MindyJohn

16 minutes ago, igooutsidesometimes said:

What is considered "right away".. same day? within 48 hours? 

I believe it's same day - no overnight.  If I locate the place where I read it, I'll come back and verify.

To @BfsroyalBravo and good luck to you and your partner!  You've been so calm, cool and collected throughout and I hope you find a test spot soon!   You sure didn't know what was around the corner when you began this trip!!!  Can't wait for your "Home sweet home" post!

I'm under the impression that even with the January 16 policy changes, disembarking U.S. citizens who fly back to the U.S. right away, without a post-cruise extension, will NOT be required to undergo testing. I hope I've got that right! 

Can you log into your account on RCL's website and look at your list of cruises to make sure everything looks normal?

Thanks for the detailed review!  Lots of great info.  I have 5 weeks in Jan-Feb.  Sorry to hear about the bad internet!

On 9/22/2021 at 1:09 PM, sambamama said:

Emed just refunded all my money for my tests.  I will say I saw data on the Emed site that is now longer there showing that not all tests were extended for 12 months. As to whether Emed is still selling those referenced tests, I can't say.  I can say that on Saturday there were two different data sheets showing reference tests 195-000 with different manufacture dates that expired in less than twelve months.  Those sheets were removed and the only thing left now is just the letter saying the tests are good for twelve months. I am not sure if there are any currently manufactured tests even available.  

I ordered the pack of six and now see they'll expire before I need to use them.  I appreciate your tips about consumer protection.  Did Emed require you to pay the return postage?  What number did you finally use to get through to them?  Thank you.

30 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

 

 

Are you sure you were at West End or West Bay?
 

 

Thanks for the correction.  I'm sure you're right.  I've only been there a few times, so my familiarity is limited.  

18 minutes ago, emeraldcity said:

Wow! I had the exact opposite experience. I was with Woodwind in Bonaire ... top notch outfit. Very professional. But was disappointed by the snorkeling. Hawaii, on the other hand, blew me away. We did the zodiac boats in Kona to Kealakekua Bay and I have to lower my expectations now when snorkeling in the Caribbean. It was like being dropped into an aquarium.

 

I do appreciate the warning about the aggressive vendors. That alone makes me hesitant to give it a try. I have had numerous unpleasant experiences with Mexican vendors shouting at you because you walked by their shop.

Glad you had great experiences in Kona.  My mom lived there for 25 years and it's near and dear to my heart.  I had the "aquarium" feeling with Woodwind, but I understand what you're saying about water depth.  Sorry for off topic.  I need to keep researching Roatan - 2 stops coming up soon.

On 10/18/2021 at 12:39 PM, emeraldcity said:

My cruise stops in Roatan in early December. I'm tempted to do snorkeling on at least one of the port calls and am leaning toward Roatan. For those that are describing great snorkeling, can you compare it to either Bonaire or Champagne Bay in Dominica. I loved Dominica and was sadly underwhelmed by Bonaire, so I'm hesitant to book anything that will be a disappointment. The depth of the water at the Bonaire Marine Park was my biggest complaint. I want to be close to what I'm seeing ... not 30 feet above it.

I was put off by the aggressive vendors at West End, and the water was too rough for good snorkeling the day I was there.  I do hope to try again.  I've snorkeled in Hawaii, also Champagne Bay, and neither compare to what you see in Bonaire on a Woodwind excursion.  I highly recommend if you're ever back in Bonaire.

On 10/5/2021 at 9:32 AM, DeputyDawg46 said:

I'll check the Air2Sea options.  I just booked the shuttle at Galveston without the air part so will check for LAX.  Thanks.

DDawg

I haven't been able to find the option to book Royal's shuttle from IAH to Galveston.  Where did you find it?

On 9/1/2021 at 9:28 AM, lazydayz said:

 

I am not the OP.  Just wanted to clarify it did not matter whether the deposit was refundable or not.  When I tested positive, my reservation was cancelled and Royal committed to refunding all payments. 

Did they ask for a copy of your positive result?

15 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Bob did

@Clarea?

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I have found them to be more lenient lately. Just transferred one from my 18yo son to myself 

Thank you.  I'm going to give it a try for 5 of them in the next few months.  FCC's are issued in the names of 3 adults (son, daughter, dil) and 2 teenage grandkids.  

On 1/15/2021 at 3:56 PM, Ourusualbeach said:

They will apply equal amounts of FCC.  You can’t use up one and then the other as it is applied by guest.  Only if you have applied all of your and there is still cruise fare remaining on yours will they allow you4 wife’s to be applied to yours. 
 

edit.  Reread and it may be possible 

I have 10 open FCC's for family members from two different cruises when I reserved and paid deposits on 3 cabins for each cruise - it's my kids, same last name as mine for all.  We cancelled them under CWC.  I'm beginning to think my family will not want to get on a ship before the FCC expires.  Grand total of the 10 is $1250.  Have you helped any clients with situations like this?  I have plenty of cruises I could apply the amounts to if they would allow me to use them for myself.

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

I checked there.  There were just empty book shelves.  It would appear to be a Covid casualty.

Makes sense.  Have a safe drive home.

12 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

 

You did a super job reporting!  I enjoyed it a lot - Thank you!!!

On 8/28/2021 at 7:15 PM, suncityga said:

Thank you.

On Serenade's Boston-Florida repo in fall 2019 there were 3 bookcases near the pool tables and each one had three or four shelves of books.  With cruising just re-opening, and with Covid concerns, it might be different now.  Have a great time!

On 8/21/2021 at 2:58 AM, geoff2802 said:

Hope it works out for you.
We did the northern leg on Radiance a few years ago.  Highly recommended. 
Planning to do the southern leg when it’s next offered.  

I'm the opposite of you and really enjoyed the south, including Tasmania.  What highlights did you particularly enjoy on the northern route?

51 minutes ago, cruise wizard said:

 

 

Thank you...............I can always count on you. We need to cruise together and do some TRASH talking.

 

Mean Mary and I head up to Port Canaveral today to sail on the Allure (B2B) - time to celebrate MM's birthday. Hoping that we will be hurricane free!!!!

 

Stay safe..............hope to see you soon.

Bon Voyage and Happy Birthday to Marvelous Mary!!!  I'm on Allure b2b in November and look forward to hearing any info you pass along 🙂  I hope we can  trash again soon!!! 

9 minutes ago, cruise wizard said:

 

Do you have the link to the 1023-24 deployment thread?

Thanks.

Ask and you shall receive 😉 

38 minutes ago, wesport said:

St lucia today. Shore excursions or we are allowed to walk around port area. 

Were you at the downtown pier or the Point Seraphine pier across the bay from downtown?  Your comment must mean you were not allowed to go outside the port gates, is that correct?

2 hours ago, caymancouple said:

Yes, they told us as we were making reservations.

Excellent, thanks and have a safe trip home.

 Do you know ahead of time which nights Amphora will be open so as to coordinate with specialty reservations?

Thanks so much for your extremely helpful posts @caymancouple  And @sb44  you make a great point about the raising of the sails accompanied by Conquest of Paradise providing a great moment to reflect on our blessings, especially after surviving huge challenges.  This will be my third time on the yachts and I find them fabulous, but sail away doesn't offer the magic sound of the sails flapping in the wind.  

5 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

Sorry, but I think the song business is pretentious.  Just put up the sails.  Or do it the first time the sails go up on a cruise, and leave it at that.  No reason for it on the motor yachts.

I remember the first time we heard it in 2003 sailing from Athens.  Our first impression was how serious and dreary it sounded in contrast to the excitement we were feeling.  I agree with your comment, but I know some may not.

Thank you for the excursion list.  And most important, Happy Birthday yesterday!