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Problem is there may very well never be a vaccine and even if there is it may not "eliminate the problem" ... common cold has been around a while - no vaccine ... flu has been around a while, there is a vaccine but we still get flu outbreaks and even people who get the vaccine can get the flue if they get the wrong strain ... so saying its fair to wait on a vaccine is just a way of kicking the can down the road indefinitely.

This pandemic has made for a lot of changes in the cruising world from cancellations, lift and shifts, FCCs and everyone’s least favorite topic … REFUNDS! It definitely has made a lot of people take a new look at life and that is exactly what a few agents at MEI-Travel have done. Danette LeBlanc after 7 years with Mei-Travel is stepping away to spend time with her family. Her father has terminal cancel and she wants to spend all the time she can with him and the family at this time. Prayers to her and her family as they navigate this incredibly hard time. Also, Stephanie Hudson after 15

And if I get quaratined on the ship, we're in an Owners Suite!!

It's never easy to say goodbye to a friend, let alone three amazingly talented friends. I know I speak for everyone here when I say we will miss your guidance, hard work, and positivity. For years I've advocated using "a good travel agent", and if there were a dictionary definition of that, it would have either of your three photos as examples. I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope you remain part of our community here, and hopefully we will get to cruise again together soon.

We met two couples on the Harmony inaugural in Europe who did precisely that, their reasoning being it would be impossible to fully enjoy the ship and the ports in a one-week sailing. They planned their time so that they visited half of the ports the first week and the other half during the second week and got to enjoy a largely empty ship on the days they stayed on board. They were really pleased wih their decision.

I got another great pic last night of the skyline. I went on a fathers day ride on the quads with the guys.

Yes, of course. And the Air Force has its own spirited cry which can mean anything positive. Here are some examples: Hooah - Army; Hoorah - Navy; Oorah - Marine Corps; Nice Putt - Airforce.

I was checking pricing on some of my short term cruises and noticed that some of them have a nice, big military discount. It seems that they are showing up only on the really short term ones, but if you wanted to book now, get the military discount and L&S....well...could work. My Dec 6 Oasis cruise has a $675 military discount but the one the very next week (second half of my B2B) does not. Go figure. BTW, it seems that they are allowing the military discount AND the C&A balcony discount so that's a nice discount when stacked together.

Only if you were one of the many millions dying or one of the many nurses doctors required to work 24 hours a day.

Ampurp85, you bring up some good points ..... you are correct about Hotels/Resorts, etc. not being like a cruise ship. TBF I think the fundamental or base risk of becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 is probably higher, perhaps the highest of all conveyances or venues. I also think that because of the scrutiny cruise lines receive and esp. that received during the early phases of the pandemic, risk reduction is a higher priority within the cruise industry than it is within other venues. Of course how effective those risk reduction measures might be remains to be seen. Its hard to objectively evalua

If it helps, we got our refund back within 2 weeks for our deposit on the Brilliance Group Cruise. I'm holding out hope for the Anthem GC. It's too soon for me to know about next summer.

It's possible there may be no vaccine but there is the possibility that society will reach a herd immunity eventually if a vaccine is never realized. That's not guaranteed either. At some point there will likely be some level of balance reached where life can more closely resemble what it was like before CV-19. Until then the CDC is unfortunately doing the right thing with cruise ships from a perspective of containing virus spread. Theme parks are probably best to remain closed right now. Sporting events with large audiences in close proximity are probably best to remain closed

Been there and cruised that The older I get the more I enjoy just watching y'all have fun while I mostly hang out on the ship.

My guess is that the Royal CS reps will not know (or can't confirm) for sure until Royal makes their official announcement (tomorrow I believe) either way in response to the CLIA announcement. I know, the waiting stinks! Everything is pointing toward further cancellations, but it's not official until it's official... is that a Yogism?

The new TA"s should be encouraged to be a part of this group........ The relationships built here are second to none. @AnnetteJackson, take care of yourself. Thank You for everything that you've done for so many. You will surely be missed.

As did I. I saw the email from David in my inbox, mentioning that Beth is taking over our reservations and it was signed by Beci. I like the team effort from MEI.

I would hazard a guess the price reduction is down to port fees being less on the Harmony sailing since it has fewer stops than your original Allure TA. Anyway, now that it's sorted you have something to look forward without a constantly niggling worry in the back of your mind.

FWIW, it always appeared to me that Pullmantur was never financially great, even before COVID.

Hopefully they pick up some crew members before returning. I suspect they will need to be retrained before the Caribbean season starts. I plan to call today and reschedule my Allure TA to Alaska in Aug-Sept 2021. I made a preliminary call yesterday and was told there was not a problem with rescheduling since it was booked refundable. Everything will be carried over to the Alaska cruise ... even the OBC. My cruise planner purchases will be refunded. The wait for that refund is the only downside.

Wow my lift and shift was done over night after I filled the online form in yesterday a quick call to get cabins next to each other and all done and they seem to have reduced the price in my favour

push me ^^^^^ and all will change!!!!

Having done the 5 day to Bermuda out of Bayonne a lot and the 9 day out of Bayonne to Caribbean once, I wouldn't mind combining them both for a two week adventure. @ehw51 As far as same itinerary, never have (never any B2B), but would without question, especially if it's a ship we have never sailed before as you cannot do it all in 7 days. One of the cons to cruising is you're at port for a few hours, knowing you're coming back the next week allows you to see a little bit more.

Because there is no benefit to be gained by anyone higher up to apply pressure.

@JeffB @Ampurp85 As a reader I've thoroughly enjoyed your posts - you've disagreed respectfully and intelligently. I've said before I'm tired of the Covid 19 back and forth but I realize I was tired of people not being respectful in their back and forth.

I'm sadder to read this than I am about canceled cruises

Nice Putt....love it. 91st Security Police Squadron stationed at Minot. I took every TDY I could and saw the world 2 weeks at a time...lol.

My thought is book the cruise and hope for the best. Let's say it gets cancelled, there's usually enough warning you could do a vacation home rental or something a little more local.

Yes, you would be able to cancel. However, you would need to book before August 1st as that is currently the date the program ends. Concerned about traveling? Looking for flexibility in your plans? As of May 6, 2020, our enhanced Cruise with Confidence program gives you even more flexibility. Whether you’re already booked on a cruise, or are thinking about it, we want you to Cruise with Confidence. That’s why Royal Caribbean will let you cancel any cruise that sets sail from now through April 30, 2022. Whether it’s a booking you already have or one you make rig

@Neesa Gee, I am so sorry to hear this news. This is very sad. I wonder if even trying to get my deposit back for next year's Anthem Group Cruise will be a problem if I cancel. I am not sure we want to go to Norway next summer. Love your sad face giffy...

Wow! I'm surprised they are communicating this before the official announcement. Nothing surprises me these days! One less thing for you to have to worry about!

The only thing I can say about this is.... I hope due to the age of the ship is the reason the getting rid of them.... Maybe RC will give them newer ships so they can be a stronger company after this is all over.

Spanish bankruptcy - details here: https://www.rclinvestor.com/press-releases/release/?id=1480

Wow I wouldn't use that TA again! Does the TA not process payments directly with Royal?

We're doing a B2B 9/19 and 9/26 on Symphony and lucked out with different itineraries...I just hope we will actually sail.

In February we had a private car (Escalade) transport us (4 adults) from FLL to Downtown Miami for $75.

Please - no need to apologize. This mess is affecting you guys a LOT more than us. Thank you for everything you've done for so many cruisers over these years. I just hate that y'all are having to change your entire livelihood due to this damn virus.

While no longer at MEi - you know i have your number!

The challenge to operating from another country in the Caribbean is resupplying the ship. The volume of supplies that get loaded on turn around day is massive. For many ports of call ships won't take on potable water due to questionable standards for water treatment and limited quantities of water. Many Caribbean nations collect rain water but they would never be able to supply a ship with potable water (not all ships have the ability to desalinate water on board). Food standards can be questionable in some foreign countries. When I lived on St Thomas virtually all food was bro

I wonder how realistic this is for Royal? It certainly seems like something to explore. I could see the Bahamas as an origination point if they were open to it considering how many ships visit there already. It would certainly bring in lots of $ for hotel nights before/after plus the food/merchant spending that would normally follow. The cruise line wouldn’t have to bend to CDC whims.

@AnnetteJackson and @StephanieH wish y'all the best. Been a pleasure meeting and working with ya.

Thanks @AnnetteJackson for all you have done for all of us here, the Blog, your TAs, and the industry. You will be missed!

Our kids weren't with us but we stayed Frenchman's Reef/Morning Star Resort. This was before VRBOs or Airbnb. That will be our choice next time. We rented a car for the week and drove all over the island! Our hotel was on Morningstar beach so we spent most of the time there but we also spent a day at Megan's Bay Beach, Coki beach and Coral World. We went to VIEco tours and did the kayak, snorkel & hike trip. We've also done that twice with our kids on a cruise excursion & it's highly recommended. We rode the ferry and spent a day at St. John and Trunk Bay. We went to Blackbeard's Castl

LMAO. We are AF. What is PT to the AF? Lifting a beer after a round of golf! What is the other joke for the AF? They build the runway 1st and the golf course next! Hubby did a tour with the 82nd (JUMP ALO) and attended CGSC at Leavenworth. Talk about being teased! When we got to Bragg I thought after being married for 4 yrs I knew all of the acronyms for the military. He was a young O3. 4V4 double turn as a flier, got it. Difference between a missile and a bomb, got it. PCS, with a TDY enroute and 10 days in the TLF using TLA, and TMO will pick up our HHG on this date

According to the VA Affairs site, he can do this through the mail. Here in Northern CT, there isn't a military base in the neighborhood, maybe down state in New London at the Sub Base. I have also called the Town Clerk. In CT we get a Veteran's exemption on municipal taxes and have to file the DD214 in the Clerk's office. I also work for the Town so I made a quick call & they are looking for me. your help is very much appreciated!

We did what @KristiZ suggested and had a short morning Royal excursion followed by taking a taxi ride to a small resort on the 7 mile beach afterwards. One of my favorite excursions and my first since returning to cruising as an adult. Grand Cayman is wonderful!!!!!!! You will enjoy it.

Army, now hiring. Get that discount.

Could have been embarrassing! Fortunately it was just my kids...who unfortunately overheard a nice set of new vocabulary words. I'm sure they'll wait to repeat them until we're at grandma's.

EVERYTHING ISN'T A CONSPIRACY, PEOPLE

Welcome to the blog, @TravelerDO. I am not certain of the dates where CWC applies (it has a finite end date) but I do know that CWC does NOT include a cash refund. If you were to be able to use CWC for your April 21 cruise, you would receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the amount of your cruise fare. All taxes, ports fees and gratuities (if you prepaid them) would be refunded to you as a credit to the credit card you used to pay. Any Cruise Planner purchases (food, drinks, spa etc) would be refunded as a credit card refund. CWC applies whether you have a refundable or non-refundable