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So just a heads up to anyone to check your cruise planner. This showed up for my Wonder of the Seas cruise for Thanksgiving this year. I have not seen this price in forever! Has to be a glitch I feel like.

Feb 2, 2022 This morning was a beautiful sea day full of sunshine! We decided today we would do the NorthStar and then try to do the iFly on a port day. NorthStar is $29.00 per person and iFly is $59.00. We had been told that if you did them in port they were free. That seems to be holding true and then on February 3 (I know I am jumping a day) we were supposed to be in Puerto Rico they actually did both for free. We took advantage of the offering! The NorthStar was fantastic. I am not a fan of heights and certainly not over the ocean. It was an awesome experience and the pictures of the view do not do it justice! We were told that we were 300ft above sea level and the same height as the Statue of Liberty.

Guess a new intern was hired.

I really wanted to make prime. It was as if the universe was like, Alicia, we want you to make prime too. @AshleyDillo shared with me something that blew my mind. Because this has been a short cruise season, Club Royale lowered the prime threshold. You only need 1500 point to be prime and your status last until 2023. As I had stated in my last live blog, I was only about 10 points from being at 1500....which is now prime!!!! Ashely said I should just send a check for $55 but I called, and they said that wouldn't work. Actually, first I looked at what I could possibly book to make the 1500pts before March 31st. I couldn't sail until April, at the most. But the heavenly gates parted, and Freedom had a 2N sailing from Feb 7-9th, which was weird. I had 2 $100 off coupons from my previous forays into the casino. I do have to work Sat and Sun, but I am work from home during the week. Yolo. I booked an interior stateroom for $248 with grats. Used my point for an AA flight to Miami, the day of with insurance, plus it doesn't leave until 5:30pm. I am on the first flight, but I know I shouldn't have.........but prime is so close. This will be the first cruise I will not be buying anything. As a Diamond member I get 1 free day of internet, my 4 drinks and all that other wonderful stuff. I plan to start my free day way after sail away so it last until most of the second day. I have no plans to do anything but earn my status and get some tacos from PDCC. This is my first time on freedom. The goal, which should be easily achieved, is to make prime my first night. Then enjoy all the wonderful free things on this cruise.

Don't worry Royal Caribbean will charge you for that! https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/laundry-service-price-list.pdf Or you could just go wrinkled, which is my preferred method.

Wake view the best view!

*flails in jealousy*

I'm from South Louisiana.... I'll be bringing my creole seasoning in my purse...

Stay tuned for the live blog of my trip coming 2/25

Downey wrinkle release! Spray & smooth. Then I hang the item in the bathroom while I shower. Anything that needs more attention than that can just stay home! And no I don’t live in knits.

Latest from Michael Bayley on when protocols could go away: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/02/04/royal-caribbean-sees-many-covid-19-protocols-going-away-once-cases-drop

Apparently the Deluxe Beverage Package is currently $44. Strike while it's hot!

It's a possibility that the nicer cabin was way more or unavailable. Lots of the suites have been released back into inventory from cancellations. It is possible they got a JR/GS for $1400pp. The cost of a 1br Aqua might be $4100 per person. Thats is $8200 versus $5800. But I get what you mean. If I am already in a decent suite, the only way I would pay thousands is to go to Star class. I got a good deal for the price of a nice dinner. My successful RoyalUp was from interior to a spacious promenade Oceanview. At the time of booking the interior cabin was $464 total, but a spacious promenade Oceanview was $1067. I paid $60, minimum bid, to upgrade after I had already received a discount on my interior. So, I paid $419 for a room that would have cost over a thousand if I had booked it outright.

More pictures

Our son discovered the seaplex with my hubby after the NorthStar. They did Johnny Rockets for lunch. Shakes are included with the Refreshment Package and the Deluxe Beverage Package. The fee for the food was not worth it my husband said. He was disappointed in the burger size and flavor. Our son was excited to find and use the X-Box on the big screen and has spent a few hours a day in there! None of us were keen on the Bumper cars but those using looked like they were having a blast. I went for a massage while they were doing this which was fantastic! The afternoon we spent catching some rays and having a few drinks! All were exactly what we needed. The evening we went for dinner at Wonderland! A unique experience. Here was our menu and food photos. There is some video as well Our "neighbors" at dinner had some different things as they both decided to have the kids desserts so they were gracious and allowed me to take photos of their food Thanks ! IMG_5668.MOV

Last night was Giovanni’s for dinner. After show was Frozen ice skating show. Best show thus far. It is very amazing what the sand artist does.

Recent data show that less than half (41.8%) of vaccinated people have received their boosters. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/states-ranked-by-booster-rates.html. Requiring boosters at this point may not be a good business decision for some cruise lines. Princess sent out a survey asking about boosters a few weeks ago. Has Royal done the same yet?

To finish the night we saw the comedy show which was hilarious and then arrived in our stateroom for this little guy to tuck us in!

By after lunch it was up to 20'C which is tanning weather for us so we enjoyed a few beverages and some sunshine! No pictures sorry! TOnight was formal night and our servers had learned so quickly about our family. They are the best we have had in any cruise we have been on!!! We can not say enough If you are in American Silk as for them!!! Tonight our son had his usual and even posed for pictures which is a rarity.

DESPITE THE HIGHER COST OF LIVING IT STILL REMAINS POPULAR

View coming in to St. Marteen , what a special treat!

I'm game, although I've never had one and don't exactly know what one is made up of. Perhaps a good rum-based booster shot? Or a 43 shot!!!

Before all the posts complaining about this start, think about this for a moment. The cruise lines (including RCCL) are a multi-billion dollar industry. Is it realistic that they would almost all follow the same protocols based on some political agenda or outdated information? They are blindly following the CDC, otherwise they would not be sailing. These are the protocols developed by people with far more knowledge and resources than any of us. They were actually developed by the CILA before anything was required by the CDC. We all have our opinions on the subject, some want stricter protocells, or at least stricter enforcement (like me), others want no protocols. However, I have realized that what they are doing is working, so even without the strict enforcement I would like to see (which involves expecting people to follow rules even when they don't like them as much as any safety concern) what they are doing is working. So I really have no basis to argue that I know more than they do, but neither does anyone else here. Whether or not to cruise under these conditions is an absolutely personal decision, but it's more than a little arrogant to assume we know more than they do.

What? EPIC FAMILY CRUISE. Who (Star loft Suite) My self (Alisha) I am a very successful health insurance agent retiring my husband. quick short side info. I grew up in foster care and I was homeless at one point in my life. Hubby - David My knight in shining armor. The most generous person you will ever meet. He gives too much in my opinion and needs to learn to take pleasure in receiving as well. My husband is like the 40 year old virgin. He and his brothers own like every hot wheel known to man. He is the worlds biggest Batman fan. He has the largest Batman collection in Florida. When he was younger he was an actual “pinball wizard” We have a 21 year age gap. Age is nothing but a number. I married a big kid. Daughter Sasha she is my mini me. The most obedient kid ever. She is super understanding of other peoples feelings and is able to get on other peoples leveles to be supportive. she is often asked to help communicate with kids having a hard time feeling comfortable with expressing themselves. I’m always proud of this miracle to mankind and wonderful light in this world. (family extra large balcony room) Davids identical twin brother Jordan and his family. The Dad - Jordan The mom -Ronnie The oldest daughter… typical crazy 18 year old (she just recently very bravely came out that she is non binary) and we call her Ty now. Big brother - Jonah the mad scientist. the kid is literally a genius rocket scientist with the matching hair and in a high school for kids heading to NASA. Little Sister - Rayne spunky silly 12 year old on the cheerleading team. (Interior) Mom Cynthia. Typical older Jewish mother. Give her wine and she tells all the secrets (central park balcony) “Tony” he has been one of David’s best friends since grade school. probably one of the funniest guys ever! He is your Italian guy for sure. A true close friend who we call family “Uncle Tony” The whole family has no idea he is coming. My mother in law’s screams of happiness when she sees Tony on the cruise will be heard from our balcony all over the mini golf course for sure. This is one of the biggest secrets I have ever held. Also the family has no clue of our SC Suite. More to come soon.

No it doesn't. CBP looks at the overall journey. The port where you embark the ship and the port where you finally debark the ship. They have determined that an intermediary stop evades the intent of the PVSA. Otherwise all carriers would do this, just split a trip between two US cities into two cruises and evade the PVSA. Unfortunately this violates the PVSA and even if you try to game the system or book it as two different cruises they will eventually figure it out and you'll have to give up one or the other. As an alternative you could look at a night(s) in a hotel in between and moving to another ship either from Vancouver or taking the train down to Seattle for an Alaska cruise. If you board in Australia it wouldn't evade the PVSA as the final journey is Sydney to Seattle but that's a long time on a ship.

I put a pool noodle (cut to width) in the middle of that one fold.

Embrace the wrinkle!

Stopping in Vancouver (with or without getting off the ship) meets the requirement. Cruises that depart from a US port and conclude in a US port (same one OR different ones) must make a stop somewhere outside the US. That is all that is required.

Thanks for reporting it to RC. Too often people rant on message boards about bad experiences but never did something to get RC's eyes on it.

Although I reconize food is very subjective, I am on Explorer right now, 2nd week, and I find the food to be very good. I see a lot of the same things at Breakfast every day, but how varied can you be? Lunch has had a good variety to go along with the common always there burgers, dogs, etc. Some days a pasta bar and other a salad bar. Although I eat in MDR ech evening almost nightly like to make my inspection tour of Windjammer and I find a dfferent theme each night with what I consider decent variety, once or twice I've told my wife, who occationaly accomanies me on my tour, I almost wish I'd have had dinner in Windjammer instead of MDR. Again yes there are things that they can run out of and it can be noticed, for a couple of days on recent cruises, no Bananas, limited vegtables, but they are trying.

For the most part, it's better to think of a junior suite as a larger balcony room with a better bathroom (shower/tub instead of tiny shower) and walk-in closet (depending on ship class). You also get the extra point per night. (Extra not double, because you can also get an extra point for being solo.) Real suite perks start with Grand Suite.

Once you are in the treatment room, you take your mask off. That was my experience last January, 2022.

No worries @CruiseGus, I don't have ridiculous rules about not linking to other websites

However, Royal just posted another quarterly loss. They’re still bleeding. At some point they need to fill the ships and I’m not so sure that continued protocols (masking, testing, possible boosters) will allow that. They’re are still a lot of people out there wanting to cruise but the protocols are preventing them.

Covid. They would love to sail with cabins full of guests. They are losing money when they sail below 60%. I have sailed 3 times since start and going again next week. Although I enjoy no crowds, no lines and no issues getting a pool lounger, I hate that our amazing crew is potentially missing out on much needed AND well deserved gratuities. I miss the Quest, pool games, disco parties and the energy on the Promenade.

I've successfully whacked 2 cruises now under the "I dont like the protocols" guise and both times got a full refund, in cash, no questions asked. first one was a Barbados sailing that was paid in full long ago. we would have had to book shore excursions at all ports via Royal Caribbean if we wanted to get off the ship. hard pass. my travel agent balked and I said "just call them, please." ten minutes later it was refunded. second one was for a Freedom sailing in Feb with my S/O right before final payment was due. Said we weren't comfortable with the new mask requirements (despite the fact I'm on Navigator as I type this) and we'd rather just go somewhere else later this year once things get a little more normal-ish. again, no questions asked. I'd call Royal and just explain the new requirements are fine for your cabin's occupants, but not for the other cabins'. at least for me, there wasn't any pushback. trying to reprice things for "solo" travelers gets a little weird and is probably a rabbit hole you don't want to go down.

D D, you do you! I just got off Navigator traveling solo and had a jr. suite. I placed a minimum bid on Royal Up and got it. Personally I loved the expedited check-in when boarding, and truly enjoyed all of the space (compared to the interior room I had on my last cruise). If you have the $$ available for a bid, and want to try it out, why not?

Highly recommend that you do a mock booking and see what it would cost to pay for an upgrade. Two weeks ago, it was less expensive to do that than place the minimum bid. The bid process is handled by a third party that gets a commission for booking empty cabins. We have also discovered that some cabins are not even available and still taking bids. I guess this third party hopes someone cancels and they can fill it and cash in. Personally, I would not pay or bid more than $100 to upgrade if I was solo. When do you sail? We are on Adventure 02/09.

February 1 Seas were a little rough this morning as was I after our fun night last night Many others were feeling the rocking. I did a quick workout.... It was a great core workout trying to keep balance on a ship that was rolling a bit more than usual. Masks are worn in the gym and I was a bit worried about this because I normally work out in my home gym so no mask. It was not as bad as I thought. The equipment in cleaned regularly and everyone is following all protocols. Please remember to wipe down your mats, weights and equipment after your workout We had breakfast in the wind jammer, and then lunch outside at the Windjammer as well. Wakeviews are the BEST!

No. But it is in twangster's UTP.

Classic REO Speedwagon.

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose!

You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish!

Oops. I neglected to inform them of my B2B. I didn't know. My bad.

My standard advice is don’t look like a slob, chew with your mouth closed & no elbows on the table. And no food fights!

Congrats on your successful bids! Have a great cruise.

The vaccines, at this point in the game, protect you from severe covid cases. While that is obviously valuable and important to the individual, it's pretty useless when applied to a group since vaccinated and unvaccinated alike can get and spread covid. At this stage of the game, you could drop all testing, masking and vaccine requirements and things wouldn't be any worse off on a ship. Europe is going in that direction quickly

What they are doing is working, despite the vocal opposition demonstrated on Facebook and various cruise boards. However, if I were to base a decision on the boards, there is a very clear majority that want the current protocols or even stronger ones. However, my guess is that the cruise lines have done actual market research and actually know what they are doing better than any of us do. If the cruise lines are as inept as many people now consider them to be, I cannot believe that they would trust them enough to cruise with them. I have come to the conclusion that they know what they are doing, no conspiracy, no political agenda, just a desire to provide the safest cruise with what the majority of people who cruise consider acceptable requirements. I understand the few that want no vaccines and no masks are very loud and claim to be in the majority, however I think there is ample proof that is not the case. I think the cruise lines are going to have to be very sure that dropping any part of the current protocols is demonstrably safe, not that someone thinks or believes it's safe, before they will loosen the protocols. They cannot afford to just try it and see what happens, not to mention that doing that would be incredibly dangerous and irresponsible to passengers, crew and shareholders. I do not think any of us here, including myself, are smarter than any individual cruise line, much less all of them.

True. Several other of the protocols don't stop people from getting covid either.

I am a computer programmer and I work on most of my cruises. I have to remote into our server, so I watch the speed on all of my cruises. As a general rule this is what happens. In the morning before 9 am the speeds are pretty good because many of the cruisers are still asleep or gust getting around. between 9 am and 3 pm it gets slower because the ship is awake, and people are checking emails and posting social media. o between 3 pm and 7 pm it is pretty good speeds because people are busy with dinner between 7 pm and 11 pm it slows down a lot because people are streaming movies and doing internet phone calls. between midnight and 2:30 am or 3 am it is impossible to use the internet. The ship is taking all the bandwidth sending all of the day's receipts and information back to the home office. Between 3 am and 7 am the internet is very good. This is the time of day I can remote to my severs back home and do all of my work with no slowdown.