state they will administer a Covid test at the end of the land portion of the trip prior to boarding the ship but is silent on any requirement for a negative upon joining the land portion in Vancouver.  Thanks.

5 hours ago, Riocca said:

I know there was the intention to do one as they did with Pursuit, will be interesting to see if they actually did.

We saw the Pursuit video in March.  It was interesting.

4 hours ago, Riocca said:

Probably worse from our experience, during Onwards maiden we were told the hull had to be opened to replace the ships laundry as it was beyond repair, I know the entire fresh water system was replaced before passenger side refurbishment started. Plenty has been spent to get the unseen bits up to standard and I’m sure there’s going to be a lot more done over the next few months.

It be interesting if the did a presentation on the refurbishment process.

3 hours ago, LaCroisiereS'amuse said:

I remember when Oceania bought Sirena from Princess/Carnival they had to double their refurbishment budget due to lack of basic maintenance on the two R ships & unless Princess have upped their game in the last few years I can only imagine that there are even more unforseen issues with Onward.

We found deferred maintenance to be an art form on HAL so I am sure it was equally bad on Princess..

9 minutes ago, cruisefam38 said:

KirkNC (Hello, sir) raises an interesting point. 

In today's edition (5/24/22) of the BBC online there is an article "What if we all stopped flying?". 

Lighter-than-Air craft and ocean vessels would become alternatives for intercontinental travel.

Possibly more Miami/Tampa/Mobile/New Orleans/Galveston cruises to Central and South American ports?

 

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220519-what-if-we-all-stopped-flying

We far prefer sailing  to a destination versus flying.  Whenever we can, we will take a cruise to get on another ship if the cruise leaves from a foreign port (or even the west coast in some instances ).  I hate flying, not out of a fear that the plane will crash, but due to the dehumanizing process it involves.

44 minutes ago, takemewithyou said:

They could do roundtrip from Los Angeles.  I would like that 😀

San Diego would be even better!

I would take either!

I m fine with a South Pacific but prefer something that starts someplace easier to get to then Papeete.  My hope is AZ starts doing longer term itineraries.

Caves are the same temp year round, low 50’s is the norm.

It’s a good sign that we are back to traditional debates about things like tipping.

1 hour ago, mp8shnt said:

We just got off the Quest yesterday,  We tipped every night at Prime C and Acquilina $10 or $15,  I also tipped the Prime C Bartender $10 every night we were at the bar.  They took great care of us and they deserved the tips.

We do the same.

We have had the cabs in Barcelona cruise port sit in line and not accept passengers until 8:00.  Not sure if it was a union thing or what.

On 5/17/2022 at 4:33 AM, boxman52 said:

When RCI sold Azamara it said it was planning to prior to the Covid crisis. It announced that the sale would not effect its results and after the impairment charge of 170M the deal was worth about 30M to RCI. I think these numbers are correct.

That says to me the brand was not generating profits or anything to merit a return on capital employed.

A private equity business has to generate cash to cover debt and pay a return. They also might well have a strategy for profitable sale in the future. They aren't like the owner of Viking "into the business" there is normally a defined end game plan.

There are normally two strategies employed 1) cut costs and asset strip 2) build revenue to increase profits and/or to get ready for sale

If Sycamore are going down the route of 2 with an additional ship and more revenue generating onboard then I think people should be supportive of that. The alternative of 1 is never pleasant

Change is always difficult but what I have read so far in an incredible difficult business environment they are doing their best 

I would suggest a third option which is buy an asset at fire sale prices, hold it for 3-5 years until market conditions improve and sell it.  That’s what I am guessing is the plan. Obviously they will want to simultaneously improve net income to increase the selling price.

It appears I misunderstood the previous thread concerning the bar being installed by Princess.  I thought the pictures in that thread we from the bar before AZ bought the ship.  Sorry for the confusion.

8 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

Really? Do you have photos or deck plans?

 

I cannot find anything to confirm your statement online.

8 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

Really? Do you have photos or deck plans?

 

I cannot find anything to confirm your statement online.

If you go to the other thread on Atlas Bar, I believe there maybe pictures.

Actually Princess converted it into a bar before AZ bought the ship.

5 hours ago, Riocca said:

The Living room, starboard side:

 

Port side:

 

 

Thanks!  Now I can visualize it!

11 minutes ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

In the photo linked from an Azamara Facebook site, it looks to be located in the port side divider between walkway towards the bar and forward area of the Living Room and the port side seating area.

If I am correct, open spaces in the divider that were once occupied by various sculptures are now closed, removing the partial view from the walkway.

Perhaps someone who has been or is on board may be able to confirm or elaborate on my thoughts.

From the amount of light on the left of the photo the windows do not appear to be obstructed.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10227142336126979&set=gm.685621722657516

Thanks, not sure why but I can’t get the link to work.  So is this new library space where bridge is taught/played and the ships computers center is? (Starboard side).

1 hour ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

The Library on Pursuit was extremely well stocked on our March and October cruises in 2019.

 

There is absolutely nowhere near the space for the same volume of books in the apparently designated area shown in photos of the Living Room.

I have been trying to figure out if these bookshelves in the Living Room are reducing the view.

On 5/8/2022 at 4:50 PM, takemewithyou said:

Laurie, was the patio open for dinner on your March cruise on Quest?

We were on the Quest for three legs in March.  The first leg in the Carribean, the patio was open for all meals though dinners were lightly attended.  The next two legs, a crossing and Portugal/Spain, the patio was hit or miss but only open for dinner a few nights,  For breakfast and lunch it seemed to be weather dependent.

Are you just stay for one night?  We took the transfer to the airport and stayed at the Star.  You can walk there from the airport, less then 10 minutes.