heffy2

Day 2
Well, did not take long to fall back into regular patterns. Hubby is asleep. Breakfast in CK alone, but I don’t mind at all. 🙂
Doesn’t look like much change to the menu. 

Random thought: Since we didn’t make it into CK last night, this is my first look around at this set up on Allure. We last sailed Allure and Oasis back before we took a dive into suite snob territory so the only CK I know is that on AN, HM, and SY. I knew ahead of time the layout is swapped around on the older OA/AL, that I don’t mind. However, not sure if it’s the lack of decor on the walls, or the suite bar against the window, or the older furnishings, but I can definitely say that the newer CK have a better vibe to them. Still, CK any day is better than no CK. 

There’s a way to fix that problem. Do like I did, we built a house just south of @Matt and can be at Canaveral in 80 minutes, Everglades in 3  hours, and Port Miami in 3 and a half. 

Dinner time! We decided to change things up a bit, tired and don’t really feel like putting ourselves together lol.

Coastal Kitchen with a twist….

Caesar Salad - CK


Crispy Pork Belly - CK
One of my favourite appetizers 

This is from Izumi. Never ordered it, Hubby ate it anyway and he ended up liking it.  Don’t know what it is though. 


Chicken Karage - Izumi
We also didn’t order this. Must be a mix up or part of the SC food coma package 😉

Filet mignon ❤️ - CK 
This one I ordered!
 

 
Yaki Udon - Izumi 
One of Hubby’s favourites 

Red Velvet Cheesecake - Chops

Now my heart and tummy are happy! 
 

Lunch happening now:

Add to this, “waiting for in-terminal COVID test results for your kids” - the ship is RIGHT THERE! LETS GOOOOO (to the bar)!

The slowest time moves is....
The few hours before check-in time on cruise day while stuck in your hotel room The week before your cruise Any of your kids' recitals/concerts

Since I am still waiting for Hubby to finish getting ready, a little backstory for this sailing….
Originally, two years ago, we were actually booked for Jewel of the Seas sailing 12/18/2021. A few months later, I caught a fantastic deal on Crown Loft for two people on Allure sailing just a day later. I moved it right away, #teamOAclass always.
 
A few months ago, knowing this was likely going to be our first cruise back since the pandemic, I started thinking we really should splurge given what we were celebrating, an excess of FCC, and having the possible benefits of star while sailing in a pandemic. 
 
The only problem was that there was no star availability by the time I wanted it. So the stalking the website began. About two months out from sailing, an A2 popped up for a pretty decent price. Being #teamDeck17, I wrestled with star or leaving Deck 17 and Deck 17 won. I let the A2 go. Then, about a month ago, a star suite on Deck 17 popped up for not much more than what the A2 would have cost. It took me a whole 5 seconds to tell my TA to upgrade us. I will explain why later, it was a no brainer.  

@Jax and I tried to keep it from both our spouses. Only she was successful. About a week ago over dinner, Hubby flat out asked me, “Are we sailing star on this one?” You don’t spend 25 years together by lying so I had to say yes. This was followed by a lot of whining and complaining by the girls that they weren’t coming. Hubby said, “Good, that includes laundry.” 😂
I have long said that sailing star with just Hubby and I might not really necessary. We will see if I change my mind about that lol. The kids and Hubby now roll their eyes at me. Hubby said he gives up, he will just assume from this point onwards, he will just assume that every sailing is star unless told otherwise.  

As a solo cruiser, I like dining alone.  But I've had opportunities to socialize at the trivia games and the dance classes.  I've met a lot of nice people on excursions too.  On my last cruise I ended up being the videographer for those on the cenoté excursion with me.  I took videos of their plunges in slow-motion on my iPhone and airdropped them to their phones.  After that we always said hi when we bumped into each other on the ship. We even got to cheer for each other at the rock climbing wall.

I have no proof but feel strongly this is behind the policy change.
Last week a Canadian on Symphony went for their routine PCR test to fly home.  Stop the truck, positive result, asymptomatic.  From their accounting Royal was great to work with but in the end it likely cost Royal over $20k to manage.  Royal likely spent hours negotiating with the Canadian government over repatriation.  
It simply doesn't make business sense to continue on that basis.  They'll go bankrupt doing that for any sort of number of Canadians.  Omicron is too easily spread despite what appears to be mild outcomes.  For a business they simply can not afford multiple $20k+ expenses every week.  

Cruising during the restart won't be for everyone.  This policy change is a serious downer for any foreign (non-US) cruiser leaving from a US port but it is exactly the kind of last minute policy change that can occur during the restart.
For me the clear solution is to request a refund and accept no other outcome.
Many of us have stories to tell of something that didn't go our way because of the pandemic both on sea and on land well apart from cruising.  At the end of the day the virus is to blame for so much impact in so many ways.
Sorry the latest variant and reactions from governments around the world has impacted your cruise but sadly that is life during a pandemic.  Take the money and try again, or not, when you are more comfortable and hopefully we are all dealing with less impact.    

The real crime is the private testing places that are charging such insane rates. Anywhere that takes insurance, testing is typically free, but these for-profit sites know they have a captive audience that need tests quickly, and so they've set their rates way higher than I personally feel is fair. 
 
Also, to whoever suggested that legal fees would be less than the $840... you clearly don't use lawyers much, do you? 😂

In all honesty I am a little tired of people that behave in such an entitled manner. Sue!? Really? There would be no legal grounds for a lawsuit. Getting a free PCR test was a perk and a privilege.
The cruise contract states, polices, port etc. can change at will. There was no bait and switch. 

Not if you need a PCR test to enter. 
However there may be a telehealth proctored version of the other test that's accepted for return to Canada..RT-LAMP provided by Switch Health.

Sad that RCI is not honoring their original agreement.
My suggestion, get an attorney to write RCI a letter requesting to be fairly compensated.
I doubt the attorney fees would cost anywhere near the $840 cost for testing.

While the cost of the test may be some small factor with this policy change, it is not reason for the change.  Royal cannot afford for the skyrocketing number of positive test results to be their (cruise line) problem.  They need neither the “head count” nor the costs associated with quarantine and repatriation.  These are the costs and responsibilities that Royal is offloading.  Whether that’s a moral or immoral decision, is certainly debatable.  Since US citizens do not require a test to re-enter the US (for now, at least) there will no accounting for COVID carriers coming off the ship unless they have fallen ill and exhibit symptoms while on board. They are washing their hands.

The PCR test is something your home country is requiring, not Royal. The bottom line is that these post cruise tests are causing more problems than they are solving for Royal.
You should be able to cancel and get a refund if you aren't happy with the change. Just insist on a refund instead of the FCC.

Yes, first reported here on December 20.  Sorry that it's affecting you.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/12/20/royal-caribbean-will-stop-offering-onboard-covid-19-tests-international-passengers

I used Walgreen's Rapid ID Now test for my Allure sailing.   I got the results after 15 minutes.   No problems encountered at embarkation at all.

I traded an Owner's Suite on Empress for an Owner's Suite on Odyssey.  Win ?

It's unlikely anyone here can answer this question without guessing or just making something up.  

As someone who is vaccinated, still masks up when in public and basically stays at home because I have family who is at risk and I want to be able to see them whenever...
 
Was the 2 year old directly in your space? Have you tried to get a 2 year old to do anything? It's like herding cats. I also think the parents should try but maybe we should be a little more compassionate. Not trying to be argumentative and I realize anyone could spread anything but reprimanding a parent for toddler seems a lot. 
 

Playmakers is all new to this class.  Perched high in the Sportsplex it offers great views of the game and of the sea.

"The Book" is the newest Two70° production show and it's all new.  It's hard to capture a Two70 show in still pictures, it's something that is best experienced live.

Twangster, you have the BEST pictures for advertising any ship (you even make smaller older ships look amazing). So thank you for sharing the ones for Odyssey.  Hope to sail her someday.  Beautiful and seems to offer so much!  Hope you had a wonderful cruise.