Refund question

[Giantfan13]

We are scheduled to sail on the Anthem on Jan 20 and we are really rethinking this. We are both sort of 'senior' seniors and if we have to worry about getting this virus every time we do anything on the ship, well that would defeat the purpose of cruising.

 

So our cruise is paid for, including pre paid gratuities. I would say about 3/4 was paid with FCC and the rest on CC. We also have $100 OBC so how does all this work? Will we get back on our CC what we laid out and what we paid with FCC will again be returned to us? What happens to the OBC?

 

And another question on insurance. We have bought our own insurance for this cruise. We do not have 'cancel for any reason'. We asked our doctor if he thought going on this cruise was a wise thing to do and he said it wasn't. He sort of recommended we not cruise and be in so many closed in areas with others. Would this be a legitimate reason for canceling and getting full refund instead of the FCC? As I said, I am almost 76 and have a few sort of low risk health issues. Would a doctors recommendation to not cruise be a legitimate reason for canceling and getting a refund?

 

Cheers

Len

 

[firefly333]

I think you can say you are unable to meet protocols and cancel. 

 

I would guess you lose the obc but you dont say what it's for. Most likely you lose it.

 

I'm not as old as you but older and I would make up my own mind. Of course some nameless doctor would lean toward saying dont cruise. I doubt if rcl cares. The doctor might never have ever  cruised. It's up to you if you want to cruise. Rcl doesnt have time to process a doctors note. ..and I doubt its helpful.

 

I'm cruising b2b and I'm over 70. Have you cruised yet since restart. I was able to always have a open seat next to me in the theater. Etc. I rarely went anywhere that felt crowded, maybe boarding. Make up your own mind.

[Cigar King]

On Harmony, with ~4,500 guests, I felt it was crowded quite often.  Shows, casino, dining, etc, with the elevators being a crap shoot.

 

That being said, I wore my mask more than required, tried to keep some space for myself, and enjoyed the cruise.  This was just when the new variant was starting to spread.  Now that it's spreading like crazy, I am trying to keep away from others, so cruising is obviously a concern.  We cruise again in February, so we'll need to make a decision by then.

[Biker19]

21 minutes ago, Giantfan13 said:

Will we get back on our CC what we laid out and what we paid with FCC will again be returned to us?

Ask for a full refund for everything including the FCC (though not all of it if that was the CWC 125% FCC from last year). As mentioned, insist on refund (no FCC) due to the protocols.

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, Giantfan13 said:

We are scheduled to sail on the Anthem on Jan 20 and we are really rethinking this. We are both sort of 'senior' seniors and if we have to worry about getting this virus every time we do anything on the ship, well that would defeat the purpose of cruising.

 

So our cruise is paid for, including pre paid gratuities. I would say about 3/4 was paid with FCC and the rest on CC. We also have $100 OBC so how does all this work? Will we get back on our CC what we laid out and what we paid with FCC will again be returned to us? What happens to the OBC?

 

And another question on insurance. We have bought our own insurance for this cruise. We do not have 'cancel for any reason'. We asked our doctor if he thought going on this cruise was a wise thing to do and he said it wasn't. He sort of recommended we not cruise and be in so many closed in areas with others. Would this be a legitimate reason for canceling and getting full refund instead of the FCC? As I said, I am almost 76 and have a few sort of low risk health issues. Would a doctors recommendation to not cruise be a legitimate reason for canceling and getting a refund?

 

Cheers

Len

 

As Biker suggested, cancel not under Cruise with Confidence but instead by stating you do not agree with the protocols and ask for a refund.

 

As far as the FCC already applied.  This depends on the type of FCC.  If the FCC was from a global cancellation...i.e. Royal cancelled the sailing then the cruise fare portion of that FCC will be refunded.  If the FCC was issued due to a NRD deposit or because you cancelled under CWC then the FCC will be reissued.

 

The OBC will be lost unless it was from a "book on board", goodwill or redeployment.

Edited December 29, 2021 by Ourusualbeach

[Giantfan13]

Thanks for the replies.

 

The FCC was from several other cruises that have been cancelled. Last one was the Enchantment out of Baltimore in Dec. When it was cancelled by RCCL, we booked the Anthem in January with most of the FCC being applied.

 

BTW, the doctor has been our family doctor for over 30 years and when he talks, we listen. Would a doctor saying it is not safe to cruise be a reason to collect on insurance?

 

Cheers

Len

[lifes-a-beach]

Maybe. File it. You can’t be told no if you don’t ask. 

[D4]

10 minutes ago, Giantfan13 said:

Thanks for the replies.

 

The FCC was from several other cruises that have been cancelled. Last one was the Enchantment out of Baltimore in Dec. When it was cancelled by RCCL, we booked the Anthem in January with most of the FCC being applied.

 

BTW, the doctor has been our family doctor for over 30 years and when he talks, we listen. Would a doctor saying it is not safe to cruise be a reason to collect on insurance?

 

Cheers

Len

You need to check the terms of your specific trip insurance policy (and probably contact the company.)

 

Please do not make a decision based on what anybody here says.

 

Also be aware that the fine print of the same trip insurance policy can be different for different people based on the date each policy was purchased and the state they live in.

 

I have no idea how FCCs would be handled by a trip insurance claim.  They are not the same as cash. You have to submit receipts if you make a claim.

 

These are some factors that might affect your claim: when you bought your trip insurance policy, whether or not you have preexisting conditions, whether or not you met all the requirements to have preexisting conditions waived, and so many more.

[D4]

25 minutes ago, lifes-a-beach said:

Maybe. File it. You can’t be told no if you don’t ask. 

I think the big problem with just filing a claim is that they would have to cancel the trip BEFORE they file a claim.  And the company might take several weeks or longer to process the claim and then say it is denied.

[lifes-a-beach]

4 minutes ago, D4 said:

I think the big problem with just filing a claim is that they would have to cancel the trip BEFORE they file a claim.  And the company might take several weeks or longer to process the claim and then say it is denied.

Valid point but if they are going to cancel, and in doing so they will lose money, they could file a claim and see what happens.  If they aren’t going to cancel it’s a moot point.  

[Coralc]

1 hour ago, Giantfan13 said:

BTW, the doctor has been our family doctor for over 30 years and when he talks, we listen. Would a doctor saying it is not safe to cruise be a reason to collect on insurance?

 

Cheers

Len

 

Just saying it is not enough. There should be a physician declaration and some forms attached to your travel insurance that he will need to complete and sign stating why you can't go. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim a full refund. 

[Giantfan13]

Once again, thanks for all the great advice. 

 

As I said, our factor 'suggested' we shouldn't go. He can't order it. That said, if we needed any forms filled out he would do it to the best of his ability.

 

File a claim, or refund, that IS the dilemma. 

 

Cheers

Len

[Mapleleafforever]

On 12/29/2021 at 2:14 PM, Ourusualbeach said:

As Biker suggested, cancel not under Cruise with Confidence but instead by stating you do not agree with the protocols and ask for a refund.

 

As far as the FCC already applied.  This depends on the type of FCC.  If the FCC was from a global cancellation...i.e. Royal cancelled the sailing then the cruise fare portion of that FCC will be refunded.  If the FCC was issued due to a NRD deposit or because you cancelled under CWC then the FCC will be reissued.

 

The OBC will be lost unless it was from a "book on board", goodwill or redeployment.

Does this work for Canadians with non refundable deposits as well? Our TA says no, we have seen others do it though. I can wait to cruise until masks are no longer required. 

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Does this work for Canadians with non refundable deposits as well? Our TA says no, we have seen others do it though. I can wait to cruise until masks are no longer required. 

There is no difference as far as Royal is concerned between US and Canadian bookings, they follow the same policies

[PCWalton1]

Another cancellation question, how long is it taking for refunds? I cancelled on a refundable cruise back on October 26 but have not yet seen a refund

[coldflame]

On 12/29/2021 at 12:32 PM, Biker19 said:

Ask for a full refund for everything including the FCC (though not all of it if that was the CWC 125% FCC from last year). As mentioned, insist on refund (no FCC) due to the protocols.

 

I did this and they did not give us any issues, except they are taking their sweet little time about it. It will be 4 week since I spoke with royal this Sunday. We've only gotten refunded about 1/5 of the total so far, in pieces. They did say 30-40 days, though. So if you request a refund specially now with new flurry of people cancelling, it'll take a bit of time.