MaddyandMax

1 minute ago, LouTheGlue said:

 

Yep, the cruise director was no where to be found on our cruise. I actually thought Cici was the cruise director until I overheard someone say that Joff the CD got sick the cruise before ours so he must have been in quarantine.

Yeah he showed up the second night for the 70's party jumping all over the place on the trampoline and throwing rings to everyone.  Then we never saw him again because he "lost his voice".  People are going to get sick, that's life now unfortunately.  But when you don't tell people the truth we can't do our own risk assessments and that's not fair.  I had immune compromised family onboard who probably would have worn their mask more if they had know.  My daughter caught one of his rings.  I mean that night you never would have guessed he was sick.  He was jumping and dancing all over the place.

So really my only complaint was all the lying and covering up.  At this point we can all assume someone is going to get sick onboard but we shouldn't be lied too.

We are on the boat the week before you and already staff were starting to get sick.  I was a bit upset that they just told us it was technical issues and a lost voice.

The cruise director was gone by the third day with a "lost voice" and We Will Rock You was cancelled the last couple of shows for "technical issues". I wish I had been told the truth.  I would have wore my mask more.  But we were lucky.   So it sounds like the covid outbreak started the cruise before ours and carried through.

I also heard the current cruise so many are sick that ALL shows are cancelled.

On 3/25/2022 at 11:44 AM, NBH said:

Appreciate you sharing your experiences on Anthem! Any advice about options for lunch after embarking? We are 4 adults and 4 kids; trying to avoid the usual first day lunch chaos 🥴Thanks!

I am sure there are other options but we've always ate in the Windjammer.  That said, with check in times that they very strictly adhere to, when we were at the Windjammer at noon it was not busy at all.  I going to guess that the Two70 Cafe and Sorrentos is also open that day.  The Windjammer is quite large and we never had a problem or found it busy.  We were a group of 6.

Thanks,

On 3/20/2022 at 7:07 PM, shari3 said:

Can I ask what time your check in was and what time this picture was taken?  I am going in a couple of weeks and I have 11am check in and am in a Junior suite. I hope we don’t have to wait on such long lines. My husband can’t stand for long. We have requested wheelchair assistance but On our last cruise we couldn’t get help until after we checked in. 
I am really looking foward to following along on your trip. Enjoy!

We were on AOS the week before this with an 11am checkin.  There was practically no one there.  They were announcing that if you were early with a later check in time to come on in.  We were on the boat within 15 minutes 🙂

16 minutes ago, MamatoJack said:

I'm looking at driving down in May, I assume you went the day before and stayed somewhere overnight? Thoughts on areas to stay? We are coming from Ottawa so a bit of a different path but not too far off. 

Sounds like your return was pretty easy, I am glad to hear that and hope it will still be when we go/return in May. 

We stayed in Stroudsberg, PA. It's about 1.5-2 hours from the port but much cheaper.  There is also a Walmart right there for any last minute shopping.  I think the hotel was US$130 for the night for the 4 of us.

32 minutes ago, ALD18 said:

Finding it interesting of our dining room description that social distancing between tables apparently was not being observed or was being minimized at best.  Thought that area would be stringently enforced with the lower passenger capacities. 

We thought/hoped the same.  We were right near the My Time Dining and it appeared that they were trying to leave space between their tables but my area was jammed packed.  We were right in the middle between the sliced panels with the pictures and there was 6 large tables in that area.

1 minute ago, LuCruise said:

I think we were on the same cruise.  Really enjoyed, and lower capacity was great.  Only time we had an issue was trying to see one of the adult shows in the Music Hall.  Set up isn't very good as there aren't many seats where you can see the stage, so we left.

 

Sorry for your experience in the MDR.  We were fortunate in that we were assigned a table in the row next to the window seats (and the table at the window showed up about 40 minutes late each night even though it was a set time so we always had a nice view).  Think we might have been annoyed though if at the other end away form the window so can totally understand.

 

Wondering...did you drive or fly?  If you drove, what was  your experience getting back?  We were stressed in the scenario where one of us tested positive (we didn't....all fine).  But the funny thing is, the border agent almost seemed like he was going to forget to ask us about our results.  Very casual about it.  No issue at all.

 

Our cruise was March 13-20. We drove down to Jersey from the Hamilton area.  I have to admit I was uber annoyed when coming back across the border.  Mostly because I spent US$400 on testing and he didn't even want to see results LOL.  Just asked if we had negative tests.  The border was super easy as well as getting on and off the boat.  Probably the easiest and fastest out of all my cruises.  We were going to drive back regardless if one of us was positive.  As far as I was able to tell beforehand no one coming back positive was fined and with the end of testing so close I didn't think they would fine anyone.  We had a quarantine plan already in place just in case.

The biggest problem with American Icon really was the people we were around.  Seriously the loudest 4 tables of people I have ever met in my life so I can't really blame Royal.  Though I think higher ceilings would have helped.  Half the time my son sitting right beside me had to repeat himself 2-3 times before I could hear him.  Plus our tables were super close.  We tried to rearrange ourselves every night as the ones right beside us were on the larger side and the waiters had a really hard time walking around and were constantly bumping into us.  Why the other table was clueless and didn't change around where everyone is sitting to make it easier, I'll never know...

The dining room was my only real complaint.  I wasn't a fan of the layout of AOS but that's really just my personal preference.

Got off the Anthem on Sunday and it was not self serve.  I loved it.  Much cleaner.  Lots of staff manning stations and never had to wait more than 30 seconds-1 min to be served.  I hope it stays.

15 minutes ago, ALD18 said:

For your American Icon were you travelling with a group of 6 or are they putting random guests together?  If you were travelling solo did you have option of sitting by yourself or did you request multi person seating?  Thanks again..............

We were a traveling group of 6 who asked to sit together and with only each other.  We did see groups of two and some solo travelers eating by themselves.

34 minutes ago, ALD18 said:

Do you know about what % of capacity it is currently sailing at?  Did it seem empty, full, somewhere in between.  We do a trans Atlantic on it May and are wondering on access to shows, how crowded dining, etc. are.  Thanks and hope you had a good trip😀

Our sailing was at 61% capacity.  It felt empty most days.  Only days we ever had a hard time finding a seat was the first and last day.  Because it was cold everyone was in the enclosed pool area.  Shows in the theatre were great.  Never had a problem getting a good seat.  Two70 did fill up but it wasn't bad.    Most shows you needed to make a reservation but it was very easy on the app.  Getting on and off the ship at ports was a breeze and there was never a line of more than 10 people. 

We ate in American Icon in the early seating.  We did NOT like that area and will never sit there again.  Because of the low ceilings it was very noisy and half the time we couldn't even have a conversation with anyone other than the person beside you.  And were were at a small table of 6. 

Just returned from a cruise on Anthem of the Seas out of New Jersey.  If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Sara 🙂

Thought I'd ask a question not asked on the Canadian board yet (that I've seen).

My husband has the voom package for our cruise this Sunday.  What settings do we need to enable on the phone to make sure we aren't charged by Telus.  Can you put it on airplane mode and still use wifi?

LOL Yes I promise this is a real question, please don't laugh. 

We are cruising with you (as long as our covid tests are negative 🤞).  See you Sunday!

We are getting on the Anthem March 13 (as long as we don't get sick).  I plan on reporting on the cruise when we get back.

This next week is going to be terrifying waiting to see if we get sick.  So many posts about testing because it's STRESSFUL.

I've got all my fingers, toes and limbs crossed! LOL

We have two appointments booked with two different Shoppers locations because of this exact reason.  Hopefully because we are the first appointment of the day we won't have problems.  But we have another appointment at a different shoppers 2 hours later just in case.  We are also cruising during March break so expect testing will be more in demand.

Fingers crossed!

And now praying we don't get sick.

I did my daughter's about 9 months ago when everything was still closed.  I got it back in 4-5 weeks.

3 minutes ago, LuCruise said:

We are expected to have 2 tests per person?   We ordered 2 packs for our family of four.  

Technically yes.  They say each box with two tests is for one person.  Because there is a chance that one of the tests will not work.  So I guess it depends on your risk aversion whether you buy two boxes for 4 people or 4 boxes for 4 people.  I'm a prepare-for-the-worst type person so if I was buying switch tests I would buy 3 boxes to have a couple of extras just in case.

I'm also wondering if they have codes and won't allow the two tests used on 2 different people.  Anyone use switch tests and shared a box that could let us know?

14 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

I am comfortable enough to roll the dice and just take one each. We should be able to find one locally before our flight if our switchhealth test fails. 
 

And if not, the rapid test at the airport is not crazy expensive. 
 

Oh definitely. I agree.  I've done so many rapid tests at this point visiting people in LTC that I don't think I could possibly screw one up.  But a lot of people haven't and don't notice the fine print about the switch tests 🙂

We are traveling with nervous parents who want to know they will for sure get their test results in time so we will be using Royal and paying through the nose.  It's frustrating.  If you can get a rapid test here in Canada for $20 there is no way in heck they should be charging US$99...

1 hour ago, 1kaper said:

 

It's $79 CAD to buy a SwitchHealth one that you can bring with you.  

We are flying out of Houston.  I didn't want to rely on getting a free one.  It's better than the $150 RT Lamp test I was going to buy or the $300 USD airport one.  I did make the mistake of booking our flight same day as the end of our cruise. 

 

ETA - I just realized it is $79 for two tests.  Even better. 

 

My understanding is the two tests are for one person in case one fails.

Royal offers testing for $99.  Still ridiculously expensive but at least the results are guaranteed immediately same day.

We checked in for our March 13 cruise.  We aren't on the fence about going but with children in school we very well could test positive and can't go.  We've checked in to so many cruises the past two years I could do it with my eyes closed at this point! LOL

AGAIN, not saying the agent is correct.  Just stating what was said to me from a Royal agent today.

It's possible the agents have been appraised of a change before the website. Who knows...  Either way I put it out there so everyone would know what other sources from Royal are saying, not just the website.

All information should be welcome, even if it may end up being incorrect.  It came directly from two Royal representatives I spoke to today at the Set Sail Centre and should be noted.  It very could be another change that's coming.  We just don't know as things are constantly changing.

But that's it from me now.  I come to the Canadian site for all the great information and to hear what everyone is hearing from Royal.  I always appreciate all the information I receive from here.  We are all trying to make the right decisions on how to proceed and make sure we are all safe and following the ever-changing rules.

1 minute ago, CKCruising said:

Have you heard any stories of someone not being allowed to board due to a test more than 48 hours (but on the 2nd day)?  Their website is clear.  There is nothing on the RCI board, which would blow up if they denied someone boarding for this reason.

Personally, we did our tests at 9:30am on Friday, Flew on Saturday (noon flight) and boarded the ship on Sunday (with a boarding time at 10:00 or 10:30).  There were no issues.

Do what ever you need to make yourself feel more comfortable, there are already enough extra stresses vacationing now a days.

I have not but AGAIN, I'm just stating what I heard from an employee on the phone this morning.  More information is always better that not enough.  I'm sure most people would be fine testing any time 2 days before but as we all know with Royal it seems every employee interprets the rules differently.

But I guess I should have kept my mouth shut instead of trying to be helpful.

1 minute ago, CKCruising said:

That is clearly different than the RCI website:

 

How to calculate which days to take your test:

Vaccinated guests: If you are setting sail on a Saturday, and you need to take the test no more than 2 days before, you can take your test on Thursday or Friday. You could also take it on Saturday morning if necessary — of course, we don't recommend waiting until the last minute.

Yes, my remark was to indicate there appears to be discrepancy so I would have for anyone to show up and get a check in agent that goes by 48 hours and you had your test too early.  I would also go with the 48 hours just to be safe, but that's me and I'm an anxious person.

We are getting our rapid test on Saturday morning just to be extra safe lol.  Results at Shoppers guaranteed before you leave.

Just now, Fouremco said:

The Royal employee would have been right once upon a time, but the changes from 72 hours to 3 days, and later from 3 days to 2 days were made months ago.

That's 48 hours.  I think the distinction is whether it is 2 days or 48 hours.  His indication is that it is 48 hours and NOT 2 days.  So you can't get it any time during Friday if you sail on a Sunday.  Checkin time may in fact matter so I would always take that into consideration to be safe.

So I actually just called royal about this.   My cruise is leaving on a Sunday.  I just picked a checkin time of 11am.  He told me on the phone I could have my test any time on Friday AFTER 11am.  But I also suspect someone else could tell me something different lol