TxCr

I feel you.  We did the disposable ones and I wore contacts for the week instead of glasses.  I kept the Royal Caribbean ones they hand out for OFF the ship haha Though I don't know why, we haven't worn them around town in a long time, outside of the hospital.

We didn't notice any enforcement of this on Independence last week.  However, the pools were generally fairly empty so they may not have needed to.  Definitely saw more than 10 on a couple occasions, but everyone was still fairly spread out.  The hot tubs had signs to limit the use to 'your party only'. 

7 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

I’m hoping no one secretly took pictures of me and post them on some  kind of “Only at Walmart” type meme

They did.  

But who cares?!? 

Yes and no.  Depends on the ticket you book.  Here's the official word:

Quote

Yes, you can cancel your flight. Cancellation penalties vary based on the type of ticket that you purchased. Non-refundable tickets will not provide a refund; however, some airlines will issue you a credit for the value of your air ticket valid for one year from the date of purchase. 

At the time of cancellation if the ticket holds a value to use for future travel, additional fees and penalties may apply at the time of re-using the ticket value. If you have purchased a refundable ticket (with fee), cancellations are subject to a fee with the balance refunded to the last form of payment used on your cruise reservation.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-cancel-my-flight-booked-through-the-air2sea-program

I don't see why not!  I think it's a great idea and means my wife has one less article of clothing to pack now . She'll be in a carryon size in no time!

11 hours ago, Boneric said:

Royal has to do a better job in their non Oasis or Quantum class suite perks. I only sail those 2 classes if anything longer than a weekend booze cruise just because the value isn’t there. 
It’s ridiculous that you could get a Royal suite on a freedom class and still not have drinks included. The room has a piano in it……

Absolutely!  Even wifi and some drinks loaded on the card like they do for diamond and above would be a good step.  Just got off Independence and about the only thing that we got was the limited hours for drinks in the Suite lounge (extremely annoying with kids as the concierge announced to everyone the unclean unvaxxed were in the room and made everyone in the lounge mask up between bites / sips even when 'social distanced' - the ONLY place on the whole ship to do so -  but that's for another thread).  We'd do it again in a heart beat for the room alone as we primarily travel with our 2 kids (5y & 6m), but we have a couple suites coming up and the lack of benefits of any meaningful kind right now is kind of crazy outside of Oasis/Quantum class.

We've never forgotten anything thankfully, but tag every bag (in plastic sleeves with ss rings) including backpacks.  It's a small bit of insurance in case you decide to drop it off last minute or accidentally leave it somewhere while grabbing lunch, etc.  

A very welcome addition to Galveston, indeed.  Very impressed the baby didn't even have to get out of the stroller.

Haven't had the opportunity to use it at the airport yet, but expect to for our Grandeur cruises out of Barbados later this year.

Sunday we left Independence of the Seas in Galveston and it was the first time using the facial recognition at Customs with our kids.  What a process!  After debarking the ship, we walked to the terminal where they asked if we all had passports.  After receiving high 5's for having one for the baby (our 6m old daughter had her C&A number before leaving the hospital ),  we walked to the facial scanners. My wife went to one and they had me go to another so I could help with the kids after she was done.  Our recognition was nearly instant, as expected.  What I did not expect was it to work almost flawlessly for our children.  The only slight hiccup was having to lift them up higher so the scanner could pick them up.  I picked up my son and then my wife and I, on each side of the stroller, picked up our daughter so the scanner could see her face.  While gnawing on her hand, it recognized her and we proceeded to collect our bags and walk straight out the door.

Thanks @Matt! Looks like the beach beds have been added at the end of the beach in the second to last pic? They disappeared from our May cruise planner. Not that we wanted to book one, just interesting.

13 hours ago, jticarruthers said:

I just want to know where the tikihut ended up being anchored at ... last time i was there was in mid-construction and they had it anchored in a really bad location, hoping it got moved back out to the sandbars now that they are done.

One is shown in a video from February 2 linked from the other site.  Looking forward to checking it all out in May!

9 minutes ago, spiralqueen said:

Someone on CC posted pictures of the South Beach cabanas from when they were wandering around. 

 

Awesome, thank you!  Those are the first up close ones I've seen.  Love that they're on the water vs. set back as shown on the map.

I’ve seen all the Coco Beach Club pics and videos, which is awesome. I’m interested in seeing more of South Beach and the new cabanas and area there. 

With all the love lately for the Coco Beach Club (rightfully so), I'm interested in seeing some South Beach updates, and in particular the South Beach Cabana!  Has anyone been by there in the last few days or going soon?

We were curious about the Deluxe Sailing excursion in Nassau as well!  Would love to hear from someone who's been on it.

3 hours ago, Hoppy2cruise said:

We are booked on the 4 night November 10 and 7 night November 14 and were able to get the same owners suite on the starboard hump for both - great prices yesterday morning!  We are very excited about Allure in Galveston.

Lori & Steve 

We booked the first two sailings as well! Super excited about the Allure in Galveston and to be able to share the RC Oasis class experience with friends and family, just a short drive away!

7 hours ago, Galveston Steve said:

We booked the first two sailings, 4 and 7 day. 2BR Aqua. 

Right there with you!  

Let the countdown begin!

41 minutes ago, CruisinUpinLife said:

Is today the day the Allure out of Galveston schedule will come out?!????!????!  I am hoping so!

We hope so too!  We have our TA ready to grab some rooms for our families. 

Then we have to wait two years.  So it goes...

I don't blame the KW locals, honestly.  And you're right about Oasis class, makes it an even better option out of Galveston with the more limited itineraries!

3 hours ago, melmar02 said:

One can hope. There are a handful of 7 days on Enchantment from Galveston that are Key West, CoCo Cay, Nassau itineraries. Maybe a test? I'm sure with an O class it would do even better. 

We're on one of those itineraries and are looking forward to seeing how it goes.  Like @BB1 said though, the stop in Key West seems short at only 6 hours (12-6).

Would (will?) be much nicer on Allure!