coldflame

17 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

This has actually been in the contract for a couple years now. Yes, they were a problem, people were using them to look into other cabins.

I'm going to need source for this. This sounds folk-tale-ish to me. I've been traveling with drones in cruises since 2016-ish I've spoken with several cruise security folks. Those contractual clauses were in put in place as an abundance of caution -- and totally understandable. It was never an actual problem.

As per policy (last time I traveled with a drone), you surrender it when you board and security will give you a "ticket" with which you can claim it near the gangway on ports and you have to surrender it again in the way back in. So if you're not comfortable with security holding the drone for you while on board, just leave it at home.

12 hours ago, vjmatty said:

Is port better for any particular reason? I’m looking at the deck plans and seeing mostly restaurants on both sides. 

We prefer port for any room class or cruise line for that matter. We like to sleep in a bed facing forward and the ocean to our left. Nothing to do with where restaurants are. 

I called a little while back and was told only FCC, however, I believe for what I've read you need to wait until you get an email from Royal specifying the protocols for your particular sailing and then if offered as an option, you can get a full refund.

On 7/29/2021 at 1:37 PM, karinad said:

We're looking at the Oasis deck 8 balcony mid-ship aft maybe closer to the elevators. Has anyone experienced any problems with the location?

Deck 8 is our favorite. We've sailed 3 times in her in port-side large balcony on deck 8 even though we had our choice of higher decks. Central park is so chill and convenient. I'm a notoriously super light sleeper and noise has never been a problem for me. Highly, highly recommend.

8 hours ago, 2chiefs said:

Year after year, it's the same party on every cruise. It's getting a little stale for me,

Anyone else like to see it go away?

I've been annoyed with it for decades lol. So I hear ya. Not sure why cruise lines keep hosting them.

7 minutes ago, songbird1329 said:

If you can’t get around the pay wall, try this one

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6331/

Paywall beater 🙂 Despite DeSantis’ court win, cruise lines choosing to follow CDC guidelines (outline.com)

Folks,

Just got and email from Royal letting us know that they have changed the itinerary due to unrest in Haiti as follows:

33 minutes ago, letscutitout said:

I'd like to try this excursion.

If you have done it & never driven a jet ski, is it difficult? scary?

I really want to but am nervous about it.

Thoughts ????

I haven't done this specific excursion, but I have ridden JetSki several times. It's a bit tricky learning to shift your weight on turns, but once you get a hang of it, it's very fun. If the water is choppy or too windy they usually cancel these types of excursions.

On 7/15/2021 at 2:21 PM, smokeybandit said:

Same for US-based cruises, too.

 

It reeks of a plan to maximize RC excursion bookings and nothing to do with health and safety

This has been the policy for all cruise lines sailing out of EU (including European cruise lines) for the last 6 months. Cruise line "Bubble" excursions for everyone until recently where (in some countries) they are allowing vaxd passengers venture on their own.

5 minutes ago, coldflame said:

 

 

Actually, reading the filing on the supreme court, given the 11th circuit's own order to vacate the stay, this case might be moot.

Yup, the case to the USSC is 100% moot given the 11th circuit turn-around stay-vacate dance.

> For the reasons set forth above, this Court should vacate the stay entered by 
the Eleventh Circuit.

To clarify people here got to excited when they read FL taking the CDC to the Supreme Court. This was a VERY narrow request and that request is now moot.

On 7/23/2021 at 5:55 PM, livingonthebeach said:

Florida has taken the CDC case to the Supreme Court

 

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/564615-florida-asks-supreme-court-to-block-cdcs-limits-on-cruise-ship

 

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21A5/184803/20210723134720313_Application.pdf

Actually, reading the filing on the supreme court, given the 11th circuit's own order to vacate the stay, this case might be moot.

On 7/23/2021 at 6:32 PM, smokeybandit said:

 

1) this was the USAC 11th Circuit acting on their own, that is, it wasn't FL requesting review or any non-party. They apparently re-read the filing and determined the CDC did not demonstrate injury, irreparable harm, etc. if the injunction was let be.

2) This doesn't mean in any way the appeal was denied, the appeal still very much on (at least prior to FL side stepping appeals and going to USSC), what they vacated was their own stay of the injunction they had delivered a week prior, until appeal is heard.   

On 7/23/2021 at 4:27 PM, logan25 said:

Link to updated protocol,  July 23, 2021:

 

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/experience-updates/us/

Wow lots of good info in that page, thanks. Very transparent, very un-DCL like.

Wait, are we finally back to arguing about our personal cruising preferences instead of covid and politics? Whooo hooo we did it y'all!

Update: as of today I still cannot access the planner for either of the reservations we have. Different browsers, clear cache and history, etc. Still get the st*pid "wait at least 15 minutes" error prompt in screenshot in my OP. 😕

9 hours ago, loman said:

I like to travel light and wouldnt be shlepping a case of water around with me for a few hours on the ship to save a few bucks . 

It's not a few bucks, the water package they sell online it's $45 + gratuities. I can and have brought 12x1L Evian boxes for $15. We have been lucky, given people here seem to think it's not possible, that porters have allowed us to put a bag tag on it (3 different times) and it's delivered to our room. But even if next time they don't allow us to check it in, we have a roller carry-on we can stuff the bottles in. No more and no less inconvenient than having to push around your normal carry-on bag until rooms are available.

On 7/13/2021 at 2:28 PM, misguy said:

This is quote from State Department website:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/passports/how-a-passport-can-help-you-fly-domestically.html

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights.
• Use the passport card when entering the United States at land-border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Do not use it for international air travel.
• The passport card only costs $30 for adults if you already have a passport book, and only $65 for first-time adult applicants.    
• The passport card has the same validity as the passport book: If you’re over 16, your passport card is valid for 10 years. If you’re under 16, your passport card is valid for 5 years.

I've had colleagues lose their passport in different parts of the world and no time to get to an embassy or consulate (business trips don't leave much margin for error). They were allowed to flight back and the only difference in the way back in was they were taken to an office for proof verification instead of the normal customs line. Took about 1/2 hour and both were let in w/o any further issue. 

I haven't been able to access any of the two cruises we have reserved. Tried different browsers, clear history, etc. Same result. It could be technical issues, but it could also be change in itineraries depending on port closures/safety (Cayman, Haiti, etc.) and Royal not wanting people to reserve things that aren't going to happen.

Folks,

Is cruise planner down for anyone else? Since last night (and I just checked) I've been getting the following error for both reservations we have:

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Europe is getting bad again with Covid, I would think you going to see more of this, if not total cancellations of some of the upcoming cruises.

 

You couldn't pay me right now to travel to Europe from the USA and take a cruise right now over there.

FWIW, I have two different sets of friends in different parts of Spain on vacation right now. Restrictions are non-existent once you're in the country and they require proof of vaccination and questionaire before you even board the plane in the US and then present the proof at customs there. But otherwise people are conducting business and lives as normal and in their warm and jovial Spaniard way.

On 7/14/2021 at 7:10 AM, zekekelso said:

There are various drugs put there that can make the question moot. I swear my Meclizine. 

My wife used to take sea sickness meds until she discovered good old fashioned ginger pills did the trick as well. Ginger ale also helps her alleviate symptoms.

That said, on 25 nights aboard oasis class ships, she's never felt any symptoms, so I feel comfortable recommending them to people worried about sea sickness.

16 minutes ago, slease said:

Royalup just moved us to an 1100’s room on the AOS which is one of 6 rooms right near the Solarium.  We have 2 kids.  Is it allowed to walk our kids through the Solarium or do we have to go up and round to get to the pool deck/windjammer?

They can even eat at the bistro for breakfast and lunch, too, in case you want to avoid the windjammer zoo. The only things frowned upon for kids are lingering/loitering outside the bistro and at supper time.

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

It has nothing to do on whether it is a Royal excursion or not. It has to do with the laws in the ports of call. The locals could care less about your vaccination status. 

some local laws DO REQUIRE unvaxxed passengers to remain in bubble excursions.

6 minutes ago, CSHS1979 said:

 

It is in PC to cover Harmony being in Europe. It should have left PC and headed to Galveston,  but that didn't happen. So its headed to South Florida before it goes back to Europe in the spring is my understanding. No idea if Miami or PE.

Yeah I'm just looking at the itineraries, seems it's couple of months out of PC, then a few weeks out of Miami, then holiday season from FLL. I guess Royal is scrambling to get their line up up and running. For all we know they can swap ships for those itineraries once more ships are "approved". 

So Allure is repositioning 3X in this year? First to PC, then to Miami, then to FLL? That seems very churn-y for 5 months.