LeeW

Second hand, but from person sailing with friends who were affected: 26 August NB Radiance lady was selected for random testing when she flew into Vancouver. Tested at local pharmacy/test facility in town. Two days after sailing she was notified she was positive. She had been negative when she did her precruise test the day before her flight. She was quarantined for remainder of cruise. Her husband tested negative but wasn't allowed to eat in public areas. Cruise didn't seem to have much of a covid issue. Also heard from people boarding the next cruise in Seward that many people on two cruisetour buses failed the preboarding test. Since we were doing B2B we didn't have to test for the cruise back to Vancouver.

Sailed three weeks ago out of Vancouver and required a test. Did NOT require a second test when sailing back from Seward on the B2B. People taking cruisetours in Alaska had to test before their land portion and again before boarding in Seward.

Radiance to Alaska had plastic dispensers for milk and half/half at the drink station in Windjammer. Didn't see any little cartons. Tasted like whole milk, but didn't ask. Putting ice bucket in cooler with item you want to keep cold works. Steward will fill ice bucket for you twice a day.

1st rule - check prices daily. Some sales don't last long. And there was one $18 sale for the Deluxe Drink Package that only lasted 6 hours (covid ate the cruises we had booked with these). They do run online sales for drink packages, excursions, and internet. Drink package prices will vary all over the place. You can always cancel and rebook if a sale comes along. Note that the % off doesn't mean anything - you have to look at the actual price. I get emails advertising sales all the time but only just now starting to see discounts for February. Not seeing much yet for April. We often lower our excursion prices a couple of times before a cruise. Just cancel and rebook. For latest cruise we have saved $20pp on beach and snorkeling excursions. If using a credit card it will take a week or so to get your money back from the first booking. Best price is usually around Thanksgiving, but "sales" run every week or so. Book when you feel comfortable and cancel/rebook whenever you see a better price (have a couple now with $2 reduction that isn't worth rebook for us). There is a "modify" link on the Order History page that in theory you could use to change the price but it has never worked for me. And occasionally the "cancel" link takes a minute to register the cancel before you can rebook. In theory you could lose a cabana in the two minutes between cancelling and rebooking. Not likely unless they were sold out when you cancelled. For the most part I have only seen cabana prices go up since cruise restart. Had a few booked on cancelled cruises that were in the $395 range and after restart these have gone to $800+. Had some beach beds booked but frankly these are all out in the sun. Loungers with umbrellas are everywhere and in the Chill area are also shaded with lots of palm trees.

Need to post this on your cruise roll call:

On Radiance two weeks ago the Captain had just boarded. New version of quarantine allowed him to work with bridge personnel but could not go out for meals or mingle with passengers.

And people purchasing fish in Alaska are required to report this on their Canadian Customs declaration (turned in on first Canadian port).

Booked 3 Celebrity cruises on Symphony in April. Standard $100pp deposit instead of larger Celebrity deposits and confirmed we got $100 OBC (plus another $100 for stockholder) when we got home. However they can't handle a Celebrity FCC, so if you have one you will need to apply it later.

Procedures on Vancouver-Seward-Vancouver B2B returning last weekend: Had to test prior to first cruise. When I got onboard I asked about test for second cruise back to Vancouver - no covid test required for second cruise. The initial test required by Canada was sufficient for the B2B. No meeting before the turnaround day in Seward (although in the past we have done this many times). Just letter. Two choices: 1. Pick up new cruise card and answer precruise questions at Guest Services (can't do it on app) between 7:15-8:30 on turnaround day if you wanted to leave the ship. Since we had a tour planned we did this and most folks in line were doing the same thing. 2. Report to a lounge at 8:30 and get new cruise card and then wait for up to two hours for the ship to clear. Would not be allowed out or off ship during that time due to public area cleaning. They did provide info for the ArriveCan app, but we had already done ours before we even got on the ship (board in Vancouver, depart in Vancouver 14 days later). Although my responses didn't quite match the recommended one we were not questioned on this.

Had a tool that was 1/4"x1/4"x2" confiscated on last trip. Mostly screwdrivers. Scanned bag five times and removed most of contents before they took it.

This is what we use. Rocky Mountain Sunscreen used to be supplier to US Ski Team since it works great at high altitudes. Apply before leaving ship and let dry. Doesn't wash off in sea water and lasts 4 hours for us. Never had to reapply unless staying more than 4 hours in sun. The key is to have it completely dry before entering water. They have stronger versions but SPF30 is thinner and easier to apply. No smell. Local grocery sells this in small tubes but got expensive that way. Now can get it on Amazon. We buy quart and it lasts a few years. https://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Mountain-Sunscreen-Regular-Quart/dp/B007HMCXYU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1XWGOV7E8S5GK&keywords=rocky+mountain+sunscreen&qid=1662998772&sprefix=rocky+mountain+suns%2Caps%2C1388&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A3EVJLKVCKQUOI&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzR1lRSExGR1c5TlpQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzgwNzg5MTZXNDlRS1NPT1hNSyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTU4Njg1MkhPUlg2NDBQMEVaWCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Just got back from B2B on Radiance. Couple of comments: There are no show reservations - just show up 20-30 before a show. That said, mostly they were singers and bands (and Tango dance show). Lots of entertainment is in the Centrum, so you can see it from several levels. Internet is poor at best on Radiance in Alaska. Lots of outages. Higher level doesn't help but may be too late for you to change. Ask onboard. Guest services is seldom busy. They have a screener that handles a lot of routine stuff like punching cruise cards for lanyard use. Adult pool is moderately warm. Open to kids 8-10 and 12-2. Our cruises were mostly cloudy and rainy, so needed an extra towel or jeans jacket in that area on all but one day. We wore shorts/T shirts every day. Kind of chilly going back to the Windjammer. The pool was closed last two days going up and first day coming back since all the water sloshed out. They said they couldn't empty the pool with that much motion but the deck staff tried using towel dams and squeegees to keep back the water. Our flip flops tried to float away. Pictures post sideways - sorry. Northbound we missed Hubbard. Southbound didn't look promising but finally made it there. The Explorer boat got a lot closer but at $350pp we didn't buy it (and have been to glaciers many times). If sky is clear you may see the aurora. No announcements about this but were out around 11 several nights.

This was a topic a few months ago. Security just needs to recognize your face, so they don't want glasses or hats that block their recognition. Nobody else cares (except for cheering for her victory) and she can wear or not wear what she wants on or off the ship.

Doubt very much they would measure maximum height for an excursion. Slouch if you need to. We did a Bacalar tubing float and didn't see limits for this. Note that it will be a LONG day. The ruins are just over an hour out on a road from the port that is straight for all but a 45 bend at 25 minutes and views of shrubs. Bacalar is another 45 minutes south of the ruins. Having two activities will limit your time at the ruins, which are huge and well-restored.

Per stateroom. Policy is: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-alcohol-guest-policy Current eDocs say: Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor, fortified wines (vermouth, sherry, sake, and port wines) or nonalcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Guests may bring personal wine or champagne onboard only on embarkation day, limited to two (2) bottles (no boxes) of 750 mi per stateroom. Wine should be brought onboard via carry on if possible. Luggage containing wine or champagne will not be delivered to the stateroom and guests will need to retrieve their luggage from security once the ship has set sail. Only staterooms with at least one (1) guest over 21 years of age are eligible to bring bottles of wine or champagne onboard. Guests may request a corkscrew to use for opening bottles in their stateroom. Additional bottles of wine beyond two (2) bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect the bottles and if they appear to have been tampered with, they will not be allowed to be brought onboard. Security may also inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned. Not seeing the water/soda policy any more. Certainly saw people bringing on cases of water and soda both at sailing and in ports last week.

And you may only see these for the person who is logged in.

Quantum heading north from Ketchikan as seen from Radiance. Phone won't let me rotate image.

Iceland and Greenland are incredible. As Ken said, if you want shows don't sail this itinerary. Radiance is having windows replaced this week by contractors when it isn't raining and ship is in port. Windows were ordered six months ago according to the Captain.

They have been rolling out a new version of the Cruise Planner for around a year on various ships and sailings. Allure was one of the first to use the new format and at least current Radiance is using old. I haven't had any cruises change to new format once purchases open but certainly possible. Old format is easier to use but Royal loves to change for the sake of change. When I worked on databases and changed the version or platform we often put new stuff on the new server so could be they are doing the same thing. I've also never seen a sale on the soda package on any cruise using the new format.

Soda package works always in dining rooms. The assistant waiter usually goes to a bar. Cans not included unless guns not working. They know your room number so they know your package. If they can't look it up they ask. Now you CAN request a can and pay for it with either Diamond drinks or Deluxe or room charge. Don't think refreshment package includes cans.

Normal for years.

The Buck Island snorkeling was maybe the best we have seen in the Caribbean area. However it was between coral extending almost to the surface. With waves you need good control to stay away. Not for everyone. Last trip with seven people we often split into two different excursions.

Haven't seen lines by status since restart except suites. Just timed entry or one big line.

Yup. Brush, floss, brush, waterpic and still get "the treatment."

ArriveCan is no longer taking test result uploads. You do need to upload both your passport and your vaccine records. Need these for flying into Canada as well (OP is not flying in, sailing from Seward). Easiest way is to have images of documents on phone/computer so you don't need to mess with taking a picture.