MichaelJess

We did the binaxNOW proctored test. Customer service was great. We did them one at a time so that the other person was available to help with problems. We did have minor problems because we know nothing about computers, tablets, phones and video. We found our phones to work best. We couldn't get the video working on the laptop. The proctor people were easy to access.  They walked us through everything.  They made adjustments when sound was one way only.  We got through the test and had the option to print,  which we did, or just use the app. Don't let it scare you.  We had a lot of anxiety about "test day" but it was much easier then we expected!

Just off the "Southern" eight night.  Our cruise seemed pretty full but we heard different percentages so I'm really not sure how full.  The cruise felt packed to me!

Shows: we saw the juggling,  the piano,  one with country,  and one with rock. All were so much better than the cruise line we were with a few weeks earlier.  The smaller music venues were good also. 

We had two formal nights.  We saw the full range of clothing on these nights. The other nights included everything from shorts and tees to casual resort.  

VIFP perks are only minimally recognized.  Port Canaveral maybe didn't have priority line.  I say maybe because even the employees didn't know either.  Go pick up your own water,  gift.  The party still happened but much shorter and no appetizers.  Drinks were still there.  We kept forgetting to order our strawberries.  No problems with laundry! No slot tournament but if you know to ask,  they give you a credit for the tables maybe.  

Shows and food were excellent. Our room steward was great.   Dining service was horrible.  We had anytime seating.  Most nights we were seated for 10-15 minutes before anyone provided water or bread.  Overall, this cruise felt wrong but nothing we could pinpoint. We are both platinum with cruises on several other lines.  We have FCC and OBC for a cruise canceled next February and just can't get excited about rebooking. We're thinking a short cruise to use our money but not waste too much time?? Kinda bad attitude!

What was the dress code like at dinner?  We're thinking a couple of small carry-ons for eight-night and not bother with dressy clothes.  We were just on MSC and we were almost the only ones who dressed for dinner.  

On 11/25/2021 at 6:43 PM, Loopdan said:

Maybe a stupid question, but why are so many people buying these at home test kits (and often buying multiples per person due to quality control issues) when rapid tests are available at many pharmacies and cost nothing with your insurance?

 

Is this a regional thing where some pharmacies don't have these available or it's difficult to get an appointment?

I have pretty good federal insurance but it only covers testing if I have symptoms. I also talked to Walgreens in my hometown and they didn't have any quick testing.  It might be three or more days for results.  I did test once with my health department because I had volunteered at an event with 1,000 visitors and then lost all taste.  This results were three days getting back.  Our options are urgent care or doctors office,  or go to another town to drugstore.  All options will cost us.  Home test day after tomorrow. 

I did forget about the 5/15. I did get my status match immediately after booking and was able to get a portion refunded for the extra 15%. The weeks of hassle trying to get my husband's gold status level wasn't worth it!

For all those stressing out trying to get a match... it really means very little! We finally got both of us to gold with MSC just hours before our cruise from our platinum on carnival. There was no advantage for us.  Our cruise only had 410 guests so there were no lines anywhere anyway.  We had a note in our cabin about some advantages being unavailable.  I think we were allowed a free picture but we never took one. Oh, we did get an hour "THERMAL SPA." We checked in,  opened doors,  and said that this wasn't for us! I'm sorry I stressed out so much about this before our cruise.  The actual cruise was so much better than our Carnival cruises.  

Just got off yesterday.  Yes there is a clothesline but the glass shower is so small that the clothesline would only hold one fitness outfit at a time.  I'd think, at absolute most, three feet. We bring suction cup hooks with us.  They can be used on walls and glass within the bathroom area.  

My thinking,  based on what I read,  is that we can change to a later cruise if done by 48 hours before.  I'm assuming this means 48 hours before sail time.  We sail Sunday 31st at 6 pm. We are testing tomorrow (friday) morning, the earliest we are allowed to test.  I think we have until 6 pm tomorrow evening if we need to reschedule our cruise if we test positive. I really don't want to check my interpretation of the website! I think these expectations are way too tight. We both feel great and have been fully vaccinated for months but everything depends on testing in the morning!

I think I would put the TA on it since this is what they do. They may have contacts.  You can also call the number at the website. I did that for a different reason but the MSC person noticed that my status had been matched to Gold so they gave me a rebate for my over payment and gave me my $50 OBC. I really don't know how I would have received the rebate (return to CC or OBC) because I had them use it toward the purchase of a drink package. 

Thank you anyway.  We were driving today and I couldn't respond.

I think I was "existing." We cruised MSC maybe in 2008. We sailed from somewhere in Florida and did an 11-night Caribbean. They must have still had record of me because I applied for my Voyager's number and status match and they knew information that I had not given. They listed points from previous cruise. I did not get my status match until I booked a new cruise leaving later this month. Husband still doesn't have his status match.  We sail in 21 days!

I'll follow. Please let me know if either of the other two fall through. I'm still hoping that rules change soon.  We've got MSC in October and tests are required. We then have Carnival in December and they just announced they plan to continue as is no matter what the CDC changes.  

I think the whole thing is a matter of luck! I booked a cruise for husband and me in my name. Within five minutes I had a status match and everything was fine for me. Husband never got a status match. I thought maybe the problem was that in the Voyager's club his number is listed with his three names but the cruise is booked without his middle name. I called trying to fix that but we ended up with several different names and then finally, we were disconnected from our cruise and our purchased drink package disappeared with our cruise. It took a couple of days to reconnect us with our cruise number and with correct names. He still doesn't have a status match. Thankfully, our drinks caught back up to us in one place. I printed my confirmation of purchase before it disappeared. Now the site says I haven't purchased anything except the cruise. Husband's been sending a new status match request each day. We've got 22 days but aren't holding much hope. We did have Voyagers numbers somehow. We haven't cruised with MSC since maybe 2008?? We're shopping around for a new line and this seemed to be a great solution to maintain our Carnival Platinum status but with a different line. 

Five minutes after booking a cruise for later this month,  i received a carnival platinum match to MSC gold. Maybe the trick is to book.  I'll be calling tomorrow.  I booked the cruise for my husband and me in my name. I'm gold now but he's sitting at classic, I think! Since he's just a person in my cabin I haven't been able to connect his voyagers number to his reservation. 30 days to fix his Voyagers level.

We are booked, new,  for January 24, 2021. I'd happily go out earlier as part of a volunteer cruise.  I don't expect ports or ask the usual while on a volunteer cruise.  I'd happily do it just to help Carnival meet the requirements to open a ship for the next step,  paid cruises.  We are both platinum with Carnival and have been on Norwegian,  Holland America, and MSC. We recently traveled across the country on a two month vacation without fear and have contracted nothing. Red Cross blood donations show no antibodies.  We did ask to be considered as volunteers with Carnival. All we have heard is that Carnival employees will be considered first.  So,  to answer the original question,  I would be happy to volunteer! 

12 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Refund goes to whoever paid.  Most agents pass the payment info to NCL and NCL would charge your card directly.  If your agent paid for you, they will get the refund.  Look at your cc statement and see who is listed as the payee.

I've been in contact with our agent. She knows we'll use her for our next booking. None of our money went to her. We received 100% back from norwegian. I don't know if she had already received a cut from norwegian. 

Our refund appeared on our credit card today. Our cruise was scheduled for March 14th, canceled on the 13th. We were standing in Florida and ready to go. I filed for a refund on the 23rd. I'm still sad we didn't go! Now's when I start looking for my next adventure. 

Please show me the spreadsheet again. I was unable to add my info in earlier (due to my situation). I'll add in tomorrow and list when I actually see refund on credit card

Just received an email from norwegian saying that I was being refunded full amount paid in the next few days. We were supposed to be on our cruise on March 14. We were in Florida, ready to go, on March 13 when They canceled. I completed refund request on the 23rd, first day available. Thank you Norwegian! 

My March 14 cruise was canceled late on the 13th. We were already in place to board. I applied for a refund the first morning I was allowed, March 23rd. No refund yet. I'm still within their 90 days I was told I may have to wait. 

I did get a refund for my shore excursions. I canceled those on March 10th. I was told 1-2 weeks. After three weeks I called and asked again about the refund. I was told to expect 30 business days. This refund did arrive a week or so after I called. 

12 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

I would love to hear from those who got cancelled just a few days before on the Asian cruises leaving Singapore during February.  Have any of those people gotten their money back?  How about the $2000+ in airfare and air changes when they changed from Hong Kong to Singapore at the last minute?

I really hoped that someone in the first group (Asian cruises) might have some good news. I was fortunate in that I only drove to Florida and didn't have airfare.  I hope you can get something back there.  

12 hours ago, erdoran said:

I cancelled UPB, SDP and DSC around March 9 for a June 14 cruise (didn’t cancel cruise, was hedging my bets).  Not a penny back yet although I was told 10 business days.  TA said check with her if no refund after 30 days; now she says it’s 90 days for even THAT refund.

I canceled our shore excursions on March 10th, not because we didn't plan to go but because the others in our group canceled their cruise and I didn't want to do the same old excursions we've done too many times before.  I was told I would have a refund within two weeks.  At three weeks I called the shore excursion desk and was told they were running late and it would be 30 business days.  The good news is that I did receive my full shore excursion refund to my credit card a few days later.  

We also purchased an upgrade on our cabin.  That money was rolled into the cruise cost,  taxes,  and fees.  We've seen nothing of a refund there.  

I understand "hedging my bets." We were in florida and ready.  We packed lots of books,  arranged extended pet care, and carried extra medication.  We were determined to have a great cruise! 

On 4/13/2020 at 8:58 AM, disneykins said:

Don't have an answer for you, but wanted to say we were in the same situation. We were in Florida (just got off Pearl and then Sun) to board Royal Caribbean on the 14th. CC boards said on the 13th that it was cancelled (Royal didn't email until later that night). We got 125% FCC. We haven't seen the FCC yet but they did refund the taxes and port charges to credit card within 10 days.

 

At least NCL is giving 150% for our/your situation.

 

We too found out our cruise was canceled through CC. Norwegian hadn't sent us anything by 5:00pm on the 13th so I called our travel agent.  She also knew nothing.  Talk about last minute.  We were cruising with another line less than a month before.  No problems with anyone sick,  cleanliness of ship,  or closed ports. 

150% means nothing since I requested a refund.  We were going on this cruise with family members but own stock and have great perks with another line.  We'll book with the other corporation when cruises come back.  

The information I want is: who has received a refund and with the following conditions (1) should have cruised about March 14th and (2) did not cancel your cruise but had the cruise canceled by NCL. 

The reason I am asking is because every other similar question seems to be people who say they were refunded when they really mean they got a FCC, or people who received a deposit refund before final payment was due on some later cruise.  I would think that all cruise lines would refund money first to those who THEY canceled beginning with the first ships canceled by cruise lines . With a few exceptions, the very first cruises canceled by the cruise lines were on March 14th. I would also assume that the 90 days from the day that the refund request was made was to cover every exception that could come up. I'd like to say I have faith in the cruise lines but the only reason I see for them to wait so long is so they can find a way to not pay us back. I'd like some hope that maybe someone has received a refund based on my specific question above. 

We DID NOT cancel our cruise. We arrived in Florida on March 13 for our cruise on March 14 only to have our cruise canceled just before boarding. We were told we had to wait until March 23rd to request a refund. We were then told 90 days before we could get our money back. Anyone else in the same boat (haha...)? Have you received a refund? It seems crazy that we stayed with it to the end INCLUDING the expense of travel to the port and the cruise line can't find the money /time to refund us first?!! I know there are others. Let us know when when you receive a refund. Do you think they will try to tell us they mean 90 business days as they did when they said two weeks for shore excursion refunds ( two weeks really means 30 business days)