Ampurp85

I am sorry to hear about your daughter and thank God she is fairly okay. Since you are more than a month away, I have no doubt her situation should continue to improve, I am putting that positive energy into the universe. 

That being said I would circle back to her every week until you leave and see how she continues to improve. Maybe she will be okay with motion sickness medicine and want to cruise. Yes, her activities might be limited but given all that she is going through the small discomfort might be worth it.........and YOLO!

Since it is no longer Vax vs. Unvax venues I would imagine so. The only thing I heard that still wasn't available to unvax children was hibachi and that might be changing soon as well.

13 hours ago, LizzyBee23 said:

Not really... "Some" doesn't equal "most" and once you consider that the extra 5% capacity is likely their fattest in terms of pure profit, it's a pretty big prize for them to go after as soon as it is possible (and beneficial) to do so.

You implied that 100% isn't possible with the current restrictions and I just stated it has happened. They might not reach 100% without the protocols, as plenty of sailings I had been on before covid weren't at 100%. Yes, RCG wants to get and stay in the black, but I believe they will do it with the least amount of liability.

13 hours ago, TheMick424 said:

How far in advance of sailing do beverage and dining packages typically become available? I received a promo email from RCL today with some offers  and a prompt to explore packages. But when I log into the cruise planner or click the links it says “Amazing Experiences Coming Soon”. 

Usually 9-10 months before the sailing starts. I have some sailings in Jan 23' that only have options for PDCC now and nothing else. I am hoping that around May or June I will be able to start purchasing my dining and such. 

5 hours ago, Bigpimp said:

I would say you probably right, however if they want full ships it will have to go away sooner than later depending on when they want 100% capacity. Can’t be back to “normal” without normal process to board 

It will be "new" normal if they want to continue to sail. Considering they have had some ships to reach 100% with the testing and vax in place, your point is moot. 

There will be a lot of anecdotal evidence either way. More people are now on cruise ships and so it might be more or less people who test positive. 

Time will vary and I say anything over 30 days, I would call.

I got one refund in only a few days. But I did a bunch of UDP refunds, and it took almost 3 weeks.

23 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

Is embarkation day considered a port day?  I believe that specialty restaurants are not open for lunch on port days.  I could be wrong.

No its considered embarkation day, the same way departure is only a departure day because you are getting on and staying or leaving only. I think most, if not all specialty restaurants, Wonderland comes to mind, are open from noon to 2pm on embarkation. I have enjoyed Jamie's, Chops and Izumi on embarkation day across multiple ships. 

6 hours ago, RDU said:

The vaccination card showing you've had the covid vaccine.  I think some people are hoping that will go away since there have been other changes.  

I was being facetious as it's not a "covid" card but a vax card.

3 hours ago, Raven said:

We just got back from the Navigator of the Seas where we had the unlimited dining package.   We took full use of it,  even having sushi appetizers at Izumi before dinners at Chopped and Hooked. At hooked we ordered multiple entrees with no problem (multiple lobster dishes).   We enjoyed the flexibility so much as soon as we got off the ship we purchased the unlimited dining for our Harmony of the Seas cruise in June.  Will we have the same freedom to let's say order multiple entrees at 150 central Park if we really like something?  

Yes, I think Chops is the only place were ordering multiple entrees aren't allowed.

So Chop+1 is a good value but remember its just 2 seating's. For a 3-night cruise this is great as you can have dinner at Chops plus another restaurant of your choice for what Chops probably cost if you brought it a la carte on board.

It could be sold out. The embarkation lunch window is small, like 2hrs I believe.

4 hours ago, Nickayres85 said:

How do you apply for your annual cruise I recently finished on my first crusie and have a prime member in the casino. But I have no idea how to see or apply for my yearly cruise.

 

You will get a certificate/code after April 25th that you can use for your free cruise.

What's a covid card???

There isn't a portside BBQ, a paid restaurant, on Allure because she hasn't been amped. There will be ribs and some barbequed items at the Windjammer as well at Perfect Day CocoCay. Those places are complementary.

I don't sail in the summer or spring break because of lots of obnoxious children and families who don't make sure their children have manners. It seems like they are out in full on this sailing. I think @Neesa suggestion might just be what the doctor ordered.

Your lashes look good.

It seems like it isn't all items. 

I took advantage on onboard specials when I first sailed Mariner in 2019. They were trying hard to push off lunch at Chops and Jamies. I believe it like 45% off as I paid under $20 for the lunch at Jamie's and I believe it was $38 or something for dinner at Chops.

I think it really depends on the ship if specialty dining is worth it. Some ships, like Odyssey and some smaller ships IMHO, don't have enough specialty dining to make UDP worth it. I think other than the filet, CK is meh. If you sail often enough or in bunches like I do, the MDR can be a hard no.......the same with WJ. So, I would at least purchase the Chops +1 in CP and then maybe if the food is bad at the free places, try to finagle a discount onboard. 

I always suggest packing a sweater/shawl/light jacket. Some bars, studios, and restaurants will have the AC on full blast. If you get a chill easy, it will come in handy. Studio B can be nippy. 

Any liquids, aka the 2 bottles of wine and 12pk of drinks must be carried on or they will flag your luggage. 

With capacity increasing I would say plan on rooms being ready closer to 2pm. 

I wonder about the July 21'-to Jan 22' cruisers. I am talking about the effect on expectations. Having that level of service and lack of waiting must have really spoil all of those who were cruising multiple times a month or every month. 

I don't like encouraging people like the OP to speak to customer service because all they will normally do is throw the crew under the bus. I mean most of us can step back and think I am not the only person.........

They sound insanely entitled, because entitled people have to list all their statuses. OP is on Day two, not even through it, but on day 2 and she has had several issues that make no sense. Symphony is designed to hold a lot of pax without sacrificing much. Granted food is subjective, so maybe it was bad. But the other stuff sounds like they were used to 3 and 4 crew fawning over them and now that it is "normal" they can't function.

10 hours ago, pheenix99 said:

That almost makes me feel like we shouldn't bother trying to get an exemption.

Doesn't hurt to try, if you aren't doing a spring break sailing and she truly can provide the proper evidence, it mighty work out. It depends on your willing mileage. 

OOH I love Star Trek, was the cost of this more than a regular cruise?

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

On Mariner ?  I thought only the O and Q class ships had reserved pre-cruise seating.

Only and O and Q do but even they aren't doing pre-cruise seating yet. 

I think OP was asking about when they board. In that case only certain shows, like ice skating, require reservations. Most main theater shows are first come, first serve. 

23 hours ago, Katiesuthie said:

I have the Allure (Oasis class) sailling on April 30th which is 28 days away and still have no information for show dates/times and on board activities

Currently all shows and onboard activities need to be done once you are on the ships Wi-Fi....aka when you board. However, you can look at compasses from previous sailings to get an idea.

42 minutes ago, pheenix99 said:

Only thing I'm concerned about is my GF is ineligible for the vax. While I understand that they grant exemptions, isn't that only a small percentage?

They have to maintain the 95% rule per the opt-in CDC situation. I have literally only heard on 1 adult, on FB, who was able to get the exemption. They actually use that 5% for children ineligible for vax.