NameThatFunnel

Virgin Voyages have now cancelled the remaining cruises for 2020. A notice was just sent to travel agents a short while ago.

Thanks for all the replies to my original post. One of the cruises I am having hard time to L&S is my March 20, 2021 Rhapsody (7 nt Western) to Odyssey for the March 20, 2022 (6 nt Western). Odyssey is not an available option. 

After 3 attempts to cruise on Scarlet Lady this year (with my October sailing canceled last week), I decided to stop rebooking and take the refund. I will wait it out and book again last minute in 2021.

Has anyone managed to lift and shift from any royal ship other than Odyssey departing in 2020 or 2021 to Odyssey in 2021 or early 2022. I have three booked cruises departing before April 2021 that I want to move, but the L&S options do not include Odyssey of the Seas. Is it possible that Odyssey is exempt? Interestingly, I also had a 4th cruise booked on Odyssey for Nov 2020 and when I tired to L&S (before they sailings were canceled) it also only listed other ships, so I ended up selecting something else.

1 minute ago, drewdawg199 said:

that's the point.....trying to get my Sept. 2021 deposit back in cash (I'm past the initial 7 day cancel policy).

I see, interesting idea. Problem is, if you switch to the November 2020 itinerary, you'd have to pay the full balance at that time as well.

5 minutes ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

There goes the Alaska 2021 season.

 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-u-s-border-closure-extended-again-amid-tension-over-restrictions-1.5064424

September 21, 2020, not September 2021

If the end result is VV cancelling your new cruise, then why wouldn't you be eligible for a refund as well. Personally, I would not book a cruise departing in November 2020, it is likely not going to happen.

7 minutes ago, drewdawg199 said:

I have a cruise booked next September in Europe with deposit paid.  If I moved that to say a November 2020 cruise and that cruise happens to get cancelled, does anyone think I'd be eligible for a cash refund?

Absolutley, when I called today, they offered me a refund of my original booking amount for my April 2020 cruise, that was canceled three times. Still debating what to do. I like the 200% I received based on my original fare, but now looking at moving it to mid 2021 and not sure I want them to hold my money that long.

Been a week since Virgin canceled cruises through October 31st. My cruise was included in this latest round (3rd time so far), so I called to see what options I had. There are no new incentives to rebook, other than reusing the previous 200% FCC I received previously. Also, with their current 30% off "sale", they are no longer offering sailor loot as before, but if you had it previously and rebook, they will honor it.

6 minutes ago, dexddd said:

We still haven't seen anything from March 21 submission other than a random couple hundred dollar amount that doesn't match any piece of our transactions.  Dispute on prepaid items a few weeks back and nothing on those yet.  Likely will be doing dispute for large amount that was owed in the form of FCC.  Ten days after inquiring about a January refund related to this trip still haven't seen that.

 

At the end of the day, they have handled this VERY POORLY.  All our TA has gotten is the same excuses pretty much everyone else here has gotten.

 

Thanks for the update.

I was also waiting for refund for March 21st cruise. I disputed over $4,000 in charges with my credit card tow weeks ago and so far I've received less than half, with refunded amounts not matching the original charge amounts. I think this is a game that MSC is playing to dole out the money, making it appear to the cc company that refunds are not being processed. So far, no credits from my dispute.

I’ve received two refunds so far, but still only half of what I am owed for my March 21st cruise. Think my credit card dispute moved this along faster.

3 hours ago, dexddd said:

Wow, you've been lied to more times than me.

 

The large TA we use seems to have been obliterated.  Contact seems to be with limited staff out of Mexico.  Waiting for response from Tuesday email to TA but very near to card dispute.

I have been going through the same issues since my March 21 cruise was canceled. I sent emails all the way up the chain with zero responses to any of them. I have given MSC one more chance to rectify the situation and told them if I don't receive refunds by today I am initiating charge back with credit card. The only reason I haven't already, is that there are multiple credit cards involved, since this was booked well over a year in advance.

On July 7th, I requested a refund for my deposits a total of $1,500 for my canceled November 2020 Mardi Gras cruise. Received refunds yesterday. That's 10 days, fastest refunds I've seen yet, except for Virgin Voyages (those were done in 24 hours).

12 hours ago, garymfreedman said:

Covid cruising prohibitions are now bumping up really close to our October voyages......

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/16/cdc-bans-us-cruises-through-september-citing-expanding-coronavirus-outbreaks.html

After 2 canceled cruises on Scarlet Lady this year (with 3rd scheduled in October), I am fully expecting to have the rest of her 2020 sailings canceled at some time soon. I will likely not rebook until well into 2021.

I'm at over 110 days with zero refunds for my March cruise, onboard extras and Plusgrade fee. Requested refund week of march 16th, was told they had no record of it and was apparently issued FCC. Resubmitted request in May and coming up on another 60 days since then as well. Even if they issued me a FCC, I should have received a refund for all of the other items back by now. I love MSC, but just take responsibility already.

Virgin Voyages may very well decide to keep Scarlet Lady in Europe to at least have a chance at getting some revenue sailings in for 2020. I'm sure they could get loads of people to book last minute from Europe with some savvy social media blitzes. Sad to say it, but it's looking more and more like U.S. departures are not happening this year.

10 minutes ago, britincanada said:

We were booked on Richard's Birthday Bash this year in a central sea terrace - we are now sailing on Richard's Birthday Bash next year in a Cheeky Corner Suite (biggest terrace) - and still have almost  enough credit to take another cruise in a terrace cabin!! We also got $500 on board credit. Hubby isn't great at taking vacation, so even if we don't use the remaining credit we will more than had our money's worth for what we actually paid.

 

Awesome! Sounds like you one of this those paid a high price for their initial cruise, which paid off big time with the extra 100% FCC for those that rebooked instead of canceling. I on the other hand are on the other spectrum. I originally booked a single ocean view at a fantastic price, still got the 200% when it was canceled and was able to rebook for a future cruise (canceled again), and now I am rebooked in same category at no additional cost plus a hefty FCC.

Well, I just got the bad news that my refund request (supposedly submitted March 22) for my March 21st cruise was never received. I was told to submit a new form today, this is not right. Trying to escalate this up the chain.

Just received word that Virgin Voyages has canceled all of their sailings through October 15, 2020. This includes Richard's Birthday Bash, which as been rescheduled for July 15, 2021.

I'm not saying that commission should not be paid to travel agents, but the customers who actual paid to go on the cruise (and put that commission in the pocket of the TA), should be refunded first. What not make a TA wait 60 or 90 days for their commissions!

Still nothing for me. No refund of taxes & fees, purchased massages, internet or Plusgrade and of course the cruise itself. It looks as though they made an error and have me slated to receive FCC for the cruise portion. I saw reference to this on my account. I've also called several times to get clarity, but keep getting the run around and no returned calls. My cruise was for March 21, 2020, so the 60 days is coming up soon.

Here is press release from HAL

Orlando Ashford to Leave Holland America Line

After More than Five Years 

President of premium cruise line will depart at the end of May

Seattle, Wash., May 12, 2020 — Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford announced that he will be leaving the company at the end of May. Ashford, who heads the premium cruise line within the Carnival Corporation family of brands, has been at the company for nearly five and half years and led a rejuvenation of the brand through an emphasis on enhanced onboard entertainment, live music and culinary experiences.

Since November 2014, Ashford has served as president of Holland America Line, leading the award-winning cruise line's brand and business, including its fleet of 14 premium vessels which carry more than 900,000 guests annually to all seven continents. He oversaw Holland America Line’s sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, hotel operations and strategy. Recently he has guided the company through an unprecedented pause in global cruise operations that have been extended through the line’s planned 2020 Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England sailing seasons.

“Orlando has made a substantial contribution to Holland America Line during his tenure, bringing a renewed energy to the premium cruise line that was recognized with many awards and accolades,” said Stein Kruse, Group CEO of Holland America Group and Carnival UK. “His unique background as an innovator and global leader in human resources was highly respected in our organization and his dynamism will be greatly missed.”

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the evolution of the Holland America Line brand for more than five years,” said Ashford. “I can’t say enough about the talent and teamwork both shoreside and on board the ships that has driven our many successes over the years.

“Today, a global pandemic has impacted our industry in ways that are completely unprecedented,” added Ashford. “However, I believe it is human nature to travel and explore new places and cultures and meet new people. I have no doubt that Holland America Line will thrive again soon, and its guests will be ready when cruise operations resume. I look forward to being one of the first to sail.”

Prior to joining Holland America Line, Ashford was president of the Talent Business Segment for Mercer, the global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments. Previous to Mercer he served as senior vice president, chief human resources and communications officer of Mercer's parent company, Marsh & McLennan Companies. Ashford also has held several other leadership roles earlier in his career with organizations such as Coca-Cola, Motorola, Ameritech and Andersen Consulting.

Ashford serves on the board of directors of ITT, Inc., Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company, Positive Coaching Alliance, Virginia Mason Medical Center and Year Up, a year-long intensive training program for underserved young adults.

Ashford is often recognized for his leadership. For example, Ashford was selected by Seattle Business Magazine for the 2019 Executive Excellence Award, honoring the best-of-the-best leaders in Washington state business and community.

Ashford’s book, “Talentism,” examines how technology and human networks can help bridge the skills gap, improve business performance and lead to the betterment of society at large. He has a second book currently in development.

1 hour ago, cruisingator2 said:

Spoke with MSC this morning. Finally reached an agent that had some knowledge and took the time to place me on hold several times as she messaged her supervisor. 
 

They are handling refunds based on your “sail” date. The 60 day window of when you request the refund is out the window. I was told that they are currently working on early April sailings. Also I was told that credit card companies are pushing back due to the amount of refunds being processed world wide. I was told the same thing by Celebrity when working on my refund. She stated that the cc companies are telling them it could take up to two billing cycles to post. 

 

Bottom line is I would not expect to see a refund until after your sail date was to happen. At this point it seems that the process is changing almost daily. I read an article yesterday that Visa is overwhelmed with people disputing charges. It’s a mess all the way around and I’m to the point that it’s not worth getting worked up over. 

I'm waiting on refund for a cruise that was to sail March 21st and have received nothing so far.

Once the cruise lines decide what needs to be implemented, then cruisers will get to decide if that "new normal" appeals to them. Do you want to go on a cruise with reduced services, anti-social environments or the need to wear a mask everywhere onboard?

I was wondering if anyone has requested a full refund for their canceled cruise that also had paid for the PlusGrade upgrade. I've not been able to get clear response from MSC (varies based on who I speak to) if they will also refund the PlusGrade amount as well.