BrianB

Probably built an igloo.. or a bungalow...or maybe a split ranch by now.

I really liked the MDR on the Anthem pre-covid, but I didn't go there on my last cruises on the Oasis since the re-start. Mostly because I was in suites and went to the CK when I wasn't doing specialty dining. My problem with the MDR now is that MyTime dining starts at 6:45 and I like to eat early. I understand it's due to physical distancing in the dining rooms and they have to accommodate the set time dining first. Hopefully, as time goes on, things get back to normal and MyTime allows earlier dining.

Love the CK on Oasis. Also love 150 (caesar, veal medallions...fried cheesecake balls). I think all of the specialty restaurants aboard are great and CK is one of the best! Primarily because their menu is so diversified. It has specials which change daily along with the regular offerings. As mentioned above...go on the app and you can scroll through the daily menus. And I agree...I REALLY love the smoked tomato soup! Especially how they pour the hot broth over the tomatoes!

True! I've done it many times. Even though I believe the agent has the wrong information, I always give them the benefit of the doubt and accept that they truly believe they are telling me the right thing. Always courteous. Usually it's something they are told by a supervisor after they put me on hold for a while (could they PLEASE change the recorded commercials!!). Then I call back. Usually successfully! Like the old saying goes..."If at first you don't succeed, call again!"

Agreed. I paid off my cruise two weeks early and then the price dropped before the final payment due date. When I re-booked it, the difference came back as a refund to my credit card.

I always submit one request form per reservation. Even on b2bs. I email the forms together as attachments along with one copy of my current brokerage statement. So far, no problem.

Another helpful hint.... If at first you don't succeed, call back and speak to another agent. Sometimes it takes the right agent reaching the right supervisor to get things done. Or...use a good travel agent to do the legwork for you! I have heard many times how Super TAs got things done that us simple mortals can't do! Anyway, congratulations on your result!

I have experienced the Key reserved seating areas in the theater and Two70 aboard the Anthem but never used them. I'd rather sit up front. But for that, I have to get there early and stand on line. There was no 'early access' separate line for Key or Suites...just first come, first enter.

I don’t think the ‘early access’ works anyway. At least on the Oasis and Anthem (even pre-Covid). I have never seen a separate line for ‘early access’ Key members or suite guests or Pinnacles….it’s always one line with everyone and as soon as the doors open, everyone goes in. The only special service I have seen is the Genie escorting their guests to their pre-chosen seats.

I have been to CocoCay twice in Sept and twice in October. The balloon was operating three of the four times. I don’t know if it was running (floating) all day…or if the wind shut it down…or lack of passengers. I went up in Sept when I was walking past and just went to the desk and inquired. It was me and three other guests. Beautiful ride, great views! But, that was during the limited capacity cruising and even the Beach Club was sparsely occupied.

I was at CocoCay Wednesday aboard the Oasis with 3630 passengers. The Serenade was also there at the same time…I don’t know how many passengers. I had the Beach Club pass for 89.00 because I grabbed it during a price drop. I don’t think it was any specific sale at the time…just lucky. The amount of guests at the club was about the same as always…not crowded, plenty of beach loungers, excellent service…great food! Highly recommend it if you can fit it into your budget!

I have the Key for my Anthem cruise on Nov 28… I didn’t receive an email yet (probably will closer to sail date) but the description has changed in the Cruise Planner. Gone is the 25% off specialty dining and the free room service along with the ‘grab and go’ bag. Back is the embarkation Chops lunch and the disembarkation choice departure with breakfast. Also, the arrival perk remains easy access ‘within booked arrival time’…not the earliest. Oh well, things are slowly returning to normal. Good! Summary of your benefits: • Priority access into the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1. • Carry-on bag drop off and delivery to stateroom. Drop-off your carry-on bags in the Main Dining Room until 1:30pm. • Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille Lunch menu. • Private time at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more. • Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore. • Early access at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater, Studio B and Two70. • VOOM ® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet. • On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive à la carte breakfast and choice departure. *When you receive your SeaPass card, it will have an icon confirming your purchase of The Key. The Key must be purchased prior to sailing by each guest age 6 or older assigned to the same stateroom. **These benefits are a part of our healthy return to service, and as such, they are subject to change. Additional Terms & Conditions apply.

The Windjammer is for everyone. They request you use the app to make reservations but walk-ins are welcome if space is available. Very strict on ‘washy-washy’ at the sinks. They scan your card when you enter and when you leave so they can keep track of how many guests are inside. They will stop guests from entering if they reach the limit. Everyone must wear a mask while moving around but once seated with your party, you can unmask. When you’re finished and get up to leave, mask on. Tables are also spaced further apart and when that’s not possible, they put a ‘Reserved for Physical Distancing’ card on the table. And, of course, everything is served by crew members. They even have someone who hands you the plate and utensils when you walk in. The drinks are pre-poured so you only have to grab a glass. The condiment station is also manned by a crew member so you touch nothing. When you sit at a table, they turn over a sign that showed the table had been sanitized to the other side showing the table must remain empty after you leave until they sanitize it and turn the card over again. Very crew intensive.

Just came back from dinner and found this block. I didn’t receive a letter beforehand asking if I wanted it mailed. Funny thing…this is only my second block and I have 316 points…after this b2b I’ll have 400. I guess I missed out on a block?

Is the 'Best Price Guarantee Onboard Credit' considered non-refundable credit? Use it or lose it? I re-priced my Nov 8 cruise after final payment date and received the difference as OBC. Is it possible that for their accounting purposes they don't issue a refund after final payment but apply it as OBC...wondering if I don't use it all, do I forfeit it.

Don’t get hung up with times or how many hours. Royal uses days. For vaccinated guests, you must be tested up to two days before sail date. Example: Sail date is Sunday…day zero. Saturday is day one…Friday is day two. So if you sail anytime Sunday, then you must be tested and receive your results anytime Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Check out this Christmas video by Cruise Director Mitch on the Anthem…

This was on the Anthem in 2019. There was also the Gingerbread Village in the Windjammer…and Christmas trees and decorations all over the ship. The ship’s officers and members of the show ‘We Will Rock You’ performed Christmas carols and Santa and his elves paraded the Royal Esplanade. Of course, these things were pre-Covid. So, I expect things will be somewhat different this year.

Lots of things remind me about liquor, too! I’ll drink to that!

You can use the app onboard for free. Download it before your cruise and check out what you can do. The best part is the EMuster drill!

I think that if an adult is traveling with an unvaccinated child, then the adult is considered unvaccinated…while they are with the child. If they decide to leave the child somewhere and want to enter a vaccinated-only venue, they can…because they are wearing the wrist band. As far as unvaccinated due to religious or medical exemption…I don’t think Royal will allow them to cruise at this time. So…I think as of now…every adult must be vaccinated to board. So, why have wristbands?

Mine showed pending until I received the attached email. Notice it was sent today, Oct 24 after 8pm…I received it while I was sitting in the Royal Theater waiting for the show to start. Good thing I had internet to know my bid was unsuccessful…three hours after sail-away! This is the second time in two weeks that this happened.

@twangsterExcellent explanation. Clear, concise and to the point. By the way….you should consider working for Royal handling calls. You’d be great!

For Royal Caribbean…testing is two days prior to your cruise. Cruise day is day zero. So for instance…if your cruise day is anytime on Tuesday, then you must be tested anytime on Sunday or Monday. Tuesday is day zero, Monday is day one, Sunday is day two. Here at Port Liberty in Bayonne NJ today, there was a private company set up in a van outside the terminal. They were offering rapid Covid Antigen tests for those who came to the port without one. Sure enough, there were several people lined up waiting to get tested. I’m guessing they didn’t take insurance and the test was somewhat pricey…but…as a last resort I’m sure it’s better than being turned away.

When I checked in at Port Liberty last week, the agent put it on my wrist and tightened it just enough so that it couldn’t come off. He warned me that it was like a zip tie and can tighten but not loosen. He wouldn’t hand them to anyone, he claimed he had to put them on himself. I agree with the question above: If every adult is vaccinated, why are we wearing them? Don’t children wear wrist bands anyway to identify their muster stations or something? Maybe I’m missing something but it seems useless.