brian_md

I just got off Liberty. While the Speedtest results were very fast, not a lot of improvement with page loads. 

Just to put a bow on this thread a few weeks later - not that it wasn’t earned already - but RC earned my loyalty with this cruise. Not being able to dock at coco cay, diverting for medical - none of it under their control. Some might say they bought us off with stateroom credits and covering flight fees, but at least they kept us informed, issued timely updates, and adjusted to the interruptions in a seamless manner. never been so at ease with a major travel delay. Being on the wonder definitely helped. 

Morning flights are still expensive to some markets, afternoon not so much.

As far as departure times, people can depart as late as 9:30. WJ opening at 3:45am for breakfast. 

On 11/25/2022 at 7:04 PM, AshleyDillo said:

Typically they will extend all beverage, dining and internet packages. Plus they will assist if you need to deal with possible airline changes, hotels, etc., and you don't have an internet plan.

We received a few updates. Packages are being extended at a rate of 50% of the average daily rate - this goes for internet, dining, and beverage. Guests without packages can purchase day passes at discounted rates - 50% off internet, 20% off dining. They are covering up to $250 for change fees for domestic flights, $400 for international. Extra loyalty point(s) as well. 

There was an announcement around 1pm on 11/25, we turned toward San Juan. As we approached, a small coast guard boat came up alongside and someone boarded the ship. We stopped for like 30 minutes or so at the port in old San Juan. At that time of the announcement, a 4pm arrival was what was estimated. I guess after the overnight, they realized they weren’t making good time or something, and adjusted the arrival.

1 hour ago, NotPayinExtra said:

And this is one of the many, many things that can go wrong. That's why I have a valid passport and trip insurance.

I maintain flexible credit card point currencies for these situations, in lieu of insurance. Not the most economical, but it works for me.  
we also got another update that arrival is now Monday morning 11/28. 11/27 cruisers cannot be pleased. Not completely, but this kind of makes up for not being able to dock at perfect day.  

19 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

If you have travel insurance that includes trip delay coverage, the additional costs could be reimbursable.

I have not typically taken out coverage. I’ll have to see if any credit card I used covers it. 

Luckily, I was able to make all flight changes without too much added expense. Good to know it will be close to a normal day. No new compass yet, but probably tomorrow morning I am guessing. And if anyone else out there, hope you get home without too much added trouble. 

Posting to see if anyone else is on this cruise. We got notice around 1pm today (11/25) that we had to divert to San Juan for a medical emergency, and now our estimated return to Port Canaveral is 4pm on Sunday 11/27. Just curious what happens in these situations - will we have access to recreation, dining, etc. on Sunday after breakfast?  Would RC still depart on the evening of 11/27 for the next itinerary?

not sure if they still have this system in place - but they introduced a google form based service request feature.  you enter all your details and what you want done.  in my experience they have been pretty good about responding within a reasonable amount of time.  much better than waiting on hold for 45-60 minutes.  i used it for repricing a couple times and linking dinner seating between parties.  boats are going to be pretty full for a while, so while the option of royal up seems nice, i prefer cash in hand, as i shop their for groceries/produce regularly.

17 hours ago, Hharris1997 said:

....They gave me the option of getting a PCR after my positive but being I have symptoms I didn’t see the point. I retested today, 2 days after and still positive faster than the control line shows up. 

You did get lucky with the lifting of the test requirement, cause you may have been in for an extended stay.  A PCR test would not have helped.

I used an emed test day before flight and was negative.  I am guessing I got infected on the plane ride home from rome - carelessly fell asleep with mask off and it was a united flight so there was no mask requirement for other passengers.  Sinus headache day after return and took PCR test 2 days later.  Wife and 2 kids kept masks on and were negative (and continued to test negative).   I continued to test positive on the antigen (rapid/home) tests for 2 full weeks after the flight, testing every 2-3 days.  On the day I tested negative, I had a PCR done that afternoon and it came back positive.  From what I read, after infection, there is residual viral RNA that can stick around for 4 weeks or more, and this small amount will return a positive PCR.

In a couple years (hopefully) - virgin trains!

+1 on the grand hyatt, but mostly cause i prefer hyatts, but it has a great location.  if you hold hyatt's credit card, or have any category 1-4 certs, starting march 22, most of the hyatts in seattle will be category 4 or lower.  the thompson is the only place you cannot use a cert.  most places in the downtown area are easily walkable.  if you have to go further, light rail easy to navigate.

1 hour ago, CHRIS WONG said:

Go to guest services and tell them your card is not working in the Casino.

Thanks. I’ll give it a shot. 

We left from Sydney, AUS a few days ago. I don’t see the ability to load my account using room charge on any slot machines. Is it a specific one?

@CHRIS WONG is the room charge option for funding your account (from slot machine) disabled on international itineraries?

Thank you. Now to wait for the casino to open and rack up some credit card points. 

Thanks for al the replies. Dropping the bags first would have been the best plan.  I didn’t even think of that, but it was so simple. We just held them at the hotel. For future reference, due to customs, you wouldn’t be allowed to disembark after checking in. We had plenty of time in the end. 

We are embarking on a 10 day aboard the ovation. We also have tickets for an opera house tour between 12 and 2, but not sure of exact time. If we get a later time, I suggested we check in, leave our bags, then leave the boat for the tour.  Is this allowed?  More trouble than its worth?  Can always just leave bags with hotel until later. 

@RCVoyager I have stayed at el convento and absolutely loved it.  Excellent location. Join the loyalty program for small luxury hotels so you can get access to member rates. If you stay, I would highly recommend getting a rate with breakfast included.  When I stayed, they offered continental breakfast to members of the loyalty program, but their terms have changed since then, I think.  They let us use the value of the continental toward anything, the servers couldn’t have been nicer, and the food was quite good.  Rooms are older, obviously, but well kept relatively.  I never figured out how to connect to hotel WiFi. Wifi didn’t matter much as I had decent cell signal anyway.  There’s a “lounge” area where you can get bottled water, coffee, and tea 24 hours.  They also put out a fruit and dessert selection during the day.  Small pool on the roof with decent area for lounge chairs - beautiful views, as long as you look past all the rooftop antennas.  I want to say there’s only 40-60 rooms, and not many use the pool so it can be a nice spot to cool off on a hot day, meaning everyday. 

If you need a car, parking is valet only and not outrageous at $15 a day.

Sea days can be cold.  Days in port are plenty warm, hot even. Great time to go with almost 20 hours of daylight. 

that is a serious plus if all benefits convey, even on comps/certificate cruises.  

well aware of MS and do plenty on land - i just wanted to get details of cashing out any other tips to make it quick and easy on the ship.  i don't gamble much, but have M Life status, and would be able to avoid the convenience charge based on that status.

do you receive suite class benefits?  C&A tier?  do you earn cruise points? when using the comp certificates or when cruising on the specials

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

...and did a little manufactured spending on my credit card for points.

can i pm you to get some details on this?