Giantfan13

We have a TA on the Odyssey late Oct. 

Maybe I'm just kidding, but I hope we aren't the initial launch. 

Does anyone know when she will be officially launched?

Cheers

Len

We have a 14 day TA, Rome to FT Lauderdale, end of Oct 2021 and who know??

Hard enough to think about USA cruises, we have to worry about European ports also.

I still haven't made any airline reservations.

All we can do is plan a bit and hope for better times. 

Cheers

Len

I have a good question on this and, I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but what the heck:

We had a TA booked on the Explorer last year for a VERY reasonable price. The cruise was cancelled and we were able to do a Lift and shift to the Odyssey for this year at the same exact rate (A HUGE bargain). Now our TA is very late October, but if that gets cancelled, do we receive the rate that the cabin is worth on the Odyssey if we can do another lift and shift, or do we just get what we put in for the Explorer?

Cheers

Len

We had one of the very last cruises to sail. We were on the Allure, Mar1-13, Ft Lauderdale to Barcelona. We  were sailing along with out any problems until Trump announced new rules coming back to the USA. With that,  pandemonium broke out, with flights being cancelled, and people not knowing anything. We were supposed to fly out of Barcelona to Frankfurt and then to NYC. The second leg was still on but the Barcelona to Frankfurt was cancelled. We really scrambled to rebook and I can't compliment RCCL and the crew enough for doing everything possible to help people in need.

Also, we disembarked in Barcelona on a Friday, our flight home was Sunday, and Saturday they basically closed down the entire country. We couldn't even find a place to get something to eat for dinner. Airport on Sunday was a complete madhouse, but we made it out on time, and home.

Funny thing was, our kids were supposed to pick us up at the airport, but they refused, saying we may be contaminated, so we had to Uber home from NJ.

An experience hopefully never to be repeated. 

Cheers

Len

We used to get military discounts all the time, from several different cruise lines. Now we get a hearty '
Thank you for your  service' and maybe a piece of cake if they do something to honor veterans.

Cheers

Len

We are also booked on the Odyssey for Oct. A lift and shift from last year. Really hope this cruise goes as we have also booked a separate cruise before this one.

It isn't listed anymore so we'll just have to wait it out. 

Cheers

Len

On 12/24/2020 at 7:15 PM, LorraineP said:

Curious are you saying that even though you paid all with FCC you will get a full refund to your credit card?  I have a May cruise booked with a FCC & not sure if I should pay the balance which is due 2/7. 

Sorry if I didn't make myself more clear.

We had FCC in the amount of $900 and we applied this amount to our Empress cruise, when we booked. So, now that this cruise has officially been cancelled we will get back $900 in FCC and NOT the 125% that other may get who paid cash and will opt for FCC instead of a credit back to their credit card.

 I hope that clarifies it.

Cheers

Len

I posted on the other Empress thread. We have an 11 day cruise on the Empress, end of August, Cape Liberty to Montreal, booked thru an online TA.

Yesterday I did get an email from Royal telling me the cruise was no more and I would be receiving whichever/whatever money I applied to the cruise, either in FCC or back to my CC whichever we wanted. Since we paid for this cruise with FCC that is what we will get back, dollar for dollar.

On the RCCL site, on my account, the cruise is still listed, but now we officially know it isn't.

Cheers

Len

Is this effective immediately?

We have an Aug 2021 cruise booked on the Empress thru an online TA.

As I asked, is the Empress going to fulfill it's booked schedule or is she out as of now? On the RCCL web site, it still lists my sailing.

I haven't been notified of anything as of yet either by RCCL or our TA. Funny but this cruise was a cancelled cruise from last year on the Empress. How it was paid for, I really don't remember, so what would I get as a refund?

Cheers

Len

23 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

I can't say what's going on in the rest of the world but I was in NYC today midtown and it was very depressing for this time of year. Aside from many businesses gone there wasn't any sign of the Holiday Season. Usually the stores and streets are decorated.  There was no Miracle on 34th street. Hardly any people on the street. This time of year you would be walking shoulder to shoulder. I considered going uptown to see the tree but I was so turned off that I just went to my appointment and went home.  The restaurants that are usually packed for lunch were empty. If this is what the City that doesn't sleep looks like I can't imagine what an island in the Caribbean must be like.

 You can't even go uptown to see the tree now. You need an appointment, a set time, which gives you 5 minutes to view the tree and take whatever pix you can. The entire area is roped off anywhere near the tree.

Sad, but true.

Cheers

Len

MSC threw an entire family off their ship for breaking the 'bubble' rule. They booked an excursion but decided to go off on their own. MSC left them and their stuff on the pier as the ship sailed away.

Family thrown off MSC Grandiosa for flouting the line's new COVID rules - Cruise Passenger

\

Cheers

Len

.Thanks for the replies.

So the cruise isn't officially cancelled, they just cannot book it at the moment?

Cheers

Len

Without having to read 44 pages of this thread, we have a cruise booked on the Empress, Aug 23 2021, 11 day sailing Cape Liberty to Montreal. I booked it thru an online TA but today I went to see how the price was doing and I don't see the cruise. I also went to RCCL site and again, so not see the cruise. I haven't received anything from my TA or RCCL that the cruise has been cancelled. They are listing cruises from Montreal in September.

Anyone have any idea what is going on?

I do apologize if something was mentioned pages back.

Cheers

Len

We are looking to book a cruise in 2022 that offers an inside cabin with a virtual balcony. We have heard of them, but never actually experienced them. I understand the process, but is it really a waste of time and money, or just stick with a 'real' inside cabin?

Cheers

Len

It is always easier to start high and see if the public buys it. If not, the price will drop until the ship sails. Why start low, when they know some people will pay whatever they ask. 

There are a few bargains out there. We just booked Voyager for June 2022, 11 day Baltics for inside $860. For June, that is a good price. You just have to look.

Cheers

Len

We have sailed on the Grandeur only 3 times, but each time, we feel like we came back home. We also sailed on her when they celebrated her 20th anniversary of being launched with a huge party. If memory holds she was launched Dec 1996 and the celebration was Dec 2016. 

Hope she survives, but it just doesn't look promising. 

Cheers

Len 

We were with John and Lala on the Allure, March 1-March 13, 2020 for a TA.  The Allure was supposed to go into dry dock right after our cruise, so nothing was scheduled for her until May, but I wonder if that ever happened? We disembarked in Barcelona March 13 and they closed the country down on March 14 leaving many for a mad scramble to 'get out of town'. We were already scheduled to leave on the 15 and we did, but for the night before, you couldn't even get anything to eat in all Barcelona unless you got something from your hotel. 

I guess we were one of the last cruises that sailed before they closed everything down for good. 

As John said, we were very lucky. We only had one stop on the TA and we assume no one was sick on the ship or else they never  would have let us dock and disembark in Barcelona. 

Cheers

Len

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

Major difference is the cabin locations, and no free room service.  Drink coupons have been gone for a year or more.  I think they were part of the loyalty program.  EM

Thanks so much.

Cheers

Len

We have sailed MSC a couple of times. Last time we did, we did the Fantastica experience, but me getting old, my memory needs a jolt as to what the major differences are between the two. Last time, we got coupons for free Gelati everyday and like 12 free drink coupons, ( we were on an 11 day cruise)are these things still available? I understand Bella is cheaper and is probably a basic, no frills experience. So, if I pay the difference to to Fantastica experience, what am I really getting for the money these days?

Cheers

Len

WE sailed the Allure, TA this past March, her last sailing before the virus. We were able to make reservations 90 days out. Several of the 'minor' type shows had openings even on the day of the show, like the ice show and the comedy show. 

Cheers

Len

USAF 1966-1969

3 years Ramstein AFB Germany

3 Month TDY Da Nang AFB Viet Nam

Glad to meet all of you

Cheers

Len

We have a TA booked Nov 6 on the Explorer leaving Rome. We also have a 7 day NCL cruise booked prior to the Explorer. We will not cancel until final payment, which will, at least, give us the opportunity to see how the world is going. 

We just got off a TA on the Allure, March 13 where no one was sick, but getting out of Barcelona was a nightmare. We are glad we were able to get out when we did so we will not go thru anything like that again.

We are old, but better safe than sorry and there will be many cruises in the future. 

I disagree with the poster who said cruises will be sky high once this ends. I really feel that the cruise lines will offer some really attractive deals to try and lure people back. After reading these horror stories of people stuck on ships, would you want that to happen to you. Many cruisers will not, so in order to get the average cruiser back, deals will be attractive and plentiful. The hard core cruiser will always be there, but the cruise industry survives not on them, but the average cruiser. 

Cheers

Len

Where do I sign up--  for ALL of them   

Cheers

Len

Late to this thread and if others mentioned this some 50 pages back, I apologize.

We were also on this cruise, though not in such lavish accommodations. We had a lowly inside cabin, but that didn't stop us from having a great cruise.

Anyway, we are one of the few who didn't buy internet for the cruise, we never do, preferring to just lay the sea days away without needed to 'be connected'. So, when the preverbal  hit the fan on Thursday, RCCL was great in giving us 2 free hours of internet to try and get things in order. Since I am IT devoid, the agent who was assigned to help idiots like me, was tremendous and finally figured out that one of my flights to return home on Sunday had been cancelled. Since I am sort of hard of hearing, they let me call my airlines (United) from our room. We were on hold with United for 3 1/2 hours, but when we did get an agent, she was friendly, not stressed and got us on another flight on Sunday, non stop, back to NY (Our home). RCCL even provided me with a phone to call home to let our kids know we are safe and tell them when and where we will be arriving. 

We had a tour booked thru SDT to go to Monserrat and then drop off at our hotel after disembarking. 

Just to be honest, we felt most safe and secure with anyone from the Allure.

Our biggest problem was Saturday in Barcelona, where there was no where to eat, shop, anything. We had a walking tour booked, which we cancelled and just hunkered down for the day in our hotel. We did venture out to try and find something open. Best we could do was a bakery with some bread and cheese. Far cry from the lavish meals on board the ship.

Airport on Sunday was a nightmare. Thousand people waiting for United to open the check in windows. I am partially handicapped, so I got taken a bit earlier. Just wanted to get out. Even had an hour hold up to take off as small staff at flight control, but finally off and back to the US. On arrival, CDC boarded the plane, gave everyone forms to fill out, seat location,addresses, phone number. After getting off, massive lines thru immigration with everyone having their temp took and, like the OP, were told to self quarantine for 14 days, which we are definitely complying with. Maybe unlike some others, we are scared as I am 74 and am not taking this as lightly as some others. 

If I had it to do over again, We never should have gone, but you can't live in the past.

Cheers

Len

10 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Len, thank you for your report.  I hope that all goes well with you, and that 14 days from now  you are happy and healthy still.

Appreciate the kind thoughts.

All we can do now is sit and wait and hope all is well, and catch up on those TV shows and movies we always meant to watch but never had the time.  LOL

Cheers

Len