Ferramc

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Well that's no fun.  Everyone is booking Villas and I want to get in on the fun!  But I need March 2023 to open up. lol

Your previous posts introduced me to the possibility of booking a villa! And taught me to book as soon as the sailing opened up.  It worked.  

I booked the symphony suite yesterday on line with rccl - 4 people (normally use a ta but it was 630 in the morning and I didn’t want to lose the room). 

I then called rccl when they opened and added a 5th person. The agent never said anything about needing more people.  

I do have 2 more people who just confirmed they will be coming with us, but no one knew that when I booked.  
 

I just read this entire thread.  Congrats on buying/building in Florida, selling your home, semi retiring, etc!  I’m looking forward to hearing about your building journey. 
 

I have a few more years to retirement but recently learned I can continue to work remote indefinitely, as long as I’m willing to fly in to a main office a few times a year (the only good thing to come out of Covid). So, our plan is to sell the house (we’re in Michigan) right after the holidays and move to Florida.  We’re going to rent for a while, as we’re not sure where we want to land. Like you, we most likely will build.   

Thanks for sharing your experiences!  It’s nice to read good news.  

I have been waiting and watching for May 22 like a hawk! Seriously- checking non stop.     Just booked the Villa on the Symphony and can’t believe I got that room! And for an amazing deal.  I actually booked on line to make sure I didn’t lose the room and will call my TA later this morning.    We were supposed to be on harmony in a 2 bedroom ATS this past May - would have been first time star class. As long as the wait will be, we will have more space and can have more of our family join us!  Love all of the insights I’ve gotten from this forum.  ️️️

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Forgive me for jumping in here.  I am not @Ferramc.  I’m guessing that @Ferramcis saying that they booked their cruise with an upgraded casino comp and the resulting price was half off the online price.  That’s about right for casino comp upgrades these days.  They used to be a bit better than 1/2 price but that’s about what they are nowadays.

Thank you for clarifying!  I ended up changing my mind about Allure after booking - cancelled hold and waiting until next week  for the 2 bedroom  ats on harmony or symphony (assuming the May 2022 Caribbean cruises are released and they go there). We were supposed to be on harmony this past May with that room and want to stay with a newer ship. 

On 10/24/2020 at 7:22 PM, Yesiamthere said:

Thank you Waaaytooo for the information.  I know so much about Star class from you, Lovetocruise200, and the rest of the gang. I really need the two bedroom as my hubby and three of my adult children will be joining me.  I’ve never cruised in a Royal Caribbean Suite.  (I’m actually signed in under my husband’s account.)  For some reason this site would not recognize me, though I’ve cruised a lot more than he has. My hubby is retired Army, and is now on his third career.    I should be diamond status this coming cruise to Alaska in June.  I have a lot of catching up cruising to do. I’m going to test drive each suite....eventually.  When I called about suites and got room 8730 for more than half off the internet price...it was a no brainer. I’m usually the lowest level (for free drinks and an interior room) casino rate, and maybe it’s because of Covid, but half off of a two bedroom aqua suite?  The other 2 bedroom is still available so it’s worth looking into if looking for a really good price.  Once again, thank you all for being so darn nice.  Royal should be paying each of you!  

We just booked a 2 bedroom ats on allure for March 2022.  I thought I got a good price but am curious about your reference to 1/2 off internet prices.  Do you mean the prices showing on rccl’s site before or after they apply discounts (ie 60% off 2nd passenger)?  Thanks in advance. 

3 hours ago, bbopper said:

Looks like you can now apply for a full refund through May 3rd. 

I haven’t seen the extension yet - where is it posted?  We cruise 5/10 and I’m hoping they extend the cancellation date. Thanks 

3 hours ago, twangster said:

I think we are all in for a shock as far as the extent that this will impact day to day life.  I don't think any of us will be cruising over the next 60 days.  

Once the spread has stopped it will take weeks before that will be known.  Even then they'll be cautious to remove restrictions to ensure it doesn't flare up again.  Once the spread has stopped and we go through a waiting period to be absolutely certain it has stopped life will begin to get back to normal, airlines will start flying again, bars and restaurants will open, ship will start sailing, hotels will resume normal operations, movie theaters will reopen.

It hasn't peaked yet so we will face more changes in the coming weeks.   In my opinion May cruises on the bubble, June cruises are a possibility, July and August look better.  That will all change as this progresses.

Consider your cancellation strategy carefully, don't cancel prematurely especially if you are paid in full.  We've already seen some people cancel only to have a better offer appear a day or two later.  I think that is a possibility for the next phase of cruises after April 10, the end of the current cessation.   If there is another phase after that it may ring true again.

I agree.  I wish RCCL would go ahead and cancel through mid May at least.  I’m supposed to cruise on 5/10 and don’t expect it to happen. 

So, I was ok with how Royal was handling things until this latest announcement.  

Now they tell me I can’t cruise due to a chronic condition, but will still keep my money?  If my $ isn’t refunded and I’m forced to take FCC, I will never cruise with Royal again, once I use the FCC.  
Not only will they get the value of holding my $ for at least a year, prices for 2021 are ridiculously high compared to this year so I get less value for the same amount of money.   

 I know it’s a long shot but I’m hoping someone at royal reads this and similar posts and changes their mind re refunds. 
 

Does anyone know if MSC is refunding $ (vs issuing FCC) to denied passengers under the new criteria?  Hoping RCCL might eventually do the same if they implement a similar policy.   Things  are getting really crazy with many cancellations in so many industries. 

15 minutes ago, shaydav19 said:

Tried and no has to be the entire suite 

Thanks for letting me know. 

25 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

No, I don't think you can do this.  You can have the "at risk" person be a "no-show" for the cruise but all you would get back would be axes and ports fees.

Thanks. That’s what I thought, but figured I’d ask  

We have 5 in a 2 bedroom ATS for a 5/10 cruise.  Wondering if we can cancel 1-2 travelers and get FCC for them?  We’re still deliberating on what to do but we have dogs  (I’ve got an in home sitter for the week but the person can’t stay longer)  so I’m more concerned about being quarantined than getting sick.  We also have one high risk person in the group who might cancel on doctors orders. 
 

Funny thing is I just got the genie questionnaire today!  Seems really early.    
 

Thanks in advance!
 

3 hours ago, dodgestang said:

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

 

Seems like a nice thing to do considering the state of affairs.

This is fantastic.  We are supposed to cruise on May 10 in a 2 bedroom ATS with 5 adults.  My husband is 62 with serious lung issues and diabetes - we were waiting to see how things evolve before making our go/ no go decision.   This has taken all the worry away for the next 6 weeks!  Thank you RCCL!

Has anyone booked with Deluxe Private Boat Charters or other companies in Cozumel?  We want to book something for our family of 5. Thanks 

Thank you! 

I already booked and paid for an over water cabana for our cruise in May.  I was wondering if I could use OBC instead, if I call RCCL and have them make the change?  Thanks 

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

If there is any way, other than calling Royal directly or having your agent check for you, I don't know about it.

I do know that, even if your suite class is sold out, there can be price drops...but I know no way of directly checking without involving someone from Royal Caribbean to verify it.

Thank you both.  I got a good price, but always checking to see if it can be better!

I’ve read in previous posts that there can be price drops for suites, even if they’re sold out. I was wondering if there is a way to check this?  I saw price drops for GS and CLS on my upcoming cruise, but I can’t personally check on my ATS since they’re sold out.  I did call my TA who is pretty good - he said RCCL said no decrease.  Thanks for your help. 

28 minutes ago, twangster said:

So the family has had the video for some time.  

They saw grandpa stick his head out the window, bend over, pickup up their child and drop her out the window.   

Yet they defend him and then file against Royal. I suppose they must defend him until the lawsuit is over, then they can expel him from the family.  

This is all and only about money.  
 

 

I do wonder if they’ve convinced themselves that ‘grandpa didn’t know the window was open’ as a defense mechanism against this horrible accident. No matter how valid the facts are, they can’t allow themselves to believe them as it would cause too much additional pain - especially for grandma and the step daughter.  

I also wonder what Chloe’s father is thinking at this point - as someone earlier pointed out, he’s a cop and should be trained to deal with facts.  He’s got to be in an even worse place if he sees the truth and can’t get his wife and in laws to address it.  Same with his parents if they see it, too.

Thank you for sharing.  I can’t wait to hear more about the room!  I put the villa on hold today for a September 2021 cruise - checking with family to see if they can join in on the fun to make it worthwhile. 

I recently learned that a Chase preferred credit card will provide great coverage as long as its used to pay for the cruise.  Includes cruise & air if trip is cancelled for medical, death or other reasons. Plus other travel expenses incurred if flight delays etc.  Covers all parties traveling up to $20k per trip.  

While they still have some leftover sibling issues, they knew it would save me some money (I’m paying for them) and that  I really wanted to try star class. They are thoughtful kids/adults, even if they don’t always get along.

I also think the idea of being able to eat at the specialty restaurants and try everything as often as they could want, really helped.  Even more than the idea of free drinks!

Finally, I told them the TA could only hold the cabin for 1 day so they had to let me know today.  No over analyzing (for me as much as for them).  

We know we’re going to have some challenges, so we’re going to try and be extra careful to make it work. My plan is to go find a quiet spot by myself if they end up arguing.  

One other thing - we haven’t cruised with them in over 15 years and back then it was the 4 of us in inside cabins on older ships. So this will be an amazing experience for them and they really do appreciate the chance to travel with us.    Good luck with your family decision making! 

Re: being ruined.  Yep.  Husband and I did our 1st GS 2 years ago on Harmony - we both agreed no way could we go back.  This year we did GS on symphony. Harmony in 2020 will be 1st star experience - not sure we will always be able to go that way no matter how much we like it, but who knows what the future holds. 

We decided to make the switch!  Reading the star class blogs helped us to decide that the amenities would be worth it. We also saved over $1k off cruise fare, not including tips, dining and drink package savings!   Going to use it for a cabana on cocoa beach.   My kids (sorry, no matter how old they’ll always be that to me) said they’ll deal with loss of personal space since everything else will be first class.  

Now we just have to wait til 5/10/20 to get here!

Thanks to all for replies.  Life is about compromises and this is going to be a tough decision - extra privacy/personal space vs extra special treatment.  We love each other, but have learned that there are limits when traveling together. 

Going to make the family vote on this, so it won’t just be my decision.  Thanks again