Mike.s

It's part of the cruise cost on the current MSC sailings, surely the cruise lines will look at it as a small price to pay if it restarts cruises, and we as the passengers will ultimately end up paying for it, it will just be hidden as part of out cruise fare.

We enjoyed sailing from Tampa on Rhapsody earlier this year, loved it, can't wait to get back on the smaller RC ships again soon

It's the way forward, test all the passengers before they board the ship, Costa are doing the same when they recommence sailing

Matt posted this a couple of days ago, last paragraph explains how to pre-pay. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/08/22/should-you-prepay-gratuities-royal-caribbean-cruise

She's now moved on to Civitavecchia, not sure if she has passengers onboard, I assume she has as she's then heading to Naples. Not seen any feedback following last week's cruise, only what was shared during the cruise. Fingers crossed we only get positive stories.

Sadly we've not much else to do ?

Certainly if things go well in Europe it will help the Global restart, by the end of September/early October there should be 4 cruise lines sailing, TUI will have 3 ships, Costa are starting up sailing with Italian residents only, as mentioned AIDA are due in September and Marella (also confusingly owned by TUI) are looking at the beginning of October. I've seen no negative press from the first couple of TUI cruises, funny that, had there of been a problem the press would of been all over it

This link gives an overview of the cruise, the lady presenting it (in English) knows the guy featured in the video. Looks positive, perhaps finally progress in the right direction.

Just reading the T&Cs associated with the benefit, it says not available with travel agent rates, I assume you have to book direct with RC to get the benefit or am I missing something?

All depends on what you're looking for, Canary Islands, warm sunny, not too much to see/do (other than extinct volcanoes), Norway, stunning scenery, (think poor mans Alaska) not so warm. Both have a sea day (or 2) from Southampton before you get to the destination.

It was the same menu in each, just missed the big restaurant experience over 2 floors, nothing wrong with the food, just preferred having a single MDR, bit more sense of occasion ?

We didn't like the fact that the MDR is actually 4 smaller dining rooms, kind of spoiled the experience for us, other than that Anthem was fab, loved 270, really unique.

Aida looking to start sailing in August, short itineraries, half full ships but it's a start https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23205-aida-to-offer-cruises-in-august-on-three-ships.html

Mrs Thomas, Not sure I agree with your London Crime rate comments?? https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/16/murder-graph-shows-london-killings-compare-us-cities-9971033/

60000 new cases of the virus in the US today, 10000 in South Africa, Melbourne starts 6 week lockdown, not convinced we'll be cruising in September ? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-53330509

Totally agree, too many people in the UK seem to ignore social distancing on land, I would worry that some would also on a ship, it's hard enough to get them to sanitise their hands before entering the buffet!!

Would love to be positive but can't realistically see mainstream cruising starting this year, the virus is still very active and until a vaccine is available they'll be localised flares ups. Let's be honest, who wants to run the risk of being forced to stay in a cabin for 14 days should there be an outbreak on a cruise.

At least it gives the cruise lines some direction of what's expected of them to allow them to cruise, better than just being told you can't sail

The German part of TUI cruises is having a number of new builds, here in the UK the British part of TUI Cruises (Marella) is completely made up of hand me downs. That's part of the attraction to us, we've booked on Marella Discovery next year, in a previous life she was Splendor of the Seas, a class of ship we love

Or perhaps they might pass them on to another joint venture, TUI cruises. TUI/Marella already use some of the older RC ships, would be nice to see them over here in Europe.

We've just received our FCC, when we booked the offer was 2nd passenger gets a 60% reduction on main cruise fare, as a result I have over twice the FCC my wife does. Therefore I need to wait for a similar 60% offer again, otherwise I'll have FCC left over in my name and have to pay cash for my wive's fare, madness.

Thanks Disappointing but doesn't come as a complete surprise.

Do we get a notification of when the refund has been processed or do we have to keep checking our CC statements?

We, like many are waiting for our refunds, it doesn't fill me with confidence that the process is underway when last night I received "Adventure Confirmation" email for our sailing on the 28th June from Rome on Adventure, am I alone in receiving this or are we all getting them?

Thanks, John, I hadn't realised RC wouldn't allow FCC change of currency, perhaps next time I book a "normal" cruise I'll give them a try.