JohnK6404

Funny, I just checked the planner again... it’s back to $79 for our cruise. Glad I grabbed it! Keep checking because apparently there is no rhyme or reason to the price changes.

A little off track from Odyssey,... you probably already noticed, but it looks like we'll have Oasis (25 dates), Anthem (37 dates), Freedom (NE/Canada & Bermuda - 34 dates) and Empress (NE/Canada & Bermuda - 17 dates) out of Cape Liberty in 2021 based on the website!

Just an FYI... they removed the which "Voyager" sailing question... just completed the opt-in survey for the 125% OBC.

Just an FYI... looks like the pass dropped to $68.99 tonight for our 10/4/20 Oasis sailing (fingers crossed)... going to cancel and repurchase!

At least they are still working on Odyssey! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/04/17/take-360-degree-view-around-the-shipyard-where-odyssey-of-the-seas-being-built

Along with the rusty hulls and frat party/"booze cruise" rep... the numerous mechanical/engine problems over the years, the infamous "poop cruise", multiple failed recent CDC health inspections, dumping violations... We too would at least consider Carnival if a friend/family member booked a cruise and asked us to go, but I don't think we would initiate a Carnival booking unless it was say on the Mardi Gras (or at least one of their newest ships) or an insane rate. We have friends in Florida that sail Carnival and Royal regularly, but Carnival only because it's convenient, inexpensive, and as they say any cruise is a good cruise.

It will probably change to which "Icon of the Seas" sailing... LOL! ?

Yeah, seems typical with these "opt-in" surveys. When we booked our Symphony cruise for next year, we booked a CP balcony room that came with the Dine, Drink, Discover package. When they eliminated that perk, we had to complete a survey to "opt-in" to keep the package vs. getting a $50 OBC. Of course no confirmation e-mail... had the TA call to confirm at a later date while making an adjustment. RC stated they see the choice in their system, but they cannot send an e-mail to confirm our choice. Strange... better not have any issue once onboard next year... I'll take either perk at this point.

Did you get some sort of confirmation by e-mail or something... It always makes me nervous with Royal as all of these surveys go into some black hole and you don't always get an e-mail confirmation of your selection.

I was wondering the same thing... typical Royal screw up... what do we choose and do they just ignore the Voyager question...

I see that... typical Royal IT... what did you pick? Did you get some sort of confirmation or e-mail once you completed the online form?

FYI... it looks like we do have the option of 125% OBC for the Cruise Planner purchases... we were on the 5/31/20 Oasis sailing and I just logged into the CP... *** You must Opt-in by 5/4/20 otherwise you will get the 100% refund automatically... So, to recap... same as it was for the last set of cancellations (confusing): Cruise Fare 125% FCC if you do nothing 100% Refund only if you request it Cruise Planner Purchases 100% REFUND if you do nothing 125% OBC if you OPT-IN by 5/4/20 After you click the link...

So very sad... RIP Pujiyoko.

Good, finally official... sad we can't sail out of Cape Liberty on Oasis on 5/31, but we knew it was going to be cancelled eventually. ? Now the waiting game begins for us for the FCC for the cruise fare... by 5/22 they claim. No more 125% FCC/OBC for cruise planner purchases... that stinks, especially since we're not likely to get the same deals through the CP for our 10/4/20 sailing. Fingers-crossed we don't get bumped in OCT again!

Odyssey has quite a few scheduled to hit the ABC Islands, Grand Cayman, etc... Nice to not have to fly to San Juan! I like this one... Perfect Day, Curacao, Aruba AND Labadee! ? These are nice too!

We're up for sea days and stops at Labadee and Coco Cay!

Happy Easter!

I like it! Not on top of the beach, but child access friendly!

Hi @MinnesotaCruiser! We too went with the over-the-water cabana at Nellie's Beach last May and LOVED it! Since we did not have children with us, we chose a cabana (cabana "NW4") that was farthest from the beach and on the opposite side of where Joe (@JLMoran) had his cabana. The one thing we noticed, and Joe can certainly confirm/dispute, was that toward the afternoon the other side of Nellie's Beach got blasted by the sun! We had sun all day on the loungers on our side on our cabana deck, but we were fortunately always shaded under the cabana. You'll see in the photos that the farther you get from the beach, the deeper the water and more difficult the access is by way of a ladder versus stone steps. I would recommend a cabana closer to the beach since you have children. We loved ours due to the privacy (no one to our immediate right as we were the last cabana on Nellie's Beach on our side). Here is a pic of the map of Labadee... Our cabana was the farthest from the beach to the right as you enter the Nellie's Beach area (left side as you view the map above)... this is a pic of the first cabana on the right side and part of Nellie's Beach... These are the steps we climbed to get to our cabana. We only had to leave and climb down the steps a few times (bathroom break, BBQ lunch, to explore, etc.). Our cabana attendant (Regis) was amazing! The beach is to the left as you look out from our cabana. Still approaching the cabana and the view! Our friends under our cabana! The inside of the cabana... the fan does help keep the inside much cooler! View to the right from our cabana... You can also see the ship (Allure) while in the water! We walked over the Barefoot Beach (suites only) which is the area just to the right of Nellie's Beach and took these pics early in the AM before anyone came over! Here is what I was referring to... ladder from our cabana to enter/exit water... not child friendly between the steep ladder and deep water entry! Pics of the other side where I believe Joe had his cabana... Not a must, but it was a really special treat for the four of us (went with another couple) and we would not hesitate to splurge for a cabana again the next time we go to Labadee!

Yes... they address it in the first bullet in the article, but of course the headline is deceptive... surprise, surprise. They picked the big 3 I think because later in the article they touch on the strain on the cruise industry and when these companies will rebound. "Cruise ships may not be able to sail in US-controlled waters until July, according to an order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. "

Yeah, just a rehash of the CDC news... nothing new... the full article also singles out NCL. It also barely touches on the low stock prices of all 3 companies and concern over ability and time frame to recover from all of this... https://www.businessinsider.com/carnival-royal-caribbean-banned-from-sailing-up-to-3-months-2020-4

Symphony on the move... at least when I posted this! Still fun to watch! https://www.portmiamiwebcam.com/

Yes, very scary... Symphony (4/24/21)... $89... will wait for Black Friday!

Some new items appeared in the CP for our 4/24/21 Symphony cruise just today... current DBP price almost gave me a heart attack! ? We got the DBP for $45 on Allure and $51 on Oasis (5/31)... I know this is the full price... let's see what they do around Black Friday!

OK, I'm running out of food photos... I'll have to make up for it next cruise! Polpettone at Giovanni's Table for lunch... sounds better when they describe it! Huge and delicious!