Chadster

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!)

Now I wanna book an Antarctic cruise! ?
 

#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!)

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!)

My positive thought.. we had to cancel our easter cruise on harmony.
However looking to reschedule to dec where family will be able to join, and I will be celebrating my 8 year cancer free anniversary on board! 

I was 53 when I took my first cruise on the beautiful Freedom of the Seas.
Our fifth will be on April 26 ( #stillgoing! ) on Harmony, but nothing can replace the phenomenal 
memories of that first cruise.  Mind you, I was so naive that I thought we had to wait on the dock
with our luggage, etc, so when we got to the terminal and the porters took our bags, I was too happy.
I'm tellin' ya - when I first walked onto that ship into the Promenade, I know my mouth was agape for
10 minutes.  It was so much more than I ever had imagined.  The entire cruise was phenomenal, 
including the wonderful dinners in the MDR, the Solarium, the ports of call (especially when we went
to Orient Beach; my gosh how spectacular that was), even the drive home was easy and uneventful.
 
I wish I had more money and more time to cruise a lot.  It is so fantastic, and the Royal crewmembers 
make it so much more enjoyable.
37 days!

Our local brewpub had a carryout special today.   Filled 2 growlers for $15!   Cheers!

Y’all ready for a cruise this week? Abe Hughes (Cruise Director on Oasis) is doing a virtual cruise so jump on board! Here’s today’s cruise compass. I’ll post the link to his Facebook so you won’t miss out this week! 
 
https://m.facebook.com/cruisedirectorabehughes/

My issue is the lack of awareness. My 79 y/o grandmother and her friends went out to vote this past Tues. Same for venturing out to stores even though they all watch the news, several times a day, and had been warned. My 36-44 year old friends have been hanging out at Starbucks, Chipotle, home depot and anything that is open. Crowds and crowds of people have more than doubled our cases...known cases...in a mere two days. We could have flatten the curve and be cruising by May imho....but things are getting worse. I am frustrated because very few people are taking this seriously, yet are the same ones who seem to be the biggest complainers.

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.

???
I might just be willing to trade the proposed credit for 14 C&A points a week for the duration of the shutdown!!!
 
 

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

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

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

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

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

The only time a cancellation fee is invoked is if you cancel outright or change the ship or sail date.  If you are upgrading from one category to another on the same sailing there would be no fee for doing so.  The only possible exception would be if you downgraded from a full suite to a non-suite they MIGHT assess you a $100 PP fee but that is not your situation so I would not expect any fee at all for making the changes you have described.
It's hard to quantify the "extra" that the balcony gives you over an interior.  #1, there is more room, overall, so that's enough for me, right there.  However, whether or not you would get "use" out of a balcony during the cold months out of NJ is so personal.  For me, even if I do not go out and sit or stand on the balcony that much, it is still so nice to have the natural light from outside and the ability to open that door and get fresh air.
For me, the extra $530 is a no-brainer.  Overall, you will enhance your experience by having more room and the balcony accessibility, even if you don't use it that much.  That actually sounds like a great deal to me !!

Ovation has had a successful Alaska cruise season and had planned to return in May 
Seattle round trip on any ship is an awesome Alaskan experience but the one-way North or South provide a better opportunity to see even more of Alaska.  
Quantum in Alaska should be very much like Ovation in Alaska and a great way to experience Alaska on a bigger and newer ship with lots of technology and things to do on those cool sea days.  As cold weather ships they are perfectly suited for Alaska.

Now I wanna book an Antarctic cruise! ?
 

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

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

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

Or maybe Royal will do a good thing like DCL and push back final payment dates by 30 days. ?

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. ?