BunnyHutt

We’ll be driving from OH to Cape Liberty but that's because I’m too cheap to buy tickets for holiday flights (sail 12/24) and not the pandemic. But we’re an airline family so my viewpoint is a little skewed.

However, I would think that if someone was comfortable enough getting on a cruise ship then airports/airplanes wouldn’t even be on their list of “dangerous” places.

8 hours ago, mikeyg1479 said:

I actually don't think lift and shift is an option for us, as our cruise is 8 nights and the majority of Anthem cruises in 2021 (including the cruises in November 2021) are actually 7 night cruises instead.  The same ports of call, just one less day at sea.  But to my understanding, the itinerary  must be identical in order to lift and shift.  They had an 8 night cruise in February 2021 we could probably shift to, but I don't think that's out enough for the COVID situation to really change much with cruising and I'd probably be in the exact same position just three months later...

My MEI agent was able to move us from 8-night to 7-night. And we’re actually getting some savings out of it, I’m assuming due to the loss of night. 

We were supposed to be on Anthem the week after Christmas (booked May 2019). We decided earlier this summer to Lift & Shift to Christmas 2021. 

We also did holiday to holiday but they required a special exemption because we went from 8-nights to 7 (despite being same ship and ports of call). I had my TA work her magic to make that one happen. 
 

If you’ve tried and they’re not budging, you may be out of luck. Another option would be to transfer your current booking to a TA (I’m assuming it’s not with one right now?) and then see if they have any more luck due to leverage. 
 

Honestly, I’d eat the $100 and move on. It’s a sunk cost, you don’t know when/if you’ll be able to cruise again and you’re not in a position to make final payment without creating a hardship. 

Even though your cruise is held by a TA, can’t you still do the L&S request online with Royal? I only got my (super awesome MEI) agent involved because I wanted to L&S to a cruise that the online form didn’t give as an option. 
 

Or just fill out the online form and it will give you your options... screen shot and send to your TA. 

We were booked for NYE so I figure Christmas can’t really be that much worse than what we had already signed up for. My 13 and 15 year olds will be cruising with me as my hubby will (hopefully) have to work over the holidays.... Not happy that he has to work basically all holidays, but he’s in aviation so that’s why the “hopefully” comes into play right now. 

2 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Huh interesting and I thought I saw a thread where Royal wouldn't allow someone to go from an 8 night cruise to a 7. Glad it worked out for you. 

I'm happy about our switch but seeing 423 days cruise count down is a bit deflating when it was 72 or whatever it was. 

It was probably my thread. I couldn’t do it online but Michelle at MEI got it done for me!

We changed from 8-night NYE 2020 to 7-night Christmas 2021 (both on Anthem, exact same ports, even same stateroom #) and are actually saving about $400. Of course, since we’re losing a night I’m glad to see the fare drop though I was prepared for it to remain the same. 

On 6/23/2020 at 10:23 AM, WannaCruise said:

Thanks for clarifying.  In same boat as you (no pun intended  ) as we are also travelling with our kids and so they can't miss school.  Very strange that the 9 night cruise is an option for you as it's not "Bahamas to Bahamas" cruise as I my understanding it is can be different ports but must be the same type of cruise.  The Dec 31st cruise is Eastern Caribbean. Maybe the exception comes since it's new years?

Good luck!  Hope they make an exception and let you L&S.  Let us know.

Michelle at MEI is a rock star. Cruise successfully L&S to 12/24/21 sail date. Very sad to lose the $18 drink package and the pre-opening pricing I snagged for the beach club, but at least I’m more confident this sailing will actually go. 

12 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Thanks for clarifying.  In same boat as you (no pun intended  ) as we are also travelling with our kids and so they can't miss school.  Very strange that the 9 night cruise is an option for you as it's not "Bahamas to Bahamas" cruise as I my understanding it is can be different ports but must be the same type of cruise.  The Dec 31st cruise is Eastern Caribbean. Maybe the exception comes since it's new years?

Good luck!  Hope they make an exception and let you L&S.  Let us know.

Using the “same holiday” logic, it’s quite possible they may let you go Christmas to Christmas without any issues. Although, you may need to call versus going online... the 9-day NYE was not an option given to me using the online tool. 
 

Will let you know how it goes - regardless we are “Anthem or bust!”

48 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Exact same scenario but the cruise just before you (i.e. Anthem 8 night xmas cruise to Anthem 7 night xmas cruise next December).  It's silly as it's the exact same ship and itinerary but one less sea day. It makes no sense as it's a shorter cruise.  I get it if we are trying to add days.  I doubt cruises will be going out of NY/NJ this year so am thinking of calling and "trying" to L&S....but am expecting a no.  It may depend on who you get on the other end at resolutions.

PS - Even if the cruise was the same length, can you go from New Years cruise to Xmas cruise?  Or is it only New Years to New Years and Xmas to Xmas?

If you’re on a “holiday” cruise you can go to another “holiday” - either Christmas or NYE, as I was given 4 Enchantment options which included both Christmas and NYE. Apparently switching to the *9* night on 12/31 on Anthem was an option given to my agent?!? Completely different ports. But, unfortunately, that won’t work as it would cause my 8th and 10th graders to miss a week of school and they’re past the point of being able to do that without it impacting their grades. Maybe that would be an option for your family?
 

My agent at MEI has asked for an exemption to get us on the 12/24 sailing so fingers crossed...

4 hours ago, Jason12 said:

They gave us a option on 8 cruises and they differed in cruise length, there’s a online form under the cruise with confidence section just follow the instructions and they will give you the options 

Yeah, that’s what I looked at - just found out about the form right before I posted. 
 

I was hoping to L&S 12/27/20 Anthem (ports of call are Cape Canaveral, Nassau and Coco Cay) to 12/23/21 Anthem. Itinerary is EXACTLY the same, except next year it’s slated to be a 7 night versus 8 night. I figured giving up a night wasn’t going to be a big deal.. it’s not like I was looking to add anything. 

Instead, my only options are the 8-night cruises on Enchantment out of Baltimore in Dec 2021. While the choices do include the Christmas and NYE sailings,  I have *zero* desire to be on Enchantment with my teens as there is so much less for them to do. I won’t even have my husband with me as a buffer (we never plan on him having holidays off), lol  

Unless Michelle is about to find out something different, we’re back to Plan A - either we’re on Anthem for NYE this year or I’m taking a refund when the cruise is canceled. 

My agent at MEI is looking to confirm what I can/cannot do, but I just used the link someone posted on another thread to see what Royal claims my options are...

Currently booked on 8-night holiday cruise on Anthem out of Cape Liberty over NYE. Was hoping to “lift and shift” to a holiday 2021 cruise but apparently the *exact* same port itinerary on Anthem next December is now a 7 night. So Royal’s website is stating that my only options are an 8-night out of Baltimore on Enchantment, with a different port listing - biggest change being no stop at Coco Cay, which was a huge reason I booked the cruise in the first place (that, and the fact that Anthem is a much better option both for the time of year and for my teenaged sons). 
 

WTH, Royal? I guess I might just be stuck paying the balance in September and wait for the inevitable cancellation and, hopefully, refund.

1 hour ago, DublinFC said:

I am growing less and less confident that our Dec sailing is going to happen.  I am really hoping to end this crap show of a year on a high note.

Yup. My family is supposed to be on Anthem over NYE. We’re not going to cancel until Royal forces our hand, but I’m not too optimistic. 

Thank you!! A few other things seem to be marked down on the Anthem NYE cruise, but I finally pulled the trigger on VOOM for myself (kiddos already have it thanks to the intern sale last year). 

I’m going to say September. 
 

Signed, 

The wife of an airline pilot who is hopeful that the worst of this will be in the rear view mirror in 6 months. 

Viking Cruises is suspending all operations (river and ocean) for embarkations dated 3/12/20 -  4/30/20. 

18 hours ago, AnnetteJackson said:

If you are cruising in the next month or so, I would watch for price dips so that you can possibly adjust to an upgrade for what you are already paying or pay a smaller amount to upgrade.  Seeing lots of people in March where they paid for interior and for the same price they are moving up to Balcony or even Spacious Balcony.  Cant get the refund on the cost, but at least get a better room.

If you do this, do the purchases you’ve already made stay intact or do you need to rebook? Example, if someone got in on the $18 DBP would that move to the “new” reservation or is it canceled?

Our good friend’s parents and aunt (if you can follow that, lol) go every year. Our friends have been on it a few times - but not this year - and their daughter (now 11) has always managed to befriend the players’ younger kids. Apparently she’s ended up in a couple of different family photos, lol. 

And not to leave you hanging... I-O!

Our kids were 8 and 11 when we went on Adventure a few years ago. They had ZERO interest in spending any time in the kids club. Most  we got out of them was 90 min one evening so my husband and I could have dinner alone.  

They will be 12 and 14 when we go on Anthem later this year. Both are looking forward to participating in some of the teen activities. 

Anthem NYE cruise has all prices listed. I’ll continue to be happy with my $18 drink pkg.

1 hour ago, constable145 said:

@BunnyHutt and @Linda216 currently this setup is ONLY on Oasis

Thank you!!

Echoing another poster - is this on all ships??

I'm doing a New Year’s cruise on Anthem with my 12 and 14 year old sons, who will be in 7th and 9th grades. Part of the appeal was that both would be in the same group and could do fun activities with kids their age and experience a little bit of freedom. No freaking way will my middle schooler want to do anything with 1st graders. Sigh. 

This is something to keep in mind as this is how it works for ALL pricing (excursions, packages, etc). When something is labeled as “x% off” or “BOGO” that bottom line price is already factored in when they show the per person price on the main page. There is no additional discount.