EdandMary

Royal Caribbean laid off all of their online travel agents about 5 weeks ago, and now instead of calling your personal RCL T/A you must call the 800 number and wait for someone to be available. We had our RCL T/A for over 15 years and he was told on a Friday that he no longer had a job along with the entire RCL online call agents. This is just for RCL and not for Celebrity or the other owned cruise lines under Royal Caribbean International. I want to be able to call a personal RCL T/A at their extension number whenever I need assistance or wish to book a cruise without waiting for hours. RCL PLEASE RESTORE THIS SERVICE. Another example of cost cutting I guess to charm the stockholders.

We are also stockholders and loyal to Royal but we disagree with Royal doing these changes. Royal is raising the price of everything which is understandable due to inflation, but over the years we have seen way too many take-aways also which always leaves a bad taste in the mouth. We especially do not like the single lobster tail issue since they are Caribbean warm water lobsters which cost a lot less. We will pay for a great cruise but we will not pay for Royal to become a Carnival knock-off cruise line.

The spouse equal recognition question was asked while onboard the Ovation last year and we were told by guest services that if only the husband or wife achieved the pinnacle points of 700 that the other spouse would not become a pinnacle until that person also reached the 700 point number so we are confused as to what the OFFICIAL POSITION IS on this subject.

Where did you confirm this? The Quantum concierge emailed me 2 days ago that the Covid negative test was still required to board the ship.

a couple of thoughts for what it is worth. 1. Think about if it were you that needed the emergency care. 2. If it is a quantum class ship, there is no helicopter landing area so anyone needing to be taken off must go up in a basket and cable, which means someone from the chopper must be on the deck to assure a safe lift. And if there is a wind blowing, that gets even trickier. If a Radiance class ship, I seem to remember it's the same issue, but I may be wrong for that class of ship. 3.At this point in the return of the cruise industry trying to get crews, supplies, and making ends meet, they don't have a ton of money to offer much in the way of "compensation" so you might give them just a bit of slack. They are doing the best they can under the circumstances at that moment in time.

We live north of Seattle and have sailed to Alaska many times. The weather in Alaska is generally not predictable, but August early is normally good, with possibility of scattered fog later in the month. We have sailed in September, and it has been beautiful, or not. Just go and enjoy whatever weather you encounter. Both months are great cruising months, and the temperatures are normally in the 70's.

doing the purchased EMed antigen test ( either purchased through RCCL or directly from the company) and your cell phone is the easiest since finding a testing facility is sometimes tricky in Seattle. Also be sure to have the Arrive can app on your phone and accomplish that before arriving at the port, as you can't board the ships without the QR code to show you have completed the process to enter Canada. We have our CDC cards loaded on our phone as well.

Suite Concierge is Carlington Berry

Youi didn't mention when your cruise will be so we will just tell you what we experienced last August on this ship, as well as the shakedown cruise in April 2022. Weather is always changing so plan for layers as required. Dining is dependent on if the ship is still separating vaccinated versus unvaccinated. Yesterday the CDC opened vaccinations for 6 month old and above so you might consider that option. Pier check-in is based on what time you choose based on arriving. With a balcony, they stick to the chosen time for the most part. You should download the ArriveCan.gov. app as you will need to do that before they will allow you in the terminal. That will require you to send via your application for each member your CDC card information as well as photos. We prefer the MDR seating as it is assigned, either early or late dining. My time gets a bit chaotic as it is wait to be seated as tables are available. Every ship has crew shortages so expect some delays. Excursions should be booked early if possible as they do sell out. Going ashore with your unvaccinated child should not be a problem, except possibly in Victoria . Canada is always changing their position so stay tuned. As of now, they are requiring vaccinations through June 2022. In theory , your daughter, if unvaccinated, can get tested at port, but wouldn't count on it. We were on the shakedown cruise and with the Arrive Can accomplished, we had no problem in Victoria. It is advisable to carry paper copies of everything you need to show the folks at the port. They will ask for Identification, boarding passes for everyone, CDC cards for everyone, Negative covid test within 2 days of sailing. Pre-print all of your luggage tags and put them on the bags. and get in the line for the time you selected to arrive. If you are driving and park at the port, there is a shuttle to the terminal. If you are flying in, plan enough time for everything as Sea=tac is crazy again with traffic and people. You possible may have to again wear facemasks, but that is still being discussed, for while you are in the lines, terminal, but probably won't be required on ship normally. Last, but not least, HAVAE A GREAT CRUISE on this beautiful ship.