John Prine Fan

Everything posted about cruise is 100% true. We heard 941 passenger count...ship is empty, and crew has been fantastic.  Kudos to RCI for putting in the effort, it has to be tough logistically to pull this off with so many unknowns.  Only complaint is casino...give a brother a break!!

2 minutes ago, skagen said:

We're on Harmony for the Jan 30 sailing.

 

We were able to snag an owner's suite with free gratuities and $300 OBC for about $7500 all-in, so we're definitely going as that seems like a steal from what I've been searching lately.

 

Hate masking so I figure I'll have to "level-up" my sunscreen for this cruise :). (Doubt it happening but hoping the masking rules roll back to at least what they were before the recent changes).  Looking at how fast it Omicron has sped through South Africa and the tentatively seen better outcomes along with customer blowback of more restrictive masking I'm giving it a slight chance.  

 

But either way it's been too long to have been on a ship so unless they cancel, it's happenin' for us.

Agree on price point. It's a huge factor for us given the current pricing is much higher. Would be a no brainer if we could just reschedule a new date for same price.

We are booked for 1/8 on Enchantment, 12 nights. Right now, we are both on the fence. We can tolerate masks (to a degree), but our main concern is too much sea time if ports/activities get cancelled. Enchantment doesn't have a lot of extra's to start with, so losing ports is an issue for us. 

Cost also plays into our decision. This cruise originated as a 2020 cruise but was lifted and shifted twice. Cancelling and rebooking for a similar cruise in March would also mean additional $$. We got a really good price on a JS, so the $$ plays a big factor for us. We'll see how it goes until next Wednesday, and then make our call. 

I really thought the decision would be easy. I was wrong.

15 hours ago, CentralNY1 said:

On Enchantment now and are in Freeport today as scheduled. The only deviation to our itinerary was that we went to CocoCay instead of Key West but we found out about that change months ago. The cruise has been absolutely perfect thus far. Great weather, great service and great food. 

Thank you for this. Can you estimate how full the ship is? 

On 1/8 and watching too.  According to Crusiemapper.com, the ship is headed to Freeport, so something must have happened with one of the original ports.

1 minute ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Wouldn't you generally expect a cruise departing 4/2 (any year) to cost more than a cruise on 1/8 (of the same year)?   Am I missing something? 

 

Can you move the FCC to a cruise in October or November of 22?  You may find a lower price than spring break time. 

Yes, I was just trying to share my experience for those that might think that you can just go from one cruise to another, 1:1.

Through all of the covid period, I have applied the Lift & Shift through several cruises, with the intention of actually sailing on 1/8/22 on Enchantment. Given the status of things, I am considering changing yet again to a like itinerary on 4/2/22. To my disappointment, my FCC would only cover ~66% of the cost of the new cruise. 
 

If you plan to cancel for Covid, and your cruise is soon, be sure to put cost into the equation. No fault to RCI, cruises cost more these days, and I'm not looking for a free ride, but I don't like shelling out more $$ because I want to play it safe.

1 minute ago, karena1 said:

It has always been that way, Taxes/fees/gratuities are always refunded.  Only the cruise fare is eligible for the FCC

Yep--Im an idiot.

3 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Every fcc for every round of cancellation says cruisefare only. Taxes and fees refunded.

 

Not sure how you came out $50 ahead, but sounds like you did ok. I got exactly 125% of my cruisefare and taxes and fees refunded as promised. Other one I took refund and received it already. 

 

 

Ok, maybe that's what I missing. I haven't rec'd a refund for that yet. I will feel much better about it. Thank you for the information.

Be careful when considering taking the FCC. I paid in full $3001 for an August cruise. I assumed that my FCC would be $3751 since 3001*1.25 is 3751. However, only the fare is credited, gratuities and taxes are excluded. My FCC is $3050, I came out $50 ahead. Shame on me for not reading the fine print, shame on RCC for making this sound like a good deal.

1 hour ago, SRF said:

 

To each their own.

 

Had them spring 2019 and we were NOT impressed.

First time we didnt either. Had a chance to talk to them both 1:1 on later cruises and found them to be quite genuine.

6 minutes ago, birdylady said:

WOW! Talk about coincidence.  Both directions.  Do you think because it was around midnight they may choose to do it for cruise ships then due to lower traffic? 

Erika

BND is right. They dont close traffic to allow ships to pass. They have been doing a lot of construction on the bridge over the past 1-2 years, I suspect they may have paused traffic to adjust lanes or something.

1 hour ago, birdylady said:

Yes.  That was them.  Unlike other CDs in so many ways.  The really made you feel  like family, as did the rest of the crew.  I've always felt Royal crews were very friendly, but I think Grandeur crew was a whole new level.  Just so nice. Would like to have the opportunity to sail her again. Don't see that happening though. 😞
Erika

Agree, very nice crew, and John & Katrina are really good at their job. Hoping we can see them 1 more time 🙂

25 minutes ago, birdylady said:

We sailed Grandeur April 2019 and LOVED her.  We had JS 8586 and it was great.  Loved the aft facing balcony. And it was really neat to be able to see the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel outbound and inbound at night. I never knew they actually have traffic stopped for when the ship gov=es over it.  The crew was AWESOME.  And loved the CD and Activities manger.  They were very visible, involved and friendly.  I hope for your sake you get to sail.

Erika

Erika-

Was the CD John & Wife Katrina? We've had them on several Grandeur cruises and really came around to liking them very much.

6 minutes ago, kasmrobi said:

We booked the January 21, 2021 trip. Maybe we'll see you there!

Yes, we can make that happen!!

We live in Baltimore and have sailed on Lady G several times. Yeah, she's aged, but there is something special about her. We always do a JS, always get double points. We've got one last trip planned on her in Jan '21. Fingers crossed that we'll be able to sail. 

I've been to both and love both of them. I'd say 51% Coco simply because of the recent upgrades, but you really cant go wrong at either location. Labadee feels more island-ish to me, Coco could be in FL, TX, etc. As in a previous post, I'd take either right now.

14 hours ago, John Reid said:

And does the hoochie-coo!

Well done! (hot dog bun, Atilla the hun, my sister in law is an Irish Nun)

1 hour ago, John Reid said:

 It just might be a "Spanish Pipedream."

 

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

So, plant a little garden; eat a lot of peaches.

As long as that topless lady has something up her sleeve!!

Im on the 8/6 cruise too. 10 days ago I would have said 0% chance this goes. Today, I'm at 25%. Fingers and toes crossed.