powderqn

When my cruise was cancelled in March, I took the refund. My October cruise was just cancelled, and I plan on taking the FCC and OBC, and booking an October 2021 cruise. I had prepaid the gratuities. Does that go with the FCC, or will it be refunded? Earlier this month, I cancelled shore excursions, beverage package and internet, but was unable to cancel the prepaid gratuities. Either way, I'm happy, just want to know what to expect.

13 minutes ago, Doctorsbaby said:

I don’t know anything about the Puerto Rico cruises but please take a looks at Southwests current policy on Travel Funds expiration dates. Travel funds created within the dates specified are good until Sept 2022.

 

https://www.southwest.com/Coronavirus/?clk=CORONAVIRUS_TA&cbid=4430033

Thank you - I had called Southwest last week - and they said only flight cancellation funds that expired March 2020 - September 2020 would expire Sept 2022. If I cancelled, the representative said I had to use by March 2021. I just spoke with another representative and as long as the cancellation is done by September 7, the funds would be available through September 2022.

Glad I called them again. Sort-of like talking to Carnival representatives - different answers each time😁

We are currently booked on the Fascination out of Puerto Rico for October 2020, but since last week, the only 6+ day cruises from PR have been missing. We are waiting for cancellation (which would probably come after final booking), and have been looking at the same cruise for March 2021. Today, the first available booking date out of PR is Sept 2021. I understand the why, but we already have airfare purchased last March - we can cancel, but have to rebook the airfare before March 2021 - Southwest policy - can cancel but must rebook before 1 year from original purchase.

We had planned on paying off the cruise and then moving the amount as a FCC to the March 2021 cruise, and take the OBC offer, if there is one. At this time, I think it's better to just cancel, and wait until 2021 to see what cruises are out there. As it is, our March 2020 cruise was cancelled, and I'm still waiting for gift card refunds, which is what I was going to use to pay off the October cruise.

I really miss cruising, our favorite type of vacation, but think I'll wait until cruising starts again, and then book a cruise.

Still waiting for Gift Card refund. Cruise was 3/15, cancelled on 3/13. Received all credit card refunds between May 12 and May 16th, but nothing for the Gift Cards. Called two weeks ago, and was told to call back after 90 days - called last week and they see the cancellation, but no GC issued. They put in a "search" order to see what happened to the request for GC. I'll wait another week before calling...again.

I have an October cruise (fingers crossed but not too hopeful at this point) with final payment in July - I was planning on using the GC for final payment, since I have no other use for them.

Still waiting for the gift card from beverage package purchase. Paid part gift card, and par credit card. Credit card was credited on 5/12, but no gift card yet. All other refunds received. 

No gift card refund yet. Cruise was scheduled for 3/15, and cancelled 3/13. Paid for beverage package with gift cards; cruise, excursions and gratuities paid with credit card. Received credit card refunds about 10 days ago, so just waiting for this last bit. 

Starting to worry about our refund. Our cruise was March 15 and was cancelled on March 14. Last week we received refund for purchased OBC and spa item. But we are still waiting for our deposit, final payment, gratuities, and beverage package. I guess I'll try to be patient, but if they were refunding in order of cancellation, I would think we would have received more of our refunds back.

I booked my cruise through a TA and was hoping to go. I work for a school, and was just informed that if I cruise I would need to self-quarantine for 14 days when I return, which is not a possibility.  Yesterday, I received an update from Carnival and can complete a form for cancellation - can I do that, or do I need to go through my TA. I have left multiple messages for the TA and his company, but no return emails or calls.

Also, are FCC usable on an existing booking, as I have another cruise booked in October.

TIA

The cruise compass listed does not have Key West on the itinerary. Hopefully, someone will have the updated cruise compass with Key West.

We're doing the same river cruise in July 2018. The tours listed in the itinerary are included with your cruise. If the tour states optional (as in the Salzburg tour), there is an additional charge. It is customary to tip both the tour guide and the bus driver. I've done two other river cruises (Viking), and I'm look forward to trying Gate 1. Hope you have a great time.

Thank you for the information. We're doing the 12 day Danube with Prague. 12 days is about my husband's limit for being away from home so had to choose between Prague and Budapest. I've done the Danube before with my sister and dad 4 years ago. This will be my husband's first trip abroad, so I thought it would give him a little bit of everything. Hoping he enjoys it as much as he enjoys our ocean cruises. We are doing the Salzburg tour, so your information was helpful.

Nice to see a Gate One river cruise review. I have a couple of questions. My husband and I are booked on the Monarch Empress next year. I've done two cruises with Viking in the past, but this will be my husband's first river cruise. Can you tell me what the range of prices for cocktails in the lounge are? A rough figure is fine. I was told they don't have drink packages, so will do ala carte for our pre-dinner cocktail. Was there time after the daily tour to explore on your own, or are the time frames very tight?

TYIA

We will also be in Cologne on a Sunday, so thanks for the head's up. If you weren't able to tour the cathedral in the morning, what did you cover in the ship tour. It sounds like we'll be able to tour the cathedral on our own in the afternoon.

Just read that the wine packages are being discontinued. This could be a deal breaker for us, as we always purchase a package. We don't really want to purchase a drink package, as we don't normally drink alcoholic drinks/beer. We just like having a bottle with dinner. We like to purchase the package in advance, as it's paid for and one less thing to worry about. My question is - I see they still have the wine cellar listed under gifts and gear. Would it be possible to purchase 5 to 7 bottles in advance, or do they limit how many bottles you purchase?

I'm going to bug TravelBugM for the dailies also. powderqn at aol dot com

Thanks in advance - they will be very helpful

DK1 - thank you for the info. That's what we thought, since they are purchased like drink coupons, but wanted to see if anyone had used them on more than one cruise.

We usually purchase the wine package when we cruise. We're doing a short three nighter, and were thinking of purchasing a three bottle package. We can bring two bottles of wine (husband and myself) on board with us. If we don't use all three coupons, can we bring them with us when we cruise in October?

I also want to add my thanks to Viking for posting regular updates. We leave next Sunday for Budapest, and board the Viking Freya (or whatever ship is in the area) on June 26th for our first river cruise. Can't wait for our adventure to begin.

Thank you.

Now...just waiting for the next installments. The story is like one of those Saturday matinee cliff hangers...we're on the edge of our seat waiting for the next adventure.

Just booked the Allure for October 2012 and am loving your review. I have read different things about tipping in the specialty restaurants, and have a question whether tips are automatically added to the specialty restaurant price (like the 15% added to beverages). I have no problem either way, just wanted to know what your experiences were at the restaurants you visited.

Tamalee - We also got the Marriott for $135 ($168.63) on May 17, 2008. We started our bidding at $100, and after using the free bids, etc. ended at $135. We want to start our vacation early, so wanted to stay somewhere on the beach as opposed to the Sheraton by the port. We would have been happy with either the Hilton Caribe or the Marriott.

Good luck...it'll be fun if we are at the same hotel pre-cruise.

Thanks, Eduardo, for such a quick reply. I will send you an email this weekend, after we decide on the times. We're really looking forward to visiting your lovely beach.

I have been emailing you about our visit on Oct. 8 (will be on Mariner of the Seas - Christine & Gary Boicelli). We were just going to play it by ear and pay for the admission fee when we go there, and I was going to sign up for a massage with Luz. I see know that the fees are for pre-registering and internet only fees and not for walk-ins. Should I go ahead and reserve online? We are thinking of adding the shore snorkel...Also, I didn't see the paypal option there, does that come after receipt of confirmation of reservation? One last question, and anyone can answer this for me...we arrive at 10:00 ship's time, would that be 9:00 Cozumel time? HELP! Don't want to make a reservation and then miss it.

The price of the massages are listed on their (Playa Uvas) website; a PDF with all their prices is available for viewing/printing. If I remember correctly a 30 minute massage was $40 and an hour was $60. We will be visiting there on our Mariner cruise in October, and plan on signning up for a massage when we check in.

Christine