Strict masking policy extended to Jan 31

[SherriZ366]

13 hours ago, Maitaivegas said:

Ok I called c/s and you can cancel for a full refund if your cruise is impacted by this.

what I didn’t understand was that she stated the cruise had to stay active while the refund is being processed which takes 30-45 days. I explained that I wanted an invoice showing the cruise was cancelled.

yah I lost that, ending up moving the cruise, RCL 1 Me 0

did RCI let you keep your original booking number.  Many of our cruises were booked during the double points promotion and I would like the extra points.  

[Maitaivegas]

2 minutes ago, SherriZ366 said:

did RCI let you keep your original booking number.  Many of our cruises were booked during the double points promotion and I would like the extra points.  

Yes I have the same booking number on both cruises.

It was a lot of work since the agent had a hard time finding the cabin number I wanted.

Then she was surprised when she told me I was getting over $911 back. Had to tell her it was all of my packages I had booked .

I now need to call my cruise insurance carrier to change dates and ships.

 

[Tree_skier]

16 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I got it today.

Did you cancel?

[RoyalC]

48 minutes ago, Maitaivegas said:

Yes I have the same booking number on both cruises.

It was a lot of work since the agent had a hard time finding the cabin number I wanted.

Then she was surprised when she told me I was getting over $911 back. Had to tell her it was all of my packages I had booked .

I now need to call my cruise insurance carrier to change dates and ships.

 

Did you move it with no price change, or are they charging/refunding the difference?

[Ocean Boy]

7 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Did you cancel?

No, still on the fence but I feel like I'm being pushed off.

[Tree_skier]

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

No, still on the fence but I feel like I'm being pushed off.

Feb 12 on Odyssey is next up for us. I thought I might cancel if restrictions got tighter but after looking at some pics of what is going on I've convinced myself it's not going to be too bad so we are going,.  Just received my home test kits.  

[JessyCruises]

We are currently onboard the Oasis and the mask thing is really not that big of a deal for us.  This is our 8th cruise since the restart and it is really not THAT different than when we sailed in Aug & Nov.  Really the only difference is having to wear it in the vaxxed areas while not eating and drinking.  At this point I am so used to wearing a mask that I do not even notice it anymore.  Even hubby that has asthma and when mask mandates first started at home used to complain constantly about not being able to breathe well while masked does not have a problem with them anymore.  For us it is just the new normal.

 

I have to say the lack of smoking in the casino is awesome.  I have nothing against smokers, but it seems all my favourite machines are always in the smoking section so it is nice to be able to play the machines I like without smelling like an ashtray later.

[Ocean Boy]

7 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Feb 12 on Odyssey is next up for us. I thought I might cancel if restrictions got tighter but after looking at some pics of what is going on I've convinced myself it's not going to be too bad so we are going,.  Just received my home test kits.  

I am sort of thinking that between drink vouchers and wine bottles in the cabin I could turn it into a relaxing week on the balcony. During the day I am mostly outside anyway. It really could stand to get out of New England after two years. I just keep going back and forth on this. And I am usually a pretty decisive person.

[Sheal]

5 hours ago, nelblu said:

Supposedly, with the constant air circulating, planes are some of the safest places.

 Southwest went with a different approach 3 weeks ago when I flew for the first time.  I spent over 2 hours (boarding then delay taking off, staying onboard for next leg, another delay taking off) on one of their planes that had a malfunction resulting in no air while on the ground.  During the second delay the attendant noted it was 85 degrees. They must think that you can kill germs with the hot, dry air.  

[molly361]

13 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I am sort of thinking that between drink vouchers and wine bottles in the cabin I could turn it into a relaxing week on the balcony. During the day I am mostly outside anyway. It really could stand to get out of New England after two years. I just keep going back and forth on this. And I am usually a pretty decisive person.

Do it Do it  Go Go😇

[Ourusualbeach]

36 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Do it Do it  Go Go😇

See you in February.  They will have to close the border to stop me from sailing. 

[molly361]

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

See you in February.  They will have to close the border to stop me from sailing. 

Is there any chance of that happening again?

[Maitaivegas]

1 hour ago, RoyalC said:

Did you move it with no price change, or are they charging/refunding the difference?

There was no change fee, but my March cruise for the same cabin cat. was $79 more since I changed from a cruise in Jan to March.

 

Where it kind of hurts is my UDB was $49 day on old cruise and $66 on new.

UDP priced the same and Zoom same price. I’m just glad they had the UDP available so close to my new cruise.
 

Very happy with change of ship- going to eat multi meals at Port Side BBQ , nice option to not have to dress up and I can eat safely outside.

[Travelling2Some]

The increased masking and doing away with the vaxed only areas was the straw that broke the camel's back for us.  There were already too many annoyances and it simply added up to an experience were are no longer willing to pay thousands of dollars for.   (1) Our January 31st Anthem was beginning to look like an 11 day cruise to nowhere.  I might still go if the cruise were shorter or if I did not pick this cruise specifically for it's itinerary. We live close by the ocean so it is not a biggie or especially relaxing for us to see it.  (2) The main shows are VERY important to us and one of the chief reasons we enjoy cruising. Now there is a significant chance they may be cancelled, plus entertainment cannot be booked until you get on the ship, which we find annoying.  (4) My Time dining reservations cannot be made before 6:45 for some reason, which interferes with show times - again, annoying as we prefer the MDR but don't like fixed dining.  (5)  The issues around testing and quarantine are significantly anxiety producing.  (5) To be honest, this cruise was booked as "better than nothing" as we would rather be going places other than the Caribbean.  (6)  We are not used to wearing masks.  If others are because of their work or whatever, good for them but, for us, masking is an imposition. 

 

I'm not concerned about Covid but for us it is simply not  value for money or worth the stress-fest right now. With the possibility of no ports and no entertainment my feeling is that I can stay home with a good book and a drink in far more comfortable accommodations so why bother.  Everyone's circumstances vary so my point is that there are many factors and everyone is pushed over the edge to cancel (or not)  at different points and for different reasons.

[Ocean Boy]

10 minutes ago, Travelling2Some said:

The increased masking and doing away with the vaxed only areas was the straw that broke the camel's back for us.  There were already too many annoyances and it simply added up to an experience were are no longer willing to pay thousands of dollars for.   (1) Our January 31st Anthem was beginning to look like an 11 day cruise to nowhere.  I might still go if the cruise were shorter or if I did not pick this cruise specifically for it's itinerary. We live close by the ocean so it is not a biggie or especially relaxing for us to see it.  (2) The main shows are VERY important to us and one of the chief reasons we enjoy cruising. Now there is a significant chance they may be cancelled, plus entertainment cannot be booked until you get on the ship, which we find annoying.  (4) My Time dining reservations cannot be made before 6:45 for some reason, which interferes with show times - again, annoying as we prefer the MDR but don't like fixed dining.  (5)  The issues around testing and quarantine are significantly anxiety producing.  (5) To be honest, this cruise was booked as "better than nothing" as we would rather be going places other than the Caribbean.  (6)  We are not used to wearing masks.  If others are because of their work or whatever, good for them but, for us, masking is an imposition. 

 

I'm not concerned about Covid but for us it is simply not  value for money or worth the stress-fest right now. With the possibility of no ports and no entertainment my feeling is that I can stay home with a good book and a drink in far more comfortable accommodations so why bother.  Everyone's circumstances vary so my point is that there are many factors and everyone is pushed over the edge to cancel (or not)  at different points and for different reasons.

I can't argue with anything that you said. Those issues all weigh on me, too.

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

Is there any chance of that happening again?

At this point who knows.  2 weeks ago I would have said no way. 

[auburn34]

29 minutes ago, Travelling2Some said:

The increased masking and doing away with the vaxed only areas was the straw that broke the camel's back for us.  There were already too many annoyances and it simply added up to an experience were are no longer willing to pay thousands of dollars for.   (1) Our January 31st Anthem was beginning to look like an 11 day cruise to nowhere.  I might still go if the cruise were shorter or if I did not pick this cruise specifically for it's itinerary. We live close by the ocean so it is not a biggie or especially relaxing for us to see it.  (2) The main shows are VERY important to us and one of the chief reasons we enjoy cruising. Now there is a significant chance they may be cancelled, plus entertainment cannot be booked until you get on the ship, which we find annoying.  (4) My Time dining reservations cannot be made before 6:45 for some reason, which interferes with show times - again, annoying as we prefer the MDR but don't like fixed dining.  (5)  The issues around testing and quarantine are significantly anxiety producing.  (5) To be honest, this cruise was booked as "better than nothing" as we would rather be going places other than the Caribbean.  (6)  We are not used to wearing masks.  If others are because of their work or whatever, good for them but, for us, masking is an imposition. 

 

I'm not concerned about Covid but for us it is simply not  value for money or worth the stress-fest right now. With the possibility of no ports and no entertainment my feeling is that I can stay home with a good book and a drink in far more comfortable accommodations so why bother.  Everyone's circumstances vary so my point is that there are many factors and everyone is pushed over the edge to cancel (or not)  at different points and for different reasons.

Totally agree.  We canceled 1/2 Harmony sailing for the same reasons.  Fortunately we can drive to FL instead for a week.  That won't get us away from Covid but we won't have to worry about beaches, golf courses, entertainment being closed or risk being stuck on a ship longer than expected.

[Sosai X]

On 1/4/2022 at 2:46 PM, Ashland said:

Still not a deal breaker for us.

 

That's the spirit!  

[SherriZ366]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I am sort of thinking that between drink vouchers and wine bottles in the cabin I could turn it into a relaxing week on the balcony. During the day I am mostly outside anyway. It really could stand to get out of New England after two years. I just keep going back and forth on this. And I am usually a pretty decisive person.

If everything goes well and I get on HM for the 1-16 cruise, I will be doing precisely what you're doing.  Spending lots of time on my balcony with a full Kindle.  Will have dinner with the other couple I'm  sailing with and spending time with them for pre-dinner drinks.  

 

I have had a lot of stress in the past few weeks and have a very busy period ahead of me so vegging would help to restore me.  

[coldflame]

On 1/4/2022 at 5:27 PM, Pratique said:

They should just say "until further notice."

If they did, then that would open floodgates to refund requests due to protocol changes. So they are playing it by ear so that would-be cancellers can only cancel up to the dates.

[zpdw484]

2 hours ago, auburn34 said:

Totally agree.  We canceled 1/2 Harmony sailing for the same reasons.  Fortunately we can drive to FL instead for a week.  That won't get us away from Covid but we won't have to worry about beaches, golf courses, entertainment being closed or risk being stuck on a ship longer than expected.

Enjoy.. In my opinion land trips are the way to go right now. Even if you end up somewhere with relatively strict covid protocols.  Was on explorer last week and then spent 2 days post cruise in San Juan.  The two days in San Juan were so much more enjoyable than the cruise. Royal is not to blame but it is what it is.

[Tree_skier]

20 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I am sort of thinking that between drink vouchers and wine bottles in the cabin I could turn it into a relaxing week on the balcony. During the day I am mostly outside anyway. It really could stand to get out of New England after two years. I just keep going back and forth on this. And I am usually a pretty decisive person.

If you are taking votes Doc, I vote you go 😇.  I've been on two now and yes the experience is different but the experience is still very enjoyable. Even if entertainment is somewhat truncated there is still entertainment and nothing beats waking up to coffee at sunrise on your balcony overlooking some Caribbean island.

 

 

[Ourusualbeach]

21 hours ago, SherriZ366 said:

did RCI let you keep your original booking number.  Many of our cruises were booked during the double points promotion and I would like the extra points.  

Don't forget that if you are moving those to 2023 cruises you wont get the double points

[Maitaivegas]

I do not know how RCL can mess up my billing so many times.

So I called back today since the price of my cruise dropped $96.00.

First they said I owed them money when they owed me 900.00 for all my onboard ship purchases under my old cruise.

When I went to buy my UDB package online for new cruise, they over charged me and applied it under the cruise I cancelled.

They tried to bill me the $100 change fee when the rep yesterday said no change fee.

Ok they got the change fee fixed, then when they went to reprice my cruise they some how dropped over 700.00 of my past payments.

Told me would be fixed in 30 days.

So now I have a feeling I am going to have to fight them to get my credit of 1600.00 they owe me and get my cruise bal to 0.00 before 2/4/22.

This is the 4th time they have messed my billing up.

[GrahamsGram]

22 hours ago, Maitaivegas said:

Yes I have the same booking number on both cruises.

It was a lot of work since the agent had a hard time finding the cabin number I wanted.

Then she was surprised when she told me I was getting over $911 back. Had to tell her it was all of my packages I had booked .

I now need to call my cruise insurance carrier to change dates and ships.

 

Thank you, thank you maitaivegas!

I had just cancelled my January cruise but had no idea I could move my insurance to another cruise.

You saved me a lot!