Eggbert

Good points, thanks. Apparently the early embarkation stuff isn't valid out of Vancouver. We are dual citizens but live in Canada so we have to pay for a U.S. plan but it is certainly less than Royal. One thing is for sure - these Alaska excursions are pricey!

So, in this case with a less than $2 spread, it is a decent deal?

This is concerning a 7 night Alaska cruise next August for my wife and I. We have never bought the Key before but right now it is being offered for $26.70 with the internet offered at $24.91 per day. I know that is often the deal breaker with the Key. My question is - do BOTH people have VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device, or is it 1 internet package per room? Thanks in advance.

Yep, makes things alot easier.

Just lobster and mayo for me.

Lobster rolls, oh my.

I have been to 48 U.S. states - finally going to Alaska next August. That cruise will also get me into Diamond territory - I am at 79 points...grrrrrr.

We sailed out of New Jersey right after Sandy - they were checking people in by hand. If anyone is prone to seasickness make sure you have a patch, band, or pills because there are going to be big swells continuing well away from the hurricane's path.

My wife and I did the $40 Shopper's test - that is all that is needed for air travel and boarding the ship. Super easy and took less than 15 minutes from test to result.

We were in a suite on the Allure a few weeks ago - we had to ask for the products. All we had to begin with was the wall dispenser. Sure was nice to have the extra space in the shower/bath!

We used the Manulife also. Didn't need it but it was a pretty comprehensive policy for a very reasonable price.

They say that not because it is dangerous, they simply don't want us to travel. That is the reason for ALL of the "safeguards." Not for one second did I feel unsafe on my 9 day cruise.

When we returned from the Allure on Jan. 8 we actually encountered a "thinking" CBSA lady. When we got off the ship Royal did our tests in the terminal. We had our negatives just after arriving at the airport at 8:45. We filled out our ArriveCan stating that we had been outside of Canada and the U.S. - automatic tests - but told her we had taken a test that morning. She said, "Were they negative?" to which we replied yes. Without asking to see them, she applied green stickers to both our passports and we were on our way.

Canada has lost it's mind - the sad truth is that they think their government is "protecting" them from all the DEATH in America. It really helps to have the CBC which can parrot any message they want sent and prevent any other message from reaching most Canadians. It is even more insane in QC where COVID infected nurses are treating patients because they fired all the non-vaccinated but NOT infected nurses. They have had curfews, have announced a tax on the unvaxxed, and soon they won't be able to Walmart, Costco, or any other big box store.

We live in Canada so travel to port is expensive. That is why we tend to do longer cruises. I figured that was the answer. Thanks for responding.

My last cruise took me to 79 points, one short of Diamond. Is there any way to coerce an extra point out of Royal so I don't have to wait until my second cruise to move up?

Did it last week (Jan. 5). Had a great time. Two snorkel stops - Marine park and Tintamere Island (turtles). Snorkeling wasnt as good as our first time due to silty water and the hurricane a few years ago but was still enjoyable. Also had three beach stops and some nice speedboating. Ended up watching some planes come in at 3:30 as well as watching the Delta takeoff at that time. Lunch (sandwiches, chips, all you want to drink included).

Captain Bob, speedboat and snorkeling.

Nice for insurance companies.

St. Maarten's is hopping - Allure, Anthem, Symphony, Rhapsody AND a Costa ship. We are enjoying a ship day but have an all day snorkeling excursion planned for tomorrow.

We are on the Allure - weren't allowed to dock in St. Thomas two days ago.

We docked in St. Kitts last night and spent the day there today. ALOT of people were off the boat doing excursions. We left tonight at 6 and are now sailing AWAY from St. Maarten, but it is a very short run between the two islands, so it probably doesn't mean anything. We were refunded on day's cruise fare for missing St. Thomas which makes our JS that much more ridiculously priced. So happy to be cruising again.

We docked at St. Kitts about 5 and will spend the day here tomorrow. Some of the Oceanaria crew have Covid (or protocol), no diving portion of the program because they didn't have enough rescue divers to proceed with the performance.

We are on the Allure right now and have been told 3700. We weren't allowed to dock in St. Thomas this morning so we continued on to St. Kitts and are docking over and staying all day tomorrow.

We will be on board next week - anything that you can share would be greatly appreciated!