TheMastodon

On 11/5/2021 at 12:35 AM, goldengirl said:

Hello what are the new standards in effect for the rooms to be cleaned do roomstewards wear masks and gloves, do they was. The bed comforters after each sailing, what about mattress and pillow how are they cleaning

Surfaces aren't the problem and shouldn't be your concern.  You will be around a lot of people and its airborne... Statistically speaking with everyone vaccinated on board there will be very low transmission.  

12 minutes ago, binro01 said:

It's pretty easy to avoid a 1 yr old. They are not mobile like an 8 yr old is or pressing elevator buttons.

I'm being sarcastic.  You guys should move to Australia 

1 hour ago, MommaBear55 said:

And there are those of us who won't cruise if they don't require masks inside. I support dropping the mask requirement once those 5 and over need to be vaccinated, which will be sometime in 2022. 

What about if a 1 year old is on board that isn't vaccinated?  

21 hours ago, Tatka said:

I feel that until restrictions lifted they will have trouble selling. We are hardcore cruisers and will have 5 by the end of this year, but I cannot understand why masks are required on RCI ships while not required on Celebrity and NCL… Tests create some anxiety, but they are more relevant 

Won't cruise on Royal until they drop the masks.  

12 hours ago, enidcruiser said:

Do we need our Hawiian shirts for one night at dinner?

 

We're going on the Liberty.

Tommy Bahama panel back shirts are recommended.  

On 9/23/2021 at 10:14 AM, bajathree said:

I just came off an 8 night Odyssey sailing. Embarkation and debarkation was an absolute breeze as we were sailing with ONLY just over 1000 passengers. From parking lot to cabin in 20 minutes. The ship was absolutely gorgeous and immaculate....crew is cleaning all the time. Protocols are in place and weren't a bother...felt VERY safe at all times. Crew is Wonderfull ...you are sailing on a ship with more crew than passengers. They couldn't do more for you....very friendly and so happy to be sailing. No waits for anything and everything on the ship up and running. Shows every night as well as several parties including the 70's party. Elevators were mostly always empty....think I can count on one hand how many times I shared an elevator with anyone. Masks were worn indoors walking around but could take them off at many venues once inside...including the casino...they became second nature and weren't a bother at all. It was like being on an exclusive sailing that will spoil the heck out of you. This was my second sailing since restart as I was also on the very first Edge sailing out. I couldn't recommend cruising more right now...just an excellent experience that will be fondly remembered when cruising is back to full capacity. So if you have been holding back because of current testing protocols and masks......think gain....it is so worth cruising right now!!!

Not second nature to me yet.  I'll start again once the safety blanket requirement is dropped! 

On 8/17/2021 at 5:19 PM, Iamthesea said:

lazydayz - So sorry about your cruise.  I would be heart broken!

 

I have skipped around on this this thread, but believe that you said you had been vaccinated.  If so, would you mind sharing when, and which type of dose you received?  I have not heard of many break through cases, but I am curious if there is a connection between dose type, a timeline of when vaccinated, and breakthrough Covid cases.

 

I have no idea why my font appears to be wonky.

There is no connection - we will all get Covid19 in our life vaccinated or not.  

On 9/16/2021 at 12:21 PM, not-enough-cruising said:

Imagine the resentment of the full suite guest when a JS guest rolls up in the suite sun deck, having spent a small percentage of their Star class accommodations. 
 

Why do you have this resentment? I must assume you knew what you were buying when you booked. 

Thank you

13 hours ago, billaraneta said:

So by this time Wonder of the Seas will change destination instead of Asia it sail in the Caribbean because china is not allowing cruise ship there because of the covid 19 pandemic so that the passengers of cruise ship will be naoot affectet by the Covid 19 Pandemic because this virus is so deadly.

It's not that deadly.  

1 hour ago, zekekelso said:

China has some seriously draconian Covid restrictions - which may or may not be helping with the Covid fight, and may or may not be contributing to RCI’s decision.

 

I was thinking of going to China in 2022, but there’s no way I want to deal with their Covid rules. I wouldn’t be surprised if RCI doesn’t feel the same way. 

1 camera per 7 citizens

On 8/3/2021 at 5:11 PM, DAllenTCY said:

The following 16 destinations moved to the CDC's "Level 4: Covid-19 Very High" category on August 2:

-- Andorra
-- Curaçao
-- Gibraltar
-- Greece
-- Guadeloupe
-- Iran
-- Ireland
-- Isle of Man
-- Kazakhstan
-- Lesotho
-- Libya
-- Malta
-- Martinique
-- Saint Barthelemy
-- Saint Martin
-- US Virgin Islands.

 

David

Stop the madness.  

On 8/8/2021 at 12:44 PM, jfio1021 said:

If your professional cruising opinion is chops grille worth it for an extra 55 bucks, are the quality of the steaks that much better than main dining room. Is it not even your favorite speciality restaurant on the oasis class ships? 

They are better steaks than MDR, but not close to STK, Ruby's, Cut, etc...

On 9/9/2021 at 9:49 AM, lazydayz said:

Agreed.   Since COVID is a respiratory disease, they had the perfect opportunity.  So it suggests to me, Royal will not be changing its smoking policy any time soon.  

Guess they should redo their entire culinary menu as well... lots of unhealthy food on a cruise ship.  

On 8/28/2021 at 9:26 PM, PCHENG said:

Going on the Oasis in November with my wife and two kids.  This will be my fourth cruise with Royal but first time in a true suite on a ship with Coastal Kitchen.

 

Looking at the menu many of the dishes are identical to the regular dining room including shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, escargot, french onion soup, broiled salmon and grilled NY steak.  For those that have dined at Coastal Kitchen before, are those dishes exactly the same as the dining room, or are they prepared differently with higher quality ingredients?  Trying to find out so I can decide if I should order specialty dining package.  

 

Thank you.

It's delicious ! I don't remember any of the dishes I've had in CK being the same as MDR.  They will bring you anything you want from the MDR if you don't see something you like.   The food is different, and much better... Great ambiance as well compared to the chow hall !  

On 9/5/2021 at 1:37 PM, Auntiemomo said:

Was your husband asymptomatic through this whole ordeal?  If so, how would one who is vaccinated  know at the time of embarkation that they caught covid.

They wouldn't.  

On 9/5/2021 at 5:04 AM, sugarny123 said:

We're family of four traveling from NY to Barcelona to get on the Harmony of the seas on 8/29.

Sadly, my husband tested positive at the terminal and we were immediately placed in a hotel for 10 day quarantine.

Today is our 7th day and Harmony of the seas returned to Barcelona today.

At the terminal, RC booked this hotel for us, Fira Congress. Upon arrival, hotel front desk had 2 keys ready for us without the usual check-in process of giving my credit card info. I asked and the hotel staff told me they only deal with the agency and does not bill customers.

I contacted the RC with the given tel number and wanted to make sure that the hotel stay is covered by RC. The agent personally told me he would be upset if it wasn't covered by RC and he transferred me to the "Care team".

RC has a specific "Care Team" that handles Covid related cases. Care team was very helpful and they are available to reach 24/7.

Care Team also confirmed that the hotel stay and food would be covered by RC and also arranged pre-flight testing a day before our flight back home on the 8th. Although we're in a terrible situation, I felt that RC is on our side and helping us in this misery.

But this morning, I got a call from the front desk that all charges would have to be paid by us and that is about 3098 Euros.

I emailed the Care Team and waiting for their response but I wonder if anyone else was in our shoes?

 

 

 

Unfortunate that you missed the cruise, but sounds like great customer service from Royal.  

4 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Do they let off a big bomb next to it like the did with the USS Ford?

They might need a test like that for the South China Sea.

LOL

32 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

That is good news.  The more people vaccinated the better for all of us.  I have what would be considered a mild case, but it is not fun.   

Vaccines are failing.  Look at Israel

Glad I'm vaccinated, but outlook looks grim.  

23 hours ago, lazydayz said:

We were scheduled to sail the Allure OTS tomorrow.  First time cruising with my sister, first time in Two Bedroom Grand Suite.  Alas, it is not to be.

 

I did the PCR test Thursday at a local CVS and later that day, loss my sense of smell.  What?  This could not be happening.  But it was.  Got the test results Friday night and it was positive.  I notified everyone I had been in contact with and let my sister know the cruise was off for us.

 

I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with Royal last night, sent them the test results, and our cruise was officially cancelled.  All monies are to be refunded within 30 to 45 days.  This morning, called the travel insurer and cancelled that policy.  Money to be refunded in five to seven days.

 

I emailed Dexter, the SL concierge to let him know to release my Coastal Kitchen reservations.  I think that is it.  
 

As disappointed as I am, I see the value of requiring the test shortly before cruising, even for vaccinated cruisers. It would be awful to infect others and to be sick on the ship.  Kudos to Royal and travel insurer for agreeing to refund all payments, and to my sister for caring more about me than a cruise.  I know my September cruise will be all the better after having to miss this one.  

 

So sorry.  Hope it's just a cold like it was for me.

Unfortunately, this is how it's going to be for a long time.  ENDEMIC - not PANDEMIC.

On 7/24/2021 at 12:30 PM, cjmx said:

where can i find the raw data on the how many  covid cases on the recent cruise sailing?   Not just royal, thanks

Doesn't really matter.  Just get vaccinated.  Eventually we are going to have to stop this madness of testing people who aren’t sick.

I am fully vaccinated and have Covid right now!  Everyone is going to get it…

20 minutes ago, cured said:

The stock market dipped today on fears of the rising unvaccinated spread hurting the economic recovery. This is not over yet.

I took advantage of the drop!

2 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I have no idea why you would think that…

I hope we roll with it but I fear for the worst

44 minutes ago, spooky981 said:

 

Among the cruises that have gone out there have only been a handful of positive tests with zero fatalities or hospitalizations. If you multiply that by all the cruise ships in the world I still don't think it's close to enough to justify shutting down the industry again.

Yes I understand completely and agree with you.  Unvaccinated folks are going to drive the spread in the coming months… and even if we are vaccinated we can still get it.  

On 7/18/2021 at 10:22 AM, Thenagers said:

I have heard that RCL is expecting these rules to be updated soon? I was thinking  it was tied to the lawsuit in Florida but maybe CDC didn’t want to do it until a verdict from the appeals court? I know I am being overly hopeful but fingers crossed for my July 26th sailing? I’ll deal

if I have too! I just would rather have a more normal experience but locked into these dates and such!

Just be happy you are getting one in!  I think they are going to have to hit the pause button again in the next 35-40 days... 

23 hours ago, BOAZ5 said:

It is Monday morning, we sail this coming Saturday, July 10th on Adventure of the Seas.  We had our PCR tests this morning.  I am starting to have anxiety that we did them too early. 

The guidelines just say 5 days in advance.  Well, we are 5 calendar days in advance, but had the testing at 10:00 this morning.  By the time we board the ship it will be past 10 am.  Does anyone know if we goofed????  Should we get another test tomorrow to be on the safe side.  I haven't read much about how picky there on the testing.  THANKS!!!

I'd be more concerned about # of cycles ran 🤣🤣🤣

Have a great trip!!!