Biff215

Lucky!  He is awesome!  We had him on Mariner, full of energy, so much fun!

Try http://www.choiceair.com/ which will redirect you to https://secure.cruisingpower.com/choiceair/protected/home.do
 
If I go to https://secure.cruisingpower.com/choiceair/protected/home.do directly, I get that same Cruising Power agent home page.

Next time that happens try clearing the cache on the RC app

Here’s one for you. My wife can access everything for our July Adventure sailing while I can’t get past the “we’re working on the fun” message for the same cruise. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the app but same thing. I’m hoping this gets fixed once we’re closer. 

We’re also sailing July 3 and checkin has given us the same variety of messages and errors since we booked. As others have said, Royal is waiting as long as they can to fully lay out all the rules. You agree to most of these at checkin so it’s in their best interest (and ours) to wait. I’ll also feel a lot better once we can check in but don’t worry, it’s not a sign that it’s canceled. 

Just got this backpack for my birthday yesterday. I’ll still bring my larger backpack as my carryon, but this one seems perfect to pack and use on excursions. It’s designed by travelers so it has some nice features.
Travel Backpack- Packable lightweight daypack for hiking, gym, and airplane https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y3DGCL2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CX06BAHE6SP0709ATP49

We just used Air2Sea for the first time a couple weeks ago for our July Adventure cruise (just prior to final payment). I found it almost too easy to use at first, and was totally confused when it didn’t ask me for payment. Michelle from MEI quickly confirmed that the cost would be added to final payment, which we made about 10 days ago. I then checked my reservation on American Airlines site but it still said “ticket pending” and “call your travel agent”.
I called AA and they said everything looked good on their side and we even had seats (automatically assigned). Michelle called Air2Sea and they told her the same thing. I called and got someone different who confirmed that our tickets “were never issued”. She took care of it and within an hour everything was fixed and we were able to finally adjust our seats.
So in the end it was more complicated than it needed to be but it all worked out. Just glad I caught it as who knows what would have happened come July if not. Still happy we used Air2Sea as it saved about $100/person. 

Based on my trip from Singapore, while it is convenient to have everyone have the app, it is not completely needed. 
 
At boarding, they only required 1 person to show all the set sail passes. If the place required each person to hold their own, a simple screenshot should suffice. 
 
As for emuster, we found the app to be buggy in the sense that it didn’t actually register that you’ve watch the video. We ended up doing it on the Stateroom TV. You don’t need the app for reporting to your station, only your seapass. They can tell whether you’ve watched the video or not. 
 
I would say the only thing that the other members of my party used the app for was the schedule that I put in it. Other than that, not really. 
 
For the messaging on the Royal App, it was a charged feature on my sailing. If I remember correctly it was $1.99 pppd

For those of you who are on the fence about using a Travel Agency, PLEASE READ. This past weekend we decided to book a 7 day cruise on the Anthem out of Cape Liberty, NJ and bring our daughter and her family along with us over Easter week departing on April 22, 2022. I spent a couple of days searching the Anthem for a JS for my wife and I and two balcony adjoining rooms for our daughter and her family. I did find some of what I was looking for on different decks, near the elevators or on deck 13 (below the WJ) and they all were not acceptable. So, I contacted Michelle, MEI Travel (they also sponsor this blog) told her what I wanted and VIOLA! Today I booked a JS on deck 10 and two adjoining cabins also on deck 10. None of those cabins were available when I searched. Moral of the story here is don't waste your time, get ahold of Michelle at MEI and let her know what you want. She can make miracles happen! ?

I understand the concern about equating backyard barbecues and cruising, they’re certainly not the same. But let’s be honest, there are many who have been hosting and attending much bigger than that since the start of the pandemic. The cruise lines are simply using that date as the “return to (some) normalcy”. 
Cruising is a choice, not all that different than most other vacations. If thousands can pack into a theme park every day, I believe that cruise lines should be afforded the same option to reopen. Just my opinion though. 

Originally they said the no sail order would stay until November and then they sail it might be possible to sail in July. 
 
True, but that’s likely assuming that cruise companies are willing to jump through the hoops of the CSO (which it appears they aren’t).
I think this is more political theater, they know bills like this won’t go anywhere. They’re just hoping that enough pressure will make the CDC cave. It’s likely to happen at some point, I just think the CDC is going to hold out as long as they can. One (unlikely) outbreak and everyone will be pointing at them again. 

Originally they said the no sail order would stay until November and then they sail it might be possible to sail in July. 
 
True, but that’s likely assuming that cruise companies are willing to jump through the hoops of the CSO (which it appears they aren’t).
I think this is more political theater, they know bills like this won’t go anywhere. They’re just hoping that enough pressure will make the CDC cave. It’s likely to happen at some point, I just think the CDC is going to hold out as long as they can. One (unlikely) outbreak and everyone will be pointing at them again. 

I understand the concern about equating backyard barbecues and cruising, they’re certainly not the same. But let’s be honest, there are many who have been hosting and attending much bigger than that since the start of the pandemic. The cruise lines are simply using that date as the “return to (some) normalcy”. 
Cruising is a choice, not all that different than most other vacations. If thousands can pack into a theme park every day, I believe that cruise lines should be afforded the same option to reopen. Just my opinion though. 

We’ve always used one device for everyone’s Set Sail Pass. You just swipe over as they scan each one, just like digital concert tickets.
I assume we’ll hear more soon whether everyone will need their own device when it comes to e-muster and contact tracing. But since kids can sail, I’m sure there will be a plan for those without a device/app of their own. 

We decided to do the same with our July Symphony cruise that we already had flights booked for (will have to use them another time). At least the Adventure cruises are likely to happen and we don’t have to play “wait and see”. It will be our first time flying internationally but we’re super excited to be cruising again!

If you don't get VOOM, it's going to be hard.  We always get VOOM so we just used iMessage or Whatsapp to text our girls.  They all travel with devices the last few years.  Without VOOM, I'm not sure.  Some in the past have suggested a whiteboard/message board type thing.  Hopefully someone else here has another suggestion.....

I agree the July 4th statement by President Biden is not an open call for pre-2020 life to resume. However, it is a symbol.  A mile marker on the road to life moving away from the pandemic.  Obviously, the President's statement is really a call to action for vaccines so we can do that.
As it relates to cruising, I don't think Fain necessarily believes it's a 1:1 from a backyard bbq and Oasis of the Seas, but the notion that we want to move towards normalcy is what the statement is about.
I really don't think the July 4th is the basis of either NCL or RC's plans.  Their motives for getting permission to sail again is based on two tenants:
Safe protocols + vaccine requirements Double standard that every other form of travel is unhindered. The July 4th date is just icing on the cake.

This is interesting Too!   Good for all these business!  I hope Royal decides to keep some of the embarkation out of Nassau even when the stupid CDC lets them cruise out of the US again. 
 
https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamasair-negotiating-withhome-porting-cruise-lines-on-airlift/

That Depends.

What about someone who has a weak bladder which may be triggered by the excitement of finally being close to getting on a cruise ship? 
Asking for a friend. 

Come to think of it, it wasn't that long ago I had to walk over to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA to check in before walking back to the terminal geodesic dome to board Carnival ships.  
The dome used to be shared with some sort of adventure game company that had things like laser tag.  I would drop my bags near the parking garage, walk over to the QM for check in then walk back to board the ship.  We weren't let inside the dome until the ship was boarding as there was no waiting area so everyone hung around outside until the ship was ready.  Then we passed through the dome to access the gangway.  I remember looking down into the game area inside the dome as we boarded.
In 2017 or 2018 Carnival took over more of the dome so they didn't need to use the Queen Mary to do check in from that point.
In those days Carnival had their smaller ships based there so it worked.  
 

Whatever they build, I will Come!

And from another angle:
 

Here is a photo of the open air Temporary Arrivals (and Departures) Building, and you can find more detail here: https://thenassauguardian.com/cruise-port-to-construct-temporary-arrivals-building/

Assuming we are fully checked in on the app, I expect that there will be a luggage drop off area, followed by a scan of your check in on your phone, a quick temp check, and then you will get on the ship.  I assume your key cards will be in the room, or issued at some point during boarding.