Chadster

4 minutes ago, mworkman said:

Since the topic is Donuts..I thought I would post these.

IMG_3780.HEIC 1.73 MB · 3 downloads IMG_8589.HEIC 1.02 MB · 2 downloads

I was supposed to go Portland in October, but my gallbladder had other ideas. I'm still sad I missed out on Voodoo Doughnut.

43 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I sure hope that they start up again before July 15th!!

You and me both! I'm ready to splurge on the DBP while heading north!

This is the big concern right now, per the advisory:

" If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe."

I'm set to cruise on Adventure in either June or July. The only thing that's frustrating me is that Royal is taking their time in making decisions. I mean, I get it -- there are huge ramifications for cancelling cruises...but still, having to make last-minute decisions as a cruiser and then waiting and waiting for refunds/FCCs makes things a little tough!

Hey, all, I know there are some here who have used the 10% discount offer through MyVEGAS, and I've got enough points for one, but I'm just wondering what happens to that 10% discount if there's a price drop. Does the 10% (which I know is based on cruise fare only, minus taxes/port taxes & charges) stay with my reservation and adjust accordingly, or do I just basically lose it?

25 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

What happens if a stock drops to zero?  I don't know that that ever happens, but I don't know that it doesn't either.  

The stock would most likely be de-listed from the exchange (making it impossible to purchase through normal channels; I think the minimum price to stay listed on the NYSE is...what...$1?) well before it hit zero.

Of course, it'll also depend on how long the just-announced closing of the border to all but essential travel could have an impact, too, depending on how long it lasts.

Because as much as we'd like to think of cruises as "essential", they are not.

That hurt to type.

On my first cruise (on a cruise line that wasn't RCCL, but rhymes with...uh... "Shmarnival"), we found ourselves at sea during Hurricane Matthew; the crew kept us very well informed, and they just altered their a bit and also closed the bridge to the "Behind the Fun" tour, but other than that, it went smoothly.

Would I cruse in the Caribbean or even along the East Coast between June 1 and November 30? Absolutely. I'd rather be at sea than on land!

I have my cruise planned for June, but I also have the deposit on one with a July 15 sailing date, so even if the port closure stays in place, I should be Canada-bound in July.

It's just gonna be a bummer if the Canadian ports get replaced with the Bahamas or Bermuda -- at least from my perspective.

1 minute ago, Kelly68 said:

I am very happy my cruise is end of October so confident I purchased air fare last week and planning another one in January 

i am so sorry for everyone vacation delays hope everyone stays healthy to go on your next cruise whenever it may be.

I have one planned for either June or July, but if neither of those are a go, I've got a Christmas cruise to look forward to!

Same advice from me -- I've worked my way up from an interior to an aft balcony, and I'm waiting to hear about a hopeful bump up to aft-facing junior suite. I wanna be prepared in case the trip goes ahead!

3 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

July 15th? That’s the one that we are currently booked on.

Yep!  The June 4 sailing is still my first choice, but if need be, I'll enjoy a balcony in July instead!

On 3/15/2020 at 8:35 PM, HeWhoWaits said:

The only thing I MIGHT change is to be more vocal (and potentially obnoxious) when telling idiots to wash their hands before leaving the restrooms.

Get a bunch of those little hotel-sized soaps or small bottles of hand sanitizer and throw them at people like you're riding on a parade float and throwing beads or candy!

2 minutes ago, Coach9 said:

What about the June 21 oasis sailing to Canada ?

Sadly, I think all Canadian sailings are just a "wait and see" at this point, which is really frustrating. I also feel for people who are booked on cruises to Alaska between May and July 1.

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I’m on a 9 night on Adventure in July and it was practically sold out for the longest time, until this week. Lots opened up this week. Really looking forward to this so hopefully this mess clears up by then.

This is the cruise I'm holding a reservation on just in case my June sailing on Adventure doesn't go forward. I really hope one way or another, I get to visit Canada!!

18 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

Anyone feel the cruiselines could get a government bailout like the big 3 auto makers did in 2008? #toobigtofail

Well, the airlines asked for one today, so...

Just in case someone finds themselves in a situation similar to what I encountered and have now deciphered with help of the travel agency I booked a now-cancelled cruise with:

The cruise is scheduled for May 4 to Canada/New England. I cancelled under "Cruise With Confidence" last weekend (March 7, just after they announced Cruise With Confidence) because I decided I'd delay my trip until June and also change ships while I was at it. When I cancelled, I was in the 50% forfeiture period (I think I was at 68 days). So, 5 business days after cancellation, I got a refund for the taxes, prepaid gratuities, and 50% of my cruise fare back to my card. The remaining 50% of my cruise fare will be refunded to an FCC, which I will get, well...whenever I get it.

It took me a while to wrap my head around the math, and I just wanted to share this with people in case they're initially perplexed like I am -- which, admittedly doesn't take much! 

Thanks for the insight, Twangster; this is why people much more knowledgeable than me create cruise itineraries! I've decided that while I'm keeping my June 4 booking on Adventure, I'm keeping a July version of the itinerary ready just in case. If my June cruise goes ahead including Canada, then I'll cancel the one in July. Otherwise, I'll just go a bit later than planned; I've already got a trip down south planned later this year, and I'm not sure I want to repeat the trip twice if Royal just sends the ship to Bermuda or the Bahamas..

Per MarineTraffic, Pride is now docked in Baltimore. Carnival announced earlier today that's where it will be docked during this stand-down.

Grandeur has an ETA of the evening of March 17.

44 minutes ago, twangster said:

The next alternate is Bermuda since they must have an international port of call to satisfy the PVSA.  If Bermuda berths are full it could become Bahamas if the cruise is long enough.  

Couldn't St. Pierre-Miquelon also count? It's French territory and closer than the Bahamas or Bermuda.

Empress visits there on its round-trips to/from Montreal.

I agree. I'm holding out on my June cruise along the East Coast, including Halifax and St. John, and have even been working on cabin upgrades in the event it does go forward somehow.

What I'm curious to see is, if Royal goes ahead with cruises scheduled to pass through Canada in some form, whether they'll just try to work some itinerary magic so they can continue the cruise, even if they drastically change the ports.

Either way, I want to try and get the best deal from Royal if cancellation does happen, so the waiting game continues.

I won't do anything differently on a cruise -- I already exercise the best hygiene practices I can given the large crowds and the fact the ship's my home for several days.

This has driven home the importance of travel agents for me, though, and I will certainly never book a trip on my own. Also, I now understand the value of keeping an eye on prices even after you book and even pass final payment -- the upgrades that can be found are sometimes fantastic!

On 3/13/2020 at 7:10 AM, coneyraven said:

@FManke This will solve everything 

This won't stop people from touching their faces. People will be licking their fingers! You know Marylanders -- they put that stuff on everything! 

8 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Symphony appears to be headed to Coco Cay right now (after disembarking her passengers this morning).

Which site are you using there?

2 hours ago, Flacruiser99 said:

Are they going to let Grandeur dock to discharge it's passengers?

Per the Office of the Governor:

"The only exceptions to this order are the Carnival Pride and the RCL Grandeur of the Seas, which are due to return to port in the coming days, provided that no person on board such vessel has a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or is under investigation for COVID-19."