KirkNC

3 hours ago, Melissaghoti said:

Could it be that because a TA doesn’t visit many ports where guests might be exposed and later infected influences the difference in protocols?

 

Melissa

Could be, our March TA only has two ports.

Well congratulations to both!

This is an interesting twist with AZ has much included in the base fare.  Gratuities would be one we would use OBC on other lines but that doesn’t work here.  I wish they would allow OBC to go to the “extra tip” pool.  To spend ours, we are booking more ship excursions then normal, hopefully will spend some in restaurants including the CT.  If we have too, I will slurp some expensive wine, the sacrifices one must make 😜.

We have a B2B2B on the Quest starting March 6th.  I have received multiple emails from AZ in the last 48 hours outlining the new/current health protocols.  Here’s the problem, none of the emails actually reference a specific cruise, they just say your “upcoming cruise “.   And guess what, some of the protocols says masks are required, some say recommend.  So I will have a mask handy until they can tell me which cruise is which.

Happy Saturday!

Bon voyage!

Just now, RynoWally said:

I went ahead and booked it just now, its basically a free 14 day cruise, just need to pay for Port Fees and Taxes, and of course the flights. If I have to get the booster, fine, I guess. With that savings it was very hard to pass up.

👍

14 minutes ago, POA1 said:

Hawaii dropped their booster requirement.

 

https://hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/news-releases/2022/covid-19-booster-shots-not-required-for-travel-to-hawaii/

Thanks, not surprising as most mandates/requirements are being loosened.  

29 minutes ago, RynoWally said:

Yeah, I know. I understand both sides, I have already had covid. I also have a wife who is type 1 diabetic who is boosted, but after much discussion with her and my physician about current factors, I've decided to not do it. To each their own. Maybe I will reassess next year, maybe....

Good luck, hope you can go!

I would be fine with not going to Nassau!

1 minute ago, RynoWally said:

Very much appreciated, I guess I have until Mid March when the offer goes until, to make a decision, I thought the Netherlands dropped vaccination status and only went to testing, but this makes more sense. Unless things change I will probably have to pass on the free cruise....Such a good deal to only have to pay the port fees and taxes, makes me wonder how desperate the industry is.

Geez, seems a shame to miss out on a free cruise over a shot and believe me, I am tired and wanting to move on as well but I am triple vaccinated.

The only line I am aware of that requires it is Azamara starting March 1st.  HAL did advise passengers booked on the Feb 27th Zuiderdam sailing to Hawaii that “it was highly likely “ that Hawaii would require it for that cruise.  We ended up canceling so not sure how it is today.  At this point the requirements are going to be driven by the country and ports you visit.

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

She just needed on sea day - arrangements such as this have been made on some B2B’s if all they need are sea days.

Understood, pleasantly surprised she got it but I’m ok with that.

54 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Go to the Pinnacle for lunch at least once - well worth the $15 charge IMO plus if you are 3-5 Stars you get a discount.

Best deal on the ship IMO.

Why not use the Emed tests?  Preorder and do the supervised test either right before your flight or in the hotel.

1 hour ago, OVgirl said:

I was short 1 day for 4*. I contacted Mariner Society because technically after stepping on the ship I'd be 4*.  They said to go to Guest Services after boarding and they would give me 4* status for that whole cruise.

 

So contact them and explain and you could get the next level right away.

I thought the policy was your credit was AFTER the cruise.  I remember they made a big deal on a world cruise one time that they would roll your status up during the voyage if appropriate.

On 10/7/2021 at 10:56 AM, Heartgrove said:

 

Yes, makes total sense. I was counting on spending days for the difference (easy to do) but now I am trying to see if we can squeeze another cruise in before the first of the two Europe cruises starting on September 28, 2022. That way I can be assured having the 4-star by then. The Pinnacle-class is nice having the Vista Suite for a fraction more than a Verandah but still getting the Suite Bonus. Actually just re-read the Mariner FAQ which states it may take 7-10 days to post.

Be cheaper to just pay for laundry.

2 minutes ago, farjar said:

On our Koningsdam cruise in Oct. the MDR was only open for lunch on sea days.  The same menu was served each day.  

We usually enjoy the MDR for lunch but not if the menu is the same everyday.  I wonder if that is true on longer voyages as well.

Just now, ORV said:

It has been our experience that a lot of people don't want to go to the specialty on embarkation day, for various reasons, and odds are good to get an extra reservation on that night. Other than that I usually don't try to change what we've already set up. We usually try to dine early and generally get it, but frequently by sharing, which we're ok with. 

Makes sense on embarkation day.

Just now, ORV said:

Yes, I know all that, but are you saying that you can improve your times by talking to them in person on boarding day? It's always been my impression that they are there for people that aren't familiar with using the internet and want to do their booking in person. As far as adding extras, I have asked on boarding day(for that night) and have been told to check with the Maitre D at whatever specific venue we're interested in after 5:30

Understand we have only been on a couple of O cruises but yes, we have been able to improve our times in person on boarding day.  Not necessarily every booking but always at least one plus we have been able to add additional bookings. I don't think we have ever added or changed a booking that was for the embarkation day.

8 minutes ago, ORV said:

You don't do them online as soon as they're available? Are the options going to be any better doing it in person on embarkation day? Is there some secret to getting better times doing it this way? I've always done it on line. 

We are only allowed two reservations and we don't get access to book until all the suites have booked.  We find we often can only book odd times, early or late.  Once onboard they have a table setup that you can usually change your time and add additional booking.

On 2/4/2022 at 8:12 PM, Roccaforte said:

All of our cruises on Riviera and Insignia were at terminal J.  Convenient terminal with parking just across the street.  

Good to know, thanks!

My concern with late arrival is restaurant reservations.  That’s one of the first things we do.  We travel in steerage do have low priority in pre booking.

I think part of depends on timing.  I have only seen where people have been put ashore at their scheduled disembarkation port.  I have not seen people offloaded at random ports but I guess it might have happened. 

This is not good that people can’t get through 😳😳.