robntawn

10 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Follow the 2023-2024 deployment thread- will be discussed there. 

Be happy to. Where can I find it?

Anyone know when Royal will release 2023 Alaska sailings?

Our Ovation July 2 Alaska cruise was just canceled and we have already received all but $1000 cash refund!  I feel for those of you having issues, but for whatever reason our refund has been painless and fast. 

2 hours ago, EscapeFromConnecticut said:

 

Very well put. 
 

Of course, COVID-19 has existed for only a matter of months. Genuine scientists and researchers take decades - yes, decades - to nail down details about diseases, so expecting perfection now is ludicrous. (At the beginning, the best info they had was that temperature was the signature symptom .... just a few months later, we know of many cases where the patient had no fever at any point).

With that said, rational people take scientific research - not Rupert Murdoch talking points or Breitbart headlines - to guide their decisions. The problem is, this era abounds with irrational people. We see them nightly on TV seething and snarling at nurses or statehouse police officers. They're the ones without masks, but loaded up with ammo and flags.
 

So on the OP's topic: Those are the very folks who threaten to make the first rounds of "guinea pig" cruises a true hell. I've seen too many bleary red-eyed, angry drunks at ship lounges, poolside or occasionally even leaving the MDR. Now they're going to come aboard with a "cause" and an attitude ... and that's going to be a problem for everyone else on the ship.  Regardless of whether the cruise line requires masks, recommends masks, requests masks, or says nothing about masks, that's going to threaten a conflict.
 

Those narrow corridors on cabin decks, the elevators or stairways, the area in front of the MDR, the shops on sale nights, most of the ship on cruise nights - those places get crowded fast. Even if the ship is at half capacity, they'll be crowded. Now throw in Loudy McLoudmouth with a few Bud-swilling, Fox-watching "Constitutional scholar" friends all spoiling for trouble ... well, that doesn't sound like a vacation.

(btw, I hate the mask as much as anyone here. But I wear the damned thing because I was raised to have consideration for others, and because being American actually is not about arrogance or self-centeredness)

Hear! Hear!

3 hours ago, johnjen said:

...get into police mode and start enforcing:
- Where we can go, or when....ZONING areas at certain times;
- Tell us constantly when to wear the mask or when we can remove it;
- Remind us of social distancing by prodding a stick in between us;
- Wait for us to board and tell us our favorite venues are closed (or events) due to lack of staffing
Now, the surveys and questions about our health status pre-boarding is fine. Just let everyone enjoy the vacation we paid for. We don't want to be constantly policed or bothered.
If THIS is the future of cruising, count us out.

Looks like you will be holding off on cruising for the near future, as I expect some/most of these things to be part of the reopening strategies for cruiselines.  I totally understand the need for these strategies, and am willing to wait as long as it takes for a better cruise experience as Covid treatments and vaccines are developed.  No way am I going on a cruise if masks are required.

Still $89 per day for 2/7/21 Oasis cruise. 

I am the OP and thank everyone for their responses. I have some clarifying information and further questions and am hoping someone has information. 
 

let’s say for the sake of argument that Ovation 7/3 gets canceled due to Covid. I have $400 OBC as goodwill from RCCL and $100 OBC from my TA on that cruise. My understanding is that the OBC goes away if I take cash refund, regardless whether I cancel or Royal cancels. If I take FCC instead, can I apply it to 1-2 cruises that I already have booked (deposits only) in 2021?  The same TA has both 2021 bookings, so will the OBC also transfer?

On 4/17/2020 at 1:37 PM, karena1 said:

If you take a refund, you lose the OBC.  If you take the FCC and the OBC is not a promotional refund, it goes with the FCC.  For example, my SIL had a OBC due to a dry dock cancellation.  So when she got her FCC and rebooked another cruise, her OBC went with. 

Does it matter if I cancel vs they cancel?

1 hour ago, karena1 said:

If you take a refund, you lose the OBC.  If you take the FCC and the OBC is not a promotional refund, it goes with the FCC.  For example, my SIL had a OBC due to a dry dock cancellation.  So when she got her FCC and rebooked another cruise, her OBC went with. 

Does it matter if I cancel vs they cancel?

Does anybody know what happens to OBC if either I or RCCL cancels a cruise?  I have about $500 OBC on July 3 Ovation cruise, but fully expect it to be canceled.  I will likely seek refund vs FCC due to volatile cruise conditions over next 12-18 months.

7 hours ago, Bhavird said:

No Sail Order and Suspension of Further Embarkation; Notice of Modification and Extension and Other Measures Related to Operations

by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Editorial Note: The agency has requested this document be withdrawn from publication after placement on public inspection. The document will remain on file through close of business on April 13, 2020. A copy of the agency's withdrawal letter is available for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register.

THIS DOCUMENT WAS WITHDRAWN

It was originally a 120 day ban and it was changed to 100. The 120 day ban was withdrawn. The 100 day ban stands as far as I know. 

1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

Prices are much higher for Alaska 2021 right now.  I think they are anticipating everyone that got canceled this season, to try to use their FCC next summer.  We opted for a refund on our Alaska sailing that was canceled this June, because we would have had to add much more, even if we took a 125% FCC for the same cabin we had booked this year.  That doesn't even consider the additional perks we lost.

 

Expect to have a long wait for a refund, if the cruise does not happen.  Haven't receive any refund for either a cruise we had canceled under round one, or the one under round two.

We will likely take cash refund if they cancel. 

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

I wouldn't expect any new news about this for a while.

Watching and waiting. It’s anybody’s guess but not holding my breath. 

3 hours ago, Jimbo said:

If you have been watching any of the recent news on the TV......................You would have to expect it to be cancelled. If I was you I wouldn't plan on it happening. Wait until  Royal cancels it and either get your money back or reschedule it for 2021.

Will definitely wait for them to cancel. We shall see. 

10 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

The cruise planer app is not accurate, e.g. it still shows our one months ago canceled May cruise as active and ready to set sail...

Thank you. As I suspected. Will wait and see how things pan out. 

Has anyone heard any updates regarding Ovation Alaska cruises in July?  I was looking at cruise planner online via app, and it said the July 3 cruise was canceled. 
 

Alaska July 2, 2020 for us. Fingers crossed!

Every day we are reading about multiple ships from all cruiselines who have positive Covid 19 cases in passengers and crew, some even after 14 days of debarkation.  Does anybody really think that port cities are going to allow cruises to resume anytime soon?  I realize that there is a core group of cruisers who will jump onboard immediately upon resumption of cruises, but I've got to thing that most will be hesitant to do so.  Finally, there will likely be lawsuits about cruise companies purposefully hiding cases (Celebrity in San Diego for one).

3 hours ago, Builder31 said:

Am I wrong to think no cruise ship will sail until there is a vaccine? Even if covid numbers peak and start to come down. Even if only a handful of people in the US have the disease it can spread again, right? So isn’t that 12-18 months of shut down?

I just don’t see how any of the cruise lines can survive that. I hope I’m wrong.


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Perhaps POC Covid testing once it becomes widely available?

Keep in mind that even if we succeed in flattening the curve, the novel Coronavirus will still be in circulation, just at a slower rate.  Until definitive treatment and vaccine becomes available, it will impact our lives.  Large gatherings (sporting events, theme parks, and cruise ships) will be dangerous for transmission, and I think they will be extremely curtailed as a result.

Optimistically, I'm hoping for widespread rollout and availability of POC Covid-19 tests.  If people can be tested prior to attending large group activities, there is MUCH less of a risk.  Due to cost and supply chain issues, I'm not holding my breath.

Point of Care testing for Covid

3 hours ago, uvadover said:

Do people really care that much about 1 lobster dinner in the context of a trip that costs thousands of dollars?

Well since I asked the question, I’d say the answer is yes. 
 

To those that answered the question without interjecting your own personal diatribe, thank you. 

Good morning fellow cruisers. I was just going through the RCCL app looking at menus for our upcoming Alaska Ovation cruise in July 2020. I was able to review all MDR menus and did not see lobster listed. Does anybody have any first hand information regarding availability of lobster in MDR on Ovation Alaska cruises?  Many thanks!

Greetings fellow cruisers. We are getting ready to cruise aboard Reflection in 2 weeks and are interested in attending the Ultimate BBQ at Lawn Club Grill. We have always enjoyed that venue, but the ultimate party looks great. From what I’ve read, it is typically offered once per cruise and includes wine and upgraded food items. 
 

Does anybody know when it is typically offered? Would it be available to book upon embarkation since we have a dining package and will go to Murano when first aboard to book remaining nights?

Is membership into the Casino program automatic?  In other words, if I use my seapass for points, how are they recorded and accumulated on future cruises?  I got nearly 1200 points on the Presidents cruise, and hoping to add to it.