kefthecruiser

@CiCi I found your itinerary and it looks like a great cruise. Given all the volatility in Israel and the Gaza Strip, it's a safe bet that NCL will not stop at nearby Israel and perhaps Egyptian ports. I'm sure NCL, and all affected cruise lines, are constantly watching the region's events and are working on alternate plans. Hopefully, this current conflict will soon be resolved.

Well, it’s every CEO’s job to report that everything is rosy. Yes, CCL had an outstanding quarter by all counts. However, one day doesn’t make a trend, so come Monday the stock may be up, flat or down. I believe what spooked the market today is that CCL forecast (revenue and income) for next quarter is much lower than this quarter. The Markets just don’t like downward forecasts. The debt load is still horrendous. I personally am no longer invested in CCL stock. It you’re in it for the long term, sit tight. If volatility troubles you, get out of individual stocks.

@3Sisters Yep, NCL definitely trying to turn a profit. After 3 years of quarterly losses, they finally had a quarterly profit of $86 million to pay against the $17.8 Billion debt they have, of which $1.1 Billion is due this year. It is sad to think that this may be tainting their decisions relative to safe operations. As an aside and not defending NCL, I believe all cruise lines similarly do not reimburse after the cutoff date if the passenger cancels for any reason, including sickness or death. (COVID was an exception for a time.) Thus the value of travel insurance.

@Cruising Caribbean & @Grieving Mom Yep, how much cruising has changed! It once was almost magical and now it's not. Here's to the good old days, join me in a rousing sing along of 'Those Were The Days' - Once upon a time there was a tavern Where we used to raise a glass or two Remember how we laughed away the hours Think of all the great things we would do? Those were the days, my friend We thought they'd never end We'd sing and dance forever and a day We'd live the life we choose We'd fight and never lose For we were young and sure to have our way La-la-la-da-da-da La-la-la-da-da-da Da-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da

@Kendall James-Vargas Always good questions! So, the history of MSC Lines includes a lot of acquisitions, in addition to building new ships. MSC Cruise Line was in fact initially an acquisition, though the previous name escapes me. So yep, possible they would acquire another, via takeover not merger, IMO.I think we all could guess which one of the big 3 is the weakest and thus a target. What prevents this for now is the tremendous debt load each of the big 3 have. MSC is obviously well managed and has made excellent moves, including positioning themselves in the cruise industry. On another note: KUDOS to MSC for the success with Euribia roll out. This is the type of initiative a privately owned, well managed company can do. One caution though and that is it's not yet emissions free. True emissions free is along way off. (This was noted in another post of mine.)

MSC Lines is the largest container ship company in the world AND is family owned. BTW they also own a cruise line. No other cruise line has this financial backing. MSC can add new cruise ships at will and create demand with their offerings. If / when they decide to be the biggest cruise line, only shipyard capacity will limit their growth, unless they decide to acquire another cruise line. JMHO, they don't consult with me.

@Rosemary I did some digging and found a 15d, 12/4 Princess cruise with an overnight at Kona and an overnight at Honolulu. Hard to believe that's all Princess could do, understandable your disappointment. You asked about ideas on what to do in Kona. I suggest rent a car and sightsee, even drive over to Hilo. If you are into golf, plenty of golf resorts. I built a power project on the Big Island, but no longer have contacts so I can't arrange a tour (attempt at levity here). The big attraction on this island is Volcanoes National Park, otherwise it's rather rural. Much more to do in Honolulu - Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head etc. Please go back through your previous thread, it had a lot of good info about finding things to do (any heckling aside). We're just a bunch of cruisers opining away. One other thought, way outside the box, if you can still cancel without losing big money, is fly to Hawaii, pick your favorite island as your base and it's an easy flight to another island for a day trip or relocate to another island. Spend your 2 weeks like this and you'll see & do unforgettable adventures not possible from a ship. Yep, a lot to replan on short notice, just a thought.

I'm guessing CCL is keeping it 'close to the vest' because the path is not truly known. All forecasts are now showing a dramatic turn north and (5 day forecast) Saturday due east of NYC. The big unknown is - how far east? "The cone of uncertainty" in 2 days will be more telling. Also note, it has not started to turn, also 2 more days should set that. JMHO I agree it doesn't look promising, if I were a betting man, I would bet your cruise will not be the cruise you bought, but there will be a cruise, perhaps delayed. I'm sure you realize only CCL can answer your question and they're not saying. All the best

@JP1964 Yep, agreed, it's very irritating. I will add that on CCL cruises where I lost a port of call due to weather, all CCL did was refund port fees to my onboard account. Not defending CCL or knowing your cruise, but with all the port shuffling going on with this active weather season, the other ports may have been fully booked or otherwise off limits.

@maddogesq Woohoo! Enjoy the trip. I read that Kilauea volcano is currently erupting. Your new itinerary has you cruising around the Big Island (Kona to Hilo) and you should be able to see this and lava flows from the ship. I'm told it's rather frequent and stunning. There may be shore excursions to the top of the volcano, subject to cancellation due to eruptions and lava flow paths. Now I'm envious, almost 20 years since my last Hawaiian trip. Very thoughtful to donate to the Lahaina relief effort.

@Cruising Caribbean Excellent update. Looks like the turn north has firmed up. Still a giant that should weaken as it gets over cooler water. Certainly cruise ships will avoid the affected regions as best they can. Thoughts are with Bermuda and others near the path.

Woohoo! Celebrity is one of my fav cruise lines. I've not taken a cruise on Beyond. Kudos for thinking so far ahead, I'm more last minute and never more than a year. I'll also say the Panama Canal trip was well worth it for me, it's a 100 yr old 'modern' marvel. What are your ports of call so people can offer up specifics? I recall we had a quick stop at Colon, Panama and were instructed to not venture out past a shopping center. So, not a good stop.

OK, since I fired up the crystal ball, Margot will only be a fish storm. BTW - I am not predicting a Florida landfall for LEE, just showing a possibility. These things can move A LOT, thankfully they move slowly.

OOPS! Andrew straightened out to the WEST, not east. Here's it's track:

Having watched hurricanes for 40+ years down here in Florida, this is the big one (for the year). Some forecasts say it will turn north & stay at sea. I say too soon to tell, storms this big dominate. It reminds me of Hurricane Andrew back in the 90s, similar track to Lee at this point. Andrew turned north and then straightened out to the east, devastating South Florida after landfall south of Miami. If you have any plans for east coast activities, stay aware of what is going on. 5 day forecasts tend to be fairly accurate, 3 day forecasts somewhat better, none are for sure. Safe travels

@3Sisters wrote "The smaller ships also offer a more peaceful atmosphere for older guests who don't care to wait in line at the buffet or arcade." Now, that made me laugh, especially at myself! Waiting to get that second dessert at the buffet line, just sooo time consuming... It's so true.

@David Chavez I suggest that NCL, CCL, and perhaps MSC and RCL are all about 'family fun' vacations with active shore excursions. If you look to 'the senior crowd' cruise ships (Holland America, Celebrity, Princess), you should find less active (bus tours come to mind) shore excursions. As a senior I still cruise CCL occasionally, but also the other lines I mentioned.

Gee, shucks... now I'm blushing LOL. I enjoy the challenge of the hunt, so to say. My first cruise was May 1999 on the Carnival Sensation, Tampa homeport, 7 days, stops at Grand Cayman, Cozumel and New Orleans. It was magical and I was smitten.

Ok, got the trifecta. Went down some rabbit holes. It’s the Sun Viking. The Miami Herald Fall 1988 cruise section show 2 RCL ships sailing Itineraries from Miami including Grand Cayman. Song of America 7-day cruise departing Sundays (Feb 5) and Sun Viking 8-day cruise departing Feb 4, 1989. Either could have been at Grand Cayman 2/9/89, depending on whether the cruise route was clockwise or counter-clockwise & when Sun Viking had its 3rd sea day. Ships photo make it clear – Song of America is distinctly different than the mystery ship, while Sun Viking is the similar shape. Just so you know – Song of Norway was homeported in San Juan doing Southern Caribbean cruises. (Plus, the stern of Song of Norway is different than Sun Viking.) WHEW Song of America Sun Viking

There is an extensive write up in the NCL forum on this. Can Carnival cut the line? The Canal Authority does have preferred customers, don't know where any cruise line is on the list. Container ships go first is my read. Only Carnival can tell you their plans.

Ok, Not sure about those attachments either. Resorting to cut and paste: Panama Canal Authority Vice Presidency for Operations Advisory To Shipping No. A-35-2023 July 25, 2023 TO: All Shipping Agents, Owners, and Operators SUBJECT: Additional Measures to Mitigate the Extended Dry Season and Reduction in Precipitation in the Canal Watershed Despite the arrival of the rainy season in the Isthmus of Panama and the continuous water saving measures that the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has implemented in the past months to mitigate the adverse effects of the extended dry season in the Canal watershed, the ACP finds it necessary to implement additional measures to reduce the possibility of additional draft restrictions in the upcoming weeks. Therefore, effective July 30, 2023, and until further notice, the daily transit capacity will be adjusted to an average of 32 vessels per day, normally distributed among the Panamax and Neopanamax locks in the following manner: 10 vessels in the Neopanamax locks and 22 vessels in the Panamax locks. The daily transit capacity may be further adjusted as deemed necessary, depending on the level of Gatun Lake, weather forecasts, and vessel mix. In addition, during the 2nd and 3rd Booking Period competition for the Panamax locks, full container vessels shall have priority in the assignment of slots over other vessel types. Any remaining slots will be assigned based on customer ranking. For Booking Period 3, the modification will be in effect beginning Tuesday, August 1, 2023, and for Booking Period 2, the modification will be in effect beginning Saturday, August 19, 2023. Applications for reserved slots under this new allocation procedure will be received beginning at 0900 hours Saturday, July 29, 2023. It is important to note that a reduction in the number of daily transits for an extended period will invariably increase the waiting time for some vessels, particularly those who do not obtain a reservation. In that regard, we strongly encourage all customers to make use of our Transit Reservation System to reduce the possibility of extensive delays. The ACP may implement additional measures and establish additional procedures, commensurate with the safe and efficient operation of the Canal. ORIGINAL SIGNED Boris Moreno Vásquez Vice President for Operations OP, August 10, 2023 Subject: Monthly Canal Operations Summary – July 2023 Panama Canal Prepares for the Future: Navigating Challenges with Technical Precision Amidst current challenges, the Panama Canal is taking proactive measures to ensure its competitiveness and operational capacity for the future. Chief among these challenges is the critical issue of freshwater availability for both the population's consumption and the transit of vessels. During a recent presentation to local and international media, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales highlighted the ongoing efforts by Canal specialists to manage saltwater intrusion in the Gatun reservoir, a crucial water source for over 50% of the country's population. This situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged dry season, leading to a scarcity of rainfall. In response to the unpredictable weather patterns and the need to ensure reliable and sustainable service, the Panama Canal will maintain a draft of 44 feet or 13.41 meters in the coming months. This measure will be upheld unless significant changes occur in weather conditions from the current projections. Consequently, the Canal will allow an average of 32 vessels per day to transit during this period. This draft adjustment is essential because changes in precipitation patterns are expected to affect water availability in Panama, reflecting a global phenomenon, and with the looming possibility of an El Niño condition before the year's end. Despite the draft adjustment measures, the Panama Canal remains competitive. On August 1, the container ship Ever Max, owned by Evergreen shipping company, successfully made its inaugural transit through the Neopanamax Locks.The vessel, under the Singapore flag and built in 2023, boasts a length of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters, with a draft greater than 50 feet. However, due to the current weather conditions and draft limitations, the vessel had to leave part of its cargo at the Port of Balboa to be then transported by land to the Colon Container Terminal. As a result, the Panama Canal incurred a loss of more than $40,000 in tolls for this transit. The Canal's focus on the future is not only limited to addressing current challenges, but also includes proactive environmental initiatives. Efforts are being made to safeguard the water basin, preserve forest cover, and explore the possibility of developing a logistics corridor to diversify cargo handling options within the country. Moreover, the Canal is significantly investing in enhancing its technological capabilities. Administrator Vásquez emphasized the importance of integrating vast hydro-meteorological data and analyzing it on a large scale. This data-driven approach is expected to boost the efficiency and competitiveness of the waterway. Additionally, human resources are a crucial aspect of the Canal's future. With approximately 2,000 employees nearing retirement, efforts are underway to recruit and train individuals with new skills to meet the evolving needs of the industry. "We have successfully administered the Canal as Panamanians, expanded the locks, and ensured reliability. Now, in this third stage, as we shape the Canal for the future, we are keen to identify the best opportunities for Panama under the current circumstances," said Administrator Vásquez, outlining the Canal's visionary approach to stay relevant and successful in the years to come.

Hurricanes - while possible, it's unlikely. Panama has never had a direct landfall hit, (too far south) only glancing blows from tropical storms. Any severe storm will also knock out their electrical grid, making the water level a moot point for awhile. Lake Gatun, which supplies the water and is a significant part of the route, is also the fresh water drinking source for much of the country. Salt water naturally intrudes via lock operation, but not in the amounts pumping would - that would be an ecological nightmare. (This engineer paid attention to the guide when we sailed the Canal) Good question on water use per canal. Don't know. I do know that that current restrictions only allow 10 ships via the new canal and 22 through the Panamax canal. (Just noticed my attachments are not working, so trying again). ADV35-2023-Additional-Measures-to-Mitigate-the-Extended-Dry-Season-and-Reduction-in-Precipitation-in-the-Canal-Watershed.pdf ADV38a-2023-Monthly-Canal-Operations-Summary-July-2023.pdf

@3Sisters Thanks for the photo compliment. I was a serious amatuer photog back then. The camera was a Olympus digital SLR top of the line (Actually 2002, wrong date in photo message). In 5 years it was obsolete. Now, I just use my phone camera, just not the same, the lens make the difference, regardless of what Apple preaches. @FJB wrote "So I’m picturing you at your dining room table going thru all of your old newspapers looking for cruise ads from the 80s. You knew these newspapers would come in handy one day! " LOL - Now that is funny! On so many levels! So, the research is nothing that crazy or messy. I've been working on my family tree at Ancestry.com for about 1.5 yrs now and they own Newspaper.com. It dawned on me that the Miami Herald was part of the electronic collection and I can search for cruise ship info (more interesting than obituaries!). They had bi-annual cruise sections that I found, so that's the story... I had the same thought about the cruise pricing, especially given 30+ years of inflation. BTW - Now looking at your RCL challenge. This one is tougher, there's some info that appears conflicting I need to sort through. Hopefully finished next week...(it has become a quest!)

@maddogesq So, I went back to the website I listed & lo and behold the link doesn't work. Here's another link to the same website: https://hawaii.portcall.com/ This site is run by the Harbors Division of the Hawaii DOT, one assumes they will know were the ships are, unless of course the cruise line changes it again. I pieced together what I found currently for your ship's timeframe: 10/6 Kona (Big Island); 10/7 Hilo (Big Island); 10/8 Honolulu; 10/9 Kauai. Is this final? Probably not since Princess is not saying. With all the cruise ships jockeying for an open port, Princess may be 'waitlisted' somewhere and negotiating for a better port. Yes, Princess is dropping the ball with its customers.

Here, take a look. Fun times in Bermuda; ship lashed to the dock with every line, wind and waves rocking, no one outside... time for Bingo anyone, followed by trivia? https://www.portbermudawebcam.com/ So where would you want to be?