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18 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

If this were the reason that CLIA does not want to support a repeal or modification of the PVSA, why did they spend 10 years lobbying for the exemption for Puerto Rico?  And, then once they got the exemption, the service was taken up by exactly one cruise line, and that service lasted for about 1 year, due to lack of demand.  And, that exemption, like all exemptions granted under the PVSA, are rescinded as soon as there is a viable US flag carrier on the route.  The reason that CLIA does not look for any modification to the PVSA is that they know there will be quid pro quo, and that will likely be that they will need to meet far more US regulations and laws than they do at the moment.  It would adversely affect their bottom line, rather than add anything to it.  The cruise industry does not have the great political clout that many believe.

I have seen you make this statement about Puerto Rico previously.  I can tell you that in 1987, we boarded the Sea Princess in San Juan and sailed to Fort Lauderdale.  And in 1994, we boarded the Song of America in San Juan and sailed to Miami.  Both these were not one time events, but part of a seasonal series of cruises.  I agree, I think there was a lack of demand as (if I remember correctly) these sailings lasted for one season only, but these were two different cruise lines, seven years apart.

I have a reservation at Pier 66 for later this year. Here is the email they sent me stating they will no longer be a Hyatt but will operate as the Pier Sixty-Six Hotel going forward.

Dear Valued Guest,

On behalf of the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six, thank you for your past and present business. We would like to inform you that the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six will no longer be a Hyatt-branded or affiliated property as of 11:59 PM on October 12, 2017. The hotel will be rebranded as an independent hotel called Pier Sixty-Six Hotel at 12:00 AM on October 13, 2017. Should you have any questions after October 13, 2017, please contact the hotel directly at 954-525-6666.

Existing hotel reservations, except for redemption stays, will not be affected due to this brand change, and we will work to ensure a smooth transition. World of Hyatt members with free night redemptions stays scheduled at this hotel after October 12, 2017 may contact Hyatt's Global Reservations Center at 1-800-344-9288 or hyatt.com for alternative redemption locations.

After October 12, 2017, World of Hyatt members will not be eligible to receive World of Hyatt program benefits when staying at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel, including earning World of Hyatt points and redeeming World of Hyatt free nights.

Hyatt appreciates your business, and we look forward to serving you again in the future at other Hyatt hotels in our system.

Very Truly Yours,

Amaury Piedra

General Manager

Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six

We were on both Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam in December and yes, Nieuw Amsterdam does have interactive TV. However, it does not have all the functionality that the Eurodam does, for example, on Eurodam you could view daily menus while on Nieuw Amsterdam you could not. I also recently saw on another thread that some December 2017 Nieuw Amsterdam cruises have been cancelled with speculation the drydock scheduled for November 2017 has been rescheduled for December 2017.

The 10-year agreement Holland America and Princess had to dock at Crown Bay seems to have expired. The ship schedule for the USVI is at http://www.viport.com/seaports/vessels.html.

The cruise ship schedule for October 2016 to September 2017 is posted on the West Indian Company (WICO) site. From a cursory look it appears neither Holland America nor Princess have renewed their agreement to dock at Crown Bay, which in my opinion is great news.