Bahamian cruise on Dream August 7th - just thinking out loud

[1968hammer]

We are booked for the Dream 7th August, first time cruising, as a taster!

I note the various cancellations including yesterday's European cruises. Is it possible that DCL is managing workload by canceling routes in a logical sense?

We are traveling from the UK and despite the FCO and US travel bans we are hopeful we get to holiday, of sorts. Presuming measures are in place, we would board the cruise. however, if the bans are lifted and then the cruise likely to be cancelled we would happily extend the earlier part of our trip touring the Keys. This involves extending and moving various accommodation bookings on our Keys tour.

So, firstly, the longer it is left the more expensive booking accommodation will become? also, we will need to extend our car hire given this would have been returned prior to the cruise and our travel back to the UK.

Secondly, we met our PIF date last weekend to avoid loss of deposit and effecting cancellation. If the two travel bans remain in place we have pre-COViD insurance to cover losses.

Thirdly, I could rearrange Keys accommodations in anticipation of the cruise cancelling, but if it doesn't cancel ?!? I need to rearrange again!


Thoughts?

 

[harriet2]

I doubt the travel bans will be lifted

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Hi!
I don't know about cruising in August. Especially the beginning of August. No one can predict or foresee the future, which makes it pretty hard to plan anything, including a vacation, especially a cruise.

That being said, I would love to go to the Keys myself! And I am only about a 3 hour flight away here in the Northeast. Unfortunately, given all that is happening here I don't see that happening this summer. Too many unknowns. We had the DCL Italy/Greece cruise booked for this year. That is now canceled and I am being to think that any vacation, is unlikely this summer. Things are just too restrictive for us, not much fun.

I think you are looking at a lot of re-arranging no matter your plan. I am not sure about your accommodations becoming more expensive as it grows closer. Vacation spots here most likely won't see the crowds they have due to the pandemic. I guess it is possible the price could go down? Are your accommodations pre-paid or can you cancel a few days before you arrive if the cruise does go? If so, you could book now and cancel that reservation if you cruise. As for the car, I would think that extending it would not be an issue last minute as people are not traveling/vacationing, thus they are not renting cars. Same goes for canceling the car reservation if it is not needed. Usually not much notice is needed for that.

I wish you the best! I really hope you get to enjoy your cruise and trip!

 

[randumb0]

Given the state of cruise ships and repatriation of crew members I think the odds of your cruise happening are low.

 

[1968hammer]

Hi!
I don't know about cruising in August. Especially the beginning of August. No one can predict or foresee the future, which makes it pretty hard to plan anything, including a vacation, especially a cruise.

That being said, I would love to go to the Keys myself! And I am only about a 3 hour flight away here in the Northeast. Unfortunately, given all that is happening here I don't see that happening this summer. Too many unknowns. We had the DCL Italy/Greece cruise booked for this year. That is now canceled and I am being to think that any vacation, is unlikely this summer. Things are just too restrictive for us, not much fun.

I think you are looking at a lot of re-arranging no matter your plan. I am not sure about your accommodations becoming more expensive as it grows closer. Vacation spots here most likely won't see the crowds they have due to the pandemic. I guess it is possible the price could go down? Are your accommodations pre-paid or can you cancel a few days before you arrive if the cruise does go? If so, you could book now and cancel that reservation if you cruise. As for the car, I would think that extending it would not be an issue last minute as people are not traveling/vacationing, thus they are not renting cars. Same goes for canceling the car reservation if it is not needed. Usually not much notice is needed for that.

I wish you the best! I really hope you get to enjoy your cruise and trip!

Most of our accommodations are free cancellation, some required first night as deposit, but also refundable. The good news having double-checked, to be certain, all can be canceled with a maximum 72 hours notice. on reflection and considering your thoughts that some places may reduce prices(won't hold you to that , given the pandemic and potentially reduced traveler numbers will hold on for a couple more weeks. There is speculation here in the UK about opening skies etc no official guarantees but trying to remain positive. could do with some Florida sunshine (first world problem!)

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[1968hammer]

Given the state of cruise ships and repatriation of crew members I think the odds of your cruise happening are low.

That's a fair point and I understand, let's hope they can announce any decision sooner rather than later. Would help a great deal in the planning

 

[John VN]

That's a fair point and I understand, let's hope they can announce any decision sooner rather than later. Would help a great deal in the planning

DW cancelled our late August cruise last week since the outlook for cruising is fairly grim but we are in a "HOLDING PATTERN" for December and January cruises.

 

[Geomom]

We are booked for the 8/3 Dream cruise. I expect it to be cancelled with DCL still repatriating crew and no entertainment staff rehearsing in Toronto. We already had a WDW vacation booked around the cruise dates...using our DVC pts and our active APs. I booked another DVC room for our cruise dates as a contingency plan so we'd have a room until our flight home.

You are in a difficult position coming from the UK. Hopefully you'll get everything refunded if your trip doesn't happen, and it sounds like you already have contingency plans in mind if you are able to fly to Florida and the cruise is cancelled. I agree that motel prices likely won't rise much and may even decrease, especially in the summer heat and humidity and during hurricane season. Most people in the US would prefer to drive to vacation spots vs risk flying with Covid out there...and the Keys are so far away, it would be more of a draw as a local vacation spot.

Best of luck! I hope you get a vacation of some sort! We're willing to put up with all the WDW changes just to get away after 85 days (so far) of staying home with the family.

 

[DWillowBay]

I can't imagine that travel bans will be lifted. Or...that Disney would allow international travelers on their first cruises. JMHO, but that would be fairly risky.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Most of our accommodations are free cancellation, some required first night as deposit, but also refundable. The good news having double-checked, to be certain, all can be canceled with a maximum 72 hours notice. on reflection and considering your thoughts that some places may reduce prices(won't hold you to that , given the pandemic and potentially reduced traveler numbers will hold on for a couple more weeks. There is speculation here in the UK about opening skies etc no official guarantees but trying to remain positive. could do with some Florida sunshine (first world problem!)

Thanks for your thoughts.

Just my ramblings... I sure hope you get that sunshine. Even I could use some. Thankfully it is summer here now and I won't suffer too much. I could sure use a week of relaxation though! Travel safe! Have fun!

 

[T & R]

The problem is you have both a U.S. ban and a Bahamas ban in place. They both need to be lifted and cannot be just one or the other. The Bahamas keeps pushing theirs out and is now set to expire mid June. We have an Atlantis trip scheduled late June so we’re really watching. I was glad to see St. Lucia open up so hopefully that spreads.