WackyCactus

Wow, thank you all for these amazing responses and pictures.  It sounds like Endicott is the place to go if I want to get closer to the glacier for pictures and viewing.  Thank you, again!!!

I've tried to find out, but is there a certain time of year that you can't get up close to the glacier at the end?  I saw a video where Carnival had an excursion to go there, but the water was melted of ice, and I'm assuming RCL has an excursion off the ship to go to the glacier?

Is there a time of year this excursion doesn't run and can't get to the glacier?

Any advice for booking a future AK cruise would be helpful.

Thank you!

Hello everyone,

Thank you in advance for your help on this topic.

First, I am primarily a solo cruiser.  I fortunately get to pay twice the amount for me, as we know.  However, what I'm noticing lately is that RCL, for solo traveling, is not allowing me to use the "We pick your room," option any longer.  I am forced to use the, "You pick your room," option.  This basically, on the cruises I have looked at bumped the single supplement cost to nearly 400% on some sailings.

My question is this.  If I book a cabin, and put in two people the cost is significantly lower.  IF I were to put my name and C&A number in for both passengers, would I still receive double the C&A points?  I hope this has made sense.

Thanks again for your time!

From what I understand, in order to get to Seward AK, I have to fly to Anchorage.  However, how do I then get to Seward?  Is there a transportation company that takes me the two hours to Seward?  Thank you for your assistance!

Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate your information on this. 

Since the Amiga Island excursion is divided up in the morning or afternoon.  If I book both the morning and afternoon excursions can I just stay on the island for the day or do I have to return from the morning excursion and catch the afternoon excursion back?

Thanks!

Thank you so much for letting me know this. Appreciate everyone's quick response!

This has probably been asked several times.

If you upgrade to a suite using Royal Up.  Do you get the extra crown and anchor points for booking a suite?

I'm a solo traveler and already will get double the points, so would I get triple points?

Thanks for your help!

Hello everyone,

I need some help here.  Last time I was porting out of Orlando, I took a Lyft to my hotel, then a Lyft from the port back to MCO, and felt I needed a loan afterwards to pay for that.  Does anyone know of a shuttle service that they would recommend that runs after 530pm to get to my hotel??  I got the one from the port to the airport and I'm good there.  I'm just running into some issues on a later in the evening shuttle.

1 hour ago, Bonnen said:

the pros and cons of sailing solo?

Let me chime in on this.

I had the biggest social anxiety fears when I went solo back in January.  I was asking everyone on here for advice, and they were quite helpful.

As a side note, I also went solo in March.

But, to get to your question.  I had the best cruises of my life going solo.  I answered to NO ONE.  If I wanted to do something, I did it when I wanted to.  I've always been coupled up on a cruise and beholden to the other persons whims.  Let's go do this instead of what I wanted to, etc.

I climbed the rock wall, that was a new adventure for me, and I LOVED IT!!  I went to the ice skating show on my own, AND LOVED IT!!!  I saw Grease in the theater and, ohhh... I LOVED IT!!!  I went to every specialty restaurant on the ship on my own.  I LOVED IT!!  I think the only one I didn't enjoy was Izumi, that's because they sat me in the back corner by the kitchen and it was noisy, and HOT as a mug!

I did excursions on my own.  I was a CocoCay on my own, and I enjoy water slides, and I did all those with me, myself, and I.  I LOVED IT!!!!  There was an excursion on speed boats in Cozumel.  I got to drive the boat, with no one else in there.  JUST ME!!!  It was by far the best excursion I have been on.

If I had known how much fun I have doing things with just me, I would have done this a long time ago.

Like I said, I have a fair bought of social anxiety.  Solo cruising kicked that to the curb.  It makes you meet and chat with people.  Anyone and everyone.

I would also recommend joining the Facebook related to your ship and cruising date.  This is a MUST do.  I met several people that way  

You'll have a blast, just have the expectation that you WILL be comfortable with yourself, and that you are an amazing person and kick ass!!  You'll have a blast!!!!

As a side note.  I forgot to put this in here... Get a balcony room.  I loved hanging out on the balcony.

I tried to find out what happens to a person, a guest, if you get COVID while on the ship?  Do you have to quarantine somewhere, or are you allowed to leave, and go back home?  Do you finish the cruise, but have to stay in your room?

The issue I have is this, I need to get back home for a new job if this were to happen...

Just trying to figure out what's best practice for me in regards to a, quickly, upcoming cruise.

Thanks!!

I feel I need to come bunk with some of you all

On 12/30/2021 at 4:21 AM, Chmusar said:

So this is the first ever that my bid actually worked .

I originally had a ocean view (grandeur of the seas) on deck 3 , now have a spacious ocean view 7588 deck 7 (only bidded $200) but it is next to atrium we are not light sleepers but wondering how noisy it may be

 

Congratulations!

Is this $200.00 per person?

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.

Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.

On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.

I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

I was wondering if anyone might have a picture of the extra hours for the events like the flowrider, and the rock climbing wall that individuals get for purchasing The Key?  This would be on Adventure of the Seas 5 night sail from Galveston please.

This is a tall ask, I realize that   But, thank you!

On 12/27/2021 at 4:45 PM, Dad2Cue said:

We would probably rather have a refund for the first cruise but would still like to go on the second cruise.  Above all, we just want to do the "right" thing whatever that is.  We just want to be completely transparent with Royal and report the positive test.  I would think a positive test would raise some 'red flags" for Royal and might prevent us from doing both cruises of the B2B.  We also don't want to go to the port only to be told we can't go on the cruise.

The FAQ part on the Royal web site says the following: 

• 100% cruise fare refund for you, and your Travelling Party, if any of you tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the cruise or at the boarding terminal prior to the cruise. 

Well, it's good of you to be an upstanding person.

I do hope you make the second cruise!!!

1 hour ago, Dad2Cue said:

Am I correct in believing that my wife can't go on our first cruise of a B2B because it is within 14 days of the cruise?  My wife first had symptoms about 10 days ago and still has mild symptoms.   Her first PCR  test was positive 7 days ago and positive again today.  I have been negative for both of my PCR tests. 

My question is do I need to report the test results to Royal and apply for a refund for the first cruise?  It seems strange to assume we can still go on the second cruise of the B2B. We have decided not to go on the first cruise but the second cruise of the B2B is still an open question.  I understand that a Rapid test may be negative in the next 1-2 weeks so do we still plan for the second cruise or should we just forget about both cruises?  Thanks.

I read the RCL instructions, and I thought you had to get your test within 2 days of sailing?  Maybe try then?  Or are you ensuring that you can get a refund within the 14 day period?

Great, thank you so much!!

Does anyone know if I'm able to change out the cables in the back to put an HDMI plug in there for my laptop?  Or should I say, am I able to reach back there and do that?

Thanks!

Last question for now.  In Cozumel, I've always wanted to do the XPLOR: High Adventure Theme Park With Lunch.  I've booked this for now.  I'm wondering how much fun this might be as a solo cruiser.  It looks amazingly fun.  Just getting some thoughts about it.

Thanks!!

Hello,

I'm thinking of doing the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon Beach excursion.  I was wondering if anyone has been on this recently?  If so, do you get to climb up the pyramid?  Also, how's the beach?  Are there any lounge chairs?  Is it good for snorkeling?

Thanks so much for your information!

Thank you, everyone, for your spectacular insights into your solo cruising.

I'm definitely considering a solo cruise to Cozumel soon.  I'm wondering if anyone has personal insight into what this might be like.  You know, dining experience, shows, rock climbing, flowrider?

If you've done a solo cruise, I'd definitely like to hear your story and thoughts.

I read Matt's article about solo cruising, but would definitely like to hear of people's personal experiences.

Thanks so much!!

On 11/25/2021 at 7:19 AM, D Alt said:

which one did you like better for beauty and scenery and overall excursion enjoyment? 

Option 1: Pearl Island offers a beach break and snorkel (lighthouse climb). Is Pearl island less busy? looks like a pretty island. 

Option 2:  Blue lagoon offers beach and other activities.  I'm not into dolphin or other sea life excursions. 

Option 3: Other Nassau excursions?  I noticed a Sail and Snorkel one in Nassau that may be fun as well. A Ghost tour too. 

I wish I had time to do them all...but alas, no. 

Having only been to Pearl Island, I can only say that I really enjoyed it there.  I did the snorkel package.  As mentioned a couple of guides take you out, and there's a good reef system out there, however, it is bleached.  What was really neat is they brought up a small starfish, and let us hold it briefly, amongst other sea life that lives on the floor of the ocean.

The lighthouse is small, it takes maybe 2 flights of stairs to get to the top.  But it's an experience nonetheless.  The beach area as mentioned by Va4fam has several paddleboards, kayaks, and other water things.

The island is small, but everyone seemed to be spread out and it never seemed crowded at all.

I never booked a cabana there, I didn't find any need to after my excursion there.  We spent most of our time in the water anyways.

On 11/28/2021 at 9:36 AM, Srp431 said:

How is this being enforced by the islands? Are they checking bags when getting off the ship or is it just the honor system?

Being that sunscreen breaches the blood barrier on you, I would recommend always using a natural sunscreen since it is better for you.