BrianB

There's an easy fix for that though ....
Passenger attempts to buy drink ... ding ... i'm sorry sir the computer says you haven't completed the EMuster so your charge privileges have been deactivated, please follow these instructions to reactivate your account.
 
 

After our first cruise, we realized we spent very little time in our cabin.  All we honestly did was sleep, shower, and change in there.  After the this, we made the decision to go for quantity over quality. ? 
 
Seriously though, staying in a cheaper cabin allows us to cruise more often.  
I saw a back to back mentioned up there.  I second (or third?) this idea. It's a great experience.   I did my first back to back in Jan of this year.  I now have 2 planned for 2021.

I have wrestled with this on my Pinnacle journey and two cruises usually won out. Hard to regret going on two adventures instead of one ?

At the same total cost, I would opt for two cruises. Consider back-to-back on the same ship, especially if the two weeks have different itineraries. It's a great way to do everything on the ship without cramming it all in and missing out on the opportunities to relax.

Check in opened for my cruise on the Anthem departing January 4th from Port Liberty NJ. It accepted all of my information and photo...but when I try to submit, the ‘Sorry, hit a snag’ message keeps coming up. I was optimistic because every time I checked, my info was saved but it wouldn’t allow me to submit. Now I realize that the cruise will most likely be ‘Corona-cancelled’ because it is for eleven nights. Oh, well...hoping my seven night February cruise is still happening.

I have done several back to backs on the Anthem out of NJ. As previously noted, the pre-pandemic process differed depending on the ship or port. In NJ, back to back passengers (along with any guest entertainers who were staying for more than one cruise) met in the Diamond lounge by 9am. Security set up a scanning desk at the entrance. After our name was checked on the list, our room keys were taken and security scanned us out...thus allowing the ship to receive a ‘zero count’. CBP officers came to the lounge and checked our passports. Then we were handed our new room keys (even if in the same cabin...the new key had the new expiration date) and when boarding commenced, we were allowed to leave the Diamond lounge, scanning our new key cards. Very easy, convenient process. Hopefully, after the pandemic, it continues.

Another opportunity to send a virtual hug to your TAs (travel agents).  This cannot be easy for them.  I cannot even imagine the disruption to their lives.  Let's hope that things go up from here on out.  Here's to a better 2021 cruising season!

Royal Caribbean almost always announces at the end of the day. I would expect it between 4:30 or 5:00 today or tomorrow, but for sure December will be cancelled. They have to do so much before they can allow guests onboard.

I’m thinking my Dec 19th Holiday Cruise on the Anthem will be cancelled because they need more time to start up...and because it’s an eight day cruise.  Also, my January 4th cruise will probably be cancelled because it’s an eleven day cruise.  Oh well, it is what it is and I’ll be patient with the process. At least there is now light at the end of the tunnel... I would much rather they take their time to do it right rather than do it quick and suffer another closure. I can’t wait!!......but I will.?

Over on CC they are reporting that a FB post indicated that Royal is extending the "double points" offer to those with already-booked cruises.  I don't know how accurate that is...but that's what they're reporting.  Hope it's true !

The flip side...  it's likely these guests would have gotten there naturally based on sailings cancelled in 2020.  If someone is that close to leveling up that this promo puts them over, chances are they had a sailing on 2020 cancelled and the 2021 sailing would have pushed them across the threshold had there never been a pandemic.
There are a small group of point maximizers who will net some benefit from this.  Florida frequent sailers mostly, but probably they'll use it to reach Diamond Plus or maybe Pinnacle in 2021 rather than 2022.  
I see this as a means to get most guests to where they would have been if 2020 hadn't been wiped out.  

69 pages. Haven’t even read the whole thing yet. 
 
https://www.royalcaribbeangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Healthy-Sail-Panel_Full-Recommendations_9.21.20_FINAL.pdf

Based on what it could potentially take to ramp up these ships, I would venture to guess holiday 2020 sailings are most likely not going to happen. This assumes that RC has not already started the process on the backend to get things moving. It’s one thing to get CDC backing but the bulk of the start up process will involve some serious logistics across multiple continents. 

That's a slippery slope.  How many slots do Full Suites vs. Junior Suites get?  Pinnacles?  The Key?  D+ then D and so on down the chain? 
It's one thing to say if you are checked in and waiting in the terminal, then here is the boarding order.   It's another to reserve slots for arrival because at what point do you they give up on a "class" that hasn't checked in online to get their arrival time?
I suspect they will adopt something like the Sydney, Australia format.  
In Sydney only Star Class really gets priority arrival/check-in at the terminal.   I didn't get a special early arrival time for my C&A status, I think I received what was available when I checked in.  I dropped my bags then went off to walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge and get pictures (to kill time).   Once back I was still too early for my arrival time.  It didn't matter what my C&A status was, I had to wait.  Walking from the ship luggage drop to the bridge, across the bridge and back isn't exactly a "quick" walk. I went to the museum up there too and I was still too early to check in when I got back.  I asked about C&A status ... nope, what time I had was the only thing that mattered.  This was before any pandemic.  
I think initially some Suites/Pinnacle/Key/D+ will be upset when they assume privilege.  Blah, blah, blah.  We'll hear about it without doubt.  But oh well, I'm okay losing this privilege if it means getting back on a ship.  Others will be more vocal but we all have to give in these difficult times.  Trying to appease special status may not work like it did before.  Eventually it will be back. Until then everyone needs a super large dose of "Calm down and cruise on".
 

I’d like to see some sort of Cruise with Confidence stay in place. I wonder how many people continue to take their cruise knowing they are sick. I’d like to see some incentive for people to stay home when ill. 

Finally! Something positive coming out of Covid-19!

Muster 2.0 sounds like it will be permanent

58 days out from the cruise and I am unable to reserve any entertainment at all. Makes me think they either haven’t yet completed the planning for seating in the venues...or finalized casting, staffing and scheduling shows...or are convinced the cruise will go as scheduled.
However, the rest of the cruise planner is open...including dining, spa, shorex, internet...in other words, everything that requires payment.

With the Key onboard the Anthem, you still need to reserve your entertainment choices. When the Key first came out, no reservations were needed. But not anymore.

They sold the Key and drink/dining packages for all the cruises from March through now right up until they canceled them.  They certainly knew the ones over the summer weren't going to happen because they were in the process of sending the crews home while selling those add-ons.  I'd love to book a cruise (or any other vacation) but I'm not locking up my money with any travel related company until after they've restarted their businesses.  I realize prices may rise by then but I'm willing to pay more later to have extra "just in case" money around now.

I checked in last week for my Nov 13 cruise on the Anthem out of Port Liberty. I also purchased the Key and dining package. Not saying they wouldn’t take my money knowing the cruise is not happening and would refund it after they cancel...but...I’m still hopeful! I’ll keep an eye on the the Anthem’s position. Fingers crossed!

I don't see this as being a permanent solution.  I wouldn't mind it for the early cruising.

All cruise itineraries are planned with buffers built into to accommodate unexpected events.  They leave wiggle room and plan using an economical cruising speed so the bridge can crank up the speed as a means to keep the schedule if they have a delay.  Weather can cause course changes, medical evacs happen, other delays happen.  We'll have to wait and see what boarding delays do to itineraries. 
Oasis class in Miami often has to wait for best tides to transit the channel but they build extra time and choose close next ports like CocoCay so they have greater flexibility.  I imagine these sorts of things are being looked at right now.  

I boarded Anthem with after a noro cleaning delay and we still made our stops on time.  We weren't delayed to 2:30pm though. 
There will be fewer cruisers so keep that in mind.  The first few cruises after restart will be new for everyone.  Once they get into a rhythm it will go faster.    

I just checked in for my Nov 13th cruise on the Anthem leaving from Port Liberty in NJ. Hopefully the cruise will sail and not be cancelled...fingers crossed!
My first concern will be inside the cruise terminal. Will I be able to even enter the terminal or be held outside until a certain time...and if so, will the system of who gets to go in next be well-planned or will there be the usual crowding about near the entrance. Short-cutters always looking for the short cut!
I am Diamond Plus but I also purchased The Key. I’m solo and I use the internet so it’s worth it for me....also because it gave me early boarding (in Port Liberty), carry-on bag drop-off and delivery to my cabin, lunch from Chops Grill, reserved times for the NorthStar, priority disembarkation at ports and end of cruise, and more. I’ll see how the Key program is managed this time...especially at check-in and boarding.
I understand that the cruise lines are making an effort to limit the number of passengers aboard ship to increase distancing between guests. If so, then hopefully they will be able to successfully manage the first day without too many issues...but I’m a little nervous being part of one of the first ‘test cases’......but I’m still hoping to go. I miss the Anthem and her crew!

I purchased the Key after I checked in. My check in time is 2:30 (the earliest offered)...
I know it’s going to be different now that things have changed to accommodate the extra precautions and cleaning. I’m patient and understanding with that. There will be trial and error and I hope it goes as smooth as possible. I know each port is different and each have their own way of doing things. What works in some ports may not work in others. It may be a later departure than usual, but I just know that I’ll be aboard and getting ready for sailaway again! Leaving New York harbor at night is beautiful! ....plus...a huge positive change will be the muster drill. Being able to satisfy the drill requirement by using the app or the room TV will be phenomenal! Still keeping my fingers crossed that the cruise happens!