Spang1974

Im pretty sure my wife has brought back half full/empty bottles of water back from our city walks. If there is any question of its contents they would just take a sample. I mean really who is gonna sneak back on 250ml of vodka disguised as water?

As long as the other reservation is linked you can check EVERYONE in.

Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy (you will need to call the pharmacy direct to ensure they can do the test), Dam health, and The Regenerative Clinic are all in Southampton to do the supervised test. 

In my experience it depends on where the Cruise is sailing from. My cruise sailing from Bayonne to Bermuda, the Cruise Planner was in US Dollars (I'm in the UK). My cruise sailing from Southampton, the Cruise Planner was in Pounds sterling.

On 5/20/2022 at 2:11 PM, MrHaga said:

Any from Wonder of the Seas Barcelona Sailings?

Hopefully, but I will say European/Non North American cruise compasses are EXTREMELY rare. I think I am the only one to send in a Cruise Compass from Anthem's entire UK season last year.

12 minutes ago, Caroline M said:

Check in is open - but when I click "Arrival Time" it says "Not quite ready for you"

 

WHY??????

This^ I have nightmares about this! Fingers crossed and hoping it gets sorted for you soon!

I have heard that inaugural sailings from the UK aboard previous RCI ships were nothing to write home about. I personally would wait until the crew and staff are up to speed.

10 hours ago, ILivin4cruising said:

What if it is an religious exemption?

@WAAAYTOOO Has your answer above.

On 5/16/2022 at 11:49 PM, ChanaC said:

Does anyone know if The World dessert could be made without peanuts? I think it's a peanut butter cake it sits on, so would it be able to be replaced by something else? I also hate to make a big deal about it because it's not an allergy, it's just that someone I'm traveling with really hates peanuts and peanut butter but still wants to try it. Or is it possible to kind of eat around the peanut part (like maybe just the ice cream and chocolate)? If not I guess they will have to settle with the other desserts.

Doesn't like peanut butter! I don't know if I could be friends with that kind of negativity, LoL Seriously though, you have The World and they can have the other desserts

Me personally, working all through the last two years in a Pediatric Hospital (I'm just a secretary), I would probably be happy with a ship staying in port the whole cruise at this point. I did a sailing last year from Southampton and even with reduced capacity, Royal had more than one bar closed on board Anthem and even that small change impacted service levels. I noted it on my end of cruise survey and hoping that they have things sorted by September when we cruise next:)

Had it happen to me last year on a sailing from Southampton. There response was "Really? You don't have to drive home!" but that was it, i really felt this was more of a lighthearted joke in my case, definitely didn't badger me or encourage me to drink alcohol. I had the Deluxe beverage Package so i really didn't think anything of it, but I can see how that behavior could be problematic.

Apologies, I never meant to infer anyone was looking for a guarantee or that pivot and change was an option for everyone. Guess I'm a half full kind of guy and I always expect for the worst and hope for the best. It is what it is.

13 minutes ago, LizzyBee23 said:

Sure, but right now we could still pivot to a ship or sail date that isn't plagued (excuse the word choice) with problems. Much harder to do that once we're already onboard.

I have reached out to RCL through social media, and only got vague answers in response. Optimism would suggest they're trying to get better every week, so our sailing may be the best yet. Realism suggests past performance is the best indicator of future performance and we should jump ship while we can. Kind of hard to swallow the ambiguity when we know full well RCL's logistics planners have the answers we want.

I would say pivot or change if you have expectations based on pre-covid cruising, or not willing to chance it. While I am sure RCI are providing a great service most of the time at the moment,  I dont think anyone can guarantee it. ANY ship could be hit by staff shortage due to Covid at any moment.

8 minutes ago, LizzyBee23 said:

I get that no one has definite answers, maybe some suggestions for how we might get them?

My sailing leaves on Friday, and despite the supposed staff shortages, RCL is still selling berths. That doesn't really make sense to me, which makes me think I'm missing something.

I cannot think of a way to get answers before any sailing. You may have better luck getting answers once you are onboard, but no guarantees. 

Chops for me as we are a party of two, and I would prefer to celebrate amongst ourselves.

36 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

You can book with the app, but a specialty restaurant could be a lot easier. Sometimes they will have access to times not shown as well and can book them all at once within minutes.

I second this, so easy to just go to any specialty restaurant and have them make all the specialty dining arrangements for your whole cruise:)

4 hours ago, DAVIE1969 said:

Booked Anthem from Southampton next month.They want nearly £2000 for 2 people for 14 nights.Absolutely scandalous.Our first cruise and we get hit by this.

Our 12 night cruise is currently the same right now:(

I can confirm that Balcony cabins, on Anthem of The Seas, while sailing from Southampton have kettles.

8 minutes ago, Mike.s said:

It looked more like this, (previously posted by @Fay)

As long as Royal accept it, I don't care how it looks!  I have them booked for September. Again, many thanks!

6 hours ago, Mike.s said:

Just had a Lloyds test, have to say my certificate looks nothing like that

Thanks for the info:)

29 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Nope. You have to book as a solo to get double points. 

I was always under the impression that if there was a no show, and you travelled alone you would get double points? @Matt @twangster Expert opinion?

The importance of Travel Insurance cannot be underestimated. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

8 minutes ago, Pooch said:

I think you’ll find the package price is now much closer to your $100 per day average consumption.  Our next cruise is $86 including tip pppd.  My limit is $70ish so unless they run a great sale, we will pay as we go.

LoL, 1 said at least* $100 - But again, I have never paid more than $53(including tip)pppd, even my upcoming 12 night cruise only cost me $48(including tip) currently selling for $82 on the cruise planner. I haven't had to make the hard math decision to date:) But I would probably switch cruise lines, or do all inclusive resort stays going forward if it becomes more than it is worth.  I'm in the UK so we historically have seen a lot of good last minute vacation deals. 

I have yet to NOT save money by purchasing a drinks package. I drink at least $100 each day (coffees, colas, juices, alcoholic combined), and I don't suffer from drink fatigue, so it has to be priced very high for me not to indulge in a drinks package. The most I have paid so far is $53pppd.

I wont sail on any that cruise company's ships anyways.

1 hour ago, MrHaga said:

Is the Eu Digital Covid Certificate equal to the American Vaccination Card?
 

I am pretty sure American Vaccination Cards are still ALL handwritten(or the card given at time of jab) and they never implemented a digital version. Someone else can correct me if I am wrong.