Sailgal05

Thank you for the responses. I knew that the valid answer would be from RCCL, but was very curious when I read this. I took the sentence that said:

Unvaccinated passengers, and all passengers on sailings six days and over not departing from Los Angeles, Galveston, New Orleans or Europe will still need a pre-arrival COVID-19 test. 
 

To state that unvaccinated and ALL (meaning the vaccinated) passengers 6+ days and departing from Galveston, did not need a pre cruise test.

As stated, it’s written poorly. We were hoping it would be something else we don’t have to worry about.😎 

I just read this Cruise Critic article explaining the Covid requirements for every major cruise line. 
We cruise out of Galveston, Oct 16 on Liberty, 7 days and are fully vaccinated. According to the RCCL section, we will no longer have to do the pre-test. (The wording is a little awkward). If so, why aren’t we hearing about this from RCCL? Am I missing something?

Here’s the section:

Royal Caribbean

Who Needs to Be Vaccinated: Beginning September 5, Royal Caribbean will welcome unvaccinated passengers sailing from Los Angeles, Galveston, New Orleans and all European homeports. Any other departure ports will still require full vaccination for all passengers over the age of 12.

What Vaccines Are Acceptable: Royal accepts a mixed vaccination series consisting of doses from different manufacturers, as long as it meets the following requirements: Must consist of at least two doses of vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization. The 2 doses must be administered at least 28 days apart. The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing.

Are Any Unvaccinated Passengers Able to Sail? Yes, though with some conditions in place, such as the requirement to provide a negative pre-cruise COVID-19 test, and only from select ports of call. Unvaccinated passengers on Caribbean itineraries will not be able to disembark the vessel in Grand Cayman, while unvaccinated passengers calling on Spanish or Greek ports of call will need to take a COVID-19 test prior to arrival.

Is A Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Test Required? Beginning August 8, fully vaccinated passengers will not need a test for sailings five days or less. Unvaccinated passengers, and all passengers on sailings six days and over not departing from Los Angeles, Galveston, New Orleans or Europe will still need a pre-arrival COVID-19 test. 

Is A Pierside, Pre-Embarkation COVID-19 Test Required? No, unless passengers are unvaccinated. Unvaccinated children will be given a complimentary test pierside. Children under two are exempt from pierside testing. 

Masks and Physical Distancing Requirements: Masks are optional for fully vaccinated passengers. Unvaccinated children over the age of two are expected to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings. Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. 

Crew Vaccinated?: Yes.

8 hours ago, Jerryr11 said:

As dancers, we really enjoyed the Tropicana Show but we also enjoyed the dancers on the Ship and actually thought they were better, as were the singers on the ship. Of course, there weren't nearly as many dancers on the ship (10 vs about 200) and their costumes weren't as over the top but they were good.  This clearly wasn't our style of dancing but we do enjoy watching a good show. Yes, we did dance in the lounges whenever we could. Much of the music wasn't really our thing and we wish there was more: ballroom, swing, Country music or even a polka, but we were able to make the most of the few that fit our style and practice a few we don't get a chance to do often.  We enjoyed the entertainment and had a good time.

 

Thanks for the comment. 

 

Jerry and Joan

Oh my gosh, those two women on the ship who sang had wonderful “pipes”!!

Can you imagine singing and dancing for over two plus hours? If I did that, I’d be swelt like them 🙂

What energy! 

If the music wasn’t your thing, you still did a fantastic job of owning the dance floor!

Thank you for the entertainment.

Never did see an art auction. 

Piano player was in the coffee cafe at night.

Lots of lounges to choose from-we had a great time onboard.

Jerryr11-as dancers, what did you think of the Tropicana? Wish we could dance like that!

Were you the lovely couple that would dance in the lounges? If so, you were wonderful to watch.

On 1/15/2019 at 7:30 PM, Scooters said:

 

Great review and comments!  My wife is very allergic to cigar smoke (Migrane/Nausea/Vomiting)... How prevalent is cigar smoke in Cuba. We really want to go, but we don't need to have her too sick to enjoy the trip.  

Thanks!

The streets and open areas around the port where like any city. We encountered cigar smoke inside the shops that sold cigars and was also a smoking room. On the ship, deck 6 starboard, deck 11, pool aft port side and the cigar lounge deck 5 were the allowed areas for smoking. However, this was not always followed.

‘The city of Havana was the highlight of our cruise and we loved the friendly people, history and lively spirit that surrounds this island. We both agreed, we want to go back soon.

Mitina- Could you tell me if you have any “free” time around Havana, or if you are always with a group? We are scheduled to go in January and this is our first visit to Cuba and first with Viking.

Thank you.

We are scheduled on Feb 17th and I received the same answer today when I called Star Clipper. We love St Martin and are heart-broken to see the pictures from the destruction Irma left. However, these islanders need tourists and that's just what we plan on doing. The Heineken Regatta is scheduled March 1-4 and that means that hotels and restaurants must be open. Even though our resort has been severely damaged, we will wait and see what will be our options closer to flying out 4 days before the cruise.

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Good Luck!!!

Thanks!! I'll need it :):):)

Ah, danke schön!

Now, if I can keep hubby from grabbing my quilt when he rolls over 😊.

Great reporting of your trip. We so enjoyed our first experience on Star Clipper last February and can't wait until next February to venture on the southern trip, this time on Star Flyer. Steffi was our cruise director and her ability to speak three languages with the daily events was impressive. She was always bubbly. Our best cruise ever and made great friends to share the beautiful islands.

One question if someone can answer-the bed quilts. Do they go length wise or width wise? We tried both and always short,(some body bit caught the cool) :rolleyes: Is there a trick to keep them together?

Nice jeans were ok when hubby wore them to dinner on Star Clipper. One of our dinner mates did come in his shorts and the maitre'd politely asked him to change.

We will be going on our first Star Clipper cruise in a few weeks and wondered about slacks for the gentlemen. Would new, dark pleated blue jeans be appropriate?

So looking forward to the smaller and true sailing experience!

Maybe having a new Captain, he has the option to change procedures. Don't know.

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Our travel docs for the Nov 2nd sailing stated that check-in would be between 1:00 pm - 7:00pm.

We arrived earlier, about noon, and had the fastest check-in ever. Up at Windjammer by 12:20 and all rooms were opened promptly at 1:00. Another pleasant surprise was that our luggage was sitting at our door by 2:00; not sure how long they had been sitting there.

We decided not to get off the ship, grab a taxi and go to Old SJ; a good choice since it began to pour for a few hours. Was fun exploring the ship.

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We just got back from Jewel of the Seas and did this excursion, SL26 from RCI.

We too did the same trip in 2008 on a power cat, open, sat on tramp with no shade; and yes, the rum punch was flowing. Couldn't decide if we wanted to do it again, but St Lucia and the Pitons are so beautiful, we booked it again.

This time was even better! Our boat was a power cat, named Tango Too, that held 150 pp, but we had about 50. There were chairs and a large covered area, or open area if you wish fore and aft. The crew were very professional and down-right fun. We first cruised up the coast with a guide who was very knowable about her island. We entered Marigot Bay, and did the once around, then proceeded to a very secluded beach for a 30 min swim/snorkle. (I was the only one to bring my gear, but there were large rocks partially submerged, were I was not disappointed with fish). From there we went further than the 2008 trip and closer to the Pitons. One crew member, Lisa, offered to take pictures with us and the Pitons in the back-beautiful!

As far as snacks and drinks, they offered sandwiches, (tuna & egg salad), juice and water free, but Piton beer and chips cost, but not much. The free rum punch was available to drink after swimming, (smart).

On the return trip, it began to pour, but under the canopy, the island music was playing, the rum punch consumed, and dancing had begun!

We paid $63/pp this time, cheaper than in 2008, and it was by far the best ship tour we have taken. Captain Lawrence of the cat was very professional, the guide fun to listen to and understand and the crew fun but hard working. Hope RCI keeps this tour and "Tango Too".

We just got off the Jewel last Saturday, and I want to say muster drill was at 5:30 (longer than usual for standing), and from there we went to 6pm dinner. This was the inaugural sailing for the captain, and I think he wanted to make certain all was covered! (Think Costa).

Oh, and we didn't have to bring the lifejackets.