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Been on board this week. Heard there was around 5400 on board. Absolutely no complaints for this cruise. The crew have been fantastic and all meals in main dining and and one night in Hooked were great. Shows were Hiro,Flight,1977,Randy Cabral and two comedians. With that said this ship is back!

Tested this morning via the proctored iHealth tests. We are all negative. Woohoo!!!

My kids favorite memory of Coco is the first time we were there in a day bed on the old south beach (before the perfect day extravaganza)....it started raining and they were all like "What do we do now" as they watched all the people run out of the water, pack up their crap and leave......it wasn't a thunder storm, so I took them into the water....which was warm, and the chilly rain splashed on their faces while they swam.....20 minutes later it stopped, sun came out...and we were the only people around for the rest of the day.

As we we’re completing the booking, the kids sail free discount was not taken off of either of two bookings. I called Royal Caribbean (and reached a person within 3 minutes). He didn’t know why the website was not taking off the discount. The agent couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful, he gave great customer service. He helped us book each room and we got all our discounts including kids sail free. What I’m trying to say is you might want to check your booking to see if you are getting the kids sail free, seems like a glitch with the website.

Congratulations! We received our negative results results this morning and will be on our way Sunday to the sunny Caribbean.

The importance of Travel Insurance cannot be underestimated. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

I received am email this afternoon from Royal with an updated policy on southbound / pre-cruise land tours. We no longer have to test before the land portion of our trip.

born & raised in Miami I can tell you that the weather forecast mean absolutely nothing down here this time of year. It says 50% chance of rain from May to September & chances are it might rain at some point in the day, almost every day but they don't tend to be complete washouts. As others have mentioned, on sea days the captain does his best to stay clear of storms, but have no control over port days. you're on vacation, don't let a little rain affect your day. The best thing about oasis class ships are all the different kinds of entertainment that they offer that aren't reliant on good weather. Happy Sailing!

The good advice is to always check your bookings and not assume everything comes up correct. We now only book by phone and even then have it sent to us by email immediately where we check it for correctness before we hang up. There have been several times where something was not applied or something we did not want was applied. We do this before the credit card charge is applied. It is easier to have them fix it immediately and resend it than to try and fix it later.

WHAAAAT ??? You mean Royal actually turned down a source of revenue ? Unbelievable !

Hi, everyone! First time blogging here but long time Royal Caribbean traveler. So excited to be back to cruising. My husband and I went on Freedom of the Seas in November after he spent a very long year recovering from Covid. I was on the Odyssey in March and had a wonderful time on my first solo cruise. Headed to the Allure on Saturday for an eight night trip to Aruba, Curaçao, and Labadee. First time visiting all of those ports. Third time on the Allure, although it’s been over 10 years since I was last there. My kids were little back then and we loved every minute of that cruise! They especially loved the rock climbing wall and Flowrider. My husband doesn’t want to take time off from work right now and he’s not an avid cruiser like I am, so I am embarking on some solo cruises this year. Let me just say this solo cruising thing is a weird paradox for me. I’m very introverted and can get a little uncomfortable in certain situations by myself, such as staying in a hotel room by myself or riding in a taxi cab alone. I mean it’s not that big of a deal, I would just rather not do those things by myself. I’m fine with solo cruising though, and I just love everything about being on these beautiful cruise ships and experiencing all they have to offer. Not to mention lying by the pool and looking out at the beautiful water and all of the lovely locations we visit. On my first solo cruise on the Odyssey a few months ago, we went to Cozumel and Costa Maya. I did not get off the ship. There was nothing there I really particularly wanted to see, and I spent both of those days by the pool watching movies and looking out at the people snorkeling on a beach nearby. It was lovely. I spent that cruise disconnecting and relaxing and really just enjoying the moment. Some solo cruisers are interested in meet and greets and making friends and connections. I wouldn’t call myself anti-social, but I’m not looking to find friends on this cruise or advertise that I’m traveling alone. I am just not that outgoing. I intend to go and enjoy the entertainment in the venues and my first time ever boardwalk balcony. I’m looking forward to being able to see the aqua theater from my balcony as well as people zip-lining overhead, and people walking around down below and riding the carousel and things like that. I consider myself an active person and I will be rock climbing, swimming, hitting the gym and the walking/running track, tracking down all of the small wonders, doing the scavenger hunts, things like that. I’m planning to get off the ship in all of the ports and explore. I have a paid excursion in Curacao to go see the caves and the historic district. I also have an all-day pass on the Alpine coaster on Labadee! I debated long and hard about doing the dragons fire zip lining experience, but decided I didn’t want to spend that much time tied up with that one event. But who knows, if there are spots still left at the last minute, I may change my mind! I took my Covid test this morning live on the phone with EMed and passed. Packing my bags now and full of excitement! Looking forward to great food, hopefully beautiful weather, new adventures, lots of photos and video (I’m breaking in a new GoPro!) relaxation, shows, and beautiful Allure of the Seas!

Just be aware that the chat isn't included in VOOM, so if you're expecting to use it to communicate with your daughter, then at least you or your wife also need to purchase the chat.

I agree with this statement AND I would be prepared with flight info you are interested in as opposed to what they may offer you in the hopes they can make it work. I prefer to be prepared than to try to have something shoved at me that I cannot see the choices to. Air2Sea is the same company as Celebrity Flights by Celebrity. IF you cannot see flight options for you on the Air2Sea site see if you can find an identical itinerary on Celebrity and check out Flights by Celebrity to find pricing/flight availability. I do this by clicking on FInd a Cruise, then find the cruise I am intersted in and click on itineary and Flights and then scroll to the bottom and click on Get a Quote.

At check in YES, as long as you drop off after they start accepting bags for your cruise. At disembarkcation NO, once you leave the terminal you will not be allowed back in

Replacing flowrider and laser tag with water balloon fights.

No- reserve your check-in time first for everyone in your party. You can then go back and enter the rest of the info when you have more time.

Agree 100% with this. I got the 2 br suite for a fraction of what it would have cost to book it, but some of the minimum bids on the higher-end suites cost more than booking it. I did mock bookings on the ones I was interested in bidding on to see what it would have cost had I booked.

You missed a bullet point. The OP should receive a pro rated cruise fare refund for days in quarantine. Pro-rated cruise fare refund if your cruise is cut short for reasons related to COVID-19, for cruises departing on or before September 30, 2022.

Your gonna get wet anyway so what difference does a little rain make

Looking at the posting history. Seems they got a RoyalUp to a Crown Loft suite. For a Crown Loft you'll get complimentary VOOM Surf and Stream for everyone booked in suite. Beyond that you'll have Coastal Kitchen access for all meals. Plus access to the Suite Lounge that'll offer complimentary water, soda, beer, and wine from 11a-11p. In addition a cocktail hour that is somewhere in the 5p-8p time range.

Not sure if there is a question. I imagine women tend to talk more to other women inside of personal space, whereas men maintain a bit of distance if they even choose to interact with others.

It says "pending" and I see there is the ability to modify. I guess it's just a waiting game. It's a short cruise on an older ship Adventure OTS so maybe that works in my favor.

With more people on the ships they have started opening up earlier check-in times. We saw a 10:30 slot on our June cruise check-in and snagged it. The wife went back and checked our May cruise on a whim where we had an 11:00 time slot as the earliest but it now showed 10:30. She snagged it and now we can start enjoying our vacation a little earlier. It is the little things in life that give us the greatest pleasure.

I received my last one 4 days prior to sailing. There's just no way to know.

Keep checking your app - we had 11:00am boarding and closer to sail date 10:30am was available so we changed to that. Every half hour is one step closer to actually getting on the ship.

That doesn't sound like mayonnaise

I know everyone is keen to get back to Vanuatu but I think their government needs to be conservative in their decision making. It is important to remember they don't have the health infrastructure of NZ, Aust, US or for that matter New Caledonia. The number of hospital beds and ventilators per head of populations is well under the countries most of us call home. Also unfortunately adding to this as a population they are also over represented in conditions that increase the risk of serious COVID outcomes (such as Diabetes etc). On the other hand a great deal of the countries income is from tourism so opening up is important. Yes, can’t wait to get back there…. But I absolutely wouldn’t want to do so if I knew I was putting the people of Vanuatu at undue risk. I am happy to let Vanuatu make their own decision on when they want to open up and respect the fact they are being cautious. When they do I hope Australia and New Zealand continue to support them as far as ensuring they have access to any medical facilities they may require as they open up and that the cruise lines act responsibility and take into consideration the nature of the countries infrastructure itself when deciding to dock in a given day our not (Which I think they will be especially RCL which has long term agreements in place with Vanuatu). I actually wouldn’t be upset if you had do a rapid test before being allowed off the ship in port. Given most itineraries see a 2 or 3 day sail before you land it gives time for your viral load to be high enough to test positive. It might be a nice compromise between having the ships return and keeping the population as safe as possible (Never will 100% but anything we can do to reduce pressure on their health system the better).

Don't tempt them.... before you know it they will be charging to watch the navigation map on the TV. (I'm only half joking and almost recret typing this in case some at RCL sees it.)

Absolutely. In January, our hotel shuttle dropped us off at the terminal at about 10:15 am for an 11:00 check-in time (Port Everglades) and the porters were immediately available and gathered everyone's luggage.

Walgreens is also free and drive-thru if that's an option for you. In my area at least, you have to actually see a medical professional at CVS for a rapid test now in their "Minute Clinic" but that may be different elsewhere. I've planned on using Walgreens all along so not 100% on CVS.

Europen tipping culture is right across the board, doesnt matter what service it is. Restaurants, taxis, hotels etc etc etc same rule of thumb applies...if you are happy with what you receive then you can leave a tip if you wish and how much you leave is your choice. Theres no pressure to leave a tip you do it only if you want

Bob Evans

This now makes sense. As there are limits on numbers in the overwater cabana and you want peace and quiet. Goodbye kids, here are your waterpark passes, see you later this afternoon at a meet up point.

We have watched it an really enjoy it. We reached out to see if there was a dvd we could buy or download through Royal, and was told that it was only to be shown on ships and not distributed. Pity

Before I was locked into my airline pricing I moved my flights so I leave NY 2 days before my cruise so i can satisfy cruise testing prior to leaving home. What a shame. As for going home, double checked that my insurance will cover us if we test positive to return home. They say they will, I hope I don't' have to find out. We will stay 2 extra nights post cruise to see a little something and then head home. I am keeping fingers crossed that the testing is removed by end of July

I have not watched it but in two days I am going to look for it thanks! Not seeing it even once will not stop my wife from calling me crazy though.

Answer yes to the very first question. High transmission rates and lack of social distancing.

Reading about the cost of the UDP makes me glad I made Signature and Diamond. Between the 4 drinks pppd, unlimited drinks in the casino, free wifi, and two printed pictures /cruise we get to gamble up to @$200 /day for what a UDP would cost. Forgot to mention, we are on semi free cruises due to gambling. Not gloating, just cannot believe RCL gives us such great benefits. Only cruise line I plan to be on except for unique experiences (river cruises etc)

This was our strategy. Thee next cat up for us to JS would have been and additional 4k for our family of 4. We bid 200pp and won. This bid was well above minimum shown but compared to the going rate (inside final payment date) we saw value.

Booked Odyssey April 4. Submitted RoyalUp last Friday. Logged in today and saw expired bids for all star and sky class. One bid accepted for a JS moving from Balcony. Sail date is 30 days from now.

This has always been the elephant in the room. Unless you are very sick And need medical assistance, Why would you voluntarily go to the infirmary and ask for a test or even mention your symptoms which invariably would lead to a test?

This scenario seems to encourage people to not admit to a positive COVID event - especially since the majority of COVID cases are asymptomatic or just an annoyance. Just as I couldn't imagine someone sharing the fact they have a cold or flu. Seems more prudent to wear a mask, stay 6 feet away from people when possible and enjoy the cruise. Of course I would report the positive COVID result immediately and quarantine. Sure I would...

We know how much each drink is We know how much drinks package costs We know how many drinks per day we need to consume to break even If we are happy then the answer is simple

Yes. I am sailing May 15 on Oasis. I bid very slightly over minimum on a 1 br grand suite and minimum on a 2 br grand suite. I figured there's no way I'd get the 2 br since there are only 6 (I think?) on the ship, but I got it with the minimum bid. Found out on Tuesday- was totally shcocked. Good luck!

My favorite game to play while solo traveling as woman is how many times I hear "YOU'RE SO BRAVE TO TRAVEL ALONE". sigh.

Guests will have the following COVID-19 Assistance at no extra charge. If you test positive for COVID-19 during the cruise, Royal Caribbean will cover the costs of COVID-19 related medical treatment onboard, and provide assistance with any required land-based quarantine, or travel home for you and your Traveling Party, for cruises departing on or before September 30, 2022. Above is from RC covid protocals way i read it no refund is due

We use our TSA locks on all our cruises. Unlike the airports, the port security does not open your bags and if there is a "suspicious" item they see they will hold your luggage on board and you will have to go claim it and open it for inspection. Mouthwash bottles shaped like liquor bottles and magnets stuck together in some "suspicious" shape are the biggest culprits. Know from experience.

You can always follow a sailing on marinetraffic.com to see what route she's taking this week.

Hopefully pre-covid tests are next!

Matt also likes to shop at Tar-zhay!