Djsmrs

We went on Mariner in December - challenges were different, which makes it fun because people can't come prepared...   it was hysterical, and staff were adamant no kids in the room and many were removed and there were multiple multiple announcements about the show being 18+.   Then one parent sent their tween daughter down to the floor for one of the challenges.  

Epic

Epic

Fail

#shameshameshame

Said child was promptly removed from the venue 

17 hours ago, Tigers2 said:

What is the current COVID testing policy for RCCL as of 1/19/23?

This is a cruise out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise

I think, hopefully, we've reached the point where some will and some will not wear masks - but it's a bit of a que sera sera situation.  You do you and whatever makes you feel comfortable - I've seen some people wearing, some not wearing - and some who clearly should be wearing a mask as they cough and sniffle their way around.

I wouldn't anticipate feeling uncomfortable or judged if you do decide to wear a mask 🙂   

15 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

 

Hi @jmalsa! Two questions - first, was Quest appropriate for your 15 year old? I've heard how funny it is, but also that some versions can get more risqué than others...

 

And second, you mention your shoes but not clothing for ATVs. We're doing our first ATV adventure in April on Cozumel and have no idea what to expect. Should we wear long pants (googling says engines could be hot)? Is there flying debris? Lots of mud? Should we wear goggles and long sleeves? And just confirming that you think water shoes and/or crocs would be fine for the ATV, as opposed to something sturdier? 

 

Thanks!

On Mariner -  staff were actively removing kids from Studio B.    They do not want kids  attending Quest - and after watching it I don’t disagree with them.   People are crazy - in a hilarious way - but definitely pushing limits.   It’s okay for a few things to be for over 18’s.  

Always love reading your blogs - super entertaining!.   Helps pass time until our next sailing!   
 

Safe journey home. 
 

thoughts and prayers for that iPhone 🤣🤣

answered

I really don't see the issue, with the exception of sofa beds and pullmans needing to be made up in the evening.   After they make up our room it's not like we're really in there doing anything that would  require additional cleaning - 

I know staffing is an issue so they're increasing the # of rooms that each attendant has to clean while reducing the number of cleans - I guess they're doing what they can to address retention.

I'd get their passports done - I recently landed an appointment at Surrey passport office and was in and out in 40 minutes for the drop off.   Pickup took 90 minutes - but if you're far enough out you can get them mailed to you.  

Considering you can't sail beyond 24 weeks gestation the fact that this very premature baby was delivered and survived is a true miracle.   Wow!  A real comment on the quality of care.   

22 hours ago, toad455 said:

 

Back in 2018 it was $25 for two people for chairs and an umbrella. Still the same price?

Honestly - we'd had a few at Maho beach by the time we got to Holland House so my memory is a smidge fuzzy - but I think so.   

It's not a day pass as much as renting some chairs and getting a bucket of beers.   We were there in April - and it was amazing.

On 11/14/2022 at 6:41 PM, kimberlym4 said:

Not sure when/if they might begin but I've heard that there could be deals for Black Friday.  Our 4-night January sailing on Mariner is holding constant at $83.99 for the deluxe drink package so far.  Just wondering if over the next week or so anyone else notices any deals and what those deals might be.

Ours too - and we sail Dec 19.   

Oddly the DBP is $79.99 on Allure next year.    How and why is Mariner so much more??   The pricing is baffling

We're all booked in separate rooms..   We have 5  rooms.   2 guests per room - so the 8 guest rule isn't an issue.   Plus we used a travel agent.  But this has been an issue when we've had only 2 or 3 rooms.

This can be tough - maybe ask your travel agent... alternatively wait until you're on board.

You can link them in the app by adding reservation numbers - or in the cruise planner on a computer might be easier.

We have 10 of us in 5 rooms - and we've not really been able to make this work very well, with the exception of chops and izumi.    Linking main dining has been impossible.

If you're going to Teppanyaki you're sitting at a table that surrounds a grill so you can watch the chef cook your dinner in front of you - there aren't window seats per se, but there are windows along the wall of the restaurant (on Oasis class).   Unless you're referring to the sushi side of the restaurant - that's different and they have window seats - again, on Oasis.  I'm not sure about smaller ships.

7 hours ago, Toddcan said:

Don't forget to wear them to the windjammer for breakfast. 😉

Lunch and dinner are important too!   lol

4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Would it work well with all the steel of the ships construction?  Just curious. 
 

Air Tags use other people's cell phones to obtain location information - so the steel shouldn't matter.   It would rely more on whether or not crew "near" your bag have an apple phone and have it connected to data or wifi

We've used them (not on ships) but there's often no update while on the aircraft - because once loaded there isn't anyone in the hold for the tag to update to - so it'll show your bags in your departing city until they're offloaded and near an iphone in your arrival city.   This slight delay can cause a slight heart attack - lol.

On 7/25/2022 at 3:50 PM, turnin50 said:

BC isn't opening to all ages till sometime in the fall.

We just got our text/email notification from the province this week advising that 4th shots will be available in the fall (September) for everyone 12 and up.   But if you're over 18 and have "unique needs" in BC you may get another booster sooner (quote from the text).

OMG - people are so toxic on this forum it's truly disheartening.

To answer the specific question - if you can hook it up (it's not always possible to access the rear of the TV), the internet rate will be beyond frustrating for them and the games will be almost unplayable du to lag.

It's always a minor challenge leaving kids in the room with something to do for a couple hours while parents grab a meal together (gasp) alone once or twice during the week.

Our preference for safety and to prevent any potential issues was to have our boys (then 11 and 13) in the room rather than wandering the ship - for which kids will also get ragged on - you literally can't win on this one. 

We have a switch that works pretty well because they can play off-line games (also GREAT on flights)  or they have games/shows they can play/watch on their ipads.  The surf and stream has always worked pretty well for us and we haven't had issues not being able to watch Netflix or Disney+.   TV/Movie selection on Royal is terrible.

There are consoles in the teen club - but I think they have to be 12 - so it depends on how old your kids are, and I think the game selection was meh.  My son thinks they had a Wii U and PS3 in there -  he's a gamer and they didn't interest him at all.

I would have both - it would suck to get there and not be able to pull it up, or suffer another Rogers outage, or they don't accept it... or you lose your phone, or...   anything can happen these days it seems

Backup paper copies don't take up a lot of space and if you need them you'll be thankful for the 10 minutes you spent printing everything out.

On 5/18/2022 at 8:42 AM, Kellie in Texas said:

.  Question 1: We have an 11:00 am boarding time for June 5, so am I correct that we can complete ArriveCAN anytime on Friday (because we will be within the 72 hours)?  

You will need to show your ArriveCAN code at the airport when you check in to your flight to leave the US. 

On 5/18/2022 at 8:42 AM, Kellie in Texas said:

 

Question 2:  When you enter your arrival location in ArriveCAN, I've seen that most people are entering the address for Canada Place cruise terminal and the name of the ship.  If we are spending one night pre-cruise in Vancouver, do we enter the hotel name?  Or still Canada Place/the ship?

Use the hotel or cruise ship terminal - both are correct.   You'll be fine.

On 5/18/2022 at 8:42 AM, Kellie in Texas said:

 

 

 

Question 4:  Can you start ArriveCAN on a computer and finish on a phone?  I type so much faster on a computer.  

If I were you - I'd do it all on your phone.   And then when you get your QR code - take a screenshot of it so you have a copy just in case the app crashes or you can't gain access at check-in.

Check Manulife for covid travel insurance.   They have all kinds of options.

All of this!   We travelled with our kids almost from birth, and first cruise was at 9 months - and every age on up.   We had tempered expectations, downloaded movies to watch in the room and kept the boys on schedule as much as we could.

Evenings were cozy in our room or on our balcony - husband would fetch vino and snacks and we had some quality time together.   Afternoon nap times.. we just enjoyed quiet time and went with the flow.

Also - staff on the ships are typically so happy to see the littles and really fawn over them.  I can remember buffet staff holding my son and wandering around with him while we ate and he was loving flirting with everyone who would look at him (obviously it's different now in this specific respect), but we had really fun and positive experiences... and the kids are seasoned cruisers now.

I second the suggestion of a balcony cabin...   made a big difference to our trip.

Washington state and Vancouver have zero appointments available.  For some reason the west coast is always a bunch of steps behind.   Why is it so hard - and why on earth can't Canada get the Nexus centres up and running for appointments.   Seriously.  Both my kids have to go for an interview so they can get an updated photo... it's so frustrating.  My eldest son's Nexus was conditionally approved two years ago - had an appointment in December and then they closed the border again for Omicron.    Stupid covid.   

right - yes - you might have to advocate for those... but I think a L&S would have a fighting chance.

(edited due to lack of reading your response correctly  lol)