keishashadow

Cancelled 3/29 harmony sailing on 3/13

just yesterday saw refund on CC (split into 3-final pmt & 2 down payments). Two smaller deposited in 4/26, large one on 4/29 but official credit not until 5/4. May the 4th be with me indeed 

Now advising for refunds to allow for 45 to 60 business days...not to be confused with calendar days

3/13 cancelled Harmony 3/29

today when checking CC balance, could tell that the credit was posted

hooray

appears Citibank received the largest refund (approx $1,800) on 4/26 & then on 4/29 split the $500 down payment into 2 unequal refunds?  Both didn’t actually credit though until today.  

CC is designated for travel related expenses, not really familiar with how they post credits but does seem rather odd to have that delay.

Regardless, never thought we’d see a refund.  Now to see what happens for 8/7 cruise.  Still on fence whether I’m eating the NR deposit or paying it off & taking credit, just a short 3 day cruise but deposited for 3 pp.

Any thots on whether I should call back & ask to speak to a supervisor?

It would be swell to have received a magical $194.97 reduction in my cruise fare plus the same refund, but since we are still awaiting our refund from 3/13 cancellation I am dubious, at best.

FYI, The stated timeline for the excursion’s refund is after my final payment date. 

Another twist...
 

Previously cancelled pre paid excursion on booked cruise (coco WP $194.97)   It was my understanding it would be refunded to my CC

yesterday,

removed GD from reservation 

dropped down to an inside guaranty 

Remaining balance due end of May is less $194.97. Agent insisted the price didnt reflect that as a credit

Hung up, called back & spoke to another rep. He said the same thing...

the invoice is correct.  the refund of cancelled excursion is on file and will be credited to my CC in 2 to three weeks. He even referenced the last 4 numbers of my CC

???

I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually for free FP to the eticket rides rolled into a packaged vacation. As in concierge plus or switch up a vip tour to include the SW attractions. They’re going to need to churn income 

if one more person sends me a link to the UBS financial prediction of parks not opening till 1/21, I may scream.  I’m sticking w barrons lol

22 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

1) it’s so popular that all of the days boarding groups are full about 10 minutes after park opening. When we went in January, we had to get to the park around 5:30am for a 6am opening. If you are not there as soon as it opens you won’t get on.

No guarantee even if refreshing that app

at the start.

Have been fortunate to enjoy several times. we are semi retired, have several DVC contracts & cheap airfare. already had to cancel Easter trip & cruise😔, who knows how the rest of year will pan out  
 

smart Money Is on the theme parks slowly coming back, Limited To locals first with extensively limited activities to encourage social distancing.  Still hanging onto my DVC res there for 3 other trips but will cancel them at the last minute possible to preserve/bank my points 

Early on Disney was comping free PH tickets If your boarding group wasn’t called Using the virtual queue. I’m sitting in a few of those that we’ll use for family 

On pres day weekend, despite thinking I had the system down to grab boarding group, was shut out for first time. all spots gone in less than a minute ugh. Explained to me when they are near capacity it’s akin to a lottery   The following day the app only let me book for some of my party, they did fixed that for us.
 

It’s not a perfect system but it is a work in progress. Expect it to be used extensively going forward by Disney & others who adapt the technology 
 

5 hours ago, rolloman said:

Glad some have received a refund. As for me, I am still waiting for my cruise sail date March 14 full refund. RCCL says they refunded on the 19th of April.... As of today April 24th, Credit Card company says nothing received from them. 

We Cancelled 3/13

This afternoon I called again, put me on hold & researched, was told:

“Refund is in final step, was approved on April 20th...

will Take Between 10 to 14 days be received by your credit card...

if You don’t see it by May 8th, call back”

Check’s in the mail, cool beans 🤬

3 minutes ago, CruiszBug said:

I should have said must be checked out by Sep 1... I have a September use year. The Cast Member put me on hold to talk to a supervisor first. So it's coming from at least one level up of management. Of course it could change by the end of the year, as anything. I was trying to lend my support to those thinking Disney may not be reopening in June. 

Fl task force requested to submit info to their governor by the weekend.  Details should be emerging soon in game plan. Universal exec has made statements today. They tend to follow each other on security practices etc 

12 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

No, you can downgrade to any category you want regardless of cost - of course this only makes sense if it will actually lower the overall cost.

It will thanks

21 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

The downgrade would be to have a smaller final payment and money tied up with RCI while waiting for a refund when the sailing is cancelled. If somehow the sailing does happen, Royal Up might be a better option. Oasis Royal Up prices were cheaper than self upgrades.

Confused, in a balcony now. If I downgrade it would have to cost more than my now final pmt due?  Was hoping to shave off some dollars there

15 minutes ago, molly361 said:

If we didn't have the $18 drink package I would cancel it altogether and just wait and see what happens.  For some reason it's the most expensive August MA sailing by several hudnred dollars. 

I keep reading about this $18 score, wow lol

Never my intent to cancel cruise in question. 
 

not sure if permissible to downgrade NR booking  to GTY before final pmt date 

if so, would we be assessed a change fee? 
 

49 minutes ago, Monthend said:

My credit card statement has a reference number for each charge

Ok, thanks, can find that on my past statements. 

9 hours ago, CruiszBug said:

  15 hours ago, datolim said:

 

I own points in Disney Vacation Club and have multiple weeks booked from now until November. When I called Member Services to ask what would happen to the points I used to book my existing mid-summer reservation (since my deadline to bank/rollover  un-used points is next week.) They told me the points would expire in September. I would have to use those points by September or I would end up losing them!

 

Disney is automatically cancelling reservations 7 days before vacation start date.  Even if the resorts do not reopen for the rest of the year which means I could potentially have no opportunity to re-book using those points - so I would LOSE them. But I guaran-darn-tee ya they will still charge me my annual dues and property taxes! YIKES! This is crazy town...

 

Yeah... I cancelled my reservation

U saiD ur points expire the end of September. =October UY  Those points would need to be banked by end of May, not April

re DVC MS & Disney in general, it often to pays to call back if you don’t like the first answer you receive. 

On 4/22/2020 at 9:34 AM, Monthend said:

I have BOA rc card. I called yesterday to initiate a dispute. They wanted date, amount and reference number for charges. Also wanted my booking number. I received first credit today for the initial deposit.

 

Reference number? 

12 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I was so happy that I went to salon day before shutdown and get hair nails and pedi.  My hairs doing ok it's my nails that need lots of love.

I had my ‘cruising’ full head of highlights and cut long scheduled a few days prior.  It’s been over a month, but really could use another hair cut.  

Wouldn’t dream of trying to do any sort of blonde on darker hair at home. When the roots come in I’ll fit right in with general population of non-natural blondes lol

Thinking all the food I’ve been eating sitting around the house has caused the hair to grow faster...same with my butt:)

have been buzzing the mr’s hair for over a decade, have gotten pretty good at if I do say so myself.  The online pictures of celeb dudes who didn’t do quite a stellar job their 1st attempt out of the gate are priceless.

7 hours ago, IrieBajan54 said:

wonder what the Disney parks will come up with that can help the cruise industry?  Even though the parks have more space to maneuver, they have to deal with crowds in restaurants, close seating on rides and long lines waiting to ride. 

Well, since you asked 🙂

https://www.piratesandprincesses.net/rumor-disney-planning-for-walt-disney-world-to-remain-closed-for-the-rest-of-2020/

Most of the newsletters have their own theories. Here’s my 2 cents worth lol

Iger has come back out of quasi retirement to steer Disney thru this mess.  They are losing $30 million a day.  Those of us that own stock left out a tiny sigh of relief  Although they have secured huge lines of credit, there is a limit to how much a corporation can hemmorage.

In all likelihood, the US parks will follow the same methodology as the Asian ones when they re-opened:  open shopping areas & resorts first with plenty of masks & thermometer readings.  Part of it is ‘the show’, same as security is set up now to enter the parks, etc.  It’s designed to put people’s fears at ease when they see prominent intervention.  People need to perceive it’s ‘safe’ before they will return.  I’m not sure how the cruise lines will be able to sell that to the general public at this point.

in the parks, guessing there will be very few standby attractions.  They are going to want to control the crowds.  Expect only guests staying onsite will be allowed into the parks initially.  Those will be wearing their magic bands, effective tracking system in itself.  They probably will limit standby boarding of attractions; going to combo of all fast pass or expansion of virtual queues that have been used at the Star Wars attraction since early December.  

I’m sitting on several complimentary Park Hopper tickets in response to how poorly that originally rolled out. It was quite frustrating to try to grab those limited slots even when they did get it together. Not sure how it will translate to attractions in the Magic Kingdom park, which will likely be the first park to open.  Even there, think they will slowly open sections of the park instead of it being wide open.

they are so big on buffets there, don’t think they’ll eliminate entirely, probably go to pre-plated family style meals ala their Garden Grill venue vs having cast members dispense offerings on the buffet.  I expect the same at the ship’s windjammer.  It’s it’s tuesday, it must be tacos sort of thing with one alternate option

DIsney, to help with social distancing, probably will temporarily dispense with cheek to cheek events such as shows, parades, fireworks, special festivals & seasonal parties.  Bus service will likely be the same as in most areas now, limited to X number of people per bus.  In my mind the ships need to not sail a full occupancy, probably wouldn’t happen anyway when they first start to sail again.

Right now disney world resorts are accepting reservations starting June 1st.  Many of us are thinking after the 4th of July rush is more realistic.  I have a reservation there via my DVC timeshare starting August 10th and prepaid tixs in hand for their first Halloween party that week.  It was supposed to follow a quick sail on the Mariner with our GD.  Have until end of May to figure that mess out.  Don’t really want to be the ‘test track dummies’ when the cruising industry fires back up.  

We are still waiting for our refund from RCCL Harmony for our March cruise. Every day longer that we wait has us inching away from cruising, period.  One excuse after the other, I’m done calling them.  Will do a chargeback on our CC.  There is no excuse for the delay, all of the other travel providers have come thru for us:   SWA extended our travel funds to September, 2022,  time share broker has given us a non-expiring credit toward future travel at the Wyndham Bonnett Creek & even Hotwire refunded the days we booked thru them pre cruise at a Disney hotel.  

2 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

Can't figure out how people would smoke through a mask. 

Google “man smoking thru a mask”. 

Ok, noticed the denomination in the above post...

curious, if those who have received refunds are primarily non US cruisers

38 minutes ago, lovescats5 said:

Everyone is giving their opinion but no one knows when this virus will be gone enough to start cruising or even going to the store again.  For as long as it takes to get a vaccine the stores, small businesses, and cruise lines cannot stay afloat.  What everyone is guessing is that it will be forever before we get back to a new normal but then we will have no place to go anyway because all the stores will be locked up tight and the bankruptcies will be in the thousands.  I am over 70 and do I want to get sick, no, but I am getting tired of being told I cannot go here or there, that I need a Dr. note if I want to cruise, or whatever it is that someone else wants to dictate that I have to do.  I am ready to start living again and knowing there could be challenges is what I understand.  So, that is my opinion and I do not need to have all you people who think the cruise lines will never sail again jump on me and if you want to tell me I am not understanding what is actually going on keep your opinion to yourself.  I see enough negative going around now for the next century.  If Ovation sails to Alaska Sept. 4, I will be on it even if I have to pay a Dr. to sign the stupid letter if it is still needed.

Your zest for living your best life is admirable...this coming from one who is fast approaching your demographic, so this isn’t an ageist them vs us viewpoint by any means.

I’m not sure all the ‘challenges’ are on your radar.  You become part of a very up-close & personal community when you step aboard a cruise ship for better or worse.  God forbid you would become ill from CV-19 while onboard. It also could easily affect your shipmates as to a general quarantine, itinerary change, etc.  

Seems like a cruel joke, but age is an acknowledged increased factor as to the degree of illness associated with the CV-19. Others should already know if their particular circumstances put them in the groups that have been urged to be especially careful...including some millennials with underlying medical conditions.

Not to say there may not be younger/healthier individuals also infected, but the majority could be possibly asymptomatic & just acting as unknowing vectors.  CV-19 is just not the souvenir you want to bring home.  The powers that be will get an eventual handle on this and hopefully willl be bettter prepared for the next round of whatever comes our way.

42 minutes ago, Garyjames220 said:

 

Hope you do receive it soon!  Make sure to come back & let us all know. Would be a morale boost as not many success stories lately

3 hours ago, Garyjames220 said:

I have been dealing with a team leader to sort our refund and have had to push them

 

just got a email there saying that our May cruise has been fully refunded today and should show on our credit card within the next few days

Congrats, but rather Curious as so many with cruises from March are still waiting. 

Squeaky wheel shouldn’t be getting the grease, in a perfect world it should be first in, first out.

3 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

That’s standard booking practice.  Different rules for third and fourth guests.  Royal May want to move you to a double occupancy room though but from what I have seen for recent sailings is they have so many cabins available they are making quad cabins available to doubles.  Ask before you do anything. 

 

Since you are before final payment why not just remove her from the booking now and then her deposit gets applied to your fare which you then get back as a FCC if you cancel under the CWC

 

You could add her back in closer to sailing if it’s still a go. 

 

 

Hadn’t thought of your strategy, seems solid, thank you.  Will run it past the mr 🙂.  Will definitely try to speak to somebody @ RCCL who can give me an answer.  

The phone call Friday was so static filled, believe perhaps a worker at home on a cell.  Wondering if they are so sort-staffed, they’ve re-assigned staff into fielding calls who aren’t fully up to speed.

12 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

You can cancel your GD up until 30 days prior to sailing and get a full refund for her fare (different rules for 3rd and 4th guest).  You could also take her off now and her deposit is applied to your fare.

 

nothing wrong with downgrading. 

I had no idea her NR deposit could be applicable to our fares.  Is this standard booking policy vs CV-19?

So, just to be clear:

Prior to 30 days pre final cruise payment we could both remove her (& receive a refund) & also utilize the 48 hr FCC for ourselves if desired.

If one of the earliest ships to sail, thinking head count might be down.  Is there there an option to add her back onto cabin pre sailing (at whatever prevailing rate) as we are booked in cabin that sleeps three now?

5 hours ago, molly361 said:

I have a balcony booked for the end of August and right now if prices don't drop I am going to downgrade to an interior right before final payment hoping the balcony prices drop and I can move back up.  If not we may cancel for the FCC depending how things look then

Hmmm, after reading your strategy, not sure if we do downgrade to inside GTY; we’d be permitted to upgrade to non GTY category.  

Still waiting for refund on our 3/28 sailing on the Harmony, sigh.  Also, have a NR short cruise booked for 8/7.  Added it onto a planned trip with myself, DH & young GD.  Would’ve bailed already if I hadn’t booked NR.  Have until 5/24 to decide if I’m going to walk away & lose the DP.  

When tossing this hot potato around of what to do with my DH, had an idea.  At the risk of sounding shady, wondered if it would be permissable/legit to downgrade the reservation to a GTY inside, pay it off & then either...

A.   cancel with confidence 48 hours prior to sail date for the FCC* or

B.  hope it’s cancelled outright/restrictions are extended & then, request a refund to our credit card.  

When I called RCCL last Friday inquiring as to the status of my 3/28 saiing refund (told it’s still processing), I posed the above questions to the rep.  Response was “I don’t know...you’ll have to call back during regular business hours”.  Figured i might as well ask the experts here first 🙂

*Since we have GD along & she might not be able to sail within the given time frame, guessing we would lose the value of her FCC in that instance, another consideration.

Cancelled my sailing on 3/13.  Called RCCL on 4/17 to inquire as to my refund.

was told they didn’t start to process it until ‘after the cruise docked’ on 4/5.  Interesting phrasing since the ship never sailed.

then, the rep, said something to effect of “...wait, I’m seeing it’s moving thru the system...has been checked off by two departments...should be soon”

I’m the sort that would rather be told the cold, hard truth vs having smoke blown where the sun don’t shine.🙄