Apparently it does vary from one instance to another...we were due one on Odyssey in October 2022. We filled out the form left in our stateroom to have it mailed home. It said due to "supply chain" issues, they were out of stock. (New vendor, perhaps?) In any case we never received that one from Odyssey. On our next cruise in October 2023, I spoke to the LA, who said he'd submit a request to Miami to have it sent. Never received the block. On our next cruise in Feb, 2024 I went to the LA and she kindly said she would take care of it (no mention of a 12 month rule). Within days the block we were missing from Odyssey showed up at home and surprisingly it was the old "clear" style block. (I thought those were no longer available)...I sure had never heard about them denying requests past 12 months. For anyone due a block from past sailings, it may be worth continuing to try to get it.