SoDonewithitAll

56 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

Feel the same way.  Was on Getaway for 28 days in November/December.  The first 20 days there was a mask requirement which, at best, was adhered to at perhaps 85% or so.  And never once saw any crew member suggest, let alone insist, on mask wearing.  On tour buses we had to tell people several times to put on a mask in close quarters.  And each of those were in the EU, where it is the LAW in public transport.

I am currently on the Getaway. Masking has been near 100% with the exception of bars and dining areas. I have not once seen a crew member not wearing a high-quality mask correctly, let alone not having one at all. They are all totally masked all the time when in public areas. My guess is the crew areas are different, and that is the problem. I have only once seen a guest without a mask when he was not eating/drinking. Everyone I have run into has been very good about masking when with others. I was quite surprised to be honest. 

Does anyone know if TikTok is included in the Unlimited Social Media package?

5 hours ago, zpdw484 said:

There is an explorer review on the royal Caribbean board from last week and they stopped in Bonaire and there was no mention of anything out of the ordinary regarding needing a pcr test vs the Antigen required to board the ship in San juan

I just posted a question there, and the lovely individual did respond and say they only needed to show vaccination cards and nothing else. 

On 12/7/2021 at 8:50 AM, dianajo67 said:

 

3 Dec: Bonaire

 

This was our first time in Bonaire as the stop kept getting cancelled on us in previous cruises.  We had the absolute best shore excursion there through Woodwind Bonaire.  It’s a snorkeling trip over to Klein Bonaire with 3 stops, full bar, big lunch and impressive service.  They had everything from full body wet suits to prescription masks that folks could use at no charge.  They also cleaned and defogged personal masks and they broke us up into small groups with a guide who was extremely patient.  Can’t say enough about this tour.  Before Covid-19, you would have to book this tour at least 6 months out to get a spot.  Most of our group were 2-3 time repeat customers!  Tour ran from 9-2.

 

 

Hi There - Thanks for your update! I'm wondering if you can tell me about the requirements to get off the ship in Bonaire. The infobonaire.com website says they are requiring a negative PCR test within 24 hours of boarding the cruise for all vaccinated cruise passengers arriving in Bonaire. What documentation was required for you to be able to leave the ship? Did they ask to see vaccination cards? Negative test results? If so, did it matter what kind of test, antigen or PCR? Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and I"m really looking forward to this stop. I don't want to miss it because I didn't have the right test and I can't seem to find any confirmation of this new requirement. 

15 minutes ago, zpdw484 said:

We sail Dec 26th on Explorer of the seas with a stop in Bonaire.. Antigen required to board, so this is concerning. From what I can tell ships have still been making stops here, including explorer last week.

I really wish I could get confirmation of the PCR test requirement - I can't find this requirement written anywhere other than the infobonaire.com website. I tried posting a question on the Emerald Princess roll call board as the Bonaire website said they docked on the 6th, but the response that i got was that the ship did not have a scheduled stop in Bonaire. So at least something on that website is not correct - the question is how much. We are sailing on the 27th with a stop in Bonaire, and I'm going to be very annoyed if I can't leave the ship because I didn't get the right kind of test. 

Collect sea glass on Playa Capitolio. We were there this summer (for a vacation, not on a cruise) and the amount of sea glass is amazing. 

https://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-beach/

On 11/26/2021 at 5:55 AM, misguy said:

In looking at the Bonaire website, it says that you have to a PCR test with 48 hours of boarding your ship if you are fully vaccinated.  The cruise line is only requiring an antigen test.  Does anyone have recent experience with cruising into Bonaire?

I saw this too and came to ask the same question. I am boarding 12/27, this may be a serious issue due to the holiday and the fact that we are traveling on the 26th.

20 minutes ago, peg013 said:

Yes, you will be fine. From NCL https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe

Note that this chart is just for cruises boarding on or after January 17, 2022. Those of us getting on a ship earlier (Yay!) have 96 hours prior to embarkation to get a test, and we will still be tested at the port. 

My family is cruising NCL in December/January and we are stopping in DR - Looking at Coconut Cove All Inclusive shore excursion as it seems to have something for everyone. Anyone have any recent experiences to share? The old reviews were not good, but I can't find anything less than a few years old. Any info would be helpful!

On 10/7/2021 at 10:17 AM, cruising sister said:

I agree. NCL put everyone on that cruise at risk. No logic at all. I am glad everyone’s illness was mild and I pray no long term effects. 

How NCL handled this follows the CDC guidelines for close contact to the letter. According to CDC guidelines, if you are vaccinated you do not need to quarantine if you are not showing symptoms even if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. This is how any business following CDC recommendations is handling quarantine, including schools.

43 minutes ago, lanceholt said:

I am surprised too as we have relatives who have been exposed and have to quarantine for a period  of time after exposure even though testing neg....., traveling with two people who tested positive at destination sounds like exposed to me.  

For what it's worth - the CDC guidelines do not require a fully vaccinated individual to quarantine even if they meet the other parts of the definition of "close contact."

2 minutes ago, Twinbooty said:

Thanks for the responses. Think I understand all but still waiting on mobile reception in question 2 if anyone can help and if you think I could change my free at sea package to dining instead of WiFi as not sure the package will make a dent in what I need work wise. 😀 

I don't know if this applies to your situation, but you should be able to upgrade the "free wifi" that comes with your package to a more robust wifi package by paying the difference between the plan they give you and the plan that you want. 

Scheduled to be on the Getaway in December out of Miami and GC is supposed to be the first stop. I keep checking the boards and my NCL messages to see if there is any news, but nothing! Sounded pretty clear from GC that the cruise ships won't be stopping there this year, so not sure what we are waiting for either. Wish they would pick a place and let us know already!

2 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Are you looking to book under the current promo?

 

Premium Beverage Package (Open Bar)
Premium Beverage Package is applicable to all qualified sailings excluding Pride of America.
 

Applicable to guests 1-8 on the reservation. If 3-8 guest is under 21 years of age, Premium Beverage package does not apply and soda package will not be given as a substitution.
 

Guest 1-2 must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to qualify for the Premium Beverage Package. Guests under 21 will receive the soda package.

 

 

Yes - because we did two rooms, the kids will get the soda package. Doesn't seem to matter much though since they don't drink any soda. Does anyone know if you can order virgin cocktails (Virgin Pina Colada or Daquiri) using the soda plan?

I have been reading everything I can about the "Soda Package" that is given to under-21's when getting the Free Drinks package. My kids don't drink any soda (weirdos, I know), so what other options are available for them? Is there lemonade or juice that is included somewhere? What one really wants is milk - is that included anywhere? I know we can purchase these things, but I'm looking for options included in the plan. This is our first NCL cruise - yay for 100% vaccinations! If there aren't a lot of options for juices/lemonade/milk, I will pre-purchase water for them. Thanks in advance for the advice!

On 8/15/2021 at 12:08 PM, melodyesch said:

I’m so curious how this is going to play out in Florida.  DH and I are scheduled on the Encore out of Miami in December, but we do not want to go if it’s not 100% vaxed.

We are booked on the Getaway in December out of Miami - if they change the vaccination policy I will cancel. It's not worth the risk and the stress if there have to be other mitigation rules due to unvaccinated passengers or crew.

I'm sure it is a money saving decision, but if there are no kids sailing <12 due to vaccination requirements, wouldn't it make sense to adjust the ages for now and make a 12-14 group and a 15-17 group? As a HS teacher, I can tell you there is a HUGE difference between most 12 yo and 17 yo. 

On 8/10/2021 at 11:18 PM, lks93 said:

We are booked on the Sept 4th Encore cruise to Alaska.  We are hoping to be able to see the Northern Lights.  We realize it is early... but fingers crossed.  Has anyone been on an Alaska Cruise in early September and seen the Northern Lights?

Spaceweather.com has aurora updates, maps, and even a paid service to alert you when they are happening. Lots if the info is free, so even if you don't do the paid subscription it is worth signing up and getting their free updates and announcements. I don't know how the aurora alert service might work for a cruise, but if this is important to you it would be worth looking into. Hope you get to see the lights!!

I am also eagerly awaiting information about vaccination requirements as I am booked on a holiday cruise as well. However, I seem to be in the minority in hoping that NCL keeps the 100% vaccinated requirement. I chose NCL because of this policy re: vaccinated only, and hope it continues. I'm sorry for the families who want to cruise with youngsters that can't get vaccinated yet, but there are other options with more lenient rules. Should NCL change their policy to permit unvaccinated people onboard I will be the one cancelling my reservation.