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Will cruises get cancelled this year

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    #32
    krissovo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,645 ✭✭✭krissovo


    loyatemu wrote: »
    I'd like to the think the floating-city, "today it's Venice" mega-cruise industry is finished, it's a massively polluting and decadent model that represents the absolute worst of mass tourism. The big cruise companies are in financial trouble and there may not be much appetite to bail them out given their shady business practises. Smaller cruises may have a future.

    Share prices are doing well the last few days for Norwegian & Royal after massive drops. They are looking likely to ride out the storm with their future bookings alone. The odds of making a few bob, possibly threefold in 2 years are quite good if you fancied investing.


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    #33
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Never done a cruise myself. Are they any good?


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    #34
    whomitconcerns
    Registered Users Posts: 4,315 ✭✭✭whomitconcerns


    curly from cork wrote: »
    Honeymoon booked with Trailfinders last December. Due to go to USA and Mexico the end of July. We have paid a deposit of €1800. The balance is due mid May. I spoke to Trailfinders yesterday and our options are far from what we had hoped for.
    Option 1. Pay the remaining amount ( €5000) on the due date. If close the time the company cancel the holidays we will get a full refund, if the holiday is not cancelled we will have to travel. For obvious reasons apart from an underlying health condition we do not want to travel this year.
    Option 2. Amend the booking and move to a date next year, if we do this there is a penalty of €1000. The €800 left after this amendment will go towards the new booking, prices are not guaranteed at the 2020 price
    TBH we thought that a big company like Trailfinders would be offering to move our honeymoon to next year with no penalty. We were very shocked at the €1000 charge. Can anyone offer any advice or had anyone dealt with an issue similar to this. Thank you
    Makes sense from your point of view alright. But Tf also have made the bookings on your behalf and if they are not cancellable for 100% right now, how can they refund you 100%?

    As they say it may be all cancelled and at that point they can issue a full refund, but until then they are obligated to pay 100%, same as you are. And I get the whole they are a big company thing, but there are a lot of people in the same boat. So unless the whole chain cancels 100% from the top, someone has to suck it up...

    Not ideal but it’s reality unfortunately


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    #35
    JimmyVik
    Registered Users Posts: 5,368 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    There will be no cruises this year.
    But the cruise lines are not cancelling til they have to.
    They are waiting to cancel after inside final payment date.

    They want people to rebook rather than refund the money.

    We have one booked for September and have only the first payment made. We dont want to go on a cruise this year or next year.
    We are allowed to rebook cruises until end 2021 and I suppose we will have to pick a date before that or lose our deposit which is a lot.
    Final payment is 90 days before departure. I wont be making the final payment. So my only option is to cancel and use the deposit for another cruise.


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    #36
    JimmyVik
    Registered Users Posts: 5,368 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    curly from cork wrote: »
    Honeymoon booked with Trailfinders last December. Due to go to USA and Mexico the end of July. We have paid a deposit of €1800. The balance is due mid May. I spoke to Trailfinders yesterday and our options are far from what we had hoped for.
    Option 1. Pay the remaining amount ( €5000) on the due date. If close the time the company cancel the holidays we will get a full refund, if the holiday is not cancelled we will have to travel. For obvious reasons apart from an underlying health condition we do not want to travel this year.
    Option 2. Amend the booking and move to a date next year, if we do this there is a penalty of €1000. The €800 left after this amendment will go towards the new booking, prices are not guaranteed at the 2020 price
    TBH we thought that a big company like Trailfinders would be offering to move our honeymoon to next year with no penalty. We were very shocked at the €1000 charge. Can anyone offer any advice or had anyone dealt with an issue similar to this. Thank you




    Who is the cruise with. I know the cruise lines are allowing you to cancel and giving credit til end of 2021 for the full amount you've paid.


    I think its trailfinders who are keeping that money. Call the cruise line and tell them whats happening and that trailfinders are blaming them.

    One thing thats changed for me. I will never ever be booking anything thats not 100% refundable again. If a travel agent doesnt like that then i'll find a different one.


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    #37
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    loyatemu wrote: »
    I'd like to the think the floating-city, "today it's Venice" mega-cruise industry is finished, it's a massively polluting and decadent model that represents the absolute worst of mass tourism.

    Here’s hoping - a disgusting, bloated industry built on sickening over consumption and superficial tourism


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    #38
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    Kerry25x wrote: »
    Bookings are on the rise for 2021 apparently.

    Its not my preferred holiday but I wouldn't be deterred from cruising again in the future.

    any likelihood these bookings are just people rebooking with vouchers offered to them this year?


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    #39
    harr
    Registered Users Posts: 4,478 ✭✭✭harr


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    any likelihood these bookings are just people rebooking with vouchers offered to them this year?

    Yes , I was speaking to our Tavel agent and was told most of the so-called new bookings are just people rescheduling holidays for next year.
    When we were given the option of paying in full and then getting a voucher or rebooking same holiday next year the agent actually told us to think hard about what we wanted to do as she said not all airlines or travel companies will be still operational by next summer.
    So have a good think about it before agreeing to a voucher which might be worthless next year.


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    #40
    JimmyVik
    Registered Users Posts: 5,368 ✭✭✭JimmyVik


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    any likelihood these bookings are just people rebooking with vouchers offered to them this year?


    I think that is very likely alright.


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    #41
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Never done a cruise myself. Are they any good?

    When and got married on one last year. We were really well taken care of. Now we had done about a year of looking at cruise videos. We knew what to expect on the eastern Caribbean.

    The wedding team were fantastic and sure things went wrong at the last minute (I forgot to charge the battery in the GO-Pro) and they had a charged one on hand. There was no big rush on the photographers time, did a proper album. Had a great meal in small restaurant (had 7 other with us).

    What ever you are looking for its there. There is a casino (not our thing), pool and drinks, Kids are hidden in kids club. RC have a new autism program. Every night you have an activity sheet left in your room to help you plan for the following day.

    There are ports, shopping, beaches, history culture, dancing, gym .....

    If you are looking for something negative its there too. I am aware the staff are on bottom dollar, always on call, its tough on mental health not being able to have privacy on board, hard to have and maintain a relationship being at sea for 4-6 months at a time. I get the same stick from the wife "we cant go away during the school year". Its the life we choose with consequences and benefits.


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    #42
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    its for this reason why I think the cruise line industry is doomed
    No company can afford to be without revenue for 18 months and survive

    So what is going to happen to all the ships? Their life span is 30 years. They are purpose built for cruising. Its not like take an angle grinder and shure wer will cut through a few rooms and decks and make it into a cargo hold?

    This is when you get sharks like Trump, Michael O'Leary and other wolves who will come in and finance. There is an appetite for this tourism. There is a massive consumption of liquor and gambling.

    I do realise the ships are at sea doing maintenance and running on skeleton staff. There are no easy answers here.


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    #43
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Batrachotox wrote: »
    Here’s hoping - a disgusting, bloated industry built on sickening over consumption and superficial tourism

    What industry/corporation do you work for that allows you this higher moral judgement?

    There is no industry/corporation that is above this moral high ground of judgement you aspire to. Every industry makes a bit of pollution, uses a bit of child labour, funds the odd insurgent, exploits people or is built on complete BS to allow it to be successful.

    Tourism bring employment to these areas of the world. It has really made me respect people of the Caribbean that a hurricane can pass through and they are up again in a few weeks for business. They can sell passports, make rum, have innovative dishes. Not every country in the world can be Germany or Japan, sometimes the world needs a Barbados.


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    #44
    ELM327
    Registered Users Posts: 21,483 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    There's great deals with NCL for Q4 cruises. I'm considering booking.
    I wouldn't fly there though, I'd drive to the port.


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    #45
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    skooterblue2 wrote: »
    So what is going to happen to all the ships?

    sold for scrap metal


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    #46
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    sold for scrap metal

    not a chance! most of the biggest are under 15 years old and have loads of life left in them. Do you know what is the price for scrap steel? Then there is the art fixtures and fittings? There is still a massive loss going to be wrote off. Where there is a whole cruise culture going on with loyal programs that are decades old. Emma Cruises on youtube has been on over 40 cruises since the age of 11. She is probably in her late 20's. Cruising has become very affordable over the last 20 years.


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    #47
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,130 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    Plus once you go on one cruise, you rarely have to pay full price ever again, as they keep sending you offers.


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    #48
    Caranica
    Registered Users Posts: 10,026 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    Is it Norwegian that have the single levels? To encourage people to cruise alone and mingle. I heard the end of a radio interview about them last year. Would consider one, even now.


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    #49
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    cruises with buffets and all inclusive are 2 holidays that dont appeal to me


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    #50
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    cruises with buffets and all inclusive are 2 holidays that dont appeal to me going forward


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    #51
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    cruises with buffets and all inclusive are 2 holidays that dont appeal to me

    If you dont want to go on a cruise please dont book.
    There is a lot more to a cruise than all you can eat buffets.
    I notice you dont comment on Jamies Italian and Sabor over at Royal Caribbean. You also fail to mention the fine dining in the formal restaurant with its many levels. You make it sound like a bad Vegas Casino at sea.

    There is no "all inclusive package". You pay for your room and food. You want drinks or a drinks package that extra. You want a dining experience, that is extra. You want to go to the spa, thats extra. You want to go on a day excursion, that is extra.

    I dont think you know anything about the industry. No its not perfect but dont go commenting about something you clearly have a gaping lack of knowledge of.


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    #52
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Caranica wrote: »
    Is it Norwegian that have the single levels? To encourage people to cruise alone and mingle. I heard the end of a radio interview about them last year. Would consider one, even now.

    yeah, you have a tiny room with single bed, shower and toilet and small wardrobe TV and phone. You have a large singles common area and notice board. So you dont have to pay the "single supplement".


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    #53
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    skooterblue2 wrote: »
    If you dont want to go on a cruise please dont book.
    There is a lot more to a cruise than all you can eat buffets.
    I notice you dont comment on Jamies Italian and Sabor over at Royal Caribbean. You also fail to mention the fine dining in the formal restaurant with its many levels. You make it sound like a bad Vegas Casino at sea.

    There is no "all inclusive package". You pay for your room and food. You want drinks or a drinks package that extra. You want a dining experience, that is extra. You want to go to the spa, thats extra. You want to go on a day excursion, that is extra.

    I dont think you know anything about the industry. No its not perfect but dont go commenting about something you clearly have a gaping lack of knowledge of.

    like I said previously I have never been on one, but was planning one in a couple yrs for an upcoming landmark bday

    based on what I have been told it doesnt appeal to me anymore


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    #54
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    like I said previously I have never been on one, but was planning one in a couple yrs for an upcoming landmark bday

    based on what I have been told it doesnt appeal to me anymore

    And you are right its not for you, please dont get on a ship with preconceived notions while knowing very little about the industry. What you will see is only the stereo types you have in your mind set to see.

    You will see overweight Americans, retired, two burgers away from a heart attack. The noise of the casino will be unbearable. The tourist that refer to everywhere south of Galveston as Mexico. Unless you have priority boarding you are going to feel like cattle being ushered up the gang plank. There are about 20-35 decks on a ship, with port stops most days.

    You are going on a luxury holiday with 4,500 people all different nationalities and background. I saw things on the cruise I didn't like, I saw a family dressed in tracksuits and gold chains in the formal dining, being photographed giving gang signs. Yes, completely crass and inappropriate, but I put it out of my mind and carried on with my honeymoon. Sometime you have to make little compromises. Wouldn't I be one those people who you dont want to go on holiday with if I was complaining every two hours?

    I hope you really great birthday but dont be that guy down a reception every two hours, complaining the pool is over crowded. Instead be the guy who takes his wife to dance lesson everyday, does his first massage, goes to a musical every night, swims with stingrays and goes quad biking into the rain forest. That is the guy I want to go on holidays.

    Cruising has changed so much in the last 15 years. Its no longer for the elite and has relaxed alot. The profile has changed from the over fed, newly wed and nearly dead. Its family orientated with kids clubs, autism friendly, relaxed. That is not your holiday, fine. You always get moaners and whingers on holidays (I used to work in hotels), no matter how your prostrate yourself before them, they will find fault. I know my wifes friend is a picky eater and my sister in law is whinger. This is due to an inferiority complex. Dont be that guy, beating on some poor 2nd world worker because there is a statin in your carpet in your room.


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    #55
    ELM327
    Registered Users Posts: 21,483 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    And if you want the elite cruise then go for the transatlantic cruise with cunard.

    Before this hit, I was considering it.
    I'm obsessed with Titanic style cruising. (dress style, not sinking)


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    #56
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    skooterblue2 wrote: »
    You are going on a luxury holiday with 4,500 people all different nationalities and background.

    I can think of safer ways going forward to have a luxury holiday

    unless a vaccine comes in a cruise is not for me and I personally feel there will be a lot of sentiment thinking the same which will put that industry into jeopardy


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    #57
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    Lex Luthor wrote: »
    I can think of safer ways going forward to have a luxury holiday

    unless a vaccine comes in a cruise is not for me and I personally feel there will be a lot of sentiment thinking the same which will put that industry into jeopardy

    Well then that is sorted. There will be no vaccine within 4 years (not one that is developed safely). There are going to be many new potential cruisers who will be put off due to peer pressure and then there will be travel restrictions on those over 70.

    If it is any consolation, my missus wants to go on safari to East Africa. NOT a F&*kin'g chance. My family has been out there on the missions which were a failure to make Africa both socially and financially independent. I am not getting a load of vaccines to go there in the state it is in.


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    #58
    ELM327
    Registered Users Posts: 21,483 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Right fine. We don't want you on our cruises anyway!

    Cruises are generally booked 12-24+ months in advance. I'm still looking at end of year or q1 '21 for a med cruise (ncl epic) and for a cunard b2b transatlantic for '21 or '22. Best time to book is now.


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    #59
    skooterblue2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,816 ✭✭✭skooterblue2


    ELM327 wrote: »
    Right fine. We don't want you on our cruises anyway!

    Cruises are generally booked 12-24+ months in advance. I'm still looking at end of year or q1 '21 for a med cruise (ncl epic) and for a cunard b2b transatlantic for '21 or '22. Best time to book is now.

    I second that motion.


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    #60
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    I'll wave ye all off on your imaginary boats


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    #61
    cee_jay
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 7,920 Mod ✭✭✭✭cee_jay


    Royal Caribbean have announced an enhanced cruise with confidence program - so can now cancel my cruise departing end November, and I will receive future cruise credit which is valid up to Dec 31 2021.
    They have also added a "Best Price Guarantee" and "Lift and Shift"

    https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-with-confidence

    We only have a deposit paid so far, going to give the travel agent a buzz this week to see what our options are. I would love to do the cruise (it was our first time, for a significant birthday), but unsure if the Lift and Shift will work for us as the itinerary we have isn't running at the same time next year. There is a similar itinerary for number of nights and countries, but the ports are different - we would happily do the new one, but it looks to cost an extra €700 per person than what we paid.


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