Moby Dick

Beautiful and comfy looking.

No matter how long our net cruise is, we become Diamond, we only need 3 nights and I believe that's the shortest cruise you can go on. But, of course we don't actually get the bennies until the cruise after that. I didn't know about the pictures. But, I really haven't checked/researched it, yet. When it happens, I will.

Just by my own antidotal evidence I'd say it won't be long before formal night(s) will be dropped from most cruise line's as a semi-requirement/suggestion. As time moves on, the cruise lines are doing less and less enforcement of it. In fact, I don't think they enforce it at all (except for swimsuits/tank tops/torn-up jeans/etc.) anymore. I love people watching and it is really a great time watching folks on the way to the MDR or other venues all dressed up and they, for the most part, look so happy and proud doing it. Some kids, not so much. I think it is a great option to do if you are so inclined, the taste of my meal and the enjoyment of the event doesn't change one bit. One night on Brand X cruise lines, in the MDR I witnessed a lady having a meltdown because a man had his cowboy hat on. I was embarrassed for her. If I was close enough to her, I would of asked her if her meal tasted differently because of a hat. From that night on, including cruising now, I wear my baseball cap into the MDR/Chops/whatever. I do take it off while seated, well my wife may have to remind me to do so. As one that really really dislikes formal anything, I do 3 and may modify that a little if I feel like it. But, there is no Tux tie or Suit in my suitcase. My wife always wears a pantsuit with a wrap. She gets cold easy.

That's the main, of many, reasons that I don't care for "formal". I'm retired, if I wanted to wear a suit, I wouldn't have retired.

Exactly our feelings and actions. Except pictures. We don't do pictures at all. I've got way too many cameras to pay someone else to take a picture of me/us.

Do you: 1. Go all out and wear a Tux or suit/evening gown 2. Get semi-formal. I/We wear a nice pair of pants a button down shirt w/collar and a sports coat, no tie/pantsuit 3. Wear a pair of jeans and a polo shirt, maybe a sports coat/a nice pair of slacks and a nice blouse 4. Just wear what I/We had on during the day, shorts and T-shirt. Not bathing suits and tank tops 5. We don't participate in Formal night(s). So, we don't go to venues that want me/us to be formal

If the new one is like that, I like what looks like a handle on it. It can be attached to a back pack or other tote without having to go into it, convenient.

I agree with the RFID/proximity. But, it makes me think that there is a possibility that it really doesn't ID. Reason: I overheard a person that said to another person that he found the tumbler that was in his hand, on the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise and I heard this conversation on the day before the end of the cruise (a 7 day cruise) that he tried it in the special Coke machine and it worked. And he's been using it since he found it, yuck! So, I'm thinking that either the person that lost it, never reported it, which I doubt, OR when a tumbler is lost, the crew just makes sure you are authorized a tumbler and just hands over a new one without inputting the loss of the original. I'm guessing that chips in the tumblers just authorize its use but not necessarily provides ID to any one person. So, if you have a tumbler, it works. It may be programed for the ship and particular cruise, only. I don't know. Just fruit for thought.

The way I read it, if your cruise departs from a U.S. Port, "my sailing on Navigator from LA", you'll need as stated above, a FDA Approved (for self test kits) test with CLIA # or Certification #. I don't believe it matters where you start your trip, to get on and cruise on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ship that embarks and cruises from an U.S. Port, you must follow all of: Where should I go to get a pre-cruise COVID-19 test? What types of tests are accepted? Where do I submit the results? Accepted Tests for Guests Sailing from North America (U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada) Below are details about which tests are accepted to board the ship. The type of test you need for your cruise, as well as the testing window, can vary depending on your vaccination status. If you are unclear on test requirements your for your cruise, visit our main COVID-19 testing FAQ to learn more. Accepted Types of Tests and Results There are two common types of diagnostic COVID-19 tests A molecular test, also called a PCR test or NAAT test – our testing requirements call this a “PCR test” An antigen test, also called a rapid antigen test – our testing requirements call this an “antigen test" The test must be supervised by a health professional, such as a doctor, pharmacy technician, public health worker, or telehealth professional. Telehealth testing at home is only accepted for vaccinated guests, and only when it is conducted under live video supervision. Learn more about acceptable telehealth tests including our home test kit. You must receive a valid results document from your test provider that includes the name of the lab that processed the test, the lab’s CLIA Lab Number or Certification Number, the address of the lab, your name, the date the test was taken, type of test, and your negative result. This can be a printed document, email, or telehealth app notification. Fully handwritten doctor’s notes (such as those written on a prescription pad) will not be accepted. Minimal handwritten components (such as a check mark on a “negative” box) are acceptable as long as the other required information is printed on the document. Tests We Do Not Accept Antibody tests are not accepted, as they do not detect a current infection. Home test kits that are self-administered at home, and not supervised live by a telehealth professional, are also not accepted. Supervised telehealth tests are not accepted for unvaccinated guests – only for vaccinated guests. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ AND: Telehealth Testing for Cruises Departing from U.S. Ports, Puerto Rico, Canada and the UK For fully vaccinated guests as young as 5, we accept self-administered COVID-19 tests taken under live video supervision. Telehealth self-tests taken at home must meet these requirements: Per U.S. CDC guidance, only vaccinated guests may present self-administered telehealth COVID-19 test results at the terminal to satisfy the pre-cruise testing requirement. The test must have Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. FDA. The self-test process must happen under live supervision on a video call with a telehealth representative. The telehealth provider must issue you a result document that includes all the necessary information. International guests sailing from the U.S. are able to complete their testing using telehealth test kits, providing the kit has been authorized for use by the U.S. FDA. Telehealth test kits obtained internationally that do not meet this requirement will not be accepted. International guests can arrange to have F.D.A.-approved test kits shipped to the U.S. address where they’ll be staying before their cruise and complete their test prior to departing for the cruise terminal using a U.S. PayPal address to complete the purchase. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If sailing FROM Singapore: Accepted Tests for Guests Sailing from Singapore All Guests: Required Pre-Cruise Testing All guests, regardless of age or vaccination status, must undergo a professionally supervised rapid antigen or PCR test no earlier than one day before boarding day and receive a negative result in order to board the ship. The test result proof must be in English in order to be accepted at check in. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ So, if you plan on getting tested in Singapore at a local lab, I'd make sure they have CLIA Lab # and/or a Certification #. If you telehealth while in Singapore, make sure the test and lab meets the requirements above.

Ahhhhhhh, they pull the floating pier up against the starboard side, eh?

I'm not sure about this: I've always been under the understanding that there is a "chip" in the bottom of the tumblers that activate those special Coke machines, you have to purchase the drink package or be in Star Class to get one. I have no idea what kind of chip it is or even if it is a chip (silicone) that are the kind the world is having a hard time getting right now. Is the chip one of those or is it something like a magnet? If it is a silicone chip, could that be the reason for the shortage of the tumblers or at least a switch to another type of tumbler and activating device? ?????????? Just thunk'in out loud.

Have you heard if there are any plans in the future for Suite only access in, maybe, the area under construction or repurpose some other area(s)?

The best dining package Royal offers is Star Class!

No matter how you count the numbers, how many ships are there, how you slice the bread, the policy that the Port or Royal or both have set up to handle the crowds isn't working and it can't be attributed to people showing up early to the non-boarding time boarding times. I also don't like one terminal handling more than one ship at a time. Look at the baggage next to the covered walkway closest to the Ovation, it's huge and as stated in this forum before, luggage gets put on the wrong ship at times and/or at least given to the wrong ship's porter. Not to mention the obvious backlog of human lines it creates. There is just no compassion for the elderly, disabled and/or families with young kids. Sorry, I just don't care for pier 91 at all, not one bit.

WOW, great video, thanks. There is no way anybody will convenience me that that long line that is serpentine like that is caused by, or only by, in a significant way, people showing up before their "boarding time", which isn't. Makes me wonder if it was like that pre-COVID. If they are trying to establish "social distancing" in the terminal, it's all for not because of the non-social distancing being done while waiting to get into the terminal AND the non-social distancing going on onboard the ship.

I totally agree with your premise. I didn't expect anyone on the bridge to just come out and advertise that an engine/steering/propulsion system was down, that's why I asked. However, I was shocked at the resistance of the Officer and Captain to answer an easy question. The officer's face almost turned into a pretzel and really didn't say anything other than ahhhh, ummm.... The captain's first answer was not an answer, it was obfuscation. It wasn't until I asked Yes or No that I got a yes. AND, this, my experience, all happened long before COVID and supply chain issues.

Right-on!

I'm glad you experienced what you did. I really am. I was just trying to explain my/our reasoning. I didn't want to subject my wife and my buddy didn't want to subject his wife to any of the POSSIBILITIES of what COULD happen. We both are retired Law Enforcement and we wouldn't put up with much crap from people. On our ride to/from the Port, we saw maybe one or two cops, each way. I saw more cops at the port than the entire time we actually drove through the city. NO, I'm not trying to get people to stay away from Seattle. I'm just, in my way, trying to warn people of the POSSIBILITIES. I've checked the Seattle PD's own crime statistics and it ain't good. But, like some say, it's a big city and crime happens in big cities. Yep, that's for sure. Doesn't mean I'll support those big cities. I live right between Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA., I don't go to either of them unless NEEDED. I actually feel more comfortable in Atlanta than Birmingham, but I don't do any touristy stuff in either. If anybody wants to go to Seattle and stay in the downtown area, go for it. I just recommend that you keep your head on a swivel, always be aware of your surroundings, and look like you are in charge, capable, and ready. Never look lost or confused! https://www.seattle.gov/police/information-and-data/online-crime-maps

Before I get started, I want it known that I don't disagree with anything you say/reported, not at all. It is worthy of noting though, the military can and does many many things, such as not getting approvals from agencies like the FCC before testing and improving certain systems. If there is a National Security and highly sensitive purpose for the system, they just do it. And I can't blame them as there are far too many untrustworthy people in highly sensitive positions through out our government agencies. So, I suspect that the military were probably already far into testing and improving their systems long before they got into the FCC approval process. They've probably already morphed the systems capabilities into a much better system than I will ever see in my life time. Maybe not though, it's just my guess. Bottom line, if the system is truly better and faster, I'm all for it on Royal's ships.

Just to clarify two points: We stayed/picked the Airport Crowne Plaza because it wasn't downtown. We did not want to be close to.......... well, I'll leave it there other than to say it was a safety and security decision. And after taking our Limo to/from the hotel thru downtown, we were glad we did. We'll never be back to Seattle. YMMV The reason I mentioned the free airport shuttle, provided by the hotel and runs every 30 minutes, 24/7, was because you can go back and forth to/from the airport to eat/shop/drink/whatever. Not necessarily because you fly into or out of Seattle. Side Note: The hotel itself isn't exactly what I expect from a Crowne Plaza to be. NO, it isn't bad, just not up to par, IMHO. And the circular restaurant on the top floor wasn't open for whatever reason, could be staffing issues, why not blame everything on COVID.

The traffic Nazis won't allow vehicles to stop anywhere else except for the designated drop off locations. At least when we were there. There was one very aggressive traffic Nazi (they're not cops but they are backed-up by cops). You can try, but I don't think they will allow it. Good luck!

It has been my experience that if I'm booking a suite, of any kind, it's easier just to call Royal or get a TA. I've tried to mock book a suite (Aqua Theater, 2 bedroom) for 7 or 8 and it's not available. If I call, it's available. Sometimes, some suites aren't available on-line but if you call, they are. Our cruise on Symphony, we want to book the 4 bedroom, family villa. It didn't show up on-line. We called and no problem. I'm not saying that the above happens EVERYTIME. But, I'm saying that if you can't finds something you want on-line, call or get a TA and have them check it out.

If they fully open the magnitoconstimulator to the fullest micropulse actuator and if they flux the contempulator to be proportioned to the helixsticy, the speed will be fully quantomzed. But, none of that will help if they don't first electocomorbidify the holmium to 750 icombs per millennium.

On the other hand, if I ask for a drink that the recipe calls for 1 oz of this, 1 oz of that, and 1 oz of the other thing (and a mixer, of course), they only charge you the 10, 11, 12, or $13.00 for it. So, if I ask for 2 shots of Fireball, for example, why wouldn't they just go ahead and serve up the 2 shots?

Why? Do you have a hat on?