Shari

7 hours ago, Stan G said:

We are now 70 days past our cruise date. We got our FCC statements within a few weeks. The only thing we've seen from RCCL about our cruise planner purchases though, is an itemized list of what we should be reimbursed, which we received two weeks ago. I was hopeful at that point that our refund would be credited within a few days. Hearing everyone else's stories on here has helped me remain patient, but that patience is wearing thin, not that I can really do anything about it. Is it time though to call and inquire when I could expect to see my refund? Do those of you who have talked to them or received emails have any thoughts? Thank you for your time.

Stan 

It took 20 days after we got our itemized cruise planner cancellation email so you should be getting that refund within the next week if that time frame holds.

We got the last of our refund this morning.  We have received all of it including on board and shore excursions.  It only took a total of 52 days from the time that our cruise was cancelled.

We got our refund today.  Well most of it.  The way they sent it to the credit card company make no sense at all. The only amount that matches anything is taxes and fees and that amount showed up 6 times.  Very weird.  We are missing about $650 out of $8800 so I guess I will finally have to call to find out what is going on.

12 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Yup, L&S to Aug 1, 2021. Strictly speaking, not done yet -- my TA still hasn't sent me the updated invoice and I also don't see the update on Celebrity. But I have told him that I definitely want to do it, and I'm assuming it's just a matter of him (or his staff) getting through to Celebrity around ridiculous call times and making it happen. But I'm confident it will be done before Royal announces a cancellation of cruises past July 31.

We will be on the return cruise starting August 15, 2021.  See you in Southampton (maybe).

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

So yeah, totally the right call to Lift & Shift before Celebrity can cancel the cruise and leave me with FCC that won't cover next year's much higher pricing.

Did you Lift and Shift to next year's cruise?

I received this email last night I will update if I get my refund for my 4 May cruise that got cancelled.  At this point I have not received any refund for the cruise including shore excursions, taxes, fees, or gratuities.

Best news we have heard on getting refunds since the whole thing began.  Thank you for letting us know.

The Champagne Bar WAS my favorite spot but only Allure has one now.  I hope I can get back on her before they put in the replacement when she is refurbished.

47 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

I know that could end up being a reality for everyone if this virus isn't trampled ASAP, but I've been counting the days to this trip since I booked in January of last year; having to start a whole new countdown for yet another year will be the ultimate of First World Problems, I know, but this is what's been keeping me sane for the last 6 months between work and being confined to my house while waiting for that nasty foot wound to finally heal.

I know what you mean.  We booked our Panama cruise the day it opened 1 1/2 years ago.  It was to be a celebration of 3 of us turning 60 within months of each other.  We had the primo rear facing balcony cabins.  Also, anticipating it was keeping me sane over the last 6 months as my Mom took a turn for the worst and passed away in late February.  Now the self isolation is even more difficult.  I can only keep my spirits up knowing that our 40th anniversary cruise is so far out (the Iceland cruise) will probably be a go.

24 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

OK, that's what I guessed.

There is another Iceland/Greenland cruise next year in August.  We are scheduled for the 15 August return from Southampton to Boston.  You might want to consider it if you have FCC on Celebrity.

36 minutes ago, Jill said:

The Holland America ship (Zaandamn) was supposed to disembark in Chile. Chile refused them. Not sure about the Rotterdam. The ones out there trying to port in Florida I believe were all refused at their end points. 
 

 

The Rotterdam took some of the healthy passengers from the Zaandam to help its sister ship as some of the Zaandam crew was also ill.

Already happening in UK.  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8130843/Two-cruise-ships-Tilbury-Docks-standby-act-floating-hospitals-help-fight-coronavirus.html

President Trump just announced that cruise ships may be made available for medical use during the COVID crisis.  The ships would take on non infectious patients from hospitals to free up beds for the infectious patients just like the military floating hospitals are doing.  He specifically mentioned Carnaval.

Still planning on going to our Panama Canal cruise  4 May on the Serenade.

Repricing is not in OBC.  We repriced our 2019 Alaska cruise 5 times and saved over 2000 by doing so.

A USB charged hand held fan.  My friend and I always bring ours.  We have used it on the ship and on shore.  We have had several people ask us where we got them (Amazon) and they were disappointed that the ship store didn't have them.

A word of caution about Radiance class aft balcony cabins is that they are booked in the first couple of days.  Was booking 2 on Radiance once and one of the cabins was booked by someone else while we were on the phone the very first day.  We also booked the first day on the Serenade Panama Canal cruise and we couldn't get next to our friends so someone else has the cabin between us.  We love the Radiance class aft balcony cabins because they are JS style balconies at balcony cabin prices.

19 hours ago, MelKaps said:

Is there an example of them doing this in 2020? I don't see anything.

We did this cruise out of Rome in 2015.  We started with 3 days in Rome and then boarded the Allure.  About 1/3 of the passengers boarded in Rome the other 2/3 boarded in Barcelona.  The only issue we had was that Royal did not offer any tours in Barcelona for those of us who boarded in Rome.  Barcelona was the primary port and Rome was the secondary port.  We really loved Rome and would recommend boarding there.  Barcelona is easy to navigate on foot down the main thoroughfare from the water.  It is really a pedestrian friendly port.

I am seeing a European Food and Wine cruise in September 2021.  I was wondering if this is a themed cruise.  Has anyone ever done and Food and Wine cruise on Royal?  If so what was it like?

25 minutes ago, Lovestotravel said:

Love this idea!  Is it true that there are also some complimentary items we can order for breakfast room service, in addition to coffee? 

We order continental breakfast items every morning for no extra costs.  Bagels, toast, donuts, pastries, fruit, etc.  Just remember to fill out the breakfast room service flyer and put it on the door knob the night before.  They call you when they are bringing it up in the morning in case you over sleep.  We love to eat our "breakfast" out on the balcony in the morning.

This is not fake news.  The person first posted on FB and was told to report her.  He showed the picture to RCCL staff and they figured out which cabin she was in.  They confronted her and then she was ordered to stay in her cabin until the next port.  She was escorted off of the Allure in Nassau Bahamas this morning and is permanently banned from any RCL (corporate wide) ship.

We have done Alaska twice (one was a cruise/tour) and we have done NE/Canada once.  If you love outdoor adventure you cannot beat Alaska but if you love history you NE/Canada outdoes Alaska.   So both are great depending on what you are looking for.  Also, take into consideration that next year will be the 400 year anniversary for the landing of the Mayflower.  If you sail from Boston or have Boston as a port there will be all sorts of extra things going on because of this major historical event.

11 hours ago, RoyalLaker said:

Correct, But they do not fit under the bridge of Americas.

The Serenade of the Seas (Radiance class) is going through the Panama Canal next May in order to transition to the Alaska/Australia markets.  This is the largest ship that Royal has sent through as far as I have been able to research.  All others have been Vision class or smaller.  I have thought and still do think that this is a trial run for Royal's larger ships.  If so then the west coast 2021 plan could be Voyager class or larger if all goes well next May.

3 minutes ago, melski94 said:

I took the survey last night.  It was a very interesting survey and they are looking at what you think of their new marketing plan for late nights at CoCo Cay.  

Thank you!

None of the Radiance class ships balconies can be connected (we have had connecting rooms on them twice).  I believe only connecting cabins on the Voyager class can have their balconies connected.  On the Oasis class and Quantum class side by side cabins can have their balconies connected.  So it depends on the ship you are on.