WAAAYTOOO

YIPPEE !!!! You and Twangster will be neighbors (with Matt just a little drive inland) !! It's been soooo nice, especially this winter with all the snow they've been having up there. Please keep us updated on the move.

Lol. But it completely left out the mere mention of March or April departures from Florida and instead gave Florida departure dates in November. I’m not claiming that there is going to be a delay. I’m saying that one of these schedules is wrong. Done with this.

Yippee ! That you got to stop in Aruba.

The email came from Royal Caribbean sales !

Unfortunately, I think it DOES mean something !

I barely drink any alcohol and we still almost always get the DBP. I realize it's not a prudent plan from a budget standpoint. I do it for the convenience of knowing that I can have whatever I want whenever I want it without any concern about a final bill. It is a convenience thing for me, not a money issue. I want to drink fresh squeezed orange juice with my breakfast, have a mimosa from time-to-time, get my specialty coffee without having to run up to the suites lounge, drink a glass of champagne while watching a show and get a bottle of water whenever the mood (or need) strikes. I'm too lazy to do the math. I just get what I want and don't worry about it.

Here is what my email says...

LOL. You need to "get over" that ! Whenever I don't have the DBP (which is rare), I always bring my Coke to dinner with me. Nobody even notices !

Looks like Wonder will get the Mason Jar for sure. Just got a marketing email.

Sorry to hijack this thread...my "news" isn't worthy of a new thread. I just got a marketing email from Royal (which I usually just delete without even opening) but I was struck by the way it was "titled". It came to me as "My Royal Caribbean Cruise"...which is new to me. Not that it really matters...but it has changed. Seems like there is a subtle shift in Royal's marketing brand...and I first saw it with the Cruise Planner shift from "Cruise Planner" to "My Royal Cruise". Just interesting subtleties....nothing big.

+1

That's an interesting question that I don't have the answer to. I am going to guess....that as long as you do not upgrade the comp, you would pay nothing additional but if you upgrade it, you would pay the double occupancy upgrade cost. I really don't know the answer though. Very good question.

Interesting. This is different than what has been reported prior. I wonder if they are changing this protocol or if LIB just had a different policy.

To my knowledge, there aren't any options. Sorry. I agree. The scents are VERY strong !

I just read that it was announced that Harmony will be the first to visit Labadee in late Jan (27th I believe). Yippee !

Nope. The Atlantis chartered cruise is this week. I know b/c I was originally booked on a B3B on Oasis, with this cruise being the middle cruise. I was wondering if this cruise actually sailed and it appears that it has.

UGH on the raisins !

No

Yes. I was able to get a [nearly] full cash refund for a cruise that had 4 FCC's applied. This was back in the summer; the cruise was to be in August on Symphony, the cancellation was initiated June 18 and the money was refunded to me some time in September or October (can't remember exactly). There were some cancellation penalties related to this booking as it was also a L&S, but those penalties were minor compared to the overall refund. I gladly absorbed them to be fully rid of all of my FCC's AND have the cash-in-hand. 1. There is NO formal, written policy on getting a cash refund for bookings cancelled using the "COVID protocols" excuse that I am aware of. The only time I have seen this in writing it was from a Travel Agent memo that came out a few times in the summer and fall. I haven't seen one recently. If someone else has better "evidence" than I have, it would be great to see it. 2. Since there is no formal written policy for this, and given the very large number of recent cancellations by both the cruise line and cruisers, it is highly understandable (although not ideal) that Royal may have either ceased their willingness to refund in cash for COVID protocols OR they may be being highly selective on which refunds they are granting (i.e., being less willing to refund those paid with FCC's). I have no way of knowing if either refunds are currently being given or not. I have heard conflicting tales of both. 3. When cash refunds WERE being offered, the following was required: The booking had to be paid in full (whether that was with cash, FCC's or a combination of both...as was our case) The cruise line had to have issued their COVID protocols for the month of the sailing (I understand your cruise is scheduled for May. As far as I know, COVID protocols have been issued only through March...so I don't think you would qualify until after COVID protocols have been announced for May). After both of those conditions are met, you can request that you receive a full cash refund based on your objections or inability to meet, the [then] recently-announced COVID protocols. I have to say...I don't think I would have been able to get this done on my own. I was extremely fortunate to have an excellent TA doing all of this for me. Today I suspect it would be even more difficult. Best of luck if you decide to try for the cash refund !!

If 1 person from each reservation is a “no-show” (simply does not show up to board) taxes and port fees (and gratuities, if those have been prepaid) will be refunded but no new fees would be assessed. Also, no portion of the cruise fare would be refunded. Not sure if you’re interested in bunking together. If so, there are some ways to get an actual refund. Won’t bother to get into that unless that information is of interest to you. The one thing you probably do NOT want to do is cancel either of the no-shows ahead of time.

That is much more difficult of a decision. I would probably go ahead and spring for the JS for $3400. True, you get almost none of the perks but the room, bathroom and balcony are bigger and many are having good luck getting into CK on the Q class ships for dinner, even during COVID. You will get priority boarding and don't forget double points ! I went back and re-read your original post. I guess I missed that you were looking at an Owner's Suite. I still think $7K is a lot of money....but the OS are really nice ! Full dining setup inside the suite....and a very VERY nice size suite. Probably still a no, but not as bad a deal as I first thought.

Hopefully your neighbor is ok. Pretty scary stuff.

Tell ME about it !

Coming from the ultimate suite snob, I probably would NOT pay $7K more for a suite over a balcony.

This is madness ! Unbelievable