MarvinS

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

Regarding the North Slope workers, the 14-day travel quarantine STILL applies to them, even thought they are considered "Critical Infrastructure".  The oil producers have been either using in-state personnel, or just extending the work rotation schedules of those employees already working up there (in other words, NOT rotating them out).  They did have one confirmed case of COVID-19 on the North Slope, and quickly isolated them from everyone.  The producers have also cut production down quite a bit over the last few weeks, and are certainly scaling back on ALL activity.  I'm sure this has significantly reduced the required labor workforce.
As an interesting side story with all of this, several of the North Slope oil producers got together and contracted with Alaska's largest local in-state regional commuter airline (Ravn Airlines) to provide air-travel service between the North Slope and Fairbanks & Anchorage, so that the employees didn't have to travel with other "public" air transportation to help keep the employees better isolated and separate.  Then literally about 4 days later, Ravn Airlines filed chapter 11 bankruptcy and completely stopped all service in the state leaving the oil producers high and dry!  I haven't heard exactly what the producers did to replace the lost commuter airline service, but am assuming they just re-contracted with large commercial carriers such as Alaska Airlines.  This regional airline (Ravn) also serviced about 115+ cities, towns, and small villages in the state, and has now stranded many remote communities with no travel ability out of their area.  Ravn Airlines was also the ONLY airline that serviced the small city in which I live, so instead of me flying to Anchorage (35 minute commuter flight) to connect with regular commercial flights, I now have to drive 4+ hours to get to Anchorage!  At least I am on the road system, and CAN drive!

Regarding the North Slope workers, the 14-day travel quarantine STILL applies to them, even thought they are considered "Critical Infrastructure".  The oil producers have been either using in-state personnel, or just extending the work rotation schedules of those employees already working up there (in other words, NOT rotating them out).  They did have one confirmed case of COVID-19 on the North Slope, and quickly isolated them from everyone.  The producers have also cut production down quite a bit over the last few weeks, and are certainly scaling back on ALL activity.  I'm sure this has significantly reduced the required labor workforce.
As an interesting side story with all of this, several of the North Slope oil producers got together and contracted with Alaska's largest local in-state regional commuter airline (Ravn Airlines) to provide air-travel service between the North Slope and Fairbanks & Anchorage, so that the employees didn't have to travel with other "public" air transportation to help keep the employees better isolated and separate.  Then literally about 4 days later, Ravn Airlines filed chapter 11 bankruptcy and completely stopped all service in the state leaving the oil producers high and dry!  I haven't heard exactly what the producers did to replace the lost commuter airline service, but am assuming they just re-contracted with large commercial carriers such as Alaska Airlines.  This regional airline (Ravn) also serviced about 115+ cities, towns, and small villages in the state, and has now stranded many remote communities with no travel ability out of their area.  Ravn Airlines was also the ONLY airline that serviced the small city in which I live, so instead of me flying to Anchorage (35 minute commuter flight) to connect with regular commercial flights, I now have to drive 4+ hours to get to Anchorage!  At least I am on the road system, and CAN drive!

Regarding the North Slope workers, the 14-day travel quarantine STILL applies to them, even thought they are considered "Critical Infrastructure".  The oil producers have been either using in-state personnel, or just extending the work rotation schedules of those employees already working up there (in other words, NOT rotating them out).  They did have one confirmed case of COVID-19 on the North Slope, and quickly isolated them from everyone.  The producers have also cut production down quite a bit over the last few weeks, and are certainly scaling back on ALL activity.  I'm sure this has significantly reduced the required labor workforce.
As an interesting side story with all of this, several of the North Slope oil producers got together and contracted with Alaska's largest local in-state regional commuter airline (Ravn Airlines) to provide air-travel service between the North Slope and Fairbanks & Anchorage, so that the employees didn't have to travel with other "public" air transportation to help keep the employees better isolated and separate.  Then literally about 4 days later, Ravn Airlines filed chapter 11 bankruptcy and completely stopped all service in the state leaving the oil producers high and dry!  I haven't heard exactly what the producers did to replace the lost commuter airline service, but am assuming they just re-contracted with large commercial carriers such as Alaska Airlines.  This regional airline (Ravn) also serviced about 115+ cities, towns, and small villages in the state, and has now stranded many remote communities with no travel ability out of their area.  Ravn Airlines was also the ONLY airline that serviced the small city in which I live, so instead of me flying to Anchorage (35 minute commuter flight) to connect with regular commercial flights, I now have to drive 4+ hours to get to Anchorage!  At least I am on the road system, and CAN drive!

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

I've also been caught literally in the middle of this.  I had a B2B on Freedom, with the first leg leaving 6/7 (which has been officially cancelled by RC), and the second leg would had left on 6/14 (which HASN'T yet been cancelled).  I've already rebooked (same B2B ship & itinerary) for middle of October (10/11 & 10/18).  Either way, if RC cancels more sailings in June or not, I will not be going on the 6/14 sailing.  I am just hoping RC cancels so I can get the 125% FCC.  Otherwise, I will just cancel at 100% FCC under the cruise-with-confidence option.

I've also been caught literally in the middle of this.  I had a B2B on Freedom, with the first leg leaving 6/7 (which has been officially cancelled by RC), and the second leg would had left on 6/14 (which HASN'T yet been cancelled).  I've already rebooked (same B2B ship & itinerary) for middle of October (10/11 & 10/18).  Either way, if RC cancels more sailings in June or not, I will not be going on the 6/14 sailing.  I am just hoping RC cancels so I can get the 125% FCC.  Otherwise, I will just cancel at 100% FCC under the cruise-with-confidence option.

Regarding the North Slope workers, the 14-day travel quarantine STILL applies to them, even thought they are considered "Critical Infrastructure".  The oil producers have been either using in-state personnel, or just extending the work rotation schedules of those employees already working up there (in other words, NOT rotating them out).  They did have one confirmed case of COVID-19 on the North Slope, and quickly isolated them from everyone.  The producers have also cut production down quite a bit over the last few weeks, and are certainly scaling back on ALL activity.  I'm sure this has significantly reduced the required labor workforce.
As an interesting side story with all of this, several of the North Slope oil producers got together and contracted with Alaska's largest local in-state regional commuter airline (Ravn Airlines) to provide air-travel service between the North Slope and Fairbanks & Anchorage, so that the employees didn't have to travel with other "public" air transportation to help keep the employees better isolated and separate.  Then literally about 4 days later, Ravn Airlines filed chapter 11 bankruptcy and completely stopped all service in the state leaving the oil producers high and dry!  I haven't heard exactly what the producers did to replace the lost commuter airline service, but am assuming they just re-contracted with large commercial carriers such as Alaska Airlines.  This regional airline (Ravn) also serviced about 115+ cities, towns, and small villages in the state, and has now stranded many remote communities with no travel ability out of their area.  Ravn Airlines was also the ONLY airline that serviced the small city in which I live, so instead of me flying to Anchorage (35 minute commuter flight) to connect with regular commercial flights, I now have to drive 4+ hours to get to Anchorage!  At least I am on the road system, and CAN drive!

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

As I currently reside in Alaska, I'm seeing first hand the impact this current 14-day travel quarantine has had on this state.  Obviously, cruising has been completely shut down until at least July, and it has had devastating effects on the travel and tourism industries up here.  All restaurant dine-in service has been completely stopped, with local take-out the only option allowed.  National and state parks have closed, along with stopping all passenger train service.
The governor locked down travel in the state in the latter half of March.  This even includes travel BETWEEN communities and towns in Alaska!  This has been a very literal stay-at-home statewide mandate.   As of today (4/28/20) we have only had 351 confirmed cases in the entire state, and have had only 9 deaths.  Our "new case" rate is anywhere from zero to three or four a day, and has been trending downward.
Just this last weekend, the governor released "phase 1" of opening things back up, and that is the permission to now travel between communities with minimal human-to-human contact (stay in your car), and restaurants can now open at 25% capacity with reservations ONLY and 10' distance between tables.  This "phase 1" is suppose to last 10-14 days before the next "phase 2" is considered, depending on how the new COVID-19 cases progress and trend.
The restriction of interstate travel is supposed to be considered for lifting in "phase 4" which is about 45-60 days or so out.  This would put it at the end of June / first part of July.

Do not think that is a worry at this point - but I get why people would be concerned !  they are a great and very supportive company

I've had a very successful time with the purchase of a single photo package.  I've traveled on Oasis, Harmony, and Freedom with a large family group (11-14) each time.  My wife and I would have one cabin, and I would put my three minor kids in a couple of other cabins.  As soon as I boarded, I would go to the photo studio, and have them link the rooms of my minor kids to my room to share my photo package.  The personnel at the photo studio were always very accommodating, and gladly linked the rooms together.
I instructed EVERYBODY in our group that anytime their pictures were taken to give them MY room number.  On every cruise I have done the same thing, and was able to get MANY pictures taken, including embarkation group photos of everybody, along with the "staircase" photos of everyone in our group.  I remember one photographer said that as long as the group was 15 or less, it was fine for the regular photo packages, but groups larger were not.
My experience has been excellent in getting photos (both formal with the various backdrops and candids throughout the ship) of most all of our group.  In fact, on every cruise I've been on, when I go through the pictures at the photo kiosks, there are usually several photos of other families that are thrown into my portfolio of pictures.  I know Royal uses some face recognition to try to match faces to rooms, and their algorithms are certainly not perfect.  On my last cruise on Harmony last May, out of my 250+ pictures, there were probably 25-30 of other families that I simply removed from my portfolio.  It was very easy to do at the photo kiosks.
There was also a time where I know we took a group embarkation photo, but it never appeared in my portfolio.  On about the second day, I talked to the staff in the photo studio about the missing pictures.  They asked for the approximate boarding time, and the searched for them.  The next day when I checked my portfolio, there they were!
Overall, I've been VERY satisfied with the photo packages I've purchased on each cruise, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again on my next cruise with my group family (currently planned for May 2021)!  I've always found the best price was on the cruise planner.  The best deal I've seen was last Black Friday with the digital package going for $119.95 when it is usually $199.95.   Just keep an eye out for the sales.  Purchase it when you see a good price, and if it drops on a sale, cancel and repurchase again!

I've had a very successful time with the purchase of a single photo package.  I've traveled on Oasis, Harmony, and Freedom with a large family group (11-14) each time.  My wife and I would have one cabin, and I would put my three minor kids in a couple of other cabins.  As soon as I boarded, I would go to the photo studio, and have them link the rooms of my minor kids to my room to share my photo package.  The personnel at the photo studio were always very accommodating, and gladly linked the rooms together.
I instructed EVERYBODY in our group that anytime their pictures were taken to give them MY room number.  On every cruise I have done the same thing, and was able to get MANY pictures taken, including embarkation group photos of everybody, along with the "staircase" photos of everyone in our group.  I remember one photographer said that as long as the group was 15 or less, it was fine for the regular photo packages, but groups larger were not.
My experience has been excellent in getting photos (both formal with the various backdrops and candids throughout the ship) of most all of our group.  In fact, on every cruise I've been on, when I go through the pictures at the photo kiosks, there are usually several photos of other families that are thrown into my portfolio of pictures.  I know Royal uses some face recognition to try to match faces to rooms, and their algorithms are certainly not perfect.  On my last cruise on Harmony last May, out of my 250+ pictures, there were probably 25-30 of other families that I simply removed from my portfolio.  It was very easy to do at the photo kiosks.
There was also a time where I know we took a group embarkation photo, but it never appeared in my portfolio.  On about the second day, I talked to the staff in the photo studio about the missing pictures.  They asked for the approximate boarding time, and the searched for them.  The next day when I checked my portfolio, there they were!
Overall, I've been VERY satisfied with the photo packages I've purchased on each cruise, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again on my next cruise with my group family (currently planned for May 2021)!  I've always found the best price was on the cruise planner.  The best deal I've seen was last Black Friday with the digital package going for $119.95 when it is usually $199.95.   Just keep an eye out for the sales.  Purchase it when you see a good price, and if it drops on a sale, cancel and repurchase again!

I've done two large group sailings...Oasis in May 2017 with 14 in our group, and Harmony in May 2019 with 11 in our group.  Both times, they just put together adjoining rectangular tables to accommodate us.  We did traditional early seating both times.  I know for the late seating, they broke our one large table up in to smaller sections.   It was absolutely no issue.  It was nice in that we had our own dedicated waiter and assistant all to ourselves both times!
I went to the main dining room soon after boarding (on both cruises) just to verify that tables were setup for our group, and both times, everything was perfect.  I was also careful to make sure all of our rooms were linked together for dining prior to cruising.
 

I just couldn't resist!  You think Texas is big, try Alaska!  We joke that we can split the state of Alaska in half, and Texas is now the THIRD largest state...  ?
 

I had a similar situation while my family was on Harmony this last May 2019.  My wife and I were in one cabin, and my three kids (21 and 18 in one cabin, 16 in another with other minor nieces ages 13 and 15).  I went to the photo shop desk as soon as I embarked, and they very willingly linked all three cabins together with no hassles.
As others have mentioned, it is very important that anyone getting their picture taken give the SAME cabin number for everyone (preferably, your cabin number).  This will minimize any issues.  Royal Caribbean uses some facial recognition software to automatically match faces to room portfolios, so I would strongly recommend checking at least every other day your digital portfolio on the ship, and make sure you are seeing the pictures you are expecting.  We had a small issue of our embarkation photos being missing, and after letting them know the approximate time we boarded, they found the photos, and were added to my portfolio by the next morning.  Additionally, we also ended up with other family's pictures on my portfolio that their facial recognition system must have matched to us.  It was very easy at the picture reviewing kiosk in the photo shop to remove the other family's pictures from my portfolio.
I've done this "family pictures from multiple cabins" situation on my last three cruises (Freedom-2015,  Oasis-2017, & Harmony-2019), and have never had any issues or push-back from the photo desk personnel about the linked staterooms.
Feel free to ask any other questions, and I'll see what I can answer!

And now I have to jump in, too!  We're celebrating our 25th anniversary on Freedom in June 2020.  We're doing a B2B (eastern/southern loop followed by an ABC island loop) and very excited and looking forward to it!!!  (Especially with the newly AMPed ship!)

@Vacation Crazy, we will be celebrating our 25th on FOS in May as well!  Depart May 31st. You? 

I guess FOS is the ship to celebrate silver anniversaries!  We are the week before you.  Congrats to you and happy cruise countdown!   We are soooo looking forward to it.