BrianB

Things are changing quickly, so what is the rule today may be different tomorrow. Remember there are restrictions on board…and restrictions for cruise ship passengers at the ports the ship visits. Different countries have different rules…and they, too seem to be changing quickly and with little, or no, advance notice…depending on their infection rates and the capability of their health care to handle a sudden influx. Hopefully things eventually quiet down, the various variants are manageable, and temporary restrictions can be eased.

‘We provided the wrong information’…’this is incorrect’… More likely somebody carefully thought this process through and decided this was going to be the official B2B policy. Without hoisting it up the proverbial flag pole to see who saluted it. I can’t really blame them. Things are changing so quickly and decisions are needed practically yesterday, so hasty decisions are being forced…and mistakes will be made by good meaning people. Rather than sticking by a bad decision and not admitting fault as it only affected a small, but loyal, group…Royal acted immediately to issue a correction…and an apology. Not something you see too often by big business. I appreciate Royal acting so quickly to change it. It may have sounded like a good idea, and was probably made with input from health officials, but somewhere along the way reasonable accommodation for the customer must also enter into the formula. Thank you Royal!

All of my Royal pre-Covid B2Bs have been on the Anthem sailing from Port Liberty. The procedure then was we met in the Diamond lounge, CBP came and did the obligatory glance at our passports, and then we were issued our new key card. As soon as the ship got to a zero count (our old key cards were swiped off) then we were able to swipe our new cards and leave the Diamond lounge. That was it. We never had to leave the ship. All they have to do is add a quick test…if we test positive, we're already at the home port. I know there are going to be changes and adjustments during this very difficult time. I will accept whatever is necessary to get back to sailing with patience and understanding. But…this one seems to miss the mark. Taking us from the ‘Bubble’ and sending us out to get tested and then wait…in the terminal….meeting who knows how many different port workers and contractors along the way. It’s not like getting off at a port during our itinerary. There’s always a risk there. But this is not necessary. Why create more risk?

I just got my email notifying me of this process for my back to back on Oasis out of Port Liberty next month.

So now I have to pack my bags…get off the ship…get tested in the terminal…hopefully testing negative…and then wait. Wait until my designated boarding time. How many extra people will I meet along the way after I’m taken out of the ship’s ‘bubble’? Where will I be forced to wait? Will they send me and my luggage outside the terminal until my designated boarding time? Whether it’s a ship thing or a Port Liberty thing, this doesn’t make sense.

The RoyalUp request agreement that you must agree to specifies that your credit card will be automatically charged if your bid is accepted.

Received emails advising about itinerary changes for my four Oasis cruises, two each in Sept and Oct. Time changes only! Now arriving at Port Canaveral at 2pm and leaving at 8pm…Arriving CocoCay at 8am leaving at 6pm. So two hours less in Florida and one hour more at CocCay. That’s going to be a problem for those wishing to make a trip to the parks if that was planned.

As far as Covid….virtually every cruise ship currently carrying passengers from US ports has cases of Covid onboard. Crew and/or passengers. How it’s being managed with the ships protocols is what’s important. No cruise has yet been cancelled due to Covid onboard. The CDC website has a list of all cruise ships sailing in the US and a color code system showing their current Covid infection status. As far as your sailing on the Oasis, just be sure you keep checking the Royal website to make sure you are aware of the necessary tests and documentation required to board as these change frequently. Also, restrictions on ports and excursions are also changing so be aware of any itinerary adjustments.

I agree. I believe travel insurance is one of the most important things to have if you are traveling, especially during a pandemic. A good, solid policy with expanded medical and repatriation coverage along with a Covid-specific endorsement.

I find that sometimes when an app locks me out I can fix it by rebooting my device. I uninstall that app, then completely turn off the phone and wait a while…then turn it back on and reload the app. Turning it completely off and restarting also works to fix annoying little bugs with the phone. Strange that it’s both your phone and your online account…unless one locked the other out. Worse case is you have to check in at the port. But I don’t know how you would get an arrival time. I’m sure someone else will comment with having a similar issue and how it was managed. Good luck!

Every foreign flagged ship (which is virtually all cruise ships, except NCL’s Pride of America) leaving a US port, must, by law, make a stop at a foreign port before returning to the US. The Passenger Vessel Services Act prohibits the transportation of passengers between two different US ports on any vessel other than a US flagged vessel. A special legislative exception has been created for Alaska cruises only. So it is a good idea to always bring a passport…in the event something happens at a port you’re visiting and you must fly home. It’s one of those ‘good to have just in case’ things. Enjoy your cruise!

I always bring an old key card or similar card to put in the room slot. I carry my seapass card in my pocket. Now I can use the app on my phone to open the door…Depending on the ship.

I believe you’re right. Mainly because of the controversy due to there being no weekend specialist available to the captain prior to making his decision to sail. Norwegian Breakaway’s captain did have the updated info and decided to delay departing NY until the storm passed.

Feb 2016 on the Anthem. Sailed into a storm that was predicted, but the predictions were much less than the actual storm.

I have learned by dealing with many different agents on multiple phone calls that sometimes there are different ‘interpretations’ of what can and can not be accomplished. If I am not satisfied with a certain outcome, it is possible for me to get the result I wanted by calling again and speaking with another agent. And keeping my finger crossed!

Virtually all of my cruises are out of NY/NJ and from late Sept through the winter into the following spring. I love the convenience of driving to the port and boarding my ship rather than going through airports and hotels. I love sailing from cold, raw, biting winter conditions and into summer-like surroundings. The thought that it’s always rocky coming out of NY harbor is not true. Maybe I’m used to it but the vast majority of my cruises were rocking-free. I can recall multiple instances where the cruise south, past Cape Hatteras and into Bahamian waters was fine…but we were unable to tender at the private island (pre-dock) because the swells made tendering unsafe…or had to bypass ports due to swells or winds making docking unsafe. The most ‘motion on the ocean’ I had was when we left Bermuda and sailed into a Bomb Cyclone. Even then, I have videos of my drink barely moving (although it, and many others, seemed to have evaporated rather quickly!). I also love doing the Canada/New England cruising from NY/NJ. Sailing north from NY in the fall is beautiful…but that was Sept through Nov. Today’s ships have advanced stabilization and also use navigation to avoid the worst weather as much as possible. Bottom line…there may be more likelihood of winter storms causing rough seas in the northeast, and I really empathize with those who are prone to motion sickness, but the ocean is the ocean…storms near or far off can cause swells anywhere. But in my experience, uncomfortable rocking has been few and far between.

(why are we whispering?)?

My 7 and 9 nights are $250. My 11 and 12 nights are $450. I don’t have anything less than 7 nights. All are Junior Suites except the four Oasis trips are all crown loft suites. The only times I booked with less deposit was on board. ***Oh, and a 10% fee based on the price of the cruise would be more than I’m paying now for a deposit. And the deposit goes directly toward the cost of the cruise. In other words…no…I would not pay a third party for the convenience of not paying a deposit where that money doesn’t go toward my cruise fare. The deposit paid while booking is not held for incidentals as in a hotel…but goes directly to the cost. Also, I want my credit card to be charged for whatever above and beyond I spend onboard rather than dealing with a third party. Too many fingers in the cookie jar.

November is still a ways off. Things have been changing quickly and most changes are considered temporary. Wait till it gets closer and see what’s happening! Good luck!

After so many cruises were cancelled due to Covid…and then newly booked cruises were subsequently cancelled as the shut down dragged on, I took advantage of Royal’s 125% Cruise Planner Credit. Instead of taking the refund for purchased cruise planner items, I took the credit. Nice return on principle! The restrictions are the same as a Future Cruise Credit. The cruise credit can only be used towards the price of a cruise, and the cruise planner credit can only be used to make purchases from the cruise planner. No vice versa!?

I have learned that there are some people who are not happy unless they’re unhappy. Quite the conundrum.

It may be boring…but I love it! I know I’m a bit geeky about it but….I can’t get enough of planning, scheduling, researching and talking about cruising. You’re right! The obsession is exhausting but wonderful! Being a Cruisaholic is a gift! Enjoy it!! LOL?

Bayonne is my home port and most of my sailings are on the Anthem. It’s quite a treat when the captain decides to turn upriver after leaving the dock instead of heading right for the Verrazano Bridge. Especially at night when the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty is lit up. Having the huge, beautiful Oasis doing it shows NY/NJ that Royal is back!?

Hmmmmm……after carefully reading your post, please allow me to validate what you have apparently already decided. You’re right, it is an easy question. Don’t feel guilty….just do it!!?

Welcome to the forums!