DavidH

Christmas Wishes to everyone and may 2021 be a year to remember, but for all the right reasons.

good luck and happiness to all
have a good one

Best wishes to all. Hoping 2021 is much better and that we will be allowed some form of normality 😎😊

A very Merry Xmas from me, and let's hope for a Happy and Lockdown free 2021. 

Well said Countrygirl. A safe & happy Christmas to you too & to everyone on the forum & at Bolsover.🎄

Well it will be Christmas soon, after a difficult year that none of us expected we can only look forward to happier time when life will be back to some sort of normal (What ever that is).
At Easter our family were disappointed that we could not be together “ don’t worry will have a great Christmas “ I told them. Little did I know we would still be in the same position. 
So here goes-
Have a safe and Merry Christmas 🎄 and let’s look forward to a Very, Very good 2021🥂

Hi Andrew,
Apologies for the delayed response.  I've been unable to access the Forum website for the last few days for some reason.  Don't know if anyone else has experienced the same "timed out" issue?
As for the itinerary, I'm waiting until we get confirmation of the booking and our cabin allocation before considering whether or not to go ahead.  I'll check the itinerary at that point - hopefully, during the course of the next week.
Regards,
DavidH

Received an email from HAL in the early hours of this morning giving us an update on our planned cruise of Japan and Russia, scheduled for April 2021.  Bear in mind that this trip was a already a re-booking of our cancelled April 2020 cruise.
Referring to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is what they had to tell us:- 
"As we continue to prepare and develop our plans, we have made the decision to extend our pause in cruise operations for all departures through March 31, 2021, cruises of eight days or longer that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021, and select longer cruise itineraries departing this spring. As a result, your upcoming voyage has been affected. 
You will be automatically re-booked on the below voyage with your cruise fare and promotions protected, in the same (or equivalent) stateroom category. As a gesture of our appreciation, an Onboard Credit (OBC) will be applied to your new booking of USD $150 per person (up to USD $300 per stateroom).
Noordam (Voyage N123), Monday, April 11, 2022, 14-day Japan and Russia."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Can't say as I'm surprised and at least we've been given plenty of notice.  We've been advised that the re-booking confirmation will be sent to us by 8 December 2020 and, at that point, we can raise any queries or "consider an alternate sailing" either via our Agent or direct with their Southampton office.
In the current climate, I thought members might find it helpful to know the thinking from across the pond.
DavidH
 

Received an email from HAL in the early hours of this morning giving us an update on our planned cruise of Japan and Russia, scheduled for April 2021.  Bear in mind that this trip was a already a re-booking of our cancelled April 2020 cruise.
Referring to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is what they had to tell us:- 
"As we continue to prepare and develop our plans, we have made the decision to extend our pause in cruise operations for all departures through March 31, 2021, cruises of eight days or longer that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021, and select longer cruise itineraries departing this spring. As a result, your upcoming voyage has been affected. 
You will be automatically re-booked on the below voyage with your cruise fare and promotions protected, in the same (or equivalent) stateroom category. As a gesture of our appreciation, an Onboard Credit (OBC) will be applied to your new booking of USD $150 per person (up to USD $300 per stateroom).
Noordam (Voyage N123), Monday, April 11, 2022, 14-day Japan and Russia."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Can't say as I'm surprised and at least we've been given plenty of notice.  We've been advised that the re-booking confirmation will be sent to us by 8 December 2020 and, at that point, we can raise any queries or "consider an alternate sailing" either via our Agent or direct with their Southampton office.
In the current climate, I thought members might find it helpful to know the thinking from across the pond.
DavidH
 

Received an email from HAL in the early hours of this morning giving us an update on our planned cruise of Japan and Russia, scheduled for April 2021.  Bear in mind that this trip was a already a re-booking of our cancelled April 2020 cruise.
Referring to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is what they had to tell us:- 
"As we continue to prepare and develop our plans, we have made the decision to extend our pause in cruise operations for all departures through March 31, 2021, cruises of eight days or longer that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021, and select longer cruise itineraries departing this spring. As a result, your upcoming voyage has been affected. 
You will be automatically re-booked on the below voyage with your cruise fare and promotions protected, in the same (or equivalent) stateroom category. As a gesture of our appreciation, an Onboard Credit (OBC) will be applied to your new booking of USD $150 per person (up to USD $300 per stateroom).
Noordam (Voyage N123), Monday, April 11, 2022, 14-day Japan and Russia."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Can't say as I'm surprised and at least we've been given plenty of notice.  We've been advised that the re-booking confirmation will be sent to us by 8 December 2020 and, at that point, we can raise any queries or "consider an alternate sailing" either via our Agent or direct with their Southampton office.
In the current climate, I thought members might find it helpful to know the thinking from across the pond.
DavidH
 

Received an email from HAL in the early hours of this morning giving us an update on our planned cruise of Japan and Russia, scheduled for April 2021.  Bear in mind that this trip was a already a re-booking of our cancelled April 2020 cruise.
Referring to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is what they had to tell us:- 
"As we continue to prepare and develop our plans, we have made the decision to extend our pause in cruise operations for all departures through March 31, 2021, cruises of eight days or longer that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021, and select longer cruise itineraries departing this spring. As a result, your upcoming voyage has been affected. 
You will be automatically re-booked on the below voyage with your cruise fare and promotions protected, in the same (or equivalent) stateroom category. As a gesture of our appreciation, an Onboard Credit (OBC) will be applied to your new booking of USD $150 per person (up to USD $300 per stateroom).
Noordam (Voyage N123), Monday, April 11, 2022, 14-day Japan and Russia."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Can't say as I'm surprised and at least we've been given plenty of notice.  We've been advised that the re-booking confirmation will be sent to us by 8 December 2020 and, at that point, we can raise any queries or "consider an alternate sailing" either via our Agent or direct with their Southampton office.
In the current climate, I thought members might find it helpful to know the thinking from across the pond.
DavidH
 

Received an email from HAL in the early hours of this morning giving us an update on our planned cruise of Japan and Russia, scheduled for April 2021.  Bear in mind that this trip was a already a re-booking of our cancelled April 2020 cruise.
Referring to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is what they had to tell us:- 
"As we continue to prepare and develop our plans, we have made the decision to extend our pause in cruise operations for all departures through March 31, 2021, cruises of eight days or longer that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021, and select longer cruise itineraries departing this spring. As a result, your upcoming voyage has been affected. 
You will be automatically re-booked on the below voyage with your cruise fare and promotions protected, in the same (or equivalent) stateroom category. As a gesture of our appreciation, an Onboard Credit (OBC) will be applied to your new booking of USD $150 per person (up to USD $300 per stateroom).
Noordam (Voyage N123), Monday, April 11, 2022, 14-day Japan and Russia."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Can't say as I'm surprised and at least we've been given plenty of notice.  We've been advised that the re-booking confirmation will be sent to us by 8 December 2020 and, at that point, we can raise any queries or "consider an alternate sailing" either via our Agent or direct with their Southampton office.
In the current climate, I thought members might find it helpful to know the thinking from across the pond.
DavidH
 

Received an email from HAL in the early hours of this morning giving us an update on our planned cruise of Japan and Russia, scheduled for April 2021.  Bear in mind that this trip was a already a re-booking of our cancelled April 2020 cruise.
Referring to the recently released Framework for Conditional Sailing from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is what they had to tell us:- 
"As we continue to prepare and develop our plans, we have made the decision to extend our pause in cruise operations for all departures through March 31, 2021, cruises of eight days or longer that call at a U.S. port through November 1, 2021, and select longer cruise itineraries departing this spring. As a result, your upcoming voyage has been affected. 
You will be automatically re-booked on the below voyage with your cruise fare and promotions protected, in the same (or equivalent) stateroom category. As a gesture of our appreciation, an Onboard Credit (OBC) will be applied to your new booking of USD $150 per person (up to USD $300 per stateroom).
Noordam (Voyage N123), Monday, April 11, 2022, 14-day Japan and Russia."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Can't say as I'm surprised and at least we've been given plenty of notice.  We've been advised that the re-booking confirmation will be sent to us by 8 December 2020 and, at that point, we can raise any queries or "consider an alternate sailing" either via our Agent or direct with their Southampton office.
In the current climate, I thought members might find it helpful to know the thinking from across the pond.
DavidH
 

Back in February, HAL cancelled our Japan and Russia cruise and promptly refunded all monies payed.
With the help of both Bolsover (through whom the cruise was booked) and Trailfinders (flights and pre-cruise land tour package), we re-scheduled the trip for April 2021.  Bolsover have just informed me that the date for the cruise balance payment has been deferred by one month to early February 2021.  I guess by then HAL will be making a decision as to whether or not the cruise can go ahead, thus avoiding taking final payments which would need to be refunded.
If it does go ahead, we currently intend to be on it.  Not sure for how many more years we will remain fit enough to make such a trip.  Tempus fugit!!
DavidH

Hope it goes ahead for you David. The next one I have booked is a Fred Olsen to Northern Europe in June next year.

Back in February, HAL cancelled our Japan and Russia cruise and promptly refunded all monies payed.
With the help of both Bolsover (through whom the cruise was booked) and Trailfinders (flights and pre-cruise land tour package), we re-scheduled the trip for April 2021.  Bolsover have just informed me that the date for the cruise balance payment has been deferred by one month to early February 2021.  I guess by then HAL will be making a decision as to whether or not the cruise can go ahead, thus avoiding taking final payments which would need to be refunded.
If it does go ahead, we currently intend to be on it.  Not sure for how many more years we will remain fit enough to make such a trip.  Tempus fugit!!
DavidH

Back in February, HAL cancelled our Japan and Russia cruise and promptly refunded all monies payed.
With the help of both Bolsover (through whom the cruise was booked) and Trailfinders (flights and pre-cruise land tour package), we re-scheduled the trip for April 2021.  Bolsover have just informed me that the date for the cruise balance payment has been deferred by one month to early February 2021.  I guess by then HAL will be making a decision as to whether or not the cruise can go ahead, thus avoiding taking final payments which would need to be refunded.
If it does go ahead, we currently intend to be on it.  Not sure for how many more years we will remain fit enough to make such a trip.  Tempus fugit!!
DavidH

Back in February, HAL cancelled our Japan and Russia cruise and promptly refunded all monies payed.
With the help of both Bolsover (through whom the cruise was booked) and Trailfinders (flights and pre-cruise land tour package), we re-scheduled the trip for April 2021.  Bolsover have just informed me that the date for the cruise balance payment has been deferred by one month to early February 2021.  I guess by then HAL will be making a decision as to whether or not the cruise can go ahead, thus avoiding taking final payments which would need to be refunded.
If it does go ahead, we currently intend to be on it.  Not sure for how many more years we will remain fit enough to make such a trip.  Tempus fugit!!
DavidH

I’d just about got used to wearing a mask  for a short time in the shops but now they’re closing again. I still click & collect groceries as I can’t get used to people in all directions in the aisles chatting & blocking the way. It’s a shame for the smaller shops as they organised things well & will now lose a lot of Christmas trade - our local shopping centre has seen a lot of shops close for good already. I’m still hopeful for our 2 cruises next year but who knows. Keep well everyone.

At least last time we were locked down, we had good weather which allowed for great walks/bike rides in our wonderful countryside.  All those tracks and fields are a much wetter. colder, windier proposition now.
Dancing shoes back in the cupboard.  Table tennis bat likewise.  Might have to rig the bike back up to the static trainer!! 
Boring!!!  But, still with hope.
DavidH

Good question OWT.
I personally don't see the cruise industry returning to any sort of normality for at least a couple of years even with a vaccine.
I wouldn't even consider cruising until restrictions are lifted, cruising with face masks, social distancing, dining and shore restrictions doesn't appeal.
It must be so difficult for Bolsover in the current circumstances, so I guess selling land based holidays is a way of keeping their head above water, but again in the current climate and travel restrictions not sure how viable it will be long term.
Take care and stay safe everyone, hopefully this four week lockdown will enable Christmas to be an enjoyable occasion for all.
HLM.

Yes another 4 weeks, but then I have not really been out much since we returned home from our last cruise on 17th March. I Just wish people would do as they are told then maybe the transmission would be lower. We maybe the older generation but we still want to get on with our lives.
I look forward to be able to cruise again, so let’s wish and pray for a vaccine soon.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES AND KEEP SAFE

Whilst I have only booked cruises through Bolsover at their main premises, I am sorry to hear that there premises at Meadowhall will not be reopening. I am sure that others will join me in wishing Bolsover cruise club well for the future during these difficult times and that we may all soon be cruising again... PP 🙂

Last week I did a 5 day English river cruise and the company had thought about everything to make passengers safe. Yes, it was a very small ship, only 16 on board but they insisted on mask wearing in public areas, had devised a one-way system, each table was for two and separated from others by a clear perspex screen and each table had its own air supply. The table condiments, milk, hot water and drinking water stayed on that table as did utensils and the hand sanitiser dispenser. The whole ship had sanitisers at all entrances, temperatures were taken daily. The meals were as good as any of the luxury ships and there was a choice of wines, beers or soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Tours were included in the price so no paying high prices on top of the fare and gratuities were discretionary, for those that wanted to tip it was recommended at £10 per cabin per day. Masks were provided in the cabin as was sanitiser and pocket/handbag bottles of sanitiser for when going ashore. Perhaps the large ships will do something similar.

I certainly agree with the comments by OWT and David above. As the mainstream cruise lines build ever larger ships, I think it would get more difficult for them to have regional departures, especially on a frequent basis. Liverpool could be reasonably well provided for, as long as the new cruise terminal eventually gets built. Places like Newcastle and Rosyth however would only seem suitable for those travelling by car.  Additionally, Rosyth cannot take large ships as access is restricted by the Forth Bridges. Greenock can take fairly large ships but again, there is very little infrastructure there to support changeovers and a relatively small population to provide a decent supply of passengers.
Another relevant issue is that the RCI and Carnival companies have made significant commitments to Southampton. RCI I believe made a large financial contribution when City Cruise Terminal was rebuilt and enlarged. Carnival the same with Ocean Terminal and of course with Carnival in particular, their UK HQ is in Southampton. Increasingly, the cruise lines are looking to cut costs and a way of doing this is to be based in one centre in order to get the best deals.
At the end of the day, I don't see regular, large-ship cruising anywhere other than Southampton in the UK.