Chadster

In our case, we're flying in to the FLL area 2 days before our cruise so we're planning on doing the proctored test in the hotel - which makes for a great option for us since we aren't getting a rental car and I wasn't sure where to go in the Hollywood Beach area. We'll have a spare test with us, too, in case anything goes wrong. 
 
We'll test again when we get back home as well. 

I'm in the " @Sharlais awesome!" camp for sure! I haven't snagged any price drops recently, but what I really appreciate is that when I think I see a price drop and ask about it, she'll get in touch with me and tell me whether or not it's actually a good deal given my current promotions including OBC and the like. So, while I may not always save extra money on the front end, I'm still getting my value maximized thanks to Sharla's skills in "travel agent math", and to me, that's good, too! 🙂

I’m also a believer in redundancy. I have more tests on hand then I’m going to need. Just in case there’s a mistake, malfunction or loss of video connection. I purchased a six pack (drank it, it was delicious)…then got a six pack of tests from eMed directly. Six tests cost $150 but they have the earlier expiration date…which was extended. These tests are my backups to getting tested at CVS, and I may never need to use them, so they are really an investment in peace of mind.

Hi Linda!
Here is the current policy as per Matt's post on 8/27/21. On B2B trips, Royal will test you onboard prior to the second cruise at no cost to you...
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/08/27/royal-caribbean-did-not-change-their-back-back-cruise-policy
 

Certainly! I'm hopeful the tests will be good at least through the end of December, because that would indeed keep me squared away until my cruises for 2020 are done. Will report back when the package arrives.

Certainly! I'm hopeful the tests will be good at least through the end of December, because that would indeed keep me squared away until my cruises for 2020 are done. Will report back when the package arrives.

I had decided on going the home-test route earlier this week as I was finalizing my itinerary for travelling to and from the port and decided to wait to see the pricing on the ones being sold through the "Royal Caribbean storefront" was marked up because...well, I wouldn't have been surprised. If that'd been the case, I would've just gone through the regular Optum store.
Since they weren't marked up, I went ahead and bought a 3-pack this morning. I'm now covered for cruises for the rest of 2020. Delivery has a window between "Sept. 9-10".

I had decided on going the home-test route earlier this week as I was finalizing my itinerary for travelling to and from the port and decided to wait to see the pricing on the ones being sold through the "Royal Caribbean storefront" was marked up because...well, I wouldn't have been surprised. If that'd been the case, I would've just gone through the regular Optum store.
Since they weren't marked up, I went ahead and bought a 3-pack this morning. I'm now covered for cruises for the rest of 2020. Delivery has a window between "Sept. 9-10".

I had decided on going the home-test route earlier this week as I was finalizing my itinerary for travelling to and from the port and decided to wait to see the pricing on the ones being sold through the "Royal Caribbean storefront" was marked up because...well, I wouldn't have been surprised. If that'd been the case, I would've just gone through the regular Optum store.
Since they weren't marked up, I went ahead and bought a 3-pack this morning. I'm now covered for cruises for the rest of 2020. Delivery has a window between "Sept. 9-10".

I wore shorts on the 2nd formal night on my last cruise and didn't get struck by lightning on the way into the MDR.

I'm in the " @Sharlais awesome!" camp for sure! I haven't snagged any price drops recently, but what I really appreciate is that when I think I see a price drop and ask about it, she'll get in touch with me and tell me whether or not it's actually a good deal given my current promotions including OBC and the like. So, while I may not always save extra money on the front end, I'm still getting my value maximized thanks to Sharla's skills in "travel agent math", and to me, that's good, too! 🙂

I'm in the " @Sharlais awesome!" camp for sure! I haven't snagged any price drops recently, but what I really appreciate is that when I think I see a price drop and ask about it, she'll get in touch with me and tell me whether or not it's actually a good deal given my current promotions including OBC and the like. So, while I may not always save extra money on the front end, I'm still getting my value maximized thanks to Sharla's skills in "travel agent math", and to me, that's good, too! 🙂

I'm in the " @Sharlais awesome!" camp for sure! I haven't snagged any price drops recently, but what I really appreciate is that when I think I see a price drop and ask about it, she'll get in touch with me and tell me whether or not it's actually a good deal given my current promotions including OBC and the like. So, while I may not always save extra money on the front end, I'm still getting my value maximized thanks to Sharla's skills in "travel agent math", and to me, that's good, too! 🙂

I'm in the " @Sharlais awesome!" camp for sure! I haven't snagged any price drops recently, but what I really appreciate is that when I think I see a price drop and ask about it, she'll get in touch with me and tell me whether or not it's actually a good deal given my current promotions including OBC and the like. So, while I may not always save extra money on the front end, I'm still getting my value maximized thanks to Sharla's skills in "travel agent math", and to me, that's good, too! 🙂

I just have to chime in!!  Michelle at MEI got us $683 OBC yesterday for our cruise next month!  LOVE Michelle at MEI!

Wow!  I thought the $700 that @Sharlahas saved us on our cruises since June was amazing.

Nope! I’ve got almost $2400 that @Sharlahas saved us just since June! June sale + WOW sale = mega bucks! 💰 💴 💵 

Shout out to Sharla @ MEI Travel!
She has rebooked two upcoming cruises for us over the past month and has saved us almost $1000.
Will probably be sending her a message soon to book another one... 🙂  (FCCs needs to be spent, we are trying but she keeps saving us money!)
Paul

He's a cousin of Rod. ?

I have to admit that one of the many reasons I'm excited about sailing on Oasis in September is because I'm looking forward to doing exactly this. ?

I have to admit that one of the many reasons I'm excited about sailing on Oasis in September is because I'm looking forward to doing exactly this. ?

This thread made me realize I totally misread the FAQ about this, and I'm going to end up with fewer points than I thought this year. That either means waiting for Diamond status or booking another cruise this year.
I think most RCLB readers know which way I'm leaning after I looked at the prices to turn both of my cruises this year into B2Bs...
 

This thread made me realize I totally misread the FAQ about this, and I'm going to end up with fewer points than I thought this year. That either means waiting for Diamond status or booking another cruise this year.
I think most RCLB readers know which way I'm leaning after I looked at the prices to turn both of my cruises this year into B2Bs...