kc1968

You're Right, kudos to RCIfor doing the right thing and following safety protocols. My guess is someone bungled that test on board.

Oh dear, just read the news on the local daily. Yes, it is bad news. Because the person obviously tested negative before boarding. So my guess is he/she felt ill during the cruise, went to sick bay, and was then tested positive. This just shows there are "sleeper" infected people in the community, even as aggressive testing is being done. Awaiting more news on the circumstances surrounding this disappointing turn of events. Lastly, I do hope the person and members of his/her party is fine.

Absolutely love your writeup and pics. keep it up! I guess QotS is now on their second sailing, a 4 night affair (from thurs)? wondering how packed the subsequent sailings would be. From what i've read, the maiden cruise has just 1000 pax

Not trying to flog a dead horse, but just received an email from RCI that for the quantum sailings out of singapore - " It is now required for guests 6 years of age and older to wear masks on board."

Just a quick aside: Singaporean locals don't actually do that (pick up food with our hands and putting it back on the buffet). That's disgusting. Granted, there may be (very few) black sheep in our midst but it's not common. ? But yes, I agree with you - being served on the buffet lines is more hygienic.

I get where you're coming from, but allow me to pose a question. Assuming that there is a test that is 99.9% accurate, and RCL is confident of the testing and do away with social distancing and mask wearing, would you still be comfortable aboard the ship when another unknown party is huddled together in a large group very close to your table at the buffet and not wearing masks? I would think it's a good thing to enforce some social distance given the current climate, don't you? Strictly IMHO, mind you.

that's right, matty - safety first, i say. it's no joke if you're elderly and get it - good to be extra cautious. Yes, it does take some fun out of the holiday, but better than none at all.

thanks for sharing... just checking it out. now we're even more excited to get on in jan ! everything just looks much classier than the genting cruise liner, food looks good too. can't wait for our turn.. ??

Good luck and fingers crossed too! ? Just hoping RCI don't cut back too much on the quality of the food!

In Singapore, we have had lots of people booking meals on a plane which just sits on the tarmac at the airport (not me!) so I don't see any reason why it can't be done on a ship, but I actually don't see the point (from a customer point of view).

Here's what happened for someone who went on a similar cruise on Genting's dream liner. RCI's cruises start Dec! Hope all goes well!

We booked an XB (guaranteed balcony) on quantum sailing in Jan, but after having done some research, on advice on many avid cruisers out there, decided to call in and RCI helped us pick a midship stateroom for a small fee . Also cancelled a more expensive VOOM package and repurchased at cheaper prices for black friday on advice from GregD here. Pretty chuffed with our arragements so far ?? thanks to all those who shared !

Hi Ray, that's an interesting point. The tracetogether app has two functions - one is exchanging BT signals with other apps/ phones/ devices, i.e data logging of other devices in close proximity. That DOESN"T need an internet connection. However, internet connection is needed for checking in and out of venues, and for updating the govt databases used for this app. For eg , when I turn off my internet on my phone and start up Tracetogether, I get a message saying I have no internet connection and I wouldn't be able to check my "COVID possible exposure status" (the app gives regular updates to users on whether you were somehow near or connected to someone else who has had COVID recently, i gather). Long story short, the app still works without internet, but you won't be able to get "health updates and statuses". I'm not sure how RCI intends to work around that if one doesn't purchase the VOOM package. They might tweak their on board wifi to allow only Tracetogether to work.

Yo, Hope you have a good trip. I'm booked on the Jan cruise. Any form of holiday will do these days, we're having serious "cabin fever" issues at home!

Just to clear up some confusion: Tracetogether is a Singapore govt mandated app for use which has been rolled out nationwide here since June when Covid was at it's height here. So essentially for the Quantum sailings in Dec, Jan and moving forward, what RCI is saying is that all who board must have the Tracetogether app loaded , and yes, technically, we are supposed to have the phone on us at all times. Tracetogether is also being rolled out in a hardware token form; so one would need either the App or the token in order to board. Both the app and the token works by exchanging bluetooth signals to log those other devices that are within close proximity to yours, to allow for contact tracing in the event of an outbreak. The tracelet, however, is an RCI initiative. I gather that it's a wristband and it functions the same way. So essentially we are obligated to have TWO contact tracing mechanisms on us at all times. Which makes me wonder how are we going to the pool or the surfing with those on us? ?

The first cruise out on the quantum is next week, and keeping fingers and toes crossed everything works out fine! Even if it's a cruise without any port stops, we're hoping for a pleasant cruise with no incidents up and down the malacca straits ??

Thanks for the warm welcome Greg ! ?? will do !

Thanks GregD ? This is our first time so not sure how things work on board! I'm gonna go ahead and "reprice" the deal and book the better internet deal. Much appreciated!!

Greetings Guys / Ladies, Going for a cruise this Jan. (Quantum) Wondering if there's a difference between purchasing a single device VOOM package for each guest (there are two of us travelling) - which works out to be 100$, vs Purchasing a TWO device package under 1 guest's name (meaning it's not under my wife's name, she's Guest No 2) - which is a fair bit cheaper at 87$? Will RCI disallow login for my wife's mobile since the package is under my name only? Thanks for any insights!