TheJones

10 hours ago, Hoski said:

Home2 is a very nice hotel near the Newark airport.  We stayed there and it is brand new and very friendly.

Agree - stayed there in Oct & hopefully again in Sept. 

1 hour ago, dodgestang said:

I'm sure I guaranteed us a small Alaska season by proactively cancelling all my cruise planner items...so I can buy them all back at a higher price just before leaving

In other news....I haven't seen the refund on them yet

 

Looks like sailings are now cancelled through July 31st.....so I guess that's another month of waiting before we will know for sure about Alaska on Aug 2

You wont be sailing to Alaska in 2020 unfortunately

I disagree as well.  You did not sail, so no points.  Book a replacement cruise & you will get the points then.

Now getting extra points by taking a FCC is a win-win for both cruise company & cruiser.

21 hours ago, Helen b said:

Hi Daniel,

We are going on the Oasis in October hopefully also. I was looking for hotels and this was the friendliest and most honest about there prices. it's called home 2 suites by Hilton Newark airport. I think they do transfer to the Cruise's terminals, I didn't look into the transfer part due to we are driving down and we will have our own truck. We were booked there today but our May 4,2020 cruise was cancelled and they were great to transfer my may booking from now to Oct. With no problem.

 

 I hope this helps and safe travels

 

Helen.

We stayed there last October and will hopefully again in Sept.  Nice hotel and we had food delivered by a local Pizza place.

16 hours ago, shaydav19 said:

trust me no!!!!    I am out 1088.00 because I paid for two elderly family members to take their "final family trip"  (late 70's and 80's).  Now doctors say they will not allow them to travel and I have fcc's in their names!    No one included Richard Fain of Mr. Bayley's office has been willing to budge on this. 

Cant the FCC be converted to refund?  Saw a post in another thread about this...

40 minutes ago, jticarruthers said:

I hate how they do the FCC by person. Rolled forward a booked cruise from May to Sept.

The original cruise was a BOGO style so my name has big $ next to it, my buddy has small $.

I got a big FCC, he got a small FCC.

The new cruise is split evenly , so i cant use my full FCC and his FCC doesnt cover his half.

Stupid crap like this makes me just want a refund and deal with it later ....

So now the balance of my FCC has to go to another reservation and he has to pay out of pocket to make it work instead of saying "yep its a wash".

I thought they were allowing FCC’s to be re-allocated among family members on the same cruise, traveling together. So for example, if there are two parents and a child in a stateroom and the parent’s have ‘extra’ credit, it may be allocated towards the child’s fare.

I think it is pretty clear that a cruise FCC is for CRUISE fare only. 

Nice addition for anyone that books directly

IF they would move it to FL, how many people would switch?  I don't think we would, would have airfare cost to get to FL and dealing with flying.

11 hours ago, Cmblueyes said:

Anyone know who is *supposed* to be the cruise director on Radiance this fall (2020)? I know it's a possibility it won't sail but I still have hope!

Elizabeth Hackett as of 2-13-20  Once cruises start back up that could change.

Doesn't an OBC go back to your CC on file?

1 hour ago, tcneal said:

It's a great way to put 2 drinkers in the same room but also if only 1 spouse drinks and you are traveling with kids.   They do make you purchase the soda package for the child included in the room with the Beverage Package.  I also heard you can do this by calling now and explaining, but I haven't tried it.

If only 1 adult wants the package, then just book each stateroom with 1/adult 1/child.  Now if you dont have kids & only 1 adult wants the package, you can CALL and purchase one deluxe & one refreshment package. 

44 minutes ago, Matt said:

This is my favorite use of wowbands. I hate having to dig in my pockets for the card.  And since I'm often carrying things (or children), it's easier to wave my wrist.

Yes that is my fav as well, when coming back with a couple hot coffees in the AM,  who wants to chance waking up their significant other just to open the door 

22 hours ago, coneyraven said:

I'm noticing a common theme here ....... MEI Travel...

Whether it's John, @AnnetteJackson, or @michelle - the common element is how awesome they are.  I know, with Michelle's sense of humor, she has really helped to keep my stress through all this crap at a reasonable level.

It's very comforting knowing that there is someone out there that I can trust to have my best interest at heart .... I'll just tend to follow her lead. 

They all must be members of MENSA, because they are brilliant at how they're navigating these shark infested waters

I found MEI from this forum/blog.  Last week it was looking very likely our cruise would be cancelled, so I contacted MEI.  Jacki is now our new agent & we are very impressed with her.  Answers emails very quickly & answers our dumb questions.  Our last TA we would be lucky to get an email response in DAYS, my email 3 weeks ago to them was never answered...

Pricing is going to be very chaotic for awhile.  Keep checking the dates you want to sail & book when you feel its a good deal

1 hour ago, Morganno said:

I also had thought about this as well.

Basically my wife doesn't drink but we are cruising in two cabins one for my son and uncle and one for my wife and I.

To avail of the drinks promo I was going to put myself and Brother in Law in one cabin on the reservation and my son and wife in the other.

However in reality I would be staying in my wife's cabin. Good to know they will give out extra cards as this solves our problem.  

 

 

Have read many people doing this as a work-around to the rule.

58 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Thank you @DandA and @Andrew72681 for your responses.   Very helpful.  So much to learn......

Are you suggesting that the UDP is a better option than the 3 night?   We typically are Windjammer and Dining Room people but enjoy some variety at times.   Most likely go with Izumi, Jamie's, and probably CP150 plus we get to try Coastal Kitchen if we are lucky.   Dinner is not always a priority for us, We are so busy with relaxing or doing the activities that it can get in the way of a good time. 

Great suggestion to book the Aqua Theater for early in the trip.   Do they do the same show or does it vary?

Can you book the Broadway-show in advance?  Which one is it?  

Does anyone know if the JS rooms have a minifridge?  Does the bathroom have a tub AND a shower or is it all in one?

Does Oasis have WOW bands and are they useful or just a novelty?

58 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Yes you can book the broadway show in advance & it is Cats
Oasis does have WOW bands - some people love them others not so much.  I like them for the convenience of not having to have seapass card unless getting off ship in a port. 

 

 

Hard pass on that...

Started working with Jacki & she was answering emails Saturday evening!! 

Have been impressed to this point!!!

We would do that for sure!!

I think cruise lines will be back online by July, but not back to 100%. 

Royal wont be far behind

On 3/23/2020 at 12:42 PM, J_Keeble said:

Robotic Bartenders fleetwide so they cant spread any germs

 

All bars to become bionic!

Please no - seems to be a big waste of space.  After watching it a few times, the fun is gone...

The drinks usually suck as well.  Prefer to find a human & interact with them

Yes Allure's amplification has been cancelled.  Have not seen any info on rescheduling of the upgrades. 

Pros, cost is less, fewer kids, bars don't have long waits

Cons - be prepared to not go on the itinerary you chose because it may get changed, may have less days than originally scheduled, may get more days than originally scheduled
 

If you are flexible and dont get stressed over worrying if your cruise will happen, Sept is good time to cruise.