knittinggirl

We're still waiting for our credit on our March 18th cruise.  We cancelled March 7. 

We haven't even gotten our FCC for cruise cancelled by us on March 7th.  DH is not happy, because this doesn't involve a refund.  Should just involve some typing on a computer.

Over sixty day wait for a credit is unacceptable.  

We just dumped our Carnival stock!  So strange, because we had purchased an extra 100 shares in March.

18 hours ago, rhinomike said:

So HAL waited until the day after final payment was due on our cruise for August and then cancelled it. Then proceeds to tell you it will take 90 days to get your refund. That is dirty, wrong and bad business.  We called them the day before and they assured us our cruise was a go so we allowed the final payment. Then the next day I get an email saying our cruise is cancelled. They took $20k from me and will keep it for 90 days along with everyone else on that ship.  I know exactly what they are doing and it is wrong. My cruise was cancelled on two other lines and they didn’t pull this kind of shady stuff. HAL will never get another penny of my money. I am sure the cheerleaders will defend them but how do you defend this?  They are getting desperate. Anybody that chooses a FCC you maywant to think again. I think they are in trouble to pull this kind of shady stuff. 

Which other cruise lines are you working with?  We're also considering cutting our ties w/ HAL.  This 60 day for FCC is not cool.  I'm also waiting 60 days for a refund on our two cancelled (before final payment) cruises.  I don't remember that happening on Celebrity a few years back.  But that was just one cruise, and not the entire cruise itinerary. 

On 4/7/2020 at 12:06 PM, Fredric22 said:

It will be interesting to see if mandatory, rapid COVID-19 testing is implemented as part of the pre-screening measures.  The technology is moving at such a fast pace, I think it is reasonable that within a few months there will be the capability to do this.  To me, that is perhaps the most safe and reassuring way to move forward.  Of course, that does not completely eliminate the risk of someone eventually becoming ill with the virus, but it should substantially cut the chances of it happening. 

I agree.  Could save a lot of problems, but I wonder about the effectiveness.  Mainly because I think the Diamond Princess ended up in quarantine because one of the passengers visited a port of call in China, so an embarkation Abbott test wouldn't have worked in that case.

We did the Panama Canal in 1999, and I think the pilot had to board the ship.  Also, during the Gatun Locks, the outer decks were packed, and we were right next to the land.  The Ryndam seemed like a close fit.

1 hour ago, beachbrat said:

They failed to list Maasdam’s March 15th Papeete to San Diego cruise as cancelled! Many were en route to or already in Papeete!!! 

According to the blog, docking in Hilo, Hawaii.

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

And with that, the 2020 GWV on Amsterdam will terminate on March 24 in Freemantle, Australia 

Yikes!  Can't imagine trying to get flights back home.

No Fox News, Trump treated that the ban doesn't extend to goods, just passengers.  I guess all those container box loaders we see in ports involve little face to face contact.

Our TA transferred my cruise back to HAL in 2017, and shore ex cancelled all of our shore excursions.   I had to repurchase them, and they had gone up in price.

I did read on Royal Caribbean thread about someone that was asking how to transfer their cruise back, because the TA had disappeared.  I think they managed to talk Royal Caribbean into transferring the cruise back.

5 minutes ago, PSR said:

If you can't (or don't want to) get a MD ok, how do you get a refund for cash? Maybe you don't want a FCC.

Good point!  I'd have a pretty hard time getting an appointment w/ an MD.  Not to mention sitting in the doctor's office right before the cruise and catching everything.

I don't understand why they can't get the ship's doctor to check them. 

They're going to lose a lot of money.

We've been in both an SS and a NS.  The Neptune Lounge is a lot less crowded than it's counterpart on Royal Caribbean.  No free alcohol (beyond embarkation night).  We had a B2B, and they did not invite us for the embarkation night reception on the second leg.  When they say "embarkation" night, they mean the day you actually board the ship!

The Neptune Lounge also has a cappuccino machine.  They also offer free snacks throughout the day.  These snacks are better than the lounges on Royal Caribbean.  But all cold snacks.  You can also get a continental breakfast first thing in the morning, then go down the the Pinnacle after it opens.  The concierges are on duty whenever the Neptune Lounge is open.  You're also supposed to get some free bubbily in the room, but to be honest, we didn't finish it.

Pretty jammed together on inside muster drills too. 

We register via the S.T.E.P. program, and we're often getting emails from embassies about voting.

Obviously very short handed!  Our TA isn't getting anything done either.

Emailed my personal cruise consultant at HAL, and she phoned me back.  Unfortunately, I'd gone through a TA, and they're not very helpful.

29 minutes ago, Pia1913 said:

Just off the phone with HAL; wanted more clarification.   In my case, no insurance and payment of $11,673.  This total amount, if I choose to cancel, will be refunded as FCC.  I must do a new booking prior to end of this year.  I have lots of bookings, but this amount must be used toward a new booking only.  That being said, I have not made a decision yet; still have a few days.  I am due to board the Koningsdam for 44 days on March 15th.

Did something similar to me.  Never got it cancelled, because the TA's cancellation department closed for the night.  So, I have to go through the whole annoying thing again tomorrow.

We got the message from Ashford.   After another two hours, the TA told us the cancellation department was closed. 

I'm confused.  We got standard trip insurance through a third party.  Is HAL going to refund us in Future Cruise Credit?  We're leaving on March 18th. 

The idea of getting stuck on the ship wondering if everyone I'm near has COVID-19, or staying in our cabin for 18 days doesn't appeal.  If we're going to stay in our cabin, we may as well be at home with reliable internet.

Called the TA an hour ago, and he said they were not offering anything, because they hadn't heard anything bad about any of their ships.

4 hours ago, Time For Dreaming said:

Just cancelled our March 18, 2020 11-night Partial Panama Canal Cruise on the Zuiderdam.  We are extremely concerned  about coronavirus and are elderly.  It's just too much to have to fly from Calif. to DFW to Fort Lauderdale with a 3 hr. layover in DFW in both directions.  Plus a pre-night hotel stay and then taking our chances on a cruise ship and shore excursions.

 

 

 

We're scheduled to leave on March 18th, but we didn't get cancel for any reason, and they're telling me that they have no information of things going bad on any of their ships. 

If we do end up  cancelling and getting no refund/future credit, we'll probably cancel all our HAL cruises and go with another line.

I'm also interested.  Our cruise leaves on 3/18, cruise plus  Southwest Airlines.

I asked my TA to call them over a week ago, and I spoke w/ her today and she told ME to call them.

If I hear "we apologize for the delay, we'll be with your shortly," one more time . . .

Been holding on the phone for travel insurance for over an hour. 

Does HAL still bury us in ads from the Spa, Stores, shore excursions, etc.?

You also get the no host bar, which includes some empty glasses on a shelf.   You get double loyalty points (a great perk).  Room service is lame.  We had a pretty disappointing and downsized menu on our signature suite.

I think we still get flowers, but someone else should weigh in on that.

On the Veendam, if you want a balcony,  the vista suite is the "cheapest" option.  They also have a Lanai (shared promenade).