Johnstewarth

33 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Yes, you will have to juggle unless you get a 2 device package.

When I first board while still in port, I always connect my laptop to the wifi and get it connected to my work email.  That way I still have my cell phone connection to receive the text message. 

My work has a checkbox that lets me choose to not have to reauthenticate for the next 30 days so I try to time that so I don't have to worry about it while I'm sailing if at all possible.

That makes sense, thanks! I will plan to do that before we leave port. One good thing is that we will have cell service in our two ports in Mexico (We have the North American plan).

41 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

What is the MFA provider? Can you use google authenticator or the like as your token source?

I think it is my organization or Outlook through my organization?

I'm on Oasis in November and need to be able to log into my work email, but sometimes I am required to log in with two factor authentication (I think that's what it is). This means that I log in, enter my password, then am prompted to receive a text on my cell phone with a six-digit code. I assume I'll have to disconnect wifi on my laptop, connect on my cell and get the code, and reconnect on my laptop to enter the code. Has anyone had any experience/difficulty with this?

We had a group of 21 family and friend on Quantum June 13-20, and 8 tested positive in the week following the cruise.

One thing that happened today was a rockslide that closed the Railroad Pier in Skagway (where Quantum docks). The Quantum changed itineraries as a result. The Discovery Princess was docked and being prepared for passengers to disembark when it happened, so it's fortunate no one was hurt or killed. I read that it's not the first time this has happened.

On 6/22/2022 at 8:06 PM, smokeybandit said:

 

I think a year ago those cruising only because of the vaccine requirement would be pretty high.  In 2022, I can't see it being the same.

Just returned from a 7-day Alaska cruise and, out of 20 friends and family members, 7 have tested positive for Covid this week. I am one and have been fully vaxxed, boosted twice, and had Covid in January. I can't imagine how many cases there would be if vaccines weren't required.

16 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

eMed uses UTC times so that is what will show on your results. So, you need to match your time to UTC and see what time that will be. But the conversion should be based on your time zone, since they process you based on your state from your ID. 

Thank you!

On 5/17/2022 at 2:18 PM, Matt said:

Just ordered a 6pack from emed last week. Overnight shipping was only option

Hi Matt,

This may sound like a weird question, BUT: we have ordered the emed Abbot test kits through the Optum store and want to test just after midnight Eastern time on Saturday morning (we have an early morning flight to Seattle on Saturday) to embark on a Monday morning cruise from Seattle. Will the date indicated on the test results be based upon the date when we took the test in the time zone we tested? In other words, since Seattle is 3 hours behind us, will our results be valid if our test times are based upon our time zone, rather than Pacific? Thanks for your advice.

I know that most of the concerns expressed in this thread relate to Ovation; however, we're going on Quantum on June 13. I wonder if anyone has been on a recent Quantum sailing and can share impressions of staffing levels, wait times, etc. Thanks!

We scored a 10:30 boarding time on Quantum in June.  We were originally scheduled at 11:00, but then 10:30 opened up.

My brother-in-law is on the Quantum Facebook group for the June 13 sailing and sent me this photo of the Cruise Compass on the day the ship was docked in Victoria, BC. Apparently, somehow the rule is that only one bar per deck is allowed to operate when the ship is in port. I've never heard of that before; has anyone else?

Frozen mojito with a Kracken floater on the sun deck!

15 hours ago, KJones said:

@Johnstewarthwhich Skagway/ White Pass Railway excursion was cancelled?

I can't remember the exact title, but it was the one that did cross into the Yukon and included a visit with sled dog puppies.

Looking forward to our Quantum cruise in June. Only problem is that we just had the second of three excursions we booked through the cruise planner cancelled on us. First, our Juneau excursion was cancelled, and today our Skagway White Pass Railway excursion was cancelled.

We're going to do our own thing In Juneau now and have tickets for the shuttle to the glacier and tickets for the tram. We're trying to decide what to do in Skagway. Really bummed about not getting to go on the train and see the sled dog puppies (my daughter will be especially sad). We're looking at Shore Excursions Group and Shoreexcursioneer and are basically considering a bus tour through Skagway and to the White Pass Summit and Tortured Valley. There are six of us.

Has anyone done an excursion through either of these operators? Any recommendations for us? Thanks!!

3 hours ago, twangster said:

Quote

My favorite ship remains to be Empress.  Even though she is no longer in the fleet and at 48k GT (roughly half Radiance) she was tiny compared to Oasis class but she had the best service of any ship.  I've had mixed success with Chops across the fleet but it was consistently great on Empress.    Top of all that with a non-smoking casino.  Best Boleros in the fleet to this day.  Best crew and service experience.  But enough about Empress.

 

I third (or fourth) this sentiment. Our first cruise on RC was on Empress, and we had the pleasure of visiting Havana. That cruise has such fond memories and we were just as entertained as we have been on the bigger ships. We also were seated with two other couples at dinner and made good friends with them, which hasn't happened on successive cruises. I've loved Mariner, Independence, and Oasis, but I also loved Rhapsody when we sailed on her. I'd like to add that I'd choose any of them over Disney. Disney's nice enough, but I can't justify the extra cost. We also thought the kid's program is much, much better, with a more engaged staff, on RC than on Disney. 

We always start the cruise with a frozen mojito with a Kraken floater on the pool deck.

We're going on our sixth RC cruise in June, and have never ordered room service. We're thinking that we might start ordering the complimentary coffee each morning. At the risk of asking what may seem like a dumb question, does the coffee usually come in a thermal carafe with enough for several cups?

On a happy note: based upon this thread, I contacted my travel agent @Sharla and saved almost $600 on my June Quantum cruise to Alaska! My sister's family saved almost $1000!

I love cruises; they are my favorite vacation! We have been on Royal cruises 5 times, beginning with our first cruise in November 2017. Empress of the Seas, with a stop in Havana. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It was for my 50th birthday and my only regret is having waited that log to catch the "cruising bug!"

Since then, we've been on Rhapsody, Mariner, Oasis, and Independence. My in-laws took us on a Disney cruise in 2019. It was fine but, for the value, you can't beat Royal. I don't think I would ever be willing to spend the money on a Disney cruise. We are "Loyal to Royal," although I might be open to trying Celebrity. Same parent company, so it doesn't seem like cheating.

We're booked on Quantum to Alaska in June (13-20) and on Oasis again at Thanksgiving, and I'm counting down the days. I love sea days and port days, and we often stay aboard on port days to enjoy the smaller crowds. Mostly, we cruise because we love being on the ships. Of course, our Alaska cruise will be different--the ports are a must! My favorite part of cruising is relaxing--no cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. Just quality time with family and friends and no need to feel "productive!"

Wonderful pictures! I especially love the pelicans--they are my favorite birds! Thank you.

36 minutes ago, jeffmw said:

It's interesting that RCI would ban smoking altogether on Celebrity cruises, which are specifically geared more towards adults, and still allow them on RC, where they're clearly targeting families. That seems counterintuitive.

And if the reason is because then it confines the smokers to an area not meant for children anyway (the casino), I'd venture to say that effort doesn't work. On the Oasis class ships the stench from the casino leaks well into the entryway for the dining room on Deck 3. My kids wouldn't even go into the dining room entrance on 3 because they hated the smell so much -- even at 5:30!

I agree. Our family was on Oasis over Thanksgiving and it really did stink at the entrance to the MDR on Deck 3!

Hi! Yes, we did go on the excursion, and enjoyed it. One word of caution: don't buy tequila from the last stop on the tour. They had us taste one tequila, which was very good, but the one we purchased to take home was not the same at all.

I noticed that the Schooner Bar and Playmakers are right beside the casino on Independence of the Seas. I'm wondering what folks' experiences are as far as smelling smoke from the casino in those venues. Thanks! 

I've searched this forum and can't find recent information, so I'll post my question at the risk of being redundant. 

We're sailing on Quantum in June to Alaska. I'm aware of the four main dining rooms and know there has been "dynamic dining" in the past. That said, does each dining room have a menu in keeping with the theme of the dining room, or do all four have the same menus each evening?

Thanks!

We are going on Oasis a week from Sunday (11.21), and we made appointments for rapid tests for my husband, daughter, and me at Walgreens AND CVS for Friday the 19th. First cruise in 23 months and I'm having withdrawals! Taking no chances on missing emabarkation!