beachluver9

I fractured my wrist before a cruise a couple of years ago and was in a full arm cast.  As others have said, casts and crutches are no problem (except crutches in a crowded elevated, but not relevant here).  Because I wasn't able to do my hair and my DH was zero help, the spa gave me a discount package for the week.  I had a standing appointment to get my hair washed and dried each evening before dinner and dropped in every morning and they put my hair in a ponytail for me.  They were awesome!

We were overcharged port fees & taxes by almost $500!.  I was worried that some excursion was cancelled that I couldn't see.  They said it was a computation error.  Irritating, but happy that they refunded without me having to ask.

We took our 7 yr old vaccinated granddaughter to Margaritaville where we pre-purchased day passes. Their website stated vaccinated guests only or a recent negative test (I forget how long, but I think 72 hrs) , but we were not asked to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result when we checked in.  The resort has a great water park for kids under 9-ish.  They had many water slides, but the highest ones were not really intense.  Our 7 yr old loved all of the water slides and the lazy river.  The beach had some snorkeling near the rocks, but you needed to bring your own mask/snorkel or rent theirs.

We were on Independence last week and had MTD.  We made our reservations when we boarded (app kept choking for us).  The reservation desk was at the entrance to the Windjammer.  We booked the same time each evening but did not always get the same wait staff even though we asked.  

The atmosphere in MTD is extremely rushed and crowded.  Check when you get onboard and ask to switch to late dining.  They usually hold back a few tables for each dining time and will likely be able to accommodate you.  You can also phone RCCL ahead of time and ask to be waitlisted for the late dining which will also help.

Be prepared for noise during the aqua theater shows.  We stayed in 11328 and the late show shook the room!  Hopefully deck 14 will be quieter!

On 3/7/2022 at 9:39 AM, SRF said:

 

Please share if you get that list.

 

As I read it, the original extension was lot specific, but the extension to 15 months is all lots.

 

I have some I bought last year, that if 15 months will work for our April cruise.  But I may order another 6, as we have a November cruise, at it seems the currently shipping kits are expiring past then, and would be backups for the earlier expiring tests.

They never sent me a detailed list with the specifics that I was hoping for.  Surprise, surprise.  I can say, however, that the test kits that had an October, 2021 expiration worked fine last week and we were able to print out our results with no problem.

We were on Independence last week. My DH never got his app to work on the ship after he installed the new update to the app right before we boarded.  I didn't update mine because it seemed to be working ok.  When we hit the mdr that evening, I noticed that the menus were not correct for any nights (many items left off) and my calendar still showed an excursion that RCCL cancelled two weeks prior.  

Bottom line...don't count on the app for things that are important to you, just hope for the best and maybe you will be pleasantly surprised.

We were on the Independence last week.  Almost full capacity with well over 3,700 passengers.  The old lines are back and the chair hogs have emerged from their dens.  Not a good thing!

It felt like the ship was short staffed, especially in the MDR.  They must have ramped up the passenger allowance before the staffing could catch up.  Even the suite lounge was understaffed with only one waiter for the entire lounge!

18 hours ago, beachluver9 said:

Thanks for your response!  I went to the FAQs and it states only certain lots of tests have an extension to the date shown on the box, but there is no list (searched) showing the specific lots that are extended.  I have emailed them asking for the detailed list and hoping that they will respond in the next day or so.  The last batch that I ordered came from several different lots.  I tried calling emed to ask specifically about the tests that I have in hand, but the language barrier between myself and the agent was not workable.  Hopefully email is the ticket!

 

This is the response that I received...

Thank you for contacting eMed. 
 
We understand you may have some concerns about the expiration date on your BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card  HOME TEST kits.  
 
Abbott the manufacturer of the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag At-Home Test Kit have new manufactured test kits. Once you order now, the test kits you will received has expiration date of October and November 2022 .
 
The BinaxNow COVID-19 test kits were originally made in a bulk in late 2020 thru early 2021 and was approved for testing by the FDA under the EUA (Emergency Use Authorization).  The test kits have an original expiration date of September 2021, October 2021, and November 2021.  Effective immediately, these expiration dates have since been extended for an additional 6 months by the FDA making the new expiration dates **March 2022, April 2022, and May 2022. 
 
**The new expiration date will be determined by the date you have on each test kit. Please take a look at second line of the white label to find the original expiration date. Once you locate the original expiration date, you can add an additional 6 months to that date. 
 
For example, if if your current expiration date is September 6, 2021, your new expiration date is now March 6, 2022.
 
Please note, if your purchase was made on or after December 1, 2021, you should have received test kits with an expiration date in October 2022 or November 2022.  These particular kits are not under the extension at this time since they were just recently manufactured.
 
When you are ready to test, please visit www.emed.com and click on "start testing".  Once your test kit expiration date falls within the afore mentioned dates, you will be able to test with no issues.
 
For more information regarding the extension date extension, you may visit www.fda.gov or click on the actual link to the FDA extension letter:  https://www.fda.gov/media/155326/download
 
Thank you for choosing eMed.
 
Best,
 
 
Rosallee Viloria
eMed Customer Support Team
 

1 hour ago, njkruzer said:

Go to emed's website and faq.  There is a feature letter confirming extension of expiration date.  Did it the other day. 

Thanks for your response!  I went to the FAQs and it states only certain lots of tests have an extension to the date shown on the box, but there is no list (searched) showing the specific lots that are extended.  I have emailed them asking for the detailed list and hoping that they will respond in the next day or so.  The last batch that I ordered came from several different lots.  I tried calling emed to ask specifically about the tests that I have in hand, but the language barrier between myself and the agent was not workable.  Hopefully email is the ticket!

As said by another poster, time of day doesn't really matter...what matters is the day the test in done.  

On a side note...I still have several tests leftover from our November cruise which now have an expired date printed on the end.  I understand speaking with RCCL that the new rule is that the test is good until 12 months from the date printed, however I can't find this in writing anywhere.  Has anyone seen this in writing somewhere, and if so, where?  Surely an RCCL agent wouldn't give me an incorrect answer!  😆😅😆

A lot depends on where you are going. 

We have a cruise booked for Jan 2023 and they show no excursions for several ports. I am pretty sure they are busy negotiating new contracts with vendors.  I understand from our cruise last November, that some vendors went out of business during the pandemic and others that are now re-opening need to complete documentation (insurance, licenses, etc) and need to clear RCCL review (are their busses in good shape, equipment still ok, etc).  

We have a cruise booked in May, 2022 and excursions are still appearing that weren't available before.

When they start showing up, they might be sporadic or all appear at once.

Thanks for the info everyone.   We aren't looking to necessarily hang out in the SL with her (she would be bored to tears),  we just don't want to have to take turns walking in to grab some water, tea, glass of wine, etc.  It sounds like we will just wait and see what the  "climate"  is like in the lounge during this cruise.  I imagine one cranky soul complaining and then we will be standing in hall taking turns going in.  

On 2/25/2022 at 3:19 PM, HicksRA said:

My thoughts on the Indy suite lounge are that it’s pretty much like all the other SLs. Nadja is a wonderful concierge and the drink servers were awesome. 

We are traveling with our 7 yr old granddaughter in a OS in March.  When we booked we were told by the RCCI agent that booked us that she could go into the SL as long as she is with us.  However, the website says that you must be 18 +.  I justified the purchase of the OS based on the SL access, but if the agent was incorrect (lol, that would never happen!) it would be frustrating.  Do you know if kids (if well behaved) are allowed in the SL on Indy?

We are traveling with our 7 yr old granddaughter at the end of March and are wondering the same thing.  

We flew and cruised in November.  We had mask lanyards purchased at Hobby Lobby attached to our masks the entire trip. We never had to take them off at either airport or ships security. I think the "metal" clips were mostly shiny plastic, lol

12 hours ago, thethreeofus said:

I received an email from Royal today announcing that they have released their Europe 2023 sailings. Says to click here to see them. When I do, no sailings in Europe past 2022.  What am I doing wrong?

EUROPE — YOU’RE ON

Have you started planning your summer  cruise yet? Royal Caribbean has just  announced an epic season of Europe  getaways in 2023 that amp up the culture,  the thrills and the memories.

Same for me. I guess someone at RCCL didn't get the memo, lol

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Unless you are one of those that can't figure out how to unlock their phones while folks behind are rolling their eyes at the delay.

We were "assigned" to a line with an lovely asian couple in front of us.  They had written copies of their vaccines, but they were printed in a foreign language that the agent could not read.  Clearly this wasn't their fault, but after waiting for almost ten minutes we asked to change lines.  The agent directed us to another line.  Once we were through, that poor couple was still waiting for their results to be accepted.  Google translate would have converted to English prior to printing, but I'm not sure if it would have been accepted. We did, however, see them later on the ship so I guess they were accepted eventually.  I felt really bad for them.

We had copies on our phone also, but it was easier for the agent to read/scan if you just handed them a piece of paper.  The agent thanked us profusely for having a paper copy.  Either way will work however

52 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Did you at least get confirmation that they received your e-mail.

sure did

14 hours ago, Pineapple Princess said:

Please Print.  So irritating to be in line behind those who can't access their documents inside the terminal🤨!!!

YES!!!  They very much appreciate printed copies.

I tried their customer service email option 6 days ago...still waiting for a response

I have seen the spares being sold on ebay for a big discount for cruisers that have been "back ordered".  The problem with that is that there are expiration dates on the boxes and when your test is scanned at the start of your session, they could tell you "sorry, your kit has expired".  They have now announced an extension of the expiration dates, maybe because there is a shortage?  I don't know for certain.

We used the online tests for our November cruise and had no wait and the whole process was easy.  Based on CC chatter there are now waits of up to an hour to start and problems with the app/website.

Has anyone used a day pass at the Marriott Beach Resort in Curacao recently?  I would appreciate your thoughts regarding the included transportation, food, drinks, pool, beach, etc.  Thanks!

Has anyone done the Iberostar day pass in Cozumel recently?  I am looking for info regarding the quality of the beach, pool, drinks, and food.  Also, any details regarding transportation is appreciated.