Neesa

Yes! Please combat this bad press! Odyssey of the Seas 12/18/21 Captain was always communicating, every day. Felt well cared for and safe. Security mingling through out in addition to staff gently reinforcing proper mask wearing to make sure that protocol was followed. Please see my reports on my Odyssey sailing and use what you need. I did feel safe, while I wasn't surprised our ports were canceled it was probably best. The island numbers were climbing and we would be blamed for the virus spread. This way Royal couldn't be the scapegoat once again. Instead of concentrating on the 1.9 % positives how about the rest of us sailing healthy and happy being mindful of our behaviors. Celebrate and speak to that! Denise oh, and thanks for doing this. All I thought when I read the reports was this isn't fair reporting.

@GatorCruiserwhile I still don't agree with how much they loaded up the ship, capacity was ridiculous too many people, you are correct that was corporate. The ships Captain and crew were amazing and that is worth screaming from the roof tops. We were treated to an extended show last night. It was beautiful! All three of us are healthy and happy! They probably wouldn't print that!

The captain message today came at about 1630hrs 12 passengers and some additional crew tested positive. His number was 1.9% of the Ships capacity. Not knowing that number makes it a bit more difficult to figure out, but 1.9% on this packed sailing to include crew does not seem all that bad. Protocols are containing the illness it appears. We are here in the waters outside port everglades enjoying our last evening on board. We saw a movie this afternoon and are going to see a comedian tonight both in the Royal theater. I wrote the Captain a thank you note, I was told he would get it. I told him how we appreciated his transparency and felt well cared for. We congratulated him on his staff also, I made sure NOT to lick the envelope shut!!

I can not express more strongly that this Captain IS amazing on the Odyssey. He speaks to us several times a day, I feel well informed and cared for. I would love to give him the biggest hug. We will always remember our Holiday sailing with fondness to him and this incredible team. It wasn't what we had imagined, but it was still a beautiful sailing. Merry Christmas!!

@Pattycruise The numbers come from the Captain. He spoke to us over the intercom at 1500hrs today.

Tonight was Chops. Outstanding. The areas all around the atrium, tree, stairs long lines of passengers some dressed to the nines, some totally themed all masked until picture time, sure looked to me like everyone there was making the best of the situation. A fun evening to people watch. Returned to room to be greeted by a nice holiday card from housekeeping. * please note, I am not a blogger or a TA or even otherwise known to Royal. I am just an ordinary passenger and my insights are my own, I just hope to help our cruise community. Sometimes I question some reports of things knowing where they are coming from and what they "get" so I tend to read them with caution. I honestly still think Royal made a mistake by ramping up capacity the way they did. It is too crowded coupled with the protocols BUT honestly I also feel they have gone out of their way to be transparent, enforce protocols and then finally very generous compensation do to this bump in the road, and that's all it is a bump. I could scream when I read the reports. I supported them (Royal) by purchasing a ring, Tag watch, Next Cruise certificate and assorted other things with much of the OBC. I think they seriously knocked it out of the park when dealing with this situation. Just my 2 cents.

Today, 69 crew members and 3 new guest cases. Our FCC just arrived! Booking another sailing!!

@Ampurp85 yes the OBC was because they sold me Evian but gave me something else, nice gesture. There are 3 of us in the cabin and they gave 2 bottles, so I believe it may be 2 per cabin.. I'm not a "crowds" person anyway, I am enjoying my huge balcony in this 2 bedroom grand suite.

Friday morning update, pool decks still packed, even the chairs in the pools solarium included have clothes and towels reserving them, I get it it is gorgeous outside getting your vitamin D. I am back on my huge balcony as I wasn't enjoying the pool deck that way, not my personal choice. So they added a show, Tap Factory so we reserved it at 1530 which is cool because so many shows have been canceled. I ordered the Evian water and was given cans of royal spring water and 15.00 obc credit. It doesn't taste "canny" I was pleasantly surprised. The tree is beautiful; dining at Chops tonight as it is Mr. Cabash birthday today. This morning upon returning to room we were gifted 2 pretty royal water bottles as well as notification of carols & mass. They have mentioned our friends in the Jewish faith holiday and there is a beautiful large menorah.

So happy for you! Enjoy your sailing!! You were meant to be on this sailing!!

Yes, the crew as many as 60 have tested positive and only 3 passengers. So, I hate the media reporting on this yes, there are positives but how many people are really on this ship? How many people are healthy because like them or not their actions/protocols seem to be working. If cruising soon just know and accept its going to be different. If you are stressed about missing things like shows and ports then pass. But if you can roll with just sitting on your balcony in the sunshine and warm breezes, listening to the ocean by all means, do it!

Totally not the case on Odyssey right now, corporate must have made a call. I have never witnessed so much security posted within the ship. All crew seems to be addressing masks, and most are compliant. We were at Sorrentos sitting at a table having some tea, masks off of course. Mr. Cabash stands up without mask on and while reaching into his back pocket to get it to put on a staff member was on him, made me chuckle. Very serious right now and they are being worn correctly, you don't see a nose! I haven't used lipstick thus entire sailing:) They let us know all movies are complementary too if you want to stay in your cabin. I'm typing this from my balcony. I must say I feel the ship is handling this well. While disappointing I feel safe and still enjoying. Going to a Tap show they added to the schedule at 1500. Yes. Added. Nice.

@wordell1 Amen to that! We are doing our best to make the best of it! Our last Xmas cruise on DCL 2019 was when we first caught Covid, before they even knew what it was, long story short. No more Xmas cruises for this family! We have 11 other months to sail!! Lol!! We were looking forward to this itinerary a lot but it was not meant to be. I have a large balcony with dining table and room service is really enjoyable out there. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.

@ChrisK2793 I second this. Based in Florida and living our lives. My daughter has attended high school in person and (gasp) no masks. Totally a choice for families, while we are not arrogant about the situation and do our best to respect others while going about living. We are on this ship right now (Odyssey) and our days are pretty packed. We wait in long lines but participated in the bumper cars multiple sessions, I fly, the jumpy thing and the shows that aren't canceled. Morning walks on running track. No isolation, no sir, no way.

@Garebear very fair question. They just canceled the Effectors show now. So no Show Girls or this show. Not surprising as the cast I believe do multiple shows. Not a complaint just a statement of fact. So after the initial last minute mask change and knowing everything I know now I would have canceled. I believe in my heart it would and still doesn't at this time be a fiscally intelligent decision. The price I paid even with the compensation was on the high side, but I was euphoric to sail. That being said the compensation given I feel is very fair, but this ship is just too crowded coupled with the canceled shows and limited capacity inside venues to include Windjammer making it pretty miserable at times. We are choosing opposite of miserable BUT once in a while it is hard. The pool/solarium/suite areas are just bodies its not enjoyable. Please know this is my experience to share, I want to be helpful to others, I am not complaining, again I am blessed to be in a 2 bedroom grand with my family safe and healthy. But I thought it would be about 65% capacity I feel like I'm in a sardine can. Again Royal on board crew are working their butts off and we still aren't home where I am chief cook and bottle washer!!! Oh the suite concierge, never to be seen again.....

@James Mills thanks for the insight and kind sentiment. It feels like a lot of first time cruisers for some reason. We were approached by a Ships Officer (lots of security today out and about) thanking us for properly wearing our masks on deck 5 while browsing the shopping area with our new found OBC! We are trying to do everything, from I fly to the jumpy thing. Warning: there are scales before participation!! Holy What??? So ordering up a crane to get my butt off in Ft Lauderdale with all these sea days, until Sunday

Chair hogs in full force, I walked the track at 0800hrs and counted 12 free chairs, 12. Every other one has towels and personal belongings. Trying to do all activities on the ship. The crew is tired but very kind, and suite deck not one person but all chairs spoken for. Don't like it there but just wanted to let you know. The captain is a dear, lots of communication. He is the sweetest!!

We were told by a crew member corporate told them we are sailing with 100% this sailing and the next. More then any time since restart. The 100% is every bookable cabin minus those held back for crew and quarantine. There are bodies essentially everywhere. The line up to enter Windjammer in the morning is comical, so long it makes it to near the elevators. So limited capacity within yet people standing on top of each other to get in. This is what I am seeing and experiencing onboard. Still making the very best of our Holiday Sailing, but like someone else said never expected so many people just yet.

@Baked Alaska follow your heart. Make a choice to enjoy what you can and roll with everything else. Going in knowing you may not be able to visit ports, or secure certain reservations as well as shows being canceled during this time but making the best of the rest.....go duck hunting! It is crowded, the staff is telling us they are at 100% of every cabin available to be sold that Royal Corporate said just for the Holidays, I love people who say no 75% who aren't on the ship right now, so be prepared, it's packed. If you can deal with this don't cry, turn that frown upside down and make it a different type of sailing, we are doing more room service and cabin balcony time.....knowing all this ahead of time will make it more palatable. I wish you a Merry Christmas! Celebrate the positives, who knows maybe you will make some new memories you would want to repeat even after this is all over.

Here is the letter we just received in our cabin. My refunds for excursions as well as the two days refund already hit my on board account. While I struggle with Royal and the reason we got here I feel they have handled this with transparency and the unexpected compensation is MORE then generous in my humble opinion.

Skipping Aruba tomorrow confirmed. We are getting compensation which is welcome. I know it involves OBC and a FCC. @Clover18 can you add to this? Please? We were eating dinner and it was loud, I could not hear specifics, intoxicated people loudly laughing and banging on the table, I'm just astonished at the offer. Sailing and eating for the rest of the trip, bring a wheel barrel to disembarkation I'm gonna need it.

@Baked Alaska I would have canceled. There are too many people on this ship. As the day goes on people are getting ruder and grumpier. Visiting no ports. The most expensive boat ride ever.

@D Alt it would be nice if they refunded something more then port fees and taxes or even gave us some OBC but I don't expect it. If I read the contract correctly they can change the itinerary etc.. while a great gesture, I just don't see it. I will report if we are given anything. I'm in a great cabin with my loved ones, all healthy so I have what I need.

North Star was great, only one person in our group of 10 "lost it" because he had to go into the ball with the 9 of us, 10 in total. Grown man lost control, spewing verbal tirade because he wanted the ball for himself. We were made to sanitize hands and properly wear masks, felt fine. Really a beautiful vision of the Island. Captain announced he is going out into international water to open the casino and shops. Aruba not looking good. Anyone say Coco cay?

I don't see Aruba allowing us to disembark tomorrow. I wish they would just turn around and take us home, by way of Coco Cay that is! But seriously, most people are in good spirits it appears. One or two grumbles but if you booked this you kind of knew it would be "different" I still believe in my heart whether they saw Omicron coming or not they relaxed to soon and put $$$ over all. 100% capacity and how crowded this ship is should not have happened at this juncture. They could have waited just until 2022 to start ramping up. Just because one can doesn't mean they should.