KelJ

12 hours ago, JamesEM said:

I'm starting to suffer for cancel fatigue, who knows when cursing will start up for real.   

For me, cursing never stopped for real!  🤣

On 7/21/2020 at 2:34 PM, Rogueperson said:

I tend to be frugal, but it really is in comparison to similarly priced things.  We general sail in interior rooms, but have done Balconies in the past when we got decent or free upgrades.  We don't care about the room, but we do care about location of the room.  We have never sailed in any suite, even a jr. suite.  This is where our frugality seems to bite us.  I'm MORE reluctant to sail in a Jr. Suite then I am in a Grand Suite.  The reason is that Jr. Suites, other than space, have no real advantage over a balcony room, but are priced higher.  In Grand Suites, at least you get the suite benefits, but those seem to cost double or even triple the price of an interior. 

 

Here's the rub when i say frugality is in comparison to similarly priced things.  I recently had to cancel my Disney trip in September.  The amount of money I budgeted for the two of us, cost LESS than a grand suite on my 9 night trip for next year to Canada on the Freedom, and I was staying at Disney for a week.  So less time, more money.  Here I am, willing to budget over 6K for a week vacation, and my booked 9 night cruise (on an interior) came out to 1760.  Oh, the 6K was not taking into account airfare I would have to had to get to Florida.

So no, the Pandemic has not made me less frugal.  But my frugality has its own logic which may not make sense even to me.

Double cruise points without suite gratuities!  And dinner in Coastal Kitchen, depending on the ship of course!

On 7/18/2020 at 2:09 PM, Merion_Mom said:

Then there was the "famous" List Cruise on the Crown Princess.  I "live-blogged" it, back in 2006, but alas, no pictures.

 

It was not a natural disaster, but a manmade one.  The Coast Guard report afterwards said that the ship listed over 24 degrees.  A full account is on wikipedia, and it is pretty accurate.

 

Oh, here is a link to the official report:  https://ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAR0801.pdf

 

And here is my CC thread:  darn.  I can't find it.  And my bookmark is gone.  If anyone else has it, please post it.

Oh, my God, Carol!  You and Nancy on the Crown Princess is the first thing I thought of when I saw the title to this thread.  I remember being so worried about you gals! 

Sorry to go off topic, but, speaking of Nancy, are you in touch with her?  I haven't seen any posts from her in years and years.  I always enjoyed reading about all of their kids.

44 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

No.  If you cancel prior to Royal suspending the cruise, you will get a 100% FCC for the $$ you paid.  The only way to get a cash refund is to wait until Royal cancels the cruise and then select the cash refund option.

Hmm.  Could I "un" upgrade, like call them and say I'd like to switch cabins back down to my free interior cabin and then get the difference in a refund?  The cruise is still four and a half months away.

My receipt lists the normal cancellation schedule, such as if I cancel 89 to 75 days prior to sailing, I would forfeit 25 percent per guest.  Are you saying that's not true though, that I can't get any refund at all?

I have a different question related to a comped casino cruise.  We have a comped casino cruise on Anthem 12-7-20, which I don't expect to occur.  We paid to upgrade to a family junior suite.  I think I am going to cancel the cruise, and I'd like a refund.  I'd rather have the money back than try to rebook.  

When booking a comped casino cruise, you pay in full at time of booking.  If I cancel now (well before final payment date), would I get everything back?  There was no true deposit paid, but the language on my receipt says, "Your deposit has been posted to your reservation.  The minimum deposit for this reservation is non-refundable.  Final payment has been posted to your reservation. A change fee of $100 USD per guest will apply for ship or sail date changes."

I know I can get a full refund if/when Royal cancels this cruise, but I think I'd like to get the refund ball rolling now before the next wave of cancellations.

On 5/7/2020 at 10:15 AM, KelJ said:

 

We received this same email last night regarding our April 12th Anthem TA that was canceled by Royal, as the followup to the apology letter.

 

This morning, nine credits appeared on our B of A Visa account.  The total amount reflects everything (cruise fare, air to sea, gratuities, taxes, insurance, and cruise planner purchases) but for $100.  Hopefully the other $100 will show up soon.

 

I guess I'll go order the $39 DBP now for our upcoming December cruise.  I wasn't going to give them any more money while they still owed us money.  Thankfully it's still on sale.

 

 

 

 

The final $100 credit finally showed up today for our 4-12-20 cruise canceled by Royal.  The credit for everything, other than this $100, came in on 5-7-20. 

2 hours ago, OPFLCruisers said:

I have asked RC but can not seem to get a straight answer so I will ask all of you.  Any idea why they are not refunding vacation protection plans?

If by "they" you mean Royal, they are.  Royal refunded mine from my 4-12-20 sailing that they canceled.

11 hours ago, skiierx131 said:

This was today's email update

 

 

We received this same email last night regarding our April 12th Anthem TA that was canceled by Royal, as the followup to the apology letter.

This morning, nine credits appeared on our B of A Visa account.  The total amount reflects everything (cruise fare, air to sea, gratuities, taxes, insurance, and cruise planner purchases) but for $100.  Hopefully the other $100 will show up soon.

I guess I'll go order the $39 DBP now for our upcoming December cruise.  I wasn't going to give them any more money while they still owed us money.  Thankfully it's still on sale.

On 5/1/2020 at 8:32 PM, Wine-O said:

 

That's a good price.  I would book it, then check for sales on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, etc.  If you find it cheaper, you can cancel and rebook.  

 

It used to be I would get the VOOM package and my wife would use her two D+ days and also use my two D+ days.  They've changed that, so if you have the package, your two D+ days go away.  The rationale -- you don't need them.  🍷

I didn’t know they changed this. 😢

17 hours ago, NJsharon said:

 

Thanks Biker... IF we have to rebook, we will be booking a cabin with our girls in our room again.  They are good kids, and we have a great family.... we actually don't mind spending time in the cabin together, roughing it on sofa beds or pullmans, pushing each other out the way to get in the bathroom etc.  lol

Heh, there is always the gym at the other end of the ship for showers, or public bathrooms for a tinkle!  lol

 

Girls would not be having their own cabin at 15yrs old anyway, no way as minors, ridiculous suggestion.

 

Anyways.... hoping we get to sail still!

 

THANKS SO MUCH!  Everyone that replied, think we may decide to upgrade, but ask if we can have one of the aft outside cabins on Deck 7 preferably.  If not side junior suites.
Thinking would love the walk-in closet but also like the light.
 

Appreciate the help everyone, this helps a lot!

 

If anyone finds photos or video of the walk in closet, or video of one of those corner aft deck 7 cabins, if you could post that it would be great too.  I did google, but all the links were to other JS or linked back to RCI site for cabin descriptions.

 

Thanks!

5 hours ago, NJsharon said:

 

If they want to break rules and do that, and feel comfortable, that is fine.

We do not feel comfortable going against rules that say there has to be at least one passenger of 21yrs of age in each cabin.

 

We also do not feel comfortable having minors by themselves in a cabin without us, even if they are well behaved. 
Too many scenarios that could happen, not them that I don't trust, but crew & other passengers on the ship.  Until they are 21yrs old that will be my thinking too.

I'm with Biker all the way.

Depending on your cabin location, there may be no close public restrooms for a "tinkle."  Royal permits minors to be booked in their own room as long as the cabins are beside each other or across from each other, so there are no rules being broken while doing so.   I would never squeeze four adults, or even four adult-sized people, into one cabin, not even a JS.  Your husband will have to share a bathroom with three women.  Do him a favor and book connecting cabins and leave the door open between them.  The extra space and two bathrooms, not to mention some privacy 😉 for you and your husband, will be appreciated by all of you.  It will feel like a suite experience with a lower price tag.  

As for sailing together in one cabin until your girls turn 21, don't be surprised if they don't want to share a cabin with Mom and Dad at that age.  As parents, I wouldn't want that either (insert more winks here!).  When my boys were rather small, the four of us shared a cabin one time (a JS).  After that, it was connecting cabins until they were older.  

You may be surprised how inexpensive connecting balcony cabins can be.  On some ships, there are even balcony cabins connected to inside cabins, which may alleviate some of your concerns.

On 4/22/2020 at 1:24 PM, KelJ said:

 

Okay.  I'll get us back on topic!

 

Cruise 1:   4-12-20 Anthem TA booked on 4-29-19, canceled by Royal on 3-24-20.  Paid $7650.88 (includes $298.04 in taxes & port fees, $348.00 in prepaid gratuities, $388.00 in Cruise Care insurance, $996.20 in refundable Air to Sea flights, and $803.64 in cruise planner purchases).  I had $200.00 OBC from Bank of America Visa sitting in my cruise planner waiting to be spent.  When Royal canceled, at first I was going to go the 125 percent FCC route and was going to go the 125 percent cruise planner purchase OBC route and apply both to Cruise 2 (see below).

 

Cruise 2:  4-24-21 Anthem TA booked on 3-14-20, anticipating that the 4-12-20 cruise was going to be canceled by Royal.  Paid $900.00 refundable deposit.  

 

Cruise 3:  12-7-20 Anthem Southern Caribbean booked on 3-29-20.  This was free through Casino Royale.  I paid $308.26 in taxes and port fees and $36.00 to upgrade to a balcony.  My $200.00 OBC from Bank of America Visa showed up immediately.  On 4-2-20, I upgraded to a family junior suite for another $2,420.00.  I have paid $2764.26 total. 

 

Incidentally, when I booked Cruise 3 on 3-29-20, I canceled Cruise 2.  I told the casino rep that I wanted a refund on Cruise 2, not FCC, and that I wanted my $803.64 in cruise planner purchases to be transferred to Cruise 3 as 125 percent OBC.  The rep claimed that she processed both requests on her end and advised that I should also use the links on Royal's site to make those same requests as well, which I did.  

 

On 4-20-20, prices in the cruise planner dropped significantly for Cruise 3.  Having received no refunds thus far on Cruise 1 or Cruise 2, I called Royal to inquire as to when I could expect my 125 percent cruise planner OBC from Cruise 1, as I wanted to use that OBC to make cruise planner purchases for Cruise 3 to take advantage of the cruise planner sales.  Additionally, while I had them on the phone, I inquired as to when I could expect refunds from Cruise 1 and Cruise 2. 

 

The rep told me that my cruise planner purchases from Cruise 1 have been processed for a refund, not for 125 percent OBC, because once I opted for a refund of the cruise fare, instead of an FCC, I was no longer eligible to receive the 125 percent cruise planner OBC.  I told him that I was specifically told by the Casino rep that I could request the cruise fare refund and still get the 125 percent cruise planner OBC.  He claims that his supervisor told him that I was given misinformation by the casino rep.  At this point, I guess I don't overly care as I don't know what would happen to the OBC if Royal cancels Cruise 3.

 

Also, the rep told me that my $900.00 refund from Cruise 2 was processed and refunded on 4-19-20, that the funds had left their bank (his words), and that I should see the credit on my account any day now.  Yeah, right.  Still waiting.  Further, he told me that I could expect my refund from Cruise 1 thirty days after the cancellation date, which was 3-24-20.  After reading everyone's posts, we all know that's B.S.

 

So I have one cruise pending, and Royal has $11,615.14 of my money, of which I am waiting for $8550.88 in refunds.  There's no way I'm making cruise planner purchases for Cruise 3 and tying up more of my money with them, even though the $39.00 DBP is very appealing (though not as appealing as the $18.00 drink packages we lost when Royal canceled Cruise 1!).

 

Thanks for listening.  Misery loves company I guess.  🤪

 

 

Update:  The $900 refund from Cruise 2 showed up in my B of A account today (dated yesterday). It was two random amounts equaling the $900. 

On 4/20/2020 at 6:06 PM, tiggy85 said:

I feel like I’m reading a completely different thread now that there is all this debate about being able or not being able to afford a cruise. 
 

Can we get back to the original question of “how much do you have tied up in cruises right now”??

Okay.  I'll get us back on topic!

Cruise 1:   4-12-20 Anthem TA booked on 4-29-19, canceled by Royal on 3-24-20.  Paid $7650.88 (includes $298.04 in taxes & port fees, $348.00 in prepaid gratuities, $388.00 in Cruise Care insurance, $996.20 in refundable Air to Sea flights, and $803.64 in cruise planner purchases).  I had $200.00 OBC from Bank of America Visa sitting in my cruise planner waiting to be spent.  When Royal canceled, at first I was going to go the 125 percent FCC route and was going to go the 125 percent cruise planner purchase OBC route and apply both to Cruise 2 (see below).

Cruise 2:  4-24-21 Anthem TA booked on 3-14-20, anticipating that the 4-12-20 cruise was going to be canceled by Royal.  Paid $900.00 refundable deposit.  

Cruise 3:  12-7-20 Anthem Southern Caribbean booked on 3-29-20.  This was free through Casino Royale.  I paid $308.26 in taxes and port fees and $36.00 to upgrade to a balcony.  My $200.00 OBC from Bank of America Visa showed up immediately.  On 4-2-20, I upgraded to a family junior suite for another $2,420.00.  I have paid $2764.26 total. 

Incidentally, when I booked Cruise 3 on 3-29-20, I canceled Cruise 2.  I told the casino rep that I wanted a refund on Cruise 2, not FCC, and that I wanted my $803.64 in cruise planner purchases to be transferred to Cruise 3 as 125 percent OBC.  The rep claimed that she processed both requests on her end and advised that I should also use the links on Royal's site to make those same requests as well, which I did.  

On 4-20-20, prices in the cruise planner dropped significantly for Cruise 3.  Having received no refunds thus far on Cruise 1 or Cruise 2, I called Royal to inquire as to when I could expect my 125 percent cruise planner OBC from Cruise 1, as I wanted to use that OBC to make cruise planner purchases for Cruise 3 to take advantage of the cruise planner sales.  Additionally, while I had them on the phone, I inquired as to when I could expect refunds from Cruise 1 and Cruise 2. 

The rep told me that my cruise planner purchases from Cruise 1 have been processed for a refund, not for 125 percent OBC, because once I opted for a refund of the cruise fare, instead of an FCC, I was no longer eligible to receive the 125 percent cruise planner OBC.  I told him that I was specifically told by the Casino rep that I could request the cruise fare refund and still get the 125 percent cruise planner OBC.  He claims that his supervisor told him that I was given misinformation by the casino rep.  At this point, I guess I don't overly care as I don't know what would happen to the OBC if Royal cancels Cruise 3.

Also, the rep told me that my $900.00 refund from Cruise 2 was processed and refunded on 4-19-20, that the funds had left their bank (his words), and that I should see the credit on my account any day now.  Yeah, right.  Still waiting.  Further, he told me that I could expect my refund from Cruise 1 thirty days after the cancellation date, which was 3-24-20.  After reading everyone's posts, we all know that's B.S.

So I have one cruise pending, and Royal has $11,615.14 of my money, of which I am waiting for $8550.88 in refunds.  There's no way I'm making cruise planner purchases for Cruise 3 and tying up more of my money with them, even though the $39.00 DBP is very appealing (though not as appealing as the $18.00 drink packages we lost when Royal canceled Cruise 1!).

Thanks for listening.  Misery loves company I guess.  🤪

For our 12-7-20 12-night Southern Caribbean cruise on Anthem, DBP has dropped from $52/person to $39/person.  DBP + Voom has dropped from $62/person to $47/person.  Voom has dropped from $15.99 for one device to $11.49 per device.  

Will I book any of these?  Nope. Royal owes me over $8500 in refunds for a cruise they canceled and for a cruise I canceled.  They have enough of my money tied up.

1 hour ago, Chris32174 said:

I've gotten both the summer and fall offers that can be booked by April 30th. They were for inside cabin and the summer includes $25 freeplay. I've only been on one RC cruise, 4 nights last Feb and only spent $200 and two hours in the casino. 

 

I'm still skeptical that cruising will be happening this summer. I'm going to check if my GF has received them as well. If so what are everyone's thoughts about one of us booking the summer cruise and the other booking the fall just in case the summer cruise gets cancelled?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

If you have both gotten each offer, you can combine your offers and book both cruises in nicer cabins.  DH and I each got the fall offer for a free interior.  They combined them and gave us a free ocean view (which we then upgraded to a balcony for $18/person).  If you both got the offers, you can combine them and book them both.

Edit to add:  We each received the summer offer today, but I don't know that I want to tie up the money on airfare to Florida or Texas for cruises that probably won't happen.  We can drive to the port for our December cruise.

30 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Kelly, I can't thank you enough.  I got through immediately using that telephone number (which is not the "regular" casino number, where I was on hold for hours last week).  I upgraded my free interior to the same balcony cabin I have for the week before for only $209.  😄 

Carol, that is FABULOUS!  A B2B is something to look forward to!!  I’m happy to have provided helpful information.  

DH and I each received the email with code 20SUN104.  I called the 1-866-578-3667 yesterday for some info and again this morning at 9:00 to book. I got through immediately each time. The offer was for a free interior cabin on any Caribbean sailing, any ship, any length. 

We booked the 12-7-20 Anthem 12-night Southern Caribbean (which sails over DH’s birthday!). We were able to combine our two free interiors for one free ocean view. Then we upgraded to a balcony for $18 per person (and paid taxes of $154.13 per person).  We prefer a junior suite or a grand suite, but right now the only suites available are owner’s suite and royal loft suite, so I will keep watching. 

You cannot use your balcony discount when upgrading, and you cannot pay the balance with FCC. Also, this cruise has a Pennsylvania residency discount, but that is not combinable either. However, I did apply 125% of my cruise planner purchases from our canceled Anthem transatlantic as OBC.  Also, I had $200 Visa rewards OBC on the canceled TA which is transferring over to this cruise as well. 

I’m happy to have a replacement cruise to look forward to. I hope things are somewhat back to normal in December so that ships can sail. 

DH and I each got this email as well. 

Thanks for the responses!  Next question. Are the Bahamas considered to be Caribbean?  They are two different destination choices on Royal’s search engine, so I’m thinking not. 

Also, the free offer is for an interior.  If we pay to upgrade to a balcony, can we use our Diamond balcony discount, or can those offers not be combined?

DH and I each received emails from Casino Royal with "unique offer codes" (though they are the same code) for a free cruise, any ship, any length, any Caribbean itinerary, sailing between September and December of this year.  This includes the email recipient and one guest.  Does anyone know if we can book these back to back, like have DH book one week with me as the guest and then I would book the following week with DH as the guest?

1 hour ago, Snit13 said:

Refunds for my April 9 cruise which was canceled by RCCL appeared on my credit statement today.  There were 4 refunds, 2 for the travel insurance and 2 for the dining package I had purchased.  I have no fear that I will receive my money back but with all of the cruises cancelled it is going to take time.  Have some patience with overworked employees, please.

I did not realize they were refunding the travel insurance (vacation protection plan).  In fact, I was told the opposite by a Royal CSR on March 14th (although I realize they don't always have correct information).  Has anyone else been refunded the travel insurance purchased through Royal on cruises that are past final payment date and have been canceled by Royal?

6 minutes ago, Wine-O said:

Yup.  You can refund your $18 or get FCC for it to be $22.50.  But, on your cruise it will probably be around $50 on your sailing, so you pay the difference and lose in the long run.  

 

I had the $18 on a TA, but when they changed the dates, and they wiped out the $18 and refunded it.  New price was around $45.  🍷

In addition to the drink packages, we had also booked 5-night dining packages and an internet package. 

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

Bye Bye $18 drink package🍹🍺

I know. Us too!  However, I just went into my cruise planner and it says I may be able to opt to receive 125% onboard credit for my cruise planner purchases instead of getting a refund. I have to decide by April 8. Has anyone else seen that in their cruise planners?

4 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Have you ever sailed Quantum class, @KelJ?  That is what Anthem belongs to. 

 

😊

Yes, Carol, I know. And, yes, I have. I guess Michael has me confused with someone else. (It’s a dig at how “personal” the letter is.) 

We got it too. Scheduled to sail April 12th on Anthem TA.  We’ve never sailed Oasis class.  Just tell us if it’s freaking canceled!