BrianB

Right thread!?

No…Cash refunds for taxes and port fees were just straight refunds…but after subtracting those amounts from my total amount paid I could then figure what amount was covered by the FCC. I never took a full refund for a cancelled cruise because I wanted the 125% FCC. The cash refund option was only for the actual amount paid…at least that’s what I understand. Don’t know how you got more than you figured but, oh well!

I’m a planner too! I like to have my schedule filled and it’s much easier knowing I can cancel up to 48hrs before. I also love being able to re-price when the sales occur…or upgrade! Being in NJ, I try to cruise as often as I can between Sept and May…love cruising out of New York Harbor in the winter! I know I’ll be on the Anthem so it’s just easier to book in advance.

I’m pretty picky, and a bit of a geek, when it comes to monitoring this. It took a while to understand all the applicable credit card refunds and what was eligible for the 125% and what was not. Taxes and port fees, cruise fare paid, deposit amount paid, cruise planner (then the 125% cruise planner), the confusion of a new FCC issued when only part was used, or the new FCC issued when a cruise with an applied FCC was cancelled (I found the best way to track the FCCs was by using the reservation number). Then there was the additional payment line of global suspension. I called several times when I saw a discrepancy and had to hold while the person had to check with another department. But, every time that happened, I received the explanation and was satisfied. I’m fortunate that I can take the time to do it myself…I know that if I couldn’t, then I would have relied on a good TA to do it for me. Every time I called, I never had the feeling that they didn’t want to help. I tried using a computer spreadsheet but ended up keeping my yellow pads filled with scribbling! It makes sense to me!

I’m not sure, but I believe ‘pending’ changes to ‘processing’ when your bid is accepted. But I don’t know of anyone getting accepted within the 48hr period.

Good info. I wondered how the contact tracing worked. I guess they just keep scanning cards. Thanks for the report!

I made out big time re-pricing my Nov and Dec cruises with the Wow Sale! All Junior Suites on Anthem. I do my own bookings online because I can devote the time to check nearly every day. Easy to just call and have it changed. Very happy!?

That’s what I’m thinking of doing…..the 3 night dining package price usually stays the same on the Planner. But is it worth it to just pay the extra price to have peace of mind and secure reservations individually online….especially during sea days. For me it would make sense because I usually eat at the same time, early!

My issue with this, beside the obvious as stated in the comments above, is the news media practically salivating over these stories….’left to fend for themselves’…what, were they abandoned in a forest filled with wolves? …’trip of a lifetime’…isn’t that what they always say? …’fixed incomes. And they FRANKLY can’t afford to stay the night in Seattle and then fly home early to Illinois’ …what are they, penniless and laying in the gutter? …’They will work to be made whole by Royal Caribbean’…yeah, make sure you keep pushing the victimization narrative. It’s such a shame that agenda-driven so-called journalists can’t even google information and report the facts. Whatever happened to fair and balanced…or even just reasonable common sense? Nope. Gotta get eyeballs on the story.

As with all insurance policies…you must take the time to get into the weeds and completely read and (most importantly) understand the coverages. If it’s not in writing as covered…than it is most likely not covered. Also understand the ‘buts’ in the policy. Such as ‘You are absolutely, positively one hundred percent covered for this…………but’. Usually followed by a list of exceptions. Some policies are simply clearer than others. Most have short notification timelines where failure to expeditiously call can diminish or even cancel the claim. I always check on-line reviews from third party resources. Lots of info. The best insurance policy is the one never needed! Good luck!

Unfortunately, it seems limited capacity ruined spontaneity. Good luck!

I’m sure it changes from ship to ship and depends on who you’re dealing with, but…I find that most managers/hosts at CK try their best to reasonably accommodate in most circumstances. Of course there must be someone eligible to enter and utilize the premises. They usually can tell from reservations and trends during that particular cruise when there is availability and they try to make it happen for you. Especially if you are willing to be flexible. And most importantly…being considerate, understandable and gracious. You can catch more flies with honey…(I don’t know why I used that proverb…I hate flies!).

Pre-purchasing dining on the Cruise Planner has the major disadvantage of not being able to make reservations prior to sailing. I usually buy the three meal specialty dining on a seven night cruise, but then I stress having to get on board quickly so I can make my reservations for the week. Back in the pre-Covid days, that was typically not a problem as they kept many spots open for reserving on board. Now, with limited capacity seating, it’s going to be more of a challenge…and more stress.

I read that one or more of the infected were contractors on board during the sailing (which is a typical scenario)…so technically even though they are considered crew members, they are outsiders hired to perform specialized system maintenance during the cruise. Just wondering if that arrangement threw the proverbial wrench into the operation.

Not only am I not canceling, but I booked my usual amount (and then some) over the fall, winter and spring. I especially love winter cruising from NJ. Easy drive to the port and then bon voyage! I realize there will be set backs and uncertainty in the future, but I’ll deal with it when it happens. I take reasonable precautions, especially prior to a cruise, and I have an annual insurance policy with Covid riders. I love Royal’s Cruise with Confidence program so I made sure I booked as much as I can during the eligibility period which ends Aug 31, unless extended again. I hope the back end gets extended beyond April 30. I’m fortunate that I can take advantage of the program and think of it as an investment. If the cruise is cancelled, I get 125% FCC. On the other hand, I can cancel for any reason up to two days before and get a full refund FCC. I sympathize with those who can only do a cruise or two and have to balance work and family schedules…flights and hotel…there’s so much stress and worry. Fortunately, I’m able to freely indulge my cruise addiction. Bottom line for me is…I’ve been through a lot in life and it is what it is. I could quote the line from Shawshank Redemption but that would be too corny. Good health, good luck and enjoy!

Same. I had an itinerary change also from one day to the next and had an excursion booked through Royal…they just changed the date. Same time, price etc… One of the good reasons to book through the cruise line. If you have an excursion through a private vendor, you may have a hard time rescheduling or getting a refund. But the most important reason; the ship will wait for you if your excursion is late coming back. I had that happen twice. Both were flat tires on a bus.

I’m Diamond Plus and booked Junior Suites on the hump (previously Spa Juniors) for all three of my Anthem Nov cruises and my twelve night Dec cruise. With the sale, prices have dropped pretty significantly…and I have been checking nearly every day since I first booked them. Called this morning and took advantage of the price drops. One was already past final due date so the difference was added as an OBC. The second one was paid in full, but the final due date isn’t until Aug 16th…so I will get a refund applied to my credit card. The other two had the new price applied and my final payments dropped. I saved a lot of $$$$$$$! Very satisfied!

Good idea! Royal Migrators!

14 booked, all through the web site…no survey. Plus, I have made numerous calls to make adjustments, change room categories, take advantage of lower pricing, etc…and at the end of each call, they ask me to take the two question survey before hanging up. But then when they disconnect, no survey. Weird. I guess they figure it’s pretty obvious how I feel about Royal.?

Whew! That was a loooooong 24hrs!

The ship docking time of 6am doesn’t necessarily mean disembarkation starts at that time. The ship must be cleared by local authorities first. I would definitely reschedule my flight for later in the afternoon…mostly because I would be too worried, but that’s me. And, if I was feeling that lucky, I would also buy a lottery ticket. Just sayin’.

Maybe someone who has already cruised can address this but…I think that for now, the whole check in process has changed. No longer can we arrive at the port early morning and sit all together in a big waiting area until boarding commences. It appears from other posts that you arrive at your appointed time, and then are quickly ushered through the process and right to boarding. So a noon arrival time would seem reasonable.

Sorry. Should have said ‘earliest time offered’. But I checked in to four Oasis cruises pretty close to the time that check in became available. The times offered were from noon to 5pm on all four. It’s possible that earlier times may be offered depending on circumstances as the date gets closer. As @Mattsaid in his video…it’s a good idea to keep checking.

Same answer….if you plan on being able to use FCC by the expiration date and not mind having that money tied up until then, you can make the final payment and then cancel if you must. It sounds like you’re not sure what the professor will consider as a likely time line. Maybe ask him/her what is recommended regarding the booked cruise dates. Maybe you will get a more concrete answer.? Either way…good luck with both!

I also checked in for my Nov 7th a couple of days ago and 3pm was all that was available. I keep going back to try and get a different time…but it says try again later. I’ll keep trying.