Alibaster McGillicutty

17 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

why wouldnt you all get off together? Oh, I got it.  Because the son booked with you is on your key card.  So he wouldnt match with your wife?  (but the other son would) That makes sense.   I guess you did this arrangement because you didnt want the kids in a room by themselves?

We normally would get off together but I had to run back to the room for something so the kids went ahead with my wife.  But they wouldn't let my son (booked with me) off with my wife because the bookings were 2 separate bookings.  We did it this way because either the site wouldn't let us book the kids in one room by themselves...........or we weren't that smart to figure it out 🙂

Never had an issue but that one time and now we know (and our kids are +21 now.)

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

Parents with kids do this all of the time, just go to guest services after you board and pick up a couple of key cards.

Not sure about NCL and how drink packages impact this but this is what we have done on Carnival many times.

Wife and kid booked in one room.....another kid and I in another.  Then we ask for key cards.  Not an issue for the OP but you the child booked with you CANNOT get off/on ship without the adult they are roomed with though.  Found out from experience that my son (booked with me) could not get off at port with the wife.  Guest services can change that.

Embark (LA) and debark (Miami) on the Joy on our recent cruise was sloooooow.

We had bus transfers to/from airport so that added another line to stand and wait along with customs/border before that.  We rolled with the punches and enjoyed the cruise but we knew those processes were going to be bad.  No issues catching flights because they were late in the evening but we laughed because we wondered what we would do with all our "extra time" in Miami........well, it was used getting off the ship, customs, bus transfer, etc.

We are used to driving to port and doing self-assist in Galveston or New Orleans which have been smooth.

Just off the Joy cruising the Panama Canal and there were very few children (I heard <30 onboard.)  Slides were not used much.  No wait most of the time and even if there was, maybe only a person or three in line.

13 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Realize that that is rare. 

I'm ready if I need to increase my bid.......YUUUP!

Well, if it's any consolation to you, I learned something new. I didn't know the min/max would change thru this process.  Does it surprise me? No, it's what businesses do to maximize profit.

Now I need to go check our bids.....

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Oddly enough I've seen several threads over on the carnival forum complaining about the buffet and over here tree skier said if anything he thinks its improved with lower capacity quality and freshness of food on rcl was better not worse.

 

I got off vista last sat but didnt eat hardly anything from the buffet, but it is slimmer. Never heard of anyone starving on a cruise who couldnt find something to eat. Who would pick a cruise based on some blogger who didnt like the buffet when there is so much other food. Havent been back on rcl to compare post covid, but seems like a odd yardstick to me. If you dont like the buffet eat pizza or at the cafe or deli on carnival. Lots of food choices.

That's the way we look at it.

Haven't been on the Ovation but been on enough Royal and Carnival cruises to know there is good food and bad food between the both of them.........but ALWAYS something I can find that I like on any of their ships we've been on.

31 minutes ago, rj59 said:

I ordered from Optum two days ago, shipped today, scheduled to arrive from CA tomorrow. 

 

They want to give you an FCC for a cancelled cruise, but if you insist that you're canceling because of protocols, they should give you a refund.  I mentioned to my TA that other TAs on cruisecritic had secured refunds and that Carnival issued me refunds for disagreeing with changed protocols, and I would have threatened to go with a different TA going forward if necessary. My refund arrived in my bank account in under 10 days, a nice surprise, and that gave me money to rebook the same cruise two weeks later, since now that I'm comfortable with the proctored home test option and RC's distancing and low passenger capacity, I'm willing to cruise with them and reward them for being willing to refund my cruise. I realized I'll also never have the chance to go on a ship like Ovation at 30% or so capacity--now I just need to hope there's at least a few other people for bumper cars. 

🤣

Solo bumper cars would be "car"

Whether you are hearing the story for the first time or the 100th time, let it serve as a reminder to remain vigilant with this nasty virus.  Protocols by cruise lines are trying to adjust in real-time and are in place to minimize the spread.  They are in place not just for you but everyone around you.  Even those that think they are perfectly healthy and vaccinated.

I've heard "underlying health conditions" oh so much in the last 1.5years and know of a few that had no idea they has such a thing until it was too late.  If you want to know if you have an existing condition....get Covid....it will let you know apparently.

20 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

If Royal can't or won't provide testing at the pier they should allow a third party to do it for a fee.  Great business opportunity for a drugstore or urgent care center to set up a kiosk and charge nosebleed rates for rapid test.  Cash or charge only, no insurance accepted.  The high fee will discourage passengers from using the service as anything other than a last resort.

Are there enough labs or lab personnel to do this?

Royal (or any cruise line or ANY industry) doing this is just fighting for resources.  And about the only way to get yours to the front of the line is....well, $$$.

1 hour ago, tallnthensome said:

So interesting to see protocols tighten when just a few months ago all the anti-vaxxers insisted that the lines couldn’t mandate vaccines. It would be a HIPPA violation and they would be sued immediately . That sure as heck didn’t happen as most of us predicted . Boy, were they wrong. Going to be a long time ….. 

HIPPA doesn't mean much in the Bahamas or Caribbean or any other country.

36 minutes ago, quattrohead said:

People are not necessarily getting sick, just testing positive.

If they tested pax for cancer/the clap/stupidness/alcoholism there would be no cruising.

Correct, testing positive and still able to spread.

Even if it is "100% vaccinated", don't be surprised if masking remains in place or tightens even further.

14 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I know I waited patiently and many others did too. It reminds me of drivers, knowing there is a lane closure ahead, speeding up and forcing their way in line ahead of those who are waiting. It doesn't make them smart, it makes then something else.

How long did it take you to get yours?

1 hour ago, Rob-Bob said:

I had a Celebrity cruise cancelled in June 2020 and received my cash refund in 30 days.  They handled it just fine.  I wonder how they did so much better than CCL with all of the problems faced that are being described on this board.  

 

I really think some cruise lines just wanted to hang on to the money longer.  I also had a cruise cancelled on MSC and it took way longer than the 60 days promised.  

 

Why the difference?

Question for those that had the experience......

What were the wait times for those that received refunds on booked CCL cruises?

We know the OP waited 7 months after being told 90 days.

Others gave their experience on other lines.

Was the CCL board melting down when the chaos began in 2020?  I was not hanging out here because I didn't have a CCL booked so couldn't tell you the vibe.

2 hours ago, fyree39 said:

 

I read the same complaints on the Princess and HAL boards. I also read on non-CCL lines of long delays in getting refunds. I think this was a huge problem for many lines.

 

 

We were booked on a HAL cruise for May 2020 and we got ours back within the 90 days as promised.  I recall some going over that when viewing that board.

What was interesting (I'm sure it was on the CCL board here too) was all the people disputing with their cards and suggesting others do the same prior to the 90 days.  There were some level-heads telling them to be patient.  Lots of anxiety at that time with the cruise industry that they would all go bankrupt and you better get your $ while you can.  A big ol' cash grab and you better get yours before it runs out.

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

I get it.  There are different views.  

Yep.

IMO, 7 months is pushing it.  I'm sure others would see it differently......BUT I am the most reasonable person I know 😁

Thanks to 4hunter and firefly on the explanations.  Those make sense and not unexpected with businesses trying to prevent fraud against them.

Now....for the OP's 7 months for a refund?  I would have been exploring my options too.  There are lots of excuses on why it would take so long but at some point it is just "too long to wait."  Every man has his breaking point.

Had I been in that boat and a cruise line is telling me I owe them, I would explain it was because of their inability to refund in a reasonable time and give them an opportunity to review that situation.  Doubt it would do any good but I would find other options before sending them any more $.

YMMV

Wonder if that applies to CCL or all the lines they own?

36 minutes ago, ray98 said:

I am surprised they did not block you instead of just the card.  I don't think it is worth the aggravation for the business.

They may be.  As 4hunters stated, they were on a "Do not sail" list so it was tagged to them rather than just the card.

26 crew and 1 pax

Maybe the protocols are working but the crew is either not abiding by them or don't have the ability to.  Such as tight living/dining/rec areas?

Vax can still spread it so when conditions are that tight, transmission will be higher.

As far as Carnival "not doing a good job"......go read the other boards.

It seems they all point to the other cruise line as doing better with their protocols.

1 hour ago, salboz said:

I am 81 years old and have been on 60+ cruises all over the world.  I also have  very compromised immune system which is an indication that I shouldn't have the vaccine.  However, cruising is my only joy.  So I have to chose to enjoy what life I have left by taking the vaccine against my doctor's advice, or live a dull boring life.  I am taking my chances and getting the vaccine.

Best of luck to you!

My mom is 81 as well but didn't have a compromised immune system so her choice was much simpler.  The only passing thought was "is it safe?  any long-term effects?"

She laughed and said, "My long-term outlook is different than most"

She wants to enjoy today!  You do the same!

8 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

oh no do not.

they were loose with their rules and are now eating CROW.  Now their passengers are scrambling just like Celebrity had to.

 

I feel all the lines are having a hard time of it.  Just try to smile and be patient.  Otherwise look into some great driving trips around the USA

That's the question I have.....are any of the other lines that much better?

I know the DW and one of her friends had a Dec 2020 cruise with CCL that was cancelled and they got their money back quicker than what we did with HAL.  Not sure of the time it took but seemed reasonable.

4 hours ago, sunbrookgal said:

1. RCL opened up those ships for booking while they were in cold lay-up.  

2. RCL subsequently accepted booking for those ships while still in cold lay-up.

3. RCL decides those sailings will not happen, yet accepted deposits for them. 

 

1. When did RCL know they were getting ahead of themselves? 

2. Who in RCL made those decisions, to open them up and then to close. 

 

For the dissing out there, remember someone accepting cash for a product that does not yet exist is , well, interesting at best. After 16 plus months the excuses I read here do not hold water. RCL has a solid product. I expect better from this corporation. 

I assume you didn't put any deposit down on the new electric Ford Lightning pickup or the newest Tesla prototype?

It's up to the consumer to analyze a product before they put their had earned dollars down.

Serious question, were all cruise lines doing this?

I guess I should thank the OP.  DW and I have a cruise in Oct for her 50th b-day and if it gets cancelled, I better have a backup plan because she expects to PARTY!!

OP, I can understand your frustration on getting hung-up on several times.  I haven't had RC cancel on my yet so I don't know what to expect from them if it happens.  We did have an Alaskan cruise booked in May 2020 on HAL and our story like many others (at least on HAL) was a 60-90 day waiting game.

But we received every penny back.

Airfare from the airline......hotel charges.....shore excursions.....cruise fare/fees.......even the insurance we bought provided a voucher for future travel which we applied to our Oct cruise.  And they sent a refund check for the difference because of the costs difference in the trips.

If being out the $ for 45-60 days is an issue, well.....I can't float you a loan and I doubt anyone else on here will either.  But I ask everyone reading this, are there any stories out there of someone not receiving a refund or credits?

I don't recall any stories like that on the HAL board.....lots of frustration, yes but the $ was refunded or a FCC.

Outside insurance for May 2020 Alaska cruise.  I forget the voucher details but it was extended for travel through at least EOY 2021.

Called them to apply to Oct 2021 Caribbean cruise and they applied it to that.....and just got a refund check yesterday for the difference (Caribbean definitely cheaper than the Alaskan cruise.)

Hope you get a refund (fingers crossed)

52 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

I'm not concerned either, as I'm fully vaccinated too. My concern is the un-vaxxed people, smoking and spreading the virus in the casino to other un-vaxxed people who are smoking. How many un-vaxxed people will be wearing a mask while smoking? I think that would be NONE.

 

THAT is where the problem lies. It is the un-vaxxed who are not protected that concerns me. Once that Covid breakout occurs, then we will see who should have been more concerned than me. I am referring to TPTB at RCG.

Ok.....but Covid and vaccinations had nothing to do with the OP

"i love to play tables but i dont smoke i am very disappointed that they are allowing people to smoke...who can we speak to about this maybe they will change there mind."

Stay on track or this thread ABOUT SMOKING gets shut down too