WAAAYTOOO

There were noticable issues with some of the restaurants on AOS on the 6/12 initial voyage.  We dined at Giovanni's the first night and they actually brough waiters over from Johnny Rockets (uniforms and all) to make up for an obvious shortage.  There were other issues at My Time Dining at MDR with unusual waits between courses etc. 
I was really impressed that they were really hustling to make it work - I can't imagine going from no guests to around 1000 people on board in one day.  I'm sure that most of the staff were experienced, but as you correctly pointed out, there is no substitute for training and working with a team of Chefs, waiters, bus staff etc over a period of time to get in sync.  Overall, none of these issues bothered us and I think everyone on board was of the same mind set.

On their quackers !

We have....seems to come out the most when you use star class perks for high demand activities that involve kids like bumper cars and roller skating on Anthem.

I sure hope they contact me for the LA test cruises on the Navigator! ? 

Swirl around the lower part of the nose

And you have kept a remarkably good attitude about it all!  I appreciate your positive attitude and insight!

The truth is, the insurance requirement for unvaxxed pax is more of a negative incentivizer to dissuade unvaxxed pax from cruising than it is a real need to insure them.  It may be working to weed out some unvaxxed pax (the truth is, I don't think there are really that many of us !!!!) but for us, the harder they try and push us out, the harder we are pushing back.  They may get me in the end, but I won't go down without a fight.

The dress suggestion for the CK is the same every night.  There is no formal night difference for CK.

I am doing a solo in a jr. suite on Mariner, 30 C&A points. If it a $500 difference, I might forgo the UDP on Mariner and get the space.

Yes, we still got it in the room.

The cruise industry has never done a cold start like this. Initially, they started out with one ship, added another and kept expanding. They always have just added one or two ships at a time. That is a lot different from a total shutdown and then trying to bring everything back online at once. The latter is MUCH more complicated. 

Been my hunch all along when it came to the simulated voyages being spread apart and far out. I've viewed bringing a ship back to a guest readiness state is along the lines of turning a dimmer knob vs flipping a light switch.

It definitely makes sense. I work for a restaurant chain as a manager and I have been getting constant calls as to why this particular location hasn't opened dining back up. We have been training workers at my location, getting them up to standards. People assumed as soon as dining was allowed, places would be back like snapping a finger. But it takes time. Look at Chris Wong, he has to learn a whole new ship. Factor in that some ships are only just starting back, with whole new protocols and I can see why there is reduced capacity and fleet.

Can anyone provide any first had knowledge of what the "end of cruise" covid testing is like on Adventure?  I assume it's a nasal swab, but is the "poke up into the brain" or the "swirl around the lower part of the nose" test?
 

Star class with no C&A or other discounts is usually $10k+ so who cares about hostility. When I went to Egypt, we had private everything and we definitely got comments and looks. I was young when I flew 1st class for the first time and I had people be outright rude to me in the lounge. Some one is going to always be a hater. I do agree that loyalty should be taken into consideration but don't let anyone stop you from enjoying something you paid for.

Here are the options from the email:
Option 1: Re-book any Royal Caribbean International sailing
 
Book any sailing, and we'll waive any non-refundable deposit change fees.
Please know, you'll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we'll provide you with a refund for the difference. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment 45 days after we move you. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution.
You'll receive a credit to spend onboard per stateroom:
$50 USD for Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony staterooms | $100 USD for Suites
Plus, an additional $25 USD for each third or more guest to spend onboard
Lastly, you'll be reimbursed for non-refundable airline charges with receipts (up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic flights or up to $400 USD per guest for International flights).
Please email your airline receipts and booking information to [email protected] for review and reimbursement.
Option 2: If you can't find a new cruise itinerary that works for you and choose to cancel, we'll be sad to see you go.
 
We'll process a full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare to the original form(s) of payment, including any non-refundable deposit.
You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after you submit your refund request.
Lastly, if you used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we'll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we'll reinstate your original certificate.

No they didn't. Two choices, find a cruise and shift your current deposit/payment with extra onboard credit of $50 or $100 based on cabin level or a full refund. 
No price protection but at 11 months out, I didn't expect it. 

Insurance that they just happen to sell.

I have never experienced anything like that but then again, I do not look for it, either.

Welcome to the blog and to sailing with Royal Caribbean.  
Before the COVID pause in cruising, the Suites Lounges for the Oasis class ships had an open bar from 11AM - 11PM where suite guests and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor members could enjoy a limited selection of beer, wine, water, soda and juices.  It is not clear if that same level of service will be available on the ships once cruising resumes. So the answer to your question is....we really do not know right now if this will be the case or not.
Whether or not you need a DBP is certainly a personal issue.  We do not find it particularly convenient to go back up to the Suites Lounge (SL) to get a drink, if you are in a different part of the ship.  We nearly always get the DBP b/c it gets us just about anything to drink that we could possibly want.  It includes alcohol, water, soda, specialty coffee, fresh squeezed juice, wine, beer.  It is a "convenience" thing for us...plus we know that we have already paid for all of our drinks before we board the ship.  No big surprise bills at the end.  So if you want to be able to get a drink of your choice at any and anywhere, the DBP may be a good choice for your group.

I have never experienced anything like that but then again, I do not look for it, either.

I have never experienced anything like that but then again, I do not look for it, either.

Yes.  That's the GOOD news.

I am in the process of vetting this requirement right now.  I have an annual travel insurance policy that more than covers the medical evacuation requirement but the policy does not mention the word "quarantine" anywhere.  The agent with whom I spoke yesterday was not able to determine whether or not we are covered.
The thing that is the most confusing (even to the insurers) is the fact that Royal has lumped "quarantine" and "medical evacuation" into the same $$ coverage requirement.  They are 2 completely separate coverage items (according to Allianz).  "Quarantine" should be part of the "Trip Interruption" coverage and "Medical Evacuation" is, of course, part of "Emergency Transportation".  So this is completely unknown for me at this time.  A supervisor is supposed to be calling me to discuss but, of course, this hasn't happened yet.
Add to that the turd that@twangsterthrew into the punch bowl this morning by announcing that today is the deadline for cancelling July and August cruises.  LOL  Now panic has set in.  I sure hope you're wrong about this one, buddy.  I  need more time !  Poor @michelle.  She is completely consumed with family matters and I am throwing my own turd at her with this request to find out for SURE if today is my deadline to cancel or forever be f'cked with all of these additional complications.
Whether any of this is legal or not, matters not, to me, right now.  I will comply if I am able but I don't think I have time if the deadline to cancel is today.  I may have to cancel due to an expiring shot clock.