Tanner

Canadian, full Vaxx, travelling to Galveston for the Aug 22-29 cruise.  Need a PCR with 72 hours of returning to Canada. Everywhere I look for places to get tested in Galveston/Houston have turn around times of 24-72 hours which is to be expected.  I'm trying to determine if RCCL will offer this test (even for a fee) while on the ship otherwise I'll need to stay state side for another three days after the cruise.  Any insight would be appreciated.  

Thankfully I no longer need to quarantine when returning to Canada.  

Wow, I was schedule for Liberty the week before you.  Hoping it's the same case for me!

11 minutes ago, Rory said:

I just confirmed with Royal Caribbean that my August 29th sailing on Liberty will be automatically moved to Independence! All the reservation except different ship! So excited to still be sailing from Galveston in August!

Unpleasantly surprised how far down the road those dates are.

Theories abound as to why Vision was cancelled but early consensus is it didn't sell well enough PLUS ships to return to US "soon" (whatever that means).  However, for a ship like Grandeur it is sort of an "extra" ship (it was sold but that sister company went under).  with Grandeur set to sail from Barbados will it meet the same fate as Vision from Bermuda???  Points to consider

- they have actually extended the Barbados itinerary to Rhapsody

- Grandeur is a ship with out a home anyway

- some have to fly to a port anyway so they'll go anywhere (me).

would love for you all to weigh in on your thoughts.  Even after US sailings resume will these Barbados sailings stand a chance?  

With all of the speculation about Icon and even the daily discussion between the newer bigger ships vs the older smaller ships I thought this would be an interesting discussion.  Fain acknowledges Royal adheres to a ship design process of 1/3 tradition, 1/3 evolution (slight gradual changes) and 1/3 revolution (innovated new changes).  But at what point does something that was once considered new, bold, mind-blowing, simply become a classic, something we expect?  The Voyager class did in fact revolutionize cruises and yet some now consider it small while others argue its still a newer style of ship.  The Sovereign class seems to have less debate.  

What do you now consider a classic (and something you expect) that was once revolutionary?  How long does the process take?  Is that Process speeding up every year?  How much of a change must take place for evolution to be considered revolution?  

Lastly will this 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 formula suffice in the future?  Will the demand for newer, bigger, bolder out pace this model?  Personally I love it and love the tradition but inevitably what was once Revolution for me will be something classical that my young kids might not care for or appreciate.  

What do you think @Matt could some Royal folks weigh in for a podcast?    

Here's an interesting if not morbid way of looking at it.  Assuming all cruises resume eventually there is only one Coco Cay and four Oasis class ships.  If Coco Cay got wiped out by a hurricane today it's gone forever or being rebuilt over a long period of time.  Where as something much more unlikely an sinister would have to happen for your chance at an Oasis class ship to be wiped out.   Cross off Coco Cay first!  How can you tell I've been preparing for worst case news for over a year ; )  

currently 

3 in 2021

5 in 2022

2 in 2023

The sad thing is I haven't been on a cruise since 2010!!!!  We decided in early 2019 we were going to cruise lots and have lost so many due to all of this.  

It's not so much that the border is "closed" but rather restrictions to re-entering are heavy.  Although flying would be the only feasible way.  Flight down, flight back (jumping through all of the hoops such as proof of tests) and then it seems relatively safe to completely ignore the 'mandatory' three day Government hotel stay.  Nobody actually physically drags you away and if fines are issued they have not been successfully tried in court (fines might be cheaper than hotel stay anyway). Still would need to do the 14 day at home quarantine.  I know all of this is much easier said than done but it is doable.  I don't like the term "closed" if it isn't truly closed.  

I see they have discontinued the sailings that stop at Perfect Day twice within the same sailing (winter 2022/2023).  It's likely safe to say when cruises resume they will call on Perfect Day a bunch so ships probably can't go there twice otherwise it would be overloaded.  With that said if Covid weren't a thing was there any indiction that those sailings were received well?  I can appreciate some liking that idea and some thinking it's a horrible idea but for somebody who has to fly for every cruise getting a chance to check out Perfect Day twice while only booking one flight would have been really nice.  

Looking for any feedback from those that did that sailing or especially feedback from anyone who might have some insight regarding the decision not to continue/possibly do it again in the future.

2 hours ago, vmagestro said:

Has anyone else had problems with the Cruise Lines/ Travel Agency's canceling future cruises because of a mishap in the FCC system? It has now happened to me twice on my Dec 26 Sailing onboard Odyssey of the Seas. 

I had this happen with May 2021 Serenade.  I happened to be on the line for an unrelated cruise and discovered this one was cancelled even though I had booked it using FCC.  It took some time but they were able to re-instate it (of course if will likely be cancelled anyway).  I also just booked a Barbados cruise strictly using FCC and I'm a little nervous since the rep sent me my invoice which shows no payment made but assured me I would get a new invoice soon showing the application of the FCC.  Just in case though she gave me a number to call if I don't get the updated invoice soon.  It has something to do with my FCC first being issued from a cancelled April 2020Cruise, applied to a September 2020 cruise which also got cancelled, so it was used on a January 2021 Cruise which too got cancelled.  Big headache.  

8 hours ago, twangster said:

I'm not so sure.   The CDC hasn't changed it's position on cruise ships.  The CDC does not them want sailing with passengers.

The CDC was directed not to extend the NSO.  Okay fine.  So they came up with the CSO where they have numerous checkpoints they need to approve on a ship by ship basis.  If anything they have strengthened their grasp on cruise ships and have taken it from yes or no on a global basis to finite control on a ship by ship basis with elusive verbiage and no clear path forward.  

As this game starts to play out not only can the CDC "move the goalposts" but they can change the sport being played on the field mid-game.  Cruise lines show up with a football team ready to play only to discover at half time it's now a lacrosse game and they lose.

I think the CDC is buying time hoping for a new administration that will accept their findings without interference.  

As a result I don't think cruise lines know what ship will be allowed to sail or when.  

So true.  I just posted this on the facebook page:

the biggest lack of clarity is in terms of what will be considered "cruising safely." Will the CDC view one case of Covid-19, a statistical "outbreak", or failure to adhere to meet the standards as the end all be all. Clearly, not following rules will result in one line being shut down but will it shut down the industry? Will one "outbreak" on one ship out of 10 mean anything for a particular cruise line? Is one Covid case too much for the CDC? None of this has been made clear and this is problematic. Trying to kick a field goal with moving goal posts is impossible. I think these things need to be set out in advance in a very clear manner so passengers, cruise lines, and other industry partners understand what is at stake.

17 hours ago, mattymay said:

So lets say:

- DEC - A month of test cruises in Singapore starting Dec 1st on Quantum

- JAN - If successful in Singapore, the same test in the US on one ship at the start of next year

- FEB - If successful in US, some short sailings to nowhere or private islands for a few months using multiple ships

- APR - Return to normal 'IF' ports are open.

I reckon we're looking at April at least before some kind of a return to normal.

I would hope that those similar type tests happen in the US independent of results from Singapore.  Royal could be doing crew only test sailings mid November potentially.   

It's fair that the forum rules don't support political discussions and I can easily adhere to those rules but to think that this whole shut down is not at least as much political as it is health based would not pass the smell test.  The emerging stories, Royal hiring a Government Relations expert, the different port authorities making their comments heard, CLIA weighing in, even some other line's CEO's speaking out, it's all too much.  The writing is on the wall with what's actually happening and we can safely say that without weighing in on the actual politics of it.   

I know it doesn't change the fact we are all not sailing but it is a different type of frustration compared to just waiting for the health factors to be sorted out.  

 

We also have to consider that no itinerary will sail as it is set and that when cruises resume they will cancel the scheduled ones and open up a new altered itinerary for booking much like they did in Europe.  If anything sails in 2020 it could come down to those lucky enough to book them quickly.  On a related note it would be a nightmare trying to decide who got to sail on an existing itinerary and who got force cancelled.  I know some would volunteer not to go (for refund or FCC) but probably not enough.  

  

Full disclosure I have a Dec 6 Oasis 7 nighter with a stop in Labadee so I'd be okay with that one sailing only to Labadee and 6 sea days ; ) 

With respect to everyone having differing opinions on when and how cruising should resume, does anyone think the cruise industry generally figures they get one and only one shot at a return or do you think the industries believes they can make adjustments on the fly?  

It also seems hard to get a consensus on what people would consider "successful" in terms of the result of the first few cruises.  Is the industry being held hostage to unobtainable results?  

Would love to hear your feedback.  

Strange question, but what do they do with all of the stuff from onboard a ship about to be scraped?  I would have to imagine some stuff is more or less garbage but I'm sure some of the furniture and what not could be put to good use.  I know when stadiums get torn down they auction off seats and signage and things like that.  I have to imagine there would be a market for certain memorabilia but it seems like that doesn't happen?  I could use the anchor as a lawn ornament ; )

Do any fellow Canadian cruisers have concerns that the cruise companies will resume sailings long before the PM will open the borders back up for leisure travel?  Whether it is on the Canadian side of the border or the American side for that matter do you think border restrictions will be a larger hurdle itself compared to the cruising companies actually sailing again?

Remember not to make this an overly political debate if you weigh in.    

https://nationalpost.com/news/the-new-normal-prepare-for-smaller-covid-19-outbreaks-for-months-to-come-trudeau-says

I know it's a different line (same parent company) but would it be blasphemous to have the Magic Carpet on a Royal Ship?  I'm not necessarily sold on it as I have never been on Edge but I think the idea is very intriguing how it changes its purpose based on where it is.  

I'd like to see the Viking Corwn Lounge returned to the people and not just suite guests like on Oasis.   

I too love most everything about the ships and would not be too picky and what comes out.  

lame, but bound to happen for the greater good.  

We depart out of Galveston, All 4 Florida locations, and Baltimore within the next 18 months.  Seeing as we don't have a "home" port this will be the norm.

Oddly enough in all of my previous travels I've paid very little attention to which hotels I'm booking.  Usually willing to spend $150-$250ish  

Looking for recommendations on chains that will be well represented through out most of Royal's departure cities and which ones have good reward programs/if their programs are worth the brand loyalty.  

Thanks!

Is the cancellation due to any type of "activity" in the area or was it just not selling well enough.  Either way I really had my heart set on this so it is unfortunate news.  

ok so I got my answer!  I'll leave this here for anyone else.  Also thanks @JohnK6404 those photos help!

Looking to book a Cabana while at Labadee as per @Matt's advice from the blog.  Not having been there before the options are not crystal clear to me nor are the differences and pros/cons of each.  At Nellies beach I see three types.  I see Waterfront Cabana, Cabana at Nellie's beach, and Overwater Cabana at Nellie's.  The waterfront option seems self explanatory but the difference between the other two is not clear and there is a massive price difference (560 vs 360 Can).  The videos posted by Royal look identical.  It looks like there are family bungalows at Columbus beach and some maps have cabanas at Adrenaline beach but I don't see those on the cruise planner.  Any insight from experience would be greatly appreciated!   Thanks! 

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Back to Port Everglades. 6/8 night Caribbean sailings.

Thats what I thought but I became confused when it wasn't released with the rest of the 7+ Caribbean.  Maybe because its 6/8 night sailings it will be released later with short due to the 6 nighters?