Kayleigh

My husband was lucky enough to "win" the "free" cruise. Granted this isn't the itinerary or ship we would like, but for the price it will be just fine (especially after this past year)? When we called to book the cruise we asked about cabin upgrades. If we kept the inside cabin, we would have only paid about $98 (tax and port fees). We decided to upgrade to a balcony cabin and only paid $469! On our cruise last January, I had enough saved up to get a $50 on board credit (I think my husband did too and we were able to combine to get $100 OBC). I tried to get the $100 OBC for this cruise and unfortunately you can only redeem one benefit/person/booking.

Welcome! So sorry about your experience with Carnival! I would recommend you go to Matt's YouTube channel and watch his videos! He has tips and tricks, what to do and not to do and so much more (videos about the ships, islands, excursions and ports of call)! Also, skim around the blog! You'd be surprised how much this wonderful community can help (whether it's asking for help, opinions or just to vent) You'll have a great and memorable experience with RC!!

My husband was able to bring his CBD. We had it packed away with our other toiletries and nothing was confiscated. I think he had a smaller bottle anyways.

That is what I was telling my husband about our cruise in November. I'll believe we'll be cruising when I am officially on the ship ?

Thanks @Matt! I'm pretty sure we will book it, but just wasn't sure with the battle right now with Florida and the CDC.

Good morning! I tried searching for a topic similar to this but couldn't find much, so I apologize if this has been asked and answered. My husband and I were thinking last night of booking a quick 3 day sailing on Freedom July 23-26 out of Miami. He loves the idea that the ship could be at reduced capacity and we want to see how all the new protocols are playing out. With everything going on with the CDC and Florida, do you think this cruise will happen and/or is safe to book? We do have a cruise on Adventure in November (which we think and hope by then, everything will be fine) but have the itch right now to get away for a short weekend (plus celebrate my birthday haha ?) Between the two of us, we have a $500 FCC to use and would love to use it for this cruise but don't want to risk booking and having everything cancelled once again. Thanks for you help on this!

Agree with @Hagar and @steverk! The fleet guide and the itinerary played a big part in us choosing the ship! https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/RoyalAmplified/18061688_2019_Fleet_Guide.pdf This guide is a little old but still gives you a great overview of each ship and class ?

1000000% this!! As I'm sure everyone else feels the same, I'm so over this! I'm dying to go back on a ship!

2009 for my college senior trip! My first ever cruise where I became hooked! We were on Majesty for 3 or 4 days (Nassau, Coco Cay and Key West)! For an inside cabin I think I paid $438 (also no drinking even if you were 21 because I went to a private Christian college and we had to represent the school ??) We had to take a boat from the ship to the island! I loved it then but glad they made some changes! My husband and I went back in Jan of 2020 and I love how they developed the island! I love it more now! We had a blast and cannot wait to go back! We both had a blast and loved the swim up bar at the Oasis pool!!

UPDATE: Starting Wednesday in NY, mask mandate is lifted except on public transportation, in nursing homes, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, schools, and health care facilities

Hopefully NY will be next in line. But who knows with Cuomo ?. I'm hoping he'll lift it because honestly, it would be in his best interest right now with what is going on with him.

Or when you keep checking the blog to see if anything new has happened. We all know @Matt is the first to share any breaking news ?

I ended up bringing my big Vera Bradley bag to Coco Cay. It stored well in the lockers and held a bunch of mine and my husbands belongings. I think a small backpack would have been fine too for us. If our cruise happens for November, I will just carry my small backpack for convenience ?

My husband was actually able to snag one a few months ago. We will be on Adventure in November going to Mexico. I'm hoping this cruise will happen as our Oasis cruise was cancelled last September. We upgraded our room to a balcony so the total cost for us was around $500 (if we stuck with an inside cabin, it would have been around $100 for us) He wants me to save my points/coins to try and win another one!

We were there in Jan of 2020 and two ships were there, Mariner and Grandeur. Granted one ship was smaller but it did not feel crowded at all! My husband and I spent a majority of the time at Oasis Lagoon and we had our own little spot in the pool! There is so much to do on the island that it does not feel like you are on top of one another. Happy sailing!

@teddyGlad to hear you were not ready to get off! My husband and I have a 5 day cruise to Mexico planned for November! We did Mariner in Jan 2020 for our honeymoon and loved it!

I was just going to mention NCL cancelling June cruises. The only other thing I can think of is maybe some test cruises ? I'm a pretty optimistic person but I don't see cruises happening anytime soon sadly ?

After what Biden said last night (hopeful all Americans will have access to the vaccine by May 1), I'm guessing August 1. Fingers crossed! ??

Just keep an eye out for price drops, You can always reprice ?

I agree with @Matt and @WannaCruise. I would recommend getting two rooms especially if you're having teenagers at the time! It will be nice because you won't risk waking them or having to share space! If you can afford it, I would get two connecting rooms IMO! Good Luck and here's to hoping we are sailing by then!

This would be wonderful as my husband and I have one scheduled in November. Hopefully by then we'll be cruising or have some test sailings ?

@DublinFCWe aren't getting out hopes up either, but it would be nice ? @Momof4crazytocruiseif they require masks on the pool deck, I'm right there with you, I'll make sure I always have a drink in my hand ?

My husband and I have talked about this A LOT lately. We (fingers crossed) have a cruise planned for November. We are already planning on getting the vaccine and have been really good about wearing masks in public (we had COVID this past November-he worse than me). If RC were to require masks, we would still go! I understand wearing a mask when you're inside (ie elevators, walking to your table at the MDR, etc).But, if you're outside and RC is only operating at 50% capacity, I don't think you should wear a mask IMO. I am in no way an anti-masker, but if you're outside and able to social distance, I think they shouldn't require a mask. Here in the states, we are lucky with the vaccine roll-out so far (please do not come at me for this with political BS). We live in NY and we may be the last group to get vaccinated, but we are hopeful that if people keep getting vaccinated, we should all be good to go! Again, just my two cents!

Thanks so much everyone! Very helpful!

Good morning! Has anyone stayed in a balcony on Adventure of the Seas (or similar) on the bump out? I did Google search of the room we are staying in but I am having a hard time picturing what it may look like from the balcony. We are also near the elevators. Can this get noisy? When we were on Mariner, we stayed all the way back in the aft on a corner room and loved it! Thanks for the help/tips/advice ?