karen_g

Correct, unless there is some very unusual circumstance, they FCCs will still have the same expiration date.

Thank you for this very good information! I had no clue. I would definitely have to insure the whole amount. You gave me good advice to ask the insurance companies directly if they will insure a trip paid with FCCs. I sure hope I can find one that does!

Do you think the insurance sold by Royal Caribbean would be sure insure FCCs, or not necessarily?

The FCCs do have a limited lifetime, so even if you cancel and get back the FCCs, you may only have a short time to use them. I would insure the entire amount.

 

I also think the best people to ask would be the insurance company. It's possible they won't even insure the FCCs.

 

We've used www.squaremouth.com several times and been happy with their service. You can call their customer service line and ask questions.

So, just so I understand: the FCCs that I used had to be used by September 2018. My scheduled cruise is at the end of June 2018. If I have to cancel my June cruise, chances are my FCCs would still have to be used by September 2018? Sorry to be so dense; I have never used FCCs before.

I will say ship excursions were limited. Bacardi open , bike tours, both forts, old town, shops and restaurants. Of course rainforest devastated. I am not sure about rest of the island - I’m sure it isn’t in as good of shape.

 

Be flexible and you will find something to do. They were SO glad to see us.

 

We did walking food tour.

 

 

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I was thinking of doing that very tour! Did you enjoy it? I'm not a picky eater, but then again I really don't go for things like fish with the head still on. I'd love to hear about what you ate/drank on this tour, if you don't mind sharing...

My next cruise is being paid for almost entirely with Future Cruise Certificates issued to my husband and myself because our last cruise was impacted by Hurricane Irma. Once you add in taxes and fees for our re-scheduled cruise, we only had to pay approximately $700 additional. (The FCCs are worth several thousand dollars).

I definitely want to purchase travel insurance to cover us should we need to cancel (I have an elderly parent whose health has its ups and downs). The travel agent I used (found online) says that I only need to buy enough cruise insurance to cover the $700 because if we cancel, the FCCs will just be re-issued.

I am skeptical. Is this true? In the (hopefully unlikely) event that we have to cancel, I don't want to lose the thousands of dollars that are now tied up in FCCs.

I have e-mailed Royal Caribbean to ask this very question, but it has been over 5 days and I still have not received a response.

Does anyone out there happen to KNOW the answer? Thanks so much.

Karen

All Junior Suites have the bed by the bathroom.

Thanks very much. I guess that makes my choice easier! [emoji3]

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Bed by the balcony.

I know this is an old thread, but I am hoping that you can help me too, Bob.

Is there a pattern I can use to figure out bed placement in Junior Suites on the Allure? I have not chosen my cabin yet, but I would like to have this info to help me choose. Thanks so much! :D

Yes, thank you!

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Thanks Merion Mom. I know it seems silly, but I was really stressing over how to book & use the FCCs. [emoji3]

And yes, I am a Crown & Anchor member, so that phone number will work.

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Actually, I believe the travel agent has already received the commission due for the cruise that was cancelled. Because when the cruise is cancelled under circumstances like this, Royal does not want the agent to lose a commission. Otherwise, the agent would be unhappy just as you would be if Royal didn't refund your money.

 

 

 

I think I know this because we book cruises with an agent that gives us a sizeable gift card several weeks after the cruise is completed - or, after the commission is credited to the agent. One of our cruises was recently cancelled because of the hurricane, and several weeks later - we received the gift card . So the agent received the commission for the cancelled cruise, and issued to us the gift card.

This is really good to know. I might check with the travel agency that handled the cruise that was cancelled and see if they want this new booking. Thanks for the good info!

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FCC are usually applied to a booking afer the reservation is made and deposit is paid.

So I guess this means that as long as my new cruise is more expensive than my last cruise by at least the deposit amount, I could book online, pay the deposit by credit card, then call RCI to apply the FCC to the balance. Is the deposit amount always a fixed dollar amount?

So my husband's and my planned cruise last September got "adjusted" due to Hurricane Irma (it was shortened and the ports were changed). We were given the option to cancel and receive our money back in the form of a Future Cruise Certificate, and that is what we did. I will soon be ready to re-schedule our long lost cruise, but I am a little confused about how to proceed.

On the face of the certificate, it says to give it (the certificate) to our travel agent for payment. It also says that the travel agent will only receive commission on the whatever amount is paid over and above the value of the certificate. Well since we got *all* of our cruise fare back in this form, chances are I'm not going to be paying very much over and above the value of the certificate. It seems like a travel agent is not going to make very much commission off this booking.

Due to very downsized commission, Is it best for me to now book with Royal directly? Do I need to call in and talk to a real person (vs booking online on their website) since I will be paying with a FCC instead of a credit card?

In the past, I have used *************.com to find travel agents offering the best deals, but it seems dishonest to do that now since I get the impression that they won't be making much off my booking.

I would love advice on how to actually book my next cruise from anyone who has experience in this area. Thanks so much!

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Those that have canceled and had insurance, is the process hard? I called to see my options, while they gave me the info, they were very short and made it sound like a gamble.

The one time I had to make a claim (when my mother-in-law passed away), it was super-easy. I was booked with Princess and had purchased the insurance thru them. As I recall, I called their 800 number, told them that I had to cancel and that I had their insurance, and they gave me instructions on how to file the claim. They were very nice about it. I submitted the documentation they needed (death certificate) and they processed a full refund.

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My mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly just shortly before our cruise. Oddly enough, I think that was the very first time I had ever purchased travel insurance. Have bought it every single time since then.

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Now....lets see what's in store for us on September 10th???

 

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Yes indeed. I'm on the September 10th sailing also, and am hoping for the best. Since it's already a Western Caribbean itinerary, maybe everything will proceed as planned. Fingers crossed! :)

We are sailing on Allure in January and we are supposed to get the free dinner also. Was your coupon mailed to you? Emailed? How long before the cruise? I haven't ever had one of these coupons previously and I thought it would be in the cabin when we boarded, but it seems as though it might be given to us before then. Thanks.

It was e-mailed to me about 3 weeks before the cruise.

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Thanks!

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Hi Bob,

Yes, the voucher says it's only good for Port Days. So here is another question: is Embarkation Day considered a Port Day? I was thinking I would like to use it the day we board.

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Thank you very much! :D

My travel agent very kindly surprised me with a free dinner at a specialty restaurant for my upcoming cruise on the Allure! The reservation has to be made once I am onboard - it cannot be made in advance. How do I do this? Once onboard, is there a phone number I call? a central location where you make all dining reservations? or do I go to the specific restaurant I am interested in? Thanks for any info!

Thank you.

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Hi. Are there changing rooms at Labadee? I am going Ziplining first thing, so I don't want to wear my swimsuit off the ship, but would like to know if there is somewhere to change afterwards. Thanks for any info!

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Hi Harry,

Just wanted you to know that even years after your trip, MANY people are still reading and highly enjoying your report! I have spent many pleasant hours enjoying your writing style, your sense of humor, your photos, and *of course* your completely adorable family. Thanks for all the time and hard work you put into it. I am cruising on the Allure in September, and now I'm even more excited than before! [emoji3]

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Thanks so much for your excellent trip report. I enjoyed it very much, and especially enjoyed your photos. Glad you had such a good time!

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Following... Especially looking forward to food discussion & photos!

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Thanks for the photos! I like that you can have your mini bar stocked with just the items you want.

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