WannaCruise

Love hearing your experience.  As an fyi, I always feel like I'm still on the ship for many days after returning.  It's so strange, and don't know why as the land you're standing on isn't moving, but think it's normal.

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm a little surprised they didn't change that one. Unless the hassle at check-in of checking 2 vs 3 and vax vs "up to date" would be too much. Which I could understand.

But if 3 days, it opens up an additional window for someone to catch covid post negative test, prior to boarding.

Personally I'm glad they left it at 2 days for the antigen test (but do understand it makes it more complicated for those who need to travel from further away).

Thanks.  Good to know.  The same itinerary just started (7 night) so will assume ours is similar .

I have a few questions about the best strategy to book shows, and just a few general questions for Anthem.  In the past, I would see all the shows and times offered in the cruise planner beforehand and be able to organize them such that we'd see a show each day.  But of course now,  you can only book when you get on the ship via the app (which I guess has some pros too of being able to see what else is going on at that time).

1. If we use the app alone, it seems like it would be hard to see the full picture...i.e. all show times offered for each show, and all shows on each day with seeing all 7 days.  Can you get a copy of the show schedule beforehand (e.g. guest services)?  Or do you need to wait until your stateroom opens up?
2. For We Will Rock You, it seems like usually it's offered 2x in afternoon, and 1x in evening.  I'm guessing that the matinee would be less busy?  Or they all fill up just the same?  
3. Is there a recommended time for Spectra (less busy)?  Looking at a similar itinerary, there are two 7pm shows (one unvaccinated) and two 9:30ish shows.  (Our family of four is fully vaccinated and we have early dinner).  Also, any recommended seating for Spectra?  As a note, we will want to try and not be where it is too crowded as are Canadian and need to stay negative to return home.
4. What is your strategy for booking shows?  If we wait until we get to our stateroom (for the summary of shows), then shows may be booked up. Any tips?

I'm probably thinking about this too much, but it seems stressful not being able to book until you board.  Our family loves the shows so it's a big part of the cruise for us.  

13 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am so torn. Like @Vancity Cruiser I am so excited for a mask free cruise but that darn need for a negative return test to Canada is hanging over my head. 

Same.  I know I am minority, but was a bit disappointed when I saw the email this morning....only for the fact that we need a negative test to return home.  

16 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am wondering if I should go ahead and order now or wait for a few days...

We ordered already as not sure if demand will go up. 

Looks like border announcement is today at 1pm

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/02/15/covid-19-border-restrictions/

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

100% agree.  Whether or not it makes since, financially, is irrelevant to us.  We do it for the convenience and for the ability to get whatever we want, whenever we want it without having to think about it.

Exact same.  There is no question that Royal makes money off of me.  But it's just being able to order when you want, to try new drinks and not worry if I'll like it.  Or maybe you feel like a drink but not forced to finish it, etc.

50 minutes ago, Marlena said:

this may be an unpopular opinion...but I am ok with these protocols.

HOWEVER there is a specific reason for this. I am from Canada, and we still have that damn neg PCR to return. I appreciate the protocols while this rule exists because its facilitates being allowed back in my home country!

Once the neg PCR rule is lifted I`m happy to enjoy a mask free vacation.

 

 

Ditto!  Feel the exact same way.

1 hour ago, cruiserccl said:

So, let me see if I understand this correctly.

If I cancel a cruise in July 2022 for which I get FCC for the non-refundable deposit, and then use the FCC for a cruise for May 2023. Technically, my FCC would expire July 2023 so I'm still good with May booking. 

But what happens if I cancel the May 2023 booking, will the FCC expiration still be the July 2023? Or will it be reissued to expire May 2024?

 

 

I would confirm first, but my understanding is the new FCC will be issued with an expiry of 1 year from when you cancelled. Not sure if cruises under CWC work differently (as I have a couple that expire same date on Dec 31, 2022)

13 hours ago, Dreams of Cruisin said:

We've cancelled our March 2022 cruise (a re-take from the originally planned March 2020 cruise) as we're not confident that our PCR results from tests taken at the New Jersey terminal will be received in time for our flight back to Vancouver.

Looks like we must find another Royal Carribean cruise and sail somewhere before December 31st or risk losing $5,000.

 

Book a refundable cruise for this year....apply FCC and then cancel the cruise before final payment.  The FCC will be re-issued with new expiry date.

We have a backup cruise in December if our March cruise doesn't work.  If March works out, then I plan on applying any FCC to the Dec one before cancelling.  (If March doesn't work, then we have the cruise booked already to try again)

13 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I turned my phone the other way and saw the prices.

Ha ha...brilliant.  Didn't think to check on my phone.  Thanks for the tip!

11 hours ago, travellingtannis said:

https://covlc.gomeyra.cloud/services/tests

This is how the Royal Caribbean guest services told me to reserve the testing. I booked a time slot for when our ship returns to port, but you don't have to prepay. Hopefully that can help a few others still looking for pricing, depending on their ship and port.

Thanks for sharing the link.  Strangely, I'm not seeing Anthem.  Maybe they use a different company for that port?  Good you don't have to pre-pay.

Can't quite see all the prices as the amounts get cut off...not sure if it's the browser I'm using.

5 minutes ago, Jax said:

 

Regardless of the outcome or it’s timing, my vote is to go on the cruise. As others have said, time with our kids is precious and limited; we don’t get to turn back the clock and recreate memories from cancelled trips.  Our son is in grade 10 and we have no regrets cruising this past Christmas.  We had forgotten how good it felt to travel again and turn off Covid. 

I'm crossing my fingers, toes and nose that they re-evaluate the border crossing restrictions.

And 250% agree with your comment above.  This is time we don't get back and time is ticking.

So great you were able to cruise at Christmas.

1 hour ago, Edmund said:

I live in Toronto. I have the same issues.  Mine is Drive or Fly?   Im doing a B2B Feb 20,  and I love to fly from Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto. The flight is an hour, with no line ups and easy boarding. I arrive one hour before the flight.   The problem is getting the PCR test after the cruise as Royal have stopped their complimentary testing . The charged last I checked at the Bayonne terminal is $210 US  !  ouch!     Convert that to CAD for a family of 4!   I have no idea how long the results take . For me the logistics of the whole thing is simply too stressful. I have decided to drive and pay $300 for parking,  pay the fuel to drive 6-7 hours to and from Toronto.  I will try a rapid test at a local Walgreens in Buffalo or Niagara Falls New York and try my luck. If  worse comes to worse I will stay at the local Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino to figure things out. 

Wondering how you found out the price at Bayonne? The current Anthem cruise would be the first one where they are charging and it hasn't returned yet.  We're driving home too, and will split the drive up over two days (as I have a bad back and can't sit too long) so if we can't get it at the port, we can find other options.  I believe the website used to say "starting at $2xx" (I forget the exact amount) but now it mentions $130...but that's just the the min amount they would charge.  

1 hour ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

We did eventually get the results, 2.5 hours later (after being told results would be 45 minutes) but the results for BOTH my wife and I were “inconclusive”.

While the Miami airport option (Nomi Health) is expensive I will be using it in the future for peace of mind. They had a very efficient set up and had our results in 17 minutes. I don’t mind paying for peace of mind.

Am really sorry that happened to you.  How stressful!  So "inconclusive" result is pretty useless.  Don't blame you at all...definitely worth the extra cost at the airport, and glad it worked out for you.

5 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

He never got his results. Had to do another test at MIA.

 

Maybe? lol  I don't even know either anymore.  I need to check back old posts.

Oh gosh, that's horrible....esp if on a time frame to catch a flight. Maybe it'll be more reliable since we now have to pay for it vs it being complimentary up until end of Jan?

Lol...I know.  So many discussions and things going on with testing. Can't wait for the day where testing isn't needed...but for now, I'll take it if that's what lets us cruise.

7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

In other news, I just noticed on the CBSA website just now that the wording has changed a bit for arrival back to Canada by car.  Didn't it used to say the test must be completed in the US?  I remember that is why I was worried in December that they wouldn't accept the onboard test.  Now it just say "outside of Canada".  So technically, I could be at sea and test and be ok to come back with this?  If so, those Switch Health ones are looking like the better option.

• Arriving by car, bus, boat, ferry or train

  You must take a molecular test outside of Canada within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada.

Yes, we noticed that changed recently as well.  We also had a worry of getting it done on the ship since not technically in the US.

Isn't the issue with the Switch Health ones that it isn't processed in a lab?  Or am I mixing up the various tests. 

17 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I will definitely post it here as I am considering that option.  If it wasn't for what happened with @Vancity Cruiser, I would probably do it for sure.  But that has me a bit leery now.  I am currently bouncing 3 options in my head: test shoreside, test at Miami airport, or find a place in Detroit that will do rapid PCR after 4:30pm (but that is becoming harder to find).

Thanks!  Appreciate it.  What happened to Vanity Cruiser?  It's good that Royal has arranged testing at the port as an option as that may be the most straight forward option.  Of course it costs, vs somewhere like Walgreens or CVS (if still free) . Another advantage at the port is to get it done as soon as you can....just in case.  I have heard though that Royal is often disorganized and a lot of the crew have no idea about where it is done at the port.  I figure though that for March break cruise there will be a few groups asking to get it done.

5 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I should hear from whoever my Genie is soon and plan to ask about exact pricing then.  I am guessing it varies by port.

That would be great if you can get the info.  As you say, it may differ Miami vs New Jersey but still gives an idea.

23 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Why not just test shoreside with Royal then right when you get off the ship?

21 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

That's what we are hoping to do for sure.  I haven't been able to get any confirmation of testing at the port.  When you call no matter what extension you dial it goes to voice mail.  

We might get the one offered by Royal as well.  Would love to hear confirmation of actual price instead of "starting at $130".  The site says results are emailed within an hour, but also confirmation would be good.  We'll do that, or either try for Walgrreens or CVS, but we won't have internet on the ship to try and book these if can't book a week in advance.

Fyi....final payment made.  Fingers crossed covid stays away.  I watch covid numbers daily and see them declining so that's optimistic...so here's hoping we don't miss another March break.  Can't wait to get back on a cruise.

Would also love our government to drop the fine....or even reduce it to 5 days to match the actual required quarantine time where I live.  But if not, and we happen to test positive we'll just have to deal with it.  Brining work and school laptops just in case.

That is very frustrating.  I can understand Royal needing to move rooms but they should look at the whole package and if a family has booked two rooms, they shouldn't move you or at least contact you and give you options.  And it's even worse move on them when you have connecting rooms and they break this.  Our upcoming cruise we have 2 connecting balcony rooms with our kids and would be ok if they had to move us to two different connecting rooms but quite angry if they separated us.

OP I would call back and complain.  At the very least they shouldn't charge you more for a move they made you change and you only upgraded to get your rooms closer.  (Or your TA should be taking care of this and fight on your behalf)

We stayed in one on Symphony (about half way down) and have this room type booked again on Oasis next year.  You'll get different opinions but we really enjoyed the room.  It can be noisy during movies and the Aqua show but wasn't a big deal for us and it's not like these go all night.  We found the room fun to people walk and see what was going on on the boardwalk and just step out for some fresh air.  We haven't stayed in a Central Park room yet but selected Boardwalk again on Oasis over Central Park as we like that you can still see the water in the distance.

On 1/31/2022 at 2:10 PM, MacTac said:

We are currently booked at shoppers drug mart to get our pre covid rapid test to board the ship. I just called Quest which is the name of the company that Royal has listed that would be doing the post travel tests on the pier.  She said they only do PCR tests for Canadians and results are 1-2 days.  is the CVS rapid test approved to re-enter Canada?  Looking for quick test results as we are planning to drive straight home 6hr drive after disembarkation.

 

Are you sure the PCR tests done at the pier take 1-2 days?  I thought these would return much quicker (within a few hours) as that timeframe is useless if travelling home.

Edit...according to Royal's page, it states that results will be emailed to you within an hour of testing

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-to-take-a-test-if-traveling-to-us-from-another-country