harz99

11 minutes ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

	Brilliance of the seas itinerary for summer 2022 (just posted) 7 Night Greece & Croatia Cruise Venice (Ravenna), Italy Departs at 5:00 PM
	Dubrovnik, Croatia From 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
	Cruising Day at sea
	Mykonos, Greece Tendered from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
	Santorini, Greece Tendered from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
	Cruising Day at sea
	Split, Croatia Tendered from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
	Venice (Ravenna), Italy Arrives at 6:45 AM

Ravenna is a very nice city with beautiful mosaic ceilings in many old buildings, but Venice it isn't!

43 minutes ago, internetwhiz said:

I’m wondering if they are converting back to other tastes. There are two TP segments without passengers, in April 2021 Eastbound, and in late September 2021 Westbound to Honolulu. Fifteen days without pax Eastbound, and 10 days without pax’s Westbound. You can see the gaps in the photos below. I hope that means for our 2022 cruises, they will have completed that. What else can the gaps be?
 

Quarantining the ship so nobody travels into or out of Australia except the crew maybe? 

9 hours ago, BoomerMan47 said:

I previously posted on June 24:

"I received word from Celebrity this morning that they are only cancelling sailings through September 15, 2020.  Unfortunately, that means your sailing has not been cancelled as of yet.  So if you would like, we can do the $700 refund and the $200 future travel certificate if you would like.  The only other option is to pay in full and then way to see if it cancels.  If that’s the case, then you could get 100% refund or a 125% future travel certificate."

Well, we didn't want to pay any more to Celebrity considering what is going on, so we opted for the FCC. The TA later "clarified" our option after talking to Celebrity and said that there would be NO REFUND since it was a non-refundable deposit, but that we would get our entire $900 deposit as a FCC (no mention of 125% FCC).

Does this action agree with what others have seen if their cruise has not yet been canceled?

As you are cancelling and have a NRD normally you would lose it, full stop. We cancelled our Apex TA and received 100% FCC on our NRD which was correct as regards the UK offer, why would you expect a refund or 125% FCC if you are the one cancelling? In our circumstance something is better than nothing.

1 hour ago, Pennstatedj said:

Rodinglane,

I agree with your post 100%. 

I do not understand why no communication. We have over 60 cruises with X and feel like you do. We were very loyal to X. I believe the buck stops with the Boss, Lisa. I am not impressed with here leadership. We that have been with X for a long time know their problems with their IT Department and now know that there are many manual systems throughout the company instead of highly auto systems. I do think that this is not the type of problem you have planned for but any top executive knows that communication of bad events can be handled with appropriate response by the CEO. I do not understand the silence especially to all those customers who have been affected. We had 4 cancelled by X and one with RCCL. It just does not make any sense. Not the way to do business in this industry. I hope it can recover from this pandemic. 

I'm very sure that the majority of their problems would not have existed if they had held the funds for each booking in a secure holding account until the date of the cruise, instead it is patently obvious that any funds received from deposit onwards are distributed to the various cost centres asap to pay for the current and not future operations. In other words a giant form of Ponzi scheme. Then having got into a mess they don't communicate, which leads to thousands of extra phone calls and emails from customers that have to be dealt with, probably by the same staff who are processing refunds. A perfect storm.

15 minutes ago, sidari said:

You can move your deposit with MSC to next year, a friend who received an email from them yesterday saying the September cruise is cancelled moved theirs today to November next year.

No, I can't because the charge would be the same cost as the deposit due to it being non returnable, plus I haven't had any emails and my cruise technically isn't cancelled, they've "just" changed the ship and cabin as per their Caribbean redeployments. 

36 minutes ago, sidari said:

Read a few of the other threads where those booked have had emails from MSC informing them their cruises are cancelled. The new date is now October 18th that cancellations go up to, don't expect to see anything on the UK website so soon.

Thanks, I just read some of the posts. My situation is I have a November 7 day ex Miami booked through a UK travel agent, I found from another site that MSC were redeploying ships in the Caribbean, sure enough ship changed, cabin changed and extra OBC given, no word from MSC to me or the agent about the changes. My return flight with Norwegian was cancelled and just refunded, and the deposit for my Celebrity Apex cruise prior to my MSC cruise has had the deposit moved to 2021. Final payment for the MSC cruise is first week in August, I'm not going and will not make final payment but would rather get a refund or credit than just give the money to MSC. Hence my question.

22 minutes ago, sidari said:

September cruises in Northern Europe are cancelled, so you will be happy you did not rebook.

Not what it said on the UK website 2 hours ago, why do you say that?

8 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

It is a Travel Agency based out of New Hampshire.  I've used them a few times and always swear never again!

Bit of a Con is it?

23 minutes ago, BoomerMan47 said:

I hope this is best thread to post my issue. I originally posted it in a RCC forum and was advised that I should post here instead. Consider it a newbie training opportunity,

 

Can anyone provide any insight and/or opinion into why Royal Caribbean decided to go with the  CLIA-imposed minimum of September 15, while the Carnival and Norwegian of the Big Three cancelled most U.S. sailings through at least September 30?

That decision will significantly impact our group of eight couples financially because we are booked on a Celebrity September 25 departure; so we will not be able to participate in the "Celebrity Cruise With Confidence Program". That program has a "Lift and Shift" option to move our complete deposit to a future cruise with the same pricing and benefits. 

All but one couple are over 70 years old and we are very wary of cruising ANYTIME in 2020. If we cancel ourselves the only option available to us will be to forfeit $100/person of our $450 non-refundable deposit, be given a future cruise credit of the remainder AND have to pay the going rate on a future booking. I estimate that we may have to pay $1,000 more per person to get an equivalent cruise with Celebrity. 

Our final payment is due tomorrow and I don't know what to do. Others in the group are planning to cancel their reservations and take the hit. Is there a better option?

I'm not sure thats correct? I know there are like for like stipulations for Lift n Shift but afaik you only have to do it at least 48hrs before sail date and by August 1st. Have you checked the up to date position via Celebrity's website?

12 minutes ago, Intergalactic Cruiser said:

Congrats so that's two REPORTED  so far - one in the States and one in Norway. Nothing yet REPORTED from the UK where I have now been promised in writing that my March claim will be refunded by 9th July. I was told on Wednesday there would be a big announcement from MSC yesterday, Wednesday, but it didn't come. Whisper was that no further bookings are being taken for this year and the website is only showing 2021 cruises. This logically would mean that those who have cancelled their 2020 cruises will not be able to rebook for this year. That would leave ships less than full which might help with onboard distancing but IMHO more likely is that with Portugal, Spain and and others not welcoming cruise ships the Europe, at least, 2020 programme will all be cancelled. Pessimistic yes 'fraid so. Hope I'm wrong has been known!

Well something needs to happen soon, about a week ago the big boss of MSC Cruises announced itinerary changed for 2021, since then the US site has carried a news item about this but the changes are still not showing and the old cruises are showing available to book. MSC are also well behind other cruise lines in their dates for which you can rebook, most are allowing up to end 2020 or line to "lift n shift".

2 hours ago, Intergalactic Cruiser said:

"""with a roundtrip ex Southampton on Harmony of the Seas in May""" I think you mean Anthem and if so there is a 7 nt cruise we could be interested in. Will investigate, thanks for the nod

Yes I do mean Anthem, doh!!! I was tossing up between that and Harmony out of Barcelona, so had a senior moment there. I think the European Cities itinerary is repeated a few times from early May, we're on the first one.

17 minutes ago, Intergalactic Cruiser said:

I suppose we shouldn't complain having cruised many times from Southampton but there are not many cruises of interest to us May through to September next year. A repeat Princess cruise a possibility since they offer £50 deposits and we'd be happy enough given the circumstances to walk away from those. Otherwise it's re-booking our cancelled short breaks in the UK and maybe a Rhone river cruise.  

Trying to stay safe, it's everyone else😉

I know the feeling re ex UK itineraries, but for us Harmony is a new ship and class, plus we've never been to either Rotterdam or Bilbao before so that's good enough. It'll be interesting to see how they manage the entertainment though as the big theatre show is normally on mutiple days and times to accomodate everyone on board in a full theatre, but that was without any social distancing...

24 minutes ago, Intergalactic Cruiser said:

Hi from the UK

Cancelled P and O 14th March for 31st May cruise for £4,800 ($6,000). Cheque refund received in full 10th June, didn't like wait but they kept me well informed. Pleased with their customer relations. Section 75 of credit card claimed but matter resolved by P and O. Only issue is a planned identical cruise with them for next summer has been priced at £3,436 when our cancelled 31st May cruise this year was £2,412 an increase of 42%. Maybe to balance out the extra 25% FCC offered (but not taken). Won't be taking the cruise at that price. Sign of things to come.

 

MSC UK disgraceful AND dishonest. Cancelled 12th March for 4th April cruise. Similar cost to P and O cruise and broken promises after broken promises. Easy to speak with very pleasant staff but always the same result from different stories - 'refund is being processed'! Have to wait until at least middle of July now. Loyal past customers but will not be booking with them again. Section 75 claimed which may or may not arrive in the next 10 working days but before the MSC. 

Won't be cruising before at least mid 2021 as 74 soon, still very cautious and have yet to hear about changes to onboard life and facilities.

Saga UK travel insurers will now insure Covid risks apparently. Hope ours, and others, will follow

Haven't seen any posting on here from UK customers receiving any refunds

Wife and I have enjoyed our 10 week no fly/cruise /drive walking holiday from our house keeping positive and safe despite the revolting morons on the other city streets 

Another UK customer here, slightly different situation in that we have a Caribbean cruise booked for this November that I want to move back a year, wouldn't be a problem for pretty much every other cruise line going on the current climate because it will cost them nothing and keeps the money in their coffers. MSC however will only allow this penalty free up to end October, after that it's £100 each to change for 2 of us or lose deposit of £200, so same thing. Final payment looms late next month at which point we shall have to cancel if they're stance doesn't change, if that happens, despite us being top loyalty level we'll be done with them cos it's not the first time they've been unhelpful to us. We're a couple of years younger than you, but being cautious we've cancelled or rebooked every holiday or weekend away up next April, with a roundtrip ex Southampton on Harmony of the Seas in May being our next planned break. Stay safe.

7 hours ago, hcat said:

That's a new one..  "work flow problem"

Might be fun to start a  list if excuses that were given for delays..

We were given  several diff ones but happy it is all done, for now,

That excuse says to me that all the claims are in old style paper folders, and someone has been dumping piles of new claims into in-tray baskets before the existing pile has been cleared, thus the oldest ones never get processed....

6 minutes ago, newcruiserdave said:

This is simply unacceptable business practice.  I am tired of hearing excuses. "Oh, but there are so many refunds to issue".   I was able to cancel my flights and was refunded in 3 days.  Same with my trip insurance.  There are at least 7 round trip flights that have to be cancelled for any overseas cruise, and yet the airlines manage to treat their customers well.  This is blatant disregard for their customers.  Celebrity could refund them all in a week if they were willing to reallocate their employees temporarily.  They don't care enough.  And who could ever explain how they give 3-4 partial refunds over weeks instead of the total all together.  All I paid to them was deposit and final payments (no excursions or packages added).  But they send me $250 for each passenger when they could have issued the entire amount with the same amount of work.  This is just dishonest.  I cannot imagine how anyone would consider doing business with a company like this.

I already gave a possible reason why the refunds are coming out a bit at a time just a few days back up thread...

46 minutes ago, JulesH said:

 

Sadly, I'm starting to think that RCCL is issuing refunds that are short by just a small enough amount that they hope many peope won't catch the difference. It makes no sense from any standpoint whatsoever (accounting, prioritization of certain customers, etc.) to issue partial refunds. That just gums up the accounting...which may be the whole point. 

I may be wrong, but it appears to me as though monies received by RCCL companies are immediately allocated to and split around various specific profit centres and codes, so rather than being returned centrally in one go they refunds are coming individually from each profit centre, hence the jumbled way the customer receives their refund, and probably why portions "go missing". All down to their rubbish IT and Accounting systems.

Just heard from a Romanian crew couple who were on Voyager, they finally got home on 21st May.

2 minutes ago, acctgtogo said:

I have a question concerning FCC.  We had a nonrefundable deposit on a cruise that was cancelled.  The deposit was to be changed into a FCC.  We received this email that talks about the FCC, but there was no attachment or "guidelines and instructions" that were mentioned in the email.  I responded three days ago asking for more information but have not heard back.  Should there have been an attachment with a code number or something that I can use in the future?

 

 

Thank you for choosing Celebrity Cruises. We appreciate your consideration of our brand for your vacation.
 
We are sorry to learn that you will be unable to sail with us aboard the Celebrity Silhouette in June of 2020 as originally scheduled. Our records indicate you were booked under a non-refundable promotion. As such, your recent reservation cancellation entitles you to Future Cruise Certificates. Kindly note that the credit issued is equal in value to the deposit amount paid. We ask that you refer to the included guidelines and instructions for redemption when planning your next cruise.  
 
It is our sincere hope that we will have a future opportunity to welcome you aboard one of our Celebrity ships. We are confident a very special and memorable sailing experience awaits you.

 

Thanks - Penny
 

If there's a TA involved maybe ask them if they've had anything, otherwise follow up with Celebrity.

7 hours ago, BridgeMates said:

 

I got a default notice with this address.

Two capital Ls at the front maybe, or maybe she's gone as predicted in the thread...

4 minutes ago, NHDOC said:

 

So far, my efforts, which included Visa disputes have gotten me back over $10,000 I would have had to accept as FCC had I not fought for it and now I am down to the last $1400 or so they still owe on deposits made long ago.  So, my cat's chance is looking pretty good.  This cat has 8 more lives left. 

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the refunds you've had were all for cruises already cancelled by the cruise lines or materially affected cruises that were already taking place? My concern is centred around future booked cruises not yet paid in full.

8 minutes ago, NHDOC said:

The issue is what happens to all of the deposits and FCC money they are holding should they become insolvent.  It's something that I never would have thought possible six months ago but today the unthinkable is the new reality.  Giving the cruiselines any more money today (or allowing them to hold your money in the form of a FCC) is basically like saying "there's a reasonably good chance that the money is going to be lost".  

..................

I have also requested that Princess, HAL and Celebrity refund all of the Future Cruise Deposit money they are holding when we entered into those programs for the same reason as above.  There is no good reason to believe any money they are holding will be usable if they go belly-up.  Let the fools who loaned NCL and Carnival billions take that risk - they are being paid interest in return for it but we customers aren't.

I wish you well in your endeavours, personally i'd love to see you succeed because it would open the floodgates for the rest of us, however that is also why I think you haven't a cat in hells chance of being successful. We all signed up to various contractual terms, and unless our cruises are cancelled by the cruise line or are provided in a very materially different way, both parties are entitled to expect the other party in the contract to abide by the contract terms.

6 hours ago, NHDOC said:

Cruise with CONfidence, I love it.  The CON is that the FCC can't be used for reservation deposits.  So, if you give them more money before this August you might be able to cruise again with them if they don't go bankrupt before April 2022, otherwise they will have conned you out of more $$$.  No thanks, just gimme my money back please.

I and others wishing to move or cancel future cruises will be in a different situation to you though, being booked in the UK if we cancel our cruises, as per the normal T&Cs we will lose our deposit, however with this policy it looks as though we can at the very least obtain an FCC and simply bide our time in re-booking until either we are confident of travelling, or the lo deposit offers come out - which they will with cruise confidence so low - or both.

The thing I have absolutely no wish to do, is be making full final payments for anything until at least the years end, by which time I believe the way forward in terms of both health matters and cruise company survival will be much much clearer.   

11 minutes ago, sunlover33 said:

 

Yes, that's the one i'd heard about thank you.

Hearing on an FB group that Travel Agents have been advised of an updated CwC type policy for RCCL group companies, sorry no link I can give. Any TAs on here now? 

This thread is fast becoming jumbled up with North American cruisers under one set of conditions versus UK and rest of Europe under a different  set of conditions, and for more complication deposit only refunds versus fully paid cruise cancellations. It really needs splitting down into 2 at the very least, NA and rest of world, but preferably into 4 by booking region, then deposit only and fully paid cruises only.