July 3 Odyssey cancelled

[sandebeach]

Dear Guest,

 

Odyssey of the Seas has truly been on an odyssey. This beautiful new ship has changed home ports and crossed the Atlantic to prepare for its first sailings in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, the odyssey isn’t over yet - eight crew members onboard have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases occurred after the vaccination was administered to all 1,400 Odyssey crew, but before the vaccines were fully effective. The affected crew are doing well - they are quarantined and being cared for onboard.

To protect the remaining crew and prevent further cases, all crew will be quarantined for at least 14 days. As a result, we are cancelling Odyssey’s July 3^rd -July 25^th, 2021 sailings, which includes your cruise.

We’re terribly sorry to cancel your cruise. This decision, while difficult, is the best way to protect the health of our guests and our crew.

Please consider the options detailed below, which include:

1. 125% Future Cruise Credit
2. Lift & Shift to a 2022 cruise
3. Lift & Shift to a 2021 cruise
4. 100 percent refund

Option 1: Automatically receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC)

We’re providing you with a 125% Future Cruise Credit to book a new cruise by April 30, 2022 and sail on or before September 30, 2022.

• This amount is based on your total cruise fare paid. We are offering the additional 25% given the unique circumstances of these cancellations.

• Your certificate can be used on any Royal Caribbean International sailing that departs on or before September 30, 2022, as long as it’s redeemed by April 30, 2022.

• We will issue your FCC via email by July 23, 2021.

• Taxes, fees and any RoyalUp upgrades will be automatically refunded. Current refund processing is around 45 days. We appreciate your patience as we work as quickly as possible. 

• Please note:

• • If you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC), this offer does not apply. 

• • If you previously used an FCC (including previous Global Suspension FCCs), you’ll receive a new FCC including 125% of any new monies paid on this sailing, plus the value of your original credit at 100% of its value. 

• • If you were impacted by a sailing that was previously cancelled due to a global suspension and paid additional monies on a new booking within this extended suspension period, and you opt in for a refund via the process outlined below, it will be for both bookings.

Option 2: Select a 2022 Sail Date (Lift & Shift)

Same time next year? If you prefer to move your existing booking to a sailing in 2022, we’re happy to move your reservation. Just call us and we will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on a 2022, six- to eight-night Caribbean sailing, in the same stateroom category, within two weeks (before or after) of the original sail date the following year.

For example, if you are moving from a July 3, 2021 sailing, you can move to another six- to eight-night Caribbean sailing, in the same stateroom category, that has a sail date between June 19, 2022 and July 17, 2022. Please note: 

• Price protection covers your cruise fare/promotion on an applicable sailing only and excludes taxes and fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. 

• You must decide to Lift & Shift to a new sailing by June 23, 2021. If not, we will automatically issue you a Future Cruise Credit.

• Complimentary casino offers, Charter sailings, and select rates are not eligible for this offer.

Option 3: Select any 2021 Sail Date (Lift & Shift)

If you prefer to move your existing booking to a 2021 sailing, you can do that, too.  Give us a call and we’ll price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on any Royal Caribbean International 2021 sailing that has the same stateroom category as your original sailing.

For example, if you are moving from a July 1, 2021 sailing, you can move to any 2021 Royal Caribbean sailing as long as your new booking has the same stateroom category as your original cruise. Please note:

• Price protection covers your cruise fare/promotion on an applicable sailing only and excludes taxes and fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items, as these may change.

• You must decide to move to a new sailing by June 23, 2021. If not, we will automatically issue you a Future Cruise Credit.

• Complimentary casino offers, Charter sailings, and select rates are not eligible for this offer.

• Holiday sailings, such as Christmas and New Year’s, are not eligible for this offer.

Option 4: Select a 100% Refund

If you prefer a full refund, which is a lower value than the 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) offer above, we’re happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, and the opportunity to use the extra credit being offered, you have until July 31, 2021 to request a refund and deactivate your certificate.

• You may begin the refund process online or give us a call. Once we receive your refund request, we’ll deactivate your FCC and process your refund to your original form(s) of payment, which will include any non-refundable deposits. Please note, once we receive your refund request, we won’t be able to accept an FCC request if you change your mind. 

• You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after you submit your refund request.

• If you used a Cruise with Confidence certificate on this sailing and you request a refund instead, we’ll refund any new funds paid above the certificate amount, and we’ll reinstate your original Cruise with Confidence certificate.

Air/Hotel

• Refundable air or hotel accommodations purchased through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded to you within 45 days after we process the cancellation.

• If you booked non-refundable air through Royal Caribbean or booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options. 

If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or contact us at: 

• 1 866 562 7625 in the U.S. or Canada

• 1 800 754 500 in Australia

• 0344 493 4005 in the U.K.

• All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number. 

We appreciate your understanding and remain optimistic that every day is a step closer to a healthy and safe return to service. Stay healthy and safe. We miss our guests, and we’ll be ready to welcome you back soon. 

Sincerely,

Edited June 15, 2021 by sandebeach

[smokeybandit]

I'm guessing all 8 didn't even suspect they had it

[sandebeach]

6 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm guessing all 8 didn't even suspect they had it

You are probably right. 

[John&LaLa]

Oops, Do not pass go, Do not collect $200

[Sheal]

What a disappointment for you and everyone else.  

[sandebeach]

Poor Odyssey is having a heck of a time doing an Inaugural cruise. Looks like perhaps July 31?

[Coralc]

Oh No! That's too bad. Thanks for posting the announcement. 

[sandebeach]

From M. Bayley's social media page:

Michael Bayley 

4m  · 

Two steps forward and one step back ! out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Odyssey’s inaugural sailing from July 3 to July 31, 2021. A simulation cruise, originally scheduled for late June, will also be rescheduled.

During routine testing, eight crew members received a positive test result for COVID-19. All 1,400 crew onboard Odyssey of the Seas were vaccinated on June 4th and will be considered fully vaccinated on June 18. The positive cases were identified after the vaccination was given and before they were fully effective.

The eight crew members, six of whom are asymptomatic and two with mild symptoms, were quarantined and are being closely monitored by our medical team. To protect the remaining crew and prevent any further cases, we will have all crew quarantined for 14 days and continue with our routine testing.

Guests and travel partners will be notified and given several options to consider. While disappointing, this is the right decision for the health and well-being of our crew and guests.

[cured]

37 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm guessing all 8 didn't even suspect they had it

According to Michael Bayley's page, 6 are asymptomatic and 2 have symptoms, mild right now thank goodness.

[Vera/Lee]

1 hour ago, sandebeach said:

Poor Odyssey is having a heck of a time doing an Inaugural cruise. Looks like perhaps July 31?

IF the crew got the J&J vaccine with only a 66.3% efficacy rate, I'm concerned about more positives in the future. Pfizer's vaccine showed efficacy of 94%-95%, so why not wait for that vaccine?

[UNCFanatik]

Let’s  be honest. Odyssey was never going to sail on July 3rd. Royal never announced a test sailing and now we know why 

[sandebeach]

38 minutes ago, Vera/Lee said:

IF the crew got the J&J vaccine with only a 66.3% efficacy rate, I'm concerned about more positives in the future. Pfizer's vaccine showed efficacy of 94%-95%, so why not wait for that vaccine?

Maybe they could not get supplies of Pfizer's vaccine? 

[sandebeach]

19 minutes ago, UNCFanatik said:

Let’s  be honest. Odyssey was never going to sail on July 3rd. Royal never announced a test sailing and now we know why 

According to the Royal app, June 23-26 was the Odyssey 3-night nonrevenue test cruise. Per M. Bayley, the test cruise will now be rescheduled. 

[UNCFanatik]

5 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

According to the Royal app, June 23-26 was the Odyssey 3-night nonrevenue test cruise. Per M. Bayley, the test cruise will now be rescheduled. 

 The app doesn’t matter. Royal never announced a CDC approved test sailing for Odyssey. 

[sandebeach]

10 minutes ago, UNCFanatik said:

 The app doesn’t matter. Royal never announced a CDC approved test sailing for Odyssey. 

I don't know if it was officially announced, but it had been noted on social media pages that the test cruise was scheduled and would be using employees and their families as the volunteers. I can not verify this but per M. Bayley: Two steps forward and one step back ! out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Odyssey’s inaugural sailing from July 3 to July 31, 2021. A simulation cruise, originally scheduled for late June, will also be rescheduled.

Edited June 16, 2021 by sandebeach

[Vera/Lee]

15 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Maybe they could not get supplies of Pfizer's vaccine? 

Maybe so. This is just very disappointing. 

[UNCFanatik]

5 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

I don't know if it was officially announced, but it had been noted on social media pages that the test cruise was scheduled and would bee using employees and their families as the volunteers. I can not verify this but per M. Bayley: Two steps forward and one step back ! out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Odyssey’s inaugural sailing from July 3 to July 31, 2021. A simulation cruise, originally scheduled for late June, will also be rescheduled.

I saw that but he can say what he wants but CDC never approved odyssey test sailing and prior to this spin, Royal never officially announced a CDC approved test cruise for Odyssey like they have announced for other ships’ test sailings. So, why is that? Now we know 

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/7636627002

[sugcarol]

I hope they are not doing antigen tests. If positive they need to do the PCR to verify. I will not cruise on a ship that uses Antigen, it is too un reliable, some countries and also Hawaii will not accept them. The two on Celebrity had 2 positive antigen tests and then had 48 hour PCR and it was negative. I would not trust an antigen.

Edited June 16, 2021 by sugcarol

[ONECRUISER]

3 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Oops, Do not pass go, Do not collect $200

Yeah, I know when they are in the Original Quarantine they only get 50% of their Pay, wonder how works this time. And I'd assume the whole Ship isnt Quarantined. Food? Engineering? Maint? 

[palamoh]

I just read where the entire crew was not vaccinated until they reached the U S Port in FLL.  Means they left their European Port and the crew was NOT vaccinated, seems like poor planning on the part of Mgt

[Biker19]

25 minutes ago, palamoh said:

Means they left their European Port and the crew was NOT vaccinated, seems like poor planning on the part of Mgt

The "war" in Israel prevented them from vaccinating the crew.

[molly361]

They certainly are not leaving much time between the test cruises and the first revenue cruise on some of the ships.  Guess they are assuming the approval will happen within a few days after the test sailing

[cruzcactus]

What is happening with the first 2 cruises in August on Odyssey? On there website it shows August 14 sailings and after? Are there sailings in early August and why are they hidden now? This is nuts, and no emails about these changes..........

[Thenagers]

15 hours ago, UNCFanatik said:

Let’s  be honest. Odyssey was never going to sail on July 3rd. Royal never announced a test sailing and now we know why 

I also wonder about the crew members who had to debark before they left to come  to the US? It probably was spreading especially if they brought over a lot of crew who hadn’t gotten vaccinated yet? 

[Thenagers]

22 minutes ago, cruzcactus said:

What is happening with the first 2 cruises in August on Odyssey? On there website it shows August 14 sailings and after? Are there sailings in early August and why are they hidden now? This is nuts, and no emails about these changes..........

All the Freedom cruises in July/early August removed as well.