MaryCS62

my local CVS (several stores in Central NJ) shows appointments from today to Sun 12/12, for both rapid & PCR testing (different stores do different tests) so hopefully it stays the same for me.  I want to test on 1/7, so will literally start trying to book an appointment on Christmas Eve!

I am going to ignore the booster date.  As mentioned by some, Royal (at the moment) considers a double dose to be fully vaxxed.  Hubby and I got our boosters this past week and we already checked in weeks ago.  I will not be updating the info.

Good question that I was wondering myself.  However, antibody level tests have not proven to be strong indication of disease protection.  Check out the NPR article below.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/28/1031287076/antibody-tests-should-not-be-your-go-to-for-checking-covid-immunity
I've heard people talking about whether cruise lines would start accepting antibody screenings in lieu of vaccination proof.  The article plainly describes that this is not a viable option at this point.
The CDC guidance for booster shots came from empirical research comparing the efficacy of the mRNA vaccines over a several months as well as safety data from clinical trials and vaccine side effects reporting systems.  Research showed that there was gradual but significant waning of efficacy for all age groups in the months following the second dose.  Interestingly, the efficacy waning was most significant for those younger than 65.  They also discussed the safety results pertaining to booster shots from clinical trials and the nationwide vaccine side effect reporting systems to ensure the benefits of this booster outweigh the risks of adverse effects.  They put together a very constructive presentation highlighting all these details (link below).
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2021-11-19/06-COVID-Oliver-508.pdf
I know most people don't have the interest to do this level of research on vaccines, but the more that myths about these vaccines get snuffed out by people who've done their research the faster we can get back to normal. Including cruising without tests or masks!

If it's due to marriage, bring a copy of the marriage certificate. If it was for any other reason, bring a copy of whatever legal documentation was given her at the time of name change -- there has to be paperwork showing the change.
Other option, depending on where she got vaccinated -- see if they will give her a duplicate card with new name -- but she'd still likely need to show legal documentation to show why there's a different name.

I was six months in October.  Booster appt booked for as soon as I get back into the country.

If it's due to marriage, bring a copy of the marriage certificate. If it was for any other reason, bring a copy of whatever legal documentation was given her at the time of name change -- there has to be paperwork showing the change.
Other option, depending on where she got vaccinated -- see if they will give her a duplicate card with new name -- but she'd still likely need to show legal documentation to show why there's a different name.

Agreed, there's quite a few complications that would occur trying to manage mandates for booster shots by the cruise line or any other port of call, which is promising for those people who decide not to get a booster.  What is concerning is that without a larger percentage of people boosted this Spring and Summer, it can be expected to see higher and higher infection rates aboard cruise ships unless the testing protocols are capturing all COVID positive cases (not really possible due to the inherent false negative rates of these tests and the incubation time for the virus before a positive test result can be reported).
The only thing the cruise lines can really do at this point is mitigate risk of infection by continuing their current protocols until infection rates (or possibly hospitalization and death rates with the help of new antiviral drugs) have consistently been close to zero.  Until this happens, they really don't have any choice to reduce protocols without risking major PR hits when outbreaks aboard ships take place.
If everyone had the basic understanding of vaccination risks and benefits - both individual and community - (it's not even close how far the scale tips to one side) this virus would have had its butt kicked many months ago.  It just shows in my home state of Minnesota.  The overwhelming number of cases within this last few months have come from those in rural areas with vaccination rates lower than 60%.  People who are making the decision not to vaccinate "for their own health" are really making it worse for everyone.  It's like getting into a car with someone who doesn't put their seatbelt on.  They are putting themselves at risk mostly, but they also put everyone else in the car at risk if there is an accident and they turn into a human projectile.
Human behavior is a double edged sword for businesses, including cruise lines.

If you're willing to chance waiting on board, and are flexible, I know that in the past, when they haven't had enough reservations, some of the specialty restaurants will have people roaming to see if passengers want to book, usually at a reduced price, although I don't know if it is just reduced from on-board pricing (which I believe is more than cruise planner) or even lower than that.  We get at least one specialty lunch & dinner from our TA, so we book onboard after deciding when & where to go.

Gin and Tonic "Double"    that's my go to drink

@dittyBy now I'm sure you've had a chance to see @SpeedNoodles's link.  You can also get an understanding of what it will be by looking in your Cruise Planner (assuming you've booked a cruise) or by looking at the Royal Caribbean FAQs (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/how-can-i-purchase-the-key and https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-key-program).  Bear in mind that what is offered on one ship, or on one sailing, may differ from another, especially with current and future COVID-19 protocols.
 
As to "Why purchase it?"; here are my suggestions:
Consider purchasing The Key if:
1. you only have one or two people in your cabin AND
2. you haven't achieved the higher tiers of Crown and Anchor Society (say, Diamond) AND
3. you plan on purchasing the VOOM Internet package AND
4. the cost per day per person doesn't exceed the going rate for Voom 1-Device + $5 (or so).
I use the AND qualifier because in my view, the other benefits besides the Voom total about $35 per person -- the Chops Grille lunch,  the Disembarkation breakfast, and the (possible) early boarding and reserved seating at shows.  For a 7-night cruise, that would be about $35 over the cost of what you'd pay for Voom (per person), so it would be more beneficial to purchase The Key.  This is just my thinking, of course.  I would recommend reviewing the benefits of The Key and determine what they are worth to you.
 

FYI...on the Anthem. It was just announced last night that the main shows 'Spectras Cabaret' and 'We Will Rock You' have been canceled for this cruise due to a lack of available production personnel. Hmmmm...I also see that the Anthem's status has been changed to 'yellow' on the CDC website, showing an uptick of cases onboard. I hope they're not connected. I'll see what happens next cruise.

When we travel (4 adults in 2 cabins), I reserve online like that (how many cabins, 2, how many in each cabin, 2) and the reservations are automatically linked. In my app, for my August cruise, I have 2 listings for the 9 night eastern caribbean -- one with my name & my husband's, one with my daughters' names. Each cabin has a reservation #. Now, I haven't checked in using the app yet, but I imagine that if both reservations are listed, both can be checked in together.  
If they're not linked, ask your TA to do it (if you used one), or call Royal

If you're willing to chance waiting on board, and are flexible, I know that in the past, when they haven't had enough reservations, some of the specialty restaurants will have people roaming to see if passengers want to book, usually at a reduced price, although I don't know if it is just reduced from on-board pricing (which I believe is more than cruise planner) or even lower than that.  We get at least one specialty lunch & dinner from our TA, so we book onboard after deciding when & where to go.

If you're willing to chance waiting on board, and are flexible, I know that in the past, when they haven't had enough reservations, some of the specialty restaurants will have people roaming to see if passengers want to book, usually at a reduced price, although I don't know if it is just reduced from on-board pricing (which I believe is more than cruise planner) or even lower than that.  We get at least one specialty lunch & dinner from our TA, so we book onboard after deciding when & where to go.

Current on the Independence and did something new for this cruise.  Packed some good root beer.  Went to the soft serve ice cream machine and had them fill half a cup with ice cream added the root beer and a shot of Kracken from the bar.  Magic drink...

They will email a reminder that it is time to answer the health questions but you can't actually access them in the app until you are less than 24 hours from your actual arrival appointment time.  
In the app go to the check in area where you'll find the health questions as the final step in the check in process.  

The CVS in my area don't open up the rapid appointments far in advance, only a few days. My plan is always schedule PCR far in advance and then grab the rapid appointments when they open up closer to the testing date. I am also going to order the at-home tests as another contingency plan.
We are fortunate to have a community testing site around the corner so I have a lot of options for close-in rapid appointments but I still have to sweat it out until I can land the appointment and then hope it's not canceled on me..then the wait for results too!

The check in time should work for all in that cabin.  You are all in a suite.  In the past Bayonne had a separate suites check in area so you all should be good anyway it works out.  Hopefully Bayonne will continue to offer the suites check in area when Anthem returns. 

Thanks for the info! Our check in date is Nov 25 (Thanksgiving!), so I've asked DH to plan to start just after midnight to check us all in (he stays up late too, and unfortunately, I have to work on T-day, so he gets the fun).  Even if all he does is select our check in time, it will help. 
Questions -- if you or anyone else knows -- we're 4 people in a Junior suite (1 reservation) -- does he need to pick a check in time for each of us individually, or do we all get piggybacked onto his time? He will check himself in first, then the rest of us.  Can you scan someone else's passport on your app ? (one DD doesn't have a phone, but we can download the app on her tablet if necessary). And, does anyone know the check in time slots for Anthem out of Bayonne (I think the first cruise is actually tomorrow!), since we are still debating what time we want to try to check in, and have to decide before he starts (and I don't want him waking me at midnight to ask!)

They are SO relaxing.  And cater to my most prominent skill.  Laziness.

Maybe you can request a feature for the Coco Cay lazy river.  it should go all the way to the gangway.  That should give you (us) the maximum time on the lazy river... ha ha ha

Mentioned this in another post -- DD got a J&J shot in April, and when I asked to see her card, the only part filled in was the location -- Dept of Health in Piscataway, NJ (actually in the parking lot outside, LOL) .  NOTHING ELSE!!!! Seriously -- nothing else -- no brand, Lot, exp -- nothing! And then the spot closed down for a while, (J&J was put on hold temporarily for side effects), and she called, emailed, filled out forms, called -- finally, I told her to go back to the site, go into the office building and find someone there to fix it. Luckily, they were able to look it up & fill it in for her.

Mentioned this in another post -- DD got a J&J shot in April, and when I asked to see her card, the only part filled in was the location -- Dept of Health in Piscataway, NJ (actually in the parking lot outside, LOL) .  NOTHING ELSE!!!! Seriously -- nothing else -- no brand, Lot, exp -- nothing! And then the spot closed down for a while, (J&J was put on hold temporarily for side effects), and she called, emailed, filled out forms, called -- finally, I told her to go back to the site, go into the office building and find someone there to fix it. Luckily, they were able to look it up & fill it in for her.

Mentioned this in another post -- DD got a J&J shot in April, and when I asked to see her card, the only part filled in was the location -- Dept of Health in Piscataway, NJ (actually in the parking lot outside, LOL) .  NOTHING ELSE!!!! Seriously -- nothing else -- no brand, Lot, exp -- nothing! And then the spot closed down for a while, (J&J was put on hold temporarily for side effects), and she called, emailed, filled out forms, called -- finally, I told her to go back to the site, go into the office building and find someone there to fix it. Luckily, they were able to look it up & fill it in for her.

Ok, did not know about any of this!! One more item to add to the packing list (tiny rubber bands,✔️)