CruiseWeaver

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

That shouldn't be a problem. I went one time and at the last minute my friend had things come up and couldn't go. It was no problem when I let them know when I was checking in at the port. In hindsight, I should have asked for the port charges to be refunded.

Technically one there needs to be at least one person over 21 booked in the cabin. With one exception: Connecting rooms can have under 21 as long as there is someone over 21 booked in the connecting room and they are under the same reservations. According to the rules, the rooms must be connecting and not just next door or near each other. However, many times my son and I were booked in one room and my wife and daughter booked in another. The kids actually stayed in one and we stayed in the other. However, we were always in cabins directly next to each other (sometimes connecting, sometimes not) or grown ups got a balcony and kids directly across the hall in an inside cabin. I would be wary of having kids a couple of decks away.

cruise.com However, I would avoid actually booking with them. Their reviews are terrible and my experience with them supports the reviews. A while back I booked on a trip with them a couple years ago, they tried to charge me a cancellation fee when their website specifically said they wouldn't. They have since changed their policy and state there are cancellation fees. Yesterday it took over 9 hours to reach a human when calling them. I get things are busy, but 9 hours is a little much.

I tried for an upgrade but without success. The problem I had is with excessive hold times with my TA (a large online consolidator). I am booked in a Junior Suite and the price for a Grand Suite was less than what I paid. I called at 10AM yesterday and the electronic receptionist said wait times were long but I could have them call me back without losing my place in line. I get that things are busy with everything going on, but I was called back at 7PM!!?!!!???! At that time, Grand Suites were sold out. After a short discussion, she put me on hold. After an hour, I was disconnected. Fortunately, they called back an hour later but, unfortunately, told me no upgrade. Shortly after that call, I looked online and Grand Suites were again available for less than the cost of my Junior Suite. (Sigh) Although, I am not sure I would have taken the upgrade. My son (18-yr old) and I are booked in one cabin and my wife and daughter (15-yr old) are booked next door since someone over 21 needs to be booked in each cabin. The intention is that the kids will actually stay in one and my wife and I in the other. I'm not sure if a better cabin on the other side of the ship is worth being separated.

Another FCC hypothetical question. I have a FCC of $2000 and I need connecting cabins (one for parents and one for kids). Each cabin costs $1000. Can I use the full FCC to pay for both cabins or is that not permitted since the FCC is tied to me and I am only registered in one cabin?

We are also on the Mariner in the 13th. My wife wants to cancel, but me and the kids want to go.

I have been following the occupancy of my upcoming cruise that leaves in two days. There is a particular online consolidator that will list the number of cabins available for each category. Three weeks ago, some friends were thinking of joining us. The ship had less than two dozen cabins available and prices were high so they decided not to book. I am a nerdy engineer and three days ago I started a spreadsheet to track availability. I did this basically to see how much additional elbow room I will have while onboard. When I started the spreadsheet two days ago, there were 260 cabins available. Currently there are 590 cabins available giving roughly 65% occupancy. In any particular category, I have never seen more than 50 cabins available. None were showing 50 available two days ago and now 20% of the categories are showing 50 available. My guess is the max it will show available is 50, so there is a good chance there are even more empty cabins than what is shown.

I have been convinced for years that the big consolidators don't care, but I have continued to book with them due to rates and perks being much better than booking directly with RCCL. It would be nice if RCCL would match their rates. Misery loves company.

Thanks for the info WAAAYTOOO. You pretty much confirmed what I thought. I am booked in a Junior Suite and Grand Suites were available for less than what I paid, but I was literally on hold with my TA (a large online consolidator) for 6 hours before I was able to speak with human. By that time, the Grand Suites were sold out. Naturally when I looked online a couple of hours later, the GS was again available for less than my JS. (sigh) When I called RCCL directly, I was on hold for an hour before someone picked up which I don't consider unreasonable considering the circumstances, but 6 hours is a bit much.

How long does it take for the FCC to be available? I am scheduled to cruise in three days. The current rate is half what I paid. I was told before that they can't adjust the price after final payment has been made. With the 48-hour coronavirus cancellation policy, can I cancel and immediately rebook at the lower rate? There is mention above that the FCC can only be applied to the base fare and not to port fees. If that is the case, if I cancel my current trip, will they refund the port fees and issue a FCC for the base fare? Why would they issue the port fees as a FCC if it can't be used towards port fees in the future?