Carotthat

I was lucky finally, got two adjoining - not connecting - staterooms aft on deck 10 - nice view and way cheaper than one of the two remaining (junior) suites...

5 minutes ago, Matt said:

This posts elaborates more on the topic of opening them: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/12/30/royal-caribbean-secrets-opening-the-balcony-dividers

So we could be happy because it' all about Oddisey

Re balcony dividers - I assume these can be opened up between any cabins?

The topic says it all.

Regardless of the lesser price, have you ever done this?

We are looking for two connecting balconys on Odissey, and would save about 1k€ if they choose it. 

Caro

12 hours ago, Wilson said:

For those that had the price drop after final payment, how long did it take to see the onboard credit in your cruise planner?

I had booked with RCL directly, and got the new cabin information with OBC about 15mins later.

I keep getting reminder eMails from RCL to register our less-2-years old for the in-terminal-test prior to boarding.

GEE

@AshleyDilloI looked up all the pages, and for our cruise from Cyprus, there was nothing mentioned referring to my time dining:

Dining
Reservations are recommended and can be made via Cruise Planner before you board for meals at specialty restaurants, Main Dining Room, or Windjammer. Once onboard, you can also reserve dining by using the Royal Caribbean App or calling the reservation line. Windjammer will be open for breakfast and lunch, and food will now be served to you by crew members to avoid guests sharing serving utensils. If you’d like to dine with other parties during your cruise, you can easily link your bookings by using the Royal Caribbean App or calling us on +1 305 354 0204.

That's all I found 

1 hour ago, twangster said:

The only restriction for dining is My Time.  My Time dining is not available for parties that include unvaccinated.

You will still be able to enjoy any formal nights in the MDR you just won't use the deck or area of the MDR allocated to fully vaccinated.  

Dining & Lounges
In the Main Dining Room, which spans multiple decks, we will designate areas for everyone, including parents and unvaccinated children, and areas for vaccinated parties only. My Time Dining will not be available to parties that include unvaccinated guests.

Could you please provide me with the original link for the quote?

I booked several my time Dining slots for and with our unvaccinated kids (younger than 12) - so the system shouldn't actually allow that?

Nevertheless, as Cyprus is (still) high incidence region for german travellers, we are obliged for non-vaccinated travellers (children) to have a PCR-Test.

Maybe the rep referred to the former guests as Cyprus was a low incidence region weeks before, so ecofins only provided the antigen testing.

btw, ecofins is the lab with most wrong-positive quotas here 

Yesterday I talked to a german RCL rep, they got some informations from passengers on JW (out of Limassol, CY) two weeks ago: The lab they are partnering with (ecofins) build up a complete testing facility in an open space on the ship.

BUT: there was no possibility to get an RT-PCR-Test. Only Antigen 

I hope, this was a misunderstanding.

23 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

It is my understanding that there are no vouchers for Suite passengers.  You either drink for free in the Suites Lounge or you go to an outside bar and pay for your drink (or use your DBP if you have one).

Thanks. Happy hour is usually 5-8, am I right?

Somehow we managed to get the GS on Jewel with Price Guarantee even cheaper as the booked junior suite 

Just curious, are cocktails all you can get in the concierge club or do they provide vouchers due to corona?

If vouchers, can they be exchanged in any bar? (me being bare gold) 

Caro

You don't have to prepay gratuities to reserve my time dining.

I did receive a bunch of emails saying I won a bunch of stuff. A cruise was never included.

I called the number mentioned in one of the emails and complained about not winning a cruise.

I got another happy lottery package from the nice guy on the phone promising to win a cruise.

I did take part in another lottery from the brothers of bethel seeming very worthy of trust to me.

I did call the travel agent to complain why I was getting only lottery mails promising to win a cruise but not getting a true journey by the books.

I did have to change the travel agent after finishing the call.

Thanks JeffB for the hints, as we are going aboard in Limassol. Cyprus authorities are maybe eazzziierr... 

After your recommendations, I'll browse again through the excursions inventory - but as you might see, visiting an island with 500 other people in the same pattern might be a hussle....

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

I believe this has been the case on mix vaccinated cruises from the US from day one.  And was it not also the case in Europe?  I remember a family being disembarked for leaving a ship sponsored excursion in Italy.

No, it wasn't in Europe and for RCL. We were happy to be "free" on shore excursions - in contrast to earlier cruises from TUI eg in february, where the conditions as steverk mentioned, where valid.

I'm truly unhappy for our kids. Ship's excursions are sooooooo cheap.

Just yesterday got the eMail from RCL, that not-vaccinated travellers are only allowed on royal's own planned (and pricey) shore excursions are allowed on our upcoming 7day cruise from Limassol, Cyprus 

Although we are vaccinated, our kids aren't (less than 12y old) - so we have to stay on board with them or book the organised tours onboard (with a 50% discount, though).

See the original eMail here:

Quote

Dear Guest,

We've been preparing for your 7 August 2021 sailing onboard Jewel of the Seas and wanted to remind you of some important information regarding your Shore Excursion requirements.

In abundance of caution, when visiting the ports on our itinerary, parties that include unvaccinated guests, including parents traveling with unvaccinated children, are required to participate in shore excursions offered by local tour operators approved by Royal Caribbean. These tours meet our health and safety requirements for unvaccinated guests. Entirely vaccinated traveling parties may visit the port freely. Vaccinated parents who wish to debark the ship on their own can reach out to our Adventure Ocean staff once onboard to make arrangements for those port days. All guests are subject to restrictions and requirements as defined by local authorities in the ports we visit. Additional details will be provided onboard.

The decision was made to protect you and the communities we visit. To help offset this change, on this sailing, we are offering a 50% discount on select tours purchased onboard. This offer and discount are only available to reservations with unvaccinated guests. Once onboard, please visit the Shore Excursions Desk on Deck 4 and our amazing team will help find the perfect excursion for you and your family. Vaccinated adults in the same reservation as unvaccinated guests will also be extended the 50% discount for tour purchases to assist in planning time in each destination.

I do find this an unpleasant development - what do you think?

Caro

Checked ours yesterday, only a small drop (about 130€ - but hey ). I emailed them.

But - the second cabin cannot be simulated as booked as there are no more cabins for three people (1 ad, 2 kids) available?

Any suggestions I could try it another way?

Caro

14 hours ago, Carotthat said:

So they have a fast PCR option on board or just colaborate with a lab on the pre-last port of call?

I searched the RC Homepage deeper and found - especially for our cruise from cyprus

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise#cyprus

- If needed a complimentary onboard RT-PCR test can also be arranged for anyone that should require it to re-enter their country of residence. 

So they have a fast PCR option on board or just colaborate with a lab on the pre-last port of call?

In Germany sadly no second dose of AZ is any more available, so you have to accept mRNA as second vaccine.

To my best knowledge, Germany was the first country to start mixed (heterolog) vaccination schemes.

14 hours ago, Esmom said:

We were able to use our shareholder credits on our upcoming cruises in Aug and Feb.  it wasn’t a problem. 

16 hours ago, BrianB said:

Wondering if anyone knows… 

Is the Shareholder Discount still being applied to cruises post-Covid? I don’t know why it wouldn’t but I haven’t heard anything either way. @Matt?

Me to, no prob.

We're on Jewel on aug 7th from Cyprus and when I checked in only two weeks ago, there were plenty boarding time slots available from 1:30 to 5pm - always 30mins period.

If you combine another booking prior to that checkin, all passengers will be in the same boarding time slot.

On 7/3/2021 at 2:23 PM, Allancy said:

You can try again. July 4 sale etc

I did! Thanks to Matt for the hint

Was about 5% less than the last sale

So this gonna be a dry period for us, with the cruise a mere 5 weeks away....

Why didn't I shop the drinking packages