BrianB

I know it won’t happen, but I think CDC should take into consideration the ebb and flow of the current positivity rates (along with related hospitalizations, including the involvement of co-morbidities) on land and apply them to their calculations concerning percentages on cruise ships. Even if they adjust for their determination that cruise ship passengers and crew are more susceptible due to being in a congregate setting. The time has past where a single set point…such as the 0.3% threshold for passengers and 1% threshold for crew be more flexible to represent what’s actually causing a concern for cruisers. Maybe a set point of cases involving onboard medical intervention would be more appropriate. The current CDC cruise ship dashboard tool shows virtually all ships in orange status, with a few yellow and just one green. It seems to me that this tool, in it’s current form, does not provide sufficient information for vacationers contemplating a cruise. Even posting actual numbers of positive cases would be more informative. JMHO…

I prefer to tip at the end of my cruise. But, if I’m doing a back to back…I’ll tip at the end of each week. Sometimes cabin attendants change assignments after each cruise and although I have the same room, it may be a new attendant. Also, even though the concierge usually stays the same, I still like tipping after each week. Same with the CK host/ess and manager.

@Eddy There is a man made beach a short stroll from the ship. Not as nice as the pink sand beaches that Bermuda is famous for…but convenient. There are water sports rentals on the pier, such as wave runners and small Boston Whalers you can rent. Nice places within the Dockyard area to visit and eat…such as the Clocktower Mall, the Frog and Onion Pub and Restaurant, Bone Fish bar and grill. There’s swimming with dolphins (pretty expensive)…or just wandering the grounds of the National Museum of Bermuda inside the largest fort, The Keep. I recommend you just google ‘things to do at Bermuda Royal Navy Dockyard’ and you can check them all out.

I book early because I know when I want to cruise and to lock in specific cabins. Then as the date gets closer, I’m usually successful in repricing…sometimes multiple times prior to final payment date. I also book my Cruise Planner items early because I want to lock in those purchases as well. I then monitor not only the cruise price, but also the planner prices for the items I booked. I love that Royal allows me to reprice not only my cruise fare, but also the Cruise Planner purchases. Also, if the price of the planner item doesn’t drop…and I decide I don’t really want to spend that much…I love that Royal allows me to cancel the purchase and receive a timely refund to my credit card. I’ve learned it’s less complicated to pay for my planner purchases rather than using OBC. In the event that I do have OBC when I cruise, I’ll apply it to my daily service charge.

He had to leave. He couldn’t produce a negative antigen test.

Me. Did back to back with RoyalUp bids on both. One time my first leg was approved and another time the second leg. Had to move between suites each time. Although the suite I moved to was larger and much less expensive going through the bidding process, for me I learned it’s really not worth the hassle of moving…even though the cabin attendants make it so easy.

In the event that there is an issue with transmitting the negative antigen test via email…such as a computer malfunction…Bermuda Health will issue an Interim Travel Authorization which will allow passengers to board the ship at the terminal. Upon arrival in Bermuda, the negative test result must be presented to Bermuda authorities before the passenger is allowed to disembark. Makes sense as a passenger wouldn’t be allowed to board without the negative test.

If you cancel your trip, the fee is non refundable. Once you pay it…it’s theirs.

Me! First half b2b.

I always get the three night package. As soon as I board, I go right to any restaurant host desk. I make all three of my reservations right there. But…if I really want a restaurant at a specific date and time, I’ll make that reservation in the Cruise Planner to make sure I lock it in. I’ll pay a little more for that reservation, but I don’t worry about rushing to get it booked after I board and may be disappointed when the particular time is unavailable.

I like to stay aboard most of the time. Been there, done that. But, I really like port intensive cruises because a lot of people leave the ship. Also, there’s less chance of high winds at port…there’s more to see, including other ships…I like the ship’s arrival and departure process…and sometimes I’ll take a quick stroll around the port. The only port I spend the most time ashore is CocoCay. Love Perfect Day!

If you booked online or by phone through Royal, you can call them directly. Be patient and expect to be on hold for up to thirty minutes or more. Speaker phones are best. You can also rebook Cruise Planner purchases if you notice a price drop in something you reserved. Such as a drink package, dining package or excursion. You can re-price as many times as you want prior to the final payment date.

Me! Second part of a b2b! Love cruising on the Anthem out of NJ in winter. The Solarium is the best place to be during sail out…fully enclosed in glass, heated, surrounded by tropical plants and trees, sipping a cool drink, maybe lounging in the hot tub or the cascading pool. Beautiful view at the very front of the ship as we sail out of the harbor, under the Verrazano Bridge with just meters clearance. Or, if you have kids under 16, in the family pool just behind the Solarium…heated, covered in glass, large space with hot tubs and the pool bar. The Anthem is a beautiful cold weather ship with lots of inside activities…and then, as the weather warms, the outside pool and sun decks are beautiful! The NorthStar, Rockwall, FlowRider and the iFly are great activities. And the SeaPlex is great! Don’t miss the shows…We Will Rock You in the Royal Theater and Spectra’s Cabaret in the fantastic Two70 venue with the robot screens are wonderful. Enjoy!

Keep in mind that staffing issues can be complex during these times of Covid. A ship can sail with a full staff, but during the cruise…if one crew member tests positive, then not only is that crew member placed ‘out of service’, but also a whole group of ‘close contacts’ can be sidelined. As most crew members are in close quarters, and the company exercises due diligence by liberally defining close contacts…one positive can result in a dozen, or more, quarantined. This is most visible to the passengers when entire production teams are affected by one positive test and shows are cancelled. I have learned how to be patient and understanding over this past year as the restart has proceeded. So far, I think Royal is doing an excellent job…and I have no qualms about cruising with Royal again and again. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

Generosity begets generosity.

Favorites...Rock of Ages, We Will Rock You, Burn the Floor. Least...Cats.

….Klaatu barada nikto…

Just keep in mind masking protocols can change at any time. However, the ship will supply face masks if they are required at a port.

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.