SpeedNoodles

I'm still not clear on why they weren't allowed to disembark passengers in the morning.

I've started using them as well.  I struggle to find masks that I can talk in, that don't scoot down my face, and that don't annoy me.  Did double masking on a recent plane trip and used the KN95 under a cloth mask.  I was surprised at how much space my face had (sorry, that sounds a bit silly), but I liked them a whole lot better than the paper or cloth masks.

I don't believe that unvaccinated kids could ever use a home antigen test.

I don't believe that unvaccinated kids could ever use a home antigen test.

https://www.amazon.com/Efficiency≥95-WWDOLL-Protection-Against-Haze-Proof/dp/B08JQNGX19?pd_rd_w=7u5Jt&pf_rd_p=82585345-d4df-49b0-bbc1-c842d1dad3c9&pf_rd_r=PGHZ75SD51G6GCAZP3N3&pd_rd_r=ea0614c0-7834-4d1b-8333-34beb7b9f1b5&pd_rd_wg=ADsBd&pd_rd_i=B08JQNGX19&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_3_t

I don't have the exact dates, but I mailed mine off for renewal in November and got it back in 5 weeks. My son had a new passport and his came back in the same time period.

It's not a cash grab the way I see it.  And I am Canadian as well.  It's not Royal who is requesting that we return with a negative PCR, it's our Canadian government.  The fault lies with them IMO.  And Royal has given each person a way out, full refund if you don't like the policy change.
How does one get home to Canada if they test positive while vacationing in Mexico, or Cuba, etc.?  How is cruising any different?  Again, if you are going to travel (in any way, shape, or form) during a pandemic, the responsibility lies on the traveler.  Pandemic travelling is not for all.

Update: passport arrived today now we are all set to cruise on January 30th! Well we still have the Covid test to pass, need to get to studying!

Just a little detour here - have you tried the KN95 masks that have become fairly popular? While they touch your face around the edge of the mask, they bow outward and do not touch the tip of your nose or your mouth at all, so they don't feel quite so confining?  They also don't muffle speech because they don't rest against your mouth Let me know if you are interested and I will send you a link to the ones I get on Amazon.

Well, we managed to salvage the day. The captain announced that we received approval to disembark at approximately 1:30 pm. My kids had a blast at the water park and Coco Cay was in full swing (from my limited view at least). Royal Caribbean provided a 50% refund on a slew of excursion charges including thrill water park passes, cabanas, and other excursions.
All aboard was pushed to 5:30, but we couldn’t stay later due to sunset.

Just a little detour here - have you tried the KN95 masks that have become fairly popular? While they touch your face around the edge of the mask, they bow outward and do not touch the tip of your nose or your mouth at all, so they don't feel quite so confining?  They also don't muffle speech because they don't rest against your mouth Let me know if you are interested and I will send you a link to the ones I get on Amazon.

I prefer the holder in my stateroom (aka garbage can).  Ok, so that's not helpful, but I really hate them, lol.

Just a little detour here - have you tried the KN95 masks that have become fairly popular? While they touch your face around the edge of the mask, they bow outward and do not touch the tip of your nose or your mouth at all, so they don't feel quite so confining?  They also don't muffle speech because they don't rest against your mouth Let me know if you are interested and I will send you a link to the ones I get on Amazon.

I prefer the holder in my stateroom (aka garbage can).  Ok, so that's not helpful, but I really hate them, lol.

Crown Loft for sure!

Definitely #teamDeck17 and the lofts.  You cannot beat the "Wow" factor of the lofts and just being on Deck 17 is a treat.  Less traffic, extra wide hallways, steps from CK/Suite lounge, less "ding dong ditch" lol

Believe that you have to send a certified copy of your BC in with your passport application also. Just checked state department web site certified copy with parents names required.
So OP is going to have to spring for the $70 certified one way or another

You have to send in a BC to get your passport anyways. I would just order a certified copy to make sure you have it for your cruise. Then you have the extra to send off to get your passport in case it gets lost for some reason...and you won't be without a BC while the passport is processing. 

In October on Symphony, we won a bid on an upgrade from a GS1 to a CL for only $235pp ….. $470 Total …….. I never expected to win for that cheap ….. it was the absolute minimum I could even bid on that category …… so you just never know what will or won’t get you the Royal Up.
 

Ok, cool. So what’s the warning level for the following?
Airports
Airplanes
Sporting events
Concert venues
Movie theaters
Shopping malls
Grocery stores
Large chain retail stores
Amusement parks
Public transportation
Restaurants
Bars
Resorts

We are making the best of this. Eating wings and burgers in Playmakers (which is awesome here on Freedom BTW) and about to head back up on the pool deck. But it’s really disappointing. 

I always just go straight to https://www.emed.com/ - the link to begin testing is on the home page and is working fine now.

It's shampoo and soap combined.  It's shoap.  I usually just bring travel-size products from my Ipsy or BirchBox hauls, and since I always stay at a hotel the night pre cruise I snatch the toiletries from those and bring those aboard as well.  #lifehack

So this is the first ever that my bid actually worked .😄
I originally had a ocean view (grandeur of the seas) on deck 3 , now have a spacious ocean view 7588 deck 7 (only bidded $200) but it is next to atrium we are not light sleepers but wondering how noisy it may be 🤔
 

FYI: I received no shipping information from Emed for our tests and they showed up on our doorstep 3 days after ordering. 
(2 days, 23 hours, 53 minutes to be precise! 😆)