Texas Flood

Thank you for the info

Is anyone concerned about stopping at Moroccan ports after the Israeli/Hamas unrest? Saw there are huge protests in Morocco. Ugh

We received an email from RC shortly after we selected the 125% cruise credit with the “certificate” verification and we have just used it. It had a number you use to get the credit when booking.  Haven’t used a TA We always do our own arrangements) so that probably adds more confusion in the process.  Our process with RC was trouble free. 

23 minutes ago, jacobtsf said:

Just got this from RCI about our August cruise

Yes we just received the same email.  Thank you for posting. We will probably cancel and go somewhere else. Not a good time to be in the Baltics.

On 3/1/2020 at 7:57 AM, time4u2go said:

Yes it does.  The fatality rate of Coronavirus is 2.5%.  For the flu, it's 0.1%.  Do you have other numbers?

 

Also, I'm not the only one stating this.

I agree. That is what the authorities are saying. I'll depend on the CDC, the World Health Organization and travel advisories by the State Department. Depends on where the cruise is going as well. Checking to see the status of any countries on itinerary with State Department is always advisable.  Also each person's person health status and itineraries should be considered.  

Any other opinions are just that...opinions. Each person should weigh their own health history, circumstances, itinerary risk and information from the qualified authorities.

On 2/29/2020 at 2:24 PM, 20165 said:

Well, based on the presidents news conference just now, im pretty sure the decision is going to be made for us soon.  If he does close the border with mexico, i have to believe that will affect Caribbean cruises.  Plus, although the Caribbean islands need the money, at some point, they have to realize that allowing 1000s of new people circulating through their islands each day from the outside probably isnt a great idea...

I have heard nothing about closing the Mexican border due to corona virus. Mexico has 2 confirmed cases. The US has 43.

We are holding off on cancellation until the last minute to see how things develop.  We sail on April 8th and really want to go but don't want to go and possibly be denied entry into ports etc.  We have cancel for any reason travel insurance so we will wait to cancel (if necessary) until later.

CDC just posted a recommendation for no non-essential travel to Italy so UGH.  A new complication everyday.

14 hours ago, brillohead said:

Are you afraid of the flu?  Because the flu has killed WAY more people than COVID-19 has, and I haven't seen a single thread on these forums about cancelling a cruise because of fears of influenza.



New England Journal of Medicine: Coronavirus Could Be No Worse than Flu

 

An editorial published Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine speculated that the coronavirus currently causing panic in world markets could turn out no worse than “a severe seasonal influenza” in terms of mortality.

Well the death rate is 20 times higher than the flu and there is a vaccine for the flu.  Illness is not the only concern.  There are outbreaks in Italy and if it gets higher the ship or individuals traveling to other areas during and after the cruise may be affected by either denial of entry, quarantine or other ramifications.  It's a much broader issue than a flu-like illness.

17 hours ago, SoonerDan said:

We are passed final payment.  I noticed a price drop today that was fairly significant for a balcony gty.  We were in promenade.  Called and they got us changed.  Took a few times on hold, but it all worked out! Glad I came across this thread today! It changed our view for the upcoming cruise

I’m so happy this thread helped someone. 

16 hours ago, SoonerDan said:

We are passed final payment.  I noticed a price drop today that was fairly significant for a balcony gty.  We were in promenade.  Called and they got us changed.  Took a few times on hold, but it all worked out! Glad I came across this thread today! It changed our view for the upcoming cruise

Glad it worked out for you. 🙌

Thanks everyone for your information. I am not unhappy, just disappointed. I try to spend money wisely being retired. Thank you Jasukkie and Orville99 for your perspectives and information.   We’re looking forward to sailing regardless. Have a great day.

It was over $700 difference.

Got it.  I’m not trying to cause trouble. I’m just learning about the process. Thanks

Where is the final payment date listed? 

On 2/11/2020 at 12:25 PM, Linzym2020 said:

Similar to my story...

 

I booked via Priceline and I paid in full at time of booking. Noticed there was a price drop  but because I paid in full there was no price adjustments. Im like ok... how is this logical?  Im being penalized because I paid you everything you want up front... strange. After back and forth with Priceline who was on the phone with RC,  they said we can  give you a upgraded room ( we were in basic inside cabin which we wanted)  to a window view for $50.00  I was like uhmm no... im calling to get money back ($350 usd) not pay more money. Their best and final was a $25.00 OBC or an upgrade to a virtual balcony room. We didn't want either TBH but we knew the value of a Virtual room was more than $25 so we just took that. 

Yes I thought that was pretty crummy too. Pay up front and get penalized.  I guess other cruise lines may do the same thing but I know that once the lower price was honored on another cruise line.  May have been the time frame - I can't remember.  I guess the answer is don't book ahead of time but then the airfare and flights gets crazy.

On 2/11/2020 at 12:33 PM, Linzym2020 said:

It may have been but I wasn't told if so! good to know I guess...

We are sailing in April from Rome to Spain, Italy and France.  Cant imagine how this will all turn out.  Did buy insurance with cancel for any reason.  Ugh.  One concern is that people are contagious even if not showing symptoms so someone could be carrying the virus and spread it before they know they have it.

12 minutes ago, beardedladies said:

Take a look at the next category up from what you booked - If it’s less than what you’ve originally paid then you can essentially upgrade for free

 The Customer Service Rep said there are no upgrades available.   Thanks for the suggestion.  I guess we're paying what we're paying.  

Thanks everyone. 

On Jan 26, 2020  booked a cruise leaving April 8, 2020 from Rome on the Jewel of the Seas.  I noticed that the price is now $500 lower than what we paid.  I called customer service and they said they could not make any adjustments to our price.  Is the normal?  

They did not honor our guarantee. Found the cruise on Expedia for $500 cheaper. At first did not even respond and finally when I did get someone to talk to they said they could not honor it because it was not on the Celebrity site.

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Sounds like a fantastic trip! Can you share some highlights that made it so fun!

 

 

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Well we met some wonderful people on that cruise and that made it special. There was always something fun to do. As I mentioned, the cruise director was so helpful and funny. I have never seen someone work so hard to help everyone.

We enjoyed the shows and the main dining room. A singer sang Frank Sinatra songs at dinner each night. Loved that! The waiters were fun, helpful and entertaining.

The ports were awesome. When in St Petersburg we went on an evening excursion to Catherine's Palace. That was fabulous! We were greeted by a marching band. We walked through each room and costumed entertainers performed lovely music in many of the rooms. We were not rushed and it was not crowded. In the ballroom we sipped champagne and enjoyed a lovely dance performance.

We had dinner in on the grounds and a Russian group performed. As we left a beautiful horse and carriage arrived and a short ballet was performed. I will never forget this excursion! I felt I had stepped back in time!

I know most on these board are not proponents of ship excursions but this one was awesome! Most of the time you get what you pay for on the excursions.

We have sailed other lines and generally try to be economical and Carnival usually is. Ultimately what determines who we use is the itinerary.

Hope you enjoy your next cruise.

By the way, I am not affiliated in any way with any cruise line - as someone wondered in an earlier post.

We did a mystery dinner on Royal Caribbean and it was a lot of fun. It lasted quite a while - not just a quick dinner. It started with meeting in a lounge for wine and appetizers which were included in the price. We got to meet other cruisers and the characters were introduced.

Then we went into the dining room where the mystery continued. Each table competed against other tables to solve the mystery. We got to ask questions etc. We thought it was fun. A whole evening of entertainment.

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It's fun. Cruise Director, John Heald, is the best CC we have ever had. The best cruise we ever went on was a 12 day Baltic on Carnival. Every day was soooo much fun.

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Love you question since many of us wonder about this. I'm sure there is no one answer. My husband and I did not travel outside of the USA until we were in our 50's and when our kids were grown. We have never gotten a suite but do get balconies. Suites are so expensive! Getting the best deal on a cruise and airfare is tricky and often when the cruise is cheap, the airfare is not. Sounds like you did your research and did the best you could.

We do some excursions when the cities are too far from the port but most of the time, get off and get on a hop on and off bus or just walk around. Research prior to leaving. We almost always eat in the main dining room - excellent food at no additional cost.

Limit the drinks - they are very expensive. I know this can be difficult.

Save, save, save - when you are at home. Start a cruise account, and add to it. Each time you go to the store, evaluate what you don't need and put that money in your cruise account.

Know that all things good come to those who wait. Also know that not all of us can continually travel. Some people are wealthy and don't have cash challenges. Wishing you many happy cruises.

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