Adriana

People are still getting off and people are restless and angry. Everyone wants to get back on board, I hope people are calm when we finally are cleared. It is packed, packed packed. There are only about three staff, people are packing the openings already. I really hope this goes smoothly. Too late for me to go to Miami now, but God willing, this goes well.

@KevinK, yes. It is an 8 night from Bayonne. We did Port Canaveral, Coco Cay, Nassau and now Miami. By the time everyone gets off and we get back on, it will be too late to go to Miami. I was going to go to church and have a late lunch.

Oh boy, this place is packed to get back on the ship and people are still getting off…an hour after they were supposed to be off. I hope everyone is calm. People are pretty upset right now.

@Matt, def was a hard start. Unfortunately , there have been significant issues each day. That’s life, though. I wish that half of today was not lost sitting in customs. Just listened to the wrong person.

Please, no one be wary of taking a Royal cruise. Typically, they are wonderful. I am just having a string of bad lack each day. Today is funky. We were told both we would have to wait but also that we could get right back on, so I followed directions and unfortunately listened to the wrong people.

Eek, major walk of shame. Some of the last people who were not getting off are finally walking down and we can all see them through the glass walkway. Most in here began booing them. Poor people. I mean, not cool for doing that, but that had to stink to do that walk. Let’s see if we are back by on by noon. … Yikes, more booing.

@karl_nj, thank you! I appreciate it! I really do not want to complain or call out anyone specifically because we all have our bad days. I do need to get to the Diamond lounge, good idea!

The day we were at Coco Cay was All Saints Day. I am devout Catholic, so skipped all the yumminess so I could fast. Thus far, my must have foods have not found me. I have tried to order them, but they keep messing up my orders. I will get some yumminess soon!

@Dave Reeseg, I am on Anthem, left Bayonne on the 29th. We are in Miami now, sitting off ship for hours waiting for the stranglers to get off so customs can clear us and we can get back on the ship.

@GatorCruiser, don’t do it! At least, for me, I will not do this again. For those who for sure want to get up early and be in Miami early, no biggie. Getting through customs was super easy since I followed directions and was out at my assigned time. However, since I was told I could go back and go into Miami later , I did not get really ready, no breakfast, etc and now waiting hours and hours and getting back will be a headache. It is now standing room only, so imagine the fun of getting back on ship.

I really do not blame the family who went in, I think they genuinely made a mistake. They were Chinese speakers, so maybe just did not notice my name and that they had the wrong number. I was even grateful for the one person who was trying to be helpful. I just wish it did not cost me a day, my dining reservations at the specialty restaurants I wanted, got yelled at because I was standing too long at the Guest counter, etc. Like I said, I love Royal, but this has been a not so humorous comedy of errors.

It really was crazy! I was thinking the same thing; gee, let me mistakenly go to a nice suite! Yes, they were going to let them stay there, at least it appeared at thus, but I doubt it. Who knows, though. It was a balcony cabin and thankfully they put me in another one. I just am sad that I missed the entire first day, missed sail away, no Diamond welcome (first cruise as one and was so looking forward to it, the little things, you know). As for parking, yes, by 11ish, everyone was sent to the overflow lot. The garage was only for handicap, but we were the only ship. Still over 600 people on ship and we cannot get back on until they get off and cleared by customs. I have been here waiting for close to three hours. There are hundreds of people waiting to get back ok, so I cannot imagine how long it will be get back on after this.

Good morning! Okay, I am sorry, I am just venting. Cruising is great. Royal is great. I am typically quite positive, but good golly, what a cruise this time! I arrived at port at my assigned time, around 11am. I have cruised many times, but never had seen this traffic. The garage was only for handicap and we had to go to the overflow lot. It took an hour just for that. The line to get into the terminal was wrapped around the building. I found The Key line and while short, it took forever. Every other line was moving smoothly and quickly. About three quarters of The Key line folks were in walkers or wheelchair or some sort of implanted medical device, so security took longer, plus most seemed to not remember to have their needed items out. After that, I was asking about where to go for The Key, no one knew. I walked around, no one knew. I found a sign and went to the dining room. It was chill, food from Chops. I did not like it, but that is just me. The bags had been sitting for some time, so I grabbed mine and took it to my cabin. Then, I find a family of three in there. The cards are on the door now, so although it had my name, they took it and settled in my cabin. They were Chinese, so I could not chat with them, but I think they were just confused about their room, went to the wrong place. I go to Guest Relations and they did not know what to do or how to get in contact with them. I explained they were in there now, but no one went to talk to them. The lady with whom I was speaking was wonderful, the manager, not so much. He was telling me to move out of the way so others could get help. Alina was trying to tell him that she was helping me with dining reservations, but he kept going on and on until he finally heard us both say it. Since this was taking hours, I could not get the times I wanted and when she checked, the times she made were not correct and the restaurants would not change it. After more time, I was assigned a cabin. My luggage never got to my cabin, I had to go find it, it was near my original cabin. It is my first time as Diamond and was looking forward to seeing my benefits, chefs gift, pin, etc. I had none of it. I go back down to Guest Relations and tell them again what happened and the response was, “okay, no worries.” Pardon? I am not apologizing, I am saying I did not receive anything. He directs me to Crown and Anchor. It was almost 9pm, except for lunch, I spent the entire day there, even missing sail away. So, I just went back up to my new cabin. This cruise just seems different; most means, I am getting exactly what I say o do not want (like seafood), not bringing me what I order, stateroom attendant not doing much of anything, just a bunch of stuff. I do not want to continue to gripe as I know I am just agitated more since sitting here for hours at immigration since we all had to get off at Miami (we were given contradictory info about it; when you get off, you do have to wait for every single person to clear before getting on; so glad I did as I was told and got off at 8am (“don’t worry, you can get right back on” so not true) and have been here for hours. I keep hearing that things have change since COVID, different level of service. I have no doubt that most things are wonderful. I just am having poor luck every day. Thanks for letting me complain for a bit. I am solo and do not like to complain, just have been telling everyone everything is fine and lovely, so now I feel better. Thanks! Back to being pleasant.

@Xaa, oh gosh! Let me say that I love Royal, I really do, but this cruise has been a comedy of errors, but not so funny. After finding the family in my cabin, I go to Guest Services, they had no clue what to do, I was the one assigned. Since now they just leave your card at the door, they took mine and went in. Guest services kept saying they did not know what to do or how to contact them. Uh, send someone up there, they are there right now! Personally, I think they just went to the wrong cabin. They spoke Chinese, so I could not communicate with them. One spoke English, but was confused and did not know what to do. Pretty sure just at the wrong place. The ship is at capacity, so they could not move me. They waited until after check in and found me a room. I had to go looking for my luggage, did not get my paperwork they leave in the cabin, etc. Finally done at Guest Relations at 8:45pm.

Unfortunately, I am currently sitting waiting to be let back on the ship. We were given contradicting info. We knew we had to get off, but also told that we could get right back on after we cleared. They scheduled it in increments and the last were for those who would not be going to Miami. If you wanted to go to Miami later, go at your designated time. Everyone had to clear. Well, I did as I was told, was one of the first people off per my time and then told we all had to wait until every single person was cleared. I got up thinking I could get through and come back, have breakfast then maybe head to Miami. So many are sitting pretty upset because they were also told that yes, they would be let back in right after they cleared. I have been here for like two hours. We all know that people linger and last call is not until 10-10:30 and for that section, they say it can take time, so bring meds, a book, whatever because they cannot get back on until all are cleared. I cannot head to Miami as I am not ready or have what I need. At this point, I am not even going. If you are doing this itinerary, you will indeed have to get up and leave the ship. If you are heading into town, be ready to leave at that time, otherwise you are going to wait until every single person is off and cleared. It is pretty full in here, so I can imagine getting back on is going to take time as well. This cruise has been issue after issue, right from arrival, parking and finding a family in my cabin. First day was literally spent at Guest Relations until 8:45pm, so a little grumpy. I am sure some are fine with the hours wait and using it productively.

@AshleyDillo, thank you! My mind went blank on it! Too long of a COVID hiatus!

@Pooch, oh wow! Okay, now I have to try it!

I concur. I have all the prepaid gratuities done but will go to the bank tomorrow for singles, fives and tens. … What I cannot remember is if we need to sign when we order and have the drink packages.

I love hearing everyone’s faves! I def am going to try some!

@Ampurp85, thanks! Good to know about the sides at Chops. I thought they were going to be great. Better focus on steak, I suppose!

I am so loving these! Such great ideas!

S/he can be seated alone or with others. When I booked, they asked me my preference. At other times, when I arrived to the dining room (traditional and my time), they also have asked me my preference. S/he can let them know what they prefer, they are very accommodating.

@Mike T, oooh, yeah, good luck to you!! I would hear all the noise up in the 15th floor of the Decoplage (beachfront on Lincoln). If you are a light sleeper or need quiet and darkness, you def will have a hard time. Many places stay open 24/7 and the clubs and bars close at 5am, so it is all night. You will be hearing quite a bit from the street, too.

@Mike T, ahhh, gotcha! Yes, it does get loud, but maybe get ear plugs. You may get lucky, if during the week, it does get too too crazy. It is a great price for the area.

@Susie, same here, have not cruised in a few years since my last one was cancelled. The air boats are pretty neat. The Everglades are beautiful. It depends on what you are into, but the Everglades are more unique. Little Havana is cool, but unless you want to learn about it, it is not all that exciting. But, that is from someone who has been there often. I may go for lunch at Versailles (I def miss the Cuban food…pronounce it the Miami way; Ver sai yes) and Mass nearby or my old home; South Beach. Whatever you do, it will be a good time!