BrianB

I make and service all of my future bookings myself. When I need to call for any reason, I usually do it first thing in the morning. I have had several frustrating times in the afternoon where I listen through all the messages, press the different numbers (it would be so much quicker to be able to bypass all that and just press ‘0’ for an agent) only to get to the final message about the call being recorded for accuracy and training…then hearing one phone ring and then….nuttin’. But those instances have been very few and far between. Also, I have been fortunate to never have had a connection bad enough to cause me to hang up. Virtually all of my interactions with RC agents (when we finally connect) have been very satisfactory and pleasant. All have been knowledgeable or quick to check with a supervisor when they didn’t know an answer. But…if I wasn’t lucky enough to be able to spend so much time and effort on my own…I would definitely hook up with a good TA. I’ve been on these forums long enough to see how customers are very happy with MEI.

That’s the first I heard of the immersive virtual reality experience where you walk around with four others. Sounds interesting.

That’s it! I use a photo of myself uploaded from my gallery. Also, if you check-in on the computer, you can just type in the passport numbers and expiration dates. When you check-in for yourself, you can save your credit card number to add it for other guests.

I have changed rooms several times. If I did after I had received my cruise documents with the luggage tags, then a few days after the change, I would receive new cruise documents with the new luggage tags. Keep checking your cruise documents. **If I click on ‘luggage tags’ I keep getting a warning that the link has been compromised and do not continue.

No Zoom app needed. When you log on, they will test your system audio, video and connectivity. Make sure your volume is turned up. Remember the QR code is on the actual box, not the one on the sliding cover. Hyperhot, hypersmart, fiancée…three words that go together very well!

Some couples are doing that. Booking connecting balconies. More room…two bathrooms, lots of storage space…no arguing over the TV. Plus being solo in a balcony will get you four points per night.

Do you have the option of scheduling a test at a CVS, Walgreens, walk-in clinic or other similar venue that’s near your destination in the US? Maybe schedule more than one location to be safe…you can always cancel the other. Is it possible for you (or someone in the US) to order the test and have it delivered to your hotel and have the hotel hold it for you until your arrival. It’s also probable that as time goes on…protocols will change, available testing will become more accessible or cruise lines will recognize the difficulty for their international guests and make quick testing at the port an option. Good luck.

I thought the tests being offered through the Optum store were more expensive than ordering directly from eMed because they had a much later expiration date. It also seems their delivery is somewhat bumpy. I ordered my six pack from eMed, received a confirmation email…and another when they shipped. They arrived quickly. No issues. What is the benefit by ordering them from Optum?

There should actually be a public service warning on those door hangers. Something like…Warning! Having morning coffee and pastries delivered to your cabin so that you can sit and consume them on your balcony while the ship glides through the water can be extremely habit forming and result in your becoming hopelessly addicted to cruising!

I’m also hoping someone can post their experience at Port Liberty before I go. I'll be there on Sunday. I drive to the port and use the parking garage. My arrival time is 12:30 but I’m in a crown loft suite so I’ll get there early and see what happens. I’ll post how it went when I get on board!

Darn speed bumps at sea! Always hitting them at the worst time!

The form email I always get says that the OBC has been approved but may not appear on my account until the second day of the cruise. But virtually every time it has been available on my cruise planner pre-cruise. The OBC is already on my cruise planners for the Sept cruises.

I think I will add a two week supply of medical necessities to my kit. Above what I usually bring for the length of my cruise. Just in case I suddenly find myself quarantined somewhere mid-cruise. I don’t want to be forced to rely on the availability and quality of local supplies. Never know when local authorities demand I quarantine in place rather than send me home.

I send a copy of my brokerage account. Only the single page that has the Royal Caribbean shares listed. I black out my account number. It has my name and the date is the most recent monthly statement issued. It has to be reasonably close to the sail date. Never had it rejected.

I downloaded one and use it as my master copy. I make copies as needed, fill them out, and email them in to shareholder services. Usually get a confirmation response within a short time letting me know it was received. Then I get the email that the request was approved usually the next day or two. My most recent were two forms submitted for a back to back next week. I emailed both in on Sept 6. Twenty minutes later I got the automated message acknowledging receipt. On Sept 9 I received the email approving both requests.

Excellent! Be prepared to receive an email from the concierge…or at this late date you may need to email them at [email protected] to make dinner reservations at the CK and specialty restaurants. Or you can wait until boarding to do it. Reservations for Coastal Kitchen are recommended for dinner only but you will have access to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, you have access to the suite lounge…next to CK…and the suites sundeck forward. The accessible CL suite sounds nice…larger with a private elevator. Enjoy! p.s. might be a good time to try your luck with a lottery ticket!

I have seen some videos showing frustrated passengers who arrive to the port at their designated times and are met with a long line. Apparently many others are coming early, well before their reserved time, and are being held outside. So those that came at their time just go to the end of the line and wait. No one is taking charge, telling them what to do. Others have said they do not wait in the line but just go to the front and, after the workers confirm that they are on time, let them in. And still others said they purposely came early…and were allowed in before time. I think this, and past pre-Covid experiences, is what’s causing others to just show up early. Can you please share your experience.

Ships have mandatory dry dock times where, after a period of normal operations, they must get their hulls, stabilizers and propulsion cleaned and inspected. They also take this relatively short time to make minor improvements aboard ship. But the big amplification takes a lot more time and expense. Hopefully Allure can be scheduled for the ‘Big Job’ soon so she can come back completely refurbished with all the new bells and whistles! She’s a great ship.

As with most modern complex, sensitive and complicated electronic computer systems in use today…there is a PSK Division which makes sure that any bugs, hiccups or malfunctions are quickly addressed and corrected. I’m sure Royal has this same dedicated service. But there are times when the PSK designated person is not readily available and must be called in. Eventually the Professional Swift Kicker will deliver the swift kick to the mainstream computer…right to that sweet spot…and things get back to normal.

Especially if you’re flying in early and will need to take the two-day-before test after your arrival. Makes sense to take an at home, non-proctored test before you fly in. The cheaper test is good for that. Better to know if your positive at home before you start traveling…

Nope. Cancelled.

Me too! I got it for this cruise and also for the cruise before. Great price! The food in the restaurant is fantastic!

That would be a bit much for me. I usually cruise solo. Sometimes I’ll get a two bedroom suite only because the price dropped significantly and I’ll tell myself it’s because my luggage likes to have it’s own room.

This will be my first time in the loft suites. I like what I see in the videos…especially being ‘on top of the ship’ with huge two-level windows, the sheer openness of the space, large balcony, and the exclusivity of deck 17. Getting to the suite sundeck seems rather easy…a short walk forward. Can’t wait!

I always bring a zip-lock baggie containing antiseptic wipes. The first thing I do when I get to my cabin is wipe down everything! The wipes are Hydrogen Peroxide based because they kill most viruses, including the dreaded Norovirus. The usual alcohol-based antibacterial wipes don’t kill Noro.