rmorgan2282

So for those of you who wanted to know,

CruiseCare didn't have National Guard under their "military rule". Unless he was called to active duty, then it will be 75% refund if we have to cancel.

(Or split training if we can swing it!)

Thanks for all of your help!

Don't confuse them. National Guard or reserve, it should be the same with RCI. Tell them it's reserve duty which it is.

 

Also, October is a new training year so the split training for this year is not relevant.

 

BTW, some travel insurance policies are much more friendly for military types. "USAA"

Hmmm! Good info about the new year split training... I'll have to let him know! This is great! It looks like CruiseCare only covers the "active duty" portion of it, so I still need to call and ask about the reserve part of it.

Thank you!

Just a couple of comments. I am also retired Reserve. I was the Executive Officer of my unit when I retired. Although I was USCGR, we would make any accommodation possible to help members out. I suspect in this case your future husband's unit will do what it can in the case of a honeymoon, especially if it's only a typical drill weekend.

As for insurance, there are policies out there that will cover some military obligations. Not sure "drill weekend" will qualify. But my son is a Navy Pilot and we did a New Years Cruise last year. I found a policy that would repay for cancellation of leave for any reason. It would include his wife, and my wife and myself (which surprised me). Anyway, since they were the "ready carrier" when Syria started to erupt, we were glad we had the policy, and even happier when we all went on the cruise.

Last comment. You are right, it's "75% cancel for any reason." But it's "75% of non-refundable portion." So for example if you cancel with over 57 days left you only lose your deposit. You'll get 75% of that back. For 29-56 days out, you lose 50% but you'll get 50% back plus 75% of the 50% non-refundable portion. So if your cruise is $3000. you'll get $1500 back plus 75% of the non-refundable $1500 which is $1125. So your total refund will actually be $2625 and a non-refund of $375. Surely you will know your drill weekend by 30 days out. So you may not really be risking that much.

Totally didn't even realize this! That makes such a huge difference! Worst case scenario, if I had to cancel last minute, I lose $567... That isn't nearly as bad as I thought.

Thanks for this info!

This has been very helpful information!

I called Royal Caribbean, but still need to call CruiseCare themselves and see what we need to do.

Thank you all for such great input!!

My advice would be to look at his drill dates from years previous and see if you see a pattern . My drill dates always fell on the same time every month and that was the very last or first weekend (30th, 1st, 2nd or 2nd, 3rd, 4th) of the month.

 

The other poster is right, they will usually allow you to make up a weekend by coming in during the week and doing menial tasks.

Yeah, the reason we booked is because the last two years, he hasn't had drill in October. I just don't want to count on that again. ;)

RCI has been known, on more than one occasion, to show compassion in situations like this. Just call them and see what they say.....you may be surprised.:)

Thanks! Hopefully. I feel like I haven't got a hold of someone at RCCL that understands the National Guard. ...Not technically "active duty" and not technically "reserve". Hopefully when we get the drill dates, we can just send in the memo and get a full refund.

...That sure would make me more likely to book with RCCL again after I get my money returned...

It will depend upon your husband's unit commander, but it is possible to do a 'make up' drill. I'm NG retired and a former unit commander. You can get an 'excused' absence which would allow your husband to make up the drill. If the unit grant's this excuse, he would make alternative arrangements with the unit where he could perform the duty and would still get credit and get paid. The National Guard is run by the states and this would all depend upon the unit's policy. Strongly suggest your husband contact his unit immediately and see what can be done.

You ROCK, thanks for the input. The other issue is that he is split training for his Annual Training in August (he got a new job... our crazy, crazy life....)

I don't know if he can split train for that much more time than he has already put in for. (But your response is helpful, thank you.)

Well, it doesn't necessarily work that way, since they only refund 75% of it... Not the full amount.

Yeah, it's pretty frustrating. They have the dates for last September through this September (we get married in the last week of September, which is the reason we have the honeymoon planned for the first week of October) and we won't know the next year's dates until they tell us. (Which could be September.... ugh.)

Hi all,

My future husband and I are taking our honeymoon vacation Oct. 5th on the Allure of the Seas.

I have one issue, and that's because he has drill one weekend a month (he is part of the Army National Guard), and we don't know his drill schedule after this September, we have no idea if we have booked on a date where he will be gone.

We paid the final payment but starting TOMORROW, we start losing money if we cancel our trip.

Is this something that Cruise Care covers? Since he is National Guard and not technically "Active Duty" do they still cover us if we have to cancel our trip after tomorrow?

Some advice would be lovely... Thank you...

What is your favorite part about the Oasis class ships?

Anything specific I should know before I go??

Maybe there was, sorry. Just had to throw it out there because my FH asked...

I'm sorry, but I totally laughed out loud at Moneymaker and Monstrosity of the Seas! Y'all aren't kidding! That's really what it is!

Oh! So cool!

Had no idea about those names! I also heard that it isn't just Oasis 3, but there will be an Oasis 4 too!

Very neat! Excited to see Allure!

Let's guess!

What will the 3rd Oasis Class ship be called?

Paradise of the Seas?

Any ideas?