Ampurp85

The mashed potatoes on both Harmony and Freedom were the highlight. Everything else in the WJ was a meh. El Loco Fresh was the best bite on Freedom for me. On Harmony of the free offerings, I would go to Park Cafe

17 minutes ago, twangster said:

Haven't you guys seen the movie Battleship?

We need to hide the Iowa from aliens so we can start it up and use it to defend the earth.  Just. In. Case.  

That was the worst movie....

As many have stated, if you want it now just do the upgrade. 

Not everyone will qualify for RU and have the opportunity to bid. Nor is there any guarantee. I always book the room I want, if I have the chance to bid, woowho! If not, I am happy with the room I have. 

I like @CrimsonCruiseram from Chicago. I cannot fathom flying out for just 4-night cruise. 

The children will make their fun on either ship with either itinerary. That being said I think logistics and desire will be important. Going to Mexico might be a better time that going to the Bahamas/CocoCay for you and your spouse. MCO and LAX are both horrible airports. Price may also be a factor. A rideshare from LAX to the port should be under $50 put will be closer to $90 from MCO to the port. Also, hotels and food cost, etc. I personally prefer Independence to Mariner, which is sad because I loved her, but you can easily compare the ships and their amenities.

13 minutes ago, spacejam_on_vhs said:

Follow up to this topic but if you have the UDP, can you book your reservations on the app once you board this ship? I know you can't book ahead, but I didn't know if there was an option to book on the Royal App once onboard or if you do need to go to one of the specialty dining places.

Yes but it is easier to have the specialty restaurants do them. I found the app had more limited times. I had the UDP on Mariner in Jan and I like to eat at or a little after 8pm. My app wasn't showing like an 8 or 8:15. But the last times around 8:45 and 9pm. The host at Jamie's was able to get my perfect times. And it took her like 3min to do all the nights. 

I always tip extra but I started waitressing at 15 so it has become ingrained in me. That being said I am not just tipping off of empathy and societal pressures. Were I at home, in a bar/restaurant I would tip, the same for the housekeeper at a hotel. I don't tip everybody. The fact that crew member is without family, X, Y, and Z shouldn't factor in. As I believe service matters and not the other circumstances. My whole belief is that you do what feels comfortable and right to you. 

FYI when I looked at the protocols page for sailings there was no longer any dates. But there was wording to expect these protocols and if something changes, they will notify.

• Vaccination Requirement
• Testing Requirements
• Travel Documents Checklist
• Cruise Ready Recap
• What To Expect On Boarding Day
• Onboard The Ship
• Going Ashore In Ports Of Call

• Vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day. Kids age 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the testing protocols for vaccinated guests.
• Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR test (not antigen) taken no more than 3 days before boarding day.
• Unvaccinated kids' pre-cruise test cannot be taken on boarding day, because that may affect the sample taken during the kids' test at the terminal.
• Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test.

1 hour ago, Lexster said:

What is your success rate on requesting this? I would prefer to have a table with my partner, so was going to ask once we board, but I'm just curious is it's more or less likely they'll be able to accomodate.

The success rate would be higher if it is noted pre-cruise. Either call a rep or tell your TA to note this. It will give you some priority. It is definitely much easier to get a table for 2 with MTD than traditional imho. 

I did those excursions independently and can attest at how aggressive the vendors are. Also, we had little kids running alongside our modes of transportations trying to sell us stuff. It is definitely not a place you want to travel as a solo woman. Even my tour private tour guides were a little aggressive.

Since there is no guarantee, you will even get the free government test. I would say purchase your proctored test from Optum or Emed. 

Expect mask, separate venues and limited offerings to change.......

Don't look for vax or testing to not be a thing for sailings this year. I understand the protocols haven't "actually" been released but considering the protocols for Italy and Spain have ........and include testing and such, expect it.

4 hours ago, Chunk said:

If you have the deluxe beverage package. Does it include coffee delivery to your room?

The DX package doesn't include room service in any capacity. You can get basic coffee delivered but any specialty coffee, alcoholic drinks, soda and basically anything other than actual free and included drinks will be charged regardless of any drink package.

My understanding is that when most of the ships get amped it includes the possibility of expanding restaurants, but I doubt it will be Hooked. 

I can't say for sure in regard to RCG, but I have done river cruises in Egypt that went from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor. Those cruises include the excursions and seem to only be available via a smaller ship. Even smaller than what RCG offers. 

10 hours ago, Hharris1997 said:

So are you saying if I take my test in Las Vegas at 5am 6/1/22, then land in Rome and our cruise check in time is 6/2/22 at 12pm, the time that RC looks at is Las Vegas time of testing? We have to do our test 24 hours before cruise. So we should be good 

Yes and no-ish. Some posters say they use a UTC time zone, which may NOW be the case as I last used them in Oct 2021/Jan 2022. I am sure as time went on, they got more and more streamlined. The time only matters if you are doing it "right at midnight" scenario, otherwise all they care about is the date. The right-at-midnight scenario could affect the date, otherwise any time you test on 6/1 will be fine as long as it is 1 day, not 24hrs, before embarkation.

Even if they don't allow you to change to traditional dining, you can set a time to always eat with MTD and have the same waiter. They shouldn't have any problem sitting just your party of 5 or 6. It is my understanding that any parties over 4 will automatically be seated together at their own table. It is only parties of 2 or less that, with traditional dining, get sat with others. 

IMHO that's a personal assessment.

Some people like to relax more in their room and want more space to relax with. Some people are chasing loyalty status and JS are the cheaper option. It really depends on your definition of worth it.

I would Royal Up to suites on smaller classes of ships but on quantum class, if it is not a full suite I personally wouldn't bother. Coastal Kitchen is meh, so it wouldn't make me more likely to upgrade on Anthem. Priority boarding is okay but only if I am traveling with others. If it is only a couple of hundred dollars more than a balcony, I say yes but if it is $400+, I personally don't think it is worth it. 

18 minutes ago, JB1082 said:

Hi All, Sailing with kids on SY over the summer, they have really gotten into smoothies - like Jamba Juice and Tropical Smoothie - is there any place on board to get these - and are they included in a kids Bev package? Does anyone else have kids that are in love with them?

Smoothies will depend on ships; however, you can easily get mocktails at any bar. They could be a pina colada sans the alcohol or a strawberry daquiri. There isn't a child's beverage package per se as RCG has just 3 offerings: a soda, refreshment or deluxe alcohol package. Under the refreshment package they would be able to get the aforementioned items and smoothies at vitality, which is on some ships but not all.

So, correction for US sailings it was extended to all bookings sailing by Dec 2022 if booked before that Sept 30th, 2021, deadline.

I wasn't loyal to RCG yet so I started with 4points, 5 cruises later I am at 104pt and will make D+ by Jan 2023. 3/5 were in suites where I was getting between 4-6 point per night and the rest was solo. I have a B2B, solo, in Sept and 2 sailings in Nov that were booked under the double points promotion. So I will hit D+ during my Jan 15th Oasis sailing. 

I personally never thought I would be Diamond, let alone make it to D+ and I am happy just to make it as pinnacle isn't even in my stratosphere. 

There is no rhyme or reason to the cost of CP purchases. You could see 45% off but it still be the same price as 20% off or even more. Prices will continue to increase because of inflation and other factors. This is normal across all businesses, especially if said business had no actual revenue for 15months. But also take into consideration that Hibachi is a $10 upcharge on top of what you pay for Izumi.

I believe it is only on Oasis class ships.

Traditional dining will probably be around 5:30 and since you might be sharing a table, you will be sort of at the mercy of your table mates. They will want to put everyone's course out at the same time. I don't know how many are in your party, but you could try to request a private table and get things done in that manner. Or your best option is MTD, if you select the same time each evening, you should have the same waiter. 

54 minutes ago, lilybelle527 said:

The new protocols send out today say the following:

 

"Fully vaccinated guests can visit most ports of call freely. Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines may require multiple tests to disembark in ports of call. All guests going ashore must still follow local health and safety guidance when visiting each port of call. Local tours booked through Royal Caribbean follow our health guidance and are available at a variety of prices."

So does this mean we can get off the ship on our own with unvaccinated kids but we may need to get them tested before? They are clearly discouraging it but it does sound like its possible. Is that how everyone else understood it?

No. If I read it correctly and based off of the released protocols it states that fully vax includes boosters. So people who haven't been booster(ed) in the proper time frame would be considered not up to date and have to test. That mean unvax children may be required to be booked on an excursion and not allowed to roam freely. 

3 hours ago, Mich said:

Hi, can different accounts use same email address?

Do you have to use the App or can I do the test on my computer logging on to a web site instead of an app?

is it easy to do on a phone? I am thinking someone would need to hold the phone so camera is focused properly for proctor to see test while test subject is taking the test??

All of this makes me anxious.

Thanks for your help.

Cruising for first time in a few years in June on the Allure.

 

Only children are allowed to share an email with an adult. Your email is your login info, so each adult needs their own email. They can share a device but need separate credentials. You can use any device that has a camera and whatever is easiest for the proctor to see you and the test materials.

28 minutes ago, bytheseashorenb said:

I like the idea of tipping nightly at the end of the meal.  What is an appropriate amount to leave on the table?

 

I think this is personal. Whatever you feel comfortable leaving. Anything extra will be appreciated

But I feel like at least $5pp unless it is amazing and then it becomes $10pp

18 minutes ago, searayboater said:

ok great, i didn't see or recieve anything regarding that time for Key priority boarding. Thanks! Do you know if that was/is posted anywhere? 

It should be under the key info. Possibly in the FAQs of the Key