PlumeriaLover

Thanks for all of the pointers as we will be using Luggage Forwarding for the first time.  I only wish that others had not encountered such delays and issues.  We originally were going to have  a bag shipped between ships with a one week travel time period during our travels, but based on everyone's experiences, that's off the table now and in the future.

Many thanks, CruiserfromMain, for all of the helpful information!  Enjoy the remainder of your trip.

Quick question:  Are there safes in the rooms?

Thanks.

We called and left a message for a recall, but didn't hear anything for two days.  We called back, and we were placed on hold for one hour, before we hung up.  Then, we unexpectedly received an immediate call back.  Don't know what's up, but once we did get through, the customer service rep was very helpful.

Looking forward to your postings.

TravelinGert:  Very helpful information!  Thank you so much for your post.

On 4/10/2020 at 4:47 AM, texanaust said:

 

This. 

 

Cruise lines really don't pay much tax to any country and so are seen as undeserving of a bailout.  Until they can test all passengers for Corona Virus as they walk down the gangway, how are port authorities going to trust they will not be receiving another Diamond Princess, Ruby Princess, (add name of multiple other cruise ships)?  Also many (most) crew members come from countries that have not been adequately testing for Covid-19.  Until this virus burns out in those countries, there is no way cruising will be able to restart.  

 

Finally, how is cruising going to begin when almost all international and domestic flights are grounded?   The airline 'restart' will be slow and airfares expensive.  Many airlines will be forced out of business and others will be dramatically altered.  In Australia, our two airlines have almost completely stopped all service.  Try getting from Melbourne to Sydney next week...Normally the second busiest route in the world (think 737 and A330 widebody service every 15 minutes during peak hours), we have one Qantas service per day going via Canberra on a 72 seat turboprop. 

 

One airline (Virgin) is likely to go bankrupt (no bailout) and the other may very well become a domestic only airline for a long time.  Cruising before 2021 just does not equate.

I've heard that Seabourn will have on board Covid testing with rapid turnaround.

Trying to confirm if upcoming 2021

international trips will require Seabourn-only excursions.  Will call tomorrow.

We've booked two segments of the cruise, and are very excited to be joining!  We were on the Sojourn last year for the Miami to Capetown segment, and we had an amazing adventure.  The crew were outstanding, and the Seabourn ambiance was welcoming.  Like many others, we're going a bit stir crazy here.

Thanks for the posting about the changing itinerary.  I expect we'll continue to see more as we get closer to sailing.

We had an amazing trip on the Ovation during February, beginning and ending in Hong Kong.  I think the description of Sihanoukville is accurate.  We visited an interesting temple and then a very large market, but the town in general is poor.  Interestingly, it was just named one of the five cheapest coastal towns in which Americans can retire.

Koh Kood was just an amazing day of relaxation; very decadent.  There were sail and kayak boats, motor boats and banana boats, snorkel equipment, massage tables, a small local boutique, great food and of course caviar and champagne in the water.  The setting was idyllic, and everyone had a great time.  Towards the end of the day, the crew were taken out on all of the equipment.

In Thailand, we took the bus into Bangkok, and traveled on our own, visiting temples on the river.  The roundtrip bus ride was about four hours, so there wasn't much time in the city.  We really wished this had been an overnight stop.

The day we visited HoiAn, we also visited an elementary school and a local Buddhist shrine.  HoiAn is very walkable, and I don't think you need to take a tour.  There are many shops that will make any clothes for you, especially if you bring a sample.  There are fabrics galore but little time to have a fitting.  They will mail anything to you.  The town is also known for its lanterns.  There are shops and shops and more shops along with some very beautiful spots.  DaNang seemed much more conservative than HoChiMinh City, which was bustling and vibrant.  We took the chef's tour, which I highly recommend.  The seafood he purchased was served the next day in the buffet.

In Halong Bay, we took the bus into the town and walked around the market and harbor.  There wasn't much there, but it was most interesting, and included a bride and groom on a junque.  The boat tour on the bay was remarkable, and there were many boats.  There necklaces and silk yukatas sold on board.  The caverns were quite interesting but you do need to be mobile to get through them. 

We enjoyed our Seabourn experience so much that we've signed on for another in 2020!

We have stayed at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, and have been very happy with the rooms and site.  The hotel primarily serves the Japanese population, but they were very generous to us.  There is a lovely garden in the back.

Many thanks to all of you who posted information and photos. We'll be in San Antonio in late Feb, and desire to go to Santiago, so you have been very helpful.

Hi Michele, it was 3007. It was a noise coming from some kind of ventilation. It is due to the location of that cabin. We would not choose that cabin again.

Enjoy your cruise!

Ivi

Thanks!

I also am lactose-intolerant, and I didn't have a problem on Marina last year and found them to be very accommodating.

I faxed in my request this year, and then confirmed with a phone call. They did have my request in their system. We, too, are on the Southern Sojourns cruise next month.

Michele

Many thanks Ivi for your postings and for your sidekick who is posting the photos.

Happy new year!

Thanks BarbarianPaul. Fortunately the problem was solved👍

Ivi

We're traveling on Sirena next month. Which cabin number was so noisy?

Thanks!

Michele