lesliedrew

I am arriving at Heathrow at 9:15 AM, May 9 (V313).  I figure I will arrive by car at Southampton Ocean Cruise Terminal about noon.  My boarding pass asks that I please arrive no earlier than 15:30.  What do I do for three plus hours?  Can I board earlier?  Is there a place to check my luggage?  Do I just sit on the dock on my luggage and hope it doesn't rain?  I just spoke with Cunard and confirmed that there is nowhere to wait or sit.  Others must have this problem.  Any ideas or suggestions?  Thanks.

Thank you bluemarble for your help.  Strangely, my booking confirmation looks nothing like yours.  After much time on the phone with Cunard I learned that I cannot make a transfer booking online, must do it by phone.  

My next problem is that my plane arrives at 7:10 AM and I would have to wait in arrivals until about 10:30 for a Cunard representative and a little later for the coach.  A three hour wait doesn't sound very pleasant so I will look for other possibilities.  

Point of information for other readers:  My booking summary on mycunard shows "invalid date" for all the dates.  That and possibly other pieces of misinformation are because I use Safari as my browser.  So, other Safari users beware.  Life is so complicated!  

I’m trying to find information on Cunard Coach service roundtrip from LHR to Southampton Cruise Terminal and can’t locate anything on the Cunard website.  I’ve spoken to Cunard and all they can tell me is that it costs $90.

Can anyone tell me where it is on the website?  I’m a solo traveler so a taxi or car is quite expensive and the coach would work fine … if I can find information!  Don’t plan to use OBC - all I need is when and where.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks.  That helps.  

Thanks.  I have that information.  It shows a picture but doesn't describe the jacket.  I'm hoping someone who has recently done the cruise will give a bit more information.

I’ve just booked a ten day Alaskan cruise on the Odyssey for Sept 6 and have some questions that aren’t answered on the Seabourn website.  I called Seabourn and want to clarify their answers with some Cruise Critic experienced travelers.

Jackets provided by Seabourn:  Are they fairly light weight jackets that will protect you from wind and rain but not provide much warmth?  Or do they have a warm lining?  Does one need to bring down, fleece or wool for warmth?  Parkas for Antarctica and the Bering Sea were very heavy and provided all the necessary warmth.  I have a feeling that ones for this cruise are lighter.

Shorex cancellations:  Was told that one can cancel a Shorex up to three days before sailing without penalty.  Later than that there can be a penalty of up to 100%.  You can’t know the penalty until you discuss it on the ship.  I was going to pick all my excursions now and perhaps change one or two after sailing.  Is that a bad idea?  I might decide I’ve seen enough whales and would rather have a crab feast!

Wet/Dry landings:  Are the zodiac landings generally dry … don’t need tall, Bogs type boots.  You don’t step off into water?  Regular short or ankle shoes will work?

Comments and other tips appreciated.  Thanks for your help.

I just spoke with my Silversea representative and he said that since we are boarding in an EU port we fall under the 24 hour testing rule.  Silversea will be providing testing through May 31.  At one place on the email it shows Apr 30 and another shows May 31.  I read the Apr 30.  So pier-side testing seems easiest unless your hotel provides testing within the 24 hr period.  Sorry for the previous long post.

May 2 cruise, Athens to Athens.  I just received my ticket and am still confused about boarding requirements.  Specifically, page 3 as follows:

• • Up To Date Vaccinated Guests: If you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you must provide a negative Covid-19 antigen or PCR test result, administered by a verified third party (either a laboratory or pharmacy), taken no more than 3 days prior to boarding your ship. If you are unable to obtain a negative test in time for embarkation, Silversea will continue to provide complimentary pier-side testing prior to boarding the ship, through April 30, 2022.
  • IMPORTANT FOR ANY GUEST EMBARKING IN AN EU PORT: Please note that the EU requires that all embarking guests must hold proof of a valid antigen negative test result (administered by a verified third party, either a laboratory or pharmacy) PERFORMED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF EMBARKATION. Please click here for information regarding EU entry and testing protocols.

I am up to date vaccinated so seem to need a test 3 days prior to boarding.  If I cannot  work that out because I leave home 3 days before what do I do?  It seems that Silversea only provides testing until April 30.  I will be in Athens on May 1 but because it is May Day it may be difficult to find a test.

OK if I solve this, am I a GUEST EMBARKING IN AN EU PORT?  If so, does that change the testing requirement to 24 hours?  I must get test on May 1?  I hope I’m making this more complicated than it really is and that someone can give me a simple answer.  Should I be tested within 24 hours or within three days?  It makes a big difference in planning.

Dec 2 FLL - GYE

I was feeling pretty good about getting Business flights from GYE to SEA through SilverSky.  That all changed when I got an URGENT NOTIFICATION from them saying they have no business inventory and giving me three options that basically said we'll book you in economy or book your own.  Yesterday I printed the confirmed flights from the American Airlines website and today the return flights had disappeared.  Called AA and they said my travel agent (SilverSky) had cancelled them.  What's going on?  It's now in the hands of my TA.  

As of this morning My Silversea is pretty much updated.  Itinerary now shows

12 - Golfito

13 - Puerto Quepos

14 - Puntarenas

15 - sea

16 - sea

17 - Manta

18 - Guayaquil

I had done a little research myself on flights out of Guayaquil and it looked really grim.  Was pleased to see that Silver Air had found reasonable Business flights 

GYE /MIA/ATL/SEA.  Not great.  I don't like two stops but departing at 7:30 AM and arriving at 8:14 PM isn't too bad.  I usually book my own flights but decided to use Silver Air just for this type of situation and I'm glad I did!

Little mention of lecturers … comments?  Interested in LA to Hawaii and return.  Thanks.

I also have Silver Mooncxl for Athens to Mumbai.  Doesn't look good.  Today I changed my independent flight arrangements to Silversea because I couldn't get flights home from Mumbai.  Silversea took my money to book the flights. Would they do that if the cruise has been cancelled?  Who knows!  

It’s down to 60 days until I leave Nov 1 Athens to Dubai, Nov 17 Dubai to Mumbai on the Moon.  I’m thinking positive so it’s time to work on an Indian visa.  Was surprised to learn that e-visas are presently suspended and then that travel for tourism is not permitted.  I assumed that the reason Mumbai was in question was the covid risks.  While that is certainly still true, it appears that India must open tourist visas before Silversea could even consider ports in India.    My thinking just became less positive.

Help … please … someone tell me my information is wrong …

If we can’t go to Mumbai I’m hoping Silversea will still do the Nov 17 cruise with added time in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain and Khasab then end back in Dubai.  An extra day in each would be great.

I just returned from seven days on the Constellation on Puget Sound in Washington.  It was the "maiden" voyage since Covid with 73 passengers on a ship with 175 capacity.  First let me say that everyone seemed happy and satisfied with the trip.  While we were all aware of Covid and it did impact the experience, it was still a good cruise.

The rules were no masks needed on deck.  Masks required indoors except when eating or drinking.  So, one should wear a mask to the lounge at cocktail time, remove the mask while drinking, mask up for the walk to the dining room, remove mask for eating, etc!  Most people generally followed those rules though compliance tapered off as the days went by.  There was no enforcement by crew.  The lounges and dining room had big signs saying to observe 6 foot distancing ... but chairs were lined up next to each other and people were sitting shoulder to shoulder.  You could eat anywhere, dine with anyone.  

All passengers were vaccinated so didn't seem very worried and were just happy to be traveling again.  It was my first ACL trip and I will make some further comments later.  Happy to answer questions.

I am on part of your trip ... Nov 1 - 26, Athens to Mumbai and have been wondering the same thing.  Perhaps they will just bypass the Mumbai and southern India part and head directly to Phuket.  That would work for you but I'm supposed to get off in Mumbai!  I'm flexible so if I have to stay on a little longer it's OK as long as the price is right.  Lots of speculation between now and October.  

On 2/1/2021 at 4:15 PM, Izena said:

Just checked  ACL site.   PUGET Sound April 6, has shown that all categories are full. Indicated by wait list.     April 13 this weekend  showed availability for all categories except single and single with balcony.  Today all categories show wait list.    

I am thinking positive.  Perhaps they are moving everything to wait list so they can work out and arrange which cabin are to be used with 75% occupancy ??  I'm also realistic and haven't started packing ...

Is anyone else booked on the Constellation for the first cruise in the Northwest on April 13 (seven days Seattle to Seattle)?  We are just a week from final payment and I can't decide whether to pay up or not.  I really want to go and am willing put up with mask wearing, distancing, etc. but realistically don't expect the cruise to go.  I hate to pay, have ACL cancel, and then have the wait and uncertainty involved in getting a refund.  

I just spoke with ACL and they said the trip is still on and they were not extending final payment date.  He said that they were currently only concerned about shore excursions.  Apparently they are still working on whether ports will allow shore excursions or passengers off the ship.  They don't want to do a cruise where passengers cannot do excursions.  I didn't ask about vaccines and covid testing.  Before committing I would like to know what their current plans and requirements are for passengers and crew.  

Thoughts, comments???  Have you made your final payment?  Thanks.

Does anyone know where the Spirit is now or where it's headed?  I keep thinking about all those sea days and hoping the passengers are getting close to getting home.

Best to all of you.

jeffkauf, this is the email I received from Silversea:

Dear Silversea Guest,

Following the announcements of the Governments of India, Colombo and United Arab Emirates, among others, closing their ports to all cruise ships Silversea has taken the difficult decision to  cancel the following cruises. We regret these cancellations but due to the sudden, unexpected and massive port closures to all cruise ships it becomes impossible for us to guarantee to you the great Silversea experience you are used to enjoy:

•        Silver Spirit 5006 – 15^th March to 25^th March – Mumbai to Dubai

•        Silver Spirit 5007 – 25^th of March to 10^th of April – Dubai to Piraeus

You will receive a full refund in the original method of payment, plus a refund of up to 2 pre-cruise independent hotel nights reservations as well as the cancellation cost of any independent air arrangements upon presentation of the expenses to our guest relations department. In addition, as a goodwill gesture, you will receive a future cruise credit of 25% of the booked cruise value to be used on any new booking for the next 2 years.

Unfortunately we are facing an unprecedented situation which is out of our control, we are deeply sorry to have to cancel these cruises and look forward to welcoming aboard one of our beautiful ships soon. 

Very generous.  This for the United States ... assume it is the same for others.

poskashflo, hope all is well on your ship.  We'd all like to know of your progress and where you finally dock.

Thanks , Poskashflo, for the information.  We will all really appreciate updates.  

lesliedrew

I just spoke to "someone" at Silversea and he said there is a new policy and I would get a FCC (for cruise only) if I cancelled.  He was reluctant to give me any other details or clarification saying I should talk to my Silversea consultant.  I'm waiting for him to return my call.  Anxious to hear what he has to say about Washington state.

Wren2, I couldn't find anything saying Doha was closed because of Covid-19.  I think their new cruise terminal may still be under construction and that may be closed but Doha can still dock ships.

Best to all of you whether on this cruise or using a FCC to some other wonderful destination.

lesliedrew

Is anyone else concerned about the Mar 15 Spirit departure from Mumbai?  

I am booked on that departure.  Haven't cancelled yet but am getting seriously worried about getting to Mumbai and being denied boarding.  Though I'm not from any of the newly denied countries, I am from Seattle, WA where things are getting more and more interesting.  I live in a Senior community with additional restrictions each day.  No one other than residents and employees allowed into our building.  

If I cough at the wrong time or I answer a question wrong I could be denied boarding ... and then get a full refund?  If I cancel now I get nothing.  Or the Mumbai port could deny docking ... then what?  Is it worth a flight to Mumbai or should I just cancel?   Decisions, decisions ... 

The new June to Dec 30 day policy seems fair but what about March to May?  

Any word on what Spirit will do with the three nights they will miss in Myanmar?  What's being said on board?

Thanks.

https://www.mmtimes.com/news/about-turn-myanmar-cancels-cruise-ship-visit.html

Don't travel solo on Oceania. Some of the suggestions here are good ... like Trivia, but the 24 days I did solo were mostly awful. It was like Noah's Ark ... everything was two by two. Sitting at a shared table with an empty chair and being ignored was not pleasant. You might say it was just me but I've traveled solo in many other situations and had great experiences.