AndiD

This looks like a beautiful ship - it just might get me to try Carnival....which I said I would never do....hmmm!

Well - actually I was wondering if it can be used toward the deposit on a new cruise? But that actually answered the second question - so thank you!

Jan - since our November FCC was from a deposit, can we use it for another deposit? Do we HAVE to use it for another deposit?

We are hoping to book the January 4, 2022 sailing of this cruise once we get the future cruise deposit credit from our cancelled November cruise. To be honest, I would rather do a full expedition ship cruise to Antarctica, but Dear Hubby doesn't even want to go to Antarctica, so this is our compromise. Who can complain - it's a Princess ship! 😄

I was very glad to see that MSC stuck to their protocols. How much could we have trusted all of their precautions if they had let that family back on board? If people do not agree with the guidelines that they know about ahead of time, and are not willing to follow them, then they just should not book a cruise yet - simple as that.

I am very sad about this. I had a subscription to this magazine long before I could afford to cruise and I have kept it up ever since. In fact, I had an active subscription when they went under; we are supposed to be picked up by another travel magazine but haven't heard what yet. I hope it isn't Porthole Cruising, because I also subscribe to that, ha! I have my issues back to 2014 - I would purge them about every 5 years...

I only wear flipflops at the spa when I get my pedicure. 😅 And I don't wear slides. My toes do love to be free however, so I have a few styles and brands of sandals with back straps that are great for lots of walking. I would love to try some other styles, but the slightest difference in heel size or "pitch" devastates my knees and back I scamper to my tried and trues.

I just downloaded this publication and will be working my way through it!

Great article, Jan! Even though I have taken 30+ cruises I would never think of booking without a good travel agent. All of the points in your article are spot on, and unless you opt for a very high-end, exclusive travel agency, the cost to use an agent is $0! So why not take advantage of their expertise and access?! You can still maintain as much control over the details as you want....or....you can leave everything up to your agent if planning is not "your thing". And CruiseCrazies even makes it easy - check out their recommended Authorized Agents - I have!!

Us too - but we don't bet much and we chalk it up to a little bit of fun.

Yup - still waiting for Holland to cancel our June 13th Alaska cruise........they indicate on their website that they will have a statement about the CDC ruling next week.

Interesting - thank you for sharing that, Jason! Glad they were allowed to dock and are being taken care of....

Welcome, Krasbo! I am scheduled to go to Alaska in mid-June and remaining hopeful. This will be our 4th cruise to Alaska so please, if you have any questions, or would like info on anything, let me know! I LOVE to talk about my favorite place on earth, lol.

THANKS TO JAN, I AM BOOKED ON ANOTHER CRUISE TO REPLACE THE CANCELLED ONE....AND NATURALLY HAD TO UPGRADE A BIT, LOL! WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU CAN JOIN ME ON THIS 14-DAY NORWAY COASTAL CRUISE THAT GOES ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE. IT ALSO INCLUDES THE TWO PORTS THAT I LIKED THE BEST FROM OUR 7-DAY NORWAY CRUISECRAZIES CRUISE: BERGEN AND ALESUND. YAY!

BON VOYAGE, Jan115, as you sail aboard the Norwegian Joy. We wish you fair skies and calm seas!

Bon Voyage, Redfriz, as you sail aboard the Island Princess - wishing you calm seas and fair skies!

Not going on this one, but please do come back and let us know how fabulous it was - we cruise vicariously through everyone, lol!

I would have thinking....okay....if I fall off this ship, how far is it to swim to shore! 😲

WOW! Well...I have started this post over several times because I just don't know how to word it well, I guess. I definitely am NOT the demographic they are trying to appeal to and that's okay because right off the bat I cannot see myself in that cabin. I really did not like the layout or look of it, even though I am also an IKEA fan. There are just too many little things either missing or oddly placed to make me comfortable. The pool (is it really a pool?) is ridiculous. I would be interested to see how many deck chairs they put out as that is where you will find me always on sea days. The public rooms look beautiful and the show they trailered looked great. The prices are definitely NOT great. Good luck, Virgin - it will be interesting to watch how this goes!

Congratulations on that booking - what a great way to celebrate the start of retirement! And yes, at 74 you are certainly more than entitled to retire with no regrets!

It's a long way off but we are so excited to try our first transatlantic on this 14-day itinerary. And the Celebrity Apex is the perfect ship for all those sea days... Would love to hear if anyone else is going AND would love for ALL of you to join us!

Good to hear from you Keith, but so sorry about your bronchitis and that your step-father is struggling. Congrats on the upcoming retirement - less than a year - whoo hoo!

Well I would say they are making the best of it, right?!

I have always been nervous about MSC, but I know they are really putting a lot of effort and money into courting U.S. cruisers, so will be anxious to hear how it goes!