Notaworryintheworld

ID NOW has worked for me on four cruise lines including multiple Royal Caribbean sailings.  On Alure now and used Walgreens ID NOW test to board. 

Do you know how many times I’ve read that page? And it didn’t even occur to me that abbot ID NOW was the same as the ID NOW I’m booked with. I promise you I’m not losing it…I hope… lol thanks for easing my mind!

Accepted, personally used for sailing in September.
 
Also from Royal's site: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go
We get a lot of questions about Abbott tests, the most commonly available COVID-19 test brand. Here’s what’s accepted.
Any Abbott brand test administered on site by a pharmacy technician or other health professional is accepted. This includes the common Abbot ID NOW test administered by many pharmacies. The test provider must provide you with a proper results document (no handwritten notes).

That's the one I used to board Allure in September. @twangster has used them for most of his cruises recently I believe.

So we are back from our short jaunt to Nassau and Perfect Day. A fun four day break we have been looking forward to for some time. There have been several questions about the Covid protocols so I thought I would answer them all in one posting.   First, as we were going to the Bahamas, the Bahamian Government has mandated all visitors MUST prove their full vaccinations. Not a problem for us, Sheryl and I had our second shots at the end or April.   Next requirement was for us to test negative for Covid. Also not so much of a challenge. 2 days prior to boarding, we each used a proctored online antigen test. (we used the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test) The results were negative as expected. In fairness, all crew are vaccinated and it is my understanding they are all subject to antigen testing regularly. At the terminal, we arrived at our appointed boarding time and our documents were checked, passports, Boarding Documents, Covid Vaccine Cards, and proof of negative antigen test all checked at the door of the terminal.   Once through the initial check, we were directed up the escalators to the next point where we were again validated, and this time subject to health screen, including temperature checks. Following that, we were adorned with wristbands (do not remove) which proved to all around us we were vaccinated and negative. All good, now to security.   There was a little concern when they scanned my back pack and saw the magnets there, but it was easily resolved with a quick look. Thank you to the security staff for their vigiliance by the way. Their job is to stop anything nasty getting on the ship. As we boarded Freedom of the Seas, we were once more security screened and all was good. Thereafter we were directed to our emergency muster station for our safety briefing. Then wayhay, we could enjoy.   All out door spaces were mask free, and inside the ship, general areas like passageways, the promenade and such were mask mandatory. There were however, mask free zones for the fully vaccinated. Honestly, it was no hardship, I think we have all become accustomed to wearing masks as it is. However, the opportunity to be mask free out doors and in specific areas was more than welcome.   There were some changes since our last cruise. For example, at the buffet, it was not self service, staff behind the counters piled the plates on request. Additionally, in the WindJammer Buffet, tables were well segregated, every other table was marked as unavailable, the remainder were open, and in my field of view when they were cleared, they were totally sanitized including seating and table edges. There were far more hand sanitizing stations than ever before, and prior to entering any part of the ship, such as shops, bars, theatre or restaurants, we were asked to use them.   I have always been pleased with how Royal Caribbean ships are so sparkling clean, the crew really do take pride in their ships. But on this trip, Freedom OTS was gleaming like never before. More than that, any surface that had public contact was sanitized heavens knows how many times per day. Even when we used the hot tub, when we got out, a crewmember was spraying down and sanitizing the hand rails we touched.   We have cruised onboard Freedom before, (2017) and love the ship herself, but we have to give kudos to RCCL in general, and the ships company in particular, for ensuring she wasnt only looking her best, but was amazingly clean and sanitized.

Here's our point of view after spending a couple days in a row at CocoCay last week.
On both days we utilized the complementary areas and food.  We were extremely satisfied and have no complaints.  Chill Beach was very enjoyable, and we had no problems finding a set of chairs and umbrella.  Getting food was simple.  Disclaimer:  CocoCay was nowhere near full capacity.
Some people we met onboard the first day on the ship spent one of the days at the Beach Club and really enjoyed it.  Based on this feedback, we decided to book it if the price ever dropped from >$100 pp.
Looking at the Cruise Planner for the second leg of our upcoming back to back, we saw it went from $160ish to $88ish (I can't remember the exact amounts), so we booked it.  We are curious how we'll like the experience and want to see if we feel it'll be worth the extra cost when ship capacities start getting back to normal.
I'll let you know what our thoughts about it are mid-November. 🙂

It’s first come first serve for time of booking. They are already assigned when you board the ship.  I had a south beach bed in December and it was wonderful. But after the new beach club opens, they will be in a different location so i can’t be much help with that. It was nice to have a spot all to ourselves and not have to worry about our seats getting taken while at lunch or whatever. We had a second row bed and it was still awesome. They are staggered so you get a nice view still. 

Renting a Jeep for a self excursion in Cozumel. Finding a nice secludes spot for some snorkeling only to come back to find all our stuff including jeep stolen. Boy was that stupid, but we were young, in love, and CLUELESS, LOLing at myself.

Oh it wasn’t the official page. Just something someone claimed and when I noticed I could no longer buy it on mine, it raised my suspicions. I’m on Mariner in December. We’ll see I guess. 

Here's an extensive drink list - scroll to page 6. I don't remember who originally posted this, so unfortunately I can't give proper credit to the author.  I love this because it includes what is typically in the drinks. Make sure to ask for a specific brand of liquor in your drink if you want something other than what's listed.
Drink list - page 6.pdf

Holy cats were you all correct about arriving early. We left the hotel at 10:45 and with expedited boarding we were on  the ship about 11:15.(Our set sail passes told us to report at 12:30, btw) 
She’s gorgeous.  Detailed write up later but  here’s Mom and me holding court in the Gold Lounge (there is no Gold Lounge) on deck 12. 

Boy do these three day sailings fly by. Adding to the fast pace dynamics is every day being a port day.
One major accomplishment was finally bumping into @CHRIS WONG. Great guy and a pleasure to chat with. Had some interesting things to mention some of the unknown benefits. If you haven't already check out his channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgWpP7nDIIS_NMiEVH0R1g
Also finally earned the mark of shame for breaking a glass. Guess I missed the edge of a counter by just a hair.

Good thing, glass only had ice in it.