CruiseDiva

Unfortunately, we had to reschedule off this cruise for one in 2024!  Hope everyone has fun!!

Starting the countdown.....only 311 days 

9 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

That’s what casino comps and RoyalUp are for !

How does one get into the Casino Comp side of the house?? My new found Star addiction might be in need of some alternatives!

Initially I started out in balcony rooms on Disney before moving to a 1BR Concierge Suite.  When I moved I’ve to RCCL I started out in a Grand Suite, then a Crown Loft Suite. More escalation on Disney took us to the Roy O. Disney Suite and I thought I would be ruined forever. This summer we did a 2BR Grand Suite when cruising started back up. We just finished our first STAR Class experience on the Oasis in a Sky Loft Suite (although slightly confused booking online said Star Loft) and I know I am ruined forever. We are now booked for a 2BR Aqua Theater Suite for next Spring Break!!! Welcome to the dark side!!

I just got off the Oasis this morning and they still required it during the week. We were also told from some of the crew that we needed masks to disembark, although the crew member that was escorting us off said no we didn’t have them. Some other of the crew were going down the line offering masks for anyone who needed them. I put mine on long enough to see the porters and other staff from the terminal weren’t wearing theirs. I’m now sitting at the airport about to fly home with FULL FACE FREEDOM!!!! This feels awesome!

I took my son on 4 cruises as a single parent and didn’t have any issues. The first time was just with birth certificate. Once I figured we had the cruise bug I went ahead and got him a passport.

I'm on this sailing with you.  By the looks of your suite.....that's one of my Royal Ups that won't work :).  We are in a Star Loft Suite with Shane as our Genie.  I have the eMed tests and plan to take them Fri before we fly out on Sat.  I'm so excited for this one....first time with a Genie!!! Do you have an excursions planned?  We are still looking.  I really wanted to see Chichen Itza but the 7 hrs looks a little daunting!  

37 minutes ago, Writergina said:

We're booked on the Sunday 4/17 Oasis sailing and will be taking our proctored eMed COVID tests at home on Friday before flying to Miami on Saturday. We have our test kits (plus an extra set) for all five of us (husband, me, 3 tweens/teens), but I have a couple of logistical questions. The "Ready, test, sail" insert with the package says to just scan the QR code on the box to begin the virtual visit. My question is: can we use the same device for all five of us to test--for example, setting up my phone in our best wifi location in the house and then just taking turns scanning the QR code on each box/test--or do we need to use separate individual devices? I'm assuming we have to set up individual sessions with the proctor for each test.  Could anyone who has done the proctored eMed test before sailing with multiple family members share how it all worked and anything you wish you'd known to make the process easier before doing it? Thanks so much!

I have not done the test myself yet, but I am on the same sailing with you and have the same plan.  I did find an article that talked about creating accounts for the minors.

How to use eMed and the Navica app to access the only CDC approved, home-based COVID-19 testing kit - MyHealthyApple

  I downloaded the NAVICA app (which it says you have to have an account to do the test) and added my son's profile to mine.  All that's left is to take the tests on Friday!  Happy sailing :)

It's one of those things you just can never go back on.  I started sailing in balcony on Disney then moved to 1BR suite.  When we started on RCCL we went straight to a Grand suite, then a Crown Loft, then a 2BR Grand suite.  This next one is a Star Loft and our first time SC with a Genie :).  We are so excited...counting down to 17 Apr.  I apologize in advance for the lines we will bypass but it's one of those sorry not sorry ones :)

Not sure what to make of this, just thought I’d share. 

Thanks everyone :)

Hello everyone!  Counting down at 27 days till Spring Break cruise.  Has anyone booked with Trip Advisor for shore excursions?  Any must see in Cozumel, Roatan, or Costa Maya?

Thanks!

5 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

They're allowed.

• Vaccinated guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day. Kids age 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the testing protocols for vaccinated guests.

awesome thanks!!! My son will be three weeks short of his 12th bday

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

An FYI for anyone waiting for that. 

Yes, thank you!  Also I noticed they don't have a category for under 11 that ARE vaccinated for testing requirements. The Antigen tests would make that so much easier if allowed. 

UBER, two cruises worked like a charm!

14 hours ago, Valerie Cooke said:

Trying to decide what to use to keep my SeaPass in. Can anyone share what's worked best for them? What is the actual size? Will it fit in a normal badge ID sleeve that you put on a lanyard? Thanks!  38 days!

If a lanyard is ideal for you....this is what I use at work so I'm able to keep it around my neck and use the retractable reel to scan my badge.  This one is from Amazon.  They have ones that include the plastic badge holder.

following......I almost ordered the at home for an Oct cruise but was holding out to see any feedback on those who have used it and had no issues boarding

Submitted my son's on 12 Aug and selected non-expedited with an 18 week estimation.  We will see

13 minutes ago, CruiseDiva said:

Has anyone used the Binax (supervised one) for RCCL?   I clicked the link to order and saw the initial link is to the un-supervised one.  It had the link to the supervised one that was 6 tests for $150.  Waiting to see if Carnival follows suit for an Oct cruise.

Just checked Carnival's website and they accept as well.  Reading is fundamental  

Has anyone used the Binax (supervised one) for RCCL?   I clicked the link to order and saw the initial link is to the un-supervised one.  It had the link to the supervised one that was 6 tests for $150.  Waiting to see if Carnival follows suit for an Oct cruise.

42 minutes ago, TeresaMc said:

Does anyone know the email address for the suite concierge for the Freedom of the Seas?

I was emailed by Nadia (about 6 days out) at

FR_Concierge@rccl.com

Happy Sailing

13 hours ago, twangster said:

Other than Nassau Royal Caribbean has required masks indoors and the testing requirement was announced days ago.

Carnival restarted with 95% vax and 75% capacity but that was it.  They had no protocols on board.  It's a free for all on Mardi Gras right now, like the old days of cruising with 4,000 passengers and 1,400 crew on board jammed into bars and comedy clubs to capacity.  Combine the guest count across all Royal ships sailing this week and that's lower than the number on one Carnival ship.  

MSC is a lot closer to Royal when they restarted this week with 100% testing at check in, vax or no vax and they require masks indoors.

If anything Carnival is falling in line with where the rest of the industry has already arrived.  

Interesting tactic.  Offer mask free cruises while others were saying masks and tests, then today tell booked guests, sorry, masks and testing will be required.  

I'm booked on a Carnival and Princess cruise and the FB groups are lighting like a bad thunderstorm.  Naturally there are claims of "bait and switch".  Many claiming to cancel.  Guess my cruise may not be as full as Carnival thought it would be.  If those are vax passengers cancelling they'll likely be forced to cancel unvax kids they have just granted exemptions to in order to maintain the 95% quota.  That'll go over well days before a cruise.  

No one, including myself, liked it when Royal announced masks indoors early July.  I even cancelled an Odyssey cruise.  Yet here we are, pretty much all cruise lines now requiring masks indoors, even the holdouts like Carnival and Princess.

What can we do?  People didn't get vaccinated and numbers soared.  While largely now an unvaccinated pandemic it is spilling over into a small number of vaccinated.  That's okay on land where it's hardly reported but on a ship the media has a parade every time a case is announced on a ship.  Cruise lines gotta go into into heavy protocols mode to protect the industry.  

It is what it is, but I do think Carnival was a little sleazy in the way they reached where they are today.  But, it is what is needed right now and I'll board my Carnival cruise feeling a little better for it.  

What boat are you going on with Carnival?  I am booked on the Mardi Gras in Oct....enticed by the no mask policy for the vaccinated.  I was super irritated by the policy change yesterday (they didn't even offer to allow cancellations like RCCL did when they changed rules) but I keep telling myself (just like when I went on the Freedom last month) a cruise is better than no cruise!!  Trying to stay positive!!!

Hey there 12thman.  I haven't stayed in this type of suite yet.  We were going to try it out for that reason though.  We got cancelled on the Odyssey in a Star Class suite and jumped when I saw one open up on this sailing.  

Hello there.  I just released a 1br AquaTheater suite for this sailing (departing from Miami) to jump into a Star Loft Suite in case someone has been looking.  

I'm in the same boat.  11yr old's passport expires in Feb 2022 and have an April 2022 cruise on the Oasis.  I went to schedule the appt to do in person and they are scheduling 4 weeks out.  So 4+18= RIDICILOUS!!! Good luck to all