Leaderboard

April 10 -17 2022 Who is on this trip: 7 of us ! It will be my hubby and I and the crew of 5. It was suppose to be 8 but my sister went with us in February because she couldn’t make this one. Itinerary:stops will be St Maarten , St Thomas and perfect day. When we booked it was suppose to be Antigua but it was later changed to St Maarten. We had our covid test today (Friday). Now we are waiting for all results so far 5/7 are back and negative. Travel We are driving to Port Canaveral. Plans for tomorrow night staying 6 miles from port. We will leave early Saturday morning from Birmingham Al. We have plans to stop in Port Orange to eat at Aunt Catfish’s. Our genie for this trip is Alexa. We have received our schedule of shows and restaurants. I’m sooo excited for Grease. It just has to be so much better than Cats.

Port fees and taxes do not qualify for price adjustment. They are estimated based on load factors and historical data. Many of the fees originate from sources that are fixed such as the pilot fees. The pilot(s) charge the same price if there are 1,000 guests or 5,000 guests on a particular ship. Dockage fees are fixed. The unionized longshoreman in some ports charge the same to handle the lines when ships enter and leave port. These don't vary based on passenger count. Most of the port fees and taxes result from charges of the home ports here in the US where labor rates and unionized labor costs more. Most Caribbean nations have low port fees relatively speaking to make that country look appealing to cruise lines. Alaska has higher port fees because there are more US ports. Cruise lines estimate how many people they think might book each sail date and spread these fixed fees across the estimated guests. As time goes on sometimes they up and sometimes they go down. Just as they don't charge more port fees and taxes for already booked guests when they go up, they also don't lower them for already booked guests when they down.

Boarded Odyssey this morning at Port Everglades- all four of my family used the iHealth proctored test. Showed the negative result image file provided by iHealth and had no issues getting on board. They didn’t scan the QR code or anything, just looked at our phone screenshots. Hope this helps everybody considering using this test as we weren’t 100% sure if it would be accepted. Paul

My CVS has changed from a quick visit and swab in the outside pod to a full Minute Clinic inside visit…which is considered a doctor’s visit, with vitals and medical history. Takes much more time. Luckily, my insurance covers it. Then I saw that the CVS locations offering Antigen tests were being scaled back and I had to book one much further away. The day before I had to take the test, I checked the website and found that my usual CVS was now offering the Antigen tests again through the Minute Clinic and had multiple open time slots. So I just cancelled the other one. Another reason to keep doing due diligence and keep checking for changes; schedules, itineraries, tests, masks, and especially protocols… until this thing is finally over!

Out of Crown Royal and now out of Captain?

We are on our way! To say I’m excited is an under statement I have been up since 3:00 am central time. Beat the alarm today!!! Here we come Harmony!!!!!

For the foreseeable future, I’d recommend that you always have a mask. While municipalities may not have any requirements, individual locations may. We were just in New York City and at some stores they required masks to enter. Some places also asked for proof of vaccination, so you should probably carry that with you as well. at the end of the day, it’s easier to have the mask or vaccine card and not use it than it is to track all the rules for whichever places you’re going to be visiting. I suspect things will be more “normal” in 2023, but 2022 will probably be a transition year. Good luck!

If you are in a cabin directly next door or directly across the hall then you can put the 17 year old in with the others. Another way to do it would be to put one adult in one room and then the other adult in the other room.

We are about 80ish days from our cruise and bought our tests the other day. I just want to make sure these are excepted they are Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag At-Home Test Kit 6 Pack thank you all in advance we can't wait lol

There was a medical emergency so the ship had to return to port. EMS was waiting dockside for the patient.

Forgot the Captain?

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, too! I’m doing a mother-son trip the same week, but the thrill park is not sold out yet on the 19th. I was checking the cruise planner pretty frequently for a while, and I noticed that the beach club would vary from being sold out sometimes to having a few passes available, as people canceled, I assume. So I think there’s hope if you check back often.

When booking, there is a distinction between a refundable deposit or a non-refundable deposit. Fares for non-refundable are generally cheaper, but your deposit is at risk. When you cancel a cruise, what you get back (cash or Future Cruise Credit) and how much depends upon such factors as when you cancel, why you cancel, what sort of trip insurance you have, etc. A good travel agent will explain this. Royal explains their refund policy online and on your booking receipt. Example: When my wife's mother passed away, her trip insurance covered the entire cost of her reservation. Royal has certain COVID cancellation policies in affect now, as do certain travel insurance carriers. Generally, when you see a cheap online price for a cruise at Royal's website, it assumes nonrefundable deposit. Some people book a cruise with a refundable deposit first knowing that if their plans change, they can reschedule without paying a change fee or even just cancel. We do this for most of our cruises because we book1-2 years in advance. There are other threads that go into detail about travel insurance, repricing cruises, etc. Bottom line: Virtually every cruise fare is partially reimbursable up to a point, but you lose everything if you wait too long and aren't covered by travel insurance or Royal's COVID policies. The most flexibility is offered by refundable deposits and suitable travel insurance.

We are leaving from Athens, GA in about 4 hours. Overnight in Orlando then an 11:30 boarding on Sunday. Gonna be fun!!

The news on spikes can be misleading, check this article from the philly newspaper https://www.inquirer.com/health/philadelphia-mask-mandate-covid-cases-20220406.html they have a arbitrary formula to bring back masks, if two things happen they bring them back, one being if cases increase 50% in 10 days, another being more than 100 cases a day. Look at the charts, in January they were averaging 4,000 cases per day, it fell to 55 and has doubled to 110 so a rational person wouldn't panic but it triggers their arbitrary and outdated formula for 1.5 million people. Google "philadelphia covid" and you can also see the chart for the entire pandemic. In the lulls, 200 cases a day is a low period, 6,000 plus is the high period, plus they don't report on weekends so there's spikes on Mondays. Those policy makers are making it hard for the rest of the country to navigate the pandemic or if, god forbid, there is another one by being statistically unreasonable and giving credibility to conspiracy theories. The media is complicit in hyping statistically insignificant blips which will cause actual spikes to be dismissed by the public. There's a fable about this, has to do with a boy and a wolf, didn't end well.

We took our tests at midnight last night. I believe they are open 24 hours. It was super quick and easy.

If you follow RC's chief meteorologist, Jim Van Fleet, on Instagram, you will get real time updates on docking conditions for your day if there is any weather that could affect your cruise. He will let you know if there is a question about docking, and what they are deciding It's fascinating all that goes into keeping these ships safe.

Yes, as long as it looks like this and warns you to not open it until instructed to do so you have the correct tests. (They don't have to say eMed on them as Optum also sells them). You likely got them from eMed if you have a 6-pack, though).

On my last cruise, by Wednesday my waiter would ask me, "and which two desserts will you be trying tonight?"

Okay, I'm just relieved that this is direction this thread is headed in...

We used them for my family of 6 last month at $40/each, the paper work is very detailed and it will be accepted / that said, it’s way cheaper at Costco and other pharmacies and more and more people we know have used these without any issues to cruise so we may consider using a cheaper pharmacy for our next cruise in June. One thing about Shoppers is you can book it several weeks in advance online - other pharmacies like Walmart etc said to check back two weeks prior to trip. Since our last cruise was March Break we did not want to take any chances and not be able to find an appointment so we just went with Shoppers despite the higher cost

Nothing has changed. Canada requires a PCR test no more than 72 hours before or antigen 1 day before. However you're right, RC still says 2 days under it's Vancouver departures section of its FAQ. Though the FAQ still says you need a negative test to enter Canada and that went away April 1.

WOW bands were a Covid casualty and have yet to return to service.

Only variable tier specific perks listed on the youth letter such as Diamond drink vouchers or Voom internet discounts will apply to youth. Using the Allure or Brilliance youth letters from above: The youth letter does not mention JR milkshakes so that perk won't be available to youth. Having said that you can ask and maybe your ship will allow it.

I'm jealous. However, in 34 days, you can be jealous of me.

Thank you. I get pretty giddy when I’m onboard a Royal ship…sipping my first, or third-ish mimosa (also known as my ‘Anti-Scurvy Medication’…vitamin Sea is very important). Thankful for auto-correct!

Thank you BrianB-I had the same question.

As long as the test says the correct date (2 days prior to sailing) you are fine. So a Sunday sailing can be taken on a Friday…just be sure the time zones don’t screw you up?)

I was on Anthem these past 6 months, I believe it was my November sailing when the captain announced docking might not occur due to high winds, understandable do as to not damage the ship or pier. well he was able to “park that baby” but independence could not safely do so and missed out on CoCocay. So the answer truly is, you never know.

Many of the shops in St Thomas also required masks so it’s more than just coming & going in the port area. We did witness a passenger being denied reentry in St Thomas because he didn’t have a mask. Said no one stopped him when he got off the ship but security was adamant. He was pretty irate but they wouldn’t budge. He had to go buy one because they would not let him through. As a PP said, take one just to be safe.

The UK "debut" will be measured in days as opposed to months. That's just Michael Bayley trying to throw the UK a bone and make it sound like it's a massive honor for the UK to see the ship first. Similarly the suggested or possible stops in NYC and Boston will also probably be one day if they happen at all. MB has said it will home port in Miami. We all know Royal and how they like to get ships into service at their new home ports as soon as possible. We also all know how many things that Michael Bayley says never happen. I would not all be surprised to learn it doesn't go down as Bayley has suggested and Royal will develop another case of "getthereitis" and get the ship to its initial homeport as quickly as possible so it starts generating real revenue as quickly as possible. I wouldn't read anything into comments Bayley says in an interview. Voom would be free if you believe everything he says. How did that one work out?

I would agree. But I think they need to start offering the pre-cruise testing for free. Insurance isn't going to cover these forever.

That is good to know. I am fairly new to being prime, so that might be the case and I play decently. I'm hoping to get some balcony and Jr.suite offers in the future

Welcome to the boards! We we’re just in Charleston two weeks ago on a cruise. Super easy to just walk off the ship and see interesting things. I recommend the market and Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit!

The frustrating thing here is the fact they had to get an advocacy website involved to get this resolved. Companies are so quick to just assume the customer is lying that they never listen. They were fixated on this idea that the customer was trying to get a RoyalUp refund, but it was because they shouldn't have been charged for the bid in the first place. It even took multiple emails from that website for them to even grasp the issue. Just ridiculous. If a company overpays you, you can guarantee they'll get that money back by any means necessary, but when it's a customer who overpays, companies drag their feet.

@jay1021 Oh I agree it would better if you could see prices and availability of excursions/packages/etc before booking a cruise. But given the current setup, social media and some research is the best advice I can offer. Disney World certainly has its own issues. Frequent visitors can list some general rules on ride closures (water rides like splash mountain get their annual maintenance during the colder months, only one water park is open at a time during winter while the other gets maintenance, etc). I think in general Disney is good about posting those things well in advance if you know to look for them. New or once-a-decade cruisers and Disney guests are going to be at a severe disadvantage if they don't do a lot of research.

No I don't think there is a way to see Cruise Planner availability until after you have booked. However, you could find a roll call group (on this site or elsewhere) or a Facebook group for the specific cruise. Then, ask the people who have already booked the cruise what they see. For @bostonmama's situation, I think this was a risk of booking a cruise that is only weeks away. The first people probably booked it almost 2 years ago at this point. Cruise planner purchases are shut off about 3 days before the cruise in order to transfer everything to the ship's records. Some people may rearrange their plans right before that so I would keep checking multiple times a day to see if availability has changed. Once on board, you can only cancel for a refund up to 24 or 48 hours before an excursion (I forget which) so some people may wait until then to change their minds. It's not hopeless, but I have no idea what your chances are of getting tickets. As others said though, if it's sold out the lines will be long so go ashore right away!

They are rare and usually only offered on sailings towards the last few days....i.e day 4 or 5 in a 7n cruise. I recall they only offer them when bev sales are on the lower end.

Back when the entire menu differed every night and they always offered both a hot soup and a cold soup as well as two salads, I maxed out at: Both soups Both salads Three of the four appetizers Two entrees plus the vegetarian option Three of the four desserts

Those that know me know that Grandeur will always be my favorite. I don't need the Bells & Whistles, I'm just glad to be on a ship....any ship. But in all honesty, I've never been able to truly chill on any other ship except Grandeur..... What I do find amusing is how folks refer to her as a "small" ship, yet, in 2016, when I took my wife on her first cruise..... to her, it was HUGE.... of course, she had nothing else to compare it to..... it's all about perspective and perception.

I made MTD for everyone for every night. Then adjusted on board as necessary.

and most times cheaper to book

I agree 100% with Twangster's post. The smaller ships (Empress, Grandeur, Rhapsody, Radiance) are some of the best cruises I have taken.

Love the Radiance! Prefer promenade on Voyager,though.

My favorite ship remains to be Empress. Even though she is no longer in the fleet and at 48k GT (roughly half Radiance) she was tiny compared to Oasis class but she had the best service of any ship. I've had mixed success with Chops across the fleet but it was consistently great on Empress. Top of all that with a non-smoking casino. Best Boleros in the fleet to this day. Best crew and service experience. But enough about Empress. Radiance class remains a small ship favorite. I'm boarding Jewel soon and have Serenade booked for May to Alaska (my 3rd on her) and I've done Radiance in Alaska before. I've recently done a couple on Brilliance from Tampa so I know this class pretty well. They aren't new ships so if your measure of a great ship is the decor and cabinetry in the cabins these are older ships and you feel that in places. Some in this class have shower curtains for example. As far as food they use the standard fleet menus and the entrees are identical across the fleet so there is no food differences on smaller ships. With a smaller guest and crew count you do tend to run into the same crew more often which typically yields a more friendly, better level of service compared to larger ships. The crew bond into a family more because they all get to know each other. Crew on mega ships have told me they can go a whole contract and never meet all other crew. That doesn't happen on small ships. Being a smaller ship mens less real estate or space to have everything biggers ships have. There is no promenade space on Radiance class rather they have a vertical atrium called the Centrum. The adult only solarium is enclosed with a retractable roof making these ships good in all seasons. No ice skating rink, no zip line, no bumper cars, no indoor skydiving, etc. Big ships have more space for the latest bells and whistles. Small ships have all the core requirements for a classic cruise ship experience. If your group saw a TV commercial showing wow type activities they may be let down when those TV commercial worthy activities are absent on smaller ships. Small ships are very easy to get around. The Windjammer on Radiance has outdoor aft seating which is a feature I love. Not going to happen with Royal Caribbean International. If you seek small ships that are new, no mass market cruise line is building those because that is not mass market cruising. Start looking elsewhere now. Sail Radiance class now while they remain in the fleet. Once they are gone, there will be no small ships in the RCI fleet.

I personally love Next Cruise and I'll list all the reasons why below but I want to state it clearly up front that Next Cruise never has better pricing than you can get on your own. The biggest draw is usually the OBC and maybe a lower deposit. Why I love Next Cruise: First and foremost the ability to talk to someone who is patient and knowledgeable about so many different facets of the cruises. Shore excursions, port access, best place on the ships, cost value etc it's truly a great experience especially if you're not such a veteran that you have more questions than answers. The OBC. By booking our suites via Next Cruise we almost always get up to $300 in OBC. These cruises are treats for us and having this extra bit of "free" m money to have fun on the ship is a nice perk. The ability to change and change and change again. On our last cruise we chose a Harmony iten in a smaller room than we normally get but after a day we weren't as excited as we wanted to be about it. So we went back and changed to a different iten. Only thing we paid was the difference in deposit. This ability to change on your own is probably possible, but it was nice to have someone to chat to about it. The fact I can soothe my post-cruise blues by looking at my next trip paperwork! You step off board with a new booking in hand! it's great!

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?

Royal is pretty strict with the 6 month rule. You will have to use your birth certificate and photo ID to board because the Royal app will not accept your passport as a document when you try to fill out the precruise info. This happened to me in September going to Coco Cay. When you get back, you can still use the passport to go through customs (we did that because the line was shorter when we got off the ship).

I don’t plan on leaving that room much. I already informed my family ?