Biff215

We like GMA but they are always overly dramatic, particularly at the top of the show. Gotta convince people to keep watching I guess.

Didn’t have time to stay and watch the story, but Good Morning America ran it at the top of the show and referred to it as “chaos”. ?

Exactly, we’ll likely see more testing as a result of this. Can’t be a coincidence that this happened today along with the decision to test everyone before boarding Adventure. Testing before someone travels doesn’t account for the airport, plane, and any pre-cruise stays. Rapid tests aren’t perfect either but it’s the best they can do at check-in. Either way, the protocols are working even if the media coverage will focus on the negative. Go test every guest at Disney today and see how many positive tests you get!

They have to test for the return to the U.S. That’s when this was discovered. https://apple.news/ATJM9PipxTSCJFsxjnj0WiA

Any word on July 3? Freedom is currently scheduled to be at Nassau and Coco Cay with us, but I also heard a rumor that they told travel agents today that there will be fireworks for both ships on July 4th so who knows!

We thought the same thing and also booked a taxi tour. Seems they run around $50-70/hour for four people so it’s not too bad when Royal is charging $20/person for transfers alone. Depending on what time we actually get off the ship, we’re just going to do some sightseeing for 2-3 hours and then straight to the airport.

We had a snorkeling trip canceled in St. Thomas two years ago due to problems with the boat so we found out at the dock. We were offered an alternative at a lower price so we received refundable onboard credit. While better than before the pier and seemingly more successful than Disney going into Castaway Cay, there are definitely days when it’s too rough to dock at Coco Cay, particularly in the winter months when high winds and rough seas are more common.

W just had our July excursion for Freeport through Royal cancelled yesterday. Disappointing as the “VIP Sailing and Snorkeling” sounded good even though it was on the pricey side. There weren’t many great options to begin with and now even fewer left available. We started looking into some private offerings but haven’t found too much other than some expensive day passes at resorts. Anyone have any suggestions for Freeport excursions? Thanks in advance!

Cruise Mapper has been wrong for a while, they probably haven’t been able to catch up with all of the cancellations and changes.

Points taken and I don’t want to turn this into a debate over vaccines and safety, I’m just sharing my initial thoughts upon finding this out. My kids have both been back to school full time for months, so although my primary concern as a parent is protecting them, I’m also well aware of the actual risk. We’re comfortable vacationing right now but have made choices knowing that our 8 year old will be unvaccinated. To be perfectly honest, I was also (selfishly) hoping that we’d have the island all to ourselves! As I said above, I’m more surprised than anything that Royal made this choice even though there appears to be other options. There’s a lot riding on that first U.S. cruise and you would think they’d want to work out any kinks first. Not my call though so we’ll just enjoy ourselves, can’t really beat two straight days at Coco Cay!

I agree and I’m not worried about myself. I have an 8 year old, however, who doesn’t yet have the option. We chose Adventure for this reason and wouldn’t cruise out of the US under the current policies until he could be vaccinated. It’s why we’ll also play it safe in Cozumel and Freeport even though we could go off on our own Either way, I think I’m just more surprised than anything that Royal would want to try it this early when they don’t have to. If this sticks, Nassau will be especially interesting as Royal checks in and boards one ship (without a terminal) while another visits for the day. Again it’s not impossible to do, just curious planning on their part.

Just hearing that Freedom and Adventure could be at Coco Cay on the same day (July 4 in this case). Obviously this was common pre-COVID, but I thought they’d avoid it at least in the short term, particularly because they’ll be mixing a vaccine-required cruise with a vaccine-optional one. There’s also an easy fix if they were to switch Nassau and Coco Cay as Freedom will be following Adventure otherwise. I’m sure it will all be fine, just surprised Royal wants to try it this early and that it would pass with the CDC. Anyone know more?

The water park is up to $140.99 per person for our July 3 Adventure cruise. That’s with one limited capacity ship visiting two days in a row. So either available tickets are extremely limited or Royal is trying to make up for a year’s worth of losses in one summer. ?? For what it’s worth, we scored a deal back in March for $50/person. I truly feel bad for anyone who spends almost triple what I did for the same exact experience.

The discount they’re showing you is off of “onboard prices”. This is basically useless for comparison purposes as the onboard prices aren’t publicly available, you can just count on it being higher. Don’t make yourself crazy constantly checking. Internet packages are almost always included in cruise planner sales. The last one just ended this past week, but you’ll see another soon enough (maybe July 4th weekend, Matt always announces them). If you can hold off until then, you’ll likely find a lower price. As others have said, book it when you’re comfortable with the price and ignore everything else.

Yep, talk about misleading, look at this current price on a water park cabana and its banner for Adventure in July!

If they do an antigen test at check-in you’re only looking at about 5 minutes. That’s what Celebrity is doing in the Caribbean and what many UK cruises are doing. It’s an extra step but it seems fairly efficient from what I’ve heard so far. One of our kids will be tested before we board Adventure in July so we’re hoping for the same.

I guess I took Fain’s comments in those videos differently. I thought he was suggesting vaccinations would be required initially except in cases where they weren’t available or possible (he mentioned kids, medical, and religious reasons). This is why they wouldn’t reach 95%. I believe yesterday’s “flip” on vaccinations is entirely due to the Florida law that they weren’t able to find a way around or compromise with the governor. I’m glad we made the switch to Adventure as I feel safer with my family cruising with 16 and up being vaccinated. It also eliminates the need to differentiate between the two groups (kids are easier to identify). Just hoping all cruises go off without a hitch, regardless of these policies.

Wow, that’s interesting. Four ships moving to three, anyone know which is which?

Agreed! I suppose those numbers could approach 2,000 if they maxed out at 50% but it’s still great! We’re on in July so I’m still holding out hope that we’ll be “alone” for our two days at Coco Cay. But with test sailings starting soon, I assume there’s always a chance we’ll have company. Either way we’ll be cruising again!

Thanks to Michelle at MEI, we’re staying in one of the “weird” rooms on Adventure next month. Deck 10 aft in the corner has the larger room and balcony similar to a junior suite but without the extra cost. Can’t wait!

We opted to use the Royal transfers from the airport to check-in, but we don’t fly back home until the afternoon so we’re going to wing it then. We don’t want to be rushed to the airport and then have to sit there for hours. The $20 transfers each way aren’t cheap but either is that taxi ride.

Thanks guys! We did buy an internet package yesterday (on sale) so we can keep in touch if she does go. We obviously won’t abandon her if she decides the club isn’t for her or she doesn’t find friends (but she usually does). This is just going to be a learning experience for us all after five cruises in the younger age groups. Either way, just one month until our first cruise back, so pumped!

Part of our concern is the wide range of ages but it’s also wondering if this will really be an option for our daughter. We’ve been spoiled by AO for years and still have an 8 year old who will go. We’re just hesitant to book something like chef’s table without knowing if she’ll truly have a place to go. Oh the joy of our kids growing up! ?

We have a 12 year old and we're cruising in July. Our kids have always gone to AO for at least a couple hours after dinner so we could go to the show or get a drink at a bar. Now that we have a 12 year old, we're a little reluctant to give her free reign in a group that goes up to 17. Sure she could stay with us, but there are shows that may not interest her or be appropriate, and she's not going to be happy sitting in the pub either. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

I must have been just a little late and that time slot disappeared already. No big deal for us as we're landing just after 12:00 so we went with 1:30-2:00.