CJS2766

On 11/26/2020 at 12:10 PM, SpeedNoodles said:

I wouldn't at that price, especially since we don't know what COVID procedures will be.  Usually I do buy it if it's under $20 pppd, but I've foregone it, even at $12.99, because I don't know how boarding and social distancing will affect the benefits of the program.

$12.99!!! I don't think I have ever seen it below $21.99. I would have to think that RCG would have to offer something else if they were to take away early boarding and lunch at Chops, otherwise, you are correct. The COVID issue could change things. I cruise in Oct. 2021, hoping for some type of normal by then.

I hope this is a good deal, I got the Coco Cay Beach Club for $75 per person. From the moment I did my L&S to Oct 2021, the price had been $150 pp (crazy!!!) I'm not sure if I'll see it less than $75, so I jumped on it. I figure if it does go lower, I can always re-purchase.

I planned on getting the VOOM service for internet and for $9 more I went ahead and got "The Key" We'll see if it's worth it, but for such a small price, I figure I'd try it. Also, since I don't drink alcohol, the refreshment package is not at $18 vs $30 from the time I booked my Oct 2021 cruise. I've been monitoring prices pretty frequent. The Dining package never seems to change. Still $99 for the 3 night package. Coco Cay Beach Club is now at $78 vs the lowest that I had seen it ($125)

26 minutes ago, twangster said:

The shore excursion prices I'm seeing on this "deep" sale are running up to 50% higher compared to last year's rates.  Since in 2021 we will be forced to take the ship excursion to get off the ship at all they seem to raising prices with their monopoly on excursions.

Not really seeing anything that grabs my attention enough to pull out my credit card.

Do you think that all of 2021 sailings will not allow you to get off the ship unless their own excursion? I sail in Oct. 2021 and that answer will determine if I make any BF CP purchases or not?

Fingers crossed that by the time my Oct 2021 cruise rolls up, things will be more normal. I really don't want to wear a mask on my Caribbean cruise next Oct.

Has anyone done the White Pass Railroad tour? Can you take the train one way and come back on a bus (maybe to get a different perspective) or is it only train up and back?

2 hours ago, Matt said:

Check out this blog post: 6 mistakes & 3 things we did right on our Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska

Thanks @Matt! Great tips as usual. So excited for this trip!!!!!

Carlos

Just booked my first ever Alaska cruise on the Ovation for May 2022. So excited! Here is my itinerary. Any must do's and must see? I am so looking forward to this trip

Nothing yet! I'm still waiting as well as I'd like to book my 1st ever Alaska cruise. Maybe by the end of this week?? Fingers crossed!

Hello all! Well, after my November cruise just got cancelled, looks like I have to wait 365 days from tomorrow to cruise again. Ugh!! Such a long wait!!! Anyway......I was looking at the cruise planner just out of curiosity to see what is offered on the Symphony of the Seas vs the Oasis (That was my cruise that was just cancelled) and wanted to see prices.

Since I have a year, I will do my best to monitor prices. My question to you veteran cruisers is? What is the most you all have sen discounts for cruise planner purchases? I know they vary for beverage vs food, etc... I think this past year, I saw 40% off when I was planning my now cancelled Nov cruise. Do they ever go more than that?? Is there such a thing as a Black Friday Cruise Planner deal? Any other times that I should check the site vs me waiting on a email from Royal? I documented the prices today 1 year from sailing to at least give me a starting point. I think this will help. I'm just wondering when the best time to pull the trigger is? I know I can always cancel and re-purchase at lower rates, but I hate doing that.

Just interested in what you all think and how you go about your cruise planner purchases.

Thanks!

Carlos

Hello all,

After booking many cruises on my own, I have sen the errors in my way. It seems like many of you have had nothing but good things to say about your MEI TA. With that in mind, even though I am sure all of them are great, is there one that you recommend? Does location matter? If so, I am located in Virginia.

I am wanting to book  my first ever Alaska cruise for 2022 and want to make sure I do it right and get whatever help I will need since I'm a newbie to the Alaska cruises.

Thanks all!

Carlos

Sadly, I do not think we will see cruising as we knew it until 2022 and even then it will most likely not be what it once was.

Long read, but here  is what I received yesterday for my cancelled Nov cruise:

We hope that this email finds you healthy and safe and that with each passing day, we're closer to getting back to a more regular day-to-day. While this is like nothing any of us have ever experienced, we continue to evaluate how it impacts our upcoming sailings.

As you know, this pandemic has been, and still is, quite fluid. Our most recent plan was to resume operation on October 31^st, 2020. However, to ensure we have ample time to focus on our healthy return to service initiatives, our global suspension has been extended through November 30^th, 2020, with a plan to resume operation on December 1^st, 2020. As a result, your sailing will unfortunately be cancelled.

We're terribly sorry for the impact to your vacation. Despite the current circumstances, our primary goal continues to be a seamless healthy return to service. We're so focused on welcoming our guests back, we've teamed up with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and assembled the "Healthy Sail Panel" - a multifaceted team of globally recognized experts. The panel will work alongside our new Public Health & Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Calvin Johnson, and with their help our vision is to pioneer innovative ways to guide the cruise industry's way forward in response to the pandemic. It goes without saying, we're all in this together.

While we all wish we were cruising, we do have some options for you, including an option that has been very well received by our guests, as it provides a little something extra to use once we all start cruising again! Here are your options:

• 125% Future Cruise Credit: We're providing you with a 125% Future Cruise Credit to book a new cruise by December 31, 2021 for sailings on or before April 30^th, 2022.
  • This amount is based on your total cruise fare paid. And, we're giving you a little extra, knowing that this is such a unique circumstance.
  • We'll automatically send your Future Cruise Credit via email by November 4^th, 2020. So, there's nothing for you to do!
  • Taxes & fees and any RoyalUp upgrades will be automatically refunded. Current refund processing is around 45 days. We are working as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience.
  • Please note:
    • If you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit, this offer does not apply.
    • And, if you previously used a Future Cruise Credit (including previous Global Suspension FCCs), you'll receive a new Future Cruise Credit. This will be for 125% of any new monies paid on this sailing, plus the value of your original credit at 100% of its value, with an expiration date of December 31, 2021 and a sail by date of April 30, 2022.
    • If you were already impacted by a sailing that was previously cancelled due to a global suspension and paid additional monies on a new booking within this extended suspension period, you are still able to opt in to refund one or both cancelled bookings via the process below.

• Lift and Shift: If you prefer to move your existing booking to a sailing next year - we're happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 4 weeks (before or after) of the original sail date the following year. For example, if you are moving from a November 30, 2020 sailing, you can move to a sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and the sail date between October 30, 2021 - December 30, 2021.
  • Please know, price protection covers your cruise fare/promotion on an applicable sailing only and excludes taxes and fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items, as these may change.
  • You must decide to move to a new sailing by October 16^th, 2020. If not, we will automatically issue you a Future Cruise Credit.
  • Complimentary Casino offers are not eligible for Lift & Shift.

• 100% Refund: Or, if you prefer a full refund, which is a lower value than the future cruise credit offer above, we're happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, and the opportunity to use the extra credit being offered, you have until December 31, 2020 to request a refund and deactivate your certificate.
  • Please contact us to start the refund process, forfeiting the higher value of your 125% Future Cruise Credit.
    • To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, click here and we will get the refund process started for you. Note: Please know, once we receive your refund request, we unfortunately won't be able to accept an FCC request if you change your mind.
  • We'll then deactivate your Future Cruise Credit and process your refund to your original form(s) of payment, which will include any non-refundable deposits.
  • You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after you submit your refund request.
  • Please note: If you used a Cruise with Confidence certificate on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we'll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we'll reinstate your original Cruise with Confidence certificate.

And, a special option for those that also purchased Cruise Planner Items...

• You can opt-in to receive an Onboard Credit in the value of 125% of the total Cruise Planner purchases on your reservation.
  • Click here by October 16^th, 2020 to request your higher value credit and we'll email you your credit by November 4^th, 2020.
• If we don't hear from you on or before October 16^th, 2020, your Cruise Planner purchases will be automatically refunded. You'll receive your refund within 45 days of your booking's cancellation. We are working as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience during these unprecedented times.
• Also, if you opt for a cruise fare refund or for Lift and Shift, you are not be eligible for this Cruise Planner Onboard Credit offer.
• Questions about how the Cruise Planner credit works? Click here for more details.

Guests with air or hotel booked...

• Refundable air or hotel accommodations purchased through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded to you within 45 days after we process the cancellation.
• If you booked non-refundable air through Royal Caribbean or booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them.

If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or contact us at:

• 1 800 754 500 in Australia
• 0344 493 4005 in the U.K.
• 1 866 562 7625 in the U.S. or Canada
• All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number.

We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued loyalty. We will all come out of this stronger than ever. Stay healthy and safe. We miss our guests and we'll be ready to welcome you back soon.

Sincerely,

Michael Bayley

President & CEO

Royal Caribbean International

I'm also one of those that's supposed to cruise Nov 8 (7 night Western Carib.) I wish we would hear something already, even though I know the realistic outcome. I have to cancel flights and make other arrangements. RCG has to know and realize that there will be no 7+ night cruises. Ugh, I hate that I will have to wait ONE more year til I cruise again. As much as I miss it, I can't cruise with all the restrictions they would most likely impose for the for the foreseeable future.

Can 2020 be over already!!!!

I'm maybe an hour drive away from Baltimore, Md. but not sure I would ever want to cruise from there. I prefer flying down to FLL or Miami. I have no concerns with flying. I just want to cruise!!!!! LOL

I'm supposed to cruise this Nov. 8 on the Oasis. I guess I am glad L&S has been extended. I'm still waiting for RCG to cancel on me because I highly doubt we will be cruising since it's a 7 night cruise. I hate the thought of waiting another year to cruise!

I honestly don't think we will see normal cruising until 2022 (if we are lucky!)

I'm supposed to cruise this Nov. 8 to the Western Caribbean. 7 night cruise. I still have not received any word about it, but I'm betting it will not happen. Not sure now if I want to go if they have a lot of restrictions. I want no masks, no social distancing, etc... I have a funny feeling cruising as we once knew it wont be normal (if we're lucky) until 2022.

I'm supposed to sail Nov. 7 on the Oasis. I also don't think it''s gonna happen. I have a better chance of winning the lottery vs this cruise happening. I don't follow any Carnival news, but does anyone know if there cruises are indeed cancelled for December? That is what I heard? If so, I imagine, RCG will be announcing soon aka the end of the month that they will also not be cruising in 2020.

Can 2020 be over and done with yet!!!!!!!!!!!

Add me to the list of confused/not getting it! Here's my situation. I have a Nov 8 cruise on the Oasis. While I am hopeful, I doubt it will happen. It's a 7 night cruise. I paid it in full a long time ago. Now, if RCG cancels this, I would assume I can left and shift, right? Problem is, when I looked into 7 night cruises to the Caribbean next November, all I saw were two 6 night and two 8 night cruises neither of which are going where I am this November. Of the 2 options, I prefer the 8 night on the Odyssey. So, how would I figure out how much extra this would cost me? I have a great deal with a balcony this year. I'm just nervous that I will not get as nice of a room if I have to end up moving it to next year. Thanks all!

Hello all,

Hoping that my cruise aboard the Oasis for this November happens. With that in mind, I have already made many cruise planner purchases. I still have some credit left and was wondering what your thoughts are about Chops Grille? First questions is? I see that it is $50.00. Is that per person or couple? For $50.00 per person, that better be one heck of a meal! If you purchase this through the CP, what all is included? I've never done any of the dining packages, therefore, I have no idea what to expect, what places I should avoid (overpriced) and what places I should really try!

Any other information you can provide would be appreciated! Thanks all!

Carlos

I was just about to book my flight and now this?? I sail on November 8, but starting to think that there will be no cruising in 2020.

Keeping my fingers crossed that my November 8 sailing aboard the Oasis is on. I REALLY don't want to wait until next year to cruise. Fingers crossed!

Well, that's not good! I've had been feeling super confident that we will sail for my November 2020 cruise. Now, with the whole CDC thing and now NCL cancelling Oct cruises, I could actually see no sailings for 2020. I certainly hope that doesn't happen, but I gotta admit, each day that passes, I am less confident. I guess the real test will be if Carnival does indeed sail first.

I have a cruise this November aboard the Oasis and was seriously considering booking another cruise for next year, but after reading this, I may just hold off for cruising next year and do something different. To many changes and reactions by RCI. I will have to wait and see how this sailing goes (if it goes) this November. I really hope RCI thinks about what they may do to themselves long term vs short term.