cindivan

16 minutes ago, Anton said:

A mobile testing facility.  There was one parked outside the Oasis today.  $150 per test, 15 minute results.

Wow they are making some serious cash!

This link says cruises starting through Oct 31 so not sure which is accurate

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center

COVID-19 Assistance

Vaccinated guests and children not yet eligible to be vaccinated who book a Royal Caribbean International cruise that’s sailing on or before October 31, 2021 will have the following COVID-19 Assistance at no extra charge.

So probably being quarantined at whatever the next port is if you test positive?

Thanks.  So very vague as to what will actually happen.  We could be quarantined at a port but RC will cover the costs.

Am I remembering it right that on another cruise RC disembarked a family who tested positive at a port and flew them privately home?

I apologize if this has been answered. I feel like I have read some references to something about October 31, but can't find it when I search for it.

We are on the Allure leaving October 31, fully vaxxed.  My understanding is that once we board we will not be tested again unless we go to the infirmary with symptoms or our tracelet says we have been around someone who tested positive.  Is that correct?

The RC Healthy Sailing page is pretty vague about what happens if we test positive.  I have read RC flew some families private transport home, but have also read something about that only applies to cruises through Oct 31. Since we are leaving Oct 31, I wasn't sure if we fell into the before or after category.  

Our traveling party doesn't like the thought of being dumped off at the next port and/or Port Canaveral and be made to quarantine for several days.  We understand the need to get us off the ship, just don't like the idea of being stuck somewhere random in a hotel room for days.  Does RC have this explicitly stated anywhere?

Thanks.

I can't remember which post (in the RC forum), but someone said they did this and it was fast.  

Another option would be to have a wifi package and turn on wifi calling on your phone.  If your cell phone is on and connected and she tries to call you, it will ring just as if it were a cellular service call.   You need to activate wifi calling on your phone before you get on the cruise.  And be sure to turn off cellular service when you board to avoid crazy charges.  

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/make-calls-using-wi-fi-iph78f4697ca/ios

*note - this works for IOS (apple phones), not sure of Android

On 8/13/2021 at 10:25 AM, CruisingSince1982 said:

 

What happened to no masks in vaccinated only venues?? 

I also thought I had read vaccinated venues (like the casino) didn't require masks.  I know it's ever changing but I remember reading that as well.

Do you if people were really able to disembark at 6:45?  We would love to make a 10:15 flight out of MCO but booked the later one because we hadn't seen the timing.  On the one hand I thought such few people we could get off faster.  Unless there was less border patrol staff.  We have already booked our flights but if we see we can probably get out sooner we will try to change and take the chance.

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.  We are in CLS Oct 31 so very curious to see your answers to many of the previous questions.

22 hours ago, Nado44 said:

 

They are? What's the scoop?

I think the concierge lounges are being replaced with suite lounges on the newer/remodeled ships. Different words to make it clear it’s accessible to suites guests only. And probably pinnacles when covid is under control. Diamond plus will probably never be able to use the suite/ concierge lounges without being in suite on that cruise.   

“So you’re saying there’s a chance!l   If I stay in a suite by myself for a little more than 2 months  before 2023 I can be pinnacle. 😂😂. Such a big number from d+ to p.  Happy we get 4 points per night but honestly not sure I will live to be pinnacle so just a mind game at this point. 

1 hour ago, ADunk said:

I know they are expensive! More expensive to operate though. 

 

Have you seen the one in the backyard of a house as you sail out of Fort Lauderdale!?

About 10 years ago we were having a fun conversation with our kids because we bought Powerball tickets.  (We have maybe bought powerball tickets three times in our life but the prize was really high and like so many others we got sucked in) . We all had a wish list of what we would get if we won the lottery, and one of our kids talked about a Flowrider. At the time we actually priced it out and I want to say it was around $700,000 for the size that Royal Caribbean has. (We called flowrider and got quotes).  And that’s before grading the land etc. And operating it was estimated to be $40 of electricity per hour.    Maybe it was more and that was also 10ish years ago. I just remember thinking that would only happen if we won the lottery. 
 

Shockingly we  didn’t win. It was quite an interesting conversation and one of our kids designed a whole facility with the flowrider, racquetball, bowling alley and can’t remember what else. We were all surprised at how much one actually cost to install.

19 minutes ago, shipmate13 said:

I really don't understand why mask are not required in the casino but everywhere else inside. Am I missing something here?  

I think because it’s a vaxxed only venue. And from what I read on the daily planner was that a lot of indoor venues were *everyone (vs vaccinated) and required masking. 

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I wore one pretty much 24/7 fo two days on Allure test. Also had to wear my purple vaccination band. Hardly knew I had them on. 

 

The white bands are our own, nothing to do with Royal

 

I did take it off while swimming 

 

I also wear a fitness band (galaxy) 24/7, so I'm pretty use to it. We also used WOW bands in the past. Love them as well

 

Not a make or break question - more out of curiousity.  Can you take off the purple bands when in your room?  I'm weird that I don't like to sleep with any jewelry or similar on.

Thanks for taking the time to give us all the info.  Really appreciate it!!

This cruise is vaxxed for everyone 12+ right?  It seems like a large amount of unvaxxed venues to accommodate only the 11 and under group.  Or am I understanding that incorrectly?  Are there a lot of kids that look 11 and under on board?

I'm guessing the Coastal Kitchen is for everyone (in a suite that is) so masks required?  I guess they have to allow for kids in suites.

No masks required in casino?  My husband will be so excited.

Wow - 1700!!  People ask me why I would cruise if I have to mask.   Once I tell them my reasons they say that makes a lot of sense.  

   1. Masking will be minimal and worth the hassle to have such low capacity!

   2.  What other public can I be in such a highly vaxxed percentage of people and   

         where they had to test negative at least at the beginning?  Pretty safe 

         environment.

Worth it is so subjective. My husband loves Choppes so we typically go if we have a small cruising group. I have seen service and quality decline over the years. Not worth it to me, but it is to him.  So we compromise and go. (Married 27 years, it goes both ways. I wanted a dog for 10+ years. He didn’t.  We eventually compromised about year 11 and got a dog). 
 

And totally agree if there is a big group small tables get lost in the shuffle 

11 minutes ago, CruiseSlacker said:

Does UDP include lunch too?

 

 

On sea days - yes. Unless they have changed it very recently. 

11 hours ago, later said:

The antigen test is as reliable for positive results as the PCR test but gives a higher percent of false negatives.

Can you please provide a peer-reviewed that shows this?  It’s actually the opposite.   The PCR test is much more sensitive. 
 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html

mods, please delete both these posts as I know they violate the CC rules.  I just get so weary of people posting opinions like they are facts. 

So curious to hear all of your experiences. We are scheduled to go October 31 and are very hopeful that happens.

Are they requiring masking inside from one then you to another?  Any venues not requiring masking?  It’s not a make or break issue for me, but so curious as to what is the norm 

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

Double points book by Sept 30, 2021 and sail by Dec 31, 2022.

 

 

I saw this and was wondering if we’re in a suite if we get quadruple points?

3 hours ago, MommaBear55 said:

Can we still point and laugh? Asking for a friend... 

I've come to realize over the years that the days of hats and gloves when going downtown in the afternoon are long over. I do wish that I didn't have to see people's underwear and personal parts and that pajamas and robes were kept to the cabin. 

I prefer simple raised eyebrows with a side glance to “interesting choices” others make. But honestly nothing offends me or bothers me as far as clothing choices people make. I don’t want to spend the time or mental energy on things I can’t control. 
 

Correction. Racist or sexist sayings or symbols on clothing/hats does bother me.   But I don’t see that much on cruises I that I remember. 

It’s so simple. Wear what makes you happy and let others think what they want.  (At least at places that don’t have an enforced dress code). Life is too short. 

12 hours ago, later said:

I assume when you say rapid test you are talking about the antigen test because there are rapid RT-PCR tests too.

Yes. 

I have spent hours on hold with various companies. I get your frustration. However this is just one more reason to get a good TA that can handle this headache for you.    Ask some friends for a recommendation. There is no financial advantage to booking directly with RC that I’m aware of.