Kata

Royal posted on their blog that there will not be a surcharge. The only cancellations are Russian or Ukraine ports have other ports being substituted. Since this itinerary goes no where near those ports I doubt it will be changed. I'm not concerned about out May 15 Anthem cruise to Norway we are going after this transatlantic. 

Hi, I am wondering if there’s formal nights on a transatlantic cruise? We just completed our 12 day Southern Caribbean cruise and noticed a lot of people dressed in t shirts and jeans on formal nights. My wife and I both like dressing up for dinner and hey we have been in a pandemic for 2 1/2 years so why not. 

I checked on BA website and it says no tests needed to enter Denmark so just need 1 for boarding. 
At least mask rules are clear 
Onboard the Ship
Mask Guidance
Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. We expect unvaccinated children to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings. Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time. 
 

Thanks 🙌 so I guess we do need the booster. 

Thanks 🙌 so I guess we do need the booster. 

I currently have 49 points, on my next cruise (Ovation of the Seas, May 13, 2022, Alaska) I'll earn 24 points (double points for Suites and RCCL doubling that).  So, while on that cruise I'll achieve Emerald Status.  On my November cruise (Harmony, 8 day, Caribbean) I'll earn 7 points (not a suite on this cruise).  That will put me into Diamond status.  So, in two cruises, I've gone from Platinum to Diamond.  Too bad I don't get the benefits of Diamond until my 3rd cruise which isn't booked, YET.  
I really don't care about Pinnacle, I'll never earn that as I'm 70 years old.  But, I can sure try.  I started cruising late in life (even though I'm retired from Port Everglades), thanks to my wife demanding that I start, glad I did, it's great (Thank you, Marian).  But, for the first several years I was loyal to Carnival.  They turned to crap and now I'm loyal to Royal.  If I make it to Diamond +, I'll be very happy.  But, I'm in very good shape, my wife is in very good shape and we'll give it a good go.  Well, that's as long as we get inflation under control.  
No, I don't live in the Villages nor do I intend to.  Those people are OLD! 😀

Personally I hate "Diamond Plus". Give it another name. Adding plus was just lazy.

I think this is an important point.  There are waaay more than 7 "unique" menus on the ships.  There are probably dozens.  Some have been semi-retired over the years but as far as I know, they still exist.
Many years ago, we happened to experience just how many different menus options there are.  For reasons that don't need to be described here, we went with one of the MDR managers into a closet where the paper menus live.  There were piles and piles of menus (it was actually a huge mess !!); many that I had never seen before.  So there is no shortage of options for different menus.  The limiting factor, of course, is whether or not the ship has the supplies/ingredients (and perhaps, talent) to prepare some of the less-well-known menus.  If the menus repeat over the course of a longer cruise, I would guess that it's b/c of the lack of resources (food and/or chefs familiar with their preparation) on the ship and NOT b/c they don't have any other options.

I have seen unique menus for 12-night cruises as well, so you should see 5 additional menus beyond the normal 7-night menus

You can always try the "COVID protocols" excuse.
When you go to cancel, just tell the agent that you are not vaccinated and do not meet the vaccine/COVID protocols.  Then you ask for a cash refund.  It has worked in the past...haven't tried it recently.  BTW, we ARE unvaccinated...

Just came off a 2 week B2B on Anthem out of Bayonne .   First week, 2800 passengers, second week 2500.  Total Covid cases  ONE.    In the second week, protocols were much more lax or loose.No more masks!  Life guards could finally take off their masks.  Hot tubs were filled to capacity  ( I counted 16 in one).  And hardly any restrictions in the main pool.    We Will Rock You  remains to be the best show on the ship. Cant say anything great about the rest. Casino was packed at night.   Port Canaveral... don't waste your money at this port on any excursions, there is simply not enough time .   Cayo Coco is good for a few hours and back to the ship for quiet time by the pool.  Nassau .....took the number 10 bus for $1.25 to Baha Mar resort and Casino.  What an amazing place. Lots of Hong Kong dollars went into the development of this place. It is stunning, and worth a visit.  Coastal Kitchen on this ship was not the calibre of quality that I experienced on Oasis class ships,,,, went 4 times in 2 weeks.  MDR was good. WindJammer, much improved I found.  Disembarked and paid $350 us  for parking  (ouch)  and drove to Wallgreens in Niagara Falls where I booked a free antigen test . Went in at 4:pm and got results by 6:00pm   I tested positive!  My wife negative.    So The Canadian government has me under 10 day quarantine and my wife 14 days.   They let us go home to Toronto to quarantine.  

Hoping to book soon for July 2023. I've been wanting to cruise again for a while but was working on adopting my daughter. Finally brought her home September 2020 and been waiting for things to get back to "normal". We are thinking the Bahamas one from New Jersey on Oasis of the Seas as her first since it's a lighter itinerary for sightseeing. 

I am just glad that buffets are back in general.  I lived 3 decades in Las Vegas.  I personally like the fact that Windjammer will continue its current buffet service.  I don't have to see people with mountains of shrimp anymore.  In all of my life, I have yet to see a 10 inch high pile of shrimp finished off by the person who thought it was a good idea. 😆

Not until cruises are back to full occupancy and having staff serve becomes a hinderance to efficiency.
 
There's zero covid benefit in having staff serve.  Never has been. Another gem from the CDC

The world is overwhelmingly signaling that Putin's invasion of Ukraine isn't "necessary" as he has characterized it. Performances by Russian artists are being cancelled. Cultural and sporting events around the world are banning Russian participation. Organizers of these events are doing what they think is right, sending a message to Vladimir Putin that what you have done in undertaking an Invasion of Ukraine is not only unnecessary and wrong but we are going to hold you personally accountable and shame and punish you in any way we can for doing it.
I support RCL in their decision and I don't care if it is based on safety concerns, fears of social media backlash, or that insurance companies won't insure their ships if they sail in the Black Sea. I don't care if it is a politically motivated gesture in support of Ukraine. I want the Russian people who are going to get hurt economically by Putin's actions, the ones who don't by any measure hate us or wish us ill will to get so fed up with what Putin has wrought that they fearlessly rise up and get rid of him. The rest of the free and democratic nations of the world will cheer them on - one long overdue step in the right direction for freedom, human rights and mankind. 

I do not agree with Royal Caribbean in canceling the part of call the St Petersburg, that is a problem between governments (political) why we have to pay for a situation that we did not cause...

Or the "We regret to inform you that due to CDC guidelines you are not eligible to cruise with us tomorrow" email.  

If they are going with "Highly", that means that they are taking the middle of the road approach. So the same as it is now. For the moment, new name or term, but no changes.....FOR THE MOMENT! Check BACK IN 10 MINUTES

So with this 95% threshold. When is this number decided? Day of sailing? If so, may your cruise have to go to wearing masks when you thought you didn't have to? And if it's some predetermined pre-cruise date, for every unvaccinated guest sailing do they need more vaccinated ones and sell/open more cabins? Am I overthinking this? I'm so confused. And it's late and I've been drinking. 😁

So this means, boosters for everyone? If that's the case, I will have to cancel my back to back cruise that will put me on Diamond plus. I guess isn't happening. NO BOOSTER FOR ME!!

I am so torn. Like @Vancity Cruiser I am so excited for a mask free cruise but that darn need for a negative return test to Canada is hanging over my head. 

So looking forward to a maskless cruise! Unfortunately, being from Canada I wasn’t able to cruise at the beginning of the restart when they were maskless. So my 3 cruises so far all included wearing masks which wasn’t the end of the world for me but I am excited to go maskless! 63 days to go

I hope not

The new CSO allows mask optional as long as you've gotten your initial vaccination series.  Boosters are encouraged, but not tied to mask wearing.

So this means, boosters for everyone? If that's the case, I will have to cancel my back to back cruise that will put me on Diamond plus. I guess isn't happening. NO BOOSTER FOR ME!!