sweby

Surprised it took them so long to cancel the winter cruises in Asia, and repositioning cruise, given the difficulties all cruise line have experienced  now, and having to take long route back via Africa.  

I wondered what they would do instead, but looking at this site makes me think the ship will be sold and not replaced in a hurry. 

This last few years have seen extra-ordinary times for cruisers and the cruise ship operators. Sweby

That could be a lovely cruise and stay holiday. 

I think we have missed the boat with this cruise. WE were hoping for Spring 2024, but can't see it now for next year. 

Is the Baltic cruise still going ahead in May?

Carlton cruiser, it does depend on the grade of cabin. But if we look at a basic balcony cabin it is about £1000 more expensive on Marella. I agree on that it is not twice as dear, but for a 2 week cruise in Feb this year, P& O £2798, and Tui £3716. A big difference if you only have the odd alcoholic drink.

 P&O

Haven't been  away in a long time so not posted anything But looking at prices for 2 weeks in Caribbean compared to another major cruise line and I am shocked to see it works out twice the price with Marella. I can only assume you are paying much more than you might think for 'all inclusive' . We don't really drink much alcohol, so it's a lot of extra money for a few coffees and bottles of water. It is a shame, we have enjoyed many cruises with Thomson/Marella in the past.

Just read tonight that green and Amber travel zones may go altogether, but red zones would still be in place. Having spent much of the day looking at the cruises out of Jamaica, and desperately  wanting to book one, maybe this will be a move in the right direction. BUT several of the ports on these 2 cruises are on the current red list including Mexico, Cuba, and Costa Rica, so not sure how Tui will get the bookings. Surely if you are double jabbed many of these tourist destinations should be OK to enter. 

Some cruises are a worry as some ports are on the Amber list, but may go to the red list while you are away. As someone said, you will miss out those ports. BUT, what if its the homeport, Jamaica has been a cause  for concern. Sorry to ramble, I just need a good holiday. Like many others, I want my life back!

1) Agree with Bequia, not on itinerary  for most cruise ships, perhaps more for the Caribbean island hoppers. So felt privileged  to visit.

2)  loved my day on back to back cruise in Corfu, with Hop on and off bus and boat to Mouse Island. Corfu Town was fun, an island I wanted to visit since I was 11 and read My Family and other Animals. Don't  think Gerald would recognise it now if he wS still around.

3) On Celebration (and other cruise lines) Istanbul. It never fails to deliver, love it, love it, love it!

SWEBY

Well, I look forward to cruising on the other 3 ships left in the fleet, and hope that will be sometime next year. 

Take care

Sweby

I thought it probably was HAL.  It reminded me of the old Statendam that I worked on in the  seventies! It was a ship that looked like a ship and not a floating block of flats!!!

Which company owned Celebration before it  went into the old Thomson Fleet? And what was it called previously?

Gutted to hear that Celebration is to be broken up, and also that Dream is being retired. But I think that is because of the fantastic cruises we had on both. The atmosphere on both was brilliant, superb crew, entertainers, fabulous itineraries, and possibly due to the size of them it made for a really friendly atmosphere between passengers, and on those 2 ships in particular I have such happy memories.  I  am also sorry for anyone who had booked the fabulous itineraries  to the USA, they just sounded fantastic.

Having said all that, we had an amazing cruise on Explorer 2 last November, and just hope there will be a cruise industry  next year.

Take care every one

Sweby

Several companies seem to be planning so called blue cruises with no ports of call. I can see  it could suit some people, and be a way to show the ships are safe. sweby

I AM SO EXCITED JUST TO SEE SOMEONE BOOKING SUCH A FANTASTIC CRUISE. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO VIEW THE CRUISE AND WOULD LOVE TO BE CRUISING AGAIN, ESPECIALLY THAT ITINERY. YOUNHAVE GIVEN US ALL HOPE. WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST WITH THE BOOKING. SWEBY

According to someone working for another BIG company, that encompasses several cruise lines, I was told out of all of the possible lines/  Ships, that when they restart they will be sailing only 2 ships out of all of them to just see what the interest in cruising is. ITS  cheaper to have them laid up with minimal maintenance staff, than float them out nearly empty. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Celebration and Dream being retired. 

Also on another thread I have said that cruising is now on the optional extras for insurance! PLUS covid is now a known about illness and wouldn't be covered according to my insurance company, a company I believe also has a cruise ship (and many planes!)  They also say they will not insure any new customers. SWEBY

Just received info on renewal of my annual insurance policy.  Surprise,  surprise, now under optional covers for an additional premium are cruises! 

Also under what is not included

*Travel to a country or an area where the FCO advice at the time that you purchased your policy or book an individual trip, whichever is the latter, is not to travel to this country or area.

We had a trip to Greece later this year, as we postponed from June. But looking at this, I think the policy would be invalid if I renew insurance at this point. I wouldn't expect to claim on insurance if we couldnt go later this year, and we fully anticipate having to postpone again. But I think that clause is a minefield for anyone who may have postponed trips. BUT to do anything with the booking even to change it to 2021 I think could invalidate the insurance if I renewed the policy now. Or to renew the policy now would also seem to invalidate it. IN fact this would seem to be a get out clause for any foreign travel , as all but essential travel is  currently banned

1) AM I understanding this correctly.

2) Have others also found cruising is now at an extra premium

SWEBY

Thankyou Vitalsign, that answers my second question, about the Discovery 1. Yes no rush to come back to the Med, and all these ships have to find safe harbour somewhere, possibly for much longer than we might think. It may be some time before the industry can fill all these ships again, even though this is a truely exceptional time. Sweby

Again thanks for that. Yes I agree you have to be selective about the news in some papers , and read around and try and piece things together.

I see Sky news are mentioning the ship (Zaandam) this morning, saying it has been denied access through the Panama. Passengers sick, and 4 died.  

So glad we are not caught up in the problems on board these ships.  It is scary enough being at home, but the trauma some of those passengers must be going through must be awful.    Sweby

Thankyou Bertie Doe for the answer to my first question.

I have just read the article you provided the link for. I just can t  imagine being in that situation. Truly grim. Not sure splitting passengers between the Zaandam and Rotterdam is the right one. 

On a separate note, the other thing that article show really is how much more news you get in a newspaper. I watch hours of news during the day on TV, but really after the first 10 minutes the stories are repeated. There is so much world news that the  24 hour news channels do not even mention. 

Well I hope the rest of the passengers on whatever ship they might be on get home soon, and safely. Very sobering times, but it will get better eventually.

Sweby

HI, I hope everyone is doing OK in these difficult times.

I am still watching events around the world with disbelief almost. But I have some queries you might be able to help me with.

1) I know the ship isn't a Marella ship, but does anyone know which ship is currently of Equador with cases of Covid 19 on it. It was on the local news a couple of time today, but it didn't say which ship.I just know 4 people have died on it  and it seems passengers don't know when or where they will be disembarking.

2) Also what is the news if any on the Discovery ship that was coming back from Asia, don't know if that was Dis 1 or 2.

3) Finally, on the John Hopkins website the Diamond Princess is showing up as being off of Africa. Is that right? Is it acting as a hospital ship.? I read that the virus was found on board 17 days after the passengers left the ship

stay safe everyone

Sweby

We don't really know what's ahead, but stay safe everyone, and like Dave says, Keep washing  your hands. Just look after yourselves

Sweby

Does an airport, or sitting on a plane count as a mass gathering, or boarding ship, sitting in dining room etc etc Sweby

What Marella need is government support. is that German or British or both. Ships  have nowhere to go. For peace of mind, right or wrong, people don't want the cruise ships coming into their ports. Marella need to cancel all cruises for a month, to see what happens with the virus. It may, or may not go away. Time  will tell. Sweby

Does Tui still have a ship using Jamaica as  the home port, or has it left?

 As of last night this horrible illness was on several Caribbean islands, St Martin, St Barts, GUADALOUPE, Tobago, Dominican republic, Cuba, and Jamaica. Also heard on news the Braemar was stopping at the Bahamas to take on supplies, but no passengers allowed off, and they have 5 passengers with Covid 19.

Sweby