|
In this forum we will present answers to questions from our clients about our 2009 Eclipse Cruise. If you have a question you would liked to see addressed here please send us an e-mail or call (888) 412-5317.
What happens if the weather prospects look bad for the eclipse viewing site?
How much deck space will there be during the eclipse?
How stable will this be ship for viewing an eclipse?
Will there be eclipse and astronomy lectures?
Will the regular cruise amenities be included?
I'm going alone. Can you assist me finding another to share the cabin?
How can I be assured that the cruise is legitimate?
Notice to California Clients?
What happens if the weather prospects look bad for the eclipse viewing site? - You hope for good weather but plan for bad. The good news is I've chartered the entire ship for the sole purpose of seeing this eclipse. So, within limits, I decide where to go. When we leave Kagoshima, Japan we can reach any point on the eclipse centerline from just off the coast of Shanghai to about 500 miles east of Iwo Jima. Should weather become a factor at our target site we will have over 1,500 miles of centerline to choose from. I'll be very surprised if we can't find some open sky in that range.
In addition to the mobility available to us, this cruise ship has extensive, state of the art, weather assets that provide up to the minute weather data. This includes instant access to weather satellites and onboard weather radar.
Back to the top of this page
How much deck space will there be during the eclipse? - Space should not be a problem for this cruise. I used this ship in 2006. Even though it was full there was ample space for all. The Costa Classica is particularly well suite for eclipses. She has an additional outside deck most ships do not have - a jogging track above the pool deck. This allows for more deck space for each person. Another element of this eclipse is that the total phase of the eclipse will be almost directly overhead. This means there will be no shadowed areas on deck, which can limit available deck space.
Back to the top of this page
How stable will this be ship for viewing an eclipse? - Some of the most incredible eclipse images were taken from cruise ships at sea. The best stability from a ship is
obtained when under way on a constant heading and at a slow speed. Dead in the water even a large ship like this can "bob" around and worse turn off course. During the eclipse the ship will be underway at just over what is call "dead slow" or
"minimum maneuvering speed". This will provide positive control and the most stable platform with the least amount of vibration. For this ship the best speed is between 3 and 5 knots.
While under way at normal cruise speeds and normal sea conditions you can expect a ship this large to have little or no apparent motion. The Costa Classica is equipped with hydraulic "fin" stabilizers similar to "dive planes" used on submarines - except, unlike a submarine, that they work in opposition to each other to control roll (leaning to one side or the other). The length of the ship is such that, in most sea conditions, she is long enough (722 feet) to ride the peaks of at least three waves. This dampens any pitch (up and down) motion
Back to the top of this page
Will there be eclipse and astronomy lectures? - A full series of lectures and enrichment activities are being developed for this cruise. There will two sessions (morning and afternoon)every At Sea day of the cruise. Three venues will be utilized; the main showroom for the largest events, the lecture center for more technical programs and the observatory lounge for hands on activities. Guests will be sent a questionnaire seeking input to assist with the development of these programs and some programs will include guest participation.
Back to the top of this page
Will the regular cruise amenities be included? - Yes, all of the usual cruise amenities will be included with this cruise. In fact a cruise is one of the best vacation values there is because of the numerous activity choices. Here is a great link to the
Costa website onboard activities page that will give you a sense of what to expect. By the way, the enrichment and lecture series is in addition to not in place of the normal cruise activities.
Back to the top of this page
I'm going alone. Can you assist me finding another to share the cabin? - We do offer a single share program where we will attempt to find a compatible share mate to go along with you. We match by cabin preference, sex, smoking preference and age. You'll be given basic information and email contact details for any potential share mates so that you can make contact and get to know each other before you make a final commitment. While we usually do find a match we can't guarantee it an if we are unable to find a match you will be required to pay the single supplement.
Back to the top of this page
How can I be assured that the cruise is legitimate?
We received the following question: "In the past, there has been some problem with travel agents taking money for a cruise and failing to deliver the cruise. What assurance can you
offer that I would pay for the entire price of the cruise 6 months in advance, arrive in Beijing and find that I am not booked on the ship?
First and foremost - If this has ever happened you should tell all that will listen! The world of eclipse travel is small and pretty much everyone knows everyone. If there is a problem out there, the word needs to get out!
Second - It depends on where you live. I'm a California travel agent and a registered seller of travel. My CST# is 2049910-40. As such, if I or the cruise line default and you are a California resident, you're reimbursed by the state. Details about this program are below. I do not know the particulars for other States but they are likely similar.
Third - Always pay with a credit card. If there is a problem, you simply dispute the charges and recover your money. And the fact that the travel supplier is able to take credit cards is good assurance in itself.
Fourth - Buy a good Travel and Cancellation insurance policy that covers the financial default of the travel agent or the cruise line. Most good policies do cover this and all of the programs we offer cover this. In fact most Travel Insurance providers rate the risk of various travel suppliers. You can get this info at their websites.
Fifth - Travel agents don't "take the money" - this is illegal. They must either pass it on to the vendor or hold it in trust. In the case of the 2009 cruise, the payment schedule for deposits and final payments are set to match the payment requirements for the charter contract. Within a few days of the final payment due date everyone's full cost will have been paid to the cruise line. You need to look to the credit worthiness of the cruise line too.
Sixth - Costa Cruise is owned by Carnival Cruises. Besides Carnival and Costa, their other cruise lines are Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard Lines, Seabourn and Windstar. They're the largest cruise line group in the world.
Finally - I've been doing this for over 20 years - doing the same thing at the same place, which, by the way, is the area I grew up in. I've developed travel programs for Astronomy Magazine, Sky & Telescope and numerous observatories, planetariums and educational institutions. I've had articles about my travel programs published in both Astronomy and Sky & Tel. I've done over 20 total eclipse programs and have never had a single client loose money. I've been processing credit cards for years and never had a single charge back or disputed charge. There was one situation where my clients were denied boarding. During the 1998 total eclipse program in the Caribbean we had about 35 people ticketed on Pam Am airlines. Pam Am got all of them to their cruise in the usual fashion. However, during their cruises Pam Am went out of business. We arranged alternative return flights for everyone, got everyone home with minimal delays.
Back to the top of this page
Notice to California Clients
The Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation
You the passenger may request reimbursement from the TURK if you are owed a refund of more than $50. for transportation or travel services which was not
refunded in a timely manner by a seller of travel who was registered and participating in the TURK at the time of sale. The maximum amount which may be paid by the TURK to any passenger is the total
amount paid on behalf of the passenger to the seller of travel, not to exceed $15,000.
A claim must be submitted to the TURK within six months after the scheduled completion date of the travel. A claim must include sufficient information and
documentation to prove your claim and a $35. processing fee. You must agree to waive your right to other civil remedies against a registered participant seller of travel for matters arising out of a
sale for which you file a claim with the TURK, if you were in California at the time of the sale.
You may request a claim from by writing to:
Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation
P.O. Box 6001,
Larkspur, CA 94977-6001
Or by faxing a request to (415) 924-7698
Back to the top of this page
|
