From disappointment back to excitement!

[island lady]

17 hours ago, karena1 said:

Why be so negative?? The cruises are going to come back.  I have 18 booked, just booked 2 more yesterday.  Not worried in the least - but I am a positive person and always look at the glass 1/2 full!!  Cannot wait to get on another cruise ship and resume our cruising life!!

 

Agree...I have 28 in the hopper...and just gambled on booking the Harmony 5/31 cruise leaving in two months.  It is what it is, lets get back to cruising life!!  🙂 

[SarahD112]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

I didn't find the pricing to be all that low...but booked anyway.  Hoping we can finally get back to cruising life!  And hoping to "sea" you on board.  🙂 

Yikes - I looked today and saw the price for the cabin we booked has gone up over $700. I bet that happened after they cancelled another 30 days - maybe there was a rush to try and rebook?

[island lady]

8 minutes ago, SarahD112 said:

Yikes - I looked today and saw the price for the cabin we booked has gone up over $700. I bet that happened after they cancelled another 30 days - maybe there was a rush to try and rebook?

 

I booked Harmony 5/31 on the 25th, which is I think the day they extended the other 30 days...coincidence for me.  My (probably due to be cancelled) 6/11 Grandeur NE/Canada cruise cabin has gone up over a grand since I booked.  And they are still taking reservations for that doomed cruise!  😮 

[3eaglesfam]

Watching Symphony Oct 31.  I have never cruised that TIme of year.  Waiting to book until closer this time

[Biker19]

44 minutes ago, island lady said:

My (probably due to be cancelled) 6/11 Grandeur NE/Canada cruise cabin has gone up over a grand since I booked. 

To be fair, though, the rest of the categories are pretty cheap, like insides for $50pppd, even the WS suite GTY is only a bit over $100pppd.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, SarahD112 said:

Yikes - I looked today and saw the price for the cabin we booked has gone up over $700. I bet that happened after they cancelled another 30 days - maybe there was a rush to try and rebook?

I suspect people needing to use their FCCs before they expire will drive demand high enough to support higher pricing for awhile. I wonder how long that pricing is going to be sustainable. RCI was smart to offer FCCs at 125% to entice prople to take that over a cash refund.  If everyone took cash I think pricing would be way down to try to bring demand for a product that is presently quite tarnished outside of cruise fanatic circles.

[cruiselvr04]

I took my money back.  Too many uncertainties even though I have 4 booked thru the end of 2021 and am considering a late summer booking.   Plus the FCC was too cumbersome.  If they had given it back to us equally I would have done FCC. 

 

Im still excited for my October cruise. Fingers crossed.

[JAMESCC]

7 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I suspect people needing to use their FCCs before they expire will drive demand high enough to support higher pricing for awhile. I wonder how long that pricing is going to be sustainable. RCI was smart to offer FCCs at 125% to entice prople to take that over a cash refund.  If everyone took cash I think pricing would be way down to try to bring demand for a product that is presently quite tarnished outside of cruise fanatic circles.

That is why I jumped on Sept 6th the minute I heard our May 10 cruise was cancelled. I was worried everyone would try to move to other cruises and lock us out and driving up prices at the same time.

 

By the way our cabin number in a central park balcony is IJ-12597. What does the IJ mean if anything and any thoughts on this cabin or location? Are all central park balconies pretty much the same? I kinda like the location based on what I see on the deck plans but I have never sailed Oasis so maybe you guys have some insight? Also in the plans in this room there is a little triangle, that means sofa bed correct?

Edited March 28, 2020 by JAMESCC

[Ocean Boy]

19 minutes ago, JAMESCC said:

That is why I jumped on Sept 6th the minute I heard our May 10 cruise was cancelled. I was worried everyone would try to move to other cruises and lock us out and driving up prices at the same time.

 

By the way our cabin number in a central park balcony is IJ-12597. What does the IJ mean if anything and any thoughts on this cabin or location? Are all central park balconies pretty much the same? I kinda like the location based on what I see on the deck plans but I have never sailed Oasis so maybe you guys have some insight? Also in the plans in this room there is a little triangle, that means sofa bed correct?

Though I have not stayed in a Central Park Balcony I think that looks like a fine location. I don't really know what the 1J signifies. The triangle does mean it has a sofa bed. Also the bed in the cabin will be near the bathroom not the balcony if that make any difference to you.

 

Congrats on your first Oasis sailing. It is an amazing ship!

[JAMESCC]

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Though I have not stayed in a Central Park Balcony I think that looks like a fine location. I don't really know what the 1J signifies. The triangle does mean it has a sofa bed. Also the bed in the cabin will be near the bathroom not the balcony if that make any difference to you.

 

Congrats on your first Oasis sailing. It is an amazing ship!

Well that is good news, I like the bed near the bathroom and the sofa by the balcony door. There are some mixed reviews about getting a Central Park balcony but its unique to Oasis class ships and we wanted to try it. An ocean view was only a tiny bit more which surprised me but we want to try one of these. 

[Ocean Boy]

20 minutes ago, JAMESCC said:

Well that is good news, I like the bed near the bathroom and the sofa by the balcony door. There are some mixed reviews about getting a Central Park balcony but its unique to Oasis class ships and we wanted to try it. An ocean view was only a tiny bit more which surprised me but we want to try one of these. 

Central Park is really nice. It is especially nice in the evening. You can always get an ocean view balcony in the future. This will be unique. I was considering it for my next Oasis cruise but an ocean view was only minimally more so I went with that instead.

[JAMESCC]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

Central Park is really nice. It is especially nice in the evening. You can always get an ocean view balcony in the future. This will be unique. I was considering it for my next Oasis cruise but an ocean view was only minimally more so I went with that instead.

Exactly, I want to say it was less than 100 bucks more. I went back and forth but we just wanted to try the uniqueness of this room. Thanks for all the insight.

[mitsugirly]

21 hours ago, Boatsie said:

 

I think that’s the way it is supposed to work...i’ve done that (using an FCC towards purchase of my present cancelled cruise) and still waiting on reissue of that FCC with an extended expiration date.  I have $2200 in FCC hanging in limbo at the moment—people considering taking them up on the FCCs they’re offering shouldn’t assume they are as good as the cash amount shown on the certificate.

 I’ve heard there is currently some confusion at RCCL of handling these FCCs to book new cruises (depending on who at RCCL you call), they’re making you put a cash deposit down on new cruise before applying the 125% FCC, even though they rolled your original cash deposit into the 125% FCC.  It’s screwed up and confusing for those wanting new trips.  However, I don’t think it’s an issue if you use your FCC to pay off a future cruise you’ve already got booked.

Add to that the issue that they’re supposed to refund the cash value of taxes & port fees from the cancelled cruise to your credit card fairly quickly (before calculating the 125% FCC)....i’m still waiting to see that come back to my card too.

As they continue to slowly drag this thing out and cancel cruises bit-by-bit, and more cruises are cancelled, the FCC situation will get more & more complicated as they issue, reissue & re-reissue these things.  FCCs might be a good idea for people applying them to an already-booked cruise with a time horizon in mid-to-late 2021, otherwise, it’s like playing a game of whack-a-mole picking cruises that may or may not be sailing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh that's crazy that they are making people put down a cash deposit when you have the 125% certificate. If I took the cert, it would pay for the cruise I was looking at booking and I would have more left over. No way do I want to put out more cash when I have cash I already put out to book in the first place. I may have to rethink taking the 125%. :(

 

I had to LOL at the whack-a-mole comment. Spot on. haha

[SarahD112]

33 minutes ago, mitsugirly said:

 

 

Oh that's crazy that they are making people put down a cash deposit when you have the 125% certificate. If I took the cert, it would pay for the cruise I was looking at booking and I would have more left over. No way do I want to put out more cash when I have cash I already put out to book in the first place. I may have to rethink taking the 125%. 😞

 

I had to LOL at the whack-a-mole comment. Spot on. haha

Does this help? 
 

 

[smartpeach]

It wouldn’t be safe to cruise until a vaccine becomes available. And a vaccine won’t be available for another 12 to 18 months. Already, cases are coming back to Hong Kong and China if they are not completely vigilant. 

 

Governor Cuomo thinks this will be a series of waves. 
 

Unless you want to be in the same boat as Diamond and Grand Princess, don’t book a cruise until a vaccine becomes available. 

[JAMESCC]

9 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

 

 

Oh that's crazy that they are making people put down a cash deposit when you have the 125% certificate. If I took the cert, it would pay for the cruise I was looking at booking and I would have more left over. No way do I want to put out more cash when I have cash I already put out to book in the first place. I may have to rethink taking the 125%. 😞

 

I had to LOL at the whack-a-mole comment. Spot on. haha

Get a good TA because I haven't even officially been issued my 125% FCC and I'm re-booked on Oasis for Sept. with not a penny out of my pocket. In fact in the email my TA sent me he said disregard the deposit due date. This guy handled everything. All I did was shoot him an email, Oasis, this date, this cabin and 10 minutes later I was booked and was looking at an invoice. I will NEVER book on my own not that I did that much anyway. Two times I think, one Royal and one NCL but will never, ever even think of it. 

[PhillyFan33579]

On 3/26/2020 at 10:23 PM, Hobby3333 said:

Just read where Carnival CEO gave the impression that Carnival will not sail for rest of the year

Could you please post a link to what you read?

Edited March 28, 2020 by PhillyFan33579

[Biker19]

CEO Fain seems to be optimistic:

 

 

Edited March 28, 2020 by Biker19

[sellwingri]

On 3/26/2020 at 9:23 PM, Hobby3333 said:

Just read where Carnival CEO gave the impression that Carnival will not sail for rest of the year

The cruise industry was not part of the stimulus package and will cruise as soon as they can safely sail.  They can’t afford to just stop cruising until 2021.  They’ll all go bankrupt.

 

Edited March 28, 2020 by sellwingri

[JAMESCC]

16 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

CEO Fain seems to be optimistic:

 

 

Thank you for posting that. I am more optimistic. I never thought April was realistic but mid May/early June is where I think things will slowly start up again. 

Are these videos on the Royal Caribbean You Tube channel or RCI website?

[johnjen]

This whole experience has our June cruise out of Amsterdam hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles. We don't know if it will cancel - which is why we've held off on air fare purchase. Best wishes on your Sept cruise.

[Biker19]

4 minutes ago, JAMESCC said:

 

Are these videos on the Royal Caribbean You Tube channel or RCI website?

This is on YouTube. 

[jazzmanfive]

22 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Agree...I have 28 in the hopper...and just gambled on booking the Harmony 5/31 cruise leaving in two months.  It is what it is, lets get back to cruising life!!  🙂 

Well i love your optimism, but you do know that you live in the USA and this virus has a long way to go. No vaccine or cure.

I would be surprised if any cruise will be sailing before September and if at all this year.

Would you be prepared to sail in Europe in May or June?(5-9 weeks time) or anywhere for that matter with up to 5000 people aboard in close proximity.This is not a drill, this virus is a killer and should be treated with the utmost respect.

We all want to cruise again BUT only when it is completely safe to do so, that should not be decided by the cruise lines or Donald Trump but by the world health organisation.If you have not experienced any disruption due to Covid 19 in your area then you are lucky but don't be fooled this a serious disease and the patience you show now by not congregating in large groups will save lives.

Lets hope by isolating ourselves during this period will buy us enough time to overcome this virus and get back to some sort of normality.

Stay safe.

Jazz

[island lady]

37 minutes ago, jazzmanfive said:

Well i love your optimism, but you do know that you live in the USA and this virus has a long way to go. No vaccine or cure.

I would be surprised if any cruise will be sailing before September and if at all this year.

Would you be prepared to sail in Europe in May or June?(5-9 weeks time) or anywhere for that matter with up to 5000 people aboard in close proximity.This is not a drill, this virus is a killer and should be treated with the utmost respect.

We all want to cruise again BUT only when it is completely safe to do so, that should not be decided by the cruise lines or Donald Trump but by the world health organisation.If you have not experienced any disruption due to Covid 19 in your area then you are lucky but don't be fooled this a serious disease and the patience you show now by not congregating in large groups will save lives.

Lets hope by isolating ourselves during this period will buy us enough time to overcome this virus and get back to some sort of normality.

Stay safe.

Jazz

 

Thank you for your kind concern, and yes...I am aware of the facts, thank you. Yes, I know how serious this virus is, my sister is a doctor.  She is a specialist with her own clinic and on staff at two hospitals.  Her specialty?  She is an ID doctor..yes doctor of infectious diseases.  I will adhere to her suggestions.  I am still going to hope for the best.  It's all any of us can do.  

Did you know that more people have contracted the common flu more often than Covid-19, and more people die from it?  

Edited March 28, 2020 by island lady

[JAMESCC]

14 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Thank you for your kind concern, and yes...I am aware of the facts, thank you. Yes, I know how serious this virus is, my sister is a doctor.  She is a specialist with her own clinic and on staff at two hospitals.  Her specialty?  She is an ID doctor..yes doctor of infectious diseases.  I will adhere to her suggestions.  I am still going to hope for the best.  It's all any of us can do.  

Did you know that more people have contracted the common flu more often than Covid-19, and more people die from it?  

The two have no correlation at all! Next you are going to say 35,000 people in car accidents in the US should we stop driving. One has nothing to do with the other, absolutely nothing. Do you know how easily this is spread? The rate of spread is 3 to 4 times highers than the dam flu. This is NOT the flu.