Royal Caribbean announced today it has rehired over 100 employees that were laid off in April 2020 in order to help with the significantly long phone hold times.
Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service Vicki Freed made the announcement during a webinar with travel advisors that it was aware of very long hold times, and the cruise line decided to bring back employees to help with the issue.
"I do want you to know that we're not just talking about it, that we're doing something about it. And over the weekend, we've called back over a hundred people that we had to lay off to come back, call center people and help us in the call centers. So many of them came in on Sunday and Monday of this week. They're in training right now because there will have been more suspensions since we had our layoff and they should be up on the phones this week and next week."
"So that should help on the long hold times. And again, I sincerely apologize to our value travel partners because this is not the kind of service we want to provide you. We want to give you excellent service."
A separate email sent to a travel agent specified that Royal Caribbean hired back 130 reservation agents.
Thanks to Katina Bradley for providing this email
Royal Caribbean has experienced longer than normal wait times due to the "snowball" effect of multiple cruise cancellation announcements, that has overwhelmed call centers. Compounding the issue was the lay offs the company made last month, which reduced call capacity.
One of the best things any American can do when cruising, is to have a passport, but what's the difference between the passport card vs book?
The decision of which passport option to choose will depend on how and where you intend to travel.
There are two choices to consider when getting a passport in the United States: a passport book or a passport card. Each has different form factors, and purposes for using. A traditional passport book comes with pages for stamps and important documents to be included, whereas a passport card resembles a driver's license and fits easily into a wallet.
So what is the difference between the passport book vs. passport card? The answer lies in the sort of travel you intend to take.
Having a passport for U.S. citizens is optional for cruises that leave and return to the United States, and mandatory for cruises outside the country. Both a passport card or a passport book is a valid form of identification for domestic cruises.
The U.S. passport card is a less expensive passport option that looks similar to a drivers license, making them cheaper and more convenient. A passport card is valid for 10 years.
Passport cards are only for land or sea travel, which means you cannot use them for air travel. In addition, you cannot use a passport card for cruises that depart from homeports outside the United States.
The inability to fly with a passport card makes certain scenarios a problem for the traveler. If you were ever stuck in a country outside the United States, either due to being left behind on an excursion or an unexpected end to the cruise, it would be impossible to fly home with the passport card.
What is a passport book useful for?
A passport book allows international travel across air, sea and land. A passport book is valid for 10 years.
The best thing about a passport book is there are no restrictions with where you can travel to or from.
What is the difference between the passport card vs. book?
The appeal of the passport card is it is cheaper than the book, while providing a better option than relying on a birth certificate and state issued identification.
The reason why a passport book is a better idea is because it better protects you if you were ever stranded somewhere. Having a passport to protect against being stranded is a big reason why I recommend everyone get one.
Moreover, having a passport book means you can travel internationally via an airplane. Keeping in mind a passport is good for ten years for adults, you will have ample opportunity to recoup the investment of a passport book.
If you are looking to same money and do not want to carry the bulkier passport book, a passport card might be worth considering. For most people, getting a passport book is a smarter choice.
The city of Haines, Alaska wants to expand its relationship with Royal Caribbean in order to get more cruise ships visit the city.
Haines Tourism Director Steven Auch said the city would like to see more ships on a regular basis.
According to KINY radio, Royal Caribbean had an agreement to bring ships to Haines for a few hours when they visit Skagway in summer 2020, but that was before the Alaska cruise season was put on hold.
Mr. Auch believes cruise ships would have a lot of support from businesses and the community to get more visits.
"Royal Caribbean wanted to make sure the community is interested. Not only did the assembly pass a resolution but we received a flood of emails from the community in support of it," he added.
The 2021 Royal Caribbean schedule has ships headed to Skagway which will spend a few hours per day in the evening in Haines.
Haines would like to see Royal Caribbean make Haines one of their primary stops in 2022.
While some elements of life are starting to open back up around the world, cruise lines remain shut down for the time being and a big questions is what changes will Royal Caribbean make in order to keep guests safe once they resume sailing.
Royal Caribbean has not divulged any specifics of the plans and protocols in intends to introduce once cruising resume, but many believe wearing a mask onboard the ship might be included as part of the new rules.
On land, the requirement to wear a mask is one provision that many tourist-centric venues are taking, including theme parks. Shanghai Disneyland required all guests to wear a face covering when it opened back up again, and a similar rule is in place for when Universal Orlando reopens on June 5. Disney's CEO recently said it's "likely" that Disney World and Disneyland will also require face coverings.
Keeping guests safe
Royal Caribbean has not announced what steps it will take once cruises resume to mitigate the spread of any illness onboard, but the company has said over and over again it is looking into what best practices it can employ.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain commented recently on the importance of guest health, "we are focused on all aspects of our safe return just to serve as strategy with special emphasis on safety security and health. We know that the public expects that we will elevate our health and safety protocols to a new level. We are prepared to make sure that we meet and exceed those expectations."
"We have been and are working on ways to up our game in this field to ensure that we use our ingenuity, our passion, and our innovation, raise the bar to new heights. We are calling our aspirational program the healthy return to service program. The program will have four main focuses: upgraded screening prior to boarding, enhanced processes and procedures onboard, special focus on addressing the destinations we visit, and procedures for dealing with any reports of exceptions."
So the big question is how willing are cruise fans to wear a mask, especially if it means being able to go back on a cruise again.
I recently posed this exact question on Facebook to get a sense of what everyone thought: Would you cruise if wearing a mask is mandatory?
Of the 2,160 people that responded to the poll, over half of the respondents voted "no" to cruising if wearing a mask was mandatory.
About a third voted "yes", and 11% were unsure what they would do.
The comments from those that voted were "spicy", to say the least. The debate of whether or not they would wear a mask on a cruise extended to political/scientific arguments and name-calling. Clearly, there are some strong opinions on this matter, that make the "can you wear shorts in the main dining room" debate seem trivial.
"If you need to wear mask, can't be safe, simple really."
"I would rather be on a cruise ship wearing a mask than confined to my home. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the comforts of home but I also enjoy the comfort of socializing and meeting new people and if I am required to wear a mask while cruising so be it!"
"Will only even consider a cruise if masks are mandatory. Not a chance I am getting on a ship with thousands of high risk strangers from all over for a week without them."
"I am a huge proponent of mask wearing. I answered 'no' because I won’t be cruising until it is safe to do so without a mask (I.e. there is a vaccine); I did not answer “no” because I disagree with Royal Caribbean requiring masks in the near future."
"No way. That’s the only deal breaker for me."
Your thoughts
What do you think about being able to cruise again, but having to wear a mask while onboard? Would you be willing to do it? Calmly explain your opinion without conspiracy theories or political conjecture in the comments below!
Royal Caribbean Cruises Chairman Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain issued a new video update aimed at travel agents that talked about what the cruise line is doing behind the scenes to keep guests safe once cruises resume.
Mr. Fain indicated that Royal Caribbean is working on a detailed set of protocols and procedures that aim to provide guests a level of confidence that cruising is safe.
While other companies are trying to get back to business as soon as possible, Royal Caribbean is opting to take the time to sort out the best possible approach.
"We aren't operating today, and therefore, we have the luxury of time to develop and to refine our ideas. We have the time to put together a blue ribbon group of experts to advise us and to help us chart the absolutely best course."
"So stay tuned. We will soon be talking more about our way forward, and when we do, I believe in fact, I'm confident, that you will say that we have used our time wisely."
Mr. Fain also indicated that Royal Caribbean is considering opening their headquarter offices in Florida sometime next month. Their offices in China have been open and operating for almost two months now.
As has become his trademark in each video, Mr. Fain offered a positive and encouraging outlook on what the future holds for us all.
"But this too shall pass. It will leave an indelible mark on our country and on our psyche. But it will pass because we are stronger than this disease. We are determined to take the necessary steps to bring it under control and to live our lives again, just as we did after September 11th."
"Onward and upward. Step by step together. Stay safe out there. Oh, and don't forget, washing your hands is still important."
You can view the other videos that Mr. Fain has produced over the last few weeks:
Think you are a Royal Caribbean know-it-all? Do you regularly challenge friends and family with random cruise facts?
Step right up and try your hand at these ten Royal Caribbean trivia questions to see how well you know our favorite cruise line (and no cheating)!
1. CocoCay has been a private destination for Royal Caribbean for many years. Which cruise line did Royal Caribbean acquire in which Royal Caribbean assumed the lease of the island?
Carnival Cruise Line
Admiral Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
2. What was the original name of Empress of the Seas?
Song of Norway
Sun Viking
Sovereign of the Seas
Nordic Empress
3. Which Royal Caribbean ship had the first Sabor location onboard?
Allure of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
4. Which deck on Oasis of the Seas was Izumi originally located?
16
15
14
12
5. What was the first Broadway show ever on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Cats
Hairspray
Chicago
Saturday Night Fever
6. Who is the Godmother to Quantum of the Seas?
Kristin Chenoweth
Steffi Graf
Shania Twain
Gloria Estefan
7. Which ship was the first to have first rock climbing wall at sea?
Sovereign of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Vision of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
8. What real world attraction is North Star based on?
Big Ben
Empire State Building
London Eye
Eiffel Tower
9. On the side of Radiance Class ships, the letters GTV are largely printed. What does GTV stand for?
Gas Turbine Vessel
Gas Turbo Vessel
Gas Transmission Vehicle
Good Times Vessel
10. Which Royal Caribbean ship is Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd Chairman and CEO Richard Fain's wife the godmother of?
Enchantment of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas
Monarch of the Seas
Splendour of the Seas
Once you have your answers set, challenge your friends and then score each other with this answer sheet.
Share your scores in the comments, along with which questions you may have missed!
If you are among the many that miss being onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, being stuck at home does not mean you do not have the opportunty to enjoy a little bit of cruise fun.
With no Royal Caribbean cruises since mid-March, it has been months since any of us had a chance to get onboard a ship and indulge in the kind of fun vacation we love.
While these are no substitute for the real thing, here are a few fun ways to help pass the time until cruises resume again.
Watch videos on YouTube
Take advantage of this down time to learn about cruising, explore new ships, or simply take a "mental escape" and watch a video others have posted from their Royal Caribbean cruises.
YouTube offers a plethora of videos about so many topics and experiences, and there are lots of videos dedicated to cruising and Royal Caribbean.
Something I always associate with a cruise vacation is the music of the Caribbean islands.
Reggae, steel drum, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band are just some of the typical tunes you can find that will instantly set the mood that you are onboard or at the beach.
Whether you delve into your own collection of music, or check out an online radio station, or even a digital music streaming service, there are some great choices out there.
Did you know that Royal Caribbean has been offering sailings on Virtual of the Seas for weeks?
Ever since its ships stopped sailing, Royal Caribbean decided to embrace the demand by its loyal guests for a cruise fix and offer virtual sailings on Facebook.
These pretend cruises offer do-it-yourself activities at home, Facebook live video chats, trivia sessions and even sunsets to enjoy from the comfort of your home.
Virtual cruises started out as a fun excuse to talk Royal Caribbean, but has taken on a life of its own with so many cruise fans clamoring for some virtual fun wherever they can get it.
While there are no drink packages offered in your house, you can still whip up a few cruise cocktails at su casa.
As long as you have the proper ingredients and a blender, it is pretty easy to make a variety of popular cocktails at home. Margaritas, lava flows, or daiquiris are just some of the popular concoctions you can make in your kitchen.
Royal Caribbean's Virtual of the Seas, a pretend cruise experience at home, is set to begin its next sailing today and will head down under.
The fifth official sailing will head for its furthest destination with visits to Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart... and a even manage a port stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay (if you are going to pretend, may as well take advantage of it).
The first day of activities on Virtual of the Seas include a Facebook like assembly drill, iconic buildings photo share, social media sail away and more.
Once again hosting this magical sailing from home is Cruise Director Abe Hughes. You can follow along each day on Abe Hughes' Facebook page.
Vania shares how finding other cruise fans online helped fuel her love of going on a cruise, and shares how it compelled her to book an Anthem of the Seas sailing.
Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.
What changes will Royal Caribbean make to keep guests healthy once cruises resume?
Without a doubt, Royal Caribbean will implement a wide variety of policy changes to the onboard experience, but it remains to be seen exactly what these changes will look like until a formal announcement is made.
Check out our list of changes we know about, and unconfirmed changes that are still considered rumors.
The most asked question about Royal Caribbean, and cruising in general, is when will cruises resume sailing, and Royal Caribbean is still sorting that out as well.
With Royal Caribbean's announcement last week it was canceling all cruises through the end of July, the company updated its website to indicate it will return to service on August 1.
However, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain spoke on CNBC last week and was frank with his answer about when his company will start sailing again.
"Well, I think we have said that we're not sure when we're coming back. We won't come back until we're absolutely sure that we've done everything we can to work to protect the safety of our guests and crew."
"We said when we we won't be back before the end of July, but we we haven't gone to the next step of saying we're absolutely confident that we're starting on August one."
"We will work with the authorities. We will work with all the experts that we have asked to help us on this, to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect our guests and crew."
What to expect
Without a doubt, you are likely wondering when cruising will start back up again and what date to believe.
For now, you should take Royal Caribbean's date of operations to resume on August 1 as the defacto answer, but prepare for more cancellations.
The answer of when cruises will resume may be better determined by looking out your window and seeing when life begins to return to some kind of normalcy. The sooner daily life starts back up, the less impediments the cruise lines will have to face in starting up again.
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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