K8T

Thank you for the responses.  We’ve gone ahead and booked for June with the HIA package.  We’ve been allocated a room (outside) on Deck 1 hoping it’s a good spot as absolutely no idea!   Looks like it’s under the ladies toilets Deck 2!  
 

Can anyone tell me if there is likely to be an offer to upgrade before sailing? I know this is based on how full the ship is, but does it ever happen? 
 

Thanks again 

We’ve had our RCCL cruise cancelled and about to press the button on a HAL Greek Islands cruise.  Experienced cruiser but never HAL usually DCL or RCCL.  I’ve done searches but they’ve not yielded much! 
 

Do you know if there is a good selection for gluten free on board?  Things like pancskes and pizza outside of MDR  - daughter is Coeliac.  
 

Is there a privacy curtain in the cabin between the master bed and the third person bed - is this a bunk/murphy or fold out sofa? Or how can I find out as GTY! 
 

Are there ‘shows’ in the theatre, or is it just ‘acts’ and singers? 
 

Do they have quizzes or trivia on sea days?

Many thanks, I’m sure there’ll be more! 
 

14 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I saw john posted elsewhere that option 1 is the winner according to some world cruise chat. Waiting for it to be official. 

What time will you know, is there a meeting again? 

Well today my TA after chasing them I may add heard from RCC

——-

We’ve been closely monitoring the unrest in the Red Sea, and were optimistic that we could maintain our original itinerary, our priorities are your safety and minimizing the impact to your experience.
 
Regrettably, we can no longer offer the original itinerary you initially purchased. Additionally, as we are still working through our itineraries with our Ultimate World Cruise guests, we’ll have more information for our June 7th, 2024 sailing on 27th February 2024. We understand this is not an ideal situation, and we’re truly sorry for the impact this unexpected situation has on your vacation plans. The time and effort you took to plan your cruise is important to us, so we’ve put together some alternate options that we hope will work for you and those in your party.
 
Option 1: Re-book any other Royal Caribbean International sailing.

• If you prefer to re-book another sailing, we’ll waive any non-refundable deposit change fees.
• Please know, you’ll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
  • If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference.
• To sweeten the offer, you’ll receive a $100 USD Onboard Credit to spend onboard per stateroom:
• Plus, an additional $50 USD for each third or more guest.
• And, you’ll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car).
  • We’ll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes.
  • Please email your receipts and booking information to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement.

 
Option 2: If you prefer to cancel one or both of your sailings, we’ll be sad to see you go, but hope you’ll come back soon. You’ll receive:

• A full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare (including non-refundable deposits) and any pre-paid amenities to the original form of payment.
  • If you used a Future Cruise Credit 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 certificate.
• Please know, if you choose this option, we will not provide additional compensation.
• ————. 
  So it’s not cancelled yet, but no mention of why it’s not going to be until the 27th!  
   
  So we’ll wait and see the outcome and then if Istanbul is off, maybe swap to Venice-Rome.  Not what we wanted as my daughter is a classics student and Greece was an important part of that, so fingers crossed for an option 2 vote!  

2 hours ago, island lady said:

I can definitely agree on RCI not coming out with announcements of change in a timely manner. 

 

I knew for weeks we were not going to Manta Ecuador on Serenade due to major unrest with drug wars.  Several ships, including RCI's own Silversea had cancelled that port weeks before.  Upon inquiries at the GS desk, they assured me Serenade was still going there and my tour was still good to go.  Hah. 

 

They finally announced the cancellation just a couple of days before we were to arrive there.  But I had already cancelled the tour online prior to it.  

 

I can only hope the new itinerary logistics will still bring Serenade to Barcelona on July 10.  But so many things can happen.  I will just deal with it when that date happens.  Hope you can get your schedule worked out.  

How frustrating. I wonder why they are so reluctant to make decisions?   
 

Fingers crossed for you. 

20 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Don't book RCI for good customer service pre-cruise.

😂😂😂. I know that now!    😂😂
 

I’m used to Disney who are incredibly efficient! 😂. You get what you pay for I suppose. 

18 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

I have not understood this thread since the beginning.....

 

You simply have not yet been cancelled. One of the itinerary options that will be voted on gets the ship to Istanbul June 7 on time for you to get on your cruise as planned. You will get your notification after the vote and official new itinerary announcement.

I’m sorry you can’t follow it, or understand my concerns.  Yes one gets to Istanbul, but with a different itinerary, that is not what we booked, the other will be cancelled- a pretty big deal! 
 

I believe that RCCL could have had the courtesy of letting TAs and cruisers know these changes and there is a risk of cancellation.  Yes we knew they were t going up the Red Sea, but they took their time over announcing that, so we knew it might change, but not the risk of cancellation.
 

 Basically it’s good customer service and for cruisers to hear over social media and then to wait another 10 days for a vote is pretty poor. It’s not difficult to mail out en masse, they know who’s paid and who’s not. 

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

My question is though why does it still look like the canceled cruises are still available to book  on various sites I'm looking at?

 

 

 

People could book them just for the OBC and then switch to a cruise you were really wanting to book.

Yea and my agent could go right through to booking when she tried!  

2 hours ago, island lady said:

Do realize this is nothing new for those of us that had massive cancellations due to Covid.  I had Radiance booked around Australia that was cancelled not once, but then after restart...cancelled again.  I had to cancel flights and hotels...twice at that time.  

 

And definitely was not new knowledge that we would have to reroute on Serenade, being discussed for weeks before I left the ship in LA.   No one thought we would end up going through the Suez Canal.  It was simply a matter of logistics as to where they would go and when.  

 

I have flight and hotel booked for rejoining in Barcelona.  I am prepared that those things could change if that does not happen (depending on if and when Serenade arrives).   

Absolutely, we had a number of cruises cancelled, it seemed never ending knocking them on, we were losing track!   But were lucky to have done two around the U.K. in 2022, Staycations cruises. 
 

I knew things would change on this trip of course, once the Houthis kicked off, but wasn’t expecting RCCL to take so long coming to a decision  when it was pretty obvious way back, but then to eek it out even further with this crazy vote, knowing elements will change depending with the options they e given, yet not informing the customers concerned, is strange to me, but it appears from other comments, that’s just how they roll.
 

 I’m not impressed, but will wait and see when the deem fit to tell us and what they offer.  I just expected better. 

24 minutes ago, kernow said:

Are you saying that you know that notifications get sent to the UK agents and the UK office at the same time as those in North America?

I have spoken to the owner of the agency I often use and he has had no idea of cruises that have been cancelled. The last time this happened to me was in 2022 when Radiance was pulled from Australia. He actually said to me he didn't think it was correct until I sent him a copy of the cancellation letter that others had posted on here. It took him about 3 days to get confirmation.

I find it hard to believe that the ‘owners’ get notification and not agents.  This cruise agency is a big one in the U.K. with, agents on site.   
 

I rang RCCL, their agent, who obviously was at home - (dog barking, chiming clock in the background) didn’t know the situation either, told me it’s not been ‘cancelled’. I insisted that to my knowledge it will be changed, worst scenario cancelled (based on the options).   I spent nearly 20 minutes holding for her to speak to a supervisor, who said there would be no information until 27th, when they will be in touch.  
 

I of course knew this, based on my TikTok information and posts on here 🙄 😂    But there wasn’t even a mention that itinerary from Istanbul would change, or even possibly be cancelled.  
 

A courtesy email outlining the basics and ‘you will be contacted on 27th’ would be better than hearing about it on Social media and not informing agents, but maybe I’m expecting too much from them.  

just ver poor customer service. 
 

1 hour ago, Twenty2020 said:

 

It's been pretty clear for a couple months now that world events (war) were going to take the Suez passage off the table. 

State the obvious!  Read the thread and you will see everyone was completely aware what would happen, that’s not the issue and not a surprise to anyone. The fact they took so long to make that decision is a surprise maybe, nothing was going to change that political situation.  
 

It’s the fact RCCL have not communicated the alternatives or even made U.K. TAs aware of the options that’s the issue.  Someone else posted their TA didn’t know either until they were informed by the client.  Pretty shoddy, but seems the consensus is this is how RCCL operate.
 

22 minutes ago, Tatra603 said:

 

My TA knew nothing about it until I forwarded her my email from RC.

That’s crazy mine too, nothing and at first said ‘don’t believe everything you hear on social media’. 😳

At least you had an email, not that that is any consolation.  Maybe they just ‘forgot’ the U.K. book cruises too.  
 

it’s a complete mess. We haven’t cruised RCCL much, but they’re not impressing me at the moment. 

22 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Canadian, but has US clients. Hes telling you that agents were notified. It's your TA who missed the notification. if you booked with a TA then the notification went to your TA. They are the one who should be looking into it. 

No, you’re not getting it, my agent hadn’t been notified!   They knew the cruise was likely to be redirected, as we all did, but they hadn’t heard anything as of yesterday.  
 

They are one of the largest specialists in the U.K. and none of their staff, either the main bookings or the tailor made bookings that we are dealing with, have had any notification from RCCL whatsoever, in fact all aspects of the cruise are still showing ‘live’ and bookable in their system, which probably is IT catching up. 
 

What I’m saying is they didn’t even know that the ‘options’ idea had been put forward, or there would be a vote - nothing.  They are contacting RCCL today, as I will too.
  

On 2/17/2024 at 6:24 PM, Tatra603 said:

So my TA called RC (UK) today to bat for me.

 

She was baffled by the level of intransigence shown by both persons she spoke to.

 

TA: "My client has booked flight and hotel in Dubai. He would like to book the new cruise leaving on the 9th May and is surprised he hasn't been given that option"

 

RC: His options are to rebook another cruise or cancel for a full refund. There is no sailing on the 9th"

 

TA: "It's part of a world cruise. We know that it won't sail a quarter full. We know it will be remarketed. Why haven't the existing bookings been given the option of the new itinerary?"

 

RC: "Your client has no other option than to book another cruise or ask for a refund. There are no other options"

 

They went round and round in circles. RC supervisor stuck to the script. They recommended I booked an alternative cruise and wallow in the incredibly generous $100 OBC, as there is no cruise leaving Dubai on May 9th.

 

My TA was very professional, but could get nowhere. She said it's an awful way to treat loyal paying customers.

 

It was weird just how much they were trying to steer us away from the idea that there might still be a possibility of Dubai to Cape Town. Everything, including the seemingly pointless 11 day delay before voting, seems designed to dissuade us mini segmenters from holding out in the hope of getting our cruise (and stateroom) back.

 

 

 

 

I’ve just been directed here from a thread I made about the changes - oops!   I should have checked here. 
 

I absolutely feel for you, what a ridiculous scenario.  Presuming you’re in the U.K. had your TA received notification from RCCL about this, or was it your knowledge?  The reason I’m asking is my TA, a specialist cruise one and pretty big, knew nothing whatsoever!  
 

4 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I received the notification for my clients who are on those affected voyages. 

Are you U.K. or US?   Nothing here at all in the U.K.  in fact it was me who informed my agent of the process now going ahead - she’s obviously not on TikTk! 😂

Thank you everyone, interesting thoughts.  
 

just to clarify, I totally understand the reason for ‘going round’, but it’s the not hearing anything from RCCL that upsets me. 
 

Yes, we are paid in full, no I have had no emails, spam folder or otherwise, yes I have spoken to my TA, she has had nothing either!   In fact she didn’t even know of the Options or vote, although like us all, was expecting the diversion.   Maybe because we’re in the U.K., but it’s still extremely poor practice on RCCL’s part  

I’ll look at the other thread, thanks. 
 

10 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

And a Tik tok video is where you are getting your getting your information. LOL

 

 

Unfortunately yes, the Captains meeting in the theatre was streamed live by some cruisers on board, are you being rude for a reason?  Is that a problem for you? 

19 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

News Flash............Your June 7th cruise was canceled by Royal a few Days ago. Others have all ready been notified by email.

Really!  I thought it might just sit there until the vote.  No one told me, or my travel agent!   It’s still showing to book and ‘live’ in her system. 
 

I’m disgusted if that is the case, where did you get that information from please? 

I’ve just heard via TikTok would you believe, that the Serenade is going around Africa (as expected, so no surprise), but that guests on the World cruise are going to vote on options, of which there are two!!

We are on the Istanbul to Venice segment, which in both options will be changed, in the case of Option 1, cancelled completely!

Despite this, I have had nothing from RCCL whatsoever informing me of the possible change, even though we’ve paid in full, flights and hotels booked prior and after.  My TA didn’t know anything about it either until I explained the situation, the cruise is still

showing to book. 
 

The whole thing of guests choosing, not being informed and I’ve even seen people’s cruises being cancelled having only just got on, seems unreal, I know that cruise lines have a right to change things, we’re not novice cruisers, but what the hell os going on? 
 

Are RCCL normally so dismissive of

their customers? Just a heads up would be good and not to find out on social media! 

Can I join and say thank you for the fantastic photos.  
 

We booked Serenade Istanbul to Venice a few days ago, cancelling our cruise in June that we had booked on the Disney Dream for twice the length and an extra 8 ports!   I was searching for info., knowing it was part of the World Cruise and found these incredible photos.  I also looked at TikTok, something my 19 yr old follows, having seen comments on here and don’t know if I’m impressed or horrified! 😂. Forewarned is forearmed I suppose.

2 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

Any alcohol you bring on the ship from the ports of call will be confiscated and held for you until the end of the cruise.

Thank you for clarifying.  

Hi. Interesting thread, we’ve just booked Serenade for June and it’s so port heavy with just one day at sea, we’re questioning the drinks package.  
 

I will bring a couple of bottles of wine on board, if we can find a suitable one in Istanbul, but I wondered what the policy was on bringing a local wine back from a stop along the way. 
 

Many thanks

We’ve booked the Dream for July in Europe and our daughter is Coeliac and has a wheat allergy (anaphylaxis). Last summer on the Magic the GF options were poor, we did get offered separate things like melon for starter and fruit or Mickey Ice lolly for desert, but it wasn’t spontaneous as it used to be. 
 

We are Platinum and cruise DCL because of the ease with which they have in the past catered for Coeliacs and therefore to find the ice cream was no longer GF so no on deck ices or smoothies and there were often no GF starters or deserts, was surprising and disappointing.  
 

I did speak to the Maitre D and contacted DCL afterwards to let them know, but I’m now panicking that the Dream will be the same.  
 

I’ve always championed Disney for coeliacs, but would hesitate to do that now,  so has anyone on the Dream recent experience please?
 

Thank you. 

Hi

Thank you for all  the great info. Particularly about the buses.  We dock on the Disney Magic,  with a 11.15 disembark time and need to get to the ‘Hey Captain’ boat departure at Ofelia Plads for 12.  Hopefully will catch the 11.30 water bus to Nyhavn. 
 

Do you think  this doable?   I have no idea of distances. 
 

Thank you.  
 

Don’t apologise!  We sailed MSC last summer on the Virtuosa - one of the worst cruises we’ve ever done in 25 cruises on different lines, but that aside….

We weren’t YC my daughter is GF and a teen, she was told she had to eat in the MDR for all meals as they couldn’t guarantee GF anywhere else  - she has coeliac and a wheat allergy (anaphylaxis).  
 

The menu was the same three nights of 7, which was disappointing, no ice cream or pizza (first cruise she hadn’t been able to get GF pizza).  Lunchtimes she has been used to going with friends to the buffet, but they said they had nothing for her, although  two days into the cruise, they produced a wrapped GF roll, but the sausages weren’t GF, they had a vege burger which was, so she tried that, but said it wasn’t nice.  
 

We had the Aurea package but there was nothing she could have either from the minibar, or room service, again just disappointing.   I had bought GF snacks with us so she existed during the day on those, but to be sitting with other teens and not being able to eat was not easy.  
 

The only thing that was excellent, was the GF celebration cake, it was delicious and we took it back to our room and she had that for snacks/lunch too.  She said it was the only cruise - she was 16 and has done 18 cruises, that she felt hungry. 
 

It was suggested it was the fact it was a U.K. cruise, they were sort staffed because of the number of covid cases within the crew, but it seems they just don’t cater for coeliacs, that’s fine, but they shouldn’t say they do, when we emailed before going. 

We will never sail MSC again because of lots of other issues, as well as the food. Too many other cruise lines that do cater for special diets