BrianB

For me….no. It does not. I love cruising, and everything about it. From researching, booking, following price changes, cruise planner purchases…all the way to packing, traveling and boarding. I love it all! And that’s even before I’m aboard. The cruise itself is always a relaxing, enjoyable and entertaining vacation. I refuse to let it be anything else. I’m easygoing and usually like to be on my own. So I travel solo most of the time. No need to make plans or arrange schedules with others so everyone gets what they want. I absolutely HATE drama and the kings and queens who feed on it. I can’t stand loud complainers, even if they’ve got a point. Take it elsewhere! I have learned to really appreciate and respect the crew. With me being solo, it seems many of them love to spend time talking about their experiences if someone is really interested in listening. I’m a good listener. I think repeat cruisers learn more about service differences based upon comparisons from cruise to cruise. I know I do…but I really like to focus on the positive. I’m on a cruise! Again! As soon as I step off the ship on disembarkation day, I can’t wait to get back on! I don’t think I will ever tire of this…I’m on the Wonder now, on cruise number eighty-nine since 2015. It’s still as special as cruise number one.

Cruising is living!

I’m also aboard. They have a pretty large and professional camera crew making commercial videos around the ship. In the Cruise Compass, they say if we walk into the areas while they are filming, we may be captured on film and therefore we are giving our consent for our photograph, image, voice or any reproduction thereof to be used for any promotional and publicity purposes without consideration of compensation, limitation or reservation. I keep looking for them. Found them once by the FlowRider…so far. “Mister DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup!”

Ditto! Labadee was beautiful, clean, friendly and as welcoming as usual in February. Enjoyed it immensely!

I always research hotels (prices, amenities, rooms, area, restaurants and reviews) and book directly with the hotel or their parent company, ie; Hilton Honors. For me, this works best. I don’t stay at hotels often, and I want to be confident that when I arrive the reservation I made will be there. I’ve had friends who booked the same hotel, but through third party companies such as Price Line and Expedia for a slightly lesser price, and when we arrived…my room was ready but their reservations were ‘lost in space’! Lots of hassle for them…while I was already settled in my booked room. I know this doesn’t work for those who stay at hotels frequently and the higher rates can really pile up…but for me, I’d much rather pay a little more to ensure my vacation doesn’t start off with the disappointing scenario of lost hotel reservations.

Any updated info on this area? Projected completion date…specifics…amenities. Price? I understand it is to be ‘adult only’ and hope that hasn’t changed. Appreciate it.

I always ask at the MDR desk on boarding day for any changes. Usually I am booked for My Time but don’t want to eat at 6:45pm, hoping it will go back to the earlier time choices. So, when MTD is still 6:45, I just go to the MDR host desk after I board and ask to be switched to the early seating at 5:30 and at a table for one. They are very accommodating and have always made the change.

Morgan?

Thank you. I get pretty giddy when I’m onboard a Royal ship…sipping my first, or third-ish mimosa (also known as my ‘Anti-Scurvy Medication’…vitamin Sea is very important). Thankful for auto-correct!

I agree. But let’s do it the old fashioned way…pitchforks and torches!

But what if I’m way, way, way (sheesh!)…over 21 but feel and act like I’m 16? Should I be worried?

Turn your device to airplane mode…then turn on WiFi…then select the ship's WiFi…then type ‘login.com’ into your browser and the iCafe site should load…if it didn’t load automatically. Follow the directions for a new account. Usually that consists of your name and cabin number. Then create a username and password. After you connect…you can switch between devices or phones using the same username and password. You will be prompted with ‘Switch devices?’…just click yes. So far this is the same procedure on each Royal ship I’ve been on….hopefully it’s the same with Indy.

Forgot the Captain?

Ha! You beat me to it! Captain Toni did a great job getting us docked!

On the Anthem a few months ago…winds and swells were pretty strong as we approached the island. Another, smaller ship was unable to dock and pulled away. Captain Toni announced he will make the attempt to dock, but we may have to settle for a sea day instead. It took a little while, but we did dock. Walking on the pier was very windy! But after we got on the island, we went to the side away from the wind and had a ‘Perfect Day!’.

My CVS has changed from a quick visit and swab in the outside pod to a full Minute Clinic inside visit…which is considered a doctor’s visit, with vitals and medical history. Takes much more time. Luckily, my insurance covers it. Then I saw that the CVS locations offering Antigen tests were being scaled back and I had to book one much further away. The day before I had to take the test, I checked the website and found that my usual CVS was now offering the Antigen tests again through the Minute Clinic and had multiple open time slots. So I just cancelled the other one. Another reason to keep doing due diligence and keep checking for changes; schedules, itineraries, tests, masks, and especially protocols… until this thing is finally over!

Wonder of the Seas…April 8…5193 90.5% capacity (double occupancy) …and it feels it!

I’m on cruise number fifteen since September…all out of Bayonne. I’ve seen the onboard protocols change as cases suddenly increased and decreased over that time. I think Royal’s reaction to the changes has been reasoned, measured and effective. Even though people didn’t like masking up everywhere again, and it probably caused more cancellations, Royal still followed their health experts. Seeing the steps that Royal has taken to mitigate, as much as possible, the spread of the infection…gives me the confidence to keep on cruising. I have talked to many other passengers over this time and virtually all have the same attitude as me…we do our due diligence, know the protocols and the risks, and make our choice. I’m thinking the only thing holding back full capacity is the availability of qualified crew members. But in terms of cruisers…from my perspective, onboard over the past eight months…there is no lack of enthusiasm for cruising. Just my opinion.

Royal's balance is easy to see. The current business model is working. People are booking and sailing. As they increase the supply of available cabins, demand fills them. Royal is able to continue with protocols already in place and accepted as normal by the majority of cruisers. Many potential cruisers who were on the fence, probably feel somewhat more confident that the current protocols are working and the cruise lines are really working to prevent and manage infections. Repeat cruisers see the obvious relaxing of protocols over time and the return to more normal, pre-Covid cruising. After seeing the CDC vehemently and repeatedly condemn cruising for the last two years…and now backing away…gives the perception that the CDC now tacitly approves of cruising…or at least finally recognizes that cruising is only as risky as all other forms of travel or gatherings. There is no need for Royal to throw caution to the wind as there is always the threat of a new ‘variant’ on the horizon. It’s easier to tweak current protocols than to have to suddenly reinstate those that have been removed. As long as passengers continue to book, I don’t see Royal risking major protocol changes…not just yet. In my opinion….

A good TA can not only answer questions and help with coordinating travel and excursions…but can also make suggestions based upon their experience and client feedback. They either know the current conditions and restrictions for most places, or they can find out a lot easier with their contacts in the business. The really good ones who deal with multiple clients on a regular basis (not a part-time friend or family member who dabbles as a TA) can make sure you get the best deal, the best advice and have the answers you need to make the best decisions for you and your family. Their goal is to help you have the best vacation possible…so that you become a repeat customer and tell others of your experience. And it costs you nothing.

I’m amused by the healthy work-out people who leave the gym and then wait for an elevator to go down a deck. Really?

Me too! September on the Oasis was the beginning of my personal cruising restart. It was emotional coming onboard after being away for so long and being greeted by lines of crew members and officers all clapping and shouting! It was a great feeling!

Some cruises have Bermuda as a single day port as part of their itinerary, but I prefer the overnights. I guess the cruise lines must save a lot of money on fuel charges by docking all that time and not being at sea. Also, since Bermuda approved cruise ships to operate their casinos while docked, there is more incentive for the cruise lines to remain overnight. Bermuda is one of my favorite destinations…clean, safe and welcoming. And not just certain areas. I’ve spent lots of time with friends exploring the island and always found beautiful places with welcoming locals. One of our best excursions is renting a small Boston whaler or a larger pontoon boat and just motoring around the Great Sound. Or renting Wave Runners steps from the ship and going on a tour. There are so many hidden places and small islands with little sandy beaches. A great excursion is the nighttime glass bottom boat tour of the sound. We always found the narration to be excellent and entertaining, and the views of the coral when they turn the under hull lights on is pretty cool. Or renting an umbrella and loungers at the Elbow Beach Resort. They have an excellent restaurant on the beach…Mickey’s Bistro. Or visiting Horseshoe Bay Beach…Tobacco Bay…Long Bay…Church bay…or any other beautiful pink sand beach. We even hiked the trail that connects most of the main beaches. You can visit the amazing Crystal and Fantasy Caves with underground lakes and spectacular rock formations. Or the Aquarium…don’t forget to stop at the Swizzle Inn for a Rum Swizzle. You can rent bikes and tour the old Bermuda Railway Trail National Park…eighteen miles of an old rail bed converted to a paved path with fantastic views. Or horseback ride the trail, or along a beach. You can take the ferry to Hamilton for great shopping and restaurants…or to historic St. George’s, the first settlement, with it’s narrow cobblestone streets lined with small shops. Even just the things around the Royal Navy Dockyard…the small beach, shopping at the Clocktower Mall, the historic Governor’s House, swimming with dolphins. There is lots to see and do in Bermuda. And knowing we don’t have to be back on board that same day gives us a sense of ‘take our time and enjoy’ that we don’t get when we have to keep an eye on the time to make sure we don’t become a dreaded ‘pier runner’! Or worse. Enjoy your cruise!

I've been on two cruises where the call for donors of a certain blood type were made. Both were for medical issues involving internal bleeding...not trauma. The inspiring part is that shortly after the call was made...in both instances...another call shortly followed cancelling the call for volunteers as so many had come forward so quickly that medical was nearly overwhelmed. Amazingly selfless and generous cruisers always ready to step up and help others. Another reason I love cruising!

For me it's the embarkation port. I'm a short distance from Bayonne so it's an easy drive and park in the garage. I usually sail solo and I love the Anthem from NJ in the winter. So many enclosed spaces to escape the first and last days. Then, the Oasis in spring and fall. Even Adventure sailing from Bayonne in May. When I have family and friends sailing, we may do an Alaska...but most love the convenience of driving to and from Bayonne. I'm flying to Fort Lauderdale to try the Wonder next month...but I really like FLL and the convenience to the port.