Pima1988

4 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

I had booked a tour of The Golden Circle with them, and found their web site offline for the last several days as I tried to request a refund. I just got the below email from the Icelandic Tourist Board. Emphasis added.

I now have to call my credit card company and see if they will refund me the price of this tour (almost $400). Never thought booking direct with a third party would carry this particular risk!

I wonder now of this becomes common how many cruisers will go back and pay higher prices via the cruise lines.

Prior to CoVid passengers leaned towards the cruise lines so they wouldn't be the runners at the port.  Now, they may lean towards it bc tourism industry companies that rely on cruises will go belly up.

2 hours ago, Spang1974 said:

When I booked directly through RCI, the agent was able to tell me current pricing on the Cruise Planner for the DBP (with regards to a particular sailing) as I wasn't going to commit to booking unless it was a price I was comfortable with. You may be able to call RCI directly and ask for this information then book with a TA.

Curiosity question.  I get the cost things, but were you than going to move the cruise to another date or ship based on the cost of the DBP?

I am sitting at 84, but we are a yr out. We have never paid more than 54 (I think, maybe 57)  I am not booking my bev probably until Black Friday at the earliest (5 mos out).  By that time I am going to go, with what is typical when booking 6 mos out compared to booking 1 yr+ in advance., the bev package will most likely go down, but the cabin pricing will go up, and best pick of cabin location and deck will decrease.  

•  IE switched to a JS on my Symphony May 2021 as soon as it was announced they canceled the SPA cabins.  That night there were 5 cabins on the deck we wanted and on the side we wanted.  The next day all of those cabins were sold out.  I guess we weren't the only ones changing to a JS. 

If we waited until the DBP is in the price range we want (50-55 bucks), I would think the actual cost of the cruise would be much higher.  We work with an expected annual budget for all of our vacations we will take that yr.  Plus, the budget for each specific vacation, so I get the cost aspect.  However, I also think when cruising, unless you are very flexible with dates, itinerary and ships that it always works to our advantage to book far out since even if we stay at 84 pp/day on 7 nights/8 days, compared to let's say 55, the savings on the cost of the cabin will make up for that 30 bucks a day X 2.

We are also people that use a TA.  We have always found that we get our cabins at a lower cost, and more OBC than booking directly with RCL.   More OBC  = less concern about what the DBP is running at when you purchase it.  The DBP impo is something you can cancel and re-purchase with no fears compared to let's say a cabana or the Coco Beach club day pass since those items are limited in number, whereas, the DBP is not.  

OH and of course the true beauty of a TA is they do all the leg work for you...no waiting on hold on the phone with RCL for someone that may or may not be able to give you the answer.

17 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

It seems like the longer the sailing is, the less per day the drink package will run.

I have always thought that it does run lower on longer cruises because of fatigue drinking.  On a 4 night cruise you are still in the mood.  I am not a fan of 4 night cruises bc as soon as you get into the groove you realize the cruise will be over in a day or so.  On a 7 night+ cruise by day 4, at least for us,  are drinking habits are changing from alcohol at lunch to an iced coffee.  Same with instead of a drink at the comedy show we are now getting bottled water.

I also think it might be higher because the cruises typically will hit either Labadee or Coco Cay,  which = money for them.  

Mine is running way high, but that is for our cruise May 2021.  It is 84.  I expect it to drop, but I am not sure it will go low since on the 7 night cruise, we have a day at Coco Cay, a day at Labadee, a sea day and of course embarkation day.  In essence, that is a lot of time that any alcohol we consume will be through RCL.  The only non- RCL stops will be OSJ and St. Thomas.  However, another reason why I don't see it dropping low is because St. Thomas is not a long day.  8-4 p.m., thus, again, more time for people buying more drinks on the ship.

Well Carnival just announced today that they are up 200% in sales for the month of April compared to last yr.   Now of course nobody knows how much if it is from cancelled bookings and new bookings.  My point is though it seems like many are not afraid of sailing in the future.

Sailed on her in 2016.  

To me the question comes down to the itinerary.  Is this going to be port intensive where you won't have a lot of sea days and you will be in port for extended time.  If the answer is yes, than I would go for it.  However, if you will be on the ship for multiple sea days than I would probably look at another ship.

I agree with @Andrew72681  Really, don't give your name, but say you are from Romania, and doing a hunger strike.  How stupid do these crew members believe the Captain is?  They think they can't pinpoint them exactly.

21 minutes ago, FManke said:

If RC wants to ever get back to what it once was, if that's possible, it needs to gain peoples trust back that cruising is safe again. And not just die hard cruisers, but first timers as well.

This!

My 3 kids (25 to 30 yrs old) envy us because we cruise.  For them it is cheaper to fly and rent and air B&B. We keep saying to them that in the end of the day it is the same cost for a 7 nights, but the difference is every a.m.  we get to sea a new beach and we don't have to make our dinners.

•  Might be just my kids, but they see the low number/cost.  IOWS, airfare is 250, Air B&B is 500.  750.  Yet, they forgot to add in food for breakfast and lunch (plus making it) going out to dinner, buying drinks, and any excursion.  They could sail on Symphony, interior cabin for probably less than an Air B&B, they will get Broadway shows, meals, ice skating, flow rider, rock climbing, and of course STARBUCKS!

If cruise lines realize that the millennials, are prime for picking, they will be able to survive.

Millennials are not the 20 somethings in college.  They are hitting their 30s.  They have careers.  Yet, they are also travel savvy. Cruise lines will have to beat all inclusive resorts.  If cruise lines can come in lower than they will sail impo

1 minute ago, coneyraven said:

I guess, at the end of the day, if Maryland opens before New Jersey ..... there's your answer.  And if the opposite happens, there too lies the answer.

I think NJ will open at the same time.

Look at NJ and how the governor folded last week regarding golf courses after the golf association took it to the national news (CNN, NBC and Fox).  Every surrounding state had their public and private courses open, but NJ.  If MD opens up their cruising ports at 8 a.m., by 9 a.m  NJ long shoreman reps will be on the news yelling about how their governor is denying them the right to work.

Spit on me once, shame on you, spit on me twice, shame on me comes to my mind.  

People forget or don't realize that Bayonne is a HUGE seaport.  IMPO much larger than Baltimore.  

• Baltimore with or without cruise lines will be a place of tourism.  I live in No VA.  We go there for a weekend away bc of the Inner Harbor (75 min drive).  Nobody in NJ would go to Bayonne for a weekend get away.  Hoboken, maybe, but not Bayonne.
•  To drill the point even further.  Anybody that has sailed out of both can see the difference. Driving up to Liberty port is like driving into no mans land.  For 1 of the most densely populated states it is laughable.  Trumps golf course is on the right.  A failing development is on the left and than you see the port, where it will take 45 mins to get to the porter bc it was sooooo poorly designed.  Baltimore BOOM they have electronic signs saying Cruise terminal. They only have the Pride and Lady G.  Inner Harbor, MD Ravens, Orioles, are all in this area. The economy will survive in Baltimore without the cruise lines.

5 minutes ago, coneyraven said:

Oh, and regarding the bridges coming out of Baltimore -- for future reference, a Radiance Class ship would fit there too (they're about the same size as the Pride)

This is where I part with you.

Enchantment has sailed out of Bayonne, but Anthem or Oasis cannot sail out of Baltimore due to the bridge height.  Adventure, Oasis and Anthem all sail out of NJ.  Anthem and Oasis barely clears the Verrazano Bridge.  No way they can clear the bridges out of Baltimer.

Thus, I can see Baltimore being  brought on line later than Bayonne,  later than probably Galveston and Everglades.  They have only 1 ship from Baltimore.  People in surrounding states can easily go to Bayonne.  Again,  Enchantment (Lady G's replacement) can sail out of NJ, and do the same itinerary.  Look at Baltimore's parking lot compared to Cape Liberty.

@Neesa I will never forget that passenger, we were on Adventure.  It occurred in the hot tub in the Solarium.  He may have had 1 too many drinks, but man oh man he was ticked.  I kept my mouth shut as he ranted.

Everybody was talking about how excited they were about going to the new Perfect Day.  That was when he went loose.  To him RCL screwed him big time.  He felt rightly or wrongly, that he purchased the cabana, and now it was all about getting it re-priced.  RCL sees it as you returned the item, it was placed back in stock and someone picked it up faster than you did.  

What made matters worse for him was by that time there were no bungalows, beach beds or clamshells available.  

Cabanas are the best impo.  My brother 1st said to me, you are crazy to pay 400 for a cabana, just get a lounger.  He is a finance advisor for millionaires. Than he stopped for a second, and said, ok, you are there for 8 hrs.  It holds 8 people, basically 50 bucks per person.  They give you guaranteed shade, sofas, loungers next to the beach and deliver food/drinks to you all day.  That is 1 cheap excursion since it actually turns out to be $6 an hr for a higher level of service.

We will not take a cabana on our next cruise since it is just hubby and I. We picked up the Coco Beach Club day pass instead.  Got it really cheap. (79 pp).  The fact is, like the cabanas, it is limited in numbers which we like.  The lunch menu to me is also worth it since it feels like buying a specialty restaurant.  I am a pool person.  Husband is a beach guy.  This is the best of both worlds for us as a couple.

My only hope is that the seagulls have not found out that Coco Cay Beach club exists.

@WesKinetic tieing into the seagulls.  If you want to get glares, feed the gulls.  We actually saw teenagers in the water at Chill throwing veggie straws in the air.  People were leaving the water and telling them to knock it off. They just kept laughing at how funny it was with more and more gulls coming.

Again, I don't know about south beach, but on Chill the attendants were amazing.  Remember to tip them.  Little known fact your bartenders on the shp will also be there at the bars on Coco Cay.  The attendants are contracted for only 4 weeks at a time. 

My favorite memories of our cabana are:

•  I ordered a drink and told her that I was going to the bathroom (2-3 min walk) I thought nothing of it.  I just thought she would leave it in the cabana. Walk out of the bathroom and there she was with drink on the tray.  What, huh?  You actually stood outside of the bathroom waiting for me?  This is ridiculous.
•  Mat floats come with the cabanas.  Chill beach has a roped off area in the water for only cabana guests. Hanging with people on the mats that were in another cabana.  The attendant is ankle high in water delivering drinks to those guests.  They never left the float.
•  They brought us fruit trays of sliced melons in the a.m.  Fruit kebabs in the afternoon.  
•  We had an amazing attendant.  The cabanas come with towels, don't check any out from the ship for the cabana. While we were in the water, she would take our old wet towels and swap them out so we had nice new dry towels as soon as we came out of the water.
•  You will get a special menu.  You can order anything and everything on it.  I got the portabello mushroom sandwich and a salad. I told my hubby of the off the menu chicken parm sandwich,  not on our menu, but they got it for him!  My BIL ordered so much food I was full just listening to his order.  He got a Portabello sandwich, grilled chicken breast, greek salad, funnel cake and salted caramel brownie (he weighs 160 lbs and is 5'9)  You also can go their version of the WJ on Coco Cay

On 2/17/2020 at 12:23 PM, WesKinetic said:

I'll check at the excursion desk when we get on board.

They will not know the cabana number on board, at least they did not know when we did it last yr.  We were told that because they can have 2 ships at 1 time at Coco Cay, but  departing ports on different days thus, they no longer allow you to select the cabana, and corporate just sends the list to Coco Cay directly.  Makes sense if you think about it.  IE Anthem leaves on Sat., but will not get to Coco Cay until Tues.  Mariner leaves on Sunday, and will get there Tues. also.  If they allowed you to select on embarkation day, Anthem cruisers would get the 1st pick and Mariner passengers would get what is left over.  

What will occur is they will leave a letter in your cabin the night before.  You than make your way to the cabana area.  There will be a hostess/host to greet you.  That is when you will tell them the names of your guests for each cabana.  You don't have to all show up at 1x, only the people that purchase the cabana need to be there 1st because that is when they take the names of everyone allowed in the cabana.  At the welcome station they will also give you the wrist band.  It is a waterproof paper type.  You basically would have to cut it off to take it off....no ability to switch it on and off so you can get other people in.  They will than get your specific cabana attendant to walk you to your exact cabana. They have little chalk boards on the cabana that says your last name.

We did Chill,  it is 2 rows.  I suggest you look at the South Beach layout.  At chill only cabana 10 and 11 would be an issue for you.  10 is front row and 11 is 2nd row right behind 10.  

I would also say if you cancel and rebook due to a price decrease BEWARE.  On our cruise we met a very angry passenger at the Solarium pool.  He purchased a cabana on line, but when the price dropped, he canceled and TRIED to rebook at the lower price. However, between the time he canceled and tried to re-book it sold out.   If you do re-pricing my suggestion would be purchase two new ones, and than go back and cancel.  However, I am not sure since both you and your wife both purchase them that you can do that.  My advice would be for you to call RCL directly and explain the situation.  It would be horrible for you if you were able to get 1 and while booking the 2nd somebody popped up online in front of you and took the last cabana

Rebooking will also move your cabana placement because it is tied to your purchase date.  IE you are the 1st to purchase when it is released on the planner.  You will be cabana #1 front row.  6 months later the price drops.  You cancel and rebook.  Now you are cabana # 18 2nd row.  The reason why is they see it as a new purchase.  See above about the angry passenger.

22 minutes ago, dejavu21 said:

Why would it be easier for Mid Westerners to drive to that port than fly? 

My point was that if you fear flying due to CoVid and are from the mid-west, than it is more likely you will change your cruise from Miami, where you have to fly to Galveston where you can drive.  

My assumption is going with limited ports, limited ships.  For RCL it is a balancing act regarding ROI.  They need to roll out ships that will give them best return.

•  Maybe Baltimore will open up before Bayonne even if both states allow them to open ports at the same time.  It could happen because Baltimore port fees are less.  Lady G books out at a higher occupancy.  Flip it and Bayonne could be going first because Anthem is larger, and their research shows that passengers want the bells and whistles on a newer ship compared to the "intimate" feeling on Lady G or Enchantment.

I am sure there are bean counters right now working day in day out figuring out the algorithm for which ships and ports that will give the company the highest ROI.  They will rack and stack them. It could be they open all ports, but only 1 or 2 ships sailing out of each port.  It  could be they open specific ports with multiple ships.  It could be...it could be...it could be..

I am betting right now RCL has multiple plans floating around in the hierarchy's emails.  They are just weighing options.  If Canada says no cruises until Sept., than that impacts Bayonne and Baltimore.  If Haiti continues with their demands for their own citizens that are in the US. how does that impact Labadee?  

I started sailing in college, back in the late 80s.  Carnival would sail out of NY for 3 nights and it was called the cruise to Nowhere.  I wonder if they will need to bring that option back again!

I just can't see them sailing AK this yr.  

AK impo is going to take a huge financial hit.  I lived there for several yrs right outside of Anchorage.  Their 3 big industries are: Tourism, Oil and fishing.

•   Oil is at an all time low in price and production.
•  Cruise ships, especially Princess will hurt them.  Princess not only has the Alyeska Lodge, but their famous train to Denali.  Captain Cook Hotel has got to be feeling the pain.  Along with Simon and Seaforts restaurant.  

The dividend for AK residents is tied in part to the oil and tourism industry, think endowments at college.  The stock market is hurting, which means the dividend that comes out in Oct.  will be much lower than yrs prior.  Many AK residents use this money not to pay bills, but to travel to Hawaii! during the cold dark winter months.   In turn, that means another hit on their travel industry.

The last week of July and 1st week of August were always the best 2 weeks in the yr in AK.  You had the day light, temps were nice, no spit (it doesn't really rain in AK, it spits...nota shower, more like a ever ending drizzle), the mosquitos are gone.  Animals are not yet going into hibernation. Negative is you don't want to Salmon fish at that point.

2 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Port Everglades and Port Of Miami are 28 miles apart. Doubt they open one w/o the other considering many people fly into each respective international airport dependent on cost and then drive to their cruise departure port. Besides that, both Broward & Miami Dade counties mimic each others moves so if one port opens the other will follow. 

That is where I disagree with you based on everything you just stated.

If they follow Carnival's lead of limited roll out for at least the 1st month or 2, than why open Port Everglades since it IS less than 30 miles away?  My hubby and I have sailed out of Miami b4 and will sail again out of Miami next May.  However, bc it is cheaper to fly into FLL and we absolutely hate flying in/out of Miami, we will fly to FLL and uber to Port Miami.  

•  I doubt I am the odd duck that does this.  

If they are going to roll out slowly, why open up Everglades before opening, Bayonne or Baltimore?  Wouldn't it make more financial sense if all ports open up at the same time, but limited ships to spread the ships to other ports?  If someone wants to go to the Caribbean they can force the passengers onto specific ships, in turn have a higher occupancy rate.  If you want to sail out of FL, are you really going to be picky over which port?  It does not matter if these counties mimic each other.  It matters to RCL the ROI.

•  I work retail, and prior to this, our company was starting to close stores.  Why?  Because in my area, we had sister stores that were 10-15 miles away from each other.  The lower selling stores were closed bc the company knew that loyal customers would drive the extra 10 miles to another store.  It was a cost saving aspect.   That rings true for cruising too.  If they are going to sail, and their only option is Miami, than they will just accept as fact.

Now, also add on why I say opening Bayonne before Everglades.  Let's assume they will still sail north to NE/Canada.  They don't do that cruise from FL.  This also follows why I think Bayonne will open before Baltimore.

•  Bayonne and Baltimore both do the NE cruises.  The bridge issue from Baltimore limits the size of the ship.  Anthem cannot sail out of Baltimore, but Enchantment (LADY G's replacement) is sailing out of Bayonne.  Between Baltimore and Bayonne it is a 2- 2 1/2 hr car ride.  Doable for people driving.  Both have airports close enough to the terminals.
•  It will be interesting to see which of the 8 ships Carnival rolls out.  Carnival Pride sails out of Baltimore.  Carnival also sails out of NY/NJ.  

I placed Galveston on the IF list because of Miami.  I float back and forth on that one.

•  Mid westerners can drive to that port easier than anyone wanting/needing to fly in.  These would be the same people that might not want to fly to Miami, but willing to sail.  It is a unique market.
•  However, ships sailing out of Miami also go to Mexico.  

So, in the end what would you recommend RCL to do if you are only rolling out a limited amount of ships, limited funds, and multiple ports, with several in driving distance of each other?  IMPO, and that is worth $2.00 or a small coffee from Starbucks, it would make more sense to do the breath method over the depth method regarding ports.  Breath being open 1 in FL, 1 mid-atlantic, and Texas and forcing passengers into limited numbers of ships sailing = higher occupancy rate.  Yours is depth with opening both in FL, which to me = more ships sailing with lower occupancy rate.

.

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

  A margarita on the rocks is a very basic drink you can get from any bar; if you want a frozen one of course the bar needs a blender.  

My favorite margarita is the specialty in Boleros called the Granrita.  (I think that is the name)  It is a traditional margarita with Patron, but they add in Gran Marnier too.  The Gran Marnier just makes the drink soooo much smother going down.

12 minutes ago, Chadster said:

This is why I'm so hopeful that my next scheduled Canada/NE cruise (out of Boston this time) will go forward in October.

I hope for you that it will go, but I would give it a 50/50 at best regarding it being the itinerary you booked.  I say that bc I think Canada is the problem.  

I could see Anthem going for your Thanksgiving cruise. 

33 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

what it will all depend on really is how easy/hard it is to travel to get to the cruise port.

1000+ this statement.

We live in the mid-atlantic region, so for us, we actually could drive to many ports.  Miami would be a killer drive @15 hrs, but we also have NJ and Baltimore to sail from without taking an airplane.  

To add onto your thought of getting to the cruise port.  I wonder if they will open ports in stages, not because of the state, but due to location.  For example:

•   Open Miami up 1st and due to the proximity, FLL can be put on the back burner.
•  Open Cape Liberty and leave Baltimore to the bottom of the list
•  Galveston is a tricky one.  It is really out there from airports, but mid-westerns can drive there.

I agree with the author of the article.  I feel bullish.  I look at my kids (25-30 yrs old) they will not have an issue to get on a ship IF the price was right.  If the cruise lines do drop lower than an all inclusive they are going to sail.  This will allow these cruise lines to grow in the future bc they hooked them at a younger age.  My kids would love to cruise, but right now it is cheaper to go to KW or New Orleans and rent an Air B&B.    

I am 55, and I will have no issue at all getting back on a ship, vaccine or not.  

6 minutes ago, AGSLC5 said:

I don't think Canada New England cruises or any cruise from NJ or NY is going to happen until at least November..

I would say I don't think ANY cruise will happen from NJ until at least Sept.  I say this bc of the governor of NJ.  In the surrounding states, golf courses remained open, he closed them all until reversing his decision this last week after the golf association took their fight to the national media.  VA never closed their courses, nor to my knowledge neither has MD.  

If this governor did not want  golf courses to open due to social distancing fears, do you think he is going to want cruise ships sailing anytime soon?

I would also add that they don't sail north after mid-Oct.  Even, if they open up NJ, the problem would be Canada letting them in.  So for me, I see the NE/Canada cruises like the AK cruises.  DONE.  

RCL now may turn and say to customers, that they will sail that week, but the itinerary will now be to the Caribbean.  They did the flip on us 48 hrs prior to our sailing.  We were booked on Anthem to go to Bermuda.  Hurricanes were barreling down and RCL said, they were still going to sail, but we were now going to NE/Canada.  

@Chadster where did you read November?

Just got off the phone with my TA.  We cancelled and moved up to a Junior suite on the hump for the same week.  Got a great deal.

Thanks @CrznTxn

I guess we will be rebooking, because that is total BS in my eyes with the 50 OBC.  The cabin was coming with more than just the spa and embarkation/debarkation.  It was coming with upgraded balcony furniture, bed linens, bathroom showers and toiletries, fruit baskets, coffee maker, etc.  

It basically was a step below JS and above a typical balcony.  Hoping our TA can now get me in a JS at the same price.

@jcfoshe  where did you see or read this?  Can you send a link?

I am booked May 2021 on Symphony spa cabin.  I just left a message with our TA to look into this.  The spa cabin on Symphony was being released 1 week prior to our sailing.  

13 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

This is highly under debate. While they are finding traces of RNA after people have "recovered" there's debate as to whether this is actually virus that is active and transmissible.  Let's hope not

I agree, but only time will tell.

@Texas cruiser  I thought Adventure was going to Galveston.

@jaredhamburg  I would be shocked if they send Enchantment.  If they do I think it would be for a short time.  Enchantment is take over for Lady G out of Baltimore.  Lady G was suppose to do her last sailing in spring of 2021.  If the sale has been delayed due to CoVid, than maybe.  Yet, I still  don't see Enchantment going.

2 hours ago, Dad2Cue said:

Generally I agree, however bankruptcy doesn't always mean the end of cruising.  It usually means debt is restructured and some assets are liquidated.  Perhaps they do some downsizing and eliminate some employees.

This to me also ties in back to the class action lawsuit from employees that are occurring currently.

  I am not an attorney, however,  I wonder if this is also step 1 in protection from these type of lawsuits.  They would be the bottom of the pile for pay outs.  Plus. it might be why in some of  the articles I have read regarding employees wanting to speak on anonymity due to the fear of retaliation.  For NCL, if they have to eliminate some employees, than fewer would want to become part of that class action lawsuit.

2 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

I agree. The future is positive. There are way too many people who enjoy cruising and are itching to spend money on vacation again.

My husband is a naysayer, I am the opposite.  He is on the ship that people will be afraid to cruise at the rate they cruised before.  I am on the ship that says they have the FCC, i.e. basically a free vacation if they sail by the end of 2021 and they will travel.  Plus, now add in those passengers that have already booked for 2021.  Back to full ships.

I made my point by saying, look right now at beaches that have opened up, CoVid be darned.  They are packed.  People want out of their homes and to start life again.  If they have the vacay time and they took the FCC than they are going to sail.