Cruising choices with an active Pandemic

[Pushka]

In a 180… saw that Cunard has started advertising on television. Looks well swanky!

It is a tad. And wonderful.

 

[Pushka]

If they haven't got the money to pay their fuel bills or even negotiate a resolution with the fuel supplier, I wouldn't feel comfortable that 'they will make good at the end'. I'd be worried about being stranded in the Bahamas and having to arrange my own transport out and maybe find accommodation in the meantime, not to mention being annoyed about the inconvenience of rearranging my flight home. But YMMV obvs.

You were right!

Two Crystal Cruises vessels seized

A luxury cruise ship operator is underwater – and left passengers high and dry.

www.news.com.au

 

[drron]

Found out better to cruise with a pandemic than a war.
SS Columbus was cruising the Mediterranean when Poland was invaded. Didn't want to go back to Germany close to the UK so went the long way via Cuba. Passengers dropped off there and presumably got home but the ship with it's crew sailed on eventually being scuttled off the Virginia coast. the crew were not POWs in the USA then but only a few found their way back to Germany before Pearl Harbour. The remaining crew then became POWs and remained in the US until 1945.

SS Columbus

SS Columbus, German Merchant, 13th largest steamship in the world, Poland Invade Germany, Captain, Wilhelm Daehne, U.S. warships of the "Neutrality Patrol", British warship HMS Hyperion, British Naval Blockade, Concentration Camps For Germans in the USA

www.exulanten.com

 

[tgh]

Hmmmmm…...

Yesterday, seventy-two (72) out of two-hundred and thirty (230) crew members on the Silver Cloud operated by Silversea Cruises (Silversea Expeditions) tested positive for COVID-19, according to a crew member on the cruise ship who wishes to remain anonymous.

Non-infected infected crew members are now under quarantine on the ship. Another twenty-nine (29) crew members appear to be close contacts and are also in isolation. This means that one-hundred and one (101) crew members (44% of the crew) have either tested positive for
COVID-19 or are close contacts of the infected ship employees.

Meanwhile, the Silver Cloud is sailing with guests on its regular itinerary to Antarctica. The ship sailed from Punta Arenas earlier this week to the Drake Passage. It arrived in Greenwich Island today. It is scheduled to sail to the Antarctica Peninsula tomorrow, and return to Punta Arenas on February 20th.

Over 30% of Crew Members on Silversea's Silver Cloud Test Positive for COVID-19

Yesterday, seventy-two (72) out of two-hundred and thirty (230) crew members on the Silver Cloud operated by Silversea Cruises (Silversea Expeditions)

www.cruiselawnews.com

 

[Pushka]

My non favourite TA in Adelaide was on the radio this morning bemoaning the fact that Australia has delayed cruising at least until May. He stated that 4 million people had cruised overseas without any issue. He’s an idiot.

However Im going to a Viking cruise presentation at his main premises in Glenelg on Tuesday morning @VPS just because I want to get back to some kind of normal. And hoping to get some more of the Viking pens. We have three Viking cruises in next two years but booked directly as this TA always charges a cancellation fee.

 

[VPS]

My non favourite TA in Adelaide was on the radio this morning bemoaning the fact that Australia has delayed cruising at least until May. He stated that 4 million people had cruised overseas without any issue. He’s an idiot.

However Im going to a Viking cruise presentation at his main premises in Glenelg on Tuesday morning @VPS just because I want to get back to some kind of normal. And hoping to get some more of the Viking pens. We have three Viking cruises in next two years but booked directly as this TA always charges a cancellation fee.

I'll check to see if there are any vacancies - I'm presuming you're talking about the great PH

 

[OATEK]

We have booked a NCL Baltic Cruise for August 2022, from/to Copenhagen. What with the threat of hostilities between Russia and NATO states, covid etc - should be a lot of fun.

 

[VPS]

My non favourite TA in Adelaide was on the radio this morning bemoaning the fact that Australia has delayed cruising at least until May. He stated that 4 million people had cruised overseas without any issue. He’s an idiot.

However Im going to a Viking cruise presentation at his main premises in Glenelg on Tuesday morning @VPS just because I want to get back to some kind of normal. And hoping to get some more of the Viking pens. We have three Viking cruises in next two years but booked directly as this TA always charges a cancellation fee.

See you there - thanks for the info

 

[Meggsy]

Booked on the same cruise a few weeks after you @OATEK . Fingers crossed but quietly optimistic we will not have to cancel(again)

 

[Flashback]

No Alaska cruises for 12 months likely.

Canada Bans Cruises Through February 2022, Clouding Alaska Routes. Cruise Stocks Are Up Anyway.

Canada extended its ban on cruise vessels in the country’s waters through February 2022, the latest blow to the beleaguered cruise industry.

www.barrons.com

Any insight as to whether they'll go in 2022? We're there in May and thought we might finally dip our toes in..... we've found a few that can be booked in late May but would be good to get a feel for whether it'll happen or not.

I have seen some ships that would normally travel up the Californian coast to reposition for cruise season aren't, which means some lines won't be doing cruises (or some ships rather). But back in January it's still slated that it would happen.

What's Happening With the 2022 Alaska Cruise Season?

The 2022 Alaska cruise season is mere months away from starting, but what could be a successful season hinges once again on the approval of the Canadian government.

www.cruisecritic.co.uk

Given this is our first ever cruise too, it seems a minefield out there as to where to book. We've found a few cruises where prices vary quite a bit, all seem to include meals, tips, etc. so are there any gotchas to just booking the cheapest? Perhaps it is worth splitting this out to a new thread re: Cruises in Alaska?

For example a well known forum gives a few options: Find Anchorage May 2022 Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

 

[Port Power]

Any insight as to whether they'll go in 2022? We're there in May and thought we might finally dip our toes in..... we've found a few that can be booked in late May but would be good to get a feel for whether it'll happen or not.

I have seen some ships that would normally travel up the Californian coast to reposition for cruise season aren't, which means some lines won't be doing cruises (or some ships rather). But back in January it's still slated that it would happen.

What's Happening With the 2022 Alaska Cruise Season?

The 2022 Alaska cruise season is mere months away from starting, but what could be a successful season hinges once again on the approval of the Canadian government.

www.cruisecritic.co.uk

Given this is our first ever cruise too, it seems a minefield out there as to where to book. We've found a few cruises where prices vary quite a bit, all seem to include meals, tips, etc. so are there any gotchas to just booking the cheapest? Perhaps it is worth splitting this out to a new thread re: Cruises in Alaska?

For example a well known forum gives a few options: Find Anchorage May 2022 Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

The article states the decision by Canada might still be a “few months away” (as of mid January), and I doubt anyone here would have inside information. So you might not find out until a month before you are supposed to board the ship! A really hard decision.

There also seems to be some doubt if another temporary exemption to the Jones Act will be permitted.

As far as which ship or line to go with, you should ask that question on the Cruise Critic boards. There are millions of regular and repeat Alaska cruisers who will happily share their opinions to help you decide. In the meantime, consider how big a ship you want to go on (as in the number of passengers) and the ages of your group, what is offered on board that appeals to you in the way of shows, entertainment, bars, restaurants, etc. Mind you, on Alaska cruises it’s all about the ports, so you are rarely on the ship during the day. An Alaska cruise is not the same as other cruises. For one thing, the ship is crowded inside the ship because it’s cold outside. I was on one where there was a conference on the ship. Sooooo crowded! Being your first cruise, it might be better in a smaller ship such as Norwegian Spirit or a smaller Holland America ship. That is, 1600 passengers instead of 4,000.

 

[Flashback]

The article states the decision by Canada might still be a “few months away” (as of mid January), and I doubt anyone here would have inside information. So you might not find out until a month before you are supposed to board the ship! A really hard decision.

There also seems to be some doubt if another temporary exemption to the Jones Act will be permitted.

As far as which ship or line to go with, you should ask that question on the Cruise Critic boards. There are millions of regular and repeat Alaska cruisers who will happily share their opinions to help you decide. In the meantime, consider how big a ship you want to go on (as in the number of passengers) and the ages of your group, what is offered on board that appeals to you in the way of shows, entertainment, bars, restaurants, etc. Mind you, on Alaska cruises it’s all about the ports, so you are rarely on the ship during the day. An Alaska cruise is not the same as other cruises. For one thing, the ship is crowded inside the ship because it’s cold outside. I was on one where there was a conference on the ship. Sooooo crowded! Being your first cruise, it might be better in a smaller ship such as Norwegian Spirit or a smaller Holland America ship. That is, 1600 passengers instead of 4,000.

Thanks, as you say it could be a bit risky in the current climate.

I've started a thread here, as there's always road/rail options too.

Alaska by sea, rail or road?

We're spending 10 days in Alaska and have been considering what we'll do when we arrive. Why are we flying there? Well, of course it was a nice ex-EU J fare around £1k return netting a healthy 920 TP in BA's Exec Club; a nice return to some more normal flying. We may as well have a holiday out...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[drron]

We went on a boat that was far smaller than 1600 pax. 16 to be precise. The MV Sikumi a converted crab boat. It was sensational. Kayaking amongst the whales,fishing for halibut and close up tio a couple of bears. It was just amazing. Dearer than the usual ship but we thought it very much worth it.

What to Expect on Your Alaska Cruise - Custom Alaska Cruises

If you have ever taken a cruise on a traditional ship, your Alaska Cruise experience with Custom Alaska Cruises will be nothing like that. Learn more about us.

sikumi.com

They begin their season in June but are already virtually booked out for the season.

 

[VPS]

I went to a Viking info session yesterday. All passengers and staff are being tested daily. The cruising and expedition ships have PCR labs on board. I might have to go back to work in a lab.

 

[drron]

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio the previous owner of Silversea has made an offer to buy Crystal through his private investment company which is the majority owner of Abercrombie and Kent.

Manfredi Lefebvre confirms his quest to buy Crystal Cruises

Heritage Group, managed by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, former owner and Silversea Cruises, confirmed two fully funded offers to acquire Crystal Cruises

www.seatrade-cruise.com

 

[Mumanddad]

We have a late season Alaska cruise booked with Holland America this year on a smaller ship. Canada ports should be open by then, but if not there is always the option for cruise lines to sail out of Seattle if there are slots available.

 

[VPS]

Has anyone experience with Avalon cruises? They are advertising no Single Supplement on several river cruises.

 

[drron]

The big three are going to ditch mask mandates.

As soon as Friday, most fully vaccinated cruise passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean will not be required to wear masks indoors on ship

https://www.miamiherald.com/article258656778.html

 

[OATEK]

Our cruise (NCL Baltic in August) requires full payment in April. It includes 2 nights in St Petersburg, plus nights in several neighbouring states. Given the decision by Russia to start shooting at Ukraine today, the future of such a cruise seems very much up in the air.

 

[Port Power]

Our cruise (NCL Baltic in August) requires full payment in April. It includes 2 nights in St Petersburg, plus nights in several neighbouring states. Given the decision by Russia to start shooting at Ukraine today, the future of such a cruise seems very much up in the air.

It's a difficult decision. The cruise will probably go ahead as St Petersburg is nowhere near Ukraine and there is unlikely to be any danger to the ship. However there is a moral dilemma. News is not looking good right now, but by the end of March there might be a resolution.