SS Future Re-Open Plan: Timing, Testing Needs??!!

[gnome12]

1 hour ago, dawntrdr said:

For the record, the SS covid policy (the one where you could cancel a cruise at the last minute and get a full refund or FCC if you had acquired a case of covid before sailing) has expired effective with cruises starting tomorrow October 1, 2023.  SS sent out an email reminding people of its optional travel insurance in the past week.  It does not specifically mention covid, but it contains the reminder:

 

"As a reminder, any and all cancellations on voyages departing on or after 1 October 2023, are subject to our cancellation policy."

 

The buttons to access the Covid policy and healthy sailing practices is now missing from the website.  

 

The email doesn't mention in in the text, but the FAQs below mention it specifically.

Q: If I test positive for COVID-19, will I be able to cancel the voyage and receive a Future Cruise Credit or refund?
A: Any and all cancellations on voyages departing on or after 1 October 2023 are subject to our cancellation policy. No Future Cruise Credit or refund will be issued. We encourage you to purchase a Travel Insurance to protect your investment.

[TLCOhio]

3 hours ago, gnome12 said:

The email doesn't mention in in the text, but the FAQs below mention it specifically.

Q: If I test positive for COVID-19, will I be able to cancel the voyage and receive a Future Cruise Credit or refund?
A: Any and all cancellations on voyages departing on or after 1 October 2023 are subject to our cancellation policy. No Future Cruise Credit or refund will be issued. We encourage you to purchase a Travel Insurance to protect your investment.

 

Appreciate these great follow-ups about the cancel/Future Cruise Credit rules changing.  For our upcoming February 2024 India to Singapore Silver Moon sailing, we will make sure we are properly covered with our combination of travel insurance and credit card protection.  The "rules" are always changing and evolving.  Be careful, check and double-check.    

 

From a financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “China kicks off its plan to take on the cruise industry: 'There's no turning back' ” with these highlights: “After a three-year hiatus, international cruise lines can resume sailings from China. But this time, they'll have a new competitor.  While most Western cruise companies distanced themselves from the Asian market as they canceled sailings and took on massive debt, China moved forward on a 10-year plan to break into the multi-billion dollar industry with its own cruise line.  Enter the Adora Magic City, the first Chinese-built and operated cruise ship. The 5,200-passenger ship concluded its second sea trials in September and is scheduled to launch commercial service later this year.  The ship, which took four years to build, is part of a broader plan to boost Chinese tourism and manufacturing through the construction and operation of cruise ships.”

 

Will this rising competition from China affect the three major cruise lines corporations, including Silversea parent, Royal Caribbean?  Offer consumer better options?  Will the cruise lines shift from having their ships built in Europe to go with those future new-builds coming from China?  

 

Full story at:

https://www.businessinsider.com/china-first-domestic-cruise-ship-impact-on-industry-2023-9

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia.  This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc:  Live/blog:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

[tosteve1]

On 9/10/2023 at 12:07 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

Will be in Venice AND Athens in early November. Fingers crossed that the crowds have died down.

We were in Venice in November last year after our Med cruise. Cool but comfortable. Not crowded at all so no problem getting into restaurants, museums at all. Apparently there had been some flooding just prior to our visit but none while we were there. We fell in love with the city.

[A Tucson Guy]

1 hour ago, tosteve1 said:

We were in Venice in November last year after our Med cruise. Cool but comfortable. Not crowded at all so no problem getting into restaurants, museums at all. Apparently there had been some flooding just prior to our visit but none while we were there. We fell in love with the city.

Besides the summer crowds, what's not to love about Venice!!

[highplanesdrifters]

5 hours ago, tosteve1 said:

We were in Venice in November last year after our Med cruise. Cool but comfortable. Not crowded at all so no problem getting into restaurants, museums at all. Apparently there had been some flooding just prior to our visit but none while we were there. We fell in love with the city.

Thanks for that Intel!  Friends just returned with positive reports.

[TLCOhio]

21 hours ago, A Tucson Guy said:

Besides the summer crowds, what's not to love about Venice!!

 

Appreciate these excellent comments and follow-ups.  YES!!  Venice is super wonderful and has so much to see, do, experience and LOVE!!  Below is my link with many visuals and options to consider for that historic and charming city.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication, Barrons, they had this morning a headline: “Revenge Travel Is Dead. What Comes Next" with this sub-headline:  "After two years of putting up with anything to visit must-see destinations, travelers are looking for more bliss, less stress.”

 

Here are a few of their reporting highlights: “Long lines. Crowded attractions. High prices. In a post-Covid world, people were willing to put up with these inconveniences and more, just to be able to explore the world again after a long period of lockdowns. Those days are over.  Take Kathryn Quigley, who has had her fill of bucket-list trips for now.  The physical—and financial—toll of the trip means she’s not eager to splash out on another dream destination soon: 'After that, I told my kids if we do anything this summer, it will just be chill.' ”

 

More story details:  "A recent survey by PayPal found that nearly three-quarters of Americans are willing to change their daily spending so they can afford travel—forgoing things like alcohol, haircuts, and takeout food—and a quarter are willing to trade down to more budget-friendly locations.  The takeaway is obvious. Binge travel is out; bliss travel—meaningful, relaxing, frictionless trips for everyone who was run ragged by revenge vacations—is in."

 

Full story at:

https://www.barrons.com/articles/revenge-travel-is-dead-what-comes-next-fc4d4a5e

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 107,189 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[worldtraveller99]

I agree Terry. In 2017 we stayed at the Moraine Lake Lodge in Alberta, Canada which was lovely. We paid around $400 a night for a double room. I saw in a magazine they are now charging £825 a night - and that's GBP! Surely most people won't pay that?

 

Also I read (in another travel magazine) that there will be so many new cruise ships in the next 3 years that the industry is looking to attract 4 million "new to cruise" people. Surely if they stop putting prices up exponentially then some "old cruisers" like us are more likely to cruise more often?

[TLCOhio]

 

Are travel options for seeking to "chill" rising in importance to cruise customers?  

 

From the Wall Street Journal last week, they had this headline: “Cruise Lines Are Betting You Want a Private Island" with this sub-headline:  "Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney cruises are pushing harder to pitch private beaches to help travelers avoid crowds and have a resort experience.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Stepping off the tender boat at Half Moon Cay feels like entering a straight-from-the-movies desert isle.  The beaches are carpeted in the softest white sand imaginable. The water is an almost unnatural shade of blue. Mangroves and forest cover most of the island, sheltering native wildlife.  The best part? Cruise-ship visitors have the entire island to themselves.  Cruise companies are doubling down on private destinations like Little San Salvador, operated as Half Moon Cay by Carnival and Holland America. Industry analysts say major cruise lines have spent tens of millions of dollars to snap up and beach-ify island properties in the Caribbean and beyond.”

 

While nobody expect Silversea to build or need their own private island, the SS cruise destination options seem to be to prioritize smaller, more unique locations that are not as crowded and/or over-run with the "masses".  That is part of our attraction to Silversea and their focus on more "special" and different itineraries.  Right or wrong?  

 

Personally, I am not sure for us that a big, busy "private island" is what is best at the top of our priority list.  We like a little history, character, charm, nature, culture, etc., too, in where we explore!!  Not just an corporate island with water slides, tee shirt shops, beach bars, etc.  

 

Here is more background for this cruise marketing trend:  "Norwegian Cruise Line arguably pioneered the private-island idea when it purchased a Bahamian isle in the late 1970s, which it developed into Great Stirrup Cay. Since then, other cruise companies have bought or leased land across the Bahamas and Caribbean."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/cruise-companies-private-islands-d220d2cc

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

[A Tucson Guy]

9 minutes ago, worldtraveller99 said:

I agree Terry. In 2017 we stayed at the Moraine Lake Lodge in Alberta, Canada which was lovely. We paid around $400 a night for a double room. I saw in a magazine they are now charging £825 a night - and that's GBP! Surely most people won't pay that?

 

Also I read (in another travel magazine) that there will be so many new cruise ships in the next 3 years that the industry is looking to attract 4 million "new to cruise" people. Surely if they stop putting prices up exponentially then some "old cruisers" like us are more likely to cruise more often?

What is really going up in price is Business Class airfares on intercontinental flights. The prices are getting crazy and you can almost forget about using air miles for the tickets.

[TLCOhio]

10 minutes ago, worldtraveller99 said:

I agree Terry. In 2017 we stayed at the Moraine Lake Lodge in Alberta, Canada which was lovely. We paid around $400 a night for a double room. I saw in a magazine they are now charging £825 a night - and that's GBP! Surely most people won't pay that?   Also I read (in another travel magazine) that there will be so many new cruise ships in the next 3 years that the industry is looking to attract 4 million "new to cruise" people. Surely if they stop putting prices up exponentially then some "old cruisers" like us are more likely to cruise more often?

 

Super great points by our travel friend in London.  Yes, rising land costs cause the cruise executives to assume and hope that they can justify and raise their sailing prices, up and UP!  But, there are always "Economics 101" limits.  "Reality" will hit sooner or later??

 

Also excellent comment about ALL of the new ships being constructed and the challenges to fill them up during the coming months and years.  Serious marketing challenges as prices get too high.  

 

Agree with our Tucson, Arizona, friend about soaring air costs, especially as to how many more frequent flyer miles are need now for business class tickets.  This type of "inflation' is super charged and out-of-control.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 257,044 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

[silkismom]

How lovely, a "private island" with 7000 of your favorite friends!! That's 2X more than the town we are closest to.

[jpalbny]

On 10/4/2023 at 12:33 PM, A Tucson Guy said:

What is really going up in price is Business Class airfares on intercontinental flights. The prices are getting crazy and you can almost forget about using air miles for the tickets.

 

Yeah, it's nuts. I'm looking at flights for our Kimberley cruise next June. They are making my AMEX melt just looking!

 

Europe flights are still reasonable at times. I did find a decent fare to Paris for Christmas, and to Lisbon in March. But still more expensive than they were, even just a few years ago. And the most annoying part is that once you buy the tickets, the itinerary invariably changes - sometimes very significantly!

 

 

On 10/4/2023 at 2:56 PM, silkismom said:

How lovely, a "private island" with 7000 of your favorite friends!! That's 2X more than the town we are closest to.

 

That makes me cringe. On our very first cruise on SS Norway in 1992, we visited their "Private" island. Don't think we've ever repeated the experience.

Edited October 6, 2023 by jpalbny

[worldtraveller99]

jpalbny - I looked on the BA website. If you say "flexible flights" it's £9,000 one way Business Class. But if you agree to pay in advance & not bother them (claim on insurance) if things go wrong, it does go back to £3,500 - £4,000 return which is livable.

[TLCOhio]

On 10/6/2023 at 6:28 AM, worldtraveller99 said:

jpalbny - I looked on the BA website. If you say "flexible flights" it's £9,000 one way Business Class. But if you agree to pay in advance & not bother them (claim on insurance) if things go wrong, it does go back to £3,500 - £4,000 return which is livable.

 

Appreciate these great comments and follow-ups from worldtraveller99, JP and Silkismom.  Lots to consider in spending our money and making future travel plans.   Never simple, easy and cheap!!  Right? 

 

From the Wall Street Journal three days ago, they had this headline: “Cruise Lines Pursue Greener Journeys Ahead of New Climate Rules" with this sub-headline:  "As tourists flock to ships and strain port cities, companies are pushed to invest in cleaner tech.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The global cruise industry is trying to go green ahead of a wave of new climate rules. Getting it done involves managing high costs, a dearth of renewable fuel and pressure from regulators and environmental groups.  Cruise operators are buying new ships that can run on alternative fuels, redesigning hulls to move more efficiently through the water and adding electricity hookups for when their ships are at port, where they otherwise might pump out toxic exhaust.  Carnival, the world’s biggest cruise company, has equipped more than half of its fleet to plug into local power grids when docked. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have ships on order that the companies say will be able to run on methanol.”

 

From Torstein Hagen, chairman of cruise company Viking, which has ships on order that will be equipped to use renewable hydrogen, here is an interest quote: "We build ships now that last 40 years.  We’d better get it right.”

 

Also noted in this story:  "Complicating the industry’s investments is the high cost of building and fueling eco-friendly ships after some cruise operators racked up billions of dollars in debt during the pandemic. Cleaner renewable fuels are expensive and aren’t yet available or used in large quantities. Just 34 of the world’s ocean-cruise ports—roughly 2%—have electrical hookups, according to industry figures."

 

Interesting future for cruise line executives to navigate for the way sailing will be done in five, ten and twenty years. Technology and rules are changing and evolving.  Plus, being costly!!   What rules and requirements will be imposed for cruise ships versus the larger shipping lines that cover the earth to move goods, oil, etc.??

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/business/cruise-lines-pursue-greener-journeys-ahead-of-new-climate-rules-78a0dc4f

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,112 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[TLCOhio]

Here is another unique "twist" for future cruise and air travel that we might be experiencing.  Like or dislike?  How does it all work if you have added a beard or mustache, are wearing different glasses, changed your make-up, etc.??  Reactions?

 

From the New York Times two days ago, they had this headline: “Your Face May Soon Be Your Ticket. Not Everyone Is Smiling" within this sub-headline:  "Facial recognition software is speeding up check-in at airports, cruise ships and theme parks, but experts worry about risks to security and privacy.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “You may not have to fumble with your cellphone in the boarding area very much longer. As the travel industry embraces facial recognition technology, phones are beginning to go the way of paper tickets at airports, cruise terminals and theme parks, making checking in more convenient, but raising privacy and security concerns, too.”

 

This aspect was shared:  "Facial recognition systems are already being expanded at some airports. At Miami International, for example, cameras at 12 gates serving international flights match passengers’ faces to the passport photographs they have on file with the airlines, letting passengers at those gates board without showing physical passports or boarding passes.  Cruise ship operators are also betting that facial recognition will improve passengers’ experience. On Carnival Cruise ships, a camera photographs passengers each time they get on or off the ship to know who’s aboard in case of an emergency, and to make sure only authorized people are on the ship."

 

Remember in the highly-rated, 1950 "Sunset Boulevard" movie when character Norma Desmond voiced “Alright, Mr DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”?  As acted by Gloria Swanson, she played a washed-up silent movie actress who craves the attention she once commanded.  How will we do when boarding a cruise ship for our "close-ups"??

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/travel/facial-recognition-airports-cruises.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 245,703 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

[TLCOhio]

Here's an interesting development involving cruise lines and how they seek to satisfy a significant, growing segment of customers . . . those traveling as a single and hating that "doubled" price-tag.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal yesterday morning, they had this headline: “Special Lounges, Single Staterooms: Cruises Fight for Solo Travelers" with this sub-headline:  "Passengers traveling alone have typically paid more for their rooms, but now ships are adding perks to get them on board.”

 

Here are some of heir reporting highlights: “Cruise ships are adding more rooms for one. The cruise industry is stepping up efforts to appeal to the often-overlooked group. Some cruise lines have lowered prices for solo passengers.  Cruise lines are looking to tap in to a sizable pool of vacationers. A survey of more than 3,000 active leisure travelers conducted by tourism marketing agency MMGY Global in August found that 24% of people traveling at least once within the next six months planned to go on a solo trip.”

 

Additionally, this report shared: "Norwegian Cruise Line is making perhaps the biggest wave in courting solo travelers. The company announced in early October that it will introduce roughly 1,000 staterooms dedicated for single passengers across its fleet of 19 ships, doubling the capacity of solo accommodations.  Guests who stay in these solo rooms will receive access to special lounges on certain ships."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/cruise-vacations-single-travelers-a1f45967

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 107,688 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[TLCOhio]

From the Washington Post and MSN News two days ago, they had this headline: “Carnival was negligent in covid cruise outbreak, court rules” with these highlights: “A federal court in Australia ruled Wednesday that Carnival Corporation was negligent in its duty to protect cruise passengers from a coronavirus outbreak on a Princess Cruise Line ship in March 2020.  More than 660 passengers fell ill and nearly 30 people died during a sailing from Sydney to New Zealand on the Ruby Princess, which is owned by a subsidiary of Carnival. The incident was at the center of one of Australia’s largest covid outbreaks.  In addition to negligence, Justice Angus Stewart determined that the cruise line made 'misleading representations' that the cruise was safe. The landmark decision in a class-action suit against a cruise company is unprecedented, according to Shine Lawyers, which led the case.”

 

Trial lawyers and law suits?  Do cruise executives in the USA, UK, etc., need to worry about more of these legal actions hitting and chasing them?

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/carnival-was-negligent-in-covid-cruise-outbreak-australian-court-rules/ar-AA1iUm7B

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 73,238 views:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

[TLCOhio]

With Silversea, the good news for us is that they have a great range of exotic ports and destinations.  But, this often involves long, long flights to distant locations.  

 

In February, we have that challenge requiring a 15-hour, 20-minute flight from JFK airport to Delhi.  We could not afford in cash or AA Frequent Flyer miles to do business class.  Nice to have had business class, but it would have cost us 300K FF points, per person, one way.  But, we were able to get premium economy with American Airlines for this long, long flight to India with a reasonable number of FF points.  Good news!!  And, in returning from Singapore (via a bonus lay-over in Tokyo), we got business class back to the USA at a reasonable point level.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Fliers Can’t Get Enough of the ‘Upper-Middle Class’ Section of the Plane" with this sub-headline:  "Premium-economy seats are one notch below business class, one above the best parts of coach.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The new hot section on the plane isn’t at the very front.  Not quite business class and definitely not coach, premium-economy cabins are hooking travelers willing to treat themselves to extra comfort for about double the price of a coach seat on some flights.  With offerings labeled Premium Plus, Premium Select or Premium Economy, airlines are expanding these sections, which typically come with roomy seats, early boarding, free alcohol and better meals. Airlines say they appeal to travelers with more disposable income, especially on long-haul flights where business-class seats can run thousands of dollars more.”

 

We did our own air flights rather than use Silversea for our February 2024 Mumbai to Singapore cruise.  When you do air with Silversea, how well with what pricing uncharge do they provide premium economy seats?  Easy to get or not through SS?

 

Additionally in this story, the WSJ reported: "For flights to Europe from the U.S., round-trip tickets in the premium-economy cabin average about double the cost of main-cabin tickets, according to a fare analysis conducted by IdeaWorksCompany. Business-class seats on those routes are roughly double the cost of premium-economy seats, the analysis found.  Premium-economy cabins are part of airlines’ broader push toward deluxe offerings.  American Airlines introduced long-haul premium-economy seating in 2016, the first domestic carrier to do so. "  One traveler in this story summarized: "Premium economy is the difference between feeling like part of a herd of cattle and what he considers to be a tolerable experience."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/premium-economy-flights-business-class-800722f5

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 59,465 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

[taxatty]

2 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

With Silversea, the good news for us is that they have a great range of exotic ports and destinations.  But, this often involves long, long flights to distant locations.  

 

In February, we have that challenge requiring a 15-hour, 20-minute flight from JFK airport to Delhi.  We could not afford in cash or AA Frequent Flyer miles to do business class.  Nice to have had business class, but it would have cost us 300K FF points, per person, one way.  But, we were able to get premium economy with American Airlines for this long, long flight to India with a reasonable number of FF points.  Good news!!  And, in returning from Singapore (via a bonus lay-over in Tokyo), we got business class back to the USA at a reasonable point level.  

 

 

 

 

If you don't need lie-flat seats to sleep and otherwise be comfortable on an 8 hour + flight, or because AA dynamic pricing business redemptions now often require a ridiculous number of miles unless you are very patient, get lucky and find something through Expert Flyer alerts or another method (another reason to only book one-way AA award flights), PE can be the sweet spot on AA if you use FF points. We've flown AA (and BA) PE using FF points several times across the ponds, but it's often 80-100% or more than economy if you pay in cash, which isn't so great. Sometimes you can book a good one-way AA PE cash deal within a few weeks of the flight, as we found once AKL-DFW-MIA. 

Edited October 30, 2023 by taxatty

[TLCOhio]

On 10/30/2023 at 1:04 PM, taxatty said:

If you don't need lie-flat seats to sleep and otherwise be comfortable on an 8 hour + flight, or because AA dynamic pricing business redemptions now often require a ridiculous number of miles unless you are very patient, get lucky and find something through Expert Flyer alerts or another method (another reason to only book one-way AA award flights), PE can be the sweet spot on AA if you use FF points. We've flown AA (and BA) PE using FF points several times across the ponds, but it's often 80-100% or more than economy if you pay in cash, which isn't so great. Sometimes you can book a good one-way AA PE cash deal within a few weeks of the flight, as we found once AKL-DFW-MIA. 

 

Great above added insights as to the airline seating options from our Miami friend.  Still have not won the MegaMillions Lottery big prize,so we are needing to maximize our Frequent Flyer miles, etc.  

 

Breaking News this afternoon:  From the Wall Street Journal, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean Adjusts 2024 Cruise Schedule to Avoid Israel” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean has adjusted its cruise itineraries for 2024 to avoid calls to Israel, the second major cruise line to do so.  A Royal Caribbean spokesman said. "Due to the continued uncertainty in the area, we're adjusting several itineraries in 2024."  Earlier this week, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it was canceling its planned calls to Israel for 2024.  Royal Caribbean is redeploying its Jewel of the Seas ship from Haifa, Israel, to Boston for 2024. Its Grandeur of the Seas ship will be redeployed from Haifa to Tampa, Fla. The Celebrity Cruises brand canceled all calls to Israel for its Celebrity Infinity ship for 2024.   Voyages that were scheduled to visit Israel in 2024 accounted for less than 1.5% of Royal Caribbean's total capacity for the year, Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz said last week on a conference call with analysts.”

 

Silversea's changes/impact was not announced as a part of this news release, but I assume this means no Silversea stops will happen for Israel in 2024.  Any other insights or background to share?  Reactions?

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/royal-caribbean-adjusts-2024-cruise-schedule-to-avoid-israel-522cc80f

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit.  Now at 34,066 views.  Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

[TLCOhio]

From the Boston Globe this past weekend, they had this headline: “Why we golden-agers love our cruises” with these highlights: “So why do golden-agers who are still traveling so often choose and enjoy cruising the seven seas? There once was a time when many of these water-borne fun seekers backpacked through Europe, jumping aboard Eurail Pass trains at the last moment, not knowing how far they would get nor where their heads would rest that night. But those days are clearly over for this group that now appreciates, if not actually needs with a degree of urgency, a bit of pampering while traveling in a stimulating, yet safe, environment."

 

Here is more background offered:  "Cruise ships fill the bill for senior travelers in spades.  Some seniors even choose to live on ships for extended periods while seeing the world, often saying that it is cheaper to do that than staying at home and enduring another Buffalo- or Chicago-type winter, doing laundry, and only venturing to their church or library. Sometimes the loss of a spouse is the motivation for jumping aboard a ship, especially when children and grandchildren live at a distance or are a bit indifferent to their surviving parent’s new situation.”

 

Interesting insights about seniors and the cruise business.  This was part of their concluding summary: "Post-COVID cruises can be had for $100 a day per person or less. There certainly are a lot of other ways that a senior could spend hard-earned money, of course. But given the chance to hop on a ship at these bargain prices, why wouldn’t they?"

 

Don't know that Silversea has any offering at the $100 a day level, but there are bargains to be had and many interesting itineraries available.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/09/lifestyle/why-we-golden-agers-love-our-cruises/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 32,477 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

Here is another sign of recovery for the cruise lines as to being back to "normal".  

 

From the Miami Herald in the heart of the cruise company headquarters in late October, they had this headline: “With pandemic at their backs, cruise lines make a splash with world cruises” with these highlights: “The coronavirus pandemic completely shut down the global cruise sector for over a year. That hit South Florida’s economy particularly hard since PortMiami and Port Everglades are the two largest cruise ports in the United States. The cruise industry has staged a strong comeback with world cruises representing the final piece of the cruising resurgence. People are paying $25,000 to over $100,000 to sail around the world.  The long around-the-globe trips have gained renewed popularity.”

 

Here is more:  "When cruising initially restarted in 2022, some ports weren’t ready, limiting itineraries. Now, operating world trips shows that, 'cruising is back,' said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America.  Company research on people sailing since the pandemic ended last year showed many avid cruisers want to 'make up for lost time'.   A leader of Regent Seven Seas agreed: 'You are seeing trends in the luxury space where people want to travel for longer, they want to go to more exotic destinations, and they want to do it in more of an all-inclusive experience.' "

 

From this report, one doing a long cruise noted: "The idea that they clean my room twice a day, they shop for and cook my food, and they serve it to me is a huge appeal.  You’ve got fresh towels and fresh linens. It’s wonderful.”   Right?

 

Full story at:

https://www.miamiherald.com/article280138484.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 22,209 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

If you think that Silversea and Royal Caribbean, etc., had challenges re-starting, dealing with frustrated customers, that nothing compared to what just happened.  

 

From the New York Times early this afternoon, they had this headline: “A Three-Year Cruise Is Canceled for Lack of a Ship" with this sub-headline: "Passengers will not be visiting Machu Picchu, the Pyramids of Giza or indeed be going anywhere.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “For months, Life at Sea Cruises has been signing up travelers, taking their money and marketing this unusual offering, which it announced in March.  Its website, which was promoting the cruise as of Monday, described the ship, the MV Lara, and promised visits to the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.  Prospective passengers might pause before booking, though, when they see that the voyage was already supposed to set sail on Nov. 1. And they may be more alarmed to learn that the ship, under its original name, the AIDAaura, was acquired in mid-November by Celestyal Cruises, not by Life at Sea.”

 

No ship.  No cruise!!  And many who signed up and paid, had sold their homes and prepared for three years to be sailing ALL over the entire world, etc., etc.  Sorry!!  Won't happen.  

 

Always check the finances and track-record when you hear such nice-sounding promises and skilled marketing.  

 

It was noted in this article (or used as blame) that the organizers "said that investors had dropped out because of the unrest in the Middle East, CNN reported.  The cruise was originally set to leave from Istanbul, then take an extended tour of the Western Hemisphere before arriving in Asia in August 2024. The South Pacific and Australia would fill much of 2025, followed by India."

 

Also, this NYT story said CNN reported:  "Passengers were promised repayment in monthly installments through February."  How confident would you be that this money will be fully refunded?

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/27/travel/three-year-cruise-canceled-life-at-sea.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals, Our firsts in these scenic areas!  Now at 20,185 views. Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

[highplanesdrifters]

18 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

“A Three-Year Cruise Is Canceled for Lack of a Ship"

 

Just a pesky overlooked detail. 😂

[Will Work for Tiramisu]

As they say, "A fool and his money are soon parted."   I'm sorry for those that took the plunge, but methinks a dose of caveat emptor was in order.