deep1

I decided to go with the flow with Mariners cancellations and do a shift to an earlier date. It meant leaving one of our kids at home and that will be taken care of with yet another booking that he can bring a friend along. Now here's is where it gets uncomfortable for me. When I called the phone rep couldn't do anything. He referred me back to the cancellation email and some copy and paste address I had too put in my browser. I had to fill out all the forms using the old reservation numbers and specifics about which option I was taking. In every other cancellation or lift and shift I have ever done with them they did that for me. Seemed odd that we have to do all that now. No receipt email came back and they said it can be days. In the past I have had something hard in writing right back. No confirmation of anything: No OBC confirm? No new cabin numbers? No mention of refund as this was less expensive than one they cancelled? No mention of other refund as I was not afforded ability to pick cabin which I paid extra for. Nothing? They said it could take several days or weeks. That brings up memories of 90+ days on my 45 day refunds... I have always had emailed confirmations while still on the phone. Is this new? I know I havn't had it before? Something to be nervous about? Just relax? I have always been one to enjoy "Knowing"... For them its no big deal changing dates. For us it can be complicated. In my case it involves booking yet another cruise to keep the kids even. I don't mind that Makes it fair for the kids, makes RCCL a little jingle, makes it easier on every one, then to just get brushed off ? Anyone else?

Rather than be a pain in their rump I did the following: I accepted their offer of another date. It accommodates one of our teens vacations but not the other. We decided to let her bring a friend for this new date. For her brother I booked another short Cruise where he can bring a friend. Wont be a 5 night balcony. More like 4 night inside but better than nothing. He doesn't care as he gets his buddy to join... Thats all good. Started new thread with some concerns questions...

Not being insensitive. I have lost to the virus itself. I lost one to complications from the intubation as well. I also knew many that it was barely as much as a cold. Then, I have also lost to the vaccine. A healthy doctor friend passing away being one and my Fiance's brother being paralyzed for a few days made it clear that its not a walk in the park either. An "evil" so to speak. It was forced upon us by a man made problem. Granted its a potential solution to a bad problem but it would be a lot nicer if it was never needed and the remote possibility of bad side effects wasn't there.

Well, I don't drink but agree some sedation would be of some help. Possible I back the kids out of this one then book a good one for fiance and myself. For the kids do a quickie with each one separate (vacations don't match up)and even let them bring a friend...

Any tricks on getting RCCL to up their OBC amounts... I'm seeing respectable numbers for you guys. They just cancelled me for a trip a year away and offered me $50 OBC for the headaches for 2 balconies... You guys are seeing way better numbers than that...

Those are Canada dependent sailings.... Not mainstream

Brilliance too far to drive to Tampa, itinerary is same as we have on other bookings. Navigator like Indy is doing quickies...

Its one of those bookings that won't settle down. Started as an Indy 5 night that was among the first cancels last year. Got creative and found an Oasis to turn it into. Then that became a Harmony. Back to an Indy then a L+S to Mariner(I considered that a down grade because of 1. Ship and 2. Itinerary (Jamaica Traded for Nassau)) .. Well that went up in smoke today. I read Matts article on Mariner being "redeployed" and looked through. Some 4 night became 5 some 5 became 4 and a couple flat disappeared like mine . Over all not much changed but it did wreck a lot of plans. Timing: Screws us on kids vacation time. If we accept the trip before our younger teen cant make it If we accept the trip after the older one can't. That window was perfect for both of their school vacations to overlap. I didn't like getting squeezed down to Mariner from Indy to begin with. Trading Jamaica for Nassau didn't sit well either. Inn their "offers" today they offered a whopping obc of $50 per room ($100 total) for all the trouble but only if I take one of the two misfit dates on Mainer they offer. They made no offer of 125% FCC! They pulled Indy off 5 night duties and looking around the only 5 night ones I see are the aforementioned Mariner ones. I'm seeing 6 and 7 night cruises that would fit the requirements but they are 3 times as expensive as the one I originally paid for. Suggestions? Cut one kid or the other out? Cancel all together? Try to negotiate to one of the big boats? Open to any seasoned ideas...

Perhaps to track?

If all persons are vaccinated they can get together without masks .... Thats what the CDC is saying. Not vaccinated with un vaccinated or any other variant. "Outside " would refer to places where unvaccinated would likely be involved however "outside on a ship with all others vaccinated would be same as "inside" for safe gathering...therefore the masks a bit redundant and not necessary. For shore leave I could see the need for a mask mandate. There the people encountered would likely fll into a mix of vaccinated versus non.

Its the part right at the top that is in play here. Vaccinated with Vaccinated...

I'm thinking just another glitch in a long line of them. Like last week we couldn't pay balances we knew we owed. If it is a change in policy the need to announce it to the 4 corners of the world. I'm actually surprised it didn't happen sooner. I'm a boat captain and it was some years ago we were required to accept passport only. The Bahamians had no problem with birth certificate. Heck some offices gladly took drivers licenses. The problems mounted this side. We are required on docking to call customs and declare all persons aboard with their passport numbers. For us, the smaller bot carriers they complicate it further. Passengers need to present them selves to a port or airport customs office to verify their passports within 24 hours of being cleared back in. We as crew avoid that headache (as we need to wash boat, fix stuff or clean fish) with what is called a Local Boater's Option. (LBO card). Even the boat gets a decal like its own passport... If we are in a major port with that vessel we are required to carry yet another ID card called a TWIC... Regulations are indeed confusing they'll make your head spin...

Todays reading found Crystal Cruises gearing Up to Base Cruises in the Bahamas Starting July. Hitting small island of Bimini and Great Harbour will set them apart

I was reading earlier today that Cunard plans on doing near home cruises possibly starting as soon as May 17. Greece has opened its ports. Its slow but its progress...

WAAAYTOOO I concur... J+J is my plan... Extensive research by my fiance' after her brother had two very bad and scary days after his second dose seemed to indicate your idea is indeed a sound one.

My plan is for the J+J myself... Not perfect but seems the lesser of three evils.

Read elsewhere of the problem. Sure enough I had it. I had it bugging me all week. I knew I owe like a total of $10 on one of my L+S bookings. I'd hate to lose a whole booking over a missed $10 total and was out of my comfort zone. Was all ready to call RCCL today and it seems to have sorted it out...

I'm not a fan of the vaccines but will get them as they my become necessary not for just cruise travel but other international travel I often do in my industry. Florida dropped from 65 to 60 (actually effective 3/15). Lots of chatter about being all adults eligible by May 1 ...

When they shifted Indy that bumped me off on their five night so I lifted and shifted to Mariner 5 night next spring...

Not sure why but today more optimistic than ever. May add a booking or two even... Need an eastern Caribbean, a southern, Fiance needs and Alaska for her bucket list. Then Trans Atlantic straight into a Med. Then when they are all done a Trans Pacific just so I can say I went to Tahiti and Bora Bora...

I recently did two L+S for cancellations. One was almost three times the price we paid and we got it with jus a couple hundred upcharge for taxes and port fees. The other I consider to be a slight down grade (Indy to Mariner) and I trade Jamaica for Nassau... That trip was a few hundred more than the one I had but they honored as well ...

I was very optimistic heading into the fall . I saw and heard things to make me think it was gonna open. The COVID numbers soared and the cancellations continued. The numbers are coming back down earlier than last year so maybe this is "it". I should be barding next week then again later in the month wont happen but I have one in November I'm counting on...

We will likely do that on our spring runs. For now though this next run is her and her brother...

That will likely happen for next spring cruises... We left little brother home a couple years ago so he needs to go this time. She is class Valedictorian. He is opposite end and really deserves to be benched but fair is fair...

Ahem!... That might be closer to me if you toss in fishing off my balcony, planting "pirate coins" at Coco Cay, bringing my own real gold nuggets to those "Panning excursions in Alaska" or dragging a fishing lure off the stern .? She's top of her class type. Previous trip she had a fantastic time at the teen club . Not so much the club itself but it was a point she could meet people and then go make the most of the ship. By day she did day things(And loved em) but this is more about the night life... Just a simple meet and greet would go a ling way. Why not? They have em for alternative lifestyle groups, recovery groups, seniors, I think I have even seen for various trades? She's quite the leader once she breaks the ice. Just needs that little foot in the door. Her brother could create a crowd from thin air... Really outgoing type. He hasn't cruised yet but I'm preparing counter measures to reel him in... Especially since he will have access to the teen club... Considering microchips and shock collars for him...