BunnyHutt

Any concessions for airfare/change fees?

Sorry your trip was canceled, but I’m not surprised. 😞

47 minutes ago, Funbobby68 said:

Honestly what I witnessed, there is no need to rush 😞 

😢

2 hours ago, cruisinfanatic said:

You better read it again

???

2 hours ago, Magicat said:

The OP states he lives in China.  What kind of passport did he try to board with?  All Chinese and Hong Kong passport holders are being refused embarkation

No, the OP stated that they lived in Asia and had spent time over the weekend with someone who had transited through HK (friend doesn’t even live there!) OP did the right/honorable thing and self-reported, even though the coronavirus risk for them is very slim. 
 

OP - Bravo to you for being upfront with the cruise line. Be the squeaky wheel and hopefully RCI will change its stance on type of refund issued. What are other cruise lines doing with regards to refund policy for coronavirus? May be worth researching.... Royal was extremely generous this past summer with its Cuba cruises (I was directly impacted) but I think that was due to pressure to follow suit within the industry. 

Someone can absolutely tell me I’m wrong, but I’m going to say doubtful. My husband watched a launch several years ago from a home on Merritt Island (less than 10 mi, directly across the lagoon) and I was shocked at how small it looked. He had driven over from MCO because he knew he wouldn’t be able to see it from there. 

I booked for Anthem NYE at $69/$49 back in Oct. It’s now $199/$179. Honestly, it took them about 72 hours longer than I expected to jack up the price. 😉

I booked last week for our NYE cruise. Not sure if it was available before then (cruise was booked in June), I just switched from traditional to MTD. 

2 hours ago, alistairg said:

Is a flight connection in Hong Kong airport considered being in Hong Kong?

 

I would guess that the policy means that if you went through immigration into Hong Kong you couldn't board, otherwise there is no way to tell from your passport that you were in Hong Kong airport for a connection.

 

This could of course be covered by the secondary screening requirements for people who have come into contact with people from China.

 

It is not clear if the OP just transmitted in the airport or actually went into Hong Kong.

 

 

When you enter the US, you have to go through customs immediately after exiting the aircraft which flew you in from foreign soil. Once through customs, you can continue on to your connecting flight. I would imagine the same would be true for HK and therefore absolutely tied to the passport. 

Awww.... I know it’s old, but what a fun thread to read! My family sailed on Song of Norway spring break ‘90. Didn’t seem so small back then (expect for the 4 of us crammed in an inside cabin). 

15 minutes ago, happicruzer said:

I was fully paid for a guaranteed deluxe ocean balcony cruise departing on a Sunday.  Friday, my on board account put me in an inside cabin with a note that I now owed money to RCI.  In discussion with Resolutions, no I didn’t owe more but it would cost the company too much money to provide me with a similar cabin on a future cruise (by the way, the next week’s sale pitch was equal dollar cost for the cruise I requested).

 

I now cruise mostly with Celebrity, Princess and HAL. My next birthday cruise on Princess is less than half the cost of RCI or Celebrity for a balcony.  
 

All I really want is a sea cruise - since the seven day cruises basically hit a private island and similar ports, it is coming down to who treats me as a valuable customer.  Celebrity, Princess and HAL beat RCI.  If I were Pinnacle, RCI might treat me differently.
 

If you don’t believe me, read the postings from the Diamond and Diamond Plus who mention the loss of previously enjoyed Crown and Anchor benefits - loss of CL, preboarding line (Elite and Platinum on Princess still get special quick line ahead of security), and whatever used to be a perceived benefit.  

 

I have walked home from my last two RCI cruises; I have to drive to Ft Lauderdale.  I sincerely hope that both Princess and Celebrity will cruise out of Port Canaveral soon. 

 

Ugh, that’s not cool. While I’m guessing that RCCL isn’t necessarily missing your revenue (esp since you still sail Celebrity), I certainly understand letting your wallet do your protesting for you... I know I do the same. 

53 minutes ago, happicruzer said:

Think about it.  I booked a cruise with Royal Caribbean and the cruise line refused to honor the booking, thus, you may - or may not - look elsewhere.  I did.  
 

That’s why my next birthday cruise is with Princess and not Royal Caribbean.

Without knowing the back story, your post didn’t make much sense... nor did it really fit with the topic at hand. Hence my “huh?”

Sorrynotsorry

1 hour ago, mugtech said:

On the 2/24 sailing, I heard our cruise will be half full.

Might be a good time to submit a RoyalUp bid, lol. 

28 minutes ago, happicruzer said:

I really liked the Princess answer.
 

My experience (RCI refused to honor my deluxe balcony booking stating it would cost too much money to move but I could have an inside cabin if I paid more) -my next birthday cruise is with Princess!

Huh?

Really depends on pricing and your personal consumption habits. 

- when I went with my husband and children a few years ago, we just went with the refreshment package for all and we bought adult beverages a la carte as we really only drank one or two per day, if that, and a bottle of wine for the week. 

- when my girlfriend and I did a girls trip this past summer, we got the DBP and, with our OBC, we paid about $40/day/person. Definitely got our money’s worth. 😉

- sailing with my kids but without my husband over NYE later this year and I bought myself the DBP... but only because I was able to get in on the $18/day deal. Otherwise I would be going a la carte. 

54 minutes ago, SAmome said:

Does this mean "Phase 2" is done or is that something for later in 2020?  I guess I'm wondering when they will really put 12,000 on the island.  

 

https://www.cruzely.com/royal-caribbean-reportedly-expanding-perfect-day-cococay-capacity/

 

Perfect Day at CocoCay will get bigger and better with a Phase 2 expansion planned for 2020. After Phase 2, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination will be ready to welcome three ships per day. Given the size of Royal Caribbean’s vessels, that means as many as 12,000 passengers will visit CocoCay daily.

I believe the information alluded to above (on another site) indicated that this was the completion of phase 1. 

Just don’t expect a turkey dinner or else risk ruining your entire vacation. 

18 hours ago, Kids-and-Chickens said:

I've been following this thread - such a sad story.

 

There is a new article in the Miami Herald posted yesterday that has reenactment photos from a different angle, and it does change the perspective of what might have actually happened and why the GF didn't realize there was glass:

 

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article239684053.html

 

This article was actually initially published by the Daily Mail last week. While it does illustrate the forced perspective of the upright pillars making it look like SA had half his body hanging out the windows when he first looked out them, I would put more stock in them had they used an appropriately sized doll. They were so careful to make sure they had an actor that was the same size/stature as SA, but I wonder how the pics would look if they used a toddler-sized doll and not a glorified Barbie. Hell, even a Cabbage Patch would have been a closer representation to show how much space would have been taken up once she was on the other side of the railing. Even if he *was* holding her with that awkward position (which I don’t believe for a second) her body would be touching the window, or lack thereof. 
 

I also can’t remember if it’s been mentioned (sorry if it has) but SA has previously demonstrated reckless behavior and disregard for the law/rules. He has several speeding tickets - I know, I know, me too - but also multiple citations for not wearing a seat belt. There are signs posted everywhere - on highways, in vehicles - about the necessity of buckling up. But he doesn’t. So the family claims that if there were signage about open windows he never would have done what he did. Really? Are you so sure about that?

4 hours ago, Bloodgem said:

 

Forgive what might sound like a stupid question, but are lawyers and police offices in the US that poorly paid that they can not afford to bury their own child or can not afford insurance for their cruise (which might have covered some of Chloe's funeral costs)?

 

Btw I have no idea what the cost of living is in the US ( it's been awhile since I was last in the US)  so please don't flame me for what might seem an insensitive question

 

Not necessarily “that poorly paid” but not everyone gets travel insurance - my family never does - and not everyone, regardless of pay scale, has $10k-$15k just lying around. We have a child rider on my life insurance policy that would basically cover burial costs (so we don’t have to tap into savings) but, again, that’s not necessarily the norm. 
 

Covering burial expenses is an act of goodwill, whether it’s done by a corporation or through a GFM. 

When I arrived into Port Everglades this summer, we had a similar experience. However, I should also point out that those of us with GE had to show our CARD in order to jump the line. 

It’s a shame they didn’t offer more indoor activities when the weather was less agreeable. My bestie and I were on Majesty in July (thought she was a great little ship that suited our needs perfectly!) during the women’s World Cup finals. Final match was during a sea day and they had watch parties set up all over the ship, including in the main theater. We watched the win on the outdoor screen while enjoying the sun and drinks. 🙂

58 minutes ago, Monthend said:

Do the bartenders make other drinks. Like a black Russian or martini?

I’ve also had bartenders just make drinks up for me, or serve me one of their personal favorites/specialties. I just tell them what general liquors and flavors I like. Of course, that’s using the beverage package so if I don’t like it, no harm no foul. 

16 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

The ship was and is safe for toddlers. 

The fact that literally millions of people have sailed Freedom, and her sister ships, and have managed to not drop children out of a window supports this. 

My refunds have always shown up on my CC within 2-3 days. 

I’ve never done MTD, but have opted for that on my next cruise (in 11 mo). How far in advance can you pick your seating times? I always thought it was once you got on the ship. 

My kids and I are doing NYE on Anthem and they are very excited about the ship. We understand that the weather won’t be the same as the southern Caribbean itineraries that I/we’ve been on but I guarantee you it will be better than Ohio. 😉 And while the itinerary may not be all that exciting, my husband won’t be able to have that week off but logistically it wouldn’t be difficult for him to join us in PC or Nassau for the day, if his schedule allows. So that’s an added bonus for our family.