Odyssey Update

[Ourusualbeach]

In the wake of COVID-19, our initial global suspension and its subsequent extensions, we understand the uneasiness all of this has caused both for you as a travel advisor and, of course, your clients whose vacations have been regrettably disrupted. The health crisis has unfortunately also impacted shipyard operations, as well as our supply chain. As a result, the debut of our newest fleet member, Odyssey of the Seas, will be delayed, resulting in the unfortunate cancellation of all sailings between November 5, 2020 - April 17, 2021.

We are saddened to have to share this news. There’s nothing we wanted more than to launch this revolutionary ship this fall — but trust us when we say that Odyssey will be well worth the wait!

Of course, we understand that this update will impact many guests and we want to be sure they’re taken care of. The compensation options from our global suspensions will also apply to these impacted sailings. Travel partners with affected clients will be notified directly with the complete details.

When Odyssey of the Seas does arrive, please be aware of updates to two onboard activities when selling to your clients. The trapeze school will no longer be a feature of the SeaPlex. Also, we are modifying the age restrictions to the Sky Pad — guests must be at least 7 years old to jump, and at least 13 years old to jump with a virtual reality headset.

Please know that we appreciate beyond words your continued support throughout these uncertain times. And we look forward to welcoming your clients onboard our newest family addition, Odyssey of the Seas, in 2021!

[sandebeach]

Just got my email.

[sandebeach]

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest, We hope that this email finds you healthy and safe and that with each passing day, we are closer to getting back to a more regular day-to-day. While this is like nothing any of us have ever experienced, we continue to evaluate how it impacts our upcoming sailings and our return to service, as well as upcoming ship projects like the debut of Odyssey of the Seas.  Given the closure of shipyards along with the disruption to the supply chain caused by this pandemic, we’ll need additional time to complete the ship’s scheduled construction. So, we'll need to cancel our November 5th, 2020 – April 17th, 2021 Odyssey of the Seas sailings which unfortunately includes your sailing.   We’re terribly sorry that our newest ship’s delivery is postponed. To help make up for this change, we have some options for you, including an option that has been very well received by our guests, as it provides a little something extra! Here are your options: 1) Move your Odyssey of the Seas reservation to another 7-night Caribbean sailing that departs within 1 week before or after your original sail date and you’ll receive the following:   Your original Odyssey cruise fare paid will be price protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower) of your new reservation. This excludes taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. If you had already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund if there is any difference in pricing. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment within 45 days of the price change. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution. We’ll also waive any non-refundable deposit change fees associated with the move. Please know, if you weren’t previously booked on a holiday sailing (Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter), sailings during that timeframe are excluded from your options. Lastly, if you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit prior to this email, you will be able to take advantage of this new offer. Please reach out to your Travel Advisor or to us at (888) 281-9344 by July 17th, 2020. If we don’t hear from you by then we will automatically issue you the below 125% Future Cruise Credit offer.    2) 125% Future Cruise Credit: We’re providing you with a 125% Future Cruise Credit to book a new cruise by December 31, 2021 for sailings on or before April 30th, 2022.   This amount is based on your total cruise fare paid. And, we’re giving you a little extra, knowing that this is such a unique circumstance. We will automatically send your Future Cruise Credit via email by August 7th, 2020. So, there’s nothing for you to do! Taxes & fees and any RoyalUp upgrades will be automatically refunded. Current refund processing is around 45 days. We are working as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience.      Please note: If you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit, this offer does not apply. And, if you previously used a Future Cruise Credit (including previous Global Suspension FCCs), you’ll receive a new Future Cruise Credit. This will be for 125% of any new monies paid on this sailing, plus the value of your original credit at 100% of its value, with an expiration date of December 31, 2021 and a sail by date of April 30, 2022. If you were already impacted by our global suspension (sailings March 13 – September 15, 2020) and paid additional monies on a new booking onboard Odyssey of the Seas, you are able to opt in to refund one or both cancelled bookings via the process below.   3) Lift and Shift: If you prefer to move your existing booking to a sailing next year – we’re happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 4 weeks (before or after) of the original sail date the following year. For example, if you are moving from a November 30 , 2020 sailing, you can move to a sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and the sail date between October 30, 2021 – December 30, 2021.   Please contact your Travel Advisor or call us by July 17th, 2020 to move to a new sailing. If we don’t hear from you, we will automatically issue your Future Cruise Credit.   4) 100% Refund: Or, if you prefer a full refund, which is a lower value than the Future Cruise Credit offer above, we’re happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, and the opportunity to use the extra credit being offered, you have until December 31, 2020 to request a refund and deactivate your certificate.   Please contact us to start the refund process, forfeiting the higher value of your 125% Future Cruise Credit. To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel and start the refund process, please click here and we will get it started for you. Note: Please know, once we receive your refund request, we unfortunately won’t be able to accept an FCC request if you change your mind. We’ll then deactivate your Future Cruise Credit and process your refund to your original form(s) of payment, which will include any non-refundable deposits. You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after you submit your refund request. Please note: If you used a Cruise with Confidence certificate on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we’ll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we’ll reinstate your original Cruise with Confidence certificate.     And, a special option for those that also purchased Cruise Planner Items:   You can opt-in to receive an Onboard Credit in the value of 125% of the total Cruise Planner purchases on your reservation. Click here by July 17th, 2020 to request your higher value credit and we’ll email you your credit by August 7th, 2020.  If we don’t hear from you on or before July 17th, 2020, your Cruise Planner purchases will be automatically refunded. You’ll receive your refund within 45 days of your booking’s cancellation. We are working as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience during these unprecedented times.  Also, if you opt for a cruise fare refund or for Lift and Shift, you are not eligible for this Cruise Planner Onboard Credit offer.  Questions about the Cruise Planner credit? Click here for more details.       Guests with air or hotel booked:   Refundable air or hotel accommodations purchased through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded to you within 45 days after we process the cancellation.  If you booked non-refundable air through Royal Caribbean or booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them.     If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or contact us at:    1 800 754 500 in Australia  0344 493 4005 in the U.K.  1 866 562 7625 in the U.S. or Canada All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number.   We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued loyalty.  We will all come out of this stronger than ever. Stay healthy and safe. We’ll be ready to welcome you back soon.   Sincerely, Royal Caribbean International

[Ourusualbeach]

Whats screwed up is that you can still book the TA from FLL to Europe on April 17th

[John&LaLa]

Bummer, I'll miss all my free specialty dining.

 

I guess there won't be an east bound TA

[Milwaukee Eight]

10 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

In the wake of COVID-19, our initial global suspension and its subsequent extensions, we understand the uneasiness all of this has caused both for you as a travel advisor and, of course, your clients whose vacations have been regrettably disrupted. The health crisis has unfortunately also impacted shipyard operations, as well as our supply chain. As a result, the debut of our newest fleet member, Odyssey of the Seas, will be delayed, resulting in the unfortunate cancellation of all sailings between November 5, 2020 - April 17, 2021.

We are saddened to have to share this news. There’s nothing we wanted more than to launch this revolutionary ship this fall — but trust us when we say that Odyssey will be well worth the wait!

Of course, we understand that this update will impact many guests and we want to be sure they’re taken care of. The compensation options from our global suspensions will also apply to these impacted sailings. Travel partners with affected clients will be notified directly with the complete details.

When Odyssey of the Seas does arrive, please be aware of updates to two onboard activities when selling to your clients. The trapeze school will no longer be a feature of the SeaPlex. Also, we are modifying the age restrictions to the Sky Pad — guests must be at least 7 years old to jump, and at least 13 years old to jump with a virtual reality headset.

Please know that we appreciate beyond words your continued support throughout these uncertain times. And we look forward to welcoming your clients onboard our newest family addition, Odyssey of the Seas, in 2021!

Heck with this. I thought it was an update regarding the CL/SL. 😇

[heatherb1958]

Not a surprise at all.  Nobody commented on my post in the D/D+/P thread ,   which included the translation done by a member on my social media roll call , from the German video posted on YouTube by the ship yard .
Bad luck they had the fire  on the ship , I did not know that cruise lines only pay 20% of the build and the rest is paid on delivery , the ship yard is in deep financial trouble .

Edited June 30, 2020 by heatherb1958

[molly361]

Apparently the days of offering OBC are gone.  Guess that will only be offered for chartered sailing cancellations now

[twangster]

2 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Apparently the days of offering OBC are gone.  Guess that will only be offered for chartered sailing cancellations now

 

No OBC for the Allure - Galveston mess. 

 

I wasn't expecting OBC for this.  Royal is struggling to hang on, goodwill OBC is the last thing on their mind or in their wallet.  

[Ourusualbeach]

6 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Apparently the days of offering OBC are gone.  Guess that will only be offered for chartered sailing cancellations now

The ability to L&S has kind of replaced that

Edited June 30, 2020 by Ourusualbeach

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

The ability to L&S has kind of replaced that

and  the 125% FCC

Edited June 30, 2020 by molly361

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Whats screwed up is that you can still book the TA from FLL to Europe on April 17th

Update:

 

Odyssey sailings on TA are now closed for booking

[twangster]

11 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Update:

 

Odyssey sailings on TA are now closed for booking

 

Just saw that.

 

Pricing on the 4/30/21 remains down.  I was originally booked in a studio balcony but last week moved to an obstructed balcony for $600 less solo.  Double points and I'm still on the inaugural sailing! (for the moment)

 

Now I've got to fly to Rome, assuming I can by that time.

[kimlet]

Can you do lift and shift when the itinerary is slightly different. I can rebook for mar 6 2022, but it has 2 different ports in stead of  the other 2. one port stays the same.  its the only one available at that time.

[Ourusualbeach]

17 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Just saw that.

 

Pricing on the 4/30/21 remains down.  I was originally booked in a studio balcony but last week moved to an obstructed balcony for $600 less solo.  Double points and I'm still on the inaugural sailing! (for the moment)

 

Now I've got to fly to Rome, assuming I can by that time.

Hopefully that will be the Inaugural and they don't add a few sailings before then.

[Ourusualbeach]

10 minutes ago, kimlet said:

Can you do lift and shift when the itinerary is slightly different. I can rebook for mar 6 2022, but it has 2 different ports in stead of  the other 2. one port stays the same.  its the only one available at that time.

Yes, ports are not a criteria

[mayleeman]

My email is identical to the one above.

 

We want the 100% refund. Guess what? The "click here" to start the refund process without having to phone is not an active link, or even an inactive link for that matter.

 

So, guess it is the phones after all. Along with cruisers from 6 months of sailings that are cancelled.

 

Darn, we were sitting so pretty...

Edited June 30, 2020 by mayleeman

[ONECRUISER]

4 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

The ability to L&S has kind of replaced that

Yup, I'm on(was) Jewel B3B with 2 Caribbean 7 & 8 and the TA 15 niter in March2021. Got email couple hrs ago they are canceling the 7 & 8 niters in Galveston. Choice to more onto Liberty leaving same dates Price protection or L&S in 2022, no OBC offered...  "Given the closure of shipyards along with the disruption to the supply chain caused by this pandemic, Liberty of the Seas’ amplification has been postponed to a later date, and the ship will sail to Galveston earlier than planned. Regrettably, only one ship can dock at the Galveston pier at a time"

Edited June 30, 2020 by ONECRUISER

[John&LaLa]

6 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Yup, I'm on(was) Jewel B3B with 2 Caribbean 7 & 8 and the TA 15 niter in March2021. Got email couple hrs ago they are canceling the 7 & 8 niters in Galveston. Choice to more onto Liberty leaving same dates Price protection or L&S in 2022, no OBC offered...  "Given the closure of shipyards along with the disruption to the supply chain caused by this pandemic, Liberty of the Seas’ amplification has been postponed to a later date, and the ship will sail to Galveston earlier than planned. Regrettably, only one ship can dock at the Galveston pier at a time"

 

I share your pain

[ONECRUISER]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I share your pain

Understand, anyone can it's you... 

[compman9]

As sad as this is for passengers that have already booked, the timing of this move would suggest a European summer season, possibly out of Southampton or Barcelona

[Biker19]

12 minutes ago, compman9 said:

As sad as this is for passengers that have already booked, the timing of this move would suggest a European summer season, possibly out of Southampton or Barcelona

Why would RCI change anything from Odyssey's already scheduled sailings from Rome?

[PhoenixCruiser]

We still haven't received an email for our Thanksgiving cruise.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[EZ1]

16 hours ago, heatherb1958 said:

Not a surprise at all.  Nobody commented on my post in the D/D+/P thread ,   which included the translation done by a member on my social media roll call , from the German video posted on YouTube by the ship yard .
Bad luck they had the fire  on the ship , I did not know that cruise lines only pay 20% of the build and the rest is paid on delivery , the ship yard is in deep financial trouble .

Saw, in the Royal Caribbean blog, that the Odyssey had 2 fires recently, while under construction-one in May & one in June.

[twangster]

6 hours ago, compman9 said:

As sad as this is for passengers that have already booked, the timing of this move would suggest a European summer season, possibly out of Southampton or Barcelona

 

Imagine Barcelona is out with the latest Spanish ban on cruise ships indefinitely, or until the end of the virus.  

 

If Italy follows suit the Med isn't going to be very active for cruising.  

 

Perhaps they should just bring her to America and enjoy a sell out banner year, whatever that looks like for cruising in 2021.