wesport

2 minutes ago, Gigi1977 said:

Have insurance, but seems like it would be easier just to take the same itinerary at a later date. 

2 minutes ago, Gigi1977 said:

 

You need to contact HAL or your TA, people who know about your booking.  Explain the circumstances and see what happens.  You will receive the best advice there- not here where there will be many conflicting opinions and not facts.  I do hope you have travel insurance.  Happy Cruising. 

We have a future cruise coming up that we may have to cancel for health reasons. Not a done deal yet.  Its the 10 day panama canal in and out of Fort Lauderdale.  Not a done deal yet, but may happen next week. Has anyone been able to rebook the identical itinerary or new itinerary at a higher rate in the future?  Have all the paper work organized just in case, but its like writing a book. Would be easier to just to take a later cruise and pay the additional monies, but rules are rules. 

As far as the internet cafe, I have never seen more than one or two people using the actual desktop pcs. Agree with the Lido lines. We always look for other venues for lunch. Dive in, Pinnacle, NY deli on pinnacle ships, lunch in port, etc. HAL could address this issue I think with more signage.  

You could also read the NYT on your ipad via the HAL navigator app. Hope this isn't true. 

That previously was one of the Cuba itineraries.  Many cancelled when the itineraries were changed due to the Trump administrations travel ban. One of the reasons the stock plummeted yesterday. Carnival loosing many millions of dollars across all lines. 

There have been certain nights where they advertise a discount, but I have never asked for a discount. 

The 12 night 11/4 and 11/16 sailings were just reduced again to $2699 for an ob.  The 12/10 11 night that ends in San juan is now $2399.  Most Carnival lines are slashing the previous Cuba itineraries to fill cabins. Cuba change is definitely not good for the bottom line. 

Travel agents can give you additional on board credits in addition to the cruise line. Best thing to do is shop around. OB is a balcony guarantee. Can be a v1or higher unless you do an oceanview suite. Over the years, I have tended to go back to the same agency. 

Both HAL and Seabourn's website are a mess. Many times after being on for a few minutes, it says you don't have any future cruises. Close the browser, relog back in and sometimes it works. You have to get used to it. 

1 minute ago, raphael360 said:

Excellent news.  I almost mentioned they may do that for you but didn’t want to jinx it. Gift shop here you come and good work TA 😀

Might just get one of those 95 dollar Seabourn polos I have admired on past cruises. 

Heard back from my TA just now. Seabourn will give us an additional $500 pp in a nonrefundable OBC for the fare difference. Wasn't expecting that. Another reason to stick with Seabourn.  Have another scheduled for May 5. Looking forward do drinking some upgraded wines in the Caribbean.  

3 hours ago, raphael360 said:

I will be very interested to hear how your TA makes out on this issue.  I'm assuming you've made final payment and are in the non-refundable period.

Final was end of August for the 11/28 12 day. No expectations. When I stayed on, v4 was $3999( reduced to 3799 for staying on). Now v4 is 3299, and v5 is 3799. Prices reduced further from my original post.   Best scenario will probably be upgraded to a v5. Most v5 and v6 cabins are still showing as available.  Sent email to TA over the weekend. Should hear from her today.  Have a 5/5/20 also scheduled, so maybe something will be added to that one.  If nothing happens , I am fine. No big deal.  

The last thing I am going to do is drag beverages on board when I am on vacation. The most I will bring is one bottle of wine per person.  That's it. I am on vacation , thank you. 

You could always donate it to cancer when they do the walk for a cure on the promenade. 

We always rent a clamshell shade. Swim, Walk, Have Lunch, then leisurely head back  to the ship. A lot of our friends stay on the ship, but the beach is so wonderful, you would be missing out on the beauty. Have a $13 pina colada. 25% tax on drinks when on the island. Relax, you are on vacation. 

As of today my v4 is 3299 vs 3999. Higher categories are less than what I paid, so I sent an email to my TA. Figured why not. No expectations, but maybe I will get a v5 or v6 . 

Just reaching out to see what one would do in my situation. 

Booked one of the Cuba cruises over a year ago. V4 cabin.  When we got the email with incentives to stay, we got a 5 percent discount on the published fare $3999 down to $3799.  Also got additional obc of $500  per cabin.  

Now of course two months before sailing the v4 rate is $3699 with a $600 obc.

In addition, the OB is now $2999 pp.  

So someone booking now is basically $300 less per person with $100 more in obc. 

My gut is to just let it go and enjoy the cruise.

Thoughts

3 hours ago, Isklaar said:

I sometimes forget how lucky we are to be in South Florida.

3 hours ago, Isklaar said:

While you're enjoying your Uber back home after disembarkation, we'll embark that day. After a 13 hour flight to Miami (including connections) from our home base in the UK a couple of days before! At times I'm very envious of Floridians.

If you click on Set Sail event, then your geographical area, cruises are listed with promo items. Each cruise is different. 

The 12 day previous Cuba cruises out of Miami have been reduced to around $250 a day pp.  Great deal if you can get to Miami easily.  Makes me wish I would have cancelled my 11/28 before final and watched the prices.  Oh well, live and learn. Still looking forward to taking Uber from Fort Lauderdale to MIA for 12 days on Seabourn. 

Club status means nothing. Completely random. 

Being a five star mariner, and having done many HAL cruises, I find myself transitioning to Seabourn.  HALs intersting itineraries are on the mid size ships.  Liking a balcony or higher on the mid size ships can be very expensive on HAL. When you price a Vista Suite with HSC, wine, and on board expenses, Seabourn can sometimes be cheaper. The larger ships do give HAL pricing power. Still sail HAL when the itinerary and pricing are good. 

I have found lately, after final payment HAL won't budge. I recently booked a neptune suite for a ten day cruise. After final, price drop and free internet.  My TA called not for any price adjustment , but for the internet. Told New bookings only. It doesn't affect how much I will enjoy my cruise. Ten days in  Neptune suite will be heaven. 

We live in Fort Lauderdale, and do a lot of last minute cruises.  We did an interior on Princess just to see if we would like it. I will tell you, I will never do an interior again unless I don't have the money to cruise.  Have done two ocean view rooms.  Not bad, but now my threshold is a balcony or higher.  Even an obstructed balcony is OK.  Just will never do an interior again. Once the door was closed, you felt like you were in prison.