drjohn4

worked fine for me today

2 hours ago, orville99 said:

Everyone gets new underwear😇

US Navy is impressive, doing an evacuation that far out at sea.  True professionals.

5 hours ago, Docbizarro said:

Is there a way to find out where the individual ships will be docked in relation to each other ahead of time?

https://wwwx.miamidade.gov/apps/seaport/dailydock/Default.aspx

For you it is terminal G to terminal A.  I checked it out on google maps and it is 1.5 mile walk.  Potentially doable depending on your fitness level, amount of luggage, and how hot it is that morning. 

On 4/11/2024 at 7:55 PM, beshears said:

It has been years since I have enjoyed visiting a plantation. If you have been on one of RCCL ships to visit a plantation, what was the name of the ship, and what port was it at?

Song of Norway, we took an island tour of Barbados that included a stop at a plantation.

I can see the TicTok click bait now. "Huge brawl between Pinnacle Members and steerage passengers over reserved seating in overcrowded show lounge on world cruise.  Massive response from ships security force required to subdue angry passengers!"

We sailed on Odyssey a couple of years ago Greece/Italy itinerary and the onboard atmosphere was very much like a US based cruise.  Significant majority of passengers were English speaking, but a higher percentage of non-English speakers than in Caribbean. Primary language on board was English although a lot more passengers from the UK than in Caribbean. Announcements were in English first and important ones then repeated in Italian. My teens enjoyed making friends from all over the world.  (My daughter is trying to learn Norwegian now.)  Entertainment was in English, but I think one of the reasons why the Book in 270 is presented with minimal dialogue is to embrace a multi-cultural audience. Onboard currency is US dollars, but the ATM on board will dispense Euros.

Royal's Stay Awhile FAQ says "Perfect for those with later flights, Stay Awhile* allows you to depart the ship at your leisure — up to 90 minutes before the ship leaves port. We’ll handle your luggage while you enjoy a late breakfast or lunch at Windjammer Café, pamper yourself at the VitalitySM Spa or take in the sun on the pool deck. So kick back, relax and stay awhile."

This makes a lot of sense for the cruises where they interport. (Rome/Barcelona)  Since there are passengers for whom it is a regular port stop, ship's amenities remain open like any other port day.  They handle your luggage so the stateroom gets turned around for the next passenger ,so I doubt you would have stateroom access after a certain time in the morning. If the amount of time you want to spend on the ship on departure day is worth the $50 for you it sounds like a nice option to have.

A few safety tips for anyone doing shore excursions in LA on Sunday.  Beware of pickpockets, especially if you are visiting the Hollywood walk of fame.  If you rent a car to explore on your own, don't leave any valuables in the car - smash and grab theft is common throughout the area. (It's not just other countries that have these sorts of problems.)

Welcome to page 100 on this thread!  Any guesses as to how many pages when Serenade arrives back in Miami?

We walked from Sacred Heart Church to the port after mass on embarkation day.  Was a pretty easy walk, not much traffic on Sunday except at the port itself.

53 minutes ago, jakeil7 said:

OTOH, this seems to have generated a large amount of publicity. Worth sailing with a half full ship? (Assuming that does not change). Hard to tell.  But I think at least this sailing has been worth it for them. 

I agree that even with less than 100% occupancy the free publicity and "halo effect" is likely to generate new bookings fleetwide well in excess of the reduced profit from a less than full ship.  It will be interesting to see if later segments see higher occupancy from all the exposure the trip is generating.  

If you like really like the things you can do on Wonder that they don't have on Enchantment (Central Park, Zip-line, Flowrider, Aqua-Theater, ice rink etc.) and want to sail on one of the newest ships and experience Coco Cay - it probably is worth 50% more.  If you enjoy a more traditional cruise experience and just enjoy the food, drinks, pampering and entertainment than it probably is not worth the extra $.

My favorites were the warm chocolate cake, French onion soup, escargots, lobster, Asian style pork tacos, garlic-herb buttered tiger shrimp, lasagna al Forno, and key lime pie.

Even though the website still says the COVID refund policy expired May 31 the ticket contract still says if you are denied boarding due to a positive test within 5 days of boarding you can get a FCC or refund.

"e. Passenger Testing Positive for COVID-19 Pre-Cruise. Passenger agrees that if at any time within five (5) days prior to embarkation, Passenger tests positive for COVID-19, exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19, or Carrier otherwise determines in its sole discretion that Passenger is unfit to board because of any communicable illness, Carrier may deny boarding to such Passenger. Unless Carrier determines that Passenger has failed to comply with Carrier’s COVID-19 Policies and Procedures or this Ticket Contract, any Passenger denied boarding under these circumstances will be entitled to either a refund or a future cruise credit equal in value to the Cruise Fare Passenger paid to Carrier, as provided in Carrier’s COVID-19 refund and cancellation policy. Carrier, in its sole discretion, may require Passenger to provide verification satisfactory to Carrier of Passenger’s positive test result if the test was administered by a provider other than those retained by Carrier. If Passenger seeks to cancel their cruise booking due to testing positive for COVID-19, please refer to Carrier’s COVID-19 refund and cancellation policy at www.RoyalCaribbean.com. Under no circumstances shall Carrier have any other liability for any compensation or other damages whatsoever, including but not limited to compensation for lodging or travel."

The wording appears to imply that if they tell you that you can't board, you can get a FCC or refund, but if you decide to cancel you need to rely on your insurance.

Maybe this?

There was also lobster on Odyssey in the Med last year.  Looking in the app this year, it appears that included lobster is no longer on the menu.

This is from the 2021 Royal Caribbean event customization guide

This guide also has prices for food and drinks for a private event.  This is the link to the guide:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/407543a3#/407543a3/1

The main dining room may be able to accommodate a request for onion rings with some advance notice.  Just ask your waiter or head waiter.  (They made my wife gluten-free mozzarella sticks for lunch one day.)   

The ship stays on Houston time. All aboard this week is 5:30 ships time. 

Royal realizes that it is much less expensive to provide free care to virtually all onboard injuries to reduce their risk of being sued. There is no shortage of law firms ready to sue them at no cost to the injured party. The cost of providing free care for injuries that the cruise line is not at fault for is nothing compared to paying lawyers on shore to defend against or settle lawsuits. 

4 hours ago, PWP-001 said:

Royal's ONLY focus seems to be on increasing profitability --mainly I believe-- because they aren't turning a sufficient operating profit to service their debt.  Add to this--according to what I've read in their most recently published quarterly financials-- they have NOT secured 100% of the funded needed to take delivery of Icon of the Seas.   

This is false.  According to the press release with the first quarter earnings  -

Capital Expenditures and Capacity Guidance

Capital expenditures for full year 2023 are expected to be $4.2 billion. The company expects to take delivery of three new ships in 2023 including Icon of the Seas, Celebrity Ascent and Silver Nova. All ship orders have committed financing in place.

I was on Allure a few weeks ago.  First time on an Oasis class ship, so I can't compare it to the ones with the amplification, but the ship was great.  I didn't notice anything that seemed dated or in need of refurbishment.  Some were saying that it is getting some extra TLC since the President's cruise is on Allure at the end of July.  You will have a great time!

I was on Allure 2 weeks ago and had cream with my free coffee in both windjammer and MDR all week without needing to ask. 

Plenty of cream for my coffee In windjammer and main dining room for my coffee 2 weeks ago.