twprincessfirsties

We are on the Royal for the return trip from Whittier on the 10th and am following this closely. We are worried, of course about COVID, especially since on previous cruises from Whittier it looks like there was a significant breakout. Anyway, hope all on the boat is having lots of fun!

My Southbound Royal trip departing on the 10th is stopping at Sitka now. I received notification yesterday that my September 10th Royal departure from Whittier was going there. Although I was excited about the Skagway trip (and perhaps going to the Yukon), this stop will be good too.

The Royal's southbound from Whittier is stopping in Haines on the 16th and 30th. Though the Skagway stop on September 13th has yet to be announced, it makes sense that it would also stop in Haines also. https://www.visithaines.com/cruise-ships-and-ferries/cruise-ship-schedule/

Looks like, based on this schedule, that the Royal Princess departure from Whittier on 9/10 is no longer stopping in Skagway on 9/13. Bummer. I guess we will be stopping in Haines or Sitka.

The entire travel industry (airlines, cruises, hotels, car rentals) are taking a severe hit getting back to staffing levels pre-pandemic. It's a function of survival of the fittest, however. Employers who treated their staff well before and during the pandemic will have more people willing to come back. Paying people more, giving them more perks and benefits, and improving working conditions goes a long way. What we will end up seeing is fewer and fuller ships (and planes, cars, and hotels), and more expensive sailings (and flights, hotels and car rentals) and poorer service until this all balances itself out in a few years and new recruits appear. As passengers, we will need to take all of this with a very large dose of patience.

Do I ask to refare with the same room, or can I refare with the new room that I would like?

I have the same issue. After final payment, I wanted to change from inside (1D) to deluxe obstructed balcony DW. The price difference including the OBCs from my original fare is 292.71, which I am willing to pay. However, I can't seem to find anyone on the phone at PCL or chat who were willing to refare, so I was getting a price difference of anywhere from $700 to $1,500 as it was not a "new booking". I tried reaching out to a CVP with Princess but am waiting to hear back. Do I just keep calling until someone can help me? Or am SOL?