cruiserccl

The only thing I can think of is "Florida Resident"

I recently received this email from RCL. About my cruise in november.  

The changes do not bother me. I am wondering if they are leaving later because they are expecting more passengers to board for this cruise and want to have a larger embakation window to spread passengers out further. Just wondering what others think. 
 
 

I used to be able to in the old cruise planner  now that’s it’s a new updated one I can no longer modify  
 

They tried to tell me to look it up in the app!  It’s very frustrating when they don’t know what they are talking about.
they also said “just use your card snd the discount will come off”. Also not a true statement. 1) you need to know what the discount is! 2) you must ask for it as it doesn’t always come off.

As a lowly Gold member, I'd be very interested in what is offered onboard as well.
 

If they didn't want to provide it in the stateroom, perhaps they could have posted on the App...so it would save you time from going to GS.

Disembarkation has been pretty smooth lately…especially with the decreased capacity. I do self walk off with my luggage but it’s just me with a large rolling bag and a carry on that attaches to the top. The walk from the ship, through the gangway, down the escalator and into the customs hall is pretty long. If I had more than one bag, I would probably just put them out at night and pick them up in the customs hall. It’s very easy locating them. Then after getting my face scanned at CPB checkpoint and getting the green check mark…a quick stroll out the side door and to the garage. Make sure you have your parking ticket with you…do NOT leave it in the car. I hear this happens quite often. When you approach the garage, you must insert the ticket and a credit card into the self-service pay machine to get an exit ticket. There’s also a cash only machine. Don’t worry…there are plenty of workers to show you how it’s done. They actually do it for you…makes things go much quicker. You’ll get a receipt and an exit ticket which you need to raise the barrier to get out of the garage. They even have a worker who takes your ticket and inserts it in the machine for you. Up goes the arm and you’re on your way.

Vlad,
When your turn off the road and are heading toward the terminal STAY in the right lane. The left lane puts gets you into a parking lot for picking up passengers. The right lane takes you to the front of the terminal and porters are standing by to take your luggage. From there head to the parking garage. It's not a very far walk back to the terminal either. Hope you have a GREAT cruise! 😎

On our last two cruises we received a list of shows in our cabin when we arrived. Reservations were made on the app and as stated would only allow one reservation for each show, even if it was shown twice. We sat and made them immediately and were able to see everything we wanted and when we wanted. We thought it was much easier than the long lines, having to arrive 30 minutes early to make sure we got in and as stated earlier, the lower level is for vaccinated only and the masks came off immediately. You are suggested to have at least two seats between your party and another and only had one show where there was so many people that we only had one. Will say that show had a very long standing ovation for the performance. As they say, schedule it early.

On the Oasis, all of the shows are there. The Broadway show Cats, the Aqua80’s show, the Frozen in Time ice show and the various headliners and comics perform. As @SpeedNoodlesnoted, due to physical distancing rules, you can only reserve them when onboard. And you can only reserve each of them one time…so everyone gets a chance. Some showtimes are for vaccinated only, others may be for everyone. In the theater, the main seating area is for vaccinated only and the balcony is for everyone. When in the vaccinated only section, masks can be removed. In the everyone section, masks must be worn and distancing between groups is recommended. 

Since the restart, shows are not available to book until you're on the ship. 

There was no sheet in my room on Adventure.  I had to go to Guest Services to get one. I was surprised at their attitude when I inquired, but I got it.

Here is the list of actual Platinum level benefits/offerings (details that are not provided on the generic C&A sheet on Royal's website). These are preloaded onto your SeaPass card.
They used to give you this sheet as part of the welcome onboard paperwork in your cabin, but for some reason (at least for us last week on Oasis) we had to request it at Guest Services.

 

We were gold last month on Anthem and got two drinks with 50% off, there were a few other offers but we didn’t use them.

My wife is a big smoothie drinker in the morning. I saw that the sunshine bar at the solarium used to offer them. Does anyone know if this is still the case? If not, has anyone had any luck getting a smoothie anywhere on Anthem? Thank you

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/10/29/royal-caribbean-offer-prix-fixe-specialty-restaurant-lunch-experience
Seems like some positive feedback:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/16876-new-dining-options-taste-of-royal/&tab=comments#comment-172642
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/16602-taste-of-royal-on-voyager/&tab=comments#comment-169512
 

I will soon be boarding a different ship but the day I debark I am flying to Canada to deal with a pressing family issue that can't wait any longer.  Being on the cruise will make it very difficult to coordinate a PCR test for my entry into Canada.
I reached out to a management contact on the ship I know as a frequent cruiser.  They recently responded: 
      Good morning, 

      We will be able to assist you with PCR test on Day 7 - between 6:30am and 7:00am in the conference center deck 3. 
      The service is complementary. 
Upon boarding the ship head to guest services and talk with them about it.  They may use a different location on Anthem but they are keenly aware of the varying testing requirements around the world.  Keep in mind the crew on board come from all over the world so collectively they have themselves faced a myriad of testing just to get to the US to be on the ship.  This isn't something they have no experience with themselves.  

Thanks so much!
I feel less nervous - especially about the dining and entertainment bookings. It's great to hear from all the RCCL experts about their experience. It's not as clear reading through the RCCL website.
I'm getting more excited each day!
I'm definitely taking notes!
 
 

Thank you for the information.
Definitely sounds like my concern in booking onboard is unfounded. I'm glad I have some flexibility with regards to dining reservations. I don't recall paying for dining reservations ahead of time for my other cruises. So it makes me nervous that I may not be able to get a refund, should we not get our preferred booking. 
I don't think I would be so worried if we didn't have to pay until we get onboard.
As far as Bayonne...I would love to just drive there from Canada, but until our land border opens, we are stuck with flying and that's a concern for us. We've only taken a connecting flight out of Newark once before and we went directly to the next gate so I don't remember if there were any delays. We will arrive a day or two before just in case.
 

We have sailed from Bayonne over New Year's, weather was chilly leaving NYC, and rainy on the way back.  No issues, and if you are on Anthem like we were,  the ship is well designed and has an abundance of indoor space and activities.  We are sailing on Oasis in a couple of weeks and Anthem again in January, both from Bayonne.  We will drive or take the train, the airlines are a little unpredictable right now. 
It's super easy to make dining reservations, just do it as soon as you get on board.  There will be multiple people waiting at the promenade/esplanade area that can take your reservations.   If for some reason you don't get the reservations you wanted, you can always go to Guest Services and have them cancel the package for you.   Several years ago we had a 3 nt dining package and decided after a couple of days we weren't going to use it more than once.  Guest Services cancelled for us so that might be another option for you. 
You should be able to make other reservations in the App.   The calendar will show you times and availability once you get on the ship.  
 

I’m in NJ and close to the port. I sail on the Anthem out of Bayonne over the winters. It’s the perfect ship for sailing out of New York harbor in cold weather. The Solarium is completely enclosed in glass and climate controlled. So is the large indoor family pool. And the indoor SeaPlex is great! It usually takes about a day and a half to get to a warmer climate where you can lounge on the sundeck and enjoy the outdoor pool.
I don’t want to jinx it but…here in NJ, December snow storms are not the norm. They do happen occasionally but rarely severe, and there is typically advance warning so crews are ready to plow and clear.  

As mentioned above, dining packages do not allow pre-reserving…but there is usually availability when you board. They will not allow all of the reservations to be taken before embarkation day. Just go to any restaurant host with your list and they’ll do their best. Have back-up times ready just in case. However, if you do wish to guarantee your preferred restaurant time…just make the individual reservations on the Cruise Planner. It will cost a bit more than the package but you will have peace of mind that the reservation is booked. As to your question, you can cancel your Cruise Planner purchase and get a refund if you wish to cancel the dining package. Also, the courtesy booking that comes with the dining package is just a placeholder and you can change it onboard. **reservations are dependent upon the health safety protocols in effect at the time…in case distancing measures are still in effect.
The main entertainment shows ‘We Will Rock You’  and ‘The Gift’ in the Royal Theater and ‘Spectra’s Cabaret’ in Two70 perform several times during the seven day sailing, usually each show performs once a day on several days. The time of the shows may change…We Will Rock You also does a matinee showing. All of them…in my opinion…are wonderful, not to be missed. Enjoy your cruise!

I am from Vancouver area and just got off Ovation last Friday in Seattle. Royal gave us a PCR test at 9:15AM on Thursday. We had the results delivered to our stateroom by 6PM. It was complimentary and very efficient. I commented on it on the post cruise survey and gave them props and requested kindly that they continue to provide the service complimentary for as long as it is needed.

Table service on Anthem a few weeks ago!

There's no charge, you just want to get it scheduled early.
I'd suggest on day 2 or 3 to go to Guest Services and ask for a test so you can get back in to Canada.
They will schedule one for you. Be sure to be on time, as they cannot do tests later if you miss it.

I believe you can go down to guest service and schedule an appointment. It depends on your situation: such as if Canada requires a test date 3 days beforehand, then they will test you maybe the second to last day of cruise. The test will be free, they offer this to international guest, B2B and S2S. They list this info under protocols.