kathy49

Clearly recent reports they are almost at full capacity despite outbreaks of covid and lack of staff.

That is great however from eye witness reports all travelers do not think like you do. With the lack of required testing to return home for US travelers I agree with the comment above...they will not be as careful and many more will be on the planes with Covid. Just the facts. High season is kicking in, pent up travel demand and you can expect airports/ships/trains/planes etc. all to be packed. I think it will be difficult for cruise lines to enforce masking onboard when basically the rest of the travel world is ignoring it. You just have to be up for the challenge or not take vacations where you are guaranteed to be around lots of people. Right now cruises are a high risk venture for covid.

To the OP Dhanakorn....Thank you so much for possibly the best trip report I have ever read. You present exact enough details, the photos are professional quality and just stunning. This report actually makes me want to go on an Alaska Cruise and I have never had that feeling before. It just seems like you really know how to travel ie enjoy a balanced trip with some excursions and some independent exploring. Of course the chances of weather like you had are minimal. I have seen reports from the next week and I think the rains hit. Again thank you as it is clear this took some time to put together. So many will benefit from such a great report and so nice to get away from posts with all the covid drama. Hope to see your next adventure report!!

Okay there it is in writing so not sure what the OP is talking about because no government fees go up that much. I saw the show that this was discussed and Cruise lines do not pay airlines until ticketed with early ticketing...in one case an entire Delta itinerary was shifted to multi connecting flights on AA with no seats assigned. I think the smartest way to try to insure the original flight schedule is to just ticket it when booked. But then I would not accept AA in place of DL and need more control over my booking In fact I would probably just book myself and take my chances....but I guess with Covid and so much changing better to let cruise line handle it. These people were on phone with EZ Air night after night for many hours and never got the change back to DL.

okay did not realize they would guarantee the price. With the scenario presented above with the add collect of over $800 that could not all be fees.

this was not a fee....the price of the air ticket is NEVER guaranteed until ticketed. So if you want to hold the price of the ticket you need to ticket when reservation is made. These people waiting and then decided to ask for ticketing but the price had gone up. Until you are ticketed you really can't be sure what flights you are on. After that you still have to keep checking...schedule changes can happen.

i think there were quite a few testing ++ on this cruise

Holland America is going to protect themselves as best as they can. This is a special voyage for the naming ceremony on May 30th with Royalty and is going to be high profile. Any covid outbreak news will not be welcome. Most of these people flying in for this have been on long haul flights with no masking and can test - going on and come down with Covid. I think the masking is just smart. AGree with Albingirl above...travel a bit too much risk and work especially out of the country.

Alaska Cruises tend to get older passengers and not really a party crowd. Have to wonder what happened. Sounds like suicide.

I think based on the extreme late notice on the major changes and the continuation of missing so many critical elements of the advertised cruise itinerary 20% is a joke. I would get together as a group and ask for a minimum of 50% refund and frankly I would want the cash money not FCC. This is the trip of a lifetime for many people...many on these Alaska cruises are older people and may not go on more cruises. I would try for that. Good luck. As one poster said they did not pay to get to Alaska and not really be able to see it.

There is report after report of how many cases are on board. I can't imagine an "active" cancer patient taking the chance. Covid numbers are getting higher...can't you find some fun land based vacation where you can control your surroundings better? Good luck.