Leaderboard

I had a feeling Tuesday night my freedom of the seas trip this July was going to be canceled. So my wife and I started to look for replacements in 2021. It turns out no ships are sailing out of San Juan next summer. So we made a list of wish list of trips of cruises we would like to go on and if we could get any of them we move the trip to next year otherwise we would just get our money back. The #1 trip on our list was symphony of the seas July 10th but the thing that worried us was the same cabin we have on symphony goes for 2200 per person per week compared to the 800 per person we paid for the freedom of the seas. Our thought was lets ask they can say no and we can move on to the cruises lower on our list. So I call at 7am CST prepared to wait a long time to get someone. I work my way through the phone system and finally get into the que for the next available agent and within 30 seconds I am talking to someone. I explain that I want to lift and shift to her and she says great and she pulls up my reservations and she says let me see what we can do for you. At that point I ask how about the symphony of the seas July 10th she thinks a second and says I am not sure I can do that for you let me talk to my supervisor. She then puts me on Hold. i was on hold for 45 minutes as she was waiting to get in touch with the appropriate people. she was nice and about every 5 minutes come back and give me a status. finally she comes back and says we can do it the only problem is that the room types do not match up nicely so instead of a spacious cabin I would be getting a large balcony cabin. I was all over that since we only have 3 people per room and I love to sit on the balcony. So then she started to change the cruise for me. The change went slowly as there was issues with some corrupt reservations so that took about another hour of being on and off hold. the entire call took 90 minutes As sad I was that we will not go this year as planned I am very excited to take my family on the symphony of the seas next year as that cruise would have been out of our budget. Long and short of it is ask you may be surprised at what you get.

We book Insides, so our views are always obstructed. ?

So what about the savings on this one???

The same thing happened to us. We got our FCCs back and there were 4 of us. The total was split evenly by 4. I was concerned about applying this at first because passenger 3&4 never pay that much. However, my TA assured me that as long as you are applying the FCC for the same 4 people, the amounts don't matter. They will just look at the total. She was able to get the FCC (with the even amounts) applied without a problem to my final payment this past week.

I agree. Somebody told me recently that sometimes it takes a while to find "the one" when it comes to TAs, just like it does with other people in life. You want somebody who'll be an advocate for you and who'll do most of the heavy lifting. It's like with any business: if you're dissatisfied with the service, don't be afraid to shop around!

Theres no difference between a restaurant on land or on a cruiseship No difference between a casino on land or on cruiseship If measures be it masks, social Distancing etc are put in place to protect people on land these measures will be implemented on cruiseships. We just have to get used to the fact the world has changed and it will take a long time to recover Right now i want to cruise but i cannot, simple fact is government restrictions have made it impossible. No flights, hotels on lockdown, cruise cancelled and now new quarantine regulations so god only knows when i will be able to rebook On the plus side when we do sail again wearing masks doesnt bother me, in fact its a bonus as it makes her indoors look better ???

Good point. I would add this to my list as well. I can see this happening especially with the media portrayal of a floating Petri dish.

Only way we’ll cancel is if a quarantine is required when we come back home.

For us, the deal breaker is going to be the 14 day Quarantine Act in Canada, and the border restrictions. If those are lifted, we are going. Looking at the types of bookings I have between now and spring 2021 and our personal style when cruising, dining isn't going to be an issue, the mask is not a deal breaker (as long as it's in public areas only), and I have not been #teamWJ for a very long time.

I understand the frustration that is being caused by all of this but I'm not sure how much action you'll get seeking governments to look into it. Tens of millions unemployed, 100k dead so far. Companies are disappearing and others filing for bankruptcy. "I didn't get my refund in a timely manner and I don't like how they handled the situation" during the worst event in modern time on a global scale that impacts the entire world's population may not yield a quick response from your government.

These are pretty much mine, too, Tony. I have a feeling that a Genie is going to be even more important for a while, than it has been in the past.

Flu vaccines are stated to be around 40% to 60% effective. Each year different vaccines are developed. Flu season is typically comprised of at least two major types each peaking at different times - they have their own unique epidemiology. Most of us just call it "the flu" but there are many variations impacting different groups of people differently. For the U.S. we have grown to accept that somewhere around 40,000 of us will die each year from the flu. Many people are cavalier regarding the flu and spreading it. They may know they have something more than a common cold but off they go riding public transportation, going to work, going to school, going shopping, going to church, going on an airplane, going on a cruise and in doing so, spreading the flu. I suspect we will reach something like this with COVID-19. Like "the flu" it will mutate over time. Eventually there may be some sort of herd immunity against the more common variations. There are promising signs that a vaccine will be forthcoming but like "the flu" (as if there is only one flu) no single vaccine may protect us from all variations and vaccines most likely won't be 100% effective. Each year different vaccines may be required. Like "the flu" we may grow to accept that each year a number of us will die from COVID-19 variations. In 1918 the second wave of the flu was particularly impactful. There was a world war going and that took precedence over the science that the flu would spread. In the era of 1918 that world had known a lot of infectious diseases. Going back hundreds of years it was common during times of disease for an arriving ship to be quarantined before allowing anyone to step on land. They may not have understood a virus or be able to view it under a microscope but in the 14th century ships were at times placed under quarantine upon arrival. They did understand the concept of social distancing and isolation as a means to stop a virus from spreading even if they didn't understand the virus itself. Note though they didn't stop ships from sailing, commerce took precedence. It's easy to imagine in 1918 they simply didn't know what might occur but they did know and science did predict what the outcome might be. The world chose to ignore the science because there was a war to win and so they continued to move troops around the world, spreading the virus and exposing different regions to new flu variations. It's too early to know if we are repeating history. Science is telling us the second wave is coming. Some are choosing to ignore it and are prioritizing a return to normal. Only time will tell if the second wave will look like it did in 1918. Perhaps the second wave will be nothing and cruising can restart in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19 or perhaps the loss rate for those impacted by the second wave can be acceptable to society because keeping the economy shutdown is not considered by many as a long term viable option. In that event I just hope the cruise or travel industry in general isn't singled out and vilified because society collectively decided to bravely move forward and reopen. Keeping the travel industry shutdown will save lives but at what cost? Eventually companies will be forced to close. Hertz just filed for bankruptcy. Hopefully they can navigate through bankruptcy and survive. If we don't restart the travel industry soon more companies will fail including some cruise lines. That means restarting the travel industry before a vaccine is developed, produced and distributed to the masses. If the cruise and travel industry is to survive society must be willing to accept the risks by restarting before a vaccine is commonly available to everyone. In so doing society must not turn around and blame the travel industry when some lives are lost as if no one knew that was a possibility.

My thought is that if you have any concerns about where your cabin may be, choose your own room. My wife is in a bunch of Facebook cruising groups and sees a lot of "I was assigned this room I don't like, how can I get it changed". We literally don't care where we end up, so we do the guaranteed room and are happy. Sometimes the savings is minimal, but for us, savings is savings. We're cheap thrifty. ?

Most definitely yes! I currently have 4 double bookings going on. That Odyssey sailing that you are on is one of them. As long as you don't mind your money tied up in deposits, it's totally fine.

I need a cruise!

Absolutely, but given this is a travel forum I tried to stay on point and related to the cruise industry. Unfortunately the media paints the cruise industry with a very different brush compared to other industries and that will be a factor reopening travel. By CDC statistics cruise ships account for 1% of norovirus outbreaks. Schools and daycare account for 6% and land based restaurants 22% of all norovirus outbreaks yet the media have labeled noro as the "cruise ship virus". By the statistics it would be more accurate to call noro the "highschool virus" or the "fast food virus" yet the media ignores statistics and blames the cruise industry. Clearly restaurants have been acknowledged to represent a significant risk in spreading COVID-19 which is why they were some of the first businesses to be shut down. Yet cruise ships have fared much worse in COVID-19 press coverage over restaurants. As all businesses look to restart many of those businesses don't have to worry about slanted and unfair media coverage waiting for a single infection. Right now, this weekend someone has already been infected with the virus in a restaurant that just reopened. You won't read about that in the news. When cruise ships start sailing the first claim of an infection on a ship, regardless if the infection was actually on the ship or not, will be broadcast around the world. Business must reopen and we all must accept the consequences. People will die. Travel businesses must reopen too and people will die. In both cases most people will live through the infection but there are some that will die. Loosely following noro trends we know more people will be infected from land based restaurant exposures compared to travel exposures so we all need to keep that in mind when the media lose their minds upon the first claim of a ship infection.

We are on the Oasis of the Seas for the 11/22 Thanksgiving Cruise. So hoping this will happen. We have been looking forward to this trip for quite awhile.

Unless something has changed, there are no suite or C&A areas at Coco Cay. I don't recall there ever being anything special for C&A but maybe I'm forgetting. The suites area at CC has been gone for some time. The only "exclusive" area, that I am aware of, is Coco Beach and that is strictly a $$ exclusion. Status of any kind is meaningless to getting in.

I'm not opposed to wearing a mask at certain times in the future as more things are understood but right now that's my deciding factor, at least for September ... See what's happening in December for that cruise. My wife wears a mask all day for work & I'm not a fan in general. I wear it when I need to, but it makes me feel uncomfortable, awkward, etc. It wouldn't feel like a vacation trying to stroll the promenade with a mask. That's in addition to all the other social distance measure that'll need to be in place. Barriers at slot machines, between bartenders, etc. It'll feel more like a science fiction movie than vacation.

STILL WAITING FOR THE REST OF MY REFUND RELATED TO MY 3/15 SAILING ON THE OASIS! Sorry for all the CAPS, and for those who think it was towards anyone on this blog your wrong, it just made me feel better this morning! lol And not one penny from the 3/22 cruise. Maybe Royal looks at this blog and know who are the most frustrated ones and says " let not refund their money until the very last moment" HAHA

No Windjammer and having to wear a facemask AT ALL. Both deal breakers.

It's not just the travel industries, keeping things shut down will have deep impacts on many segments and varieties of businesses both small and large. Even restaurants can't survive at 25% or 50%. I agree that it is just another SLIGHT risk we take when living our lives. I am OK with that. Lots of other things I can concern myself with.

An overlooked feature of moving your bookings is there is a waiver of the change fees until August 1. "L&S" won't move casino rates but maybe by calling casino #, they might reschedule it for you if the request is reasonable. Like many posters on here I have had rigid agents and very flexible ones.

It has always been minimal for us. I don't think it has been more than $50 pp for any of our cruises. I always get jealous of posters saying they got hundreds off. If it was hundreds I would jump on a gty., but since it is always minimal for us and we love to sit on our balcony, it would drive us crazy if it was obstructed.

Hmmmm.... crappy early morning lighting, but could this be Harmony backing in at Port Canaveral now? ? https://www.portcanaveralwebcam.com/ ... suspense is killing me... got the popcorn out... they're pulling her in closer to the dock... ... Harmony it is! ... later today...

It's mostly all inclusive. Captain Jacks (Wings and fires), beach club and the big water park are the only things not included outside of excursion activities / items (things like water skis, cabanas, & day beds, etc) There are a few snack shacks around the island to grab a bite at and the main dining venue that are included. Both have a pretty good selection depending on what you are looking for (the chicken sandwich at the snack shack is as good as people make it out to be, try it!). Drink package works the same as it does on the ship. Plenty of loungers around the island both by the pool and the beach that are free. Kids water attractions included, of beach type games and events are around too. I can't wait to go back and explore more than just the beach club!

Just an FYI people the sales are so great this weekend atleast compared to my last cruise. I got everything we we wanted and had for our last cruise (only exception is I added a beach bungalow at labadee) and I still have $400 to kill. I may finally get that spa massage ?? We want to do the excape room but I'm thinking that may be on hold for awhile not sure they want people gathering in closed spaces touching a bunch of stuff just yet

Thanks Everyone What I did not mention. This cruise(s) is a back to back ( 9 total days ) and we were able to use a $400.00 Casino Certificates on the first cruise and a $500.00 Casino Certificate on the 2nd part of the back to back. She does want to go. Me, the loss of the Casino Certificates does not matter. Her enjoyment means more. ( Proud Military Veteran and Retired Navy Submarine Sailor )

Got one for sale....let's start the bid off at $11.99...do i hear $13.99? Don't worry folks, I have many more! ?

Pimento cheese is an aberration that should be banished along with "barbecue sauce" based on vinegar or mustard. No, I'm not a native of the Tar Heel State - and I find much of the "cuisine" to be curious at best.

Good Afternoon Gang, Who's sailing for Turkey Day 2020? Will be sailing (fingers, toes and anything else crossed for good luck) on the Indy B2B starting 11/19 (it's not my dream come true 3 Weeks on the Oasis that got cxl'd from COVID 19) . Scored the corner aft 1400 for both cruises.

OMG, I have learned the hard way! I wished i had a TA that i could just send an e-mail too with what actions i would like to happen and hope that i wouldn't have to always remain on the phone with them while the contact RCI in order for that to happen. I'm not asking for much, Why do i need to endure the pain of waiting also. ? ? All i'm asking for is when time permits and you have RCI on the phone, just apply my FCC to an existing cruise. I feel like i have to manage my cruise for them and wait for them to connect to RCI while i'm on the phone, never hearing a rep from RCI or even having an option to ask a question and When i do ask a question they put me on hold to ask. ? I'm making the pain go away when all of my cruises are done with them. Tell me there is better out there?

Why do I have this funny feeling that the slot machine I had really wanted to play, but was blocked off for social distancing will be the one that's ready to give the big payout. But I'll never know, I'll be playing the one next to it ?

face mask is probably my deal breaker unless it's required in very limited quantities. Getting a q-tip jammed up my nostril at the pier in order to get onboard is a close second. Also, the whole "guilty until proven innocent" phase alot of governments are going through (ie, 14 day quarantine when you return from XYZ whether you have symptoms or not). We don't do this for any other illness. It needs to stop.

@mworkman there's always the 4th of July sale

With the other carriers offering really sweet deals to get people back, I'm surprised RCCL is going the other way... Looked again and the main "re book" is now double of what I would have been able to book it for if I had my own money back!

I would add Schooners too. We love doing the trivia, and sing a long at night. OH and if they canceled the 70s night party, I am done!

Thanks to everyone for your insights. Sadly the difference in our case is not minimal (£231pp x 2 = £462/$562), but it's a vacation after all and I'm naturally pretty risk averse so I expect we'll end up choosing our own cabin... and then hope that my wallet forgives me! And sorry @Matt - I realise I should have posted this on the discussion board, not this one ?

I should insert a caveat here.... When we book onboard, We can pick our room and still get the lowest price.

Oh, Anthem's still sailing; I just found out earlier this week that a work/school-related thing got moved from Dallas in August to Orlando in November, and it ends on 11/22 at noon and Harmony sails from Port Canaveral on 11/22 at 4:30, so... ?

Hi Katie, Please don't make a cruise for your family this August a major issue to cause yourself stress. It is unknown whether cruises will be fully up and running anyway in August. You also may want to wait a bit to see how CDC requirements affect cruise ship processes (e.g., masks everywhere, no buffet, room service only?). I missed my April Easter/special birthday cruise (cancelled in mid-March) and have still not seen a dime of my refund. I did not choose FCC because I want to keep all options open and may choose to go with another cruise line instead. It was a quiet time at home but I was safe. This has been a year of complete uncertainty, and we must give thanks for our good health and our ability to afford cruising. My recommendation would be rather than book a cruise far in advance, just be flexible and see if something else will suit as a vacation as you move into July. Then next year if we have an all clear, take two cruises!

With so much negativity being directed at all travel companies for how they are behaving during these unprecedented times, some of which is well deserved its only correct that when a company does things correctly its noted. Jetblue changed the time of my flight from JFK to San Juan and it messed up my timings, now chances are cruise will be cancelled and i would have had to cancel anyway, So i contacted them by chat on their App, no waiting or fuss just straight down to how they could assist. Was offered a FULL cash refund or 125% in future credit that lasts 18months, i took the cash refund and was informed it would be in my bank within 10 to 14 working days. 4 days it took for full refund to appear in my bank. Hats off to Jetblue a smaller airline showing the Big Boys how it should be done

I agree, and it is baffling and disappointing that this all seems to have become more than it needs to be. Logic and Reason appears to have been taken over by Sensationalism and leverage. Once we strayed from presenting and analyzing the REAL facts and instead began focusing, once again, on celebrity opinions on social media, it seems that this exercise has run its course and the media and the politicians should all get back to work and allow everyone else to do the same. In particular, the cruise industry.

Does this suggest that we can all watch the muster drill video in our rooms?? .... I'm all for it!