CrznTxn

Less desirable location is a relative term. As long as I am on the ship there is no undesirable location.?

I do the remote work onboard all the time with secure laptop and secondary code authentication. The TOTP Authentication app we use can work without the internet and generates the codes on its own. Was not sure until I tried it but it works disconnected from the network. Not sure about DUO. The only issue I have is slow internet speeds but I am accessing my workstation at the office and my laptop is only serving as a remote terminal so it is not too bad but hopefully will be better when StarLink is installed on all the ships.

I do the remote work onboard all the time with secure laptop and secondary code authentication. The TOTP Authentication app we use can work without the internet and generates the codes on its own. Was not sure until I tried it but it works disconnected from the network. Not sure about DUO. The only issue I have is slow internet speeds but I am accessing my workstation at the office and my laptop is only serving as a remote terminal so it is not too bad but hopefully will be better when StarLink is installed on all the ships.

We have had this bug going around with friends and wife getting it. Not COVID but still stinks. Hope you feel better soon.

I do the remote work onboard all the time with secure laptop and secondary code authentication. The TOTP Authentication app we use can work without the internet and generates the codes on its own. Was not sure until I tried it but it works disconnected from the network. Not sure about DUO. The only issue I have is slow internet speeds but I am accessing my workstation at the office and my laptop is only serving as a remote terminal so it is not too bad but hopefully will be better when StarLink is installed on all the ships.

All of the pre-cruise testing hinges on whether the ports of call require it. There are several Caribbean destinations that do require negative test results to enter so the question will be if they allow the ship to dock without test results for all passengers, not just those who indicate they will be getting off. Once the destinations drop the test requirements to enter then I see all the cruise lines doing the same. It could be ship specific but it is easier corporate wise to require everyone to still have the tests if sailing in that region.

LOL, I've said in another thread that I enjoy people watching on a ship (anywhere actually but especially on a ship). I also said that it isn't so amusing when you look at someone looking back at you and they look like they are amused.  That's when you start checking your nose, mouth, crotch, what ever.

Definitely saw that this past week on our Caribbean cruise. I spent hours behind dark shades admiring all the "unique" things that folks wore and they probably thought the same about me.🥴 I will say that on Halloween day last year I did wear a large T-Rex head to board and all day to the delight of passengers and staff alike. Later that evening many other guests joined in and there was a great party that the ship threw.

No reason whatsoever to avoid a ship that just re-positioned, especially Harmony. With the new terminal opening later this year, leaving out of Galveston will be easy and nice. We leave out of there several times a year and even now it is easy, although living several hours away does make it easier on us. The Galveston hotels do not lend themselves to the cruise industry as the vast majority of the people that visit the island are not there to get on a ship. With the new additional terminal and additional ships leaving from the port that may change in the future.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't understand the intense level of negativity of some reviews. I spent many years unable to enjoy "luxury" vacations and now, as I am finally able to pursue my love of cruising, I try to look for the best in every cruise I take. Not every ship is for every traveler. Some want the bells and whistles, some want more intimacy. Bashing one ship or another because it doesn't meet your expectations seems pointless. I've seen many complain about the smaller, older ships yet my husband and I LOVE the smaller, older ships. We don't care if the wood trim is a bit outdated, if the furniture shows a bit of wear, or if there's no ice-skating rink or extravaganza-type entertainment. We get that these smaller ships are not for everyone, but I don't understand the hostility in some reviews. On the flip side, we hate the mega-ships with their millions of bells and whistles, but just because those ships are not for us doesn't mean they aren't great for those who are seeking that kind of vacation.
There are folks who have legitimate complaints - issues arise and when they do they should be addressed and rectified as best as possible - but in reading some of the things people say, I get the impression that they will look for fault everywhere. Those folks will never be satisfied. When I'm on a ship, I'm not sitting in my own living room, I'm not sitting in traffic, I'm not being bombarded by news and media all day long, and I can forget the world for just a little bit. To me, that's everything. It doesn't have to be perfect. The crew works hard under very difficult conditions. I appreciate that and try to be kind in my interactions with them. I give extra tips even though tips are already included in most things. Bottom line is, I get back what I put in to my vacation.
Just my two cents.

Use this link to see if you have a RoyalUp without having to wait for an email:
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade
We have sometimes missed the email or it did not come and we still had RoyalUp offers available. Have fun on your cruise!

Not sure if it is an out of stock issue. Our last cruise on Liberty from Galveston had the same cups. Looks like the way of the future.

It seems that Royal's auto-generating luggage tags default to the lowest C&A level of your group. My wife who is a D+ sailed with our youngest son who is Gold and the tags both came out as Gold. She called Royal and the attendant generated a new tag with the proper level for her and emailed her the PDF. You are right, it really does not matter what level is on the tag, it is only used to get your luggage to the proper cabin.

We have used the eMed proctored tests since last September for the convenience. The cost is a small price for not having to go to the local pharmacy or pop up rapid test facility, if you can get an appointment. I came down with COVID on our last trip and used the government tests to check early for verification and again before taking the “official” test this past Friday with the proctor to make sure I was clear. Now onboard and waiting to set sail for another fantastic voyage.  Hope y’all have a great cruise. 

This was in a suite. I actually remembered to bring an adapter and I'm glad I did

Congratulations!! We always look forward to them appearing on the website to put into our cruise folder. Then have the agonizing wait until COVID test time and boarding date.

Congratulations!! We always look forward to them appearing on the website to put into our cruise folder. Then have the agonizing wait until COVID test time and boarding date.

It seems that Royal's auto-generating luggage tags default to the lowest C&A level of your group. My wife who is a D+ sailed with our youngest son who is Gold and the tags both came out as Gold. She called Royal and the attendant generated a new tag with the proper level for her and emailed her the PDF. You are right, it really does not matter what level is on the tag, it is only used to get your luggage to the proper cabin.

We have found that even when we applied the taxes we could get it cheaper at home.

Any separate reservations can be linked as long as you have their sailing number and DOB. We sail sometimes with my wife's two best friends and we will link our accounts as they know how diligent my wife is on check in, reservations, boarding times, etc. We all coordinate our schedules but at the beginning they let us do the sign in as they know my wife will be up at midnight on check in day to get the earliest boarding time.

We have found that even when we applied the taxes we could get it cheaper at home.

Yes, they allow you to assist in the test for those that require. Children, elderly and those that may require additional help to complete are eligible. Let the proctor know when you sign in for the test.

We have found that even when we applied the taxes we could get it cheaper at home.

When we first returned to sailing last August the ship looked a little "rustic". Not bad but not the pristine conditions we had prior to the "bug". Saw this on several ships during the first several months. As time progressed they started looking better and better. Our last cruise three weeks ago the ship, one we had previously sailed on, had fresh paint and appeared much cleaner than it was on its first restart cruise. Having more maintenance staff on board to maintain them and time to spruce it up is paying off.

On our last cruise three weeks ago in Galveston there was an issue with the facial recognition software and it was not working. The port folks told us it was an issue with an update that Meta (Facebook) made and it rendered the facial recognition useless. Not sure if that was the actual cause but that is what they told us and they were not happy. Sure hope it is working again on our cruise in a week. Thankfully we never travel without our passports so we went to the short line.