BrianB

I just got my Antigen test done at CVS. This is the tenth time I’ve had it done there since September for my cruises and today was completely different. Instead of going into the ‘pod’…or mini-trailer…in the parking lot for a quick nose swipe, followed by an email an hour or two later with the results, there is a new procedure. Now I have to go into the Minute Clinic inside the store itself. The visit is now considered a full clinic visit and I had to answer the usual slew of questions when you go for a doctor’s visit, including medical history. Then my vitals were taken…followed by the nose swipe. Now instead of the quick hour or two email notification, I have to wait until near the end of the day when the ‘provider’ (doctor or NP) on-site calls me with the result and then follows that up with the email. According to the nurse, this is CVS’s new procedure and it will be for all CVS. Not a problem for me as my insurance covers the Minute Clinic, but I hope it doesn’t cost anything for those whose insurance doesn’t cover…or charges a copay. I believe this is because there is a huge drop in demand for the tests…which is good news! I went online and checked CVS scheduling for available tests. There now seems to be lots of tests available in my area where before it was hard to find them less then a week away. I’m hoping Royal does away with the pre-cruise testing soon.

On the Anthem...it's Malin + Goetz. In the shower, there are three pump bottles attached to the wall...Body wash, Peppermint shampoo, conditioner. Also small individual bars of soap for the sinks.

I agree. They can increase the price for reservations not yet booked, but keep the lower price for those already booked on the same sailing. No need for a 'surcharge'. There is a demand for cruising now...after the last two years. If some people decide not to cruise because they see the price as too high...there are probably others who will take their place.

It seems to me that good business relations sense would be to avoid a ‘fuel surcharge’ and just raise prices on future cruises that have yet to be booked. The cruise lines hedge their fuel expenses by pre-purchasing so they know when the fuel price hikes will hit their bottom line. Instead of adding a surcharge of approximately $10 a day…just raise a future 7 night total cruise price by $70…or $140 double occupancy. I’m sure they’re looking at the effect of a higher booking price versus the attractiveness of a lower price…and then slapping on a fuel charge either at checkout or onboard. I still think those cruises already booked, even with just a deposit, should stand at the agreed upon price. I know they can apply a surcharge at any time but the question is should they. What’s best for customer and brand relations. But…I think if one line does it…they all will.

At Port Liberty in NJ so far it’s been pretty quick…as long as you arrive at your reserved time. There have been lots of people sitting outside because they came early. The only delay I have experienced inside the terminal was (***warning! Rant coming!)…getting through security. I don’t know why some folks just can’t understand the simple instructions to ‘place your phones, keys and all metal objects inside your carry on’ before they get to the magnetometers. I can pretty much guarantee there will be some who hold up the line as they scramble to empty their pockets after they reach the machines…then set off the beep because they forgot something, again and again. Or those who think they’re in an airport and stand there taking off their belts and shoes and jackets….then hold up the line on the other side as they put everything back on. The port workers are pretty clear as they give instructions to people in line, but many are so excited, or oblivious, and just don’t stop talking to listen. Or find it so difficult to separate themselves from their cell phones…even for a few minutes. Once in a great while…everything goes smoothly and the line moves right along. (end of rant).

There are X-box pods on the upper deck of the SeaPlex onboard the Anthem for gamers. I’m not familiar with the nomenclature (thank you spell check) but, is this what you are referring to? There are large video screens and controllers and comfortable chairs….

Sounds like you must still present a vaccination card showing you are fully vaccinated….and then a certificate of recovery meeting those specific, concise and exact requirements. Including a CLIA number. Im assuming this is for those who are fully vaccinated, and then subsequently infected and recovered, close to the sail date…within 90 days to 11 days. I’m still guessing, but…would an antigen test still show positive if you recovered a month ago? It says an Antigen test would not be accepted. But, if I have my vaccination card and a negative Antigen test…..I don’t need anything else. There are questions…which could make for lots of interpretations by individual port workers and different outcomes for different cases. I hope they can institute a central resource to call when a question arises at the port, and not just depend on the honest assessment by a worker who can make or break a cruise vacation.

Never know until we get the final count onboard...but if that's still in 'Spring Break' season, then I would think so. I'll be aboard also!

When I see people complaining, either on message boards or while being interviewed by the press, about a bad vacation using a combination of certain key words and phrases; Seniors/Diabled Fixed Income Recent Serious Medical Issues “Nobody told us!” ***here’s the big one….IT WAS OUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME! Sorry, but it makes me a little suspicious as to motive. Not doing even the most reasonably expected due diligence when planning an expensive vacation…or any other purchase…expecting everything to happen for you just because you paid what you believe is an amount that should give you gold-glove treatment is reckless and risky. I know there are incidents where issues have happened that are definitely the fault of the companies taking my money, and I hope to be able to recoup my loss. But I will do everything possible to be in the best position to do so. Including getting a good, solid insurance policy. There are risks in everything in life…but doing everything I can to mitigate those risks is important to me. One of the best things I did was join this blog and these forums. Knowledge is power…and sharing that knowledge with others makes us all better off. If the OP was a hit and run poster…oh, well. But if they truly want good information about Royal, then this is the place to be. Either way, I wish them the best. ****The soapbox is now available***

Anthem…March 6…3164 (Spring break)

...could it be?...another hit and run poster...one and done.

They have been doing that during the restart in order to control capacity...but that seems to be falling away. Just show up and walk in...after washy-washy, of course!

It's just a place holder. When you get onboard, go to any restaurant host desk and make your reservations. That's the only thing I don't like about the package...I can't make reservations in advance, only onboard. If I really want a specific specialty restaurant date and time, I'll just make that reservation ahead of time and pay a bit more for it...peace of mind.

@JohnK6404 Yes. In Bermuda, the gangway will be open and manned 24hrs a day while in port. Local security officers will also be manning the entry point on the pier. The ship is just like your hotel. Come and go as you please.

Ports and ships may have different policies…but for me at Port Liberty and on the Anthem; Being in a GS I can come to the port an hour before my assigned time. The Key would allow me to come at the earliest time available so that I can be aboard to take advantage of the Chops lunch and the carry-on delivery service. Also, being in a GS gives me one Voom surf and stream. So the Key benefit of Voom would be duplicated for another device. On the Anthem, the Key reserved activities times are only for the Flow Rider and the Rock Climbing Wall…so…no thank you. I haven’t been to any tender ports, so the early tender benefit with the Key hasn’t been used. I do early walk off with all of my luggage at the end of the cruise and I go down early. The Key usually gets me to the head of the line, but the line is usually short when I get there anyway. The suite concierge told me that the theater will be starting again with early access and reserved seating areas for Sky Class, Pinnacles and Key members…but so far…no. The doors open and it’s first come, first in. No reserved areas except for the Star Class seats which have the red cloths over them. The good thing about the theater now is there are no more reservations required. Two70 still requires them only because the venue is smaller and they want to give everyone a chance to see Spectra’s Cabaret. Hope this helps. Have a great cruise!

This is old advice but I'll repeat it here anyway...... When dealing with an issue where I made my reservations through the website myself, rather than with a TA...I expect to spend quite a bit of time on hold while the agent checks with their 'colleague' or supervisor. So I schedule my call accordingly...and use speakerphone. But the best advice I have (which, by the way, I learned on these forums...thanks, guys!) is to always call back and speak to another agent when I don't get the answer I want. It is time-consuming and can be frustrating but usually I end up satisfied with the result. Good luck...and I hope you can get the result you want!

I'm really hoping the Canadian government can get to a point where they feel comfortable relaxing some of the restrictions. I miss visiting Halifax, St. John's, PEI and other east coast destinations in the fall. Beautiful places with really welcoming people. Love the sights, shopping, food and pubs. Can't wait to get back!!

Anthem - Feb 27...2425

@ctnjcruiser Feb 27...2425

Other than the phenomenally successful new muster drill on the app (no more herding like cattle in designated venues and waiting for latecomers before watching a quick video), one of the benefits of cruising during these changing times is the reduced capacity onboard. I’m on cruise number twelve since September, all out of Port Liberty. However, having less passengers can not be sustained and still turn enough of a profit for the company. It was unique in the beginning with no crowds or lines…but, it didn’t seem like a real cruise. Watching performers in the bars singing to two, three, or sometimes no guests was weird. Having smaller audiences in the theater made every show and headliner performance feel like a matinee. Pretty much everything was open and available, except dinner in the Windjammer as there weren’t enough guests to justify it. Then there was always the uncertainty of what changes will happen during the cruise; will those ‘numbers’ go up? Will we be denied entry to ports? Will I, or someone close to me, get the virus? Will I have to be quarantined? In some faraway port? Masks, no masks…Onboard and in the ports? To be honest, I’m really looking forward to the return to normal cruising…more capacity, more excitement, more energy and many more happy cruisers! Cheers!

@ctnjcruiser My Anthem cruises final counts… Nov 8…1740. Nov 14…2616. Nov 28…2444. Dec 12…2700. Dec 31…2033 (Omicron) Jan 20…1826. (Omicron) Feb 11…2152. I’m boarding today for a b2b and I’ll post those final counts when I get them.

I really miss some of my favorite cruise ports on Canada’s east coast in the fall. Beautiful places with really wonderful people. Great pubs, sights, food and shopping. Just a really welcoming atmosphere! I hope they finally work it out so that we can go back this fall…fingers crossed!

I use CVS all the time. If you go in and download the form from another access it will appear with the big Negative word in the middle top like @TXCruiserposted. You should first get a text from CVS with a link that brings you to the form you are showing now. But, go into your CVS app, or MyChart app, and you’ll see the other form. I have cruised a eleven times from Port Liberty since September using that form and have never had anyone ask about a CLIA number.

You can book specialty dining reservations through the Cruise Planner. However, they must be made individually. If you purchase a dining package, you have to wait until you board to make reservations. The package is cheaper than booking individually, but if you really want a certain specialty restaurant on a certain date and time, I would book that particular reservation early…just to be sure.