emmef

1 hour ago, Doak said:

This Christmas I gave you my heart,,,,,I kid I kid BUT we have never sailed on Christmas until this one coming up....what can we expect?  Will Royal do extra things?

@Doak which ship will you be on?  We'll be on the Harmony.

5 minutes ago, infosec123 said:

Do you know what the restrictions are? I cannot find a lot of information on them.

I believe, from what Matt has said in his blogs, that you are required to make appointments for kids club each time.  There is also lowered occupancy in the kids clubs and mandatory mask wearing.

On 10/23/2021 at 1:18 PM, fireclan said:

I just got a trip tik last year when we were planning a driving trip. Requested it through the AAA website and if I remember correctly, received it through the mail within a week. Yeah, I know, sort of "old school", but since I pay for the membership I try to use it.

@fireclan I love Triptiks.  Actually planning to get some printed soon for our trip to Orlando. So easy to use, especially if you go through a bad mobile phone reception area, or if your phone loses battery.

On 10/23/2021 at 6:52 PM, SPS said:

This is VERY good to know! I'm a AA member for about 20 years, & we plan to take a cruise with our adult children in 2023 and one of our granddaughters will fall into this category. Thanks @emmef!

Free passport photos, one set per year if you are a AAA Plus member.

On 10/23/2021 at 9:52 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

AAA has "locations" ?  I've been a AAA member for over 25 years and had no idea that they even had any office locations !  LOL

@WAAAYTOOOThere are actually two locations within easy driving distance of my house. Less than 20 minute drive.  I go often to get maps, tour guides, free passport photos, free notary service, and plan trips.

On 10/21/2021 at 7:14 PM, Pooch said:

When we took our grandson in Feb 2020,  there was a form on the RC website that had to be signed by his mother and notarized.  We had to provide it to the agent at check in.  I agree with PP, better to have & not need than need & not have.  Kinda like taking our passports whenever we get off in foreign ports

But $50 to get a document notarized???  My local bank does it for $5, free if I get a nice rep.

...and if you are a AAA member you get free notary service at any AAA location. 

3 hours ago, SPS said:

I actually wish we had an acceptable electronic copy (QR code, photo, pdf doc, etc.) instead of having these easily lost or destroyed pieces of paper we're not supposed to laminate in the name of boosters.

I bought us a couple passport/vax card holders just to have something that makes it easy to travel with and keep it in good condition.

CVS does offer a QR code in the CVS App for those who have their vaccine from CVS.  You just need to download the CVS app and login with your information.

2 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Yep.

Awesome!   So glad that has been changed.

Did the rules change?  I thought all children had to have a PCR (i.e. not rapid) test 3 days before sailing?

Thanks for the photos @Galveston Steve!

3 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

From July 2020 to September 4, 2021, I was on a strict Keto diet... then the Allure sailing happened.  Good thing I no longer had carb cravings so I was able to keep a rather lenient Keto diet, or should I say, a low carb diet,  while on board.  A few slices of pizza here and there, a bite of dessert, some sugar in the mocktails were some "freedoms" I enjoyed.  Gained some 4 lbs on a 7-night cruise but lost them within a week after the cruise.

The story's all here:  

 

 

Thanks for sharing this with all of us!  Should be an interesting read.

7 minutes ago, KristiZ said:

I would take the extra half bath over a walk in closet ANY DAY!

Me too!  When cruising with my husband and son, yes, give me an extra toilet!

6 hours ago, D Alt said:

The spa prices are silly even with the discounts. 

Exactly, that has always been my problem with the spas onboard. I love a good massage or pedicure, but at those prices I can pay for 3 of whatever at home.

5 hours ago, cruiserccl said:

With regards to Covid testings required to return home (from Canada)

-RCCL states on their website that they provide tests for return home, but it doesn't specifically say it's a PCR test that's required for Canada. Is it specified somewhere? And is this difficult to book? Should it be something we do as soon as we board?

I have to admit, we're a little nervous departing from Cape Liberty since we've never been in NJ and it'll be in winter. 

I'm sure I have many more questions....

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks!

 

 

 

 

The Healthy Sail Center | Healthy & Safe Cruises | Royal Caribbean Cruises   A few days into the cruise you will be able to schedule your PCR test to return to Canada.

Dining reservations- super easy, go to any specialty restaurant when you get onboard, bring your planner/schedule with you.  Spend a few minutes with the staff at any specialty restaurant and they can set up the rest of your reservations for the rest of your cruise.  

23 hours ago, Jill said:

We always have 1st breakfast in the cabin. Usually a pot of coffee, OJ to make our morning mimosas and a bagel we split. Then we get dressed for 2cd breakfast and go to either the MDR or Johnny Rockets for a cooked to order breakfast

@Jill you're a hobbit after my own heart. I always have first breakfast and my cuppa tea on the balcony!

5 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

wait...really?!

we've stopped using them because I was under the impression we could ONLY book day of! Definitely giving this a try.

Can I pick my airline or do they assign one?

A2S will typically give you several flight choices, meaning airline choice, time choice.  Just call them.  And yes, you can definitely fly in a day (or several) earlier.

On 9/8/2021 at 10:55 PM, Linda R said:

I ordered the tests today.  I got 4, two for each of us.   We have 2 cruises this year and hoping they will be for both.  

Wondering, on my B2B will RC test me for the 2nd cruise?  I am thinking they do.

Yes, Royal will do the test for the second cruise, you just have to request it. 

On 9/7/2021 at 1:45 PM, KLA said:

I have a new goal.

Pictures, or it didn't happen!!! 

1 hour ago, Linda R said:

I am not flying into Geo Bush IAH airport, but into Lobby airport

Flying into Hobby, I don't believe there is any onsite testing.  You may have the best luck with CVS or Walgreens, as there are plenty of those around. There is a relatively close Rapid testing site on Kirby Dr. (about 20 min away).

Rapid Next Day PCR Testing for Travel - Houston - Our Rapid PCR Test provides safe and quick results the next day. — Untitled (rapidcovidclinic.com)

3 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

Are you serious?  I’ll be on the Odyssey in November

He's serious. I think I've seen him eating a rice krispy treat in a Youtube video. 

On 9/20/2021 at 3:17 PM, Aulayan said:

Sadly, due to my strategic error in flying in the morning of, I will be showing up early.  Carrying luggage to restaurants or sightseeing with luggage is...not a fun thing.  I won't expect early entry.  More like hanging out nearby with a phone/tablet.

You can drop your luggage with a porter, as long as it has your RCL bag tags.  Then go outside of the terminal and explore until your boarding time!

10 minutes ago, Vlad said:

There's always 1 early show, like 7:15. That's the one I always go to. 

Yeah, I remember on other sailings the times being 7:15 and 9:15 or something similar.

12 minutes ago, MrsMurray said:

First timer here! When can you begin checking in?

Open up the Royal App

Click on the person icon at the top of the screen. 

Scroll to your sailing

It should say when check in opens for your sailing.

Is anyone else freaked out a bit about the really really late ice shows at 10:45 p.m.???  I mean, wow!

On 9/22/2021 at 11:08 AM, Mike_ said:

Funnily enough, I was looking at an AOS repositioning cruise out of Galveston late April 2022.  It looked like a good value, a nice long cruise, and included things and places I have never been before.  1. Repositioning Cruise.  2. Places like, Panama, Costa Rica, and Columbia.

I miss cruising... convincing wife we won't be stranded or quarantined is difficult.

13 NIGHT
Western Caribbean & The Americas
LEAVING FROM:
Galveston, Texas, onboard Adventure of the Seas
VISITING:
Galveston, Texas | Cruising | Cozumel, Mexico | Cruising | Puerto Limon, Costa Rica | Colon, Panama | Cartagena, Colombia | Cruising | George Town, Grand Cayman | Falmouth, Jamaica | Labadee, Haiti | Cruising | Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Convincing wife starts with looking at how all of the covid cases on RCL ships have been handled since the restart.  Of course, it's all going to depend on her level of risk aversion and flexibility. According to crew member reports many sailings report no covid cases aboard, however some sailings have just a handful of cases and are easily taken care of with the protocols.

1. Escorted off the ship after a brief in room quarantine (depends on when positive test/illness occurs).

2. Put on private plane home OR taken to hotel to quarantine

3. Travel insurance with Covid cover will take care of hotel quarantine costs IF it happens.

4. You are given full FCC for a new cruise in the future once you recover from Covid.

Personally, I'll take these chances any day over going to the grocery store or pharmacy in my hometown. None of those places offer a 100% vaccinated rate for people over the age of 12 and mandatory testing before walking in the door.