HappyInVan

At that end of the update, there is this cautionary... “Global COVID-19 regulations and protocols are continuously changing and we may revise or modify these requirements (effective immediately) to evolve in line with the latest practices at any time. Please check back regularly for any updates.” In view of the many countries involved in a typical itinerary, there is the likelihood that some country's requirements will change over time. For example, the concession for the self-administered test may be cancelled for un-vax pax if their numbers are bad. Thinking ahead, how would a ship control a large outbreak onboard? Use of masks? What would happen if the ship doesn't get covid under control? Chaos at disembarkation... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2882896-covid-experience-nieuw-statendam-september-7th-%E2%80%93-17th-quebec-city-to-boston/#comments Every piece of the travel experience is part of a system. There are no freebies.

Just a heads up. Princess has updated their protocols September 26 for Canada and Greece. Seems that they are maintaining Enhanced protocols for the long ocean voyages... https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/vaccine-testing-requirements/ In any case, un-vax pax require tests. No free pass for them! We should soon hear from HAL. I do not expect their protocols to be drastically different from Princess. Happy cruising!

Here's an interesting note... "Individuals are reminded that they should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID-19. If travellers become sick while travelling, and are still sick when they arrive in Canada, they should inform a flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer upon arrival. They may then be referred to a quarantine officer who will decide whether the traveller needs further medical assessment as COVID-19 remains one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act." https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-to-remove-covid-19-border-and-travel-measures-effective-october-1.html

Thanks. Fortunately, the Canadian cruise season is ending in just weeks. I was on the NS and there was a lot of infection onboard. Desperately coughing people not wearing masks. Resulting in... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2882896-covid-experience-nieuw-statendam-september-7th-–-17th-quebec-city-to-boston/

Yes, but what about the Transport's Ministry's orders on cruise travel?

You may be right!

Sept 9? That'll be the NCL Pearl docking at Wharf 30? https://www.portquebec.ca/en/cruises/vessel-schedules/seasonal-schedule Assuming that they shuttle you to the cruise terminal (Wharf 22), you could leave your luggage there. https://www.portquebec.ca/en/cruises/information-for-cruise-ship-passengers/access-to-docks Or, you could walk to (15 minutes) the train station (Gare du Palais) and leave your luggage there. Assuming that they let you walk out of the secure area. It'll be easier to later get a taxi from the train station. Alternately, you could try the Musée de la civilisation (10-5pm) $19-$24 and its coatroom. Its just across Rue Dalhousie from Wharf 22. https://www.mcq.org/en/plan-a-visit/schedules-rates-location Should you wish to visit the old town, Bus 11 goes by the cruise terminal (and train station) and up the steep hill and pass the City Hall. It'll be an easy walk down from the old town to the cruise terminal or train station. https://www.rtcquebec.ca/en/schedules-and-routes/bus-schedule/all-routes/11/pointe-de-sainte-foy The rates for a taxi... https://www.aeroportdequebec.com/en/airport-access/taxis-and-limousine Enjoy

"Accessing the wharfsYou can access Wharf 30 from Rue de l’Estuaire via Rue Abraham-Martin.Since the dock is used for industrial operations and recreational activities, only authorized vehicles can access it during cruise season.Even though the dock is just minutes from Old Québec on foot, a shuttle service is available for passengers and crew members." https://www.portquebec.ca/en/cruises/information-for-cruise-ship-passengers/access-to-docks

I read the article linked by the OP. Short of specifics about future plans. Nice sound-bite though. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-from/the-united-states.html?ICID=HECIZ0726221937 Lets look at the facts. People not familiar with HAL might not realize that HAL is a specialist in longer cruises. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise.html Out of 576 itineraries currently listed (to April 2024), 415 (72%) are >9 days. 199 (35%) are more >16 days. Most are RT. In fact, you can B4B as many times as you like until you disembark at your preferred port. For example, the Koningsdam starts and ends the Alaska season with a voyage to Hawaii. Fire and ice over 23/25/32 days, RT from Vancouver. Your choice. Veteran HAL pax have long crafted their long-haul travel plans around HAL's itineraries on the seven seas. It may be that some vacationers want a longer or shorter version of the current itineraries. However, this means that the the entire season has to be rescheduled. Ports to be re-booked.

HAL was founded in 1873 as a shipping company. Running longer voyages (like Cunard 1879) to far places. As I recall, HAL has always offered several long voyages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_America_Line Today, the longer voyages make sense because they offer the elderly (a growing market) an opportunity for 'adventure'. Aloha! They make economic sense because these itineraries are often heavily booked, and pricey. Profits, profits, profits! IMHO, HAL should continue to sharpen their focused strategy. Rather than compete on a me-too basis against the big ships.

I was on the Koningsdam this spring. The dock used by HAL is in the centre of the port, and is in the best position. Its called the Broadway Dock because it is at the end of Broadway Street. We docked with the bow pointing to the exit (Taiya Inlet). The mouth of the Skagway River and the airport were located on our starboard. Off the stern, there was a little station where the White Pass train picked up our excursion pax. The Railroad dock was located on our port-side, next to a cliff! The White Pass railroad also parked rolling stock in the vicinity. Other forums have already posted reports on the landslides affecting Railroad Dock.

Back on topic. Anyone know what happened to the latest $1b offer? CCL market price immediately fell below the offer price. Did the underwriters underwrite, or is CCL in deep deep trouble?

Koningsdam 4126 is an obstructed verandah. You can see the sky. I'll take it in a heartbeat over an inside. The only reservation about 4126 is the service gallery in front of your room. It could be a noisy area serving the dining room on Deck 3. Map here... https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships/ms-koningsdam/2.html

Very very sorry about your ordeal. Hope that your aunt recovers fully. Thanks for sharing.

It's not a matter of 'going away'. Its a matter of survival. Choosing a good time to raise cash in order to live on to fight another day. Too often, companies and individuals go BK because they are unwilling to do the emotionally hard things. Allowing the crisis to spiral downwards until the matter is out of their hands. I would hope that the Arison family would behave in a responsible way to protect all shareholders (themselves included) and their employees. That said, it is difficult to find new investors because of the uncertain nature of covid. Nonetheless, HAL is IMO an attractive proposition. Having less debt because it has expanded its fleet less than other Carnival subsidiaries. It has a loyal customer base, and a good reputation. As a customer, I hope that HAL is soon sold to strong investors. Allowing HAL to escape a conglomerate that has over-expanded and has cut too many corners.

Has anyone done this itinerary? Has anyone done this cruise? Its rather expensive. Was it worth it? The flight leaves from Paris. What time was it? Was it a charted flight? Who is the operator? Thanks so much any help.

There's an opportunity to book a single stateroom on the NS. But, it's located at the bow. Its tight, but I'm really concerned about noise and motion. Has anyone travelled in these cabin on the New England/Atlantic Canada itinerary? Any feedback is welcome. Thanks.

FYI, Morgan Stanley is a large organization with 75k employees. The analysts are in different departments from the portfolio managers and wealth advisors. I'm sure that their remuneration is based on different criterion from the decision makers and managers. https://www.theofficialboard.com/org-chart/morgan-stanley-investment-management Among the managers, some will be long and some may be bearish. The company is a big player in the issuance of new securities. So, there may be important feedback from the securities market to the analysts and managers.

MHO, CCL must start selling its brands soon. They can only start paying off their enormous debt of $30b by selling entire units/brands. Its not enough to sell a few ships. Realistically, the large cruise companies can only realize a reasonable amount of value in their ships with an orderly sale of the brands+ships. Should there be a forced liquidation, there would simply be a glut in the ship market. However, the sale of units does not solve the industry's over-capacity problem. It merely draws in fresh money to pay debt. That's why the recent comments by Morgan Stanley etc has inspired so much fear. They're saying that the cruise industry has reached the point of no return. We're looking at the imminent demise of large cruise companies. And, the first disaster will inspire fear among pax for the rest of the industry.

I was afraid of that. Sooner or later, someone has to say that the king has no clothes. Fortunately, I've no FCC outstanding with any cruise company. And, I've only one booking with a paid FP. Fingers crossed! 😎

+1 There'll be a great deal of debate about 'fit' and economies of scale. That said, I'm willing to be patient about the industry's shake-out. What will be, will be. The important thing is to minimize the amount of FCC we hold.

I would not compare Crystal to CCL. Crystal was a small hobby horse that the owners allowed to run into the ground. The suppliers cut off deliveries because the owners couldn't make a deal for new money. CCL is a more professional operation. They're keenly aware of their cash flow situation. They'll try to liquidate their assets in an orderly manner. The question is who do they keep, and who do they sell? With an orderly deal, the pax will be protected because customer goodwill is important. That said, my advise is to keep your FCC to a minimal. No one knows how this thing will progress.

My Ponant 'travel book' arrived about 2 weeks before embarkation. Includes promotional booklet, luggage tags and health questionnaire. Do check the embarkation information. To my surprise, the ship was at Hafnarfjorour, not Reykjavik's old harbor. My taxi arrived at the wrong gate. Access to the ship was via Fornubudir, not Óseyrarbraut as specified in the travel book. 🙄

Hmmmm. It's possible that its the creditors who take the initiative. Before we get to that point, we can expect more downsizing and asset liquidation. IMHO, it's okay to buy a hundred shares at this price level for OBC. Investors (>100k shares) need to assess the risk carefully. Better to buy on good news?

+1