Tracking Cruising Restart: News and Updates

[SierraT]

Thank you both for the recommendation. Going to look now.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Several of the cruises listed are one and done kinda things. Actually while looking for a cruise I found only half of the cruises for next three sailing months share an itinerary.
During the next possible three months for sailing, there are 42 available cruises with 10 listed itineraries between the 4 ships. If I need to test 10 cruises I will, but who could afford to have that kinda business plan?
Maybe I’m just misunderstanding what test cruise for every itinerary means?

 

[Starwind]

Several of the cruises listed are one and done kinda things. Actually while looking for a cruise I found only half of the cruises for next three sailing months share an itinerary.
During the next possible three months for sailing, there are 42 available cruises with 10 listed itineraries between the 4 ships. If I need to test 10 cruises I will, but who could afford to have that kinda business plan?
Maybe I’m just misunderstanding what test cruise for every itinerary means?

You aren't misunderstanding, though I don't know if the granularity of eg sea-nassau-castaway vs nassau-sea-castaway makes it a different "itinerary" for the purposes of needing a new test cruise. I wouldn't think so [same ports, with a sea day, just different order on the schedule], but am by no means an expert on the issue. OTOH, an eastern vs a western would seem to require a test cruise for each since the ports are different.

That is why there is speculation that restart would be slow, with a limited # of ships and limited specific itineraries. Including maybe pretty simple itineraries, like the only port stop being the cruise line's private island, if they can get away with that. But we won't know until some are actually announced by any of the cruise lines.

SW

 

[Birdie dog]

Cunard just cancelled cruises through OCT-NOV 2021 (ship dependent).

 

[BadPinkTink]

Cunard just cancelled cruises through OCT-NOV 2021 (ship dependent).

but in replacement, they have announced there will be UK only sailings on the Queen Elizabeth

 

[Birdie dog]

but in replacement, they have announced there will be UK only sailings on the Queen Elizabeth

I don't see that on my current email. It says the Queen Elizabeth sailings are cancelled until October. It does mention Mediterranean specifically. I'll share the letter..

 

[Birdie dog]

Thank you for your incredible support of Cunard®. We appreciate that our partners working in the travel industry continue to face great challenges, but through these times your support and commitment to looking after our mutual guests has been unwavering. Thank you so much.

As you may be aware, the UK Government has recently confirmed that travel will be opened up for domestic vacations at first, and over time we’ll gradually see the return of international travel. However, with international ports opening up later than hoped, unfortunately, we will be extending our pause in operations.

Sailings on Queen Victoria® are now canceled for departures up to and including August 27, 2021.With many of Queen Elizabeth’s® summer itineraries also visiting international ports, and with cruises departing outside of the UK being unlikely for some time further, we are canceling Queen Elizabeth’s summer Mediterranean season and all departures up to and including October 11, 2021.

For Queen Mary 2®, there are a number of factors affecting her current program and after careful consideration we are canceling all departures up to and including November 12, 2021.

We know how much everyone is looking forward to longed-for cruise vacations and so we are truly sorry that we have had to cancel these itineraries. Thank you for your ongoing support as we work through these changes. If you have any clients impacted by these changes you will find all the information you need below.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I don't see that on my current email. It says the Queen Elizabeth sailings are cancelled until October. It does mention Mediterranean specifically. I'll share the letter..

its in the press release

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ous-summer-staycation-sailings-301245439.html
Cunard will offer a series of UK voyages on Queen Elizabeth, providing a unique and luxurious staycation opportunity this summer for British guests. More details will be revealed later this month.

Sailings will be from Cunard's home port of Southampton and will be in UK coastal waters, seeking out the very best of the summer sunshine. Cunard's flexible booking terms will be applicable for these voyages, so guests will be able to book with confidence.

These new UK staycation voyages will replace a number of international sailings that unfortunately will be cancelled due to the current environment.

"With the UK Government confirming that domestic travel is close on the horizon, we are introducing a series of exciting, shorter duration holidays for British residents looking for the perfect staycation in Cunard luxury this summer," said Simon Palethorpe, president, Cunard. "These will be sailings from Southampton, for UK residents, around the UK and will make the very most of the summer sunshine."

"However, with international travel restrictions still in place, we unfortunately need to cancel a number of departures. We know how much everyone is desperately looking forward to longed-for holidays overseas, so to all affected by this news, I am sincerely sorry for the disappointment this will cause," added Palethorpe.

Sailings on Queen Victoria are now cancelled for departures up to and including August 27, 2021.

Queen Elizabeth's summer Mediterranean fly cruise season and all departures up to and including October 11, 2021 are cancelled.

Queen Mary 2's current program is affected by a number of factors and all departures up to and including November 12, 2021 are cancelled.

All guests whose cruises have been cancelled will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% of what they paid. This 125% Future Cruise Credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021, on any cruise on sale at the time of booking.

 

[ChicosWife]

We received an email about volunteering to cruise. I have a child so can’t go. Make sure you are signed up and check the email associated with your cruise card (like the membership/frequent cruiser cards that are called different things) we are very high up on the particular line that emailed so I wonder if they are reaching out to very frequent cruisers? Maybe bc the eco Erie version will be altered I was thinking they wanted people that “know the ropes”?

Really?!?! I wish I would get that email!!!!

 

[Intr3pid]

its in the press release

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ous-summer-staycation-sailings-301245439.html
Cunard will offer a series of UK voyages on Queen Elizabeth, providing a unique and luxurious staycation opportunity this summer for British guests. More details will be revealed later this month.

Sailings will be from Cunard's home port of Southampton and will be in UK coastal waters, seeking out the very best of the summer sunshine. Cunard's flexible booking terms will be applicable for these voyages, so guests will be able to book with confidence.

These new UK staycation voyages will replace a number of international sailings that unfortunately will be cancelled due to the current environment.

"With the UK Government confirming that domestic travel is close on the horizon, we are introducing a series of exciting, shorter duration holidays for British residents looking for the perfect staycation in Cunard luxury this summer," said Simon Palethorpe, president, Cunard. "These will be sailings from Southampton, for UK residents, around the UK and will make the very most of the summer sunshine."

"However, with international travel restrictions still in place, we unfortunately need to cancel a number of departures. We know how much everyone is desperately looking forward to longed-for holidays overseas, so to all affected by this news, I am sincerely sorry for the disappointment this will cause," added Palethorpe.

Sailings on Queen Victoria are now cancelled for departures up to and including August 27, 2021.

Queen Elizabeth's summer Mediterranean fly cruise season and all departures up to and including October 11, 2021 are cancelled.

Queen Mary 2's current program is affected by a number of factors and all departures up to and including November 12, 2021 are cancelled.

All guests whose cruises have been cancelled will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% of what they paid. This 125% Future Cruise Credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021, on any cruise on sale at the time of booking.

Most of Cunard QE's summer cruises sail out of Southampton normally, so the difference we will see is primarily in the itineraries. No more Baltic or Norway or Iceland - just British Isles - and maybe shorter itineraries than the standard 14 nights.

QM2's cancellations to November were forthcoming. The Atlantic crossing would have failed to meet several CDC requirements - particularly around the evacuation plans in case of an outbreak. (We might see US-only itineraries on that ship for the summer.)

All cruise lines have recently raised more money in the capital markets. They can afford to wait a little longer now.

 

[bcwife76]

Crystal Cruises announced today they are starting up with 7 night Bahamian cruises (round trip from the Bahamas) this July. Booking starts March 18th.
https://www.crystalcruises.com/spec..._campaign=bahamas-escapes&utm_content=bahamas

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Crystal Cruises announced today they are starting up with 7 night Bahamian cruises (round trip from the Bahamas) this July. Booking starts March 18th.
https://www.crystalcruises.com/spec..._campaign=bahamas-escapes&utm_content=bahamas

But what are the rules for getting into the Bahamas?

 

[bcwife76]

But what are the rules for getting into the Bahamas?

Apparently both a negative test and proof of vaccination will be required (to cruise and, I'm assuming, to enter the Bahamas) along with a health form you must fill out.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Apparently both a negative test and proof of vaccination will be required (to cruise and, I'm assuming, to enter the Bahamas) along with a health form you must fill out.

And then another negative test to get back into the U.S. That's a lot of effort for a Bahamas cruise imo.

 

[BadPinkTink]

And then another negative test to get back into the U.S. That's a lot of effort for a Bahamas cruise imo.

Thats going to be the same for DCL for cruises just with a stop Castaway Cay as its under the jurisdiction of the Bahama Government.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Thats going to be the same for DCL for cruises just with a stop Castaway Cay as its under the jurisdiction of the Bahama Government.

True.

 

[Makmak]

Really?!?! I wish I would get that email!!!!

There were lots and lots of restrictions, they were looking for adults only, and the list of limited/nonexistent offerings was quite large. They also stated masks/vaccine/cabin room occupancy limits and the protocols of possible onboard infections—like not being able to leave the ship/return home for a period of time. For my situation that’s not going to work, and it didn’t sound like fun

 

[kathi]

Was this a DCL offer or a different line?

 

[Makmak]

Was this a DCL offer or a different line?

Not DCL

 

[ChicosWife]

This video says that DCL is advertising for character cast members: