Jim D

Jewel On Dec 4 - is now going to Nassau, it is replacing Labadee. 

2 minutes ago, VirtKitty said:

My 12.04 cruise just officially cancelled the Labadee stop. Going to Nassau, Bahamas instead. Bleh.

Hey VirtKitty - want to hang out at the ship's pool and share a few cocktails on that day?   My B2B on the Jewel just changed their stops as well. 

1 hour ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Check a recent Cruise Compass.

This was a picture from a woman who was currently on the Jewel and she had taken a picture of the compass and posted it. 

15 minutes ago, Doak said:

My 2 cents,,,, sorry this happened.  I do not know who you spoke with first of all, and this is by no means an excuse by any means. Any discrimination is wrong.

I have had times where on the phone I simply cannot understand the RCL employee there English is so terrible.  I actually tell them that I have to call back another time.  With that it is possible if they were from a 3rd world type setting which RCL does have that their society has not come around to ours on these matters.  AGAIN not excusing this by any means, and I hope that RCL does something for you here.

I get what you are trying to say.  Hopefully no one else has to deal with this and things get resolved.  

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to give a quick update - I did email Michael Bayley's office and another person higher up in guest relations, that was yesterday afternoon.  I received a call from a wonderful gentlemen today and we are working on getting me off the fence of whether or not to go on the cruises. 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will provide you with the final resolution.

3 minutes ago, Matt said:

Agree with everything said here.

One more point, use a good travel agent. There's no reason you need to have to deal with any call center people. Let your TA deal with it, and let the TA that appreciates your business be your partner in the cruise booking and planning process, rather than a round-robin of random call center people.

I'm sorry you had to deal with any of this.

Thank you matt and everyone so far for your words.  Next time I know that I should deal with a TA, you and others have suggested it.  Thank you! 

11 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Can't help you with who to speak with but I can say that the LGBT were still having scheduled meet ups-listed in the Cruise Compass- on both Adventure of the Seas (August) and Oasis (Sept).  Us solo sailers brought up to the cruise director that it was unfair there was nothing for single sailers.  The response-while very apologetic:   "they don't want us hooking up".   So I guess the LGBT community does not "hook up" during sailings.  

 

I just think its fun to meet other solo cruisers - I doesnt mean you are single and looking to hook up.. Whats wrong with making friends?

5 minutes ago, kadmgs said:

Hi Jim! While I don't really have any advice on how to proceed, I'm sorry you've had to deal with this type of discrimination. Maybe try getting in touch with another resolution specialist using the same method you used to reach the original specialist. With everything going on, you never know if the person you spoke with is at work right now. They could be out sick or even on vacation. 

That is very kind of you and much appreciated - we can only hope he is on vacation and will surprise me with an email later today. 

I am mainly looking for advice on this subject and what to do and where to go from here. I am may be opening myself up to a lot of hate or criticism , but here goes. And sorry for such a long post. 

After I booked my cruise everything was going fine, I ended up booking a B2B - worked well with Customer Service it was great super excited!  I then called back with a question about something (not sure I remember what at this point), the customer service individual I was speaking to - was looking stuff up for me and was chatting and asked "so any special reason you are going on this cruise, or what made you think about doing a B2B" something along those lines - I replied that I was a little nervous but excited as this would be my first solo cruise and knowing that RCL has had good reviews with LGBT travel sites and that celebrity is owned by the same company and celebrity has lgbt single cruises - I thought since I havent been traveling like I used to now would be the time.  I received dead silence for a good 20 seconds and then the agent started to give me the answer to my question - but was down right nasty and rude.  I was taken aback for sure. Anyways the call ended and I went on my way passing it off.  A second time I called and asked if with covid protocols they were still doing LGBT meet-ups on board and if they would be listed in the compass as they used to - the answer was a phone hanging up.  At this point I was annoyed. However as things keep changing and evolving because of covid and changes in destinations I thought maybe I will just stick to the text messaging customer service - I dont remember the entire conversation but something LGBT related came up again - because frankly, why should I hide anything and this is customer service that I am talking to, just looking for answer - I received the following text back - which I include a picture of "I am not engaging with this person any longer."  This is the point where I decided to escalate things and spoke to a gentlemen in the resolution department (I guess the supervisors of customer service).  I told him what was going on and he was appalled - rightly so, we spent over an hour on the phone he was apologizing right and left- made me feel some much better.  And I told him I am not looking to get anyone in trouble (I have the agents first names) but all I was looking for was some solid answers.  He told me that if I had any questions  or concerns to email him. Great - problem solved.  Well that was more than two weeks ago - I emailed him with some minor questions and I also emailed him shortly after our first conversation that if he could let someone above him know what was going on - because I believe no one should be discriminated against or talked to in such a manner.  I have heard nothing in return - a similar incident happened on Sunday when I was discussing safety concerns if our cruise had to go to a different destination (such as Jamaica or Belize - as both countries it is a crime to be LGBT and people are sometimes kidnapped and killed) I said obvisouly I would stay on the ship and not go site seeing but my question was regarding how the ports were set up and if they had shops right there so that if I did get off the boat I could not go far if there was stuff right there.  I emailed him about this. Nothing.  This morning I asked a agent thru the text line how I would get in touch with a supervisor of the resolution team - I was asked well what is it regarding so I can direct you to the right place.  I told the agent a very brief statement about it. The agent stopped talking - I said hello? Still there?  That was 6 hours ago. 

I thought at first I was just imagining it - but after a few more times, unless I am loosing my marbles.  And I KNOW it is not everyone - and I know for certain the staff on the boat are the ones that make the trip and they are wonderful.  But its a little unfortunate that I have to go thru any of this just to get a simple answer to questions about Royal gifts, GTY rooms, ports of call.   

So I guess my point is - where do I go from here - who do I talk to?  Or do I just continue to try with customer service and hope I get a decent person.  But when I was told by the resolution specialist who was so kind about everything and wanted to do anything to make it up to me - and I email him as he stated to do and I hear nothing and since I hear nothing from him I have to have other incidents occur.  

Again sorry for the long post and I hope everyone is cool with me posting about this. 

5 minutes ago, KristiZ said:

We did not eat quite that late, but we found have found in the past that if we wanted out of the MDR in an hour or so it was very doable -- just review the menu ahead and let your server know when you'd like to be finished. No worries!

Personally I dont know if that would work for me- I like long dinners - I recently went to dinner with a friend at a local resturant and it was a good 2.5 hours  lol...might have to switch to anytime dining if that is the case.

4 minutes ago, KristiZ said:

This is how they handled it on Serenade last week. So few passengers meant they really couldn't do two showtimes per night. So there was only at single show, at 930p, for everyone. They said it was to accommodate as many as possible, since most dining was done by then.

They also said as soon as there were more passengers they would resume the 2x per night shows.

What time dining did you have in the MDR.  If at 8 - did you feel rushed?

It came from a Facebook post on one of the Royal Caribbean facebook groups

Ive heard and perhaps they are just rumors about the bigger shows onboard only offering 1 showing?  It has been a long time since I have been on a cruise but I thoughts they used to have a earlier showing in the main theater for people who have the late seating in the MDR. And then a little later showing in the main theater for the folks who had the early seating in the MDR.  Because what I have heard is there is only 1 showing at 945 - which makes it hard for the 8pm diners to have a nice relaxed dinner with some cocktails and wine and be out of there to get to the theater by 930.  Is this only a Europe based thing or a smaller ship thing?  Has anyone else come across this?

Someone on a FB group posted a picture of there daily cruise planner. Not sure what’s it’s called. The compass?  This was on an overseas trip in the Mediterranean.  For all the big shows in the main theater it only lists one time for the bigger style shows (aka hairy spray and the like) at 945pm. If you are set for MDR at an 8pm seating how are you supposed to rush thru dinner in an hour and a half and get to the theater 15 mins early, especially if you plan a nice dinner with cocktails and wine. That’s a bit of a time crunch.  I always remembered having two show times and early one for the late dinner seating and a later show time for the early dinner folks?  Has anyone else seen this in the states? Or heard of anything like this due to reduced capacity?

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

THis only says $172 million

 

https://www.f-cca.com/downloads/Caribbean-Cruise-Analysis-2018-Vol-I.pdf

Interesting.  Either way. If I was me personally  I wouldn’t mind 172 million.  Then I’d take everyone on a nice cruise.

2 hours ago, Jim D said:

Our itinerary doesn’t leave from Texas or western Fl. 

300-400 million dollars a year from cruise ships stopping there.  

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

As @smokeybanditmentioned, GC has had a love/hate relationship with cruising for many years.  Frankly, they do not need the revenue from cruising like so many other Caribbean destinations do so they will or won't begin allowing cruise ships when they're ready and not before.  GC is a very handy stop for cruise ships that leave from south Texas or western FL so it has been a routine stop for a while.  I'm guessing that is why it was originally scheduled in but that doesn't mean it will continue to be a cruise ship port of call.

Our itinerary doesn’t leave from Texas or western Fl. 

The strange think is they say it’s because of the level 4 warning out out by the state department that these cruises have been change.  If you check out the state department every island in the Caribbean has a level 4 warning attached to it.  Including Puerto Rico which also hasn’t been changed in anyone itinerary.  In addition there are still traveling that are supposed to be traveling to grand cayman   Yet grand cayman has had a ban against cruise ships since the summer and the cabinet ministry just extended the ban well into next year. But RCL still says we are going there.   

11 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Maybe they haven't found alternative ports yet and dealt with all the logistics that go into it. Who knows. It's in the cruise contract that ports of call are subject to change.  And with the everything that's gone on over the last  19 months it is to be expected that it will continue to be a fluid situation. If I've learned anything about cruising as a vacation, if you can't deal with change and uncertainty it's probably not a good vacation choice for you even without being in a pandemic

I was just wonder if it has been banned since the start of cruising again why was it ever on the itineraries.  Not that I should stop cruising because of it.  

Does anyone know how you are supposed to us the royal up when they still have you listed as a gty?   How do you know if you can bid on a better balcony room when you don’t know what category balcony you have?

3 minutes ago, GKMCruising said:

You answered your own question - they *just* announced it on the 14th. Royal simply hasn't had time to update their site, most likely.

The original ban weas supposed to go until December 31.  The extension was just added 

2 minutes ago, GKMCruising said:

You answered your own question - they *just* announced it on the 14th. Royal simply hasn't had time to update their site, most likely.

The ban has been effect since the spring/summer of this year. They just announced the extension into next year the the 14th. And they is the cabinet ministry of grand cayman. 

9 hours ago, Mofrazier05 said:

Hi all. Not sure if you all know this but CVS is now offering "Travel" testing. We sail on Freedom 10/18. We were able to book our appointment 14 days out. This is for those that are having issues with finding test sites. This allows time to plan it out in advance. Went this morning at 10 AM. Took the Rapid test, not the PCR. Got our results back by 11 AM and it was no cost to us. (We do have insurance). Hopefully this is helpful to those with upcoming sailings in the US. 🛳

CVS is really good about getting the PCs tests done within two days if you go early enough on that first day. They said all their stuff to quest labs to be test! 

Grand Cayman just announced on October 14 that they are extending their cruise ship ban Until February 2022. My question is why have none of itineraries been changed for ships that are selling within the next 3 to 4 weeks and why are they continuing to sell cruises listing Grand Cayman as a destination that is only lying to people who may particularly want to go to that island 

1 hour ago, Reigert2008 said:

Received this email today for an upcoming cruise. At least it looks like the cruise is still going!  

 

"Dear Guest,

Before we set off for adventure on our Explorer of the Seas <Date removed for privacy> cruise, we have a quick change to share with you.

While we've been working around the clock to get our ships back to cruising, we've had to change how our guests are spaced out onboard to ensure proper social distancing. As a result, your original stateroom is no longer available. We're sorry for the last-minute change, but there's no need to worry. You'll be relocated to a like-for-like stateroom, and all your amenities will remain the same

Please know, there's no action necessary on your part. Once the changes are finalized, an updated booking invoice reflecting your new details will be sent to you and your Travel Advisor via email. If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or contact us at:

• 1 866 562 7625 in the U.S. or Canada
• 1 800 754 500 in Australia
• In the UK only, by using our webchat service or by calling 0344 493 4005
• All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number.

 

Thanks for your understanding. Next up: kick back, relax, and start counting the days until you set sail! See you soon!

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean International

 "

What kind of cabin did you have booked? Rear? Aft? Midship?  and can you let us know what they change you too "like-for-like"??