New email from Royal. Very much a CYA Message. Offers nothing except CWC.

[zekekelso]

I don’t think there is any port right now looking to take on extra ships. Gotta believe cancelled stops will almost all become sea days. 

[RoyalC]

So the link goes to a page to allow cancelling for 100% refund? Is that correct?

[Jimbo]

I guess moving forward this means for missed ports and missed things on the cruise not happening, reduced service etc. There will no longer be adding any OBC for missed ports, etc.

 

They will just say at guest services, here look here is the email that was sent to all passengers, you knew going in you weren't getting the 100% Product.

 

 

Sorry, Cha ching, there will be no OBC added to your account. 🙂 Have a nice day, Next!

[dianajo67]

39 minutes ago, Dett said:

The email is cut off.  Can you repost?  We are on that cruise.

Dear Guest,

With the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, our public health guidance continues to evolve and we want to let you know what to expect as we prepare to welcome you onboard.

All our crew members are fully vaccinated, have received booster shots when eligible, and are tested on a weekly basis with high contact front of house service staff tested every three days. All your fellow guests 12 and older are fully vaccinated and tested before boarding. And the small number of children sailing who are 11 and under get a second test at the terminal and are increasingly vaccinated. Typically, your onboard cruise community vaccination rate is in the 95% range.

As a result of Omicron, which we have seen is much more transmissible with much milder symptoms for those fully vaccinated, we have further strengthened onboard health protocols, such as the requirement to wear a mask indoors at all times unless eating or drinking, and temporarily not allowing smoking in the casino.

Even with such a high onboard community vaccination rate and enhanced protocols in place, there is a possibility of positive cases arising during your sailing, just as there is an inherent risk of COVID-19 anywhere people congregate or gather. Our protocols anticipate this possibility and we implement them as needed to protect the health and safety of everyone. 

We also work with local governments in all the ports of your itinerary who are informed of the ship’s public health status before arrival and together, we decide if we can debark in their country. When we make these decisions, we consider the number of COVID positive cases onboard, and also the number of cases in the destination community along with factors such as the community vaccination status. Should we need to cancel a port of call, we will always do our best to find an alternate destination or work through a resolution for our missed port.

You should also note that some onboard activities, such as ice skating, rock climbing, laser tag, production shows, Adventure Ocean, etc., could be impacted during your sailing, as we adjust our plans to ensure that the health of both our guests and crew remain our priority.

For our full protocols, please click here. As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change. If you have questions about these protocols, please reference our FAQs for details. For sailings departing through January 17^th, if you prefer not to sail as a result of this information and would like to reschedule your cruise, we are available to assist you.

To avoid waiting on the phone to reschedule or cancel, click here and we will get the process started for you or contact us at 1 (866) 562-7625 or 954-628-9290.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon!

Sincerely,

[Jimbo]

8 minutes ago, RoyalC said:

So the link goes to a page to allow cancelling for 100% refund? Is that correct?

that link says refund IF they cancel the sailing

[Markmom18]

So, earlier today I ended up cancelling  my Solo Navigator B2B that was starting January 10th.
 

 I wanted to just switch the cruise date to May, doing another Navigator B2B.
 

But, IF I did that I would receive a penalty for canceling so soon to cruising!

 

The rep said if I cancelled both cruises, I wouldn’t be penalized, and would receive the full FCC.

 

So, I now will have to wait 30 days to receive that FCC notification in my email. THEN I can re-book. Well, it will be a new booking.
 

 It just seemed easier to me to just switch the dates, along with my onboard purchases to a cruise couple months later. 

 

(YES, I received the same email today that the OP shared here.)

 

On December 1st I cancelled a cruise that wasn’t till September ‘22. I am now at almost the end of day 28 into that 30 day waiting period to receive my FCC email. 
 

The rep today did inform me that another Company is handling RCCL’s FCC accounts. And that Royal didn’t have access to the status of these FCC accounts. No way for the customer to know when that FCC will be given? Seems odd to me … 🤷🏻‍♀️
 

Anybody else hear something different?  
 

Thanks,

🛳🛳

Bobbi

Edited December 29, 2021 by Markmom18

[Provident]

The email also says you can reschedule your cruise. I assume the new date would be repriced and you would pay the difference. Looking to change my January 8 date to March 5th, price is similar for my cabin. 

[Markmom18]

1 minute ago, Provident said:

The email also says you can reschedule your cruise. I assume the new date would be repriced and you would pay the difference. Looking to change my January 8 date to March 5th, price is similar for my cabin. 

  Hi, 

 

   I posted my experience trying to switch to just another cruise date, as you were writing. Hope it helps,and hope you can just switch it over. The rep I got on the phone was not allowing it.

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

 

 

[Jimbo]

4 minutes ago, Markmom18 said:

  Hi, 

 

   I posted my experience trying to switch to just another cruise date, as you were writing. Hope it helps,and hope you can just switch it over. The rep I got on the phone was not allowing it.

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

 

 

Call again, different rep, different answer.

[MrMarc]

I really don't know how any cruise line can satisfy their customers right now.  They don't want to have things affected by COVID while many refuse to follow the simplest protocols because they know better than the cruise lines.  If they are told the possibilities, it's a CYA letter.  If they aren't, then there is no transparency.  They demand that companies pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation that they actually do not owe, but whatever it is is never enough.  They are expected to magically replace crew and talent that are sick or quarantined.  Everyone want to sail over the holidays, but they should have reduced capacity.  They should have bumped people, but not me because _____________(fill in the blank).  Things are more expensive for the holiday cruises, like they always are, but now they are price gouging.  I could go on, but they really cannot win.  If you expect anything to be unaffected by COVID, you should not cruise for the foreseeable future, no matter how fake you believe COVID is.

[RoyalC]

20 minutes ago, Markmom18 said:

So, earlier today I ended up cancelling  my Solo Navigator B2B that was starting January 10th.
 

 I wanted to just switch the cruise date to May, doing another Navigator B2B.
 

But, IF I did that I would receive a penalty for canceling so soon to cruising!

 

The rep said if I cancelled both cruises, I wouldn’t be penalized, and would receive the full FCC.

 

So, I now will have to wait 30 days to receive that FCC notification in my email. THEN I can re-book. Well, it will be a new booking.
 

 It just seemed easier to me to just switch the dates, along with my onboard purchases to a cruise couple months later. 

 

(YES, I received the same email today that the OP shared here.)

 

On December 1st I cancelled a cruise that wasn’t till September ‘22. I am now at almost the end of day 28 into that 30 day waiting period to receive my FCC email. 
 

The rep today did inform me that another Company is handling RCCL’s FCC accounts. And that Royal didn’t have access to the status of these FCC accounts. No way for the customer to know when that FCC will be given? Seems odd to me … 🤷🏻‍♀️
 

Anybody else hear something different?  
 

Thanks,

🛳🛳

Bobbi

Try to help me make sense of this- you said you cancelled but the rep wanted to penalize you- for what? What difference did it make cancelling bother cruises that are both obviously within 30 days? 

Could you have gotten a cash refund which is what the link indicates?

Did you get 125% FFC instead then?

[bgoff60]

We sail on the Harmony this Sunday - have not gotten any letters.  Should I be worried?  🙂

[LGW59]

8 minutes ago, bgoff60 said:

We sail on the Harmony this Sunday - have not gotten any letters.  Should I be worried?  🙂

Why worry about something out of your control 

[bgoff60]

1 hour ago, G8R On Board said:

Has anyone received this e-mail from RC who booked thru a travel agent?  We're on Harmony Jan 9.  

 

WE are on Harmony the 2nd!!!  Still no notifications - weird...

[Adrienekeating]

 

we are supposed to be on the January 30th sailing on harmony and are 90% sure we are going to cancel at this point. 
when the latest mask protocols came out, they were until January 5th. from this letter it looks like they have been extended till the middle of January. 
everyday I read more bad news. shows and activities being cancelled, ships being denied at ports and lots of cases on board causing not do great service. 

 

I really don’t mean this to sound like complaining, I really don’t. Just disappointed. 
 

anyways.  I keep reading conflicting information on getting a refund if we decide to cancel. 
Can I get a refund to my credit card or will royal force a future cruise credit? 
Thank you. 

[SheSailsFL]

4 hours ago, dianajo67 said:

 

Going on Harmony 16 Jan with stops in San Juan, st Thomas and cococay.  Been watching all day for word.  Thought we might hit a W. Carib. port as PR and USVI seem unlikely.  Instead we get a “you can’t say you weren’t warned” email.  We’re personally fine floating around the Caribbean in Jan versus being at home….although I’m concerned for my parents who aren’t good just hanging at the pool (80s).  I do think the tone is a bit much though.  Sounds defensive to me.  They should be offering alternate ports like they would during hurricane season….swap for w. Carib itinerary for example….even if it’s only one stop.  They have time to react.  Our cruise is 3 weeks away.

 

Well, since 3 Mexican ports on the pacific side have turned away multiple ships this week,  I think it’s only a matter of time before Cozumel and Costa follow suit.   The reality is none of the small islands can afford to take the risk of a ship full of infected passengers schlepping around their island.  They have limited 

healthcare infrastructure  and can’t afford an outbreak on their shores.  
The possibility is real that the ship has only the private island remaining as an option. 

[D4]

I agree it’s a CYA letter.  It infuriates me that they state their enhanced protocol of the mask requirement and yet they do NOT enforce it.

 

The purpose of the mask requirement is to make it appear that they are trying to keep their passengers and crew safe.  They want the CDC, news media, and people booking cruises to think.the cruise line is doing everything they can to make cruising safe.  But it’s just lip service since they don’t enforce their mask requirement!

[Cruising89143]

18 minutes ago, SheSailsFL said:

Well, since 3 Mexican ports on the pacific side have turned away multiple ships this week,  I think it’s only a matter of time before Cozumel and Costa follow suit.   The reality is none of the small islands can afford to take the risk of a ship full of infected passengers schlepping around their island.  They have limited 

healthcare infrastructure  and can’t afford an outbreak on their shores.  
The possibility is real that the ship has only the private island remaining as an option. 

It has been reported that the Mexican Government stepped in and told local ports that they will accept ships that have positive cases with certain precautions. Check out the Carnival board.

[Diveloonie]

4 hours ago, dianajo67 said:

 

Going on Harmony 16 Jan with stops in San Juan, st Thomas and cococay.  Been watching all day for word.  Thought we might hit a W. Carib. port as PR and USVI seem unlikely.  Instead we get a “you can’t say you weren’t warned” email.  We’re personally fine floating around the Caribbean in Jan versus being at home….although I’m concerned for my parents who aren’t good just hanging at the pool (80s).  I do think the tone is a bit much though.  Sounds defensive to me.  They should be offering alternate ports like they would during hurricane season….swap for w. Carib itinerary for example….even if it’s only one stop.  They have time to react.  Our cruise is 3 weeks away.

http://www.creative.rccl.com/e-lite/RCI/2016/Executive_Requests/16052976_Cruise_Advisory_Email/images/logo_hero.png ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS         Dear Guest, With the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, our public health guidance continues to evolve and we want to let you know what to expect as we prepare to welcome you onboard. All our crew members are fully vaccinated, have received booster shots when eligible, and are tested on a weekly basis with high contact front of house service staff tested every three days. All your fellow guests 12 and older are fully vaccinated and tested before boarding. And the small number of children sailing who are 11 and under get a second test at the terminal and are increasingly vaccinated. Typically, your onboard cruise community vaccination rate is in the 95% range. As a result of Omicron, which we have seen is much more transmissible with much milder symptoms for those fully vaccinated, we have further strengthened onboard health protocols, such as the requirement to wear a mask indoors at all times unless eating or drinking, and temporarily not allowing smoking in the casino. Even with such a high onboard community vaccination rate and enhanced protocols in place, there is a possibility of positive cases arising during your sailing, just as there is an inherent risk of COVID-19 anywhere people congregate or gather. Our protocols anticipate this possibility and we implement them as needed to protect the health and safety of everyone.  We also work with local governments in all the ports of your itinerary who are informed of the ship’s public health status before arrival and together, we decide if we can debark in their country. When we make these decisions, we consider the number of COVID positive cases onboard, and also the number of cases in the destination community along with factors such as the community vaccination status. Should we need to cancel a port of call, we will always do our best to find an alternate destination or work through a resolution for our missed port. You should also note that some onboard activities, such as ice skating, rock climbing, laser tag, production shows, Adventure Ocean, etc., could be impacted during your sailing, as we adjust our plans to ensure that the health of both our guests and crew remain our priority. For our full protocols, please click here. As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change. If you have questions about these protocols, please reference our FAQs for details. For sailings departing through January 17th, if you prefer not to sail as a result of this information and would like to reschedule your cruise, we are available to assist you. To avoid waiting on the phone to reschedule or cancel, click here and we will get the process started for you or contact us at 1 (866) 562-7625 or 954-628-9290. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon! Sincerely, http://www.creative.rccl.com/e-lite/RCI/2016/Executive_Requests/16052976_Cruise_Advisory_Email/images/frame.png

http://www.creative.rccl.com/e-lite/RCI/2016/Executive_Requests/16052976_Cruise_Advisory_Email/images/logo_footer.png

©2021 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships' registry: The Bahamas. Royal Caribbean International 1050 Caribbean Way Miami, FL 33132 USA

 

 

 

Can you please explain why you think PR would be skipped?  We are supposed to depart out of that port in a few weeks.

[RoyalC]

9 minutes ago, D4 said:

I agree it’s a CYA letter.  It infuriates me that they state their enhanced protocol of the mask requirement and yet they do NOT enforce it.

 

The purpose of the mask requirement is to make it appear that they are trying to keep their passengers and crew safe.  They want the CDC, news media, and people booking cruises to think.the cruise line is doing everything they can to make cruising safe.  But it’s just lip service since they don’t enforce their mask requirement!

They also give unvaccinated guests space in the theater and dining room. 

[RoyalC]

Just now, Diveloonie said:

Can you please explain why you think PR would be skipped?  We are supposed to depart out of that port in a few weeks.

Covid exploded there.

[Diveloonie]

14 minutes ago, RoyalC said:

Covid exploded there.

Thank you.  

[Markmom18]

2 hours ago, RoyalC said:

Try to help me make sense of this- you said you cancelled but the rep wanted to penalize you- for what? What difference did it make cancelling bother cruises that are both obviously within 30 days? 

Could you have gotten a cash refund which is what the link indicates?

Did you get 125% FFC instead then?

  Hi,

    I called to switch cruise from January to May. Same ship, a B2B cruise n both. 
The Rep told me if I just switched the date to May I would penalized.  Because the cruise was only 13 days away.

 

  He said there would be NO penalty if he “cancelled” the January 10th B2B instead.  

 

 So,I did as he suggested and had him cancel.  He didn’t offer a cash refund as an option. Just the FCC, so I wouldn’t get that penalty.
 

I did not get the RCCL email till AFTER I had called and cancelled today.

 

No, the numbers ($$)  he gave me were exactly what I paid for each segment of the B2B. And, as I said I will now be waiting at least 30 days for that FCC.

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

[cruisegirl1]

4 hours ago, bgoff60 said:

We sail on the Harmony this Sunday - have not gotten any letters.  Should I be worried?  🙂

You shouldn’t be worried, but you should have received the letter. Did you book with a TA?  Maybe it comes from them. Don’t know, I’m booked direct with RCCL and received it. We sail Sunday. 
m

[molly361]

38 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

You shouldn’t be worried, but you should have received the letter. Did you book with a TA?  Maybe it comes from them. Don’t know, I’m booked direct with RCCL and received it. We sail Sunday. 
m

I'm pretty sure that if you book thru a TA they get it.  I did not get it yet either and am booked thru a TA.  I don't get a lot of them