OCSC Mike

15 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

I think poster mentions same day/30 minutes apart, that’s why he’s asking 

I got that. The fact that they use two separate terminals alleviates any issue. Separate garages, separate buildings, etc.

49 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

O.O

well...someone certainly lied to me lol

The peak is sometime in early-mid September I think but it's actually 6 months long.

29 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

I could be very wrong here but, I believe they use different terminals.  You may want to look that up.

This is correct.

Mariner now exclusively uses terminal 5. Harmony and Indy use terminal 1 (and obviously never sail/arrive on the same day).

Yes, you can use 3rd party sites like OnPoint or RapidTestAndTrace with free tests you may have lying around.

44 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Due to timings and finances we have always booked right at the start of hurricane season in late Sept.

Hurricane season begins on June 1st.

14 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Now we are closing in on D+ and I'm doing fancy math to figure out how to make it work.

Expensive algebra!

13 hours ago, Steph215 said:

I have not been able to reserve MTD for my sailing because it's all booked up (even my travel agent said it's booked for my sailing). If I visit the MDR on the first day is it possible they would be able to change me to my time dining or is it already too late?

Yes, it's possible. No downside to trying.

1 hour ago, Highpox1 said:

So someone had it and brought it on board. Yup.

It's common knowledge that there is covid on every ship sailing. For multiple reasons, it's impossible to prevent entirely.

9 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

You can contact Customer Service at any time. I find the best way is via social media (their official Facebook or Twitter accounts).

Calling first thing seems to work well but my wife has gotten extremely fast responses via FB messenger as you said.

11 minutes ago, CTKaren said:

On either OnPoint or RapidTestandTrace how far in advance can you book your appointments?

Go to their websites and check. RT&T has a mock calendar for checking availability that goes pretty far out.

Not as familiar with OnPoint b/c I chose RT&T.

51 minutes ago, kjones123 said:

I was incredibly stressed over the whole testing process but looking back it was really no big deal at all. I don’t know what it was like for others but when we boarded it was very laid back and quick. We pulled up our results on our phone and they checked that the name matched with our passports and that it said negative. They never once questioned where we tested or anything. They never even mentioned the CLIA number. It wasn’t worth all the stress I went through one bit. 

Once I tested negative I didn't care anymore. It's very quick and easy at the port as you said. They just want to see your name, date of test, and "negative."

Waiting to be tested is the stressful part. Even if you feel 100% healthy you never know until the test pops negative.

9 minutes ago, Diane O said:

I just spoke with a representative at OnPoint. They do not include a CLIA or certification number on their test results 

Could have sworn I saw someone post a screenshot of one. Apologies if I was mistaken.

GL with whatever you decide.

You cannot book any shows on Oasis class until you board now (or at least connect to the ship’s internet, which may or may not work from the terminal).

An exception would be having a suite concierge make reservations for you ahead of time.

12 hours ago, Diane O said:

Do the at home supervised tests contain all the information required by RC? I am on a chat with Rapid Test and Trace and the employee stated that the results page will not include a CLIA number because they are not a laboratory. 

The ports don’t care about a CLIA number & many have had no issue with RT&T but if you’re not comfortable using them, OnPoint has a CLIA number as does the one Matt said of course.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who grabs a few slices at the end of the night on my way back to our cabin. Some of their "pizza of the day" are my favs.

In any case, feel free to grab food from anywhere and take it with you (within reason). I often grab a few cookies on my way out of the WJ or when passing Cafe Promenade just b/c they're there and quite good.

Was a bit confused til I realized this thread started in 2013.

Definitely worth it to me.

My favorite perks are:

- 4 free drinks

- Diamond Lounge for the coffee machine (love multiple free cappuccinos every morning) and happy hour snacks (even if the open bar is gone)

- internet discount

1 hour ago, mathbees said:

Depending on your ability to travel, doing a short cruise, either solo or in a suite, can be a great way to bump over into diamond and may save a LOT of money, depending on whether you need a drink package or not. If you are, say, 3 or 4 points from diamond, even a 2 night solo/suite will get the double points and get you diamond status and could be less than the cost of a drink package on a 7 or 8 day cruise. Remember, too, that your spouse shares the status when booked into the same cabin. And even two people getting solo inside cabins can be worth the price of this trick.

My wife and I did this route. I did a solo 3-night cruise (booked into an inside cabin) since we were 6 points away from diamond. She couldn't get away or we might have done a suite or two insides instead, but with 4 drinks a day being more than enough for us, we'll save a fortune by not buying the future drink packages. I was lucky to have both airline and hotel points so the entire trip was basically just the cost of the inside cabin, plus a little extra for food pre/post cruise.

My wife and I had the same general idea when we were sitting on 76 points. We live an hour from Port Canaveral so we booked the cheapest 4-nigher we could to get to Diamond before our next standard 7-night cruise. It didn't exactly save us money as we'd never buy the drink package but the open bar happy hour (this was long before vouchers) and other perks were enticing enough for us. You do also get to enjoy the short cruise of course; you're not just buying points.

Now that we're approaching D+, we're playing around with the numbers and trying to find "extra" cruises. The jump in perks is definitely not worth it in terms of dollars, but when you're getting close to a new level, it's hard not to be impatient.

13 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

We are just gonna go to the walk-in that is like a half mile away. They do tests for travel purposes. A guy I work with took his group cruise there with no issues. Nice to know that are other options though. 

If you have a relatively inexpensive walk-in, don't blame you. Everyone has to do what works best for them of course.

26 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Just ensure they are not expired 

And remember that many tests were granted an additional 3 months of shelf life from the printed expiration date by the FDA. You can check for a particular type of test by googling.

26 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

It seems like Oasis and Allure has had the first come and first serve for main theater, lately. It could have been a few one-offs. I keep hoping they will allow us to reserve in CP 30 days beforehand because it is listed but who knows. 

Seems like or you know 1st hand you couldn't make reservations? Every show I mentioned took reservations on Harmony 5/29 and, as stated above, Oasis class has always used reservations..

25 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Oh wow, that I didn't know and we have like 30 of those tests. Interesting info, thanks.

 

You're welcome. A lot of people have a stockpile, that's why they have become a popular option. Search for reviews and accounts of using them here and on other cruise forums. Many accounts of them being used successfully. Some hiccups here and there but I'm comfortable using them now that Walgreens is out. Happy hunting!

42 minutes ago, bonzo1975 said:

I apologize if this has already been answered, but if I win an upgrade to a JS (we have a balcony, currently), do I get the double C&A points, or is that only if I book myself? TIA

No double points if you RoyalUp to a suite from a non-suite.

If you have free tests from the government you can get them proctored from 3rd party sites like OnPoint or RapidTestAndTrace for $15-20/person.

50 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Actually, I believe the only show(s) that might require a reservation would be the ice show.........maybe the adult comedy show. Most shows in the main theater are first come first serve now and I think only the adult comedy show is in a small enough venue that it might require a reservation.

Unless Allure is different from Harmony (which I highly doubt), they all take reservations. You may or may not be able to get a seat without one, of course, but I didn't think that's what the OP wanted to know.

Reservations are most important for the adult comedy show due to the small venue as every time slot will fill up.