Your thoughts on restarting

[Elorac123]

Below is a exert from a couple on a HAL-cruise that usually do a worldy but are doing several back to back from Fort Lauderdale, I have been following them for years.

if the following is what we may have to look forward to when we restart I may give it a miss,

what are your thoughts .

Cheers Catole
 

 

 

 

Now, here's the thing…..we were not allowed past the guards after weaving through the terminal shops.  The only way out was to hire a taxi driver, or pay an escort to walk us through town.  Neither option was acceptable to us.  And from what we saw, it was not working for the other passengers either.  We don't get it, when any of us are allowed to go all over the island, taxi or not, the virus would still be spread or picked up by locals.  It should be all or nothing.  So it boils down to money and the local taxi union, which we have witnessed in many other places around the world.  We have seen barricades thrown in front of the mini vans as they tried to leave the port in Vanuatu. In essence, we were being held like captives unless we did it their way.  So, we turned around and headed back to the ship with all the rest of the grumpy guests.  Lucky we have such a nice ship to spend the rest of the day onboard.  We had gotten a notice from HAL this morning that this port will be substituted once again on a future sailing.  Perhaps by then, the restrictions will be lifted.

 

Back on the ship, we ran into Barb on our deck in the elevator lobby.  While we were chatting with another couple, we spotted a hazmat team of four crew members coming down the hallway with two guests, luggage in tow, heading towards the aft section.  The carpets and walls were being heavily sprayed as they passed by.  Oh no…..it must be Covid, and they were going into quarantine.  We discovered that area a few days ago while we were attempting to go to the aft elevator using deck five.  The fire door was closed with a note saying crew only.  So we assumed that was the Covid area for passengers.  It would be confirmed later by asking our waiters.

 

[Chiliburn]

I afraid,the world we had is gone carol,  next we will have is the economic affect of this virus.

The last 50 years was probably the golden years and  I’m glad I was part of it.

 

Thats my thoughts.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Chiliburn

[portcbob]

10 hours ago, Elorac123 said:

Below is a exert from a couple on a HAL-cruise that usually do a worldy but are doing several back to back from Fort Lauderdale, I have been following them for years.

if the following is what we may have to look forward to when we restart I may give it a miss,

what are your thoughts .

Cheers Catole
 

 

 

 

Now, here's the thing…..we were not allowed past the guards after weaving through the terminal shops.  The only way out was to hire a taxi driver, or pay an escort to walk us through town.  Neither option was acceptable to us.  And from what we saw, it was not working for the other passengers either.  We don't get it, when any of us are allowed to go all over the island, taxi or not, the virus would still be spread or picked up by locals.  It should be all or nothing.  So it boils down to money and the local taxi union, which we have witnessed in many other places around the world.  We have seen barricades thrown in front of the mini vans as they tried to leave the port in Vanuatu. In essence, we were being held like captives unless we did it their way.  So, we turned around and headed back to the ship with all the rest of the grumpy guests.  Lucky we have such a nice ship to spend the rest of the day onboard.  We had gotten a notice from HAL this morning that this port will be substituted once again on a future sailing.  Perhaps by then, the restrictions will be lifted.

 

Back on the ship, we ran into Barb on our deck in the elevator lobby.  While we were chatting with another couple, we spotted a hazmat team of four crew members coming down the hallway with two guests, luggage in tow, heading towards the aft section.  The carpets and walls were being heavily sprayed as they passed by.  Oh no…..it must be Covid, and they were going into quarantine.  We discovered that area a few days ago while we were attempting to go to the aft elevator using deck five.  The fire door was closed with a note saying crew only.  So we assumed that was the Covid area for passengers.  It would be confirmed later by asking our waiters.

 

Yep, I believe cruising will be changed forever. We either like the new protocols if and when it restarts or venture to land based holidays.

[getting older slowly]

It does make you wonder... Look how 9/11 changed the world.....

 

We have at least done a some cruises and totally enjoyed them......

where will this all end..... interesting thought

 

Will travel become more expensive and be only for the well off, also we options be limited, due to the number of tourists.....It hard to say sitting here on the lounge, which has been sat in more than any other time of the adult life, along very limit trips........

 

People talk of the Carrot,     but I think quite a few have given up carrot farming,....

also having gone though 2 years all ready.... when will we be free....

 

So on Cruising restarting.  the big question will it ever be like before Covid.... and the amount of time to become normal     in the eyes of the cruiser .....

 

Don

[Porky55]

I find it very much depends on which cruise line you are following.
Viking for one seems to be keeping their passengers on both the changed Star 2022 WC and the 32 day Orion Pacific cruise, very happy indeed. Neither ship has any Covid and the passengers are enjoying port visits and excursions - with the attitude of ‘ it’s an adventure, we go with the flow’ 🤔

 

When we can cruise again, I am just going to do some research, (Covid protocols etc) buy the best insurance I can for my needs and jump on a ship. Simple 🤗

[By The Bay]

1 hour ago, Porky55 said:

I find it very much depends on which cruise line you are following.
Viking for one seems to be keeping their passengers on both the changed Star 2022 WC and the 32 day Orion Pacific cruise, very happy indeed. Neither ship has any Covid and the passengers are enjoying port visits and excursions - with the attitude of ‘ it’s an adventure, we go with the flow’ 🤔

 

When we can cruise again, I am just going to do some research, (Covid protocols etc) buy the best insurance I can for my needs and jump on a ship. Simple 🤗

That is not what Garry Kolb, a passenger on the Viking Star WC cruise, has reported a few days ago. "He presented a COVID update - currently, nine passengers and two crew infected and in isolation plus eight close contacts, also isolated." Source Kolbs on the Road blog.

[Elorac123]

2 hours ago, Porky55 said:

When we can cruise again, I am just going to do some research, (Covid protocols etc) buy the best insurance I can for my needs and jump on a ship. Simple 🤗

As I said Porky it was a H A L cruise

Cheers Carole

[ilikeanswers]

In my experience travel has always been changing so you either pine for the good old days and quit travelling or accept the changes and go with the flow. To be honest unless you have detailed knowledge of a destination's issues I don't think most tourists are suited to judge how a country handles their problems. 

[Porky55]

4 hours ago, By The Bay said:

That is not what Garry Kolb, a passenger on the Viking Star WC cruise, has reported a few days ago. "He presented a COVID update - currently, nine passengers and two crew infected and in isolation plus eight close contacts, also isolated." Source Kolbs on the Road blog.

I follow Garry’s very good blog which is why I know that these numbers are from the 28th December, or day 5 of 152. On the sector between Fort Lauderdale and LA. 
 

The news since then is only good - no more cases and all going with the flow - even had an Viking organised excursion to Walmart while in Puerto Vallarta because they had changed the itinerary on everyone.

 

But, Viking seem to have the most comprehensive Covid protocols I can find, so far, so I’m saving my pennies to cruise with them, when possible.

[MicCanberra]

Doesn't seem to be too much of a relaxing cruise with all of the stressing situations at each port.

[Porky55]

6 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Doesn't seem to be too much of a relaxing cruise with all of the stressing situations at each port.

Most of the CC members that are posting are pretty happy and relaxed. Sounds like a pretty normal cruise to me 🤔

[lyndarra]

I'm hoping cruising will restart soon as I'm getting emails everyday from people telling I've won millions in lotteries and I don't want to kark it before I collect.🤪

[SuitesRbest]

We will cruise as soon as it restarts. We will then decide after that if cruising is still for us. We love to cruise and if it is remotely like it was pre=Covid, I'd say we will keep on cruising.

[MMDown Under]

On 1/20/2022 at 5:42 PM, Elorac123 said:

Below is a exert from a couple on a HAL-cruise that usually do a worldy but are doing several back to back from Fort Lauderdale, I have been following them for years.

if the following is what we may have to look forward to when we restart I may give it a miss,

what are your thoughts .

Cheers Catole
 

 

 

 

Now, here's the thing…..we were not allowed past the guards after weaving through the terminal shops.  The only way out was to hire a taxi driver, or pay an escort to walk us through town.  Neither option was acceptable to us.  And from what we saw, it was not working for the other passengers either.  We don't get it, when any of us are allowed to go all over the island, taxi or not, the virus would still be spread or picked up by locals.  It should be all or nothing.  So it boils down to money and the local taxi union, which we have witnessed in many other places around the world.  We have seen barricades thrown in front of the mini vans as they tried to leave the port in Vanuatu. In essence, we were being held like captives unless we did it their way.  So, we turned around and headed back to the ship with all the rest of the grumpy guests.  Lucky we have such a nice ship to spend the rest of the day onboard.  We had gotten a notice from HAL this morning that this port will be substituted once again on a future sailing.  Perhaps by then, the restrictions will be lifted.

 

Back on the ship, we ran into Barb on our deck in the elevator lobby.  While we were chatting with another couple, we spotted a hazmat team of four crew members coming down the hallway with two guests, luggage in tow, heading towards the aft section.  The carpets and walls were being heavily sprayed as they passed by.  Oh no…..it must be Covid, and they were going into quarantine.  We discovered that area a few days ago while we were attempting to go to the aft elevator using deck five.  The fire door was closed with a note saying crew only.  So we assumed that was the Covid area for passengers.  It would be confirmed later by asking our waiters.

 

I have also followed this experienced adventurous couple, who do a world cruise on HAL every year.  As they now cruise around the Caribbean on B2B cruises, the situation seems to be getting worse with numbers of covid passengers and crew, missed ports, ports with many shops closed, restrictions for visitors, etc.  It has become a mystery cruise which wouldn't suit everyone.  

[cruiselover53]

2 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

I have also followed this experienced adventurous couple, who do a world cruise on HAL every year.  As they now cruise around the Caribbean on B2B cruises, the situation seems to be getting worse with numbers of covid passengers and crew, missed ports, ports with many shops closed, restrictions for visitors, etc.  It has become a mystery cruise which wouldn't suit everyone.  

This couple is obviously fairly well off being able to do a world cruise each year and good luck to them, but I really wonder what would happen if 1 of them caught covid and got quite ill. Would any insurance policy actually cover them ( in the manner we are used to ) ? Could well stretch most peoples finances !!!

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, cruiselover53 said:

This couple is obviously fairly well off being able to do a world cruise each year and good luck to them, but I really wonder what would happen if 1 of them caught covid and got quite ill. Would any insurance policy actually cover them ( in the manner we are used to ) ? Could well stretch most peoples finances !!!

They were amongst the passengers offloaded in Perth when Covid first started.  I can't remember their insurance situation then.  Caribbean would be a lot closer to west coast US than Perth for medical and to return home.  

[lyndarra]

18 hours ago, lyndarra said:

I'm hoping cruising will restart soon as I'm getting emails everyday from people telling I've won millions in lotteries and I don't want to kark it before I collect.🤪

Word of my lottery wins has spread. I now have lovely young ladies emailing me with generous offers of companionship. Whoo-hoo.😍

[LincolnLegend]

@lyndarra can I interest you in some time-share accommodation? 🤣

[Elorac123]

4 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

They were amongst the passengers offloaded in Perth when Covid first started.  I can't remember their insurance situation then.  Caribbean would be a lot closer to west coast US than Perth for medical and to return home.  

I know they got there luggage back around September 2020 it had been floating around since they docked in Perth,

Also no post from them since the 20 th

Cheers Carole

[ilikeanswers]

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

Word of my lottery wins has spread. I now have lovely young ladies emailing me with generous offers of companionship. Whoo-hoo.😍

 

I know a Nigerian Prince that is willing to part with half is multi million dollar inheritance if you would just pay some very reasonable release fees😂💵. 

[lyndarra]

2 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

I know a Nigerian Prince that is willing to part with half is multi million dollar inheritance if you would just pay some very reasonable release fees😂💵. 

In that case I'll get a loan from my bank if he will pay the loan application fee.

[mr walker]

6 hours ago, lyndarra said:

Word of my lottery wins has spread. 😍

You've opened up the luck to all of us I think - just got an email that my Mastercard with $92.55M credit is on the way to me via DHL - they just ask me to reply to a few questions 😮

[Elorac123]

14 minutes ago, mr walker said:

You've opened up the luck to all of us I think - just got an email that my Mastercard with $92.55M credit is on the way to me via DHL - they just ask me to reply to a few questions 😮

Do you also get a free set of steak knives ?

Cheers Carole

[MMDown Under]

21 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

They were amongst the passengers offloaded in Perth when Covid first started.  I can't remember their insurance situation then.  Caribbean would be a lot closer to west coast US than Perth for medical and to return home.  

 

23 hours ago, cruiselover53 said:

This couple is obviously fairly well off being able to do a world cruise each year and good luck to them, but I really wonder what would happen if 1 of them caught covid and got quite ill. Would any insurance policy actually cover them ( in the manner we are used to ) ? Could well stretch most peoples finances !!!

We have answers to your questions, as Mary Ann has been diagnosed with Covid.  They have insurance, as well as HAL insurance.  They are now sharing a hotel room in Fort Lauderdale, with $100 per person allowance per day for all meals (not a lot considering the cost of hotel meals).  They will return to the ship. 

[gbenjo]

On 1/24/2022 at 4:20 PM, lyndarra said:

I'm hoping cruising will restart soon as I'm getting emails everyday from people telling I've won millions in lotteries and I don't want to kark it before I collect.🤪

Its funny isn’t it. covid has certainly changed our lives.  Not your million dollar winfall but received  a letter yesterday ( legit) from NAB advising that they were refunding us some Super advisory fees that they had “ incorrectly “ charged over the last ten years or so. As I said, not a million dollar win but,ordinarily, enough for a couple of “really nice”  cruises for us and pre covid this little bonus would have gone straight to a cruise line Instead it will now sit “gathering dust”  until the world gets back to normal.  😡😡