TheOldBear

I just looked on the Viking site for tour descriptions - there are four evening excursions on Day 6 Tromso [two on land, two on water] for northern lights.

The land mini-bus tour likely would have the most passenger room to bring a tripod [check on with Viking or on their forum]. Also, check over in the DPreview astrophotography forum if there are any gotchas about your particular camera/lens combinations for astro photography [e.g. some focus by wire lenses have difficulty doing a starlight infinity focus]

22 minutes ago, tosteve1 said:

Yeah, but....don’t think anybody predicted it. If you have a link to a model that predicted a drop like this,  I’d love to see it. Very curious about the models that inform public health decisions. Of course, nothing is perfect. That’s science.  But the only predictions I’ve ever seen suggest that things will get worse. Forever.  

The projections on the 'wordometer' covid pages always show the future as increased cases and deaths. Needless to say, their past projections did not match actual events - but apparently they are continuing to use the same models.

26 minutes ago, tosteve1 said:

All in favor of hard science and have already had the vax. I wonder, though, if any COVID models predicted a 75% drop in cases in one month. I expected cases to decline but not quite so dramatically!

The tests may not quite be the same - for example the PCR test cycle threshold may have been adjusted lower making the test less sensitive.

I would like to at least see that clarified on the Cunard web site. The table on the 'flexible booking terms' shows 

• 119-30 days to sail as forfeit of deposit
• 89-61 days - forfeit 40%

Currently, my confirmation from $UNNAMED_TRAVEL_AGENT shows 120 days out [1 May] as the final payment date. As of yesterday afternoon, there were no changes.

As I've said on other threads, I would like to defer payment to see what things are like after restart, plus the impact of more and more folks gaining immunity.

3 hours ago, jwattle said:

Wow! Your version of "facts" is ... interesting. You do realize that your "immunity" is not proven to be permanent yet? It has been shown that the "immunity" wears off and people have caught COVID again. Also, in people who do NOT have underlying conditions, it can be far worse than the flu. COVID is random in who it attacks, who it becomes "bad" in, who it kills. I'm not just listening blindly; I have had the dubious pleasure of working the emergency response to COVID. 

Antibodies decline in several months time [90-120 days] but that is only one portion of immune response.

The T and 'memory B' cell responses remain robust for years. I recall some info on the CDC site about cross reactivity from prior SARS-COV-1 and MERS exposure.

Not the link I was looking for but here is a start on the CDC site. I may need to chase [and bookmark[ some of the footnoted documents

3 hours ago, ysolde said:

Thanks.  I think our biggest concern would be how much we would be packing and lugging around.  We would be spending 4-5 weeks in Europe afterwards, and if we are packing a tuxedo and two evening gowns, plus some costumes for theme night, we might be talking an extra suitcase.  Carrying all that around on planes and trains throughout Europe sounds exhausting.  But you're right that maybe we should look to store it early on and then fly home with it at the end.  Food for thought.

You could always use a service to ship the unwanted formal attire home.

There apparently are storage options in/near Southampton, but that would not be too useful if you are flying home from Dublin or Oslo.

I don't know how solid you plans are - but you could consider getting the flying out of the way first, doing the land tour - and then meeting QM2 in Southampton, Hamburg or LeHavre (with previously shipped formal wear waiting in your room).

21 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

They may not need to show their birth certificate to get their Real ID.  That they do have to show a  birth certificate to get on the ship is the point. A Real ID license is not enough.

Driver's licenses come in several flavors [New York State example]

• The enhanced' driver's license shows proof of New York State residence and US citizenship. Either a passport, or the same documentation needed to obtain a passport is required. It is supposed to have the same utility as a Passport Card for land border crossings.
• The real id drivers license shows proof of residence - not proof of citizenship, as green card holders and other lawful residents [e.g. H1B visa holders] can get them with proper documentation.
• The standard drivers license shows that someone paid a fee. They present no proof of either citizenship or lawful residence. They are available to anyone, including illegal aliens, without any verifiable documentation.

Mrs Bear has a real id license, I have an enhanced license. For US Citizens the paperwork seemed identical [we each used out passport book as one of the required forms of id] when renewing our licenses. I don't think I will bother to pay the premium over 'real id' to get 'enhanced' next time.

With a 12 September sailing, our 'final payment date' is still before sailings restart, so there is no way of knowing the impact of the new protocols before the restart. We are giving serious consideration to rescheduling - but will delay our decision to April

I've entered the contest - but I think it is slightly more likely that the 'upgrade fairy' would present us with a Q2 than winning. [still would need a Britannia  booking for the other crossing]

26 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

ive seen more than one person say they pack months in advance. so i'm curious what you pack?

 

maybe people have 2 sets of clothing, 2 sets of toiletries etc etc but i dont 🙂 

We are local to the port [no flying or other public transport] so we tend to overpack [more than] a bit, but we know what can be stowed in our preferred stateroom category.

After each cruise, we will have any formal clothing that needs cleaning, cleaned.  There is a guest room dresser drawer and about 18 inches of closet rod space devoted to tuxes, tux shirts, gowns, blazers, dress slacks, dresses. 

Thats the several months ahead part.

A Cunard transatlantic round trip will have three formal nights each way, plus a couple of other formals for any European leg of the sailing. That is usually covered by a tux & two shirts + a gown & accessories.

We figure on packing clothing for 7 to 9 days between laundry room visits.

A month or so ahead, we will check out the stored clothing [not just sea air makes waistlines shrink 😉 ] and see what needs updating. That's about the time socks, underwear & casual clothing are diverted onto a [neat] pile on the guest room bed. 

A week before, we have everything ready - and it gets packed into a single large suitcase. We will add a few hangers - never enough hangers.

A day or two before, we have our carry-on items in or on their bags. My carryon is mostly filled with wine bottles, padded with socks and underwear. Mrs Bear's carryon has jewelry, toothbrushes, prescriptions & travel medicines - and the other recommended 'first day' stuff.

We both wear clothing that is suitable for the Cunard's "Smart Casual" nightly dress code - that means wearing a jacket, instead of packing a jacket. Anything that would upset the terminal's metal detectors are in a pocket of my camera bag, or Mrs Bear's purse. 

As I noted on the other thread, the 'My Account' registration does not like the strong passwords generated by Apple Safari or other password managers. 

It seems to enforce some old style rules for passwords that are 'difficult for humans to remember, easy for computers to crack'

2 hours ago, ExArkie said:

My belief is that Cunard, in trying to recreate the glamorous past of ocean crossings, has decided that their IT systems should also be 1920s vintage.

 

So their servers are driven by coal fired steam boilers?

That would explain much.

[Curnard web site programming by Lady Ada Lovelace, hardware by Babbage and Tesla Ltd.]

21 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

Nor I, but a lot of ATM cards have the logo and hook-up to VISA or MC, which makes them debit cards, which allows them to make purchases.  I specifically ask that my ATM card remain a pure ATM card with no logo, so it CAN'T be used to make a purchase.  The line between ATM cards and debit cards hinges on that logo.  

NFCU issues both an ATM card and Visa logo debit cards - for the same account.

Many merchants (grocery stores, CVS drugs, Costco, BJs...) will accept either. I tend to use the ATM card when I want cash back (avoiding ATM fees)

Just for my own amusement, I attempted to register & log in.

The site seems to have inflexible password rules - rejecting the Safari generated 'strong password'.

Likely the rules enforce the typical 'difficult to remember, easy for a machine to guess' passwords.

19 minutes ago, bikevegas said:

Hopefully,  will be going on a Panama Canal cruise round trip from Ft. Lauderdale on Princess in November. We will be driving to Ft. Lauderdale.   Is a Passport card acceptable documentation or do I need a passport book? Thanks!

This seems to be a Frequently Asked Question - perhaps a pinned response should be added to the forum?

Check directly with the cruise line. If you are turned away due to unsuitable documentation, your travel insurance will not reimburse you.

Cruise lines may be more restrictive (requiring a passport book) at their option, even if other lines with similar itineraries require minimal WHTI documentation (state id & birth certificate; enhanced driver’s license ).

 
Get the passport book. You won’t regret it.

We are currently booked for a sailing this September, with final payment date of May first.

Cunard says that the sailing is “on hold” due to the current cdc regulations.

We will need to see in mid April what vaccination progress has been made, and guesstimates for the summer months, before committing to final payment. 
If we decide to reschedule, I have a Northern Lights cruise picked out for November 2022.

If Cunard cancels, or we are refused boarding, there is supposed to be 125% credit to rebook. 

We've done both the house/pet sitter [large dogs] and having the beastie [beagle] stay with the dog sitter [and their dogs]. One time we were 'between dogs' and were the pet sitter for a week.

If the planned cruise occurs this fall, Miss Judy the Beagle will one again be staying at the dog sitter's house with a couple of smaller dogs.

4 minutes ago, glutenhab said:

Thanks. 2 more questions:

1) Are exercise classes (Spin/Body Flow etc.) and/or specialty coffees (Latte/Espresso etc.) included?

2) How does Cunard compare to Holland America?

Don't know about exercise classes 

Specialty coffees in Sir Samual's are extra cost. I recall Mrs Bear ordering after dinner Latte in Britannia at no extra charge.

16 minutes ago, cantgetaname said:

I'm considering a cruise on Odyssey Ft Lauderdale to Rome in April  (23) 2022 and was wondering what I could expect as far as rough waters.  Will it in all likelyhood be extremely rough or possibly calm?   I've only sailed from Florida to the Caribbean so I'm not sure what to expect.

There will be weather - but there is no way of predicting what kind of weather 😉

It will be warmer in general (sea and air temperatures ) than a great circle crossing from NYC to Southampton - but that's about the only generalized guidance available.

51 minutes ago, steve4031 said:

The pictures of the balconies are helpful.  Thank you.  The sheltered Balcony reminds me of the Cove balcony I had on the Carnival Dream.  Based on the probability of experiencing rough seas at some point during the crossing a lower cabin would be more stable IMHO.  I suspect in extreme conditions the crew takes steps to prevent access to the balcony like Carnival does.  

 

Please forgive me for the Carnival references.  I know the service and product are way different than Cunard. My experiences with cabin location on the Dream could help me understand the location of these cabins on the QM2.  

The only measures I have see have involved restricting access to selected exterior doors - from Deck 7 to the Promenade [still accessible via the terrace doors to deck 8], and to the Lookout [above the bridge] and Observation Deck [below the bridge].

There is encouragement to not prop bacon doors open, and not have stateroom and balcony doors open at the same time - but I do not recall having the crew secure balcony doors.

3 hours ago, watsonbeau said:

Vaccination is all very well but how long does the “immunity” actually last for before you need to have it again ?

 

Nobody seems to know !
 

 Even if you can find that out there is still the issue as to whether the “protection” would be lasting the same time if you are doing 12 weeks apart /3weeks apart/ or only get one jab ???

There is indications that SARS [SARS-COV-1] and MERS survivors have effective cross-reactive immune response to COVID-19 [SARS-COV-2] about a decade later.

I am hoping that a vaccine derived immune response will also be long lasting.

Sheltered balconies have the advantage of being lower than the glass balconies - and are also 'sheltered' from boisterous weather. 

On our 2017 round trip, there was a tropical storm remnant with force 11 winds. The winds were bow on most of the time, and our balcony was calm.

We tend to pick midships, deck 5 for crossings.

We did have 8003, a glass fronted balcony, that was nice for a port intensive New England/Canada cruise. That was a nice location, only two doors from the Library and one deck from the Commodore Club.

Many deck 8 balconies are obstructed by lifeboats or tenders - see the sticky "What do the Obstructed Views look like?" toward the top of this forum.

9 hours ago, Fisherwoman said:

I have a large on board credit for my next Cunard cruise.  If I don't use it all, do they refund it?

 

It may depend on the source of the on board credit.

• If it's from a promotion [from Cunard or a Travel Agent] then anything unused evaporates at the end of the cruise.
• If it was an explicit purchase [by you] then it may be refunded [depending on what was presented as the terms and conditions of sale to the purchaser].

3 minutes ago, lindylooellalouise said:

Hi we have 14 day transatlantic cruise booked for 6th June noticed it’s no longer on sale but on hold have had not had any information from Cunard

Bookings longer than eight days are ‘on hold’ according to Cunard’s web site. 
The current CDC guidance prohibits anything over eight days, to or from a US port through November first.

2 hours ago, steve4031 said:

Greetings,

 

I have been reading posts on here for several years.  A crossing on Cunard is on my bucket lists.  I have established that I will book either an outside view or balcony in the Britianna class and that I will use Cunard's air.  I found threads on here that helped me make those determinations.  My questions:

 

1.  How does one usually get from Southhampton to London or vice versa?   I am a rail enthusiast and would probably take the train if it is not too difficult to get to the cruise terminal.  

In addition to this forum, check in the ports of call forum . https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/148-british-isleswestern-europe/ 

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2.  I understand that westbound crossings are considered better than eastbound because of the extra hour gained each day.   Does this advantage outweigh the experience of leaving New York in the daylight?

We've done round trip sailings, so we get to enjoy both the sail out and sail in.

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3.  I would be traveling during the summer.  One of the pleasures of a crossing is experiencing rough seas.  I understand that it is impossible to predict exactly what would happen on a certain cruise, but does a summer crossing mean that there is less of an opportunity of experiencing rough seas?  

There will be some sort of weather [even bright sunny days are weather 🙂 ]. Summer is also known as North Atlantic Hurricane season [May-November]. QM2 was designed with rough weather in mind, and has a reserve of speed to re route around the rough patches most of the time.

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Is it possible to use Cunard's air to travel to/from a city in Europe before or after a crossing?  For example, I arrive in Southhampton, take the train to London.  Spend a day or two in London, and then take the Eurostar to Amsterdam and then fly home.  (Please note that I have visited all of these cities before to do the museums, so I would primarily be doing this to ride the Eurostar because this would be a route I have not ridden.  )

I cannot directly help with the air portion [we drive to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal].

There have been postings indicating that Cunard is flexible with their arrangements -  both before and after the cruise.

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Thank you for your assistance.