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You convinced me that the CDC knows what it is doing. ?

I watched the videos from my hotel bathroom then it took 30 seconds at the muster station to get our stickers

Unfortunately, there are a large number of Americans who seem to to be fine with government telling them what to do or not do and handing out free stuff without any thought of the government's bank balances.... and to hell with MMT. The argument mitigating toward CDC regulation of the cruise industry is clearly spelled out in 91 at the Court listener, ORDER resolving 25--Florida's motion for preliminary injunction. For those of us that have been following the CDC's circus act in the FL District and US Court of Appeals, and are close to this situation, the CDC's justification for the NSO and CSO are laughable. Judge Merryday presiding over the Middle District Court of FL seems to agree with us. His ruling was a blistering rebuke of the CDC's actions involving the cruise industry.......upheld on appeal by the 11th USCOA. Still, we have a large group of American citizens that think what the CDC is doing, a reflection of what our government is trending toward if not already there, is fine. That's a disturbing thought. Time to push back, not only regarding the CDC's buffoonery, but also the unrestrained drift of governance in America to an unaccountable executive branch.

I just went ahead and called. I needed 2 connecting rooms, 2 people in one, 3 in the other. For some reason it wouldn't let me do it online so I called and the really nice young lady at RC made it work. Way easier and you skip the step of having to do it online. The wait on hold isn't to bad right now either. Kate

I'd recommend a good travel agent for this type of thing.

Rear facing extended balcony. I bid just under the maximum on the Royal and owners suite and ended up with the owners suite.

I'll stay in just about any cabin. Even the worst cabin on a ship is better than being stuck on land!

FWIW I think mask will be around for a while. I know a lot of people keep saying how things are changing daily and fast but I don't see that. I am not going to bring up all the reason why I think they will still be there in Nov. I personally think anyone sailing in 2021 needs to resign themselves to the current protocols. I am not saying that come Nov we will still be here but if we aren't at least you will be happy instead of disappointed.

I would “practice” at home with a q-tip a few times so your 4 year old won’t freak out.

Is that near "The Villages" ?

Other CDC recommendations: 1. Dont eat raw dough 2. FDA recommends ground beef cooked to 155 degrees CDC says 160 3. No runny eggs. "Cook eggs until the yolks and whites are firm." 4. If you are a woman you shouldnt have more than 1 alcoholic drink a day, men get 2 alcoholic drinks a day. (so much for that drink package) 5. Make sure you are supervising your children so their pets dont lick their faces 6. Steaks should not be cooked to less then medium temp. 7. Throw out food left unrefrigerated after 2 hours 8. No sushi. Should the cruise lines follow all the above CDC recommendations as well?

Worried about the same thing here with 2 young kids. If you watch Shannon Ford vlog on Freedom from a few weeks ago it actually shows her son getting the test and they barely put the swab in his nose. I am sailing on Friday & hopeful this is the case because my kids will refuse and we will end up driving home instead of cruising.

Soitenly! My NCCF (non-commissionable cruise fare) is reduced as well as the other fare adjustments. The most common error I have experienced is the taxes & fees line. On 2 occasions it was double (bots gone wild?) but a competent rep can correct this easily.

The recently active thread on FL. v. Bacerra, et.al - US Appeals court lifts CDC cruise ship restrictions in win for Florida -has been locked. We still have a thread to discuss this important topic as it relates to cruising and the cruise industry. Wanted to elevate it with a post so everyone knows where to post comments or updates on FL's law suit v. the CDC. Of course, keeping it relevant to cruising. And to recap where we are. It really helps for RCL Blog members following this case that when a new court activity occurs or an event/news involving FL v. Bacerra occurs, a new thread not be started. That's happened twice with Matt merging them. Let's make this THE PLACE to discuss FL V. Bacerra going forward. To recap......... Nothing new has happened over the last 48h. The CDC's appeal (#95 at the Court Listener) of Judge Merryday's ruling that he issued on June 18th (#91 on the Court Listener) has ended. FL has also withdrawn their appeal to the USSC of the 11th Circuit COA's action after they reversed themselves 6d later. The CDC has publicly acknowledged their CSO is no longer enforceable pending the outcome of litigation. The remaining court case track involves the actual litigation of FL v. Bacerra. This will take place on August 12th in Judge Merryday's court (Middle District Court of FL) per #103 and #105 at the Court Listener. These two events are HHS/CDC's unopposed motion to delay the date of their response to FL's complaint to August 12th (#103) and Judge Merryday's approval of the motion (#105). This week, the CDC publicly announced that they would not enforce mask mandates on board cruise ships if the cruise lines continued to comply with the CSO on a voluntary basis. Public statements by RCL indicate RCL's intention to voluntarily follow the CSO. I'm unaware if the other majors have made public statements to that effect. In an unrelated matter, NCL has sued the state of FL claiming that the Desantis ban of vaccine mandates is beyond the scope of FL's governor to issue and is unconstitutional. RCL's COVID related onboard health and safety protocols developed under the CSO that are published and available for review at numerous links, including our front page, are unchanged as of the most recent publication of them.

The app calendar is still generally useless.

Personally, I love the inside cabins. You can nap any time of the day! And the price is right! ? I will always pick a cabin towards the aft end of the ship. That's where the MDRs are. So I won't ever pick a cabin on the forward end.

Yes, I’m not sure I would have cancelled. I get you acted out of an abundance of caution and I applaud you for it. Just not sure he really needed to cancel. I hope Royal will do SOMETHING under the circumstances. Keep us posted.

Thanks! I called them and was able to get $410 off my cruise! ?

So the page came back and I won my bid once again for Owners Suite on Freedom!

Just in: I've been chosen to play the role of @Lovetocruise2002 on Allure. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my Star Class accommodations, waiting impatiently for Coastal Kitchen to open.

Go to the nearest Royal ship and show them the email at the gangway. They’ll have to let you on to finish the safety drill!?

Add me to the inside cabin. Once and only once. WAAAYTOOO small and dark for me. We actually like to spend a fair amount of time in our room and there is just NOwhere to sit in an inside. I will admit though....it's great for sleeping ! I also am not a huge fan of rooms all the way forward or all the way aft as that is a lot of walking for me.

I would keep checking the check in times. I had 1pm for my Edge sailing on Aug 28, I checked today, and 11:30, 12, 12:30 were open, so I snagged an 11:30 slot. Im not elite or anything either, it is my first Celebrity cruise.

Nope it’s not 5 adults… not even 3 adults. We have cruise before this way in smaller rooms. Just not on RC. Everyone’s level of comfort may be different. Thanks everyone for your help!

My wife accused me of being immature. I told her to get out of my fort.

I can come up with one reason. Liability issues. If the bed is not available for room occupants and they want to take a nap/lay down at anytime during the day they would need to set it up.

Touched base with an unvax friend who was on Freedom but did take a tour in Nassau. She indicates that they were escorted off and on the boat from the tour, zero chance to "slip away" post tour or anything like that.

They recently extended the date for the Cruise with Confidence eligibility from July 31 to August 31. I’m hoping they also extend the end dates as well. I like that they now allow us to combine our FCCs so we can apply more than one of them to a booking. I’m also hoping the Best Price Guarantee is also extended.

Yep. Especially when it's family!

Right! I'm so excited for the "cold front" that's coming next week...you know, so it will only be 98 degrees.

I met people on a cruise and it ended up being exactly 8 of us and we were sat together. This was at Chop's. Specialty restaurants don't have the floor space like MDR or Windjammer, so I would imagine that this might be true....or just true for that venue. Call again because you may get a different answer. If your whole objective is to sit together, then don't bother if they say it is not feasible. Or look at a different venue that could accomadte you. Some others have tables that can fit up to 10 people. Update...if you are sailing soon it looks like according to RCG FAQs they aren't allowing for parties larger than 8. So maybe that is what the agent quoted you on. July 2022 is a bit a way so off course things will change.

As long as it is individual establishments asking you to mask I'm fine, May not be as happy if it would become a port or city policy, already having to where them inside on the ship. Beside i can't imagine being ask to mask up on a hiking trail.

I never book domestic first or biz on US business trips. The meager benefits you'll get: - Maybe food served, on 4+ hour flights. - First boarding group and first off at the end of the flight (less competition for overhead compartments, if you need one). - Slightly nicer seat. - Some free booze. - Free checked bag. Personal (vacation) trips I'll book biz for long flights. If you hunt around, you may score a flight that's going to continue on to an international destination (787, etc.) where booking biz will get you something really nice like a lie-flat seat.

During the restart they are making you book specialty restaurants and entertainment, once you board the ship. In the past you would be able to book entertainment on the oasis and quantum class ships 30 days before departure. Specialty dining was around the same time. If you are sailing this year then you should expect to book once you come aboard.

We had purchased an Oasis Lagoon Cabana for $1,199 just a while ago and then saw the sale at $499. Called RC and cancelled the cabana and rebooked it to save money.

I think the bottom line for the cruise business is profitability, safety and sustainability. They can ensure profits by attracting customers to ships that have proven they can offer the most risk-adverse, healthy, safe and anxiety-free experience. They sustain repeat customers and attract new business the same way. The cruise lines don’t need the CDC or any other government entity to force them to do that. It’s just business. Especially in today’s climate…where every incident aboard a cruise ship becomes a hysterical media circus…they need to enforce health policies and have plans and protocols in place to mitigate and prevent disease spread. They have them. Their future business depends on their being able to operate successfully while under a largely unfair media microscope…they can, and they will. Just my opinion.

Did you hear about the activity for seniors in a retirement facility that haven't had sex in quite some time? It's called "feels on wheels". ?

I honestly can’t think of a cruise ship cabin I wouldn’t stay in. ?

What did the wooden dog with no teeth do when it's house was being robbed? Nothing - he was all bark and no bite...

Thanks for the reminder Shari! I hadn't checked this week (family medical emergency and I'm stressed), and YOU just made my week. I checked our Harmony cruise Dec 2022, and got $756 off of our GS. We don't usually sail in a GS unless the price is right, but this lower rate makes the price even more awesome. ? Now if only the Crown Loft price would come down.....

Lol. I did - just for funsies...it's $3,000+ more per person than what we initially paid? #DatSuiteLife

Does this mean I wasn’t randomly picked for this test cruise? When were they going to tell me? I need to tell my intercessors they can stop praying.

I’m willing to bet out of the 3 Eleventh Circuit Court judges randomly chosen to be on the panel who made this decision ….. that the 2 who voted in favor of allowing the CDC to continue screwing with the cruise lines were originally appointed to the court by either Obama, Clinton, or Bush and the 1 who voted against the CDC was a Trump court appointee.

It won't change anyone's mind that assumes cruise ships are always to blame, but it is good to see that this is indeed not Royal Caribbean's fault at all.

I'm glad it was dismissed. RC and all cruise lines go to great lengths to prevent people from being stupid, but there's only so much they can do (and can be expected to do).

Never blamed you guys, instead THANK YOU. Were it not for reading what the two of you wrote about Star Class I would have never given it a thought. I've stayed Star Class twice and trying to figure out how to get a third stay.

Thank you so much. I love what I do...? I do not recall ever asking the Genie for something that I didn't, ultimately, get. But we are fairly easy customers. We really have never asked for anything outrageous. There is a VERY BIG gray area where the Genies are not permitted to reserve seats. The Jazz Club, the Music Hall, Dazzles are all officially off limits for reserved seating. According to Joyce (who was always willing to share her insider information !!!), anything that is considered "revenue generating" cannot have SC reserved seating. Presumably, entertainment venues are ok but not bars or clubs. HOWEVER, the Genies can and do get around that fairly easily. We've had reserved seats in the Music Hall on Anthem and Oasis (which is formerly Dazzles). Here's another little bit of insider info thanks to Joyce. The Genies will never EVER tell you anything over the phone or in an email that is counter to the official "rules". So if you ask for something pre-boarding that is technically against the rules, the Genie will say NO. Once you are alone with the Genie they will do whatever they can to get you what you want but they won't put it in writing and they won't say it in front of anyone else. An example of this is when we had one of our friends along on the cruise with us (this was on Allure). He was not SC and he was solo. We told Charlie up front that we were bringing a tagalong with us and that we would expect for him to be included in all of our activities. He wrote back that only SC guests would have the service of the Genie. Once we got on board, he gladly included Jim in everything we did....we had reserved seats with us for all of the shows and enjoyed meals (which Jim did pay for) with us and we never had a minute's problem. When we got our end-of-the-cruise gifts from Charlie, Jim got something, too. It wasn't a huge gift...just a coffee mug, but it was the thought that counted. Charlie treated Jim just like one of his regular SC guests and it was appreciated so much. The Genie certainly can get you special private behind the scenes tours but a lot depends on what you ask for and who the Genie is. A few years back, during one of the very active hurricane seasons, we managed to slip in a cruise between a whole bunch of cancelled and modified cruises due to hurricanes. As a result of the weather, there was a TERRIBLE mosquito problem on Harmony. We were in an ATS and we couldn't even go out on our balcony due to the brazillions of mosquitos out there. Reyno called the pest control officer to come and take care of it. It just so happens that the pest control officer on board the Harmony is the head horticulturist in charge of Central Park and on Harmony (the newest O class ship in the fleet, at the time) was none other than Laszlo Turos, who is the creator of the entire Central Park concept and has created every Central Park garden on every Oasis class ship. When Laszlo showed up at our suite with a spray can of some kind of bug spray, we giggled. We said, "you're gonna need a bigger can"....and once he went out on the balcony and saw the magnitude of the problem, he kinda skulked away and came back with a big plastic "pump" power sprayer. Anyway, he did take care of the mosquito problem on our balcony but he also asked us if we would be interested in a private tour of Central Park. Dan (HUGE plant guy !!!) was so excited...and I enjoyed it too. Laszlo took us from one end of the gardens to the other, into private areas, really gave us an in-depth tour of how he created and manages the parks. Such a nice guy. So there ARE ways to get such private tours (we also did a similar one on Allure for the ice skating rink which was fascinating, too) but the public tour "All Access Tour" is not free for Star Class guests. I definitely think it's worth the money, so I recommend doing it, but SC won't get it for free for you. The Genie really is so much more than just a Concierge. They visit you every night at dinner to go over the schedule for the next day. They meet you before the show to personally escort you to your seats and get you a drink (if you want one).

DCL concierge level pales in comparison to star. Good choice. And even outside of star, DCL is simply not worth the cost.

That isn't a threat to me. I'm gettin' beat up everywhere. I can take it ! LOL