RCI announcement re: Alaska and Hawaii from Canada

[39august]

One hour ago someone posted the notice to TA's from RCI confirming no cruises out of Canadian ports for the rest of the season. So, no Hawaii from Vancouver and of course, no Alaska. People already posting about getting refunds for those booked cruises.

Edited June 2, 2020 by 39august

[saphir]

20 minutes ago, 39august said:

One hour ago someone posted the notice to TA's from RCI confirming no cruises out of Canadian ports for the rest of the season. So, no Hawaii from Vancouver and of course, no Alaska. People already posting about getting refunds for those booked cruises.

i had a cruise to Hawaii on September 18. I chose the Lift & Shift. Rebook  to next year (same price, same perks).  😁

[scrapcreator]

It is now on the Celebrity site. We lifted and shifted our Boston and Canada cruise on Sunday. Here is to 2021!

[Fouremco]

From the Celebrity site:

 

 

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 

As a result of the Government of Canada’s decision to extend its restriction on cruise ships carrying more than 100 guests until Oct. 31, Royal Caribbean 2020 sailings to Canada, New England and Alaska must be canceled. 

We are working with public health agencies and governments to ensure a safe return to service, and look forward to setting sail from and to these destinations next year.

 

[Fly and Sail]

I got it too.

 

Here is the email in it's entirety:

 

Dear Guest,

 

We continue to face truly unprecedented times as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic inflict unexpected consequences on our communities and businesses.  The Government of Canada has recently announced continued port closures for all cruise ships through October 31st, 2020.   In order to comply with these closures Celebrity Cruises must now cancel all Alaska and Canada/New England cruises during this time frame.    

 

Unfortunately, these cancellations will include your upcoming 2020 voyage.  Please know this decision was not made lightly, as we value your vacation time and want to ensure you have the best experience possible on a Celebrity Cruise.

 

In order to compensate you for this cancellation, all booked guests will automatically receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valid until December 31st, 2021, for use on sailings through May 4th, 2022.  The value of the FCC will be calculated based on the amount paid for your cruise and will be processed by July 17th, 2020 via email.  Cruise taxes and fees will be refunded automatically to your original form of payment within 30 days of cancellation.  Should you prefer the lower value, 100% refund to your original method of payment, as opposed to the FCC, you may contact us anytime up until December 31, 2020. 

 

To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, please contact your travel partner or click here and we will get the process started for you. You can expect to receive a refund within at least 30 days after you submit your request.  You also have the option of keeping your cruise vacation plans to the same destination and rescheduling for next year on a date within four weeks of your originally scheduled departure.  Just give us or your travel partner a call by June 17th and your reservation will be shifted at the same rate including any promotion you currently have on the booking.  Please note, if you have already cancelled your sailing by taking advantage of our Cruise With Confidence policy you will not be eligible to receive the compensation noted above.

 

If you pre-booked any shore excursions, beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, through Celebrity Cruises, you will have the option of receiving 125% Onboard Credit (OBC) to be used on your next sailing, or you may choose a 100% refund.  In order to select the 125% Onboard Credit please click here to submit your request.  If we have not received your choice of compensation for these pre-booked items by June 17th, you will automatically receive a full refund to your original method of payment.  Guests with independent shore excursion arrangements should contact their tour operators as soon as possible. 

 

Guests with refundable air travel and hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be refunded automatically.  You will not need to call in to initiate the process.  Guests with nonrefundable flights booked through Flights by Celebrity or independent air arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required cancellations.

 

First and always, please take care of yourselves and your family.  Your safety and well-being are our highest priority.  We appreciate your understanding as we do our part in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Celebrity Cruises at 1-844-418-6824 in North America or (316) 554-5961 worldwide. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruise vacation.

 

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises

 

Now I did in fact go to that link of selecting the 25% bonus for FCC of onboard purchases but in the last step I got this empty page.

 

A survey website to submit your request, really RCL? It never ceases to amaze me how unprofessional this company can be. Not even sure if the request was ultimately submitted.

[govanguy]

Just received the email a few minutes ago. Looks like we'll be taking the cash. Preparing for a long wait until we receive the refunds from our T.A. and Celebrity.

I`m still awaiting a refund for a May cruise on Azamara which I cancelled 23/3. RCCI have refunded the monies I gave them onboard within  2 months. The large Scottish based T.A. are still to refund the balance . I know for a fact they have the money.

 

Lift and shift not not possible as I`ve already booked for the same period  next year.

125% ..can`t use it...fully booked.

[saphir]

26 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

I got it too.

 

Here is the email in it's entirety:

 

Dear Guest,

 

We continue to face truly unprecedented times as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic inflict unexpected consequences on our communities and businesses.  The Government of Canada has recently announced continued port closures for all cruise ships through October 31st, 2020.   In order to comply with these closures Celebrity Cruises must now cancel all Alaska and Canada/New England cruises during this time frame.    

 

Unfortunately, these cancellations will include your upcoming 2020 voyage.  Please know this decision was not made lightly, as we value your vacation time and want to ensure you have the best experience possible on a Celebrity Cruise.

 

In order to compensate you for this cancellation, all booked guests will automatically receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valid until December 31st, 2021, for use on sailings through May 4th, 2022.  The value of the FCC will be calculated based on the amount paid for your cruise and will be processed by July 17th, 2020 via email.  Cruise taxes and fees will be refunded automatically to your original form of payment within 30 days of cancellation.  Should you prefer the lower value, 100% refund to your original method of payment, as opposed to the FCC, you may contact us anytime up until December 31, 2020. 

 

To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, please contact your travel partner or click here and we will get the process started for you. You can expect to receive a refund within at least 30 days after you submit your request.  You also have the option of keeping your cruise vacation plans to the same destination and rescheduling for next year on a date within four weeks of your originally scheduled departure.  Just give us or your travel partner a call by June 17th and your reservation will be shifted at the same rate including any promotion you currently have on the booking.  Please note, if you have already cancelled your sailing by taking advantage of our Cruise With Confidence policy you will not be eligible to receive the compensation noted above.

 

If you pre-booked any shore excursions, beverage, internet, specialty dining or other onboard packages, through Celebrity Cruises, you will have the option of receiving 125% Onboard Credit (OBC) to be used on your next sailing, or you may choose a 100% refund.  In order to select the 125% Onboard Credit please click here to submit your request.  If we have not received your choice of compensation for these pre-booked items by June 17th, you will automatically receive a full refund to your original method of payment.  Guests with independent shore excursion arrangements should contact their tour operators as soon as possible. 

 

Guests with refundable air travel and hotel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be refunded automatically.  You will not need to call in to initiate the process.  Guests with nonrefundable flights booked through Flights by Celebrity or independent air arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required cancellations.

 

First and always, please take care of yourselves and your family.  Your safety and well-being are our highest priority.  We appreciate your understanding as we do our part in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Celebrity Cruises at 1-844-418-6824 in North America or (316) 554-5961 worldwide. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon for an amazing Celebrity Cruise vacation.

 

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises

 

Now I did in fact go to that link of selecting the 25% bonus for FCC of onboard purchases but in the last step I got this empty page.

 

A survey website to submit your request, really RCL? It never ceases to amaze me how unprofessional this company can be. Not even sure if the request was ultimately submitted.

aren't the cruises in Hawaii canceled? they are leaving from Vancouver. I already booked mine for September 2021 with the Lift & Shift offer

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

32 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

From the Celebrity site:

 

 

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 

As a result of the Government of Canada’s decision to extend its restriction on cruise ships carrying more than 100 guests until Oct. 31, Royal Caribbean 2020 sailings to Canada, New England and Alaska must be canceled. 

We are working with public health agencies and governments to ensure a safe return to service, and look forward to setting sail from and to these destinations next year.

 

Glad RCCL is doing these on a more timely manner.  

[Fouremco]

2 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Glad RCCL is doing these on a more timely manner.  

Yes, good to see them responding far more quickly to the extension than they did to the initial ban.