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I said I wasn't going to book another cruise and I held firm on that... I booked two.

.......put down another deposit. ? Good grief. Our May Symphony was canceled, so rebooked for October with FCC, which will likely be canceled. Can’t Lift and Shift because we already have Odyssey booked for next October. This itinerary is rarely offered: St Thomas, St Maarten (our favorite), CocoCay. Next date: May 29, 2021. Start “browsing” availability. Hardly anything left. Panic! Go from JS this past May to oversized balcony October down to regular balcony next May. Call friends who we are booked with. Scan cabins. Find 2 together and bingo zippy, we are booked. I SWORE I would not give them anymore “real” money. Fail. (It is a refundable deposit ?) Hi, my name is Jill and I’m a cruisaholic.

Ah...the line that unites us all! ?

Dipping their nautical toes into the water: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23286-1-200-passengers-are-back-on-a-cruise-ship.html?fbclid=IwAR2uQk9ljA-NCqUVcy6OyLZ_b4m1n5hDkI8EVwETKPYQK9lpFCZqXCT0vXI

I've done the same thing @Jill. I do feel better now that refunds are flowing a heck of a lot faster.

Well it looks like I’m in good company! ? See I knew I wouldn’t get yelled at here! We’re nothing but a bunch of enablers.

@Jill I to belong to this club! I was feeling a certain sort of angry as my refunds were non existent. I was like that's it, no more! (3 cancellations by RCCL) Okay breathe, relax outside, using my RCCL cups, oh I miss sailing so much! Wait I am not liking the latest Fain video, he speaks but amazingly says nothing....am I ever going to be refunded my April 2020 Cruise Planner Purchases?? Still waiting for a few thousand....oh wait, an FCC.... Hello Sharla, MEI please book me on the Symphony CLS #Teamdeck17 May 29, 2021! Wait, another FCC, maybe if even if the slightest chance, ring ring Sharla, can you book me on the Mariner Thanksgiving 2020? If it does not go I have another in my mind waiting for my deposit. I always had Allure August 1, 2021 but then I also snagged the last available CLS on the Oasis Thanksgiving 2021, not over the water facing the sports court (not feeling that) BUT #Teamdeck17 so..... Hi, my name is Denise and I too am a cruiseaholic!! Special shout out to all of the enablers on this blog, to many to name!!!

I don't believe anyone suggested otherwise.

Emily at MEI was able to move our February trip to the identical cruise & room in March. The move saved us $710 ( my total is now a cool $1100 in savings) AND today she was able to get us $200 in OBC. What a miracle worker ?.

Not to derail the Covid part of this topic...but did anyone else notice you can do the rescheduled Star Trek and 80's charter cruises as a B2B? I just told my husband I'll go on the first leg with him if he'll stick around for the 2nd leg with me. ?

**masks in elevators and hallways

This is where mask wearing becomes critical. I would expect that all crew, during their travels and after boarding, are required to wear masks at all times when not in their cabins. I'd also expect the crew / staff mess to be run at reduced max capacity, serving mostly grab-and-go meals to bring back to their cabins, at least for the first couple of weeks they're on board. Since it's shown that spread from an infected to uninfected person is less than 1% chance if both are wearing masks, this nearly eliminates the risk of ship-wide spread among the staff. Meanwhile, they get tested daily using rapid-response tests, so infected crew can quickly be isolated and contact tracing done. Assuming all crew are brought on board at least 2 weeks ahead of first sailing, that's enough time to ensure the crew is fully cleared for work. Any who get sick after they first board can be disembarked and transferred to another ship when they recover. I don't know how realistically this part could be done, given that many areas still lack enough tests for the local populations. And a good part of the ship's storage is going to be taken up with masks for the crew to change out daily. But if cruising is going to resume during this time, that's just the bare bones of what has to be done before passenger 1 gets on board, IMO. For passengers, the airlines have now (finally) set the precedent; Delta and American have both now openly stated that if someone refuses to wear a mask the entire time they're on board, they're not allowed to fly and will be black-listed from flights on that airline until the pandemic is cleared. More airlines will follow suit, and that gives the cruise lines all the justification they need to say the same. Obviously with some modifications -- masks can be taken off while in their cabin, after sitting down at their table to eat (with all tables spaced at least 7 or 8 feet apart to allow for unobstructed movement), and a few other public spaces like the pool or Solarium. But the theater should IMO require masks the whole time, being an enclosed space with air conditioning where you sit for at least 45 minutes (up to 2 hours for a Broadway show). Some other areas may require the same. If any passenger doesn't want to do that, they don't get to board; and if they're found in violation after embarkation, they get confined to quarters and disembarked at the next port. True zero-tolerance policy. Sorry, but that's the only way I can even begin to see this having any chance of coming through without another PR disaster for the cruise lines and a permanent shutdown of cruising until a vaccine is delivered and at least 80% of the world's population has been given it.

There has been discussion on this board about the cruise ship being the itinerary versus the actual itinerary ports. I'm all for one of the newer ships being the itinerary with a reduced price drink package and reduced price unlimited dining package. Fun, fun, fun 'til the CDC takes the cruising awaaay!

I'm in the same boat. Keep booking cruises and watch them go south (not literally). Ahhh well, at some point this will all be a memory. My thinking is at some point everybody is going to want to cruise and fly.....you'll find everything booked up. Might as well try to get ahead of that......

Totally get it. We have 3 cruises booked next year and one booked 2022 (well, 2 as we are double booked). I have two logical reasons for it: Price protection. If we wait for things to start up again, then the cost may be $$$ and staterooms sold out. By booking now, we get a better price (not going to say good as prices in general are high), can watch for price drops and of course stateroom selection comes into play. Something to look forward to - It sucks as most of us have booked and then had our vacations cancelled. It's a horrible feeling when you look forward to something for so long and them bam. By having cruises booked, we can at least look forward to them and plan. Of course, these may be cancelled too, but for me, it still helps having something in the works. Some of our cruises have been booked since the day the dates opened. One has been lifted and shifted. And one is a backup plan in case further disappointment. I think we all get it.

I won't lie, I have booked far more cruises during the shutdown than I likely would have if the shutdown had never happened. I think there will be a huge amount of demand for vacations when cruises do restart. I'm at the point where I would go on any cruise just to be on a ship.

We don't even think about the cat when booking a trip. Luckily the MIL is retired and close by, she checks on him. (Sorry no human kids and couldn't resist ?)

Just for clarification, I don't believe this is the same cruise that @SpeedNoodles was referencing. Unfortunate, nonetheless.

I wonder if the same test was used in the home country as was used in Germany. We all know the testing can be suspect. That’s an issue.

The new hygienic concept is working. But only because ship is on half capacity. Chairs at the pool are two meters apart and buffet restaurant is open but no self service. Silver is sealed for single use. You can’t even grab a coffee by yourself. Everything takes a lot more time. But at least back on a cruise ship. Mein Schiff 2 sealing from Hamburg in the North Sea with no stop. It’s TUI Cruises which belongs to 50% to Royal. So hopefully Miami is watching.

I cancelled one this week, the FCC from May rolled to September but wont be available to cover the Oct cruise until next week. I asked for an extension until they issued the FCC, they said no, so i cancelled. Now they owe me back $1000 in cruise planner purchases instead of waiting a week. Somehow i think it will be available to rebook next week when the FCC is available so i guess i will be booking again soon but i'm not putting more money in the tank for now.

If we were allowed in Germany, I wouldn't mind!

It took over 75 days to get my refund for my last non-cruise so the sting is still very real to me. It would take a lot of time and forgetting the last experience for me to give RCI any money. I swore I would never give them money until they start cruising again and at the moment I’m standing by that. Count me on the I’m on the #nomoneyRCI train. We’ll see how long that lasts when the 2022 cruises get posted in the fall.

Not going to lie.........I did add an extra cruise creating another S2S for 2021. The OBC and cost were too good to pass up. RCG knows how to lure us in.

@melmar02 I like the way you think

Oh, l like that! There goes the budget again! I'd probably go cement and a custom design unless a shell was close enough and that good of a price... Guess you've convinced me to at least pick up the phone and get the ball rolling, even if it's for next spring.

Thanks for the positive news!

Fingers and toes crossed

Our backyard is completely flat and open as well. There is (or was now lol) just grass. We had the perfect set up. D11 has always wanted a pool but funds kept going towards cruising which she loves just as much as I do. However, with no cruising this year and maybe even next, we decided to YOLO and do it. Truthfully, if you are really wanting to, you should get on it now. Many places are already booking into next spring... Also, the cool down vs. heat up idea, our "hot tub" is actually a spillover spa that will be connected to the pool. We can heat it or it can have the same temp as the pool water. That is an option if you want use the hot tub to cool off. It's true. We are doing inground but above ground pools are also completely out of stock everywhere. You can't even get one around here right now if you wanted one. We started looking around for a builder in May and decided on one mid-June. Most places were already booking into September-October or next spring at that point. The builder that we fell in love with said they could squeeze us in mid-August and we went for it. As luck would have it, the pool kits for the few people before us are not in due to Covid backups and they are building ours now since our stuff is here, a month ahead of schedule. We are beyond excited. Apologies for the thread hijack again. lol

I think you are wise to book now. I agree with you. Once the decision is made to begin cruising again I think prices will rise (not sure about skyrocket). IMO if Royal isn’t cruising in Europe (or anywhere else, for that matter) by May 2021, we will have bigger issues than rising prices.

There's an easy fix for that though .... Passenger attempts to buy drink ... ding ... i'm sorry sir the computer says you haven't completed the EMuster so your charge privileges have been deactivated, please follow these instructions to reactivate your account.

Nice pictures. Looks like a good ship.

It sounds like you can do all of the electronic part at any time (maybe even while still in the terminal ?) but I think the personal visit to the muster area itself may have a specific timeframe. I guess we’ll have to see how they work it. We would definitely be ones to do it as quickly as possible to get it over with.

Well if we end up on Symphony May 29, we will have to celebrate with a glass of champagne or maybe a bottle! One for me and one for you! ? I just sent my reservation to Sharla this morning to move to her.

Dang!

So .... does that mean the party in January is cancelled?? ??

I did a Liftt and Shift on July 16 ... BUT cancelled our cruise planner purchases online and had the confirmation emails before calling to L&S assuming the refund processes were different. The refund was posted to my RCL visa today. My recommendation is to cancel cruise planner prior to L&S for faster refunds.

I'll actually miss the old muster drill. It was symbolic of the beginning of a cruise for me. It's like tradition. Everything has to be done by tech now which sucks, I'm just not as enchanted by it as everyone else. And before someone accuses me of being old fashioned, I'm possibly one of (if not) the youngest members of this forum.

I actually like this idea. I'm a bit claustrophobic and when I had to do it on my honeymoon it was all I could do to stay calm. Being packed like Vienna sausages isn't my idea of a good time. This also lets a person read at their own pace when they could easily miss something during the talk. I hope they keep this.

And who said nothing good will come out of Covid-19.

What has interrupted bar service at 3:30 in the afternoon on the first day of sailing for over 30 years? Mustering. Now there is going to be a new format. https://presscenter.rclcorporate.com/press-release/106/royal-caribbean-group-reinvents-cruise-industryrsquos-safety-drill/ This should hopefully allow those who like having a constant cocktail or adult beverage in their hand on the first day some relief. But beware, you still need to remain coherent during the process as you either gather the rules on the app from your phone or in the stateroom TV and then you will still need to report to a crew member at your muster station (location found on the back of your stateroom door) prior to the ship leaving the port. Hopefully this will satisfy at least one aspect of the requirements set forth and regulated by the CDC. At this rate, we might be back to sailing in (?), who knows.

I think Royal deserves a lot of credit for advancing this and getting maritime regulators on board with the changes. That's no small undertaking. It's interesting they are licensing the program but allowed NCL in through their participation in the safety panel. Carnival has long "not played well with others" in the industry and there has been a strong rivalry or combativeness with their tactics at the corporate or executive level. With the patent and license it forces Carnival's hand. They can't copy without facing potential infringement but the temporary licensing waiver all but forces them to acknowledge and buy into the program which will cost them licensing fees later on. Well played Richard. Prepare for a lot of names being called on the PA prior to sailing. Experienced cruisers will know not to mess with this and to get it done. New to cruise won't appreciate the improvement or the significance of what this accomplishes and they will need to chase a lot of them down before departure. After reviewing safety information individually, guests will complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ship's departure, as required by international maritime law.

We’re just staying put for now. Truly, aside from missing cruising, I really don’t mind staying home. My work life was such a whirlwind the past few years - so much travel. I’m glad to be home for a change. Dan is busy as a bee with yard work and I’m cooking waaay more than I ever have before. I’m content. For now, I am happy just seeing all of this <cancelled> cruise money come pouring back in ! I will stay home, put my money in the bank and wait until it’s time to cruise again.

Same! I seriously feel you pain. This summer is our first staycation in I don’t even remember how long. It feels weird. Our solution? Desperate times and too long in dry dock make you do crazy things. With nowhere to go, we are building a pool, hot tub, and cabana right in our backyard! All inspired by Oasis Lagoon of course. Excavation just happened two days ago. You can take the cruise away from the girl, but you cannot take away the love. ?

A sad day indeed. The first half of the video is from the bridge of the Monarch, the second half is from shore.

A rather undignified process. I would have thought that they would of at least put them into some kind of lock or berth of some kind. Just pushing them up on the beach like that is rather rude. Surprised to see the life boats still attached. I guess they are of no value to anyone now but still would have thought that they would have removed them beforehand. Definitely a less-than-dignified end.

Hmmmm. I never even knew there was an option for someone else do our check-in. I hate the app so I guess I’ll just keep doing it the way we’ve always done it from the website.

I’ve generally accepted the muster drill approach based on muscle memory. By physically going there and standing for a period of time I’m subconsciously learning what to do in a moment of panic should an emergency occur. I suspect that concept is founded in the SOLAS methodology but that doesn’t mean it has to be. I just don’t know if maritime regulators will approve a change that doesn’t involve mustering in place together.

My muster frustration was the young lady did not successfully scan one of our WOW bands. We were harassed for days and threatened with who knows what if we didn't show up to another one. Notes left in the room, phone messages, the TV account OMG and we were there and it was just a nightmare. I was not able to relax the first 2 days because it was crazy. I finally wrote a note on one of the letter threats advising them to check the cameras and advised them of our exact location. I described my outfit, I was feeling wild and wore a shirt that I realized way to late looked as if I was a gigantic DISCO BALL! Good they can see that!! It must have worked because they finally left us alone. That whole ordeal was horrid. Squished in a pile of people, a long movie you could not see or hear and then "hey, come do it again" YIKES, much better after that was taken care of though. Stay safe and keep healthy all! ME looking at the message on the cabin TV Bring on EMUSTER please?

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