Zurc

Here we go.  4 prices.  Oct 1 and 15 (both are 8 night and I don't know which one is the right one).  J3 and J4 since I don't know which one.  No special rates.
Keep in mind that these prices do NOT include gratuities so if your price includes grats just subtract that amount from your total to compare.
Notice that the J4 for Oct. 1 is currently sold out....so there is only a base price.  Truthfully, for purposes of checking your current cruise fare, it's best to just look at the first price (total price per guest) before any discounts have been applied.  That's the best way to know whether your price is lower or higher than the current price.  After you make that determination, then look to see if there are any discounts that the current price includes, that your prices does NOT include...for example, all of these (except for the one that is sold out) show 2 discounts ("Extra Savings" and "Kicker").  These are short-term, current additional discounts and they may or may not combine with any special discounts (military, etc.) that you might be entitled to.
Also note that these are nonrefundable prices. If you have a refundable deposit rate these won't be accurate.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
 
Oct 1, J3

 
October 1, J4

 
Oct 15, J3

 
Oct 15, J4

 

Any idea when the new program would kick in?  And any indication that RC would *not* change its mask policy to align with the new guidelines?
 
The other interesting thing in this program is that if you're up to date on your vax, your pre-cruise test can to be within three days, not two. 

Two important takeaways from Royal's decision to opt in:
1. They were already pretty much at 95% on every sailing ever since kids started getting vaccinated.
2. This change means face masks will become optional indoors. That's a big change.

No, it doesn't mean that at all (at least in the revised version of the program).

 

Royal and Celebrity have opted in. 

RC has opted in according to the color code report. What I haven't seen yet is how long a ship remains in a non-green status. Seems like once you're there, you're there for a while no matter what.

What's interesting is all 21 ships are listed as highly vaccinated, which would mean no masks would be required for the vaccinated.
 

 
 

Looks like the biggest change in the new CSO is scrapping the importance of a ship being 95% boosted and treating "up to date" at the individual level, not at the cruise ship level. Now if you're up to date, you quarantine as a close contact for 5 days (which is still absolutely idiotic, but I digress). Before, the entire ship had to be 95% boosted in order to quarantine for "only" 5 days instead of 10.
 
Another key addition is they now allow "proof of recovery in 90 days" as a way around being symptomatic or a recent close contact at the time of boarding (you still need a negative test)
Those who are boosted or not yet booster eligible (both are considered "up to date") get an extra day (from 2 to 3) in the window for their pre-cruise test
This is a big one. The threshold for not having to mask was reduced back down to 95% vaccinated, not 95% "up to date"
 
With all these changes I think it's more likely lines opt in.
 
Even though child vaccination is still generally low across the board, I would think RC ships would largely meet the 95% vax rate on any given cruise.

Thinking that the difference b/t this outdoor crowding and those at football game, is the effect it could have over a week’s time on the assigned waitstaff, stateroom attendant, bar staff, etc. on this cruise.    
A crowd at a football game doesn’t Interact every day for a week with a team’s football players, coaching staff, training staff.  (But I can’t say the same for a theme park as some families may stay in hotels there for a week! ). 
Hoping Oasis’ crew stays CoVid free , for their health, and for those of you cruising on her soon!
 
 

You'll have to wait for the FCC if you want to use that to place the deposit. You could always book the new cruise and when the FCC arrives, apply it to the reservation.

Sorry didn’t add that a live rep answered, confirmed email and sent while I was on the phone. It was not automated. 

Hmm.  For the last week I’ve had an error using the above process.  After 4, 2, 1 it asks what do you need and I respond “confirmation”, and it asks what my travel agency number is.   I cannot get past it, even though had I chosen prompts for “booked online”.    It won’t let me get to the point that I enter my reservation numbers.    
 
 

Thinking that the difference b/t this outdoor crowding and those at football game, is the effect it could have over a week’s time on the assigned waitstaff, stateroom attendant, bar staff, etc. on this cruise.    
A crowd at a football game doesn’t Interact every day for a week with a team’s football players, coaching staff, training staff.  (But I can’t say the same for a theme park as some families may stay in hotels there for a week! ). 
Hoping Oasis’ crew stays CoVid free , for their health, and for those of you cruising on her soon!
 
 

I had a terrible experience last week with the post cruise pier side test (it was not through Royal). The company partnered with the cruise line had a folding table setup in the parking lot, required us to swab ourselves, and 2.5 hours later (after promising 45 minute results) emailed us saying both our test were “inconclusive”. We got retested at the airport with rapid PCR and had our results quickly. I will not use pier side testing again. I would be willing to pay to have the test done on board but without that option I will pay the extra to test at the airport.

Apparently Vision lost several lines. Allure came in to buffer the waves. Transferred crew as well. 
 
 

Good news on Optum Store expiration:
I ordered a 2-pack from Optum store directly.  Shipped Friday the 7th, arrived Monday 10th afternoon.
Production date December 2021.   Expiration Nov 20, 2022.     Perfect for my needs. 
 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/26539-galveston-sets-expansion-course.html
Interesting Article about Galveston expanding with some port director quotes.
As discussed before, but just recapping: 
This year in October, Norwegian Prima sails for 2 short sailings on their port hopping season this year.  In 2023-2024 winter season they will homeport for 7 night sailings.
Allure of the Seas starts in November, replacing Liberty of the Seas. 
Carnival Jubilee starts in 2023.  I suspect that will replace their Carnival Vista program, although probably without the route going to Jamaica and Grand Cayman (tendering in Grand Cayman is not ideal with that many passengers).
 

Oh, I think you will be able to book and reserve online since that lot will be owned and operated by Port of Galveston. They allow booking online for all of their other lots at https://www.portofgalveston.com/91/Cruise-Parking--General-Information

The parking lot adjacent to the terminal will be owned and operated by the Port of Galveston. It is currently designed for 1,148 spaces. You have a good question with Allure at 5,484 passengers (double occupancy) plus at least one other ship doing 4-5 night cruises. It seems to me that the private parking companies will have to play a role with parking shuttles between their lots and the terminal.  The Port of Galveston is also considering other options to add parking, such as acquiring other property along Harborside Drive.

I've even said, "I'm willing to wear a HazMat suit, just to be on a cruise"
 

Yep, cruise ships are in the same classification as nursing homes, so no expedited quarantine.
 
The 10 days is for covid positive. Close contacts are 14!!!

Good news on Optum Store expiration:
I ordered a 2-pack from Optum store directly.  Shipped Friday the 7th, arrived Monday 10th afternoon.
Production date December 2021.   Expiration Nov 20, 2022.     Perfect for my needs. 
 

We were on this sailing as well. I am on the phone with RCC now and they are not booking a repositioning sailing in its place. The replacement options offered do not have our cabin category available either. we were in Grand Suite and none are available for any of the offerings. They have escalated to a new department to see if they can "find" a GS. Point to all of that, dont wait too long to contact them if cabin category matters.  They are essentially merging us into already booked up cruises.

Thanks, I was before final payment (thanks to the final due 30 day before sail date), so no penalties were assessed.    Very pleased with A2S customer service.

So sorry for your family. You have a great attitude.  Hope little one is well soon!

If you noticed it while still on the ship, You should have turned this in to guest services before you departed.