Nemomof3

We really wanted a certain excursion in St Marten last November but it was sold out online. We went straight to the excursion desk on boarding day, no luck. We were put on a waiting list but never got the excursion we wanted. I figured since the ship was sailing at less than half capacity we would be ok but it didn't work that way for us.

We went to an hour while on a ship about Alaska. Almost half of the people there said they had already been and were going back to do the cruisetour. Every one of them said if they had it to do again they would have done the cruisetour the first time. So that is what we are doing in May.

20 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Now that everyone must wear mask in casino how about people that drink?

 

We are casino prime members and always sip our cocktails while playing slots for a couple hours each night.  

 

 

The wording in the policy says "actively drinking or smoking" how they enforce that will be interesting. Will they make people pull it back up if too long in between drinks? It's hard to tell I doubt it but maybe if people use it as a way to not wear masks? I saw a few on Symphony last month think they could walk the promenade with a drink in their hand and not wear a mask. They were told you must be sitting to eat or drink but that would be fine for those in the casino. That was also when masks weren't required in vaccinated only areas. How they enforce or not will be the thing.

Last week on Symphony shows in the theater main floor was vaccinated only and you could take your mask off, balcony was open to anyone and they announced you had to leave seats in between families and keep masks on. The ice show early was for anyone they had vaccinated and family sections. Family was every other row and leave seats between families. Vaccinated could sit side by side but all had to leave masks on some took them off and they were told to put them back on. 

11 minutes ago, luvmaine said:

I paid in July because I did not know about the extension and if I canceled before September 15, I could have received a refund rather than FCC.

Thank you for all your remarks. I guess I will have to continue to pursue the "notification date".

The notification was done after July. So you did have to make final payment. They did not notify anyone before September. We are cruising in November and had to make our final payment in August then a month later they extended to 30 days. That extension didn't help anyone booked in October, November, or the first half of December because everyone was past final payment date. It only helped those who sail date was the last two weeks of December or those making new bookings. Those already booked and paid were not helped by the extension.

Anything over 4 you have to call and get pricing.

On 9/24/2021 at 2:27 PM, livingonthebeach said:

 

While there have been a few on commercial / container ships, I've never heard of cruise line fires being caused by SPDs.  Correct me if I am wrong. 

This couple were friends of a friend from Nebraska .While several things could have/should have saved them it was their power strip that started the fire. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3769250/Nebraska-couple-died-Amazon-cruise-inferno-alarms-failed-confused-crew-took-20-minutes-pull-burning-cabin-ship-continued-voyage.html

We are on the November 27th Symphony and I was hoping that meant we didn't have to come back so soon but I just looked and ours is gone too! Now I'm hoping for the glitch!

ETA: It is still showing on my app so I think it is a glitch.

We also enjoyed Bodden tours.

CocoCay Beach club varies a TON! I have Symphony in Nov and the last price I saw was $169.99. We will be on Freedom the week between Christmas and New Year (normally very high priced) Beach Club was $46.99....Guess which trip we are trying the beach club? I asked and someone else commented they wouldn't pay more than $80 for it. That is obviously their opinion and it wasn't open early last year when we were there so I have no personal experience.

4 hours ago, stephiek814 said:

I'm in the same boat.....errr ship.....myself. Haha We are booked on the 11/27 sailing. Really dont want to get my hopes up but after the year we have all had, it's hard not to be excited about something. 

We are on the same sailing. I hope we are able to finally go!

Would LOVE if this is true! We have Symphony booked Nov 27,2021 and Freedom Dec 27, 2021.

No masks, no social distancing, no vaccine, not everyone listened to the "washy washy" people. I wouldn't watch Titanic though.

17 minutes ago, Empehi said:

Has anybody ever considered that RCC is only booking many of these cruises to a 50% capacity?

If they go much over this level and the CDC restricts capacity then some bookings will have to be transferred or canceled (this would really be a mess and a PR nightmare). Therefore, I can see where the fares are rising in many of sailings so the early cruises are turning a profit.

Yes that and tons of people have credits to use so everyone is booking with that taking up and available cabins. Between low supply and big demand to use credits prices go up.

The CDC had 80% of countries at level 4 including Mexico. Thousand fly there every day there is no forbidden to fly. As of now there is no US requirement to quarantine when returning. They do require another negative covid test. I have not left the country so I have no idea how that works but have many friends who have visited other countries and all report many hotels and resorts are offering the test before you return.

Mexico is a level 4 and has been for a while. Thousands of Americans have been and will continue to travel to Mexico every day. It says 80% of countries are level 4 high risk yet No travel bans. They wouldn't care if 100% of people were vaccinated they would still recommend against travel due to variants and you can still catch covid after you are vaccinated.

In the past our credit showed up a month or so (possibly a couple months if I remember right) before the cruise and we were able to use it online. 

6 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

$46 is the best price I have seen for beach club.  I wouldnt pay more than $60 or $70 pp.  Nice quiet, relaxing area and includes a nice lunch with lobster, etc.   

There are so many nice free areas to hang for the day and great free food too.  Snack bar is a good one.  

I like the jet ski rentals too, usually get sale for $65 pp

I was surprised last week it dropped. We had it booked last December at $57 and I thought that was a good price. That one was at $89 most of the time before the drop. I can't believe anyone would pay the $169!  The beach club was not quite open when we were there Jan 2020 and there are plenty of free seats around the island too.

Beach Club is Beach club only. The price varies a ton from cruise to cruise. We have a Symphony 11/2021 and it's $169 we have a Freedom cruise 12/2021 and it's $46 so watch the prices.

17 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Which way will this go?  Will the additional loss of income for so many businesses in the U.S. create an uproar to get the CDC’s attention and force them to make a move?  Or will Royal be so busy staffing and operating ships in other countries that they will be content to wait until September for cruising out of U.S. ports?  I don’t have a warm fuzzy feeling for cruisers unable or unwilling to fly to another country to cruise.

I agree! I hope it pushes the US to open and shows cruising can be done safely but I'm afraid it could mean longer until it does and possibly more income loss for Americans.

Emails just went out too! It's getting interesting for sure! 

We have sailed Liberty twice. Once early October the other mid Feb. October we missed Grand Cayman and Cozumel was a zoo due to a big storm that sent all the ship West instead of East. February we had no issues the day we got back it was fine getting off but by 10am fog had set in. We had no issues at IAH but people flying out of Hobby had delayed flights even into evening.

6 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

So this exciting news doesn't have anything to do with a restart, but just announcing Long Beach as a home port?

 

 

From what is being said the "Big announcement" has been postponed but the new homeport may still be revealed.

Navigator to Nassau or Cozumel.

We have always done nonrefundable but the most recent one we booked we paid an extra $121 for refundable. Our cruise is after cwc ends.