Mike.s

4 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

True, but they can test and get in and not worry about testing to go home.....if we test positive overseas we have a large expense in front of us in regards to hotel/food and change of flights-  So there are Europeans coming to our country pre cruise and spending tourism$$ (though I don't know understand

why they come in 3 days or more early and risk testing positive before getting on the cruise) and then they cruise.  Personally, I would cruise first, then spend the extra time here and fly home without worry of a test!.

 

We're due to spend 3 days in Miami before our cruise and are stressing over the pre cruise test (like where to get one), sadly when we booked the holiday it wasn't clear what protocols would be in place, like many we hoped there wouldn't be any and covid would be a distant memory.

7 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I read earlier today that the debut of the newest Virgin Lady (can’t remember the exact name of the ship) was being pushed back, too. Lots of cancellations and delays, it seems.

Yes sadly covid travel restrictions, supply chain issues and staffing are given as the reasons for delaying Resilient Lady

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tour-operators/virgin-voyages-defers-resilient-lady-launch-to-spring-2023

On 6/6/2022 at 4:37 PM, WAYNO said:

And that's part of the confusion.  MTD and Traditional dining are treated one and the same when I talk with cruise agents at Royal.  In fact, the agent will say, you are scheduled for My Time Dining at 5:30.

Even in the dining room, my experience is they treat Traditional Dining and MTD, one and the same.  And when I ask the difference, they say there is no difference.  Schedule a time, be there at that time, and you're seated.  Or show up at a different time, and you're still seated.

 

On our recent Athem cruise we were my time dining and booked using the app on the days we ate in the MDR. We found it really frustrating that the line of people who didn't have a booking was often checked in and seated ahead of those who'd booked, felt like booking was kind of pointless. Don't remember it being like that on previous cruises.

I've yet to receive any emails from C&A, I get all the "sales" emails from Royal having opted in but nothing from C&A, is there another box I should of ticked?

31 minutes ago, Kirsten said:

We just got back on Sunday and I should be "graduating" to platinum.  I know it's not such a large difference in benefits from gold, but I still wouldl ike the credit.  About how long does it take after you get back for the points to reflect in your profile?

Normally within a week of the sailing finishing.

We are looking at the rapid antigen option and assume!! it will be accepted by Royal as it states it's FDA approved. We're due to sail on the 9th July, feeling miffed that Royal has "for operational reasons" changed Bonaire for Grand Cayman, not a fair swap in our eyes.

While I'm moaning about Royal it really frustrates me they they don't offer any UK partners for proctored testing, guess we don't generate enough revenue for them to bother. If they did we wouldn't be stressing about sourcing a local test.

On 5/20/2022 at 7:14 AM, SpeedNoodles said:

Whenever someone who was on a Symphony sailing sends them to Matt to post.

What's the easiest way to send them, assume I scan in 1 page at a time, just got off Anthem and have all the Cruise Compasses, we had to ask for them the first couple of days, I even had to "borrow" a staff copy on day 1 as none were being issued.

2 hours ago, dboyd72 said:

We are travelling to Florida from the UK in around 7 weeks and are having 8 days on International Drive / Universal before driving down to Miami to board Explorer.

What are the best options for UK passengers getting Covid tests in the I-Drive / Universal area ?

Might be an option, we're looking to use them in Miami prior to joining Explorer

Fast Test Now - Schedule Your Appointment

On 5/21/2022 at 7:59 PM, JC Cruising said:

did you go on a cruise recently? what boots test? it says it has to be observed i didn’t know boots did these? 

Boots do an instore rapid antigen (they carry out the test, you just provide the nose!!), we used these last week on Anthem.

Anthem of the Seas was 3600 on it's most recent cruise out of Southampton, the Windjammer felt really busy at breakfast. Apparently they're expecting 4000 next week

11 minutes ago, Spang1974 said:

Thanks for the info:)

It looked more like this, (previously posted by @Fay)

1 hour ago, DonnaRMC said:

We're going on Odyssey and will travel from the UK. Do we tip in Euro or Dollar at the terminal (Rome)? Trying to work out what currency we'll need, and roughly how much of each!

At the terminal I'd use Euros, as others have said tipping in Europe appreciated but not always expected. Personally I'd tip a couple of Euros, but I'm from the UK and we don't have the same tipping culture as they have in the US.

On 5/10/2022 at 5:03 PM, Spang1974 said:

Lloyd's Certificates(below) have a UKAS number on the bottom which is fine for Royal Caribbean, I have also heard people using Dam Health certificates, and mine last December had no numbers on it at ALL. 

Just had a Lloyds test, have to say my certificate looks nothing like that

Just seen the latest offering from Princess, for $75 pppn you get drinks, wi-fi, gratuities, photos and a couple of specialility restaurants, makes over $80 for drinks alone look expensive.

https://www.cruisehive.com/princess-cruises-details-new-premium-all-inclusive-package/71802

23 minutes ago, Fay said:

I've checked and boots by us doesn't do them typical. Was looking at lloyds but I have seen a copy of certificate and it doesn't have this CLIA number on it which is what royal caribbean are saying it has to show. 

Fay, I believe the CLIA number is only available on tests originating from the US, our Boots tests had a UKAS number which is the UK accreditation

3 hours ago, Spang1974 said:

I have only used the digital NHS pass for travel(with RCI last October). I have my original vaccine card but I never received a written card for the booster(Yikes). 

We took pictures of the PDF from the NHS app, Royal accepted these.

We've used Boots before for a trip to Barbados and are using them again next week, £30 and results inside 20 minutes. Others are looking at using Lloyds pharmacy

46 minutes ago, Tracy Lynn said:

We hope its 4th time lucky that we actually get on our long awaited cruise in June but struggling to have our vaccination status validated on the check-in App.  Does anyone know how UK cruisers, whose vaccination status is only visible via an App, can upload a photo of this that actually gets approved?   I have tried just the barcode, taking pics of each 'section', taking a photo of the entire phone screen and no matter what, they reject. 

Have looked at every single FAQ and info RCI publish but it seems geared towards US citizens. 

On the upside, we have our Guest Ticket booklet and have secured a check in boarding time etc. but this part remains an issue. We will be able to show the App when we physically check-in but seemingly have no way of evidencing this in advance.  Any hints and tips welcome!

I took pictures of the PDF that the app lets you download, this was accepted, we also added the booster jab details without issue.

7 minutes ago, twangster said:

I have the same situation for Quantum to Alaska.  It's the first time I haven't been able to upload my vax card.  Unsure why.

Maybe they're doing away with the need to be vacinated and tested , or maybe it's just another Royal IT glitch

10 hours ago, PJK said:

We all know RCL, and others, are doing their best under difficult conditions that change from time to time. I feel there should be greater understanding and sensitivity toward the US guest to make it as easy as possible. 

 

We here in Europe would welcome a bit of the understanding and sensitivity from Royal to support us. It feels like you're on your own re testing, and I love the fact their testing partners can only deliver to a US address.

Question of a similar nature, how can we find out our sons C&A number, he's now over 18 and hasn't cruised with us in a while but will of earnt Emerald status while he sailed with us, keen for him not to lose this should he start cruising again.

Having fixed prices for drinks packages, it's daft that it's less that £40 per day for my cruise in 2 weeks, and nearly 50% more expensive for my July cruise. I don't even want to think what it will be next year.

Explorer of the Seas, 24th September 2023

If you booked your cruise under cruise with confidence you may be able to reprice it, out July cruise (booked in the UK) was repriced and saved us over £500, it's worth asking the question.

Just once I'd love Royal to offer an explaination, I wanted to go to the ABC islands, not A&C I I like many have no real interest in Grand Cayman. Feeling massively underwhelmed. I guess they'll be giving us all some OBC to compensate for our disappointment, and then I woke up.