Jill

So what I noticed is the first cruise for Symphony in October, inside is “sold out.” I’ve noticed a lot of cruises with inside as sold out. I’ve also seen ocean view as sold out in September cruises. I believe these were taken out of the booking engine to reduce capacity. After that first week, inside opens up however, the only thing that’s been available for my symphony sailing (October 23) are interior connecting and it’s been that way for months. Since October is still under the CSO, I’d still expect reduced capacity. I know in my Facebook group for that sailing, passengers from the UK have cancelled as well as some since the new testing protocols were announced.

Carnival though is accepting unvaccinated just like Royal is. Same testing requirements, “bubble” excursions, travel insurance etc. The difference though is they are controlling unvaccinated and keeping it to 5%. It’s not guaranteed you can sail.

@em.down.the.rabbit.hole you can also try private message on Facebook to Royal’s official page. I’ve gotten help pretty quickly going through Facebook messenger

John Heald is the brand ambassador for Carnival. Not sure how he could help with a Royal ship

We will park at the port for both PC and Miami. Yes more expensive but convenient

However, there are some that continue to test positive for a few months even though they’ve recovered.

Ok you try it first and let me know ?

For us, we’re going to lay low starting 2 weeks before our cruise in October. No going out unnecessarily. We’re lucky that we are home based, so no offices we have to go to. We were going to drive to Miami with our friends, but now (if cases remain high) considering taking separate cars. Especially since one of the friends will have just flown home from NYC a few days before we leave. I’m not risking it! Lol We’ve waited so long to finally get back onboard that to test positive would be just awful.

I was listening to talk radio yesterday and Scott Gottlieb was on and he said we are about 3-4 weeks behind the UK with the surge and their cases are coming down. So fingers crossed, this devilish delta burns herself out in a few more weeks. Keep your eye on Florida. Hopefully our cases here start coming down first.

Ha ha! The 21 year old’s graduation present is a cruise to Alaska. We have a JS and she gets the sofa bed. She’s Diamond too and a lightweight so her 4 drinks will make that sofa bed mighty comfy!

I’m thankful my next 2 cruises are out of Miami (5 hours drive) and PC (2 hours). We don’t have to fly to a port until May 2022 and October 2022. Sure hope “it’s” a distant memory by then.

Does the all inclusive in Mexico have about 90% vaccinated? No, I didn’t think so. Seriously I think cruise ships are probably as safe as your own home.

Nope. Other than the info I provided on the questionnaire. Didn’t even show my ID or insurance card which they told me to bring

I was tested for Covid 2 weeks ago at Walgreens drive through. It required an appt. You have to fill out questionnaire that you check off your symptoms. On the appointment form, it does ask if this is for travel purposes or because you have symptoms. Travel purposes = charge Symptomatic = free (I was negative BTW. Managed to catch a summer cold)

Yes. Matt just posted. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/07/29/royal-caribbean-will-require-negative-covid-19-test-all-us-sailings-longer-4-nights?fbclid=IwAR3F0YVwRC21XXMFzce_ZdUgBjUodjK4b7Rw-VdfMWHqPnAmic9EKJRW29o

Well it appears I can predict the future. Testing now for all sailing out of Florida until August 31 https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/07/29/royal-caribbean-will-require-negative-covid-19-test-all-us-sailings-longer-4-nights?fbclid=IwAR3F0YVwRC21XXMFzce_ZdUgBjUodjK4b7Rw-VdfMWHqPnAmic9EKJRW29o

We are doing this exact same itinerary late May 2022. Thanks Baked Alaska for confirming downtown Marriott. I have us booked at a Hilton Garden that first night (using points) but I’m thinking of getting a room at the Marriott.

I just saw on Facebook the odyssey changes. Someone alluded to the dredging going on at the port in Nassau as to why the port was dropped.

No. Cruises currently out of Florida have no testing requirements for vaccinated. However, that could change with this variant since some who have been vaccinated are getting Covid.

I find they generally happen about every 2-3 weeks, usually starting on a Wednesday and lasting 7-10 days. Always a sale during major holidays. Black Friday usually has the best prices all year.

You can use Cruise with Confidence up to 48 hours prior to sailing. This way you literally can wait until the last minute to decide. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-with-confidence

My mind went right to the movie, “Step Brothers.” ? Murphy beds would allow more room for activities!

I would “practice” at home with a q-tip a few times so your 4 year old won’t freak out.

I was never great in math but I figured this one out fast! ? As soon as they extended to December, that suddenly included our 12 night Holy Land in October which bumped us to 24 points. Instead of being 26 shy of Plus, we were now only 14! It was either a 4 night in a JS on Mariner or a 7 night on Harmony. No contest! Harmony all the way!

It’s like Christmas Eve waiting for Santa!