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I also ask to cancel an excursion for September, and was told they were working on May cancellations, and it would be awhile until they got to it. I was also offered to use it as future credit for up to three years at the guarantied price. I still plan to go to Alaska, hopefully next year, so I chose the future credit. I am still working and figure they will need it more than me. I chose to cancel my cruise because I am not playing the waiting game, and I since our cruise was late Sept, I wasn't past the pay off date and may be able to get an earlier date for my vacation next year.

I also have a September cruise to Alaska. My final payment is May 30th. I realize that I will probably be canceling, but I will wait it out until May. I would suggest that you prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. No one can predict how this is going to play out, but I think that I would rather go next year, rather than be disappointed this year. Many people have pointed out that there may not be workers for the excursions, I would be disappointed if I pay all this money to go on a cruise only to have all of my excursions canceled. I also would not trust the cruise lines to inform passengers that this, so I will keep a close watch as things unfold.

I think we got a little off topic on this thread! My original plan is a late September Alaska cruise out of Seattle, plus 3 days in Seattle to go exploring. I have always wanted to go to Seattle, many of my favorite musicians are from there! But, I have to face the reality that this years vacation may not happen. I may not get a vacation as the situation unfolds, vacations for me  are not guaranteed. I am thinking of a stay-cation this year, if I even get a vacation, as I am already emotionally exhausted. Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

• There are many, many different viruses that can cause very similar symptoms. Flu test only test for a couple types, and even then they are only  have a sensitivity of 50-90%. Many of these viruses do not respond to antivirals, such as adenovirus, it acts like the flu, but is not influenza. So even if you test negative for the flu, you probably had one of many  flu-like virus or even a strain of flu. The one thing that people need to keep in mind is how fast this virus is spreading, and if it was around last year, we would have known because it would have peaked already. I have had many patients with the flu and many other viruses all winter and I don't believe any of them had Covid19.

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Here, fix that comment for you.  New Jersey's governor has ordered a daily 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. limited curfew, restricting non-essential and non-emergency travel, waivers for those in vital public services (police, fire & health care, etc.) 

 

Sad to hear about that ... universal precautions wasn't adequate ?  Latest CDC guidance not calling for using N95 along with the full PPE set, unless ...  So, you will be staying out of your MC & won't be returning to duty until cleared by HR after recovering ... wish you a speedy one, an extended period to rest up and take care of yourself first, etc. 

 

What the folks do not want to realize and recognize, is that community infections are real, in silent & ninja modes and gone undetected - it's not a short duration battle that the U.S. is fully prepared for, let alone winning that easily. 

 

On a side note, Capital One bank in the NYC area just announced that 64 bank branches are now closed while 82 will remain open ... Chase & Citi hasn't announced anything yet.  Time to freshen up on mobile & online tele-banking.  

The reason CDC guidance not calling for N95 is because there is a shortage, not because it is safe. I guess as long as we have some protection that will have to do! Just received my N95 mask today, we are told to wear them for as long as we can because once they are gone, they are gone. 

2 hours ago, elwood_98034 said:

I work in a big ER in Seattle. I will give you a big tip, at a certain point a certain number of people like me are going to decide they don't need a job at the moment, or it is time for a career change, or maybe even retirement. We are running short of gloves and masks as well. If they run out I would suggest that a good number of my co-workers will walk out the door and not look back. That is the day you don't want to get carried into an ER. And don't forget, EMT's have families too. They can always go get a job somewhere else as well.  No one forces us to go to work, we do it voluntarily.

My heart goes out to the Hospital staff, as you are getting hit the hardest. I work in a 10x10 clinic with no ventilation, and all I have right now are surgical masks and gloves, no gowns, and no n95 masks. Today, 2 sick people came in and argued with me about wearing a mask! And you are right, I too feel like walking away, especially when people come in and act like this is no big deal. Besides being an FNP, I am also the caregiver of an elderly parent that has COPD. Sadly, many people will have to find out the hard way, when it hits someone in their own family. 

On 3/13/2020 at 7:42 PM, darwinsrule said:

Guess you should define what you consider to be 'normal'.  We have Koningsdam booked for August 29th, final payment isn't due to May 31st so we are in a wait and see holding pattern. Anticipate things will be running by that point, but normal?  Not even close to normal.  Problem I see is that there are a lot of people who go up to work the tourist season, do they go for a part season?  Is it financially worth it to them?  I doubt we will have answers for our PIF date, at that point we need to make a decision, but we will make a decision based upon what facts we have.  By the middle of June you should have an idea as to what the season is going to look like.  Think we are all going to have our fingers crossed. 

Thank you, but not what I was asking. I booked this cruise last year, and the excursion dates online end in mid-september, but there are still two more cruises after that, and there are many excursions offered by the cruiseline for this cruise. I do realize that it is anyones guess, if there will even be a cruise season, but unless it gets cancelled, I will still continue to plan for it.  My question was geared towards people who have taken the last cruise of the season in the past.

6 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

NCL uses the same tour operators as you will use if you book your tours independently.  If there are no in independent tours, there are also likely to be no ship tours.

 

DON

Yes, I do realize they use the same tour operators, but I have know way of knowing which ones they use. I don't think that NCL would offer 2 late season cruises and offer over 100 excursions, if there were no tour operators to provide them. Most operators including the White Pass Railroad only off booking options until mid-September, so I was wondering if as it gets closer to the cruise date, if they will add more dates. I was hoping other people that have taken late season cruises, maybe would have answer.

Actually, I am looking for someone who has cruised alaska in late September over the past couple years, that has booked late season excursions, or lives in Alaska. As I know that things should be up and running by then. I am wondering if as the season seems to be stretching into October, if most of the tour operators are staying open later in the season or if I should just plan on booking through NCL.

Ok,  lets pretend all will be normal by September. I am booked on an end of September Cruise on NCL Bliss. When I look at excursions available through outside vendors, they all seem to end mid-September. Of course the same excursions are available to book on the ship and much higher prices. Does anyone know if vendors will add more dates since the ships are sailing into October? Or should I plan on booking through the ship? I did find a whale watching excursion forJuneau, but nothing yet for Skagway or Ketchikan. Thanks.

I just had my fare reduced yesterday for the second time. I book directly with NCL. The rep on the phone said I could call anytime before final payment in May and have it reduced as many times as I want.

We flew TAP Portugal last spring. They lost my luggage and I spent 4 days in Rome with no clothes before our cruise on the EPIC. Luckily it arrived the night before the cruise, their customer service is non existent. On the way back they left the whole planes luggage in Rome and we arrived in NYC with no clothes. We arrived home on a Monday and or luggage arrived at our home on Thursday totally destroyed. We also got bumped to the back of the plane on our flight home, even though I booked the flight a year in advance. So yeah they are cheap, but I would never check a bag with them if we ever fly with them again! On a better note, the flights were fine, and I would still consider using them if I can get by with just a carry-on. If you are going with a family member, cross-pack if checking your bag!

Bushwacker and Mudslide

I don't like the thick eyebrow look. My daughter does, and she is always trying to get me to try it. Maybe one day I will let her do mine, when I need a good laugh!

Yes, they are magnetic.

Would love to hear if someone tries out this excursion! Going to be there in about 2 weeks.

 

 

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Hi, did you end up doing the NCL snorkeling excursion? We are going in November and trying to plan our excursions. Thanks, hope you had a great cruise! I am also looking for snorkeling advice for Costa Maya.

Just came back from the Epic a few weeks ago. Just know that the rooms are small. The inside rooms are literally smaller than my bathroom! I swear my husband stepped on my toes 50 times that week! We spent very little time in the room, but it was unbearably small. Definitely would go with a balcony room or bigger. Also the couches are curved which look hard to sleep on unless your a small child.

Anyone know when Spirit will open flights for November?

I would suspect that is because of the big Boat Show.

Thanks. Maybe I will look at the Miami hotels instead.

Thanks for the great responses, unfortunately all of these places are booked for Nov 2-4th. So I will keep searching.

Hi everyone,

We just came back from a wonderful European cruise with NCL, but my flights were hell. The airline lost my luggage both going and coming home! What are the chances? And, my husbands brand new suitcase is ruined. So I booked a cruise out of Miami while on board for November, and need hotel advice from someone who has actually stayed at the hotel.

I am flying into FLL, probably Friday evening before the cruise. So I am thinking of staying in FLL until Sunday and taking Uber/Limo to the port. I am looking for a nice hotel with pool near shopping. I will never travel with a checked bag again, so I will need to buy sunscreen and some other items when I get to Florida. Any suggestions of your favorite FLL hotels would be greatly appreciated.

My luggage just arrived! Thank you all for your advice! I am so happy and relieved!

We booked through TAP Portugal. I did not book through NCL so I doubt they will help. I will have to give up my sightseeing plans for tomorrow and go looking for clothes. We stopped at a couple stores today and the largest size was a Medium, that is what is worrying me, finding clothes that fit. This is the first time we have ever checked a bag. We always go for less than two weeks and have always managed with just carry-ons. I wanted to cross pack, but DH waited until the last minute,so I just packed my own. Of course his made it though,lol.

Properly tagged airline baggage are bar-coded and tracked. OP, assuming you've already filed a missing luggage claim/report on the spot with the airline on arrival, with your local hotel & contact info - they SHOULD be able to track and tell you exactly where the bags "misconnect" and located then & there, and which flights & routing they likely will forward to its intended destination (Rome) and delivery to your hotel (usually, courier/messenger services contracted by the airline).

 

They should be able to provide you with an amenity/toiletry kit (well, some airlines do - as a courtesy) if you ask.

 

As such, our backpacks are carry-on sized with enough basics and change of clothing, underwear & clean socks for 2 nights, for situations like this,

 

Meanwhile, depending on what they can assure you - time to do a little "essential" shopping in Rome, NCL ship's gift shops barely stock anything, except for bath suits & t-shirts ... no PJ's, socks or undergarment, etc. Better to ask for the hotel front desk staff and concierge for advice on where to buy, keep receipts & documentations to file claims and for insurance reimbursement, etc.

I filed with the airline when I was at the airport, the airline was not able to tell me anything. The info the gave me when plugged into their website states they are still tracing it's whereabouts. I do have one dress a change of undergarments, a swimsuit and a change of shoes but that is it. We went to a few clothing stores tonight but the clothes were all xs and small.

did you contact guest services on the ship? they can work with the port and airlines to find any missing luggage and get it to the ship at the next port

I am not on the ship until Wednesday, but that will be the first thing I do if it hasn't arrived by then.