sk8erguy1978

If you booked as a single it might need to get repriced but still doable. Recommendation goes, book as if someone is going, cheaper in the long run.

I interpret it is as the end of 2021 OR later if your cruise was in say, 2021.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-with-confidence

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The credit is valid through December 31, 2021 or 12 months from your original canceled sail date (whichever is longer) and can be used for any open sailings at the time of booking.

We have a 10th anniversary of my wife's 29th birthday planned too and are in the discussion phase of rescheduling. Ironically, not 100% because of COVID-19 but the cancellation polices help us make it so more friends can join, at a later date. 

4 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Yeah when you explain it like that it kinds makes sense. It really is funny money in a way. I guess to them if they used the FCC for the taxes and fees they would actually have to put out the real money. 

It kinda makes in a way but kinda not in way. It's mystery that hurts my head but it's done now anyway. Pray we cruise now. 

We have an Oasis in September too, the 20th, fingers crossed.

1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I still don't quite understand why you can't use the FCC to pay off everything including taxes and fees

I'm not a finance person but I suspect a FCC is kinda "funny money" to the cruise line. Something they received at one point and they are just shifting money internal. Taxes and Port fees might need to be paid at time you pay, so they pass your money along vs it becoming something on that quarters budget...

JUST a guess. Someone please feel free to chime in with correct answer.

I have not paid close attention to excursions but for September on Oasis out of NJ my planner shows 88 different choices (90 below as sea days duplicates).

• Orlando = 14
• Cococay = 25
• Nassau = 43
• NJ = 3
• Sea Days = 5 (over all the days)

For December on Harmony my planner shows 100 different choices over the 103 below (again sea day duplicates).

• Cococay = 21
• St. Thomas = 36
• St. Kitts = 38
• Orlando = 2
• Sea Days = 6

No idea if this is less or more than usual, but seems like a good selection. 

Yeah. Something I never put thought into but makes sense. You didn't pay in USD, you converted USD to ISK and then paid. Same would happen in reverse ISK to USD to credit card. Thanks for the heads up! 

It's not as easy for my wife to spontaneously change a date to a week later.

I too think the first month or so will start out with a few ships & possibly altered itineraries. Personally, we have two cruises booked for this year and waiting (anxiously) to hear the new protocols before making any decisions.

I suspect one is getting changed regardless. It wasn't working out before COVID-19 the way we want and the cancellation policies gives us an opportunity to change it.

3 hours ago, USCG Teacher said:

I was randomly assigned Kathy Geiger from my inquiry and I couldn't have been happier with the service she provided! 

+1 Same. Randomly assigned using the affiliate link here and it's been great so far.

4 hours ago, Pooch said:

I did email them (sorry - don't do social media but thank you for the suggestion)  I am going with she is stressed due to all the cancellations and moving of dates she's had to do at this point.  I am pretty confident my cruise is eligible for CWC.

Let's hope that's it ... crazy times. Today the landscaper cut my front yard and not the back... I think everyone is a bit stressed and overworked. :) 

She is 100% wrong.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-with-confidence

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Whether you’re already booked on a cruise, or are thinking about it, we want you to Cruise with Confidence. That’s why Royal Caribbean will let you cancel any cruise that sets sail from now through April 30, 2022. Whether it’s a booking you already have or one you make right now through August 1, 2020, you’re covered. As long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your sail date, you’ll receive a Future Cruise Credit. The credit is valid through December 31, 2021 or 12 months from your original canceled sail date (whichever is longer) and can be used for any open sailings at the time of booking.

Assuming United States passports ... Two are private islands and two are tied to the United States, so they are safer in the safe.

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I have always been told to leave them in your safe in your room and take photocopies of them and your cruise cards.

I've done that in the past. Now, I even leave the copies in the safe (although having the ID# doesn't sound like a bad idea). Seapass card, state issued ID (Drivers License), insurance info and of course credit cards is all I take off the ship. It's been said, if something happens (missing ship), they will leave your belongings from the safe at the pier. 

I'm learning to be more patient, especially with companies that might not deserve it (United for example). I've also realized how wasteful my wife and I are ... Paper plates, napkins, toilet paper, etc. We have learned to conserve. 

Of course saving money without eating out, me not commuting (wife still does) and all that.

3 minutes ago, Neesa said:

If I book on my own and then transfer the booking to my MEI TA does that impact her negatively in any way?

It shouldn't.

14 hours ago, LeonCA said:

I am worry about what happen to the deposit if the worst scenario happen.

It's already been said that 'closed for good' is unlikely, and I agree. Do you have a CC that provides protection from these situations? If not, you could purchase travel insurance. Although, I personally purchase a policy after final payment. Not paying a few hundred USD to protect a few hundred USD. I buy travel insurance for more than protection of cruise fare. 

11 hours ago, LeonCA said:

So what is the difference between book through a TA and directly book with RCCL.

Another thing a good travel agent can be is that friend who knows the correct answer. If he/she doesn't know 100% they will get you the correct answer. A lot of the customer service agents don't provide correct information, which in these times can be dangerous.

As an ex-smoker of about 11 years or more (honestly forget but somewhere in the 2007-2009 timeframe) I am "no change." Of course I'd love a smoke free ship, but I don't necessarily mind it (to a point) and remember what it was like to be one. Remember being, not realizing how the smell sticks to everything, the damage smoke does to stuff (interior of a car for example), and where the smoke actually goes (blowing it away is polite but it still lingers around you and drifts). 

18 hours ago, USFFrank said:

Why do I have this funny feeling that the slot machine I had really wanted to play, but was blocked off for social distancing will be the one that's ready to give the big payout. But I'll never know, I'll be playing the one next to it

My luck! LOL

6 minutes ago, Ray said:

Theres no difference between a restaurant on land or on a cruiseship 

No difference between a casino on land or on cruiseship 

If measures be it masks, social Distancing etc are put in place to protect people on land these measures will be implemented on cruiseships.

We just have to get used to the fact the world has changed and it will take a long time to recover

I just discussed these points and more with my wife. It is the reality. However, we will just wait and see.

We have a final payment coming late June (for September) and again in September (for December). If I could guess as to my future with these two cruises... Final payment for September made in June. Probably not sail in September and move that money to December. Once we close in on December decide if we want to go or cancel and FCC for something in 2021. 

I'm not opposed to wearing a mask at certain times in the future as more things are understood but right now that's my deciding factor, at least for September ... See what's happening in December for that cruise. My wife wears a mask all day for work & I'm not a fan in general. I wear it when I need to, but it makes me feel uncomfortable, awkward, etc. It wouldn't feel like a vacation trying to stroll the promenade with a mask. That's in addition to all the other social distance measure that'll need to be in place. Barriers at slot machines, between bartenders, etc. It'll feel more like a science fiction movie than vacation.

54 minutes ago, Chadster said:

"What steps is the company taking to ensure that all customer-service channels -- whether via phone, email, social media, or travel agents -- are all on the same page, offering a consistent experience for customers, whether those who are currently booked or those who are considering cruises in the future?"

I was thinking this, not just now, but for years to come. I don't blame the customer service agents, it's lack of training. It's frustrating, each agent will give a completely different answer to the simplest questions.

My perfect example: *(Calling the Groups Customer Service)*

"Hi, how can I get little gift bags to everyone in my group?"

• Agent 1: Well, you can try and find their room steward and ask them to put it in a room at turn down service.
• Agent 2: I'll get you in touch with the onboard groups person who will personally get it to the correct room steward for delivery, the fee will be $x.xx (I forget a buck or three) per bag.

Clearly I went with Agent 2's advice and it worked out perfectly. Had I settled for the firsts agents response I would have been running around like crazy and super stressed, probably would have just handed it to them in person.

6 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I didn't think there were any 7 night cruises from Bayonne that included Coco Cay (I thought those were all 8+ nights) but I must be mistaken

1 hour ago, darketower said:

Yes they do. We were supposed to be on Oasis 7 night to CocoCay this 8/16 but lifted and shifted to next August. The itinerary is Orlando, Coco Cay and Nassau. With 3 sea days. 

Yep, that's the one we have planned for September ... 

2 hours ago, USCG Teacher said:

If you've never been to NYC, it's a great opportunity to double up your vacation.  As a local, I fully agree with @WAAAYTOOO, EWR is the way to go unless you can find SUBSTANTIAL savings into JFK.  Only go to LGA if it's life or death. Now if it were me, I'd fly in a few days early and find a nice hotel in Jersey City to home base in for a few days.  The rooms should be significantly cheaper, and as long as you are comfortable on public transportation, taking the PATH into NYC from Jersey City is a fast and easy way to get in and out.  See the sights, do the tourist thing, and getting a shuttle to Cape Liberty the morning of your cruise should be cheaper and easier from the NJ side of the Hudson.  Just this Jersey boy's two cents!

I am from upstate NY and second everything said here ... Before Secaucus Junction was a thing, I'd take the NJ Transit / Metro North from upstate NY (Rockland County) to Hoboken NJ and jump on the PATH. Once in the city I could jump on a subway if needed to get to destination. 

We did fly out of JFK once after a cruise from Bayonne to extend our honeymoon in Dominican Republic. As a local-ish, I drove, it was a Thursday morning, traffic sucked, not horrible but not what I needed after a 5 day cruise. EWR has a bad reputation but still the best choice IMO.

15 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

IF Royal does away with the WJ buffet as we know it, do you think it would impact any of the dining packages?  Let's say they did change the Windjammer to a food court set-up. Would Royal sell a food court dining package, for example? I hope not, as it is a great way to spread out the crowds.

Everyone has said my thoughts about the Windjammer ... but some restaurants "pack" you in rather tightly, like certain areas of Chops ... I wonder if reducing occupancy will drive the price up.

Some credit cards allow you to set notifications, one could be related to a credit / refund. For example I'm hoping for a refund for a United flight so in Chase I set "A credit is pending on my card account" alert to the card used.

34 minutes ago, bossdog421 said:

 

I'm  one of those odd people that hated pizza for decades, then i moved to jersey now i love it. Don't think putting the cure in sorrentos would change my mind on me eating that. Tried it once on the last cruise and I wont ever again. If the wife and daughter went to get some i would go elsewhere.

 

Put in a lava flow and now we are talking.

Those Lava Flows are quite yummy. I agree Sorrento's isn't anything spectacular, but something about 4 or so of those little slices and a stack of cookies at 2AM! YUM. 

1 hour ago, DDaley said:

I just don't see how wearing a mask is a dealbreaker.

My wife is a nurse and while she doesn't have to wear @bhageerah's respirator thing (+1 to you for still being okay wearing a mask & thank you!) she doesn't want to, and neither do I, not for our September cruise at least, not yet. 

However, we have a harsh reality to face (pun?), I just don't see how they aren't going to require masks for indoor areas, such as the promenade, arcades, etc. MGM resorts laid out their plan and on that list was masks.