cstory3

2 hours ago, Bondigirl1 said:

Despite the spread of CoVid-19 in Europe, especially in Italy, HOLLAND AMERICA has not changed any of their itineraries! We are booked on Zuiderdam, April 19, 2020,  sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We have 3 ports of call in Italy: Civitavecchia (Rome), Salerno, and Venice. What in the world are they thinking? What do we do?

We planned this cruise almost a year ahead and I've wanted to go for 40 years. This will/would be our 50th anniversary trip, and I had major surgery so I'd be fit as possible, but we are both over 70 years of age, one with lung weaknesses and the other diabetic. Sadly, we paid in full back in January, 2020, way before Coronavirus. We wanted to cancel and recoup losses. probably re-book later, but today we were told by HAL that we can only get 50% of our cruise refunded! By Sunday March 8, we would only receive 25% of the money refunded. By March 29, ZERO refunded unless we have a fever on embarkation day. REALLY? Our friends are booked on VIKING and they were offered cruise credit for the ENTIRE AMOUNT. This would have been our first HAL cruise. We don't know whether to risk our lives on this cruise or take the 50%  now offered. It's do or die... maybe die. We have trip and medical insurance through Generali  but we haven't heard back. We're in a queue for a call back from them.  Anybody else in the same boat?

We are in the same boat as you, on the same ship and date!  I called our Agent to see if we could switch to next years Zuiderdam TA, but was told that is considered a cancellation and we would lose a lot of money.  We were going to stay in Rome a few days then make are way by train to Calais then on to stay in UK visiting my relatives and take the QM2 home.  We don’t fly due to various reasons and don’t want to be stuck anywhere, wish we could find a solution.

2 hours ago, Bondigirl1 said:

Despite the spread of CoVid-19 in Europe, especially in Italy, HOLLAND AMERICA has not changed any of their itineraries! We are booked on Zuiderdam, April 19, 2020,  sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We have 3 ports of call in Italy: Civitavecchia (Rome), Salerno, and Venice. What in the world are they thinking? What do we do?

We planned this cruise almost a year ahead and I've wanted to go for 40 years. This will/would be our 50th anniversary trip, and I had major surgery so I'd be fit as possible, but we are both over 70 years of age, one with lung weaknesses and the other diabetic. Sadly, we paid in full back in January, 2020, way before Coronavirus. We wanted to cancel and recoup losses. probably re-book later, but today we were told by HAL that we can only get 50% of our cruise refunded! By Sunday March 8, we would only receive 25% of the money refunded. By March 29, ZERO refunded unless we have a fever on embarkation day. REALLY? Our friends are booked on VIKING and they were offered cruise credit for the ENTIRE AMOUNT. This would have been our first HAL cruise. We don't know whether to risk our lives on this cruise or take the 50%  now offered. It's do or die... maybe die. We have trip and medical insurance through Generali  but we haven't heard back. We're in a queue for a call back from them.  Anybody else in the same boat?

Hi Debjo

We are also on your crossing, this will be our 5th on QM2. All but one were Spring crossings in May. We love to go outside and walk around the upper decks, it is usually very windy. Bring a windproof jacket with hood. On our first crossing we experienced a Force 11 Storm, but it was no problem for QM2, other crossings were very calm. Love the sheltered balconys. It will probably not be very warm weather but it will not stop you from spending time outside. Cathy

So sorry to hear about your dog, I understand completely. We had to let our 14 year old Doberman go last Saturday as he was really suffering and we miss him so much. In 2012 we went on a tranatlantic and left him home in the good care of our daughter and he had some heart problems which we learned about through E-mails - very stressful when half way across the Atlantic. Anyway, I do hope your dog recovers, best wishes

cstory3, I will be in the same cabin in September. If you would like a review of the room I will be happy to give you one.

It would be great to get a review of this room - we booked the 10/5/08 cruise. We will be cruising to Europe and back in September and I will probably not have a chance to check this board during that time but would love to read your review in October as it will help me look forward to another cruise!! Would also be interested in your tips on excursions and whether early or late dining is best (don't want to miss the sailaways) Thanks

You have a great cabin and yes, when we sailed there was one lounge chair, 2 reg chairs and a small table. The view is wonderfull! ;)

Thank you for a quick reply!

We have to decide by Wednesday whether to take the Western Caribbean cruise on the Legend on 10/05/08 or 10/12/08. This will be our first Carnival and first Caribbean cruise, we have done TA's. We would prefer a date that is not during a school holiday. We have a hold on cabin 7190 with extended balcony - do these have lounge chairs? We are especially interested in excursions to Mayan ruins, which port has the best? Would appreciate any input, thanks.