ranles

We like to cruise, but fear: co-vid; problems booking flights (country blocking, worry of loss of $$, if cruise cancelled by me or cruise line); concerned of being locked out of ports; and a multitude of other things. We also worry that we will not be able to book one of the few remaining itineraries we still seek. Does this sound familiar?

Here is what we have done with OUR NEW BOOKING. 1. we booked far out, October 2021. 2. we found an offer that allows us to put up a lower deposit (which we have until Jun 2021 to get mostly back). 3. we looked at the forfeiture schedule, and we have until June 1 2021 before our loss can exceed $100 pp, if we back out. 4. to avoid air fare forfeiture risk, we booked the air with the cruise line (Regent 7 Seas "included" business class for int'l portion, coach balance). This is a rare itinerary, so getting a slot is difficult. We were on a wait list with the same line, for a similar cruise, for nearly a year. We were told if was likely impossible that a cabin would clear (lots of waitlisted passengers before us), then came co-vid. Lots of cabins cleared. Cruise was/is Nov 2020. We bailed, lost nothing, and got our good faith deposit back (that held our waitlist in priority).

So bottom line. We have an "option" for the cruise we want, at the cost (zero if we take the cruise) of $200.00. We are "protected" on air transportation. Hopefully, by June we will have a much greater understanding of the path of the virus, risks and have the opportunity to be vaccinated. At that time, we can cancel, or buy insurance and continue with plans to get "back in the water".

There may be some holes in our decision making, but we post this for others who are thinking of cruising again to contemplate.