BrianB

Whew! That was a loooooong 24hrs!

The ship docking time of 6am doesn’t necessarily mean disembarkation starts at that time. The ship must be cleared by local authorities first. I would definitely reschedule my flight for later in the afternoon…mostly because I would be too worried, but that’s me. And, if I was feeling that lucky, I would also buy a lottery ticket. Just sayin’.

Maybe someone who has already cruised can address this but…I think that for now, the whole check in process has changed. No longer can we arrive at the port early morning and sit all together in a big waiting area until boarding commences. It appears from other posts that you arrive at your appointed time, and then are quickly ushered through the process and right to boarding. So a noon arrival time would seem reasonable.

Sorry. Should have said ‘earliest time offered’. But I checked in to four Oasis cruises pretty close to the time that check in became available. The times offered were from noon to 5pm on all four. It’s possible that earlier times may be offered depending on circumstances as the date gets closer. As @Mattsaid in his video…it’s a good idea to keep checking.

Same answer….if you plan on being able to use FCC by the expiration date and not mind having that money tied up until then, you can make the final payment and then cancel if you must. It sounds like you’re not sure what the professor will consider as a likely time line. Maybe ask him/her what is recommended regarding the booked cruise dates. Maybe you will get a more concrete answer.? Either way…good luck with both!

I also checked in for my Nov 7th a couple of days ago and 3pm was all that was available. I keep going back to try and get a different time…but it says try again later. I’ll keep trying.

Me too! I took the earliest time on all of them, including the second half of the back to backs. With today’s ever-changing rules and protocols…better safe than sorry.

Yes. You can modify your bid up until a certain date. It’s best to go to RoyalUp and see the current status rather than rely on the original email.

Thanks for the heads up!! I just completed check in for all of my Oasis cruises in Sept and Oct! They all opened at once! Got the earliest time to arrive. Thanks again!

Uh oh………I’m booked on the Anthem Nov 7 and 14 back to back from Bayonne. I see that the last cruise listed in the UK is out of Southampton ending on Oct 30. Worried……..

I’m not sure which line it was, but I recall seeing kids approaching the ship’s officers as they walked the common areas and getting them to sign off on a sheet of paper. Sort of a ‘Meet the Officer Scavenger Hunt’. ?

I wonder how many people tested positive before sailing…either within the 72hrs or at the pier. I haven’t really researched it but also haven’t read too many posts or comments elsewhere of people having to cancel due to a positive test. I know of a few cases, some are from people who ‘heard about’ someone who tested positive. Does anyone have any info on this. Just curious if the testing is really working as intended.

You’re welcome!

Waiting for the Oasis…..can be there in an hour….?

Was Anthem 100% or just those eligible to receive vaccines? Norwegian is doing true 100% vaccinated which means no children. At least for now.

I agree. Wait. Everything keeps changing…almost daily. You have plenty of time and can cancel up to 48hrs before. Plus…making back up plans is also a good idea just in case. I know it’s difficult to deal with the uncertainty, but eventually things will settle. Hopefully!?

Bids are usually good until 48hrs before sailing. If your bid is accepted…you will receive an email, your credit card will be automatically debited and your sailing documents (boarding pass and luggage tags) will be updated. You can also go to RoyalUp and check on the status of your bid. If it says pending…it’s still active. If your bid is not accepted, you may not receive an email. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

I’m still wondering if a test cruiser can sail solo. I know it’s an offer for double occupancy, the chosen volunteer and a guest…but what if I don’t have anyone available to go with me on the dates listed. Or…….what if the second guest has to suddenly cancel and just doesn’t show up at the port on embarkation day. Such as when a better price option for a solo is to book for two and then cancel one at the pier. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more squire! (Yes, a Monty Python reference)?

Every time I exit the app on my phone…I always go to my profile, scroll to the bottom, and log out. This way the app refreshes each time I open it. Having the fingerprint security for my phone makes it easier so I don’t have to keep entering a password. In the event I think the app is acting weird…as many do over time…I delete it and then download it again from the App Store. That usually works if it’s a blip on my end.

Yep….my Oasis sailings in Sept and Oct from NJ still show check in unavailable.

In my opinion…the difference between ship and shore based infection rate reporting is the strict protocols in place on ships. Imagine if everyone, everywhere had to go through constant testing. Pretty clearly, rates would go up…especially in vaccination breakthrough infections. It seems the majority of infections on board are mild or completely symptom-free…discovered randomly or through contact tracing protocols. The major difference with cruise reported infections is the media. The news seems to have always had a microscope on the cruise industry and now more so than ever. It’s almost as if the media fixates on negative cruise related news and reports with the smugness of ‘we told you so’. Even so…I believe the industry takes their responsibility to ensure safe and healthy cruising seriously. They have to…it’s the best way to conduct their business, restore confidence, maintain repeat customers and attract new passengers. It just makes sense.

Check in just opened for my Anthem Nov 7th cruise from Bayonne. 90 days out. I didn’t receive an email advising me that check in was available…I just noticed it early this morning when I viewed my account. I checked in successfully, with my uploaded photo, and figure I must be one of the first to do so…and yet the only time I was offered was 3-3:30. I’m guessing it’s not first come, earliest time offered. It’s Anthem’s first scheduled cruise from NJ this season.

I just checked in to my Anthem cruise out of Port Liberty on Nov 7th…90 days out! It’s Anthem’s first scheduled cruise from NJ this season. I didn’t receive an email advising me that check in was available, just noticed it online in my account. Can access my SetSail pass. Check in is complete with the exception of the health questionnaire and protocols at the terminal prior to boarding. I’m thinking I must be one of the first to check in…or at least near the top…and yet the only available time I was offered is 3-3:30pm. I’m thinking the time offered is random…and not first come, earliest time.

I’m not complaining…rather I take it as a good sign that the cruise is still happening! And yes…it is a beautiful night time sail out. Especially if the Capt decides to turn north in the harbor and cruise past the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan before turning back south. That happens rarely but is a nice treat!

I just checked in to my Anthem cruise from New Jersey on Nov 7 (90 days out). I didn’t receive an email advising me that check in was available…I just noticed it when I viewed my account online. I competed check in and can view my set sail pass…but I still must complete the health questionnaire and go through the health protocols at the port before I will be allowed to board. This cruise is my fifth one coming up…I have cruises in September and Oct from Port Liberty where check in is still not available…but they are on the Oasis. The Nov 7 cruise is Anthem’s first cruise out of Port Liberty.