Wizpharm2

I contacted my credit card (Discover) and that also immediately provided a credit.

However, once they competed their investigation, the credit was reversed.  Not every credit card covers travel refunds due to bankruptcy.

Towards the bottom…below the online claim form…in the section where it says “Submit a claim by mail”

https://www.aqvrefunds.com/capture/upload

They are using an Agent to collect/process claims
 

American Queen Voyages^™ Refunds
c/o Omni Agent Solutions
5955 De Soto Ave., Suite 100
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

We have been home less than a week from a round trip Memphis to New Orleans.  The lower water levels are affecting river cruises including significant issues in docking.  We missed more than one port of call as docks were not useable with the low water levels.  Most places we did dock required very steep climbs to reach the road level, often on loose gravel.  The cruise line did an excellent job of using different ports and provided golf cart rides up and down steep inclines for any guest that needed (wanted) them.  Our cruise started by being bused an hour south of Memphis to board as the ship could not dock in Memphis.  We were able to disembark in Memphis on our return trip.

Several times we stopped to allow a barge to use the only available channel.  And in many places it looked more like beach front property, rather than River front, with yards of sand visible at the waters edge.

2 can play…but more fun with a group.

We usually create a team with 2-4 other persons at the first session…and more times than not…play together for the whole cruise.

Our personal strategy is to try to partner up with at least one person from another country as frequently they have a different knowledge base…and questions usually are very international in topics….

8 minutes ago, cmalagngl said:

We are considering the roundtrip itinerary from Miami to the Amazon River and return to Miami in 2023 or 2024.  If you have sailed on this itinerary it would be great if you could share your experiences.

we took this trip a few years back…here is a link to our blog…if that helps…
 

https://amazonmay2017.blogspot.com/

7 minutes ago, ToxM said:

I would be interested to see a cumulative number of Noro from say three years ago and compare it to Omicron cases. 

 

Not saying Noro is worse, of course it isn’t but with almost all ships insisting on vaccination for passengers and crew Omicron is in all but a very small number of cases mild or asymptomatic. 

 

I think the cruise lines as a whole are doing a sterling job of trying to make cruising as safe as it can be, the chink in the armour is of course the passengers and their actions. 

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/ss/ss7006a1.htm

21 minutes ago, vacationut said:

We know things could go sideways and was prepared to go with the flow. NBD. 

 

Called NCL. They said we would have our air reservation home sent to us within 24 hours. Problem is checkout is in the morning and no idea when or even where (MIA or FLL) it will leave out of. They said if it leaves the 6th, they would reimburse us for a hotel stay but that would still leave us scrambling for a night in a hotel. 

 

Thinking about just saying screw it and staying and enjoying a few night on our own dime and flying ourselves home Over the weekend. 🤔 

 

Anyone know if we wouldn't get a cruise refund if we didn't use their flights back? 

Might want to double check that they are not automatically cancelling your return flights…

Been out of the loop for awhile…how does one qualify for premium internet…pay, cabin type, etc…

5 minutes ago, hapzfl said:

How does that work?

How far in advance does the process start?

 

I assume we will have to relinquish our passports for a while. That might cause a problem for other travel scheduled to take place before the WC.

You can apply for a second passport…so you can send one in and have the other for travel..(assumes US Citizen)

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/second-passport-book.html

20 minutes ago, julig22 said:

They are more apt to save/restrict access to an entire deck (lowest would be my guess).  Restricting inside really doesn't do much, since people still pass in the hallways.

Using balcony cabins only would be because cruisers would be more comfortable if they need to be quarantined in their cabin and the outside air will help with decreasing viral load in the ventilation system.  The concentration of virus in the air is the primary contributor/determination of transmission and although cruise companies claim they have upgraded to HEPA filters, using outside air will dilute the concentration quicker.

Not using the same room back to back is so they don’t have try to clean/sanitize during the short timeline available on a typical embarkation/debarkation day.

Passing someone in a hallway is not really a high risk activity, nor is spending time outdoors, especially in sunlight as it naturally inactivates the virus in under 30 seconds.

So much of how various governments/agencies have responded to this virus does not appear to  based on science.

1 hour ago, CroozFanatic said:

Hopefully, they are implementing reduced capacity.

 

Maybe, only 50% for July and August and 75% for September?

Heard on another forum that they plan to only use outside cabins to start...and may only use every other cabin so they they have time to terminal clean between guests.

32 minutes ago, JustAPilot said:

Honestly I see the CDC approving cruises no earlier then Christmas out of U.S. ports which is where the money making is. They want to vaccinate the masses, then the big test will be thanksgiving to see if cases shoot up or not with people gathering again during the colder month.
 

Let’s be honest, NCL is not Oceana where vacation goers have the funds to be dropping thousands of dollars to cruise from Bermuda for example for a week. NCL caters to families and your average joe. Bermuda requires quarantining while you await your test results meaning you need a hotel stay pre cruise, in prime summer months in Bermuda, plus you won’t be finding cheap Southwest flight deals for $100 to Bermuda like you would to MIA or FLL.

I think Florida will work to meet the new CDC guidelines and develop user agreements with several cruise lines to allow cruising out of a couple of ports.  Many cruise lines will opt in and send cruise ships to their private islands where they can control who passengers interact with...both the ships and the beaches are assets not generating any income right now...

3 minutes ago, BBWC said:

And the CDC now also says it is ok for fully vaccinated people to travel domestically.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

It also says you don’t need to be tested or quarantine....you do need to wear a mask and socially distance.

For those that advocate/support a “COVID PASSPORT” can you explain why?  If YOU have the vaccine aren’t YOU protected?  We don’t demand that those around us have a pneumonia vaccine (which we only give to those over 50 in the US) or a current flu vaccine...is it because you don’t trust that the COVID vaccine will protect you....then why get it at all?  And before you quote the stats related to effectiveness...the mumps vaccine is less than 80% effective, the original shingles vaccine was 50% effective (the newer one is around 90%)...no vaccine is 100% effective.

Cruise lines have a unique set of conditions that would make them mandate all passengers have the vaccine...they do not have the medical resources to support treating multiple (or any) critical patients...given the demographic of most cruises they are at an increased risk that this could occur.

Cruises can require proof of vaccination without the government requiring a passport that may be a violation of the US Constitution...it will certainly wind up in US courts if we move to implement one.

2 hours ago, Chunky2219 said:

Try this for a little thought excercise.................  Whatever your view about how the Covid versus vaccine dynamic might pan out in your own corner of the world, begin by recognising that no vaccine ever works 100% of the time for 100% of people - the best you can hope for is a high percentage of people avoiding the very worst effects of a disease.  Now assume that it is dramatically different in half a dozen other countries where:

• a new variant has just sprung up a month ago, or
• vaccine uptake is poor or patchy because of political/philospohical/theological or just plain stupid reasoning, or
• vaccines work great but some people, some countries, some groups won't use or don't trust vaccine passports, or
• vaccine uptake has been awesome but after 2, 3, 4 or more waves they now don't trust many other countries and don't want their citizens, plus
• one of these countries is on your cruise itinerary, or
• someone from one of these countries is on your ship, or
• someone from one of these countries was on your flight to your cruise start point

Now factor in that a cruise ship is an almost perfect breeding ground for the virus, like a big prison where people can mix freely 24/7.  Now think about the typical demographic of most cruise ships with respect to succeptibility to serious effects.  (it's not positive).

 

Once you've got this far, now imagine you are a cruise ship operator planning 3 years in advance normally and maybe 3 months in advance now.  All this while trying to make at least a break even position out of it all.  It's a high sunk capital cost, rapid revenue turnover and highly inflexible business.

 

I personally can't think of a more difficult industry in which to keep operating.  Unless and until Covid 19 naturally dies back to be as threatening as the common cold it's not going to be sustainable.  Sadly, vaccines won't change the game.

I agree that vaccines are not the answer for COVID since it is rapidly mutating and annual vaccines will probably be needed.  However, I do think that vaccines paired with therapeutics may allow cruising to resume.  We probably can’t stop or eradicate the virus worldwide, but if we can reduce the need for hospitalization, then cruise ships would have an acceptable level of risk.  The much maligned Hydroxychloquine may be part of the solution as it is part of an early treatment protocol that in a recent study reduced hospitalizations by 82%

We are not having that issue in our state...about a week ago the age was lowered to 65 and older and folks are getting same day appointments.  All nursing home residents and staff have received their first dose are currently getting their second dose.

Hoping I am not being labeled as a “gloom & doomer” for posing a question.  I’m trying to “ follow the science”...the referenced article clearly states there is no data available regarding any protection beyond 90 days.  With additional data regarding long term protection (or reduction in severity of illness), I can understand why the CDC might not want to open up cruising.  Personally, we saw our 90 day cruise of a lifetime cancelled last year, and with advancing age and health issues, we would like nothing better than to be able to board tomorrow and see the world.

10 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

What about those folks who could not take the Yellow Fever vaccine?  They were still able to board our SA voyage upon showing medical documentation that they could not take it.

The difference is that Yellow Fever typically doesn’t have human to human transfer ( unless there is blood to open wound contact), so even if someone unvaccinated was infected via a mosquito bite, it is highly unlikely they would or could infect someone else on board.  This is very different than with an air borne pathogen such as SARS-CO2.  

The major challenge, even with a large percentage of the population being “vaccinated” is the lack of long term antibody formation as shown by confirmed reinfections. The “ vaccine” only reduces the severity of COVID, it does keep one from having and spreading COVID, which a true vaccine does.  Twenty years after having a measles vaccine, the antibodies can still be found in your blood, current studies indicate that COVID antibodies begin to drop off beginning around 90 days...they are unsure of the level needed to allow for a reduction in severity of disease.

I am interested in understanding how the “vaccine” makes cruising safe.  There is no proof that it keeps you from contracting and/or spreading COVID...only that it reduces the severity of illness due to an increase in circulating antibodies. Pre-market studies determined that the level of antibodies begins to decrease around day 90 with no understanding of the level of antibodies needed to reduce the severity of disease.  There are confirmed cases of folks being infected twice, which indicates that they did not create adequate protective antibodies from the first infection, or that the antibodies decreased to a level that allowed re-infection.   If the “vaccine” only gives you 3 months of protection (or perhaps long, but unknown), will vaccine certificates need to have expiration dates and/or will you need to time additional doses to ensure coverage during a cruise?

SusieQft...thanks so much for the thread and maintaining the spreadsheet...it kept me sane as we waited out a very significant refund for 90+day cruise

We received our refund, 8 different credits on two different cards on June 24th and June 25th.

It appears the amount includes our shore excursions also.

Maybe a Jackdaw

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_jackdaw

They tested positive for the antibodies meanings they were previously exposed. They are awaiting the results of the PCR test which tests for active virus.

30 minutes ago, mrlevin said:

 

Saw that; wondered why they didn't make all Alaska cruises "waitlist" as starting season in August would be a little strange; all the start up costs for minimal return.

 

Marc

That would start the 90 day refund window....they can hold on to the cash another 30 days if they wait to cancel...which they will.