Allen2

Interesting and informative! Sounds like a full meal may take a fair amount of time to put together.

As of October 1, Carnival has not cancelled November 1 - December 31 sailings from Miami and Port Canaveral. Almost all other Carnival cruises are cancelled until December 31 or later (MANY much later). Would hope for a Royal Caribbean announcement, so can make plans around future booked cruises - such as flight, hotels, tours.

We have sailed on European river cruises, Victory Cruises on the Great Lakes, and four different American Queen/Empress itineraries. Some considerations include (some already mentioned) shore excursions that are included, beer, wine, and soft drinks included (sometimes all alcohol included). There is often a hotel night included in the price, including transfer to the ship. For some travelers, there may be no air fare expense. Some of the shore excursions include pricey admission tickets. Almost always no casinos. Food, in our experience, has been outstanding, with local cuisine often of

Depending on Cunard's timing, it is also possible that your return trip could connect with one of Cunard's "Around the World" cruises, and purchase a segment from London to Ft. Lauderdale (which usually stops in NYC on the way). Your travel agent could do some quick research or your could check Cunard's web site.

Wow - Just watched the Independence at 8:40. Thanks for the link!!!!

On our farther-out bookings (April-May 2021) we have also noted that cruise planner offerings have been minimized, and in some cases almost eliminated.

Think a large part of the answer depends on prior health conditions and age. Also, ship capacity and plans for social distancing!

Hope those thoughts about 2021 for New Zealand (and Australia) not opening are proven to be a bad estimate. We missed three B2B2B cruises from Sydney which included stops in New Zealand, starting early in April, 2020, and ending in Vancouver in May. Being hopeful, we have booked roughly the same three in 2021. Questions to ask: the Australian Visa (which we could not use) will expire. Will the government extend? Should we buy airfare (or use frequent flyer miles) at the 331 day mark? Any opinions?

We have done crossings in all directions, both the Atlantic and Pacific. Our experience, with rare exceptions, is that you can count on some rough sea days. That being said, Matt's comments about enjoying the ship are "spot on". Also, usually the entertainment is top notch, oftentimes with headliners returning for another performance, often a matinee.

We live outside Jacksonville, and it is spooky seeing cruise ships sitting or cruising in circles just outside the jetties. There are apparently four Norwegian ships in "idle dock" at JAXPORT, and Carnival has had one (sometimes two) ships anchored or moving within sight of land. All are occupied crew only. Seeing the Carnival Ecstasy nearby, off shore, sure increases cruising desires, especially because today we should be on the Radiance, docked and touring (steam train ride) in Picton, New Zealand.

Oh, my goodness. Terribly interesting, and perhaps a little scary?

Lost three B2Bs starting in Sydney on April 7 and ending in Vancouver 39 days later (would be at sea en route to New Zealand today, after visiting five ports in New Caledonia and Vanuatu). Re-booked same route next year, roughly same time frame. Just hope it goes! Two ship prices higher, one lower than this year. Flying to Australia on frequent flyer miles, hopefully!

Holiday cruises are special. One suggestion: have the ship's photographers take family photos on different nights and different settings. The memories are GREAT.

Could not stop laughing!!

Added thought: for most folks, one would need to fly to Puerto Rico, with the close quarters and contact issues with airplanes.