ricka47

We've taken a few Christmas cruises on RCI and one on DCL. The ships are very nicely decorated and Christmas music is heard in most areas except usually around the pool. We have not been on for New Year's Eve but you can count on some events.

13 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

 

As to the boarding time, if you want to change it and can, then go for it. It could just be that some of those time slots have not filled up.  Not everyone wants - or can make - an early check in.  I wouldn't worry about it and if the ship has fewer bookings, then great - enjoy that on board as well!

We did change to 10:30. Our last cruise was in the famous month of March, 2020 and we were on the Oceania Riviera for what was supposed to be a 10-night cruise. It was only about 1/3 full which was great. The bad part was that it was cut in half when  cruising stopped and we both came down with Covid a week later.

9 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

It is run by RCI IT.

 

 

Yeah, that's all we really need to know, isn't it!

We obtained the UDP for our upcoming cruise for $179 for the week. That's a pretty good deal. But, I note that the non-discounted price of Chops is $64.99. That is simply too high. I've never been blown away by dinner in Chops as it has been mediocre to good.

I used to think that the lessening the quality of the food in the MDR was to push people into the specialty restaurants. Now, maybe they are still trying to do that but want to encourage the purchase of the packages?

We're back to RCI after a few years (and contracting Covid at the start of the outbreak on another line which can be seen below).  In the app, I have green checks for checking in by "Travel Info" and "Arrival Time." But, after about a week, it still says that my vaccination record is being checked. How long does this normally take?

Speaking of check-in, when I started checking in, only 12:00 PM was available for my arrival time (Harmony, 5/22) but a few days ago more options opened up including 10:30. I'm trying to figure out why this would happen - less passengers than expected?

On 4/17/2022 at 7:26 AM, bobmacliberty said:

Getting ready to depart and then a 3 hour drive home. Will add some final thoughts later. 

Hi neighbor - getting on the Harmony in a few weeks!

1 minute ago, deadzone1003 said:

Unless you get the "exception policy" in writing, Oceania could ding you at check-in and your wife could be denied boarding, but at least you have some kind of evidence for financial restitution.  I would assume an antibody test report taken two weeks before embarkation would suffice as evidence of anti-bodies.  You are literally at the mercy of Oceania.  Good Luck!  

Yeah, we would have to get something in writing well ahead of time. Showing up at the port (in Istanbul) with just our anti-body results in not a good idea for sure!

19 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Has your wife been tested recently for the Antibodies?

If she did not have the vaccine how does she know  she would have a reaction?

My niece is allergic to most drugs  but did not have a problem with the pfizer shot

 

 

In another forum people that had covid  do not have antibodies  after  6mths

 

I would just cancel your cruise  & book on a line that allows less than 100% vaccinated

JMO

We both have antibodies as of last week. The 6-month statement is not true as we are at about 15 months. Due to past allergic reactions, her doctor strongly advises against it.

This is a special anniversary cruise and we obtained a good price, perks, and some OBC for catching COVID on the last cruise. So, we're holding off on cancelling until it's clear that we have no other option.

My wife and I contracted Covid on the last Riviera sailing out of Miami.  I am vaccinated but she is not due to advice from her doctor. She has had severe allergic reactions in the past and he says that she simply does not need the vaccine as we both can prove that we have anti-bodies. Plus, there is a very good chance that the vaccine will send her to the hospital.

I’m hoping that between now and when our final payment is due (August 11 for the October 18^th Riviera sailing) that Oceania/NCL offers some kind of exception for Covid survivors.

Plus, I show on our invoice that we have the “Travelers Assurance Program” which I think allows us to cancel up to 48 hours and receive FCC for what we paid.

So, my strategy is to hope that they have an exception policy before our final payment is due. But, if not, go ahead and pay it with the plan of using the “Travelers Assurance Program” if there is no change. Is this a good way to go? Or should we just cancel now and let the dust settle on ever-changing rules?

9 hours ago, basor said:

Oceania has announced the restart for 4 ships:

Marina will be resuming voyages from Copenhagen beginning August 29.

Riviera will resume its previously-scheduled voyages from Istanbul beginning on October 18, 2021 and sail a series of Mediterranean cruises before beginning a winter series of Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Insignia will resume cruising with the December 21, 2021 Panama Canal cruise from Miami, prior to setting sail on a sold-out 180-day Around the World cruise from Los Angeles to New York City

Sirena will begin sailings starting with the January 22, 2022 Caribbean cruise from Miami to Panama City, Panama

 

They are restarting ships on a staggered basis ...

We just received some forms to complete for our Turkish Visas. So, the 10/18 date for the Riviera may be hold up. It will be ironic since we were on the last (shortened) Riviera sailing in March, 2020.

The bad news was that my wife and I both contracted Covid somewhere in Miami or on the ship.

45 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Really?

 

If she has not taken the vaccine because of a doctor's advice, then she has a medical reason.

 

Data has been collected on the level of antibodies produced by a Covid 19 infection and the point at which the antibodies drop. There are two main proteins (antibodies) that are produced. One drops below effective levels at around ninety days out from infection. The other slowly decreases over a longer period of time.

 

Before ninety days after infection, a vaccine will not add to the immunity. After that, the vaccine will be a "booster."

 

Check with Carnival.  

 

Another cruise line (MSC) has procedures for those who have had Covid 19 within ninety days of sailing , have recovered, and have not received the vaccine due to medical advice to not do so. There is documentation required and the controls for the Covid 19 within ninety days passengers fall between those for the vaccinated and the non-vaccinated passengers.

 

Perhaps Carnival has similar procedures for those who have required a natural immunity after infection and , therefore, are a sunset of the "vaccinated" population.

It is a medical reason for severe allergic reaction up to and including death. So, our doctor could provide anything that they need. But, I called CCL and they said they don't know what will happen in September and that they would give us back our deposit if we cancelled. So, we did that and will hope that they work things out in the future.

Part of me wants our October one cancelled due to all the uncertainties. But, the other part (the logical part) says that we got a good deal with some nice perks and we may not match that again on another cruise.

Right - she'll have to get it eventually. We have another cruise in October with an NCL-owned company (Oceania) and I don't think they allow exemptions. That is, as of now since things change by the minute!

1 minute ago, mondello said:

I'd call and try to get final payment extended. Seems latest update makes no mention of exemptions, vaccinated cruises they said. May have to move your cruise back until restrictions are relaxed?

Good idea - I'll call today. Thanks!

Does anyone know what kind of exemptions they will allow? My wife and I are both recovered from COVID and have antibodies. I am vaccinated but she is not upon advice from her doctor.

We have a final payment due tomorrow and it would be nice to know if she has a shot (pardon the pun) at an exemption.

3 hours ago, Buckeyefrank100 said:

Unfortunately they won't.  It doesn't fit the agenda of pushing vaccines to anyone and everyone, regardless of safety.

Yeah, I agree. Her doctor says that there is no reason for her to get vaccinated. I was told the same thing and went ahead and did it anyway just to avoid travel issues.

On 6/9/2021 at 12:53 PM, dallasdan said:

I am booked on a 4 day cruise out of Galveston at the end of August.  I am hesitant to get the vaccine because I don't do well with medication and have some allergies.  So I am in a waiting pattern.  If required to cruise I will get the J&J shot.  My hope is by then it will not be required.  I wouldn't want to take a chance on the 5%.

We are also on a four-day in September. Both my wife and I have had Covid and have anti-bodies. I am vaccinated but, due to allergy reasons, her doctor does not want her to get the vaccine. She can get proof of having anti-bodies but I haven't seen the situation of those who have recovered from Covid-19 addressed by any cruise line.

My guess is that they plan to concentrate on getting the bigger and busier ports up with the larger and newer ships. Jacksonville, Charleston, and the others may be put on the back burner.

There's a reason that they stopped selling September and October cruises on so many ships when they did. After almost 40 cruises, I don't remember seeing cruises that were sold out that far in advance.

3 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

My curiosity was piqued, so I checked to see what ports were still available in August as of now.  Four aren't any surprise - Galveston, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Seattle.  But the fifth is, a little - Los Angeles, as Wanna_Cruize implied in their post above.  Interesting.  We'll have to see what happens.

This doesn't look encouraging for our cruise out of JAX in early September. I just hope that they cancel before our final payment which is about 10 days from now (6/7).

On 5/26/2021 at 9:55 AM, clairol said:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/coronavirus-statement

 

Riviera will resume its previously published voyage schedules beginning from Istanbul on October 18, 2021 - we're on that cruise!

Insignia will resume sailing December 21, 2021

Sirena will commence sailings starting January 22, 2022

Phased restart dates for Regatta and Nautica will be announced at a later date.

We're on the 10/18 one as well and this will be interesting since we were on the last Riviera cruise before the shut down and now we'll be on the first Riviera cruise after the shutdown! It will be interesting to see how they pull this off with about 18 different ports to deal with.

I wonder if they will have reduced capacity. Our March, 2020 cruise (where we came home infected) had less than 40%. It was kind of weird to have so few people on board.

21 minutes ago, cleifheit2019 said:

We were sailing in March and rebooked for labor day weekend.  I also noticed no sailings were available in September so I logged into Carnival to check our sailing and it said "the information you submitted indicates that your cruise has not been cancelled".  I guess we will see what happens, I'm hoping they have just reached their capacity limit! I live in Charleston so this cruise is super convenient for us.

Our 9/2 JAX cruise was closed the day after we booked. If it’s due to capacity,  I wonder what limit they are considering.

My "booked" cruises are below. Which one we actually go on may be quite another thing.

We've done Christmas on RCI twice (Brilliance and Oasis) and once on DCL. All were very nice. The ships are decorated nicety, there are special events such as Santa visiting, carols on Christmas Eve, etc. They make it very special.

15 hours ago, mauibabes said:

👍🤞🙏🛳

 

Now we have to hope Riviera sails but to me it is 50-50 at best. I can see the November 17 Rome to Miami Transatlantic as having a very good chance to be Riviera’s maiden Post Covid sailing so she is in place for the Caribbean season. 
 

Definitely important to continue to ask questions 🤪

That would make sense to make the TA sailing the first one for Riviera.  We're on the 10/18, Istanbul to Monte Carlo sailing and wonder if it will be a go. Our FP is now 8/11. I note that all except the Marina are cancelled through 9/30 and we are barely two weeks after that. My guess is that the cruise line can be ready but will all the ports be ready for us?

One concern that I have is that prices are going up and the same cruise may cost much more later and with less perks that we managed to get. I like the "lift and shift" program that RCI is doing that let us move our May, 2021 sailing to May, 2022 even though the cost of the 2022 sailing is much higher.

If this goes, it will be interesting for us. We were on the last Riviera cruise that was cut short from 10 to 5 days. My wife and I came home with Covid that we got somewhere in MIA or on the ship.

3 minutes ago, orville99 said:

There was a research report just released by a Japanese University that stated they have found neutralizing antibodies in people who have recovered from covid at the 80-90% level at least a year after their recovery. Their study also indicated that the antibodies present in recovered people also neutralized all of the currently identified variants.

 

I don't know whether the study has been peer-reviewed, or the number of people who were evaluated, so take all of this with a grain of salt for now...

Interesting - we both had it in March, 2020 and we still have anti-bodies well over a year later. Our doctor is of the opinion that they will be permanent. Who knows though?