BrianB

This was our scheduled end of cruise day. So we just arrived home at 8am rather than 6am. There is no additional parking garage cost. By the way, the garage is still $25 a day. The plan to increase it to $30 a day has apparently been delayed.

Wait! I play solitaire!! ….oh………never mind.

On the Anthem, we received a letter in our staterooms this morning reporting the ship will be arriving at approx 8am due to a problem with one of the azipods and speed has been lowered. Although the ship is operating at 100%, the decision was made to lower speed as a precaution. I’m assuming the azipod will be evaluated while docked in Port Liberty today. Hopefully, it’s just a minor issue and can be corrected quickly. All air and hotel arrangements made through Royal will be automatically rescheduled. All other pre-scheduled transportation (such as a flight, train ticket or rental car) that incurs a change fee will be reimbursed up to $200 pp domestic changes and $400 pp for international changes.

Mojo…mojo…mojo…^^^^^^^^^^^^

I love that they can meet me one time...and remember my name for the entire cruise! I'm lucky I can remember what deck the restaurant is on...or which end of the ship. I sometimes end up at the theater at dinnertime and at the restaurant at showtime!

Today, while on the Anthem on the last day of a 9 night cruise, I received notification that my RoyalUp bid for an owner's suite has been accepted for the Anthem cruise on January 20. So twelve days prior to the cruise. This is the longest time pre-cruise that I was notified.

I agree they are amazing. It's also amazing how they can repeatedly perform these seemingly mind-numbing tasks and yet still be pleasant...always saying hello when I pass them in the stairways and public areas. Even late at night. I can tell from their eyes that they are smiling. Impressive!

Once, during a port day, I saw a lifeguard being tested. A supervisor snuck up behind and dropped a small child-sized weighted mannequin into the pool, which immediately sank to the bottom. The lifeguard reacted instantly...blew a whistle and jumped in. He got the mannequin off the bottom and, carefully cradling it to support the head and neck, brought it to the side and began resuscitation procedures. It was impressive to watch. Going from a seemingly bored stance to frenetic activity in a second. Afterward, another lifeguard immediately took his spot. After, of course, the pool inspection ritual where the relieved guard, soaking wet, still performed his part before leaving to get dried off. Amazing display!

I envy you. The only laps around the pool that I can do...is strolling around the outside of the pool.

How about a place to post observations and comments about things that have absolutely nothing to do with that medical related issue currently dominating the conversation? You know, pre-shutdown... I'll start... Lifeguard intensity. I'm very impressed with the lifeguards on the Oasis and Anthem (and I suspect throughout the Royal fleet) as they perform their duties. Even when a pool is empty, they seem to never stop staring and scanning the water. Always standing mid-poolside, holding their rescue float, ready to jump into action. And when their relief comes...first he/she checks in with the on duty guard, then performs a visual check of virtually every square inch of the pool and when satisfied, gives a thumbs up. Then the relieved guard (even after staring at the water the whole time) still performs another visual check of virtually every square inch of the pool. When satisfied, gives a thumbs up to the new guard, and getting an acknowledgement, before walking away. To me, they seem like automatons. Programmed to do nothing else but be prepared to jump in and help. I love that! Safety first!

I think it's more than expected now with this new uber-transmittable variant. Especially with the robust weekly (or twice weekly for front of house crew) testing procedures. Hopefully all are either with minor or no symptoms. Having a few Delta positives seemed more concerning than having a couple dozen Omicrons. Apples and oranges.

As far as the question will one get a refund for cancelling…not the cruise fare. The bane of us solo cruisers is the double occupancy requirement. We pay cruise fare for two people. Which makes sense because it prevents couples from booking two cabins for the price of one. Port fees and taxes are for one. I agree with the idea that if one decides not to cruise, just don’t show up. The cruise fare will remain the same but the port fees and taxes for the no show passenger will be refunded. By cancelling one passenger…the cruise fare may be higher just because of the current rate.

I always have printed copies of everything…SetSail Pass and Covid test result. I hand over everything at check in…Folded into my passport holder which also has my vaccine card. I also have screen shots (just in case) on my phone. They’re more dependable than trying to pull them up on an app when the terminal WiFi may not work…

Question…we’re all of these ships in service with passengers, or are some of them delaying their startup? Im too lazy to look it up.

You never know if something delays boarding (surprise inspections by the Coast Guard or Public Health...or some passengers who refuse to disembark on time...or weather delays the ship's arrival into port)...but if you don't get the opportunity to do the pre-paid specialty restaurant lunch because of something out of your control, guest services will reimburse you...usually with a refundable OBC. At least, that's my experience.

Don't forget to scroll!

The passport info should be part of the first section....traveler information.

I'm on cruise number nine since Sept....each time I got the Antigen test from my CVS. Always two days prior to boarding (not 48hrs). I always printed out the Negative result...many copies of that Golden Ticket...I don't trust my cell won't malfunction when I try to pull up a digital result. Never had an issue. Always boarded at Port Liberty in NJ.

Instead of uploading a photo of your passport (scanning the bottom) were you prompted to enter your passport number and expiration date?

All these changes and uncertainty are the result of case numbers climbing with the new variant. Hopefully the numbers will drop as quickly as they rose in short order. That seems to be the prediction. Time will tell.

San Juan, PR…St. Thomas…St. Maarten. San Juan was canceled prior to our sail date so it left St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Then St. Thomas cancelled so they moved up St. Maarten one day and added (I think Barbados?) but then that was canceled and we headed from St. Maarten to St. Kitts but that was canceled while we were on the way, so we ended up docking in Antigua. We arrived early and had no problems clearing and disembarking. I appreciate how Royal got us into a port rather than just kept us at sea. Hopefully this new surge will be short lived like it’s being predicted to be and things will settle.

Ditto!...On the Anthem. Our original itinerary was adjusted prior to embarkation day when Puerto Rico refused any cruise ship that didn't test all passengers and crew shortly before arriving... Then St. Thomas cancelled and beautiful St. Maarten was pushed up a day. St. Kitts and Nevis took St. Maarten's original place in the itinerary. Then, last night, St. Kitts was canceled and we were surprised this morning when we arrived in St. John's, Antigua. The takeaway from this is the fact that choosing to cruise during this time of Covid, especially during Omicron, we know itineraries and protocols can be ever-changing. We need to be flexible and have patience. I'm glad Royal managed to get us into ports and not just kept us out at sea. If I wasn't comfortable with change or the uncertainty, I would probably postpone my cruise until after this surge in cases...which appears to be temporary. But, so far so good. I'll keep cruising. Happy New Year!

We had St. Kitts scheduled today as an alternate...but that was canceled and this morning we arrived in St. John's Antigua. Immediately cleared and disembarkation begun.

Yes…considering the CDC came out with their ‘DON’T CRUISE!’ guidance…I guess that caused lots of cancellations. Plus your Holiday cruise is typically one of the busiest.

After we docked…the Costa Deliziosa squeezed in between us and the Allure and docked. Sort of hanging off the end, but she tied up. St. Maarten is busy!