Probably going to cancel - what are my options?

[cruiseguy1016]

My wife and I have a cruise booked on Liberty out of Galveston on March 20th. There will be another couple cruising with us. This cruise was originally booked in March of 2020 on Jewel of the Seas and was supposed to sail in 2021. The original cruise was cancelled in December of 2020. We did a Lift and Shift to the current booking. The other couple and my wife want to cancel our plans. They just don't want to spend their vacation wearing masks in most places on the ship and in port. We have not booked flights or a pre-cruise hotel yet so our only financial obligation is the cruise fare. My question is, what happens with the money we have paid to RCI? Is there any chance we can we get a full refund? Or, will the money go to an FCC? With my wife not wanting to wear a mask while on a cruise ship, I'm not sure when we'll be ready to book another cruise. RCI has had my money for 2 years now and I'd rather just get a refund. The part that bothers me the most is that we have a corner aft cabin (and the one next to it) that we got at a VERY good price. We will never be able to duplicate this deal on a future cruise.

[poocher]

No you won’t but if your party is unable/unwilling to follow protocols for your cruise, contact RCCL (or your TA) and say just that.  You might have to politely insist but you should get a full cash refund.

[jean87510]

3 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

My wife and I have a cruise booked on Liberty out of Galveston on March 20th. There will be another couple cruising with us. This cruise was originally booked in March of 2020 on Jewel of the Seas and was supposed to sail in 2021. The original cruise was cancelled in December of 2020. We did a Lift and Shift to the current booking. The other couple and my wife want to cancel our plans. They just don't want to spend their vacation wearing masks in most places on the ship and in port. We have not booked flights or a pre-cruise hotel yet so our only financial obligation is the cruise fare. My question is, what happens with the money we have paid to RCI? Is there any chance we can we get a full refund? Or, will the money go to an FCC? With my wife not wanting to wear a mask while on a cruise ship, I'm not sure when we'll be ready to book another cruise. RCI has had my money for 2 years now and I'd rather just get a refund. The part that bothers me the most is that we have a corner aft cabin (and the one next to it) that we got at a VERY good price. We will never be able to duplicate this deal on a future cruise.

omg.  An Aft cabin???  I had one on the Adventure and loved it.  

Theres a lot going on now with the mask policies.  I absolutely hate them and wish I could say my true feelings about mask policies but it would be deleted.  We have been on only 3 cruises since the return and truthfully, it isn't so bad.  

Wish i could answer your questions about refunds but its not my forte.

[cruiseguy1016]

3 minutes ago, poocher said:

No you won’t but if your party is unable/unwilling to follow protocols for your cruise, contact RCCL (or your TA) and say just that.  You might have to politely insist but you should get a full cash refund.

 

I thought there was way to get a refund as opposed to an FCC but I can't remember what it was and I can't find it on RCI's web site. You're saying if I simply call and tell them we are unwilling to follow the masking protocols, that will allow us to get a full refund? Do you know if that is writing somewhere so I can reference it if needed?

[Biker19]

13 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

Is there any chance we can we get a full refund?

Yes, if you can somehow get someone to do so based on you mask wearing displeasure. 

[Sunshine3601]

Are you aware that masks protocols are relaxing on Royal ships starting Feb. 15th?     

We sailed on a 11 night cruise on Jan 9th with the masks on at all times, except for outdoors and it really wasn't that bad.     Now they have relaxed the mask rules it will be even better for our March b2b sailing.    

But if you do wish to cancel you should be able to call royal or your travel agent, whoever you booked with, and request a full cash refund if you tell them you do not want to wear a mask

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Sunshine3601

[ONECRUISER]

3 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Are you aware that masks protocols are relaxing on Royal ships starting Feb. 15th?     

We sailed on a 11 night cruise on Jan 9th with the masks on at all times, except for outdoors and it really wasn't that bad.     Now they have relaxed the mask rules it will be even better for our March b2b sailing.    

But if you do wish to cancel you should be able to call royal or your travel agent, whoever you booked with, and request a full cash refund if you tell them you do not want to wear a mask

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Agree, New Relaxing returning to some Vax only no Masking inside areas, looking forward Cruising First week Apr-May myself. 

[cruiseguy1016]

3 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Are you aware that masks protocols are relaxing on Royal ships starting Feb. 15th?     

We sailed on a 11 night cruise on Jan 9th with the masks on at all times, except for outdoors and it really wasn't that bad.     Now they have relaxed the mask rules it will be even better for our March b2b sailing.    

But if you do wish to cancel you should be able to call royal or your travel agent, whoever you booked with, and request a full cash refund if you tell them you do not want to wear a mask

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Yes, there will be some places on the ship where masks are not required. However, my wife and the other couple do not want to have to wear them anywhere on the ship. There will also be some requirements at the ports we are stopping at. In their eyes, mask wearing at home is bad enough, they don't want to have to do it on vacation.

[leaveitallbehind]

My understanding is that under RCCL's Cruise with Confidence program you can cancel your cruise up to 48 hours prior to the date of departure for an FCC of 100% of the actual fare paid, less port fees and taxes, which are refunded.  But I don't believe you would get a cash refund. The normal cancelation policies would come into play if the FCC option is not taken.  That would be something, as mentioned by others, that you would have to have a conversation with them to see if a refund would be an option.

Edited February 10, 2022 by leaveitallbehind

[MommaBear55]

Please come back when you get your answer, inquiring minds would like to know! 

[Ourusualbeach]

49 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

My understanding is that under RCCL's Cruise with Confidence program you can cancel your cruise up to 48 hours prior to the date of departure for an FCC of 100% of the actual fare paid, less port fees and taxes, which are refunded.  But I don't believe you would get a cash refund. The normal cancelation policies would come into play if the FCC option is not taken.  That would be something, as mentioned by others, that you would have to have a conversation with them to see if a refund would be an option.

Lots of exceptions being made to CWC.  I've been able to get refunds and even 2 year old FCC's refunded for people who say they can't meet sailing protocols

[leaveitallbehind]

4 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Lots of exceptions being made to CWC.  I've been able to get refunds and even 2 year old FCC's refunded for people who say they can't meet sailing protocols

Good point. I was just clarifying the typical protocol.  Reinforces the suggestions made to the OP to talk to his TA or directly to RCCL to see what refund options they may have.

[Jasukkie]

I'd leave the rest of your party at home and enjoy some me time on that sweet aft balcony.

[cruiseguy1016]

7 minutes ago, Jasukkie said:

I'd leave the rest of your party at home and enjoy some me time on that sweet aft balcony.

 

Oh trust me. The thought has crossed my mind. 😁

[cruiseguy1016]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Lots of exceptions being made to CWC.  I've been able to get refunds and even 2 year old FCC's refunded for people who say they can't meet sailing protocols

 

In your experience, is there a best time to cancel? We're currently 5 weeks away. Should wait until we're closer to sail date?

[fsjosh]

"testing positive for covid" is an automatic refund isn't it? 

[poocher]

Yes but you have to provide the positive test results 

[ticketsunlimited]

2 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

Oh trust me. The thought has crossed my mind. 😁

You may never experience such a unique cruising experience ever again.  I understand your mask issues but with the relaxed protocols coming and more on the way I'm sure, you may want to try sailing with 50% capacity or less.  The cruises my wife and I have taken since reopening have been like nothing we will ever experience again.  It is like having your own private yacht at times.  Do it to say you sailed during these trying times at half capacity.  Plus you have such and awesome stateroom and price.  Years from now you may look back and regret giving it a try.  Life is to short!!  You cant get this time back.  Dan

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

In your experience, is there a best time to cancel? We're currently 5 weeks away. Should wait until we're closer to sail date?

Once you've decided you are not going then cancel.  If you wait you run the risk that they change protocols and no longer offer refunds. 

[CruisingHogFan]

6 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

My wife and I have a cruise booked on Liberty out of Galveston on March 20th. There will be another couple cruising with us. This cruise was originally booked in March of 2020 on Jewel of the Seas and was supposed to sail in 2021. The original cruise was cancelled in December of 2020. We did a Lift and Shift to the current booking. The other couple and my wife want to cancel our plans. They just don't want to spend their vacation wearing masks in most places on the ship and in port. We have not booked flights or a pre-cruise hotel yet so our only financial obligation is the cruise fare. My question is, what happens with the money we have paid to RCI? Is there any chance we can we get a full refund? Or, will the money go to an FCC? With my wife not wanting to wear a mask while on a cruise ship, I'm not sure when we'll be ready to book another cruise. RCI has had my money for 2 years now and I'd rather just get a refund. The part that bothers me the most is that we have a corner aft cabin (and the one next to it) that we got at a VERY good price. We will never be able to duplicate this deal on a future cruise.

Since you did a lift and shift I’m not sure you can get a cash refund or not. Personally I would talk them into going. We had our best cruise ever on Adventure out of the Bahamas last year. 
 

We are on Liberty the week before you. As of now you only have to wear the masks in a few areas inside the ship. Casino, bars, and outside are mask free and so are most of the ports. Still a better situation than a 100% crowded ship with lines!!

[leaveitallbehind]

9 hours ago, CruisingHogFan said:

Casino, bars, and outside are mask free and so are most of the ports. Still a better situation than a 100% crowded ship with lines!!

On our Holiday Allure sailing, masks were required in the Casino, which IMO was a benefit as that venue was, at least for the time, non-smoking as a result.

[Kellie in Texas]

We were on Liberty the week of Jan. 16th and the mask requirement really was not that big of a deal. We followed the requirements and it certainly didn't ruin anything for us.  We've got an aft cabin on Serenade in June -- a twice-postponed Covid cruise - and I certainly wouldn't give it up.  

[Morecruisesplz]

Does either cabin want to sell your cruise for cash and just do name changes on the reservation? 

[leaveitallbehind]

1 hour ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Does either cabin want to sell your cruise for cash and just do name changes on the reservation? 

At least one of the original names on the booking needs to remain.

[OnTheJourney]

On 2/10/2022 at 3:41 PM, cruiseguy1016 said:

We will never be able to duplicate this deal on a future cruise.

I hope you consider keeping it. I know that wearing a mask on a 'vacation' makes it seem less like one, but consider that you'll be giving up relaxing on that balcony looking out to sea , walking the decks, enjoying the view, the wind, much of what makes cruising really enjoyable (AND no need to wear a mask in your own room and on the balcony!).  I think, in retrospect, you might later regret canceling, not to mention the good deal you apparently have on the room. We have one on the Enchantment next month and fully plan to go. I'm far less concerned about wearing a mask (since it has become a way of life) than I am the pre-cruise testing. Not crazy about the idea of eating in the MDR with others (since we haven't been doing restaurants) but, at some point, life goes on. If you're vaccinated and boosted, I'd say go for it. Omicron seems to be on the decline. 

 

But, if you do decide to bail, "cruise with confidence" allows cancellation up to 48 hours prior to sailing. I'd personally never wait that long. You can probably either reschedule right away or take FCC. 

Edited February 12, 2022 by OnTheJourney