PetraElise

We board in three days for a 3 nighter — was looking for the same info and can’t find it anywhere in the app. So I’ll try to remember to check back in here after our cruise.

Generally, yes, lower capacity increases your chances, but it is somewhat sailing/cabin category dependent. I got both upgrades for our AOS sailing in August for incredibly low bids (GS to OS for one week, JS to OS for the next week) but for my upcoming sailing next week, low bids (even solid medium high bids) are not winning for JS and above. Inside to OV or Balcony are much easier.

We did a B2B in August on AOS, and the first week was close to 600, and the second week dropped to just under 500 (first week of school that week)

Not RC, but NCL has just cancelled two cruises due to covid positive crew members. One is already two days into an 11 night cruise, and the other was due to embark tomorrow. Will be watching very closely ahead of our late January RC cruise, mostly to have a back up plan in case we get the “cruise cancelled” email AFTER we arrive across country to the departure city, like my friend who was supposed to be on Getaway tomorrow.

They do, but very close to sailing date ( night before, day of, or even after you’ve already boarded)

I’m guessing you haven’t been paying attention, both because you didn’t notice this policy going into effect in mid December and because you don’t seem to realize that with the Omicron virus, being vaccinated is only helpful for preventing severe disease for most people, not for preventing transmission. I would think it would be more “burdensome” for your 85 yo mother to go on a cruise and catch covid, potentially assuring it would be her last cruise. Deciding what works just for you is not really a thing with an incredibly contagious, potentially life threatening disease. I think a land based vacation in your rule-free Florida bubble would be more fun for you.

I just ordered some today as well — it’s looking to be more stress than I want to deal with getting tests done locally, the same day we fly. Much easier to do them in our hotel room before we board. I’d rather know before flying to NY, but there is no way to get the test, and results before we fly (coming in two nights early in case of weather, or other covid related airline delays)

Is it just a little bit possible that the slots/ hours available during a holiday cruise filled with a lot of kids might be different than an average week? You may find, depending on a lot of factors such as number of kids sailing your week, number of available staff with negative covid tests, etc that your mileage may vary. Cruising during a pandemic is not a great choice if you can’t adapt, and recognize with equanimity that not everything is going to be guaranteed.

8/21 AOS sailings started getting their Royal up bids accepted today — so imagine the sailing on the 28th will in a week. It did seem as if gty did not get any acceptances today, but they didn’t assign all the available cabins, so there is still a possibility. I’m not hearing of any gty assignments yet either

Lots of people at the vaccination sites were volunteers, and there was/is a LOT of variance as to what was written on the cdc cards. Both between vaccine sites, and at the same sites between shots. And plenty of scribbles. It’s unfortunate that a standard requirement either wasn’t set, or wasn’t adhered to, but it’s not indicative of fraud.

No signatures on a single card in my family with three different vaccine sites. I certainly hope they aren’t declining boarding for that, since it’s not necessarily the norm.

We definitely are reducing our “excursions”. Quoted because we tend to do our own thing. We are content to limit our port activity on our upcoming cruises. Probably make a brief foray to “shop” and help the local economy a little but really not doing much. The ship experience is the main focus

Wow

No

I have no sympathy. I’m not even considering an Alaska cruise and I knew the policy for sailings out of Seattle. Each of us has a responsibility to find out what travel documents are needed anytime we travel. If you choose not to take the time, it’s on you.

They are using South Beach as a day off location for crew, from what I’ve heard.

They opened South Beach, we cancelled our Breezy Bay day bed and booked South Beach. And then they decided they weren’t going to open South Beach, so they cancelled our reservation. They are giving us free water park passes as compensation, so we are just going to enjoy those instead and save the money. I was quite surprised at the generous offer of the passes.

I believe it is a real possibility. I’m sure they are holding off and evaluating the data from the cruises that have already sailed, but with the Delta variant, I’m guessing the data looks less promising for no mask protocols.

I do get emails for the sales, but not every time, and usually after I’ve already found out about it elsewhere, or by checking the planner

Does anyone actually pay attention to the “ % off” numbers? I just pay attention to the average cruise planner price for what I’m interested in, and buy when it goes low enough. So far, that has worked ok for me, and other than casually watching to see if anything drops lower than what I’ve paid, my planning is done. I was excited to see that South Beach opened up for my AOS sailing, so switched one reservation over to that area, but same price

That was not particularly clear in your post

They did for me. I even got a refund because the return flight for the new dates was cheaper

We are being extra cautious starting this week, for our sailing later this month. We generally still mask in stores, etc, but we are really looking forward to our B2B and don’t want to risk it not happening. So finishing up any errands that need doing in the next two days, and then it will just be groceries until we leave.

Except if you over build, the experience starts to feel more congested and hectic, less tropical, exotic getaway — and people will be disinclined to spend for it. I know that was one of the aspects that we considered when evaluating the value — and we are going during incredibly low capacity sailings. If the cabanas were packed onto the beach like sardines, we would not book one. Or frankly, view the CocoCay stop as desirable.

Both our AOS sailings in August had the over the water cabana priced at $1899. ?. When they dropped to $999 after never being below $1699, we jumped on it. Sharing with friends, and super excited