HALrunner

7 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Yup. Been there, done that. You get the FCC back, with a reset on the book-by, use-by dates. And if the new cruise is cancelled, you get the FCC back and the clock resets again. You do not have the option of cashing it out and getting a refund.

I would strongly advise against making final payment on the January 2021 SA. Numbers in Argentina are exploding. Brazil has been devastated and not yet recovered. Chile is not accepting international visitors at this time. Cancel and rebook something farther out, if only to breathe new life into your FCC.
Some of our FCC from the 2020 GWV is now attached to its fourth cruise - 2020 GWV, 2021 GA, 2021 Rotterdam New England, 2021 Zaandam New England. WE can’t travel right now, but our FCC is having a great time!😂

Thanks so much for your first hand advice, but so sorry your FCC has traveled so much without you! 

A little history:

HAL gifted us a substantial amount of FCC for a 48 night cruise which they cancelled while we were flying to the embarkation port March 13, 2020. We have "spent" this on a January 2021 South America sailing that is sadly likely to also be cancelled. Final payment is due October 31, 2020.

Does anyone know what happens to FCC that is spent on another cruise that also gets cancelled by HAL?  One HAL rep I spoke to  "guessed" that if we move it to another cruise before the original FCC expiration date (December 31, 2020), it will still be valid. Her lacking confidence concerns me.

I'm not sure if it is better to move this original FCC to a 2022 cruise before making our final payment this week, or to make the final payment and hope that the 2021 cruise still sails.

Other notes of consideration:

-We paid a deposit out of pocket when we booked this 2021 cruise. The remaining cruise fare was covered by FCC and only taxes and fees are due for our final payment.

-If we make final payment, HAL cancels the sailing, will we then have to wait for the new FCC to be credited to our account? If so, it makes me think we should just move it to a future cruise before making final payment. Fellow travlers on our March 2020 cancelled cruise just this week finally received their FCC from that cruise!

-I looked at similar itineraries for 2022 to shift it to, and they are pricing our much higher than the fares we booked for the 2021 cruise.

-We are young-ish and healthy and have no qualms with sailing with masks, social distancing etc. And like everyone else here, are SO ready for a vacation! 

Trusted CC friend and fellow travelers, share your wisdom and educated guesses with me! What should we do?!?

We have a couple of final payments due soon and I really wish 2020 hadn't shattered my crystal ball;)

It has been nearly 2 months since HAL announced the cancellation of cruises through December 15, 2020. I'm grabbing at straws, but looking for any gossip, educated guesses and/or predictions for which destinations may or may not open January/February 2021. For example, Argentina has maintained very strict borders/travel bans since March 2020, so I would assume South America cruises are less likely to be the first to open up to cruises. 

We obviously all know that when cruising restarts it will not look the same as pre pandemic.  So predictions on if masks and social distancing will make cruising less desirable are not what I'm looking for. 😷😜☺️

We are also booked on a BA to Lima cruise that departs late January 2021 with final payment coming up soon. I'm anxious to hear any thoughts/considerations on recent developments (not so much mask wearing/social distancing onboard common sense stuff) that may hinder or help the cause for making final payment. 

4 hours ago, caribill said:

At a webinar the other day Princess said that Discovery would be in Fort Lauderdale by 12/21/21.

 

They did not say what (or when) it would be doing before that date.

Yay for a little bit of hopeful news! 

Thanks for the updates! Fingers crossed it stays on schedule.

**Edited to add....I found the other thread discussing this very thing. Sorry to create redundant topics!**

We are considering booking a cruise on Discovery Princess late next year. Even in pre-covid times it seems these inaugural seasons have been subject to shipyard delays. I haven't been following the Discovery timeline, have delays already been announced (due to covid or otherwise)? Or are they still attempting to stick to the original delivery date? 

2 hours ago, gigianne said:

I had deposited with two tour companies in Greece.  I cancelled the tours in March (for May tours).  They quickly confirmed the cancellation and said the € would be returned.  Knowing that they would be enduring hard times I told them to keep the money.  I received lovely emails back from them both saying that if/when we were able to travel to their area they would personally escort DH and I on a private tour.  Meanwhile 70+ days have passed while we wait patiently for our $ refund from HAL.

First of all, how incredibly kind of you! These stories of goodwill should have more threads on this forum!  Secondly, would you mind sharing the name of your tour company in Greece? We have tentatively scheduled a cruise out of Greece in 2021 and I would love to support this company!

1 hour ago, SFO PETER said:

 

Hang in there.  HAL came through with refund for Koningsdam SA March 2020 cruise.   See below.

Fighting with HAL website trying to see if FCC will come up with "booking".

 

 

Wonderful news, Peter! I was on the same sailing and have already received my FCC and spent it. Just waiting for the credit card refund now. 

27 minutes ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

After our Santiago to Buenos Aires cruise we took a short Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Iguazu.  (February 29 - March 3, 2020)

We hired a driver through the hotel to pick us up at the hotel for ourselves and another couple.  $12.00 USD.  He was waiting for us after luggage pick up.  He was very personable and strived to tell us in his best English about the sights on the ride to the Gran Melia Iguazu.

 

Upon arrival we upgraded our Falls View to a Suite with Falls View.  Our friends had a Falls View.  The falls view is definitely worth the extra money.  Speaking of money - If you join the Gran Melia Loyalty Program they immediately give you 2,000 points to use for your room.  This significantly reduced the price.

 

We did take a day trip via private driver to the Brazil side.  We left a 9:00 and our driver walked us through both immigration stops each way, helped us to purchase our park entrance tickets, and the boat ride ticket.  He then gave us some tips and we were on our way.  The driver waited for us all day and was in the coffee shop when we finally emerged.  I think the driver was about $120.00 USD.  The Brazil side is much smaller and can be done in one day.  The Argentine side needs at least two days.

 

The Gran Melia was spectacular.  The rooms were very nice, clean, and modern.  The views were outstanding.  The included breakfast was very good and lots of choices.  They even have a fresh squeezed orange juice machine.  The dinners were yummy and large portions.  After the first night my husband and I ordered only one entre and two salads.  We still could not finish everything on our plate.

 

The sunrises in the morning from either your room or the lobby are spectacular.  The wildlife around the hotel and in the park are fun and very photogenic.  Being able to just walk past the pool and onto the trails make it so easy and you can beat the crowds.  When you go to the Devil's Throat you can get one of the first trains to the trail.  (TIP - When you go to the devils throat bring your water camera.)

 

We did go to the Belmond (love their hotels) while on the Brazil side.  I do not think many, if any, of the rooms have a view of the falls.  It is a grand hotel with a more old world feel than the Gran Melia.  The Gran Melia is more organic and contemporary.

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing your experience and tips! 

Our cruise ends in San Antonio, Chile and we are hoping to spend an extra week exploring Chile. Ideally, we would like to find once place to use as a home base to explore, but we would be open to splitting the week between two destinations. We enjoy nature, wine and history. Safety, although hard to predict with current events, is also a top priority.

13 minutes ago, clo said:

I'm guessing only that it dates back to not very long ago that one had to have a Brazilian visa which was a pain to get. You had to have your flights booked and then send your passport and required info to a consulate or visa service. The required was temporarily lifted for the Olympics and now has been 'permanently'. Many years ago we stayed at the then Las Cataratas and it was a stunning property right by the falls. Belmond has fabulous properties so I'm betting it's even better now. I have no info re boating. It's a wonderful place and I'm glad we didn't miss it.

Thanks! I noticed you were one of the few (only?) people on the boards who at stayed at Las Cataratas previously. Excellent point about the former visa issue. Thanks for chiming in!

I see a lot of people on this board book the Gran Melia for their stay at Iguazu Falls. The Belmond Hotel das Cataratas seems quite appealing to me. Is there a reason why the majority chose the Melia over the other? I realize the Gran Melia is on the Brazilian side, but am I missing some other major factor? 

Also, once at the Falls, are there any tour companies you could recommend for boating excursions?

On 4/20/2020 at 3:54 AM, jantoby said:

Chances are that if the weather's not safe for flying, it won't be safe for tenders to operate either.

Good point. I was just hoping that if they could fly, the company might offer a plan B and go by land. What you suggest makes more sense, thanks!

On 3/25/2020 at 9:58 AM, Beachvue said:

Recently returned from Viking’s South America and Chilean Fjords Cruise.   Used Patrick Watts in the Falkland Islands.   Highly recommend this tour group.  We took the off the road excursion to Volunteer  Point.  We were with two others in a 4x4 vehicle, which was an experience in of itself.  Our driver Kenton was excellent.  A 6th generation of the Falklands. Learned so much of the history of the Islands from Kenton including the war in which his Aunt and Uncle were prisoners.  Very nice young man.   At the end of the rugged  terrain, we were treated with white-sand beaches and thousands of Magellanic penguins.  Also many gentoo and Magellanic penguins.  Fantastic tour and reasonably priced.

How long was the drive to Volunteer Point? The "experience" you eluded to.....should I read between the lines that it is not for the faint of heart and/or those prone to motion sickness? 

On 2/11/2020 at 7:25 AM, jantoby said:

I'm just home from a week on the Falklands.  I can't recommend the Historic Museum highly enough.  I only had an hour there and it was nowhere near enough to see all the exhibits.

 

The absolute highlight of my week was a helicopter tour from Stanley to Volunteer Point to see a huge colony of King Penguins.  Only about 10 minutes to get there as opposed to the 3 hours it takes off-road, and it's a fabulous experience.   falklandshelicopterservices.com        Fantastic couple of hours there, which flew by.

The shorter commute sounds wonderful for those of us limited by port times. Any thoughts on if there is a contingency plan....what if the weather is not safe for flying....is there a plan B available to go on a land based tour?

7 minutes ago, KarefreeKaren said:

Today, April 6th, I would be enjoying a sea day and my 70th birthday onboard the Koningsdam sailing from Buenos Aires enroute to Punta Arenas....missing that good ole Vitamin Sea so much! 

We would have been celebrating a birthday with you on the Konignsdam today, too!

Yet another bummer about our cancelled cruise:(

6 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

Her destination is listed as Puerto Vallarta, Mex. however that is highly unlikely since, as luck would have it, her original schedule also had her departing Port Everglades tomorrow for a trans-Atlantic crossing to her namesake city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, arriving on 22 APR 20. Instead of the T/A, it is more likely however, that her journey will be relatively short and that she will join her fleet mates at one of the "hot lay-up" anchorages in the vicinity of Great Stirrup Cay

 

 

 

This brings up a concern that has been floating around in my mind.....spring transatlantics.   Is this one of the first objective signs that the Mediterranean season is not happening this year? I've been holding out hope it would be delayed and not (yet) cancelled completely. 

Thanks for the update!

We were *almost* on the Koningsdam for her trip around South America. While we were flying to FLL, the cruise was cancelled:(

5 minutes ago, dockman said:

just got text from brother...says he/wife just passed temp check and "coveted" disembark card...but neither he or any of other nearby passengers knows what flights etc?...not sure what is going on as 9;30 EST there now and no more commercial flights tonight?  So STILL in a bit of limbo.....

Maybe this article will give a little more info about potential flights for your brother. Glad he is (almost) home!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/04/02/coronavirus-holland-america-ships-dock-fort-lauderdale/5110778002/?fbclid=IwAR2mMZ4g2xjIjAQ8_vH1BDdKRgyFiyZIJ284IDfV5kCFV7FR3G8IsYhamrQ

"While South Florida residents returning home via ground transportation were expected to depart Port Everglades on Thursday, Aall others will return to the ship until Friday, when they will be bussed directly to the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. From there, they will board one of five charter flights bound for Atlanta, San Francisco, Toronto and Paris/Frankfurt. A fifth flight bound for London Heathrow will depart around 1 a.m. ET Saturday."

Just now, ger_77 said:

The guys on the dock are certainly giving the HAL employees a wide berth.

Who are those guys in the suits?

1 minute ago, BellKat said:

Just had communication with our friend who was on Zaandam & is now on Rotterdam. He says there has been no official notice to them that they are docking today.

Thank you for sharing this update, hoping and praying the passengers and crew get an official "yes" soon.

3 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

I just asked HAL and they said April 11 is as early as any FCC will be posted to your Mariner number.

Otherwise, they say 60 days from the sail date for refunds to credit cards.

 

Anyone have their refund or FCC yet?

 

I wonder how much business HAL thinks they are losing.  I know a couple who want to book right now with their FCC but, of course, can't access it.

Wow, 60 days for the refund to hit credit cards?!?

HAL is holding a big chunk of our change for our 48 day cruise they cancelled with less than 48 hours notice! 

15 minutes ago, Spire2000 said:

 

And we’re the only ship today so we have the island to ourselves. 

 

Speaking with an an officer in the Lido this morning, the upcoming K’dam cruise could be interesting. Seems they are already planning on missing multiple ports

How lucky that you were the only ship in St. Thomas....usually there are five or size ships there!

Please share any helpful tidbits you find about the next sailing. Three days seems like a world a way in these corona virus times! 

6 minutes ago, Wehwalt said:

Koningsdam was an hour late this morning being cleared in St. Thomas. But we were cleared. 

Thank you for the update. Waiting on pins and needles to board the Koningsdam on Sunday.