jack168

I found some new photos of Wonder of the Seas.
 
The new windjammer setup is pretty cool, as well as what seems to be the costal kitchen area on top.

 
I'm also really liking the new fully covered solarium design.

 
Central Park is coming along nicely.

 
 
 
 
 
 

I found some new photos of Wonder of the Seas.
 
The new windjammer setup is pretty cool, as well as what seems to be the costal kitchen area on top.

 
I'm also really liking the new fully covered solarium design.

 
Central Park is coming along nicely.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Royal has a history of this.
One example is the Oasis Bar on Enchantment. 

I found some new photos of Wonder of the Seas.
 
The new windjammer setup is pretty cool, as well as what seems to be the costal kitchen area on top.

 
I'm also really liking the new fully covered solarium design.

 
Central Park is coming along nicely.

 
 
 
 
 
 

I found some new photos of Wonder of the Seas.
 
The new windjammer setup is pretty cool, as well as what seems to be the costal kitchen area on top.

 
I'm also really liking the new fully covered solarium design.

 
Central Park is coming along nicely.

 
 
 
 
 
 

I found some new photos of Wonder of the Seas.
 
The new windjammer setup is pretty cool, as well as what seems to be the costal kitchen area on top.

 
I'm also really liking the new fully covered solarium design.

 
Central Park is coming along nicely.

 
 
 
 
 
 

I think it's "climate controlled" rather than air conditioned. Since it's fully covered, I'm guessing they will make sure it's not too hot, but not try to make it cold. 

I found some new photos of Wonder of the Seas.
 
The new windjammer setup is pretty cool, as well as what seems to be the costal kitchen area on top.

 
I'm also really liking the new fully covered solarium design.

 
Central Park is coming along nicely.

 
 
 
 
 
 

It’s back! I believe it restarted on Symphony in early October. 

2704 was the number I was provided, but I also saw Matt post a reader shared somewhere ~2800. Fair to say under 3000 in total.  Windjammer still closed for dinner. 

Here's the PDF if anyone needs it: https://www.rclinvestor.com/content/uploads/2019/07/RCL-Shareholder-Onboard-Credit-Offer-Request-Form.pdf
 

@twangster format is the best format! 😂 

Since borders are opening up and vaccines requirements easing I thought I'd share my experience on Allure of the Seas getting tested for travel to Canada after the cruise.  
In my case my booking appears to be a standard one cruise (no B2B) US booking.  This means that testing for me normally wouldn't be required.  I had communicated with the guest services team before boarding given my unique scenario of not appearing to need a test yet actually requiring a PCR test for travel to Canada.
I knew that guests that are known to require a test would receive a QR code and instructions sent to their cabins.  Since that didn't apply to me I waited until day 3 and visited guest services where they produced a QR code for me to use.
I've obfuscated the QR code in the photo below since I don't know that it is the same for each ship and sail date so don't try to scan this code with your device.

When using an iPhone the camera recognizes the QR code and pops up a link to follow based on the QR code.  You have to be connected to the ship's wifi but you do not need to purchase a Voom internet plan to use the QR code.
The link from the QR code opened in my phone's browser.

Scrolling to the bottom there is a button you can tap to proceed.

This opens a new page where you enter your details.

 
For the purpose of this demonstration I chose a fictitious address in Manitoba.

The next step looks for the closest location.  Since this was on a sea day I was very curious what it would offer for locations near me.  Picking another random address in Canada very far from the Caribbean where I was at the time it found the Deck 3 Conference Center some 3,337 miles from Whitehorse.
For the purpose of setting the location of the ship they had given the Deck 3 Conference Center the address of the terminal in Port Canaveral where I boarded the ship.

After selecting the only option presented, the Deck 3 Conference Center, I was able to select a time for my appointment.

In my case I had been told that normally PCR testing for international travel is done at 6:30am and the antigen testing for other guests required for other purposes such as consecutive cruisers would occur later after the PCR testing.  Surprised to see the 8am time being the earliest time offered guest services assured me they would look into it and let me know.
They did follow up with me and the next day I received a call on my cabin phone to let me know they have adapted the process so that all testing starts at 8am, at least on this voyage.
I do have a Voom internet plan on this sailing so I was able to receive the email confirmation for the test once I had completed the scheduling steps above.

This isn't a requirement.  I was never asked for the confirmation code.  It is not required to have a Voom plan but it was comforting to see the process work very similar to how pre-cruise testing appointments have worked for me in the past on land.
I am an early riser by nature so on the morning of day 7 I dropped by the deck 3 conference center at 6:30am just to make sure I was good with my 8am appointment.

 
At 6:30am there was no one around so I breathed a sigh of relief that the process was working as guest services said it would.
At 8am there were crew on hand at a kiosk with paperwork ready for the guests that needed to be tested.  They asked for my cabin number and handed me a paper with stickers attached. The stickers had a barcode, my name and birth date. 
On this occasion consecutive cruisers or anyone needing an antigen test were directed into the conference to the right while guests requiring PCR testing for international travel where directed into the conference center to the left.  I didn't take any pictures because there were other guests present including children.
There are several testing stations and I was directed to take a seat in the section for Accula testing.  Accula is an approved FDA test with an emergency use authorization.  I handed over my paperwork and watched as they applied one of the stickers to a vial that would later contain my sample.
When instructed I removed my mask and tilted my head back.  The lab worker ran a swab around the ring of each nostril without going deep.  If anything it tickled slightly but was in no way painful or difficult to sit through. 
With that I was done and directed to exit.

After testing I went to breakfast and carried on with my day.
It was a very easy and straightforward process.
As I await my results my only advice for anyone from any country that requires a PCR test onboard is to keep an eye out for the testing letter with QR code and instructions.  If you don't receive it by day 3 call guest services or drop by and ask them.  

Correction: A and G

I remember one of my old booking receipts had the terminal on it, but I can't seem to find that on the new receipts/cruise contract. 
However, I believe Royal uses terminals A and J in Miami, so I think Jewel will be at terminal J.  

Correction: A and G

Last week at this time we were somewhere in the middle of the ocean.   Now I'm back at my desk and keyboard counting the days until the next trip (47 days on MSC's Meraviglia).
Thought I would share a couple of thoughts from the trip.
From the time we got to the luggage attendants at the port, we didn't stop walking until we were on Desk 8 for a stop at the Trellis Bar.  Very smooth boarding process.   Be prepared to show your vaccine card, ID and boarding pass (I used the phone app) several times.  I can understand why there's really no need for priority boarding any more even if you are in the suite level. 
Rooms were available early - around 1:15.  Luggage showed up some time in the afternoon but well before dinner. 
We Royaled up to a Crown Loft Suite on the 17th floor overlooking the Boardwalk.   I would do the suite again but would prefer a port or starboard view.   The crew on 17 was incredible and made Cheryl feel very special for her birthday cruise.   However the RoyalUp process is buggy - Our records were still attached to the old room.  The letters we had in the new room were for someone else.    For the first half of the cruise every time we gave our room number to someone, they greeted us with someone else's name.  
Expectations for Sky level were much higher than what reality ended up being.  Videos here and on other sites talked about some upgraded shampoos and other bathroom amenities.   That didn't happen.     We were expecting priority reservations for some of the shows.   That didn't happen - though with 2400 passengers on board, it wasn't an issue.    We were expecting concierge to help with reservations at some of the speciality restaurants.  That happened but was a much more complicated process than it should have been.     The Concierge was very helpful and making the best out of a Covid cruise, but things were off.
For Dinner, we ate at Coastal Kitchen, Chops, Giovanni's Table, 150 Central Park and the Main Dining Room.    Each was a great meal.  Of all I think Giovanni's was the best.    On our next cruise, I think we'll go a bit lighter on dinner choices.    Great food but 7 nights of 3 courses (plus extras) was more food than we needed.  So maybe two specialty, MDR and pizza or hot dogs a couple of nights.  🙂
Mama Mia was the show in the main theater and was broadway quality.   The seats were very comfortable and maybe reclined a little to much and I had to fight from wanting to take a nap. 
The Ice show was fun.  Very talented skaters but the show it self was disjointed.  The "roll the dice" Segways between scenes lasted too long (over a minute once). 
The way they divided up the seating because of Covid for the Aqua show was a bit confusing but the show was incredible with several OMG how does she not fall? moments. 
We had fun hiding ducks around the ship.   At first we thought "why are we doing this silly thing" but one time, quite by accident we sat by the trellis bar after hiding a few and were able to watch the reactions of the kids (and kids at heart) find them and watched their reactions.   We'll do that again. 
We knew it before going on board, but the Suite deck was just a deck.  No pool.   Walked up there once.  Didn't use it.  The main pools were much more enticing.   
We got the drink package because it was $58/person/day and that worked out to our benefit.   Wouldn't do it again if it was over $90. 
We got the 100 picture package and only had 60 pictures taken so that was over kill. 
We got the Coco Beach Club package for about $80/person.  It was a great place.  We were one of the first ones there and almost last to leave.    Didn't see anything else of the island on this trip so next time we may skip that just so we can see the other parts of the island.   But well worth it and would do it again (not for $160/person though).
There are so many things we didn't get to do on the ship that it warrants another Oasis class trip for sure (which will be Harmony next October).
The staff was one of the best parts of the cruise.    Looking forward to seeing them again. 
Steve & Cheryl  
 
 

When you purchase the refreshment package an extra 18% will be charged. This extra amount is the gratuity and is shared among the bartenders. If the package was $28 a day, you'd be charged $33.04 a day once the gratuity was added.
Ask for a beverage, they might as if you have a beverage package or it might be indicated in the system. Your SeaPass card will also have a sticker or "RR" to indicate the refreshment package.
This is accurate, 2 liter bottles are used. Not 100% sure on the availability of canned soda on CocoCay. You can get non-alcoholic frozen drinks on CocoCay. The signature drink on the island is the Coco-loco and can be made without alcohol. Beyond soda and frozen drinks I'm not sure what else would be available.

I love the Conrad but unfortunately received email last night that my December stay was cancelled as the hotel was sold and no longer a Hilton/ Conrad.
https://loyaltylobby.com/2021/10/07/conrad-miami-exits-hilton-system-on-october-18-2021/
Thought a few others here may find the info useful.  

I've contacted Royal for my next cruise and they are providing me a PCR test for Canada travel at 7:30am on day 7.
Go to guest services once on board early in the cruise and arrange it.  
Royal crew are from all over the world.  They deal with testing a lot just to get to the ship to work and to get home after their contract.  You are dealing with people who live and breath testing for international travel.  They know.  

It is administered on what the cruise calls day 7 (last full day of a 7 day cruise), the day before disembarkation. Royal provided a PCR test with results in less than 12 hours. We were tested at 9:15AM and results were delivered to our stateroom at around 6:30PM

I'm sorry, but after this pandemic ends, I never want to hear the phrase FCC ever again. 😂 

I'm sorry, but after this pandemic ends, I never want to hear the phrase FCC ever again. 😂 

I'm sorry, but after this pandemic ends, I never want to hear the phrase FCC ever again. 😂 

I'm sorry, but after this pandemic ends, I never want to hear the phrase FCC ever again. 😂