TRAVELBUGCRUISER

I can’t comment on the exact protocol for Covid on the ships however what I can confirm is that on the November odyssey sailing I was on there were MANY sick people. As the cruise progressed more and more people were openly talking about Covid going around the ship and people testing positive. My husband and I unfortunately contracted a not so mild case and were left confused on what to do. We began to feel sick not knowing if it was a head cold, flu, strep throat or quick bug but quickly began to take what medication we had in our travel bag to try to nip it in the bud. We always wore a mask and sanitized copious amounts while feeling under the weather. When we called for medical service they told us that the doctor was only in on specific times and it was a 2-day wait and even with that they couldn’t confirm that we would get to see the doctor. We searched high and low for cough drops and cough medicine but could only find Allegra, Benadryl and Advil. None of this helped and my throat was so sore it felt like razor blades every time I took a breath of air. We asked high and low on the ship of where we could get cough medicine and cough drops to soothe our throats and after speaking to guest services many times and the cruise director they all confirmed that ships don’t carry that unless we see the doctor. Once again the doctor was booked. We were collecting salt packets to do salt water gargles in our room still unsure at this point of what we were dealing with Covid, strep throat, tonsillitis or what, we drank lots of tea w/honey and broth. The air was so dry that at one point I began to dampen towels to hang in the room to create any sense of humidity. We did have a balcony but leaving the deck door open for humidity didn’t work too well as the room would just get soaked, warm and very uncomfortable. We also didn’t want to effect other staterooms near by. I would also like to touch on some hygiene things I picked up on while my time on odyssey. I strongly feel that our cruises while Covid was more talked about like in 2022 were more hygienic. I feel everyone was more aware and took more precaution. First of all there was in my opinion a lack of hand sanitizer dispensers and some of which didn’t work the entire duration of the cruise. Royal also took away toilet seat protectors in the public washrooms. No more individual milk, jams, peanut butter etc. These items are now served in pre- portioned dishes with sweaty plastic Saran Wrap over them. This is all really cheap on royals part and means more people are handling condiments and dairy products which mean higher chance of contamination. Breakfast room service brought milk in glasses with Saran Wrap over top with dairy at room temperature. Previously you would get your own mini milks in little cartons which is a lot more hygienic. Also the servers bringing drinks shouldn’t also be cleaning up and making the drinks without sanitizing. There should be separate people picking up the dirty cups and glasses to help limit the spread of germs. For example I saw our server clean up the dirty glasses from people sitting a few chairs down from me (they were coughing all afternoon and blowing their noses and putting the Kleenex in the used glasses for collection by the server) the server would then collect the dirty glasses take our order grab our set sail card go behind the bar make our drinks and bring them to us all without sanitizing. It was truly disgusting some of the hygiene practices that I witnessed and it’s no wonder there were so many people that were getting sick. Many of the hygiene practices were the direct result of Royal being cheap. Whether they were under staffed not being proactive refilling sanitizing stations or getting rid of things like individual jams and milks at the buffet like most roadside hotels have. I fully understand that Covid out there but I feel like Royal has dropped the ball trying to limit the spread of Covid or norowalk for that matter. The multiple times we inquired at guest services about cough drops or suppressants not once were we offered a Covid test they just told us to wait to see the doctor but they also couldn’t guarantee we’d get in. Nearing the end of the cruise we saw people crushing Benadryl in the cafe and mixing in with their tea. When I commented on it they mentioned they learned it from many others on the ship that we’re feeling sick. As soon as we got off the ship we went to our hotel and had Covid tests deliver and sure enough we were both very covid positive. We took measures to ensure we were protecting ourselves and keeping our distance from people as best we could. I truly feel that many small things could go a long way on the ships with helping to prevent the spread. It’s out there and not JUST on cruise ships but I feel there are once again small measures and protocols that would go a long way. Another thing to add, my husband and I are in our late thirties and in excellent health, runners 4x/week, good diets and no other medical issues or bad habits and Covid literally kicked our butts. It’s truly different for everyone.

My husband and I have both developed a serious sinus infection and we’re now not drinking for the rest of the cruise until we feel better. We’re day 5 of 8. Is there any chance we’d get a refund for the next couple days? Has anyone ever had luck with something like this getting refunded? Thank you!

Hi Cruisers, We sail on Nov 25 and I want to wait to see if there’s a Black Friday sale for the drink package. Can I still buy the drink package online a few days before sailing or does it lock-out days before from making further purchases for DBP? Thanks

Hi Everyone I just did the barcode trick with my set sail pass and we’re on the same floor as the adventure ocean. Adventure ocean is at the very forward and our room is very aft. We like the placement of this room and it’s location however my only question/ concern is noise from AO. Has anyone stayed on the same floor as the adventure ocean before and did you find it any extra busier or louder than other decks? As mentioned it’s at the complete other end than where our room is- just inquiring as we’ve never stayed on the same deck as it before and we don’t have children ourselves. Thank you 😊

Hi Cruisers I originally booked a GTY balcony for Thanksgiving. I have not been assigned a cabin yet however today I was able to do a RoyalUp Bid. How long does it usually take to know one way or the other if the bid was accepted? Thank you!

Is there anywhere to get fresh pressed juice and made to order smoothies on Odyssey? I know they don’t have the Vitality cafe but is it offered elsewhere with the DBP? Thanks

My husband and I are also travelling on Odyssey this Fall and we’re interested in the UTV tour. I noticed it’s sold out for our sailing. I’m interested to learn if there are other similar options. Following!!

Hi Everyone, I've been watching some youtube videos and looking around online and although I see that Odyssey does indeed have a Vitality Spa, I don't see anywhere where they have the Smoother & Juice Bar as well as coffee bar in there like on Symphony and Oasis. Does Odyssey not have a designated juice/smoothie bar? Thank you!

How long after you booked were you assigned your GTY- room? Did you receive an email or just look on the app? Thanks

I'm seeing $102.20CAD/day pp for a 8 day cruise with the current BOGO deal. This is $1635CAD before grats and $1929.44CADtotal. I paid $1589 CAD grats included last year for a 7 day with the same BOGO deal. This is a difference of $340CAD for the 1 extra day cruising compared to last year which seems kind of crazy to me.

Just wondering what’s the best CAD price that you’ve seen recently for the DBP? Wondering what’s considered an actual “deal.” Thank you!

Does anyone know if the fresh pressed juices included with the refreshment package are those made at the juice and coffee bar in Vitality or just fresh juice in the buffet that they sometimes have? Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I've seen posts where people have confirmed success with one person booking the Deluxe Beverage Package and calling to have the other person in the same guest room just have to order the Refreshments Package. I'm not seeing a price for what the two of these would cost as the only selection is for me to choose both people in the stateroom. Right now the deal is BOGO which I am guessing would come out to be near the same cost as a regular DBP and Refreshment Package. Can anyone confirm this with what the regular price of this would be, if not I will call tomorrow or perhaps just take advantage of the BOGO. Thank you

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. We booked Southern Caribbean with new- to- us ports on the Odyssey. Only thing is it's a Balcony Guarantee- WE CHOOSE YOUR ROOM. We've always chosen our room before. Fingers crossed it's not overly obstructed! haha! Thanks

Hi Everyone, My DH and I are trying to decide between a cruise on the Wonder of the seas to ports we’ve been to already or a cruise on Odyssey with new ports being Aruba, Curaçao . We haven’t been on either of the ships yet. Of those two ships what’s your personal preference and why? Please help us decide 😊 We’ll be travelling alone- just us. Thank you!