BrianB

I would reprint just to be sure. But you can also use the app to display your SetSail pass. I would even make sure by comparing barcodes from both. Also, the Key logo should be on your SetSail pass.

I believe all guests six and older on a reservation must purchase the Key. So if you have two in a cabin, you both must purchase the Key. Each Key purchase includes one Voom Surf and Stream.

I also take pictures of the name tags and include their names in my post cruise review. There are just so many who really go above and beyond in providing excellent service on a regular basis. Also, I’ll ask them the correct pronunciation of their name…and add that as a note (phonetically) to their name tag photo…and memorize it. I like to address them by their real name rather than the nickname that they use to make it easier for passengers. They seem to really appreciate it…

Nachos! Beware the nachos! They are piled high, dangerously addictive and eating them will force you (yes FORCE you) to drink more than you planned…but what a delicious way to go! Love Playmakers!

I read where that other cruise line admitted during a shareholder video conference that they would continue limiting capacity on their ships because it was producing more profits. Apparently the demand for cruising from loyal, repeat customers was high and they were willing to pay a higher price to cruise. By limiting capacity, the company limited expenses. These include paying for less crew members and less provisions. The combination of less expenses and higher fares resulted in a higher profit margin than having full capacity with lower fares. This has the appearance of taking advantage of your most loyal cruiser. I think this is a short sighted strategy that may prove profitable in the short run, but will cost them long time loyal customers who may try other options…like me. I was loyal to them, but then their prices jumped…especially post Covid. I reached their highest loyalty level with over 700+ points but was disappointed with the lack of tangible perks, or even simple recognition. The only way to get the perks was to pay for the highest suite category…just like a first time cruiser. I felt slighted and cheated. Plus, some of their decisions early on during the restart were problematic…such as demanding full one hundred percent vaccinated cruisers which prohibited families from booking. Add in some of their unfortunate mishaps resulting in lots of cancellations and confusion. Oh, well… Now I’m absolutely loyal to Royal. Not only do I now enjoy the benefits of being Pinnacle, but I also enjoyed the benefits I received along the way. C&A is much, much better than that other line in recognizing and rewarding loyalty. Bottom line…the grass sometimes IS greener somewhere else. Shame on them for pushing some of their best customers away. But, I say to them…thanks! It made me find a new, better, more appreciative home.

@MaryCS62Thank you! She is very hesitant about cruising with severe Celiac. She suffers the same reactions as you described…even with the slightest cross contamination. Three years ago, I finally convinced her to go on a cruise with us on another line. It was the only one with the dates available to her, and the port location being nearby in Manhattan. I researched their gluten-free options and procedures and found them to be pretty good. They took very good care of her…just like you mentioned. The MDR manager had her choose her next day’s meals and he handled the service himself just to make sure. But since that time, I have found Royal is a much better experience in every way and I have become absolutely loyal to Royal. Your experience makes me feel better about inviting her to cruise with us on Royal out of Port Liberty. Thank you!

That’s a very good point. I didn’t think of that. But I would think in a true emergency situation that would require the response of all crew members…that they would weigh the risk of spreading an infection versus saving lives or the continued safe operation of the vessel. I’m pretty confident that ‘all hands on deck’ would include those members who are quarantined as close contacts…and then, even those who are positive and isolated. Double, or even triple masked and gloved. As long as they are physically able…which seems to be the case in virtually all positive cases.

I wonder what the crew capacity number is on each sailing. Not only the number of crew members on board, but how many are currently available for service and not quarantined or isolated. Probably something not easily obtainable. Plus, I’m sure it fluctuates as crew members come in and out of quarantine. I know they want to be as careful as possible and it makes sense for them to quarantine whole groups of close contacts among the crew rather than risking an outbreak. I really feel sorry for those crew members doing double duty, or more, filling in for those who are sidelined…making sure we have the best possible cruise experience. Hey…just another reason to tip generously.

My sister has severe celiac disease. She also has issues with diverticulitis and other related problems. The main problem she has to deal with is cross contamination. At some land-side restaurants, when we say Gluten free…we are asked whether that’s by choice or medical. I know many people choose to have gluten free dining while others, like my sister, are highly allergic to gluten and even the smallest bit of cross contamination can cause an attack. So the kitchens in many celiac-sensitive restaurants are very careful…utilizing separate preparation areas and utensils, ensuring their isn’t any possibility of even the smallest chance of cross contamination. And the servers are very well trained and know how to make sure they don’t inadvertently cause a problem. Does anyone have experience with cruising and dining with this level of concern? Please share. Thank you!

Yes. 1 point per cruise night…plus 1 point per night for being solo in a double occupancy cabin…plus 1 more point per night for being solo in a suite. 3 points per night.

All of the above…plus; I usually sail solo. At first I planned cruises with others…and then tried cruising solo. Changed my life. Living in the northeast the winters can be annoyingly dull…short days with cold, wet weather. No outside activities for me…I don’t do winter sports. So I sail to summer. I love cruising out of the Hudson River in winter, usually on the Anthem in the fully enclosed, heated Solarium with the full glass forward view. And then, seeing how the temperature warms up virtually by the hour as we sail south. I’ll usually cruise from September to May. I love staying aboard at the ports (been there done that) and enjoying the near empty ship…although it seems a lot more passengers are opting to stay aboard. Port Liberty is a short drive. I love everything from planning, packing and driving to the port…and, after the cruise, I can’t wait to go back. I now do primarily b2bs. It’s a great feeling when seeing the luggage in the halls on the last night knowing I’m staying aboard. Being solo, I do what I want, when I want. I can meet people…or not. I can remain gloriously anonymous or join a conversation. I find cruisers are always welcoming and pleasant…heck, they’re on vacation. It’s a great lifestyle and I know that I am lucky to be able to do it…and grateful. Enjoy!

@NimrodGreat video! Thanks for sharing. It reminded me to restock my liquor cabinet!

@Nimrod Just hop in to your Flux Capacitor-customized DeLorean and enter the date a few weeks before the cruise. Don’t forget the 1.21 gigawatts and the need to hit 88 mph…be careful! You can always reach out to Doc Brown for assistance. Then you can check in and print out your boarding pass. Easy peasy! By the way…do me a favor and take a quick look at the winning lottery number while you’re there. Thanks in advance!

I’ve seen FlowRider ‘riders’ who are phenomenal…they put on quite a show, even better than the crew members. Some are so committed that they even bring their own wetsuits and boards. At one of the Top Tier events, a new Pinnacle member even brought his board up on stage for the photo. I can appreciate the zeal that they have for the sport and understand how cruise decisions can include FlowRider considerations.

I really liked that Christmas show! I thought it would be a cheesy quickie thing, but it was a great production! The singers and dancers from We Will Rock You and Spectra’s, along with the Royal Orchestra did a wonderful job. The costumes, sets, songs and choreography were fantastic! Kudos to the production staff that apparently put a lot of time and effort into that show!

I do walk off with all of my luggage so I don’t know the answer, but….do they have somebody checking luggage tags at the pick up area in the port? I mean, is it like the airport carousel where anyone can just grab a piece of luggage and walk away with it…either by accident or on purpose? I remember years ago at the airport (Newark) they used to have someone checking the tags to make sure before I could leave the carousel area with a bag.

Bermuda health states the $40 fee per person is non-refundable. So no recourse there. Unless Royal decides to step up and give it back as OBC.

@twangsterThanks for relying. I appreciate the information. Maybe it’s new, but the restrictions on the free cruise Include Spring Break and Peak Summer Season (June 15 through August 15). I wonder how they figure spring break when different schools have different spring break periods. It doesn’t specify on the certificate. Did they allow you to apply it to a cruise during those periods if it was already booked? ***also…after further review, I may have missed something in the Royal calculations. I think the solo supplement was applied after the 2400 was deducted from the price of a double occupancy rate. It doesn’t show on the receipt, but it would make sense.

I redeemed my Pinnacle free cruise certificate today…even though I made it in February and have yet to receive my Pinnacle ‘Box’ with the actual certificate. I called C&A (press 9) and they had my certificate on file. I had my certificate applied to a current booking on the Oasis in a CLS. Because I sail solo, the booking price had to be reconfigured to a double occupancy price. So I lost my 150% solo supplement. I also lost over $400 for the flash sale when I originally booked. But the price remained the same as the date I booked it, not the current price. So, although I received the full $2400 value…it was applied to a double occupancy rate. At the end of the computations…I received a total benefit of $1,387. Oh, well…pretty soon I’ll be at 1050 points and get another certificate.

I usually travel solo; always social distance (even before Covid was a thing); always wash my hands thoroughly with soap and water (not the splash and dash that I see some others do); never touch a bannister (a ship captain gave me that advice long ago); use the stairs a lot trying to avoid crowded elevators (very carefully because of the no-bannister-touching); grab the buffet tongs near the bottom; I even use hydrogen peroxide wipes to wipe down my room when I first board. I always did these things even pre-Covid. My concern was avoiding flu and, especially…Norovirus. That’s why the hydrogen peroxide wipes. Regular alcohol wipes don’t kill Noro. But…I know there is no way to completely avoid Covid exposure. Even wearing a mask will not prevent me from getting it…it may offer some protection but it’s primarily meant to keep me from unknowingly spreading it if I am asymptomatic. I have been on 18 cruises since Sept…many b2bs…through Delta and the beginning of Omicron…and I have been extremely lucky. But, it finally got me. I disembarked from a 7 night on the Oasis on May 8…luckily it wasn’t a b2b. That afternoon I had a minor sore throat which lasted into the next day. I tested and was positive. Minor cold symptoms for three days. I cancelled the next cruise on the Adventure scheduled for May 12. Didn’t need to send a copy of the test because it was outside the 48hrs CWC. Received refunds for my Cruise Planner purchases in three days…and a full cruise refund in fourteen days…three days after the cruise ended. Oh, well…I figure it was inevitable…but now I have the antibodies. I hope everyone who gets it going forward has the same minor symptoms…or less…and recovers quickly. And I hope the inconvenience for those being isolated onboard is stress-free. Also, I hope the refund process is just as quick. Best wishes to all!

Hurricanes have a very good forecast window. So they don’t just ‘pop up’ as a surprise. Except for changes in direction. Cruise lines are very adept at avoiding them and the worst of the weather. I have been on cruises in the winter where at-sea Bomb Cyclones were not forecast…they just went from passing severe weather fronts to worsening conditions…to very heavy seas and wind….and ‘boom!’…Bomb Cyclone! And still, the ship handled them very well. The Captain and his staff, along with shoreside forecasters, team up and do a good job of avoiding the worst. Whenever I sail from NJ to Bermuda or the Bahamas/Caribbean during hurricane season, and prior to boarding…if there is a hurricane brewing…I always pack a few warmer things in the event the ship is diverted north. Just in case.

For me….easy Peasy. I just used a cell phone stand/holder because I need my hands free. Can’t let the test leave the view of the monitor. By the way, I have a Galaxy 8 Android…and my home WiFi…Worked without any issue at all.

Not now…..I’m eating…

Motorcycle racing dome? LOL!!

Hallelujah! Back to normal this afternoon on all devices. Just a little glitch in the beginning…showed no cruises leaving out of Port Liberty in April and only one leaving in March. Eventually it all returned. Oh, well…now I can get back to obsessing about cruising. Good luck to everybody else. Was pretty rough there for awhile!