GrJ Berkshire

Any changes to peoples  thoughts on this?

We have written off our chances as less than 10% now with the 2nd wave of covid-19 in Europe

8 hours ago, GOARMY said:

Pcardad:

 

Appreciate your response and opinion re: odds.  Spouse and I still have 1+month until making final payment on that 2021 cruise.  Bottom Line.  No vaccine; no cruise.  This, upon "orders" from my R.N. spouse with significant experience as to Community Health matters.

 

Regards, 

 

GOARMY!

 

 

LOVE the Macbeth quote !!

Would agree that Spring 2021 is about 50/50

We have written off any hope of Jan/Feb 21 to South America, will just take the FCC and pass along ( not as if you can get any return in interest anywhere else now) , Our next trip is a Splendour  May 2021 to and from Southampton , so no flights as Brits: feel this is only 50/50:   Do worry if not back in summer 21 what will remain of the Cruise Industry and indeed the aviation sector?

20 hours ago, mrlevin said:

I made additional dining reservations for my 28 November cruise this afternoon. 😀

WHY? 

Total waste of time and effort, it will not sail ?

Agree with Cotswold Eagle, impossible to tell where we will be in 10 months time.

However unless the USA gets the virus under control there is no way your timetable will work as you will not be welcome in the UK or will need to quarantine for 14 days prior to cruising. I would be more worried that the flights you mention will not happen?

Its a question of which of the major airlines are the first to 'go under' with the news of severe job losses at AA, United and Delta now that job protection schemes are ending, Virgin is all but bust and BA not healthy. Equally will Airbus, Boeing, Rolls -royce in the aviation sector survive, Boeing was already in trouble following the 737max issues, who is going to buy/ lease new planes in this economic climate. Already many small specialist aero-engine companies which deal with maintenance / spares are in trouble !

Lots more than a covid-19 test: IMHO if there is not a vaccine by summer 2021 the whole aviation/ cruising/ tourism industry is looking at an existential threat.

19 minutes ago, Damaris1900 said:

Our son in law travels for his business every week, and in his experience, American does the worst job in terms of mask enforcement, spacing while boarding or exiting the plane, and distancing while on the plane.  He has been impressed with the way other airlines, including Southwest and Delta, have handled these same issues, and prefers to fly with those airlines.  He no longer books with American at all.  Everyone has to decide how willing they are to deal with the risks, but I thought our SIL's analysis was interesting since he has no choice but to fly several times a week, has a child who is at higher risk, and is doing everything he can to minimize the risks of bringing COVID home.

From what's in the UK press today, wont need to worry much about AA as 19000 jobs to go and seriously downsizing after job protection ends. Wonder which of AA, United, Delta will be the first to go under? In Europe many established airlines will not come out of the pandemic.

Regardless of the CDC announcements. From a British point of view there is little chance of any cruising this side of the pond or with Brits and Europeans until Easter 2021 at the earliest.

In many parts of the UK now travel out of your local authority is severely restricted (Wales ) and a quarter 16m Brits are in some form of local lockdown.

We are booked on Splendour in May 2021 , Southampton to Southampton so no flights etc and think this is now at best 50/50 as to whether it sails?

9 hours ago, CruzC2C said:

So the process starts again.  Just checked my flights to BCN for the Barcelona to Miami cruise in November 2020.  My selected, paid for and approved flights were changed on my American Airlines app.  They even changed airlines for one of our flight segments and to a time that we will miss our connection by 3 hours in LHR.  So, I went to the American Airlines website and checked the confirmation number, it came up "We couldn't display trip details".  This is pretty much what happened last May just before our cruise got cancelled.  Suggest people check their flight for the November cruises and see they have changed.  

No way will cruises be happening through Barcelona in Nov...... read what is now going on in Spain. As to LHR connections hardly surprising, as the airport is running at 20% normal, few flights , connections not there. We must brace fully for many airlines and airports going under as a result along with Aircraft manufacturers- who is going to buy/ lease new planes in this climate. Boeing was already in trouble as a result of the 737max issue.

8 hours ago, Jimmcdaniel said:

We have a private safari tour scheduled for India in 2022 (rescheduled from the cancelled 2020 WC) and we are wondering if this whole “you can only travel with a ship-arranged tour” thing will be over by then. We feel pretty good about cruising being back by then but wonder about what restrictions we might be looking at. 

Nobody can really answer this 2.5 years out from the cruise?

However I think the ability to wander off on your own in ports will be very restricted till there is a vaccine, as without it and a vaccination certificate many ports will not let you in. 

9 hours ago, clo said:

We got a new one at a small casino where we have breakfast and 'game' a bit. We each had enough points for a mask. It has a little snap down square that covers an opening for a straw!!! Or I suppose a cigarette. 

Why the h.... are casinos still open in the states? 

Surely gaming and social distancing cannot occur

No wonder the USA has a problem !

With this view of the virus the European cruises will not happen in 2021 either IMHO........

Then these phoney masks..........

This is very different in the UK, you would be removed from airports if not masked or socially distancing.  Would not be accepted, but then UK airports are empty as most are running at barely 20% of pre-covid levels. Think this shows why Europe has taken on board measures but that the states has not. As a result US citizens will not be welcome in Europe for the next 6 months and those on the CC boards who are holding out for early Cruising in Europe are deluded..........

No problem on a quality line like Regent......................all included and most do these tours.

The time when you will be allowed off to wander on your own has gone !

12 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Just made dinner reservation for my 28 November cruise; no problem.  When I tried to add another guest to our table all of a sudden we had "technical difficulties."

You will not be allowed mixed tables in the 'new normal' even if the cruise sails- which I doubt.

This has to happen . Without taking the vaccine( as long as it's not medical decision ) these people must be made 21st century 'lepers' and barred from buildings and as this is cc from cruising without a vaccine certificate. If people opt out, then they must accept being society outsiders with limited access to many facilities- providing the vaccine works, hence why suggestions of an early vaccine is simply not going to occur, we must go through all the required science checks and balances.

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5608/

Interesting optimism; ready to sail in 30 days from a CDC "green light" ................ but sailing from where to where, I wonder?

Agree with you this is  TOTAL FANTASY !!

From a Brits point of view we will be lucky not to back in total lockdown in 30 days........ international travel is off the agenda

Boris today talked about restrictions for the next 6 months.... and he is usually an optimist ! Wrong but positive.

At present there is no chance this side of the pond, talked to a  friend on zoom last night from Guernsey,  Channel Islands, they basically cannot go off the Island and nobody is coming in. Only flights are a medical one to Southampton for the mainland hospital and the Mail

36 minutes ago, evandbob said:

 

Too bad we can't get an agreement that anyone who refuses to wear a mask or ignore other social distance or safety precautions forfeits their right to medical treatment when they catch COVID.  

 

If they are found to be transmitters of the disease to others, then perhaps they might also be liable for civil and/or criminal penalties as well.

HARSH.....I agree.......but not practicable as outside National waters 12 miles in most cases you are in international water. Under what juristiction would you prosecute in civil or criminal courts? Remember the Regent ships are not US flagged and so only the Registering country would have this right in law, in most cases these are Flags of Convenience with small obscure countries with limited legal enforcement, in Regent's case the Bahamas and the Marshall Islands, as UK trained not aware of how easy this would be ?

Legal boys will get rich on this before it would work?

At least  the grey matter got working on this, might keep a few in high rewarding gainful employment for a few years.

2 hours ago, marienbad said:

 

The death knell of Cruising as we know it, if fully applied.

Few people will pay luxury fares for this experience IMHO

On 9/16/2020 at 3:04 AM, xDisconnections said:

 

 

Refundable fares exist. What's the risk in booking airfare? 

There will not be the airlines and range of flights. If 50% of the Airlines and current routes survive the pandemic we will do well. Many small airports will close and few aircraft manufacturers- who is buying or leasing planes in this economic climate- and airlines that survive will drastically reduce their fleets. Therefore prices will be higher especially as load factors will go down.

If you read the restart article this is a very limited number, few will accept mixed nationalities and even less Brits ( as non-Schengen ) and few Americans. don't think that mix will be economically viable as a way forward. Any large ship (2000+) will be restricted to cruises to nowhere as the medical risk of port stops will not be possible, unless its only ship excursions. No getting off and exploring yourself ! Some may want a floating hotel, but many will not want to go nowhere?

Equally the restictions on entertainment , dining, leisure facilities will be hard to compare to pre-covid19. Are you going to want to be confined to a cabin for hours, sounds more like a Prison ship. Imagine entering San Fransisco bay and not being allowed off, more like Alcatraz...........................

9 hours ago, Guerncruising said:

I find it very interesting how different TA’s work in different ways. My main grouse over here in Guernsey is that you cannot use your credit card for all or even part of your holiday. I think that some may allow it but charge a fee (maybe 4%), so that means no protection from the card companies.

 I feel sorry for everyone trapped in all this current situation and can’t wait for things to improve. 

Remember than Guernsey is viewed as a different country and not the UK re credit cards banking rules

On 9/16/2020 at 4:45 PM, BBWC said:

Maybe Pcardad is not that far off. SeaDream just announced that Caribbean cruises will start in November. They will be entirely out of US waters, even though SeaDream qualifies for the CDC exemption. Interestingly, they start from Barbados, which can accommodate several large cruise ships.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/caribbean-cruise-comeback-seadream/

Believe it only if it happens................................

4 hours ago, Texas Duck said:

Excellent information from cruisecritic people.  Thanks!  Seems like as many questions as answers.

 

I booked our airfare yesterday - 270 days from embarkation date.  Perhaps my good experience may help other Regent travelers from middle part of Texas.

 

*     I called the Regent Air Concierge department at 877.722.7772 (they open at 8am Central Time) on the 272 day before embarkation date.  We used a TA but called the  Regent number directly.  Was not sure if 270 days was when you were leaving for the cruise or the embarkation date -- it is EMBARKATION date.  So, called back two days later and talked with Air Concierge.

*     Air Concierge records indicated that we were entitled to free coach instead of business class airfare.  Air Concierge transferred me to sales and they corrected their mistake immediately.  They then transferred me back to Air Concierge.

*     They OK'ed our first choice which was British Airways from Austin nonstop to Heathrow.  Short flight after that to Stockholm.  I know, I know, hopefully BA will be flying that route next June.  Both the pond and continent flights are business/first class.  I also am aware that European business/first class is not like the USA.

*     I had done my research and was able to book the window seats with two windows - A350-1000.

*     We wanted to arrive in Stockholm the day before embarkation - not the morning of.  We preferred Austin over Houston (we live in Texas Hill Country).  We knew about and were happy to pay the $175 and the $249 pp charges.  HOWEVER, remember that if you book directly with BA, you will pay about $125 pp to get seat assignments before the 24 hour open period.   YOU DO  NOT pay the early booking seat assignment fee by going through Regent.  Offsets some of the Regent fees.

*     Regent forwarded the flight information overnight to our TA.  The TA this  morning recorded and sent us an invoice.

 

Helped a fellow traveler make the same flight reservations last night.  They confirmed and she paid immediately.  She did not use a TA but rather booked directly with Regent.  A little easier but no big deal either way.  

 

Let me know if you have  any questions.

Hope it works out OK for you

2 hours ago, Gcto said:

we can always come back...no restrictions unless Australia etc.   

 

But no flights either?

The problem with this thread is that as Regent ships are not flagged in USA, then the CDC has no juristication over them except out of US ports as foreign vessels. Equally Regent has multi-national passengers where they will not be able to access the ships. And many countries are not accepting US citizens whilst the pandemic is out of control in many parts of USA.  In the UK you would have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. 

On 9/9/2020 at 7:25 PM, jhenry1 said:

Texas Duck,

We live in Georgetown and have flown the BA non stop flights to London many times for our Regent cruises. The great thing is that once at Heathrow you can get to almost anywhere. We always deviate and pay the charge as it has always been better for us especially trying to get from Austin can be a nightmare with many stops. I wish Regent would make Austin a gateway city as there are a lot of customers that live in this area.  I always do a lot of research prior to the time and have multiple choices when I call the air department.  It is much easier if I call and easier for  my TA .  BA from Austin to London has only been late once and only 45 minutes .  Good luck.  Easy to park and Ride in Austin also.

Very much was the case, London Heathrow is like a 'ghost' airport working at 20% normal, doubt if ' minor' routes like Austin -LHR will survive BA's cull, not with Dallas and IAH routes as well, London Gatwick is barely functioning with Virgin, BA both intending to end operations here , so secondary routes will be thinned out. Doubt if many US airlines will want to continue to and from Gatwick.

From this the whole aviation industry is in trouble, who will buy or lease new planes in this economic climate? Several specialist aviation engineering companies who produce parts for aircraft engines are going to the wall ! even Boeing after the 737 max issue is struggling. Many European airlines are talking 5 years to return to 2019 levels .

The lack of planes will be one of the main ways that Regent will have to change schedules as getting passengers and crew to some embarkation ports will be a major challenge on top of everything else. Sorry to be pessimistic, but realism on this is needed.

31 minutes ago, Portolan said:

We opted to self-cancel our January cruise on Splendor.  The $100/pp is insignificant and, while we believe and have never heard of Regent doing this, their T&C states that they are authorized to charge your previous form of payment if the cancellation penalty exceeds the deposit.  Not going to risk the 15% + penalty that hasn't been modified to conform to the 60 day final payment.  Also want to get in line earlier for a refund of the deposit.

 

We're not risk averse: since the pandemic started, we have booked a cruise on Voyager for August 2021 (joining a previously booked Explorer cruise is March 2022).  Just didn't feel comfortable with January 2021.

UK deposit is 10 or 20 % of cost there is no $100 deposit this side of the pond.........