loki007

On 7/18/2022 at 10:25 AM, KevinK said:

What is the point of Pre-Cruise test?  Our party of 13 was so stressful before the cruise, worrying and hoping all were negative before the cruise.

We got off on Oasis of the Seas on 7-15.  On debarkation day, one friend wasn't feeling.  Got home and test positive.  Then Saturday, got a text another 2 were text positive.  Now just got another text another friend is test positive.   So far 4 out of 13 of us is test positive..  Crossing fingers and hoping that's it.  I been testing myself everyday also...

Satisfying the CDC so cruise companies could get back to making money. They really do nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Per the CDC you are “most infectious” 2 days before the onset of symptoms or a positive test…therefore even with negative testing a small percentage of cruisers are still wandering around with COVID. We have been on 2 cruises in the past 6 weeks. In June I got COVID 2 days after getting off, and last week both my wife and daughter got sick after getting off. This new BA5 variant is so infectious it will get everyone eventually. Luckily very mild. 

lava flow with kraken rum = Yummy

2 hours ago, ShugrGrl55 said:

Do you mean they weren't an option/required for any shows or activities? Or that they were, but all booked before you could grab a spot?

no option to reserve. via the app you can add a reminder to you calendar but all events were first come basis

Just off Mariner and the tumblers were not available. They were giving out orange, yellow, or blue plastic cups with a sticker on the bottom for the coke machines (sticker would wear off and you could trade the cup in) 

I agree, I was just on Mariner (docked beside you in Curaçao). 13th cruise and I have never seen a ship this packed. We just gave up trying to enjoy scheduled activities. MDR service was incredibly slow. We would just sit forever in between courses. All the chairs in the solarium were gone at 630am on sea days. Bar service was excellent thankfully.

I’d gladly pay a premium for lower capacity sailings. 

Just got off Mariner of the Seas which is essentially identical to Navigator. Full Capacity, very crowded. No reservations available for anything. Theater shows were no problem. Always seats available. Game shows, Bingo, live music I’d plan on arriving an hour early if you want a seat. Solarium chairs were gone by 630am, main pool by 830am. 

15 hours ago, Concerned said:

With requirement to test at no more than 2 days prior to setting sail, and rapid tests unavailable through (Long Island) pharmacies l/via insurance and PCR tests take as much as 3 days, it is very stressful not knowing if we (20 of us!) will have results in time. Only alternative seems to be buying their Abbott Labs telehealth test kit ($70 each, so $700!!!) or an Urgent Care, where the fee is $200 or so ($4000!!!!!!!!).

 

are there other options?  When I ask RC they act as if no one has ever brought this issue up to them.  They keep saying just go get a rapid test and I’m like, it’s not 2021 and it’s not that easy to anymore!

order from emed. They come in a day or 2 and are super easy. We did ours yesterday morning before work for our cruise tomorrow. Results in your email in 5 minutes. 

Nice pants and a collared shirt. I never wear a jacket. I'm on vacay. If I wanted to dress like I was at work I'd stay at work 

1 hour ago, FSUFAN said:

 

With The Key, don't they take your carry-on bag to your room while you have lunch?  

Anyway, problem solved, she has decided to have the massage on day 2, late afternoon while we are in Bar Harbor.  We were just there last October (actually across the bay in Winter Harbor) staying at an Airbnb so we won't go to Acadia.  We'll head into town for the morning and then get back on the ship that afternoon so she can go to her appointment. 

sorry yes you can check in your carry bag. We've never taken advantage of that perk. Have a great time. 

Might not be in your room by 2:00 and unlikely your luggage will arrive by then. I'd carry on a change of clothes to be safe. 

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Anyone have recent turnaround times for Optum to ship the tests?  I ordered on Sunday afternoon and they haven't shipped yet.

I ordered a couple months ago from Emed and received in 48 hours

We got of Indy on June 13th. I tested positive June 15th. I was the only one of my family of 4 to get COVID. It was a mild cold for 3 days. Can't say for sure it was the cruise, it was only a 3 nighter so its possible I got it before. Not a big deal for us and won't deter us from cruising again. 

Go to your cruise planner and look at purchase history. Just take a screen shot of that just in case but I’m sure you are fine. I don’t think the drink package shows up anywhere on the app. Do you have your set sail pass on your phone? Should see the letters DX under packages. That’s the drink package. It will also be noted on your key card when you receive it on the ship. 

Chops has long been one of our favorite cruise meals on any cruise line. Especially if you have the opportunity to eat outside in Central Park on an Oasis ship. All the sides are great, the steak (filet) one of the best I’ve had anywhere. Service is always great. Only experience post pandemic was February on Indy and really enjoyed it. 

The app isn’t that reliable. If it is important to have reliable communication I would say the WiFi will bring you piece of mind. The ship is as safe environment as any. Our kids were that age when ship WiFi was prohibitively expensive and kids didn’t carry phones anyways. We always found a magnetic dry erase board on the cabin door was an effective way for them and us to let each other know where we were. 

I do them for my entire family on my phone. 

we were on Summit in the retreat in March. I assume the Luminae menu is the same between ships. The entire experience was incredible. Best dining experience we have had on 12 cruises that include Disney, Royal, and Celebrity. The staff are awesome, the food is incredible, you're going to love it. If you don't see something on the Luminae menu you like ask for the MDR menu and you can order off that as well. Enjoy!

Cats is the worst...even after a day of abusing my drink package 

Grease/Mama Mia both were great 

The Beach Club is really incredible. If you like relaxed, pampered beach day with lower crowds, a beautiful pool, and unbelievable food then its for you. If you want beach party then just go to the free Oasis pool. We bought the beach club in Feb for $88pp and totally worth it. Last weekend we were on Indy and the price never came down below &$190pp which like you I deemed too high and opted for regular day at Coco Cay. I wish I would have spent the money honestly. What the beach club offers is exactly what my wife and I want and in the future I will spend the $200pp if thats what it costs. 

it was not open last weekend

We watched NY/TB game 6 in Playmakers on Indy...It was awesome. The entire bar was packed, every TV had the game on, and the crowd started chanting "we want sound" so they shut of the music and turned up the broadcast. 

Sounds fine to me, you can use walgreens or CVS and those are accepted. Don't see why yours wouldn't be 

We were just there last weekend and had a bed on breezy bay. I think you'll find there are always loungers available. The island is built to accommodate something like 12000 people. Our only real complaint was the drink service. Not enough bartenders but thats a first world problem and we still had a great time. I have done the Coco Beach Club before and didn't buy it this time because it was $200pp but I think I will next time we sail. It is soooo much better than the regular island. 

not eqinox but I did Summit recently in the retreat. For us there was really no comparison. Celebrity takes everything to another level. The service, food, ship condition, everything was incredible. I was blown away by the quality of food and service in Luminae. We have 2 more Celebrity cruises booked, can't wait to go again. 

definitely thru the bank of america site. We too primarily have used for OBC and then used to purchase extras like the drink package. I did get a couple of robes for 5000 points which we use for our pool at home