sk8erguy1978

Wow. Our flight wasn't that bad. Just EWR to LAS and LAS to EWR were switched to those with layovers and weren't excited about the times. Since we knew Vegas wouldn't be fun if they did open stuff up (which it seems they might be on a limited scale) we decided to cancel. I purchased two, two (wife and I) one way tickets; one cash, one miles. Both I upgraded to economy plus at time of purchase. Since cancelling, I have received the economy plus purchase from the miles ticket but haven't received the miles back into my account. For the cash ticket, I upgraded to first (hey it was $269 each, why not!) and put in a request for the economy plus to be refunded. I received something like 4 emails saying non-refundable, etc, but somewhere along the line, one of the economy plus upgrades did get refunded. A week later (before I even had a chance to fight for the other economy plus refund) we canceled the flight. We received the base fare of the cash ticket as a future credit but nothing else. Since the miles ticket upgrades were refunded to my CC almost instantly, I put in the request for the one economy plus & the two first upgrades. It's been about 10 days, still waiting.

Even though I missed the deadline (already read the blog post ) I'll add another vote for unsure. It's not that I wouldn't go, but as others expressed, what's the on-board experience going to be like ... and wearing a mask is a 99% deal breaker for me, at least for my September sailing.

UGH! EVERYDAY! When we close the door, he jumps and bangs on the handle which is loud. If we are smart and lock the door, the bang can still be heard, but worse, the door handle is now ruined from his nails LOL! UGH again! Ugh. I put in a refund request for over $600 dollars in upgrades I haven't had returned to me. I had to cancel since Vegas isn't open for Memorial Day Weekend and United switched our flight to something horrible. I did receive a travel voucher worth the base fare before paid upgrades. Fingers crossed they do the right thing. As to your dilemma @Traveler it's a tough situation. I have a final payment approaching (June 22nd) for an Oasis sailing in September. It really depends what the next wave of official announcements have to say but luckily I have some time. The fact you cannot "lift & shift" makes it even more challenging. It seems your biggest concern is Royal Caribbean going under, and you losing the money. I personally don't see that, but could be wrong. Personally, I'd use the FCC as it's money I already spent and can "afford" to lose but also hope travel insurance would reimburse me if it was something like company went out of business.

I *assume* once there is a vaccine and it's available for the "mass market" the windjammer will fall back to the way it was. Life on land will too be different for the foreseeable future. We too share similar feeling about the Windjammer @twangster. In the beginning we packed the fancy clothing and did the sit down style eating. First Royal Caribbean cruise we got linked with a table for 6, but only 3 others made it nightly, 2 being a couple; We are still good friends with that couple to this day. However, without going into detail, we lost the taste for the traditional random seating. We did enjoy mytime dining but even that became an ordeal. Two hour dinners every night isn't our style at home and definitely not at sea...especially if it's just the two of us sailing. We just spent the entire day together, no need for an intimate meal, let's eat without the schedule and see where the rest of the night takes us. (We do try and have a few meals at specialty dining).

I'm team windjammer! Not that the food or atmosphere is anything special, but it is my first lunch EVERY cruise. Also, it wouldn't be a cruise without popping in for "a small snack" for the pool and walking out with a Corona, a hamburger, hot dog, fries and a slice of pizza.

This! If I need to walk common areas with a mask, no thanks it annoys me after a few minutes. My wife is an RN (and volunteer EMT) and has to wear masks all day, she wouldn't enjoy a vacation wearing one. I'm curious to see what guidelines Royal Caribbean comes up with for keeping everyone safe. I have a final payment in June, so hopefully it's soon. I'm more of the attitude, as little money big company can hold of mine the better.

Exactly why I started to use a Travel Agent. "On hold" with a agent means you go about your day and wait for an updated email / call / text whatever. After trying to manage my own group cruise in 2016 I had enough of the multiple calls & multiple answers & wait times. Good Luck!

Wife and I took a little motorcycle ride and stopped at the Newburgh Waterfront to stretch our legs. While the restaurants were closed (except for a few doing takeout) it looked like a normal Sunday afternoon. People walking around, people sitting in grass chatting, people feeding ducks, few boats docked who rent seasonal Marina dock, TONS of boats dropped in the day drop (not sure what that's technically called), people tailgating in the parking lot etc, etc. While people were trying to keep away from those not in their groups, which wasn't easy and wasn't 6 feet, I'm sure their groups weren't limited to their household. So, in short (TL;DR), upstate NY people don't seem to be following guidelines either.

Fingers crossed for you too! We are sailing on 9/20/2020 on Oasis and SUPER excited. Will be our third sailing first two before any updates (2010 & 2012). Luckily we have a sailing on Harmony in December if September doesn't happen, but I suspect it will. We are staying at casa de sk8erguy1978 the night before as we are a 90 minute drive. While there are many NJ people here to help with hotel recommendations ... I'll also add, I have plenty of NJ friends in the area who will give me an honest opinion of hotels, if you need another opinion. I did stay in Hotel Indigo in downtown Newark during a nasty delay last year. Honestly, I arrived at 11pm and left at 4AM, but my point is, while I'm unsure of area and assumed it to be rough, for a quick stay over, it's all good as long as the hotel is clean and nice, which this one was.

https://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html Site worked well for me.

217 days since I got off Anthem of the Seas 5 day to Bermuda (altered due to Jerry). 145 days until I board Oasis of the Seas for a 7 day to CocoCay, 71 days after that cruise ends (222 days from today) I board Harmony of the Seas for Eastern Caribbean & CocoCay again!

Upstate NY, a local liquor store is doing curbside too. I placed order, picked up order, got home and noticed regular Bushmills and not Bushmills Black Bush. I don't dislike regular Bushmills but it's about $7 or so dollars different. I called and explained and was willing to accept what they gave for a credit or refund or whatever but they said to bring it back. Well, it's a 30 minute round trip (at about only 7 miles round-trip) and had other items to drink so returned it the next day. The next day, I stormed right in (after putting on my mask of course) and politely asked if I could get it myself while I grabbed more things... LOL ... I mean, why waste a trip! There is a closer, smaller liquor store a mile away but this one's worth the drive (more selections). Anyway, lesson learned, check the bag, or don't and use it as an excuse to buy more the following day. ?

January 11th 2011 we sailed the NCL Gem out of NYC. Coming from about 60 miles north we weren't concerned about traveling in but it was COLD and a snow storm was predicted for the following day. We left the terminal late and it was dark, I insisted on leaving the balcony door open to enjoy the NYC lights. My wife (girlfriend at the time) was so cold she wore her wool coat, hat, scarf, and was hiding in the closet. LOL. I have a photo but it's too blurry to appreciate. With the snow storm coming and a "smaller" ship we encountered some fairly rough seas (the kind where barf bags are available). Also as you've stated, it's cold until around NC and your last day or so back it starts getting cold (as you pass NC). I would totally sail in the winter from NY/NJ again, but weather could be a big con, especially if you're trying to escape the cold. Sailing under the Verrazano Bridge will NEVER get old!

I've taken NJ Transit from upstate NY to EWR for a flight before. There is a train station near Cape Liberty not sure how frequently trains go by. EWR I almost always check United first, they "own" terminal C. Otherwise, lots of other airline options at EWR.

Not trying to be sarcastic, but the port is in NJ, stick to NJ (fly into EWR, find a nearby hotel, etc) and that could help keep your mind at ease.

Personally, just need a change of scenery and to get away from my "new routine."

Nice! I should probably apologize in advance, I get value from the drink package! Yeah, I am not totally being naysayer, I do suspect ships will be sailing by September. Heck, honestly, until about yesterday I was optimistic our Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas was happening... Now, even if it is, I don't think it'll be worth the visit. See what the casinos say when they re-open.

September 20th sailing. Was really looking forward to it too. We sailed Oasis in 2010 & 2012 and was excited to see the completely refurbished ship. Heck, somethings were changed that we didn't even see :). We are sailing Harmony in December out of Port Canaveral, I am more optimistic about that. Fingers crossed!

I wonder if it's one of those things where your adrenaline is going, you realize it's not too bad, then the drop in adrenaline makes the second hurt more. I suppose that would be possible only if they always did left first. We have a September Oasis sailing booked too and I'm not overly optimistic of actually sailing but bought the drink package anyway. There is only two reasons we wouldn't go, one being Royal canceled on us, which, September might be too soon for NY/NJ but hopefully not. I wish nothing but the best for you, your family, and co-workers. You have support here, as you can see from this thread alone.

Yep, me too. I don't worry about "cancel for any reason" policy, and usually wait until we get close to final payments. I'm okay (well not really) with paying a change fee if something comes up, but once the "big bucks" are on the line, I get insurance in place. I've been using Travel Guard since before AIG, however, I never actually "used" them but hear good things. Actually, my biggest reason for the insurance is to not come home with a $20,000 dollar medical bill stapled to my credit card and beg my insurance for reimbursement. Like knowing the travel insurance *should* cover & help in emergencies for relatively cheap.

Great advice! As I haven't purchased insurance for either cruise this year, I suspect no coverage for number 1. Wife is an essential employee as both an RN and volunteer EMT. Probably something I need to start researching yesterday.

We are both getting it, but for fun I tried and it will not let me unselect one of the guests (for both sailings booked - September & December). Maybe a glitch with a particular sailing or group of sailings?

As others. Oasis September cruise is now $44 it was $59 I think at 20% and Harmony December cruise is $49 it was $65 at 20%. Looks like I'll be spending a bunch of money today.

This would be me to my wife ... LOL

Personal, I'd only flip it to an existing sailing, not purchase something in the hopes for a future value that may or may not be worth a "25% credit" given cruise price fluctuations. Plus interest free loan, yuck! ?