Vancity Cruiser

19 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said:

Missing Ultimate Abyss.

Its a little early in the build for that lol. I'm sure Icon will have all new features even if it is similar in structure to Oasis class.

I saw some pics on Instagram that were supposedly Icon under construction and it looks like she has the same structure as Oasis with the open center 

On 4/27/2022 at 8:56 AM, Mike.s said:

Having fixed prices for drinks packages, it's daft that it's less that £40 per day for my cruise in 2 weeks, and nearly 50% more expensive for my July cruise. I don't even want to think what it will be next year.

So so true. Why would the price per day fluctuate so much?

As a Canadian 70 (or 21 C to literally the entire world other than the US) is shorts and t-shirt weather.

People are still buying the passes so don't expect prices to go down. Its the same reason why we are seing the trend of new ship builds dedicating more and more space to suite space because there are people willing to spend 5 times the amount of a regular cabin for the same vacation with a few extra perks.

Do any fellow Canadians on here know if it is possible to do a closed loop Alaska sailing from Vancouver with just a birth certificate instead of a passport like Americans can on closed loop sailings from American port?

My stepson doesn’t have a passport due to needing his fathers signature and his father being a jackass so we were thinking we could maybe do a closed loop from Vancouver.

The main production show is Tango Bueno Aires or something like that. It is a dancing/singing show. There is also a Whitney Houston tribute artist.

Holy cow! You get the drink package over an above your drink package?! Your poor liver lol. 

6 hours ago, Jessi Patterson said:

Does anyone know if the ships that go to Alaska have temperature controlled pools or waterslide areas? 

The 4 Royal ships that go to Alaska (Quantum, Ovation, Radiance, and Serenade) do not have waterslides. All 4 have fully enclosed solarium pools that can be used while in Alaska. 

The drinks packages for Royal have been sky rocketing. They are testing the consumers breaking point it seems to recoup there losses as quickly as possible I guess. It’s an interesting approach given that some other lines ‘NCL, Princess, Celebrity...’ are going to an all inclusive model. Sure you pay more for the cruise, but not more than when the price of Royals drink package is factored in

32 minutes ago, deep1 said:

Near 4 hours on hold then worst agent ever. Gave me FCC not OBC ... Only will come through in like a month.  I have FCC Nightmares all over the place here . They were supposed to be refunds! 

 

 

 

That is not right. You should have received on board credit

6 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

No.  Been on many.  This cruise was our first cruise that we booked more than 2 months in advance.  We booked January 2.  How do you guys book cruises 2 years in advance?  I would waste away in those two years LOL

The trick is booking multiple cruises and to always be booked. That way even though booking 2 years in advance you already have others booked and are not actually waiting 2 years for your vacation

Ummmmm........you are missing the part where you relax! 

I am a planner (by nature and vocation) and used to plan cruises like that. I now have learned to relax and enjoy and not plan every second of every day.

Reading your post I understand exactly how you feel and trust me, you need to relax or the vacation will be over before you realize.

44 minutes ago, Sandytrailmix said:

Two weeks ago the online check in opened up.  Immediately submitted all info required including vaccine card.  My departure is on May 22, 2022.  My vaccine card status for us is still saying “we are validating your record”. Does it normally take this long to verify vaccine cards?  This is my first cruise since January 2020.

Two weeks seems a little long. Usually it is validated or rejected within a week. My wife's was recently rejected after 4 days. Unfortunately it doesn't tell you why but my wife imediately realized it was because the card had has her married name and she travels (passport) under her maiden name. Resent it along with a picture of marriage certificate and it was approved within 24 hours.

Not sure what others are experiencing but 2 weeks seems long.......

It is an IT thing with Royal. The 15 minute thing on the website is meaningless. A thermal pass gives you access anytime, as long as you want, and as many times as you want during spa hours.

1 hour ago, mrcrab2022 said:

He told me with the drink package that he purchased for me that I could get non alcoholic drinks. He also gave me a sticker to put on my sea pass which says "Royal Replenish." He commented that he was able to get 50% off his package when he also purchased mine (I was charged BEVERAGE PACKAGE 120.36).  The cruise was 4/15- 4/18.  I didn't have internet on the cruise and I didn't realize they had a cheaper drink package. I saw everyone had cups, so I assumed I needed a package for refills? Could I have brought a water bottle from home and kept filling it up with soda?

You cannot purchase a deluxe beverage package with a soda package. This is the combo my wife and I need but when buying a deluxe package the other must purchase a refreshment package. I am not sure the logic behind this but they made this change around 5 years ago.

You cannot refill a water bottle with soda because 1) the refilable cups have a chip in them which activates the freestyle machine and 2) well that would essentially be stealing.

28 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

What are the pros/cons of the Thermal Suite?

Pro-wet and dry sauna. Pro-intimate and quiet.

Con-15 minute reservations. Con-cost.

With the Thermal Suite, are there restrictions? 

If you go to book the thermal suite, it will give you options to choose a time frame in 15 minute increments.

The thermal spa does not actually require 15 minutes reservations. When you purchase the pass you have unlimited access durring spa hours.

1 hour ago, FSUFAN said:

We’ve never been on a RCL sailing and I have some questions about the spa area that I can’t seem to find online.  Last cruise we were on (another line), the Spa was one floor above our room. I would get up early (6:00ish) in the morning and do a sauna/steam visit and then shower/shave in the larger spa showers (I’m 6’4”). No one was ever there and it was easy and relaxing. Mrs Fan could get ready without me getting in the way.  I like the idea of the Thermal Suite, but if it is too crowded or restrictive, then I just won’t do that.

Do they offer free access to a steam room (and showers)?

Free access to the sauna (and showers)?

Is the Thermal Suite worth the cost (I know it depends)?

What are the pros/cons of the Thermal Suite?

With the Thermal Suite, are there restrictions?

Are there other options (paid or free) that I am not aware of on the Quantum?

There is no free access to the sauna, steam rooms, or showers. You much purchase the thermal suite package. My wife gets it every cruise and feels it very much worth the money. They sell limited passes so it rarely gets busy. The only con to the RC thermal suite is no whirlpool or thalsotherapy pool but it sounds like that is not what you are looking for.

2 hours ago, putinbay said:

We were on the Wonder of the Seas last month (3/11/22 sailing date). We had a 2:00 PM check-in time (we booked our cruise 3 weeks before sail date, so early check-in times were long gone). We got to the pier at 11:15 AM, and were on the ship by 11:45 AM, with beer in-hand by 11:47 AM. They did not check our boarding time.

Hope this helps!

This doesn’t help. This encourages people to show up early which will once again lead to pre shutdown chaos at the terminals

At this point they are still strongly sticking to the boarding times. I don’t mind this new process as if you time it well you can be curb to on-board in 15 minutes. I remember the madhouse that was boarding pre 2020 that often took hours, you were packed in, sweating and uncomfortable. I hope they stick with the pre selected boarding times.

33 minutes ago, twangster said:

Not a good week to be a flight attendant... "A federal judge says I don't need no mask".

This is my concern. You know some poor flight attendants are going to be verbally abused this week trying to enforce the masks

So will I have to wear a mask when I fly on Friday or not 

Will the real kimberleymarsh please stand up, please stand up....

12 minutes ago, Dave and Anne said:

Thank you.  Was wondering if a priest was onboard and wanted to make it publicly known, would a place like guest services have that information for possible daily masses. 

Generally this only happens if it is organized ahead of time as a group or such. Facilities are made available for 'self led' religious services so if a religious leader was on the ship and wanted to lead he/she could certianly do so but it is not a regular thing. I believe 15-20 years ago Catholic/Christian services were a regular thing on cruises but no longer. Perhaps they were not well attended or perhaps in the spirit of inclusivity they decided not to hold any as people of other faiths would be left out. 

I believe your best bet is as @HeWhoWaitsadvised and try to find a service close to port.

If you are loyal to Royal your options are Quantum and Ovation out of Seattle or Radiance and Serenade from Vancouver. If your only cruise experience is Oasis then going from that to Radiance or Serenade will be a shock. These 2 ships are excellent sight seeing (and relaxation) ships but offer little else in the way of activities and entertainment. Quantum and Ovation offer many activities and entertainment options. However, because of their larger size they cannot get as close to the glaciers. You could sail quantum or Ovation for the big ship experience and then book an excursion that takes you right to a glacier for a ‘best of both worlds’ experience....

1 hour ago, LinRon2 said:

Yes, agree.  We need to know if we are to be helped in some way, or thrown off the ships to fend on our own [for re-entry into the USA].  One way or another.  Otherwise, how can we plan? 

You need to make your own plans. As a Canadian I have been dealing with this on the US side for my last cruises. 

There is a company (Empower Clinic) contracted to do testing at the Vancouver cruise terminal. I’m not sure if the cruise lines will assist with this or not but my experience on US cruises is that the cruise line just provides a link to the shore side testing company and it is up to you to make an appointment and pay. I had a look at the company’s website and it is quite pricey ($130CAD) for a rapid antigen test. If you are flying home from YVR I recommend getting tested there as it is considerable cheaper ($79CAD) for the same test.

On a side note, I am shocked that the US still has the requirement for a negative test to fly home. It’s highly unusual for Canada to remove a restrictive measure before the US.