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Andy & Sheryl Unwin

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Posts posted by Andy & Sheryl Unwin

  2. Cruise Planner issues

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    It happens a lot.  For our upcoming Allure trip in March, there was very little listed until last week, then "boom" it all filled out.

    I have the feeling (not an informed opinion) that Royal is validating all excursion providers and their protocols, prior to showing them on the cruise planner

  4. Has anyone received an EMed kit yet with a later expiration date, not just the extension ?

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    15 minutes ago, Scooter6251 said:

    I assume eventually EMed will have newer kits with expiration dates well beyond those being shipped now.  We have a Nov 2021 and a Mar 2022 cruise so I would like the purchase of the 6 kit pack to cover both cruises.  It seems right now, that can't be done.

    We made the mistake of doing just that. With 3 cruises in the future, (Freedom Sep 27, Allure March 13, 2022 and Serenade Oct 29, 2022) it seemed like a good idea to buy the 6 pack.

    However, when received they have an expiry date of December 2021, ergo, four of the kits were wasted.

    We still have them so if anyone who wants them prior to their expiry date wants to get in touch, they can be freebies.

  5. for those who have done the E-med covid test

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    9 hours ago, Mark_A said:

    Thanks for the hints.  I need to do the test on Thursday, so maybe I'll do trial test tomorrow with one of my extra tests...

    We did it using the camera built into the all in one computer. Prior to the test, I accessed the camera app, and adjusted the angle of the screen so I could see a clear patch of desk, and me together.

    When we connected to Navi Online, all was good and it went without a hitch.

    Rather than doing a trial test, maybe just try accessing the camera app and adjusting the view

  7. Complimentary casino sailing?

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, GKMCruising said:

    I never go in the casino except to use my Free Play cash - I'm assuming I'd have to at least spend $5 or whatever on slots to be enrolled in Club Royale at the Choice level? Not that I ever plan on gambling enough to earn higher tiers, but if there's a chance they randomly send me $350... 🤣

    I am like you, I rarely venture into such a place, they are all totally confusing to me. I leave the gambling to my dear wife who is far better at it than I could ever be,

    We do confine ourselves to a $50.00 budget per cruise, and rarely exceed that.

  10. Nassau

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    We were in Nassau on Weds 29th Sep.  We did not book an excursion, simply went for a shopping walk.

    First thing we found was the Straw Market which was previously at the port which is now being rebuilt. Located on one of the side streets.

    However, there were lots of bars and shops open, so we did some of that, along with some photographs etc.

  11. Recent Change to Preboarding Testing Requirements ?

    in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors

    Posted

    1 hour ago, PG Cruiser said:

    As a member of the cruising community, I am saddened by the lingering confusion on testing requirements for cruising.   I've been reading questions and comments on various Facebook groups and some people have the wrong ideas and information about this.  I hope they figure things out before their sailings.

     

    37 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

     Most of the questions asked by people are easily answered on RC's testing page, too.

    Totally agreed. Prior to our sailing on Freedom recently, Royal were very pro-active in advising us of vaccination and testing requirements. We were left in no doubt at all, and there was no confusion whatsoever.

    We were emailed, informed online and informed via the App

  12. Complimentary casino sailing?

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, saytheb said:

    Just got one of the mail-card offers for an interior room. Per the clubroyaloffers website, only choice tier with 0 tier credits.. I wonder why we got the offer? We've done only one cruise on Royal so far, and our other isn't until next year (though it's in the Royal Loft.. maybe that's why?)

    What's a bit odd is the clubroyaloffers website also shows 0 offers. Should I see the offer there?

    Either way, it's pretty dang tempting..

    We are Choice too, and like you with 0 points. However, a free cruise, or a coupon worth $350 (which is what we had and applied) is worth having. We simply accept it as a freebie from Royal and have never questioned it.

  13. Complimentary casino sailing?

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    On 9/27/2021 at 12:41 PM, wannabecruiseexpert said:

    I just received a complimentary cruise from the casino. My level is only Choice with barely 700 credits. I thought only Prime received comped cruises. I'm not complaining, just trying to understand why I got it. Any ideas?

    To our surprise, we too have received Comp Cruises from the Casino. The dates were not convenient for us, and we dont like inside cabins. However, when we checked the small print, the code could be used for $350 off any cruise. That was applied to our March sailing on Allure.  Balance outstanding now is $66.00

  14. Covid testing at pier questions

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    18 hours ago, Linda R said:

    I do have the home test and will do it tomorrow.  Just nervous about it working.  Once I do it I will all ready for the rest of my cruises this year and next year. 

    Sheryl and I did the home test 2 days ahead of our 4 days on Freedom on Sep 27th.  I have to say it was fairly straightforward once we had the camera angles right. We signed into the Navi site and waited just a few moments for our Proctor to connect.

    Thereafter it was simply a case of following the instructions. Once complete, we went into a queue for 15 mins while the test kit "cooked".

    After the required 15 mins, another proctor connected to us and validated the test, and certified the documents which were available to us almost instantly.

    It is a simple and painless process which gave us the go for boarding 2 days later

     

  15. Beach Club at Coco Cay

    in Shore Excursions

    Posted

    We were orginally on a sailing with Navigator, and had the beach club locked in for $76.00.  However, when Navigator was retasked to California, and we were bumped to Freedom instead, the price went up to $161.00.  However, to my astonishment, I received an email from Royal advising the difference between the original $76.00 and the $161.00 for the new booking would be refunded as an OBC. 

    With some judicious sniping of the booking, I managed to drop the fee to $124.00 and was rather pleased with myself.  More so when I was able to reduce it further to $93.00

    Matt's advice (and I paraphrase) to constantly review such bookings (including drinks packages), cancel and immediately rebook for price drops, has paid dividends.

    And in fairness to Royal, they did the OBC for the difference between $76.00 and $93.00 which Sheryl absorbed in shopping.

     

     

     

  16. Navica results- QR code question

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    On 10/2/2021 at 11:51 AM, Rob922 said:

    I took the Emed at home proctored test yesterday (October 1st) and received my negative test results.  I checked the QR code on the website this morning a little more than 24 hours later and above the QR code in bold it says 2 days since negative result.  I am assuming tomorrow when I arrive at the cruise port it will say "3 days since negative test results"  Will this create a problem at the cruise terminal tomorrow?  I was told by several RCI customer service reps over the phone I could take this test at any point on Friday and I will be good.  Has anyone on her experience the same issue?

    Thanks 

    We had the app loaded at the port, with backup screenshots and hard copies. As it turned out, the hard copies were faster.

  18. Freedom OTS 9/27/21 - 10/01/21 - Protocols

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    9 hours ago, TonyYOW said:

    I was on the same ship at the same time. 

    The boarding process took only about 20 minutes in total, I was on the ship by 2pm. It was a breeze. 

    While on the ship I felt safe and was happy to see that everybody is following all the rules and respecting all the protocols. 

    It really enjoyed this trip. 

    A shame we didnt know, we could have had a lava flow together

  20. Royal Caribbean's Stress Free Boarding Process

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    Sheryl and I boarded Freedom on Monday Sep 27th, and I have to say it was simple.

    We left our hotel (DoubleTree) 5 mins before checkout time at 11:00 and loaded the bags back into the car. Our scheduled arrival time was not till 1pm so we had a couple of hours to kill.

    Easy enough, we went for a stroll around Bayside Marketplace, which is about 5 mins from the terminal. It was a little precruise relaxation and fun, and parking was only $6.00 (one of the advantages of driving to the port)

    When we parked up at Terminal A, we were 15 mins early, so we sat and waited for 10 mins, then took the bags to the handlers, and strolled up to the door. From entry to being onboard was less than 25 mins, with no hassles other than me leaving my walking cane at security, which was easily fixed.

    Arriving at the door at the right time seems to have been the way to go.

     

     

  22. Freedom OTS 9/27/21 - 10/01/21 - Protocols

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    So we are back from our short jaunt to Nassau and Perfect Day. A fun four day break we have been looking forward to for some time.
    There have been several questions about the Covid protocols so I thought I would answer them all in one posting.
     
    First, as we were going to the Bahamas, the Bahamian Government has mandated all visitors MUST prove their full vaccinations. Not a problem for us, Sheryl and I had our second shots at the end or April.
     
    Next requirement was for us to test negative for Covid. Also not so much of a challenge. 2 days prior to boarding, we each used a proctored online antigen test. (we used the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test) The results were negative as expected. In fairness, all crew are vaccinated and it is my understanding they are all subject to antigen testing regularly.
    At the terminal, we arrived at our appointed boarding time and our documents were checked, passports, Boarding Documents, Covid Vaccine Cards, and proof of negative antigen test all checked at the door of the terminal.
     
    Once through the initial check, we were directed up the escalators to the next point where we were again validated, and this time subject to health screen, including temperature checks. Following that, we were adorned with wristbands (do not remove) which proved to all around us we were vaccinated and negative. All good, now to security.
     
    There was a little concern when they scanned my back pack and saw the magnets there, but it was easily resolved with a quick look. Thank you to the security staff for their vigiliance by the way. Their job is to stop anything nasty getting on the ship.
    As we boarded Freedom of the Seas, we were once more security screened and all was good. Thereafter we were directed to our emergency muster station for our safety briefing. Then wayhay, we could enjoy.
     
    All out door spaces were mask free, and inside the ship, general areas like passageways, the promenade and such were mask mandatory. There were however, mask free zones for the fully vaccinated. Honestly, it was no hardship, I think we have all become accustomed to wearing masks as it is. However, the opportunity to be mask free out doors and in specific areas was more than welcome.
     
    There were some changes since our last cruise. For example, at the buffet, it was not self service, staff behind the counters piled the plates on request. Additionally, in the WindJammer Buffet, tables were well segregated, every other table was marked as unavailable, the remainder were open, and in my field of view when they were cleared, they were totally sanitized including seating and table edges. There were far more hand sanitizing stations than ever before, and prior to entering any part of the ship, such as shops, bars, theatre or restaurants, we were asked to use them.
     
    I have always been pleased with how Royal Caribbean ships are so sparkling clean, the crew really do take pride in their ships. But on this trip, Freedom OTS was gleaming like never before. More than that, any surface that had public contact was sanitized heavens knows how many times per day.
    Even when we used the hot tub, when we got out, a crewmember was spraying down and sanitizing the hand rails we touched.
     
    We have cruised onboard Freedom before, (2017) and love the ship herself, but we have to give kudos to RCCL in general, and the ships company in particular, for ensuring she wasnt only looking her best, but was amazingly clean and sanitized.
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