Bookster99

We are cruising at the very end of June and into July. Still a very good chance that this will be cancelled, i think. We usually book direct, but for this time we used a travel agent. I am very glad. She's checking on all the updates for us, so we'll know. If it's cancelled, that's OK. We understand. Will probably take the FCC if that happens. 

2 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

My reason for taking the cash over the FCC has nothing to do with my financial

situation, but more so on my un-willingness to give up flexibility on when I want to book my next cruise. I don’t want to be forced to book a cruise, or feel like I have to choose a specific vacation, based on the fact that I have a credit that’s going to expire. 
 

Being in a comfortable spot financially, I see it the opposite way from you, in that I’m fine losing 20% because it’s not gonna break me, and I prefer the flexibility of having the cash.

 

Thats why I always pay the $203 fee to upgrade my booking to the refundable fare, and why I pay the extra money for the cancel-for-any-reason insurance. Many people say that the extra money for those 2 things is too expensive, but I see them as having value and being totally worth the extra money. I’m paying for peace of mind, rather than risking the stress of losing my flexibility just to save $400 or $500.
 

For a $1,000 cruise, people are trading in flexibility and risking losing the entire amount just to get an extra $250. Doesn’t seem worth it to me. You’re trading in flexibility for a measly $250 bucks.

I see your point. When a global pandemic isn't raging, we cruise about twice a year, so it works for us. It's nice for people to be able to make choices.

On 3/23/2020 at 7:33 PM, Iamcruzin said:

That would be me who filled for unemployment today for the first time ever in my 59 years of life.  My company is done. It's not easy finding a job when the world is on lockdown.

I am sorry, and hope you are on your feet again soon. 

On 2/26/2020 at 12:44 PM, heidikay said:

Anybody watching the price drop?  Oh my I wonder it where it finish.  It is now at 82.28.

We are watching this. Thinking about buying stock with our tax refund, and watching it grow back to health.

On 3/21/2020 at 7:34 PM, LMaxwell said:

I canceled under the cruise with confidence offer before refunds were being offered. When they canceled and offered 100% refund or 125% FCC that was a better deal for most people.  

 

But I am looking at this from the flip side; without knowing how long this crisis continues, when cruises will resume or what pricing will look like, if my or my spouses job will be secure, or if the company survives even, I'm looking at the FCC at best as just a coupon discount on a future cruise and at worst it turns to a value of $0 (which given the nearness of my sail date would have been the refund due for cancellation unless I had used my trip insurance). 

 

That said though instead of wanting the additional credit on the FCC others got (that's great for them, I'm not jealous and don't want to take anything from them) if I had the option to forego the FCC and get 80% cash refund I would.  

 

Anyone else? 

Personally, we are doing OK financially through this so far, so i would take the 125% future cruise credit. But I wouldn't blame anyone for taking the cash. Toilet paper costs money. 

We found one on our last cruise, which we are taking on our June cruise to free back into the wild so someone else can find her! We are also going to bring our own to hide. Anyone have any tag templates they can share?

This will be my third cruise on Liberty, and I have enjoyed the other two. It's been a few years. I'm not worried about the condition of the ship: I've seen ships come out of dry dock with issues! But tell me your favorite things on these recent cruises. I'm trying to remember all my highlights!

On 2/19/2020 at 6:31 AM, mskaufman said:

 

DW won't walk near the casino on any ship because of the smoke.  We were on Grandeur in December and even though they tried to isolate the smoke it was throughout the casino.

It's hard to train smoke.

Maybe drill a hole. They could pass food down to you and save you a trip.

Traditional wisdom is the higher the better. Traditional wisdom also says try to have cabins above and cabins below. However, I have never had a noise problem from being over a public area. I can't speak for these specific rooms, but I wouldn't worry about the Windjammer. Maybe if there was a food fight....

Have they rolled the app out on Liberty of the Seas? I cruised the ship a couple years ago, and it wasn't available. 

More chance of her getting Norovirus, and she has some control over that with hand washing. Good luck!

Thank you for the great review!

8 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Depends on the ship. 

Good to know. Unless I forget.

On 2/17/2020 at 2:23 PM, E23NK1 said:

An iron

a power strip

a "reserved" sign for your pool chair.

 

 

Just kidding....hahahahahaha...sorry I couldnt resist.

 

You forgot the rice cooker and extension cord.

I think all my beds have been by the balcony. But then, I'm not a spring chicken. Memory might be slipping...

1 minute ago, Tree_skier said:

While it is a nice gesture above and beyond cash, there are so many individual tastes, dietary restrictions or allergies that I would worry that having gone to the effort to pack it all the way onto a cruise ship it would just be disposed of by the recipient. 

Also great feedback. Thank you.

6 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

They don’t need your gifts; they need cash. There is no greater incentive than cold hard cash. 

agreed. This is additional to cash. Appreciate your input.

This is useful. We used to get gift cards through AARP, but they have ruined that program. They still have Carnival available, but not Royal Caribbean. For the original poster: Was your booking through a travel agent or direct? We are using a travel agent for our next cruise, and I am used to dealing direct so I am still unsure what's done through the agent and what's done direct.

The texting service would be ideal, but short of that you might use a dry-erase board on your cabin doors with magnets. This way at least updates can be written somewhere so people can know where others went.

My wife and I have discussed bringing a small gift along on the cruise as a small added incentive above and beyond the tips. Good chocolate or something like that. What are your thoughts?

We've never done it: It's always the pre-paid gratuities plus a little more we slip in their hands. Just an idea. Thoughts?

We are definitely signing up for Taste Of Royal! I'd love to hear from people who have experienced it.

We are booked into a panoramic oceanview for a 4th of July cruise on Liberty of the Seas. We are quite excited about it, but it occurred to me some of you have already tried this type of cabin. What did you think? How did it compare to a balcony, or a regular oceanview cabin?

Thanks in advance!

I noticed this, too. This is also the first time I used a travel agent. I think they don't show that data and I have to get it from the agent, which I did. I assume if I booked directly on the website I would be able to see it...

I made my steakhouse and Chef's Table reservations before this was instituted. I actually like pre-paying better: It's a done deal, and hopefully with the prepay I will know what night I have! We do the free bottle of wine on the first night, so actually I do know that one!