SedonaJoel

All penalties are waived as long as you cancel before final payment is due according to Oceania.

1 hour ago, jean163 said:

We already have another cruise booked for August 2022, different itinerary.  We really only booked this holiday one as a way to 'get away' so wouldn't just rebook.  Did they offer you a refund or a FCC Joel?

 

I got a return of my FCC and a cash refund for the other items (excursions, taxes and port charges).  I used the FCC to immediately book a Tahiti cruise for Feb. 15, 2022.

The Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination in the world.  There are are lots of ports and lots of ocean to anchor in.  The country has to first open and then the CDC has remove the "do not visit" red flag.  I'm pretty sure that Oceania has already decided to reroute Marina. They posted the late payment offer to slow cancellations.  We've been through this drill twice before this year.

I wish you the best of luck but I'd try to book this cruise for 2023 as I did months ago just as a backup.

The only reason to cancel early rather than waiting.  It gives you the ability to book a replacement cruise and get a good cabin.  That is what I did.

Argentina is still closed to visitors.  My guess is that Oceania will cancel their entire South American itinerary and substitute a Caribbean itinerary.

Joel

3 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

N95.

You should buy several KN95 masks they cost about $.50 each on Amazon. The paper masks won't be effective for a 5 hour plus flight.  You should change your mask every 5 hours if you want it to be effective.

It appears that Oceania's current policy is they allow you to cancel and get a full refund (if you paid with FCC you get FCC back) up until final payment is due.

3 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Notification from Oceania via my TA.

Thanks for your posts.  I never realized that I could cancel penalty free.  My travel agent was able to cancel my Jan 8 reservation and have all the payments and FCC credited to a new booking Papette to Papette Feb 15, 2022 in an owner's suite.

18 hours ago, pinotlover said:

What “ tens of thousands of dollars “ are you talking about. Oceania has waived those cancellation fees until final payment date!!!!! 
 

I too have bought tickets on AA. If we cancel we get a credit to use on later flights. Are you so old you never expect to fly again?

 

please elaborate your lost thousands of dollars. I call fake news.

 

I believe your new final payment date, with new penalties will be around 11/9. 
 

Here’s a fact for you. Oceania’s first cruise, from Miami to Lima embarks on Dec 1. Final payment for those folks is 10/2. Oceania will have to decide by that date if the entire South American cruise schedule is a go or not. 10/2 is five weeks before 11/9. You’ll know the status of your cruise by 10/2, just 5 weeks or so. Can’t stand the pressure, cancel now!!! 
 

To add to your decision points, the FAA, has just announced the extension of the mandatory face mask policy on all airlines, trains, buses, and public transportation through 1/18/22. 
 

 

Where did you read that all cancelation penalties are waived until 11/9 for the Jan. 8 cruise?

Is anyone booked on the Marina Buenos Aires to Santiago cruise scheduled for Jan. 8, 2022?  If you are did they offer you an opportunity to cancel with no penalty?

On 7/25/2021 at 10:15 AM, LHT28 said:

My TA  has ours on file  but does check that it is OK to use that one  when the payment is about a week away

We've been using the same travel agency for about 15 years.  I generally use my or my wife's Chase Sapphire Reserve card for travel, especially for cruises.  This gives us trip cancellation insurance.  My travel agent keeps both cards on file and she always asks which card to use before she charges anything.

45 minutes ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi palolake,

 

You would get one policy.

 

Steve

It also would depend on the total length of the trip.  You can buy a trip medical and emergency evacuation policy for two people which covers all trips outside the USA for one year for only $239 for two adults up to 84 years old.  www.geoblueinsurance.com.

Joel

For what it's worth my opinion is that cruising to exotic destinations will not begin until the middle of 2021.

The reason that they only cancel cruises two months at a time is to stop people from canceling on their own and requesting a refund . They wait until you've made your final payment and then cancel the cruise hoping that you will take future Cruise credit rather than a refund .

If the cruise fare goes up by more than 25% for the same Cruise next year what is the benefit in taking a future Cruise credit. You would be better off waiting and see what kind of deal is offered at the last minute.

I see or hear nothing in the interview that indicates when Regent will begin cruising again.  The one obvious thing is that it will not be for quite some time.  FDR could not or would not answer even basic questions.  The major news from Mr. Fain is that he does not expect cruising will be the same as in the past.  I don't plan to book a cruise until I know what I'm booking.

I would not count on a Regent cruise outside of the Caribbean this year.  Look at the list of countries and ports closed to cruising and look at the Covid numbers.

There is a large segment of our society who refuse to wear masks, or social distance.  They will be the passengers onboard the first cruise departures.  I'll be taking a wait and see attitude.  I plan to cancel all of my bookings at least  through June 2021.

I'm referring to the precautions outlined for Covid 19 that the ships brag they have covered,  which I feel that they do not.  We've been on 80+ cruises and we've seen how the medical staffs respond to disease on-board and most times it's not great. 

I totally agree.  Also what about crew that boards the ship at almost any port in the world?  What about passengers that do their own excursions or visit relatives at various ports?  What about passengers that totally disregard the rules (masks, social distancing, staying off excursions when they are ill)?

2 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

Some of the concerns are quite strong. If anyone is that concerned, or cannot abide by protocols, perhaps you should wait a while before taking a cruise.  We are prepared to do whatever it takes to safely cruise as soon as Regent relaunches.  We trust Regent and their ability to keep their passengers and crew safe.

You are naive.

2 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

I am very concerned about the protocols for taking a cruise before a vaccine is developed and readily available. Now, in my community, one must wear a mask in stores and restaurants (unless seated and eating or drinking). And on the sidewalks where crowds do not allow 6’ distancing, one must wear a mask.  We comply with the law, and call out tourists who do not. But will I wear a mask on a cruise any time we are out of our suite? No, but we will not break the rules — we will just not cruise under those rules. Wearing a mask for a short time is fine, and we will obey local law. But for most of the time on a 14 night cruise? No! Again, we will not book and disobey — we will just not go! 
 

Our main problem is cruise lines, like Regent, are taking people’s money for bookings now. But they aren’t telling us the conditions under which we must cruise. Now we have no respect for those who violate our local laws (and have actually called the police on some). And we have no respect for those who violate cruise line rules IF they are informed of the rules before they pay.  Indeed, I don’t see how a cruise booking is even a valid contract, until these matters are revealed. 
 

Here’s  an example.  Suppose I offer to sell you a used car for $20K, but won’t tell you the model, year, condition, or mileage. And suppose you actually pay me! And suppose I deliver a rusted out 1960 Ford Falcon that won’t even run. Can you repudiate that contract? You bet you can! 
 

If Regent would finalize their onboard rules BEFORE trying to sell us cruises, we could analyze the situation and make an informed decision. If we booked, we are agreeing to the rules, and must follow them. But now, it is asking us to book and pay without informing us of the rules and restrictions. That’s just wrong for so many reasons,

It's even worse than you describe.   Regent won't even tell you whether your ship will depart on schedule and which ports you will visit or skip.  We have a booking for Jan. 31, 2021 from Buenos Aires  to Lima.  The only way I can get a full refund  is to pay in full in August and then get FCC if I decide to cancel

Joel

You need to charge a portion of the charge to each of the cards to get coverage on that specific card.

Disinfecting the busses is not an issue.  The busses generally stay empty overnight and that is generally enough time for the Covid to die.  The issue is your fellow passengers and the driver and guide.

One contagious passenger may infect the entire bus.  There will be no way to know who might be contagious.

On 6/3/2020 at 4:17 PM, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi iflyrc5,

 

Yes, it goes up in price. Each company has their own age brackets.

 

If you want the trip cancellation coverage, it's best to purchase the insurance when you in a penalty period.

 

If you only want medical and no pre-existing conditions coverage, you can wait until at least a day before you leave.

 

Steve Dasseos

 

Steve

There are at least two types of insurance discussed:  Trip medical and Trip cancellation/interruption coverage.  We have a policy for trip medical from geoblueinsurance.com - the policy is called "Trekker" and covers all trips taken within one year of the policy issuance.  The cost is the same per year for two people up to age 84.  The cost in the USA is $235/yr total for two people.

It provides $50,000 medical, $100,000 emergency evacuation and $2500 for medication (it even covers dental).  We've had the policy for over 5 years and have used it at least 5 times and have been paid in full every time (less a $50 annual deductible).  We've been very happy with the company (it's Blue Cross).

We use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to book all of our travel.  They gave us $20,000 per trip trip cancellation insurance.  Both my wife and I have separate accounts and that gives us a total of $40,000 insurance.  We also have the Chase Ink Preferred card adding $5000 more coverage.  We've used the insurance 4 times - once for an Antarctic cruise that cost $45,000.  

Joel

You are certainly not ranting against anything that I said.  I'm just presenting what I feel will happen.  You see from the posted comments that a percentage of the Regent clients have no intention of wearing masks.  It's also naive to believe that a cloth mask will offer you any protection.  Masks are designed to protect the people around you and not yourselves. 

Bottom line is that if you choose to cruise in the next year you just need to understand the risks.  The odds of having a working, safe vaccine in the next 12 months are low.  

Joel

12 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Passengers have been put off of the ship for not adhering to the smoking policy. in my opinion, not wearing a mask if it is “required” is worse than sneaking a cigarette in your suite (although I am 1000% against smoking in suites).

 

Agree that Regent does not want to cause any awkward situation, however, in this case it is not only a matter of life or death but it could affect their ability to continue cruising.

 

BTW, last week I saw a test on television (that may or may not be accurate - I tend to disbelieve most of what I read regarding Covid-19) about 6’ distancing.  While talking at 6’ apart probably works, sneezes and coughs go beyond 6’.  

 

Those of us with cruises booked for this year are prepared to wear the dreaded mask (definitely uncomfortable but necessary)  I’ve purchased a few masks now that they are available everywhere.  I found one with two layers fabric plus replaceable filters that is fairly comfortable.  In fact, I plan on redoing my avatar with a photo of me in a mask (with a cute saying on it).  As mentioned, if we are going ashore or on a tender, we will wear medical grade masks.

 

For us, it is either following protocols or staying home.  I admire what Lana is doing.  In our case, due to age, our cruising future is limited and I sure the heck won’t spend more time sitting at home.

 

If Regent does not insist on following the rules, they will be in trouble with the CDC as well as many passengers.  No one wants to risk their lives over something as silly not wanting to wear masks.  If a passenger does not want to wear a mask, they can sit in their suites (or can stay home and wait until that requirement is no longer necessary).

 

Joel, sorry if it sounds like I am ranting against you as that is not my intention.  I rarely get angry but anyone wanting to cruise on Regent without wearing a mask (if required) makes me furious.  

Hotels and cruise lines have similar attitudes toward their guests.  They generally will not do anything to create an awkward situation.  I doubt that they will throw anyone off their ship for not properly wearing a mask.  Wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

as far as your October booking.  I would check the web for information about the ports on your itinerary as to whether they are open to cruise ships.  Many are not.

Joel

52 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

It is my hope and belief that masks and distancing will be "required" (not suggested) for Regent cruisers.  There is too much at stake not to.  If a passenger cannot follow protocols, they should be disembarked at the next port (after being quarantined).  

 

This is the most serious issue that has ever been faced by cruise lines.  It is better to lose a customer than a life.

How will you get your fellow passengers to wear masks when they're off the ship?  Your mask won't help you when you're in a tour bus or tender or in a crowd.  There will be no "social distancing."

  There were 1500 new cases in Arizona yesterday.

We've been on over 75 cruises and at least 1000  excursions. Most have been to areas with lots of other tourists.  Venice, Italy, Istanbul Bazaar, and too many to mention are typical.

47 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

In my opinion, all Regent can do in tenders and buses is to require masks and make sure they can do social distancing.  It may take more tenders to get people ashore but they will be safe.  A key for us is to be aware of what we are touching.  To enter a bus  we typically use the rail to help us get up the stairs and touch the seatbelt and areas around us.  For that scenario, we will use wipes like we do on airplanes.  For tenders, we will be assisted to get onto the tender and many times have to hold on to things to be able to stand up (in rougher seas).  I will wear gloves and have hand sanitizers with me 100% of the time.  Having done this mask/gloves/eye covering "thing" for a while now, we are accustomed to it.  Not everyone wears gloves but I prefer them and disinfect them while I'm wearing them (after touching groceries, etc.). When I do remove them, I have clean hands.  It is likely a good idea to bring a small bar of soap to keep with you as well.

 

I don't think that there will be big crowds in most ports and I have already checked to see what the protocols are for some of our upcoming cruises (understanding that protocols probably will differ between now and when we cruise in November).  In any case, if there are crowds, I will avoid the areas (and will wear a medical grade mask - they should be available by then).

 

Another concern is now facing all of us.  We all want a vaccine but may have concerns about long term effects.  This was brought up on another thread where our Regent board official doctor ("Rachel") chimed in.  I asked her if she would be getting the vaccine a soon as it becomes available - especially since, as a doctor, she will be eligible to be amongst the first people eligible to get it.  She is going to wait a bit.  This gave me pause and I wonder if I want to be amongst the first of the guinea pigs to get the vaccine (aside from the people participating in the trials). I think I'll start a thread on this subject.  It will be interesting to learn how others feel about this topic.

 

 

Another thing comes to mind.  Excursions take passengers to popular sites on shore many of which involve crowds.  How do you prevent passengers from getting infected with Covid while on an excursion?  You can't test for it or prevent it.  You may not even know about the infection for a week or more and by then half the ship may be infected.

Joel