Dad2Cue

4 hours ago, Bean79 said:

I guess I was wrong for now. The stock price hit $68.06 so far this morning!!!

My 401K took a huge hit in Feb-Mar and I thought it would take a few years to recover.  I'm retired and I was thinking I wouldn't be taking as many cruises during my retirement years.  My 401K has already recovered and with today's gains, it should be positive for the year so I booked another cruise.

@cstern90 I'm still working on a refund from United Airlines and have disputed the whole thing with the credit card company.  My 1 layover flight turned into 4 layovers with a segment in the middle cancelled.  All I can say is RCCL at least attempts to process the refunds which is much more than United did

34 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I would definitely call them back and tell them that you want a final confirmation that shows a $-0-.  I would not hang up until that email was in my inbox.

I have an early confirmation that shows $0 so when it it was first done it seemed correct---it just didn't show the FCC on the receipt.  The weird thing is I now get a new confirmation each time I purchase something on cruise planner.  I make those purchases with my CC but the amount I spend for something gets added to the amount I owe for the cruise itself.  

1 hour ago, Matt said:

Having read your story (cancelled 2019 cruise that you used the FCC towards a 2020 cancelled cruise), I really believe this was a scenario they never accounted for in their system.

@Matt I worry about the same thing.  I cancelled a cruise in early April and the only option at the time was a 100% FCC for the fare.  I was fine with that until there was a delay in "processing" the FCC.  The refund for gratuities, taxes and fees eventually happened but was also delayed. When I called about the FCC, I was informed that there was a FCC "in the system" and it had been processed a few weeks before I called.  I never did get an e-mail about it.  Royal's customer service rep helped me apply the FCC to a cruise I had already booked for this November and the FCC covered the remaining balance of the November cruise.  Eventually, I received a partial refund from the November cruise.

I got concerned when I received my receipt for the November cruise which showed that I still had a balance due when I was told that the November cruise was paid in full.  When I called about why I still owed money, I was told that their "internal system" showed it was paid in full and to ignore the receipt.  My concern is that the receipt doesn't show that the cruise was paid with the FCC.  It only shows that the cruise fare was reduced to almost zero.  What will happen IF the November cruise is cancelled??   It is booked refundable so we may even cancel it.  I have no documentation that there was ever a FCC applied as the receipt only shows a super low cruise fare.

38 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

It's because of issues like this that I believe my T.A. strongly suggested taking the refund rather than FCC on the canceled Brilliance group cruise. 

"Never again" will I take a "future anything credit".  United Airlines had a nice gimmick where I had to cancel my flight before I could request a refund but they couldn't "advise" me about what to do.  That was after I was notified that a segment of my "flight was cancelled or not confirmed".  Then they had the audacity to say I couldn't have a refund because I cancelled.  

6 hours ago, NeverAgain said:

*A future cruise credit is a credit applied to a fare. When it covers the entire fare, RCC charges $1.00 per person to make up the fare. So in essence, my fare was $2.00 and the 125% was based on my $2.00 fare. Are you kidding me? What about the fact that I paid for my fare back in 2019 and that money was just applied to the 2020 cruise??? Nope. Sorry. That's the way we do it he says. So I lose my mind and ask for a manager. I am told that they are in a meeting. They take my info and say a manager will call me back in the morning. That was two weeks ago. No call, no manager. And oh by the way. My $177 credit from my 2019 cruise is now null and void because I can't use it.

Since your 2020 cruise was cancelled, didn't they reissue the FCC from 2019?   Isn't the reissued FCC for the 2020 cruise good for at least another year if not the end of 2021?  

I'm not in your situation yet but it does concern me somewhat for another reason.  My cruise was cancelled back in April ... actually I cancelled it but RC cancelled the cruise a few days later.  In any case, I received an 100% FCC for the April cruise.  That part was good because I applied the credit to a cruise that was already booked for Nov 2020 --- now paid in full.  What worries me is the receipt only shows that the cruise fare was reduced to $100 per person plus taxes and fees.  Nothing shows that it was reduced by the FCC.  My concern is ... what if the cruise in Nov is cancelled or we decide not to go.  Will our refund or FCC only be $200???  

I'm just hoping that the Nov cruise happens and I "never again" get a FCC.  I still like Royal and I think their customer service is relatively good.  I  agree that it gets confusing at times when you get different explanations from different reps.

Hopefully, I haven't confused anyone.

10 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

LOCKDOWN

The lockdown is so you don't need the masks and 6 feet...and you just end up going crazy.

5 hours ago, Jill said:

If you cancelled for any reason wouldn’t they just reissue the FCC? 

Could you transfer the FCC to a family member that wants to go on NCL and charge them 3/4 of the value (or whatever % your comfortable With) of the FCC? That way you can recoup some of your money? 

Agree with the first part and you might end up with a bigger FCC.

Usually not transferable for the second part.

I wouldn't try the insurance part just because it doesn't sound right. 

I'm not sure what NCL policy is.  For RCCI, I was told I would have to book the cruise and pay the deposit before the FCC was applied because the FCC couldn't be used for taxes/port fees.  If NCL does refunds like Royal, you may have more money tied up before everything is sorted out.

16 minutes ago, ellcee said:

16 minutes ago, ellcee said:

My only deal breaker echoes a bunch of people's here - mandatory quarantine afterwards. I don't give 2 effs about what I need to do - I've been working from home since March 13th. My cruise is the only thing I've been looking forward to. Not looking forward to flying though.

Having to fly to the port might be a deal breaker for me.  Especially since my next cruise in November is a trans Atlantic and departs from Barcelona, Spain.  Any sort of mandatory quarantine before and/or after the cruise would be a definite deal breaker.

The bottom line for me would be how much extra cost I might incur.  Health risks are also a big factor but I don't think a cruise is more risky than other places but staying home might be safer.  Finally, there is the "hassle factor" and there is only so much hassle that I can handle.

14 minutes ago, Larry Muster said:

Do you have any facts to back this up?  Fauci said when cleaned properly, masks work as barriers.  How could a clean barrier increase the chance of respiratory illness?

There is much debate on the subject. I personally think a mask will help although I don't like wearing one.  The key word is cleaned "properly."  I would add worn properly, removed properly, and touched properly.  There is also the issue of masks providing a false assurance of safety.  I personally get winded when I wear one. There are some downsides to a mask.

If someone prefers that I wear one to protect them --- I will comply.  I'm not so sure it helps me that much.

8 hours ago, S0nny said:

Most smart phones/tablets have the ability to create a personal "hotspot". If one phone/tablet is connected, you may be able to connect through there without needing to buy a router.  

Isn't that just when the cell phone is connected to the internet via cellular data?  That might get costly when traveling outside the country.

I just purchased the Key for my wife and me.  It was an easy choice in part because I wanted to try it.  The other aspect was the cost was $13 per day per person so approximately $26 per day total.  That compared favorably to the  $18 per day for a 2 device internet package that we usually get.  I hope the extra $56 for the week is worth it.  I have read that it is nice when there are many ports and when tendering.  I'm the one going early to the show to save a seat.  I'm also the one who watches the carry on bags while the wife explores the ship and spends at least $56.  The extra $56 for the Key is mostly for me

Does anyone know if an Alexa device will connect to Royal Wi Fi?

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

There is sometimes an even bigger difference between refundable and non-refundable.  IMO, if you don't mind getting back FCC, then with CWC, non-refundable is the way to go.  It's cheaper.

I don't mind the FCC I currently have.  I don't really want or need any more FCC given all the uncertainties at the present time.  Then again, refunds seem uncertain too.  I like L&S and CWC but is that enough to book non-refundable?

@twangster  $400 on a $3500 cruise for 2 people ... not per person.

@JLMoran I thought a reprice on a non-refundable booking involved a $100/person change fee as a way to discourage small price adjustments except when an upgrade is involved.  I can't keep all the rules straight anymore.

@JLMoran  Thanks ... I vaguely understand most of that.  I'm hung up on the price difference between refundable and nonrefundable--- $400 for the cruise I'm looking at.  I haven't seen that much of a price difference before.  I usually don't change too much once I book a cruise but I like to reprice it.   Booking refundable allows any option before the final payment date but getting a refund seems to be horrendous.

I usually book a cruise refundable and take advantage of price decreases that happen later without having any change fee.  Booking refundable allows the option of cancelling with a refund before the final payment date.  Usually, the price difference between refundable and non-refundable isn't that much.  When it gets closer the final payment date I switch to non-refundable when I am more certain about going on the cruise.

Now, I am looking at a cruise for next year to replace one that was cancelled in April 2020.  "Cruise with confidence" allows a FCC but not a refund IF I book non-refundable and IF I cancel.  L&S allows some limited changes but booking refundable allows ANY change.  The price difference between refundable and nonrefundable is $400 for the cruise I'm looking at.  

Am I wrong in thinking that booking refundable is still the best option since the cruise is April 2021?  It was a pity that L&S wasn't available when the April 2020 cruise was cancelled.

3 hours ago, sk8erguy1978 said:

Ugh. I put in a refund request for over $600 dollars in upgrades I haven't had returned to me. I had to cancel since Vegas isn't open for Memorial Day Weekend and United switched our flight to something horrible. I did receive a travel voucher worth the base fair before paid upgrades. Fingers crossed they do the right thing.

We had a round trip one stop flight from London to home via Chicago with a modest layover.   United didn't cancel the flight but kept changing it and eventually I had 4 stops and I was flying all over the United States.  One of the connecting flights departed 2 hours before the preceding flight landed so I doubt it would have worked. When I called they just said I could reschedule it without a change fee but the flights weren't cancelled.  They also said that they couldn't "advise" me about what to do but commented that I had good price for my itinerary.  When I asked if I could just keep the return part the itinerary which was in October, they said NO but they would be happy to re-book a one-way flight and charge me double what the round trip cost.

Finally, they notified me that one of the segments on the return was cancelled but didn't give me the option of a refund.  When I cancelled on the website, the system kicked out a future flight credit.  It took me forever to find how to  "request" a refund for the upgraded seats and airfare.  It has been more than a month and the refund status button on the website still says "refund request pending. review."  I think they might be waiting for an Act of Congress to issue a refund but at least I got a future flight credit.  

50 minutes ago, joshgates said:

The stress of not knowing if we'd be sailing or not (95% not) didn't let me enjoy the lead up and planning for a trip like I usually do.  If I kept researching and planning on sailing then I'd just be extra disappointed if (when) the sailing was actually canceled, instead I decided to just focus on further out plans and making new ones.

I give my trans Atlantic cruise from Spain to the US on Nov 1st a 50/50 chance of happening.  I usually research and plan at least a year in advance and start booking flights, hotels and such about 6 months before.  All of that is on hold ... never mind the cruise itself.  At least I'm enjoying the book about Spain that I am presently reading while socially distancing.  Even if the cruise happens and we go, the mask and all the other changes might be a bummer. 

2 hours ago, Traveler said:

By the way since NJ and NY got the most infected people there is a good chance they will be also the first place that will show better results , but time will tell , as you said there is allot of risk there  

My flights will be on United Airlines through EWR as well ... they are #1 and #2 on my list of concerns.  NYC isn't exactly known for good results even in the best of times.  In regard to refunds, United Airlines makes RCL look good.

@Traveler I have a similar dilemma involving international flights for a trans Atlantic cruise from Barcelona back to the USA on November 1st.  My decision day isn't for another 2 months so I'm not losing any sleep yet. However, I'm not very confident that everything will happen according to plan.  Even if it happens, I'm not so sure it will be worth the stress of going. 

Plan B involves a L&S for next year.

I'm still trying to figure out Plan C so I don't lose any money which is why I'm still hoping for Plan A or Plan B 

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

@Matt's recent article about this stated that the OBC issued after final payment is non-refundable. As such, I would expect that if the cruise is canceled, that OBC vanishes into the ether. Same as if you were gifted OBC by your TA or Royal as a booking promo and it's labeled as non-refundable, and you then cancel the booking (or somehow don't manage to spend it all while on board).

Seems logical.  OBC is more like Monopoly money or at least it doesn't convert to anything remotely like real money.  That's why OBC is itemized separately from the real money. When the cruise ends or gets cancelled ... OBC is worthless.  I do like OBC that shows up in cruise planner and can be used before the cruise.  That's why I would advocate for some kind of cruise planner account that could be used on any cruise.

29 minutes ago, KyleW2 said:

According to RCCL Facebook Messenger, my FCC's were emailed to me March 24th. I never received them. I check my inbox and spam folders daily.

@KyleW2This happened to me awhile ago.  When I called RCCL to ask about the my FCC they informed me the certificates were emailed weeks prior to my call.  They said they would email them to me again but then proceeded to tell me what the certificate numbers were.  I asked about how to use the FCC and they gave me some suggestions.  One option was to apply the FCC to a previously booked reservation.  That worked out well because that reservation ended up being repriced and the FCC was applied and the balance due became $0 and some money was refunded.  The refund took about 45 days but eventually materialized.  Now I just worry that the future cruise will be cancelled and what happens to the FCC then.

I never did get an emailed FCC.

I think you go back to go and start over...or go to jail and pay a $200 fine.  It depends on whose rules you play by but I suspect the OBC goes away. 

Someone must be willing to buy those notes.  In the current risk environment, I bet the interest rate will be high.  Then the interest payments might be difficult in the transition period between now and the restart let alone the time needed for resuming operations to full capacity. I'm a "senior" and I like RCCL but I doubt I would buy those notes.  However, I still would reserve a future cruise and pay the deposit. I'm just waiting for the airlines to get back so I can get to the port...on second thought, maybe I will drive to the port before my car keys are taken away.

1 hour ago, PRebecca said:

So to use simple figures for example purposes, the trip was $6K  and we had paid $3K and then applied the $4K FCC to it which leaves us with $1K FCC to apply to next years trip.

Mine was something like that but the $1K was refunded so I didn't have any leftover FCC.  They did everything behind the scene and I was just on hold for about 30 minutes.  They did talk to me once in awhile trying to explain what they were doing.  

I did learn that if you mention that you want to upgrade something they are more eager to work with you.

Otherwise, a reprice is easy and fun to do.  When a FCC is involved - not so much fun and just more headache.  <---exploding head

35 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Generally, as a rule of thumb, I never apply an FCC until final payment.  Reason is that it affects re-pricing big time.  In the past, when I apply an FCC, it changes the actual cruise fare paid, so when the price drops, it messes up the price drop because it will show that you paid less than the price drop itself.  I'm not explaining it well at all but, yes, it is a big deal.

1 hour ago, PRebecca said:

is it a big deal to reprice after a FCC has been applied?

I don't think so but I haven't tried this.  I did use a FCC that was applied to an existing reservation which resulted in a significant refund after everything was repriced.  You can only apply the FCC to the cruise fare --- NOT the taxes, fees, and gratuities, etc.  In my case, the FCC was slightly less that the cruise fare so it looks like the cruise fare is reduced to almost zero.  Therefore, I could apply the entire FCC.  As long as the cruise fare isn't reduced to zero then there is room to reprice.   

When the FCC is more than the cruise fare ...  basically you NO CAN DO because it really gets complicated.  In that case, I would recommend an upgrade so the fare increases

29 minutes ago, Jason12 said:

We were and always will be foreigners to all mainland Europe we are not that liked We have flights booked for the 1st November just a two hour flight from the UK but might as well be the moon, we have Virgin flights booked to get us home all booked a day before lockdown and paid cash  

We had nice flights that were all paid for too.  Our cruise on Anthem to Southampton would have involved some train travel and hotels in the UK.  The original flight home was London to Chicago with a short connecting flight to home until everything started to fall apart.  Our flight home on United Airlines was rerouted from London to Newark to San Francisco to Denver to Chicago to home. United Airlines thought that was good so our flight wasn't canceled. The return part of the itinerary was our flight to Barcelona for the cruise on Allure in the fall.  United Airlines cancelled a segment on our return to Barcelona so that was my chance to cancel everything and get a refund.  I have a "refund request pending review" however a future electronic flight credit was e-mailed to me instantly. 

Cheers