DuaneG

6 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

You would need to take a test on November 27th, 28th, or 29th.  It can be the antigen (rapid) test with results in 15 minutes.  I'm on a cruise the week before and I purchased the take at home tests that I bought through Royals' recommended vendor.

Optum Store | Optum Store

You will need to download the app on to your cell phone and have a "proctor" witness the test.

You can also book an appointment at a place like CVS that administers the tests. They allow bookings 2 weeks out.

thank you so much for that information.

2 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

There are a lot of threads on this site that discuss options.  CVS and the take home tests offered by Royal are good options - results are instant.  Is your cruise this weekend?

no my cruise isn't until NOV 29th i know a ton can change between now and then but want to be totally prepared 

7 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

Yes - This has been required for a while.  Antigen test is required within 2 days of boarding.

ok totally new to this stuff how is this done with only a 48 hour window? Doubt my doctor can see me right before my flight down

OK this is for those that have sailed recently and I know these things are ever changing (when will this nightmare be over? ugh) If you are fully vaccinated do you still have to take a covid test prior to boarding? I see conflicting answers all over their site

5 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

Does your mother use smartphones or tablets?  If she does, you can purchase a VOOM package for 2 devices and keep in touch via Messenger or text.

 

yes she has an Iphone

Thank you for the replies. I may just wear a shirt and tie then...well pants too lol

Sorry if this has been asked before. First time on a RC cruise and sailing with my 79 year old mother. what is the best way to keep in contact during times we are on separate parts of the ship? 

I have always sailed on Carnival and I am venturing over to RC. I am doing a short 4 day cruise to Nassau and perfect day November 29-Dec3 on Freedom of the Seas. My question is do they have a formal night on RC as well? If so usually what night? The trend on the Carnival ships was the elegant night was not as elegant anymore. It used to be a lot of tuxes and gowns but now maybe just a suit and tie at best. Any and all info would be appreciated.

Well there is a lawsuit out right now by the Florida Governor stating the CDC is overstepping their boundaries when it comes to cruise ships and a judge is hearing it so this CDC mandating everything a cruise ship has to do to set sail may go away. Here is to hoping

On 6/18/2021 at 7:12 AM, JLMoran said:

Laughed as I read it, because my very first cruise on Freedom in 2018 had our waiter come to the table the night before lobster night, purely to ask each of us how many lobster tails we expected to eat. I told him four, and just like your picture above I was given a full plate and a plate of just tails.

And then 20 minutes later, when he saw both of my plates were empty, he brought another three tails and set them in front of me. Not in the middle of the table for sharing. In front of ME.

Of course I ate them. It would be rude not to. But in the back of my head, I was seeing that scene from Bill & Ted where the server is standing behind Napoleon and chanting, "Who's a piggy? Who's a piggy?!?"

Sailing on Freedom in November they better be stocked up on lobster lol

So I have been on 4 carnival cruises but all were on the lowest class smallest ships with the last one we were on (Fantasy) being in the scrap yard now. So undoubtedly know the ship will be better. I love all of the input and appreciate it. The food part has me concerned but I possibly may pay for the extra dining

14 minutes ago, ConstantCruiser said:

Freedom OTS was recently "amplified" (refreshed).  That happened just before the big CDC industry shutdown.  She looks to be in great shape.

When I first cruised Royal after sailing a bunch of Carnival I kept comparing small things like the buffet.  "That's not how Carnival does it" kept on entering my thoughts.  Then I let go and acted like I had never been on a cruise.  With an open mind I started to prefer some things the way they are done on Royal.  

When ever trying something new or different that's probably the best advice.  Pretend you've never cruised before and go with the flow.  Remember the magic of walking on a cruise ship for the very first time?  Enjoy your Freedom cruise like that.  Once the cruise is over and you are stuck back on land only then sit back and compare the two to see which checks more of the boxes on your preferences checklist.  

 

Great recommendations. Thank you

I am sailing on Freedom of the sees. From the videos I have watched it is almost night and day vs the Carnival ships I have been on. 

Ok I will be a first time cruiser on Royal Caribbean at the end of November. I have sailed Carnival 4 times and thought I would change it up this time. Those of you that have cruised both where does Royal Caribbean bet Carnival and in what are are they maybe not as good as Carnival?  I am excited to have this mini vacation and try a new cruise line out