msmayor

Got a call yesterday from my PCC letting me know that these cruises were now scheduled, and excited to see some listed on the website in the afternoon.  My husband and I are targeting spring 2022, so it will be nice to get one on the schedule!

For those who say 'just wait for NCL to cancel' - easy to say, harder to consider if you are looking at forking over a large sum of money, especially for one that departs on Dec 27th as the OP's...that's a holiday sailing.

To keep the reservation active , final payment would need to be made if the cruise isn't cancelled by final payment date.  If I had taken that route, I'd be looking at forking over close to $12k to NCL this week for the Dec 26th cruise I had booked.  For the OP, if it's just one stateroom, it could still be thousands leaving the bank account right now.

To the OP, ask yourself this question - are you ready and willing to be on what could end up as the 'test case cruises' - the first few out of the gate?  Are you willing to spend all that money in the hopes that the cruise is the relaxing and fun vacation you hoped for?  I was not...and we cancelled to get our deposit back.  I want to actually see and hear other's experiences before committing thousands to a vacation.

Don't be surprised if there are late December sailings that are not at full capacity...

I had three club suites booked for the December 26th Escape, first booked in mid-2019.  Eagerly anticipated a wonderful family holiday cruise, despite the fact that the fare was close to double what I would normally pay for a 7-night cruise.

When considering that the start-up date kept pushing back, I decided that spending $15k for a cruise that might only be the 3rd or 4th one out since the start up was NOT a good spend of that kind of coin.  I had a vision for this trip despite it's high cost, and I'm not willing to risk it being anything less than what I want.  We cancelled in August.

7 hours ago, ontheweb said:

And other than those who just must go on a ship and do not care at all about ports, who would want to take that cruise?

I would jump on that in a hearbeat...especially if they planned two or even three stops and the rest sea days circling around.

I just need to get away, sit on a balcony with a cocktail and a good book and watch the sea go by.  

We usually book our own flights but our last 11-night cruise on Eurodam included a generous credit for flights booked through Flight Ease, and since we were embarking in one port (Vancouver) and flying home from another (San Diego)we took the credit and booked through Flight Ease.  Experience booking was just fine, my comments here regard the service.

On the day of our flights to Vancouver (PHL-TOR, TOR-YVR), which was day before embarkation, our flight to TOR was cancelled.  There was a mad scramble to the desk by passengers to get re-booked, and most of Air Canada's flights to YVR were booked solid that day.  With such a long flying time, we knew that this was going to harder than just hopping a flight to Florida (or, worst case, we can drive to Florida overnight.  Can't do that across the country).

Instead of heading to the desk, I called Flight Ease.  I got through to their emergency travel help number and a wonderful agent walked me through a number of options available to us, some of which included switching airlines.  She told me to go ahead to the desk with the suggested flights as the best option was less than an hour from departure on a different airline, but that she would work other options if we couldn't get seats.  Up to the desk, and sure enough...the suggested option was available.  Other passengers seemed surprised that I was getting out that day and they were not (most were not getting flights until the next day) but thanks to Flight Ease working the system for me, I had the information I needed to get to Vancouver that day.

Not only did we make that flight that left less than an hour from the change, they got our bags loaded on that flight as well...and everything made the new connection in Chicago with ease.  Best part?  We ended up landing in Vancouver three hours earlier than we would have on the original flights. 

In this case, I was very happy I had Flight Ease to support us.

We've always requested a table for two and will often ask for a specific location - cruises are when my husband and I get to disconnect with our busy careers and reconnect with each other, so every night is date night for us.  

I do recall one trip where we asked for a table for two, and were assigned a four-top.  We did enjoy the extra space, but imagine our surprise on night 5 when we approached our table and another couple was seated there.  We introduced ourselves, but conversation was not easy - English was not their primary language and neither couple really found an ease of conversation.  

They did ask us how much it would 'cost' to eat here - it sounded like they thought there was an extra charge in the main dining room, which may be why we didn't see them for the first four nights.  That ended up being the only night they were there, though, and I can't say I was disappointed.  As a result, we now almost exclusively want just a two-top to avoid those situations.

Breakfast or lunch is another story - we gladly accept the chance to sit with others at those meals and are happy to share tables at the suggestion of the dining staff.

Fairly certain the first cruises we book will be Caribbean, and quite honestly all I want to do right now is relax on a ship.  I would have no issues with the restrictions and likely would just stay on board and relax with a good book in one hand and a drink in the other.

While I haven't read this thread in a while, the last couple of posts with suggestions that suitcases be opened outside is a pretty good one. 

My daughter attended college for four years in Savannah GA, a place where "palmetto bugs" were everywhere...and I mean everywhere.  (think a kinder southern roach).  Whatever was packed up and brought home every spring was quarantined/isolated.  We'd open suitcases in the driveway, dump all the clothing into plastic bags and seal them up for three days with as little air as possible inside.  Then the bags were opened outside, clothing shaken vigorously, and immediately into the laundry.  Boxes of other personal belongings were opened outside and inspected carefully before anything was moved inside.

I would put the odds very high that based on their journey, your suitcases have "travelers", and potentially larvae/eggs that might cause problems once released to your home.

We did this a few years ago.  My husband and I had a specific week we knew we would be on vacation, and knew we wanted to go someplace warm.  Booked a cheap R/T ticket to Miami (leaving on a Saturday, returning the following Sunday) to give us the most flexibility.

I made a list of all the cruises leaving Ft. Lauderdale and Miami on the Saturday arrival day and the next day (Sunday) with 7-night itineraries and just watched prices.  While the Saturday departures weren't first choices (I hate to fly in on day of embarkation) we kept them as options.  Had we not been able to find or book a cruise, we would have simply rented a car and bounced around Florida for the week.

We ended up booking on HAL - got one of the best aft veranda staterooms with an extra deep balcony for about $450pp.  It was our first balcony (we usually booked insides at rates around $700-800pp) so this was a big score for us....and the cruise line in general.  We haven't sailed without a balcony since!

The very first cruise I took back in 1985 with Carnival was booked with a group called Singleworld.  I paid the price for a double-occupancy stateroom and they paired me with a same-sex roommate - if none was available, I'd have the room to myself with no supplement.

I ended up sharing that stateroom with a perfect stranger, but we got along just fine.  Back then, I was young (just 23) and having spent my years in college sharing a dorm room with strangers, this wasn't a stretch.  Today, not so sure I'd take that leap.

Just to update...I ended up compromising and found a smaller pack of disinfectant wipes that fit into my quart bag.  I knew I'd want them for the hotel remote and doorknobs at a minimum, so that worked just fine.  I found small pocket-size hand sanitizer in the travel size section of Target, so grabbed two of those which also fit in my bag.  Perfect for this overnight trip.

My flight on a 737-800 configured for 175 passengers had only 33 aboard.  I think it's been 30+ years since I've flown on a plane that empty.  No issues bringing anything through security, and most passengers were respectful of distancing.  

Need to take a last - minute business trip, and it will be my first travel in the COVID period.

I want to pack a container of anti-bacterial wipes that I have, but will only be traveling with a carry-on.  For those who travel regularly, any idea if that will make it through screening without being included in my one-quart liquid bag?  I'm honestly not sure how they would categorize that....

Holland America has already cancelled departures through December 15th.  I strongly suspect other lines will follow suit.

I had a December 26th departure from Port Canaveral on NCL for my whole family, and we cancelled that a month ago.  Even if it did by some miracle go, I don't want to spend all that money and a holiday stressing over a safe and healthy voyage. 

I had the same experience.  Cancelled a December cruise a couple weeks ago and my deposit refund was posted in less than 10 days.

We sailed in 9076 on Serenade of the Seas, sister to Brilliance, and loved that stateroom. 

Most evenings, the hallway doors were closed between 9-11:30 to limit the noise but honestly we never had any issues at all once back in the room after 10pm or so (and never if we opted to stay out of the room later due to shows or the casino.

Loved the location, easy and central to everything and truly enjoyed the larger balcony.

38 minutes ago, LouisiANNA said:

 

 

Thank you for sharing my biggest concern is that I put down a $250 deposit for a Cranksgiving Cruise and hope to get that back. I haven’t read through all of the posts because I stopped on yours. Was it easy peasy lemon squeezy to get the deposit back? How does that work?


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It was incredibly easy.  One phone call - I wasn't on hold for more than five minutes and once I reached the agent I explained I wanted to cancel three reservations (family cruise for the holidays) and we went one at a time...I gave him the reservation numbers and he said he completed the cancellation.  The whole call wasn't longer than 10-15 minutes.  He told me the deposits would be returned back to the credit card I used (I paid the deposit for all three staterooms) and that's exactly how it happened.

I called NCL on July 10th to cancel our Dec 26th cruise - so only on deposit at this point.  The NCL rep told me it would take 5-7 days for the refund to come back to my card.  I thanked him, but truly was prepared to wait 90-120 days.

Got notification from Amex yesterday - 7 days later - that NCL credited back my deposits.  Very fast for me.

Finally pulled the trigger and called NCL to cancel our December cruise.  Booked through Casinos at Sea, I called that number and call was answered within a minute by a real person...he cancelled the three reservations quickly and told me my deposit refund would hit my card in 5-7 business days.  

I'm prepared for a long wait based on what I've seen here by others.  We'll see....

Final payment for my family's holiday cruise on Escape is due August 28th (departure Dec 26th)...and I am cancelling this week.

This would have been our first NCL cruise, and first long-anticipated holiday vacation together.  I booked three Club Suite staterooms (before they were called Club Suites)...so for a holiday sailing not a small amount of money.  I simply cannot consider sending NCL a five-figure final payment before a single cruise ship starts to sail again.  I'm not willing to gamble this special family trip on what I 'think' or 'hope' cruising will be like.

I don't even think a 60 day final payment would change my mind.  

Thankfully we booked during a $50pp deposit special, all fully-refundable.  I only have $300 tied up in the reservation so perfectly content to wait 90-120 days (or more) to get it back.

Meeting the guidelines to safely sail aren't the only problem here...with so many ships normally sailing out of Florida the caseload 'on the ground' becomes a significant issue.

There are a lot of states imposing quarantine requirements for travelers from many states.  Here in NJ, there are 16 states that, if travelers are entering NJ (or residents returning from) these states, we are supposed to quarantine for 14 days.  Florida is likely not prepared to deal with an influx of passengers coming into the state to board cruise ships, or deal with getting them out of the state upon the ship's return.  

Tomorrow I am cancelling my December holiday reservation for a family cruise we'd been planning for 18 months.  Leaving out of Port Canaveral, it was supposed to be a wonderful holiday for us all.  I know that December sailings having changed...yet...but I'm not willing to risk over $10k on three staterooms for us in the hopes that (a) we'll actually be able to cruise, and (b) that the experience will be even remotely connected to what we're used to.

No, I'll take a wait-and-see approach before I'm ready to test the waters again.  We'll go again...someday...once we know better what to expect.

With huge sadness, please remove my December 26th Escape cruise as we're canceling.

With final payment due next month, almost two months before cruising even starts up, I'm just not willing to gamble on what cruising will be like on a holiday sailing that is going to cost me $15k between staterooms and airfare for the family.  We so looked forward to our first 'holiday vacation' and are now looking at a Plan B, something on land.  Not even sure we'll be able to pull that off either.

We'll certainly cruise again - my husband and I love it so much. 

2 hours ago, zqvol said:

I wonder how long it takes for this credit to be reversed?

Generally, the initial 'credit' is only provisional.  Credit card companies will gather all the information they need to make a final ruling, and if the merchant (in this case NCL) makes a compelling case that the credit is not due, the credit card company will re-charge the account.

Credit card companies have three billing cycles or 90 days to issue a final decision.  It isn't safe to assume a credit is permanent until it's been there for 91 days without reversal.

8 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

 

 

I am wondering which agent you originally booked with who has since left?  Can you give us a first name?

Thanks so much for all the great advice.

To answer your question, first name Jennifer....

Would have been my first NCL cruise, a special family trip over New Year's.  Friend of a friend gave me the name of an individual in the Casino department who might be able to book for me and sure enough, she was kind enough to help...so I have three staterooms booked through her in early spring 2019.  Set them up...and let them sit.

I learned about six-seven months ago that the agent I booked the cruise with is no longer with NCL.  I wasn't concerned and figured at this point, I'd do my planning and make final payment without really needing the agent.

We are now opting to cancel the cruise - just too many unknowns with when/how cruising will restart and our trip would only be a few weeks after the Escape goes back into service.  Bigger issue is that due to the all the issues with ships when COVID broke, for health reasons at least one member of the group can't risk this type of vacation without a vaccine in place.

So...now I need to cancel.  I've never cancelled ANY cruise before, so this is a new thing for me.

• Do I call the Casino department because I booked through them?
• Will I be able to cancel the staterooms I booked for my kids as well, even though they are not in my name, or will they have to call?
• The deposits were all paid with the same credit card (mine).  Will the deposits be returned that way (my preference)?  Fortunately for me, deposits were only $50pp at the time so I don't have a  lot of coin tied up here.

Thanks to all who can help.  Maybe another chance to try NCL in the future...

This is yet another reason we are going to cancel our December cruise on Escape.

I am simply not confident that, for the significant investment in this vacation (three balcony staterooms during a holiday week - over $10k) I am going to feel like it was money well spent.  Final payment will be due in August, and I don't think any of the lines will be up and running by then so there will still be some significant unknowns.

The cruise product that we see on the other side of this, once they are able it re-start, IS going to be different.  I really want to have a better idea of what I'm going to get for my money.

Fortunately, I booked back in early 2019 when deposits were only $50 pp.  I've only got $600 invested in this so far, so if I have to wait 90-120 days for my refund, I'm OK with that.