KeywestK

Just now, grapau27 said:

Very true.

67 million in the UK but a big proportion won't bother getting a vaccine.

I believe many in the U.S. will not get a vaccine either.

33 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Thank you.

Our UK chief medical officer said in a news update today that a vaccine might be available by Xmas for priority people and more widely available spring 2021.

Let's hope he is right.

Graham.

Population of U.S. is 330 million.  Mass immunization will not happen quickly.

On 9/19/2020 at 5:00 PM, grapau27 said:

Until a vaccine is available the possible consequences of cruising do not look 

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.  I can't even imagine getting back on a ship until there is a vaccine. 

I miss traveling, and I miss all the planning.  What I have realized, though, I miss our land trips more than cruising.  We will eventually get back to both.  Gotta stay optimistic. 

I did a L&S a week ago and received the invoice while I was still on the phone with the cust svc rep.  That invoice had the current pricing for the new booking, and the rep told me I will get a revised invoice within 3 days to reflect the price guarantee. I received the updated invoice the following day.  So my L&S experience worked beautifully. 

Absolutely!  And after you are re-invoice for the new price, that will be protected if you decide to do a Lift & Shift.  Phone wait times are now minimal.

Thanks for all the great responses and guidance. This is why  I love CC.  

Ocean Boy.....I just saw your comment about price protection.  That's great.  Thank you for the information.  The two sailings I'm looking at are almost identical, including time frame/itinerary/ship class.

7 minutes ago, bigrednole said:

I am an amateur at this, but L/S allows you to move a currently booked cruise to 1 year out within +/- 30 days. Has to be same ship (maybe similar class) and similar itinerary. If you are not on a holiday sailing currently, you cannot be on a holiday sailing for L/S either. 

 

As for rebooking, I just did this and it became frustrating. It all worked out, but it took calling my TA 4x, getting the right people involved, and correcting issues that should have been done the first time with the CWC in place.

I'm not on a holiday sailing.  And the ships involved are both Oasis-class ships, similar Caribbean itineraries.  So I'm guessing I should be able to move the booking.  I'm assuming I'll be paying the going rate for the 2022 booking, not the current pricing.  Is that correct?  

I haven't been on CC for quite a while, but now I need some guidance.  We have a cruise on Allure booked for this January that I will cancel before final payment in October.  I want to rebook it for the following January on Oasis, also 7-night Caribbean sailing.  Is that just a rebooking at whatever the 2022 cost is for that sailing?  A Lift/Shift?  What's the difference?   Any information is appreciated.

Sovereign was our very first cruise, June 1994, 7-night eastern Caribbean.  Wonderful memories......

We already started traveling more here in the U.S.  Once we started going to the National Parks a few years ago, we were hooked.  We'll keep exploring our beautiful country.  If cruising no longer feels like a viable option for us, we're ok with that.

2 hours ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Read Ourusualbeach Posts as much knowledge as anybody else probably more and also very helpful 

Yes, I agree.  There are other posters on these boards who are very knowledgeable, and I appreciate the information they provide.  My original post was not intended to lessen their contributions, but was just trying to learn what happened to Clarea. He was a very special presence here, and he will be missed.

Oh good for him!  I hope he and his wife enjoy a long and happy life in Florida!  He did a phenomenal job for the Cruise Critic community, always clear and concise with his information, and always kind.  

I was off these boards for a few months, and have been reading them again the past month.  I noticed that Host Clarea hasn't been posting.  Did he give up that position?  Hoping all is well with him.  I hope it's okay that I posted this question.

On 1/24/2020 at 6:44 PM, Baggies58 said:

Thank you both.

 

For anyone who have been  on the Serenade of the Seas, what is your favourite part of the ship, I know people will have different favourites for different reasons, so just curious.

I love all the sea views from so many of the common areas.  The size and layout of the ship is easy to get around. It feels like a cruise ship rather than an indoor mall.

6 minutes ago, Giorgi-one said:

Temperature is never a problem in the MDR.  My wife always brings a wrap.  SPECIAL PEOPLE come up with all kinds of excuses not to follow the dress codes which clearly say no shorts.  Shorts are NEVER appropriate in a nice restaurant like the MDR no matter where you live!

We live in South Florida, and most men, my husband included, almost always wear shorts in restaurants.  The only exception would be a special occasion.  That said, we have seen shorts in the MDR for years, and I've never seen anyone turned away.  

I lived in Maryland for 45 years, and weather is usually cold in February.  But weather is fickle in the mid-Atlantic region, and it can be very changeable.  The key is to pack for a little of both, and think in terms of layers. 

You will have to be ok with whatever cabin you get assigned, and you might not have your preference for dining times.  We did a last minute (about a month out, which is last minute for an over-planner like myself,) and it all worked out great.  Cabin was actually fine, and the maitre 'd worked with us once we were on board the ship to rearrange our dining time.  I say go for it.  Flexibility is key in this situation.

We had a great dinner at Jamie's on Anthem.  Would do it again in a heartbeat.

There are so few opportunities to see the ocean on Oasis-class ships.  For me, it must be an ocean view balcony.  That said if the choice were between a standard inside cabin or the CP balcony cabin, the CP cabin would win out.

Love the Radiance-class!  We've been on all 4 of them many times, and I chose the Serenade for my birthday cruise this winter.   We love the size, it's easy to get around, and we prefer the Centrum, to a Royal Promenade. There are gorgeous ocean views from so many areas. 

13 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

You will also get on board credit for the future cruise.

 

Just know that the best perks come when you book with a non-refundable deposit.  Also, they are not always clear that they are booking your cruise with a non-refundable deposit.

Thanks, I appreciate the fast response.  Have a wonderful holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I haven't done a future booking while on a cruise in several years.  I'm thinking about booking our Alaska cruise for 2021 while we're on the Serenade this winter, Jan/Feb.  Other than a possible reduced deposit (which is not an issue either way,) what additional benefits can we expect?  I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to wait two months to book it or not.  TIA.

Based on information provided in this thread, I booked Hotel Traghetto for one night pre-cruise for next October.   Emailed the hotel for clarification about the shuttle to the cruise terminal, and had a response with full explanation within minutes.  Excellent customer service.