TinyDancer

The bars have a list of a few “zero proof” cocktails on their menu, see below. Our favorite was the blueberry nojito. Then you can also get virgin piña coladas, daiquiris, lava flows, or whatever else you think would work well without alcohol.

I agree, hard to find a room for four. I just checked the hotel where I stayed a few years ago — Hotel Residenza in Farnese —and the largest room is a triple. I would echo others’ advice to get 2 double rooms or an apartment. I noticed booking.com had a couple apartments in the area near that hotel. I would recommend the hotel itself if you like old world charm and are willing to accept a less comfortable bed for it.
For me, it is nicer to stay near the Piazza Navona/Pantheon area, rather than near the Colosseum or Roma Termini. I really loved the location of the hotel mentioned above because it felt very safe, was very quiet at night, yet was super close to the Piazza Navona and other nice places to explore. We also were able to walk to the Vatican and to the Trevi fountain from there, but they would probably be a little too far if it was really hot. 

The bars have a list of a few “zero proof” cocktails on their menu, see below. Our favorite was the blueberry nojito. Then you can also get virgin piña coladas, daiquiris, lava flows, or whatever else you think would work well without alcohol.

I was able to get it for $18.99 in the cruise planner in March. I got it for my 12-yr old son and we just returned from our cruise last week. I think we would have done a little bit better if we had bought the drinks individually. But having the package was more convenient — bartenders didn’t make us sign the bill every time. I definitely would not get it if I had to pay $34.

Thank you all!! Based on what you’ve told me, I think we should be ok. He hasn’t had a fever since earlier in the week. But good idea on the Tylenol! We’ll do that, too, just in case.

Thank you all!! Based on what you’ve told me, I think we should be ok. He hasn’t had a fever since earlier in the week. But good idea on the Tylenol! We’ll do that, too, just in case.

If you answer "no" to all the questions, they won't ask you anything at the terminal.  Unless your son is obviously not well, you won't have any issues

They don't check temperature.

Only question I've ever been ask is, "Has anything changed since you've filled out the health questionnaire?"

Well, that's good news.  But, I got an email, yesterday, from our Genie and this is what he has told us:
My name is Rahul and I am reaching out to you on behalf of my colleague Dexter Fraser, who will have the honor & pleasure of serving you as your Royal Genie on your upcoming sailing again …….we can’t wait to welcome you back to your Star Class Grand Loft Suite onboard Ovation of the seas on the 13th May, 2022. I hope you’re ready for a wonderful cruise vacation 
We're delighted you’ll be joining us as we get back to our home at sea. Your health & safety are our top priority, so as we begin to set sail, we have new health protocols that are part of our healthy return to service. Please visit https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise for more information on the preventive measures that we will be taking onboard to ensure you have a safe and healthy experience with us. 
At embarkation, a mask will need to be worn from the moment you arrive to the cruise terminal through the moment you board the ship.   Once onboard, masks are optional for our vaccinated guests and expected for our unvaccinated guests 2-12 years old.   Guests will also undergo a health screening as part of the boarding process to identify any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (or other infectious diseases) – which includes having your temperature taken via a contactless device.  

Just to cover the bases, we're going to take Tylenol just before arriving at the Terminal.   

As long as someone isn't positive, just answer no to everything

Agree.

The only thing you have to know about the questionnaire is to answer "no" to everything.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, too! I’m doing a mother-son trip the same week, but the thrill park is not sold out yet on the 19th. I was checking the cruise planner pretty frequently for a while, and I noticed that the beach club would vary from being sold out sometimes to having a few passes available, as people canceled, I assume. So I think there’s hope if you check back often. 🍀🍀

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, too! I’m doing a mother-son trip the same week, but the thrill park is not sold out yet on the 19th. I was checking the cruise planner pretty frequently for a while, and I noticed that the beach club would vary from being sold out sometimes to having a few passes available, as people canceled, I assume. So I think there’s hope if you check back often. 🍀🍀

I totally agree with the advice above from JasonOasis!! I’ve never done a Mediterranean cruise, but I did two independent 2-week trips in Italy, once in my 20’s and once in my 40’s. The first time was low-budget and I visited outside but did not go in the Coliseum. I regretted it and made sure I finally went inside 20 years later.
I planned the heck out of my second trip, which included my son and my mother, and it was so worth it. For half the price of a group land tour, we did private tours of the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Pompeii and Capri, a cooking lesson in Lucca, a wonderful private driver in the Sorrento/Amalfi area, a gondola rowing lesson in Venice, a private fresco painting class in Florence, and first class high-speed train rides in between cities. Oh and one of my very favorite things was a food tour in the Trastevere section of Rome. There’s a lot you can do for so much less money if you do a little searching! Let me know if any of these things particularly appeal and you want more info.

I totally agree with the advice above from JasonOasis!! I’ve never done a Mediterranean cruise, but I did two independent 2-week trips in Italy, once in my 20’s and once in my 40’s. The first time was low-budget and I visited outside but did not go in the Coliseum. I regretted it and made sure I finally went inside 20 years later.
I planned the heck out of my second trip, which included my son and my mother, and it was so worth it. For half the price of a group land tour, we did private tours of the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Pompeii and Capri, a cooking lesson in Lucca, a wonderful private driver in the Sorrento/Amalfi area, a gondola rowing lesson in Venice, a private fresco painting class in Florence, and first class high-speed train rides in between cities. Oh and one of my very favorite things was a food tour in the Trastevere section of Rome. There’s a lot you can do for so much less money if you do a little searching! Let me know if any of these things particularly appeal and you want more info.

We board today for my first RC cruise - Anthem, Grand Loft Suite, 7-night out of Bayonne. I’ve been up since 3:30 this morning in excitement. I don’t know if I’ll have the stamina for a live blog, and I saw the feedback on here that we have a LOT of star class blogs, but I figured I’d start this and maybe add any interesting observations as a newbie.
I’m traveling with my family - husband, two kids (12 and 7).  We’ve been trying to sail RC since we booked an awesome Black Friday sale in November 2019 to sail in March 2020. You all know what happened then. As we kept rescheduling and getting canceled, we kept upgrading. This story started in a junior suite and ended up in star class, lol. We had two years to pay it off and, as a teacher with a doc husband, we both really, really needed an amazing break from the last two years of reality. Our genie is Leroy and he’s been lovely so far in our emails. I’m ready to grab the wheel from my husband if he tries to pull over before the star class zone at the port, lol. 
I am usually a great packer, but with the limits of air travel taken away, I’ve gone insane. Apparently I think I’m Beyoncé and need several outfit changes per day. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m legit concerned about fitting it all in the car. Then there’s my 7-year-old, who announced to me that she’s all packed and when I checked she is bringing a slinky, an army of stuffed animals, and one shirt. I remedied that but let her keep the slinky, because I’m not gonna die on that hill. 

This site has made me feel like an expert  before I’ve ever even stepped foot on a ship. You all are so kind and patient! Thank you for answering my questions and for your blogs that gave me an exciting preview of star class. I was especially inspired by @Lovetocruise2002 and @WAAAYTOOO from reading their blogs and asking them questions - thank you! 

We live about 90 minutes from Cape Liberty so it’s way too early to leave but I am so antsy. I might burst into tears when we finally get on the ship after so many tries. Sorry for rambling, but I’m sleep deprived! Hope to update from on board later today.
 

I think maybe it depends on the sailing. For my Freedom cruise in April, it was totally unnecessary. The earliest boarding time slot didn’t fill up for nearly a week.

I got it to work today by calling the Crown and Anchor phone number 1-800-526-9723. Then option 1, 4, 2 (because I booked online or select however you booked), then 1 again to use the automated system. From there it took me to the automated system to say I need a confirmation and enter my booking ID. Within seconds I got my invoice in my email. 

I sailed on a 20-passenger yacht for a Galapagos tour in 2001. I don’t remember now everything that we did, but I remember we were all on deck for our equator crossing, there was some fanfare, and they served us all some very pretty cocktails to toast as we crossed. I can still picture those cocktails! Vastly different from your experience, wineguy!!! 😆😆

We just got back from Wonder with our 2.5 year old, and they didn't give us any issues with whatever we ordered her off the menu. I can't imagine it'd be any different for 12 year olds.

I have the same question! I’m sorry I’m not posting with an answer. I have a 12-yr old son and I know he will want to order off the regular menus at the specialty restaurants. I purchased the UDP for us (for a cruise in April) and the only option the cruise planner gave me was to buy the children’s plan for him. 

45 days currently 
They may make you wait until your assigned time to enter the terminal. Most have queues set up outside the terminal for the different arrival times.