Mrs. Thomas

The ship looks lonely with no passengers 

Precisely this. It's just the way viruses work. The go away they come back they go away they come. This one has been dying down since April. Yes it's worse then the regular flu but I can all but guarantee that if there is a new wave in the fall we will not quarantine like we did these last few months. It won't happen. Yes the virus was deadly but it's long term effects on businesses and economies world wide is insane. Many will be suffering for a very long time.

I think it is hard for people to be told what to do. I honestly hate most sanitizers as their smell irritates my allergies, however I will endure it if it means getting back to cruising without much hassle. Making WJ a new "pay restaurant" would be a big mistake. It would cause even more people to eat in the MDR and the crowds would be atrocious! There are many cruisers, some loyal to RCCL many not, who won't cruise with RCCL if there isn't more than one free food place where they can get more than just snacks. They would choose other lines. I think that any changes would be temporary and that only loyal RCCL cruisers will be ok with dealing with them. Just my thoughts. 

I don't think that they have any intention of making the WJ space a paid-food space. I think they  just want to make it safer.  I'd be ok with the food court concept.  I might actually eat there then!

I think it is hard for people to be told what to do. I honestly hate most sanitizers as their smell irritates my allergies, however I will endure it if it means getting back to cruising without much hassle. Making WJ a new "pay restaurant" would be a big mistake. It would cause even more people to eat in the MDR and the crowds would be atrocious! There are many cruisers, some loyal to RCCL many not, who won't cruise with RCCL if there isn't more than one free food place where they can get more than just snacks. They would choose other lines. I think that any changes would be temporary and that only loyal RCCL cruisers will be ok with dealing with them. Just my thoughts. 

I thought of that myself - but certainly they could increase the number of upsell options with room service like alcoholic drinks, specialty foods, brand name prepacked goodies, etc. Sort of like, after making your order, "do you want to add fries to that?" but "Do you want to add a kraken pina colava to that for only $xx more?"

While I would believe that Royal would try to avoid taking any actions that would reduce revenue streams if possible, I think this is a really good idea!

I honestly think there would be an uproar if they charged for whatever model they put in that venue.  With that or the MDR as primary free options I really can't see them going with any sort of paid model in the space and having it work.

Don’t always summarily rule it out. If you consider the inclusions vs. the cost it sometimes will be closer to evening out. The delta between what we paid and what is included (specialty dining, DX packages, FREE LAUNDRY) the extra cost of the cruise was 1340 divided by 7 people means “the room” was 191 per person, or not much more than just gratuities would be per person. 

Considering 2 of the guests are children, ages 7 and 11, some of the extras of a royal suite, though nice, are not needed. I honestly could care less about what a roll away looks like in the room during the day since we will rarely be in there. However, the idea of 2 adjoining rooms sounds about like what we may do. We were getting 2 rooms anyway, though were unable to get adjoining rooms for my original booking. My MIL snores, so a separate room may be a good idea.   All of these is hypothetical as of now. Our cruise hasn't been canceled yet. It is for the middle of August. I'm just trying to keep an open mind and see positives in all of this just in case. If you have a plan B already in the works, then if plan A goes bad you don't have to be too upset.

If it’s only five I’d recommend the 2 bedroom grand suites, especially the ones on Oasis on deck 12 that still have the private hot tubs. If you can find a star class room, the Aquatheatre suites hold more than five. If you can find a bunch of friends. The villa will hold all of you, up to 14. 

Radiance class have an aft owners suite 2 bed ...... 4 bunks in one bedroom ... 2 bathrooms ..... king in master and double sofa bed in lounge http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/findacruise/cabinclass/cabinTypes/cabinType/cabin/home.do?br=R&cabincls=D&cabinType=OT&shipCode=RD

I apologize, I was thinking of an Oasis class ship mostly. However, it would be nice to know for other classes. I have only been on Oasis class though. It sounds like I will just need to hang in there and pray that everyone starts sailing again soon. My heart truly breaks for those whose sailings were canceled. My mother has been staying with my kids while my husband and I are still working. I have promised her a day at sea where she can just do as she wishes and we won't schedule anything for her to do if she doesn't want, guilt free. After all of this is over, I think we all will need some smooth sailing days!

I'll believe nothing that comes out today.  Nothing.

I don't buy it. The Royal Caribbean website has a health alert banner at the top of the page which is updated daily. Today's update talks about suspension until May 11th, nothing about September 1st. I think Yahoo Finance posted some "fake news". 

Hi everyone, I know we get heated debating which dessert is the best one to order, or if a balcony room is worth it, but let's keep these basic rules in mind when chatting here.
No profanity No personal insults No political discussion This includes tropes about politicians and generalizations about political parties No debating religion Keep your posts relevant and accurate to each specific thread. We can all have our little fun within each thread but please make sure the information you're putting out there is correct and current.   Topics not related to Royal Caribbean may be removed. Posts or comments encouraging cruisers to break any Royal Caribbean policy is not allowed and will be removed.

We had a group birthday cruise scheduled for April 20th and cancelled because 17 of 23 people going cancelled. I got back 50% of my fare as a FCC and the rest a a refund. I told them to wait but most believe it will be May before the cruise industry can resume. I don't really like CCL but its aesthetics...I find the decor to be ugly and garish
Like @twangster said things really boil down to semantics as the offer really isn't that great. Although they are giving high FCC and OBC it won't work out that great as the price for a future cruise in a decent room will eat up the 125% and you will still owe more. Plus they have like one drink package capped at 15 drinks total, they don't do "washy, washy" and since its 'budget friendly" there seems to be tons of filthy children.
Royal has a better loyalty program, internet and interior decorating....imho.

You couldn’t pay me to sail Carnival. 

I agree.  $600 OBC on a Star Class cancellation would be waaay less than 25%.

On the surface the $600 OBC seems generous, but for any bookings that are more than $1200 pp, the Royal offer of 125% is better compensation. It appears both companies are spending generously on incentives, just distributing them a little differently.

On a ship as I write this.  
The media is rarely kind to the cruise industry and they haven't deviated in this situation.  As someone who isn't in a high risk category I've researched the facts and avoid the news or media as a data source.  Everyone needs to make an informed decision based on facts, not the collective hype driven by the media.
Enjoying my cruise, no regerts.  ?    

I agree with you too.. These ships are probably cleaner than they have ever been before... Id rather be on a ship rather than a plane-- or even worse, WalMart LOL
I will be on the same ship with you..  ? Harmony-- we will see you soon!

FWIW, my parents think I am crazy for going on my cruise this weekend.
My thoughts on the situation are no one in my family has a high risk factor (underlying health condition, elderly, etc) and you cannot live your life in fear of "what ifs".
Moreover, I've seen countless reports from cruisers on the lengths the cruise line is going to sanitize the ships.

All of the cruise lines are going through this. Everyone is in the same boat (pun sadly intended).  It has to be a logistical nightmare for everyone involved.  While frustration is understandable, placing blame really is useless.

I believe they are simply playing a game of wait and see. It would be premature to change itineraries until they are absolutely certain there will be an issue getting to them.