Ndfan89

51 minutes ago, teddy said:

I’d like to think this is the last time we have to jump through this particular hoop to board a ship, but we’re cruising to Canada in October. 
 

….but for now….We’re all negative for our Sunday cruise!!

 

(I figure people here will get it. No one at my work seems to understand why I’m so happy)

I feel your joy! We received three negative test today too! Our first cruise since COVID.  I truly can’t imagine having suitcases packed and getting a positive.  I would be heartbroken. 

11 hours ago, TheRick said:

Day 1 Harmony of the Seas August 21-29, 2022

Like a kid at Christmas, I woke up early this morning, 5:30 am to be exact, which wouldn’t be bad, except I’m from California so it was really 2:30 am my time.

We took an uneventful shuttle from the hotel to the port and check in and security couldn’t have been any smoother. The port employees were super friendly and helpful. Our 10:30 am boarding was pushed back slightly, but we were on the boat by 11:00 and that wasn’t with any special boarding status. I had a drink in my hand as soon as I hit the first bar. A painkiller from Boleros. The best drink so far.

We went to the windjammer to eat and make show reservations. A nice gentleman was walking around offering Bahama Mamas and I didn’t want to offend him so I got one. I ate mahi mahi, roast beef, and potato wedges, the food was okay, what you’d expect from a buffet. I finished my drink and left to the pool deck to find a bar with a blender. I ordered a lava flow with kraken. The bartender didn’t know how to make a lava flow while giving a valiant effort. I give him credit for trying something new. While drinking my lava flow, that nice gentleman offered me another Bahama mama. I had to politely decline his offer because my wife told me to slow down. I had three drinks in an hour and it was only noon or 9:00 am California time.

We mustered, checked into our room and unpacked before my wife headed out to get a pedicure at the spa, I warned her about the high pressure add ons they try to sell you. She assured me she wouldn’t get suckered, so naturally she bought an add on.

Next was sail away where we passed Kennedy Space Center, where supposedly we could see the rocket on the launch pad for next Monday’s launch. We didn’t see it.

After sail away we headed to dinner. I ordered two appetizers, the Maryland style crab cakes (delicious) and the escargot. The escargot was just okay, but much better than I remember the taste of the garden variety snails I ate from our yard as a young boy. Maybe boy me put too much salt on them back in the day.

For my entrée I had the prime rib, which the horseradish au jus sold me, unfortunately I tasted no horseradish, bummer. The apple blossom pastry and ice cream for dessert was tasty. I had a glass of Merlot with dinner.

After dinner we got separated from our family so I talked my wife into going to the Wonderland bar for a drink. I had the white rabbit Rita and my wife had the smoke rings. If you go on Harmony of the Seas, I highly recommend you get the Smoke Rings, for presentation alone it gets an AA++++++.

Next was the Aqua theater show Fine Line. I’m mixed, because there was way too much dancing for my taste, but the high divers and slack liners were amazing. I almost had a heart attack with the high wire act. Fricken amazing. I liked the show, but wouldn’t see it a second time.

Next was Nick Reeve playing piano and vocals at the schooner bar. He was terrific. Then it was a slice of pizza at Sorrento’s followed by a trip to the room for a shower and bed.

Stray observations:

I was so worried about getting seasick, but so far nothing. I told my wife she had to take care of me if I vomit because of our wedding vows, in seasickness and in health. She’s not buying it. The sea seems flatter than my first girlfriend, no, no, no, it’s not what you think, she was run over by a steamroller our senior year.  We didn’t work out, not because she was flattened, it’s just I could be a little much and her patience grew thin. But don’t feel bad for us, I met my wife and she married Flat Stanley. They have a small family.

The USB outlets in our room don’t work. We reported it, but it hasn’t been fixed yet. With rechargeable hearing aids, phones, my Cpap and other things we play power outlet roulette.

Tomorrow is Cococay, I don’t know if anyone is interested, but I’ll report back tomorrow night.

 

Good night.

I am interested to hear if had to pull out vaccine cards and show? I have read other ports are not even asking for them? What is protocol these days at Port Canaveral?   I will be at port on Sunday waiting anxiously to board (praying for 3 negative COVID test on Thursday) and want to have all ready to go.  Ordered a passport and COVID vaccine holder and hoping can just flash and keep it moving to the bar.  Did you have to physically take it all out ? 
 

Great writing! Enjoy Cococay..

3 hours ago, Pooch said:

Love watching the LLWS.  So exciting for those kids.  Bon Voyage!!  Have a great trip.  We loved Harmony and can’t wait to sail her again.

My son represented the state of Alabama in 2016 in Warner Robins, GA at LLWS.  We lost.  
 

TheRick have a great cruise! So looking forward to following along.  I will be checking-in this time next Sunday ! It is our first cruise since November 2019.

On 8/14/2022 at 7:42 AM, ChessE4 said:

At Port Canaveral in June, we were asked for the card.  We didn't attempt to show a copy from our phone. 

P.S. We bought passport holders that have the vaccine card next to the passport.  So we can't just lose the vaccine card.  Keeping them together and locked up gives us some security regardless of future policy changes. 

I am considering getting a holder for passport and vaccine cards.  Do they make you take it all out of the holder? I do not want to hold up the line and afraid they will not give it back to me in all the commotion of checking in with 6000 of my closest friends. Lol 

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

I wonder IF people will actually vote with their feet?????

I honestly think Royal can take as long as they want. Not that I believe they will, but they won't rush for the sake of. 

While having to test is a barrier, it is NOT the end-all-be-all barrier. People have been testing and will if they need to.  Let's be honest people cruise a particular line because they like their offering. 

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/carnival-cruise-bookings-soar-eases-170858055.html
 

A few more articles like this we could see additional changes sooner rather than later .

So I will be Diamond after my October cruise.  Do I get  5 drinks each day with Diamond status  or per trip?  Also, is the Diamond lounge complimentary drinks or do I have to use my  vouchers?

On 8/9/2022 at 5:03 PM, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

You can purchase the KEY on the cruise planner.  It provides priority embarkation as well as a special lunch from Chops Grille…served in the MDR.  You get VOOM Surf and Stream for one device with it as well as the opportunity to drop off your carry-on bags to be delivered to your room.  I believe priority VIP seating at certain shows is one of the perks and a disembarkation breakfast.

Each person in the stateroom (age 6 and over) must purchase this and the cost is sometimes pricey…and it’s per day pricing.  But sometimes the price is just a few dollars more than the VOOM price so that is when it probably makes sense.

Did you have to wait until your boarding time selected in check-in?

12 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

No, it has to be a report from a credentialed lab, your friend typing up something on the letterhead from their office will not pass check in.

Thank you the response .. 

On 8/11/2022 at 4:40 PM, Sushitex said:

I read that earlier, and thought, "Hey, I hope this is enough incentive for the cruise lines to discontinue the mandate of  COVID-19 testing."  I'm not against it inherently, BUT it's so darn expensive if you have to pay for it, and fewer and fewer places are offering it for free. 

What is actually required on the testing result form? My good friend is a Nurse practitioner and will “monitor” us while I do a test and will prepare a test results memo and sign.  He works in a doctors office.  is this enough “proof”? 

Following.. I will be getting on the Harmony as you are getting off on 28 August .. 

54 minutes ago, FloatyBoaty said:

We are sailing this Sunday   All of our vaccine card information was there in the app and approved.  I just reviewed it 2 days ago.  It is now gone; our check in page looks just like yours @Ndfan89

Thank you for the response.  First cruise back so wasn’t sure what was the issue if any.   I hope you have a wonderful cruise !!

I have a question .. So I uploaded vaccine cards yesterday.. First cruise since the shut down.   Ealier this morning all said “approved “ on the  App...  So I was just looking on the app  and now the third section is totally gone .. Does not even show the “vaccination status” box.. Just shows Travel info , Arrival time and health status .  is this normal ?

22 minutes ago, twangster said:

Yes.  Other than double points you get the other suite perks when you Royal Up into a suite.

Thank you! Decisions, decisions!!

6 hours ago, wordell1 said:

Onboard upgrades are very rare. 

Royal ups can still be awarded up to boarding time which will account for last minute cancelations, which would be largely Covid related (failed tests).

Best practice is to book a cabin you are happy with and not get crazy about upgrades. Make a bid if you are comfortable with the price but odds are that you will stay where you are.

 

I know you do not get double points when you win a Royal up bid in a suite.  However, do you get the coastal kitchen (if applicable to the oasis class) or priority embarkation/debarkation? 

On 8/1/2022 at 9:57 AM, CruisingNewb said:

Once on board, you make the reservations.  You should have one courtesy reservation.

Go directly to Chops and see the host.  Make ALL of your reservations there.  This will take no more than 10 minutes of your time.  Unless you get on the ship at 3pm, the chances of you getting all of your preferred reservations are high.

Visit multiple venues in a day.  You paid for it.  

Can you explain what you mean by “visit multiple venues in a day”?  I have one dinner package

booked for Harmony end of August.

Awesome! Congratulations!  I will see you in July.  Will you be in the casino?

3 hours ago, caitlynambrai said:

What is the itinerary? I was trying to find it but not sure if what I'm seeing is accurate.

 

This is what is showing as the itinerary on TA website 

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Automatically getting put on a brand new ship at no extra cost. Oh the horror!

Yes, have no idea how I am going to manage this awful change.

This is the only  the information received on itinerary:  
Our original plan for Independence of the Seas was to begin offering sailings departing from Miami beginning July 2021. However, Odyssey of the Seas will now take its place and sail from Fort Lauderdale. Unfortunately, this means your sailing will be cancelled.

However, the good news is, Odyssey of the Seas will offer similar itineraries, so we’ll automatically move you to the corresponding Odyssey of the Seas sailing beginning June 6th, 2021 to help make the transition easier. This way, you’ll still have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful destinations you were looking forward to!

I was suppose to be on Independence of the Seas July 25 - July31.  Royal just sent me an email and  moved me to Odyssey of the Seas. 
 

I work for the US Government and an executive order was signed for telework through 30 June 2021.   This does not give me the warm and fuzzies for my 5 cruises next year.  I pray I am wrong.  

My Alaskan Cruise was $43... Thank you again for this information!

I just checked my Allure cruise for Memorial Day 2021 and $50.  Was $68 last week! Woohoo! 

20 minutes ago, AGSLC5 said:

I just counted this would put us in July... I had a strong feeling when the Casino department put out offers for July and August that they figured that would be when we would be allowed to sail again. 

Exactly what I told my husband last week... My daughters graduation cruise isn’t looking good