WAYNO

If Diamond is important to you, then absolutely go for it. 

As Diamond got closer, our cruise frequency increased, just 'cause we didn't want to wait.  And it happened fast.

My Wife is on Oasis of the Seas as I'm now posting.

Voom, for us, is always hit or miss.  On this cruise, it's mostly miss.  I am receiving some photos from her, but she sees almost none of my replies.  The ship told her, I-Phones are problematic, and she should upgrade to Stream.  She did so, but she still is receiving almost none of my correspondence, either to her tablet or her I-phone.

Their signature drink...

Labadoozie...

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/07/15/royal-caribbean-classic-labadoozie

Unfortunately, this is a ploy I've recently experienced in the travel/tourism industry.  They can't accommodate your reservation, offer an unsatisfactory replacement, with only a take-it-or-cancel choice, and when you say cancel, it's now on you, as you are now the one who has cancelled.  Their responsibilities are sometimes less if you cancel, as opposed to them doing the cancelling. 

When we're treated well, we tip very well.  When we're treated not so well, I still tip, but not as much.  What a system.  Sometimes I even pre-tip, to insure we'll not be ignored.

We buy the tip package.  That sort of helps with tips with some folks that we otherwise might not think to tip.  But I otherwise tip well in addition to this.

I try to talk with the workers on the ship.  Bartenders, servers, cabin attendants, etc.  I enjoy hearing of their experiences, and even of their family.  Many of them enjoy my interest.  Again, treat me well, I treat you well, and when it's all done, my tips further show my appreciation.

Today, November 7th, my Wife boarded Oasis of the Seas with a high school friend for a week of fun and sun in the Caribbean.

We've not cruised since the official start of the covid fiasco, and we've greatly missed it.

In spite of the newest protocols, covid test, vaccination proof, etc., my wife said this was the easiest and the quickest check in we've ever experienced.  They took her by the hand and sped her through the whole check in ordeal, and she was on the ship in a flash.

Thank you Royal Caribbean!

An update, and what we did...

Took the test in a local hospital clinic.  Tested at the same time, one of us received results  the same day, the other result came the following day, after we got on a plane for 12 hours worth of connections.  I'm pleased that the results were negative, and timely enough to be used to get us on the ship, but the dilemma remains.  Travel across the country, and hope the results follow you in time.

I'm glad other folks' friends successfully got their tests in Seattle or wherever, by CVS or whoever, but the bottom line is,  cover your bases.  Plan for contingencies.  One glitch and you could end up without results and you'd have to scramble for a local test, or worse, the test could come back positive, and you're stuck without lodging or transportation on the other side of the country. 

It is what it is.  I get that.  Just be prepared.

Not an official answer, but my experience...

I've sailed from Port Canaveral more than any other port, and I've discovered Port Canaveral to be very user friendly.  In fact, in the tourism/transportation industry, cabs, shuttles, rental car businesses, motels, everybody seems to know what ships(s) are in port, and they know from which dock they're arriving or leaving.

On boarding day, anybody associated with the cruises in any way will easily direct you correctly.

I hope I had something to do with newbies discovering cruising for the first time.

Most folks I know that have never cruised, profess they have no interest.  I do my best to impress on them, give it a chance, just one time, and you'll be back for more.  A short five years ago I also said I had no interest in cruising, and couldn't imagine ever doing so.  We cruised with some cousins, and now each time I cruise, I can't wait for my next cruise. 

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

Or you might find the complementary drinks to which you are entitled are enough & you don’t need the package?

Should be.

46 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Yes, that’s what I meant. OP was told over the phone it was not possible but it is.

It's only possible if you get a receptionist that says it's possible.  Sometimes a person just gets tired of calling, hoping for a person that will sell you a single  Deluxe package with a single Refreshment package. 

In the meantime, we're getting ready for a cruise Sunday, and I'll worry about drinks on the February cruise and try again when the dust settles from this cruise.   Hurray and hurry!  Oasis. 11/7/21.  7-day, Perfect Day, Sint Maartens and USVI.

I thought that was 4 per person total, not per day.  If so, then I oughta be okay.  And ordering single packages  on the phone? Guess it depends on who answers, as on the phone I was also told multiple times I had to buy two of the same packages if there are two people in my room.

A vent, and maybe even a question...

The hard drink package, must be bought for everybody sharing a room.  Problem is, my wife truly does not drink.  Not even a drop.

So, a thousand dollars for two drink packages.  I already have free drinks in the casino when it's open, and we each have 4 drink vouchers per cruise (Diamond perk).  They've made an exception in the past, and sold me a single drink package, but now they say absolutely not.

Anybody else questioning this dilemma?

Nope, you're not making this a bigger deal than it is.  It is a big deal, and the rules continually evolve.

You have to decide if just being in the Caribbean, in the sun, on a beautiful ship, overrides the inconvenience and uncertainty of covid restrictions.

I've discovered restrictions and requirements that were unknown to me until after I actually booked my two upcoming cruises.  I understand the ships have to cruise for the company to remain in business, but now I think had I known of all the restrictions and covid testing requirements, we should have waited. 

Now let me expand a little after originally posting the previous lines...

Your first cruise?  I still think the canned tours available from the ship remain a wonderful option.  Don't discount that experience.  After many cruises and many different tours, both freestyle and prearranged, I've grown to prefer the prearranged group tours, be it it on a trolley, tram, bus or railroad.

Yep.  Good info above.  I wouldn't call it a scam.  They're just charging what folks will step up to pay.  Do your price research on anything you buy.  I've not found too many real deals on a cruise.

But, I don't cruise to be a cheapskate.  I buy what I think the folks at home will like, knowing it came from the ship, or from a Caribbean vendor. 

We also very much enjoyed the railway tour. 

Our experience... Folks do their best to be topside on the railcar.  It's quite packed up there.  We remained below, inside the car.  Still had a great view and we were lavished by the wonderful young ladies that are the hosts and tour guides on this train ride.  And by the end of the tour, the folks up on top realized the best place was down below.

Lots of ideas here and I appreciate them.

Walgreens, CVS, and others remain unhelpful.  The online/at-home tests, I'm still relying on someone else to not drop the ball when I try so hard to be pro-active.  The RC test is also the most expensive.

What we've settled on... We have an appointment for a test on Friday for for a Sunday cruise.  They may or may not have timely results for us, and will text the results.  We'll print the results when we get them, and if that's not good enough, we'll just hope we can get a test in the Miami Airport. 

Thank you. 

Palates change.  Sometimes they're more receptive of tastes than other times.  The same drink, different times of day, tastes different.  Sometimes the alcohol remains hidden, and other times it may seem strong.

I wasn't there, so I can only speculate.  I'd move ahead and hope the next drink is more enjoyable.

There have been times over the years, I suggested to my Wife that my drink has little or no alcohol.  I've asked her to sample it, and every time she responds with a grimace that it is in fact quite saturated with alcohol.

I'll also say, if you asked, you'd get credit for any unsatisfactory drink. 

My personal answer is, I've found my drinks on any ship to be pleasantly strong.

Yes, and again thanks.  We and our traveling partner have researched this online and are continuing to do so.  In every case, the best response we receive is maybe.

We have not given up, but are just wondering what other folks are doing.  I still don't believe we're alone in this dilemma.

3 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Folks are either ordering the proctored at-home tests from Florida or finding Urgent Care type places that have the testing.  

http://www.testfortravel.com is a good place to start to see what the options near you are.  Antigen testing is typically the one that has the more availability of a rapid turnaround time.

CVS and Walgreens offer testing all over the country.  CVS has rapid antigen and Walgreens has rapid antigen or NAAT with a 24-hour turnaround (typically takes no more than a few hours for results).

Most Florida airports also have testing in the terminals for when you land.

 

Thank you for that.  So far, neither CVS or Walgreens in our area say they can help us with a test and/or rapid results with such a short time window.  I hate chancing leaving home without results, but I also hate cancelling another cruise and losing another airfare.  Guess we'll chance it and hope we can get the test at the airport when we land if we cannot get a test and results before we leave.  Had I known of this testing requirement, I would have reconsidered booking these cruises. 

I guess I'm late to this party.  We've not cruised in well over a year, as our last cruise was cancelled due to covid issues.

As the dust was finally settling, or so we thought, we've recently booked two cruises, one of them less than two weeks away.

Call me ignorant, but we just now discovered that covid testing is required within two days of our next cruise.  And yes, we are vaccinated.

We live in the Pacific Northwest, and we usually fly out one-to-three days before the cruise when the cruise departs from Florida.  In this case, we're flying one day before the cruise.  So the day before that, we'll have to arrange a covid test with fast results.  We cannot find anywhere that can guaranty we'll get the results in time. 

I can't be the only person facing this same dilemma.  How are folks handling this?