Peter D

Orient beach is very nice.  It's on the Atlantic, so the water can be much rougher (i.e. more waves) than the Phillipsburg beach.  Plenty of bars and facilities.  The clothing optional is Club Orient which is way down the beach and well-marked.

I expect that masks will be required, especially if it travels into Canada.

1 hour ago, FoxboroCruiser said:

We’re doing the same x4….  If anyone knows any reason that’s a bad idea please let us know!  

It's not a bad idea.  As long as you are using only 4 devices, you will not have any issues.  The issues arise when there are more devices than the plan allows and the log in requires other devices to be 'kicked off' wifi.  Teddy (above) provided a solid example for using more devices than plan allows.

I think we are saying the same thing, but to be sure.  The 72 hour PCR/ 1 day antigen test is Canada entry requirements and not a Canada mandated pre-cruise test.  The 2 day PCR/antigen test is the pre-cruise testing that Royal has been requiring all along.   

It's all so confusing... I cannot wait for it all to go away...

"As of April 1, 2022, pre-entry tests are no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. You must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada."  

Travel to Canada: Requirements for COVID-19 vaccinated travellers

The 72-hour PCR test or 1 day antigen test is for unvaccinated children 5 and older.  The 2 Day testing is the standard Royal Caribbean requirement for fully vaccinated passengers to board a ship.

I have been very excited for my May Vancouver to Alaska cruise but dealing with requirements to enter Canada are a drag.  If this goes smoothly, I'll be very surprised.

1 hour ago, Big d said:

 Can we just show it at pier on sail date?

 

This is definitely going to happen, so I wouldn't worry about the app.  At check in, they will take a picture of it, if what you submitted is not sufficient.

15 hours ago, NaturalNine said:

Thanks for the info 

the room was more important to us than the perks, so royal up definitely worthwhile and worked well 

i was hoping that since access to the perks is a one for one swap, and not costing RCL any money, that they’d be possibly OK with switching the credentials/access from my son to my wife even if just keeping them in the same room 

 

based on what I’ve read it seems the CL and CK staff seldom check everybody’s access anyway, as long as I have mine she should be able to walk in with me and the staff will just assume we are in the suite together 

I hope you come back after your cruise and let us know how this worked out.  I was in this exact situation back in 2021, but the cruise was cancelled.  I for one, am interested on how it goes.

3 hours ago, CruiserA said:

Hi everyone! My husband and I are traveling on Oasis in August and we are Diamond.  We missed the major March sale for onboard purchases.  We want to purchase internet for 2 devices and my parents got the March deal of about 40% off internet but now it’s only 10% off and with Diamond I would think purchasing internet on board is same/better than buying now (I read on a blog post that Diamond is 12.5% off for onboard internet packages?) Do you know if RC runs a second sale perhaps pre summer (in June).  Any advice is much appreciated!! 

 

 

 

 

I am also booked for Oasis on August and today's 10%off cruise planner cost for 1 plan, 2 device is $287.  The diamond discount is onboard $ value of one day ($26.99).  Right now, I believe the 2-device plan on the cruise planner is slightly better than the Diamond discount you would receive onboard for the full cruise.  As I mentioned above, if you can go without wifi on embarkation date, you could sign up on morning of day two and save more.  The onboard purchase just takes (the daily rate of $26.99 X number of remaining voyage days)- $26.99.  Keep in mind, you are both entitled to the diamond discount, but if you do a 2-device plan, you will only get one discount.

As for pre-purchasing, you can order now and watch the prices.  If you see a better price, you can always cancel and rebook.     

Royal Caribbean is currently running a 'kids sail free' promotion, it might be worth at least checking the price to put everyone in the same suite if possible.  

Basically, as long as you do not wear pool wear, you will be fine.  Whatever you wear on a normal day to day basis is appropriate.

Many cellular plans have wifi calling option if the phone can manage it.  If you are getting the internet, you might have phone service on the ship available to you.  Your phone would be in airplane mode with wifi turned on and you can use phone as normal.  Might be worth looking into. 

The one time I purchase a multiple device plan from pre-planner (in 2019), there was a letter in my stateroom with instruction on how to access it.  I would expect the same on your upcoming cruise.  

For those with Diamond status and above, one should not discredit the option to purchase Voom while onboard.  I find it's better to purchase internet onboard rather through cruise planner, because of the onboard credit. The other thing about purchasing onboard is that it's prorated as week progresses, and if you can go without internet on 1st night, you will likely save some money. 

For example, as Diamond plus, we get 2 free days of internet.  On our March cruise on Symphony, the pre-planner price was $20 per day and the ship price was $26 per day, pre-planner $140 vs onboard $130 ($182-$52 for two-day credit).  Adding to that, I always skip first night.  Cellular service works while in port and for a bit after departure.  I only end up being without service for a few hours on first night.  On morning of day 2, I sign up for service at 6-day prorated cost of $104 ($156-$52 for two-day credit).  Essentially saving $36 at the expense of some first night access.

It should also be noted that the C&A status credits are per person, so it's not advantageous for D+ to get multiple device plans.  For example, on upcoming Oasis cruise, pre-planner price is $24 per day with one device plan at $168 and two device plan at $287.  The listed on-ship price is $27 per day at $189 ($135 with discounts).  If I were to get the 2-device plan onboard, it would only subtract $54.  Instead, I would do a single plan for both myself and wife to get the $54 off both.  It definitely works out in our advantage.

Anyhow, thought I'd share my experiences with VOOM.          

41 minutes ago, Fox said:

I purchased the Deluxe Beverage package and Surf one device package for my cruise next month. Is there a way to upgrade from Surf to Surf and Stream with this?

Are you sure it is not already surf and stream?  This is the cruise planner description for my upcoming Radiance cruise in May.

"this bundle includes both the Deluxe Beverage Package and the VOOM Surf + Stream - 1 Device Package."

Has anyone used the Diamond+ onboard drink package 30% off discount?  Does it stack at all with other offers?  For example, on Symphony of seas last month, ship was offering buy one, get one 50% off to everyone.  The ship price was $88 for one and $44 for second ($132 for two + gratuities).  If both are diamond plus, can you get an additional 30% off?  If not, then assumption is $88 pp less 30% for both ($123 for two +gratuities).  It basically makes the D+ perk useless.  It would be great if Royal translated the drink vouchers into an equivalent dollar value discount to incentivize UDP.

Do you know if it can be stacked with other on-ship offers?  For example, the ship will frequently offer the buy one, get 50%. so on ship price is $88 (1st) and $44 (2nd).  Can you get 30% off that deal in addition? 

An unrelated drink package question....

Does anyone know whether the Diamond Plus, 30% on ship discount can be used pre-cruise (through cruise planner or calling C&A?

Does anyone know whether that discount stacks with other promotions ie.  on ship frequently offers buy one, get on 50%?  Could a D+ 30% be also used?

Many ships have installed nightlights in the bathroom.  I do not know for sure if Freedom does, but I'd bet it does.

1 hour ago, TracyB said:

I’ll be on symphony of the seas in a neighborhood balcony and wondering if anyone thinks a twin air mattress would fit in front of the couch area. I didn’t see air mattress in the list of things not allowed. Thanks. 

That is a very unusual item to pack on the cruise, but I cannot see why they would be prohibit you from bringing it, other than maybe power issues to fill it up with air. 

I cannot speak to the neighborhood balcony, but I was just on Symphony in a standard ocean view balcony room.  In that room, there was not much floor space between the couch and the desk/storage cabinet across from it.  If it could fit, I am sure it would be very tight with no walking space around it.  

I am pretty certain that the Samsung TVs in the rooms are set to "hotel hospitality mode" which disables the HDMI inputs, which would like mean the media server would not work.  I have never tried the USB drive option, but I have doubts that works either.   

These days, you cannot really predict what is going to happen.  I can only speak for myself, but as I led up to the most recent cruise in March, I just lived my life, business as usual.  Follow reasonable precautions, ie frequent hand washing, minimize huge crowds where prudent.  I didn't worry about the pretesting, because I cannot really do much about it.  You can hibernate for 30 days, and still test positive.

I just got off the Symphony and it is a great ship.  Try not worry about it and have fun.

You can also look at the dining menu through the app.  I am almost positive they have the same menu for formal nights regardless of the ship.  For example, Duck L'Orange and Grand Marnier Souffle are on the first formal night, and Lobster tail and baked alaska on the second night (assuming 7 night cruises with 2 formal nights).

Like Atlantix2000 stated, if the only reason you don't want to do formal night is presumed need to dress up, don't worry about it.  You can wear the typical casual clothing.

Only you can truly answer that question.  Without doing any of the excursions or specialty activities (cabanas, beach club), Coco Cay is basically a beach stop.  The free facilities are great (beaches, oasis lagoon pool) and plenty of good food options, but is it worth $200? Not sure.  If you looked at it differently, would it be worth $67pp for the full family to have a full beach day?  Maybe..  Is this likely the only time you would go to Coco Cay?  probably worth it then.

In the end, if that visa would be required to get off the ship at Coco Cay, you could just consider it to be part of your overall vacation cost.  You might regret not having it when you get there and cannot get off.   

I cannot recommend any things to do, but if it makes any difference, the check-in times were not enforced when we were on the Symphony last week.  On March 19th when we embarked, Royal started the boarding at 11am and there was no wait to board.  Some in our travel party had 1130am check in time and two had 130pm everyone boarded at 1130am. 

With today's announcement of CDC dropping the cruise ship warning, I am hopeful that things are going to change soon (maybe even by June 1 as suggested earlier in this conversation).  I actually think (hope) vaccination requirements will go before testing.  They could either continue requirements for all to be tested (vaccinated and not) or I could also see them just requiring unvaccinated cruisers to test negative (no testing for vaccinated).

I think the cruise lines will continue to phase out the requirements and hopefully soon.