Coronavirus - Travel impacts II

[Sunset]

After the border with Canada was closed this morning, we cancelled a 40th Wedding Anniversary Quebec trip for early June. Full refund from the Auberge we had booked. Feel sorry for these small business operators. We'll stay stateside and fairly local if we feel comfortable traveling by then.

I'm hoping in a few weeks UK closes their border too..... I would like some refunds...

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Autocorrect tried to change my story......

I hate autocorrect, it's my worst enema.

 

[Ronstar]

We returned from our road trip 14 days early. Today I canceled one weeks of lodging at a Sedona Az resort, but I ran into a snag cancelling 1 night at Grand Canyon US Park lodging. I called and got an automated message to cancel no sooner than 3 days before my cancellation date due to the enormous amount cancellation requests coming in. I tried online, and their website says the same thing - wait at least until 3 days before the cancellation date to make an online cancellation request. I understand the wait for phone cancellations, but the need to wait to cancel online has me baffled.

 

[Dtail]

Called American for my to be cancelled trip to Dominican Rep. for April and they stated that I should wait until closer to the date, coz they could only give a credit now which would need to be used by Dec 31, which is not likely for us.
So theoretically, only if the cases explode in Miami or DR, there would not be a refund.
1200 bucks, so not the end of the world.

 

[Fermion]

Ouch Ouch Ouch ..... and I thought it was cheap enough at $15.55 so I bought 100

If CCL pulls through, imagine having bought shares at $8 when it is back trading at $30 to $40.

I am not that greedy yet but I do think about it. I kind of think they are going to have to file for bankruptcy though, unless they get a big investor swoop in with a payday loan.

 

[Souschef]

I was on the Cruise board for my cancelled cruise, and someone mentioned that they had not gotten their refund.
I thought about it, and did a little math. With 18 ships with an average passenger count of 2500, that is 45,000 passengers times the number of cancelled cruises, it is no wonder they have not received it. I am figuring months before we see it.

 

[ivinsfan]

I was on the Cruise board for my cancelled cruise, and someone mentioned that they had not gotten their refund.
I thought about it, and did a little math. With 18 ships with an average passenger count of 2500, that is 45,000 passengers times the number of cancelled cruises, it is no wonder they have not received it. I am figuring months before we see it.

Don't wait months follow the dispute deadline on your CC. The cruise line might run out of money

 

[Helen]

We called our house sitter to see if she could stay an extra month while we are in Palm Springs and she said yes. Then we contacted the condo owners to see if anyone was renting the condo for the month of April and they said no and gave us a discount. So, we are staying in Palm Springs at this point until the end of April then will re-assess.

We have pools, hot tubs and tennis courts in the condo complex and we have our bikes down here. With everything closed there isn't as much traffic which makes riding bikes a bit safer.

I feel a bit guilty. I know a lot of people are going to lose their jobs and businesses and I really worry about the people in Palm Springs because there are so many elderly people here. I wish this wasn't happening.

One of our neighbors is a sweet woman in her 80s whose husband is not in good health. In a text she said she will take us out to lunch for picking up groceries for her. I need to gently break reality to her, I don't think she quite understands how serious this is.

 

[Ready]

We called our house sitter to see if she could stay an extra month while we are in Palm Springs and she said yes. Then we contacted the condo owners to see if anyone was renting the condo for the month of April and they said no and gave us a discount. So, we are staying in Palm Springs at this point until the end of April then will re-assess.

We have pools, hot tubs and tennis courts in the condo complex and we have our bikes down here. With everything closed there isn't as much traffic which makes riding bikes a bit safer.

I feel a bit guilty. I know a lot of people are going to lose their jobs and businesses and I really worry about the people in Palm Springs because there are so many elderly people here. I wish this wasn't happening.

One of our neighbors is a sweet woman in her 80s whose husband is not in good health. In a text she said she will take us out to lunch for picking up groceries for her. I need to gently break reality to her, I don't think she quite understands how serious this is.

Palm Springs is operating under a complete lock down order but at least the weather should be nice. I don’t think you are supposed to use any pools, hot tubs or tennis courts during the lock down though.

We are in a no public gathering order in Orange County and all tennis and pickleball activities are prohibited. All public pools are closed although condo pools are somewhat subjective.

 

[Dtail]

Palm Springs is operating under a complete lock down order but at least the weather should be nice. I don’t think you are supposed to use any pools, hot tubs or tennis courts during the lock down though.

We are in a no public gathering order in Orange County and all tennis and pickleball activities are prohibited. All public pools are closed although condo pools are somewhat subjective.

No more Pickleball for me now as every place is closed down.
At least I have my own pool to dip in as the weather is going to hit 90 next week.

 

[sengsational]

I tried to get a refund online or on the phone (without a lot of waiting or disconnections, etc), but wasn't able to, so I put disputes on the credit card transactions. I initiated disputes with a travel company (it cancelled the tour), and with an airline (they can't fly into the destination country any more, by government edict). Neither the tour company nor airline gave me the ability to get my money back, so I went with disputes.

This rather sneaky travel company didn't cancel the event earlier, even though it would have been impossible for most of the people to join the tour (they were from the EU and the country disallowed EU people from entering the destination country before disallowing US people). Then, magically, 61 days after the last payment was due on the tour, that's when they cancelled, and only offered a voucher for a future tour, no refund.

Then I hear that some credit cards say you need to do a dispute within 60 days. I don't know if this travel company was making this play on purpose, or it just worked out that way. It apparently didn't matter to my credit card company. I called and they opened a dispute on the 61 day old transaction and then said, oh, we see there was a series of payments, should we dispute that original (older) payment? YES! No guarantee it will go my way, but there's no doubt they are unable to deliver the service I bought, which is usually the criteria the credit card company uses.

If offered a credit on future travel, ask yourself "Would I go out today and buy a voucher for one particular airline or one particular tour company that I needed to use before the end of 2020?" The answer, in these uncertain times is almost assuredly "NO!" First, maybe you need that cash. Second, who knows if they'll be able to deliver (they might go bust). So if you wouldn't go buy a voucher, then it stands to reason you shouldn't accept one in place of your money back.

Now, if an airline or cruise line or tour company offered me a 200% voucher AND it gave me 3 years to use it, AND I was very likely to want their product, then maybe I'd take it. Otherwise, it's "gimme the cash back!"

 

[Helen]

Palm Springs is operating under a complete lock down order but at least the weather should be nice. I don’t think you are supposed to use any pools, hot tubs or tennis courts during the lock down though.

We are in a no public gathering order in Orange County and all tennis and pickleball activities are prohibited. All public pools are closed although condo pools are somewhat subjective.

I hope you are wrong...

From the latimes:

https://www.latimes.com/california/...ea-palm-springs-issues-shelter-in-place-rules

"Exceptions to the stay-at-home order:

To engage in outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running, and taking the dog for a walk, while keeping six feet away from others."

I can't imagine why the two of us couldn't play tennis on a private court, no one else seems to play here. I've also read that the chorine in pools kill the virus so I would think private pools would be OK as long as we keep a distance from others, and most visitors seems to have left. I'm sure the condo association will post new rules if they apply, but I will research this more. Thanks for the heads up. I can see why Palm Springs is being careful.

PS - We canceled the house cleaner who was suppose to come tomorrow, so thank you again for the heads up.

 

[Ready]

I hope you are wrong...

From the latimes:

https://www.latimes.com/california/...ea-palm-springs-issues-shelter-in-place-rules

"Exceptions to the stay-at-home order:

To engage in outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running, and taking the dog for a walk, while keeping six feet away from others."

I can't imagine why the two of us couldn't play tennis on a private court, no one else seems to play here. I've also read that the chorine in pools kill the virus so I would think private pools would be OK as long as we keep a distance from others, and most visitors seems to have left. I'm sure the condo association will post new rules if they apply, but I will research this more. Thanks for the heads up. I can see why Palm Springs is being careful.

I think singles tennis should be fine as long as nobody else is around. With pickleball so many people show up that keeping six feet apart from everyone is difficult, especially if there is limited seating and everyone is sitting together on the same bench.

And pools should be fine as long as you are careful about not touching any surfaces near the pools, like lounge chairs, tables, door handles, etc. Just keep washing your hands and you will be fine.

 

[Aerides]

It will really depend on the rules set by the association of the complex you are staying at. And it may (will) change day by day.

FIL's condo has ruled the pool, gym, clubhouse all off limits. Didn't ask about tennis as he's not currently playing, but would think if not, then soon.

 

[Sunset]

Called American for my to be cancelled trip to Dominican Rep. for April and they stated that I should wait until closer to the date, coz they could only give a credit now which would need to be used by Dec 31, which is not likely for us.
So theoretically, only if the cases explode in Miami or DR, there would not be a refund.
1200 bucks, so not the end of the world.

You could tweet out a block party notification .....

 

[NW-Bound]

With so many developments recently, the media has lost interest on stranded cruise ships. I just remembered them, and searched the Web for info.

It turned out there are still a few stranded at sea, and some even having confirmed Covid-19 patients on board. A couple of these are in the Pacific, and one has not been allowed to dock for 2 weeks.

There's the MS Braemar with 5 confirmed cases and a few dozens with symptoms that was wandering the sea until Cuba let it dock earlier today. A humanitarian gesture from a communist country. How about that?

 

[athena53]

Cruise ship obligations, this responsibility extends to all employees, not just licensed crew:

One of the oldest and most enduring rights enjoyed by seafarers is their right to free medical care. This right, called maintenance and cure, is so firmly established in maritime law, that it is an assumed part of every mariner’s employment contract. It is a right so fundamental that no mariner can give it away by contract.

Is this still true for all ships regardless of where they're flagged? Most of the mega-ships are registered in countries with more "flexible" regulations to keep costs down.

I just got back from Bolivia at 12:30 this morning after leaving my hotel at 3:30 AM yesterday. I was on a "pre-tour" of Bolivia and the main tour continued to Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos. That part was cancelled with a full refund. Getting out was a real scramble as country after country closed its borders even to transiting passengers. One couple we met managed to get to Lima on their way home to Canada but Peru suddenly changed the laws and they're quarantined for 14 days. Our tour company (Overseas Adventure Travel) went above and beyond and got us out on a Boliviana Airlines flight from Santa Cruz to Miami. After today, no international flights and and out of Bolivia, either.

It was a fantastic trip and I fully intend to take the main trip, maybe a year from now, but right now I'm grateful to be home.

 

[Dtail]

You could tweet out a block party notification .....

Very good and taking place on the beach - more efficient that way.

 

[Nemo2]

It was a fantastic trip and I fully intend to take the main trip, maybe a year from now, but right now I'm grateful to be home.

Quite the adventure, and, as is our wont, (with lesser debacles), a story to be told/recalled 'forever'.

 

[NW-Bound]

Could have been a longer story and adventure if one gets stuck in Bolivia for who knows how long.

Maybe hire a guide to help walk out of there, or a bush pilot? Find a private boat once you get to the coast?

 

[oldphd]

Returned home last night

Another experience...

Left our home in CO on 3/3 for a couple of weeks in Los Angeles area watching our grandson while his parents took an overseas trip. Plan was to head to Hawaii for 2 weeks from there.

Their trip to India went fine (India has a relatively low incidence so far), returning via Canada over the weekend.

We changed our travel plans to return home instead of HI. Should get airline credit, good through end of this year. Able to cancel hotel and car.

Condo owner says no refund, which falls within the contract due to short notice. Last e-mail, a few days ago, indicated we could book again at 50% of regular price. Stated she couldn't let us go for "free" because that would count against their time to use, per IRS regulations.

Fast forward, we used VRBO, who has now sent out an e-mail regarding the unusual times and steps they are taking. Says >95% of owners are providing some accommodations, and they are refunding all fees for COVID cancellations mid March through April.

We'll wait to see how it all shakes out. Even if a total loss on the condo, really no choice but to cancel. Gov. Ige has asked visitors not to come for 30 days. I sent the owner an e-mail asking how to go about booking the 50% off in the future, and then a second one letting her know we got home. It's our second rental through them and we've shared numerous e-mails, so sort of "know" each other electronically. She has not returned them in the time I'd expect based on experience. I'm guessing things are moving quickly, changing, and it will take time for everything to shake out.

One interesting observation... Hawaiian Airlines was running cheap airfares as of a couple of days ago. $99 one way, LAX to OGG. Saw seats filling on the plane, not dropping. However, I also noted that despite filing the paperwork 48 hours before the flight (they said you needed to cancel 24 out for credit), I still showed as being on. Since it was a non stop, perhaps other cancelled flights were transferring passengers to this one, and presumably other seats showing as booked would be empty.

Moving our flight up on United from BUR to DEN actually saved money since new fare was low. Small airport, but when we got there, the parking garage you pass between rental cars and terminal was 100% empty (not positive but I believe it's for long term parking - definitely not the one where the rental cars are). Not a single car. We were the only ones checking in. Then they had to turn on the conveyor at security for us. Turns out on top of the slow down the Salt Lake flights were cancelled due to an earthquake there.

Good news! The restaurant was open so we could get a bite before our flight. The plane was a CRJ that seats 50, it was about half full. Flight got in 30 minutes or so early. I'd watched their prior flights (Boise to SFO and SFO to Bur) which were also 30-45 minutes early. I assume this was due to less flying/ground congestion so no wait for take off and landing spots. Arrival in Denver - not so busy, but not deserted. Hard to put a number on it.

Today we went grocery shopping, primarily for fresh items, but also some canned since we had an extended trip planned we were totally out. No problems at small local store, though they were out of paper products and low on bread. Limit of 1 dozen on eggs. Some other limits, but none that we needed. Very orderly compared to some of the panic buying we saw in LA last Friday.

So we are settled in and hunkered down with a fresh snow storm on the way. Happy to be here, never thought I'd be so happy to see snow coming in instead of on a long planned vacation in Hawaii.

 

[athena53]

Quite the adventure, and, as is our wont, (with lesser debacles), a story to be told/recalled 'forever'.

Totally agreed- my best travel stories usually involve some type of disaster! In retrospect, of course, it wasn't that bad- the end result was that I got home for a manageable amount of money and everything ran on schedule- a blessing when you have 4 flight segments.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

About 2 pm CDT this afternoon, the US State Department said they would soon recommend that Americans not travel abroad.

 

[Nemo2]

it wasn't that bad-

Embellish, embellish!

 

[fh2000]

Norwegian Cruise called and left a message for me, urging me to take the current promotion: free on-board spending, free airfare of any cruises of my choice.

I think I will pass.