Magandsons

**Ignore... I read more about the cancellations. They aren't restarting cruises out of Baltimore until Dec and RCL cancelled all cruises until then.**

Have they explained why they are cancelling some cruises but not others? The governor of Florida is making the cruise lines jump through hoops but they are keeping those cruises and cancelling other ports? I don't understand and I'm immensely disappointed.  This is our third attempt at this cruise, I've always wanted to cruise out of Baltimore so that I could see all of the Chesapeake Bay and this time we had my dream suite booked. 

Anyone have a favorite beach in Bermuda? I've heard the the beach the excursion goes to is overrated and crowded so I'm wondering if it would make sense to skip the formal excursion and just take a cab to a different beach. (We we will going to the beach on day the ship is staying overnight so I'm not worried about missing the ship)

I just got an email with our travel documents for our May 9th cruise. The chances of this cruise happening is pretty much zero, I don't think Port of Baltimore will be open any time soon.  Are they being overly optimistic? I just checked the website and there's no update about our cruise, everything looks normal. I know they have a lot of reservations still in March and April to deal with before they get to May.. do I just ignore the emails and wait til they get around to deciding what they want to do with our cruise? Is there anything I need to do now? 

I don't usually track the cost of the cruise for a lower price because there isnt usually that big of a rate change, of course with today's issues I thought it might be prudent to see if the cruise we booked for May might have a lower fare. According to the RCL website, the price is the same but it's more than $1000 less per person on Cruiseline (which i discovered on the ShipMate app). Am I allowed to fill out the RCL claim form (https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/bestPriceGuarantee.do) based on that price? Has anyone successfully filed a lower price claim based on a price found on a non-RCL site? 

Thanks for your help!

My honeymoon cruise in 1998  We went to the Caribbean on Monarch of the Seas a week after we said "I do".

4 minutes ago, Matt said:

Yes, absolutely. We did this last year. Just hop in a cab and go. It's a short drive to the park.

Is it difficult to get another cab back to the ship? 

We have some restrictions when we do excursions. I have 2 Autistic teens who just can't handle really long tours or a lot of waiting around.  Initially we had only booked the tram in Juneau but I'd really like to see Mendenhall Glacier. Does anyone know if its possible to take a cab to/from the national park so that we can see the glacier on our own? I know we won't stay there very long so I'm not worried about missing the ship but I am concerned about taking a cab to the park and then not being able to find another cab to take us back.

Has anyone just gone to Mendenhall on their own and how did you do it? Thanks in advance!!

3 hours ago, CraftyCat05 said:

I'm also on Ovation for this cruise, and I find it ironic that we're actually in Victoria, BC for 4th of July! Excited for this cruise and maybe we'll see you around the ship. Enjoy your cruise!

How exciting! Maybe we will run into each other  I just can't wait for vacation to start.  

1 hour ago, Matt said:

We sailed on July 4th last year and year before, and in both years they had special decorations, cakes, drinks, etc.

Here's July 4th on Harmony of the Seas: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/07/04/harmony-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-4-st-thomas

Here's July 4th on Majesty of the Seas: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/07/04/majesty-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-1-embarkation-day

That is the perfect amount of 4th of July for us! We are traveling with 2 Autistic teens and part of the reason we chose our sail dates was to avoid the crowds and chaos that sometimes comes hand in hand with the holiday. The boys will be excited to see decorations and have cake, we will be wearing our Red, White and Blue and thats just about the perfect level of holiday for us. 

10 hours ago, KristenM said:

Where is the ship leaving from/what is the itinerary? If it is leaving from somewhere in the US I would guess yes since they typically have something for most holidays. If it’s a Europe/Asia/Australia sailing that could change things. I would say anything red, white and blue, maybe some glow sticks and beads are always a safe go to. And if they don’t, you can always use the stuff at whatever party they have; 70’s night, 80’s night, White night etc. Not sure which one(s) Ovation does but all cruises usually have at least one “party” night. Hopefully someone else has some first hand experience for you!

Thanks for the reply, we are cruising in and out of Seattle and headed to Alaska. I'm having a hard enough time packing for all the different weather possibilities, I wish they would send out a list of theme parties or events we may want to bring something special for to make it a bit easier. Oh well, I'll just guess and bring something Red, White and Blue  

Does Royal Caribbean do anything special for the July 4th holiday? We'll be on Ovation and I just want to make sure I pack whatever is needed if there is a party.  

4 hours ago, twangster said:

Download Royal IQ now before sailing.  That was the app on Ovation in May so unless something happens over the next few days that will be the app next week.

Yep. I've got it on my tablet but I'll load it on all the other devices now.

1 minute ago, Skid said:

I think Ovation still has the older Royal IQ app which is different.

OK thanks! I'll be able to let you know for sure next week (YAY!!!)

I don't see Ovation... am I missing it? 

We rented a minivan for when we arrive back to Seattle. I read that there is a kiosk at the port but I haven't read anything about a shuttle to pick up the van. Is there a shuttle? Do we use Uber/Cab/Lyft? How do we get to our rental? Help!

Thank goodness for excellent teachers!!! Have a wonderful summer!!!

(If this thread already exists, please let me know or delete)

Has anyone every found a lost connection from a prior cruise a long time ago? My husband and I cruised on Monarch of the Seas in August 1998 and we were seated in the Honeymoon dining room with other newly married couples. There was a couple from New York City that we really got along well with and meant to keep in touch afterwards. Of course this was prior to social media and email wasn't that popular so we lost touch. Now 20 years later we don't even remember their names but occasionally remember them and wish we had kept in touch. Back then they lived in New York city, they were on their honeymoon, I think he was a special education teacher and she worked in a toll booth. I think they had cruised before and sounded like they were going to be regular cruisers so I thought they might be here somewhere. If you were on the Monarch of the Seas and sat with Rob and Maggie in the honeymoon dining room, lets reconnect! 

I hear you! I'm currently in the process of packing for Alaska and with the different temps and weather expected I'm so afraid I'm going to way way overpack ( kinda am overpacking already). I did overpack on our last cruise to the Caribbean. Here's my plan... 1. Pick a main color and work around that. This trip is going to be over July 4th so I'm working around Navy/White with red accessories.  That isn't to say I'm not bringing any other color because  2. Start with your most comfortable things to wear.  This will be what you will want to throw on anyway and you will wish you had these things if you leave them behind. For me it's my black leggings, denim shirt and baggy/cozy sweater. I didn't take my denim shirt last time and I got a sunburn and wanted my soft shirt so badly to protect my skin afterwards. 3, I second (third?) packing cubes. Amazon has them, Ikea has some too. We use all the cubes we have and even then wish we had more. 

This time I'm really struggling with shoes. I know my light brown flats and sandals will go with everything but it's so hard to leave behind my cutest red shoes!! I'm also packing for my whole family so thats a struggle too. I have 2 boys and a husband so it's mostly tees and pants but it's still a logistics mess. The more they pack, the less room I have! (flying prior so have to pay for luggage to the port city)

3 hours ago, coneyraven said:

Where abouts in the Old Bay state are you from?  I'm originally from Ellicott City #ECStrong --- but now live in Far Western Maryland (past Frostburg)

We live in beautiful Frederick but drive past Frostburg (and beyond) a few times a year when we drive to Missouri to see my family.

I can't wait to follow along! My family and I will board Ovation on June 28 so following you will give me a great break in packing my family of 4. 

Hi! I'm Maggie from Maryland and I cruise with my husband and 2 Autistic teens. This is their second cruise, my husband and my 3rd. Our next cruise is in a couple of weeks to Alaska on Ovation and my retired parents are joining us. We are all getting very excited!! 

June 28, 2019 (Ovation of the Seas)

I am traveling to Alaska in 2 weeks with 2 Autistic teens. This is their second cruise and I think cruising is a great option for special needs families! We use Autism on the Seas organization to help us facilitate priority boarding, private muster drills (usually inside with the senior citizens) and frankly so much more! They have cruises with staff or you can cruise on your own with assistance. We cruise on our own with assistance which is basically them notifying the ship that we are coming and organizing the things I mentioned above. If you book with them directly or transfer your cruise to them, the assistance package is free. If not, there is a charge. Our last cruise I didnt notify them in time to have the reservation transferred and I think it was $75 (2 years ago). This time we transferred the reservation with plenty of time and got the assistance package for free.  The website is worth a look for special needs families. www.autismontheseas.com 

My kids are older teens (17 & 15) and are excited about all the things they can do on the Ovation of the Seas. There are just 2 that I'm wondering if there are age restrictions. Will they be able to go up in North Star and can they go and watch the robotic bartender (better yet, are there "virgin" drinks they can order?)? As older kids but not of legal age we are right in the middle of all the activities, some too young and some too old. We leave soon and we can't wait!!