LuvtheWater117

As a mom of a 5 and 7 year old who waited until my youngest was fully potty trained and then some before considering a cruise, it infuriates me how so many fellow parents act these days.  It is certainly not limited to cruise ships or vacations.  There is a serious lack of parental responsibility these days in all areas of society.  Parents just don't want to parent because they are afraid to upset their kids or disrupt their enjoyment and party.

I don't know if this would be an option but we had a family of 7 going out of Galveston a few weeks ago.  2 Kids, 5 adults, lots of luggage plus a wheelchair.  We flew into IAH, rented a minivan, and drove to the hotel about 25 minutes from the port.  We kept the car all week, found a good parking deal 5 minute walk from the port entrance, and then drove back to IAH after debarking the ship.  We had a later flight so it was nice to have the car the entire day to tour around the island, storing our luggage, etc.  It was slightly cheaper to rent the car for 8 days and pay for gas and parking than to do shuttles for 7.  It was also worth it just to have the freedom to run to Walmart the night before the cruise, pick up dinner at a local restaurant, etc.  

We will be sailing on Harmony during Spring Break and the NCAA basketball tournament.  There is no Playmakers so any idea where they will have or if they will have the NCAA games on?  If not, is the ship internet strong enough where my husband could stream some of the games on his IPad?  

We had this happen for our cruise in March. Booked beginning of January and one week later is when the Zika issue started. At the time we were not pregnant but going through fertility treatment and were advised not to go. We did receive 50% of our money back as we were still within that payment phase and the non refundable portion was given to us in the form of a future cruise credit that had to be used within 2 years. We chose to go to Alaska in May instead and thankfully we cancelled the March Allure cruise because we ended up bringing a very little stowaway with us to Alaska!

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We were also on this same sailing and after 9 cruises, all RCCL, it was our least favorite by far. As is with a large ship, different people can have vastly different experiences. We found the staff to be the least friendly we've ever encountered. The food was the least impressive of all our trips. And the ship just felt...boring, especially on sea days. Yes, it was very cold on most days so the outdoor areas were pretty much unavailable. I guess I just expected there to be more going on indoors to compensate. We won't be cruising again for a while, and when we do, it's back to warm weather

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We were also on the explorer last week and docked next to you twice. We've been on 10 Royal cruises and this was by far the worst vacation we've ever had. Perhaps cold weather cruising isn't for us, but we were incredibly bored during the day on sea days, hated MTD (traditional wasn't available anymore when we booked and 530 would have been too early and 8:00 too late for us). Also talked to people who were on the Solstice the same week and they hated their trip as well. Maybe it's just early season Alaska?

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I love being disconnected from the world while on a ship. It's so peaceful knowing that people don't have to know where I am, what I'm doing, at every single moment of the day. We also just check in with home via a few texts in the evening before dinner but that's it.

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I could use some opinions-

We booked a balcony guarantee for our May 20th Alaskan cruise on Explorer and were assigned a D3 cabin- 6378. Looking at the website, I saw that an E1 aft balcony was available- cabin 7390. I put a hold on the cabin until tomorrow when my travel agency opens. However, I noticed that it does say that this cabin has an obstructed view.

Last year we had 6388 on Adventure and by far, that was the best balcony I've ever had. 7390 is right next to the corner, so although we would be missing that little side area, the balcony is still so much larger than the balcony we would have on 6378. The cabin is also slightly less than we paid for the guarantee. Since we are past final payment, I know we wouldnt get any money back, but I would be fine with that.

Am I safe to assume that the obstructed view is due to the super structure similar to Adventure? And are the views from the aft better for Alaska?

My in laws live in the Netherlands and had been planning a long weekend in Brussels this weekend. Following the attacks they still considered taking their trip but eventually cancelled because they were concerned things they wanted to see wouldn't be open. While I felt it was a little too soon to go, they weren't afraid.

I think as Americans we are far more worried about European travel than many actual Europeans are. Danger in some form or another exists everywhere. We can shelter in our homes and avoid the world, or we can go out, explore, and do everything the terrorists hate by embracing the beautiful experiences this planet can offer.

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Does anyone know if a future cruise credit (which we received due to cancelling our Spring cruise due to the Zika outbreak- we fall into the category of those who should not be travelling to those areas) from RCCL can be applied to a Celebrity sailing?

Thanks!

I just had laparoscopic surgery last Friday the 19th and went back to work today. I would be ok traveling in a week or so. Just keep in mind if you have stitches you may not be able to submerge in water for a few weeks ( they told me three)

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Thanks! Will give it until tomorrow before I call since Monday was a bank holiday

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I cancelled my upcoming reservation for a March cruise on 2/4/16. I received the 50% refund for the actual cruise a few days later. However, I have not yet received a refund for the specialty dining reservations I made. I do have an email from Royal confirming the cancellation but the refund has not yet been made.

Anyone know if this typically takes longer than refunding the actual cruise itself?

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If this helps, I cancelled my March cruise on RCCL due to Zika. They gave us a future credit for the non refundable portion of our paid fares and are giving us two years to book a cruise using it, so essentially we are getting almost 4 years to sail. I know you are trying to use an already existing credit but call them and tell them that the competitor is giving their customers two years to book, not just sail. It can't hurt to try!

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We cancelled our March cruise due to this issue as well. We have been undergoing fertility treatments and my doctor told us we cannot travel. There is growing concern about the possibility that the virus can be spread from a male to his partner as well. For us, the risk wasn't worth it.

Since we were not flying directly to a country on the CDC list, United Airlines would not refund our tickets. After lengthy arguments, they did give us full credit to use within the next year, without any change fees. Since I cancelled a few weeks ago when this story was just taking shape, they weren't very helpful. I'm sure they have more of a policy set in place now.

RCCL also allowed us to keep the 50% of our fares that were in the cancellation period in the form of a future credit that is good for two years. Again, not ideal, but I guess we can use it for a quick getaway in the future.

We definitely took a financial hit for all of this, but it is what it is. Not worth the risk. As others have said, we have trip insurance, but it won't cover getting a potential illness

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I've cancelled my cruise due to this issue. United is not reimbursing us since we are flying to Florida, not to one of the areas affected. I explained we were flying to Florida to leave on a cruise, but not a whole lot of help. I'm going to let the media pressure continue to build and then call back to cancel again

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My husband and I cancelled our cruise for March today, due to Zika. We are undergoing fertility treatment and the slight risk of getting the virus isn't worth it for us. That being said, if we weren't trying to get pregnant, the virus wouldn't concern me. Norovirus always concerns me because every time I have had it, I've ended up in the ER due to rapid dehydration.

Royal is working with us to fully cancel our cruise and hopefully reimburse us the whole amount of our deposit. They've asked for a doctors note and I'm hopeful they will follow through with that

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Just an update-

I have cancelled my cruise per my doctors suggestion. With so little known about the virus and it spreading further and further, I just didn't feel comfortable going. My doctor said if I chose to go I would have to cover my arms and legs and wear bug spray. In all honesty, I go to the Caribbean to lay in the sun in my bathing suit and wear shorts and tank tops. I also go to have a carefree time. I can wear long pants and long sleeves in the cold Chicago weather anytime. I couldn't justify being worried about getting bit and maybe contracting this virus. My husband and I have gone and are going through too much to have a healthy baby- trip wasn't worth it.

That being said, my TA is working with Royal to determine reimbursement. I have spoken to two people there and both have told me I will be fully reimbursed by them provided I submit a doctors note stating he doesn't want me to travel due to the Zika threat. United airlines has offered me a full credit on our airfare with the change fees waived, but I may try to file a claim for that with my trip insurance. Worst case scenario is I have my airfare fully refunded in credit form.

I think the intense media coverage of this story may be a little overblown, but it is putting pressure on travel companies to work with their customers. I have been very happy with Royals response to my situation

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If there is one ship you could go a week and not get off, it's Allure. Hard to imagine a better ship. I must say it is a little low key onboard while being in port and the ship lacks some of its energy without many of its great passengers. Here are some videos I did of the ship on a port day.

 

The Boardwalk...

 

 

The Royal Promenade...

 

 

Central Park...

 

Thanks so much for sharing the videos! I agree that if there's one ship to be "stuck" on for a week, we are booked on it. There are definitely issues to consider but you have all been very helpful!

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Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm not so much worried about claustrophobia as much as boredom, running out of things to do.

The virus can't be spread from person to person contact so there's no concern about others bringing something back.

I may not really have too much of a decision to make, especially if protests continue for some time in Labadee (they probably won't but you never know).

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Hi everyone- trying to decide between cancelling our Allure trip or staying on the ship and not getting off. I'm undergoing fertility treatments and although I won't be pregnant at the time of our March cruise, I'm concerned about the Zika virus. My dr has stated we should be fine if we stay on the ship while in port and use bug spray with Deet. And while a vacation is not worth the lifetime of a healthy child, I could really use the mental break before we head into some pretty intense months. So we are debating the pros and cons of each.

So my question is- has anyone done a week on Allure, not gotten off, and not felt claustrophobic or trapped? I've been on Oasis so I know how huge the ship is- that's not an issue. And we have a balcony room so I'm not concerned about being in an inside cabin. I'm thinking this would be a good trip to really just get to know the ship well but still hesitant to spend a week onboard without getting off.

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Thanks everyone- been going through a lot for the last couple of days. My doctor has told us that if we choose to go, we shouldn't have any issues staying on the ship. He is a frequent cruiser and admits that he has never seen a mosquito on the ship, even when docked in port. He suggested bug spray and if we do want to get off to walk around the port area, long sleeves and pants with bug spray should be ok. That being said, he said he would write me a letter if I wanted to cancel. I have not contacted the trip insurance company yet as we are still deciding.

On a side note, I did ask my dr about changing itineraries to one that sails to st Thomas st Maarten and cococay. He said that while there are no reported cases there yet, islands heavily reliant on tourist dollars are hesitant to report outbreaks of illness, viruses, etc. so just because it's not being reported yet doesn't mean it's not there.

We've decided that since we're on the Allure, if we decide to go and just stay on the ship, Allure is better than Freedom. So it's Allure or nothing.

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I am undergoing fertility treatment so not pregnant yet but obviously trying to be. Will also be on the Allure in March going to labadee Jamaica and Cozumel. Still waiting to talk to my fertility doctor since I know I will not actually be pregnant at the time, but my regular doc has said staying on the ship should be no problem at all (he's a frequent cruiser himself so he knows how it is)

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Thanks for the advice everyone. I talked to my TA and she was very sympathetic. She confirmed we would have to cancel and pay any penalties per RC policy. I do totally understand and just hope my insurance policy will let us cancel, given its a government issued advisory. I'm going to call my doctor on Monday to get a letter confirming I am affected by the advisory to help boost my case. I've never seen or been bitten by a mosquito in 8 cruises either but in all honesty, the possible risk isn't worth it to me.

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I know the cruise itself is not going to be cancelled and for the vast majority of people, the virus isn't an issue. I have a few calls out for advice

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