dianajo67

43 minutes ago, HicksRA said:

Just announced that St Thomas is back on…..

We’re onboard too.  Capt said the application to visit St Thomas was approved.  Also, guest services rep says about 500 folks missed the ship primarily due to weather/flight cancellations on Sunday vs covid positives. It’s been nice!  Just a bit cold so far.

Lots of wind and rain today at Port Canaveral.  We have an 1100 check-in.  Have not received any emails saying to delay arrival.

Can anyone tell me how much cover there is outside the port where we hand over luggage etc?  
 

Don’t want to be standing out in the rain.  Based on the hotel shuttle times, we’ll get there a little after 1030.  Appreciate the help.

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Big difference between Royal cancelling the cruise for passengers who were prepared to sail vs passengers who cancelled voluntarily.  They have been through this numerous times with differences in FCC or lift and shift options over the past 21 months and stuck to their original offer.  I don't expect any leeway for guest who voluntarily cancelled.

Taking a refund for a cruise they cancelled (serenade 5 Mar) doesn’t feel like a voluntary cancellation.  Yet I’ve now lost the ability to get my double points back even if I schedule a cruise (which I did yesterday…odyssey on 6 Mar —paid cash)

I’ll survive, but really wanted diamond plus before my med cruise in September.  Now I’ll be like 5 points short.  Ugh!

Now I’m irked.  Was on the serenade 5 March cruise that got cancelled.  Requested a refund instead of more fccs as I have a bunch of fccs (some were applied to the serenade cruise and will be coming back to me).  Turned around and booked a cruise on Odyssey for cash and no double points.  Why can’t they decide this stuff when they do the cancellations?  Lost out on 28 points as I was booked solo.

I’m taking my young adult son, Nicholas, on odyssey for a delayed high school graduation present in early March.  He actually turns 20 during the cruise.  Just he and I for out first trip alone ever….no dads, stepdads or stepbrothers this time around.  He’s considered moderately autistic (it is obvious if you talk to him) but is very social, creative and hugs people so much he almost got suspended in school.  Thankfully, he’s more likely to fist bump these days!  He’s a talker and has zero issues singing karaoke even though he inherited my singing ability!!  He loves theater and took drama all 4 years in high school.  He’s also an Eagle Scout so I know he’s experienced discomfort in the woods at times!  I’m the parent that helps with school projects/English papers  and my ex has handled the extracurriculars for the most part.
 

 I think he would love the “magic” of Wonderland, but I’m not sure he’d go so far as to try/eat most of the food.  He’s finicky in that area.   Do they have access to “normal” stuff like maybe some French fries to have as a side dish?  Didn’t see a kids menu online.  
 

I want to encourage him to try new things but this trip is supposed to be a reward….so don’t want to overpush.  Should be a fun trip.  I have basically every excursion booked that I would NEVER do with hubby….thought ziplining and muddy ATV tours were in my past, but I guess not!  Probably end up in the arcade too! 
 

Maybe Royal is also trying to thin the herd at some ports, like Cozumel, so they can move over remaining ships.  Will be interesting to see if our 16 Jan Harmony ports change as the itinerary still shows PR and St Thomas in addition to Coco Cay.

6 minutes ago, ssb said:

Is this fleet wide ? 

The article certainly implies that it is fleetwide.  It says “our ships” in the first sentence.

The article is very inaccurate.  The cruise ships have revamped their ventilation systems since covid started.  There is no recirculating of air or sharing of air across staterooms.  

Can one order a petit filet AND the whole Maine lobster for the $21 upcharge ….or is the upcharge lobster a replacement for any other entree option.  On Explorer in November, the table next to us had both lobsters and steaks for everyone.  I was wondering if they were charged for a second entree for the steak after paying for the lobster.  Asking for a friend…

22 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

Who's not getting a refund ?  Anyone can cancel, citing COVID protocols, and receive 100% cash refund, including any FCC's that have been applied to the booking.  This is true for any booking through 3-31-23 since those protocols have already been released.

I don’t believe this is completely true any longer.  Spent a long time yesterday trying to get a refund for my 80+ year old parents versus an FCC.  The CS rep tried very hard to get authorization for the refund and we went through the supervisory chain and resolutions.  No luck as it was after final payment (Harmony 16 Jan).  Seems Royal feels they are losing too much money.  They are giving refunds if you test positive before the cruise, but FCCs for confined days if you contract while onboard.  I’m sure Some folks got lucky or had a TA with connections who managed to get a refund….but it is by far the exception at the moment….and yes we cited protocols.

Deleted 

We just did a b2b on Explorer on deck 10.  OS first week, GS second week.  We never heard anything from the deck above,  I was happily surprised.  I say go for it!

Just now, Jimbo said:

What happens if  a day before debarking the ship you are positive? They don't want you on the island, do you have to stay on the next sailing to quarantine until you get a negative test result to get off the ship?

I would imagine the port agreement includes quarantine hotels that infected folks would go to.  Will be interesting to see the numbers the first time they do this.

9 hours ago, Diveloonie said:

Can you please explain why you think PR would be skipped?  We are supposed to depart out of that port in a few weeks.

PR has a new requirement that all arrivals have a negative test within 2 days of arrival to the island regardless of vaccine status.  Seems to apply to cruises as well as airports etc.  It sounds like Royal will still do cruises from PR as folks flying to the cruise will meet the requirement of a recent test and will then provide a test before debarkation at the end of the cruise.  It’s just the ships making port stops there that are unlikely to go.  

39 minutes ago, Dett said:

The email is cut off.  Can you repost?  We are on that cruise.

Dear Guest,

With the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, our public health guidance continues to evolve and we want to let you know what to expect as we prepare to welcome you onboard.

All our crew members are fully vaccinated, have received booster shots when eligible, and are tested on a weekly basis with high contact front of house service staff tested every three days. All your fellow guests 12 and older are fully vaccinated and tested before boarding. And the small number of children sailing who are 11 and under get a second test at the terminal and are increasingly vaccinated. Typically, your onboard cruise community vaccination rate is in the 95% range.

As a result of Omicron, which we have seen is much more transmissible with much milder symptoms for those fully vaccinated, we have further strengthened onboard health protocols, such as the requirement to wear a mask indoors at all times unless eating or drinking, and temporarily not allowing smoking in the casino.

Even with such a high onboard community vaccination rate and enhanced protocols in place, there is a possibility of positive cases arising during your sailing, just as there is an inherent risk of COVID-19 anywhere people congregate or gather. Our protocols anticipate this possibility and we implement them as needed to protect the health and safety of everyone. 

We also work with local governments in all the ports of your itinerary who are informed of the ship’s public health status before arrival and together, we decide if we can debark in their country. When we make these decisions, we consider the number of COVID positive cases onboard, and also the number of cases in the destination community along with factors such as the community vaccination status. Should we need to cancel a port of call, we will always do our best to find an alternate destination or work through a resolution for our missed port.

You should also note that some onboard activities, such as ice skating, rock climbing, laser tag, production shows, Adventure Ocean, etc., could be impacted during your sailing, as we adjust our plans to ensure that the health of both our guests and crew remain our priority.

For our full protocols, please click here. As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change. If you have questions about these protocols, please reference our FAQs for details. For sailings departing through January 17^th, if you prefer not to sail as a result of this information and would like to reschedule your cruise, we are available to assist you.

To avoid waiting on the phone to reschedule or cancel, click here and we will get the process started for you or contact us at 1 (866) 562-7625 or 954-628-9290.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon!

Sincerely,

Just now, Biker19 said:

Even the free promo slot play? You can qualify for Casino Royale with just that.

I have literally never even played bingo.

Received a free cruise offer from casino royals this morning.  Interesting thing is that I’ve never used the casino in the past.  Anyone else have this happen?  Feels like an error.  Looking at the dates though!

Has anyone eaten dinner in the Solarium on Harmony recently?  How was it?  We’ve never been on Harmony and trying to figure out if it would be a good place to take my elderly parents a couple times.  We have MTD and couldn’t switch to early dining…so I’m making alternate plans as 7:30 is too late for them in the MDR.  We’re on the 16 Jan sailing. What about the first night out of PC?  Is it too cool in the evening since it’s open air?  Appreciate any current intel.

1 hour ago, njkruzer said:

I was wondering whether we could take the test after midnight est 2 days before our cruise? I.e. 12:05 am est Tuesday for our Thursday sailing.  Would be so much easier, and less stressed in the morning as we get ready for our 2 day drive.

Yes.  That is exactly what we did for our B2b in November.  

1 hour ago, beshears said:

Hello, I found out after I posted to you that we will be able to do the Cosol Tour in St. Lucia, as it is Government approved.  I do have a question about the pictures, that is, if you purchased any?  What was the cost for the 8 x 10's?  If you did purchase any pictures, did you check them out on the computer, or were they put out on display to pick up and look at?

You had to look on computer terminals.  We didn’t buy any this trip.  I usually buy a full package once every other year.  Cosol tours is great….used them on a previous stop in st Lucia.  Recommend motion sickness meds if anyone is prone to it.  I didn’t think I was….until that day!  The roads are really winding.  I had to sit in the front seat to keep from hurling on the trek back to the ship.  

17 hours ago, MandyMooToo said:

That stinks!  We have iPhones so who knows what caused the difference? My mom even Wi-Fi called me and we talked while I sat in the Schooner bar so we had no issues but I hate to hear that you did. Sometimes it feels like the luck of the draw with ship internet. 

Interesting.  One night the ship doctor was standing by the elevator near the schooner lounge for like an hour on his phone.  I made a comment to him about standing in the magic internet spot!  He said the spot he was in was the only place he could connect with his family and hear music at the same time.  I actually tried to connect there later, but no great luck!  It was a sea day and everyone onboard was connected via app etc, so that may have been a factor.  Your cabin was in a Goldilocks zone for sure!

2 hours ago, SoDonewithitAll said:

Hi There - Thanks for your update! I'm wondering if you can tell me about the requirements to get off the ship in Bonaire. The infobonaire.com website says they are requiring a negative PCR test within 24 hours of boarding the cruise for all vaccinated cruise passengers arriving in Bonaire. What documentation was required for you to be able to leave the ship? Did they ask to see vaccination cards? Negative test results? If so, did it matter what kind of test, antigen or PCR? Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and I"m really looking forward to this stop. I don't want to miss it because I didn't have the right test and I can't seem to find any confirmation of this new requirement. 

On our cruise, you had to have a vaccination card to get off the ship and keep it with you.  You had to actually show it to leave the ship. Vaccinated individuals can basically do what they want once on the island.  Ship bubble tours required for unvaccinated.  No additional tests required for cruise ship passengers. Of course, things can change.

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

 

Thank you for the great review. I wanted to take this tour but Lind'a feet were giving her problems and couldn't do a lot of walking. How far do you think you walked?

 

The Pina Colada's at Barrachina were to die for. Best PC I've ever had.

 

There was a lot of walking.  Linda would have been miserable I suspect.  Hard to say how far, but it felt like it was all uphill!  Felt like we walked all over town.  Then Tom insisted we visit all the other places that Ricardo suggested!  Was nice to climb in bed at the end if the day for sure!

We tried at least 4 different PCs.  I agree Barrachina’s was the best.

Have to say that your review really inspired me to do this one!  I basically focused on the stuff that was different as you did such an awesome job covering the ship etc.  Nover may be checking this out…..told him he was a social media star now.  He just laughed!

5 hours ago, MandyMooToo said:

 

We were on Explorer Nov 28-Dec 5 with the surf and stream package and had no issues connecting to websites, banking (I continuously check my credit cards while traveling), my husband's goofy game on his phone worked and I downloaded a couple of books without issue.  Not sure why the difference unless the OP had only the surf package?  

We had the surf and stream package.  There was a big discussion in the concierge lounge and it seemed that folks with Android phones had better connectivity than folks with apple products.  No idea why that would be the case.  We have apple everything.  I can tell you that I tried high, low, front and back on that ship and had a terrible time.  Basic email only and Facebook occasionally.