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On 2/15/2022 at 9:20 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

I am not a huge fan of the CK.  I love it for the convenience (especially for breakfast) and there are a couple of menus that we like but for the most part, I can take it or leave it.  The location, convenience, views and slower pace (usually) are the big pluses for the CK.  The food itself is marginal (IMO).

CK is usually filled to capacity, and if you dont make reservations you won't be seated. As these are for suite guests( who normally have cruised  with Royal in the past) it seems to be a preference for dining.  I like the fact that everything is cooked to order. It arrives quite quickly and hot. The servers always do a good job to recommend what is popular and good on the menu.  Like MDR, if you dont like any particular selection , you can alway have another.  ie filet/lobster., whatever.  Wine is complimentary of course as well and I always have a  nice coffee and digestif ,also complimentary .  I have cruised very recently (6 times) in the last few months and in speaking with the concierge, the CK went through some changes with regards to quality.  I even spoke to the head chef on board, and he claims CK is the best you can get on the ship. The beef is prime. I think the MDR is select or standard.  The menu switches up daily, with a few items repeated that are popular.  The views , the service and total ambiance is my preference as well and usually very few children if any.  

16 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

I have kept all my luggage tags from my Royal cruises.  I cannot see any pattern that links the tag color to my Crown & Anchor status.

where do you find those plastic covers?

On 2/13/2022 at 8:01 PM, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

One and done for me!  We paid $72 each for our cruise in November.  It was ok but no…I will never do it again.  I feel like paying the money kept me away from exploring the rest of the island and we didn’t get to try a snack shack chicken sandwich (which was better than the steak and lobster lunch at the club IMO) until we were heading back to ship.  Just feel like we missed a lot by staying in one area.  Even the lunch, in my opinion wasn’t worth that kind of money.  But everyone has their thoughts and opinions and this is mine.  So I will say one more thing: if you really want to try it and know you will be back to CocoCay in the future, doing it at such a low price is probably an okay thing to do.  We are heading back in April and will do some exploration of the entire island and will make sure we make a few visits to the snack shack as well as the grill area.  

I share this opinion.

I was allowed to walk through this area .  From what I can see,  its the same beach sand, the same water.  You get an infinity pool that might feel crowded if this place is at full capacity.  The loungers look a bit more comfortable, and there are days beds by the pool, that are first come first serve, so you must be there early for that.  So you are paying approx $100 each for  food  ?  Nope. Not worth IMHO.  Would rather site see the rest of the island and have a few tacos/burgers. or that secret sandwich.   This place should be for suite guests as a perk.

On 2/15/2022 at 5:27 PM, recogneyes said:

Thanks and yikes  - that's expensive.  Hopefully Walgreen's or CVS can do them cheaper and do the paperwork required to travel back to canada.   I've heard from others that antigen testing at the border is $65 so that's an option as are the Switch Health antigen tests that you purchase before you leave Canada

Just thinking. Canda cannot refuse re entry for any bonafide Canadian, Vaxxed or not. Im not even going to get tested.  They might just let me through

39 minutes ago, twangster said:

It really struck me when certain countries closed their doors early in the pandemic to their own citizens such as ship crew trying to get home.  Canada has all but tried to do the same and still has been trying to effectively do that.

I just can't fathom a country refusing entry to its own citizens regardless of infection.  Turning away foreigners is one thing.  Turning away your own citizens is a massive red flag and I'm not going for a play on words with the red flag comment.  Scary country that would refuse to allow a citizen to come home, especially one who has no symptoms.  Presumed guilty, prove that you are not.

Im agreeing with you here.  For those who have had covid or omicron, you are more immune than ever. And if you have had it recently and need to re test,  I'm wondering if it helps to to a nasal wash before testing.. or take a q-tip and dip it in rubbing alcohol, and clean that shnoz out?  minute bacterial particles can linger in the nostril... so this might be a good idea. Why so many people test positive and have no symptoms at all?   Just a thought/idea

On 2/14/2022 at 7:10 PM, YellowBrickRoad said:

Just made my Shoppers appointments for our March Cruise Antigen Tests and now waiting what type of Antigen we can use on the way back ……  

Wallmart pharmacy is half the price. I have an appt there this saturday. $19,95CAD

On 2/12/2022 at 10:59 AM, recogneyes said:

This is terrific news in time for March Break.  Did you happen to notice if the Port Terminal in Bayonne is offering antigen tests and if so the price and turnaround time?  If they are not offering, then there is testing at most of the bridges.  Just trying to plan in advance. Thanks!

Antigen test at the terminal is $105us.    Im going to call Walgreens and make an appt in Niagara Falls NY.  Should be far less than that.  

13 minutes ago, VirtKitty said:

Keep checking that prices haven't gone down for my sailing.

Luckily I get comped  suites through Club Royale. This eliminates constant checking for lowest rates. 

I used to go to 69 Hook rd for lower priced parking.  It was good and far less than the terminal rates with a free shuttle.

As far as I know it has closed due to covid.   Has any got any news or other off sites?  The rates at the terminal add up with B2B cruises.

5 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

Cruise to Alaska is a little over 3 months away.  We have pretty much finished with planning (to the extent possible at this stage).

I browse the forums daily and have all of the YouTube videos I can stomach.

It's like waiting for Christmas in September.

So tell me, what do you guys do in the meantime?  

go on a diet

Last night on Caribbean blog live Youtube,  Matt stated his opinion on the dining experience in the Coastal Kitchen as "meh" , Yet he continually raves about the cooking table at Izumi/Hibachi   Thoughts?  agree? disagree?

On 2/12/2022 at 11:45 PM, Swar said:

Naa, it's Haiti's fault.  they shouldn't have that island in the way of the trash.

I fail to see whats so funny. Urban pollution has long been a problem in Haiti, which produced more than 2 million metric tons of waste in 2015, according to data from the World Bank. The same report found that Port-au-Prince collects just 12% of its solid waste, one of the lowest rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Yes there is some pollution coming in through oceans currents, but Haiti has a HUGE problem.  Research it instead of laughing about it. 

11 hours ago, AGSLC5 said:

They do not. I am a prime member with Royal but I have recently discovered I enjoy celebrity quite a bit. I am having to gain status with Celebrity's casino from scratch which has been pretty easy. I have got 2 comped cruises from them last summer and now I am getting casino rates. I am almost at Amathyst and looking forward to when I get there for some of those perks.  

Ok, thx. At least we are at an Emerald status. Im going to try with a private host and give it a go. As much as I like Royal, the consensus seems to be that Celebrity is a notch up in overall quality/luxury  from state rooms  to food and entertainment. Further.. less kids.   So I am going to give it a go.  

On 9/26/2021 at 2:09 AM, Linda R said:

agree with that

Interesting. Im not impressed any of the burgers on Oasis.  There surely must be a better burger chain that Royal can partner with?   I am a picky burger guy...  

Celebrity has a loyalty match for Crown and Anchor members.  I m trying to find out if they do the same with the casino program?  If I am a Signature player on Royal, do I get the same benefits on a Celebrity ship?

7 hours ago, MaryCanadian said:

So happy to see on the news this morning that Canada is getting rid of pcr test requirement for returning fully vaxxed Canadian travellers at the end of this month.  A rapid antigen test is so much cheaper and faster results for those of us that have booked earlier flights on disembarkation day.  It will be a great stress reliever for me.

 

 

agreed. What is the cost of the antigen test on embarkation? Any news?  

4 minutes ago, Eddy said:

 

Wrong. Seen Mamma Mia numerous times. Excellent inviting production. Cats? 2/1/2 hours ....I never liked it the first time , and gave it a few more chances to see if I missed anything. Its simply not a good fit for the ship. Period.  Hopefully the contract will expire soon and new shows can begin. Many critics of broadway shows would agree.....along with a majority of cruisers.  

2 hours ago, Ray said:

Personally i have never seen Cats so if i was to go i would stay until the end.

I do think you actually answer the issue yourself when you say it drags on probably as youve seen it lots of times! How many other cruisers are in the same position? How many cruisers look at cruise planner see something they want to do then realise they have an hour to fill in so take in 1st part of a show like cats etc which means they leave half way through or others who like you have seen it that often it becomes repetitive.

Should RC bin a show just because someone finds it boring as they have seen it numerous times or should they honour their contract and allow first time cruisers the opportunity to experience it and enjoy it the like most of those who now find it boring did the 1st time ?  

40 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

This is terrific news in time for March Break.  Did you happen to notice if the Port Terminal in Bayonne is offering antigen tests and if so the price and turnaround time?  If they are not offering, then there is testing at most of the bridges.  Just trying to plan in advance. Thanks!

Im looking. We will drive to Niagara Falls .Might try a local Walgreens or CVS pharmacy.  Might take a hotel night stay at Seneca Niagara resort if worse comes to worse.  

15 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I’m not sure what the deal is but I assume there are contracts in place that they are tied to. It’s no secret that Cats is the least liked show on the RC fleet. It’s got to be tough on the cast to see more than 50% of the audience not return after intermission. If there was going to be a change it should have happened a couple years back when Oasis went through her amplification but it didn’t which leads me to believe there is some kind of contract and/or licensing agreement.

You could be right. It also costs a lot of money for sets.  the pandemic doesn't help as well. Staffing, restructuring, etc.. is a major ordeal and new contracts.  But Royal cant be oblivious to the disappointment thats going on with this show?!  

After reading many reviews on Oasis of the Seas, it seems that most dislike the show Cats and they say many people walk out of the show. Some stick it out into the second half, but IMO this show just simply drags on.  Maybe its because Ive seen it so many times?  Like many cruisers, the entertainment is one of the reasons I like Royal.  But I do think its time to switch up a few shows. Looking forward to what's on Wonder of the Seas!

I just read on another bloggers site who just came back from Labadee, and its sad to report the amount of trash he discovered and videoed. 

Even though the entire beach is raked prior to cruisers arrival, trash becomes to build up on the north end of the beach. The beach workers do their best

to clean up however.  Near the end of the day the blogger reports the huge amount of trash that accumulated . This trash is not from Royal cruisers. It is an

environmental disaster, that Haiti needs to deal with...  As much a Royal does a great job in cleaning it up, the trash keeps coming in.  @sieglemedia

13 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

You still need an antigen test though

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/feds-to-eliminate-pre-arrival-pcr-testing-for-fully-vaccinated-canadian-travellers-source-says-1.5778453           You may be right... Antigen is far less expensive  .  $210 for pcr at the Port terminal in Bayonne!

13 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

You still need an antigen test though

words not out completely. If you are fully vaxxed, you get a pass is the way I hope.