WAAAYTOOO

I completely understand. This is a very confusing process. The reason I asked is b/c I have 3 cruises in Sept. that are going to probably need to be cancelled but I don't think they will do anything until the protocols are announced. At that point, if you are unhappy with the protocols, they have been, in the past, willing to provide a cash refund. That could change.....I hope it doesn't. Good luck !!!

Did they allow you to get a cash refund since your cruise is in Sept. and they have not yet announced Sept. protocols ?

You’re a good friend !?

I completely agree with this - as long as everyone boarding must get tested.

I love your username !

You betcha.

Frankly, I don't think you really have anything to worry about with the unvaxxed children. The only possible issue would be getting "up front" seats in the theater, as I think you will be required to remain in the balcony...but the Genie will still be able to reserve you seats so aside from not being able to sit up close, it will still be nice. Dan is the one who likes to sit up front. I don't think the seats in the front of the theater are the greatest so I wouldn't be disappointed with that rule at all !! I had read somewhere (can't remember where) that unvaccinated (including children) weren't allowed in the Aqua Theater, which makes NO sense to me AT ALL. But that wouldn't affect you anyway b/c you can just watch the show from your balcony !! I think that must have been a misprint though...why in the world would they keep anyone out of the ATS...it's outside for goodness sake !! I don't think the kids will be able to ice skate, if that's a problem. I don't think unvaxxed are permitted in the Solarium but kids aren't supposed to be in there, anyway. I really don't think there will be many activities where you wouldn't be allowed. B2B Star Class on Oasis. Wow....very nice.

You're welcome !

Welcome to the world of cruising ! I think you will love it immediately ! There are 2 ways to enjoy specialty dining. 1 - individual meals purchased or 2 - purchase a dining plan. With individually purchased meals, you are limited to a single entree, but you are allowed to order as many appetizers, side dishes and desserts as you want. That rule is also true with any meal plan EXCEPT for the Unlimited Dining Plan (UDP) which allows you to eat whatever you want ! The only exception with the UDP is that it does NOT include upcharge items in the specialty restaurants such as cold water lobster or the seafood towers (for example). Frankly, since you are new to cruising, I would recommend that you try out the complimentary dining options. There are soooo many options for eating that are included in your cruise fare. Most likely they will try and sell you a discounted specialty restaurant meal at some point on your cruise, and if the price is right and you feel like trying something different, then you can snag one of those deals. I don't know that I would recommend purchasing a specialty dining package before you even have a chance to try what is "free". Either way, you will NOT go hungry !!

Thank you. I enjoy the blogs. Well....our next bookings are B3B on Mariner (9-13, 17, 20) but I am certain that we will have to cancel all 3 of those as I fear the vax protocols will preclude us from going to the casino, which is a show-stopper for us. Next up would be 10-3 on Allure, but that one goes to St. Thomas so we won't be able to go on that one. Then 10-10 on Allure...which we will take providing they allow us into the casino. Our next Star Class will be on 11-21 on Allure. This is a B2B but since the preceding cruise goes to St. Thomas, unless they change the rules to allow us to sail, we will not be able to take that one. So, lots of new cruises being lost but lots of money going back into my pocket, so it's a win-win, lose-lose, I guess !

Yes, the UDP does cover the a la carte restaurants (like Playmaker's) but there is a limit to what they will cover. I think it's $25 PP at Playmaker's. It's $35 PP at Izumi. There is no fixed time for dining with the UDP. You can eat in any restaurant at any time, providing they can accommodate you (reservations) so don't worry about the time on the first night. You can change it once you get onboard.

YIPPEE !!! So happy to have a SC sailing through which to live vicariously !!!

No, that is not a mistake. It makes complete sense. I have never slept on the sofa beds but from what I understand they are surprisingly comfortable. Your concern for the added $$ for a cabana also makes sense. After many trials, I have come to the conclusion that a cabana for the 2 of us is definitely a waste of money. We love to nap in the cabana but that's about as much use as we get out of it. I have a floating cabana booked for our upcoming Mariner cruise in Sept. but we will almost certainly be cancelling all 3 of those cruises due to COVID vax restrictions. I will never see another floating cabana at that price so I image I will not be doing any floating cabanas EVER. I know you will have a great time, whatever you decide to do !!! We have a cruise going to Grenada (Grandeur, Feb 20, 2022) too but I feel very confident that we will end up having to cancel that one, too. I'm sure there will be at LEAST one of those islands that will not take unvaxxed so I'm not holding my breath for that cruise.

Hmmm...GS is the best suite they have left on that one and I will never again pay for a GS on Q class. Not worth it. They probably won't let me into UK anyway. ?

I know the feeling. I have AA vouchers that MUST be used. I have moved them 3 different times and the last cruise to which I had moved them (Vision out of San Juan) was just cancelled....so now I have to move them again ! DRAT ! What is your sailing date on AN out of Southampton ? Maybe I will come and join you there ! LOL

Boy, that is a mixed bag of good and bad news....but I am so happy that you were able to get the great deal on the airfare !! Sorry to hear that you had to cancel Freedom ? but I guess that was going to happen no matter what. At least you tempered the disappointment with some GOOD news for your trip to the UK !!

You will love the 2 BR ATS. It is such a fun suite. You will have views of the Aqua Theater as well as the ocean. The 2 BR ATS was our first (and second) Star Class experience. There is something for everyone on the Oasis class ships. The teens will be endlessly entertained. The master BR is very spacious. The second BR, not so much. It's basically an inside room with lots of beds. My guess is that you will give your mom the second BR and let the boys sleep out in the living room. ...but that will still give everyone LOTS of room. The deck 8 ATS's are enormous and they get smaller the higher up you go. ...but even decks 9 and 10 have lots of room. As @cruisellamasaid, you are definitely starting off right. The Oasis is still the only O class ship that has been amplified so it has all the bells and whistles (water slides, resort pool deck, etc.). It's such a beautiful ship. Hmmm...water park and Chill Island beach bed. Not too sure that's going to be all that convenient unless your chill island and water park folks are going to remain separated most of the day. Not saying that you CAN'T move between the 2 but they are not particularly close to each other. Let me see if I can offer you a little help. NOT saying that this will work, but lately I have been getting LOTS of emails from Private Journeys (a service of Royal) for my upcoming Star Class bookings. They MAY (or may not !!) be able to help you get a cabana. I recommend that you drop one of these nice ladies an email and see if they maybe can help you get a cabana. Star Class has a way, sometimes, of "finding" accommodations that appear to be sold out....but aren't QUITE. Sandra Fernandez ([email protected] Nataliya Bugaevskaya ([email protected] Perhaps they are completely sold out and there's nothing the Private Journeys folks can do....but it's worth a try. Enjoy your Star Class experience. You will never go back to regular cruising after this experience !! ...and good luck with snagging a cabana somewhere.

No doubt it would be a long day of driving, but I agree with @Lovetocruise2002. I would opt for driving vs flying. Plus, when you drive, you can stop if you find something interesting !! Wow, that's a really short stay at WDW. I don't know if I could stand being there just 1 day !!

Yeah...not sure what box you are talking about. If we give envelopes we just give them directly to the employee.

Congratulations !!! This is awesome !!!!

It’s really stunning. So glad to see you’re on the last lap. Good timing ! I hear you guys are having a heat wave !

Excellent !!! Good decision.

I also had requested a 125% cruise planner and got a cash refund instead. This was waaay back when the cancellations first started. Ever since that time I have just asked for cash. I've always gotten it, eventually.

The UDP definitely allows you to choose your time, subject to availability, of course.

So true.