PPPJJ-GCVAB

19 hours ago, Yo2slick said:

We L&S our April 2021 cruise to April 2022.  We stayed with the same ship and itinerary, our rate actually went down significantly.   

I have an April 2021 cruise booked (rebooked from April 2020 and used some FCC).  Looks like the same cruise itinerary and ship will sail from FLL in 2022 instead of Miami.  Do you think it is wise to forget 2021 and if so would I be able to L&S?  My only problem is I have my kids and grandkids coming along and am not sure what week in April 2022 would be their school vacation.  Also if we had sailed in 2020 all 5 grandkids were 12 and under...rebooking to 2021 only 4 are considered kids and if I move to 2022 only 3 will be "kids"!!  Ughhhh this is getting complicated! 

19 hours ago, gi333 said:

Ok. We cancelled our cruise that was the April 19 th and they gave us a credit. Then the cruise got canceled anyway and couldn't get a refund because I canceled it before which is not acceptable. Now we have a cruise booked February 28 2021 from Florida. I have a feeling that it won't be happening. Problem is that if royal cancels that cruise my fcc used to pay for it won't be refunded as cash. I'm really screwed. Feel like calling them to see if I cancel now if can be reimbursed cash..... 

My 'story' is pretty much the same...used CWC to cancel April 13, 2020...then Royal cancelled it.  I didn't even bother trying to get a refund since I knew what I agreed to when I cancelled was set in stone.  I did try to get my travel insurance $ back but got nowhere with that!    Rebooked to April 19, 2021...just recently used the FCC to pay (only had to payout a little new money since I upgraded from 4 Spacious Balconies to 4 JS) . 

So, I believe if this one gets cancelled I will still only receive FCC for what I paid in FCC and any NEW monies paid toward the cruise fare would probably get refunded.  After reading so much material on all this my understanding is the original form of reimbursement stays with me until I use it or lose it.  Any newly paid money begins a new round of refund offers should this sailing be cancelled by them. 

3 hours ago, Jaime said:

 

All I can say is "OUCH!!!!"  

15 minutes ago, deep1 said:

 I’m in Jersey with destroyed house no electric and weak cell service to retry .

So sorry you caught the brunt of Isaias' wrath!  I do hope you get back to normal soon...just wanted to extend my well wishes. 

On 8/4/2020 at 11:35 AM, AGSLC5 said:

 That combined with Odyssey starting in April made me possibly think Royal thinks April is their target to reopen.. 

Well I certainly hope so!!  My sailing is April 19, 2021 so fingers crossed!!! 

9 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Actually, your fastest way to Club Royale royalty is slots.  You get more bang for your buck with slots than you do with table games.  Even though both Dan and I hate slots, we established our membership in Club Royale (back when you had to "qualify"...many years ago) by playing the video blackjack machines (which no longer exist) on Allure.  I'm pretty sure that's the last dime I ever put into a Royal Caribbean slot machine.  Unless you are making very very large wagers ($100 plus per hand), the table games will probably not get you where you want to be, quickly.  If you are on a 3 or 4 night NAV cruise, I think you would find it very difficult to qualify for Prime level without putting a good bit of money (and probably lots of hours) through the slot machines.  The good news is, qualifying points are cumulative, so even if you do not make Prime on your first cruise, your points will follow you to your next cruise and continue to build until you reach 2400 points (I think that's still what it takes...) to make Prime level.  Once you make Prime, you're good-to-go...you will get 1 free casino comp cruise per program year (which runs from 1 April of one year through 31 March of the following year), free drinks in the casino and waiver of the 5% "convenience fee" when getting money on your Seapass card at the casino.  Unfortunately, you are required (these days) to requalify every year, so when 1 April rolls around, your points are wiped out and you have to start all over again.  I liked the old system better...when you were "in" for life.

Ok...lots to consider!!  Might have to wait until my hubby retires later next year so I can start planning more than one cruise/year...and of course, talk him into going with me!!  

2 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Nope.  I think your Seapass will be dark blue...can't remember.  But only the full suites (and Pinnacle Club members) get gold cards.

Ok...I will work on that....  LOL   

1 minute ago, AshleyDillo said:

You get points for both but the accounting for points on table games is very subjective and not straightforward like the slots.  

Good to know!!!  Thanks so much

4 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Most of the suites benefits do not apply to JS on NAV.  You will get priority going through security and for boarding and of course, you get double C&A points, but that's about it.  I think Matt's post (above) includes all of the information you would need.  

Those in your party that are in balcony rooms will not be able to get the priority security/boarding so you will have to go through without them or stay with them in the non-priority line.

For what it's worth, I think the extra cabin space, the double C&A points and the reduced price (compared to full suites) make the JS a great deal.  We (suite snobs extraordinaire) are currently booked in JS 6 out of 17 bookings - nearly half.

Thanks for this info.  So...no gold pass??  I did read Matt's post and checked out the blog, too.  I am just happy we will have more space since both my daughters have 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) in their rooms and actually my hubby and I have our oldest granddaughter in ours!  Of course my son and his spouse couldn't be left out so I booked them in a JS too!  All this costing less than what I was paying for our April 2020 cruise in Spacious Balconies!!!  So now I really want 2021 to happen!!

10 minutes ago, AGSLC5 said:

Its very simple. You have to spend a lot of money in the casino. I would say on a 3 night cruise you need to spend between 1,000-2,000 dollars... So you see its not really free we just pay for our cruises by gambling instead of the traditional way lol. 

Got it...thanks for this info.  So I am going to assume my April 2021 cruise will happen and start socking away some "play" money now.  I assume it doesn't matter whether it's table games or slots, right?  

When discussing 'suite perks' does that include Junior Suites (on Navigator in particular) or only the suites above that category?  Curious because I have my family booked in 4 junior suites for our April 2021 sailing while some of our other family members are in Spacious Balcony rooms.  Thanks for any info you can provide  

Hmmm just sitting here wondering what it takes to get to the point of receiving Casino offers and comps!     Anyone got any tips for me??   I think I have a long way to go!!!    

This makes me so SAD!!   I am not booked until mid-April 2021 and am REALLY praying cruising is back even before then.  I was looking to book another cruise for later in 2021 but for now I am hanging on only to this one.  I will say Royal knows what they are doing though cuz the latest sale on the cruise planner (ends today) truly had some great prices so I must admit I bit the bullet and booked a few things...as did many in my cruising group.  Just couldn't help it!   

Please Please Please let cruising begin again!!!!! 

I think the cruisers are the ones able to book on the cruise planner sight.  I agree with WAAYTOOO and best to call the cruise planner phone number to speak directly to someone who should know .  Good luck and let us know how you make out!

Some parts of RI got quite a bit of wind damage and power outages.  My power was out for 26 hours...finally got it back at 5:30pm tonight.  Hope everyone fared as well as possible with little to no damage for anyone!  

Cruising is carefree...everything is included and, as a few others mentioned, you get to be 'pampered' by wonderful staff!  Land vacations bring you to one place at a time (and if you choose to go to more than one place your suitcase and belongings must go with you!!)...whereas cruises will bring you to as many places as you choose and you "live" in one room for the duration!  There is no time wasted looking for specialty restaurants either!!  That's the point...time is yours and when cruising...it remains yours to do whatever it is you'd like to do!

There is no other vacation that matches up to a cruise vacation but that is just my opinion 

Hi all...anyone know if CocoCay or Nassau received any damage due to this recent storm?  I know there are no cruises for awhile but was just wondering.  I looked at the Nassau webcam and the port where Royal docks looks like everything is fine...but I believe CocoCay is a bit further North and I don't know of any webcams for that island.  Hoping all is in tact!

And...hoping this will be the last hurricane   of the season...yeah...wishful thinking, right??  

So, I believe the original Cruise with Confidence offer came out around March 6, 2020 and only offered 100%FCC for cruise fare plus cash refund of taxes and gratuities...travel insurance would not be refunded.  Also the offer stated Non-refundable deposits would be refunded.  So in essence we would lose nothing but the travel Insurance (which I did call that company directly and got NOWHERE!!!)    The only time I saw a 125% FCC offer was when Royal themselves cancelled cruises and as far as mine was concerned I knew we were not eligible as we had already cancelled (Our cruise was not cancelled until April 4!).

My cruise was scheduled to depart April 13, 2020.  I had booked directly with Royal groups dept because I had 30 people (12 rooms) all set to cruise!!  On March 8, I called and cancelled using the CWC offer.  Because our cruise date was just outside of the 30 day window...Royal refunded 25% of our cruise fare in cash and set our FCC at 75%.  Within a month we all got back our deposits, taxes,  pre-paid gratuities, and our full airfares (I had used Air2Sea with Royal to book all of our flights).   Oh and our cruise planner refunds came back a little behind schedule but after a couple of calls that was fixed!    On July 16 we received our FCC $$$ and I applied them to our re-booked cruise for April 2021.  I am now facing a few glitches with the application of the credits but being able to work directly with Royal helps and I am sure all will work out as planned.

Yes, I spent many hours on the phone between March and July wondering when the FCCs would arrive, etc...and when I say many I MEAN MANY, MANY, MANY!!!!!!!      

So I am in the midst of doing exactly what this thread in all about...applying extra FCC $$ from one person to another (booked in same room with same occupants).  I have called maybe 3 times in last 2 weeks to see where Royal is in the process of doing this...apparently it is currently in someone's inbox in the resolutions dept and yesterday I was told this should be completed in the next 2 weeks.  Yes, I have been assured I am able to apply my grandkids' FCCs (they are now sailing free) to their parents' fares but also for the couples still sailing with us...the extra from one FCC is being applied to the other occupant's higher fare. 

It just takes so long for anything to get done!  I am doing this now even though our new sailing date is April 2021.  I actually have such low fares this time around that I don't even need to keep looking for them to go lower!  Pretty much all of us are only paying for the taxes and air fare...both of which were refunded to us already from our original April 2020 sailing (and I used Cruise with Confidence to cancel).  And many of my cruisers still have FCC leftover!!

BTW...I am not a TA.   I just have a large family all anxious to cruise together and I have been the organizer ("tour conductor") working with the groups department.

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/ Brickell-Downtown.   Reasonable rates....free breakfast...close to port...no complaints!

I check prices almost everyday and have saved quite a bit by doing so.  Takes very little time...I get to speak to a really nice Royal employee...and save the bucks!  In March I had to re-book our April 2020 cruise to April 2021 and at time of new booking upgraded from Spacious Balcony rooms to Junior Suites (for some of us) still paying less than original 2020 booking!   Since then I have called and saved several times...saved so much on my 2 daughters' JS rooms (kids sail free for 2021) that now with the FCC's applied from our 2020 sailing there is still FCC $$ left!!  That is crazy!!   Now we are just all praying the 2021 sailing will take place... 

Hello.  We did Brilliance from Tampa in January 2018 with stops in Key West and Cozumel.  It was our first cruise and it was also a freebie since I had won the cruise from the Powerball lottery. . Now all I want to do is cruise!  My suggestion regarding your rooms...yes call Royal and make sure you have your friend with you.  With both of you together you should be able to talk to someone and make a request.   If close rooms are available I am sure Royal will try to accommodate you!  Also...keep checking online for sales...as long as you are before your final payment date you can get any lower prices available.  I have a group of 32 family and friends booked for April 2021 and since the original booking in March we have saved several thousand bucks total on the rooms...even changed a few from balcony to junior suites!  I am a bit obsessive and check at least once a day .   Also cruise planner sales occur from time to time and yes Black Friday is most often awesome for deals!  If you have already booked your drinks and find a lower price you can cancel and rebook for the cheaper!  Again...check from time to time...the few minutes it takes to check just might save you $$$$$.   Happy sailing!

I am taking my family (13 of us) with more family and friends joining us for a total of 32 cruisers (many first timers) on Navigator in April 2021.  We were supposed to to sail April 2020 but COVID ruined our plans.   Trying to get hyped up and excited again but it's still nerve-wracking wondering if COVID will still be in the picture...and to what extent!     

In case anyone is interested, I just received the FCC's for all of us last week and I am now working with the groups dept to apply to our new staterooms.  It's been a bit of a challenge because 4 of my 5 grandchildren are sailing for free on the new cruise but were not free on the original one!  After many, many calls I was assured the kids $$ could be applied to their rooms (even though their fare is zero) but I am still waiting for the new emails showing all FCC's applied.  Will let you know once I have those emails confirming this has been done.  I am keeping the faith!!!

Funny I have had back and forth conversations (with myself mostly) trying to decide which ship would be best for my family of 13 (8 adults, 5 children).  We were booked for April 2020 and you all know what happened with that!  So we are now doing (well I certainly HOPE we are!!) the April 2021 cruise...and I opted for the Navigator because of the kids.  I think the slides on Navigator will be much more in tune with what the kids enjoy (especially being able to slide 2 at a time).  I had to set aside my adult "wants" because truly this vacation is more for the kids (who happen to be my grandkids).  In all the reviews I looked at...the Navigator just screamed "kids"...I wasn't getting that from the Indy (except for the candy store on the Promenade).

Guess I'll find out...and I hope you feel good about whatever choice you make!   Happy Sailing!!!

On 7/16/2020 at 4:24 PM, Tiger317 said:

Just logged in to see if they assigned us a room yet for our Spring break cruise next year and noticed a lot of price drops on the cruise planner. Thrill water park pass was down to $52.99. Has been hoovering around $100. It never dropped below $79 for our canceled June or August cruises. The drink packaged dropped from $71 to to $53. For our August cruise I got it for $49. so going to hold out a little. The 100 prints or 100 digital photo package is down to $134. It was $149 for our August cruise. 

You should buy the drink package at $53.  If it drops anytime up until about a week before your cruise you can cancel and rebook at the lower price.  BUT if you do not book now and it goes back up and you miss another sale...you will be stuck paying a higher price.  This sale is only on until July 22.