Vancity Cruiser

14 hours ago, MicDay said:

@Chadsterthey are a bad influence but I won't have it any other way!

We are on the May 5th 2022 sailing too!

May 5th sailing starts in Vancouver and ends in Seattle correct?

I don’t feel Carnival is doing enough. I know they are doing the 95% vax thing but they are at double capacity of any other cruise line currently sailing, and the real head shaker for me, the only line still doing self serve buffet.

1 hour ago, San Diego Garrett said:

An impatient person in the Windjammer line eating the food as he slowly strolled down the line. Most of the food never touched the plate. Just straight into his mouth.

This is why the full service buffet needs to remain in place going forward. After emuster, the full service buffet is the best thing to come out of covid and like emuster, I hope the change is permanent.

17 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@Matt I was thinking the same thing. The fact that specialty reservations are so hard to come by with limited capacity seems odd. We plan to eat at CK for all our meals and do Izumi and Sabor for lunch. Personally I like the MDR but the timing is just rough, sometimes its a 2hr affair. 

Most specialty dining restaurants are a 2hr affair as well.

12 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I bet they think this story will force RCG into giving them something as it is bad publicity........but it just makes them look bad

Only to experienced cruisers. To everyone else (the majority of people) the cruise line is horrible for leaving them behind. That is why the news loves negative stories about cruise lines because the majority of the population is clueless about the industry and view it as something only ‘privileged’ people do. And we all know how North Americans love to attack those they perceive as privileged.

2 hours ago, KJones said:

I never personally received the email. It was sent to our travel agent, so if you have a TA, it may have sent to them

TA checked yesterday and said booking is still live.

So even though Royals restart plan lists Radiance first sailing as April 29 2022 from Vancouver I have not recieved a cancelation for my April 23 2022 cruise from LA and that sailing is still available to book online.

Thanks Matt. Hoping to be on Ovation in September

As part of Royals announcement for the restart of the remainder of their ships Radiance doesn’t return to service till the end of April when she begins Alaska cruises from Vancouver. That is why the Panama cruise was cancelled. 

Interesting that you got a cancellation notice. I was supposed to board Radiance in LA after the Panama crossing and do a coastal cruise to Vancouver but I have not received a cancellation notice yet.

6 hours ago, Wolfpackfan said:

I saw this discussed somewhere else, but can't find it now. I would like to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package. I understand from the writeup that all adults in the cabin have to also purchase it. The thing is my wife doesn't drink. I read that sometimes if you call RCI they will let you purchase the deluxe package if you purchase the Refreshment Package for the non-drinker. Has anyone had any experience doing this? I really want the deluxe package but it would be a complete waste of money for my wife.

This is very easy to do. My wife and I do this every cruise.

9 minutes ago, lanlubber said:

I was thinking the same thing about the TA, they have done this a few times to us.  Made us work with RCL direct.  My wife was on the phone with them and I said rather loudly we may as well book direct with RCL next time if they keep telling us to talk to RCL.  Shortly after that they put in additional effort to resolve our issue.

A TA should NOT be telling you to work directly with RC. Get a new TA!

14 hours ago, JasonOasis said:

Breaking news that might impact Canadians and other international travelers coming into the US in the near future even for a cruise.

Reuters is now reporting a White House official stated the Biden Administration is currently developing plans that if implemented would require all foreign visitors to the U.S. be fully vaccinated.  According to the article the White House began moving in this direction last month and has already met with the nations airlines and other businesses over this proposed policy.  The White House is seeking input on implementation should this proposal become a reality and what would be accepted as proof of vaccination, and which vaccines would be acceptable as fully vaccinated whether they are FDA approved or not (meaning vaccines like AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinovac, Sinopharm and other vaccines which are not approved for use in this country).

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclusive-us-developing-plan-require-foreign-visitors-be-vaccinated-official-2021-08-04/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social

The article doesn't specify if the White House included the cruise industry in their talks last month, hopefully they did because the number of international visitors who come to the US to take a cruise is huge, any policy such as this would without a doubt have an impact on the cruise industry.

This shouldn’t have an impact on the cruise industry as they require vaccines anyway (I know, I know, they are not “required” but the fact is only a fraction of those cruising are not vaccinated because of protocols in place). 

I am not surprised that they are considering only allowing vaccinated people in, this is what most countries are doing. This is what has been expected since late 2020 when vaccines were just being released. That is the reason I got vaccinated as I expected it would be the only way to travel internationally. I’d rather they do this than not open at all.

17 hours ago, KJones said:

Our April 10th Radiance Panama Canal sailing also appears to have been cancelled - no email yet but it's disappeared from the website and its first sailing is listed as 4/30/22.

I am booked to do the last part of that reposition - LA to Vancouver - but that looks to be cancelled as well, although I have not yet received an email yet.

I'm not sure the 7 night max thing is even in the CSO anymore. I know that some lines are currently doing 8 night cruises, and lots of people are doing B2B cruises as well. I think it may have been quietly removed from the CSO.

Looks like I have one cancelled but other 4 are a go

Chris, are crew members allowed off at ports?

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Speaking of Vancouver, anyone have any hotel suggestions with quick access to the port?

The Pan Pacific is right on the terminal. The hotel staff will take your luggage from your room to the ship while you take an elevator down to check in for your cruise and board.

26 minutes ago, Marlena said:

Side question...have any Canadians here sailed yet? I'm wondering about vaccinations card requirements and the fact ours are different. 

I haven’t personally (55 more days) but I know Some Canadians have been sailing and I haven’t heard of any issues with their proof of vaccine. I assume the cruise lines understand they would look different when issued by a different country.

2 hours ago, Dad2Cue said:

should I be rethinking my plan for my cruise this coming October?  My kids are adults now and we all all vaccinated but everything seems so "weird" as you say.  This all sounds like something will go wrong but I still want to be optimistic.

If you struggle with flexibility you should be rethinking your plan. Anyone with a cruise booked or thinking of booking a cruise for at least the next year yet should be prepared for things to change. From ports of calls to requirements to processes the industry is going to be very fluid for at least a year yet. If you are looking for a vacation where you are certain things aren’t going to change you should be looking for a land based vacation (I.e. resorts or hotels) where your chance of contacting covid is much higher but ignored by the media.

CAN WE PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT EVERY CASE OF COVID FOUND ON A CRUISE SHIP ON THIS FORUM

its bad enough the media has to do it

49 minutes ago, Matt said:

It will never happen. Royal isn't going to make up different rules for different ships, not to mention the fact they feel as adamant as they do about being a family brand.

Don’t they already have different rules for ships sailing from different states? 

11 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

How bad does it look for a company to have deny someone? Because that's exactly what RCG would be doing by singling out ships for only vax pax. Having separate venues is already cutting it a little close. But per the current CDC recommendations, anyone indoors needs to wear mask, so whether it is 50% or 95% is a moot point.

It’s working for Carnival who will have the most ships sailing so I don’t think it’s that bad. It’s the reality of the industry right now. Carnival denies unvaxed after all final payments are in so I don’t think they are too worried about long term damage to their brand. I think Royal having a few ships designated to be 95% vaccinated is a great idea.

1 hour ago, MG728 said:

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this.  If I book a spacious oceanview room, on Rhapsody for example, that is designated at 5+ occupants, can I book for 4 online, then call and have the 5th person added to my room? Since the website will only allow me to book for 4 people per room.. I'm aware the price will increase with adding the 5th, I just want to make sure it's doable. Thanks!

I really hope this is not 5 adults. You will NOT be comfortable. 

An excellent point. I never thought about it but it makes a ton of sense. I'm sure there is some reason for it. Perhaps durability of murphy beds and the costs associated with maintenance and replacement? 

18 minutes ago, teddy said:

I honestly can’t think of a cruise ship cabin I wouldn’t stay in.  

This ^^^^^