dodge9

I was told by my group admin specialist, who went to her supervisor and upper management.... we must do BOTH tests... the one prior is to meet cruise rules and the one at the pier is to meet country rules.  I am on the Escape May 31st.

If you have the insurance through NCL... if cancelling for a non covered reason, you still make the claim, get denied and then NCL gives you a portion of the cancellation fee back in future cruise credit.  You will get the taxes/fees and pre paid gratuity/tours, etc back when you cancel regardless of insurance coverage.  Future cruise credit is transferable if you go through a few hoops.

Thanks for the answers.  So glad you had a nice cruise.  Safe travels t o your home!

I board on March 20th in Sydney and cannot wait!  Have you done the glass blowing on the ship?  Any must do's onboard?  I assume a lot more handwashing, etc.  Is the buffet still self serve or are they serving you?  Enjoy the rest of your cruise!  

Last time  I had a hot stone massage for the first time, I LOVED it and can't wait to get another.  I have never had a bad or disappointing massage.  Do it and enjoy!  

7 hours ago, computerdude1032 said:

@dodge9, i feel so bad for you.  I figured your 8/31 crusie would get off fine and maybe even get extended a day.  I figured it would be our 9/3 on Symphony being impacted.  Can't believe they are straigt up cancelling all of you.

I thought we would turn into a planned four night.  Finally got some info from RCCL last night that the posted altered itineary was incorrect, and they took it down.  They said our cruise will go out and to expect an update by 3 pm today... those onboard the Symphony of the Seas currently posted a letter stating their stay in Nassau would be shorttened today to arrive back into Miami Saturday early.  Thinking we may leave earlier than planned Saturday.  Now hoping flight goes.... as teh world turns.... 

4 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Is your cruise cancelled, or only shortened?

appears canceled, we were just a three night cruise from August 31st to September 3rd.  I can't grasp how they would post the current sailing is extended and NOT notify us that we are cacnelled.  There is no need to not inform if you know this information.... people don't need to get on planes in a few hours!

appears canceled, we were just a three night cruise from August 31st to September 3rd.  I can't grasp how they would post the current sailing is extended and NOT notify us that we are cacnelled.  There is no need to not inform if you know this information.... people don't need to get on planes in a few hours!

It certainly appears the August 31st sailing of the Symphony of the Seas is canceled being the current cruise won't return until September 4th, but we got NO notification.  There are 51 of us going, some supposed to leave Friday morning, others already there... I think it is really unfair to show the current cruise altered itinerary and not notify us that we are canceled and allow folks to get on planes for no reason. I just can't comprehend this.  Of course reservations is closed.  UGH.  Safety is a priority, but so is alerting folks their cruise is canceled. 

7 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

My understanding was that Royal allowed name changes up to 24 hours before the cruise, no charge.

There are situations where it is not the case... specific fares tied to the cancelling party is one... for instace if "Jim" is booked under a special senior fare and the other passenger is not a senior and no refund deposit fares have different ties to them as well. It is not as easy as it once was.  

5 minutes ago, cruisinfanatic said:

There is no name change fee and there is no change in cost to do it no matter when. Never has been.

The OP is sailing in August, obviously in panalty

There is a difference in being in penalty and being in 100% penalty... anything less than 100% penalty you are refared.  Depending on your fare code and how close you are to the cruise, name changes can incur a fee or not be permitted.

If you are under 100% penalty you can cancel her without being refared.  You may also be able to do a name change with only a name change fee, typically around $50.  If you are NOT within 100% penalty, you would then be refared, so it is best to wait until you are within 100% penalty.  The only hiccup is if the fare was based on your Mother (senior rate, past guest rate, casino etc based specifically on her).  If that is the case you will be refared regardless.  The other issue would be if  you are booked under a no refund deposit rate, as then when canceling mom, she would be penalized that amount, but if you are within 100% penalty that doesn't apply, would only apply if doing a name change.  Good luck and safe travels!

Once someone is within 100% penalty the other passenger does not have to pay single fare.  Only if you were less than 100% penalty does that apply.  Your travel agent is wrong or doesn't understand that things are different when under 100% penalty.  Your mom can cancel and make claim with the insurance.  I have had this happen before... one time with the client waiting to cancel until they were under 100% penalty to protect her travel partner from having to pay single fare.  Since you are booked through a travel agent, the cruise line won't speak with you, but you can request your travel agent put  you on a three way call and ask the process while you are on the phone.  Best of luck, I am sorry your Mum may need to cancel.

I LOVE the Haven and I think NCL does a better overall job making you feel special in a suite.  I have not cruised for a while in a suite on RCCL, but will be in a Crown Loft Suite in August and then able to give a more recent comparison.  But just looking at this with what I know, I would choose the Haven.  My favorite cruise lines are Celebrity, NCL, Royal Caribbean... I think in that order lol

2 hours ago, scubagirrl said:

If there is an opening, you can upgrade when you get there.. They are usually booked solid.

Thanks... do you know the cost of upgrading by chance?

Does anyone know if you can do the regular Blue Lagoon tour and then add a sea lion encounter once there?

We booked a private tour that picked us at the airport, did some city sights, had lunch and then headed to the pier.  They had room for our luggage.  It was great, got to see some of Dublin and not wait around the port.  Embarkation was super fast and easy when I was there last April.

5 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I was in a Celebrity Suite on Solstice for the 16 night AUS and NZ cruise last March.  You will love that CS!  It is not as technologically advanced as the one on Edge but it was more comfortable, had a truly separate bedroom that could be blacked out at night, and a much larger balcony with comfortable loungers, chairs and dining table.  Probably a much lower price than the Edge CS too.  Let me know if you have any questions.

I am doing an 12-night Australia-New Zealand cruise on the Solstice next March!  The one thing I didn't like about the Sky Suite was it was one room with no bedroom and I am used to having the separate spaces, which I prefer.  I am going with a friend and not my husband... how is the closet space?  Is there any closet space in the living area or just in the bedroom and where is the safe?  Any Australia-New Zealand tips????  We are taking my kid cousin in the Crown Loft Suite, she's super excited for her own bathroom and two levels!  

Thanks for this.  Had a Sky Suite on the Celebrity Eclipse and booked a Celebrity Suite on the Celebrity Solstice next March... I will be in a Crown Loft Suite on the Symphony of the Seas in August... so loved hearing the comparisons.  THANK YOU!

No and it is always a guaranteed category as well, with no cabin assignment at booking.

If you need an accessible cabin and there are none, you call the special department and they will then look to see if any of those cabins are occupied by people who don't need it, once they find someone, they will work to get the accessible cabin to the person that needs it and the people in that cabin to either an upgraded cabin or a lower cabin with credit if there are no higher cabins available.

A few years back a lady was smoking below us on our Alaska cruise... we yelled down and she ignored us. We called to complain, to find many already had. Then she yelled to those around her it wasn't her and she didn't smoke... saw her later than night in the casino with a cigarette and I said, thought you didn't smoke! She didn't smoke again on the balcony that cruise. I am a cancer survivor and didn't appreciate it. The smoke smell was awful.

Is the 20 year old's parents traveling? If so, NCL will cross reference the two reservations and make note, as long as the cabins are near each other, preferably next to or across the hall. If you cancel, the price for the 20 year old goes to a single rate. You can change the name for typically a $35 fee if you wanted to bring someone else. If you have insurance and you want to make a claim, you cannot change the name... and I would not cancel until you are in one hundred percent penalty so the 20 year old does not go to a single rate. Hope it all gets worked and Thank him for his service to our country!

Actually that is incorrect. A notary can only notarize in the state they were issued their license (at least, that's what is legal.)

 

The simple and common solution for OP is to sign a power of attorney prior to departure. The POA should be limited to this one, single transaction. Typically, one has a relative or close friend be the POA, but an attorney can be used. The escrow agent or closing attorney can guide you and probably already has the fill in the blank documents.

 

It's also possible that you m

 

I was going to suggest the POA too. Seems the easiest!

I had a similar situation, although it was a week prior... you have to keep one original name, so we added a third person, changed one of the first two names and two others went and gave some of the money being lost to the original party.