Shari

With our Bermuda cruise itinerary getting inverted (first port now Bermuda then Charleston, SC, then Newport, RI) how does customs work. Will we have to go through customs in Charleston or will it be at the end of the cruise in New Jersey?

All, I am on Celebrity Bermuda cruise starting this Friday 13 May. They just swapped the itinerary to have Bermuda first to avoid the extra testing. RCL will probably do the same thing soon.

All, I am on Celebrity Bermuda cruise starting Friday. They just changed the itinerary to have Bermuda first to avoid the extra testing per Bermuda TA.

We use the magnets but on our last cruise the magnets looked like pistol speedloaders and so hubby was called down to security, escorted to a building on the pier, and had to watch while they opened MY bag (had his name on it). The security person was looking so smug until they discovered it was just the magnets. It was scary and but now it is a hilarious story to tell. Moral of the story be aware of over zealous security personnel.

We have the attendant supply us with ice every day (free of charge) and use the melted ice to drink. This works well.

Found this on RCCL frequently asked questions and it should answer our concerns: Are there any additional requirements to cruise to Bermuda? All travelers age 2 and older, or their legal guardians, must apply for a Bermuda Travel Authorization to enter the country regardless of whether they plan to go ashore in the port. It must be presented at the pier when checking in. Applications can be purchased for $40, a month before travel here. You will not see your ship/sailings listed on this page until a month before your sail date. Children age 2 and under do not need to apply for the Travel Authorization. Your application will be stored until the departure date listed on your application. Four days before your scheduled arrival to Bermuda, you will receive a reminder email to upload your pre-travel negative test result to complete your Travel Authorization application. We recommend guests apply for their Bermuda Travel Authorization as soon as it becomes available a month in advance of your departure date. Note that the local government does not recognize Novovax or Covaxin as approved vaccines. If you are on a cruise that stops in Bermuda, and your vaccination series consists of either, you will not be permitted to go ashore in Bermuda. If you are booked on a cruise that exclusively visits Bermuda, you will be denied boarding. Additional Testing: Unvaccinated Kids Age 2 – 11 Unvaccinated kids age 2-11 will take a complimentary antigen test within 24 hours of disembarking in the U.S. Details on how to register for this test will be provided onboard. Additional Testing: May 28th Mariner of the Seas Sailing Guests on the May 28th sailing from Port Canaveral on Mariner of the Seas, will require additional testing to go ashore per the Bermudian government. All guests age 2 and up, regardless of vaccination status, will take a complimentary test onboard 48 hours before arriving in Bermuda. Details on how to register for this test will be provided onboard.

We are on the same cruise. I just saw this thread and Celebrity has not informed us of the travel authorization. Now filling it out.

FYI the booster does NOT stop people from getting COVID so testing will still be required.

There are those of us who are fully vaccinated but had such adverse reactions to the second shot that we are unable to be boosted. This would be a major impact. I only got vaccinated because of cruising.

Here is the perfect mask. I got these for hubby and friend on our October cruise. I found them on Amazon.

Thank you all.

Royal is supposed to open the summer of 2023 Alaska cruises this week according to their opening schedule. I still do not see any available on their website. If the Alaska opening schedule is delayed then will the summer of 2023 Europe cruises opening schedule of next week be delayed? Does anyone know what is going on?

With 70% sold in 10 days it will be difficult to book just 1 leg of the cruise.

I thought the same thing. They would probably get every married couple on the ship to participate in one of these shows!

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/ultimate-world-cruise/itinerary

It does go through the Straight of Magellan on 20 Jan 2024. So tempt him!

I just did a cost analysis for a balcony cabin for us. If we take no cruises next year and this is our cruises for 2023 and 2024, the cost on food, wine, and gasoline we would save, our final cost would be about $55000 each including taxes/fees and insurance. Wow that really reduces the cost down from $83500 each. We can now book it. LOL Hubby said he might consider it if we sold the RV. Hmmmmm.

10 October Liberty of the Seas sailing was about 1500 passengers and I asked before leaving the port about 17 October sailing and they said about 1800 passengers.

We stayed at the Eden Hotel in Amsterdam. It was great and centrally located. Very near a stop for the water taxis. https://www.edenhotelamsterdam.com/en/ We also used Rudy's taxi service for reserving from the airport to the hotel, from the hotel to the cruise ship port, and finally from the cruise ship port to the airport. We were extremely happy we had a driver waiting when we got off the cruise ship because customs was very delayed in clearing us and we had an early flight. Many people in the same position had to wait in line for a taxi. https://rudystaxicompany.nl/ The hotel was just down the street from the Ice Bar which we tried and had a great time. https://www.xtracold.com/ Also we recommend Freddy's Bar a short walk from the hotel. They had a piano player that we enjoyed immensely. https://www.deleurope.com/freddys-bar/

Has anyone used this when boarding yet? If so do you still have to show your card?

Our friends encountered a first time cruising couple once that were convinced by someone that the pizza was only free after 10PM. Our friends set the straight but we joke about it all of the time. You might try convincing your friend that the pizza on the promenade is "Free after 10PM!"

Have a great time! I see that this is a B2B so see you next week!

Yes it does.

I saw this on the CDC cruise ship color code site today!

Has anyone boarded their cruise yet using the new vaccination pictures in the app? If so please share your experience. TIA