Bowen

Out of Galveston, whatever the Explorer class is (any of those), Labadee, Bonaire, Curacao, Perfect Day. Bonaire is my very favorite ABC island, but RC does it right with Labadee. Never been to Coco Cay, so that would be a must visit.

This happened to me years ago (probably 10 years ago) with renting some clamshell loungers on a beach, an RC excursion. I also never said anything, but it was a bit frustrating.

We had them punch holes in our cards, no problem. We just took it to the customer service desk and they took care of it, a small hole in one corner. I don't think I'd do it on my own just because I wouldn't be sure of where the chip was.

I can't help with this as we always choose to walk off the ship with our luggage. We did not use the feature, but I do remember that if we wanted to use it then we couldn't be first off the ship since the Genie (we had the guy you always see in the pictures, which was super fun!) was the one arranging to have our luggage taken down. We just let him know that we'd be walking off instead. I will say that anytime we didn't use him for something I honest to goodness think we hurt his feelings a bit, lol. I got the room because it was a two bedroom aqua theater suite and I just thought it was awesome, I knew we weren't really going to use the Genie, but once we met him on board I tried to use him because he'd always come by and talk to us about all the things he could provide. We did end up having him get us seats to the shows, and that was really convenient. Oh, when you board, be sure you don't walk on with your luggage (we're also those people), that bothered the Genie a lot as well. He wants to DO IT for you, ha ha. You're going to have so much fun!

My kids did not have any interest in going in to Victoria. My mom and I walked from the ship in to town, got some coffee, took the horse and buggy ride, and then had tea at the Empress. It was perfect for us, but my kids definitely would not have enjoyed it.

The Empress. I think you can make reservations, we walked in without them and had no trouble. It was a real highlight.

It was a great ride. The next time we get there we will definitely be buying the all day pass. Such beautiful scenery all the way down.

And I think I was mixing up Harmony and Explorer. We did Explorer in 2019 in a suite and ate breakfast at Giovannis. On Harmony is was Star Class and Coastal Kitchen.

We also did this, it was fantastic. We took a horse and buggy ride as well, so much fun.

Is this the Dragon tail coaster? If so then I believe there was a little cubby near the entrance where you could stash your bags. It's been awhile though and we do theme parks a lot, so I might be mixing them up. I do know I walked up with my backpack for sure and I either rode with it or left it right there in an unlocked space. This would have been 2019 though, so it might have changed.

Awesome! Congrats! I know when we went Star Class on Harmony Giovannis did serve breakfast and it was very good. We've only tried to use the Concierge Club once (pre COVID) and it was packed, so we didn't go back. We ordered room service through the MDR a couple of night and it was very good, not as hot of course, but still excellent. If that's not what you meant, then ignore me. Have fun!

This made me laugh. I wanted to reply though because it's really important that your friends know that they do not have to be a part of any religion in order to take a religious accommodation, at least not if they are in the US and asking for a cruise that goes out of US ports. I can't say that with any authority on any other locations. SCOTUS ruled years ago that your religion is simply the moral rules by which you live your life. So if you're a vegan and someone tells you that you have to be healthier so you need to eat meat, you can take a religious exemption for that. It can be tough, trying to figure this out since it's not something most of us have ever dealt with, but whatever your friends reasons for not wanting to get vaccinated, that is their religious belief. It's more a moral belief, but what are morals if not your own religion? This has been a big time bump in the road for us especially (we're Catholic) because our religious leaders have come out and said "Take the vaccine", so that's an extra hurdle. Thankfully you don't have to do things that your religious leaders tell you to do if they go against your moral beliefs. Anyhow I hope that helps. I just called RC again since we're a month out and got the check in email today. I plan on calling them every week until they get back to me. Last time I called (I think three weeks ago) I got an email right away asking me to clarify my religious exemption request, so maybe staying in touch with them will get things done a little faster. Good luck!

No bueno.

Same. Once we get the word on the religious exemptions we'll be done either way. We'll cruise if they let us, we'll cancel if they don't, but we won't book anything else until there are no mandates of any sort.

I think you're right, sadly.

Where are you being remotely isolated?

Vaccine mandates. Those are bothersome.

So I've got a request in on two cruises right now for a religious vaccine exemption. I'm just waiting to hear back from the cruise line. If they give me the exemption we'll cruise, if not we'll cancel and get our money back.

Yeah I'll spend it if that's what it comes down to. Hopefully they deny my exemption and I can just get it canceled, but since we cruise in the off season I figure I'd better plan for the eventuality of spending the money on PCR tests.

If you state that you're testing due to COVID exposure do you still get the same turnaround? Thanks!

Has anyone had to take a PCR test for travel since July 1st? I'm seeing on the Walgreens and CVS sites that the tests are no longer covered unless you meet some criteria (medically necessary, high risk, in contact with a COVID 19 positive case). Has anyone had to test under 12's unvaccinated recently? That's a hefty fee to pay to cruise, an additional $130 per child as far as I can tell.

I definitely think it's the latter and would have zero animosity for RC filling their spots with vaccinated over unvaccinated, it's easier for them and they are running a business. I'm glad they're giving unvaccinated an opportunity to cruise, even if we have to do some extra stuff. I feel really bad for the cruise industry, it upsets me that they're being subjected to (what I view as) the abuse of the CDC. I think it's incredibly unfair and it stinks of unelected officials trying to stay relevant. Whatever happens with these two cruises, I wish RC all the best and will go back to them whenever they drop the mandates, but I'll definitely be throwing my cruise dollars at whichever line drops them first.

I wouldn't cancel anything. I do things all day long out in public with tons of people and never consider whether or not they are vaccinated, sick, etc.

Update on mine, still no update, lol. I submitted May 9th for an August 14 cruise and a September 18 cruise. I went back and resubmitted the Sept 18 cruise on a different email because I wasn't sure if they would accept both on one email. I waited about...5 weeks or so since the automated response said it would take about 15 days for me to hear back, and then I called the direct line to talk to someone rather than having to get transferred around from the general line. They told me there was no update and that it could be as soon as two weeks before my cruise before I heard anything. My son was supposed to go to church camp the week before the cruise, so I had to call the camp and change that because I knew there would be no way to get a test three days prior if he was a few hours away in the woods. The camp changed it around without a problem, so that was great. I'll give you the text I used to explain my exemption, but since I haven't been approved I have no idea if it'll be helpful or not. I'll update here when I hear back from them. I'll be calling August 1st if I haven't gotten anything back by then. "Taking a covid-19 vaccine violates my conscience and religious beliefs for the following two reasons. First, each of the manufactures of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in my country were developed, confirmed and/or tested their vaccines using fetal cell lines originating from electively terminated fetuses. I learned of this when I was first offered a COVID-19 vaccine. My religious beliefs require that I respect all human life, including fetal life, and not knowingly benefit from harm to fetal life regardless of when that life was taken. I am aware that other vaccines and medications may use similar fetal cells in their development and to the extent that I am aware of such use, I avoid those medications. Second, knowingly introducing substances that may have unknown consequences into my body violates my fundamental belief that my body is a gift from God. My beliefs instruct me to examine for myself the things that I put in my body and judge them wisely because I will be judged by God for my choices. I cannot violate my religious beliefs even if it might be of medical or financial benefit to me. As such, I cannot, in good conscience and informed by my religious beliefs, take any COVID-19 vaccine at this time." Hopefully that helps. It can feel very weird to request something like this, definitely not something I ever thought I'd have to do, but it is what it is, so just explain it as best you can.

I haven't been checking this thread since I'm still waiting on mine (I'll update down below), but I wanted to say that this stinks and I'm sorry.