therealbigredrules

I'm seeing the cost of flights to Europe for the summer of 2024 more than double the cost we paid in the summer of 2022.  I have read it is the "revenge travel" impact from covid.  I thought much of that would have hit last summer.  Now, I would certainly expect some increase in cost over this time period, but more than double seems aggressive.  Anyone have some insight into if and or when they may be coming down and when the best time to book?

Much of what I read is demand related... so I get that... just looking for thoughts on if they might be coming down due to overpricing, /   have they overpriced and will they be coming down type information.......... I guess a guy can hope.

Cheers.

Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport

Please confirm on your own.  But I believe this is located inside the airport.....

Disney prices are boarder line abusive.  However, their product is outstanding from both service and overall quality.  This is Especially true if you can filter out the Disney feeling whenever you want (which is possible - but not always easy).  Is it worth the extreme premium in cost.  No.  In my mind, the Disney cruise experience is what Walt wanted the parks to feel like.  The parks are a zoo.  Their cruise experience is quite nice and if you are a Disney fan, i think you get the service and feeling Walt was looking for.  A Disney Cruise really is something special if you can swing it and are in the right mindset for what you will experience.  (And I am not a Disney fan)

My family if far from a Disney Freaks but did enjoy the experience.   If you want to try one.that is not priced ridiculously, you can spot somewhat realistic prices from time to time.  There is a November 3 day one way from San Juan to Miami that is priced for humans.  Obviously, you have to fly to San Juan... but finding cheap air is easier than finding realistic priced Disney cruises.

I'm a little late jumping on this thread but it caught my attention.  We cruised Anthem last summer out of Southampton.  Great cruise overall and the service and staff were fantastic.  We had late seating in MDR.  We enjoy a routine of a set time to eat and really enjoy getting to know our wait staff.  They were fabulous.

However,  the actual quality of the food was below average. It really seemed like they cut back on the quality of every item on the plate.  Maybe an issue with supplier maybe a cost cutting measure???   It calls into question my decision to book again.  So here is my question.....

I'm looking at a Celebrity cruise next year and have concerns that there might be a quality issue with their MDR product too.

Has anyone cruised on Celebrity lately - and how does the food quality in their MDR compare to the that in the Royal?  I'm only asking about the main dining room.  Not specialty.  Thanks in advance for any thoughts / comparison on quality.

2 hours ago, Matt said:

I agree it's silly the chat feature isn't included if you have Voom, however, if you buy the Voom package there's no need for the Royal Caribbean chat feature. You can use any messaging app out there to do the same thing without the chat feature cost. Facebook messenger, Whatsapp, Skype, etc.

Unless I missed an alternative approach.  It is needed if only 2 of the 4 in your group have voom internet.  In our case, I purchased the full Voom package for my 2 kids.  The 2 adults "survived" a week without internet. I had no issue paying for myself and wife to text (although other lines include this for free).  The rub for me is having to then pay for the kids so the entire family could chat.

Note.  The chat feature is not included as part of the internet package. It is an extra charge on top of VOOM. Distasteful / nickel and dime after dropping a few hundred for VOOM in my view.

29 minutes ago, Riley said:

I ran eMed tests off one account for my spouse and I both, using my email.  Didn't bother loading the Navica app onto my phone, just saved the "negative" letters received via email into "Files" and pulled them up one at a time when we were checking in.

That is what I plan to do rather than separate accounts.  I just wasn't sure If it would work for everyone on one account - even those over 18.  Sounds like it worked.

Under account on the Navica App you can set up multiple profiles.  I set up profiles for myself,  my one minor child, and went ahead and set up profiles for my over 18 child and my wife.  I am now showing 4 different profiles under my one login.

If this works, I will be able to see everyone's results under one login.  much easier to track.  If it doesn't work, I will just have everyone set up an account.   

RCCL had to know long ago that they would be extending the expiration date.  They strategically delayed this announcement.  Using the previous expiration date as a means to push people on the fence to book during the more risky ramp up / return to normal phase of filling ships back up.  

Consumer behavior certainly is fascinating and hanging a lost FCC out as a carrot is typical.

And the approach worked for me.  I booked sooner with a less desirable Interary because I didn't want to lose my FCC.  Certainly not the end of the world.  Very happy to be cruising again.   But it sure would have been nice to have additional time to book what I really wanted.  But again, certainly not the end of the world.  And given their cash position, it was a good business move. 

It is just especially funny when they wrap these shenanigans in an "exciting announcement"  

On 6/8/2022 at 11:43 PM, Suite Snob said:

My guess:  They're not approved for travel anymore because they don't perform at home virtual test monitoring anymore.  But, the test is still approved by the FDA under the EUA, Emergency Use Authorization and the Letter of Authorization is available on iHealth's website.  So, again, I guess that if you find a certified testing site that performs proctored testing, it will be good.  

For the trip / flight back from London I may use the government supplied test and then use the Certified Telehealth services from Onpoint. 

Certified Teleservice COVID Testing - OnPoint Testing (onpoint-testing.com)

For $14 seems like the best price option.  This test and proctor service was acceptable for a coworker of mine who recently flew back to the states from Paris.

(For the pre cruise i plan on using the Abbott / EMED since it is one recommended by RCCL)

Jen,

It gets even better.  I booked a trip and purchased the RCCL cruise insurance.  The cruise was canceled due to the pandemic.  While I successfully navigated the world of the FCC for my deposit and I have successfully applied it to an upcoming cruise, they refused to refund me the cruise insurance I paid associated with a cruise that NEVER took place.  

In most cases, but not always, I found coverage amounts to be better - for comparable priced policies - using policies not underwritten by RCCL.

26 minutes ago, Layne said:

  Any tips 

Relax your grip

Keep your head down

20 minutes ago, whitsmom said:

We are traveling to Amsterdam in August from USA.  We will test on Wednesday morning before our 6 pm flight, we land on Thursday early afternoon, and board the ship on Friday.  As far as returning home after the cruise, we are taking our eMed tests with us and trying to do them the night before we disembark.  I am worried about having good VOOM reception so we may have to do it early morning when we are closer to port when it is turned off (within 12 miles of port -I think) and we can use our own internet.  If we still can't get it to work, then we will have to do testing at the airport.  However, I REALLY hope that the testing to return home to USA will be dropped by then......

Your logic and process is spot on with mine.  Good to hear others are thinking the same way / process.  We are traveling to London in June  - out of Southampton.   Emed covid test in US before Wednesday flight.  Thursday arrival in London.  Friday board ship in Southampton.   I too hope to test on board ship for flight back.  And I too hope the requirement is dropped by then.  Cheers.  

I'm about 60 days out and options are limited.  Question: Does Royal ever add additional options or expand the number of spots available for shore excursions if demand is high?

I'm sure people cancel and change which could open up some spots over time.  But I was wondering if they might add capacity when booked up?

I will probably just have to book on my own - not a big deal... but would rather be on their official tours if possible.  Just not much available now.

I don't really want to roll the dice and hope something comes available while on the ship. 

Thanks for any input.

Following. 

Very interested in how this plays out.  I Welcome those who are traveling out of Southampton to share more as their information arrives on protocols over the next month or two.

I'm booked on the June 17th out of Southampton.  I Rolled the dice on this one a while back hoping things would clear up and we could make this trip a go.  Go a smoking hot deal on flights 8 months ago for the family when no one was looking to go to UK due to their (at the time) quarantine on arrival requirements.  Now that has gone away and fuel prices are up.... I really don't want to miss the chance of using these tickets.  Flight cost now are almost Tripple

Separately,.....Hopefully the US ends it testing requirement for coming back home to the states. 

Delta is confident that Covid entry testing soon will end: Travel Weekly

1 hour ago, twangster said:

When I see "I'm a senior, on a fixed income" the first thing that pops in my head is ... why are you booking a cruise vacation if you can't afford a cruise vacation?  Fixed income or not, don't put a deposit down on something you can't afford.  

 

Royal is not an insurance company.  The insurance company they resold to you did not refund the insurance policy.  That's in the terms and conditions.  In theory you had coverage from the moment you booked the cruise.  If a covered event occured before the pandemic hit you could have used the insurance.  Just because you didn't make a claim in that period does not make insurance refundable.  However in my case in the same situation the insurance company through Royal offered to transfer coverage to another booking.  

I know you want to hate Royal, but insurance is on the actual insurance company policy.  

Respectfully, I don’t hate Royal I simply don’t trust them.  They are an inanimate entity trying to conserve as much cash as possible to survive.  It’s been a tough few years.  I’m well aware of the players I was dealing with and well versed in the third party contract Royal was selling.  It’s a very powerful and safe position to take for each entity, as they can point you off to the other guy.  “He who controls the contract wins”.   So let’s play…..

The facts are simple. I have given Royal, AON, and ARCH a combined $1,516 for a cruise that never took place.   I have effectively given Royal a $1,000 interest free loan for 24+ months.  Which they will pocket if I don’t book with them before the end of the year.  Not a perfect situation, but I understand what I have.

 Separately, I have also given a combined $516 in a nice insurance commission kiss to Royal that they took straight to the bottom line, along with the underwriter and the insurance agency of record.  100% profit for a cruise that never happened and was canceled by them.  As such, very limited, if any loss exposure is a pretty sweet deal for everyone except the consumer.

I am well aware of which state each insurance entity is domiciled in and have had detailed discussions with the New Jersey, Florida, and Indiana regulators of record.  I am well aware of the transfer of risks that has taken place across each legal entity involved and loss ratios enjoyed by the companies.

You are correct, and I agree with your statement, “In theory I had coverage from the moment I booked the cruise.”  But that is not as powerful of a statement as you may think.  What does this really mean and what is the actually potential loss expose of this specific coverage given the circumstances surrounding the cancelation by the cruise line.  What does this really mean when talking about travel / cruise insurance and more importantly, a cruse that that never happened?   

What does coverage from day one mean in this case? That is the root issue.  Many on the travel insurance side of this discussion have tried to correlate this travel policy to other types of “Day One” insurance coverage such as Auto coverage.  This is nothing like auto insurance and give us an excellent example of why this is so different.

With auto insurance you have an asset that is being covered day one along with related covered liabilities on day one.  All of which could incur a full massive claim the second you purchased the vehicle and entered into an insurance policy.  Second, the guy you purchased the car from cannot cancel the purchase after you have taken ownership.

With cruise coverage, the potential losses exposure to the carrier changes over time.  That is, you make your deposit at time of booking, you make your full payment 90 days before the sail date, you then actually take your cruise which then, and only then, opens up additional items that are covered by the policy.

These are two vastly different things.

My policy was only active for a few months before RCCL canceled the cruise.  So what was the real exposer to a loss during the actual coverage time period?  Well, you can argue all day long that I purchased a market basket of covered for various allowable claims / coverage.  However, if RCCL / AON is going to place their argument on the concept of coverage from day one, there certainly could not be any actual cruise related claims.  That is, no lost luggage, no medical claims while traveling, no transportation back home, no cool helicopter ride off the front of the ship, and or other items covered due to the actual cruise taking place. 

So in this example, what was their real lose exposure in my case?  My $1,000 deposit?  Or was it Zero since I entered in to the FCC agreement?   What did I pay for this coverage? $516.  In the worst case, No rational individual would pay a 50% coverage rate.  Plus regulators would deem this rate abusive – and that opens up an entirely different problem for RCCL and AON.

I don't trust Royal as far as I can throw them.  They refused to refund me trip insurance on a cruise THEY canceled.

In this environment and even with a FCC, It is foolish to book a cruise with them until the very last minute.   Too much can change outside of your control.  Too much contractually in their favor once they have your cash.  90 days or 60 days out for full payment is too big of a risk.  Especially if you have been burned by them.  

I've to a FCC burning a hole in my pocket and desperately want to travel.  But no way will they get any additional cash until shortly before departure date.  

GoodReddensRCC

I'm right there with you on RCC lack of full disclosure and take it or leave it attitude.  Clearly when talking with RCC on the phone, they are under the influence of attorney's / accountants running the company to protect their position and conserve cash.  The liability on their balance sheet for all the FCC is massive and is something they are clearly struggling with.  On the flip side, unused FCC that expire will result in a windfall to their financials on paper. (+-Depending upon book reserve balances)

With that said, I have had FCC burning hole in pocket for almost 2 yearns now.  I have gone round and round with them on a few items they owe me money on and they refuse to move.  I have cruised multiple times with the usual suspects and have status with...... Disney, Princess, and Seabourn.  This would have been our first RCC and I have been less than impressed.  At this point I am just trying to recoup what I can from my out of pocket while managing my risk of additional losses to them on a booking.

I have my eye on 3 possible options this summer.  I will not pull the trigger until the last moment.  I am managing the expectations of my family on room type and cruise for the very reason of waiting.   No way I will give RCC any more cash until the last minute I book.  I really hope I can find a way to use the FCC, but if too risky, I too will walk away.  What I really wonder about is the long-term impact to RCC for this type of action.  If I do end up "eating" the FCC, there is simply no way I would ever use them again.  I hope this doesn't happen.

And finally, while many here are clearly huge fans of RCC and will tend to defend RCC, most are open to ideas, understand the situation, and give good information.   Some are travel agents trying to make a buck.    I love to cruise and am dying to travel... but It is what it is, so protect your family and your pocketbook.  And get everything in writing from RCC.  I don't trust RCC as far as I can throw them.

Cheers.

Can't find anything official on the RCCL Site.  If true pushes me form Mid-April 2022 book/redeem by date to end of 2022.  Apologize if old new, but the article seems to be dated today.... good new if true.

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-removes-book-by-deadline-for-future-cruise-credits/65409

Quote

Royal Caribbean has removed its “book redeem/by” deadline date for future cruise credits. This change of policy eliminates the need for guests to decide on booking a cruise well before the expiration of their FCC. This will be incredibly convenient for guests who had received FCC’s for canceled cruises, but who have so far not been able or willing to rebook. 

Thousands of quests that would lose their Future Cruise Credit if they did not book on time now can redeem their credit for any voyage sailing or departing on or before the same day. 

Bump.  Looks like protocols may have changed some.  If understand correctly - US / foreign travelers to UK do not have to quarantine upon arrival?  This was a big sticking point as flight time and itinerary would have made the cruise, we are looking at most likely out of the question.

Even after reviewing UK gov site, still not completely clear on current requirements.

Will be curious to see if RCCL offers more detailed process / procedures to ensure compliance and process is met for their guests traveling from US...

  Stil have my eye on June 17th out of Southampton for family of 4.   Hopefully things open up even more and make this a possibility.  

Anyone else on this cruise??  Nothing showing up on roll call section yet.

Welcome anyone's input as we learn more.

7 hours ago, Ray said:

As things stand right now you dont even have to test positive to be sent into isolation.

If you come into close contact with someone who tests positive you must self isolate for 7 days in England 10 days in Scotland, if you take a test and it shows negative it means nothing you still got to see out your isolation days as do those you share a home with. A family of 4 could potentially have 28 consecutive days isolation in England and 40 in Scotland 

You will have to fill in a PLF form for entering the country, on this form you have to say where you are staying. As a tourist you may find you are told what hotels you have to isolate in! If you need to self isolate and wanted to stay with friends or family then they would also need to self isolate even though they have no symptoms or have had a negative test.

As mentioned previously its all politics right now as none of the above makes any sense and will change soon

Thanks for the info Ray.  The close contact issue is something I had not heard about yet  Just crazy.  .  

Just sad really.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Summer 22 cruises for US Citizens.  I have been tracking the June 17th on Anthem for my family of 4.  I have a FCC buring a hole in my pocket.  But no way I will book with current restrictions or even if UK will allow US citizens to cruise.  As of today, it appears a clean covid test is required before departure and then quarantine upon arival with a clean test required within 2 days of arrival.  The logistics and timing of having to have entire family tested upon arrival and then waiting for all clear prior to boarding seems to make this cruise out of question.

Rolled the dice and I booked air months ago when prices were very very reasonable in the hopes of making this cruise.  Still have time - hope things open up.  

On 7/14/2020 at 10:32 AM, AshleyDillo said:

I don't think this is specific to AON.  While I believe most travel insurance carriers will allow for the transfer of the policy to another cruise, I don't feel a full refund of travel insurance premiums is warranted in most cases.  A pro-rated refund sure, but the travel insurance company provided coverage to you from when you purchased the policy until the cruise was canceled.  Just because you didn't have to use it, doesn't mean that you shouldn't have to pay for the time you were covered.  Asking for a full refund is like expecting to be refunded for a full year's worth of auto insurance premiums when you are months into your coverage.  

Unfortunately neither RCCL nor AON is willing, up to this point, to even give a partial / prorated refund via a cash reimbursement or even an FCC.  Neither group is moving on this item in my case.   And as mentioned before, they both point to the other guy.

But let’s dig in a little deeper on the topic of a prorated refund.  First, I would respectfully submit that this is not at all like auto insurance.  With auto insurance you have an asset that is being covered day one along with related covered liabilities on day one.  All of which could incur a full massive claim the second you purchased the vehicle and entered into an insurance policy.  Second, the guy you purchased the car from cannot cancel the purchase after you have taken ownership.

With cruise coverage, the potential losses exposure to the carrier changes over time.  That is, you make your deposit at time of booking, you make your full payment 90 days before the sail date, you then actually take your cruise which then, and only then, opens up additional items that are covered by the policy.

These are two vastly different things.

For my case, the concept of a prorated refund seems somewhat palatable to this consumer as a method to recoup some of my funds.  I’m reasonable, and understand that you have to give and take in these situations.  However, when you look deeper, even this is somewhat questionable and could lead to problems for the cruise line and AON.  Three simple things that cannot be disputed are (1) I paid $500 for cruise insurance. (2) My out of pocket (deposit) was $1,000.  (3) No cruise took place.

Using the logic of “just prorate” – Let’s then ask the question - what was RCCL / AON real exposer to a loss during this prorated time period?  Well, you can argue all day long that I purchased a market basket of covered for various allowable claims / coverage.  However, if RCCL / AON is going to place their argument on the concept of prorated coverage (which they have not to this point), there certainly could not be any actual cruise related claims.  That is, no lost luggage, no medical claims while traveling, no transportation back home, and other items covered due to the actual cruise taking place. 

So in this example, what was their real exposure in my case?  I could be wrong – but I’m thinking it is no more $1,000.   What did I pay for this coverage? $500.  No rational individual would pay a 50% coverage rate.  Plus regulators would deem this rate abusive – and that opens up an entirely different problem for RCCL and AON.

On 7/2/2020 at 4:58 PM, cruisincaroline said:

Don’t buy insurance from AON TRAVEL fighting them to get refund or transfer to another cruise. Sad part RCL recommends this. (living in NY this is who was recommend. )

I have been trying to get an acceptable resolution for over4 months.  RCCL sends you to AON.  AON sends you to RCCL.  Circular logic is their game.  They point to the other guy and hope you will go away.  For my policy, AON is just the administrator - Arch Insurance appears to be the underwriter.  At this point, getting an acceptable resolution has become nothing more than my hobby. I kill them with kindness and just drag it out.  I do this with both RCCL and AON.  I've clearly been screwed, so it makes it easy.

Righteous Indignation is probably the best way to sum this one up for me.

If I cannot get money or credit back, I will take as much of their time as possible to wear them out and drag it on to add expenses to their overhead.  I had a 35 minute call with AON last week while in the car..... so had some time to kill.  I do that whenever I have a few minutes.  Add a few emails every week along with a snail mail letter referencing my emails and calls and it just bogs them down.  Adds to their overhead expenses - so I will just keep doing it until I get my money, credit, or think I have taken enough of their time to recover some of my cost.

Response time has improved over the past few months - but it usually takes about 5 days for them to respond.  Wait a few days and send a follow up.  Get some names off their website and sprinkle a few extra people on distribution and it just expands over time.