the_dylaness

So, I cancelled some cruise items (dining package, internet) on April 23. It says to email the precruiseplanner address (on the cancellation summaries) with any inquiries. I tried to email today to check on refund status and this email is broken. Who else can I inquire to? I am at work and do not have time to call and wait around on hold. Thanks!

We cancelled (and rebooked...) some internet and dining packages for our November cruise on April 23rd, no refund yet.

This is not a good option if your kids aren't of a certain age.

I think another interesting part of the TA vs other cruises is that we are so far from medical assistance. If you are in the middle of the Atlantic ocean you can't just get offloaded in the next port if you do get sick with COVID-19.

That’s my other concern about the ports. We are supposed to have 2 day layover in Lisbon, then 3 days in Barcelona, then Palma, Valencia, Tenerife... all seem Unlikely

Not really sure that I can or want to lift and switch. Not sure if I can get the time off next year. Also if I L&S then my airfare will present a problem whereas if the cruise is canceled hopefully my travel insurance will cover cancellation fees etc.

Hello there, I’m not a very frequent poster on Royal Caribbean. My last cruise with them was in 2002. Our family of four is booked on the Allure TA this November. Final payment is due in July. I’ve been doing some reading here on the board and trying to understand what our options are regarding this cruise. It seems it somewhat unlikely to me that it will be occurring, but who really knows. I guess I’m wondering if they do cancel it would likely be prior to final payment? I did buy trip insurance, we have airfare to Barcelona that isn’t fully refundable... It was a real miracle for me to get three weeks off in a row from work, but right now we are working on October and November schedules so if I’m not going, I need to be added back in. I realize no one can predict the future but is anyone who’s a little more familiar with how RC works able to give me some of the options? I saw the lift and shift program, I have no idea if it would be eligible but I don’t know that I can get three weeks off again next year instead.

W for all the wine!

Hmm, well, it's already 830 here... So I assume that my kids have already had dinner at the buffet and headed out to the kids club. We probably just finished a cocktail and are getting something to eat at Sushi on Five. Then we'll go see the house band in the S-class atrium, get a martini and dance. Get our kids around 10 and everyone crashes...

I did a 7 day Caribbean cruise (driving distance from port, so no long flights involved!) with an 8 month old. Honestly, it was not a good experience and I definitely wouldn't do it again. It did not help that halfway through the cruise my husband and I were both struck with norovirus (which obviously could have happened with or without baby...) but having to entertain, feed, bathe, and manage an 8 month old while we were both ill was terrible. (Yes, this could have happened at home as well, but we would have been much more comfortable in our own house with more than one bathroom vs three people in a balcony room.) Even WITHOUT the noro aspect, I still did not have much fun. (Basing this on first three or four days.) Dining times are stressful with a little one who has limited patience, and dinner can take over an hour. Buffet is not my favorite but that was also hard to try and manage- not enough hands, have to find high chair, etc. She was still on primarily baby foods, so that was also kind of a pain. That part would be a little better with a one year old. There really wasn't a lot that we could all enjoy. We took a lot of walks around the promenade deck with her in the stroller. She wasn't allowed in pool. We utilized the nursery a few times but that adds up quickly, and of course we didn't go on a cruise just to put her in the nursery the whole time. Your experience might be totally different. I see other posters who had a great time. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't do it, but just wanted to offer my own point of view. This was on Disney Magic, btw. We did not cruise again until baby #2 was just a few weeks shy of 2 and older sister was 5.5. Even then it was challenging but a little better. We have since cruised a few more times and felt like that 4 was the sweet spot where it got significantly easier. We are doing a transatlantic (hopefully!) in a few months- oldest will be 9.5 and youngest will be 6. I am thinking this is gonna be great 🙂

Good question... Let's see... Allure TA November 2020 Celebrity Reflection Jan 2021 NCL TA Dec 2021 Crystal Dec 2020 I don't feel like adding it up right now but I would say with deposits and what's been paid in advance, probably $8-10k? (All of above trips have at least 4 pax except 2.) I hope to be able to go on all of these. I don't usually book cruises I don't intend to go on...

I did my own highlights (I have hood dryer and professional chemicals at home... lucky to have a mom who is a hairstylist to give advice over the phone!) They look fine. Not great, like when she does them, but nothing is orange, my roots don't look so dark, and nothing fell out. It was a win!

I saved about $160 today just rebooking my VOOM and UDP packages. No changes, just rebooks, for 14 night TA on Allure... Noticed beverage package was $39.

The white bowl with blue trim on your top shelf- my mom had these same bowls when I was growing up (in Kentucky!) I think they were made by Corelle?

I have wished for years that they would put hand washing stations in the buffet, not only at the entrance, but also throughout in a couple of spots, as well as sanitizer throughout. Even if you wash your hands when you come in, then you touch all the tongs and then pick your pizza up? YUCK.