Chadster

That, too.

Same to all the above here in Maryland. I can't help but wonder if the liquor stores staying open (here, they're doing online/call-in order with curbside pickup) are a reaction to all the kids being home from school. ? ?

I know we're all trying to stay upbeat and that we're all die-hard cruise fans who can't wait to get back to sailing the seas and visiting other places, but after my social-media experience today, I can't help but find myself wondering something: After the worst of this pandemic is over, will countries actually be accepting of travellers/tourists, even if there are no travel restrictions in place? Do you think those from elsewhere will all be eyed with suspicion for a while? That's certainly the feeling I got from a socially distanced encounter with some folks in the area I'm looking to cruise in either June or July. To me, it feels like tourism may be a double-edged sword for a while, and as someone who loves to travel -- that makes me sad. ?

You know, I'm honestly a bit concerned that even if this restriction is lifted on July 1, Canadians are not exactly going to be welcoming of visitors from other lands. I posted on Facebook that I was sad that I wouldn't be able to visit Canada at the moment because of the restrictions, but I was looking forward to doing so in the future (via a cruise of some form), and I was nearly tarred and feathered, at least virtually. ?

My college is currently putting a move-out plan in place -- students' stuff is still in their dorms despite no students allowed on campus for 2 weeks now -- and the college will be refunding a pro-rated amount of room/board. Tuition, no...because we're all still doing distance learning, so our educations are continuing.

My always-helpful TA (Sharla @ MEI) notified me this morning that as of today (3/26), my cruise on June 4 aboard Adventure going to/from Cape Liberty and stopping in the Canadian ports of St. John and Halifax has not been canceled. Apparently, RCCL's cancellation is currently only impacting Alaska sailings and Canada sailings originating in/departing from Canadian ports. Wait-mode continues to be engaged.

When I put a deposit down on a July 15 cruise last week, there was no option for a refundable deposit. I just ran through it again with a mock booking, and still no RD option (113 days out from sailing). However, the same itinerary in August had the RD option. I'm wondering if in at least some cases, cruises within the "Cruise With Confidence" period are all being priced NRD. ?

Yup! #TeamSharla #TeamMEI

I know they're going through a lot -- and I'm not taking aim at those folks on the front lines...I know they're only as good as the information they're being given. I just wish their corporate communications team would get on the same page, lay things out clearly and concisely, and make sure that those front-line customer-service folks know what's going on. Yes, this situation is fluid...but when your decisions come across as being made willy-nilly and without consistency, it's setting a bad precedent. At this point, I don't care if they cancel my cruises. They can go ahead. I just want everybody to be safe and well, and for them to do whatever it takes for that. It just feels like this latest decision has been made haphazardly and without any real coordination or clarity -- and that's not good for anyone. ?

Well, THIS just got more confusing. Apparently, as of the moment I type this, my June 4 sailing aboard Adventure that sails round-trip to/from Cape Liberty to include the Canadian ports of Halifax and St. John has NOT been canceled, per both a call-center agent and the RCCL Facebook team. Apparently, they're saying this suspension of Canadian sailings ONLY includes the Alaska cruises AND sailings "originating or ending in Canada". I asked if the itinerary has been changed, and they said "not at this time"... ? I'm so close to canceling my June sailing because of all this confusion and just going in July -- but now that I'm inside final payment, I don't want to be screwed out of any increased FCC or the like. I should've known this wouldn't be clear cut. I know we all love Royal, but right now, I'm so very tempted to cancel all my cruises with them (even the ones later this year) and take my business elsewhere because their public points of contact don't seem to grasp what each other are doing. Yes, I know it's a confusing time, but c'mon... ? I've also reached out to my TA, so hopefully she can make some sense of all this.

How soon should we be expecting an e-mail from RCCL? I'm still awaiting the confirmation that they have canceled my cruise under this new decision. I've got a tough choice between the FCC and the refund with the timing of my cruise. Or maybe someone, somewhere is just saying I shouldn't go to Canada this year. ?

I put in a deposit on 3/16 before Royal put forward their policy on holds on 3/21. ?

Dude, your itinerary is ah-maaaayyyy-zing! I don't blame you for being stoked and hopeful! I just lost my June 4 cruise to Canada, but so far, the July sailing is still in play -- though it looks like I won't get a refund or an FCC in time to make my final payment. Ouch.

Well, this puts me in an awkward spot. I just lost my June 4 cruise on Adventure to Canada, but so far, my July 15 backup sailing is still on. Problem is, I won't get my FCC in time to apply at final payment (on April 17). I know the situation is fluid, but I wish they'd just done a blanket 60 days from the beginning -- and made the decision about Alaska and Canada when Canada announced their port closures.

So far, Gov. Hogan of Maryland has stopped short of a shelter-in-place order, but I can't help but think (and as someone in the world of emergency management, kinda hope) that it's coming soon enough. More non-essential businesses were closed today, and of course, there's still no word on when the Cruise Maryland Terminal will re-open. I'm definitely staring down RCCL over my June cruise to Canada; I've got a July itinerary booked, too...but I really don't want to go ahead and cancel the June one because I'm inside final payment and I'd rather Royal blink first and I get the better deal. We cruisers are a stubborn bunch!

I'm thinking that ALL refunds are slowing to a crawl right now; I booked a cruise two weeks ago, and the next day, there was a price drop, so my TA was able to get RC to honor the price drop. I'm still awaiting that price difference to be returned to my payment method.

Don't forget that Carnival has taken it on the chin a bit harder with COVID-19 than other cruise companies. Rightly or wrongly, the corporation -- and especially Princess -- will be "COVID Cruise Lines" for some time to come in the public mind. They're going to have to go a bit further in order to win back customers.

#ProTip: A Starbucks "trenta" cup holds an entire bottle of wine.

I haven't imbibed since New Year's Eve, so I'm coming to the party with this... (but totally plan to enjoy adult beverages on my cruise -- we've all earned a DBP at this point!)

Here in Maryland, we've had 41 cases announced since yesterday; we're up to 190 as I type this. Two deaths. My school extended our spring break an extra week, and we're starting online coursework this week; they've officially ruled out any return to on-campus learning for the spring semester. Thankfully, I've only got one class to deal with...most of my other work consists of writing. Still no word on when they'll reopen the Cruise Maryland terminal, though I don't sail out of Baltimore until December; my upcoming cruise is from Cape Liberty in either June or July. Trying to stay upbeat (I really feel uncomfortable saying "positive"!) about my chances, but I'm also a realist. If there's ANY risk to people still present when cruise time comes, I'll give up sailing for the good of the public health...though I really hope it doesn't come to that.

September or later, while definitely possible, would be particularly tough for the cruise industry -- not only would they miss out on the summer travel boom, but...the entirety of the Alaska cruise season would be gone except for a cruise or two. That would be a huge blow. ? Here's hoping it doesn't come to this!

Very well said! Here's a little something I had to remember earlier, and I hope it helps someone.

I was originally going to do Celebrity Eclipse to Alaska in 2021, but I might re-think this and give Quantum a try. Not usually one for big ships, but maybe...

I'm just hoping that if they do extend their resumption of cruises, they'll push out FCCs or refunds quickly. I'm really trying hard not to cancel my original June sailing and go full-on with my July sailing (Canada/New England), but I worry if I wait too much longer, I won't get the FCC quickly enough, and I'll put a bit of extra financial strain on myself. ? I'm not very good at this whole patience thing. ?

Now I wanna book an Antarctic cruise! ?