Loops

There was no problem getting 5 or 6 Truly’s or beer or wine of your choice (limited by what you can carry) from the Suite Lounge to take on the road. And, yes, you can get a variety of cocktails from 4:30 to 8PM (just no frozen drinks) including during dinner and it does help a great deal to “duke” your waiter early in the cruise.

Having just completed a seven day cruise on The Harmony OTS as a grand suite guest I was very pleased that the complimentary beer and wine was available in the Coastal Kitchen from 11AM to 11PM. My recommendation is that this same service be provided at the suite deck bar. It was somewhat inconvenient to have to leave the suite deck and go to the CK to participate and get refills.

Thank you @WAAAYTOOO, I thought that was the case.

This cruise looks to be nearly completely full. All the shows look to be fully booked. If we are in Grand Suites shouldn’t there be reserved seating. Do we need to be concerned about getting seating for any shows?

My wife and I are hosting three of our daughters families (3 daughters, their spouses, and 7 grandchildren). We put everyone in Grand Suites and are anxiously looking forward to this cruise!!

Yes, same problems at the Celebrity site.

It’s an antigen test.

Personally I think it’s well worth it… suite deck, reserved seating at entertainment venues, Coastal Kitchen available for all meals, Coastal Kitchen free happy hour (3 hours) every evening, free internet, and many other special considerations. I won’t go any other way. I don’t feel it is as good a deal as Retreat Class on Celebrity but if you can afford it, it’s worth it.

Having cruised in July on the OTS and staying in a GS, I would second @OCSC Mike‘s assessment above… I think he is right on.

@Bowen, when is your cruise, where do you embark, and what are the destination ports. Thanks and I hope this is an indication of a significant relaxation in protocols.

Can adults (e.g. grandparents) get access to just watch (not participate) their grandchildren without paying the admission fee?

My daughter has two children under the age of twelve who are not vaccinated. We are booked on the Oasis 8 July cruise. Every 3 - 5 days she gets an email inquiry from RCCL for all the people on her reservation asking for the vaccination status of everyone on her reservation. She and her husband are both vaccinated and have provided proof of vaccination that has been validated. She responded to the email from RCCL the first time it was sent and provided the requested information but continues to get regularly harassed with the same request. Has anyone else had this annoying experience? If so, how did you get it resolved?

What do you feel is the best location on the Oasis of the Seas as it departs New York harbor from Cape Liberty?

Observed the same thing… after a few minutes, the vaccination status/requirement returned.

Thanks for the responses.

How long does it take for RCL to validate vaccination records once it has been entered at check in through the app? On my last two cruises on Celebrity it took about 24 hours. It’s been around two weeks at RCL and it still indicates that it is being validated.

Really Matt!? I resemble some of that.

Grandpa (me) has been trying to host a cruise for the entire family since 2019 only to have every attempt cancelled. Even though it looks like we will finally be sailing on 8 July from Cape Liberty, unfortunately two of my daughters, their husbands, and their children won’t be with us due to the requirement that kids 12 and over be vaccinated. But my other two daughters, their husbands, and their children will be traveling with Grandpa and Nana! I have booked them all in Grand Suites and everyone is exited to be going. Maybe we’ll see you onboard.

We will be sailing on the Oasis of the Seas this summer (July 8 - 15) out of Cape Liberty. We have heard mixed stories about the availability of complimentary alcoholic beverages for Sky Class passengers. Can anyone confirm that there is complementary beer and wine available from 11AM to 11PM in the Coastal Kitchen lounge? Also, we are traveling with some unvaccinated children and we are curious about the requirement for onboard testing for cruises that are 7 days or longer. Can anyone describe their personal experience with that testing requirement? Thanks.

I would rate the Reflection as just OK. I cruised on it this past March, my view is that as a 10 year old ship it is in much need of modernization. I also cruised on the Apex last October and found it to be excellent with many more amenities and features. Given the choice I would recommend the Apex or Edge. In general, Celebrity is much more adult oriented. If kids are involved, I think RCL is much better.

On cruises 7 days in duration or more is RCL Covid testing all children under 12 years of age during the cruise or is it done randomly. They say they are doing these subsequent tests at their web site but don’t provide much detail so I am looking for folks actual experiences. Thanks.

I sure wish they would at least remove the vaccination requirement for children. Given all the data regarding the current variants and the affect of Covid on young folks it seems unnecessary particularly with the requirement for testing. I think it’s prudent to retain the testing requirements for all passengers along with the vaccine requirement for adults.

@Charlie Dean I can’t get over the similarity of our situation. I too have a cruise planned for my family (fourth attempt after three cruise cancellations) of 19 family members and 5 grand suites. I hope you enjoy your cruise and family as much as I plan to enjoy mine.

My read is that neither the vaccine or antibodies claim to provide immunity but simply limit the severity of any future contracted case. The uncertainties associated with the antibodies are likely no more in question than those of the vaccines.

The CDC has demonstrated that it is highly politicized … it has been months if not longer behind in the science and statistics… and I would certainly challenge the statement that it regulates the cruise industry. It has been acting in such a manner and is being challenged in the courts. The reality is that it has very limited regulatory authority and has very likely overstepped its authority regarding the cruise industry.