remydiva

On 1/26/2022 at 3:52 PM, Fouremco said:

The prices vary based on cruise line. With Celebrity, testing remains complimentary for guests with cruise reservations booked prior to November 16, 2021. For new bookings made on or after November 16, 2021, the cost for onsite cruise port testing starts at $99 per person and vary by port and test type. I've not seen a price list published by Celebrity showing the cost by port and type.

 

For Royal Caribbean, all testing will remain free through January 31, 2022.  After that, passengers wishing to be tested will have to pay, with antigen tests starting at $105 and PCR tests starting at $210. Again, the price varies by port and type, and I've seen no price list.

 

Hopefully as more Canadian passengers are charged. for the tests we'll see reporting on what the actual costs are.

Looking at another link with each country's entry requirements listed, If that means every passenger pays $105 per port for testing then that could (if the rules stayed the same) add another $600 + pp to a cruise cost for a 6 port cruise. Forget it!

On 9/30/2021 at 8:47 PM, tmc057 said:

just to clarify, covid testing is required to both enter the country as well as to get on the ship - correct? can the testing be done in your home country within 72 hours of boarding, or does it have to be done from the departure country?

 

and then at the end of the cruise, I know that we will be needing PCR tests to get back to Canada, so how easy will those be to get, and do I need to plan an extra day or so at the end of my cruise? all that extra hotel time will add much $$ to the cost of the cruise

exactly my thoughts too....so what we sit in a hotel room in US to try and source out $$PCR test to fly home? I think I will wait before hitting the BOOK NOW button.

6 hours ago, broberts said:

Other than cost, I don't really understand the objection to PCR tests.

Family members paid $900 US for 4 members. Tested neg.

24 hrs later were randomly selected at airport to be retested. One member positive...no symptoms. Double vaxxed. 

So....was the $900 a cash grab? Did all the testing keep anyone safer?

Confusing times for sure when most people are just trying to do the right thing AND trying to get back to more normal times.

5 hours ago, broberts said:

Other than cost, I don't really understand the objection to PCR tests.

Family members paid $900 US for 4 members. Tested neg. 24 hrs were randomly selected at airport to be retested. One member positive...no symptoms. Double vaxxed. 

So....was the $900 a cash grab? Did all the testing keep anyone safer?

Confusing times for sure when most people are just trying to do the right thing AND trying to get back to more normal times.

I was all ready to push 'BOOK NOW' on a Nov cruise but after reading all these Covid threads plus reading a document how every country has slightly different rules for entry so a port intensive cruise (mine would be 6 ports) would mean near daily antigen testing (done free on the ship? by whom") I have decided to wait to book.

On 2/7/2022 at 11:20 AM, 1kaper said:

I am also Canadian but I am planning to cruise next month.  
I have been following pretty closely for the past few months.  There are no doubt cases on board.  How bad, I don't know. 
But I have been surprised that no Carnival cruises have been cancelled I am aware of (a couple other cruise lines have).  And not many ports being missed. 
I thought it was going to be far worse than what I've been seeing.  But who knows if it will continue the same way. I sure am hoping. 
I am more concerned about contracting COVID  with the Omicron variant than I was when I originally booked but we are vaxxed and boosted and have purchased insurance to cover us if we end up having to stay in the US for extra time.  I also have the work time figured out. 

What insurance did you buy to cover the unexpected stay? Only one I found was Manulife; did you find more? Also a Canadian.

4 hours ago, Sentebale said:

Partner and I decided to book basic fare for March 16-day TA to see what the numbers look like in the end.

Basic fare $900/each cheaper than Best. Sale. Ever.

$1800 is break even.

Not soda drinkers, I might drink a beer every week or two. Partner likes his Martinis (2-3 night) and wine (1-2 night). Not day drinkers. 

One of us will get 4-device wifi and share $240.

$15.50 x 32 days gratuities. $500

Yes to at least one coffee card. $72

Yes to 3/ea extra specialty dinners $180 -- not incl in B.S.E (plus we have 1 free specialty dinner from ta)

Yes to Gelato if it's good. $70 -- not incl in B.S.E

Partner has $738 booze money 😉. ($46/day) (Wiggle room is the $180 +$70 that I included as part of B.S.E. but it really isn't).

Not end of the world if we find out the all-inclusive was a better deal.

Anybody else try this? Results?

With the Medallion it's not like we'll be signing chits so that hassle is removed.

Also bought 100 shares of CCL for the $250 OBC, sent paperwork to Princess, sold the shares next day (@$25 gain👍).

 

We will do pay as you go as well since we have hefty OBCs and hubby only has a beer or one wine a day so the included BSE not worth it since you BOTH have to get it. I think you'll do just fine.

9 hours ago, Gettingwarmer said:

This is on the P&O website. It is updated and this was 1 February. 
https://www.pocruises.com/content/dam/po/pdfs/A-Z-destination-entry-requirements-guide-1-Feb-2022.pdf

 

England is not on this list. Question...is onboard testing provided free by cruise line?

I'm wondering too as flights or land crossings INTO Canada require a Neg PCR test (not rapid antigen) for entry. I'm looking at a TA that would land in FLL and wonder how the heck I'll get a PCR test before flight back home?

thank you for clarification 🙂

I cruised the Emerald in 2012 and loved her. Looking to book again but I see the Emerald was refurbished in 2019 but I also see several threads titled ‘the Emerald formerly the Crown’

so what’s up?

is the ‘old’ Emerald and old Crown gone and now they renamed the Emerald the Crown?

so confused please help.

8 hours ago, 1965 said:

Yesterday my pvp confirmed no more free mins for platinum & elite. She explained the new medallian net can't be done by the minute, it's many advantages, etc. She made sense & won me over. For less than $70 total for our upcoming 14 day TA I'll have unlimited wifi, fast, no accidentally losing minutes, etc. It's not as nice as free, but it's doable. I have drunk the koolaid. Lol.

Is that per cabin ie. two people can use?

5 hours ago, CanuckCurlers said:

sorry double post

5 hours ago, CanuckCurlers said:

We are in the same frame of mind. Our two Covid cancelled cruises would have made us Elite but see no reason to stay with Princess. Most other lines are offering all the perks now anyway. Our travel agent had been trying to get us to try others for the last five years and we had been resistant but no longer.

I too am loyal Princess fan...or was...plus with our cancelled Covid cruise I now have tons of future cruise credits to use AND OBC and FCD...all worthless unless we use them. So why mickey mouse with 150 mins or so of internet. I get that unlimited is necessary for those they want to intice to cruise AND still be able to 'work from sea' but not everyone wants to be on the internet. Some of us spend our money in other ways...shore excurisons, the shops, casino, bars....don't ding everyone in order to meet the needs of what I think? are a few.

I just got the email and checked first and last page of this thread plus the PDF attached in email.

WHAT IS THE PRICE of the internet packages that we get the privilege of paying 50% for?

With hubby and my 150+ mins AND we are on holidays so should unplug other than send emails to kids back home, I don't need more or unlimited minutes.

So can someone attach a link to the pricing options? how little do I need to be dinged for?

13 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

Happy to hear! Finally!!!!!

Still waiting here....

Thank you and yes I'm a

little giddy as it has been a LONG wait.

Grandkids went back to school today, hairdresser had soft opening on Friday (yay, hair done) so life is slllloooowwwwwllly starting to reopen and look more 'normal'...the new normal that is.

Cruising still a long ways off but it would be nice to see my son back east but that too is not in the cards just yet.

Hope your's comes real soon too. 🤞🤞

YES Final Update ALL $$ refunded. ALL FCC in cruise personalizer and FCD back.

Cruise date April 19 Regal

Cancelled by me Mar 6

Cancelled by Princess Mar 12 Phase 1

Option #2 selected Mar 12

Refund to credit card May 22

FCC received June 1

(booked directly with Princess, did not use TA. Did not phone or contact Princess. Did not contact credit card company)

YES Final Update

Cruise date April 19 Regal

Cancelled by me Mar 6

Cancelled by Princess Mar 12 Phase 1

Option #2 selected Mar 12

Refund to credit card May 22

FCC received June 1

42 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

I filed a dispute around the 70 day mark. I held out in the hope that Princess would come through and do what they promised.

And I got my refund from Princess  on Day 70 without filing a credit card dispute or even contacting Princess  so there is a mixed bag of experiences.

for the record, I did NOT use a TA...booked on my own with Princess and had EZ air and transfers...all refunded.

Still missing the extra FCC but if they have a time limit, who knows when we will be able to cruise again comfortably.

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

They said all FCC for pause 1 folks that had submitted their option 1/2 choice was completed April 30th. We know that’s wrong since there are still some of us pause 1 folk here that have no FCC. 

ME! 🤚

13 minutes ago, mthomp5 said:

That’s great to hear they are making progress on some of us.  I wonder why they refunded your credit card in two transactions.

 

Your FCC will probably follow shortly. It doesn’t make sense that they do these transactions so piecemeal. 

 

Credit card in two amounts as the first one was because we fell in the 50% penalty cancellation ‘fee’ period ( as you get closer to sail date you are penalized more for cancelling) thus we started the claim on insurance to recoup the rest.

we were April 19 sail date.

32 minutes ago, mthomp5 said:

Remydiva,  I can’t remember...were you in pause 1 and cancelled before Princess announced the first pause?  

Yes we were in Pause1

WE cancelled on Mar 5 As hubby is at risk health wise (after getting the email from princess reassuring all was well and If we did NOT cancel, here’s some extraOBC. )

Applied for AON insurance cancel

fir any reason .

Mar 12 Pause 1.. applied for option 2 while AON insurance claim still in the works.

Mar17 AON closed our claim

saying Princess was handling the refund.

Got about 50% back on credit card in April.

Got FCD back two weeks ago.

Got rest of $$ refund on Friday May 22.

Still have NOT got extra 25% FCC.

55 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

I received my full refund from Carnival within 30 days (I thought they would be the line I would have to fight with to be honest). Cancelled same day as Princess, sailing date a week after Princess.

 

Also cancelled same day was a sailing for later in the year with RCCL that had not yet been cancelled by the cruise line. Only deposit was paid but final payment was coming and I didn't think the cruise would sail. I received the refund within a week.

 

Fellow TAs in my office are reporting that Celebrity has been doing a good job - within 30 business days. They are (so far) not impressed with MSC and HAL and REALLY not impressed with Princess.

That’s Interesting @ceilidh.. TAs dealing with multiple companies and clients  should have their finger on the cruise world pulse. These experiences may turn into recommendations when clients ask Them which cruise line to use.

8 minutes ago, PompeySailor said:

We had cruises booked with

 

✅MSC x1 (FCC issued after 3 weeks of our cancelled cruise)

✅Royal Caribbean X3 (FCC’s issued after 4 weeks of cruise and some refunds)

✅P&O x1 (Refunds issued 3 days after requesting)

 

🤬Princess x1 67 days waited for items that were cancelled on March 21st, enough was enough. Filed a chargeback dispute with our credit card company today, will be 3 business days in our account.

 

So yes others are handling it much better and with more transparency and you can contact them in many other ways than just a phone call.

With Princess you cannot message on Facebook, they disabled that lifeline 

get told, 30 days, then 60, some people 90. 
Its amateur to say the least and bloody annoying.
 

Whenever I had to return a customers money onto their credit card, it took 3 business days max. Period (regardless of unprecedented times, blah blah blah)

 

Too many cheerleaders waving their Pom poms saying to be patient, if you are given dates and then those dates pass, people’s patience runs thin.

 

Rant over for today.

Flame away 

Happy Days!

 

Heh that's great to hear about other cruise line responses. I've asked before and no one replied!!!

well, it IS a Princess site so guess that makes sense.... and I shall take note that as a past RCL cruiser too.

And you'll get No Pom Pom waving from me..finally .got my $$ after 70 days but no FCC yet.

Happy Days for sure! The world needs them.

5 minutes ago, SCOOTERNINJA said:

Yes, they are easily distinguished.  In the scenario you proposed, the builder actually performed under the contract by completing the build albeit with delay.  In the scenario posed here, the cruise company never performed its obligation under the contract (i.e. providing a ship to passengers to cruise the oceans with port stops).

 

A building contract is ONLY going to obligate the purchaser to pay for the home if it is actually built. If the builder decides not to build the house (or is otherwise prevented from  building the home), then the builder is not entitled to just keep whatever payments had already been made.  In the scenario you posed, baked into the builder's contracts will be clauses dealing with building delays and liabilities that might be associated therewith.  These contracts typically provide that builders will be on the hook  for any actual damages if the home is not built (such as amounts paid for the home build) but may be relieved from  liability for any consequential damages (such as amounts that a buyer may have to pay for a hotel due to building delay).  Under no circumstance can the builder just keep the money already paid because the builder cancelled the home build.

 

Here, the cruise company CANCELLED the cruise.  The cruise never took place and thus the cruise company never performed its obligation under the  contract.  The cruise company is not entitled to keep the benefit of the bargain (i.e. the cruise payments) for a contract that it never performed.  

 

Yes - stuff happens but that is called the risk and cost of doing business.  As a company, it is not right nor lawful to keep money that was paid for a service that was never provided.

ok so the house build not the best example as I never meant to imply the builder KEPT the money...just the delay cost the buyer more so oranges to tomatoes comparison...mea culpa.

However as others have said many activities ARE keeping the money such as cancelled sports clubs my own grandkids swim club were offered 'we keep your money and you can do dry land training' (whoop de doh) OR you get most of it back and pay $25 to be first in line to register for next year. 

It's not a level playing field for sure. Good to hear from another that RCL and DCL paid quickly. My online forum showed unhappy RCL customers too.

In any case, I guess we will have to wait to see what tourism looks like all over the world. Cruises sailing maybe? Ports open? maybe? International flights? when? heck, our border Canada to US is closed so we are FAR from being normal.

Be kind. Be safe.