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Alaska Cruises ???


rjac

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54 minutes ago, MarvinS said:

Princess Cruises and Holland America just officially announced they are cancelling Alaska (and several others) for the 2020 summer season...

https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2020/05/princess-cruises-extends-pause-of-global-ship-operations-for-remaining-2020-summer-season.html

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/coronavirus-travel-advisory.html

I wouldn't be surprised to see the others do similarly...

I had given our TA the go ahead to book our August 2020 Alaska cruise then got caught up with the times reading this thread. So luckily I caught him before he fired off the $500 credit card payment. I'm a little embarrassed at how little I knew of the Alaska/Canada mandates on travel....but I know now.

I'm shifting to looking at late spring/early summer 2021for this cruise. Can someone give me an idea of what time frame I should shoot for as far as weather, whales, etc.? Thanks!

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Im still holding out hope for my July 31 southbound Alaska cruise out of Anchorage, heres why...

 

RC is taking measures to ensure they will be the cleanest, most safe ship on the waters with the application for the patent on sea mask-and the e-muster, we see them taking steps that the other lines have not.

 

Alaska has been in phase one for almost 2 weeks... and im sure will move to phase 2 by June EDIT- Phase 2 begins May 8 

https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/State-announces-plan-for-phase-2-reopening-Alaska-570260251.html

and then phase 3 by at least end of June. The US Canada border restrictions ends May 15th, unless extended a month to June 15.

 

the ONE outlier here in my opinion is Canadas port closures. if they remain closed for the rest of 2020 (possible) then its a done no deal. 

 

Im sick of the doom and gloom, if you keep uttering positive vibes and words, the universe responds (read the book the Secret, it has changed my life!) I think that sailing the final 2 sailings of Alaska 2020 would still be worth it to RCL.

I know my (newbie on here) opinion probably means nothing... but Im a very forward thinker.

 

 

Edited by bornidentity
correction on Phase 2 reopen
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14 minutes ago, bornidentity said:

 

 

 

I know my (newbie on here) opinion probably means nothing... but Im a very forward thinker.

 

 

First, welcome to this forum! And your opinion means plenty, just as someone who has made thousands of posts.

I liked your positive outlook, seems gloom and doom is an easy mode to get into these days. I try to be positive mixed with a healthy dose of realism. We have our Northbound Alaska Hubbard Glacier cruise for August on hold at present, holding out hope, realizing whether we go or not is out of our control. But....we will do it sometime. 

Good luck on your cruise and keep up the forward thinking!

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Keeping a positive vibe is always a good thing but at the same time we need to consider all possibilities.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night....if Royal can't start sailings in Alaska until August...does it even make fiscal sense for them to have any sailings in 2020 Alaska season given they need to reposition the ship(s) to support only a few weeks of sailing.  This is why I believe other lines announced their bagging the whole season up north (they cited air travel, hotels, and port availability) but none of that is known for August yet....the only facts they have now are ports wouldn't open until July (earliest), their own operating expenses to get ships in position, current booking levels, and best case estimates of number of sailings they might be able to complete which led them to cancel. ? ? ?

 

This is why I reserved a fully refundable 2021 slot last night so that if I do need to do a lift and shift....I've already placed a hold on the specific room I want, on the boat I want, on the itinerary I want.  I don't like the idea of delaying this trip a year so I am still keeping positive vibes it will work out...but plan for worst...hope for the best....right ?

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I just can't see them sailing AK this yr.  

AK impo is going to take a huge financial hit.  I lived there for several yrs right outside of Anchorage.  Their 3 big industries are: Tourism, Oil and fishing.

  •   Oil is at an all time low in price and production.
  •  Cruise ships, especially Princess will hurt them.  Princess not only has the Alyeska Lodge, but their famous train to Denali.  Captain Cook Hotel has got to be feeling the pain.  Along with Simon and Seaforts restaurant.  

The dividend for AK residents is tied in part to the oil and tourism industry, think endowments at college.  The stock market is hurting, which means the dividend that comes out in Oct.  will be much lower than yrs prior.  Many AK residents use this money not to pay bills, but to travel to Hawaii!? during the cold dark winter months.   In turn, that means another hit on their travel industry.

The last week of July and 1st week of August were always the best 2 weeks in the yr in AK.  You had the day light, temps were nice, no spit (it doesn't really rain in AK, it spits...nota shower, more like a ever ending drizzle), the mosquitos are gone.  Animals are not yet going into hibernation. Negative is you don't want to Salmon fish at that point.

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34 minutes ago, dodgestang said:

Keeping a positive vibe is always a good thing but at the same time we need to consider all possibilities.

Here's another thought that occurred to me last night....if Royal can't start sailings in Alaska until August...does it even make fiscal sense for them to have any sailings in 2020 Alaska season given they need to reposition the ship(s) to support only a few weeks of sailing.  This is why I believe other lines announced their bagging the whole season up north (they cited air travel, hotels, and port availability) but none of that is known for August yet....the only facts they have now are ports wouldn't open until July (earliest), their own operating expenses to get ships in position, current booking levels, and best case estimates of number of sailings they might be able to complete which led them to cancel. ? ? ?

 

This is why I reserved a fully refundable 2021 slot last night so that if I do need to do a lift and shift....I've already placed a hold on the specific room I want, on the boat I want, on the itinerary I want.  I don't like the idea of delaying this trip a year so I am still keeping positive vibes it will work out...but plan for worst...hope for the best....right ?

i might have to do that as well JUST in case, did you pay another deposit for the 2021 sailing? or held for now with no deposit? 

really holding hope for this year as my original June4th sailing was my 30th birthday so it was a special once in a lifetime sailing for me. would hate to do it on my 31st birthday LOL

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Maybe Royal will hold out with the thought that if they can make a go and try to salvage some of the Alaska sailings... they would basically be the only game in town. Might be able to get some folks to book from other sailings that are being cancelled by other cruise lines. 

I know its wishful thinking... but I'm already starting to think about and looking at using the lift n' shift option for our Ovation July 31 cruise.... from this year... to next year. 

Fingers crossed.... but either way... I hope if they are going to cancel, they just go ahead and do it and not draw it out to the last minute. 

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I put in a full deposit.  But was told since I booked at the 'fully refundable rate' it would all be refundable if I changed later.

I figure

1. If 2020 gets cancelled, I can work it out on the phone and lift and shift into this reservation via cancel/shift (this is probably more work than most would need/want to do but there is only one royal suite on these boats.  We had it booked in 2020 and I figured if it wasn't available that would make the lift and shift offer harder to use.  I also have a booking I made my inlaws who were going with us in 2020.  But figured if it is cancelled, I should be able to move their reservation easily enough given the number of GS on the boat)
2. If 2020 doesn't get cancelled, this is over a year away....we may want to go again....and I can update the reservation to a non-refundable lower price point one later or cancel/move it to a different sailing altogether.

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37 minutes ago, vanelli56 said:

Maybe Royal will hold out with the thought that if they can make a go and try to salvage some of the Alaska sailings... they would basically be the only game in town. Might be able to get some folks to book from other sailings that are being cancelled by other cruise lines. 

I know its wishful thinking... but I'm already starting to think about and looking at using the lift n' shift option for our Ovation July 31 cruise.... from this year... to next year. 

Fingers crossed.... but either way... I hope if they are going to cancel, they just go ahead and do it and not draw it out to the last minute. 

My thoughts exactly.  Holding out hope for my July 3rd Ovation but ready to do a lift and shift if needed. 

My only concern is if Royal does cancel the sailings, will lift and shift still be available since it wouldn't technically be a cruise with confidence cancellation at that point.

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1 hour ago, billdauterive said:

My only concern is if Royal does cancel the sailings, will lift and shift still be available since it wouldn't technically be a cruise with confidence cancellation at that point.

This is the piece that's up in the air -- whether Lift & Shift will be an option once Royal cancels the cruise on you.  There's no telling.

On a different line of thinking, for those playing the wait on Royal to cancel them because they're past final payment and want the refund instead of self-canceling with CWC for the FCC, can't they just use Lift & Shift to a cruise a year from now and effectively cancel that sailing and get their refund?

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31 minutes ago, Johnson84 said:

My TA is expecting word that RC is going to cancel all Alaska cruises this summer, M holland, Carnival & Princess have canceled

Don't hold your breath on them being pro active with the cancellation.  They have waited last minute for cancellations and refunds.  

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Seabourn just cancelled the summer 2020 season in Alaska...and elsewhere, too.

https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/news/pause-global-cruise-operations.html

In particular (clipped from their announcement):

  • Seabourn Odyssey: paused through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through November 20.
  • Seabourn Sojourn: paused through Alaska/British Columbia season, with its operations pause effective through October 13.
  • Seabourn Quest: paused through the Canada/New England season, with its operations pause effective through November 6.
  • Seabourn Encore: paused through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through October 19.
  • Seabourn Ovation: paused through Europe season, with its operations pause effective through November 6.
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British Columbia released their reopen plans Please note the June reopening phase. HOTELS AND RESORTS to open again, which is a MAJOR factor in cruises determining if feasible to bring back guests. Hotels and resorts are huge for drop and go points! The ONE big barrier right now is if Canada will extend or rescind the port closures, but again POSITIVE hopes here!

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/here-is-a-list-of-services-that-will-be-allowed-to-reopen-in-b-c-and-when-1.4929748

 

for the full slide show and release, look here:

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/from-haircuts-to-dinner-parties-b-c-unveils-plan-for-easing-covid-19-restrictions-1.4927166

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@bornidentity and others still holding out hope for B.C. to be open for Alaska cruises this season:

British Columbia “says it also won’t reopen to international tourism until widespread immunity or treatment is available.”

In addition, the Premier very clearly stated that “large gatherings over 50 people will remain banned until either a vaccine is developed, enough people in the province become immune to the virus through exposure, or broad, successful treatments are developed” - as these are viewed as giving “the virus an opportunity to re-emerge.”

In addition, although cruise ships are not specifically mentioned in the article, the rationale it reports for having casinos be the absolute last to re-open is very indicative of the factors that will come into consideration for permitting cruise ships.

Population density is a thorny factor as well, and will impact any decision that could impact an urban area like Vancouver.

https://globalnews.ca/news/6913424/businesses-not-reopening-b-c-coronavirus/

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I found something interesting while checking out Alaska cruise + tour.  Thinking about booking something this Jun (sure to be cancelled) that I can Lift & Shift to next summer.

The Owner's Suite is cheaper (barely, but still....) than the Grand Suite.  This one would be a good candidate....except that there are no OS available for the Jun 2021 matching itinerary.  Bummer.  

image.thumb.png.f265bd0c8149e9d99186ebf762c4f2a3.png

 

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2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I found something interesting while checking out Alaska cruise + tour.  Thinking about booking something this Jun (sure to be cancelled) that I can Lift & Shift to next summer.

The Owner's Suite is cheaper (barely, but still....) than the Grand Suite.  This one would be a good candidate....except that there are no OS available for the Jun 2021 matching itinerary.  Bummer.  

image.thumb.png.f265bd0c8149e9d99186ebf762c4f2a3.png

 

Any in July since you have a 4 week window either side? And wow, a $9000 pp Junior Suite???

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 5/7/2020 at 10:49 AM, billdauterive said:

My thoughts exactly.  Holding out hope for my July 3rd Ovation but ready to do a lift and shift if needed. 

My only concern is if Royal does cancel the sailings, will lift and shift still be available since it wouldn't technically be a cruise with confidence cancellation at that point.

Whew!  Glad I decided to L&S last week!  Took my TA all the way until Saturday to get through to Royal to get it done.

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3 hours ago, bornidentity said:

GREAT NEWS! However, I am concerned that the excursion operators that we have used in the past, will no longer be in business. May see a drop in offerings in the CP. Hoping and wishing the best for them in Alaska. We had a deposit placed on a third-party flats fishing in Cozumel. We had to cancel due to our cruise being cancelled. We told them to keep the deposit.

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4 hours ago, bornidentity said:

Living in Alaska, I'm staying very on top of this issue and all the news being released.

As the above article states, most restrictions in Alaska are being relaxed (not completely, though) this Friday, May 22nd  (it's considered our "phase 3").  The 14-day travel quarantine for anyone traveling into Alaska is NOT part of this phase, and isn't schedule for release until June 2nd (that is a part of "phase 4").  The governor is getting LOTS of pressure from the travel & tourism industries, as it has just decimated many businesses (and has already forced several to completely go out of business).  I fully expect the 14-day quarantine to NOT be extended past June 2nd, and may very well be released sooner.

I do know that several of the land tour operators and lodges near Denali National Park are not evening opening this year at all.

To date, Alaska has only had 399 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and only 10 deaths in the entire state!  (https://covid19.alaska.gov/)

The remaining issue is having to wait and see what Canada does with opening up their ports...

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2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

If I was reading @Matt's post correctly, they are allowing cancelled cruises to be L&S-ed up until June 10.

I just got the cancellation email and yes, you can Lift and Shift a cancelled cruise (which is what I wanted to know beforehand...)

 

2. Lift and Shift: If you prefer to move your existing booking to a 2021 sailing – we’re happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 4 weeks (before or after) of the original sail date in 2021. For example, if you are moving from a July 30, 2020 sailing, you can move to a sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and the sail date between June 30, 2021 – August 30, 2021.
• Please contact your Travel Advisor or call us by June 10th to move to a new sailing. If we don’t hear from you, we will automatically issue your Future Cruise Credit.

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well my July 31st (last day of suspension) alaska cruise was officially cancelled which really sucks, however we were on phone for 45 minutes and they easily L&S'ed to July 2021, really sucks but at least we got on a next year sailing before they sold out, and actually got a free 7 night cruise with our excess FCC. silver lining.

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19 hours ago, bornidentity said:

well my July 31st (last day of suspension) alaska cruise was officially cancelled which really sucks, however we were on phone for 45 minutes and they easily L&S'ed to July 2021, really sucks but at least we got on a next year sailing before they sold out, and actually got a free 7 night cruise with our excess FCC. silver lining.

We were supposed to be going on Ovation OTS today.... it was cancelled so we moved it to July 31 of this year with our fingers crossed.... But, prior to it being cancelled... we did the L&S to July of next year. (We opted for the July 2nd departure) Hopefully we can enjoy some 4th of July celebrations in Alaska next year. We also will have a good chunk of FCC left over to supplement another cruise eventually.

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