myfuzzy

On 11/29/2020 at 12:24 PM, cellfree said:

Myfuzzy, I hope for more than one cruise for you. For us too! So many of us “cruisers” are not getting any younger but really no one knows what the day after today brings no matter what age we are. If you are able to do so financially I would suggest renewing passports. I for some reason have a level of comfort just knowing I have a Passport.

Thanks for your support.  I have to think about it.  After all, why buy something if you aren't going to use it

3 hours ago, iancal said:

It might be the perfect time.  Perhaps few others are doing at this time.

 

We always have passports that have at least eight months on them.   Six months required for some countries, and we often travel for two months at a time.  In the scheme of travel expenses, passport costs are not worth concerning ourselves about.

We would probably just be going on one cruise, if in fact that goes in Jan 2022,  That's why my question.  Why renew a passport for just one cruise.

Our passports expired spring 2020, and already have had 3 cruises cancelled, the latest one January 2021.  We were also looking at a cruise for November 2021, but right now that one has been listed as "not available".  We have pushed the next cruise to January 2022, but we are getting to that "advanced" age and not sure what our future holds for our health.  Do we go ahead and hope for the best and renew our passports...maybe for just one cruise that really doesn't justify the cost or does anything think cruise lines will insist on having it.  We do have the Enhanced licenses...that are accepted documentation for cruises, but the Custom guy told us one time they hate those.  Or do we just call it a day and reserve the local Best Western

I've got a cruise planned as well, when I got the email for the "free" interior plus the $250.  I wanted to do a B2B with that "free" offer, but when I called and asked about staying in the same cabin I am in previously,  she quoted me a price that was about the same as if I booked that cabin myself, without the "freebies"  And then something about if I cancel, I would lose everything $$.  I said no thanks, if I want to book, I will go the usual route...Even with the one I have booked, I haven't paid anything except the deposit, waiting to hear what the CDC has to say.  I want to keep my money in my pocket, I don't want any FCC at this point.

We were on a now long defunct cruise line, where the captain and passengers co mingled all the time.  At the one cocktail party we were all having a good time and someone asked the captain why he stood with his legs apart.  So he stood up and faced the front of the ship, legs apart...he say's when we stand like this we are O.K.  Then he turns and stands facing the side of the ship with again his legs apart.   he say's when we stand like this ---we fall down

My cruise was cancelled on May 20 for July 24.  IF you read the notice at the top of your reservation, it does give you dates to expect your refunds depending on when your cruise was.  However, reading the hundreds of comments on most people not receiving their refunds in months and months time.  My refund is due "by" June 30.  So lets see how long it really takes.  Am I reading correctly...If you have an FCC to use, you cannot use the money to pay in full towards your new cruise?  So if I am booking a new cruise, at the same or less cost as my FCC, I still have to pay a cash deposit, even though the cost would be covered.  I get it, I can't imagine refunding thousands and thousands of credit to hundreds and hundreds of banks in hundreds of countries.  It will take time, but.......

5 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Anyone else except me think you practically need travel agent training to book rcl 

 

I'm still at NRD, they say is nonrefundable deposit. So why is 30% off, $50 off my cruisefare, senior rate all listed as NRD on my invoice. It's against my cruisefare not deposit. 

 

I really like RCL cruises but the fact there is thread after thread about how can I do this, can I do that .... idk why they made it so the average person has to learn so much. It shouldnt be this hard. Well can I book and do lift and shift all at once, well I did, no, takes 2 days, no 1 day. And so on. 

 

I hope when cruises resume it becomes easier. Maybe if carnival and hopefully rcl starts august 1st, some of these new rules go away.

 

I hope when they open tuesday you get it all sorted out.

You said it!!!!....I asked in another place about having to wait until we receive our FCC from our cancelled cruise, and was told I had to pay for the deposit, not with the FCC.  Our cruise has been paid for since last September, and depending on what we can do, delegates which ship, date, itinerary we can do...not what the cruise line dictates.   Give me my FCC and let ME choose......

I too, don't care if I'm tracked.  I'm on a ship...what can I possibly do. where can I be?  IF I am being tracked and if they find me in the "facilities", I just hope they make sure the TP is full.

yup------ me too. Glad its not just me

5 hours ago, satxdiver said:

I have been burned three times by different TA and have little trust in them.  The perks they offered were not worth the agony I had with them.  

Same here... I stick booking through the cruise line, any questions or changes, me and them, not playing three way phone tag 

Maybe contact NOAA.gov?  For predictability on the weather, also have you ruled out mechanical or other kinds of delays that can hit any aircraft at anytime...Flying around Christmas is crazy at most, but depending on no interruptions....I wish you the best...

When I first booked our cruise, I wanted badly to book a day pass at the Rui in Aruba, I emailed first wanting details of the property day pass.  I waited a while for a response,I think, maybe, English is not their first language,  Upon further looking, I found that I would be cheaper just taking the bus to Palm Beach, finding beach chairs and having lunch.  Some of the reviews were not so great.  I found the emails.  My question was presented on Jan 13 this year, they responded on the 23rd, then nothing.  I guess they don't need the business.

23 minutes ago, esm54687 said:

Over the years, despite warnings from businesses and banks .... probably 10,000s have shot themselves in the foot.  Gas stations used to hold $75 on your debit card even if you only spent $10..... Restaurants hold approx 25% above your bill to account for tip (EVEN if you left the tip in cash)...... using a debit card to secure a purchase is just too risky (not to mention if the business accidently puts a decimal point in the wrong spot.... 100.00 instead of 10.00) 

Oh wait, that was me, back in the day when I first started cruising...either paying cash or debit card.  Didn't have credit cards back then.  Luckily  I learned the hard way.  I had booked the NCL Norway, had it booked and paid on my "new " credit card, when it had it's unfortunate accident.  Almost immediately the paid monies were returned to my card.  If cash, it would have taken a couple of weeks, we were able right away to book a different cruise, because we had already booked our air.  We also stayed at a prominent hotel in Ft Lauderdale near the cruise port, I always use my American Express to secure my reservations.  This dimwit desk agent screwed up the hold and put ours plus my sons reservation hold in it...$1500... OH there's nothing we can do she said.  Luckily it was on my AE and my other accounts were free and clear.  Along with we were in Hurricane Sandy in NYC.  We ended up jumping from hotel to hotel until the ship was able to dock in Manhattan.  Again, luckily the AE came in handy for all those hotel holds.  Funny though, my DIL did mention one time she had a hold issue getting gas, maybe that's why I always use my CC and pay that off at the end of the month.

I wonder how many people have used a debit card on their cruise, only to return home and run to the store to get bread, eggs and milk --only to be declined at the register--BUT they have Plenty of money in their account...embarrassing for sure.

Cardinal rule of travel is NEVER use a debit card for check in for cruises or hotels.   OK, I get it, there are those out there who swear on using one.  Depending on the hold, your bank, your account could be unavailable for up to 10 days or more after you get home.  Rules must have changed since I first started cruising, it was either a card or cash or you didn't spend.  I haven't heard of a "cashless" account, and paying up at the end.  I learn something new everyday.

8 minutes ago, poncho1973 said:

First, you are on the wrong side of the caring continuum.

Second, that wasn't the question at all.  Some of us don't want to be around kids no matter how wonderful their parents imagine them to be.

👍

2 hours ago, karena1 said:

I could care less if kids are around, we love watching them play.  Only time it is irritating is if a kid is constantly crying or screaming. Otherwise, we are good.  We never sit in the Solarium unless it is pouring as we like being out around people.

I don't think that's the topic here.  Kids are kids where ever...I believe this conversation pertains to a separate "adult" area on the beach for those who prefer not having to watch or listen to Johnny or Mary play.  Some people don't have, want or have adult children or just want some me time without noise, or just to be.....adults....  Not everyone wants to be with kids all the time....even some parents.

I would LOVE anywhere --adults only--child free, be able to dress or undress freely without having to remain "modest", speak freely without having to watch out for any "F" bombs that may escape (I really don"t use that word), drink alcohol freely (but not drink myself silly).  However, business' don't want to "offend" any guest, so they will opt to please the majority.  But also remember that any activity that may be "adult" oriented...some parents insist that their little snowflakes are always welcome.

3 minutes ago, richsea said:

Nothing for us yet. In fact, after a few days of getting sn error message when checking our itinerery, as of today, it’s back as originally listed, with Antigua. Our sailing isn’t untill Halloween, so a lot can change.

I'm sailing with you on the Repo, but was wondering what our options were, didn't care much for Antigua anyway, lots of other options.  Was wondering if anyone affected on earlier sailings than us got updated information.  I had no trouble on my personalizer, still showing Antigua as well.  

Has anyone gotten any information on replacement ports

28 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

usually that is  a preferred time  but you can probably embark earlier

depends on the port & cruiseline how strict they are

In all my years of cruising, I arrive at the terminal, go to the assigned line(s), check in, and either wait in the allocated lounge until boarding opens or board.  I have never had my boarding time asked for or questioned

There was a question like this before.  I am not seeing the port you are sailing from, but that aside, do you realize that from the time you "land" , hopefully on time, disembark the plane, get through the terminal, wait for your bags, get your car...you are looking at a good hour before you get on the road, then what about traffic getting into the port.  You may think you have four hours to play with, but I would think more like one.  I wouldn't want to be "sightseeing" then running for my ship.  Why can't you just embark the ship and enjoy the day and yourselves

IF I am reading this right...the OP has a refund coming from Princess.  They originally paid in Canadian funds, that were converted to US dollars on the ship at ?? % exchange rate on such and such a day.  So, being that the exchange rates fluctuates often US and Canadian dollars are usually never at "Par".  So if you bought US dollars with Canadian, you would never get the same rate when you convert the US dollars BACK to Canadian.  When my customers wanted to pay with Canadian, I had to use the conversion button, then use a rounded up dollar for them to pay, then give them US change back.  So with Princess being a US company, I don't know how they could issue a Canadian check to the OP.  They would have to issue the check amount in US dollars and the OP would have to take it to their bank and let the bank do the conversion there.  Of course the bank doesn't give the best exchange, but that is what happens when you change currencies, no matter what you are changing to what.  

7 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

And, OTOH, it may be the best price.

 

Waiting for other airlines is a question of risk tolerance.  Are you willing to risk that ALL prices will be higher by the time your waiting is over, all for the possibility of a lower price?  Are you willing to risk that the price may be hundreds higher, all for the chance of a "savings" that is a fraction of the downside (higher price) risk?

 

My risk, my gain.  

I am looking to book fights for the middle of November, but have to wait as a couple of airlines haven't opened those dates for reservations as of yet.  Jet blue is anywhere from February to April, so I have to keep checking.  Yeah, it's a bummer got cruise and hotels booked, just have to wait for airfare to open.  AND as tempting as it is to book early, that may not be the best price.  IF you find a price you can live with, then book it and relax and wait for your vacation to start.....