WannaCruise

Amazing review so far. NY is an amazing city so great seeing your time there. Great too you could fit in a show beforehand. Sorry about the experience with your son and the band. Glad at least that guest services was great. Wow...looks like a great room, and that balcony! Looking forward to hearing more.

It's a pain in the neck and stressful as it can put a halt to your cruise, but the pre-test is what makes me feel safe about cruising. The fact that everyone on the ship is on there with recently testing negative is a big comfort (and would be great if they could test everyone at the port but I know it isn't feasible). There is no other vacation (that I know of) where you can say that. Am ok if they add boosters but only for 18+ as it's not available for kids yet where I am.

Thanks!

Thanks. So you mean wherever we get the PCR test done, they should provide a letter stating why quarantine is required? I wonder which places would do so? e.g. the cruise port? CVS? airport?

Question about the Manulife Covid 19 Pandemic Plan . My husband started looking into this and he has a concern that it won't cover quarantine just from a positive PCR test (and Canadians not allowed to reutrn to Canada due to potential fine). The policy states it covers if "you have been advised by a medical professional to self isolate or quarantine". Does anyone know? Do we need a doctor's note (from our current destination which won't be possible) in order to be covered for quarantine expenses? Or is a positive PCR test plus the fact that we need to return to Canada enough? In our case we are driving so we can in theory cross the border but with a very large fine.

Excited to follow along. Hoping to get on Anthem in March. Sounds like it's been a bit of an adventure to get there. Have an amazing cruise. Anthem looks fantastic!

Same cruise. So you are driving straight on the way there? Our plan is to break up the drive with an extra hotel stay. That would be good if you can get CVS booking for post cruise. Yes exactly...covid isn't going away. And who knows if a new variant will pop up again making it worse and if things will be better...or worse...11 months from now. Exact same...stayed at home and did everything they ask. Still it's nerve racking....hoping none of us get covid rigth before, or near someone who had it....and then keeping negative during the cruise. It's the Canadian border rule that makes us hesitate, not covid itself.

Thanks for the feedback. Will definitely keep our eyes and ears open and know our surroundings. Can imagine it feeling strange all of a sudden being around many others. I know even at the drugstore, I'll only go down an isle if no one else is there or it is easy to pass someone. Such a strange world. That's very scary with the lady coughing at the theatre...and annoying with the mom and child coming in last minute and sitting where they shouldn't. Frustrating when others don't follow things or think they can skip the rules. Have heard various stories about the PCR test and no one seems to know about them on Royal, which is strange. Yeah, I did hear of some cases or others being quarantined. Guess with the timing it was right when the variant was picking up. Glad you all had a great , and hopefully you'll get on some cruises at a later time.

Totally agree with the comments....really need a vacation! We are also ones who have pretty much quarantined for the past two years (so yeah, another Canadian!). We've followed all the rules, but just want to get back to something! DH and I talked and will probably at least pay it off (cruise fare is covered by FCC). We had planned on taking laptops anyways...and hopefully things will continue to get better. I watch numbers daily and they are going in the right direction (track for Ontario, New Jersey, New York and Florida).

Hello. I remember you from our Anthem December roll call. Happy to hear you ended up going and all was great....and especially you got in a Royal cruise prior to this border change. Good too you didn't have to deal with getting your own PCR test taken post cruise. Sorry that it's impacting your next cruise, but as per the dilemma, completely understand you cancelling. Hopefully by the summer things will be better again! From a direct experience on Anthem, you were happy with the ship's protocols?

Exactly....we truly feel that a cruise is safer than any other vacation. Where else do you need a negative test prior? And from reading, they do a great job at trying to do what they can to keep it under control. We also would keep as low risk by avoiding large gatherings and sit at the side at shows, etc (and usually I'm a front row kind of gal). I know too that the cruise won't have all activities running but that's ok. We also know that we could plan to go and then have to cancel within a few days beforehand as what happened in December. Agree 100% in regards to it being safer for everyone to just drive home and quarantine there. Thank you to all...it helps to hear from other Canadians and their thoughts of proceeding.

I love your positive attitude and outlook! I am showing your response to DH. I agree....March breaks are limited and I cherish the family time spent together with these kind of memories. I assume you are flying out of Detroit and crossing there (vs flying direct)?

Yeah, I think with insurance, it would cover a good deal of quarantine costs. (Haven't bought yet, but we would if we go). I know...it makes us so livid....to have to pay to return to our own country. And it seems better to let us drive home in our own car, rather than staying in a public hotel. Am hoping that we hear that people are not actually getting fined. Haven't really heard much on the news, or of people complaining either (outside of these boards).

Yes, if we proceed, we would buy the Manulife insurance that covers quarantine costs. I think the biggest thing is our kids. Our younger one can join her class via online with her homeroom teacher (not sure about things like French, music, etc). Our older one, can join the online version of the class, but he does prefer to be in person (and doesn't quite work with his band class). I guess though today, it's a normal thing to be at home if anyone has cold like symptoms and can't come to school due to covid screening. And thankfully, DH and work from home during the pandemic so could still work if we had to stay in a hotel (but will get noisy when we are both in meetings, etc) That's good that you have family as well in the States as an option. Yeah, would love the rules to be relaxed by March but tbh, not counting on it. I think we still have pre covid tests booked as we had to cancel our Dec cruise prior to getting it done (we booked at a private lab but had to pre-pay). Let's hope it works out for both of us.

For any fellow Canadians, I know you will understand the dilemma. As some background....we are a family with two kids (gr 11 and 7). We lost our Anthem cruise March 2020 and have been trying to go on her ever since. We almost made it in December but had to cancel 3 days before due to a kid having covid in our son's class. (We would have been fine in every way - negative, out of quarantine, etc...but Royal's questionnaire needs no contact for 14 days and it would have been 11 on the day of the cruise). Ok...so next Anthem booking is March break with final payment in two weeks. We have also booked xmas on Anthem as a backup. We would drive from our place to New Jersey breaking up the drive over 2 days...but as little contact as possible (e.g. take in for food). Kids vaccinated and DH and I have boosters. The issue? The Canadian government has added a clause to the border crossing that if you have a positive PCR test, we should wait until 11th day to avoid being fined $5000 per person. I have a big pro/con list of whether to say "screw it" and still go in March, or versus to wait for Dec. Pros for March....it's half the price of Dec (but not with an additional 20k!), more likely smaller crowds, still under CWC, double points, DH and I still work from home. Negatives for March....potential border crossing fine if positive, we have an important trip in the summer and if this goes bad, that may kill that one if same rules are in place. If we wait for Dec, we have an additional week post cruise where kids wouldn't miss school if need to quarantine. And of course unknowns in Dec...another variant?, border could be closed completely....or on the good side...the fine and/or PCR test could be lifted (but I feel they'll be around for awhile). I know this is not something anyone can answer for us, but just wondering what others would do? Logic says we should wait, but like others, am so sick of this covid thing....esp if we are to catch covid, it'll most likely be similar to a cold. If we postpone, it'll be the third March Break we will have lost and we only have one left with our son. If we cancel March, we may find something in Canada instead but it would be no where as good as a cruise (and sad to say, but all I can think of is "boring"). Not even sure whether to pay it off for now and then wait it out for an additional month as this cruise is still under CWC, or just to cancel it now and not bother with FCC and waiting for re-issuing, etc. Sorry for the long post. It just helps getting other's perspective and what others are doing.

Totally understand. It's sooo disappointing when you are looking forward to something and you have to cancel (sorry about the ballet). And the cruises lost. Your step kids are similar ages to our kids and I feel like there aren't many trips left with special family time. Same with the staterooms. DH and I did stay in a JS once as we got a great deal on Adventure. The extra space was really nice, but also spend more time out and about, so we feel the same. The beverage package is a nice treat. DH and I have purchased it for our next two Anthem options as a gift for all the cruise we've missed. Yes, it's nice how the waiters learn what you like and always try to please.

Looking forward to your review on Anthem. This is the one ship we keep trying to get on. Had it booked March 2020 but of course didn't make it. Almost got on her in Dec but had to cancel a few days before. And have a couple bookings this year, next one in March but most likely not going to make it due to being Canadian and border rules. Like you have been to Disney World and Disneyland once...cruises and Disney are our other favorite holidays and have plans to return to WDW this summer. Also like you, we stick with non-suite rooms. Will get 2 balcony rooms if we can but sometimes all four of us in one, or 2 interiors. I love hearing of others experiences in those fancy suites but don't think that'll ever be us. We actually enjoy the MDR, and it's nice to have the same waiter. In March 2020 we had Kennedy Space Center booked. Have heard it's great. Too bad about your hours as not enough time (same thing on our upcoming March cruise). You must be counting down now. Stay healthy, and look forward to following along. Anthem looks amazing.

Same dilemma....and from Toronto cruising out of New Jersey. We had Anthem booked in December (didn't make it) and have it booked in March (deciding whether to go or cancel). We decided to drive for a few reasons: Fewer contacts along the way to limit chances of getting covid beforehand (e.g. avoid busy airport) Avoid having to uber to/from the port and to/from airport as we have our own car (again, limit contact) Easier to cancel last minute if needed and/or flexible to change when we leave. Not in much of a time crunch to get the PCR test done post cruise (since not catching a flight) Back in December, we were able to drive home and quarantine there if one of us tested positive. *Unfortunately #5 isn't still true right now since they have added the possible hefty fine if we do so. And on the flip side, now...if one of us tests positive, we would need to decide what to do....do we split up and the ones negative return home (purchase a flight?) while others quarantine? Or do we all quarantine. It's so complicatd. As for Royal covering costs of quarantine, they only do so if you test positive while on the ship. But the PCR test isn't done now for returning home and we must arrange it ourselves (or pay for it at the port but quarantine would be at our cost if positive since we are off the ship). i.e. Royal would only do the test if deemed close contact or not feeling well. If we proceed with March, we will drive (and so don't need to worry about purchasing flights)

I've been following various Anthem threads and viewing the sailings on the app. Aside from We Will Rock You and Spectra Cabaret's Cabaret which are regular shows on Anthem, I've noticed that they have the same "Beatles" as well as "Frankie and the Dreamers" headliner shows also with each sailing now. Usually the latter are headliners that come and go, but guessing they are keeping some shows to lesson entertainment getting on and off (i.e. due to the pandemic) P.S. - I hope they keep WWRY for 10 years Have yet to get on Anthem (keep trying), but have seen it on land a few times. It's a fun one.

Thanks for this thread. We had purchased Blue Cross for our last planned cruise as Royal covered quarantine costs and PCR test was done onboard, but will look into the Manulife Pandemic Plan if we decide to go in March. So good to know as don't remember seeing plans that covered quarantine in the past. Not sure if this is new.

Yeah, very different back in November. Here's hoping for negatives and then not a worry.

Anthem? If so, we're booked on that one too. (Not sure though if we are going to go with the new border restrictions. May pay it off and see.)

We didn't make our cruise out of New Jersey due to close contact beforehand, but our plan was: Wed morning - take our scheduled antigen test Wed morning - If tests were negative, leave for New Jersey (driving) Fri - board ship

Same with respect to convenience and no concern for the bill. Royal definitely makes money off of me, but it's the convenience. One big plus for me, is reading what's in a specific mixed drink or a new wine and being able to give it a try without worrying if I'll like it or not. If we pay per drink, then I will just stick to drinks that I know I like.

Can't comment on recent cruises, but we got that on Symphony. It was a great deal. Just note that it wasn't offered until near the end of the cruise. I forget exactly when but either the last day or second last day. PS - Correction to above....Just looked up my report and it was offered on day 4.