actdir

12 minutes ago, chuckroast1 said:

This isn't really what you asked but we always use Park and Go in Ft. Lauderdale. It is easy to get to, the prices are about $9 a day (when you pre-pay) and the service is terrific. Also, sometimes you see monkeys. 

 

https://www.bookparkngo.com/ftlauderdale.php

We have also used Park and Go.  It is outside parking, but when you pull in, they come with a small bus, load your luggage so there is literally not walking at all.  They are wonderful as far as customer service.  I highly recommend them.  

13 hours ago, Nymich said:

No way there is almost one death per EVERY cruise.  Facts, documents to support such a bizarre claim?  A quick search shows CC article saying 3 per week on ALL cruises.  Another article says 3 in a month.  This is on all cruises combined.  No way is it almost 1 every single cruise of every company.

JMO

I don't believe it occurs on every sailing, but I think it is more than 3 in one month throughout all of the lines/ships.  Maybe the team on board was very well trained to handle this situation, but it didn't seem like it was a once a year occurrence.  It would be interesting to know how this is reported and if it is made public.  Again, JMO.

6 hours ago, Nymich said:

No way this is true.  No way

One death on just about every cruise would not surprise me.  As a group leader (I am not a travel agent) we lost one of our group on the final night of the cruise.  I knew everyone in the group very well and one of the hardest days of my life was when I had to go tell them.  The medical team on the ship and the support from the Celebrity officers was above and beyond what I could have ever imagined for this very emotional time.  It did not seem that this was an occasional occurrence.  Just my opinion. 

On 3/17/2020 at 10:46 PM, NantahalaCruiser said:

REEtired would be able to get a cash refund for his deposit if he cancelled prior to final payment date only if it was a refundable deposit. If it was a non-refundable deposit then he would instead only get a FCC in the amount of the deposit.

I don't know if they have changed this, but yesterday I was told that if you had a non-refundable deposit and cancelled before final payment, you would get your deposit back as a FCC less a $100.00 fee.  We opted for the refund and in looking at a future cruise I also found out that the cruise fare for the refundable and non-refundable options differ.  The refundable being more expensive.  At one point online they had a $410.00 fee for the refundable fare.  It was very confusing to say the least.

NantahalaCruiser, we are in Hayesville.

39 minutes ago, hcat said:

Great thread...other than the  lawyer joke!

What?  I liked all of them.

Keep them coming.  We all need a laugh right now.

And to go outside by myself.  Thankfully Spring is coming!

56 minutes ago, FeliciaLee said:

The e-mail that we got from X said that for cruisers already in Florida, they would pay for the hotel and/or airfare home. Did you not receive the same e-mail? Surely they are going to reimburse you?

 

Great attitude, either way, Jim!

I don't remember them saying that they would pay for the hotel and/or airfare home.  They did mention that they would help with the arrangements, if I remember correctly.

My heart aches for Jim and Lain for the abrupt end to anticipating their B2B2B. 

2 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

 I'm shocked they let her sail. Makes no sense when the same day you are announcing a 1 month cruise suspension.

Which makes me think that there must have been some communication from Washington.  People were already on the ship.  Can you imagine the nightmare if they told them they had to get off!  I can't even comprehend that.

3 hours ago, Orator said:

100% disagree. You don't release a partial statement! That only creates more questions and confusion. We can see that happening here. You work out every detail and then release it. Their PR and Crisis Management teams need to be evaluated and perhaps changed.

I think they wanted to get the suspension out quickly so that those travelling to the ports have an option.  At least I would want to know before driving ten hours to the port that I didn't need to go through with that long drive.  It now gives them the time to work out the details.  These are extenuating circumstances and I think we all need to have a little patience.  I am sure this has not been an easy decision for any cruise line.

Thanks so much.  That was very helpful.

Does anyone know if there is a way to find out if any of the Caribbean ports have closed to cruise ships?

I saw on a post that Spain has closed its ports, but is there any kind of listing for any other port closures?

1 hour ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

Indeed...

 

"... Over the last three years, Royal Caribbean has paid out $1.8 billion in dividends and has spent $900 million on buybacks.

The company would’ve had enough rainy-day funds to survive a downturn; instead, management decided to spend it on avenues that would enrich themselves.

 

Moreover, Royal Caribbean is registered in Liberia, a known tax haven. The company doesn’t pay the U.S. government any tax, so the chance of getting a bailout from American taxpayers is near zero. ... "

 

So it's either the end of the line or a downgrade to pinksheets for RCL. Maybe that shareholder bonus will be very affordable quite soon! 😄

At the end of each of these articles it says "Advertisement" which makes me wonder.  

33 minutes ago, robertdeese said:

My guess is the terminology Suspended vs. Cancelled.  Bot sure you can double dip, meaning the insurance might only kick in if the cruise line does not reimburse. 

Woudn't the cruise lines benefit from people claiming the insurance?  Then maybe the insurance companies might go out of business.  Oh the implications of this.

32 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

LOL---- Iain said well at least if were were quarantined we will be comfortable. 

Way to go on the upgrade.  Thanks for keeping us posted.  I look forward to vicariously sharing your adventure.

So it would seem that if we cancel and take the FCC, we should be sure to take the CFAR insurance on the next cruise.  In that case would we get back the full amount, including the FCC amount?

Just trying to think outside the box.

Thank you for all of the information.  It does impact our decision.
I'm sorry that this affects so many of you.

On 2/27/2020 at 1:34 PM, pumpkin 11 said:

Hi Friends,

 

I'll be traveling with a family member who is a classic member but I am elite. We are on the Summit this May. It's been a while since I've been in this dilemma and I know the CC program has gone through quite a few iterations over the years. I know it used to be that anyone in the room could come along to the breakfast / happy hr in the sky lounge, but I am not sure if the rule still stands as they seem to be checking cards at the entrance these days? Thank you 🙂

I am not sure this would apply to you, but I will become Elite on our next cruise so I am Select now.  My husband is Classic.  I have a number of extra cruises that he did not go on because I escorted groups of residents from a lifecare community.  In talking with Celebrity, they upgraded him to Select, so he now also has 264 points? like I do.  Hope this helps.

I didn't realize this topic would be so polarizing!

 

My Father-in-law is in his 80's and I really believe it will make it easier for him to identify the rooms. That's really the only reason for it. We are celebrating their 60th anniversary and I have ordered the anniversary package with balloons and flowers.

 

The decorations would be minimal - 5 letters on one door and 4 on the other. I wasn't sure if magnets would work, but if they will that would be preferable.

 

I can't imagine the color bleeding from a window cling. Maybe those "gel" clings, but not the plastic window clings. If magnets will work then I could just make my own out of paper.

 

and BTW - they are in 7048 and we are in 7049 on the Zaandam - opposite sides of the ship. Not next to each other.

I have escorted groups from a retirement community and we usually cruise around the holidays. I have used dollar store garland with the self-stick magnets and they work great. It really is a good way to zero in on your cabin. Makes it festive and leaves no residue. It helps when other members of the group are looking for a friend's cabin too.

We were in Aqua Class on Reflection in April and did not have a problem with Blu being overcrowded. On the first night they offered Aqua passengers a discount to use one of the other restaurants. I guess the first night is really their only problem with being crowded. We dined in Blu the rest of the cruise and never had a wait.

Mil

We were on the Millenium together 12/06.

I can't believe it's almost four years ago!

We are planning an April Equinox, hopefully in AQ.

Thanks for your detailed review.

Have a great time on the QM2. I had a group of residents on one of the first sailings and it was a very special experience. Fireworks at one of the ports and just a very classy way to cruise. I really liked the planetarium, their educational offerings and the music.

Have a great time.

Mil