Doc2725

During my Sept. 23 cruise on Anthem, my TA was supposed to give us a $200 OBC. We have it all in writing, it is on our travel company invoice, etc. However, he never added it to our account. Throughout the cruise I was trying to reach him, but had no luck. Royal told me that the TA had to contact their central office, add the OBC, at which point it would be added to our account. I trad repeatedly to get ahold of him with not luck. It never was added. Once we got back, I got an e-mail from him saying he would take care of this, but he has not yet. The only thing that would be satisfactory is if he gave me a $200 refund back on my cc, like the cruise line does if you do not use the OBC. Have any of you had this happen to them before? Does the TA have any legal obligation to honor this, etc? I in no way blame Royal for this.

You can go to Guest Services on the last afternoon of the cruise and get a cash refund.

Really? I have never heard of that. That is great.

So, as many of you have seen, they have rerouted the 9/23 of Anthem of the Seas out of NYC to Maine and Nova Scotia. They are refunding half of our cruise fare 5 to our onboard account in the form of a refundable onboard credit. My question is, if we don't spend all of this (we won't) how do you get it back? The credit card i set up for my onboard spending account is different than the one I booked with. The credit card I am using for my onboard account as a $0 balance. Is there a way to get it in the form of a check, or on a different card?

From over on the cruise Facebook group. Not sure if it's true yet.

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You can't do a cruise to no where, you have to go to a foreign port. Whether you go to Canada or Bermuda, at least one, if not both of the storms are going to be an issue.

 

Hopefully, Anthem can come down from Canada as planned so you all can leave on Saturday and try to get out to calmer waters as quickly as possible.

They used to do them up until a few years ago. Now they legally can't. Really stupid.

Here is an article about it. Gotta love regulation, what load of garbage.

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Customs-says-cruises-to-nowhere-were-never-legal

No way to tell what it would be by then.

 

Aren't we talking about the September 23rd cruise to Bermuda? By Monday, you are in Bermuda.

It is the potential for extremely rough seas, and not being able to get back for awhile that is the concern. No one wants a repeat of Anthem's 2015 cruise from hell.

Its going to Bermuda

Strongly unlikely

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If we sail at all st this point. Looking like worst case scenario now. Jose stalling off the coast causing rough seas and Maria coming up on the way back.

I am on this sailing as well and if the weather model is accurate there isn't a chance we will see Bermuda! Maria is going to be nearby Bermuda on Monday and Tuesday when we are scheduled to arrive there. Even if they found path around it, we would encounter high winds and rain. 2 years ago we were notified the evening before we left that we were re-routed to Canada due to Hurricane Joaquin. And last year we were told of a re-route after we boarded the ship!

 

Get ready to be bored to death in Saint John. There is nothing there. And we may get rain from Jose. UHG! Good thing I got the drink package.

I've heard Canada is cool in terms of historical stuff to see. If we go to Canada, it still looks like we will encounter rough seas in the way up, doesn't it?

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Maybe. I am not too worried about Maria, as I don't think it will be that far North by then. Also, models are showing it heading to the Gulf, at least right now. Jose is a decent size, and I am more worried about the rough seas it will cause.

The latest models show it up beyond our area (at least I thought it did) by Thursday, so hopefully it will not have an impact by Saturday.

It's supposed to circle back around now and hang out in the middle of the ocean, between NYC and Bermuda.

How do we all think this will affect the cruise? (if it effects it at all)

I ended up buying the beverage package/unlimited dining deal. It was heavily discounted. That's for all of your responses

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Heading out on the Anthem next week, and looking at my cruise planner. It doesn't say the beverage package is on sale. The price is $48 dollars a day (5 night cruise.) Is this rate cheaper than what it will be on board? And if so, how much it is usually on board per day. Thank you.

I'll try and remember to check the price tomorrow.

 

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Looks like $48 per day, which I am assuming is cheaper than what it will be onboard?

Fixed.

Thank you!

Just got an e-mail saying advanced purchases of the beverage package for the Anthem Sept. 23 cruise are 20% off of what you will pay if you buy it onboard. Might as well buy it before the deal is over.

Edit: I realize I made a typo in the headline :-(

Till May 2019. Once the newness wears off and becomes more routine, it will be a bit tougher to command the premium of today's sailings. The increased capacity will also drive prices down.

Demand most likely won't be decreasing. Increased capacity might slightly drive down prices. Until Cuba expands the ports, both those ships will remain with RCI. Most likely past 2019.

which according to the Majesty announcement, may be May 2019.

It appears both Empress and Majesty will stay and will do Cuba runs. It's popular and profitable enough. It is only a matter of time before more lines run more ships to Cuba.

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Thank you both! That is great to hear.

We are sailing on the Anthem on Sept. 23, headed to Bermuda. Those who have sailed to Bermuda in Sept., how was the weather? Summer is still very hot in September, even in upstate NY where we live, so I am not too worried, but wanted to ask anyway. Thank you!

Is this something new that they rent those chairs? I didn't see any indication of them being reserved when we were on-board (October 2016)

It's not something they really advertise. It is more of a word of mouth or guest inquiry sort of thing.

When I saw these I thought they were for diamond members or GS - how much are they to rent ? I don't think I would because I can just sit at the tables that are right next to it but I was curious about the price.

I think they are like $150 a day, which is steep. However. We have a $400 obc, and some comp dining, so we may use it on that. It's nowhere near as nice as NCL's vibe, which was amazing and sold out in about 5 minutes.

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Again, cruise travel will not be affected. The Empress will be staying for the foreseeable future.

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