fireclan

17 hours ago, OliviaP22 said:

Want to add some positivity. I applied for religious exemption on 6/19 for a cruise on 7/8 and IT GOT APPROVED TODAY! I submitted through vaxaccommodations@rccl.com with everything requested. I called them directly today for an update since we are 7 days out and you can get right through (866) 592-7225 she told me with the holiday weekend I probably wouldn’t hear back until next week and couldn’t guarantee a day to receive a result. Got an email 4 hours later with approval!

So happy this worked out for you! But, wow, they were cutting it close!

On 6/27/2022 at 7:17 PM, nate91 said:

Hello! I have come to an unfortunate scenario where I have about $280 in FCCs that I don't believe I can ever use. You see, I never got the "Fauci ouchie" as it is so lovingly named, and therefore one of my favorite pastimes is a...past pastime. Me and my wife just got married, and we have been trying to get as much FCC refunded to us as possible, but RC is refusing to refund this final amount. But I have heard that you can transfer it. So I figured I would ask everyone here. If anyone knows how I can get a refund, let me know, otherwise I can transfer it to Matt, as a thank you for running this blog, (or if he doesn't want it, the first person to respond to this post). I have already done the book a cruise, wait until the protocols were announced, then get a refund, but now that protocols are announced in perpetuity, I don't think this will work. But I have heard that FCCs can be transferred. So let me know, and thanks in advance for the help!

So glad this worked out for you! And don't worry @nate91, I believe many of us who made the same choice as you will be together again on a cruise in the future (well, not literally  together...we're  strangers and that would be weird). 

Credit goes to @Pooch for her "up the chain" advice!

21 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Question....does that mean that the card is specific for the ship?  

Our card(s) have the name of the ship handwritten on the back along with the voyage # and our cabin #. From what the crew member told us and the specific info written on the card, I believe it's ship specific. But I am also aware that RC can have inconsistencies of their policies between ships or even sailings of the same ship. 

I emailed MEI and they introduced me to an agent via email. 

Our very first cruise in 2000, Celebrity Zenith, was to Bermuda in October.  And yes, we experienced "big seas". Really, really big seas (the Captain announced 30-40 foot seas).  But it was exciting and Bermuda was beautiful (my favorite port) and I've been cruising ever since. Just do it. 

Sorry to say, from what I've  read on this site, you don't have a choice. Gotta pay to cruise to Bermuda. 

We did the Caribbean on Anthem out of NJ in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Essentially same itinerary, but a nice break from the cold, dreary days of winter. The Covid mandates made us cancel in January 2022 but when cruising fully opens up, we'll probably go again!

Gosh, I've never even seen Cats but now it's my least favorite!

12 minutes ago, baltodave said:

Thanks but that's not what I was looking for.  I understand that most (if not all) RC ships offer a "Wash and Fold" service for around $35 USD where you can stuff as many items (socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc..) in the bag for the fixed price.

I believe that's the bag laying next to the shirt. 

We bought a coffee card on Anthem during Jan. 2019 cruise. The crew member told us to save the card if we didn't use all the "punches" and we could use it IF we sailed Anthem again...which we did in Jan. 2020. The card was honored even with us mentioning it was bought the previous year. 

Actually  have another card with a few punches left just waiting to be allowed on Anthem again! ️

18 minutes ago, Pooch said:

We always stop.  That’s the 1 picture I always purchase showing who went on what ship when.

You make such a good point I hadn't considered. I have generally always breezed by with a polite "no thank you" but after reading your post, wish I had stopped each and every time!

And if they ever allow me to cruise again, I'm stopping and getting that picture!

20 hours ago, JasonOasis said:

I just received the same email about a FCC that I have that now will not expire. 

I thought I had used all my FCC's but now I'm going through every email I've received from Royal since April of 2020 trying to find which FCC I missed.

I received the same e-mail but I know I don't have any outstanding FCCs. I received full cash refunds for my cruises due to the current mandates. I chalked it up to more Royal screw-ups. 

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

A YT vid that I saw today said that Princess has announced that they will begin taking unvaccinated pax without any exemption required....but I have heard that exactly one place (that vid) and nowhere else.  According to this Vlogger, Princess will allow unvaxxed up to 10% (the new CDC threshold) and it will be on first come, first served as to who can sail.  I will not believe this until I see something in writing from Princess BUT if they do it and they also eliminate testing, I will be making a jump to Princess ASAP.

Thanks for the info. I'm jumping right behind you!

2 hours ago, Jonzazilla said:

Those been in Oasis -class ships?

Oops...no. I missed that. My apologies. It was Anthem (if I remember  correctly) which is Quantum. 

I need to pay more attention. 

Over the years I have booked 3 guaranteed balconies. One I upgraded to a regular balcony, the other 2 ended up being obstructed views (lifeboats). 

Have a great cruise. 

I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your daughter. I wish there was something more I could say that would help you and your family as you live with this indescribable reality. 

14 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

How many tests are you going to take to verify your positive? You've just stated if your first comes up positive you'll take another, then another and another before saying "ok, I'm positive and then canceling my cruise." Will you keep testing until you get a negative result so you can go on your cruise? 

I recall when the advice from some on this site was IF you popped a positive to retest again (obviously hoping for a negative). Also, more recently, suggestions offered on how to help make sure you're negative by using saline or alcohol (?) nasal rinses.

People have alot invested in their vacations. They just want to get on the ship. 

I think the Solarium is a fine choice for an included dining option. The selections are similar to what you would find in the WJ with a focus on  healthy selections. What I like best about it is that it's a quieter, more intimate  setting than some of the other options. 

1 hour ago, CruisingNewb said:

1.  I was wrong.  The junior highschool comment was snarky.  Sorry.

2. There is a difference between saying "do nothing" and what you are saying.  You are still practicing preventive measures by maintaining distance.  Honestly, I don't really like being around too many people anyways.  That is still doing "something."  

3. Life is always full of risks.  In fact, my family all have a really bad case of the flu right now and was hoping it was Covid so that we could get a certificate of recovery instead of having to test.  Alas, its not Covid.  

Oh...so sorry it's not COVID (hmm, never said that before!).

8 minutes ago, 10-42 said:

Piss poor management.  

See? Directness, gotta love it!

26 minutes ago, 10-42 said:

I must be the one to say, "I'm sorry".  I don't do a good job of explaining myself and I have a very dry sense of humor, at times.  I look at most everything as a "Information Opportunity" (after a career in the U.S. Army training folks it's a hard habit to brake, not that I really want to because I learn while doing it), even though I quote people, I'm not necessary responding to them personally.  I'm responding to the premise contained within the post/quote.  I hope that nobody takes my comments in here personally, unless I put your name/login in front of the comment then it is directed directly toward you (EXAMPLE:  johnqpublic, I think you are totally wrong).  I know I can be very direct but I have nothing but the best of intentions and that's to inform.  

I hope we all have great cruises and are safe while we do it.

 

EDITIED IN FOR GENERAL CONSUMPTION:  No, nobody appointed me Informer-In-Chief.  It's just what I do, what I like to do.  It keeps this 70 year old busy and using my brain.  I love to learn and when I see something to research, I dive right in.  I learn as much or more every time I post something informative in here.  I'm not a know it all, I'm an amateur researcher.  

Personally, I appreciate  directness. 

19 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

I am one of those people who, even outside, tries to keep 6 feet apart.  I don't wear a mask outside, but on calm days I always leave the path and walk on grass to avoid others.  In my case, I am not worried about becoming seriously ill, I am simply trying to do my part to kill the pandemic.  I know I can still carry the virus despite being double-boosted.  I just think it is a new world now, and we must be very respectful of others when it comes to public health.  I don't think poorly of others unless they "hog" the path as though I am the inconsiderate one....

If being double vaccinated and double boosted doesn't "kill the pandemic", I'm  not sure walking on the grass around other walkers is going to help...but being a courteous person is always appreciated!

Just a thought - maybe try vestibular rehab exercises if you haven't  yet (it helped my aunt). Also, I remember  reading that someone with this condition benefitted from getting a rocking chair and gently  rocking. It didn't  "cure" the condition but did give her some relief. 

Yep. A few days ago received an email with a $313 FCC from a canceled Sept. 2021 cruise which RC had refunded me all monies paid.