S904

I’m waiting for royal to suspend. Hopefully they offer similar to Viking. Cash refund or 125% FCC

25 minutes ago, chiguypaul said:

How tight would it be to get to the Miami airport from the Miami port for a 11:15 flight? Willing to get off ship with my bags to get out early.

 

Thanks

Easily make it. Not even a sweat of worry

10 hours ago, panda19 said:

Bay of Islands, NZ yesterday was a success, I guess we did get clearance in the end (bus driver mentioned that we only booked the buses the day before, so it must have been touch and go, not that the Captain told us anything). 

The difficulty is that everyone boarded in the frame of mind of a tropical South Pacific Islands cruise, and then after Noumea we have had two extra sea days, sailing at high speeds so very windy, two unexpected days in NZ where the weather was not exactly "tropical" and now two more sea days across the Tasman Sea on the way home, we are travelling at 21 knots in 3 metre seas in overcast weather and it is very rough, so there's no water in the pools and the ice skating shows and other outdoor activities are cancelled due to the conditions. Our cabin balcony door has been "whistling" 24 hrs a day on the sea days due to the high speeds. The last port is in Australia and there is really not much to see there, so people don't really see it as a valid port day. 

The cruise director Sophie is apparently not a cruise director at all, but is filling in as we have no cruise director. You can tell. It doesn't help the situation and she hasn't even acknowledged the itinerary change, just carrying on as if everything is fine, which is awkward. 

I feel like we should complain to RC about the handling of these issues and lack of communication, but also not sure anything will come of it. Before Noumea we were talking about doing a cruise in the Caribbean on Symphony of the Seas in a year or so but with the way things have panned out on this trip I will look into alternatives. 

appreciate you sharing that info. i would absolutely press for more from RCL especially after the whole experience with no communication, poor cruise director, etc. 

if what they offer on the ship is limited, definitely get in touch with C&A or the executive office.

On 3/2/2020 at 6:50 AM, Esmerelda said:

The moral of these stories would be;  anything can change when you are on a cruise ship. If you don’t understand that from the start, maybe cruising might not be your thing. We have cruised numerous times when ports were missed, people were injured so we rerouted, etc.  Things happen.....everyday. 

Cruising is absolutely my thing and ive never had an itinerary completely change. As i've said and many other people have said if thy want a cold new zealand cruise they wouldve booked it. everyone booked a south pacific cruise for a reason. 

likewise weve re routed missed ports but never a different region. 

2 hours ago, jsg612 said:

 

 

I did press for more than one day as its one day minus taxes which comes to a measly 70 USD or 108 AUD, which I dont think is enough. I had several other issues with this cruise though (unrelated to itinerary change). Ive never been an overly difficult to please person, very go with the flow, its never any sole person's fault, but have had several issues this cruise that I am not happy with. I've never complained before in my life but I did tonight. Was told it was a Miami decision and they couldnt do anything about it. So I guess i'll be emailing Miami!

Good to know. I hope you still enjoy your trip!! Stay healthy!

1 hour ago, panda19 said:

It's "refundable onboard credit". I guess they are hoping people will spend it onboard so they don't lose as much money. We'll be holding into ours and waiting for it to be refunded to our credit card. 

 

Haven't spoken to guest services yet, it's very busy down there, but we might drop past before the end of the cruise. We'll also try and work out how to submit a formal complaint to RC, the whole situation has been so badly handled, and the Captain barely tells us anything. 

Gotcha gotcha. 
 

for sure. If you don’t mind please keep us posted on how everything goes. Best of luck!!! 

8 minutes ago, panda19 said:

This may explain why we haven't been refunded the port fees for the missed ports 😔

 

Arrived in Tauranga this morning. It's cold and foggy, and rain is expected. Not exactly the equivalent of the South Pacific that we are meant to be visiting 🙄

Did you press for more than 1 day refund? Is it actual refund to credit card or future cruise credit??

1 hour ago, jsg612 said:

I'm onboard now. 

 

We are being refunded one day of the cruise fare and obviously all shore excursions pre booked are refunded too. People are generally unhappy. New itinerary is Tauranga, Bay of Islands, then Eden AUS. 

 

Lots of people complaining but what can you do. Interesting re brawl cause I saw security guards sitting outside a few rooms but didn't know why. 

awesome. I appreciate the update. Glad to know they did that. That would satisfy me for sure. If anything else comes up regarding it please update us! 
 

agree. On your second post. I booked it for that beach itinerary and I’ve never been to those locations. 
 

guess I’ll pack a jacket or two for back up!

1 hour ago, Blizzard54 said:

I am guessing you have not cruised much in the Caribbean during hurricane season.  We have been on ships that made all kinds of changes even mid cruise.  Eastern cruises have become Western.  I have seen Caribbean cruises out of New Jersey become New England cruises.  When there were virus problems in Mexico, those cruises became Pacific Northwest cruises.  

Major changes are not common but they do happen.    

based In Florida so majority are Caribbean. Guess I’ve gotten lucky. I don’t book Caribbean for the ports though. 

16 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Well, read your cruise contract now so you can get it out of your system.  Ports are not guaranteed.  If there are “must-see” locations, it is better to fly there if possible.  When booking a cruise with specific ports in mind, do it with hope and prayers.  

 

Rather than being upset by changes when on a cruise, instead feel blessed every time your itinerary goes off without a hitch (and feel doubly blessed if by chance the itinerary changes in a way you happen to fancy).

 

I am sincerely sorry to hear about the port cancellations due to illness on board.  I hope the issues resolve quickly and do not recur.  I am boarding a Caribbean cruise tomorrow and I know ships and ports are hyper-alert right now for any signs of illness.  I know some my fellow passengers will be unhappy if we are unable to go ashore at variously ports, though I hope nobody gets fighting mad.

again in 400 nights ive never had a full itinerary change. guess ive been quite lucky. definitely missed a port here and there. so i dont think to qualify to feel blessed the cruise goes off without a hitch.

wouldnt get fighting mad by any means but i would definitely inquire with guest services and/or suite lounge attendant. 

its worked in the past so i can definitely see it happening again.

47 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

Agree, missed dozens Ports myself over the yrs for various reasons. Nothing can do...

I have too in my 400 nights of cruising... but changing to a completely different itinerary has never happened. I've missed tons of tendering ports, bad weather in harbor, etc. but changing every port to a new port that is done on a different itinerary has not happened for me. I booked south pacific islands not a new Zealand cruise. if i wanted a new Zealand cruise i would have booked one of the itineraries on radiance or ovation (or whatever ship does that route). 

 

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

What type of refund would you expect? Per the cruise contract, ports are not guaranteed.

I understand that. But customer satisfaction is key to their business and keeping customers satisfied can include refunds, future credit, OBCs, etc. 

i am an entitled american. so BACK OFF! lol

27 minutes ago, soak01 said:

Same here. Apparenty a brawl broke out at guest services after the change of itinerary to NZ was announced with 4 arrested and to be put off once she docks. Some pretty upset passengers on board.

WOW! That doesn't surprise me, some people are really stupid.

i booked the cruise because of going to vanuatu and new caledonia so i will be a little bit upset by the changes if any occur. I would press guest services for some form of refund or future cruise credit. 

Oh boy... i'll be on her 3/18 hopefully this wont be a permanent thing moving forward with Vanuatu

On 2/3/2020 at 9:30 AM, S904 said:

10 Day Cruise - Currently Booked in Junior Suite - Voyager of the Seas
Min bid is listed below. Only 2 of us travelling on our honeymoon. 5 port days 4 sea days.

Royal Suite - $700 per person

Owners Suite - $450 per person
Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom - $200 per person

Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom - $150 per person

 

What's the play here?? Is it worth it for Grand v Owners? D+ first time in a Junior Suite, so going to love it either way. Super tempted by Royal Suite but really don't want to spend 1400$

Planning on going 250 for grand and 460 for owners. I think main question is owners worth it?? 

 

Update: GOT THE EMAIL!! ACECPTED! Owners Suite here I come for 10 days! Originally had paid $1415 pre port fees for a Junior Suite and Free Gratuities. So in total paid just about 2K per person for 10 days for an owners suite! l

Final bids:

Grand Suite 1B - 350
Grand Suite 2B - 400
Owner Suite - 475 - Accepted!
Roayl Suite - 710

 

26 minutes ago, vickic233 said:

Oh I hope you get it!!

Appreciate all the love from CC fam!!!

would be my first time in an OS!!

18 minutes ago, Southern latitudes said:

That was the message I got about an hour before my bid was accepted.

eeeekk!! ill try not to get too excited until i receive and official email lol

Bid on my cruise 3/18 about two weeks ago. i check today. and the grand suite shows expired, 2 bed grand suite expired, but shows the owners suite "pending" and no way to cancel or update. Does that mean anything?

15 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

If there are 3 or more sea days in a row kids must be a minimum of 1 year old to sail. 

gotcha - thanks, didnt know if related to beervirus or not.

what is the 1 year old policy??

i see on the webcam its still docked in the harbour.

Just now, Biker19 said:

Welcome to CC.

 

Only you can determine that.

I get that... but looking for others experience in whether or not the room is worth the extra 150$ a person. Have they felt theyve utilized the space, etc.

there arent any extra perks associated with it vs grand?

10 Day Cruise - Currently Booked in Junior Suite - Voyager of the Seas
Min bid is listed below. Only 2 of us travelling on our honeymoon. 5 port days 4 sea days.

Royal Suite - $700 per person

Owners Suite - $450 per person
Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom - $200 per person

Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom - $150 per person

What's the play here?? Is it worth it for Grand v Owners? D+ first time in a Junior Suite, so going to love it either way. Super tempted by Royal Suite but really don't want to spend 1400$

Planning on going 250 for grand and 460 for owners. I think main question is owners worth it??