billdauterive

I sent in my proof for the first time via the pdf form and email yesterday for my 3 upcoming sailings (Nov, Jan, July).  I heard back via email today that all 3 I applied for were approved.  I even see the OBC already applied on 2 of my 3 sailings in the cruise planner.

Full email for July Ovation:

Dear Guest,

Last week, the Canadian government announced continued port closures for all cruise ship travel through February 2022, which may have left you wondering what would happen with your upcoming sailing. Over the last few days, we've been reviewing our itineraries and discussing our options with various government agencies to determine the best plan of action for your cruise. Unfortunately, whenever changes like these need to be made, the process can take a little time - itinerary planning and logistics are a tough part of our business! So, we kindly ask for your patience as we continue to diligently work on next steps in light of this recent government mandate.

We understand that you may be eager to either book a new cruise or work on alternate vacation plans. So, we've put together a few options that will give you some flexibility as you decide what works best for you and your family.

Your Options

Option 1: Wait for an Updated Itinerary or Official Cancellation
We're currently working through this latest government update, but it may take a bit of time to finalize. We get it - you want to cruise, and we want you to cruise, too! As we have been doing with all our global suspensions, we're committed to letting you know of any changes or cancellations at least 30 days prior to your cruise. And if we know any sooner, we would let you know as soon as we do. We hope that you'll stick with us until then to see if we are able to work through alternatives. In the meantime, the final payment due date will be pushed to 45 days prior to sailing for those sail dates that reach Final Payment while we are exploring options and ironing out our path forward. But either way, if you later decide to make alternate vacation plans, we've got you - and you can still take advantage of our other 3 options below.

Option 2: Select a New Sailing
If you prefer to change your sailing to one in 2022, we're happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same ship, itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 1 week (before or after) of your original sail date the following year. For example, if you are moving from an Ovation of the Seas May 21st, 2021 sailing, you can move to another Ovation sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and has a sail date between May 14th, 2022 - May 28th, 2022.
• Please know, price protection covers your cruise fare/promotion on an applicable sailing only and excludes taxes and fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items, as these may change.
• Complimentary Casino offers are not eligible for this option.

Option 3: Select a 125% Future Cruise Credit
If you decide to move forward with alternate vacation plans, we're happy to provide you with a 125% Future Cruise Credit to book a new cruise by April 30th, 2022.
• This amount is based on your total cruise fare paid, and we're giving you a little extra knowing that this is such a unique circumstance.
• Your certificate can be used on any Royal Caribbean International sailing that departs on or before September 30th, 2022 and gives you more flexibility to choose a sailing that's right for you!
• Please contact us to select this option, and we'll send your Future Cruise Credit via email by April 16, 2021.
• Taxes & fees and any RoyalUp upgrades will be automatically refunded. Current refund processing is around 45 days. We are working as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience.
• Please note:
o If you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit, this offer does not apply.
o If you previously used a Future Cruise Credit (including previous Global Suspension FCCs), you'll receive a new Future Cruise Credit. This will be for 125% of any new monies paid on this sailing, plus the value of your original credit at 100% of its value, with an expiration date of April 30th, 2022 and a sail by date of September 30th, 2022.
o If you were already impacted by a sailing that was previously cancelled due to a global suspension and paid additional monies on a new booking within this extended suspension period, and you opt in for a refund via the process below, it will be for both bookings.

Option 4: Select a 100% Refund
If you prefer a full refund, we're happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, you have until June 30th, 2021 to request a refund.
• Please contact us to start the refund process, or to avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, click here • We'll then process your refund to your original form(s) of payment, which will include any non-refundable deposits.
o Note: Please know, once we receive your refund request, we unfortunately won't be able to reverse the request if you change your mind.
• You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after you submit your refund request.
• Please note: If you used a Cruise with Confidence certificate on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we'll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we'll reinstate your original Cruise with Confidence certificate.

Air/Hotel
• Refundable air or hotel accommodations purchased through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded to you within 45 days after we process the cancellation.
• If you booked non-refundable air through Royal Caribbean or booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them.
If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately.

We appreciate your understanding and remain optimistic that every day is a step closer to a healthy and safe return to service. Stay healthy and safe. We miss our guests, and we'll be ready to welcome you back soon.

Sincerely,

Michael Bayley
President & CEO
Royal Caribbean International

On 5/26/2020 at 6:05 PM, billdauterive said:

I'm still missing mine from an April 6 cruise.  I got the FCC for it on 4/13 (and already used it). 

I think it's now past the 45 business days from the cancellation date of 3/14 for the "cash" refund of taxes and fees so I'll probably be calling in soon to see the status.  I've been as patient as possible by giving them the max amount of time they said they needed to process, but now I'm pretty certain it's been lost in the shuffle.

Another point of data.  Mine finally posted yesterday (and it was correct math, not "Royal" math).

It was about 47 business days from sail date, and 63 business days from cancel date (I didn't count Good Friday and Memorial day as business days).

On 6/5/2020 at 6:46 PM, Hutcherl said:

I purchased RC @$35, Norwegian @ $11 and Carnival @ $12.50 a few weeks ago.   Happy days so far.  

I was called crazy when I got in at $24, $9, and $11 back in March.  Who's crazy now?!

*Still me but not because of this stock purchase at least*

2nd year in a row this year!

I loved it last year and want to make it a yearly tradition.  The wife, not so much...  Had to compromise and bring the kids with us this year.

I'm still missing mine from an April 6 cruise.  I got the FCC for it on 4/13 (and already used it). 

I think it's now past the 45 business days from the cancellation date of 3/14 for the "cash" refund of taxes and fees so I'll probably be calling in soon to see the status.  I've been as patient as possible by giving them the max amount of time they said they needed to process, but now I'm pretty certain it's been lost in the shuffle.

At least they are still allowing Lift and Shift on cancelled itineraries (until June 10th).  That was my concern before the official cancellation (so I pulled the trigger on L&S last week to be certain).

2. Lift and Shift: If you prefer to move your existing booking to a 2021 sailing – we’re happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 4 weeks (before or after) of the original sail date in 2021. For example, if you are moving from a July 30, 2020 sailing, you can move to a sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and the sail date between June 30, 2021 – August 30, 2021.
• Please contact your Travel Advisor or call us by June 10th to move to a new sailing. If we don’t hear from you, we will automatically issue your Future Cruise Credit.

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

If I was reading @Matt's post correctly, they are allowing cancelled cruises to be L&S-ed up until June 10.

I just got the cancellation email and yes, you can Lift and Shift a cancelled cruise (which is what I wanted to know beforehand...)

2. Lift and Shift: If you prefer to move your existing booking to a 2021 sailing – we’re happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 4 weeks (before or after) of the original sail date in 2021. For example, if you are moving from a July 30, 2020 sailing, you can move to a sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and the sail date between June 30, 2021 – August 30, 2021.
• Please contact your Travel Advisor or call us by June 10th to move to a new sailing. If we don’t hear from you, we will automatically issue your Future Cruise Credit.

On 5/7/2020 at 10:49 AM, billdauterive said:

My thoughts exactly.  Holding out hope for my July 3rd Ovation but ready to do a lift and shift if needed. 

My only concern is if Royal does cancel the sailings, will lift and shift still be available since it wouldn't technically be a cruise with confidence cancellation at that point.

Whew!  Glad I decided to L&S last week!  Took my TA all the way until Saturday to get through to Royal to get it done.

@WAAAYTOOO is living that suite life I see

I booked our first Alaska cruise about a month ago because the balcony rates were less than half the rates for 2021 (when we were originally planning for our first Alaska cruise).  In fact the price was so good we booked our kids as well with connecting balcony rooms and the all-in total was still more than $600 less than just myself and my wife for next year.  So basically, even after airfare for kids, we got 2 connecting rooms this year for the price of one next year.  I wouldn't hesitate to book Alaska for this year and then turn around and lift and shift to next year if you can be without those funds for a year as the prices (except suites ) are such a phenomenal deal right now.

Lately I've been thinking I'll lift and shift to next year as well to avoid to suspense of a Royal cancellation and not being able to lift and shift the tremendous deal....

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

It has been said that it isn't retroactive to those that have already been canceled but they haven't addressed if Lift & Shift will be an option for the next round of cancellations.  

I suspected they haven't thought about that scenario yet.  Thanks.

37 minutes ago, vanelli56 said:

Maybe Royal will hold out with the thought that if they can make a go and try to salvage some of the Alaska sailings... they would basically be the only game in town. Might be able to get some folks to book from other sailings that are being cancelled by other cruise lines. 

I know its wishful thinking... but I'm already starting to think about and looking at using the lift n' shift option for our Ovation July 31 cruise.... from this year... to next year. 

Fingers crossed.... but either way... I hope if they are going to cancel, they just go ahead and do it and not draw it out to the last minute. 

My thoughts exactly.  Holding out hope for my July 3rd Ovation but ready to do a lift and shift if needed. 

My only concern is if Royal does cancel the sailings, will lift and shift still be available since it wouldn't technically be a cruise with confidence cancellation at that point.

@AshleyDillo Is there anything in the TA FAQs about being able to use Lift and Shift if a cruise is cancelled by Royal and not the individual under Cruise with Confidence?  I really want to stick with my current July booking, but don't to miss out on having the same cruise next year if Royal has to cancel it (since it's currently more than double the price for next year so 125% FCC wouldn't cover it).

Any ideas if they will still offer Lift and Shift instead of 125% FCC if the sailings are cancelled by Royal?  Primarily wondering because of the high probability Seattle itineraries this July will need to be cancelled (Canada port closure extended, CDC no sail, Seattle port closure extended, etc).

Long time lurker, first time poster.

The lift and shift is a great idea!  I've got the entire family booked on Ovation for a July Alaska itinerary and it will be the kids first cruise.  The price was so unbelievable that it was less to take the entire family this year than just the wife and I next year so we went for it a few months ago.  Obviously we're not too confident it will actually sail so we were going to use the FCC to rebook next year if it did get cancelled.  Now I could still take the whole family next year for the same cost!

But does anyone have an idea if the lift and shift will still be available if the cruise is cancelled by Royal?  I really want to go this year if they do sail, but I don't want to miss out on the lift and shift if it has be done under cruise with confidence.