celoplyr

We did the at home proctored testing as well, it was the only thing that would work for us (flew out Saturday morning and wanted to test first, no other options open, didn't get to Seattle without a negative test, and I've heard our old place is charging now).

We do 1 CP and 1 ocean view balcony (across the hall). I think the boardwalk is way too noisy, and we like hearing the guitar player and such. We are also old fuddy duddys.

Seats were sectioned off (on Quantum) for key/suites and I think pinnacle. They checked your seapass card before letting you in, and we showed up ~10-15 minutes beforehand. Quite honestly they weren't "house seats"- the really good ones about 5-10 rows back, but they were right behind the sound booth. The people next to me on one show had a pole in the way. There were no seats reserved in 270. Make sure to get there early enough to get a drink for the show!

I just had the key on a trip to Alaska. Here's my thoughts. 1) Dear god the internet was bad- but at least we had internet. We would have booked it anyways, so eh. 2) The lunch and breakfast really were what made it for us. I think the embarkation lunch and debarkation breakfast are the worst things about a cruise. So this eliminated that stress. However on some of my cruises I can buy an embarkation lunch at a specialty restaurant for $25/person. 3) the drop off of carry on luggage was nice, but we didn't really use it except for my mom's CPAP, everything else was so expensive that we kept it with us (I think each family had 10k worth of camera gear!). 4) the extra times for stuff- never used it. We would have done it for bumper cars if the lines were insanely long, but instead we could go in the normal times. 5) Seats- they were nice, but not necessary. 6) The special effect- one member of our party is super SUPER spoiled, and she was glad she could "feel like a princess". Quite honestly, it wasn't better service than without the key but she thought it was, and she was like "I don't like people so I can't eat with the masses" on the first day. It made her happy. Whatever. If you have someone like that with you, it can make them feel better, and it may be worth it for that alone. I'll have to ask my parents what they think, but I'm inclined to just get a first day lunch, last day room service breakfast, and internet. And never travel with that family member again 😉

I did NOT get this email, and I sail on Monday.

phew.

It used to be that you could reprice until final payment date but not after. In the words of Princess Bride... if that changes I will be "very put out".

I always pick a deck in the middle of other passenger decks, personally. If you're all getting balconies, it might be cool to be half on one side and half on the other! I would try and aim all around the same stairwell (to make it easy to get back and forth) and try and get as many rooms as possible in a row, but being a bit apart will be ok.

I think people have given the requirements, but I would say that the letter should probably have to include why he thinks his faith can't get him the vaccine, when he stopped getting all vaccines/OTC medicines that fall under the same reason, and basically, why it is so important for him immortal soul to not get the vaccine. I would recommend that he goes more in depth than talking points. Disclaimer: I am catholic, and am trying not to also say "and why he thinks Vatican 2 didn't happen and why he doesn't have to listen to the pope" but I understand you're just trying to help him!

I did not know about this email, and immediately emailed it for a special request (table for 6 not 8 even though we have 8 on booking). Thank you!

I'd be interested on any information on the Key line for embarkation. Do you see one, etc. Good luck, we board in 2 weeks, and I'm most nervous about getting on the ship!

Not just you. heck I even called in (price drop on CWC cruise) and the call center guy couldn't look up any reservation. He said to call back in an hour...

I go blind (-4.5/-5.5 so maybe not as bad as others, but still fairly blind). I leave my glasses with my towel and sea pass card, and usually a non rider on the deck. There are normally a fair amount of people doing that at the bottom of the slides that will probably keep an eye out for you. You may also be able to ask the sports desk to keep on eye on them for you, if it's not terribly busy.

We've been waiting almost 3 weeks for our vaccine cards to be validated, but we got our luggage docs last week (July 4th cruise date) so you're close! No need for cards to be validated first.

I had it on the Navigator and hated it. It did not turn off (the remote was missing) and so it blared all the time. It just took up room and added light. I book an inside because I like it dark when I sleep, and the virtual balcony eliminated that. In addition, my parents had a real balcony soooooooooo....

We haven't been to Haines (and not yet Sitka) but in Ketchikan my dad really likes the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman tour, and in Juneau I've had good luck with Harv and Marv's whale watching (on a really small boat). I do not hike.

I've found that Holiday Celebration dinners are usually only at 150 Central Park and Chops (maybe some others, but not all) so you can use it on NYE at a less fancy, fancy restaurant.

The refreshment package is worth ~2-3 non alcoholic cocktails each and every day. 2 if you'd get soda package anyways, 3 if not.

I booked the Izumi prefixe for my sailing date. It was $23 or $28 (can't remember which) and should work for the $35 meal. Savings is savings. I'm hoping to go with my cousins when they go as part of a package.

I've done the no show thing before, on purpose. Multiple times because it always seems to increase the price (as you've found out). You do not have to check them in. You will get port fees/taxes/gratuities refunded back to you. If you have to book a package for them (drink/key) that will also be refunded back to you. I'm truly sorry for your loss, and I had to stop reading the thread with how many people have lost a loved one recently. It breaks my heart. May you all find peace and comfort.

I can tell you that it is later than 8:30. I think we waited outside the luggage "hut" until 10 (easier than finding a taxi, our hotel dropped us off, but that's when she could do it).

On the Symphony in December, they would not. They had their list, and would make you a pizza from the list to take, but would not do a custom pizza (like chicken and pepperoni on a regular pizza when they had all the ingredients).

the current plan is to really discuss if we want to go that route (I think we do, we did the Walgreens route for our other cruises, but with this one the proctored ones make sense) and to purchase about a month ahead of time. There are 3 of us in one location, 2 in another, and 1 more in a 3rd... so picking out how many tests to get is also an annoying proposition. Do we get 4 (for the 3 of us) or 3 for the set of 3 and 3 for the set of 2 so that we have a backup? Etc Etc Etc... these things aren't cheap! Testing with the proctored tests will allow us to test at 7am on Saturday (cruise on Monday) so that we can know before our 10am flight.

I agree this is the current practice. It feels different than what happened in the before times, so we were caught off guard (it used to be 5:00 reservations, now the earliest is 6:30/6:45). We only started cruising because of MTD- my parents were very nervous about eating with others- and we have now switched to early dining because we want to eat at 5:30. At least we are no longer in large tables, so Dad is happy still.

Does anyone know when they will announce the testing requirement for after June 30th? That's all their current requirement goes towards, according to the phone rep. It's stressful, so of course, I'd like them to stop (actually I'd REALLY like them to stop for just my party, and test the rest of the ship, but I'd also like the casino to give me $5 million and I think that's more likely). I also would like to know when to buy the emed kits, so I'm hoping they won't leave the decision until the last minute.