ConstantCruiser

Tested on the ship and confirmed to be negative but you have to fully pack and sit in the terminal for fours hours?   

I’ve got a few months until my next B2B so I’ll sit back and watch but if this doesn't change I will have to figure out which to cancel.  Especially since I can’t pick check in times for my 2nd leg.  

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/07/05/face-masks-not-listed-royal-caribbeans-august-health-protocols

9 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

It's been there for at least this past week. I have not seen the ship-specific protocols yet that list out the venue access and such.

Okay.  Hmmm.  I recall seeing an August link but not one that specifically stated "All August Florida".

The vaccine recommendations remain as does the testing and insurance requirements for unvaccinated.

I don't see any onboard protocols.  No masks, no dedicated venues.

Is it just me or did Royal quietly add a new link for August?

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise?dPort=florida-august

GETTING READY TO CRUISE FROM FLORIDA

For All August 2021 Departures

The protocols communicated here apply only to guests departing in August from Florida homeports. We will continue to update these protocols as public health situations evolve. Guidance for all other departure ports is still in development with federal, state and local authorities. Booked guests will be provided full details specific to their port of departure prior to sailing.

Freedom has been redeployed to the Caribbean so they have cancelled her Canada/NE sailings.

Other ships remain hopeful for Canada to re-open.  Anything is possible especially with Alaska cruises bypassing Canada.  Despite that, given how far behind Canada is with vaccinations I am doubtful Canada will open to cruise ships in 2021.  

Family there just got their second shots since they are over 50.  The vaccine roll out has been painfully slow in Canada.  

Today (July 5) they are cracking the border open just a sliver for vaccinated travelers but they still requiring testing for vaccinated and everyone who is vaccinated must have a plan ready to quarantine for 14 days if they say you must upon arrival at the border.

The border will continue to open slowly and hopefully by this fall fully vaccinated travelers will have an easier arrival into Canada but that probably won't include cruise ships arriving. 

Anything is possible in these crazy times so they keep these cruises alive for now, other than Freedom that is.

I had heard a rumor but have found a document to support the claims.

CFAR or Cancel For Any Reason has increased from 75% to 90% in the form of FCC.

Coverage increases in many areas as well.

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/RCTPP/15045834_Royal_Caribbean_Travel_Protection_Program_Trade_Flyer.pdf

If you previously purchased Royal travel insurance it appears you will be automatically bumped up to this new plan:

Q. If I booked the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program for my clients prior to this announcement, will they receive the enhanced product?

A. Yes, all bookings made that have also purchased Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program will receive the enhanced product regardless of when the plan was purchased.

*Travel insurance benefits are administered by Aon Affinity and underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, with administrative offices in Jersey City, NJ. NAIC # 11150 under Policy Form series LTP 2013 and applicable amendatory endorsements. This is a brief overview of the coverages. Subject to terms, conditions and exclusions.This is a general overview of insurance benefits available. Coverages may vary in certain states and not all benefits are available in all jurisdictions. Please refer to your certificate of benefits or policy of insurance for detailed terms, conditions and exclusions that apply. For disclaimers: www.RoyalCaribbean.com.Consumer notices.

**Notice to Minnesota, Missouri and New York residents only: Trip Cancellation benefits are underwritten by Arch Insurance Company. In addition, Cancel for Any Reason credits can be purchased separate from the Travel Insurance Benefits. Contact 1-888-722-2195 for details. 

5 hours ago, 12thman said:

They don't have lobster night on the Alaska cruises?

Mine did.  Menu in this trip report:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/&do=findComment&comment=83842

14 hours ago, cruisellama said:

Very cool - I discussed a similar option when on Celebrity Edge with the excursion manager.  But their description looked more like just providing more private conveyance to the existing excursions.  This seems very "tailor-able" - very much like Matt's example.  I like the examples from the above link, do you know if excursions team creates excursion menus or templates to assist guests with building a custom experience?   

Not really sure.  I think it is an interactive process.  They ask question and based on your answers they craft a tour.  

Give them a call and let us know how it goes.

Typical MDR Kid's menu:

FWIW my Odyssey cruise in November is 5 nights and lobster appears on the preliminary menus in the app. YMMV.

8 minutes ago, cdixon22 said:

What night is generally lobster night?  How long of a cruise to have it?

Generally on the so called formal night.  I can't recall if it's 5 nights or 6 nights to qualify for lobster night.  

It also isn't offered in all regions.  

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/03/09/royal-caribbean-now-offering-custom-shore-excursions

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/02/28/review-royal-caribbeans-private-journeys-shore-excursion-curacao

I think Royal is working with, or recommending Manulife for Canadians.

32 minutes ago, fa-li said:

This is good info, thanks.

Do most people tip in the hundreds of dollars range for CK?  

I don't tip in the "hundreds" - not for CK.

Your "included" daily gratuity is diverted from the MDR to the CK for the nights you dine there.  

I usually tip them something that varies but it's not hundreds.  

Technically you don't have to tip CK more than your included daily gratuity.  Anything above that is completely at your discretion.  

8 minutes ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Seems like it would be easier to just double the bid prices and call that the price.  Then there's no chance of confusion.

They pretty much do on the 2nd screen.  Hard to mistake what my total bid is.

Even me for as a solo guest if I win a RoyalUp bid I have to pay double occupancy as if I have another guest sailing with me.  

Everyone pays 2 x the bid price but it's presented that way as you progress through the submission.  

Royal has made this much more complicated than it needs to be.  What ship are you sailing?

While one can argue that Izumi Hibachi is a type of Teppanyaki restaurant but on Royal Caribbean the two are different at least in the venue name and menus used.  Royal uses "Teppanyaki Dinner" on the Izumi Hibachi menu so it further blurs the names.

Izumi Hibachi = Oasis Class, Freedom, Independence and Mariner. 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/media-assets/pmc/content/dam/menus/en/teppdinner/TEPPDINNER.pdf

The base price in the cruise planner for an upcoming Harmony cruise is $38.99.  The base price in the cruise planner for an upcoming Indy cruise is $45.99.  The venue name used in the cruise planner for both ships is Izumi Hibachi.

For the "Izumi Hibachi" venue the menu was pretty easy to figure out.  The choice was "Classic" or "Premier Combo" for $4 more.  If you wanted some sushi with your Hibachi the right side of the menu showed the add on options for sushi.  The sushi cost is charged in addition to the base cruise planner price. 

Teppanyaki = Quantum Ultra (Odyssey and Spectrum)

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/royal/media/royal/shared_assets/pdf/menu/Teppanyaki_Dinner_Menu.pdf

The base price in the cruise planner for an upcoming Odyssey cruise is $45.99.  The venue name used in the cruise planner is Teppanyaki.

For the "Teppanyaki" venue there are many more options and variable pricing.  However since the Izumi sushi venue is far away on another deck there is no sushi add on option at Teppanyaki. 

How it should work is the $45.99 cruise planner price of Teppanyaki is your allowance to spend.  

If I order Miso soup and vegetable rice (both complimentary), Origami $40 plus the Matsuri mochi sampler $6 I have reached $46 which is effectively my base cruise planner price.

If I order Chilled silken tofu $8, WAGYU A4 Superior top quality Wagyu beef $90 and Matsuri mochi sampler $6 for a total of $104 I owe an additional $58 above the cruise planner base price.

Maybe someone who has sailed Spectrum can let us know how their Teppanyaki experience went.

Footnote - Technically Harmony is supposed to be converting to the Teppanyaki name away from Izumi Hibachi name but we'll need to see her back in service to know if that's complete as there are mixed references for Harmony.  My March 2022 cruise on Harmony still has the venue as Izumi Hibachi.

Correct.  The price you pay IF your bid is accepted is for two guests only.  

They won't upgrade you and kick your kids off the booking.

2 hours ago, krkloehn said:

If you have the deluxe beverage package what coffee options are available? Starbucks or any other?

Starbucks is included with NO beverage package.  Everyone pays... except Star Class guests.

With the DX your coffee choices will be the various non-Starbucks venues on board.  This varies by ship but generally speaking baristas can be found in at least one or two coffee venues somewhere, usually the Promenade or Esplanade and in the Windjammer on some ships.  Some ships have a 3rd venue with a coffee barista.

Nope.

I usually get an email when anything booked in the CP is cancelled.  From dining reservations to internet packages to shore excursions - if it is cancelled I get an email.  

I'm guessing that shore excursions will be somewhat fluid this year as 3rd party companies have either gone under or lost staff who left to find other work.  

12 minutes ago, Scoular said:

Thanks! Any idea when they usually are? Do you think a 7:15pm time is safe?

Hard to say as they plan many ship activities around the itinerary.   I don't think they plan major shopping extravaganzas when the main shows are likely pulling people away from the Esplanade.  The suite concierge may have some thoughts on this.   

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

(that's never going to get old)

It already has.

Note to the NHC - pick better names!