What's your feeling about cruising again?

[CaroleF]

This morning for the first time in ages I heard a traffic warning for Southampton because apparently there are several cruise ships in. I wondered how people are feeling about cruising again. I suppose my attitude is affected by the fact that if I cruise again it will either be on my own or with a friend after losing John just before Christmas. I've been reading through my cruise diaries - I always wrote a day to day diary on every cruise and seeing as we had done around 30 cruises that's a lot of writing - several cruises in the same notebook though, not 30 notebooks! Re-reading them certainly makes the ships come alive again although when reading the names of people we shared a table with - always a table of 8 Club Dining - I'm ashamed to say that I can't recall many of them.

I don't think that at the moment even without Covid I would want to cruise again in the immediate future. Adapting to life without a partner is obviously not easy and maybe if I went on a holiday on my own it would be a land holiday in this country, although I know I would feel perfectly safe on a cruise ship, certainly on a P&O ship. However, the trend for larger and larger ships does not appeal to me and I think if Arcadia and Aurora disappear which I'm sure they will, I'll be looking at Saga probably. We were booked to do two Saga cruises but of course neither of them materialised.

As far as Covid is concerned I don't want to cruise again until I'm convinced it will be safe to travel without having to wear a mask all the time apart from in the cabin and when eating. Also while there are restrictions about sharing tables - can only share with the party you are booked with - unless that's changed. Certainly for John and me part of the enjoyment of cruising was meeting other people and sharing a table at dinner.

I keep getting all the brochures arriving but I haven't really bothered looking at any, maybe in another year depending on how things are I'll be thinking about it but not at the moment. One thing, I'm really pleased that back in 2003 we decided to try a cruise to celebrate our Silver Wedding. My brother, who loved going to the Caribbean, said that as I'd never been there we should really think about going and so a cruise - on Fred Olsen - would be a good way to do it. After Fred we tried P&O and never looked back. Good memories. What are the thoughts of others?

Carole

[Mervyn and Trish]

We're looking forward to it in 2022.

[Kendhni]

We are both really looking forward to being able to cruise again. I think we would be willing to accept some limitations such as masks in limited areas and organised shore excursions only (gives me an opportunity to do some of the things we have skipped in the past). Personally I am more concerned about crowding at airports and on flights.

Next March will be the teller for us as we hope to head back to the Caribbean (and finish the cruise we started last year ). However I know others have got bookings several months before us so I am listening eagerly to hear about post-covid experiences (using the expression 'post-covid' in the loosest possible terms).

[david63]

I am still in two minds over resuming cruising.

We have a cruise booked for May/June next year but are not sure what the experience will like be nor whether we will be allowed into any of the ports. Decision time will be in February when the balance is due and hopefully the situation will be clearer by then.

[towny44]

We are due to cruise again in Ocrober, going to the Med on Britannia, but I am beginning to doubt that will operate the planned itinerary, although since we have said we are unlikely to go ashore, the itinerary hardly matters, as long as its reasonably warm and sunny.
We also have a Feb Canaries booked on Iona, and another Med cruise on Britannia in June. Hopefully the latter two may go ahead, but I guess still with lots of covid restrictions.

[barney]

Like many, I’m waiting to see how it all pans out.
We have June 22 Med and January 23 Canaries booked.
I’m not sure that we will go on either but I’m hopeful.
Much will depend on the experience.
If masks are required and excursion only shoreside, then I’m pretty certain we won’t bother with it.
A lot really depends on how covid is going.
Down here in North Devon, we had got off extremely lightly when compared to most, but this tourist and festival season has changed that and we now have very high levels.
We’ll keep our powder dry with reference to a cruise holiday and decide when the balance is due.

[Stephen]

Next year for us. We have a booking, but to be honest I'm not that bothered either way.

[allatc]

We have a Baltic cruise booked for May 2022 (replacement for Canaries cruise in Feb 2022 which was a replacement cruise for Caribbean in Jan 2022 which was a deferred cruise from Jan 2021).
Also a fly cruise out of Malta in October 2022 (deferred cruise to Greek Islands out of Southampton in October 2021)
However, FCO advice for over 70's still seems to be don't cruise.
Until that changes I don't know what the insurance implications would be.
Also don't want to cruise if mask wearing on board is obligatory and "self propelled" shore excursions are not allowed.
Will review the situation in Jan 2022 when the balance of first cruise becomes due.

[Manoverboard]

Neither of us can get enthusiastic about the idea of cruising with a mask, we already have issues regarding insurance and Covid really hasn't helped us at all. Add to that a likely need to have to be cashless and strapped to an app at every turn. The magic is diminishing but the memories are good.

[towny44]

[quote=allatc post_id=307111 time=1629991799 user_id=1999
However, FCO advice for over 70's still seems to be don't cruise.
Until that changes I don't know what the insurance implications would be.
[/quote]
Are you certain that is still the case?

It looks as though the July 21st 2021 update will supercede the original March 12th 2020 data.

[allatc]

It looks as though the July 21st 2021 update will supercede the original March 12th 2020 data.

I would say the info on the website is ambiguous.

It is not clear whether it totally supersedes earlier advice or is supplementary to it

[LadyPCruiser]

We are booked to go on Iona in 4 weeks time - we are both really excited and cannot wait to go - fingers crossed it sails

[Kendhni]

Please let us know how it goes, LadyP

[LadyPCruiser]

Will do - the only bit that seems abit confusing is what Covid tests need to be completed after disembarkation as our last port is Lisbon ( Portugal) that is an Amber list country. No guidance on the website….also do we need to complete a passenger location form?? Will try P and O on Monday ……

[david63]

Will try P and O on Monday

Better make that Tuesday - Monday is a Bank Holiday!

[cruisin_duo]

Had thought we would be cruising in March 2022 (March 2020 cruise moved to March 2022), but that cruise was cancelled by P&O. Will be waiting to see how things evolve before we cruise again.

Like Carol we prefer the smaller ships, and hope that Arcadia and Aurora will still be around.

[Stephen]

Had thought we would be cruising in March 2022 (March 2020 cruise moved to March 2022), but that cruise was cancelled by P&O. Will be waiting to see how things evolve before we cruise again.

Like Carol we prefer the smaller ships, and hope that Arcadia and Aurora will still be around.

So do we. We are booked to be on her next July.

[Whynd1]

I am booked on Aurora for a Canaries cruise in April 2022 .
Not sure if we will still have testing then ,but am hoping that we will be allowed to get off without having to do an exursion with P and O.
Not really sure what's going to happen between now and December when the balance has yo be paid.
Lindsey

[LadyPCruiser]

Any thoughts on this….. if we book trips with p and o and the policy changes so we don’t need to take a p and o trip to get off the ship do you think we will be able cancel the trips and get a full refund - we would much rather do our own thing as I’m sure you all would

[david63]

do you think we will be able cancel the trips and get a full refund

I would hazard a guess that the normal rules for cancelling and refunds would apply. cannot remember off the top of my head but at some point when you cancel there is a 10% deduction.

[Kendhni]

Purely a speculation ... I don't think that DIY excursions are likely for the next 6 months or so. Cruise lines will not want to run the risk of being seen as having disease spreading ships so they will do everything to avoid this. A lot of people and media will be watching with some just looking to wallow in epicaricacy.

[Jan Rosser]

Purely a speculation ... I don't think that DIY excursions are likely for the next 6 months or so. Cruise lines will not want to run the risk of being seen as having disease spreading ships so they will do everything to avoid this. A lot of people and media will be watching with some just looking to wallow in epicaricacy.

Ken - I feel I should put this comment on the "You learn something new every day" thread but I had to look up the meaning of "epicaricacy" - I honestly didn't have a clue what it meant

[Quizzical Bob]

Ken - I feel I should put this comment on the "You learn something new every day" thread but I had to look up the meaning of "epicaricacy" - I honestly didn't have a clue what it meant

It’s just a posh way of saying ἐπιχαιρεκακία

[Stephen]

Wearing mask around ship = OK

Wearing mask around ship + can only get off ship via P&O trip = Cancel cruise

[Meg 50]

do you think we will be able cancel the trips and get a full refund

I would hazard a guess that the normal rules for cancelling and refunds would apply. cannot remember off the top of my head but at some point when you cancel there is a 10% deduction.

if you cancel in a trip in time you get a full refund - I've done it. can't remember how long in advance