acesneights99

38 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

There’s a better chance that RCI will drop test requirements altogether before they stop accepting antigen tests. 

Sorry. The vancouver page isn't as clear as the main page

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

There’s a better chance that RCI will drop test requirements altogether before they stop accepting antigen tests. 

Rapid antigen tests are moot. They are rapidly becoming unavailable. The PCR NAAT test is just as fast and is accepted everywhere and every CVS and Walgreens has them.

Use Rapid Antigen at your own risk and if you buy them, they may become useless by time you sail. When it was 2-3 days for PCR vs. 2 hours for antigen it was a no-brainer. Now NAAT is the no brainer.

You are correct. If you are sailing today, you can use the antigen test. I can't find a Walgreens or CVS that still offers antigen tests. If you do an antigen test you are at risk for it being unacceptable by time you board. I certainly wouldn't gamble on antigen test

On 4/25/2022 at 10:39 AM, SRF said:

 

What is strange is there are NO Rapid Tests in Maryland.  CVS and Walgreens only do the lab test (1 - 2 days).  Unless we drive over the state line to PA or DE or VA. 

Rapid NAAT is available

RAPID NAAT is only rapid test acceptable. Always turned to never a few weeks ago for rapid antigen for US departures.

On 4/26/2022 at 11:09 AM, rudeney said:

The issue I have with the extra-cost restaurant pricing is two-fold.  First, they price themselves like a very nice on-shore venue, but the quality is rarely comparable.  Second, the cruise fare already includes food in the other restaurants (Windjammer, MDR, etc.), but that value seems to not be considered in the extra-cost restaurant pricing.  In other words, if my MDR meal is worth $20, then I pay $60 for Chops, I'm effectively having an $80 meal.  Chops is nowhere near the quality of an $80 meal.  In fact, I don't think it's up to the standards of a $60 meal.  

Chops not up to McDonalds standards. First filet medium cooked to about 200 degrees shoe leather. 2nd medium rare cooked to maybe 50 degrees. A millimeter of sear and the rest refrigerator cold and dark red. Finally medium rare cooked to about 120 which was at least edible.

Just now, shof515 said:

Where do you see that?

 

On this page: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go it says a rapid antigen test is acceptable

On the CruiseCritic FAQ for Royal Caribbean. Rapid Antigen is not accepted anywhere any more. You will not find a Walgreens or CVS that has Rapid ANtigen.

It appears that the rapid ANTIGEN test is no longer accepted

Our experience at Chops was an absolute disaster. I ordered a filet medium. It came as well well well done, essentially shoe leather.

I asked for a medium rare replacement and got a raw filet. Essentially a 10 second sear on each side. Dark red center, refrigerator cold.

The third one was super rare but at least edible. I was tired of trying to get an acceptable filet, so just ate it.

I am tempted to bring an instant read digital thermometer and ask the server for a 145 degree filet. Not 200, not 50, not 120.

This is without a doubt the worst food ever at any specialty restaurant on any cruise ever.

The article basically says that inpatient trestment of COVID-19 requires good control of blood sugar to reduce mortality in diabetic patients.

Travel insurance probably won't cover COVID-19, as it is a known peril.

30 minutes ago, travelordie said:

Why Carnival?  Except for Celebrity, Azamara and Royal Caribbean,  no cruise lines now require a physician's letter for those over 70.  Celebrity, Azamara and Royal Caribbean are now the ONLY cruise lines which continue to discriminate against older folks.  It is just a matter of time before they encounter sufficient cancellations from senior cruisers to realize this policy is not in their best interests. 

 

Until they change this policy, I am prepared to forfeit my deposit.

Carnival is probably the second best mass cruise line for children (except Disney which very expensive). However, it is vastly inferior to RC. But if we can't sail on RC, that leaves Carnival.

So am I, grandkids love the huge Royal Caribbean cruise ships and our Elite status on Celebrity gives us Diamond on RC and access to the Diamond Lounge.

And we found that bringing a parent or two allows us to avoid having to pay to watch the kids on shore excursion.

At Labadee our son went on a one hour snorkeling safari with his daughter. We can't swim for an hour anmore. At Falmouth e took her on a 3 hour zipline excursion that required climbing 50 foot poles with spikes as stairs, like telephone poles. Needless to say, there is no way we could have done that.

Regarding Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity. When we take grandchildren, we use Royal Caribbean. So, when the new over 70 policy came into force we canceled 3 cabins. 

If the policy doesn't change, we will be forced to change to Carnival.

Even if only 13% of cruisers are over 70, what percentage of revenue do they represent? What percentage of cruise days?

And what are the statistics for Celebrity?

8 hours ago, llawrence said:

I talked to Melanie today at Celebrity resolutions....her take was a little different then Carins yesterday....if denied boarding we will just get FCC....but if Celebrity cancels a cruise we can apply for a refund even if we booked with FCC...knowing I will be denied boarding on our Nov cruise .....I was told to hold on to the booking and hope for cancellation....You figure🤪

Refund is cash. FCC is an unsecured promise from RCCL which has maxed out its credit.

1 hour ago, Nimbet said:

I’m all in for the 125% FCC. 

If RCCL doesn't file for bankruptcy. If it does your 125% FCC will be worthless.

Negative shareholder equity, huge cash burn and no new bookings.

We have 3 cruises with final payment due in 2 months. Since I do not qualify for a doctor's letter, that is three cruises that we will be canceling as the final payment date comes up.

So 3 deposits returned and 3 final payments not made.

Still waiting for refund from the two B2B Constellation cruises canceled in March.

Not making any new reservations until we can actually board the cruise. Finally made it to where we can cruise at will and that's 7 cruises a year gone. 

RCCL is going to be burning cash at a furious rate, and not getting new bookings until the letter requirement is discontinued.

With negative stockholders equity, I don't see current shareholders doing well, even though the stock has doubled off the lows.

I was told that 30 days is probably the latest that you could reliably have that form dated. But there is no absolute limit.

Norwegian's policy is insane. It's nearly impossible to get an appointment that close to departure.

If one does not have any of the conditions on the form, it would seem possible to find a doctor, possibly a travel doctor to sign it.

If you have one of the medical conditions on the form, you would be asking a doctor to commit fraud and possibly open up the possibility of a wrongful death suit.

Is there even an agreement with Mexico to take the 175?

Stopping in PVR would delay the whole orchestrated disembarkation in SD. The 175 are probably going to be stranded in PVR for a long time. 

Why jeopardize 3000 to save a day for 175?

Both

The automatic gratuity question is not clear cut. Everyone on board is an unpaid hostage to Chile. It's an emergency cruise and there is a significant alteration in conditions.

We had prepaid gratuities on the cruise which was included in the refund. Since Celebrity refunded the cruise fare, they also refunded the included prepaid gratuity perk. So the prepaid gratuities become the responsibility of Celebrity. The "free" Internet perk has been extended to everyone which causes a major slowdown, but since the perk has been refunded we can't complain. The Beverage Package perk has also been extended to everyone. The 4th perk is $300 OBC which has been converted into a "free" cruise (albeit with no ports).

So the extra tips issue is the same as on the BA-SCL cruise. We gave cash tips on top of the prepaid gratuities and will do so again.

Chile is suspending cruise ship docking until September!

They might as well ban cruise ships forever.

Buenos Aires - Santiago may be replaced by Buenos Aires - Antarctica and Chilean Fjords and back to BA. 

1 minute ago, bigbadandugly said:

 

Sounds like your Internet addiction makes you better suited to a land-based vacation. Try Disney World.

So, if you need an hour of consistent Internet access in a week to do certain work tasks, you should skip cruising? An hour a week makes you an addict? 

You might want to stay away from the aspirin. I hear it's more addictive than crack.