AeroBaldness

18 hours ago, chefchick said:

I realize that every week’s sailing is a unicorn and things are always changing, but to those who have traveled so far this season, how was the MDR food and more specifically, the wait times for a table?  I am new to a Royal and keep reading that the wait times with MTD are ridiculous.  As a back up plan, was the Solarium open for dinner on your sailing?

 

And speaking of the Solarium, how crowded was it during the day?  Chair hogs in full effect?

We had early dining last week and the first few days were horrible (like there past 7 horrible and almost impossible to get a drink during).  We actually only sat for dinner 3 of the 7 days.  The service improved greatly by the last time as the D+ at the table escalated the issues.  And the Solarium Bistro was not open at all during our cruise at all (due to staffing concerns from what we could gather).  The food in The Jammie was very good (the local fish brought on board was SO good), but it was always slammed.  The weather was very cool, so the solarium was very crowded and there was a bit of chair hogging, but this was self policed by guests.  

1 minute ago, Jimbo said:

Maybe you were both in shock and hadn't comprehended the situation.🤣

LOL, likely also correlated to the fact that we had the beverage package and stopped for lunch before... 

2 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

How was that knowing the first helicopter you were on couldn't continue the tour. That would have freaked out my wife, what if they had the issue while flying?

Strangely, it barely bothered either of us at all.  It helped that both pilots appeared unfazed and Emily in particular lauded over how well run Telesco  (the tour company) is run; you could feel this from the moment the bus picked us up and we arrived at their building.  

Just off Ovation last week.  We did an amazing double excursion day in Skagway.  Great call on the White Pass Railway.  We booked the 9am.  By pure accident, we jumped on the back car which "lucked" us in to incredible views as you can step out on the the platforms between cars and the back car gave us unobstructed views going both directions.  You have to share and most folks (except 2 jack ###es) we very kind about rotating.  THEN, in the afternoon (2pm) we did the Helicopter, glacier walk combo.  It was like nothing we have ever done (I'll reply with some pics from my phone when time permits).  I'll get to tell bar tales about "that one time I was stranded on a glacier" as battery issues on our helicopter allowed us almost an additional hour on the glacier.  You travel out in pairs with 2 helicopters and both pilots have great local and glacier knowledge.  Emily, who used to be a guide, now pilot and guide held court while we waited for our new ride and shared so  much great info.  Making this an even bigger bonus was that due to fog and floating ice, we did not get to see The Mendenhall Glacier the next day.  BTW, we even had time for lunch back on the ship in between excursions.  

52 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Thanks @Ozark_Kid.  Loved your review!

I agree. Incredible review that has us amped for our turn. Welcome back!!

6 minutes ago, Wink87 said:

Hands down...YES!!!

Right!  We've been here since early yesterday before boarding tomorrow.  This town rocks.  I will say, Pikes Places got nutty today with a ship in port.  We had lunch by the the ferris wheel and then retreated to 6th Street for dinner at The Victor.  The happiest of happy hours there. 

1 hour ago, Lorey2007 said:

Wonderful! We are also staying until Sunday. Friday doing a food tour at Pike Place Market and Space Needle or MoPop museum. Sunday Chihuly Glass, aquarium and Agrosy Harbor Cruise all except the food tour with the CityPass. DH has a walking disabilty so to get around we will taxi, Uber or City bus. There is a neat app Rome2rio that looks to be really helpful that tells the price of taxi etc or walk time works like a gps with multiple options. I hope we can fit it all in.

On a whim, we did The Seattle Underground Tour this morning.  We enjoyed every minute!!  However, with a disability it'd be tough as there is a lot of up and down stairs and such. 

2 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

That night we watched Fan Halen.  All I can say is that I wish Zeppelin would not of left.

Drat!!!!!  

The Sound is like glass today Kid. Hope you have found similar waters!!

5 minutes ago, emeraldcity said:

I finally decided to try to set up a new account, using my original email address and the original password and that worked. WAY too much stress. But I have my negative results in hand now, so all is good.

 

Thanks for the support. Hope this helps anyone else who is struggling to get logged in.

BOOM!  We actually sent a pic of the negative tests to both kids (now 24 & 26) that this was the most excited we've been about a little line on a test since we found out we were having both of them!

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You might try to Navica app as well.

This.  My wife and I both struggled with this yesterday before figuring out we needed to be set up in both the eMed site and the Navica App.  Once this is done, scan the second QR Code, the one on the partial cardboard wrapper.  Once done, choose to bounce to the Navica App and you are off.  The 15-mins of waiting for the results where insanely stressful.  So much so, we both celebrated our negative results with a drink at the hotel bar at 10:30am!!

For those returning to or heading out from SEA that have time and enjoy sushi, my wife and I ate at Umi Sake based on recs from the Marriott Loyalty Staff and a few locals.  I don't think I've ever had better and the service was amazing.

54 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

The boat is rocking big time and the wind is strong.   When I got back to the room my wife had the balcony door open.  I opened our room door and a huge vacuum of wind about blew me over and the balcony curtains were slapping the ceiling.   I am not exaggerating.  I took two hard steps in against the wind, the ship shifted and the wind suddenly stopped.   I flew across the room and landed In bed.  It's like being on a looooong roller coaster ride. 

I suspect things should improve soon.  We arrived in SEA early this morning for Friday;s sailing and its insanely windy here too.  We watched a tall ship leave the harbor and felt sorry for the boat load of tourist and what they were about to encounter.  Looking at the forecast for Friday it shows much calmer winds!!

We will be on the 5/20 sailing and I have the internet package.  I'll post up what we see.  In another thread, a Disco Night was mentioned.  

9 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I don't remember who asked about formal nights but it's the two days at sea, day 2 and day 6.

ME & Thank you for this AND this entire thread so far!  We've already hit the road stopping in Boise, ID to visit our son and packed a TON of clothes; including those for 2-formal nights.  We sail next week to celebrate our 30th Anniversary.  Our Honeymoon was on a cruise, although just slightly less fancy, sailing on The Encahndress (a converted WW2 Hospital Ship).  Back in the olden days, when they took actual photos, we'd try to see just how "silly" we could pose, more or less so when people were walking through the gallery they'd get e kick out of them.  On the one formal night on our initial cruise, they caught a pic that was equal part funny, but also captured our personalities.  We bought that one and have recreated the same on every cruise since.  Sorry I went and hijacked a bit (again).  Last week's thread and this one as just SO what I needed to get ready for next week,  

Stuff I wish I'd asked on the last sailing thread as we prepare for next week.  Is open Pickleball on The Compass?  Has the NorthStar been fixed?  What excursions are folks doing?  Pics of the bionic bar.  Does the barber do full noggin shaves (important stuff)?  Confirmation of formal nights as we are already traveling and packed for 2.  More info on how to get the muster briefing knocked out to get our drinking permission.  

SUBSCRIBE!  We jump on when you jump off next week.   Enjoy! 

13 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

It’s this one. You can put in a city. For the best viewing, the KP index usually needs to be above 4.

If you go to the bottom, and click “forecasts”, it will give you some statistics.

Thank you.  I am a massive over planner, but work and life have gotten in the way big time.  This thread has HUGE for us.

2 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

Wow, I’m surprised with the cloud cover we had yesterday. You must have timed it perfectly, and got some cloud breaks.

I have an app and didn’t even bother to check it because of rain.

PLEASE share the app name and any tricks on how to get the most out if it.  I'd never have guessed there'd be such an app!

AWESOME Replies and in very short order, thanks all!!  I suspect there will be a direct correlation between the testing related stress and my use of the Deluxe Beverage Package!!! 

3 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

 

Try this website to locate a testing facility:

https://testfortravel.com

 

If that doesn't work, here is a link to sign up for testing at the port of Seattle.

https://docgo.com/royalcaribbean/

Excellent stuff, thank you!!  

🤯  I am a research-a-holic and typically really enjoy pre-cruise (and really any vacation) planning for tips and tricks, easter eggs and such.  Planning for our testing while in SEA next week prior to our Alaska sailing have been insanely frustrating.  And, apologies if this is a thread hijack, but I couldn't find an answer to my primary question and didn't want to start another thread.  My question centers around the proper testing window for RCCL.  All over the App and Website and in bold print, it states no more than 2-day before boarding day.  So, I was st that we would need to rest on of after next Wednesday for a Friday sailing.  THEN, I made the mistake of watching a YouTube vid yesterday where an industry "expert" stated that boosted guests could test 3-days prior (which my wife and I are).  For my own state of mind I want to test at the near earliest moment.  Is there a possibility that we can test 3-days prior and if so, can anyone share a link to confirm.

Here is some more info on the insanity I've gone to to get this right.  I started with trying to find a major pharmacy to test at near the hotel in SEA.  Walgreens and CVS state no sites available in our time window within 100 miles; fun.  Next I searched for Urgent Care sites within walking distance of the hotel and found three Zoom Urgent Care sites within walking distance of the hotel that state they offer same day results.  I called one closest to the hotel and the guy sounded like Spicoli for Fast Time at Ridgemont High.  He stated they only allow same day appointments, my not have both the PCR and Antigen Test and "sometimes they can't get the results right away".  Not very comforting.

So my insanity has escalated to packing two sets of the government kits, ordered the Abbott kits and testing and have the Marriott Ambassador Concierge in SEA to try and find more comforting test sites near the hotel.  

1 hour ago, Lorey2007 said:

AeroBaldness what kind of dining experiences can you book pre cruise?

It looks to be everything is possible.  From the specialty restaurants (and related packages) to The Chef's Table and Taste of Royal.  All are running at a discount at the moment (appeared to be a 2-3 day "sale" as there is a countdown clock).  For example, the Unlimited Dining Package is currently running at a listed 45% discount; whereas the Chef's Table is running a 15% pre-cruise discount.  Log into your cruise and use the cruse planner "button".  I suggest not using the app to do so, as navigating things a my lap top has proven WAY easier.