SpeedNoodles

Oh, I like this much better than the long articles. My attention span isn't so hot lately, lol.

Oh, I like this much better than the long articles. My attention span isn't so hot lately, lol.

Oh, I like this much better than the long articles. My attention span isn't so hot lately, lol.

Harmony of the Seas - November 21-28, 2021 (yep, the Group Cruise).  It's very tentative if I'll be able to go (dang holiday), but I'd rather lock in the price now.

I guess I know what to book if we decide to cancel Allure Jan 2022 ?

Yeah, I can't even deal with it now anyway.  Between the covids, the riots in Minnesota and my dog being mysteriously sick I just want to disappear into the mountains.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/05/29/canada-extends-cruise-ship-ban-through-october-31

Did someone say cookies? (there are cookies?) 

I'm about 30 miles south of Minneapolis.  I'm not a fan of that dept, but that's all I'll say here ?

Yeah, it's been an awful few months.  Between the Coronas, the riots this week, the sick hound, the room, one of my other pets died last night and knowing there are no cruises in the nearish future I'm pretty raw.  I do like having this group, though.

Upon the news that we have credit with JetBlue to Boston, Mr SpeedNoodles thought a short trip to Boston might be fun, so it'll all work out.  I'll just miss meeting you all.  Honestly, in all likelihood we would have had to cancel on our own.  We have to put a new roof on the house in July and one of my dogs is currently in the doggy ER - estimated bill $2.5k-9k, so ....

There are no cancellation fees, but they only give credit on future flights - no cash refunds.

I have credit with them, yes.  Unfortunately, it's JetBlue.  Anywhere I go from Minnesota I have to go through Boston.  We always fly direct because Mr SpeedNoodles is very afraid of flying.  Having to fly 3 1/2 hours and change planes for another flight may be worse than losing the money.  Or maybe we'll just do a trip to Boston for the hell of it.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/06/02/royal-caribbean-cancels-2020-alaska-canadanew-england-and-hawaii-cruises

I'm kicking myself for buying my plane tickets a few weeks ago. I knew better. I'm probably out $700.  

Here's been our experience with the sudden round of cancellations.
 
My wife and I were booked on the 18 October 2020 cruise to Canada out of Boston.  As soon as the cancellations were promulgated, our TA called my wife to notify us.  My wife then called me at work.  She wasn't able to pass on many of the details---I'm the one who handles the logistics for our cruises---but I got the gist:  the 2020 cruise was off.  My biggest concern at that moment:  I had done a great deal of research and had booked that cruise almost two years ahead of the sailing date; I got a hell of a good fare and the precise suite I wanted on board Brilliance of the Seas; and I didn't want to have to pay more than that original fare, nor lose that particular suite, should we reschedule the cruise.
 
That latter concerned me more because I knew every other person whose Canadian cruise had been canx would be looking to rebook.
 
Fortunately, we have a head's-up TA.  As soon as she got the word that our 2020 cruise was canx, she booked us on a 2021 cruise, same destination, same itinerary, same suite, in the same week in October, 2021.  The TA and I had several phone calls and e-mails over the next couple of days.  There have been some "teething pains" as Royal Caribbean has scrambled to adjust to this recent spate of cancellations, but here's what fell out for us:
 
The original fare I paid has been preserved, under Royal Caribbean's "lift and shift" plan.  All of the purchases for the 2020 cruise (excursions, shipboard events, beverage package) we made through the cruise planner are being refunded.
 
As for our air tickets to Boston, I had purchased those myself---it was cheaper than going through the cruiseline:  two first-class tickets from Charlotte to Boston and back, on American Airlines.  I just finished talking to a rep at AA about the situation, and here's what happens there.  They've cancelled our current air reservations and supplied us with a voucher for the amount we paid.  At the end of November/start of December of this year, their October, 2021 flight schedules will be published.  As long as I make new reservations before the end of March, 2021, the voucher will be applied to the new reservations.  The AA rep candidly told me that we might have to pay for any increase in fare, but if the fare drops, then we will be refunded any amount left on the voucher.  I figure that's about as good a deal as we're going to get.
 
Obviously, the Good Mrs. Benson and I aren't crazy about adding another twelve months to the wait---a lot can happen in a year---but it appears that we've landed about as well as could be expected, given the situation.

Oh, I like this much better than the long articles. My attention span isn't so hot lately, lol.

Heck, I haven't even done a Jr Suite yet. I had one booked on the Brilliance GC (I heard Radiance class have pretty big JSs), but that's gone.  I do have an Owner's Suite on Empress, but that's probably about as big as a Jr Suite on Brilliance, lol.  Maybe with all I'm saving from the canceled cruises (I assume both Odyssey sailings will be a no go) I should get an actual real suite on the Harmony GC!d (Now is the time where you all talk me out of it.  Ready? GO!)

Oh, I like this much better than the long articles. My attention span isn't so hot lately, lol.

Oh, I like this much better than the long articles. My attention span isn't so hot lately, lol.

Heck, I haven't even done a Jr Suite yet. I had one booked on the Brilliance GC (I heard Radiance class have pretty big JSs), but that's gone.  I do have an Owner's Suite on Empress, but that's probably about as big as a Jr Suite on Brilliance, lol.  Maybe with all I'm saving from the canceled cruises (I assume both Odyssey sailings will be a no go) I should get an actual real suite on the Harmony GC!d (Now is the time where you all talk me out of it.  Ready? GO!)

Yes.  This is a very dangerous trend. Be afraid.  Be very afraid

Today, I enjoyed reading about this topic on the Royal Caribbean Blog.  It made me think about the cruises we have done.  Our first cruise was an interior room mostly for economic reasons.  I found that I needed at least a window so we shifted to an interior stateroom on the promenade on Freedom class.  Then we got a virtual balcony on Anthem  but the balcony overlooking Central Park on Allure was much better.  An ocean view balcony was okay but I liked Central Park more.  I had no issue with a junior suite except for the price.
Is this a dangerous trend and should I stop eyeing those other suites???  ? ...?...?

But my eyes can’t see what color St Maarten is! ?