twangster

I'm not sure anyone can guess what next unorthodox card Royal has up their sleeve. Celebrity will announce another ship and homeport this week. So far both lines have been placing medium or large sized ships into non-US homeports. In the case of Royal there logically is a desire to leverage CocoCay as a stop. The unknown is what Caribbean nations have been willing to "jump on board" and which have declined. If a ship in Cozumel can only visit the Bahamas for example, that might not work out well. That's just an example. The complexity Royal faces is not just finding a homeport. They need to find a homeport they can build an itinerary to go somewhere within fuel and time range. Bermuda is not ideal in this sense but Bermuda said "yes" so they went there. Jamaica could be a candidate. From there they could reach PDCC, Labadee and Cozumel. The unknown is Jamaica's desire to participate. Barbados has in the past seemed to be willing to put itself out there with other attempts as a restart. Barbados could be a logical place to home port a ship in advance of the Grandeur December launch. The problem for Oasis class is their size as it relates to embarking thousands of guests in a homeport that isn't meant to embark anyone. It's one thing to load 1,500 to 2,000 guests in Nassau. Trying to load 2,500 to 3,000 is a different matter. Royal has rarely run away from a challenge so anything is possible.

Slow news days so they needed a headline with the word "cruise" in it. They could literally state this every day "The CDC today still has not changed their website. The website still says Nov.1 "

Welcome to the message boards. Royal has had two Oasis class call on CocoCay so an Oasis and Voyager class shouldn't be a huge concern.

I think this is a developing situation. What we hear a lot from her now is "we'll know more about the protocols soon". Even the cruise planner for Adventure has this banner: I get the impression they are trying to find ways to ease as many restrictions as possible.

I think that was stated in the days when we all thought Florida would be going by now. They've had to adapt and re-think the restart in a way that wasn't conceivable six months ago.

Unknown at this time. Discussed in this thread towards the end https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/15076-good-news-if-you-have-been-dreaming-of-west-coast-cruises/

I wasn't aware Royal stated that. Celebrity has stated that ship excursions are not required for Millennium. They are allowing self exploration but have stated that guests must follow rules as established by the country being visited. If a country such as Aruba requires masks then you must wear a mask off the ship. If the next country requires something else, then that is required for guests while off the ship.

Negative news generates interest. Interest means ad revenue. Positive news is great but doesn't tend to generate revenue for the media. Several cable news outlets put out blatantly incorrect stories because it generates interest and ad revenue. They aren't reporting "news" they are creating it because it sells and they make more money. It's all about money.

Yes, as long as you didn't cancel the cruise before Royal cancels the cruise.

CWC is a program that allows you to decide to cancel a cruise up to ~ 48 hours before embarkation. When you exercise CWC you get a 100% FCC. Refund is not an option with CWC unless you booked with a refundable deposit. When Royal cancels a cruise CWC isn't in play. When Royal has cancelled a cruise for the pandemic it's considered a Global Suspension event. With a Global Suspension cancellation different options are available. Typically that has been a refund of cash money paid (such as a credit card payment), OR 125% FCC of any cash money paid OR in some cases the ability to shift that cruise to a future date from a select list of eligible cruises with price protection. CWC and Global Suspension are different and mutually exclusive. CWC is you deciding to cancel the cruise. Global Suspension is when Royal cancels the cruise. If you exercise CWC and you cancel a cruise then Royal announces a Global Suspension cancelation of that same cruise it's too late to go back and ask for Global Suspension to apply to your now cancelled cruise. The second you cancel a cruise with CWC you no longer have a cruise so anything else that is offered is not available to you.

There are numerous free things to do that are centric to a beach type getaway. Free loungers and umbrellas on the beach or by the freshwater pool. You don't have to spend money to enjoy or explore CocoCay, the thrill waterpark is just once small area but the overall concept is a beach or pool type day.

Because @Lovetocruise2002 is stuck in Canada and isn't going. Otherwise she would have started one a month ago before Royal announced it.

Use a travel agent. Establish a strategy with them days before a ship is supposed to open for booking.

Check in time was listed as 3:30pm to 7:30pm. Subject to change.

First sailing is going fast. Just VP suites left. Balconies going quickly. I think it's safe to say Royal nailed it.

Is it midnight anywhere? LOL.

Having an established strategy helped. I knew what I wanted days ago.

I am very happy to see this but I do expect rates to go up as the ship books up on a particular date. Royal has to be watching and itching to nudge prices up if demand is strong. The early birds may get the (cheapest) worms.

From what I've experienced a booking needs to age a day or two before the RC transfer system can see it to initiate the transfer. Late July is well over 100 days out so no worries getting it transferred, just don't pay in full when you book.

After final payment they can't be transferred. So if your date is less than 90 days out you need to book through a TA (and pay in full) to have them manage it. Over 90-92 days away and you have time to transfer it.

Crown and Anchor discounts help those too so it can vary depending on status. JS rates under $1,400 pp plus taxes with no discounts. Try calling Royal to book.

Apparently interior and oceanview are available but with my Crown and Anchor discount a balcony was the lowest price. YMMV.

A longggg time ago on a DCL cruise the cast at Castaway Cay told me the bugs are ferocious at night. I don't know if that is seasonal or if it's at a certain time of the night or if that was a cyclic thing a couple decades ago, or if it is unique to that island.

It's been common for travel agents to have access while they are being loaded in the system. They don't appear on the public site yet but that should be very soon.