pthjudy

On 9/14/2023 at 11:15 AM, OCSC Mike said:

 

Correct. It doesn't happen often but they can change your cabin before it is officially assigned.

So printing luggage tags etc. are delayed. How can you put your cabin number on the tag when you don’t have one? We did the barcode trick and know our room. Would our luggage tags be available and actually where are they?

1 minute ago, Keksie said:

As long as there have been contagious diseases getting together in groups has been a a hazard.  

And that is why you take precautions and accept the fact that it may not be enough.  There is no way you can avoid all groups. One thing I discovered through these Covid years, is that each of us does what we feel best doing based on our needs and wants. I haven’t cruised since 2019. I want and need to cruise at this time. So I got my flu shot, I’m scheduled for the new Covid shot, I’m packing tests and extra masks and I’ll hope for the best. 

17 minutes ago, Keksie said:

If you are the type of person who is still.paying attention to COVID numbers then maybe travelling is not for you. 

I am cognizant of speed limits and bad drivers but it doesn’t mean I don’t drive.  Paying attention to possible health or safety hazards is never a bad thing.

10 hours ago, CruiseMrB said:

I'm a NOVID (No known COVID to date) and will be sailing in January. We will get the latest booster and wear N95 mask in all interior locations outside of our cabin, except to eat. That's the drill these days for us until further notice. Plus lots of hand washing and sanitizer, if the dispensers even work.

 

We live in Florida, so the idea that we are ever going to get accurate timely information on anything is out of the question. So we act accordingly.

We could have written this ourselves. We are booked on October 8 on Oasis. After 4 years I not only want this cruise but need this cruise. We are 40 minutes from the port, will not join other diners like in past cruises, and actually have the new shot booked on Monday. I’ll pack test kits, extra masks, and be as careful as I’ve been since Covid reared it’s ugly head. 

I just received certificates for the OBC I had used for a cruise we just canceled. I was surprised that it was still being refunded and even more surprised it said there was no expiration date. This was the OBC I received for canceling a cruise in March 2020 before RC canceled it. Has something changed? There always was a book by/sail by date.

15 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

When you called to cancel, the cancellation letter from Royal should have listed the cancellation penalty amount.  The remainder should be refunded, but it will come in many pieces.  
 

Insurance will ask for a copy of your paid in full booking invoice, your cancellation letter from Royal, and documentation from your doctor. 

I never got the cancellation letter from Royal. I used a TA. I guess he can get it for me. Thanks. 

We just canceled our October 16 cruise on Oasis. My husband broke his jaw and I don’t know the recuperation timeframe. We just saw a refund from Royal Caribbean posted on our cc. The amount does not reflect either the deposit or the final payment. I did not expect anything back. Do any of you have an explanation? The deposit was OBC from a cruise we cancelled early in the pandemic. I need this to know what to claim from trip cancellation coverage. Thanks. 

23 hours ago, flamingos said:

Johnny Rockets as well.

What does Johnny Rockets have on the menu for breakfast?

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

CWC for new bookings ended last month - pre COVID rules back in place.

My question was also that ordinarily I use a certain credit card which has travel insurance for the deposit and final payment. That way if I need to cancel for a covered reason, I get a refund. In this case I’m using a FCC so I can’t get it insured. True it’s only $500 but it IS $500. 

I booked a cruise last year for March using a FCC I had from an earlier cancelled cruise. I did cancel that cruise before final payment because omicron had started to  spread. It was a non refundable deposit but it did get put back to my Royal Caribbean account. I just booked a new cruise for October. I’m using that FCC again. If I use a non refundable deposit rate for this one, will it be refunded if I need to cancel or has that window closed?

Just now, Biker19 said:

Unlikely and BTW, that hole which allowed texting on Anthem is being plugged as well.

Not surprised. Internet generates income which cruise lines need. 

I know on Anthem there was a texting availability without a 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐢 package. Has anyone seen the same possibility on Oasis? I only need to keep in touch with family and don’t care about internet. 

47 minutes ago, notmyrealnameoremail said:

You should ask your Travel Agent for help, especially if you are still using them.

 

My most excellent Travel Agent has devoted many hours to getting FCC issues resolved for us.

 

YMMV

 

Tom

TA has contacted them a few times. Wait is way too long for refund. 

41 minutes ago, MiniChunks said:

I called them with the reservation ID from the canceled cruise and asked them to process the FCC as I had a cruise coming up with final payment approaching. They were able to issue the FCC while I was on the phone. The agent told me that as long as you are 45 days past the cancelation date, they will expedite the FCC for you. I'm sure you'll get 5 different answers from 5 different agents, but that worked for me. 

Since I used a TA that strategy may not work for me. But thanks. By the way, what were the book by, sail by dates?

We are waiting for our FCC from the March 6 Anthem sailing we cancelled in January. We received a small portion already and the book by date is approaching. What happens if we receive this credit and have no time to rebook? In other words, does RC change the book by, sail by dates as they release these credits?

5 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Is your point about age or about medical risk?  Some 50 year olds are sicker than many 75 year olds and they know it.  Sadly, there are terminally ill children.  If people of advanced age with medical issues are not allowed to sail, why should you get ones with conditions just as serious?  Think about this, if after doctors told your loved one they estimated about 6 months to live, she really wanted to go on one more cruise with the whole family, would you deny her, due to a small risk she might get worse that week and inconvenience strangers?

That’s exactly what happened to a dear friend several years ago after diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He wanted a last family cruise. Everyone worked together to make it happen. Even the oncologist suspended chemo. The doctor would have signed that letter (which truly means absolutely nothing) if said letter was indeed a requirement. Anyone can get sick anywhere. And people understand and accept a slight inconvenience.  At least most people do. 

14 minutes ago, adolfo2 said:

This was EXTREME and never placed into effect.... BUT there should be some form of medical clearance to sail past a certain age. 

 

Way too many emergency EVACS (larger ships & older population) inconveniencing/delaying passengers. Just because you are personally protected by travel insurance is no reason to believe you should be sailing.

Anyone can get sick on a cruise or an airplane or restaurant or even a bus. A signed form actually means very little. As far as the inconvenience to other passengers, I won’t get into that. 

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

It was covered under CWC so if cancelled all penalties are waived and you get the entire amount as an FCC

I assumed that is true. I did just get off the phone with RC about this issue. They said TA has to handle it. Sent an email to my TA. 

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

You might be able to get an explanation directly from RCI on an FCC issue - call them.

I just thought of something that might have caused this tiny FCC. My TA assured me when I took a non refundable deposit that since it was a FCC, it would be refundable. Was that inaccurate?

52 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You might be able to get an explanation directly from RCI on an FCC issue - call them.

Their calling hours online seem to be incorrect. Does anyone have the updated hours?

A week or so ago we canceled our March 6 sailing on Anthem. The deposit was our $710 FCC we got for canceling an April 2020 before RC did.  We just got back our new FCC certificate (great). But it was only for $65 (not so great). I did send an email to our TA to look into it. Any thoughts?

5 hours ago, mlang said:

We are booked Anthem Jan. 31, but will probably cancel because of Covid.  It just doesn't feel safe to go. Anyone else ,canceling?

 

 

 

We just cancelled our Anthem sailing on March 6. My feeling is that we have been ultra careful for close to 2 years with very limited contact with others. Going into a ship with thousands of people with our immune systems probably lazy at this point would put as at risk for lots of different infections. The CDC said yesterday that every ship sailing in US waters presently has Covid. Though fully vaccinated and boostered,  I don’t want to chance it.  So yesterday we sadly cancelled.

22 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Elevator etiquette.

Chair hogging, best desserts, formal night or the lack thereof. Oh, for the good old days. 

I know often times what you hear from a Royal representative by phone is not always accurate. A friend is sailing at the end of the month. He called to ask about what happens if he wants to cancel because if Covid and was told the Cruise with Confidence is still in effect and you cancel until 48 hours and get a refund (not just as a FCC). Is this true? 

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Currently you can only cancel a cruise that sails prior to Jan 17th for a refund.  Anything after that is for FCC.

 

If you have applied FCC's to the booking they will be reinstated if you cancel under Cruise with Confidence.

 

If by chance you are able to cancel under "protocols" annd are eligible for a refund the there are 2 possibilities about the FCC.  If the FCC was issued because of a Global suspension (Royal cancelled) then those can be refunded.  If the FCC was issued because of CWC or a NRD then the FCC will be reissued.

 

If you make final you need to hope that Royal extends the option to cancel for a refund as right now you will only get FCC for everything you paid including FCC and new cash paid at final.

 

TBH, your final is over a month away, look at this and ask questions a week before not now as things change.

Thank you for your very helpful response. With conditions changing every day, it is important to proctor. I jumped the gun last time and lost out. I don’t want that to happen again.