What have they done to your Cuba cruise?

[JessyCruises]

Just now, shellunderwater said:

Hot diggity!  50% off our cruise!  Cha-ching.

 

Now, I will admit, I'm certain this upsets many people, and I understand that and feel bad their plans are impacted.  But for us, we were doing this cruise for the vacation and the ports really didn't matter.  We weren't opposed to Havana, but it wasn't a deciding factor. 

 

I am on the 8/4 Empress sailing.  I have been to Cuba many times before so it is not a deal maker for me but it is too bad for those who were only on the sailing because of Cuba.

 

I doubt I will be getting any OBC or refund - I am sailing on a Casino Comp 🙂

[ONECRUISER]

34 minutes ago, rghermes said:

 

Fully Understand. My cruise leaves in less than a week.

Have A Great Cruise!

[Biker19]

31 minutes ago, coaster said:

Prices were set high just because of porting in Cuba as mentioned many times here.

 

I went on Empress back in July 2016 before the Cuba cruises began. Paid a much lower price than what the Cuba sailings were priced at.

That Cuban "premium" has been getting smaller  - in the fall of 2019 some Cuba sailings were on par or even cheaper than some non-Cuba itineraries. Cuba sailings have been on the GGG flier for some time.

[ONECRUISER]

33 minutes ago, coaster said:

This situation is different. Older ships that normally would be retired and sent to Pullmantur. Prices were set high just because of porting in Cuba as mentioned many times here.

 

I went on Empress back in July 2016 before the Cuba cruises began. Paid a much lower price than what the Cuba sailings were priced at. I was happy as the price was very good and I like the older and smaller ships. I know I am in the minority in my preference though.

Nope, agree. First was on Sovereign back in 88, back when she was Largest Cruise ship in the World. Have done 5 Cruises in that Class, 300+ nites on Vision and Radiance Class. Done larger ships but prefer the smaller classes

[gadaboutgal]

Not sure that those cruisers who wanted to go to Cuba are being compensated above and beyond by Royal. The fares on the original "to Cuba" cruises always were a lot more than the non-Cuba sailings.  Giving back 50% seems just about equal to what they would have paid for the ship just going to the Bahamas.  Then again, Royal gives themselves the option of missing any port with no refund except port fees, so I guess something is better than nothing.

 

[ONECRUISER]

43 minutes ago, rghermes said:

 

Fully Understand. My cruise leaves in less than a week.

 For all 2019 sailings on both Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas, we have secured alternative ports and we are in the process of communicating the new itineraries to our guests and travel partners.  For these guests, they will have the option of remaining on their sailing with the new itinerary and receiving a 50% refund or they may cancel their cruise and receive a full refund.... Great offer, guess I was wrong. Most I ever got for changed/canceled Ports was 2hrs of Free Drinks

Edited June 5, 2019 by ONECRUISER

[gadaboutgal]

Hoping Royal keeps Empress.  They spent a lot of money to refurbish her and she is really a lovely old time gal.   They could use her out of Tampa; perfect to go under the Skyline bridge.  

[bobbyandali]

2 minutes ago, gadaboutgal said:

Not sure that those cruisers who wanted to go to Cuba are being compensated above and beyond by Royal. The fares on the original "to Cuba" cruises always were a lot more than the non-Cuba sailings.  Giving back 50% seems just about equal to what they would have paid for the ship just going to the Bahamas.  Then again, Royal gives themselves the option of missing any port with no refund except port fees, so I guess something is better than nothing.

 

There is also the option to cancel for a full refund.

So, yes, the 50% kinda puts it back in line with a "normal" cruise which this will now be, or if you don't want a "normal" cruise on this boat, then you get your money back.

Interested to see what people choose. 

[ONECRUISER]

2 minutes ago, bobbyandali said:

There is also the option to cancel for a full refund.

So, yes, the 50% kinda puts it back in line with a "normal" cruise which this will now be, or if you don't want a "normal" cruise on this boat, then you get your money back.

Interested to see what people choose. 

For 50% offer, I'd take an all Sea Day Cruise

[Ms BumbleBee]

I am getting a refund and will cancel my vacation time.  It is devastating but I have no interest in the cruise as it stands and no time to find another trip.

[Bridetobe88]

How do you all think they will handle the taxes and fees? From what I understand the port taxes and fees are significantly more for Cuba than Caribbean ports. I understand that the 50% off is for the cruise fare only, so will they be refunding the taxes and fees and applying the correct ones to the new itineraries? Or if we choose to go on the new itinerary are we basically paying inflated taxes and fees? This is only my second cruise, so I am new to understanding all this.

[coaster]

I am assuming the port charges will be lowered also. They were higher than other itineraries.

Edited June 5, 2019 by coaster

[EatonDoolittle]

7 minutes ago, bobbyandali said:

There is also the option to cancel for a full refund.

So, yes, the 50% kinda puts it back in line with a "normal" cruise which this will now be, or if you don't want a "normal" cruise on this boat, then you get your money back.

Interested to see what people choose. 

 

My guess is that there will be a significant amount of cancellations.  I know I would, if I were booked.

I am fortunate enough to have been 3 times, twice on Majesty, once on Empress.

 

Now these 2 ships will become home to 4 and 5 day booze cruises to the Bahamas and Coz, at pretty discounted prices.

A nice deal for locals wanting quick, cheap getaways, but  not at all attractive to true travelers or true fans of the cruise experience.

 

Substandard ships going to substandard ports with bargain hunting vacationers? 

No thanks.  

 

 

[CRUISEFAN0001]

7 minutes ago, Ms BumbleBee said:

I am getting a refund and will cancel my vacation time.  It is devastating but I have no interest in the cruise as it stands and no time to find another trip.

Quite understandable, and you'll likely not be in the minority on your decision.

[Teach118]

I guess if we cancel and take the 100% refund we will lose our insurance money that we paid?

[Dem920]

I wonder if the 50% is on full cruise fare or cruise fare without NCCF's.  I still don't see a chnge to my 7/8/19 sailing on-line although others have seen a change.  When I go in my cruise planner it still shows Havana.  Wondering what the July 8th port change actually is.

[kruzerci]

37 minutes ago, toad455 said:

So how soon before Empress of the Seas is retired again?

 

No time now that they aren't even using the old/small ships for the 3/4 night Bahamas runs.

 

Unless they keep her around to do something like 2 night sailings to the Bahamas to CocoCay and Freeport once it is up and running.

[orville99]

There are "glass half full" people; "glass-half-empty" people; and people who are only happy when they can complain about the shape of the glass itself

[Tree_skier]

5 minutes ago, Teach118 said:

I guess if we cancel and take the 100% refund we will lose our insurance money that we paid?

If you purchased it through RC I can't imagine that you would.  If it is an outside carrier that'll be determined by the language in the contract.

[shellindc]

35 minutes ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 

I am on the 8/4 Empress sailing.  I have been to Cuba many times before so it is not a deal maker for me but it is too bad for those who were only on the sailing because of Cuba.

 

I doubt I will be getting any OBC or refund - I am sailing on a Casino Comp 🙂

That was my cruise. I am so happy that we will be getting a full refund. I miiiiiiight have considered keeping the booking, if they hadn't ALSO changed the Grand Cayman port (I wanted to swim with sea turtles!). Now we will bank this money for our cruise to Alaska next summer. 

 

I called today around lunchtime to see if they had any information re: what would happen with bookings, and I made sure to tell the agent that I understood that it was not RCIs fault, it wasn't her fault, it wasn't her supervisors fault, and I apologized to her if anyone *yelled* at her today. She said she was uplifted by my comments--I just feel bad for these guys that are fielding all this crap, due to the shenanigans of our govt. 

[EmmasNana]

15 minutes ago, Teach118 said:

I guess if we cancel and take the 100% refund we will lose our insurance money that we paid?

Contact your insurance provider. I have been able to move the insurance forward to a different cruise. As long as the insurance had not kicked in, you should be able to move. it.

[cruiserking]

Here is the latest from Royal Caribbean per their website:

 

Cuba Travel Policy Update - June 05, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. (EDT)

 

Effective immediately, the U.S. government has implemented new regulations that prohibits travel from the U.S. to Cuba by cruise ship. This change requires us to immediately replace all Cuban ports. For all 2019 sailings on both Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas, we have secured alternative ports and we are in the process of communicating the new itineraries to our guests and travel partners. For these guests, they will have the option of remaining on their sailing with the new itinerary and receiving a 50% refund or they may cancel their cruise and receive a full refund.

For 2020 sailings on both Majesty and Empress of the Seas, we are working to secure alternative itineraries and expect to be able to communicate to our guests and travel partners within the next week. 

We are sorry for this unexpected and sudden change to our guests’ upcoming vacations and appreciate their understanding. 

 

Jonathan

[belugos]

49 minutes ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

 

I am on the 8/4 Empress sailing.  I have been to Cuba many times before so it is not a deal maker for me but it is too bad for those who were only on the sailing because of Cuba.

 

I doubt I will be getting any OBC or refund - I am sailing on a Casino Comp 🙂

Well.. Im interested is finding out too.. I got my cruise through the MyVegas, so I did not "pay" for it. I called the ClubRoyale customer service and the guy told me we will be getting an onboard credit of 50% of the cruise fare listed in the invoice I received after they completed the booking using my points.

 

I believe when I see it. Because this is too good to be true. All in all, I booked the cruise and did not pay for it, and will get 50% back in onboard credit. Not to mention that Cuba was not my favorite choice (been there many times in resorts all over the island) so it seems to be a win-win situation for me, avoiding the paperwork to enter Cuba with a visa, etc.

[belugos]

On that note - anyone else booked through the MyVegas?

[gadaboutgal]

39 minutes ago, Bridetobe88 said:

How do you all think they will handle the taxes and fees? From what I understand the port taxes and fees are significantly more for Cuba than Caribbean ports. I understand that the 50% off is for the cruise fare only, so will they be refunding the taxes and fees and applying the correct ones to the new itineraries? Or if we choose to go on the new itinerary are we basically paying inflated taxes and fees? This is only my second cruise, so I am new to understanding all this.

Taxes and fees for missed ports are always refunded.  For your cruise, that means you will receive all taxes and fees due to the Cuba port.  If your itinerary does not change beyond this, you will not receive any other monies than the 50% that you originally paid for your cruise - in my past experience, this would include 50% of the other ports' fees and taxes but this is not spelled out in Royal's message re:compensation.  If the other original ports are missed then those fees are returned in full, also.  Then fees for the new ports are imposed.  

Royal has a lot of calculating to do!

Usually refunded port fees are not a significant amount.

Edited June 5, 2019 by gadaboutgal