fireclan

Oh my gosh! Never seen the ocean? I am sooo excited for you! And love the hat, wear it, windy or not!

1 hour ago, Ocmarie said:

Yes sadly I’ve seen this in the hospitals. (I’m a nurse at a large hospital in WI) The virus has no respect for vaccination or not. I agree 100%. 

Since we're not allowed to cruise, we are heading to the Dells tomorrow for vacation!

19 minutes ago, Lourdes said:

I’m still waiting since March 8. Cruise is on July 23. Haven’t heard anything.:(

Really hoping you get to cruise!

1 hour ago, Ocmarie said:

Did you hear anything? I also am waiting. I should’ve heard something by today (14 days before sailing) but no luck. 

I hope you hear something soon AND get to cruise!

18 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

My reasons are political.  Just enjoy yourself, you'll be fine.  

I knew it wasn't the scenery!

When I took my oldest granddaughter, 19 at the time,  on a cruise in 2018 there was a meet and greet for ages 18-20 listed in the cruise compass. It was held either the first or second night of the cruise and I believe that was the only time I saw it. Royal may still do this or maybe not but you might want to keep an eye out for it if interested. 

1 hour ago, Moby Dick said:

LOL, yep you are between a rock and a hard place.  I used to drive truck for a living, all over this country, for about 3 years.  I had to itch that scratch, as a kid I always wanted to be a truck driver.  After I retired from the Army, I took care of that itch.  Anyway, I typed 18 hours just because with the cost of hotels going way up and up, I really don't want to spend more than 1 night in a hotel.  So, I'll do that 18 hours behind the wheel and spend one night in the hotel the night before the cruise.  I'm not adverse to spending $200.00 - $300.00.  But, for a bed that I probably can't sleep well in and for only about 6 hours, no, I'll pass as much as possible.  

BTW, Wisconsin Dells used to be a favorite vacation spot for us.  No longer.  Can't say why, here . 

Uh oh...we're heading to the Wisconsin Dells tomorrow for vacation.

13 minutes ago, Lynda Mast said:

I bid for a large balcony room. And all we got was a bigger balcony, not more inside room.  Very upset!

Unfortunately (in this case), a large balcony room means a larger balcony not a larger room. I hope you will still enjoy your room and your cruise. 

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.