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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/26/2021 in Posts

  1. Neesa

    Odyssey Right Now

    The captain message today came at about 1630hrs 12 passengers and some additional crew tested positive. His number was 1.9% of the Ships capacity. Not knowing that number makes it a bit more difficult to figure out, but 1.9% on this packed sailing to include crew does not seem all that bad. Protocols are containing the illness it appears. We are here in the waters outside port everglades enjoying our last evening on board. We saw a movie this afternoon and are going to see a comedian tonight both in the Royal theater. I wrote the Captain a thank you note, I was told he would get it. I told him how we appreciated his transparency and felt well cared for. We congratulated him on his staff also, I made sure NOT to lick the envelope shut!!
    12 points
  2. tonyfsu21

    Odyssey Right Now

    Once again the media casts the dark cloud over the cruise industry & everything is completely blown out of proportion. I’m already getting the “Are you sure you should be cruising” and the “didn’t you see that the ships aren’t allowed to dock anywhere” usual crap from people who don’t cruise. Personally my family & I have been to every single one of these islands so many times that we cruise for the ship and not the destinations. I really don’t care if we get 6 sea days + perfect day because Oasis is enough for my family. The haters will do whatever they need to do to make the cruise industry a scapegoat for Covid, and that won’t ever change.
    9 points
  3. Matt

    True or False?

    There’s no fact to back this rumor up. It sounds like pure speculation
    6 points
  4. deep1

    Oasis 12/26

    I'm not on Tomorrow... The week after next ... I don't have a crystal ball or even an 8 ball like Matt. What I do have is an ability to read then filter out the bravo sierra and extract the real info I need. I don't trust most press any farther than I can throw them, Gas station sushi is a more trustworthy than most press. I'm seeing a whole lot of them going out of ther way to distort and make thimgs look bad... They tell you "OMG! 50 cases!" The reality is 99.3% are just fine. The 50 aren't "Cases" they are positiive tests and if you read closer the CDC even found most of them symptom free with a couple milds in the mix. So from a standpoint of worrying aboutCOVID itself I am not going to get uptight in the least. Next we look at the ports. I see quite a bit of "They denied entry"... The assumption is that its the ships fault? I looked up a few of the cancellations in detail and it turns out that its the cruise lines choosing not to dock because of outbreaks in the ports themselves! So I see the cruise industry as a whole really working hard to keep you protected. They are doing so a great cost. One of the sailings was 50% FCC + 2 days OBC refundable to cash. Thats 3/4 of the costs effectively returned and the people aboard still got a world class boat ride. I for one am just not gonna sweat anything . Especially since I have no control over any of it... PS: I think it will be less full than it was a week ago... Lot of people bailing, espescially those from out of country...
    6 points
  5. tonyfsu21

    True or False?

    I’m really happy that this may be nothing but poppycock. We are at the terminal now ready to board and it’s going to be a great cruise! Happy New Year!
    5 points
  6. Just got off of Oasis. Deck 6 forward was closed off but that was that way from the start and our genie told us it was the crew quarantine area where new sign ons go for their required quarantine period. That said the captain announced our we had a 1.4% positive rate as of the last night all asymptomatic or mild. We sailed with about 4500 guests and 2000 crew I believe so that is ~90 give or take five or ten based on exact numbers. the cruise was great and we didn’t really even notice.
    5 points
  7. Disembarkation process As previously noted, we met Shane at the bionic bar on deck 5. He walked with us as far as the elevators and handed us off to a terminal concierge person who took us to our luggage collection area and then through US customs and to the taxi lane. Taxi to Miami airport was $28. We really appreciated this assistance as it was our first time to Miami Terminal. Pretty sure we would have missed the CBP line for Canadian passport holders without her. Hope we have as much luck with CBSA as we did with the CBP agent. We met Shane at 8:30 am and were through the lengthy CBP line (star class perks are no longer recognized and reality is setting in Lol) and into our taxi by 8:56. Reached the car rental at Miami Airport and collected our car by 9:30 and currently on the I95 on route to Orlando. Hoping for a better trip to MCO. I felt like I raced in the Daytona 500 on the way to Miami. Lol
    5 points
  8. Baked Alaska

    Oasis 12/26

    I'm on tomorrow and can't wait!! I just may have a tear in my eye.
    5 points
  9. SPS

    True or False?

    I prefer "balderdash"!
    4 points
  10. SpeedNoodles

    True or False?

    Have a great cruise, Tony! Also, why don't more people use the term "poppycock"? It amuses me!
    4 points
  11. Matt

    Odyssey Right Now

    The second they hear she’s not upset, they’ll stop the interview
    4 points
  12. I have been on the Anthem four times since she returned to the US in November. Deck 6 forward is closed as a ‘Crew Only Area’. That’s the area where, as their protocols require, they are maintaining a sealed section to be used for quarantining only. It’s kept sanitized and isolated even though very few rooms are being used at one time. Every time new crew members board to begin their contracts, they are quarantined for two weeks. The first week is a ‘hard quarantine’ where they can not leave the cabin and get examined for symptoms and tested daily. The second week is a ‘soft quarantine’ where they can access certain limited crew areas only. In the event a crew member tests positive, contact tracing results in many other crew members being quarantined. Regardless of them having negative tests and no symptoms. That’s what happened to the entire entertainment crew during the first two weeks. One production cast member tested positive and they quarantined the entire cast and production crew for two weeks. Both production shows were cancelled (We Will Rock You and Spectra’s Cabaret). Other times there were sections of passengers corridors that were closed. The access doors were shut and crew guarded them. This was because they were deep cleaning the corridors. It happened all throughout the ship at various times…especially overnight. It was a scheduled cleaning done as part of the protocols. I was asked to wait for 30 mins before I could access my cabin. Another time, I received a phone call in my cabin informing me they were doing the scheduled deep cleaning of the corridor and asked if I’d rather leave or stay inside for thirty minutes until it was completed. I have been very impressed with their cleaning and sanitizing efforts. But, I can see how someone would reasonably mistake simple routine and repeat procedures with something unusual. It’s an unusual time for cruising. Stay informed and don’t pay attention to those with an obvious agenda. Weigh all the facts and make your choice. After eight cruises since September, I feel safe and choose to cruise!
    4 points
  13. I can’t believe we have to leave this beautiful ship today but it’s been a fantastic trip! I will recap some final thoughts shortly but wanted to thank everyone for following along. Picking up a car rental and heading back to MCO today. Staying at Hyatt Regency MCO airport and praying for a full flight crew tomorrow.
    4 points
  14. Neesa

    Odyssey Right Now

    @GatorCruiserwhile I still don't agree with how much they loaded up the ship, capacity was ridiculous too many people, you are correct that was corporate. The ships Captain and crew were amazing and that is worth screaming from the roof tops. We were treated to an extended show last night. It was beautiful! All three of us are healthy and happy! They probably wouldn't print that!
    4 points
  15. deep1

    Merry Christmas

    Taking a moment to wish you all the merriest Christmas yet! This is a great place to maintain my sanity after visiting the social media rumor mill. Some of the stuff I'm seeing out there is past absurd... Here I can count on sound advice and no ficticious drama... Thanks... Special shout to Matt for keeping this place real and informative....
    4 points
  16. Neesa

    Odyssey Right Now

    Tonight was Chops. Outstanding. The areas all around the atrium, tree, stairs long lines of passengers some dressed to the nines, some totally themed all masked until picture time, sure looked to me like everyone there was making the best of the situation. A fun evening to people watch. Returned to room to be greeted by a nice holiday card from housekeeping. * please note, I am not a blogger or a TA or even otherwise known to Royal. I am just an ordinary passenger and my insights are my own, I just hope to help our cruise community. Sometimes I question some reports of things knowing where they are coming from and what they "get" so I tend to read them with caution. I honestly still think Royal made a mistake by ramping up capacity the way they did. It is too crowded coupled with the protocols BUT honestly I also feel they have gone out of their way to be transparent, enforce protocols and then finally very generous compensation do to this bump in the road, and that's all it is a bump. I could scream when I read the reports. I supported them (Royal) by purchasing a ring, Tag watch, Next Cruise certificate and assorted other things with much of the OBC. I think they seriously knocked it out of the park when dealing with this situation. Just my 2 cents.
    4 points
  17. Currently on Allure. Masking everywhere and at all time indoors. Not awful, yes that KN95 does get warm and a little uncomfortable during shows, but it is tolerable. Notice a lot even masking while walking through Central Park, on pool deck and solarium until they get into a seat. Yes few blatantly tried g to get around policy, just not many. No they are not asking to to mask up between sips or bites, generally when seated with drink or food mask off. Surprised by the number of vaccinated children 5-11 years old. Really surprised. Passenger counts. 3250 total. 2000+crew. 147 D+ 19 Pins. Original passenger count was supposed to be 4500 almost 1000 cancellations last minute, info from Loyalty Ambassador but I could also have numbers off by a little but generally what I thought it should be. Except I'm surprised at the high number of cancellations. Yes hot tubs not in Solarium are all kids, but that was my expectation. Windjammer open for dinner, during busy breakfast lunch some lines,b ut it looks like they move quickly. Can't speak to MDR as not eating there So far still glad we decided to stay on this cruise Btw. MERRY CHRISTMAS
    3 points
  18. The PCR test is something your home country is requiring, not Royal. The bottom line is that these post cruise tests are causing more problems than they are solving for Royal. You should be able to cancel and get a refund if you aren't happy with the change. Just insist on a refund instead of the FCC.
    3 points
  19. SpeedNoodles

    Odyssey Right Now

    @Matt's sassy on his birthday!
    3 points
  20. Whether they do or don’t, you’re risking getting denied re entry to the ship. To me, it’s not worth the risk.
    3 points
  21. We did a ABC southern Caribbean in 2019. The best cruise we’ve ever done, literally the bar we compare all other cruises too.
    3 points
  22. Great pic! Thanks for taking us on your adventure! It's been fun following along! I think I'll be going through blog withdrawals soon now that you and @Lovetocruise2002 have both completed your twin cruises !!
    3 points
  23. We were on Liberty in Nov and while sitting in the Promenade, saw store clerks, bar staff and even cleaning crew members stop what they were doing, come out into the walkway, and politely remind someone to either put their mask on or how to wear it correctly. We were very impressed and commented on it in the survey. There is so much media on negative cruise things, we wanted them to know their crew are doing things right.
    3 points
  24. We shared this picture with Shane. He said he sent it to his mom for Christmas.
    3 points
  25. You not only won the Royal UP jackpot, you hit the Genie jackpot too!!!
    3 points
  26. If you get interviewed by the Miami herald or USA Today , sing royals praises. There is a lot of negative press out there for cruising in general.
    3 points
  27. Thanks! Got through 6 today myself (assisting on all) and totally agree I was really over it by the end. Just glad to be all negative and set to cruise Monday!
    3 points
  28. Shane stopped by tonight for a visit and we gave him his gift + tip. I knew his contract was ending shortly so these 2 products from Saje will be useful for his upcoming travel. The pocket farmacy is one of my must have travel items plus the travel safe kit. Both are very compact and can be taken onboard flights. We will see Shane tomorrow morning for our disembarkation. Our friends also tipped Shane for everything he did for them; he included them in all our dining and activities and treated them to a wonderful cruise experience. He is not only a great genie but a genuinely nice person. More on Shane later.
    3 points
  29. Christmas Show ️️️ 1/2 It was a good show, not great. We were expecting more of the classic Christmas songs. As always our seats were amazing. **Same theatre protocol on masking as previously posted. **This is the line heading to the Christmas show. We have been spoiled with priority access and seating. It has been a great perk this cruise.
    3 points
  30. Chops Christmas Menu Out last dinner was at Chops and although it was their holiday menu it was not any different than the menu this week. It was included for star class but there was an additional charge of $99 for our friends with the UDP. A bit steep given it was essentially the same menu they were eating at for free all week. I was beefed out so tried the organic chicken which was very good. The highlight for Reyd was the desserts; he and Lindsay sampled cheesecake, warm chocolate cake, chocolate loaf and a tray of assorted treats.
    3 points
  31. Star suites are expensive but compare dining, drinks, CK, and mostly the genie. You really don’t need to leave your suite
    3 points
  32. Ironically Star Class during the pandemic may be more valuable compared to pre-pandemic.
    3 points
  33. We are currently in the RLS on Anthem and it’s been phenomenal. We’re first time cruisers and Simona has been absolutely wonderful despite some bad weather conditions. I can’t imagine cruising without her.
    3 points
  34. While the cost of the test may be some small factor with this policy change, it is not reason for the change. Royal cannot afford for the skyrocketing number of positive test results to be their (cruise line) problem. They need neither the “head count” nor the costs associated with quarantine and repatriation. These are the costs and responsibilities that Royal is offloading. Whether that’s a moral or immoral decision, is certainly debatable. Since US citizens do not require a test to re-enter the US (for now, at least) there will no accounting for COVID carriers coming off the ship unless they have fallen ill and exhibit symptoms while on board. They are washing their hands.
    2 points
  35. Someone moved his towel off a pool chair that he didn't sit in all day.
    2 points
  36. Just finished a 7 day on Liberty OTS this morning. I don't feel the new protocols could have been any better last month. Maybe you didn't need to wear a mask in a few areas, but it really wasn't bad at all. Once your in the dining room, mask off. Once you have a drink at the bar, mask off. We had a great time!
    2 points
  37. SPS

    Fishing for cruise drama.

    Does anyone know what it is that made this Hospital Ship chasing lawyer to be so against the cruise industry? Did he have a stateroom attendant that didn't make him enough towel animals?
    2 points
  38. tonyfsu21

    True or False?

    There is a rumor floating around that 125 total Covid positive cases on a voyage will result in the entire ship quarantined to staterooms? If true, is this 125 total inclusive of crew? Assuming all passengers quarantined would the ship return to home port regardless of what duration was remaining on the voyage? I have to admit, this would really be bad if true. Thanks in advance.
    2 points
  39. That is great to hear. The Coffee cup tree looks so cool!!! So much fun!!! I would love to see more pics. We are so excited!!!!!
    2 points
  40. There are a lot of part time travel agents out there. Much like real estate agents, this is not a place where you want to hire a friend or relative who is getting into the business. One of the reasons I chose MEI was that they are involved as a sponsor of this board and there are many agents under their umbrella. If you are having issues with a particular agent, there is a way to address it and be assigned a new agent.
    2 points
  41. DunwoodyDad

    Christmas!!!

    A Christmas miracle! 6 negative COVID tests today! The at home testing was great to do on a holiday when there were no other options. Merry Christmas!
    2 points
  42. tonyfsu21

    Oasis 12/26

    This will be our 4th cruise after the re-start and I don’t have any reason at all to feel unsafe. RC has done a great job! The more people that cancel the better because there’s absolutely nothing like sailing at a lower capacity on an Oasis class ship! Can’t wait.
    2 points
  43. Merry Christmas everyone!!! So excited our dream cruise is quickly approaching. A little nervous about how Omicron is impacting things. However, from what I have been seeing lately in blogs/posts, things have been relatively smooth and the new protocols do not seem to limit a great cruise experience. We would rather be safe then sorry, so personally I am fine with mask wearing indoors. Completed the survey two weeks ago and now anxiously awaiting to find out who our genie is!!!
    2 points
  44. Booking a cruise doesn't matter. Having a TA maintain your reservation is where the value comes in
    2 points
  45. That blogger hates the cruise industry. Not sure why he runs a blog about something he hates
    2 points
  46. I wouldn’t cancel based on ports and what they may or may not do, however, anyone going on a cruise during the pandemic needs to have a certain level of flexibility and understanding about last minute changes. So if the prospect of a possible change would not to your liking, then maybe postponing is what you should do. Things change so much that things can get better just as quickly as worse, so it’s not to say because one itinerary was altered, yours will be too.
    2 points
  47. Merry Christmas from somewhere in the Caribbean. A beautiful start to Christmas Day; sunny and 28. The day began with our PCR tests at 8am. Results have been trickling in with Lindsay’s back within 30 minutes. Lindsay and I are negative. The process went smoothly with one exception; my result initially reported as TNP (test not processed) but a quick message to Shane and he was on it with his team. Within the hour I had my results. Waiting on Reyd’s results. Had a light breakfast of fruit at CK as we are pacing ourselves for lunch at Playmakers and dinner at Chops. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
    2 points
  48. Neesa

    Odyssey Right Now

    @Pattycruise The numbers come from the Captain. He spoke to us over the intercom at 1500hrs today.
    2 points
  49. @Neesa- Thank you for keeping us updated on all of this, and maintaining such a fantastic attitude!
    2 points
  50. Please don't follow this advice. Unless you want to be waiting for hours in questionable weather. RCG has been sending out email advising people to arrive at their schedule check-in time. Granted one or two ports will put you in a line if you show up early but most will not.
    2 points
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