eaglesfaninfl

I erroneously posted this in the Roll Call, so I am reposting it here. We are on the 2/16 cruise out of Baltimore. While filling out our pre-trip info neither my wife (iPad), nor I (Windows 10) were able to upload a photo ID that was accepted. Each time, and we tried 5-6 times each, it would be "rejected." Any thoughts , insights or suggestions? Thanks!

We are on the 2/16 cruise out of Baltimore. While filling out our pre-trip info neither my wife (iPad) nor I were able to get a photo ID that was accepted. Each time, and we tried 5-6 times each, it would be "rejected." Any thoughts , insights or suggestions? Thanks!

We sailed on Brilliance out of Tampa some years back over Christmas and a Catholic priest was on board and said Mass in the theatre (which was noted in the daily ship's newsletter for that day). If one is on board, he will probably say Mass but there is no guarantee.

When we lived in the Tampa Bay area, we sailed Brilliance quite often (next size up from Vision and Grandeur, Enchantment started off as a Vision class then was cut in half and enlarged with a new middle; mostly additional staterooms so quite a few more passengers using the amenities). We've also sailed Navi and Adventure, both of which are larger still. Our personal favorite remains Radiance class, including Brilliance, Jewel and Serenade (on which we have also sailed). This class is larger than Vision class but still only holds apx. 2500 passengers but is not so large that it's a daytrip from on end to the other. The Schooner Bar on board this class is the best of any ship with a wall of windows looking out on the ocean. Plenty of space and windows from almost every location (even some elevators!) on the ship and still small enough to get into the smaller ports. Love the Radiance class!

On 12/6/2022 at 4:58 PM, Pattycruise said:

 

Finally  and most important….there are no elevators to bring you up to the embarkation on deck 4. Once you exit the terminal there are 2 “ways to go”,

my mother in law, close to 80, asked about an elevator and was told “there’s one o  the ship”.  So we walked up ramps that never ended. Lots of old folks stopping to get their breathe.  Meanwhile I had noticed a woman with a walker was directed to the second hallway and that one went directly onto the pier for a “no walk up hills” directly onto the ship.  (I could see her progress from the first ramp we were walking up) So I guess you might need to say “handicapped entrance” if you are unable to walk steep inclines.  

My wife has mobility problems also and we were directed to the Deck One entry a few weeks ago as you mentioned. The problem came about when we got on board and none of the elevators had been programmed to go to deck one, they all turned to "Up" at deck three. So we waited and waited, getting more and more crowded with walkers, scooters and wheelchairs until finally somebody woke up about 40 minutes later and the elevators started returning to deck one and we could proceed to our rooms.

We attend Mass while on board if a priest is also cruising. It is usually listed in the Cruise Compass for that day. If no priest is available, there is no obligation to attend Mass, since there is no Mass!

Sue and I are getting back to cruising after three years (Covid cancellations, restrictions, etc.), sailing out of Baltimore on Enchantment to the Caribbean over Thanksgiving. Decided late to do the cruise and snagged the last Balcony available. With six sea days, I am considering the Deluxe Beverage package. Does anyone have recent knowledge about drink pricing (cocktails, wine and beer) on board? Most of our previous cruises were out of RCL FL ports and drinks were $12-13, wine $9-10+ and so forth.

Also, has anyone sailed Enchantment out of Baltimore recently? Anything we should look for or be aware of? I understand we can use a non-proctored home covid test (cruise is twelve nights, and I guess covid germs stay around longer on 12-night cruises than on 8-nighters! Lol!)

Thanks in advance for any comments, suggestions, etc>

We have sailed out of Tampa on numerous occasions (we lived 45 mins. from the port until recently), a 4pm sailing cruises under the Skyway generally between 6pm and 6:30. Not to be missed!!

Sorry to hear about your mother, Daniel. Back in 2019, I had to cancel a Thanksgiving cruise due to an emergency surgery and, after filling out the paperwork and getting the doctor to sign off, the RCL travel protection policy thru Aon made me whole. In your situation, I don't see what loss you would be looking to be reimbursed. If you are referring to the additional cost of reverting to a 2 person room, that only comes into play if you rebook. Don't rebook, have your deceased mother be a "no-show" at boarding, you won't be charged anything extra and you will save yourself from having to do the paperwork. In other words, continue on and enjoy your cruise! Again, condolences on your loss.

On 8/5/2020 at 1:55 PM, twangster said:

Yikes.  I wonder if the Blue Jays will look to relocate on a more permanent basis, assuming MLB doesn't shut down completely.  Maybe next year they'll try the NHL bubble approach.

Interesting you say that as the Rays have been considering playing half a season in Montreal and half in Tampa Bay some time in the next few seasons. Can't see that happening now, especially with the covid problems MLB already has had with the Cards and Marlins!

22 hours ago, Mike Stephens said:

Well, if they are starting with short cruises, I guess my Nov 9th 11 nighter on Lady G will officially be my 3rd cruise cancelled this year.  3 strikes, I'm out

We are on an 8 nighter on Lady G over Thanksgiving...final payment in two weeks. First and only time I ever booked NRD but will probably cancel. Thinking I might make the final payment since I cannot see this cruise happening which should mean I get my NRD back. I know, I know, possibly throwing good money after bad but it doesn't seem possible that any cruise happens until 1Q21(at a minimum) with 98% of the crews spread out all over the world, to say nothing of the health protocols still not decided upon, CDC decision-making, etc., etc.

Have sailed a number of times on RCL, primarily out of Tampa. We were scheduled to do a Panama Canal cruise in March out of Tampa on Celebrity. Because of china flu concerns and the effect on cruising, we are considering switching to Celebrity Edge out of Ft Lauderdale in 2022. Would appreciate any comments as to the size of the ship (my wife has mobility problems) and features, especially the Virtual balcony that Edge has. Most of our cruises have been on Radiance class but we have cruised up to the Freedom of the Seas, which was a bit too much for her. Like the idea of four dining rooms with different cuisine choices. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks, stay healthy and have a happy 4th!

On 7/2/2020 at 9:02 AM, coneyraven said:

That's sort of my thought process, assuming Horizon, Monarch & Sovereign are scrapped (which breaks my heart) --- Grandeur, and perhaps other Vision Class Ships may be the dawn of a new era for Pullmantur.  My guess would be Lady G, Rhapsody, and Vision with Enchantment staying in Baltimore for a while (although, it has been documented that a Radiance Class ship will fit under the bridges)...... Brilliance & Baltimore.... a winning combination..

Keep your hands off our Brilliance, Raven!! Lol!

14 hours ago, Bob Wise said:

Hope to be on the Grandeur on Thanksgiving day.

We are also but are having second thoughts. The health aspects are certainly one major question but I dislike the thought of masking and distancing on what is supposed to be a vacation. I can't see myself enjoying the cruise under those circumstances, however necessary they might be, so why bother and waste the money? We have been cruising over Thanksgiving numerous times but we might have to miss it this year.

I am pretty sure that CLIA's legal advisors told them that they will never get a doctor to sign the release. What I find interesting is that this apparently was rescinded back around April 3, I believe, but it is just now being reported. Obviously, there were no cruises affected so no need to quickly release the announcement but it seems to be dribbling out by word of mouth. Just seems a little strange, but what doesn't these days?

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

 

Personally, I think these kinds of restrictions will EVENTUALLY be quietly overlooked or even rescinded completely, but at least at the beginning of cruise resumption, I think it will disappoint and disenfranchise many and cause the cruise lines to lose a lot of much-needed and never-to-return business.

I agree Waaay...consider our situation. We will be in NJ in November and have a cruise planned out of Baltimore over Thanksgiving. Most of our doctors, including both PCPs, are in FL, where we live much of the year. Since we are both in our mid-70's, we would have to fly to FL and back within a week of the cruise to obtain the certificate, then drive to Baltimore. An alternative would be to go through the hassle of getting a PCP in NJ, including any testing the PCP would require. The third alternative would be to cancel the cruise and that is probably what we will do!

We love cruising and have enjoyed every cruise we have been on, but after a certain point, it just isn't worth the aggravation.

As a point of information, I had to cancel our Bermuda cruise out of Bayonne on April 2, and just saw that my deposit and drink pkgs. were refunded to my Visa card this past Friday.

Just booked $44 beverage for me and $19 refreshment for my wife on Grandeur over Thanksgiving after seeing it on the Matt's Blog. Lowest beverage price I've seen in quite a while, thanks for the heads up, Matt. Now I just hope it sails!!

If you purchased travel insurance, between the "personal health issues" plus the CDC recommendations, you may be able to recover the cruise fare. I had a health issue back in November due to emergency surgery and received my full cruise fare back from Aon.

16 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Yes, for some time now.  Probably one of the reasons she is leaving the fleet soon.  The only time you can really feel the vibrations is when you are up in Izumi. They’re very pronounced there.  But otherwise, it’s not an issue.

Thanks Waaay, the chances of me getting my wife into Izumi run to the infinitesimal! Good to hear it's not a major problem!

Received an email from our TA yesterday concerning our Grandeur cruise in November 2020. It was from RCL and reduced port stay times "due to speed restrictions." Has Grandeur been experiencing propulsion problems? The ports are Charleston, Port Canaveral and Coco Cay.

We are booked on Celebrity Constellation, 11 nights out of Tampa , into the Canal and back to Tampa in March 2021.

Had recent experience with Aon, RCL's travel insurer. Had to cancel our annual Thanksgiving cruise on Brilliance due to learning late in October that I had to have a surgery done quickly. Well past the final payment date, I cancelled the cruise. After the surgery was complete, I spoke with Michelle at MEI and she sent me the contact info at Aon. I filled out the rather simple form and had the surgeon's nurse do the same for the medical portion and she got the doctor to sign. Filed the forms and final RCL invoice with Aon and had the checks within about three weeks, I believe.

No problems, no need for phone calls, follow-ups, etc. Nice to know RCL has THAT system working, at least!! Lol!

Thanks so much for doing this blog. We are scheduled to do a cruise in March 2021 from Tampa to Gatun Lake and back on Celebrity Constellation. Your pics and commentary showed us we made the correct decision!

If a priest is on board he will generally say Mass on Sunday and it will be noted in the cruise calendar. No priest on board, no Mass on board. Our first cruise was over Christmas some years back, a priest said Mass in the theatre around 9AM and led a non-denominational Christmas service around 11AM. Both were noted in the cruise calendar.