BrianB

I cruise solo most of the time. I think the best thing is you do what you want, when you want and with whoever you want. You’re not tied in to someone else where you have to be flexible and considerate of each other’s choices. You get to meet lots of different people and can come and go as you please. It’s surprising how many people are open and welcoming to fellow passengers on a cruise ship. It’s different than it is on land. It’s sort of like we’re all in the same boat (pun intended)! Even if you don’t want to join with others, the crew is fantastic! They are always great to talk with…about them; their families; their lives at sea. I have learned so many amazing things about different places from crew members. As I always say…I cruise solo, but never alone! Enjoy your cruise!

I think the CDC will extend the CSO…especially with the winter months coming up. But hopefully they will adjust protocols as cases drop…or even remain stable…aboard ships. Even with Norwegian having fully vaccinated guests and crew, so far all of their ships sailing with passengers are either orange or yellow on the CDC chart. It’s obvious that cases will happen aboard ships. And so far, the cruise lines appear to be successfully applying their health protocols. Those actions seem to be a big part of keeping this under control. I’ll take the inconvenience of the protocols for as long as necessary to keep cruising. For me, they are secondary to being back at sea; back aboard beautiful ships; back with friends; back with fantastic crew members and fantastic service. Can’t wait to board again!

New charges after you activate the offer. So if you make a payment on a cruise already booked, it still counts. It’s the charge, not the booking.

Sometimes when I call…I’m tempted to ask the agent to please shake the Magic 8 Ball one more time. But…I never argue, I’ll just call back and hope for a better ‘shake’ with another agent. But, honestly…I’m lucky that I never had a bad experience with an RC agent. Always pleasant. They truly believe what they’re saying is fact, even when I know it’s questionable. People do make mistakes and it’s best to move on to another agent. Good luck.

All of my cruises and associated charges are on Amex…which is a lot…but I guess I’m still a small fry in the eyes of the Amex algorithms.

Ha! I was just coming back to edit that…but you were too fast for me! Thanks for catching it. I’ll add an edit to my comment.

Thanks for the heads up! My offer is less. Spend $500 get back $200. These offers are usually dependent upon completing the cruise…or whatever purchase made (merchandise, etc) is final and can not be cancelled or returned. Edit….oops…I missed the part about onboard purchases, merchandise, etc are NOT included. Sorry.

I sailed out of New Jersey and tried to exchange my currency to the local Port Canaveral currency but couldn’t find anyone who would make the exchange. They just looked at me funny like…I couldn’t figure it out.

I’m in NJ and close to the port. I sail on the Anthem out of Bayonne over the winters. It’s the perfect ship for sailing out of New York harbor in cold weather. The Solarium is completely enclosed in glass and climate controlled. So is the large indoor family pool. And the indoor SeaPlex is great! It usually takes about a day and a half to get to a warmer climate where you can lounge on the sundeck and enjoy the outdoor pool. I don’t want to jinx it but…here in NJ, December snow storms are not the norm. They do happen occasionally but rarely severe, and there is typically advance warning so crews are ready to plow and clear. As mentioned above, dining packages do not allow pre-reserving…but there is usually availability when you board. They will not allow all of the reservations to be taken before embarkation day. Just go to any restaurant host with your list and they’ll do their best. Have back-up times ready just in case. However, if you do wish to guarantee your preferred restaurant time…just make the individual reservations on the Cruise Planner. It will cost a bit more than the package but you will have peace of mind that the reservation is booked. As to your question, you can cancel your Cruise Planner purchase and get a refund if you wish to cancel the dining package. Also, the courtesy booking that comes with the dining package is just a placeholder and you can change it onboard. **reservations are dependent upon the health safety protocols in effect at the time…in case distancing measures are still in effect. The main entertainment shows ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘The Gift’ in the Royal Theater and ‘Spectra’s Cabaret’ in Two70 perform several times during the seven day sailing, usually each show performs once a day on several days. The time of the shows may change…We Will Rock You also does a matinee showing. All of them…in my opinion…are wonderful, not to be missed. Enjoy your cruise!

Whenever I see a cabin that I really want…I click on it. That blocks it for about fifteen minutes. Then I call. Sometimes it’s frustrating when I call because I have to listen to the menus, press the numbers, more recordings, more pressing…then finally get to the sound of a ringing phone. Then……nothing. Start all over. So, when I get through and tell the agent that I’m the one who blocked it…they usually put me on hold so they can get a supervisor to confirm it was me and unblock it. This has happened frequently…and I never lost the cabin. Good luck!

What’s this word ‘diet’ that you speak of? As I always say….calories don’t count on a cruise ship. That’s a known scientific fact I just made up!

Not part of this thread but….. My sister and brother-in-law put each other down as emergency contacts. But they always travel together. I picture them lost on some island and each getting a text at the same time telling them the other one is lost on some island.

Have you ever listed your mother as your emergency contact? I have my sister as my emergency contact and she keeps getting texts with links to emails regarding changes or other notifications about my cruises. They always address ‘your cruise’. She usually gets them before I do…or maybe before I notice them!

I have the same attitude about exercising! I try walking around the ship as much as possible and use the stairs whenever I can to alleviate some of the guilt I feel stuffing my face with all that deliciousness! On land I try to eat right, exercise and take care of myself…so I can splurge when I’m on board!

I don’t know about the PCR test but the rapid antigen nose swipe test comes back within hours…usually less. They’re done right in the pharmacy.

I always cruise solo but never alone!

Even on 7 night cruises the Cruise Compass says ‘Say goodbye to formal night, say hello to wear your best’. Makes it easier to go formal or just kick it up a notch with a collared polo and khakis. I have seen both ends of the dress spectrum and everybody seems to just accept it. Some go all out formal and some just stay completely cruise casual…or anything in between. Your choice.

I did car service in the beginning of my cruising career…but I learned I was more comfortable leaving when I wanted, driving myself, in my car…not relying on the timeliness of a driver either getting me there on time…or making me wait with my bag at the port to be picked up. Maybe it’s just me but I’ll pay a little more to be in control.

My back to back just cost me $350…the next one will cost me $420. But…I consider it as part of my cruise cost. Parking, tips, specialty dining, excursions, purchases. The convenience of parking right next to the terminal outweighs the cost, at least for me. Plus, parking is guaranteed. For that price, I could use a car service to drop me off and pick me up, but I prefer driving myself. It’s all part of the budget.

I know showing vaccine cards may not be a permanent thing, but…as a frequent cruiser, I was hoping there would be an option for allowing Royal to store a copy of my card in their system…like all my other personal info. That would make it easier during check-in at the terminal…and also reduce the chance of losing it. But, then again…I have my photo stored and always use it during online check-in, however it seems I still have to pose for a picture at the terminal. I figure they’re pretty strict about the cards..especially since during a back to back, I had to produce my card again even though they just photographed it when I boarded a week before. Maybe the systems aren’t set up for it as a way to ensure there are no mistakes. I know it’s not easy making computer program changes over such a large system, especially for something that may be ‘temporary’…but here’s hoping!

*Sunscreen!

$20 a day is a good price for the Key. Depending on the current cost of Voom, it’s probably just a few dollars more per day. I would keep it even if free room service was the only other benefit. But waiting to see what add-on’s, if any, they give for the Key may make it worthwhile for you. If you’re not satisfied, you can always do the Guest Services route onboard.

Me too! It gives peace of mind to have insurance and picking one that has great ratings and reviews is important. Also, I think any US government agency (Coast Guard, Navy…etc) rescue including helicopter evacuation is not chargeable to you. It’s covered by their budget…it’s what they do and they do it so well. But the land transportation and the costs after leaving their control mount quickly. That’s where your responsibility kicks in and it’s good to have the insurance. Good luck!

Depending on the ship and deck…some aft balconies may have more engine vibrations. Other than that, usually the view aft is great! Watching and hearing the wake is calming. The views are wide. The huge balcony is always a plus…and allows for loungers instead of just chairs. When docked…a side view may limit what you can see, but an aft cabin usually gives a nice view of the port and surrounding areas. I’ve never been on Rhapsody so maybe someone else can relate their experience. Good luck!