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Is there a better feeling than passing your pre cruise covid test? It's a combination of relief and the now certain knowledge that I will be sailing in 2 days!

Hubby & I just got our negative results back. That’s 2 down, 4 people to go!! ok now 4 negatives with 2 left to test. 5 down 1 to go!!!!

It's almost here! 28 months in the making, #MajorStarClassTakeover on Oasis of the Seas 3/13/2022! 28 months ago, a group of us decided it would be fun to book a March Break sailing together all in Star Class. There was a great deal on Oasis of the Seas at the time and we thought why not? None of us have ever been a star class sailing where the majority already knew each other. We lost a few dear friends along the way who had to cancel for various reasons, picked up some new friends, some of us have sailed together before, some of us have known each other for quite some time and are just meeting now. We have a total of 10 out of 13 SC rooms accounted for from our group. I am beyond excited for this sailing! It’s going to be a special one! Because this is an unofficial group cruise, it won’t be your typical blog. There’s not going to be much of a preamble, and there will be more than one of us blogging. From our RCBlog community, we’ll have @tiny260, @Neesa, @bellemiche, and @ShakeDownCruise, hopefully they all jump into this and not leave me high and dry lol As far as the Star Class pre-cruise stuff goes, most of us got our pre-cruise surveys about 8 weeks out. Genies reached out about 4-5 weeks ago. The protocols for Star have not changed since December so if you are wanting to know what sailing Star is like during Covid, see past Star Class blogs (between summer 2021-present) by others or myself. I will not bother to bog down this blog with PDFs and literature, unless someone really want to see it, then I can post. Here is our itinerary (we think lol) for this sailing: SUN 13 MAR MIAMI, FLORIDA MON 14 MAR NASSAU, BAHAMAS TUE 15 MAR CRUISING WED 16 MAR CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS THU 17 MAR SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO FRI 18 MAR LABADEE, HAITI SAT 19 MAR CRUISING SUN 20 MAR MIAMI, FLORIDA

For our holiday cruise my 15 minute test showed Negative no problem, the wife's, no problem, the fully vaccinated 9YO ... wasn't changing. It was a nail biting 10 minutes. The in the final few minutes of the timer the single pink line for a negative result showed clear. We had a great Christmas and some how Santa dropped of the boys presents on the balcony out in the middle of the Gulf!

6 tests over 3 states & 4 households all negative!! Harmony here we come

Just took my test and anxiously awaiting the results. See you on board! Update: negative. Let's roll!!!

I didn't pay for VOOM, so I'll post my random observations now. 1) Ditto what everyone else said about the creaky ceilings and the sticky doors. 2) Definitely loved the new closet bars, as previously mentioned as well - not hearing the hangers clacking together all night was a nice change. 3) Be on the lookout for a 7-legged (7-tentacled?) octopus (septapus?) near the golf course. 4) The new elevator screens are great, but sometimes one side freezes, so always double-check to make sure the floor you wanted actually got selected. 5) They really should have went with a different floor / finish for the platform with the giant hat, the number of times we saw staff scrubbing and cleaning scuffs off that floor was insane. 6) I'm sure someone on the next sailing will find at least one or two stowaway ducks with as many people that hid them this week - even as late as 9 or 10 last night we still found one. 7) The smoke smell coming from the casino is terrible, but the Golden Room is completely smoke-free and the perfect place to use up your free $2/$8 credit. One of the doors leading onto the boardwalk has a bit of a lag, so watch out that you don't run into it (or get hit by it). 9) The new glass-sided hot tubs work like magnifying glasses... but we also realized it gives the lifeguards better visibility from the lower pool deck in the event that someone needed assistance. 10) Someone needs to tell people who design the toddler splash pads that most little kids (0-3) *hate* things that dump water on their heads. Great for the older kids playground, not so much for theirs. 11) Shows were fantastic, even if they weren't 100% complete. As Mike the CD told @PG Cruiserduring the entertainment Q&A, supply chain issues are holding up a lot of the props and things, plus rough seas on the TA meant that the aqua cast lost a lot of practice time. 12) Everyone should go check out the country band and bar up at Mason Jar, even if you don't make it up there for a full meal. 14) The showers (in the regular interior cabins at least) vent way better than before, so if you're planning on using the steam from the shower to get wrinkles out of your clothes you're gonna have to figure out a way to rig the shower door open or some way to hang your clothes inside the shower while it's running without getting them wet. 15) The Mario Kart game in Playmakers was randomly on Free Play at one point, along with all the vintage arcade games in there. When we went back later, it had been turned back to paid mode - don't know if the early setting was an accident or something they do randomly throughout the cruise. 16) The wind blockers on the pool deck are great, until you accidentally walk into them because they're so clean. Felt like a bird in a Windex commercial a couple times.

Yup, a negative test is a joyful thing. We got off a cruise 2 weeks ago and both of us came down with a slight cough/ post nasal drip. First my wife and then me. We did an at home govt supplied rapid test and were negative but we've learned that about 100 people came down with covid on the ship we were on so you never know. Did a pre-cruise test today for a Sunday boarding and was negative again. Very good feeling.

It's up there with passing your driver's test! How crazy is that?

@Lovetocruise2002 in the spirit of not leaving you high and dry I will add to your thoughts. FYI I can't wait to meet everyone! We met our friends from Nevada through our teen on the first sailing of the Adventure out of the Bahamas in June2021, this will be our third sailing together with our cruise buddies AND they are relocating to Florida in a few months! They are staying in a CLS a few doors down from us, we joined them on this their group 50th birthday sailing. Leave it to the kids to bring families together! It's myself, hubby (who ONLY cruises for me!) & daughter 15. We started in a balcony cabin, then 14528 the Ultimate Panoramic family suite opened up so I grabbed it, first time in Star mind you. Never was interested until Sabrina and @WAAAYTOOOshared their Star experiences. Hubby knows no difference, cost that's all he wants to know, lol! @Sea Squirrel stayed in this suite when we were on the Oasis for Thanksgiving & he was kind enough to share his experience & I was very glad he did. I thought maybe I would switch the cabin if something came up, I was fearful of the motion sickness element especially. Leticia reached out as our assigned Genie and we worked on some scheduling, the Star Loft appeared & I quickly switched as hubby who ONLY sails for me and puts the Cabash on all my RUB's likes 17 the best. So I contacted Leticia & told her we were changing cabins, crickets....then we were contacted by the amazing Derick Martis, Leticia had been moved to the Harmony so he took over from there. I sent him our previous emails and our transition was seamless. We had no idea this was the #MajorStarClassTakeover until @Lovetocruise2002 reached out, a day later Derick also asked if we knew about it, so funny. This is our very first Star sailing so I want to be present to experience all it has to offer, we are such a quiet little family yet we find ourselves ready to meet & greet & share this experience. We are driving to Miami tomorrow, we just stopped & packed the Pub Subs for the 5 hour drive. We are staying at the Hilton Downtown Miami as we are Hilton Gold members & I always choose a room so I can stare at the ships, ( I can choose my own room using the app) there is a great parking garage also keeping our vehicle secure. Our friends from Nevada are staying there also so we will meet the rest of our birthday group Saturday evening. See you at Playmakers on Sunday!

I will start with our intros…. Because this is March Break in Ontario, this sailing is with Hubby and the girls. Hubby and I sailed just before Christmas on Allure, but this will be the first sailing back for the girls since July 2019! Needless to say, they have missed it greatly, and I think they are most excited for…wait for it…Sorrento’s pizza! SMH Flying DTW – FLL on Saturday morning (cheaper and better times than going to MIA) and taking a ride share to Miami. That’s the flight plan. You can probably guess our hotel, but if not, stay tuned! Allan F. is our Genie. I cannot wait to meet him after all that I have heard about him from many others and if @Rags1is ready to adopt him, then we must be in for a treat. We don’t have much planned in terms of excursions for this sailing. We did not pre-book anything and will likely just do some self exploring if we decide to get off the ship. Once again, in the spirit of a live blog, feel free and don’t hesitate to follow along and ask anything. You can also follow me along on IG: @lovetocruise2002 as I will be posting there too.

So the lesson here is bring anything you might remotely need. I bring a small pharmacy! It’s been some time since I’ve had the problem but I think most women have an idea when they might have need of certain products and if they should pack some.

The time is finally approaching very quickly and I have officially decided to blog my vacation experience with the www (aka Royal Caribbean Blog)! I am Kayla (25f), a new mommy and newer wife to my wonderful husband Jake (26m). We will be cruising with our little girl, McKenzie (8 months), my mother, Kelly, father, Big Wayne., brother, Little Wayne, and brothers friend (ex boyfriend but friend still? I have no idea!), DJ. We will ALL be cruising on the March 19th sailing on symphony of the Seas in the 2 Bedroom Aqua Theater Suite! We are BEYOND EXCITED. I have so much excitement that I decided to live blog throughout our trip in order for me to calmly express my excitement for everything. I plan for this blog to mostly be about our experience with sailing Star Class mixed with sailing on Symphony mixed with sailing as first time parents. As you can read this trip is about all firsts! Feel free to join along with me!

3 tests just taken! All Negative! See you soon Anthem!

They all know we are coming lol Cannot wait neighbour! I am sure that one of us will be able to relay that message!

Here you go, Adventure, Oasis and Odyssey inside suites. I loved the product but the fragrances were a bit strong for me.

Currently, the pre-cruise covid test is the most stressful part of cruise travel. Back then, it was going through airport security and the flight itself...

No real specifics but this is all I can find on the outcome of today’s meeting…

Not necessarily. We just sailed Odyssey last month and our friend's husband could not make the trip. He was a no-show rather than a cancellation, but Royal told her numerous times that she is not entitled to "his" C&A points from that sailing. We originally assumed she would get 32 points for this sailing since it qualified for the double point promo (8-night sailing). She spoke with Guest Services, Loyalty Ambassador, called Royal CS when we got home... I even sent a FB message through their page... She is thinking of writing a letter... If anyone has any suggestions, we're all ears!

A good rule of thumb is ALWAYS have your passport with you when you leave the US regardless of where you are going. Medical emergencies happen and you would need it for that etc

I've gotten along quite well without my cruise being a video game. My Wife was insistent I download the app, so I did. She lived and breathed via the app on our last cruise, and I used the app for nothing. Anyone can use the app as much or as little as they see fit.

Can you do everything for them on your phone? Yes Will your kids want the app on their phone? Yes Explanation: I started cruising with my son in 2004 when he was 8 years old. For years we cruised disconnected. I am a computer programmer, and I used the cruises to get away from electronics. My son would go spend the day in the kid's clubs or running around with his new friends. I would carry the paper daily schedule highlighted with the things I wanted to do. Jump ahead 16 years. Everything I do on the ship is done of the cell phone. I look for actives on the app. I look to see what eating places are open on the app. I look to see where things are located on the ship on the app. I look at menus on the app. I have gone from being disconnected on a cruise ship to being lost without my phone for daily/hourly items on the ship. The other thing the app is good for is keeping track of the ship time of day. Some of the ports the time changes but the ship time does not. You can always look at the app to see the ships time. I would say if your kids did not use cell phones they could do without the app. If they are cell phone kids, they will want the app to stay informed.

Post-COVID, Royal has stopped selling fever and pain medication. The reason I was given was that they did not like people with COVID symptoms self-medicating. On the Wonder, they still did not have any Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen in the vending machines

The PCR test can be done Sunday. But I’m warning you- pay for the rapid PCR. Just do it. I got PCR tests for 3 of my kids 3 days before sailing at CVS which said results within 48 hours. I got 2 back at 3:30pm AFTER I had boarded the ship and the one I needed the absolute most, for my unvaccinated 3 year old I never ever received the results for. It’s been 2.5 months. I was so stressed the day before the cruise finding very expensive rapid PCRs and wish I’d just done it that way in the first place. We’re sailing in 25 days and I don’t care that I have to spend $300 for a rapid PCR. I’m doing it. The anxiety and lack of sleep I experienced before our last cruise stressing over getting results in time was so miserable. I got the rapid PCR results in an hour. Worth every penny.

Listen to mom

My TA just sent me an updated Booking Confirmation because he repriced our cruise and saved me $714.04! Needless to say I am doing my "Happy Dance!"

Maya Chan Beach Resort in Costa Maya posted on their Facebook Page that they will be closed from July 1, 2022 till October 12, 2022. Plan accordingly... We are visiting them the first week in June for the first time... I think Matt may be heading there next week on Wonder and can get the details...

@Neesa, you are in good hands with Derick! He was very good to us a few weeks ago. My son Johnny would love it if you could say hi for him, and that he has been eating more chicken for even more powerful high fives!

I’m so sad we couldn’t make this one work, but I’m so excited for everyone and can’t wait to follow along. Say hi to Derick for us!!

Truly appreciate everyone reading and responding! Love this community! Fingers are crossed that my wife enjoys cruising as much I know I am and this becomes a regular event for us. Can't wait to share our first cruise experience with you all!

Best bet when unexpected OBC shows up - spend it right away in the cruise planner. Then it is harder for a mistake to be corrected in the form of taking it away.

Posted this in August, 2021. Now it's 3 weeks away! Hooray!

Last year I had mystery OBC appear on multiple cruises. They all ended up being cancelled, but it was the first time I had ever had anything like that happen. Still have no idea where it actually came from or why.

I have three bids out going from my OV room on Symphony - Regular OV Balcony, Junior Suite, and CLS. I'd be VERY happy with any of those (I mean, I'd also be perfectly happy in our OV on deck 8 nearby Central Park), but I'm REALLY hoping for that CLS (even with the price tag the upgrade carries - which I still feel is pretty reasonable going from an OV). Absolute dream cruise room - I'd never leave, and eat all meals in Coastal Kitchen.

Thanks, everyone. Very easy to drop the luggage at 9am and walk over to Grills for breakfast. Easy on board through security at 11am.

Hi! Welcome to the boards! I have had "mystery" credit show up on occassion, in fact I got some for my upcoming June cruise. Sometimes it comes from your travel agent. Sometimes you never find out why. It is unlikely a mistake. You can definitely use the credit onboard for gratuities (or any expense). Enjoy your cruise!

Yes, this is acceptable. PCR is one type of NAAT test (the most common).

I always bring anything I might need. There is a possibility that even if they have the items, they will be marked up 3x plus what I would have paid. Or worse have an item but not the brand or kind I actually utilize. If you pack right, you can bring a whole pharmacy.

I can't see them amplifying Allure before this. I think the shorter cruises on an oasis class will help pay for the amplifications. RCG hasn't made it to the black yet. Amplifications aren't high on the list. I think they are doing this to open up markets.

That has been my experience. BTW: the person sailing will get the double C&A points for travelling alone.

So exciting! Have a great time! Take a look at a couple of videos Matt created about the Key!

I am always solo also and I book a lot of GTY cabins. I would come unglued if they gave me a solo cabin as a GTY. If I want the Solo cabin I will pay for a solo cabin. Most of the time I look for the solo cabin and they are all taken, or the price is as high as a full-size cabin. I am like you if I pay for two people let me have the cabin of two people.

‘We live in Orlando and would probably do a lot of weekend cruises throughout the year, especially on long school holiday weekends and in the summer ………. We don’t really care for the older, smaller ships even if it is just for a weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised if Royal moves Mariner and Independence somewhere else once they have Allure here doing 4/3’s. You can’t fit the passengers from both on the one ship and give them so many more options for everything ……. Especially if Allure gets amplified before then.

Some things can be ridiculously priced. I suggest at a minimum: Meclizine or equivalent. Pepto Bismal Headache medicine Bandaid and any ointment Sunburn relief spray Sunscreen and chapstick

I'm pretty sure the Oasis-class ships have it. I know the Oasis of the Seas does since I've seen them on ship tour videos.

The ships I have been on have all had a small selection of items in the shops. Like if you forgot your toothbrush, or needed antacid, or whatever. I can't swear they all have such a thing, but it is likely. However, the shops are not always open! Best to pack carefully And of course most ports will have drugstores or convenience stores or whatnot close to the pier.

I don't see what would encourage anyone to do a B2B on a 3/4 nighter if you can do a 7 nighter and not have the turnaround day faff. In addition, who would want to do a B2B which only goes to two ports, one being Nassau?

Among the coffee drinks, I am a fan of the Caribbean Coconut, an iced espresso drink, which is great in the afternoon or whenever it's hot outside.

Wow. I'm amazed at such a statement. I remember scrimping and saving for a vacation and if something happened to prevent me from going and losing a good chunk of that money I would have been devastated. It doesn't mean I couldn't afford a vacation. There are people who open travel club (vacation accounts) at their local banks, just like a Christmas club, where they put money into it for the purpose of the account. Not everyone has extra funds to cover the cost of unforeseen events.

That happened to me last month on Harmony! I got changed to a balcony room from an interior. They also gave me $100 OBC for the "inconvenience"