dianajo67

Some of you may remember my disenchantment a few weeks with finding out my RoyalUP max bids had gone up over $2K.  I cancelled my bids just to reduce my stress over it all.  Yesterday, on impulse, I put in bids on owners, 2br grand and 1br grand for my cruise leaving this weekend.  An hour later, I reconsidered, went to recancel, but found all my bids expired except my owners suite.  I bid the same on every category.  Keeping my fingers crossed that it goes through as it’s at a lower amount than my original bids before I got irritated at the process!  Find myself checking my credit card constantly.  Would like to cancel dbp if it actually happens!

So looking forward to the rest of your review!  Guess I’ll temper my expectations of the internet service when I’m on there in a week!  I do have a couple odd questions:

1.  How was the temp and water pressure in your jr ste?  We’re going to be in one close to yours.  If all was hot and hard, I’m probably going to cancel my royalUP bid!  Yes, I know they aren’t really correlated at all!  A couple old jr ste reviews indicted the shower wasn’t great but didn’t say why.

2.  Where was your best steak? Debating doing the chefs table, but wondering about giovannis vs chops.

Sorry your semi live didn’t work out like you wanted due to crappy internet. On the other hand, you have a huge audience now waiting anxiously for more of your excellent videos and photography!

I’m just planning to supplement your review when we go at this point.   We have different excursions etc.  

Ive cruised quite a bit, but have always been one of those hedonistic cruisers who wouldn’t think of ruining my bliss by stepping into the fitness center for a workout on my vacation!  In fact, I think I actively avoided going anywhere near it…in case some over zealous crew member or contractor decided to approach me about a great deal on classes etc.

Turning over a new leaf….planning to jump on a treadmill or elliptical on the regular….but since I’ve avoided the place….have a couple questions..  Were on Explorer in 10 days!

1.  Can I just walk in and jump on a treadmill or do I need some sort of orientation etc?

2. Do they have towels and water available?

3. Does it actually get crowded in there???

What do I need to know?  I have a complete home gym that I’ve been using….so not likely to keel over from a weekend warrior approach to fitness…but not exactly a fitness pro either…long ways to go…….

45 minutes ago, bethco said:

I have stayed low carb on a 7 night cruise, but I didn't go into the MDR at all.  I ate dinner in the WJ every night.  It was much easier get things that worked for me.   It also helped that I was cruising solo.  I drank Jameson and Sprite Zero, martinis, sipped bourbon on the rocks.

 

I’ve reviewed all the mdr menus and preselected my choices.   Will ask for steamed veggies as side…shrimp cocktail standard!  We are doing chops quite a bit too. We’re on a b2b.   I’m also planning to bring a few sealed bags of the low carb/high fiber tortillas.  I love bread. It’s nice to be able to get meat from the carving station in windjammer and make a low carb sandwich with those godsend wraps!  Frankly anything I can get into a wrap and put cheese on is good! Hubby has lost 50 lbs and I lost 26 lbs since cutting out bread, rice and potatoes. Maintained for most part over the last 18 months. Glad to hear it can be done without too much misery!

Luckily I have zero sweet tooth.  Hubby on the other hand is going to struggle with dessert options.

Thanks to all.  Those of you that think a low carb beer is equivalent to water should try Slightly Mighty from Dogfish Head.  It’s a low carb IPA and is really good.  If Michelob Ultra is all they have, I’ll likely stick to my Jack and Cokes.  Hubby is a lightweight and is fine with the water stuff.  I’ll tolerate Corona premier, but have to be deprived for a while to enjoy!  We have the DBP.  I may be able to figure out some sugar free mixers for margaritas etc and just order shots.  Keto is pretty great actually.  I gained back a bit over the summer because I have a pizza oven and am seriously hoping not to do more damage!  

Hubby and I have been keto/low carb for a couple years now.  Wondering if there are any low carb beers available?  We’re doing Explorer, Harmony, Mariner and Serenade in the next few months.  Don’t want to gain back everything we’ve lost but want to have options other than just the hard stuff with Diet Coke while onboard.  Accepting suggestions as well from folks who’ve successfully done this low carb thing on a cruise!  Thanks in advance!

3 minutes ago, queeniemi said:

Was the ship docked at Havensight?

Royal has a contract to use crown bay, so none of the ships go to havensight anymore.

I am soooo loving your review so far!   Do try and ensure your cruise enjoyment takes priority over any sense of obligation to your devoted audience in cruisecritic land.  However, I think you are definitely in your element here……maybe second fun career as a travel blogger now that you’re retired!!??  
 

Btw….Thanks for room pics….Very happy to see the Lavazza coffee maker in the jr ste!  I was wondering if they had changed out the old regular coffee makers with the misfitting pods when she didn’t get her “amp” in 2020!  
 

2 hours ago, Betsynh said:

Since I’m traveling with my husband, do we EACH need the Navica app and separate appointments or can we do the testing back to back with the same eMed observer. Any idea? That wasn’t addressed in the video above. Thanks!

You each need your own account and appointments.  You will each have 2 different proctors during the process.  One will help you administer the test and then they go away.  15 minutes later someone else comes on and verifies the test result.  You have to keep the test untouched in front of the camera during that 15 minute processing time as it’s being monitored or recorded, but you can get up and walk around as long as you’re back within 15 mins.

9 minutes ago, ltcpda said:

This two day testing procedure has become worrisome.  Has anyone knowledge if the Navica App works properly?.  Are proctors available 24/7?  What is the wait time?

 

Do we have a choice to use our laptops for the BinaxNow test and avoid the App?  

We have the app on our phone, but logged in via emed.com to do the test.  We used an iPad and it worked perfectly.  Make sure you set up your display so it doesn’t time out during the test.  The proctor actually took control of my camera and used the front camera to get a good picture of my ID, the code, and the result.  Rest of the time, I sat in front of the screen to watch the instructions and have the proctor see me open and complete the test.  We had extra tests, so we did a practice one with the proctor so my family could all watch and be comfortable with the process.

Youll receive an email with the result and a QR code sent to the app.

1 minute ago, dianajo67 said:

Check here.

Case 01269955-COL-03030 BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf 318.06 kB · 1 download

Never mind.  I have tech issues.  There are several lists out there though.  Took some work to find my lot numbers initially.

1 hour ago, flamingos said:

OK, now I am thoroughly confused. I have two different lots numbers, and neither is on that list.   On this list, one expires January 5, the other on December 21.  https://www.emed.com/hubfs/Case 01269955-COL-03030 BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf?hsLang=en

Check here.

Case 01269955-COL-03030 BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf

1 hour ago, flamingos said:

OK, now I am thoroughly confused. I have two different lots numbers, and neither is on that list.   On this list, one expires January 5, the other on December 21.  https://www.emed.com/hubfs/Case 01269955-COL-03030 BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf?hsLang=en

You can get coffee and cold breakfast (cereal, milk, muffin, fruit, yogurt etc) without a room service charge.  We usually tipped a couple dollars each morning with cash pre-covid, even for the ‘free’ breakfast.  Hot breakfasts with room service have been ‘free’ since cruising restarted, but I’m not sure if that’s still the case.  Was designed to support social distancing.  I’m going later this month expecting hot coffee/cold breakfast for free and paying room service for a hot breakfast or going to windjammer/mdr.

Ordered yesterday and got them today.  Expire 8 feb 2022 with the extension.  If you order the 6-pack right now, the web site says they are good through at least 1 feb 2022.  It’s on the order page.

1 minute ago, handbellplayer said:

Thanks.  I sure hate to have to buy six, since they're just a backup plan.  But better safe than sorry, I guess.

You can certainly wait until closer.  I stress a lot, so it’s worth the peace of mind to get the test kits in my hand sooner vs later.  Just me!

you could also use one as an experiment with the proctor to get comfortable with the process.  We did…and it was worth it.

1 hour ago, AustinCruise said:

Yes - it's getting updated quite frequently.  Guess they are trying to run through old stock 🙂

OP is cruising on 16 Jan.  Just letting them know there are test kits available now that will cover those dates.  I happen to be on that same cruise!  Ordered some yesterday, got them today.  Expire 8 Feb.

although I don’t need 6, it’s nice that you can use these for personal info.  We fly to San Juan several days before our cruise later this month and will need to do the official test down there.  I’ll use my extra tests unproctored to do a self test before getting on the plane.  Just an added layer of insurance that all is good to go.

2 minutes ago, dad son team said:

interesting.  Part of me hopes for more people to have the real cruising feel.  I enjoy the people and people watching, but the other part says a less crowded ships would be welcome as well.  Should be interesting

Feel the same.  Doing Explorer out of San Juan later this month, but pretty sure we’ll be at 50% or so at most since she’s just starting up.  On Harmony and Mariner in Jan and expect a full-house feel.

The emed site says that their 6-packs of tests are guaranteed to be good through at least 1 feb 2022.  It’s right on the order page.

According to a very recent blog, Freedom has already cruised at 85% capacity at least once.  She seems to be leading the pack on capacity ramp up.

I worry about this EVERY time I buy the UDP or the 3 night pkg.  However, I’ve always been able to get the dates/times I want without too much trouble once I’m actually onboard.  If you do it right away once your onboard, you might delay your relaxation a full 10 minutes!  
 

That being said, we’re on Harmony in Jan and I booked the restaurants individually at specific times for this specific cruise.  Already paid for…so I can stop thinking about it! Only you can decide…

Looking at your shore excursion schedule, I see you’re not an early morning person!  Guess we’re going to see some late night party pics on this trip!

Love the spreadsheet…Always nice to have a plan to deviate from versus staring at each other figuring out what to do!

We have a Boykin spaniel…we’re very partial to spaniels!  We love our Maisey more than most people  (including family members) we know.  So sorry you are going through this, but at least now you won’t be stressed wondering if she’ll pass while you’re traveling.  You know Maggie’s right there with you in spirit….she kinda looks like a pirate!  There is nothing wrong with going on a great trip and it might help ease the grief process and balance the super low moments.  I went back to work a week after my daughter’s funeral (had a stroke unexpectedly at age 3 back in 2007) and keeping busy helped tremendously.  That was just my experience.

I’m going to super enjoy your cruise review but know that your family just suffered a great loss.  So impressed with what you’ve posted so far! 

I think it’s a 50/50 proposition based on the stats and how you’re faced in port.  However….  For some reason, the port side rooms seem to sell out faster than starboard on most cruises.  Also, seems to be easier to find side pictures of ships online with port side visible if “finding” your room in a pic is important before the cruise.    This is my completely unscientific assessment as an extreme planner who researches ad infinitum before cruising.  I also have a tendency to book port side rooms if the one I want (center) is available, before selecting starboard side.  This was probably not a helpful response…lol…but i do think people are creatures of habit.  You’ll develop a “favorite” side generally if you cruise enough……but there really is no better side for sun or anything else.

That being said…if you follow the routing on a map….you should be able to see which side gets the morning or afternoon sun and decide what time of day you think you’ll use the balcony most.  No guarantee in port.

Completely excited about following this live blog.  We’re B2B 21 and 28 Nov!  I think you’re going to do great at this review thing!!