Traveler

Its OK its only one of the things ? I should add work related issues , the heat wave, the cat that think it should get food at 4 am and jumping on us just to make sure we are awake . By the way since NJ and NY got the most infected people there is a good chance they will be also the first place that will show better results , but time will tell , as you said there is allot of risk there

Here is the issue and also why I do not sleep that well lately : We have a cruise at 23-August from NJ on Oasis of the seas . I believe there is something like 30% of chance that the cruise will go but since I need to fly international flight to get to the port it might be more complicate (for sure if there will still be 14 days quarantine for anyone who comes to the US and 14 days quarantine when I will come back home). I have booked the cruise around February and it was under cruise with confidence (I had some confidence that August is far enough , I guess I was very wrong) so it can be canceled 48 hours before. The flights was also booked with United so I can change them if needed (they have some arrangement of changing the flights without a cost), There is also a good chance the flight will not be canceled as until today they still flying almost daily between my location and EWR. We both have an FCC from our canceled 8-April cruise , but as you know as long as I did not use the FCC I can still ask for refund until the end of this year. Final payment of the cruise is coming in the next few days , if I will pay it will be with the FCC but that mean I will not be able to take refund and if something happens to RCL its bye bye money , I must tell you the fact I did not got back yet my tax/port fees for the cancels cruise is not adding to my confident. I would use the Lift and shift but the cruise was booked with some Casino discounts (not that big but still) which pee Matt article are not entitle for L&S offer. Oh , if I just had a cruise crystal ball ? What would you do ?

The WJ for us is a way to eat fast when we do not want to spend two hours for dinner or 1 hour for lunch. I do not like the breakfast in the WJ I think they are missing allot of items which I would like to see in breakfast but that's me . Also we like the fact we can take a sample from something and if we like it we will go and get some more of it. So if they will have a way for a fast eating with ability to choose from a verity without the risk of people touching the food (and yes I saw many times people using their hands , people return food after they touch it and many other bad habits) I will be OK with it. Maybe as people offered , food court style , Maybe like the Solarium bistro serve the food in separate individual dishes , or maybe pre order trays (you will order your food via the application and a tray with the food you asked for will be ready for you when you enter the WJ . Fast option is a much I think.

More and more companies are announcing on new ways to deal with the C19. Here is another company that starts soon test using antibodies cocktail , They are talking about using it not just as a treatment but also as a prevention. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/08/sorrento-therapeutics-mount-sinai-develop-covid-19-antibody-shield.html

Not sure about the blind test but testing will continue and some of them for sure will be blind tests. The good thing is that not like medicine it dose not need to be tested for safety and long term influence. The issue now that there very few new cases to test it on so they might need to shift some of the test to Europe or US.

Some good news which might be a game changer here. An Israeli University researcher developed a C19 - breathalyzer (this is a different analyzer than the other company is developing) it is based on some electronic chip that dedicates the difference in the electricity filed once someone with the virus exhaling into it. And here are the really good news : 1. The device was tested on 150 people (50% with Corona virus 50% without) and it was showing 93% success in dedicating the virus (which is more than the serologic test and equal to the accuracy of the PCR test ) .they are in a process to make it even more accurate. 2, The results including the test itself takes up to 1 minute so it can be used in airports and cruise ports. 3. Since I guess they did not developed the chip from scratch its already manufacture . The cost is estimate to be around 50 $ per test (the PCR test is around 150$) . Next steps is sensitivity test and a test to see how its reacts to other virus (not to get falls alarms from cold virus for example). Since this is not the only place that are working on such test I believe soon we will see such test as standards in many places which will allow flights and more important cruise .

Just called RCL to check about my Tax/port fee refunds , they told me it should take 45 days from the sailing date (in my case its April 8 ) so I guess I will wait 10 more days and call again (or have a nice surprises)

1. You need to put deposit for each one of the cruise even if it is B2B. 2. You can use the FCC on one of the cruises if you will have left over RCL will give you a new FCC for the differences. 3. Finding the right B2B cruise can be done or by yourself using the online tool checking for all the cruises or better connect with a TA and he will do the work for you and offer you some dates.

Well if we compare the numbers in the US to other countries we should see them going down until the end of this month. That why I think NYC area will be safer than other. For sure there is also the summer effect. There is so much we do not know about this virus but we know more and more as time passing. Lets hope that the summer will really be a factor here.

There are few options : 1. Every evening (and mainly on Official evening) you have many photographers building a temporary set around the ship , they will be located near the dining room , and near the main stair cases. they will start the preparation few hours before so you can check were they are going to be. 2. Purchases studio photos session - that is an expensive package which gives you and hour or two with a professional photographers. 3. wait for them in the dining room /special restaurants.

When countries are going to open for tourist it dose not mean they will open for all , they might put some restrictions to open it for tourist that are coming from countries that has low mew C19 cases comparing to the population.

Not sure if its any indication but some European countries published when they are planning to start and allow tourists to visit : Cyprus - June Italy , yes Italy , Bulgaria , Greece - July. Spain Turkish - August France - currently only 2021

Good news, The FDA just approved the first "home" C19 test , its based on saliva check. Such tests can help to expedite resume cruising as first step , currently the kit is just to collect the sample while the analyze being done in the library . https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-first-diagnostic-test-using-home-collection-saliva

I do not understand RCL. Refund is a key in confidence building , its should be first priority , company that gives prompt refund is sending a firm message that they are here to stay and not playing any games. I consider myself as loyal to royal (well I only cruise with Royal and hope to continue to cruise with them soon) but if a month ago I thought I am going to take advantage on the FCC because its a good deal and because yes I thought leaving the money with RCI is my small contribute , now , with all the refund delays I start thinking to take the money back to be on the safe side (even if I will need to wait for it).

Per what we see now I think the best chance for cruise will be between October (Maybe September) to January, Why ? because we can see how the C19 goes in other places , mainly Europe that start to see the C19 goes down (some country faster than other) so there is a good chance that it will happen also in the US. Were the cruise will go from ? beside Miami it might be that NJ will be reopen as the C19 started early there and therefore will pass earlier than other places in the US. Why October- to Jan , this is the window between the first wave to what we hope that will never happen - the second wave. Regarding all the talks about that cruise will change in a way that it will not make sense to take them ? I think the changes will be temporary but I still remember that people were saying after 9/11 they will not fly again because its not safe or the extra security at airports ... Same about the car seat belts , many people said they will never use it and it will ruin there driving experience.

My cruise was canceled on the March 15 , I got the cruise planner refund a week after, FCC letter sent on 12-April . Still waiting for taxes, port fees and prepaid gratuities ...

I would check flying also from Milan as Venice to Milan train will take less time then the Venice to Rome train ... Anyway take into consideration that to get from the port to Vince train station with suitcase is not that easy , you will need to take people move train and than walk over a bridge to the train station. another option will be to take a taxi to Mestre train station and take the train from there.

It might make sense but it contradicts all the one that will fly from Miami ... "Liberty of the Seas will stay near Maiam, from here Filipino crew will be repatriated by charter flights statring May 18" "Enchantment will sail to Miami for a charter flights on May 15, returning the crew to Jakarta and Denpasar." It seems that we are missing something here but the main point is still the same , no cruise soon ?

"European, Canadian and all other nationalities will be transferred to Freedom, Empress and Majesty. All three ships will cross the Atlantic Ocean and sail to Southampton where charter flights will be organized for crew repatriation." So that make sense , all the Canadian crew will sail to Southampton (14 days sail) to take a flight back to Canada ?

Sure , In our case we were OK with the changes as we both like Athens and the Greece Island should had better weather during April , but I have not changed the flights as I knew that most of the chances they will cancel it (as they did 6 days after) . At that time our government also declare that anyone that will come back from any country will require to be two weeks in isolation and was requested at work to lead some parts of our businesses continuity plan so was not sure if I could take the planned vacation. Now I hope that the trend we see in many places of major reduction in new C19 cases will spread to all around the world and somehow we will be able to take our August cruise (currently I think we have 10-20% chances that it will happen)

Actually they offered up to 400 $ for intentional flight changes , they gave a better ports if you ask me but this is something you can argue. Here is the full letter I got when they changed it : " Dear Guest, Before we set sail, we have some important information to share with you for your upcoming April 8th, 2020 Jewel of the Seas cruise. At Royal Caribbean International, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew is top priority. So, in light of current regional travel conditions and the continued developments related to Coronavirus COVID-19, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our visit to Portofino, Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples/Capri. Please know, we did not take this decision lightly and determined it was best to maintain your well-being, as there has been an increase of Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Italy. Fortunately, we’ve been able to secure excellent alternatives for you to enjoy. We’ll now begin our cruise in Athens (Piraeus), Greece where we’ll set sail from at 8:00 PM. We’ll then head to Mykonos, Greece on Thursday, Chania (Souda), Crete on Friday, and Katakolon, Greece on Saturday. Then, instead of our visit to Sete, France, we’ll now have an additional sea day on Sunday before continuing with the rest of our original itinerary visiting Spain and the United Kingdom. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this change. However, we’re confident you’ll have an excellent time with us. Below, please find our revised itinerary. We’re sorry for this unexpected change. We know you’ll need to accommodate your flights for your arrival to Athens (Piraeus), Greece now. So, here’s what we’re going to help you with: If you purchased flights through our Air2Sea program, we’ll reschedule your flights to our embarkation port for you. There is no need for you to call in as we will be sending your new flight details via email no later than Wednesday, March 11th. If you booked your flights independently, you may reach out to your airline carrier to assist with the changes. If you re-book your flights on your own and incur a change fee, we’ll reimburse you up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic flights and up to $400 USD per guest for International flights, with proper documentation. Please submit your receipts to [email protected] for review and reimbursement. If you need assistance accommodating your travel home, our Air2Sea Team is available to assist you at 888-372-9996 from the US or Canada or 019321834223 Internationally. If you’d like to re-book your flights through our Air2Sea Team, you’ll be booked in economy class flights at no additional cost. Please know, flights are at the discretion of our Air Sea Experts. And, if you booked airport transfers through us and are changing your flights through the airline directly, please contact us to provide the new flight details. Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean International shore excursions for Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Portofino, Provence (Marseille), and Sete will be refunded back to your original form of payment. In the next few days, you’ll receive an email with your updated tour details. Then, feel free to continue browsing all the exciting shore excursion options for your sailing in Cruise Planner! Lastly, starting March 6th, 2020 on all Royal Caribbean International ships, temperature screenings will be conducted for all guests and crewmembers on embarkation day. Over the last few weeks, we’ve implemented new and enhanced health & safety protocols, along with travel regulations, and we decided that adding temperature checks will further help ensure we maintain a healthy onboard environment. So, if your temperature is above 100.4°F or 38° C, you and those in your party will undergo a secondary health screening. Temperatures will be taken with a digital, no-touch thermometer. If you require a secondary screening, this is what you can expect: Your temperature will be checked again. You’ll undergo a pulse oximetry reading. This means, a small device will be placed on your finger to measure your oxygen level. If you happen to have a chronic lung illness, like asthma, please bring a letter from your medical practitioner that indicates your normal baseline oxygen saturation levels. This will help ensure you are not denied boarding if you are healthy otherwise. Then, a medical professional will check you for flu-like symptoms, respiratory illness, etc., and would make a final assessment to understand if you’re fit to sail. If it is decided that we must unfortunately deny you boarding, you’ll receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit for your cruise fare paid, and any pre-cruise Royal Caribbean International purchases and taxes and fees will be refunded to your original form of payment. And, if for any reason, you happen to have a fever before your cruise, we kindly ask you to not come to the port. Please contact us or your Travel Advisor immediately and we will happily provide you with a credit for future travel. The health, safety, and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority. To learn more about how we are keeping our ships in tip top shape, and for insights into our travel regulations, click here. Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We look forward to seeing you onboard very soon!"

From Athens to Barcelona , that was before C-19 spread in Spain dramatically, Greece actually stayed more and less OK

Yes, I have End of August cruise plans from NJ , I booked it when I already new about the C-19 (end of Feb) I took a risk but have the cruise with confidence, I will pay for it with the FCC from the April 8 cruise , if it will be canceled I will pay with the FCC I will get to the cruise I have at 2021 (group cruise). Flight I have also a way to change without cost so I might use them for a future travel. This plan will work if RCI nor United will declare default ...

I can only tell you what happened to my cruise : My cruise (starting 8-April) was changed from Rome to Athens at 8-March , on 14 of March it was canceled. No one really know what will happen in 3 month , we can only guess , in Europe several countries already open the schools and return 90% to work. Here we have all the shops which are not located in malls opened and restaurants renew the take away (until now it was only devilries) and schools going to be partially opened from next week after we so decrease in new cases. It might be that in two weeks from now we will see again increase in the C19 cases (hopefully not) or we will see that everything is fine due to many reason (weather is one). If Greece will open the borders for tourism it will be a game changer , I guess we will know more in few weeks .

2021 maybe ?