BrianB

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!….

Someone else may have better info…but I believe he was referring to limiting access to the lounges. For instance, Pinnacle members will be welcomed into their own area rather than the suite lounge. Remember, everything is fluid (nice drink package reference!) and things can change on an almost daily basis…so think positive! Enjoy your cruise!

There are a few good videos showing ways to pack for a trip where clothing is less likely to be mussed or wrinkled…especially my sport coat and dress shirt for formal night. Also, I try to find clothing…in particular shirts and polos…that are made with wrinkle-resistant materials. Just unpack, shake out and hang up. Luggage choice is also important. Try to find the right bags…roomy, light but strong, with wheels. Rain proof matters, too. So many times I have seen full luggage carts on the pier waiting to be loaded aboard while sitting in a sudden downpour. I have a large bag with four wheels and my carry-on attaches to the top so I can easily roll them with one hand. This is important for me as I always do walk-off at the end of the cruise. The carry-on also has wheels and an expandable handle. Luggage needs to be strong enough to endure being tossed around by luggage handlers, or being on the bottom of the pile on a cart. Remember, you get what you pay for. My friend’s bargain luggage had wheels which snapped off on day one and the zipper jammed. Lesson learned! Sorry about veering off topic but packing was an easy segue to luggage choice. Have a great cruise!

…and probably every pool chair is reserved with towels and books on them!?

Yes. Double your previous amount. Solo in a balcony or below…1 point + 1 point = 2 points per night. Double = 4 points per night. For a seven night cruise, solo in a balcony or below receives 28 total points.

I remember back in the days when cruising was a lot less frequent and considered an unusual experience. Friends and family members came to see you off and were allowed on the ship to walk around and check it out. And then they crowded into your cabin for the bon voyage party. I remember the pre-sailing announcement, “All ashore who’s going ashore!” As the ship untied and pulled away…all the visitors were gathered pier side waving goodbye!

Thanks for posting! Gives me confidence going on the Oasis next month!

There have already been quite a few sailings and I’m wondering what the statistics show as far as infection rates on board. If rates are still rather small, without showing a measurable increase…it would seem that the current protocols are sufficient. Even the CDC recognizes that it is virtually impossible to keep Covid off cruise ships…or anywhere else for that matter. They just fixate on cruise ships. I see on the CDC website that they count as ‘cases’ actual Covid-positive passengers, and also ‘Covid-like symptoms’. Does that mean if I get a head cold, or the flu while on board, the CDC will count me as a ‘case’ and add that to the total…even if I test negative? CDC also counts as cases anyone who tests positive up to five days after you complete your cruise and go home. I guess they figure it’s impossible to catch it while traveling from the cruise. CDC doesn’t fixate on airports, flights filled shoulder to shoulder, or anything else as much as cruising. Maybe the next CDC masking recommendation will be cruisers should wear masks while sleeping…and I’m not being facetious.?

I purchased the BinaxNow 6 pack monitored test…approved by Royal as acceptable. Although I don’t expect an issue finding a place here in NJ to get tested…I don’t want to risk it when that ‘3 day window’ starts shutting.

Thanks for posting this! Glad you had a great time on Allure. I think it’s important to show the crew how much we appreciate them. And supporting the entertainers is always a top priority for me, too! I’m really looking forward to my time on the Oasis next month. Your post makes me feel more confident that I, too, will have a great time!

I thought it was usually grand suite and above. I have loft suites on the Oasis so that should make me eligible…IF Port Liberty workers are aware of the one hour before procedure. Oh well, guess I’ll see in three weeks. Either I get in early or wait outside for an hour.

Curious…are suites ‘allowed to arrive an hour before their designated time’ the same policy at every port? Wondering about Port Liberty.

I purchased the Abbott BinaxNow 6 pack (sounds delicious, but...no) even though where I am in NJ there are plenty of available places for me to go and get a free rapid test. I keep checking availability and it seems there’s always something nearby. But…I’m not taking the chance that when the time comes for me to get that ‘three day before’ test, there happens to be something which causes a delay, or suddenly there’s limited availability resulting in me scrambling. I have quite a few cruises coming up during which time I’m pretty confident that pre-testing will still be a thing. Just like insurance, it seems to be a good investment. Hopefully I don’t need it.

I think the last thing the cruise lines want to do is to start implementing new ‘recommendations’ which will certainly cause more bookings to be cancelled. Many people are stressing out as they weigh the risks and benefits of getting back to cruising. I think there are many who would look at these confusing and conflicting changes as ‘the last straw’ and just bail out. Wait until things settle down sometime in the future. The Delta variant has been here for some time. Surely there must be statistical evidence either way regarding the level of infections on cruise ships to warrant making any change in policies. On another note…I saw a video posted by a cruiser arriving at a port which showed a mobile Covid testing vehicle. It was like a small ice cream truck where the quick test is given to walk ups who then get their results quickly. Probably expensive…but perfect as a last resort.

Correct. C&A points are for the original cabin category. If you had a balcony or lower category, you should have received 1 point per night…3 nights equals 3 points. Double that equals 6 points total. If you originally booked a suite, including a Junior Suite (not RoyalUpped into one) than another point per night. 3 nights equals 6 points. Double that equals 12 points total. I get the Trifecta! I’m usually sailing solo, in a suite, so I get 1 point per night…plus another point for being solo…and still another for being in a suite. That’s 3 points per night. Double that equals 6 points per night. So for me, a seven night cruise totals 42 points! This makes up for all the cruises I had to cancel last year.

I vote to book another cruise this year….ya gotta do what ya gotta do!?

I think it would be good to have a contractor at the pier performing viral testing for those who arrive without a test result…even for a reasonable fee. That would help those who don’t get their private test results back in time, and just show up thinking they can board anyway.

For my future solo sailings I get 6 points each night. 1 for sailing, 1 more for being solo, and 1 more for being in a suite. Double that is 6 points per night. When this first came out, I emailed Royal just to make sure. Also, previous cruisers have already posted on the forums. So for him sailing solo in a non-suite…1 for the sailing, 1 extra for being solo. Double that is 4 points per night.