GKMCruising

11 minutes ago, FJ28 said:

I understand it to be for those traveling with children under 12 in their party would be consider unvaccinated.

Like @AshleyDillosaid, only when physically with the children. I was able to get off the ship and go for a solo hike in Skagway, but when we got off with my daughter we had to do specific RCL excursions. Same with venues onboard - if we'd left my daughter in the nursery, we would have been free to go in any venue, including those designated for vaxxed only guests.

39 minutes ago, cruiserccl said:

Thanks!

So can I assume that with a 6:30pm dinner reservation, we will be able to still the main evening show?

I appreciate the info on the PCR test. I've contacted RCCL through email and they haven't responded. I just want to make sure that I can get the testing before flying home. 

And glad to here that weather is not an issue. We've only cruised in warm locations so it'll be very interesting to see snow on the ship.

 

I might go a tad earlier for dinner, but again, it all depends on the ship and exactly what shows are running.

24 minutes ago, cruiserccl said:

With regards to entertainment 

-What time is the shows/entertaiment generally each evening? Are they usually between 7-11pm each night?

Yes, that's typically the time frame. One early showing, one late showing.

24 minutes ago, cruiserccl said:

With regards to Covid testings required to return home (from Canada)

-RCCL states on their website that they provide tests for return home, but it doesn't specifically say it's a PCR test that's required for Canada. Is it specified somewhere? And is this difficult to book? Should it be something we do as soon as we board?

Yes, it's the PCR test, they'll send info to your stateroom a few days before you have to schedule it.

24 minutes ago, cruiserccl said:

I have to admit, we're a little nervous departing from Cape Liberty since we've never been in NJ and it'll be in winter.

We sailed out of Cape Liberty a few years ago. It was March, but it had dumped snow a few days prior - there were still massive snow drifts at the hotel we stayed at (and at the port) but we got off without a hitch.

7 minutes ago, Matt said:

We had a medical stop while on Odyssey. No big deal, these happened pre-covid as well. 

Yeah, I just told her I'd poke around, see if anyone had heard anything. 

Apparently there's a medical emergency causing them to reroute to Nassau for an hour for an evacuation, then going back out to sea for the night and then back to Nassau for their scheduled port day tomorrow. Anyone have the inside scoop?

5 hours ago, IRMO12HD said:

Do they have artichokes??  As a pizza topping, I mean . . . Also, do they have thin crust pizza as well as traditional?

I've never seen either out on the bar, but that doesn't mean they couldn't potentially do one custom for you if you asked.

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

If you find a little rubber duckie, you win $100

Darn, why did no one tell me so I could cash in the one I found on Ovation? Think they'll honor it on my next sailing?

On 11/27/2019 at 10:38 AM, PG Cruiser said:

I like seeing them with my running bibs and medals

Nice hardware!

On 10/2/2021 at 9:47 AM, barjpoe said:

Unfortunately, I think Royal has stopped producing the 'heavy' 3D ship Ornaments. We just came off Odyssey and the only ones they had were round 3d ones.

They're ok , but don't sit on the shelf. 

My MIL is on Mariner right now and they're out too. Staff in the gift shop confirmed it's shipping delays, they're hoping to have them back in before Christmas.

5 minutes ago, Matt said:

Today we got the girls pre-cruise covid test. Unvaccinated kids cannot do the at home test, so we took them to CVS. 

I scheduled the tests exactly two weeks ago, and had no problem getting an appointment after school. 

It was super simple, and both girls tested negative. 

Tomorrow, my wife and I get to do the at home test.

I really and truly feel bad for everyone who is having so much trouble getting tests scheduled. There's an urgent care about 10 minutes away from me that does same day scheduling - we dropped in midday two days prior to our trip to put our names down and then came back that evening after I got off work to take the tests. In and out in under 30 minutes.

I knew we were lucky, but until reading some of the horror stories with testing availability and scheduling on here and CC, I didn't realize just *how* lucky.

8 minutes ago, BrianAlt said:

You can say the only way to get to Central Park is via the Rising Tide Bar from the Promenade. 
 

And the only way to get to the Boardwalk is via the Abyss from the Sports Deck. 

Ok, yeah, that's actually funny.

Also not a fan, but you could always try to convince them there's a deck 1 (or higher top deck) that can only be accessed by a certain elevator or stairwell, send them on a wild goose chase looking for it.

17 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

Doesn't matter how much we've ate during the day, my wife and I always seem to do that too.

Heh, you're not wrong. Something about that pizza just tastes better at 11pm...

1 hour ago, BrianB said:

Maybe it’s just me but I’ll pay a little more to be in control.

Nope. Same reason I'd rather drive myself to the airport than rely on someone to try and drop me off and pick me up. Too many variables while traveling, and I like minimizing any possible problems.

19 minutes ago, Trnkspace said:

I was wondering if anyone knew if I were to Royal Up upgrade to a suite right now, if double points would still be earned.  I booked an ocean view balcony during the double points promo and was checking in for Royal Up offers, but never saw any during the double points time.  I was just offered to Royal Up today, but the double points promo is over.  If I can still get the double points upgrading to a suite, I'd be really interested in bidding now.  So would anyone know?  Thanks!

You don't get extra points from a change to a suite via RoyalUp regardless. You'll still only get the initial points you would have gotten from the original booking class.

20 minutes ago, DuaneG said:

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.

I haven't seen the full tux and ball gown crowd in a while - it's been at least 3 or 4 years. It's even less so right now because with the buffet closed for dinner, there's not an easy option to get around the MDR on formal night like there used to be.

On 10/3/2021 at 10:24 PM, BeachGal said:

Wonderful pics!!  It makes me want to go back to Alaska again.

4 minutes ago, Baked Alaska said:

THANK YOU for posting these, whetting my appetite for more hiking and adventure!! We head back to Alaska next July.

Glad I could help! Definitely looking forward to going back at some point ourselves. 

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

Hmmm maybe this is a revenue thing. RCG is trying to get people who don't sail to spend more time on the island. That would be a big boost, other non-cruising guest paying to stay on their private island.

That's exactly what I'm imagining. Basically their own little version of Atlantis without the casino. 

2 hours ago, Robert Gray said:

One has to assume a cruise ship would drop you off one day and pick you up the next.  Or perhaps a different ship would pick you up if you decide to spend multiple nights?  I was told that it’s already started construction and should be completed by 2023

Given that they're basically running ships to PDCC daily for the short two/three night getaway sailings, they could practically repurpose a smaller ship into a ferry/shuttle of sorts for those who want the inclusive Coco Cay experience but don't particularly care about what ship gets them there.

Correct.

7 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

[For Cover Charge Products], Children between the ages of 0-5 are complimentary and ages 6-12 are $10 per child; children must order from the kids menu.  

Awesome. I really should learn to read before bothering people on here with questions, but thank you.

I'm too cheap to pay for VOOM for the week, plus I like being unplugged while on vacation, but I'm planning on taking *plenty* of photos while on the (hopefully) inaugural sailing of Wonder of the Seas in March, and want a place to share them with afterwards with a bunch of people I know will appreciate them. 

I doubt I'll be able to measure up to the quality of what @twangstertakes, but I'll do my best.

We're gonna be slumming it in an inside unless a sale magically makes a balcony cheaper, so I won't be able to get any shots of the new Suite Neighborhood unless someone is nice enough to invite me up for a tour, but I'll try to do a full overview of the rest of the ship.

Feel free to leave requests of specific things you wanna see and I'll try to make sure I capture them.

5 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

It's only the cover charge places where you may have to pay the $10 per kid. If you go to something ala carte like Playmakers or Portside BBQ there's no charge for the kiddos. You could take advantage of the kids club during dinner and enjoy an adults only dinner too. FYI kids 5 and under aren't charged anything.

Ok, yeah, she's only 2, so in that case I'm assuming she wouldn't have the cover? 

3 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

As a member of the cruising community, I am saddened by the lingering confusion on testing requirements for cruising.   I've been reading questions and comments on various Facebook groups and some people have the wrong ideas and information about this.  I hope they figure things out before their sailings.

Yup. We even had more complicated information to get than most people, as our daughter turned 2 the day of sailing, so we had to figure out if she needed to be tested or not, though we were assuming she would. The agent we spoke to on the phone made sure to follow up and get us a definitive answer well in advance of our sailing date.

12 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

You can make reservations for the kids when you make the adult reservations. The policy is it's $10 a kid and they do have a kids menu that should contain something the kids will eat. If not they are still accommodating and will find something. You may find you don't always get charged the $10 per kid. It is inconsistent whether they will charge, but it is in the fine print of the dining plan under Additional Terms & Conditions. Remember a non paying kid is one less seat they could sell to someone who pays.

Makes sense. Probably not worth doing the plan in that case then, frankly, as I'd rather not shell out an extra $70+ on top of the $400 for the dining plan when I know she's probably just gonna wind up nibbling at whatever we order and then be back down at Sorrento's or something later. 

1 hour ago, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:

We are Choice too, and like you with 0 points. However, a free cruise, or a coupon worth $350 (which is what we had and applied) is worth having. We simply accept it as a freebie from Royal and have never questioned it.

I never go in the casino except to use my Free Play cash - I'm assuming I'd have to at least spend $5 or whatever on slots to be enrolled in Club Royale at the Choice level? Not that I ever plan on gambling enough to earn higher tiers, but if there's a chance they randomly send me $350...