printingchick

Received an email outlining new terms in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Contact for USA passengers. New terms go into effect today, 4/12. In the section about Covid, I read this:

(4) mandatory use by each Passenger (except where medically contraindicated) of face coverings in most locations outside of the Passenger’s cabin while onboard, during embarkation, disembarkation and shore excursions; (5) mandatory social distancing of Passengers at any/all times while on board and during embarkation, disembarkation, and shore excursions

Do we really need to wear masks all the time on board now??? I postponed this cruise twice to get beyond this type of restriction. Has it returned?? 

I have no problem with the testing and would happily show my vaccine card if required. But I don't want to lay out in the sun by the pool with a mask over my face!

I'm a small ship fan who felt that Freedom Class was too large. So I'm probably not in the majority here. I booked my next cruise on Serenade. Radiance Class is my favorite, but I also love Voyager Class. I pushed my cruise out a year due to Covid concerns and - while the itinerary stayed the same - the ship changed to Brilliance. No sweat, same class. Then RCI shuffled some ships around and we were moved to Enchantment. I am a bit concerned we'll be disappointed, but I hope not. I think we'll like the size - similar to Radiance. I wish it had mini-golf. We love that on our cruises, but I guess we'll have to settle for shuffleboard this time. We're not talking about a long cruise, so not the same as your consideration. It's just a 7-day, western Caribbean out of Tampa, Florida. (We were looking for a budget-friendly option.) I'm sure we'll still have a blast. There are only 2 sea days, so we're in port most of the time. 

Thanks, Lee. I have been checking every night but nothing yet. I understand they now don't start seating MyTime until 6:45 and I typically have booked at 6:15-6:30. 6:45 is fine, but I don't want to get stuck with a much later time. 

I checked again. The cruise planner for my February 2024 cruise is pretty sparse. No ability to make dining reservations. I think it would allow me to purchase a beverage package. I'll keep checking. And good advice about checking in ASAP - even just after midnight - to get the boarding time you want. Last time I cruised they may have sent out suggested boarding times, but they didn't hold anyone to them. 

Oh, wait! If we board the ship before cabins are ready and we DON'T have our Sea Pass cards, how do we get a celebratory drink? We won't have a drink package; we're not big enough drinkers. But we LIKE to celebrate boarding with a tropical cocktail. Are we out of luck with this new system??

Thanks for all the answers! We're doing a western Caribbean itinerary and we tender in Belize. Our shore excursion will not be booked through the ship, so we won't be taking to the tender as a group.

I haven't cruised since before the pandemic hit and my last cruise was on Celebrity. I have some questions about how things are done now and hoping you super experienced folks can assist.

• My cruise is in February 2024. When will the site allow me to make reservations for MyTime dining?
• Speaking of MTD, the website says the times are 5:30-9:00, but I've read some people saying the start time for MTD has been pushed later. Is that true, or only true for the larger ships? (We're on a small ship, Enchantment)
• I have downloaded the app. It says I can communicate with my travel mates through the app. How is that done? Does it still work if I put my phone in airplane mode?
• I understand muster drill is now something we watch on the app, then report to our station to complete the requirement. Is that accurate? Is there a specific time when this needs to be done?
• I think I read that we no longer get our sea pass cards when we check-in at the pier, but they are left on our cabin door. Is that true across all ships.
• We were planning to try to get to the ship early in hopes of boarding by 11:00-11:30. I've seen some posts about assigned check-in times. Is that fleet wide? Are they randomly assigned, or do we have to request a time we want? If the latter, how is that done?
• We have one tender port on our itinerary. How does that work? Is it first come/first serve, or do we need to sign up the day prior? I haven't had a tender port in years, but I think there used to be some sort of ticket system. 
• Do they still do the 70s party? Anyone know what night that might be, or does it vary ship to ship?

Thanks!

When will I be able to pre-reserve MyTime dinner reservations? How far in advance of the cruise do those options become available?

I checked this weekend and had my cabin assignment. (I went from Brilliance to Enchantment.) I had an OV room on Deck 2 on Brilliance, so not too difficult to replicate. I'm a little further forward than I'd prefer, but pretty similar to the location I had booked. Price seems right. I had opted to prepay gratuities, which was not reflected in my new reservation, but I'll fix that when things die down. It also looks like I lost a $50 OBC, but I can also address that when customer service isn't so crazed. Neither of these issues is a big concern.

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

That was removed just before she went back in service.

Interesting. Thanks for the update. I was curious as I couldn't see it on the deck plans. Did they put anything in that real estate? I wish the ship had mini-golf. It's such a laugh trying to play on a moving ship, especially when it's windy. 

1 hour ago, Reijo said:

I don't think that I would consider it a step down.  I've never sailed on Brillance but HAVE sailed on her sister ships.  However, I've sailed on Enchantment a couple of times and love it.  Enchantment was actually cut in half and lengthened years ago.  It's a great ship and I wouldn't hesitate to sail on her again if she was closer.

Brilliance has shower curtains rather than the tube doors on her sister ships. Other than that, she's identical to Jewel or Serenade. Enchantment also has shower curtains, so equivalent. Enchantment seems to have a much larger main pool area resulting from the stretch. Cabins are said to be smaller than Radiance Class. Both have the cover adults-only solarium pool. Brilliance has mini-golf and the self-leveling pool tables. Enchantment has the trampoline/bungie thing instead. Radiance has doors to the after outside eating area where Enchantment's outdoor seating is not integrated into the restaurant, it's just near the pool area/ice cream machines (or so I understand - this will be my first Enchantment sailing so I've been asking a lot of questions!) 

I had this swap in the other direction. Booked Brilliance, it's being switched for Enchantment. I called to say I would "stay the course." They told me to expect a new invoice by August 27 - if not, to call back. At that time I should call to request my cabin assignment. Yes, it will obviously be different because they are differing classes of ships. Enchantment is smaller. I believe Brilliance has more balcony cabins. 

On 7/30/2022 at 3:57 PM, meadowlander said:

WJ's outside starboard eating area has a sliding glass door that connects directly with WJ. Numerous times I entered/exited WJ using that door  That sliding door is the 'back door' to the outside eating area. The self service ice cream station is located in this outside area.

Super helpful information! One of the things we like most about Radiance Class ships is the outdoor dining! We love eating breakfast outside and watching the ship pull into port! I'd hugely miss that. 

Thanks to all for their comments. Feeling better about this ship change. In fact, feeling kind of excited about trying out a new ship! Wish it wasn't so far away. We were originally booked for February 2023, but as the pandemic dragged on, we decided it would be better to push back a year. So now, we impatiently wait!!

HicksRA: A downgrade from Brilliance? Can you be more specific? I know it's older and smaller. I'm asking because I'm sure some folks think Radiance Class is a definite downgrade from Freedom Class, but I prefer Radiance to Freedom. It's subjective. I'd like to know what about the ship you consider a downgrade to better inform my decision.

All things being equal, I'd prefer to be on a southern Caribbean itinerary out of San Juan, but this western Caribbean was such a great deal and it was on a Radiance Class ship. I'm pinching pennies these days and not sure I can shell out another $400 per person for a more expensive cruise and more expensive air fare. In my price range, this is by far the best itinerary. Leaning toward keeping it unless a really good southern Caribbean deal materializes. 

Thanks. I'm excited to watch your videos. I hear the cabins are smaller on Enchantment compared to Radiance Class. Did you feel cramped? (We have an OV, so some cramping comes with the territory!) 

You said the solarium pool isn't as pretty as on Radiance. Is it still covered, as it is on the Radiance ships?

Is there as much glass? Elevators that view the ocean? Outside dining at the Windjammer? 

We have two sea days and won't use the trampoline, so I think we'll miss the mini golf. It's a favorite sea day activity. But certainly not the end of the world. 

You were on Enchantment just this past March? I know she's an older ship. How was her condition? Any complaints about out-of-service issues, smells, etc. that sometimes come with the older ships? I like that the stretch gave the ship such a large main pool area. 

We actually prefer the smaller ships. Radiance Class, Celebrity Summit represent my sweet-spot in terms of size. We won't be comparing this to a mega ship, which will probably help us to form a positive opinion. 

Thanks for your help! 

We have a 2024 western Caribbean cruise booked on Brilliance. The ship is being changed to Enchantment, which is a ship I've never been on. (Haven't been on Brilliance either, but have cruised on other Radiance Class ships a few times, so I'm familiar.) Royal is allowing impacted guests to switch to another cruise without penalty if they wish. Thing is, I love the itinerary, which includes Roatan and Belize. I nearly jumped to switch to the ONLY posted southern Caribbean cruise out of San Juan (my preferred Caribbean region), but it stops at Trinidad and Tobago and have read those places are scary dangerous. (Explains why the itinerary is being offered at such a bargain price.) I am pretty sure switching for any other itinerary out of San Juan will be pricey, especially with the added air fare costs, but I can't even compare right now because no other itineraries will be posted for a few more months. Pretty sure we're better off sticking with our current itinerary, but would love to hear comparisons of Enchantment to Radiance Class from those who have cruised on both. Thanks in advance.

On 1/16/2022 at 2:28 AM, ScottishRobbie said:

More updates on the deployment schedule - https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Deployment/2023_2024/21076950_Deployment_Opening_Schedule_2023_2024.pdf.

 

Northeast is open for booking week of 21/2 then more regions become available seemingly on a weekly basis until 18/4 with Singapore open for bookings week of 6th June.

 

Of course STC as always

I didn't notice at first, but there is now a SECOND page on this schedule. It repeats 7-night Caribbean, listing an opening date of April 18, but the sail date as "coming soon." So either 7-night Caribbean for winter 2024 is already open for sale (as stated on page 1), or opening the week of April 18 (with sailing dates still TBD??). I wish they'd get this straightened out. The schedule is pretty meaningless if it's completely inaccurate or contradictory. 

The OPEN FOR SALE updates on the deployment schedule showed up at least a week ago. I check every day and there are no winter 2023/2024 Caribbean itineraries uploaded. I messaged RCI, who said they hadn't been uploaded to the site yet and keep checking. Why update the schedule to identify itineraries as OPEN FOR SALE if you don't plan to actually offer them for sale?? It's frustrating. I wish they would leave it as COMING SOON until they're ready. Just false hope to those of us waiting.

I was so excited to see "NOW OPEN FOR SALE" noted on the Winter Caribbean 2023/2024 deployment schedule. But it was a tease! You cannot look for anything beyond November 2023 on the RCI website. I wish they'd left the schedule reading "COMING SOON," rather than frustrate us with false information! UGH!! 

All of it! I can't wait to drive up to the pier and see the ship there and, as I do every single time, marvel at how big cruise ships are. (We're sailing on Serenade, so NOT a mega-ship.) I can't wait for that feeling I get when I board the ship and every last bit of tension leaves my body and I feel totally relaxed. I can't wait for that first celebratory tropical cocktail and my first lunch at the Windjammer. I can't wait for my waiter to put the napkin in my lap before my first dinner at the MDR. I can't wait to have breakfast outside as the ship is pulling into port. I can't wait to see that aqua-blue, Caribbean water. I can't wait to play mini-golf on a moving ship. I can't wait for my first towel animal. I can't wait to hear, "This is your captain..." I can't wait to hear the sound of my Seapass card being scanned. I can't wait to actually experience - rather than vicariously experiencing - all the fantastic shore excursions I'm researching and planning. I can't wait to cruise again!

Last thing I read was that Norwegian was standing its ground on requiring vaccines. I've never sailed Norwegian, but commend them for taking a stand.

As others have said, I'm vaccinated and am thrilled to now be able to do things like grocery shop without a mask! I don't have to prove I'm vaccinated to do so, but then again, I don't come into close and extended contact with other grocery shoppers. If someone in the grocery store is found to have Covid, I will not be forced to stop my shopping and quarantine in the store. And trips to the grocery store are not events I spend two years saving up to enjoy. 

Focusing on the Caribbean for the moment, since Florida seems to be a major factor, most ports of call are absolutely dependent on tourism. It is the #1 form of income for most of the inhabitants. I'm sure they are anxious for cruisers to return. However, if those cruisers infect the local population, it will only further decimate an already suffering local economy. I'm an obsessive planner and already researching port options for my cruise in February 2023, all the while knowing that many of those options will have disappeared by then. It's easy to think a tour or attraction that has closed down due to Covid will reopen once the threat has past. I suspect that for many, that will be financially impossible. Individual or family-owned resorts, attractions, tour companies will be forced to either sell out to investors (likely destroying the benefits of small locally-run excursions), or simply go out of business. That will negatively impact cruising now and for years to come. 

You don't hear travelers protesting having to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Polio, or Malaria when traveling to certain destinations. What makes this vaccine any different? 

22 minutes ago, mauraoel said:

None but I don't believe the ship is any more dangerous than Universal for 5 days during the holiday period or well attended sporting events which haven't produced super spreader events that the Good Doctor insisted they would. 

I'm a cruise fanatic, but I totally disagree. Universal Studios is primarily an outdoor event. Even when indoors, you're with different people all the time, not confined with the same people for seven days. Sporting events are also typically outdoors and last a short period of time. That said, you've been lucky. Norovirus is NOT limited to cruise ships, but it's where outbreaks most often occur because the SAME people are in close proximity for a LONG time. Remember when this all started? Large numbers of cruise passengers became stranded as the virus ran rampant through the ship and they were not permitted to dock and disembark. Who wants to be part of that? I am a budget traveler by necessity and I sure don't want my big vacation investment to become a nightmare. My cruise is over a year away, so I hope not to be impacted beyond the disappointment of finding many great local tours I'd have enjoyed have been forced out of business by the virus. (So sad...) But if this is still going on, I would absolutely cancel before final payment. I don't understand the objection to the vaccine requirement. No one balks at having to get shots to travel to countries abroad. It's a choice. So is this. I wish RCCL would stand their ground.

I think that the rule on land (correct me if I'm wrong) is that a 10-day quarantine is required for anyone exposed to Covid. A local restaurant near my home had to shut down for 10 days recently, due to an exposure. My fear is that - in B_A_H example - the entire ship population would be quarantined, not just the family that brought it on board. What a way to totally ruin everyone's cruise! I'm hopeful this will be sorted out before my next cruise. I totally agree with all those calling for a vaccination requirement. What's the big deal? Travelers are required to get vaccines to travel to all sorts of places. Why should traveling on a cruise ship be a problem. Don't want to vaccinate, don't cruise until the cruise industry and CDC has deemed it unnecessary. I know of no more social form of travel than cruising, so safeguards shouldn't be remotely surprising.

I scheduled my upcoming cruise is in February of 2023, primarily because I hope to be past all this by then. I'm vaccinated. I would prefer the ships require passengers be vaccinated, but I get that Florida is making that virtually impossible. I would not cancel my cruise due to a lack of vaccine rules, but WOULD cancel if protections put in place would drastically reduce my ability to enjoy the experience. I don't want to be limited to taking only ship-sponsored shore excursions. I don't want to have to wear a mask while sunning by the pool or dancing in the club. I've been on ships where the buffet food had to be dished out by crew - no self serve (due to noro on the previous sailing) - and I'd be okay with that, but not the elimination of the buffet entirely. I don't want my dining room experience to be rushed because passengers are required to spend limited time unmasked. I'm hoping that none of that will remain by 2023.

However, I'm realizing that - even after the "new normal" returns - things in the ports will not be the same. Most of us enjoy booking private excursions with locals. Thenford Grey, Levi LeBaron, Javin and his monkey, and many more help elevate the local experience. But how long can these folks continue to survive without any income? At what point do they STOP offering tours because they've had to find other work to support their families? Tours and even major attractions in the Caribbean are at risk of shutting down permanently. I'm hopeful that the on-board experience will be as I have always known and loved, but not so sure about the port experiences. THAT concerns me.

I have to agree that the beds on RCL have always been rock hard! Hate them, even when I request a mattress topper. Sailed on the post-dry dock Summit last year and the beds were heavenly! Most comfortable bed I've ever slept in on any cruise ship or in any hotel.