DisneyWorld30th Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Travel agents were informed today at 9:15AM that there is Breaking News to be announed to agents tomorrow. Here was the message: I can't contain my excitement, I have some late breaking news to share with you all! The anticipation is too much for me to wait another week to share this news so I will be switching up my previously planned Coffee Talk. Join me tomorrow Wednesday, March 17 at 12 p.m. EDT, for an exclusive Coffee Talk with some hot off the press updates. I guarantee this is a session you will not want to miss out on - I'd say this is the news we've all been waiting for! DD474 and smokeybandit 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DisneyWorld30th Posted March 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 @Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Sure it wasnt NCL cancelling June cruises Banner is up on their website that they are suspending June ... typically means Royal is right behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 7 minutes ago, jticarruthers said: Sure it wasnt NCL cancelling June cruises Banner is up on their website that they are suspending June ... typically means Royal is right behind. June cancellation could be in anticipation of an announced July restart. RWDW1204 and bryresangel 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayleigh Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 7 minutes ago, jticarruthers said: Sure it wasnt NCL cancelling June cruises Banner is up on their website that they are suspending June ... typically means Royal is right behind. I was just going to mention NCL cancelling June cruises. The only other thing I can think of is maybe some test cruises I'm a pretty optimistic person but I don't see cruises happening anytime soon sadly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mook1525 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Test cruise with vaccinated people announcement maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 markinct and sammy79 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Well the only two pieces of info anyone cares about that much to have hyped up are test cruises and restart dates. If it's anything other than that, then it's just plain wrong to hype it. em.down.the.rabbit.hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 51 minutes ago, DisneyWorld30th said: Travel agents were informed today at 9:15AM that there is Breaking News to be announed to agents tomorrow. Here was the message: I can't contain my excitement, I have some late breaking news to share with you all! The anticipation is too much for me to wait another week to share this news so I will be switching up my previously planned Coffee Talk. Join me tomorrow Wednesday, March 17 at 12 p.m. EDT, for an exclusive Coffee Talk with some hot off the press updates. I guarantee this is a session you will not want to miss out on - I'd say this is the news we've all been waiting for! Could be they are getting married, pregnant or both lol KWofPerth, princevaliantus, em.down.the.rabbit.hole and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I hope it is news of a US restart. If it is get ready for a flood of bookings and that surge in demand could cause prices to bump so today could be a great day to consider a refundable deposit booking. em.down.the.rabbit.hole, Snotarni, sammy79 and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 1 hour ago, twangster said: I hope it is news of a US restart. If it is get ready for a flood of bookings and that surge in demand could cause prices to bump so today could be a great day to consider a refundable deposit booking. I already booked 5 cabins this morning ... worst case i smack another 25% upcharge on my FCC Snotarni, WAAAYTOOO and cruisellama 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 1 hour ago, twangster said: I hope it is news of a US restart. Fingers crossed we could all do with some good news and something to look forward to. em.down.the.rabbit.hole, twangster, WannaCruise and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Coffee Talk is done with Vicki Freed. Senior VP of Sales for RCG. Coffee Talk is her weekly or bi weekly online chat with travel agents. Maybe @Sharlacan elaborate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
em.down.the.rabbit.hole Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 How do you tell if you have a refundable cruise deposit? Trying to book cruises for 2022 online (Royal's UK site) in lieu of FCC arriving from cruises just cancelled... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 16 minutes ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said: How do you tell if you have a refundable cruise deposit? Trying to book cruises for 2022 online (Royal's UK site) in lieu of FCC arriving from cruises just cancelled... Not sure TBH, easier to use TA located in US so you get the best deal em.down.the.rabbit.hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 12 minutes ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said: How do you tell if you have a refundable cruise deposit? Trying to book cruises for 2022 online (Royal's UK site) in lieu of FCC arriving from cruises just cancelled... For a US booking all of the applicable discounts will have NRD after them for non refundable deposit. When a booking is refundable, NRD is not added to discount names. Worst case would be to call them and ask. em.down.the.rabbit.hole and cruisellama 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD474 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 3 hours ago, DisneyWorld30th said: Travel agents were informed today at 9:15AM that there is Breaking News to be announed to agents tomorrow. Here was the message: I can't contain my excitement, I have some late breaking news to share with you all! The anticipation is too much for me to wait another week to share this news so I will be switching up my previously planned Coffee Talk. Join me tomorrow Wednesday, March 17 at 12 p.m. EDT, for an exclusive Coffee Talk with some hot off the press updates. I guarantee this is a session you will not want to miss out on - I'd say this is the news we've all been waiting for! em.down.the.rabbit.hole and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 2 hours ago, mook1525 said: Test cruise with vaccinated people announcement maybe? If the guests are vaccinated, how will the line gauge protocol success? Unless 100% vaccination (crew & guests) becomes the requirement. Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing from Israel, crews will be vaccinated and the Israeli gov't will require all guests 16 and older to be vaccinated. A pretty low risk proposition. jticarruthers and em.down.the.rabbit.hole 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD474 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 16 minutes ago, twangster said: For a US booking all of the applicable discounts will have NRD after them for non refundable deposit. When a booking is refundable, NRD is not added to discount names. Worst case would be to call them and ask. OR this could be a worse case scenario ... Snotarni, WAAAYTOOO, emmef and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I’m wondering if test cruises will not be required in lieu of everyone being required to be vaccinated. I mean what’s the purpose of test cruises if everyone is vaccinated? American Cruise Line just started and American Queen starting next week. American Queen won’t require vaccinations until July 1. Now that Virgin is requiring vaccines for everyone I just wonder if the rest will band together and do the same. edited to add: whatever the news it hasn’t leaked to Wall Street yet. Stock currently down $3 cruisellama and coneyraven 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 9 minutes ago, Jill said: I’m wondering if test cruises will not be required in lieu of everyone being required to be vaccinated. I mean what’s the purpose of test cruises if everyone is vaccinated? The CDC treats vaccinated people the same as unvaccinated except for small gatherings. So for the purposes of cruising, I doubt vaccinations matter as it relates to test cruises. em.down.the.rabbit.hole and cruisellama 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 HOT DAMN!!! RANGER COOKIES ARE BACK!!! DD474, WAAAYTOOO, cruisellama and 7 others 3 4 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, Jill said: I’m wondering if test cruises will not be required in lieu of everyone being required to be vaccinated. I mean what’s the purpose of test cruises if everyone is vaccinated? American Cruise Line just started and American Queen starting next week. American Queen won’t require vaccinations until July 1. Now that Virgin is requiring vaccines for everyone I just wonder if the rest will band together and do the same. American Cruise Lines has some ships that are small enough that the CDC orders don't apply although the American Queen isn't one of those ship that is small enough to escape the CSO. So far they have aligned themselves with CLIA but that isn't a requirement. As far as test cruises, keep in mind the CSO was put together on very short notice. It included a lot of checkpoints aimed to give the CDC a lot of different ways to kill cruises. With the risk lowering not everything in the CSO will be needed. cruisellama and em.down.the.rabbit.hole 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 2 hours ago, smokeybandit said: Well the only two pieces of info anyone cares about that much to have hyped up are test cruises and restart dates. If it's anything other than that, then it's just plain wrong to hype it. I agree. Maybe health protocols for US cruises, but even that I'm not sure is worthy of this level of hype. Kayleigh, em.down.the.rabbit.hole and cruisellama 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 7 minutes ago, Matt said: I agree. Maybe health protocols for US cruises, but even that I'm not sure is worthy of this level of hype. And I wouldn't see that as something teased by a sales person to the audience of travel agents. em.down.the.rabbit.hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 8 minutes ago, twangster said: American Cruise Lines has some ships that are small enough that the CDC orders don't apply although the American Queen isn't one of those ship that is small enough to escape the CSO. So far they have aligned themselves with CLIA but that isn't a requirement. As far as test cruises, keep in mind the CSO was put together on very short notice. It included a lot of checkpoints aimed to give the CDC a lot of different ways to kill cruises. With the risk lowering not everything in the CSO will be needed. American Queen Steamboat is a different line than American Cruise Line. A friend of mine is the Hotel Director on American Countess and apparently they are starting next week. That one holds 450 but won’t sail at that capacity American Cruise Lines just had a ship leave Amelia Island (FL) a few days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
em.down.the.rabbit.hole Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 It's interesting that Virgin have done fully vaccinated...being a British company (usually) In the UK the problem they are trying to work through (as they know it'll be needed by other countries) is vaccine passports. It has legal complexities for us - regarding those that do have vaccines and those that don't at a particular point, the fact that vaccines are voluntary (although think travelling is also a choice), and those that will continue to be asked to practice all the health advise opposed to those that will look like they're able to do what they like (because they have had the opportunity to be vaccinated already)...sure there's other legalities but not sure whatbthey are.... Personally I would like cruises to be fully vaccinated when they start up (negative PCR tests for under 16s), with just contract tracing and improved medical facilities for people who fall ill...cruise lines should be able to sell socialising and non-mask wearing cruises as holidays...a real selling point I think...never happen tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike.s Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 16 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: And I wouldn't see that as something teased by a sales person to the audience of travel agents. And as we all know, sales people never overhype anything, they leave that to marketing sammy79, KristiZ and DD474 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 31 minutes ago, Jill said: American Queen Steamboat is a different line than American Cruise Line. A friend of mine is the Hotel Director on American Countess and apparently they are starting next week. That one holds 450 but won’t sail at that capacity American Cruise Lines just had a ship leave Amelia Island (FL) a few days ago. Didn't say they were the same company. Both agreed to respect the CLIA shutdown when they have ships that could have been sailing this entire time. That ship with a capacity of 450 is subject to the CSO regardless how many board her. The CDC is using "capacity to carry" not the actual number of souls on board. Perhaps your HD friend can eloborate how they escaped the CSO. Maybe the big 3 could borrow some of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 29 minutes ago, twangster said: Didn't say they were the same company. Both agreed to respect the CLIA shutdown when they have ships that could have been sailing this entire time. That ship with a capacity of 450 is subject to the CSO regardless how many board her. The CDC is using "capacity to carry" not the actual number of souls on board. Perhaps your HD friend can eloborate how they escaped the CSO. Maybe the big 3 could borrow some of that. Sorry misunderstood your post. I’m pretty sure they’re sailing at 1/2 capacity. He invited us to come sail in April but we’re not able to at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 1 hour ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said: How do you tell if you have a refundable cruise deposit? Trying to book cruises for 2022 online (Royal's UK site) in lieu of FCC arriving from cruises just cancelled... I don't think refundable deposits are a thing in the UK. For as long as I can remember, including 20+ years as a TA, deposits were never refundable in the UK. That was one of the reasons for taking out travel insurance the minute you booked your trip; in case you had to cancel, thereby resulting in a loss of deposit. That said, Royal bookings made anywhere at the moment (and up until 31 May 2021) are "refundable" in the form of an FCC under their Cruise with Confidence programme, although this would require that the sailings you are looking to book fall within the dates stipulated in the programme (sail by 30 April 2022). Otherwise, under normal UK rules you would only get your money refunded in cash if your cruise is cancelled by Royal. You could consider using one of the MEI travel agents who can be contacted via this site. That is perfectly above board and would give you access to North American rules under which you can make a booking with a genuinely refundable deposit. The flip side of that is your booking would be in USD (think exchange rate fluctuations and foreign currency transaction fees possibly charged by your credit card provider) and also you are no longer covered by the safeguards provided under ABTA rules. You would have to weigh up both sides and see which works best for you. em.down.the.rabbit.hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 46 minutes ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said: In the UK the problem they are trying to work through (as they know it'll be needed by other countries) is vaccine passports. BA has announced it will trial vaccine passports for anyone flying ( i think Qatar and possibly Quantas have are also implementing this) Other airline companies will follow same route em.down.the.rabbit.hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, FionaMG said: You could consider using one of the MEI travel agents who can be contacted via this site. That is perfectly above board and would give you access to North American rules under which you can make a booking with a genuinely refundable deposit. The flip side of that is your booking would be in USD (think exchange rate fluctuations and foreign currency transaction fees possibly charged by your credit card provider) This is who i use and i use the Revolut card for payments in $$$$ with no fees em.down.the.rabbit.hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshgates Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 Cruise ship shaped inflatable floating bars will be available for sail so everyone with canceled cruises can have the experience in their pools this summer. RWDW1204, DD474, Momof4crazytocruise and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharla Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 @Jill All I know is what has been posted- that maybe something good will be announced. Could be a teaser, could be something real. We'll know on Wednesday I guess! Oh yeah Vicki is "Senior Vice President- Sales & Trade Support and Service" so I don't know exactly what she does but she gives a weekly "coffee talk" to travel agents on Wednesdays. They normally are not too informative. Vicki is the person who I would say is in charge of connecting with us. IRMO12HD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 3 hours ago, jticarruthers said: I already booked 5 cabins this morning ... worst case i smack another 25% upcharge on my FCC I like the way you think !! DD474, emmef and Momof4crazytocruise 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaritimeR&R Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 I wonder if before there are any announcements about test cruises starting or revenue start up dates, there would be something forthcoming from the CDC. The CDC website is still advising against cruise ship travel. I find it difficult to believe that a cruise line would reveal any changes by the CDC BEFORE the CDC itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD474 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 2 hours ago, Floski said: HOT DAMN!!! RANGER COOKIES ARE BACK!!! What are Ranger Cookies.. 4ensic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 18 minutes ago, DD474 said: What are Ranger Cookies.. The best thing ever!! Royal’s very own Coconut Ranger Cookies. Floski, danv3 and DD474 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2021 Report Share Posted March 16, 2021 30 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: The best thing ever!! Royal’s very own Coconut Ranger Cookies. Oh great...heres me diagnosed with a dodgy ticker and told to lose some weight and your just teasing me with pics of delicious cookies DJsMrs, DD474, em.down.the.rabbit.hole and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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