Refund due to Covid protocols?

[MLH]

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/07/01/royal-caribbean-will-refund-your-future-cruise-credits-if-you-dont-new-health-protocols
 

I noticed this on the blog and wondered if this is still the case. I have an old lift and shift cruise booked before the shutdown and is scheduled for Jan 2. Am I eligible for a refund versus a fcc. if I am unhappy with the VAX and mask protocols? I don’t have any fcc applied to the booking. 

[AshleyDillo]

@WAAAYTOOO can give you some advice on this!

I think you may be able to get a refund if you ask for it and are persistent. They will try to push FCC.

[MLH]

Thanks. I have been reading all different things. Just trying to get my facts straight before I call my big box. I am no longer using them for future cruises as I found a wonderful ta but since this is an old one I feel I need to go armed with information. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

I was recently able to get cash refunds for 8 cruises that I cancelled due to COVID protocols.  Some were original bookings and at least 1 was a L&S from last year.  I was fortunate to have a very good TA handle all of these refunds so I have no real advice on what to say or who to talk to.  I just know that it can be done.

[MLH]

9 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I was recently able to get cash refunds for 8 cruises that I cancelled due to COVID protocols.  Some were original bookings and at least 1 was a L&S from last year.  I was fortunate to have a very good TA handle all of these refunds so I have no real advice on what to say or who to talk to.  I just know that it can be done.

Thanks. I don’t mind the fcc but it is a star booking and passenger 1 and 2 are big $ with passenger 3/4 are not and they said they are splitting the fcc 4 ways. I’d rather have my husband and I have the larger one as we cruise more often and can apply it to some of the cruises I have booked. 

[Ogilthorpe]

I can tell you from very recent experience, that they will attempt to offer a Future Cruise Credit a la 'Cruise with Confidence',, but I found that immediate pushback and reminder that you are canceling due to protocols will result in a full refund. A caveat: if you have future cruise credits involved, they will require some additional time to sort it all out. 

[MLH]

18 minutes ago, Ogilthorpe said:

I can tell you from very recent experience, that they will attempt to offer a Future Cruise Credit a la 'Cruise with Confidence',, but I found that immediate pushback and reminder that you are canceling due to protocols will result in a full refund. A caveat: if you have future cruise credits involved, they will require some additional time to sort it all out. 

Thanks. I do not have any fccs applied. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

If it were me, I would push very hard to get the cash refund especially with the added complication of them wanting to split up the FCCs 4 ways.  If you decide to take the cash refund make sure that you know up front if there will be any penalties.  The rules for cashing out a L&S can be complicated.

[MLH]

To update;  I called and they are issuing a refund due to it being an old lift and shift and new covid protocols.  Now the waiting for it to hit my credit card.

 

There was no penalty since it was outside of final payment when I did the lift and shift originally.