PRebecca

I keep checking into mine knowing there's only a tiny chance of actually sailing (11 days till I can check into my Nov 2020 trip). Like many others have said in various threads, I really enjoy the planning and prepping and need a vacation to look forward to! I haven't had the snag issue though, I hope you get it figured out! I bet their IT department and web traffic is a night mare

Well that didn't last long, although our MEI agent spoke to 2 different RC agents about this- when she called the 3rd time it was no longer on the table. I have no doubt she fought hard armed the info given by previous agents. Alas, it was in fact too good to be true. Oh well! Back to the weekenders!

I just got an amazing bit of info on our October cancelled Casino comp- we originally booked the 3 night weekend getaway on Mariner and what was offered to move to (in addition to the Mariner for Jan-Feb) is a 7 night on Harmony or Allure. I am utterly shocked and we are for sure jumping on it. I am not sure if this has already been discussed but I definitely thought of you when our agent told us this! I was blown away! So we'll get a 7 night on Oasis class for the same price as the 3 night on Mariner?! I just can't believe that awesome offer!

I needed those pictures! Totally losing my cruise mojo with all this bologna; it almost hurts to think about or plan cruising but we have 2) CLS booked on Oasis class so seeing the awesome photos did the trick, thanks! Enjoy your trip Chill6x6!

we're still new to cruising, live in SFL and still love (the idea of) these short weekenders for a mini getaway. Although we've booked 4 or 5 (6?) since we got into Cruising July last year I've only ever gone on 2 and DH only 1, so while we book them often we've not gotten bored with them yet because so many have cancelled. For us it's a great compromise: DH wants a quick trip to get away and not miss much work and although I'd love a 9 or 10 night trip I am happy to just get on a ship.

Another tidbit I learned here on my first message boards (where the education never ends) ? That wasn't an acronym I was familiar with after having teens in the house so I had to look it up!

if you're part of any of the All Inclusive social media groups people have been sharing in real time the first tourist experiences thru the airports and such, it's been interesting to follow.

I love this and went thru the exact same scenario; the MEI TA I'd been using is one of the 3 that recently left the industry (and good for her) and I got assigned a new MEI TA and also felt like I should be giving her any business I reasonably could. I had just booked an all inclusive land vacation while I was waiting to virtually 'meet' the new TA and as soon as I was introduced asked if I could transfer her that booking I had made. It wasn't necessary; it was a simple AI and a well established resort that I could handle but felt like I wanted to 'help' the industry any way I could. (that was a spur of the moment NEED VACATION booking that I ended up cancelling anyway before the transfer went thru) so anyhoo when I got another Casino offer and 2nd room for some of our kids to join us I did it all thru the new TA. With all the cancelled vacations we'd had this year I was itching to get something firm on the books and booked a really really cool land trip but it's at a tiny boutique hotel (and a pre-stay at a local cheap-o hotel on the beach before heading to the cliffside boutique place; so excited!!!) with flight credits and a couple minor annoyances so I didn't want to give her that PITA but am in the same mind set that I am trying to 'help' in any way I can. I feel what you're saying and agree! Didn't mean to ramble on but points for being on topic for once

+1. AND I have absolutely zero opinion on others and what they tip or don't in addition to the pre-paid and included (with DBP) grats. ?

1. Solo trip; it wasn't technically but the cousin I went with and I came to an awesome agreement and I was 'on my own' the whole time. It was such a treat! 2. Good change for our next cruise is that we'll be in a 'real' suite for the first time! I am not counting the shorty Casino comps- but our next 2) 7 nighters will be in a CLS! It's a change for us ?

I know I'm a dingaling but I can't seem to help myself with the casino offers; even knowing there's v. little chance of sailing. That should wear off soon now that I've booked a few ? October 16th 2020 Mariner of the Seas

Exactly what I experienced as well for a November 2020 sailing. I watched like a hawk and had to all but beg the agent to re-price before I applied the FCC but I insisted when the savings was significant. Once the FCC was applied he gave me his info to re-price it myself via RC phones as if I were the agent and that's when I discovered my error. It sounded like it wasn't worth the trouble once the FCC was applied so I took it as a lesson learned (and have switch to an MEI agent for future bookings). Sharing that my experience was the same as yours; next time I know not to apply FCC till the last logical minute.

Congratulations on Star Class! In my opinion 6 months is not too early to be excited and I think most here will agree ? That's a great upcoming trip to help get you through these times of waiting.

I also think if you can do both and want to do both then book both! Great price on the cabana!

Thanks for sharing some good news! Glad it worked out ?

Hey that's awesome news! I already requested the refund for my first casino cruise (upgrade to JS), didn't want to mess with the FCC on the upgrade but if our next one gets cancelled too that's something I'll keep in mind!

I'm still dealing with my TA that I booked with before I became acquainted with this blog (and MEI) and the recommendations here, and he is insisting my only L&S option for my Allure 7 night November 2020 trip would be to Oasis , and not Oasis class but the Oasis ship only. I was considering shifting my 2020 November cruise to the Harmony GC next year (and cancelling the booking I already have for that trip) but concerned it was over Thanksgiving I wasn't sure it'd be an option so I asked him. The fact that he says my only L&S option is to sail Oasis bothers me as I see plenty of 7 night Caribbean options +/- 4 weeks of my original trip. I just want this trip behind me so I can quit having to reply on this guy for my changes and questions. So many have it so much worse but having to still use this TA that is a constant source of misinformation is driving my bonkers in an already bonkers time. *Whine over*

ok so maybe that's what I need to try to do; CWC and get the FCC and apply that towards next years instead of trying to L&S a Western to Eastern. That's the ticket! Thanks for talking me through it!

Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. Couple more questions for anyone who is kind enough to feel like chiming in ? : Lift and shift can't be moved to a holiday week, is that right? The Harmony GC Nov 2021 falls within my technical L&S parameters but assume holidays are excluded, do we know that? Anyone have any luck L&S from Eastern to Western Caribbean itineraries that you're aware of? I know I am joining the conversation super late in the game, I should have started paying attention sooner ? Finally- do you know what the cancellation penalty is for suites? We're in a CLS for this November and my thought is if i can L&S this November to next November and cancel the already booked November GC for 2021 (replacing it with my L&S) that'd wrap up my options nice and neat with a bow but I am pretty sure there are too many obstacles to make it happen. Just confirming this with anyone who doesn't mind chiming in. I sent these questions to my agent who has had this booking for months before I got someone at MEI (Stephanie, who's leaving ? ) but he doesn't usually know as much as you all do and has given me his agent info to try to get my owns answers from RC in the past so he didn't have to... So I am trying to gather as much info as I can to make my decision about our November trip this year.

Does anyone know what happens with your cruise planner purchases when you lift and shift? Do they transfer over to the new sail date as OBC or do they automatically issue a refund for those items? Sorry if this has been asked and answered, my thought process is going places it hasn't gone up to this point so I surely missed this discussion- thanks for your patience with me! For some reason this most recent announcement is the one to finally push me over the 'not sailing this year' edge. I didn't mind my little weekend trips being jeopardized too much but the thought of my November 7 day on my first Oasis class has me viewing my options a little different than before.

On the Cruise Planner refunds topic: when my May trip was announced as cancelled I jumped right into the CP and cancelled all my CP purchases and got them refunded a few weeks later. Do you think I should do that again with my cancelled August CP items or do you suggest I wait? I don't think anyone probably has an answer and I am not a fan of asking 'what would you do' questions but there it is.

@Baked Alaska I just noticed your Virtual of the Seas listed in your signature- LOVE IT!

FWIW I've spent the last week or so funneling my normal cruise obsession into All Inclusive land vacation research. I went ahead and booked for 2022 (why not) to try to lift my vacation spirits and get familiar with the options so if our 7 day November Allure trip is cancelled I know where to go and what steps to take to get something else on the books. If our short weekend trips in August and September cancel it's not a huge deal but if our biggie in November cancels I will need to replace for the same time frame a real 7 day vacation. Nothing of any use to anyone here; just sharing my experience so you know you're not alone ?

I booked a land vacation. I had to have something firm to plan although it's over 2 years away. Losing hope for our 2 short and 1 7 day trips this year ?

I do know this doesn't belong on a cruise blog, but you're my 'vacation people' go to for answers on my newest favorite vacation which is cruising. I just started looking into AI land vacations this week and wish you all were duplicated for those questions! I can't imagine anyone has done anything near the amazing-ness that Matt has created here- but do you have any land vacation blog type info places you utilize?