BrianB

Oasis of the Seas…Sept 26…2580 Almost 500 (25%) more than last week.

B2B day on the Oasis. There were approximately 100 consecutive cruisers. At 8:15 we reported to the Theater on deck 5. There were two lines coming from both elevator banks converging on the one open door so social distancing was not happening as everyone tried to squeeze in. We stood on line for almost a half hour as each guest received their new wristband (a different color each cruise) and received our new SeaPass cards. We were then seated in the theater balcony and waited until a crew member came around and checked our vaccination cards. Due to a computer glitch, they couldn’t just photo the cards but had to copy all the information by hand (I think this is what caused the holdup in the first line…they were doing these things in line but then realized it was better to just let us in and seat us). Then they asked the health questions. We were instructed not to use our new SeaPass cards until after we went through the terminal and were re-boarding. After a while of sitting, we were escorted to the gangway and scanned our old cards as we exited. Security kept our old cards. I understand we can go to guest services to get the old card back, for those like me who like to keep them, but guest services throughout the day and first night was typically crowded. We then breezed through the empty customs area, pausing just long enough to get the green check mark on the CBP facial scanners. Then we stood in line again. No seating. After about twenty minutes we were escorted back aboard, scanning our new SeaPass cards. We were instructed to either go back to our cabins or go wait in the Music Hall while they finished sanitizing the ship. My cabin wasn’t ready so I headed to the Music Hall. Of the 100 or so b2b’ers, I was one of only six in the venue. After hearing nothing for about an hour, I ventured out and found the Windjammer open and serving. I didn’t wait until noon to take advantage of the Consecutive Cruisers Lunch in the dining room because I was tired and hungry and somewhat frustrated. All in all the experience could have been better…especially outside the theater with some crowd control. I hope next time it goes smoother with more control and information. I sort of felt abandoned in the Music Hall…and there was no music…or drinks…or contact of any kind. But the good news is…I’m still onboard and ready for another great week.

I always tip servers when I get the service. But room stewards and concierge...I always tip at the end of each week. Sometimes room stewards get moved and you'll have a new one for the next leg. I feel the concierge is more appreciative getting the tip each week. But...to each his own.

Getting nervous…the Anthem is still doing cruises in the UK. The last cruise listed is a five night ending on October 30. The next available cruise is November 7 from Bayonne. I’m booked for that cruise…first half of a b2b. I tried a mock booking for the Oct 25 cruise from Southampton and it’s still accepting reservations. If the CSO is still in place…some sailings will have to be cancelled to abide by the fourteen day quarantine and then the test cruise. So…..getting nervous

This morning, the day before arrival back in Bayonne, I received my complimentary Covid antigen test in the conference center on deck three. I had made a reservation for 8:10 but arrived a little early. No line, no waiting…got my nose tickled and done. Bioreference Laboratories has been contracted by Royal to perform the tests on board. Tested at 8am and received my results via email at 11:55am. Negative. Easy peasy.

I cruise solo virtually all the time and I sort of expect this. Sometimes right after the cruise my points are not doubled (or tripled in a suite) when they first post on my account. Resisting the temptation to call immediately, I find that they usually auto-correct a short time later. Maybe the computer needs time to catch up. Computer techs probably forgot to feed the hamster spinning the wheel.

The Cruise Compass now says…Say goodbye to Formal Night, and hello to Wear Your Best. It’s time to shine- your way.

I just checked. Signed in, no problem. I’m on an iPad on the Oasis using Voom.

On the Oasis there is still formal night. I’ll also be on the Anthem in Nov and there will probably still be formal night…just no meeting the Captain for a photo on the steps of the Esplanade. Got to maintain distancing so no large gatherings.

You have no choice. The room you win is the one assigned. That’s part of the agreement when you submit your bid. Your credit card is automatically charged when your room is assigned. No adjustments such as location consideration or connecting.

Some deals are fleeting. Some deals are for certain sailings only. It’s easy to understand when they issue emails advertising deals…but there are some that appear because of a lack of bookings during a certain sailing…or for a certain category. It makes economic sense for Royal to re-evaluate the pricing and try to get more bookings or upgrades before turning it over to RoyalUp for bids. I’d much rather be able to pick my cabin during an upgrade instead of hoping I win a bid not knowing what cabin I get. But this is what a good TA will watch out for and take advantage of. And remember, a good TA has plenty of clients. They retain them and attract more through word of mouth when they do a good job as a client advocate. They may make less of a commission if you pay a less price, but wouldn’t that encourage you to use them again…and tell others? Again, we’re back to economic sense. Enjoy your cruise!

I always do my own bookings online with RC. Then I monitor and service each of them, usually a dozen or so…price drops, cruise planner deals, better cabins for lesser prices. But it takes lots of time and effort. I use charts and pages of notes (or, as some in may family have so indelicately described…unreadable hieroglyphics) to keep track. Fortunately I have the time do do it. Whenever I have had a reason to call, I try first thing in the morning. It’s a little frustrating to have to hang on while going through all the recorded messages and phone prompts…push 1, push 4, etc. I wish there was just a way to bypass it all and get to an agent. The worst is getting through it all to the last message, “this call may be recorded or monitored for training purposes”, then hear one ring and then nothing! Disconnect and try all over again. However, I have never had a bad experience with an agent when I finally got through. But….if I didn’t have the time or the patience to do it…even for one reservation…then I would definitely use MEI and let them do all the grunge work. Plus a little OBC would be nice. Either way, good luck and happy cruising! Oh…and the best site I found for heads up on deals is this one. Lots of fellow cruisers sharing timely information and advice. Just sayin’!

All cruisers including b2b’s have to complete the safety drill prior to sailing on each cruise. Fortunately, Royal Caribbean’s new safety drill via the app is fantastic! As soon as WiFi from the ship is detected, you can complete the app portion of the drill…even in the parking garage. Then anytime prior to sail away, just go to your muster station and your seaPass card (or boarding pass if you have yet to visit your cabin) will be scanned. A few safety words from a crew member and you’re done!

Your welcome. I had to make a correction from my original post. We do have to leave the ship for CBP. I edited it.

I just received my back to back letter last night (night 4 of 7) explaining what I need to do on turnaround day, Sept 26. There was a QR code that I scanned and it opened a page where I entered my information and chose a time for the rapid test to be given on the day before, Sept 25, in the Conference Center on deck 3. All of the times were available and I chose 8:10-8:20am. Test results will be sent to my email. We have to meet at the theater on turnaround day at 8:15 for our wellness check. Once that is completed, we will be checked in and our new seaPass card will be issued along with the In-transit card. We are to bring our passports, vaccination card and the credit card we plan to use. I’m staying in the same room so I don’t need to pack up. My room will receive priority service. We have to leave the ship and go through customs. We will be escorted off and pass by the facial recognition scanners and then be escorted right back on. If we choose to venture out in Bayonne, we can use the In-transit card to bypass check-in, but cannot re-board until general boarding commences. I have no intention of leaving the ship. Consecutive Cruisers will be offered lunch in the MDR on deck 3 (V) from noon to 1pm. **On another note…it was addressed in another post but, any liquor purchased during the current cruise will be held until the end of our time on board.

How about ‘snootty’?

I’m sorry you have to cruise with such restrictive personal needs that require you to take verbal action whenever you see a masking violation coming your way. Must be immensely uncomfortable keeping your head on a swivel so that you can identify and react to an approaching threat. After all, it’s your health on the line, and that can be significantly affected by a wayward breath from a passing infectee not wearing a mask or not wearing it perfectly. I mean, what are the odds, right? It’s a shame that your vacation/s have become so burdensome that you might feel constantly under threat for your life. Maybe cruising during this time of unknowns and change may not be the perfect time. After all, it should be a risk vs reward balance, should it not? Also, by interacting with these masking violators and the resulting arguments that ensue…such as you laughing and them screaming…doesn’t that cause you to have more close contact with them. Isn’t that dangerous on your part? Maybe best to just avoid any close contact by retreating. Maybe your ‘I don’t play’ attitude is dangerous to your health. I don’t mean to accuse anyone of being confrontational…I know what it’s like because I sometimes get accused of being sarcastic. Like now.

**Update… Check-in opened today for my Nov 7 cruise on the Anthem. When I looked last night at 11:30pm, my original check in information was already there…with my 12:30pm boarding time. Hopefully it’s the same with my other Nov cruises.

For my own selfish reasons, I would like to see ports where more passengers get off. I’m done with lines, shuttles, ferries, fees, beach-hawkers…NO! I DO NOT WANT MY HAIR BRAIDED!…iffy food choices, stress. I love having the ship virtually to myself. Calm, quiet, peaceful…. I have had some great times visiting so many wonderful, new and exciting places…been there, done that…but now I’m just content to stay aboard. Except CocoCay. That place is freakin’ great!

On the first day you get a chart inside the cruise compass showing you all of the entertainment times, locations and whether they are vaccinated-only or everyone. Some have no reservations required…such as the BeatleManiacs in the Music Hall. Easy to read and understand. You can make reservations on the app, or by calling during times listed in the cruise compass. You can always call to make changes if your plans change…if there is availability.

Im on Oasis now. As of now…Entertainment reservations need to be made onboard. Only one show time can be reserved…to allow social distancing and the opportunity for everyone to see each show. Shows are either vaccinated-only or for everyone. Some venues are vaccinated-only.

I met people who do that. They miss their old flip phones and only have smartphones because that’s all they could get for a good deal. But…they don’t know…and don’t want to know…how to use them. They use them only as cameras. I had to show them how to put on airplane mode.

On the Oasis...not only did I get the email from the concierge about a week before, but every day while onboard. They send emails giving advice and suggestions for the next day whether we will be at sea or docked. Not via the app. I guess if you don't have wifi access, you don't get the email.