CruiseWeaver

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

Leaving in two days #stillgoing

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.

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.