Jill

We’ve done Blue Lagoon in Nassau twice. Once was the actual swim with the dolphins the other was the “encounter.” 
 

Both were good. Neither time was while cruising. 
 

Atlantis on paradise island also has a dolphin swim/encounter.  

I’d book it with a refundable deposit and do not apply your FCC until final payment. By 90 days out you’ll have a much better picture of international travel. If still restricted, cancel and get your deposit back OR just move the deposit to a later cruise. 
 

You’re likely to get the best price now on the fare. As long as you don’t apply FCC now, you can still reprice the cruise all the way up to final payment/applied FCC. 

11 hours ago, UNCFanatik said:

If your cruise is cancelled do they give the FCC on cruise planner purchases the same as cruise fares? Example.. if I get beverages for all 4 of my family members, are the future credits linked to each individual family member or in one overall bucket ?

It’s a lump sum added to the cruise of your choosing. It will appear at the top of your cruise planner. 

So DeSantis just re-iterated on Fox that he will not allow cruise lines to ask for proof of vaccination (vaccine passport). 

He did this through executive order and there’s a bill in the Florida senate now for it to become law. 

He said he’s all for getting the ships sailing and has sued the government to do so but he won’t allow them to ask for personal health info. 

So what happens now? I think most agree mandatory vaccination initially is what’s needed to get ships sailing again however over 400k have sailed in Europe pretty successfully without required vaccines. 

Will the senate make an exception for foreign owned businesses or lay down the law? 

My 125% OBC from a cancelled May 2020 that has been applied twice now (which were cancelled) is buying less and less as time goes by. If I purchased everything I did initially in May 2020, I’d barely be covering it with the credit for October 2021. 
 

Lesson is: redeem as soon as possible. 

We have this from LL Bean. Super lightweight 

https://m.llbean.com/llb/shop/118114?page=stowaway-day-pack-multi&bc=&feat=backpack-SR0&csp=a&searchTerm=backpack&pos=85

40 minutes ago, jticarruthers said:

Don't about his answer but mine would be yes.

I was willing to get on a cruise at any point in the last year, no questions asked, now that I am vaccinated - even more so.

 

I’ve mentioned before that I think the vaccine requirement may not happen for US cruises. By July I’m expecting cases to be very low.  If there is no vaccine requirement, I would expect those not vaccinated would have to undergo frequent testing. However........given DeSantis’ EO, how would the cruise lines know who is/isn’t vaccinated? 
 

I have a feeling the only way to get around his EO is to state these are foreign companies and the EO pertains only to US based entities. 
 

Will be interesting how this plays out. 

13 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

The UK document is only 20 pages and contains a lot more actionable info than the CDC's 40-page CSO

But hey, the CDC dropped the mandatory 12 hour interval between cruises. Whoppie doodle doo  

https://www.cruisehive.com/uk-releases-framework-for-resuming-international-cruises/49543?fbclid=IwAR2YTT2U9WlAJoqhFgCUKErFtz7pT4vKGJbiEKzhJ1DJIoINuOnRpaPlJlM

1 hour ago, twangster said:

In the past Royal used a process called concurrent engineering. 

In that process construction of the ship begins with only 30% of the design complete.

Ships are constructed using blocks that are built ahead of time in different locations then brought together once they begin to assemble the ship.  

Icon's early hull blocks have been spotted waiting for assembly to begin. 

Nick Weir is the SVP in charge of Royal entertainment.   He has hinted at entertainment components involving an Aqua Theater on Icon.  

She is said to be capable of LNG fuel.

That's about as much as is known.

 

Fingers crossed for a Central Park type area. Probably not but a girl can hope! 
 

We’ve got 2 bucket list cruises and a Symphony in the next year. My next booking after that will hopefully be on the new Icon. If she’s not ready by  Spring 2023, I’ll have to book a quickie to the Bahamas. 
 

However, if she follows her big sisters, she’ll probably do Europe her first summer. 
 

Can’t wait to see her! 

9 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

At the 29:00-ish mark, he may have been asked about cruise lines requiring vaccines, but it's tough to tell the question actually asked

 

 

I think possibly by July we will be at herd immunity and people wanting a vaccine will be close to zero. Those that want it will have had it. 
 

We had one death in Florida yesterday. (However there were over 7,000 cases)

I’ll go out on a limb here: vaccines won’t be required therefore DeSantis ban on private companies requiring vaccine to enter a business won’t be in play. 
 

I know it’s a stretch but DeSantis was pretty clear he won’t tolerate businesses requiring vaccine for entry. Will be interesting to see how this part plays out. Will the cruise lines be an exception to the “rule?” 

3 hours ago, FionaMG said:

The original L&S programme ended some time ago.

Since then, with each new round of cancellations, Royal have been offering specific - and generally more restrictive - L&S options. For example, for the Quantum Alaska cancellations everything had to be the same with the only leeway being a week either side, whereas people cancelled from Odyssey's inaugural season were given a much wider choice, which could be any sailing at all on sale at the time of the cancellations that was the same length or one day shorter or longer than their original sailing.

It's always worth phoning and asking, the worst they can do is say no.

 

I think odyssey was different because it was European sailings. Much harder to commit to Europe 2 years n a row. One week before or after original sail date was required though

3 hours ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said:

I reckon they are booking to full capacity.  If they need to reduce numbers, so far they cancel the entire sailings and "re-debut" the ship.  This is what just happened for Anthem of the Seas out of Southampton,  although they also changed the itineraries as well. 

I really wish they’d give the option to keep your booking if your cruise gets cancelled and the ship is relaunched on different itinerary. I can understand cancelling interior and ocean view, but if you have balcony or suite, I think you should have the option of keeping it. 

I’m an Oasis class girl. Just love these ships, especially Central Park. 
 

My Royal Caribbean experience started way back with Song of America in 1991. 
 

We did Mariner 2 years ago for a quick 3 night get away since we live close to the port. We enjoyed it but it didn’t compare to Oasis class. 
 

With oasis class, the ship IS part of the vacation. That’s why you get 2-3 sea days. 
 

If you’re more into ports, the ship shouldn’t matter. 

Time for DeSantis to circle the wagons and lawyer up. Bring Pam Bondi in to help AG Moody. I’m tired of this crap. 

Wait did I miss the part..........

........except cruise ships. No cruise ships can sail. Never, ever, ever again infinity! 
 

That wasn’t in there? Must have been overlooked. I’m sure they won’t let ships sail. 

A few more words. “Soon” Who wants to guess how SOON SOON is? I’ll start: November 1 If I don’t laugh, I’ll say bad words.

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Miami-Dade-mayor-CDC-guidelines-vaccines?fbclid=IwAR1Y0DUU3UNT_ag1HV06f1omoiuEeYws6s_PG2Z-j9GXQifoDyHrqD1X5NM

7 hours ago, FManke said:

Looking forward to our aft corner JS on Rhapsody this fall for our Greek Islands cruise. 

We’ve got a corner aft JS on Radiance for Alaska next May. My only fear is we are under the Windjammer. I’ve been told not to worry lol 

12 hours ago, twangster said:

Down to 23 but will probably lose a few of them when/if June cruises cancel.

Slacker I expected more from you  

(Seriously hope you enjoy every one of them! If we sold our farm, we’d be right there with you but I can’t part with my animals, or more likely I can’t afford cruises AND farm sitters)

We’ve got 3 but 2 are biggies. 
 

Symphony in October (4th time rescheduling this one) 

Radiance Alaska May ‘22 in a JS

Odyssey out of Rome 12 night Holy Land/Best of Greece October ‘22. (Replaces cancelled Odyssey Italy/Greece) 

#4 might be a spur of the moment 3-4 night Bahamas (we live close to port)

#5 my plan is to hopefully book on the new ICON due in 2023. If she’s not on time, I’ll book Odyssey or an oasis class to the Caribbean 

6 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Can't do anything but cancel. It was a lift and shift that was from a cruise that was paid for with FCC. It's a whole big mess but our only option is to cancel. I'm gonna wait though because if cruises aren't started by July then this will be cancelled anyway and I win letting them cancel it. Right or wrong?

Right.
 

I had a symphony for May that we (me and my MEI) knew would be cancelled. It was my 3rd time rescheduling that cruise. My FCC was applied to the previous October symphony and was a pain to get reinstated. 
 

This time we decided to just move my deposit before final payment (FCC applied) just so she didn’t have to go back and get it reissued. Now I sit and wait for this October symphony. 4th time’s the charm, right? May 2020 to October 2020 to May 2021 to October 2021.

7 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Yes, US, live in NJ and sailing from NJ. Oh yeah, you are right, we aren't at final payment yet. I forgot about that because we used FCC but owe like 46 bucks that we still didn't pay. I guess we could cancel. I'll email my guy at MEI. Thanks for the suggestion. 

So you already applied the FCC? That might be an issue at this point. Good thing you have MEI to fight for you. You’ve basically already paid. 
 

I don’t apply (or my MEI doesn’t) FCC until final payment because you can still take advantage of price drops up until final. Once FCC has been “used/applied” you have to wait for Royal to cancel to get FCC re-issued. 
 

What I would try and do at this point is try and see if you can cancel, get FCC re-instated, then pick a new date. Your biggest issue is you’ve applied your FCC. 
 

Hoping for some MEI magic for you. These are weird times. Royal has been somewhat accommodating. 
 

Good luck!  

The Governor is also wanting to sue for loss of revenue for our ports. 7 billion a year is a substantial amount of our travel revenue in the state. Not to mention the job losses up and down the supply chain. 
 

I’m pretty sure the PHE will be extended for reasons I’m told not to post here

Another tool that could help get cruises up and running. 
 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/fda-approves-covid-screening-device/?utm_term=Editorial&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_content=AFDE7B16-8F22-11EB-A60F-02D7923C408C&fbclid=IwAR2skpM3__4r8_FYriGTmPqVW5Z8cC-ueazy7JI2-JsxaeakLn92GIPxL0c

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

It's a free loyalty program with terms and conditions including that it's subject to change at any time.

it changed and now it changed back.  

i suppose someone could try taking it before a judge, here, or in the UK.  Good luck!   

I’m sorry you lost your paragraphs. I know you were excited. I hope you can move on without too much sorrow.