Canada bans cruise ships until 10/31

[Blackduck59]

30 minutes ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

Closing the ports to cruise lines has nothing to do with protecting the health of Canadians. it is just political grandstanding. The cruise lines were never going to sail to Alaska or out of US New England ports to begin with the remainder of 2020.

 

So far during this global health crisis the United States has been the leader in political grandstanding and the size of the outbreak there is testament to the success of that strategy.

So far there has not been much "politics" involved with our response, mostly science. When a very right wing premier in Ontario is reading from the same page as the left wing Prime Minister then it must be a book of science not politics. What the decision did do was force the cruise lines to acknowledge that those cruises they knew were a no go, would not go.

[Fouremco]

9 hours ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

Closing the ports to cruise lines has nothing to do with protecting the health of Canadians. it is just political grandstanding. The cruise lines were never going to sail to Alaska or out of US New England ports to begin with the remainder of 2020.

You might want to do a little bit of research before making such erroneous comments. The cruise lines were still sailing when Canada placed the ban on cruise ships on March 13, the same date that restrictions were placed on international air travel and Canadians were advised to not travel abroad. All of the measures, including the closure of the ports, were specifically introduced to protect the health of Canadians.

 

Last week the ban was extended as there has not been any significant reduction in the threat posed by COVID-19. While you claim that the cruise lines were never going to sail anyway, the Canadian government will continue to govern who enters our country, not leave it to the cruise lines to decide. You might also want to note that as soon as the extension was announced, Celebrity removed a number of Alaskan and New England - Canada itineraries from its website.

[Arizona Wildcat]

18 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

You might want to do a little bit of research before making such erroneous comments. The cruise lines were still sailing when Canada placed the ban on cruise ships on March 13, the same date that restrictions were placed on international air travel and Canadians were advised to not travel abroad. All of the measures, including the closure of the ports, were specifically introduced to protect the health of Canadians.

 

Last week the ban was extended as there has not been any significant reduction in the threat posed by COVID-19. While you claim that the cruise lines were never going to sail anyway, the Canadian government will continue to govern who enters our country, not leave it to the cruise lines to decide. You might also want to note that as soon as the extension was announced, Celebrity removed a number of Alaskan and New England - Canada itineraries from its website.

Correct.  Canada has taken COVID very seriously.  Canada has even restricted travel to PEI, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador for example.  Until the risks of COVID are reduced why would Canada open itself to infection?

Seems that letting the stay at home order here in Arizona has resulted in increasing caseload and ICU bed occupancy rising from about 55% to the 80% area according to the Arizona Department of Health website.  

Tourism is important to Canada.  Tourism is more important to say Victoria BC.  Lives are more important.

Guessing we will not be allowed into BC this summer.  Not happy, but understand.

[HaveWeMetYet]

I am fine with Canada closing ports to cruise ships.

When the announcement was made it was already a done deal none were coming anyway.

You can go on the cruise web sites and book all sorts of cruises that are never going to happen.

[Fouremco]

9 minutes ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

I am fine with Canada closing ports to cruise ships.

When the announcement was made it was already a done deal none were coming anyway.

You can go on the cruise web sites and book all sorts of cruises that are never going to happen.

So what you are saying is that, even before March 13, when the Canadian government first announced the ban, the cruise lines had already decided that they weren't going to be cruising in Canadian waters. Sorry, that's just wrong.

[HaveWeMetYet]

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

So what you are saying is that, even before March 13, when the Canadian government first announced the ban, the cruise lines had already decided that they weren't going to be cruising in Canadian waters. Sorry, that's just wrong.

No, when the announcement was made to close thru October 31st it was already a done deal cruises were not going thru October 31st anyway.

[Fouremco]

32 minutes ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

No, when the announcement was made to close thru October 31st it was already a done deal cruises were not going thru October 31st anyway.

The ban was made on March 13. Last week was simply an extension, not a new ban. Canadian ports were still in Celebrity's and other lines' plans for a restart until the extension was announced. At this point, you can choose to ignore the facts and believe what you want.

[Arizona Wildcat]

2 hours ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

I am fine with Canada closing ports to cruise ships.

When the announcement was made it was already a done deal none were coming anyway.

You can go on the cruise web sites and book all sorts of cruises that are never going to happen.

You can go to various web sites and start but not complete a booking for dozens of cruises.  Celebrity and others have as one poster said "hoped for a miracle".

All cruiselines still need an approved CDC plan to sail from a US port, as well as, ports that are open.  Fouremco stated long ago that will likely not resume for some months but cruiselines have always and continue to hope to resume sooner.  Many here agree.  Is it possible to cruise with a viable COVID plan?  Most ports are closed and will probably open to other tourism before cruises.  Cruises demonstrated in March the problematic nature of COVID until there is a vaccine.

Edited June 1, 2020 by Arizona Wildcat

[WNcruiser]

Over the weekend the two September Canada/New England cruises disappeared from the website. Today they are back and showing sold out except for suites. Very strange. Obviously they are being cancelled but why show suites for sale?

 

 

[Blackduck59]

And here I had hoped that when the government of Canada said our ports were closed, that would be the end of it. Now Celebrity is playing a game of sucker. Here, buy this fabulous suite with these great perks for a wonderful cruise to Canada. Unfortunately there are people who seem to think that the Government of Canada was just kidding and the cruise will go after all. Then once they have your money they will let the ill informed know that Canada is closed and instead you get 6 sea days and a lovely stop in Nassau.

[Georgia_Peaches]

Well hopefully 2021 will bring better cruising days.

[TeeRick]

Mostly everybody here knows what is going on with announcements being updated and restrictions being extended in Canada and everywhere else on the planet.  Constantly.  A lot has happened since Feb/March early in the pandemic. The situation changes and more is learned and updates happen.  I really don't think a lot of games are being played.  Why look for a devil with horns when we already have one called SARS-CoV-2 ?

[gerelmx]

11 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

Over the weekend the two September Canada/New England cruises disappeared from the website. Today they are back and showing sold out except for suites. Very strange. Obviously they are being cancelled but why show suites for sale?

 

 

 

Will Celebrity limit the cruise to 100 passengers?

[d9704011]

4 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

 

Will Celebrity limit the cruise to 100 passengers?

Nice try, but it is 100 persons.... pax and crew.

[pumpkin 11]

11 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

And here I had hoped that when the government of Canada said our ports were closed, that would be the end of it. Now Celebrity is playing a game of sucker. Here, buy this fabulous suite with these great perks for a wonderful cruise to Canada. Unfortunately there are people who seem to think that the Government of Canada was just kidding and the cruise will go after all. Then once they have your money they will let the ill informed know that Canada is closed and instead you get 6 sea days and a lovely stop in Nassau.

Take a chill pill. 

[Fouremco]

11 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

Over the weekend the two September Canada/New England cruises disappeared from the website. Today they are back and showing sold out except for suites. Very strange. Obviously they are being cancelled but why show suites for sale?

Celebrity has done the same for Alaskan cruises. No rhyme or reason, just Celebrity going its thing.

[davekathy]

Received this Email today. Bummer! But fully expected this. Glad I didn't make final payment yet. Going to request cash refund. Our $200.00 deposit.

 

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

 

Dear Guest,

 

We continue to face truly unprecedented times as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic inflict unexpected consequences on our communities and businesses.  The Government of Canada has recently announced continued port closures for all cruise ships through October 31st, 2020.   In order to comply with these closures Celebrity Cruises must now cancel all Alaska and Canada/New England cruises during this time frame.    

 

Unfortunately, these cancellations will include your upcoming 2020 voyage.  Please know this decision was not made lightly, as we value your vacation time and want to ensure you have the best experience possible on a Celebrity Cruise.

 

In order to compensate you for this cancellation, all booked guests will automatically receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valid until December 31st, 2021, for use on sailings through May 4th, 2022.  The value of the FCC will be calculated based on the amount paid for your cruise and will be processed by July 17th, 2020 via email.  Cruise taxes and fees will be refunded automatically to your original form of payment within 30 days of cancellation.  Should you prefer the lower value, 100% refund to your original method of payment, as opposed to the FCC, you may contact us anytime up until December 31, 2020. 

 

To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, please contact your travel partner or click here and we will get the process started for you. You can expect to receive a refund within at least 30 days after you submit your request.  You also have the option of keeping your cruise vacation plans to the same destination and rescheduling for next year on a date within four weeks of your originally scheduled departure.  Just give us or your travel partner a call by June 17th and your reservation will be shifted at the same rate including any promotion you currently have on the booking.  Please note, if you have already cancelled your sailing by taking advantage of our Cruise With Confidence policy you will not be eligible to receive the compensation noted above.

 

If you pre-booked any shore excursions, beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, through Celebrity Cruises, you will have the option of receiving 125% Onboard Credit (OBC) to be used on your next sailing, or you may choose a 100% refund.  In order to select the 125% Onboard Credit please click here to submit your request.  If we have not received your choice of compensation for these pre-booked items by June 17th, you will automatically receive a full refund to your original method of payment.  Guests with independent shore excursion arrangements should contact their tour operators as soon as possible. 

 

Guests with refundable air travel and hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be refunded automatically.  You will not need to call in to initiate the process.  Guests with nonrefundable flights booked through Flights by Celebrity or independent air arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required cancellations.

 

First and always, please take care of yourselves and your family.  Your safety and well-being are our highest priority.  We appreciate your understanding as we do our part in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Celebrity Cruises at 1-844-418-6824 in North America or (316) 554-5961 worldwide. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruise vacation.

 

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2020 by davekathy

[FlorenceItaly]

8 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Received this Email today. Bummer! But fully expected this. Glad I didn't make final payment yet. Going to request cash refund. Our $200.00 deposit.

 

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

 

Dear Guest,

 

We continue to face truly unprecedented times as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic inflict unexpected consequences on our communities and businesses.  The Government of Canada has recently announced continued port closures for all cruise ships through October 31st, 2020.   In order to comply with these closures Celebrity Cruises must now cancel all Alaska and Canada/New England cruises during this time frame.    

 

Unfortunately, these cancellations will include your upcoming 2020 voyage.  Please know this decision was not made lightly, as we value your vacation time and want to ensure you have the best experience possible on a Celebrity Cruise.

 

In order to compensate you for this cancellation, all booked guests will automatically receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valid until December 31st, 2021, for use on sailings through May 4th, 2022.  The value of the FCC will be calculated based on the amount paid for your cruise and will be processed by July 17th, 2020 via email.  Cruise taxes and fees will be refunded automatically to your original form of payment within 30 days of cancellation.  Should you prefer the lower value, 100% refund to your original method of payment, as opposed to the FCC, you may contact us anytime up until December 31, 2020. 

 

To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, please contact your travel partner or click here and we will get the process started for you. You can expect to receive a refund within at least 30 days after you submit your request.  You also have the option of keeping your cruise vacation plans to the same destination and rescheduling for next year on a date within four weeks of your originally scheduled departure.  Just give us or your travel partner a call by June 17th and your reservation will be shifted at the same rate including any promotion you currently have on the booking.  Please note, if you have already cancelled your sailing by taking advantage of our Cruise With Confidence policy you will not be eligible to receive the compensation noted above.

 

If you pre-booked any shore excursions, beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, through Celebrity Cruises, you will have the option of receiving 125% Onboard Credit (OBC) to be used on your next sailing, or you may choose a 100% refund.  In order to select the 125% Onboard Credit please click here to submit your request.  If we have not received your choice of compensation for these pre-booked items by June 17th, you will automatically receive a full refund to your original method of payment.  Guests with independent shore excursion arrangements should contact their tour operators as soon as possible. 

 

Guests with refundable air travel and hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be refunded automatically.  You will not need to call in to initiate the process.  Guests with nonrefundable flights booked through Flights by Celebrity or independent air arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required cancellations.

 

First and always, please take care of yourselves and your family.  Your safety and well-being are our highest priority.  We appreciate your understanding as we do our part in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Celebrity Cruises at 1-844-418-6824 in North America or (316) 554-5961 worldwide. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruise vacation.

 

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises

 

 

 

No lift and shift option to next year?

[davekathy]

37 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

No lift and shift option to next year?

Not interested as we already have 2021 booked for March on Rhapsody (B2B cruise)  and September on the Millennium. 

Edited June 2, 2020 by davekathy

[ighten]

28 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

No lift and shift option to next year?

 

Uh == Yep its half way down the letter 

You also have the option of keeping your cruise vacation plans to the same destination and rescheduling for next year on a date within four weeks of your originally scheduled departure.  Just give us or your travel partner a call by June 17th and your reservation will be shifted at the same rate including any promotion you currently have on the booking.

 

 

- just had our email too.. will shift it back a year tomorrow as we managed to lock a new low price in before they pulled it

[Fouremco]

2 hours ago, ighten said:

 

Uh == Yep its half way down the letter 

You also have the option of keeping your cruise vacation plans to the same destination and rescheduling for next year on a date within four weeks of your originally scheduled departure.  Just give us or your travel partner a call by June 17th and your reservation will be shifted at the same rate including any promotion you currently have on the booking.

 

 

- just had our email too.. will shift it back a year tomorrow as we managed to lock a new low price in before they pulled it

@FlorenceItaly was asking if @davekathy had plans to use L&S, not whether the cancellation allowed for it.

[Blackduck59]

10 hours ago, pumpkin 11 said:

Take a chill pill. 

 

I am chilled, over the past several weeks there have been many posts "hoping our Alaska Cruise  scheduled for insert day here, and insert May or June date" will go ahead, apparently thinking that we were kidding about the original July 1st date. Now we have extended that until October 31. What that did was give closure to everyone that had a cruise booked that included Canada.

As a result I see that some members have received the cancellation notification. That's a good thing, No?

My little scenario really did happen, Celebrity tried the bait and switch changing the Canada cruises to a trip to Nassau. Those cruises were subsequently cancelled.