prescottbob

Well, we’re certainly not overwhelmed with the HAL announcement nor with the the recent vaccine news.

Plenty of logistical & “scientific” hurdles yet to be addressed.

No “downer” opinion here, just reality. I wouldn’t be updating your packing list for a cruise (+ 7-10 days) the first three quarters of 2021 IMHO. 4th quarter could happen, perhaps, depending on foreign ports protocols, proof of immunity, yada, yada.

Hopefully (always a great word) I’ll be wrong. No worries here.

May everyone have a wonderful & “safe” holiday season.

Be well. 
Bob

Great news but still a few things to be considered / worked out.

1. Length of immunity even with # 2 initial vaccinations (day 0, day 21).

2. Documented side effects (adverse and minor) with a larger ‘pool’ of recipients.

3. Need of a yearly booster vaccination (like seasonal flu vaccinations) to be determined as of yet (antibody studies ‘down the road’ required).

4. Acceptance by enough folks to be vaccinated, at least initially, to indeed, create a “herd immunity” overall.

5. Time frame for the CDC, foreign countries & local port entities to accept the data to allow cruise ship visits.

 
Many other questions to be certainly addressed but still, a GREAT start!

Stay tuned (me thinks everyone will be). 

Personally, I do seem more than a glimmer of light at the ‘end of the tunnel’ regarding future cruising but it will take time.

Be well.

Bob

Our baggage, aka luggage & such, had a 245 day cruise.

Sort of jealous...

Be well.

Bob

23 hours ago, prescottbob said:

Received #2 tracking numbers today, 21 October, (out of #5 bags) with a delivery date of this coming Monday, 26 October to Northern Arizona. 

 

"Hope springs eternal". Perhaps I should buy a Powerball ticket at the local Safeway today.

 

Be well.

Bob

Received remaining #3 tracking numbers today for Tuesday, 27 October delivery.

Funny, looking at the Shipment Facts on the FedEx site shows all the bags are listed at 50# (the actual weights were 42#- 54# when I weighed them last March). And only one bag has dimensions (one of the rolling duffels) while all others are listed as Packages (#2 other duffels and two smaller bags. Whatever...

DW will be thrilled to see all her purchased 'odd ball' yarns purchased in NZ & Oz. One thing I recall from all the knitter's groups was "there's never enough yarn", no?

And so the saga of the 2020 WC comes to an end. Maybe 😎

Be well.

Bob

Wise words for LocoLoco.

By your post it appears you travel solo & , may I speculate, enjoy shorter ( less than 65 day) cruises. I could certainly be wrong.

I will forward this post to my DW for future packing thought(s).

Me thinks she’ll have a negative opinion regarding just a carry-on. Don’t no why?

However, the thought of purchasing new clothing as you go in each port would certainly be a ‘winner’ for my love ( Me = NOT).

Donating your stuff is great. You seem to be a very thoughtful individual.

Be well.

Bob

Received #2 tracking numbers today, 21 October, (out of #5 bags) with a delivery date of this coming Monday, 26 October to Northern Arizona. 

"Hope springs eternal". Perhaps I should buy a Powerball ticket at the local Safeway today.

Be well.

Bob

I might add that one had to pay for not only for the luggage transfer, via FedEx, from FLA ( in our case, # 3 large duffels, # 2 small bags) that one needed to pay extra for >$100 insurance / bag,

In our case, I didn’t pay for the extra insurance but ended up paying $500 for the baggage transfer that has yet to be shipped from the “warehouse”.

Life goes on... I almost forgot about the Pitcairn island ball caps and honey until it was brought up recently. 

We’re still in the”Pending Shipment” category, no big deal for us really, but the PR, as mentioned, gives one pause to the Seattle management at the time.

Be well. Don’t let the “drum beat” drive you crazy,

Bob

5 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

While I agree that gray water discharges, in certain areas, are not a big deal, in fact ships are allowed to discharge untreated gray water at sea (in a controlled fashion, while underway), in certain areas it can be devastating to the marine environment, and those areas are delineated as "no discharge areas", and this is what the violation did.  Gray water is not just "bathroom shower, tub and sink water only", it also includes galley and laundry water.  Laundry water can contain phosphates which can cause algae blooms and depletion of oxygen in the water (especially when concentrated in a small area), and galley water can have food waste leading to overnutrients in the water.

 

I am an "inside" critic, I live and work in the maritime industry, and I deal with these environmental regulations every day of my working life (40+ years), and I not only applaud the advances we have made in environmental protection over that span, but I have nothing but contempt for corporations like Carnival who have repeatedly (I believe the original violation against Princess cruises was 19 years ago) ignored and knowingly violated those regulations.

 

And, as for HAL's record, I am trying to download the Court Appointed Monitor's report from 2018, but not sure I can get to the relevant part before CC goes down for maintenance today, but I remember that HAL had several ships noted for various violations, so no, Father, HAL is not perfect, and HAL has just as much to answer for as the rest of Carnival's brands.

True. I guess I should have said a ONE time spill/discharge of gray water would be diluted enough to not effect micronutrients, cause algal blooms, etc. versus continual discharge that definitely would. And I certainly agree that non of the cruise ships are perfect in wastewater management (e.g. equipment failures, human errors, etc.) but do believe they've come a mighty long way from "way back when" on both land and sea.. 

As  far as my credentials, I've been in and out of wastewater treatment & water  management (land based only) since the mid-1970's. But no need to get in "the weeds", as it were. I certainly respect your marine experience & enjoy your 'inside' posts in the past..

In any event I'll attach a couple of 2019 report links regarding large and small cruise ships for those that would like to view specific parameters, etc. When reading scientific reports it's always been my habit to read the summaries & methods and only really "get in the weeds" (e.g. various tables, charts, etc.), if interested.

https://dec.alaska.gov/media/19075/2019-large-cruise-ship-wastewater-report-final.pdf

https://dec.alaska.gov/media/19076/2019-small-cruise-ship-and-ferry-wastewater-report-final.pdf

Be well.

Bob

Grey water isn’t a big deal actually IMHO.

Black water = raw sewage (toilet water) & kitchen sink (think chicken prep & other items not processed) and considered major contaminants if not treated via  a treatment facility.

Gray water  = bathroom shower, tub & hand wash sink water only.

I’ve had the credentials and opportunity to visit the wastewater processing facilities on several HAL ships (the smaller class from years past really) and I can say HAL has always, at least during my on- site observations & discussions with various Environmental officers to be outstanding regarding wastewater discharges.

Perhaps there was a mistake of some sort whether it be a wastewater discharge incident or airborne discharge incident ( think carbon particles on the deck in the early AM due to a incinerating problem in the late night)  but even considering the Alaskan environmental regulations me thinks HAL does pretty well, all things considering.

Just the mere air and water volume dilution factors from potential air or water pollution events that occur, aka the human condition, should give outside critics some pause.

And life goes on...

Be well.

Bob

True. No vaccines are, due to an individual’s, dare I say, one’s unique,  immunological response & processing.

The agent injected whether it be a modified live agent (hope not, old vaccinations, old school) or newer viral clones / portions (dead, non infective) of existing viral particles that ‘fool’ the spleen and bone marrow ( the so called B & T cells, aka lymphocytes,producers) into making antibodies ( the ‘good guys’).

Me thinks, and I will not  be first in line ,when and if a vaccine becomes available  soon. When it’s proven to be effective with minimal side effects I’ll be there in line.

BTW, when  a safe and effective vaccine / immunization for COVID becomes available I would think a proof of vaccination thereof, will be similar to the Yellow Fever vaccination certificates required for cruising and traveling in some countries henceforth, JMHO.

No worries. How fortunate we all are to be just worried about our next “travel experience” aboard a cruise ship.

Be well.

Bob

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I posted about this in another thread but will say it again.  We think the "rules" being practiced on Costa change what we would call a vacation cruise to a prisoner ship!   If there were no other travel options other then to take a cruise with all the new restrictions we would probably "suck it up" and take a short cruise.  However, there is a lot more to the travel world then cruises and with the kind of restrictions being imposed on Costa (and some other cruise lines now having limited European operations) we will simply avail ourselves of other opportunities.  Having cruised extensively since 1975 (far more then 1200 cruise days) my love of being on a cruise ship is not even a question.  When DW and I walk onto a ship we both feel like all the troubles of the world have been left behind and we are home!   But what is being suggested as how to operate cruises in a COVID world is just not acceptable to me.   We hope that these new restrictions are just temporary and things will move back to something close to normal once (if) there is a vaccine.  Otherwise I will talk about all the wonderful cruises we have taken while we are on extended land trips :).

 

Perhaps I can better express our feelings by explaining that we are not going to pay hundreds of dollars per passenger day to be a virtual prisoner on a ship.  It would not be much fun and apart from the wonderful experience of being at sea there would be little to attract me to that kind of voyage.  Instead of cruising 100+ days a year we can easily transition to many more land days (probably renting apartments in some favorite European cities/towns) for the same or less money then a cruise.  After reading many of the excellent discussions here on CC I have finally reached the conclusion that there is no reasonable solution to mass market cruising without a safe/effective COVID vaccine.

 

Hank

Yup. Totally agree.

Be well.

Bob

I guess I should of added that you certainly need to keep track of your on-board account regularly using the HAL app. regarding charges for PG dining, drinks purchases, etc. I've been pretty lucky in the past few years to be able to have PG dining items, aka freebies,  corrected directly by the PG Manager.

And, I do have the habit of going to the PG on embarkation day to sign up for the specialty dinners, mystery dinners, visiting chef dinners, etc. that are often offered on the longer cruises  (e.g. Grands, WC's, etc.). The PG manager aboard the Amsterdam for WC's, for example, who will remain nameless for this posting board, always mentioned that I had been pre-assigned on particular dates (usually an early appointed time on a busy port day) for the Mariner meals which I would cancel and make other arrangements.

And yes, way back when (sometime ago for us at least) one had to do the "front desk dance" to get the appropriate credit. It seems the accounting system has improved  but we do, indeed, have a snafu every now and then that's needs to be corrected prior to disembarking. Don't wait until the last couple of days to review your OB account. As mentioned, we use the app to check daily and request a hard copy every 7-10 days (there's a machine available for that but it doesn't work half the time for me). Then it's just a matter of comparing receipts to the hard copy and then tossing the smaller receipts. Obviously if you bought a watch or something that has a warranty you'd hold on to that. 

Have a great Cruise! Bon Appetit! 

Be well.

Bob 

11 hours ago, wesport said:

If you pre book the Pinnacle Grill online ahead of your cruise, do you get the credit on board for the two dinners ?

Yes.

However, the only reason  to pre-book a reservation on- line IMHO would be for a special occasion such as a BD or anniversary at a specific time.

Often with the 4/5 Mariner status the PG will have you already assigned to a particular day and time. It’s just a matter of dealing with the PG once aboard to change the day & timing to your liking.

And as mentioned, if your make reservations ahead of time via on-line, your on-line payment will be automatically be credited to you on-board  account or credited back to your credit card at the end of the cruise if you have a positive balance prior to disembarking.

Have a great cruise !

Be well.

Bob

In one of my June CC postings I mentioned jokingly that we'd probably get our luggage around Halloween. 

Little did I know...

Boo!!!

😀

Be well.

Bob 

FedEx site has revised  the departure and delivery dates to PENDING.

Encouraging development, no?

Be well.

Bob

Out of curiosity, we’re pillow chocolates included?

Be well. 
Bob

10 minutes ago, barrow said:

I have been on Fred Olsen twice and enjoyed both, but I do agree with whoever said not to use a line you have not traveled with for a big cruise. There were some things we did not like and over a long period would get tiresome. We found the entertainment a bit amateur. Ok for a week but longer? The food was lovely, but again I am not sure that it would have had the variety to sustain my interest on a longer voyage.  And the Britishness of it might need getting used to.  Our two trips were very 'good value' for 6/7 nights and we would certainly do those again, but I cant recommend a prolonged journey with them when the 'good value' becomes a bit less of a consideration..

Thank you for your impressions.

We still might give ‘em a go sometime for a 7-14 day cruise when things settle down.

Be well.

Bob

Need more information. I suppose research on my part might be in order.

First, as mentioned, I would need to do a shorter cruise before committing to a 100+ day WC aboard FO.

Second, the Liverpool / Southampton departs / arrivals would require us to do some TA’s aboard the “Queen” since I avoid flying whenever possible ( I like the Queen, only have done one, but wasn’t’ crazy about the dress code for the MDR.

Thirdly, we’d have to pay for laundry & pressing! Well, so it goes...

Seriously, we’ll be on the sidelines cheering everyone else on for the next year, perhaps longer, depending on the various outcomes / potential remedies yet to be encountered for the cruise line industry.

Be well. Better times ahead.

Bob

Just an FYI, if interested.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8798957/The-covid-cruise-ship-graveyard-Passenger-liners-stripped-scrap-Turkish-dock.html

Be well. Better days ahead.

Bob

11 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Ours is the 5th as well. Six and 1/2 months since we last saw it, good news is we have five tracking numbers which equals the number of pieces we have.

Ditto on the 5th for scheduled delivery to Northern Arizona.

Be well.

Bob

19 minutes ago, bennybear said:

 

The guests had to be tested negative prior  to even flying by chartered air to the cruise.   The issue arose when the Greek government did random testing of crew and got a lot of false positives which both the cruise ship and the Greek government retested and found all to be negative.

Good point for this particular story.

I was just speculating when the re-start begins & the cruise lines start doing testing at embarkation ports (and I might add, prior proof of testing that may be required) & what remedies might exist for ‘false negative’ testing on-site.

It’s all speculation at this point with no specific guidelines / mandates / protocols provided by the government or cruise line vendors.

There is no antigen testing, antibody testing or vaccine protection, for that matter, that has been proven to be 100% accurate / effective (polio eradication in the USA and some others are exceptions to the generalities, I.e. yearly influenzas, vector borne pathogens, etc). I could be wrong. 

And so, the “human condition” continues.

All please be well & remain to be so.

Bob

I'm glad everything worked out after all the re-testing versus the 'doom and 'gloom' of the initial reporting's by multiple new agencies.

However, it makes one wonder that if one gest a "false negative" during the embarkation processing that 12-24 hours later turns out to be just another "false positive" if the cruise line will fly you to the next port, refund your cruise payment and pay your way home (for PR purposes, I suppose) or just tell ya to 'pound sand and say, "You didn't get our "Platinum" insurance policy.

Interesting thoughts to ruminate upon.

We'll be on the 'sidelines' for at least a year at this point whether a vaccine comes out by Q1, 2021 or somewhat later in 2021 / later.

All be well.

Bob 

Just an FYI.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8781035/Coronavirus-outbreak-cruise-ship-sailing-Greece.html

Be well.

Bob

Generally speaking for us these days, we prefer late seating and a requested table for 2. Once on-board I speak with the DR Manager, or whoever is working the computer seating chart screen during embarkation hours, and request a table for 4  for just the 2 of us (as mentioned).

2nd seating is fairly open for such requests. We like a table for the 2 of us so we can invite other folks we know or have met to join us, and, if we don't feel like company, we just enjoy ourselves. I would also say we also enjoy specialty dinners at the PG, other dining venues and, occasionally just doing a Lido or room service meal following an elongated tour day. I would say, anymore, we go to the MDR approx. 70% of the time. We always, or at least try, to tell our wait staff that we would not be showing up the following night for the aforementioned planned situations if we can.   

I also might add, that the late seating of 8:00 P.M. is not "set in stone" as often times (after conferring with your table staff) you can arrive at 7:30 / 7:45 with no problems. You can ask for a specific table (ship dining room seating charts are on HAL Facts and other internet sites) but there's no guarantee of a particular table since the charts posted do not match the 'current' table locations. 

And, BTW, in the past we've enjoyed larger tables (somewhat of a 'crap shoot' with the other folks you're sitting with for X amount of days) but as I've aged, even wearing hearing aides, I have difficulty keeping up with the conversations. If you decide on a large, round table, I would recommend 'musical chairs, aka everyone sits at a different location every night to get to know one another easier..

Good luck and enjoy your cruise regardless of your dining preferences.

Be well.

Bob

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2000/cruise-ship--1432-passengers-stock-no-s2547-3699676/

Me thinks no other cruise lines are ‘scrambling ’ to purchase either ships at the moment.

Be well.

Bob