PhillyLady

Even though Europeans like to eat late, that second seating can drag on, and if you have a lot of early departure shore excursions, you may not want to dine that late.  When I was much younger I liked late dining, but now I prefer to eat earlier so my food has more time to digest.  Maybe you can ask to be waitlisted for the earlier seating, and keep calling and checking. I did that in the past and was successful. The other option is to ask the Maitre D' when you get on the ship. If not, perhaps you can get My Time on a regular schedule throughout the cruise.

This summer I was kicked off an upcoming Princess cruise in Greece due to the fact they decided to allow a group to do a full ship charter.  Yes, I was also notified by email.

We received NOTHING.  Thank goodness I had not yet finalized my air.  Enjoy the opportunity to have a two-for-one experience!

Wow--I sailed with Chandris in the 1970s and I might still have my sea pass cards.  (I think they were little cardboard squares.)   Chandris then became Celebrity, and was purchased by Royal Caribbean.    Not sure they would give me any points for those travels...

Unfortunately for me, I have also sailed on a few cruise lines that have completely disappeared, such as Dolphin Cruise lines and American Hawaii Cruises.  I also sent my parents on the Mississippi Queen from Delta Queen Steamboat Cruise Lines.

Oh well, at least I have lots of happy memories!

 

We  really like the RC Bahamas out island, Coco Cay.  Hopefully your ship is visiting.

My husband always does the rock climbing walls on RC.  Usually after a few tries he can make it to the top!  

 

If we do not receive envelopes, we ask for them at the desk. We almost ALWAYS tip extra cash above and beyond the automatic gratuities for our waiter, assistant, room steward, etc., etc. on the last day of our cruise.  We find our cruise staffs to be hard-working, and we know they are most likely underpaid as compared to we who are traveling.  Yes, this is a custom from the past, but I have cruised long enough that I remember when the entire tip was cash and given in an envelope.  I think the automatic gratuities solve many problems, and it is a bit of a shame that some people remove them because they do not budget appropriately for a cruise. 

Most definitely the pre-teen boards with Mom.  Don't worry about it, you will be fine.  Make sure you have all correct paperwork ready to go.  Have a WONDERFUL first cruise and make some special memories with your daughter. 

We went to the drive through at Walgreen's for our cruise Covid test and with our insurance the experience was free. Results were available in two hours, and we were ready to go. Please be aware that Covid requirements could possibly change by September.  Some cruise lines are already eliminating the requirement to review your results!  All of this will make it easier for the traveler, although it may not be safer health-wise...

My priority for European cruises is always itinerary.  That said, I find Celebrity (owned by RC) to be the most refined and adult-oriented of the three, and the line often offers the most unique itineraries.  Princess and Holland America (owned by Carnival) are comparable.  I took a Celebrity Greek islands cruise in 2019--the ship departed RT Venice (sadly, no longer permitted) and provided us a nine night wonderful experience.  I am booked on Princess for 2023 with a similar itinerary departing Rome OW and arriving in Athens. We will visit Istanbul, which my husband has not yet seen. That trip is only one week because we want pre-and post-time in those two marvelous cities of Rome and Athens.  My brother and family (two children) enjoyed the NCL Western Mediterranean cruise (Rome to Barcelona)--I think the itinerary is very good, but quite busy, and I would certainly book the ship just to see all those ports.  I find NCL more casual and budget-friendly, but again, that is never my reason to book in Europe.  I was tempted a few times by some of the RC cruises, but they just seem a little too basic in itinerary for me, although RC ship activities cannot be beat, and husband ALWAYS attempts the rock-climbing wall. I always recommend RC to families with children as the best choice.

Just so you know--we are archeology and history enthusiasts, so we do not cruise in Europe to relax, but rather to visit and see as much as we can.  We take full-day tours at every port and listen to all the lectures.  We go the shows at night and dance in the nightclub. We just came off the Cunard Queen Mary 2 two weeks ago--we took that cruise just to see the ship--(we were in New England and Canada) and soak up some British hospitality.  We are a tiny bit older than you but in excellent shape and highly experienced travelers.  We have cruised transatlantic and find it a bit boring.  We also have many pets, so we are limited in our length of time away from home.  

We only invite other people to cruise with us when we go on more relaxing types of cruises, such as the Caribbean.  

I was also in the Orlando airport on that same day the TSA agent jumped!!  Shocking and sad.  Cruises are usually full of fun, but for those with mental challenges, perhaps seeing everybody enjoying themselves can push someone in the opposite direction.  I know one person who went on a cruise with family members and hardly came out of the cabin, and certainly did not get off at any ports.  I am guessing alcohol could also compound the issues.  In any cases, my deepest sympathy for the individual, the family, and all crew and passengers involved.

All I know is that I really like RC ships and the cruise experience, BUT it took me months and months to get my refund, and every day I saw angry posts from people cursing out RC and swearing they would never sail with them again.

Now all this back and forth about vaccines, when it seems really they are just pandering to the egoist Florida governor, and welcoming all to come aboard and spread disease freely.  I cannot afford the time to quarantine and I do not want my vacation to get "messed up."

And so, I am booked on Viking out of Bermuda for the end of this month--no children allowed, all must be vaccinated and tested.  

For 2022 I have already booked two other cruises--neither of them RC yet.  

For me, safety is paramount as we return to the seas.

I am booked for July 2022, but I am drooling over the RC cruises out of the Bahamas this summer.  The ship is not the biggest, but the itinerary is all beach days.  Wish I could convince myself to go...

YES, por favor!!!  I did not make it there yet and it is a cruise destination on my bucket list!!

One time I went to Asia and bought a nice piece of jewelry which I had to declare and pay customs/tax.  Could I have tried to sneak it in, or wear it, as many people do?  Maybe, but I am an honest person, so I have no desire to cheat our nation.  By the way, I saw somebody get thoroughly searched --everything removed from suitcase, all items gone through, etc., etc., and so it is much better to declare than take the chance be identified as a cheater.  Also, your item could be permanently confiscated and you might have to pay a fine as well.

Since it appears that the vaccine will not really be available to the general public until next summer (IF it proves as effective as discussed, and IF they can roll out the somewhat complex distribution plan), people have to stay safe and watch their health, and dream of a cruise perhaps in late 2021 or 2022.

I was introduced to cruising by my father, a Navy veteran who fought in WWII. He loved ships and being on the water, and shared that experience with his family, although in a much more glamorous way!  My first cruise was in the Mediterranean when I was a teenager, and I was mesmerized by the calm blue waters, clear sky and exotic destinations.  Cruising became a type of vacation experience that was simply a part of all our lives--more than just an addiction.  Yes, I do many other kinds of vacations as well--drive, fly, all -inclusive and so forth, but boarding a ship, unpacking once, dressing for dinner, formally meeting the captain, enjoying live shows, seeing all the stars at night, and pulling into a port that beckons with beauty, history and adventure totally enriches the story of my life.  I am a lifelong cruiser!!

The islands are "open," but not to cruise ships.  You need your negative covid results and a private yacht, if there are no flights available!

It seems that Key West has always thrived on tourism, and after the hurricane a few years ago, they were practically begging folks (especially cruises) to come back.

It is not really clear from the article WHY they want to limit guests.  Venice, I can understand, due to the age and fragility of the city, but Key West is a lot of bars down one big road.

They may not like the financial results if they get their wish granted.

Love me some Philly!

We are close enough to enjoy a day trip to NYC but far enough not to have to deal with all the congestion.

Although our single home is in the city, it is far out from the 'downtown' area and we have a big backyard and trees everywhere.  Also, home prices are fairly reasonable as compared to NYC.

We were left off the original quarantine list by FL and so our PA snowbirds can come and go to FL as we please.

BTW, we are a multi-pet household:  dogs, cats, and birds.  It is always heartbreaking to lose a member of the family, but our little animal companions are so perfect that heaven always calls them all too soon!

Ahhh, the beautiful Bermuda beaches.  Glowing pink and soft as powder.  I could surely be tempted to fly directly there and relax for a few days.

Now if only I would receive my RC April refund I could splurge on those airline tickets!

And so I have advised multiple people on multiple websites, that there is no need to rush to rebook ANY travel until we see exactly how the industry is recovering!

It is always easier to get a last-minute bargain instead of waiting months and months for a refund...

RC would have to pay me to participate in an escape room!  I guess I am just a bit older--I go on a cruise to sit in the sun and listen to the waves.

Back to the main topic, to start up again in the Caribbean, perhaps cruise lines could begin by just offering shorter cruises and featuring mainly their private islands.  That way all of the discussions about government permission would not be as crucial. There would also be no exposure to people other than those already pre-screened by the ship. My RC cruise that was cancelled this April featured a day at CocoCay, and I was really looking forward to visiting and seeing all the updates from my last visit.  I also have heard that there are recommendations that cruise lines improve their medical facilities and create more comprehensive plans on how to deal with medical emergencies, which I believe are valid actions to take.  I am quite interested in cruising again, but I would not really look forward to wearing a mask around all day.  Let's hope a potential vaccine is developed soon!

My deepest sympathy.  The cruise line should provide mental health supports to all staff who are far from home, lonely, worried, without work or activities and potentially without pay or benefits.  These crew members are very young and I am so sorry they are in such despair that they take their own lives.  On my next cruise I will be thinking about the crew much more than ever, and observing how they are treated. It is our responsibility to speak up if we think that crew members are not treated appropriately.

Well, I was supposed to cruise RC Easter week back in April and my air prices were sky high like that, almost $1000.00 a person, for a simple Philly to Florida RT flight.

I ended up booking in and out of different cities on different airlines, but it was still quite costly.  Thank goodness the cruise was cancelled and I received a full refund on the air (Still waiting for my RC refund).

I have done Amtrak down to Florida and the only good part was the dining room--which may no longer exist.  Lots of screaming children for hours on end, and the bathrooms get messy.

Before booking your air, ask the cruise line what it can offer you.

Maybe you should book something fully refundable and then wait to see if traffic increases and prices go down.

Did you receive a FCC for the $1300.00?

I think RC is saying you can only have 125% on the $2.00, because that was really all the "cash" you paid, but you still have the original 1300.00 FCC to use.

I agree with WAAAYTOOO that you should not expect 125% on the original fare as that was a different scenario.

Therefore, you really have no loss except for the $177.00 credit which was never used.

So, plan another cruise with your 1300.00, and negotiate, and maybe you can get an upgraded cabin or some other additional freebie since you lost out on the $177.00.

You had some bad luck with your two planned cruises, but the third time is the charm.

We cruisers love the experience and many of us are happy addicts, and we want you to have a joyful experience as well!