Feb 12 Alaska Update

[Ourusualbeach]

Just now, Ashland said:

Thanks so much...I asked about this on another thread but I understand now...appreciate your answer.

I thought this was déjà but.  Same conversation going on in two threads. 

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, JSSpence said:

Hmm, we are scheduled to go Southbound from Seward in June. I’m highly skeptical that will happen. We would want to do the Lift and Shift to 2022. Wondering whether we should try to make that happen, or wait for the cancellation and see if they then tack on a sweetener to the lift and shift?

When they cancelled the Quantum cruises to Alaska, this is what they offered:

 

January 21, 2021

 

While we all wish we were cruising, we do have some options for you; including an option that’s been very well-received by our guests, as it provides a little something extra to use once we all start cruising again! Here are your options:

 

1. 125% Future Cruise Credit: We’re providing you with a 125% Future Cruise Credit to book a new cruise by April 30^th, 2022.

• This amount is based on your total cruise fare paid, and we’re giving you a little extra knowing that this is such a unique circumstance. 

• Your certificate can be used on any Royal Caribbean International sailing that departs on or before September 30^th, 2022 and gives you more flexibility to choose a sailing that’s right for you!

• We’ll automatically send your Future Cruise Credit via email by February 19^th, 2021, so there’s nothing for you to do!

• Taxes & fees and any RoyalUp upgrades will be automatically refunded. Current refund processing is around 45 days. We are working as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience.

• Please note: 

• • If you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit, this offer does not apply.  

• • And, if you previously used a Future Cruise Credit (including previous Global Suspension FCCs), you’ll receive a new Future Cruise Credit. This will be for 125% of any new monies paid on this sailing, plus the value of your original credit at 100% of its value, with an expiration date of April 30^th, 2022 and a sail by date of September 30^th 2022.

• • If you were already impacted by a sailing that was previously cancelled due to a global suspension and paid additional monies on a new booking within this extended suspension period, you are still able to opt in to refund one or both cancelled bookings via the process below.

2. Lift and Shift: If you prefer to move your existing booking to a sailing next year - we’re happy to move you! We will price protect the original pricing and/or promotion on the same ship, itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category as your original sailing within 1 week (before or after) of the original sail date the following year. For example, if you are moving from a Quantum of the Seas April 1^st, 2021 sailing, you can move to another Quantum sailing that is the same itinerary, length, product, and stateroom category, and the sail date between March 25^th, 2022 - April 8^th, 2022.

• Please know, price protection covers your cruise fare/promotion on an applicable sailing only and excludes taxes and fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items, as these may change.

• You must decide to move to a new sailing by February 4^th, 2021. If not, we will automatically issue you a Future Cruise Credit.

• Complimentary Casino offers are not eligible for Lift & Shift.

3. 100% Refund: Or, if you prefer a full refund, which is a lower value than the future cruise credit offer above, we’re happy to process this for you. Given how fluid this situation is, and the opportunity to use the extra credit being offered, you have until March 31^st, 2021 to request a refund and deactivate your certificate. 

• Please contact us to start the refund process, forfeiting the higher value of your 125% Future Cruise Credit.

• • To avoid waiting on the phone to cancel, click here and we will get the refund process started for you. Note: Please know, once we receive your refund request, we unfortunately won’t be able to accept an FCC request if you change your mind.

• We’ll then deactivate your Future Cruise Credit and process your refund to your original form(s) of payment, which will include any non-refundable deposits. 

• You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after you submit your refund request. 

• Please note: If you used a Cruise with Confidence certificate on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we’ll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we’ll reinstate your original Cruise with Confidence certificate.

And, a special option for those that also purchased Cruise Planner Items…

• You can opt-in to receive an Onboard Credit in the value of 125% of the total Cruise Planner purchases on your reservation.

• • Click here by February 4^th, 2021 to request your higher value credit, and we’ll email you your credit by February 19^th, 2021.

• If we don’t hear from you on or before February 4^th, 2021, your Cruise Planner purchases will be automatically refunded. You’ll receive your refund within 45 days of your booking’s cancellation. We are working as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience during these unprecedented times.

• Also, if you opt for a cruise fare refund or for Lift and Shift, you are not eligible for this Cruise Planner Onboard Credit offer.

• Questions about how the Cruise Planner credit works? Click here for more details.

Guests with air or hotel booked…  

• Refundable air or hotel accommodations purchased through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded to you within 45 days after we process the cancellation.

If you booked non-refundable air through Royal Caribbean or booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them

[Biker19]

29 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

When they cancelled the Quantum cruises to Alaska, this is what they offered:

The options for all Canada related sailings (including Alaska) have already been posted.

[jean87510]

I was wondering if at least for Alaska, is it possible that a cruise can sail only in Alaskan waters and do a round trip with Seward to only Alaskan ports or is it still considered Canadian area?  Next question is does anyone think they will try some sort of land trip leaving out of Fairbanks or Anchorage?  

I am not familiar with Alaska as it will be our 1st time in May.  I was hoping RCCL would officially cancel but they sent me an email asking to wait to see what happens or the other 3 (lift and shift, 125% FCC, or 100% refund).  Yes, since this is cruise #10 or whatever that will be canceled, I dont really trust them but I am wondering if those scenarios could be a possibility.  On my cruise planner all excursions are still available but dining and internet are gone.  

Edited February 13, 2021 by jean87510

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, jean87510 said:

I was wondering if at least for Alaska, is it possible that a cruise can sail only in Alaskan waters and do a round trip with Seward 

No, the itinerary must include a foreign port.

[Another_Critic]

45 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

No, the itinerary must include a foreign port.

Seward secedes from Alaska/US and becomes the country of Seward.  😜

[Akina13]

I just called to cancel my sept Alaskan ovation cruise and they told me the 100% refund was only for quantum. Asked why I got an email saying I could get 100% back including my non-refundable deposit and she told me everyone got that email. Asked to speak to a supervisor she then asked me when I got this email. Explained yesterday at 2pm. She processed my refund. Long story long some agents may not know about the email when you call. 
 

they also said I won’t get an email it was canceled. Also never got an email for my fcc for my April sailing even tho it’s been processed already. They really need better systems 

Edited February 13, 2021 by Akina13
I cursed ;)

[reallyitsmema]

5 minutes ago, Akina13 said:

I just called to cancel my sept Alaskan ovation cruise and they told me the 100% refund was only for quantum. Asked why I got an email saying I could get 100% back including my non-refundable deposit and she told me everyone got that email. Asked to speak to a supervisor she then asked me when I got this email. Explained yesterday at 2pm. She processed my refund. Long story long some agents may not know about the email when you call. 
 

they also said I won’t get an email it was canceled. Also never got an email for my fcc for my April sailing even tho it’s been processed already. They really need better systems 

 

When I called to lift and shift my Quantum cruise, I informed the rep that an email had been sent cancelling Quantum cruises.  She said she wasn't aware of it and said she would check for updated cancellations.  She came back on the line and said she saw where those emails had gone out and I was her first call related to these cancellations, so please give her a moment to make sure she understood what the cruise line was offering so that she got it right the first time.  She moved my reservation with no issues.  

 

If you inform them upfront, things work much better.

[NancyIL]

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

I was wondering if at least for Alaska, is it possible that a cruise can sail only in Alaskan waters and do a round trip with Seward to only Alaskan ports or is it still considered Canadian area?  Next question is does anyone think they will try some sort of land trip leaving out of Fairbanks or Anchorage?  

I am not familiar with Alaska as it will be our 1st time in May.  I was hoping RCCL would officially cancel but they sent me an email asking to wait to see what happens or the other 3 (lift and shift, 125% FCC, or 100% refund).  Yes, since this is cruise #10 or whatever that will be canceled, I dont really trust them but I am wondering if those scenarios could be a possibility.  On my cruise planner all excursions are still available but dining and internet are gone.  

 

Since the cruise lines offer land tours in Alaska, it’s possible they could still offer them this summer. They are operated for cruise lines by private companies - primarily Premier Alaska Tours: https://premieralaskatours.com (Princess and Holland America own lodges and operate their own tours.)

 

Airfares to Anchorage and Fairbanks this summer are lower than I’ve seen in quite awhile. You could plan your own land trip with a rental car, although hotels are rather pricey. 

Edited February 13, 2021 by NancyIL

[Akina13]

24 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

If you inform them upfront, things work much better.

I did. Twice I read her her email 🙂 she kept insisting I was wrong.... I work in customer service as well. I know a lot is going on and lots of moving parts but they should educate their employees. 

[jean87510]

37 minutes ago, NancyIL said:

 

Since the cruise lines offer land tours in Alaska, it’s possible they could still offer them this summer. They are operated for cruise lines by private companies - primarily Premier Alaska Tours: https://premieralaskatours.com (Princess and Holland America own lodges and operate their own tours.)

 

Airfares to Anchorage and Fairbanks this summer are lower than I’ve seen in quite awhile. You could plan your own land trip with a rental car, although hotels are rather pricey. 

that's what we are aiming to do.  Last year I may have bought the wait and see.  Not now.  Husband and I just evaluated everything again and the thing that we want no parts of is the possibility of shore excursions only.  We just wont do it.  Ill save money and do my own thing in Alaska.  I have both Modernas and my husband is now scheduled for next week for Dose #1 for moderna.  We of course will follow CDC rules as we always do.  Now comes the always fun part of calling RCCL...

[logan25]

2 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

Seward secedes from Alaska/US and becomes the country of Seward.  😜

Nice try.  Texas is already a whole other country.

 

 

Note:  For those who don’t remember, that slogan was a TexasTourism campaign from many years ago.

Edited February 13, 2021 by logan25

[lovelife]

2 hours ago, Akina13 said:

I just called to cancel my sept Alaskan ovation cruise and they told me the 100% refund was only for quantum. Asked why I got an email saying I could get 100% back including my non-refundable deposit and she told me everyone got that email. Asked to speak to a supervisor she then asked me when I got this email. Explained yesterday at 2pm. She processed my refund. Long story long some agents may not know about the email when you call. 

When I called to shift my Alaska Ovation sailing to 2022, I was told lift and shift had ended in January and I was not allowed to do it. I insisted and advised the rep of the options offered in the e-mail received.  She conferred with someone and said I still could not do it because my sailing had already been shifted once. She refused to shift it. I finally hung up and called back. The second rep shifted it graciously without hesitation.

[Akina13]

31 minutes ago, lovelife said:

When I called to shift my Alaska Ovation sailing to 2022, I was told lift and shift had ended in January and I was not allowed to do it. I insisted and advised the rep of the options offered in the e-mail received.  She conferred with someone and said I still could not do it because my sailing had already been shifted once. She refused to shift it. I finally hung up and called back. The second rep shifted it graciously without hesitation.

Glad you were able to do it 🙂 

[ssb]

On 2/12/2021 at 7:13 PM, Another_Critic said:

I would have held out longer if they announced the 45 day prior final payment yesterday.  My final payment was due yesterday, so I canceled yesterday.

Our final payment on 5/12/21Vancouver loop Alaska was due the 11th also , we paid . Next day the 45 day new policy comes out .  And there is still nothing to use LS to 5/2022 according to agent and RCL . We are pissed . 

Edited February 15, 2021 by ssb

[reallyitsmema]

6 minutes ago, ssb said:

Our final payment on 5/12/21Vancouver loop Alaska was due the 11th also , we paid . Next day the 45 day new policy comes out .  And there is still nothing to use LS to 5/2022 according to agent and RCL . We are pissed . 

 

What ship are you sailing and what is Vancouver loop?

[ssb]

22 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

What ship are you sailing and what is Vancouver loop?

Radiance . In this case a  Loop is Deploying port Vancouver to Alaska destinations and return to Vancouver. 

[reallyitsmema]

1 minute ago, ssb said:

Radiance . In this case a  Loop is Deploying port Vancouver to Alaska destinations and return to Vancouver. 

Gotcha.  It was the first cruise of the season before getting it into its northbound/southbound rotation.  Looks like they are coming in earlier in 2022.  That stinks they aren't offing you some option.

[Another_Critic]

3 hours ago, ssb said:

Our final payment on 5/12/21Vancouver loop Alaska was due the 11th also , we paid . Next day the 45 day new policy comes out .  And there is still nothing to use LS to 5/2022 according to agent and RCL . We are pissed . 

I was on the same cruise.  I didn't see anything worthwhile to L&S to, if they offered the option.  And I didn't want a 125% FCC.  So, I was not going to pay the final payment, then wait for a large refund when they finally cancel the cruise.

 

I am happy that I was able to L&S my late Aug 2021 Jewel 12-nt  "Arctic" TA (had 3 stops in Canada) to an early Sep 2022 Voyager 14-nt "Arctic" TA.

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

Gotcha.  It was the first cruise of the season before getting it into its northbound/southbound rotation.  Looks like they are coming in earlier in 2022.  That stinks they aren't offing you some option.

I would have pushed for a switch to the Serenade for the same week since she’s doing the round trip out of Vancouver. 

[Another_Critic]

10 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I would have pushed for a switch to the Serenade for the same week since she’s doing the round trip out of Vancouver. 

2022 Serenade is 7-day RT, which is 2 days less than 2021 Radiance 9-day RT.

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by Another_Critic

[Ourusualbeach]

16 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

2022 Serenade is 7-day RT, which is 2 days less than 2021 Radiance 9-day RT.

 

Sorry, missed that your was 9 days. 

[ONECRUISER]

On 2/13/2021 at 11:00 AM, NancyIL said:

 

Since the cruise lines offer land tours in Alaska, it’s possible they could still offer them this summer. They are operated for cruise lines by private companies - primarily Premier Alaska Tours: https://premieralaskatours.com (Princess and Holland America own lodges and operate their own tours.)

 

Airfares to Anchorage and Fairbanks this summer are lower than I’ve seen in quite awhile. You could plan your own land trip with a rental car, although hotels are rather pricey. 

Yes and Cheap Airfare, seen that since last Spring. Even seen multiple this Summer for Michigan to Arizona First Class at $230, this when normal times it's 50-100% more just for Main Cabin. I'm fortunate being Retired, can wait day or week to get cheapest. With CV going on flown 6 times SOLO since last May and as a plus always had row to myself

Edited February 15, 2021 by ONECRUISER

[rockmom]

On 2/12/2021 at 6:28 PM, Ashland said:

I'm also confused...My cruise (Canada/NE) isn't until Oct 14, 2021 and have only made the deposit. The bookings for Oct 2022 aren't even out yet for a similar itinerary. 

I called yesterday and they gave me 125% cruise credit for my deposit. Or at least said they would 'process it'.  

[ssb]

Does anyone really think a 5/12/21 cruise will happen and why?

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by ssb