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Original poster

Does anyone have a cruise booked?

45 replies

DeadBod · 09/03/2020 11:47

We have a Mediterranean cruise booked for September which we arranged last year (with travel insurance). The deposit has been paid and the balance us due mid June.
I really can't see us going, having seen the palava with the Princess Cruise on the news but dh thinks we should wait and see what happens over the next couple of months.
Anyone else in the same predicament?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 09/03/2020 11:50

We have one booked for August to Spain and Portugal. As it stands at the moment we are still planning to go. Unless advice changes for people in at risk groups (Ds and my dad) then we will still go most likely.

gib1973 · 09/03/2020 12:29

I'm going on a river boat cruise next month down the Danube and I'm still going....

Shelley54 · 09/03/2020 12:33

I'm pretty sure you'd be going ahead by September. This isn't going to kill off the cruise industry.

DH and I said we'd go on one this month if we could get a decent price. We'd just make sure we had a decent suite so if we got stuck we'd not be trapped in an inside one.

Original poster
DeadBod · 09/03/2020 12:55

There must be some good deals out there at the moment. Dh saw that the price of our cruise had gone down online so he rang the company to discuss. He ended up with a big discount, a free premium drinks package and a free wifi package, so they must be struggling.
I can't help wondering if we're mad to even contemplate going Confused

OP posts:
WorriedAcademic · 09/03/2020 12:58

Friend of mine does but not till Sept, she's hoping it calms down by then.

MinesaPinot · 09/03/2020 13:18

You're worried about one booked for September? Me and DH are due to sail in 6 weeks time to Spain and Portugal. We are going to leave it for another couple of weeks and see what the situation is like. If we feel uncomfortable then we will ring our cruise company and see what they are saying. We'd both prefer to go but will listen to the advice given.

Comefromaway · 09/03/2020 13:21

Lots of dd's friends work on cruise ships. I feel very sorry for them at the moment.

Hoghgyni · 09/03/2020 13:26

I'm booked on P&O's Ionafest in July. I have 4 weeks before I have to pay the balance. DH & I were discussing this over the weekend and I will cancel if I need to, but by that stage, a holiday will probably be the least of our worries, as DD's A levels could have been delayed and her place at university at threat. Financially it's a disaster anyway, as shares in cruise lines have reached rock bottom.

I agree with Comefromaway that the issue facing crew is far more serious. Carnival appears to be treating its staff well under the circumstances, but they must be incredibly worried whilst having to put on a brave face.

VanCleefArpels · 09/03/2020 13:26

yes for May and not minded to go especially as US CDC has said all Americans should not go on cruises!!

Greenteandchives · 09/03/2020 13:27

Yes at the end of this month. Not sure what to do at present.

Original poster
DeadBod · 09/03/2020 15:32

Some difficult decisions to be made. A cruise doesn't come cheap and deciding to just lose that money is gutting (yes, I know we're considering people's health but this is a big financial hit to take).

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 09/03/2020 16:18

@deadbod also the knock on effect of potentially 14 days quarantine somewhere. I’m not sure I’d get the price of my cruise against someone, passenger or crew, not having the virus right now (esp crew who have travelled wider, mixed with more people).

Cohle · 09/03/2020 16:26

Yes, the US state department are now advising all of their citizens against cruise travel altogether.

Personally I wouldn't risk it. The money's gone already.

Greenteandchives · 09/03/2020 16:55

Yes it’s not the actual cruise I’m anxious about, it’s the possibility of being stuck in a foreign country unable to get back. We will lose a lot of money if we don’t go but I honestly think I won’t enjoy it.

redwoodmazza · 09/03/2020 17:01

For the last 2 years we have gone to Singapore in March to visit my stepson. We decided not to this year and now I am now quite relieved.
As for cruises, definitely a cabin with its own outside space.

Rockbird · 09/03/2020 17:08

My parents are going in about three weeks, down to the Canaries. So far they're still planning to go...

MinesaPinot · 09/03/2020 20:44

We are travelling with P & O and they've put a post on FB this evening to say that they are revising their transfer and cancellation policy - details in 48 hours. We are hoping they will say that we can transfer to another cruise up to the end of next year which will suit us. We've been very relaxed so far but the thought of not being able to get into ports and/or quarantine either on board or when we got home is making us increasingly uncomfortable. Shame because it's a lovely itinerary but better to be safe than sorry. We will see.

BritWifeinUSA · 09/03/2020 20:46

Yes. Hawaii in September. Won’t be cancelling at all.

Smashedavacado · 09/03/2020 21:11

I don't have one booked but have recently travelled with Celebrity Cruises which is part of Royal Caribbean - they have recently changed their cancellation policy so that you can cancel up to 48 hrs before departure for a credit which can be used in 2020/21. This must be very reassuring for anyone with future bookings. As much as I love being on a cruise the thought of being quarantined in a cabin for 14 days would be terrible - with or without a balcony!

Elouera · 09/03/2020 21:17

My PIL's are booked to go in April! Problem is, 1 already has a bad lung condition similar to COPD, and is elderly! They are very concerned and unsure what to do? Its a Med cruise and they've seen tickets for the exact same cruise at 1/3 the price they paid.

They're hoping the cruise is cancelled. Does anyone know, if 1 person has a medical condition meaning the GP/specialist agrees they shouldnt go, then does the well partner still need to go or lose their money?

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 09/03/2020 21:17

My brother is presently on a cruise. He flew to, I think, Thailand on around 5 March and sailed from there. They should have been sailing until 18 March but latest news is that the cruise is now cancelled and they are all being flown home. The key problem is that no port will let them dock.

Hoghgyni · 10/03/2020 07:38

Eloura it will almost certainly depend upon the wording of the policy & what was declared at the time. I know that when I did a medical screening test by phone once and casually mentioned leukaemia in the family, I was immediately asked for more details. When they were reassured that MiL had had it over 10 years earlier, they were willing to cover me without further get out clauses on family illnesses.

Hoghgyni · 10/03/2020 07:41

Many cruise lines are very accommodating for moving your trip. As long as you pick another date within 12 months & a cruise of at least the same value, you can normally change to a later date.

Rockbird · 11/03/2020 18:25

Cunard have come back to my parents and offered cancellation up to 48 hours before trip and a variety of options for rescheduling etc. Has taken a great weight of my parents' minds.

Sirzy · 11/03/2020 18:31

P and O have announced today that for cruises up to the end of August you can get an extra £200 per cabin if you cruise and if you decide to transfer your booking you can do so up until 48 hours before departure.