reverie4401

1 minute ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

I hope you enjoy your time in my home Province. I don't think as a fully vaccinated traveler you will need to be tested before entry into Canada. I think you will need the test the day before boarding, at least as far as I understand the "rules" and apparently Viking will test you when you board. I'll know more on Saturday. Of course my experience as a Canadian traveling to the US by Air and returning to Canada by sea would be different from yours doing the reverse.

My mom grew up in Vancouver, so I had visited many times when I was young.  I have relatives in the  Vancouver area and in the interior.  Vancouver is a great city to visit.  

7 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

@reverie4401 I agree with you as to the testing, it is indeed tedious and often redundant. I'm really no fan of apps and I'm thankful that in my case I don't need to use Verifly and ArriveCan together. In our case we are done with Verifly when I board Orion in LA and ArriveCan only when we are coming home.

I take it you are doing the reverse of the Pacific Coastal that we are doing, starting in Vancouver and ending in LA. Enjoy your cruise.

Yes, we are doing the reverse from Vancouver to LA.  Keep the ship clean and no virus, please.  The 3 day requirement for ArriveCan, when you are packing and and flying into Canada is a bit short. 

Enjoy your cruise.   

8 minutes ago, duquephart said:

Have we yet gotten an answer to the "first outbound flight" pre-test? If your flight takes you to pre-cruise extension what is the point?

Viking's literature is a bit ambiguous on pre-cruise testing requirements.  We are planning on 5 days touring BC prior to boarding.  However, if we used Viking Air, it appears we could test prior to leaving home.  That doesn't make sense.  So, we are planning to take the Antigen test a day prior to the cruise.  Then, another test on the ship the next day.  That is redundant!!  

We are off to Vancouver, BC for a Viking cruise, shortly. I completed the Veryfly for Viking, which was only a picture of the vaccine card.  American Airlines uses the Veryfly app, too.  Canada has an app called ArriveCan that you can not do prior to 72 hours of entering Canada, but is required for entry.  The Veryfly app for American Airlines requires a code from the ArriveCan app to complete.   Maybe this will save time when we fly into Vancouver.  But, as we are preparing to pack, it seems to be excessive administrative actions.  We will see when be get to DFW or YVR. 

Additionally, Viking requires a PCR test within 72 hours or an antigen test within 24 hours of boarding and then another test on the ship.  Thus, we will be testing twice within 24 hours, once for the Antigen test and once for the test on the ship.  This seems excessive, as well.

Canada no longer requires a COVID test prior to entering Canada for Americans as long as you are fully vaccinated.  At least that is positive.

None of the Royal ships are listed as Code Red on the CDC web cite.  Date current as of yesterday.  Possibly, the code Red is in process.

On 2/20/2020 at 1:21 PM, marin09 said:

We are booked on the Viking Sun Jewels of Southeast Asia on Mar 8  - we were just notified today that cruise is being re-routed to Bali and then on to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and over to India.  Pretty big change from the original southeast asia which included Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore.  Interesting that they wouldn't just cancel this one - anyone else booked on this?

On Royal Caribbean, the Radiance of the Seas was to tender at Bali, but they arrived and no one was allowed ashore.  This was most likely on Friday, local time.  

We got the message from Viking, too, for our TA in March on the Sea.  However, it is not as inclusive as other cruise lines by omitting Hong Kong and Macau from restrictions.  Also, some lines are using 30 days for cruisers from China as well.  

I guess we will see healthcare questionnaire when we try to board.

David

We have a Transatlantic cruise on Viking scheduled for mid-March.  Below is a message from Royal Caribbean on dealing with the Corona virus.  Does anyone know if Viking is taking a proactive stance toward travelers and crew members boarding their ships similar to Royal Caribbean?

Royal's Message

5 hours ago, reverie4401 said:

Thanks.  I have a request in to Viking to see the procedure for Viking Ocean.  I will report back when and if I get a response.  David

Viking responded that it was OK to end the cruise early.  However, their air program would not be available for the trip from Spain back to the US. Additionally, there would be no reduction in the cruise fare.  I know there is still an immigration issue in leaving the ship early.

 I know that Cadiz has immigration officials.  I am not sure about Valencia.  So, clearly we could jump ship in Cadiz.   David

57 minutes ago, burnabyjean said:

We are leaving a Viking river cruise a day early and were told that we required the permission of the port authority.  They also said that it was rare for it to be denied.  Viking took care of it for us and we have the required approval.

Thanks.  I have a request in to Viking to see the procedure for Viking Ocean.  I will report back when and if I get a response.  David

We are considering our first cruise with Viking Ocean on a TransAtlantic cruise from San Juan to Barcelona in March.  In the past, on another cruise line, we have left the cruise in Cadiz, Spain prior to final destination in Barcelona.  Does Viking Ocean allow early disembarkation and if so what is the procedure?  

On 8/31/2019 at 5:22 PM, CTCruiser76 said:

We were assigned our GTY Suite 14 days before sailing, which turned out to be a JS, which we are 100% happy with, but when I looked to see what was still available, there were 13 GS suite available for booking, so I thought we may be able to do a RoyalUP bid to sneak into a GS. 

 

Whenever I enter our last name and booking number, I receive an error saying, "Please ensure your sailing is within the next 30 days - Please ensure there are no errors in the information you entered" - Our sailing is 9 days out...so we are good there and I also spelled our last name correctly. 

 

Thanks 

When I query RoyalUP for bookings through Costco (they opt out of RoyalUp) I get the same message when I am within 30 days of a cruise.  I suspect that in your case that your agency also has opted out.  It appears that for agencies that "opt out" will not have bookings forwarded to the contractor for the RoyalUp program.  Hence, the message.  

8 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

There is no reason for them to advertise that on Royals page since they wouldn’t be the booking engine/agent. That is the other agencies job. 

What I was referring to is that Royal should state that some agencies opt out of RoyalUp.  Clearly, Royal should not mention specific travel agencies.  Also, Costco (and likely other agencies) should identify that they do not participate in Royal's RoyalUp program.  David

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Your travel agent has opted out of the program.  I'd contact the travel agent.

You are absolutely correct.  Here is an FAQ from Costco Travel.

14 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Royal Up doesn’t depend on how you booked. Not all sailings and people are allowed to bid. Enjoy your JS and accept the fact you won’t get to upgrade via Royal Up. 

13 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Unfortunately, those posts were in error, but people will still see them and be confused.

7 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

We use a big box ta and are not eligible. Ta have to opt into the program. This is what the royalup people told me when I asked why I couldn’t bid and confirmed by the big box ta. 

7 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Someone else reported that too.

We are currently booked on a TP from Honolulu to Sydney.  Aussies are posting that they are receiving bids for RoyalUP.  But, of course we are not.  I checked the RoyalUp qualification page and I get the dreaded  "Please ensure your sailing is within the next 30 days Please ensure there are no errors in the information you entered."

Clearly, we are within 30 days and I submitted our correct booking number.  It appears that RoyalUp is selectively omitting some cruisers or focusing on one nationality.  BTW, I booked the cruise through Costco. 

I sent an E-mail to Royal for clarification.  If the problem is that the TA needs to opt into the program, Royal and RoyalUp needs to clarify that.  

Any advise?  

David

Interesting topic.  We just got off the Ovation in Seattle on Friday and used Luggage Valet.  We took American Airlines to the East coast.  The whole process worked flawlessly.  The big surprise was that there was no fee.  😀  We were anticipating a modest fee for the service.  Additionally, there was no luggage valet in Seattle three years ago when we arrived on the Explorer TP.  

The "red eye" flight left SEATAC, so unloading our bags the night before gave us the option for sightseeing in Seattle on Friday after departing the ship. without dragging our bags.  Guest services was surprised when our departure showed the following day (17 minutes after mid-night) and but it was approved.  So, our bags left our hallway Thursday night and we retrieved them on Saturday morning.  Additionally, we did not have to check-in either on-line or at the airport.  The luggage valet did the check-in even with our flight more than 24 hours after placing our bags in the hallway.

I hope to see this service expanded, particularly if there is no fee.  David 

On 7/15/2019 at 12:55 PM, Host Clarea said:

 

Anything is possible with Royal IT.  I've not seen this particular error reported, so I cannot offer any suggestions, other than to try calling Crown & Anchor.

Bob, I called Crown and Anchor and the response was "did I get an E-mail saying the RoyalUp program was working with that particular cruise."  The agent even checked with IT.  The response made no sense as the purpose of my inquiree on the web site was to inquire whether that sailing was offering RoyalUp upgrades.  I suggested that Royal change the web site to be clearer.  David

16 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Anything is possible with Royal IT.  I've not seen this particular error reported, so I cannot offer any suggestions, other than to try calling Crown & Anchor.

Thanks for the prompt response.  Also, both the 8/2/19 and 8/9/19 Ovation cruises no longer show on booking web sites.  That could be good (fully booked) or bad (a charter or drydock pending).  I will call Crown and Anchor this afternoon.  

Thanks again.

David

On 7/11/2019 at 5:38 PM, Host Clarea said:

 

Try this:  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade

Bob, I tried this for a cruise in mid-August, 25 days away.  I keep getting a message that either my name is incorrect or cruise is outside of 30 days.  Final payment was made and Set Sail pass is complete for Ovation on 8/9/19.  Any ideas why I am getting these messages?  

Is it possible that they are not offering any "royal up" on this cruise.

David   

On 1/30/2019 at 2:01 PM, Host Clarea said:

You can also do the public bus, for $1.25 per person, each way.  Catch the bus on Back St, behind the courthouse.

I just took the bus to Maho to watch the airplanes two weeks ago.    Fare was $2.  Clarea, must have been awhile since you were there.  Took about 30 minutes as traffic was slow and the bus stopped a lot.  Well worth the experience. David

18 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

Thank you

20 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

It's going to be very interesting to see how nimble the hotel and loyalty staff will be with cabin changes (24 hours).

 

We have only got one free upgrade from OV to a balcony.  All materials upon arrival and for the entire week were addressed to the original occupant/passenger.  We never got anything with our name on it.

We have had two upgrades in the last few years.  Both times, the prior occupants were still listed in our cabin.  I am sure that the folks in our old cabin enjoyed our three bottles of wine.  So, Royal was not nimble.  For most of both cruises Royal thought there were five people in the JS.  That would have been cozy.  Short answer they were not nimble in the hotel staff.  David

We had the luxury of eating in CK while we were D+ and that gave us the incentive to work toward Pinnacle.  We also ate dinner in CK while in Junior Suites prior to becoming Pinnacle early last year.  CK is a great incentive to continue cruising with Royal.  Since becoming Pinnacle, we prefer to cruise on ships with CK.  We also continue to book Junior Suites.

I have some additional thoughts on the monster.  1) Royal gives outrageous suggested cabin numbers for all cabins including suites.  This can add to the crowding in CK and the SL, and sometimes results in enormous tables in CK,  2) We have seen  suite cruisers not observing the dress code, while dining in CK.  The staff does not suggest following the dress code for the evenings.  So, many suites cruisers are in jeans and T-shirts while in the CK and SL.  They should be eating in the Windjammer,  3) For some reason the Concierge Lounges on Freedom, Voyager, and Radiance ships are small and generally grungy.  Additionally, these ships do not have a CK,  and 4) As noted some cruises have large number of Pinnacles on board, such as the Symphony TA.  We originally booked that cruise, but after hearing the experience of the Harmony TA, we opted to fly to Australia and cruise on the Ovation.  Some of the Oasis cruises out of Port Canaveral have excessive Pinnacles.

Royal needs to address the overcrowding issues for Suites, Pinnacles, D+, and D.  The solution is not to trash either the Suite Program or the Pinnacle Program.  But, spread out the Suites and Pinnacle cruisers on the Freedom, Voyager, and Radiance ships with equal perks as the Oasis and Quantum ships.  From my perspective, having the Suite Lounge and CK makes the cruise much more enjoyable.  As stated above, the combination of the SL and CK, makes cruising on the Oasis and Quantum ships more pleasurable.  So, I suspect many of the Pinnacles gravitate toward those ships as well. That contributes to the crowding problem.

David   

How in the world will LCV members get access? We all know Azamara's IT department is less than stellar in their capabilities. :rolleyes:

I have trying to get into their site and it only allows me to sign in if I have a current booking. Great, how will I get notice early like other LCV members? We are Discoverer+. David

Don't I know it. Just to twist the knife a little I got an automated email from American Airlines yesterday proudly letting me know that (my now cancelled flight) to Sydney was on time and expected to arrive early.

I got that one too in a text message after I went to sleep on Wednesday morning while asleep. DW is a light sleeper and the vibrating phone woke her up. She was not a happy camper. Seems the automated messages should end when you cancel a flight. David