WAAAYTOOO

The ship is now in Tenerife. So it will be interesting to see what happens next in this strange story. 

Welcome, Pat and Charlie !!!  I was supposed to cruise in April....but then Empress-Gate happened....so now it will be May for us.  Booooo.....

Thanks for the advice, all.  Booked the Florida Aquarium and their Wild Dolphin boat ride for Friday.  We'll probably go to Ybor City for dinner on Thursday.  

That train museum is right up my alley, umm, I mean my kids alley, but I think we'll do that some other time when we can take the train ride on a Saturday/Sunday.  The ship sails at 4pm so we're planning on getting on the ship first thing Saturday and enjoying the pool (weather permitting) before the ship fills up.

This will be out first time sailing on a ship pre- and post- refurbishment; I'm looking forward to discovering the changes made.

One of my hobbies is genealogy; I trace part of my tree to a tiny town called Abersychan in Wales, UK.  On our last Vision cruise we were seated with a couple from Wales.  I mentioned my family history, and the man's jaw dropped - he was from Abersychan!  A year later I purchased a car from a salesman at the local dealership that had an accent.  I asked where he was from and he said Wales.  I said the name of where my family was from, and he froze in his tracks - he was a policeman in that town before he came to America.  

On this sailing I'm hoping for a trifecta - meeting a third Welshmen from Abersychan.  And then I'll be off to the casino! :)

This is one of the ones that chengkp75 said was OK. http://www.amazon.com/Uber-25113-Station-Outlets-Grounded/dp/B00SD9J376?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

I have also read these threads on CC and one of them, in particular, is from one of the few sources on CC that I trust and respect.
 
I am an engineer but not an electrical engineer so I can't say that I understand the physics...but if what they are saying is true (and, as I said, in one case I tend to believe them) then you want a multi-plug unit with a circuit breaker mechanism as opposed to a surge protector.  Apparently there is something about a surge protector, on a SHIP, that can cause the unit to overheat and even, in rare cases, catch fire.
 
So...I intend to purchase one of the specific products that this person has recommended.  I haven't yet done my research to try and find them but once I do I will see if I can share that information here.  I have not been too successful with getting links to post to this site...just like I cannot get my "quote" function to work even when trying multiple browsers.  I'm sure it's just me....
 
Bottom line...if spending $25 (or less, apparently) can reduce the risk of fire on a ship...I'm all about it.  If not, I have another multi-plug device.  Big deal.

I have also read these threads on CC and one of them, in particular, is from one of the few sources on CC that I trust and respect.
 
I am an engineer but not an electrical engineer so I can't say that I understand the physics...but if what they are saying is true (and, as I said, in one case I tend to believe them) then you want a multi-plug unit with a circuit breaker mechanism as opposed to a surge protector.  Apparently there is something about a surge protector, on a SHIP, that can cause the unit to overheat and even, in rare cases, catch fire.
 
So...I intend to purchase one of the specific products that this person has recommended.  I haven't yet done my research to try and find them but once I do I will see if I can share that information here.  I have not been too successful with getting links to post to this site...just like I cannot get my "quote" function to work even when trying multiple browsers.  I'm sure it's just me....
 
Bottom line...if spending $25 (or less, apparently) can reduce the risk of fire on a ship...I'm all about it.  If not, I have another multi-plug device.  Big deal.

Hey, Jim.  We LOOOVE all of the new bloggers here...and particularly appreciate those with experience and expertise.
 
I can't say I disagree with you about CC.  While there are a few knowledgeable and helpful posters, some posters to that site tend to be divisive and well...just rude.  You won't find that here...at least, we pride ourselves on being helpful and positive, for the most part.
 
Glad to have you here with us !
 
I am very envious of your trip to Dubai and the canal.  That's a dream trip for me...albeit a bit on the dicey side in today's international political climate.  But I wish you fair winds and following seas and a WONDERFUL and safe cruise !

I agree.
 
We're dealing with a refurbishment and if refurbishing cruise ships is anything like house renovations, I imagine they have run into a similar situation where work began and they realized the scope of work needed greatly increased because of a previously unknown issue that occurred.
 
Tackling work on a 20+ year old ship will present its own challenges and I have my doubts there is some conspiracy theory with these cancellations.  After all, RC took quite a loss on these sailings and if nothing else, RC is all about revenue these days.

In OSJ there is a tradition of flying kites on the grounds of El Morro that is really neat.  There is always a breeze.  We plan to do it with our kids (18, 15, & 9) when we are there in June.  The 18 year old may roll her eyes at her old dad, but I think she will remember doing it with us.  The 15 & 9 year-olds will think it's neat.  Pretty sure the CVS located by the Sheraton has kites.  It's a pretty wholesome thing to do with teens, and maybe one day they'll do it with their kids.

We had a very large group eat together at Giovanni's on the Allure group cruise in Feb.  Honestly, I have never seen that much food on a table with the possible exception of the meal I had at a Lebanese restaurant in Bahrain a couple of years ago. 
 
The waiters at Giovanni's brought out EVERY appetizer on the menu and just about every main course as well.  After everyone had gorged themselves into a coma there were still steaks and lamb chops virtually untouched....and lots of other things, too.
 
I love having lots of choices but I hate wasting food and there was a lot of wasted food on that table.  I felt bad leaving that much food to go to waste.  I hoped, secretly, that maybe someone would eat some of those lamb chops but I'm sure they didn't.

We had a very large group eat together at Giovanni's on the Allure group cruise in Feb.  Honestly, I have never seen that much food on a table with the possible exception of the meal I had at a Lebanese restaurant in Bahrain a couple of years ago. 
 
The waiters at Giovanni's brought out EVERY appetizer on the menu and just about every main course as well.  After everyone had gorged themselves into a coma there were still steaks and lamb chops virtually untouched....and lots of other things, too.
 
I love having lots of choices but I hate wasting food and there was a lot of wasted food on that table.  I felt bad leaving that much food to go to waste.  I hoped, secretly, that maybe someone would eat some of those lamb chops but I'm sure they didn't.

We had a very large group eat together at Giovanni's on the Allure group cruise in Feb.  Honestly, I have never seen that much food on a table with the possible exception of the meal I had at a Lebanese restaurant in Bahrain a couple of years ago. 
 
The waiters at Giovanni's brought out EVERY appetizer on the menu and just about every main course as well.  After everyone had gorged themselves into a coma there were still steaks and lamb chops virtually untouched....and lots of other things, too.
 
I love having lots of choices but I hate wasting food and there was a lot of wasted food on that table.  I felt bad leaving that much food to go to waste.  I hoped, secretly, that maybe someone would eat some of those lamb chops but I'm sure they didn't.

We had a very large group eat together at Giovanni's on the Allure group cruise in Feb.  Honestly, I have never seen that much food on a table with the possible exception of the meal I had at a Lebanese restaurant in Bahrain a couple of years ago. 
 
The waiters at Giovanni's brought out EVERY appetizer on the menu and just about every main course as well.  After everyone had gorged themselves into a coma there were still steaks and lamb chops virtually untouched....and lots of other things, too.
 
I love having lots of choices but I hate wasting food and there was a lot of wasted food on that table.  I felt bad leaving that much food to go to waste.  I hoped, secretly, that maybe someone would eat some of those lamb chops but I'm sure they didn't.

I wish they would make up their minds about this !  They keep switching from showing prices with grats and then showing prices w/o grats.  I personally think it's sneaky to show the prices w/o grats and then - SURPRISE - at checkout.

I've never paid attention to it either.
 
I usually leave the bathroom light on and shut the door.  The light escaping the bottom of the door is perfect for me.

Woo Hoo!  well first and foremost, clients like you are great and I appreciate the public vote of confidence - as well as all the private one's
What I hope people can understand its my job to be your advocate, you don't have 4 1/2 hours to spend on hold during these predicaments who does!  but I also have the knowledge of "what to say to the cruise lines" to get things done I think faster - I've done this 23 years, I better know the words by now.   

And its so disappointing to clients - I could care less in these predicaments about my bottom line - your dream trip has been disrupted
and I need to fix it!  No not every agent out there can or does believe that but our office has some of the best around!  not just me but ALOT of agents in our office work this way.

Long story short - it worked out and they get to cruise!   Happy for you and Dan both!

For those who have ever vacillated over whether or not using a travel agent was in your best interest or not, let me assure you that a GOOD travel agent is priceless.
 
I have proven that to myself this week with the disaster that Royal Caribbean created with its cancellation of the Empress sailings in March and April.
 
As everyone now knows, Royal Caribbean cancelled 6 sailings on the Empress of the Seas, due to sail beginning in late March through mid-April.  Dan and I were booked on the April 11, right, smack dab in the middle of that cancellation cluster.  It was a psychological blow to us as well as a potential logistics nightmare.  All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I had Michelle Cunningham with MEI as my advocate.  I can say, without any doubt, I would have killed myself, Dan or someone on the other end of the phone line before I managed to get it all straightened out if I had had to do this by myself.  Imagine.  1800 passengers times 6 sailings.  Over 10,000 people are trying to either rebook or cancel their cruises.  No thanks.
 
Not only did Michelle manage to salvage our cruise but she saved our $1,000 OBC that Dan had earned on our Allure sailing (from Club Royale), which was in real danger of going bye-bye.  Our out-of-pocket costs, as a result of this monumental BLUNDER - that was 100% Royal Caribbean's doing - is only going to be ~$200...which will be some airline change fees that RCI is too damn cheap to reimburse us.  Thanks to Michelle's diligence and persistence, we were able to get $200 of the $400 reimbursed.  She got us rebooked on the sailing of our choice in the same room that we original had (Owner's Suite 8506) for the same price.  Actually, we got a $28.68 refund so she actually got us money BACK on the resked.
 
...and let me assure you, she did not do this without considerable interference from me !  We changed our minds, and changed them back again at least twice, not to mention the numerous emails that I sent, inquiring as to her progress over a 48 hour period.  She never complained (at least, not directly to me although she would have had every right to do so !) and came through like a trooper.
 
EVERYTHING has been rescheduled...the cruise, the hotel, the excursions, the airfare.  Everything.  We couldn't be happier, considering.  This is all the result of excellent service from Michelle and no thanks WHATEVER, to Royal Caribbean.
 
So Michelle....thank you for everything you had done for us over the past 72 hours.  You are a gem, a great friend, a consummate professional and a credit to your Agency.

For those who have ever vacillated over whether or not using a travel agent was in your best interest or not, let me assure you that a GOOD travel agent is priceless.
 
I have proven that to myself this week with the disaster that Royal Caribbean created with its cancellation of the Empress sailings in March and April.
 
As everyone now knows, Royal Caribbean cancelled 6 sailings on the Empress of the Seas, due to sail beginning in late March through mid-April.  Dan and I were booked on the April 11, right, smack dab in the middle of that cancellation cluster.  It was a psychological blow to us as well as a potential logistics nightmare.  All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I had Michelle Cunningham with MEI as my advocate.  I can say, without any doubt, I would have killed myself, Dan or someone on the other end of the phone line before I managed to get it all straightened out if I had had to do this by myself.  Imagine.  1800 passengers times 6 sailings.  Over 10,000 people are trying to either rebook or cancel their cruises.  No thanks.
 
Not only did Michelle manage to salvage our cruise but she saved our $1,000 OBC that Dan had earned on our Allure sailing (from Club Royale), which was in real danger of going bye-bye.  Our out-of-pocket costs, as a result of this monumental BLUNDER - that was 100% Royal Caribbean's doing - is only going to be ~$200...which will be some airline change fees that RCI is too damn cheap to reimburse us.  Thanks to Michelle's diligence and persistence, we were able to get $200 of the $400 reimbursed.  She got us rebooked on the sailing of our choice in the same room that we original had (Owner's Suite 8506) for the same price.  Actually, we got a $28.68 refund so she actually got us money BACK on the resked.
 
...and let me assure you, she did not do this without considerable interference from me !  We changed our minds, and changed them back again at least twice, not to mention the numerous emails that I sent, inquiring as to her progress over a 48 hour period.  She never complained (at least, not directly to me although she would have had every right to do so !) and came through like a trooper.
 
EVERYTHING has been rescheduled...the cruise, the hotel, the excursions, the airfare.  Everything.  We couldn't be happier, considering.  This is all the result of excellent service from Michelle and no thanks WHATEVER, to Royal Caribbean.
 
So Michelle....thank you for everything you had done for us over the past 72 hours.  You are a gem, a great friend, a consummate professional and a credit to your Agency.

There are far too few...even in the bigger cabins.
 
I recommend a surge protector with multiple outlets.  Technically, extension cords are prohibited but they have never said anything to me about my surge protector, which has outlets for both 110 electrical (including 3 prong)  and USB ports.  I have found it to be invaluable.

For those who have ever vacillated over whether or not using a travel agent was in your best interest or not, let me assure you that a GOOD travel agent is priceless.
 
I have proven that to myself this week with the disaster that Royal Caribbean created with its cancellation of the Empress sailings in March and April.
 
As everyone now knows, Royal Caribbean cancelled 6 sailings on the Empress of the Seas, due to sail beginning in late March through mid-April.  Dan and I were booked on the April 11, right, smack dab in the middle of that cancellation cluster.  It was a psychological blow to us as well as a potential logistics nightmare.  All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I had Michelle Cunningham with MEI as my advocate.  I can say, without any doubt, I would have killed myself, Dan or someone on the other end of the phone line before I managed to get it all straightened out if I had had to do this by myself.  Imagine.  1800 passengers times 6 sailings.  Over 10,000 people are trying to either rebook or cancel their cruises.  No thanks.
 
Not only did Michelle manage to salvage our cruise but she saved our $1,000 OBC that Dan had earned on our Allure sailing (from Club Royale), which was in real danger of going bye-bye.  Our out-of-pocket costs, as a result of this monumental BLUNDER - that was 100% Royal Caribbean's doing - is only going to be ~$200...which will be some airline change fees that RCI is too damn cheap to reimburse us.  Thanks to Michelle's diligence and persistence, we were able to get $200 of the $400 reimbursed.  She got us rebooked on the sailing of our choice in the same room that we original had (Owner's Suite 8506) for the same price.  Actually, we got a $28.68 refund so she actually got us money BACK on the resked.
 
...and let me assure you, she did not do this without considerable interference from me !  We changed our minds, and changed them back again at least twice, not to mention the numerous emails that I sent, inquiring as to her progress over a 48 hour period.  She never complained (at least, not directly to me although she would have had every right to do so !) and came through like a trooper.
 
EVERYTHING has been rescheduled...the cruise, the hotel, the excursions, the airfare.  Everything.  We couldn't be happier, considering.  This is all the result of excellent service from Michelle and no thanks WHATEVER, to Royal Caribbean.
 
So Michelle....thank you for everything you had done for us over the past 72 hours.  You are a gem, a great friend, a consummate professional and a credit to your Agency.

For those who have ever vacillated over whether or not using a travel agent was in your best interest or not, let me assure you that a GOOD travel agent is priceless.
 
I have proven that to myself this week with the disaster that Royal Caribbean created with its cancellation of the Empress sailings in March and April.
 
As everyone now knows, Royal Caribbean cancelled 6 sailings on the Empress of the Seas, due to sail beginning in late March through mid-April.  Dan and I were booked on the April 11, right, smack dab in the middle of that cancellation cluster.  It was a psychological blow to us as well as a potential logistics nightmare.  All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I had Michelle Cunningham with MEI as my advocate.  I can say, without any doubt, I would have killed myself, Dan or someone on the other end of the phone line before I managed to get it all straightened out if I had had to do this by myself.  Imagine.  1800 passengers times 6 sailings.  Over 10,000 people are trying to either rebook or cancel their cruises.  No thanks.
 
Not only did Michelle manage to salvage our cruise but she saved our $1,000 OBC that Dan had earned on our Allure sailing (from Club Royale), which was in real danger of going bye-bye.  Our out-of-pocket costs, as a result of this monumental BLUNDER - that was 100% Royal Caribbean's doing - is only going to be ~$200...which will be some airline change fees that RCI is too damn cheap to reimburse us.  Thanks to Michelle's diligence and persistence, we were able to get $200 of the $400 reimbursed.  She got us rebooked on the sailing of our choice in the same room that we original had (Owner's Suite 8506) for the same price.  Actually, we got a $28.68 refund so she actually got us money BACK on the resked.
 
...and let me assure you, she did not do this without considerable interference from me !  We changed our minds, and changed them back again at least twice, not to mention the numerous emails that I sent, inquiring as to her progress over a 48 hour period.  She never complained (at least, not directly to me although she would have had every right to do so !) and came through like a trooper.
 
EVERYTHING has been rescheduled...the cruise, the hotel, the excursions, the airfare.  Everything.  We couldn't be happier, considering.  This is all the result of excellent service from Michelle and no thanks WHATEVER, to Royal Caribbean.
 
So Michelle....thank you for everything you had done for us over the past 72 hours.  You are a gem, a great friend, a consummate professional and a credit to your Agency.

So many people negatively impacted. As many have already said, this has NOT been a good year for those of us who have been such good customers.
 
Enjoy Oasis. At least you were able to salvage. Some haven't been so lucky !

Believe it.  We have had not 1 but 2 cruises cancelled in the last month.  The first one was a 10 day cruise on the Quantum out of Shanghai in December, the 2nd was on the Rhapsody transatlantic for April 2017.  We had booked them when they were first posted, just like Royal says, book early.  But the Quantum was later Charted so they changed to 2 five day cruises (4 months after we booked).  They offered us a refund or compensation for our flight reservations where we lost several hundred dollars, but after 3 weeks we have received nothing.  Of course we are still waiting on the Rhapsody compensation & refund.   RCCL loyal to Royal, seems more like RCCL is loyal to RCCL.
  As Pinnacle Club Members, and feeling abandoned, we cancelled 20 of our next 26 booked cruises, feeling that our "Land Tours" booked by us, we won't cancel.  Hopefully in the future RCCL will be able to find a way to schedule cruises without pulling a port our of a hat, or at least live up to the promise of proper compensation due to their indecision or greed.

For those who have ever vacillated over whether or not using a travel agent was in your best interest or not, let me assure you that a GOOD travel agent is priceless.
 
I have proven that to myself this week with the disaster that Royal Caribbean created with its cancellation of the Empress sailings in March and April.
 
As everyone now knows, Royal Caribbean cancelled 6 sailings on the Empress of the Seas, due to sail beginning in late March through mid-April.  Dan and I were booked on the April 11, right, smack dab in the middle of that cancellation cluster.  It was a psychological blow to us as well as a potential logistics nightmare.  All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I had Michelle Cunningham with MEI as my advocate.  I can say, without any doubt, I would have killed myself, Dan or someone on the other end of the phone line before I managed to get it all straightened out if I had had to do this by myself.  Imagine.  1800 passengers times 6 sailings.  Over 10,000 people are trying to either rebook or cancel their cruises.  No thanks.
 
Not only did Michelle manage to salvage our cruise but she saved our $1,000 OBC that Dan had earned on our Allure sailing (from Club Royale), which was in real danger of going bye-bye.  Our out-of-pocket costs, as a result of this monumental BLUNDER - that was 100% Royal Caribbean's doing - is only going to be ~$200...which will be some airline change fees that RCI is too damn cheap to reimburse us.  Thanks to Michelle's diligence and persistence, we were able to get $200 of the $400 reimbursed.  She got us rebooked on the sailing of our choice in the same room that we original had (Owner's Suite 8506) for the same price.  Actually, we got a $28.68 refund so she actually got us money BACK on the resked.
 
...and let me assure you, she did not do this without considerable interference from me !  We changed our minds, and changed them back again at least twice, not to mention the numerous emails that I sent, inquiring as to her progress over a 48 hour period.  She never complained (at least, not directly to me although she would have had every right to do so !) and came through like a trooper.
 
EVERYTHING has been rescheduled...the cruise, the hotel, the excursions, the airfare.  Everything.  We couldn't be happier, considering.  This is all the result of excellent service from Michelle and no thanks WHATEVER, to Royal Caribbean.
 
So Michelle....thank you for everything you had done for us over the past 72 hours.  You are a gem, a great friend, a consummate professional and a credit to your Agency.

For those who have ever vacillated over whether or not using a travel agent was in your best interest or not, let me assure you that a GOOD travel agent is priceless.
 
I have proven that to myself this week with the disaster that Royal Caribbean created with its cancellation of the Empress sailings in March and April.
 
As everyone now knows, Royal Caribbean cancelled 6 sailings on the Empress of the Seas, due to sail beginning in late March through mid-April.  Dan and I were booked on the April 11, right, smack dab in the middle of that cancellation cluster.  It was a psychological blow to us as well as a potential logistics nightmare.  All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I had Michelle Cunningham with MEI as my advocate.  I can say, without any doubt, I would have killed myself, Dan or someone on the other end of the phone line before I managed to get it all straightened out if I had had to do this by myself.  Imagine.  1800 passengers times 6 sailings.  Over 10,000 people are trying to either rebook or cancel their cruises.  No thanks.
 
Not only did Michelle manage to salvage our cruise but she saved our $1,000 OBC that Dan had earned on our Allure sailing (from Club Royale), which was in real danger of going bye-bye.  Our out-of-pocket costs, as a result of this monumental BLUNDER - that was 100% Royal Caribbean's doing - is only going to be ~$200...which will be some airline change fees that RCI is too damn cheap to reimburse us.  Thanks to Michelle's diligence and persistence, we were able to get $200 of the $400 reimbursed.  She got us rebooked on the sailing of our choice in the same room that we original had (Owner's Suite 8506) for the same price.  Actually, we got a $28.68 refund so she actually got us money BACK on the resked.
 
...and let me assure you, she did not do this without considerable interference from me !  We changed our minds, and changed them back again at least twice, not to mention the numerous emails that I sent, inquiring as to her progress over a 48 hour period.  She never complained (at least, not directly to me although she would have had every right to do so !) and came through like a trooper.
 
EVERYTHING has been rescheduled...the cruise, the hotel, the excursions, the airfare.  Everything.  We couldn't be happier, considering.  This is all the result of excellent service from Michelle and no thanks WHATEVER, to Royal Caribbean.
 
So Michelle....thank you for everything you had done for us over the past 72 hours.  You are a gem, a great friend, a consummate professional and a credit to your Agency.