BarbieBell

With all the hoop la from the CDC swirling around today regarding cruises resuming from US ports, I’m wondering just how many of these rigid onboard requirements will apply to cruises from Nassau. As all passengers are being required to be vaccinated and crew as well why would we be required to wear masks even outside, social distance to the max etc? With the CDC and the rules in Florida it’s understood it will be very strict in every regard to restart cruising, but maybe Norwegian has the right idea, 100% vaccinations for guests and crew required and if that doesn’t work in Florida they say there are other port options.

My position on this is more to the 100% for both guests and crew. I realize that shuts out some including kids, but in due time they will be eligible for vaccinations as well. As for the folks that choose not to get vaccinated that’s certainly their right to choose but sometimes those choices come with consequences. You can’t have it both ways and put a struggling industry and other folks in jeopardy because you made a personal decision not be be vaccinated. Fair or not, jeeeze folks “fair” isn’t really a grown up word so stop trying to ruin cruising for everyone. One case is all the CDC will need to put the brakes on again!

We are booked on this TA also and I have talked to Royal about the possibility of this one sailing. So far their answer is it’s still scheduled to sail. They also said the reason it’s not on the RCI website for booking is because its’s sold out? It’s my understanding that if the CDC has approved cruising to resume in the US by then the Harmony will be arriving at Port Canaveral on Nov 14 which should be ok? Right now Barcelona is resuming a somewhat normal life with vaccinations in process and even having public concerts. so fingers crossed that by October we can travel to Barcelona and cruise in to Port Canaveral.

Good to know Matt’s got our backs. I have also wondered why our online check in isn’t available yet. We are on the 2nd cruise 6/19 and the 3rd 6/26 and following final payment we can usually check in online.

One thing to consider is the benefits of Loyalty clubs. I too did several Carnival cruises, as well as some Princess, Norwegian and Celebrity several years ago but found my perfect balance with Royal. You should check out the Crown & Anchor chart showing the perks you earn as you accumulate points with Royal. They become a very nice part of your cruise.

Hip Hip Hurray for great Travel Agents! I would have never come through the fire of this past year with a positive attitude about future cruising without Michelle Cunningham at MEI? She was focused, Informed and dedicated to handling your cancellations, rebooks, FCC’s, Lift & Shifts and refunds. I can’t tell you what that meant when you have multiple bookings and lots of $$ on the table. Thanks for all you do, and how easy you make travel planning.

Beautiful sight, local news showed two Carnival ships arriving this morning at the Port of Galveston. ??

Good information and very helpful. We often use this company and have had great coverage and peace of mind.

We did that dining option on the Symphony and it was amazing! What fun with other passengers and an entertaining cook. The food was very good and we will definitely do it again on future cruises where it is offered.

I’m wondering how they will handle Diamond Plus BOGOs on the summer cruises on the Adventures out of Nassau as well. The first night out is possible but not sure about the 2nd night as we will be at Perfect Day. I suppose this is one of the things we will learn onboard or perhaps from Matt after the first cruise June 12.

I had a similar experience back in 2019 with a rather large online company that I had used a few times. We booked a couple of cruises while on a cruise and told them I did not want that company to manage those bookings, however they did capture the bookings and notified me upon my return home. I decided to let it go and those bookings fell cancelled in 2020. Issues started in trying to lift and shift etc and like Jupiter03 responses were rare and confusing. After months of problems, I found out that you can demand the bookings be returned to RCI and then you can work directly with them any time. According to RCI the agency can not refuse if that’s your wishes. On the positive side, after all of that, I found Michelle Cunningham at MEI and the world of travel is a different place now. Through the entire disaster of 2020/2021 cancellations, rebooks, lift & shifts, FCC’s etc she was right there any time I needed her help. She answered calls, texts and emails 7 days a week (I mean even Sundays). Once you work with a pro like her it will reinforce how important a good TA can be. I hope you get things worked out for sure so you can resume enjoying your travel plans.

Anyone booked on these cruises might check out the 40% off sale on the Cruise Planner. The Coco Beach Club went from $169 a couple of days ago to $106 today.

One of my “sore” spots is the battles that seem to occur regarding onboard credits. With all the COVID cancellations, rebookings, lift & shifts, and using FCC’s it seems those coveted OBC have a tendency to disappear. Depending on who you talk to, you can get any number of reasons for this happening. My travel agent, Michelle at MEI has been great in helping with the disasters of 2020 bookings including assisting me in retaining these benefits.

I think if cruising starts successfully from ports outside the US and folks stop begging a “stubborn child” (CDC) things might improve. Politicians love to hear themselves talk and to argue points right into the ground regardless of the subject. It’s clear that very few in power give a crap about the cruise industry or the many people affected by their actions. It’s not just an industry of cruising customers but much much more. I’m not sure the US is ready to loose the cruise industry completely so let’s show them we can cruise elsewhere and rock on. Their position and refusals is an attempt to show us who is in power here and control us like dumb sheep. Sad part is by the time they decide, if ever, that cruising can restart in the US - that ship may have already sailed?️?

I’m heading to The Bahamas in June and can’t wait! We are fully vaccinated and are willing to abide by all COVID protocols in Nassau and on the ship. In my opinion we will likely be safer than in some areas of the US. I agree completely that the CDC has real heartburn where cruising is concerned and amid all other forms of travel resuming business as well as amusement parks, sports venues etc. it’s clear they have singled out the cruise industry. So sad as it’s affecting so many folks from port cities and yet they keep digging in much like a ‘stubborn child”. They do have a job to do, and of course some of issues are political but really - giving them a pass as if they are trying to protect us - that dog don’t hunt in Texas?

So upon arrival at the airport we should be able to get a taxi to our hotel as we are going in a day early? Approximately how far out is the airport from Nassau?

Does anyone know what we may expect regarding airport transportation to local hotels and cruise port in Nassau? Would it be necessary to arrange a taxi or shuttle in advance and any ideas on typical cost?

We have 10 on the books right now starting June 19 on the Adventures out of Nassau.

Masks or no masks, I’m ready! Just sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine looking at the deep blue sea will make a few inconveniences worth it all.

My amazing Travel Agent, Michelle at MEI had me booked by 7:00 a.m. Texas time for June 19 sailing. I got air DFW non stop to Nassau $400 round trip. We chose to go a day early and booked the Marriott Courtyard and they allowed a 1 night booking. Cheers to Michelle for going the extra mile to make this one happen, but then again, that’s her style when working with you on any travel plans.

We have had both shots and checked on airfare from Dallas and there are non stops to Nassau available. I see no reason to not book one of these cruises. Hopefully the price tag won’t be off the chain!

I agree with Twangster, Royal has met and exceeded requirements set forth by the CDC according to CEO Richard Fain and yet the CDC refuses to work with them to reopen cruising from US ports. The company has found a work around that will get them back to sailing, and of course everything is not going to be perfect nor please everyone, but it’s a far cry better than nothing! As vaccinations increase there will be plenty of willing cruisers for what may be a temporary situation. Personally why would anyone object to being onboard where everyone including crew has been vaccinated? Sounds safe and relaxing to me. In our world right now airlines are flying, hotels and resorts are open, even Disney is open, so what’s the reason for forbidding cruising? You’re likely safer on these ships than in your own neighborhood.

Twangster, you have always posted the best guidance and accurate info on this blog and your position on cruising is right on in my opinion. We, like so many others, dearly loved our cruising adventures these past years, and the heartbreak of watching one cruise after another cancel has definitely taken its toll on us. Rebooking, lifting & shifting, canceling hotels, airline tickets, shore excursions and loosing money on some has brought us to the same conclusion as others in this post. As the 8 cruises we had scheduled for 2021 are hitting the bricks one by one, it’s time to request refunds only and no looking back. We can take that $$ and look at other vacation options that are actually available even now.

We are booked on this TA also and it’s troubling that it doesn’t show up in Royal’s schedule right now. I’ve read that cruises longer than 7 days are temporarily unavailable for further bookings due to CDC guidelines? It’s still unsettling as there are flights, hotels and even B2B cruises involved.

This morning I see on RCI page that cruises are now suspended through December 31, 2020. After reading the CDC protocol I suppose it will take a while to satisfy those requirements. Twangster, I appreciate you’re solid updates and insight into the world of cruising and let’s all hope 2021 is a good and safe year for cruising.