BrianB

I’m also a believer in redundancy. I have more tests on hand then I’m going to need. Just in case there’s a mistake, malfunction or loss of video connection. I purchased a six pack (drank it, it was delicious)…then got a six pack of tests from eMed directly. Six tests cost $150 but they have the earlier expiration date…which was extended. These tests are my backups to getting tested at CVS, and I may never need to use them, so they are really an investment in peace of mind.

I always got the Key. But I sail solo, always get internet, sail out of Port Liberty and usually on the Anthem. The Key program benefits that were best for me were always early boarding (in Bayonne we board right behind suite guests)…carry-on drop off…lunch from Chops…front of the line tendering…and first-off walk-off disembarkation. But, in the age of Covid…doesn’t make sense to purchase even if it was available. I’ll just get the internet.

Allianz AllTrips Prime. Global, including all Schengen countries. I’m in NJ and I usually travel solo so the policy is just for me. Covid coverage is included.

I am wondering how the ships are handling final disembarkation procedures. I know there are sometimes different procedures for different ships and ports. Is early walk-off still an option? In the past, we would go and stand on line with all of our luggage, along with a lot of others, and wait for the ship to be cleared. The line formed early, even before the ship tied up. When I had the Key on the Anthem, we would meet at the Shore Excursion desks across from the gangway and were the first off as soon as the ship was cleared. I know the Key is not yet a choice…but are passengers lining up early? I see some posts and videos (from @Matt) where passengers said they wait in their cabins to be called. In the past, they wanted everyone out of the cabins early so they could clean and sanitize them quicker. We were told to wait in public areas. How does this work? Is it a PA announcement when your number is called? Doesn’t that cause groups to be at the elevators at the same time? How do they keep crowds from forming while getting to a zero count as quickly as possible? Especially as passenger numbers start to rise. **I know…I’m getting antsy! First cruise in eighteen months is getting close and I can’t wait!

If you are referring to large suitcases and not just what are usually considered carry on’s…I have seen passengers at cruise terminals who were told by the security screeners that their bag had to be checked. They wouldn’t put them through the X-ray. Even though they would have fit. Their argument that they had done it before fell on deaf ears. They had to leave the line, go back outside, get luggage tags applied by the porters who took the luggage, and then come back and get on the security line again with their carry on’s. It’s always best to be prepared for anything. I put the tags on all my bags…in tag holders…in several places in case one gets ripped off during handling. Especially since I have been using the Key. Dropping off my carry on was convenient, but I wanted to make sure I got it back!

I have been aboard when we arrived at an itinerary port early due to a medical emergency. It was considered too dangerous to try an evac either by boat or helo. But the ship stuck to the disembarkation time. No one was allowed off until the regularly scheduled time. Of course, the ship needed to be cleared by local authorities who probably weren’t available that early. I assume the dock workers who had to be there to tie us up had to be called in early. But we still left the port at the regular departure time. Plus, I have been aboard where we had to dock at our disembarkation port the evening before our scheduled arrival. Once was due to an approaching storm and the tide schedule in the Hudson River. But we had to remain on board. It was weird being tied up in Manhattan, looking at my car in the parking lot, and not being able to leave until the next morning. The opposite happened on the Anthem. We had to divert for a medical emergency and that caused us to arrive back a day late. We tied up that evening but had to stay aboard until the next morning. That caused a delay at the port for a Celebrity ship the next day as there is only the one berth.

If you bid into a suite that has higher service fees, then that daily fee will appear on your account. Otherwise, it’s just the amount bid that goes on your credit card.

I believe any alcohol purchased at the ports is held until the end of the cruise. You get it back the night before disembarkation. The same as buying bottles of alcohol on board in the shops.

What I do when I want to check a price…I apply my C&A number, along with the other categories applicable to me, on the page where it asks how many guests. Then it automatically applies the discounts to the price. You can get your discounted price before you get to the payment page.

I usually purchase the 3 night package on a seven day cruise. The only issue I have is I can’t make reservations before boarding day. Then, after boarding, I go directly to any restaurant host desk and make all my reservations for the week. The one reservation made for you is just a place holder. Just change after you board. With these new protocols, I decided not to purchase the package. I’d rather spend a little more and just make my individual specialty reservations in the cruise planner prior to sailing day. This way I’m guaranteed the times I want. Less pre-boarding stress.

I love the Royal Chocolate Cake…especially a la mode! Never, ever had an underwhelming piece! …and remember…calories don’t count on a cruise ship. That’s a known scientific fact I just made up!

I ordered the six pack from eMed. Got the email confirming the order and when it was approved and shipped. Then got emails from FedEx tracking showing when it would be delivered. No issues. I think the warning regarding exposure to hot temperatures means over a sustained period of time…likely days. Hopefully nobody has to deal with a heat damaged test…I guess it just wouldn’t show any control result, which would negate the test. Haven’t read of anyone having a defected test yet.

Interesting strategy with a couple of good results. Especially the ‘help the marriage’ angle! I have relatives who decided they must have separate bedrooms because of his snoring, so this would be great for them. Just close the connecting door. Sort of turns two balcony cabins into an affordable, small boutique-style 2 bedroom suite…with 2 full bathrooms. Plus the extra points.

Thanks for the link! At least now I know my six pack won’t expire next month!

My Sept cruise suite category showed sold out months ago…but when I had an agent on the line doing a re-price on a Nov cruise, she checked the one in Sept and the price had dropped nicely. Even though it showed sold out.

Thanks! I guess the Best Price Guarantee benefit is primarily for re-pricing after final payment date…resulting in OBC. That makes sense. Appreciate the info!

I’m guessing…and hoping I’m right…that after I pass 340+ C&A points in November that I can re-price the remaining cruises to take advantage of the single fare supplement decrease. I’m wondering if I would be able to re-price the one cruise that I have booked which is beyond the Best Price Guarantee promotion in Dec 2022. Appreciate any insight.

All of mine are either crown loft suites (Oasis) or JS (Anthem). Some of them I must have hit just right, as their prices just keep going up and up. Even after re-booking at lower prices…especially during the WOW sale…some of them starting trending upwards again. Supply and demand. I keep checking nearly everyday!

So far I was able to snag lower prices on several of my booked cruises. Most were prior to final payment date so the amount due was just decreased. One I had already paid in full, but because it was a couple weeks before final payment date, my credit card was refunded the difference. One was past final payment so I received the difference in OBC. The big takeaway here is I found lower prices on several cruises twice! One cruise in November actually dropped three times. Each time I was able to get the lower price. The Best Price Guarantee is great! Keep checking!!

Another nightmare scenario…doing what appears to be everything right. Getting the test kit, going through the testing procedure with a proctor, getting the result, having it on my phone and printing it out so it’s in my hand. Then being turned away at the port because the test had expired the previous month. I know it’s unlikely. The test should show expired when the QR code is scanned during testing…or there is no expiration date on the results email. But, still…..another bit of expectation anxiety to add to the pile.

I bought the BinaxNow six pack already…and I’m also looking to book an antigen test near me. CVS, Walgreens, walk-in…whatever. I’ve heard of BinaxNow users sometimes having long waits for a telehealth monitor to become available. Or a problem with their hardware, or WiFi speed, or other connection disruptions mid-test which would invalidate that test and force them to start over with a new one. But I knew when I booked my cruises during the re-start that there would be rocks and shoals to navigate…hoops to jump through…balls to juggle. But I am determined to do whatever it takes to get aboard that ship! The sooner the cruise lines can show that cruising is consistently safe with flexible protocols, the better. I’ll gladly be a part of that…even with the inconvenience.

Not all cruises are equal. I have multiple cruises booked. As I waded through each one, I see pretty significant price differences in each cruise planner. A lot of excellent bargain prices appeared. It was just a matter of which cruise got the best benefit from the sale.

I hope if the time frame changes from 3 days before the sail date to 2…then testing will also be available at the port on embarkation day. Even if it stays at 3 days, I would hope there will be testing available for those who didn’t get their results in time…or just couldn’t find a test site. Then there’s the issue of who pays for it. Even a small fee, along with the delay boarding due to waiting for a result, would probably see most people getting it done if they can, and bringing their negative result to the port. I sure would like to know ahead of time that I’m negative.

I believe requiring proof of vaccination to receive service from a business in FL is prohibited under the law. However, as far as travel to another country, where proof of vaccine is a requirement for entry…then travel providers such as cruises and flights can enforce vaccination proof at the point of boarding. Even if that happens to be in FL.

Hmmmm…’Any drink, any bar, any time’ sounds like a great cruising song!….