BrianB

Just the check in time…nothing else. This was at Port Liberty.

At Port Liberty, the only thing I had to show outside was my boarding pass with the arrival time. That’s all. Then we went inside the terminal, through security, and then we were directed to an available port agent. Only then did we have to show our passport, vaccine card and negative Covid test…along with the boarding pass.

Unknown what may have caused this delay…if it was just passengers arriving outside their assigned time, or a combination of issues. I have seen huge backups at boarding due to the ship having to leave the pier for awhile to allow a late-arriving container ship to pass; or embarkation being delayed due to a surprise onboard inspection by US Health authorities; or a surprise safety inspection by the Coast Guard; or port computer malfunctions preventing check ins. Each of the things resulted in a domino effect causing long lines and delays. Maybe someone who was there can elaborate…

I don’t particularly like asking questions in that forum…but I do enjoy hearing others ask away. I really make the effort to attend and support the event just by being there. Especially depending on the Captain, HD, CD at the time…for example; I love hearing the interaction between Capt. Srecko, CD Joff and HD Tony Curtis on the Anthem. Though they provide good answers to the questions, they add quite a bit of comic relief. I even jokingly suggested to them that they advertise themselves as a comedy trio and perform in the theater. I also believe Capt. Srecko is excellent at understanding and answering the questions.

That’s a true scientific fact I just made up!

Day three…still white screen. Tried rebooting devices; phone, iPad and laptop. Downloaded newest update to iPad…tried different search platforms. I’m thinking the location thing is a reasonable explanation. I’m in central Jersey. Wondering if anyone else in the area is still ‘white-screened’.

Still no good…frustrating…

Got off the Oasis on May 8 after a seven day cruise. Had a slight sore throat after getting home that afternoon which lasted into the next day. Tested positive. Fortunately just minor cold symptoms for three days. Had the booster back in December. This was my 18th cruise since September…many were b2bs…luckily this was just a quickie cruise otherwise I would have been aboard testing positive on day 2. I was booked on the Adventure on May 12. The first thing I did was go into my Cruise Planner and canceled my purchases…dining package and beach bed. Then I called to cancel the cruise. Because of CWC, I didn’t need to send a copy of my test as I canceled before the 48hrs. My Cruise Planner purchases were refunded to my credit card in three days. My total cruise fare was refunded in two weeks…two days after the cruise ended. That was pleasantly surprising as I thought it would take much longer. Oh, well…I believe getting Covid was inevitable. Fortunately it didn’t happen while I was aboard, especially during Delta and the beginning of Omicron. At least now I’ll have strong antibodies for months. I’ll probably get a second booster before the winter months…depending on how the infection rates look at that time.

White screen yesterday, white last night…white now. Computer, iPad and phone. Oh, well….just gotta wait.

Keeping in mind that things can and usually do change during these Covid times….. I filled out the Bermuda Health form and paid the ‘non-refundable’ fee. Two days before boarding day, I received an email from Bermuda Health advising me that some of my documentation was missing. In the email was a link that would issue me a provisional certificate that would allow me to board the ship. Then, upon arriving in Bermuda, I would need to provide the missing documentation (negative test result) to them prior to entering Bermuda.

One of the Key benefits is being able to drop off your carry ons, backpacks, jackets etc, with the crew and they have them sent right to your cabin. This way you don’t have to carry them around with you until your room is ready. You can then go enjoy the Key lunch. Your cabin will most likely not be accessible until later, at the same time everyone else’s cabins are ready. The Key doesn’t give priority accessibility to your cabin. So if you want to change and use the pool while waiting for your room, you’ll have to use a restroom.

Yep. Hopefully this thing will be getting weaker overall, less infectious and more of a seasonal surge issue…like a cold or the flu. Then we can cruise without having to worry about……wait…..Monkey Pox?

Better to ask this question on the Roll Call page for this cruise. Better chance someone on board will see it.

I’m guessing cruise lines may not feel the urge to start shifting schedules and itineraries until they’re sure they can go there. Also, will adding Cuba as a destination add to bookings…..will it be a sustained destination, or will it get cancelled again. Just got to wait and see.

I get the survey each and every time I cruise…usually on disembarkation day…late that afternoon, or the next day. I always fill it out completely…including the comments sections. Maybe that’s why I keep getting them. Sometimes it feels like I have homework! Multiple choice questions and essays! Due to me doing lots of cruises over the winter on the Anthem, I hear from the crew about my surveys. Usually on the next sailing. Every time I mention a venue, or individual crew member…they subsequently tell me how their supervisors received my comments from upper management and post them on message boards in the crew area. As I understand it, they don’t identify the passenger who submitted the comments by name…so I sort of made it a game by using certain key phrases so they would know it was me. The crew members may receive certain perks for being mentioned in the comments…especially job/position security and consideration for advancement. Bottom line…I believe the company takes the survey seriously. It’s an important metric in customer satisfaction and continuous product evaluation. I believe they read the comments and forward them…good and bad…to the individual ship and onboard venues. I would urge everyone to send in their comments…good and not so good. They do make a difference.

I usually get them ten to fourteen days after the cruise. Once in a while, they miscalculate and I have to to call the C&A line to get them corrected. I’m usually solo and in a suite so I should get three points per night…unless I booked prior to the end of the double point bonus…then six per night. But, every time I had to call…they corrected it right away. Takeaway from this is; always keep track of your points!

Oasis! The ship is really a destination…a resort. Especially with kids. So many different neighborhoods that spread the passengers out. Lots to do…so many choices to make but never really feels overwhelming. I’m more ‘been there, done that’ as far as ports so I really appreciate being onboard the ship. Except, of course, for CocoCay. Love that place!

In the event that there is an issue uploading your negative test result, or any other required documentation…Bermuda will issue a Provisional Approval which will be accepted to board the ship on embarkation day. Then upon arrival in Bermuda, you would need to show the missing documentation to the Bermuda Health Authorities before you will be allowed to disembark.

I did!

Yep! Annoying how something can both blow AND suck at the same time!

@Cbb That time is fine. You can go online and check out the available rentals, prices and companies. Then you can call and make a reservation. You can also research reviews and check out the experiences of others. The thing I like best about Bermuda is that it is a safe, clean and very visitor-friendly island (actually group of islands) with honestly nice and welcoming people. Of course I take nothing for granted and am always as careful as possible everywhere I go…but I feel the most comfortable in Bermuda. We have explored much of the beautiful islands on our own, especially on cruises that dock over two nights. Bermuda is our favorite destination! Enjoy your cruise and the Bermudian experience!

Enjoy the boat rental. We usually rent a 13’ Boston Whaler…or, if there’s a lot of us…a 23’ pontoon boat. Fantastic time motoring around the Great Sound. They provide a map with photos showing how far you can go, which is virtually all of the sound. Including little tiny islands where you can anchor and just hang out on your own private beach. There’s a few water sports companies you can use, including one just as you get off the pier. Enjoy!

Okay....I'm on the Adventure May 12.

I'm on the Oasis now...Suite/Pinnacle/Key reserved seating in the theater and Studio B is either up in the balcony (theater) or way off to the side in the upper rows (Studio B). Much better picking your own seats. If you're boarding the Oasis in NJ, Sky Suite and Key both have early boarding so you can get in the terminal, checked in, and onboard together. You can switch internet between devices. You'll be prompted to switch devices when you log in with your password.

Sometimes I have been prompted to upload my vaccine card to the app...and sometimes not. It didn't matter either way. I just produced it at the terminal where they more often than not took a photo of it during check in.