Jen W

Best option is to order the Switch Health tests through Aeroplan and take them onboard a day prior via video conference. $80 for two vs $160US p/p. 

There are 2 timeframes based on the test type, so be careful as PCR is far more expensive. Official rules will be published on Feb 28th. Many people, including myself have ordered the Switch Health Antigen test to do on ship via video conference. 

Antigen test - 1 day prior

PCR test - 72 hours prior

Guilty! First time cruiser and got excited every time I seen an email from Royal up to only be disappointed it was a cancellation as I would upgrade my stateroom as prices came down. Then had to sign back in and update my bids all over again. A few weeks ago at noon, bamn got the email that said my bid was accepted and I almost fell over. After reading all the stories, I felt it would never happen to me as a first time cruiser. Good luck! Hope u win a bid. 
Now if they can just come out with a sale for Deluxe drink pkg and Internet, I’d be a happy camper. 

The main part of downtown Nassau had sidewalks, but as you venture away it gets a bit more sketchy - but I believe there are still sidewalks. We walked from Paradise Island to Nassau and over to Queens staircase and then back to downtown to the Pirates museum. No one bothered us, but there were a few areas I was scared. 

Following as a first time cruiser. I’ve bought cover ups (mesh style) as well as spaghetti  strap full cover dresses. I will prob bring both in my beach bag so I don’t need to run and change. I ALWAYS over pack and am that girl at the airport moving things between bags (until I got my scale). 
I’m also worried about excursions as mine has a natural pool as our last stop, so clearly we will be wet. I hope they have somewhere to change, as I don’t want to walk on the boat with wet marks on my shirt

Does RC provide us with Landyards, or do people bring their own? 

9 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Yes, there usually is. And around pretty much every other US holiday too.

The critical rule to remember with Royal's "sales" is to completely ignore the percentage off amount and look only at the bottom line. 

Thanks! Yes, I’ve definitely learned my lesson, and hope to still catch a decent price before we leave

Is there usually a Presidents Day sale? I’m in the same position, first time cruiser and was only looking at the email where it said 30% off. I was wondering why the RC rep said cheapest price was Black Friday! I looked and seen 30% and was like nah, that’s the same sale they keep sending me! Now it’s sooo expensive, and I see they make up their own pricing daily. I wish I found this message board sooner. 

I would recommend having a PCR done now to be certain, and then one before the cruise. I did the same with my son who tested positive Dec 28 (vax’d / via home test) in early Feb when Canada still required PCR to get home. I didn’t want to run the risk of getting stuck in Florida. His test came back Negative. Hopefully you have the same outcome. 

I just won a JS bid today, super thrilled as its my first cruise. Really shocked TBH as there has only been 1 JS left for the last two weeks on a March Break Cruise, so surly it was a shot in the dark... Anyhow, I called RC and they said if another rooms becomes avail in the same category I can switch room numbers? I was under the impression these rooms were locked down once won? She also said I could Royalup on a Royalup win, and I would just pay the difference. Anyone know if that's true? 

For IFly and North Star, do you only get one booking allowance on Port Days? Or can I book on the 1st and 2nd port? Thanks!

I noticed the credit of $100 after I changed my room to larger balcony for $2 more! Whoot! Last time I called a few months ago they said it was only new reservations. Happy dance  

3 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.

 

 

Great news, and long overdue. I will do a happy dance once they make the official announcement next week. We are booked March break, so figured the Gov would change it after just to make our lives stressful and deter travel. 

24 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Not at this time, but be sure to do an antigen test rather than PCR.  PCR is what will pick up fragments of the virus months later - antigen only detects active infections.

I’ve emailed RC about the same question 2 weeks ago and crickets! I can fly into the US without testing as I have lab results showing I was positive and a Doc note, but RC won’t accept that from what I’ve been reading - silly! My son was positive and I didn’t get a PCR, so I got worried he might test Positive coming home as we need PCR in Canada. So paid to have a test done (1 month after infection) and it was Neg. Phew! Antigen all the way for boarding! 

15 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

It's best to schedule excursions for one hour after the ship docks- so 9am.  You will probably be able to get off at around 8:30 but it can vary.

Thanks! So no hope to make the full day excursion which starts at 8:30

Newbie cruiser. We stop in Aruba from 8am - 11pm, but what is the earliest time you can disembark for an excursion not booked through RC?    

1 hour ago, KristiZ said:

Sometimes it sells out, unfortunately. Keep checking and it may come back. When is your cruise?

Thanks, we sail out March 12th on Odyssey of the Seas - First cruise, so thought I was looking in the wrong area of the app. I will keep an eye out Thanks 

First cruise, and I seen a chops + 1 option which seems to have disappeared. Maybe I’m looking I the wrong section? I also don’t see any unlimited dining options either. Any advise is appreciated  

In order to qualify for RoyalUp does your final bill need to be paid? I’m a first time cruiser and hoping on being a lucky winner, but my balance isn’t due with the extension. 

I didn’t want to purchase internet, but with Teens on board is this the only way to connect with them? I read something about the RC app having a chat option, but not sure if the app requires internet OR if that’s included. 
What is the most affordable option if I do need internet - 2 devices? One for parents and one for teens 
Does the TV only stream or can we catch reg TV without internet? 
Thanks in advance  Newbie Cruiser 

I just called the RC excursion line and asked this exact question as my kids are 14 and 11. She said it’s highly recommended that a parent purchase a wrist band, buts it not mandatory (just strongly advised). She placed me on hold for 20 mins as I was insistent everyone needed a wrist band and wanted her to confirm, so I feel she did her due diligence. Parents would not have access into the thrill ride section, so it’s a risk for younger children. 

2 hours ago, From BC said:

Canada doesn’t accept rapid antigen tests for re-entry. Has to be RT-PCR or LAMP. We’re just wondering what other Canadians are doing.

We fly back on March 20th to Toronto and I've done a lot of research and have decided to test at the airport in Fort Lauderdale. Not sure about Barbados testing.

RT-LAMP test - if you are referring to the one offered by Aeroplan, people have posted that it's up to Border Services if they deem it acceptable as it's not processed in a laboratory. Arguably, the sample results test from the RT-LAMP test does not show it was via online health care and I've confirmed with Switch Health that they haven't had any reported issues of the border not accepting it. The only negative I've read is a) they are huge kits and take up a lot of luggage, and b) often they Malfunction (which ppl report Switch does not reimburse you). On the positive side, if you test on ship and are "positive" RC would need to be informed and all your accommodations for quarantine would be paid for

For us, testing at US Port is $210 (they don't offer on ship testing) vs. testing at the airport is $160 and results in 20-30 mins. At least if you get an "inconclusive" test, you are close to the testing center and I would argue for a re-test at no cost. 

Pharmacy is an option too, but most advertise "limited quantity" for the rapid PCR tests in the USA.  

Good luck! This has been a rollercoaster for the last week trying to find the most affordable and fastest test - lol 

You should be able to walk through the main Royal towers and visit the aquarium where there is a secret way out to where the pools are (if open) which may or may not have a staff member checking for a key card (which they didn’t even check). If you get to the pool area, u are free and clear to explore the grounds. There is another underground aquarium near Paradise Lagoon which is attached to a restaurant (you can visit without eating) that was cool too. 
I only recall the staff being stationed from each sister hotel on the main walkways and from the casino. There are so many times we entered through the Coral hotel, went downstairs which takes you to a side pool where no one checks. 
I even forgot to get wrist bands one day and no one said anything till 4 hrs later - lol
Outside excursions, not much else to view unless you want to visit the Queens Staircase - but that also wasn’t overly exciting, we just wanted to walk Nassau and explore. The straw market scared me as everyone was luring my to touch their items and hustling us like crazy - not my cup of tea 

I was able to chat with someone from FFL Airport and got the fees. 

Are you flying out of FLL airport and planning to get tested there? 

Yes

The Rapid RT-PCR test cost is $159, and it is a fixed price. You will receive the results within 30 minutes.

The RT-PCR test cost is $99.00 tax included. The result will be available in 24-48 hours-maximum of 72 hours (3 days).

The Rapid Antigen test cost is $59.00 tax included. The expected result will be available within 1 hour.

We accept credit cards. If you don’t have a credit card, there is a machine located in the airport where you can purchase a prepaid credit card. A staff member on-site can direct you to that machine.

We are open from 7 am - 9 pm Eastern time, 7 days a week.

It is located in Terminal 3, next to American Airlines and JetBlue Baggage claim.

To be tested, please schedule an appointment on our website: https://mdc.nomihealth.com/signup/fll. Please bring a valid ID.

That would be the information for FLL airport.

Is there anything else that I can help you with?

Thank you

2:29 PM

Crisna Sarsaba

You're welcome! Please don't hesitate to reach us back if you have other questions or concerns. Have a great day and stay safe!

7 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

CVS is a big pharmacy chain.  They offer a variety of covid tests and from what I can gather, one option is the RAPID PCR test for $129 which is cheaper than most airports seem to be offering them for.  You do have to book ahead and they say results in about an hour.  As you mentioned, we don't want to wait days to receive our results so this is one option.

I did google CVS and found the pharmacy, but every time you click to schedule and appt it keeps looping you back to the pre-screen section which then goes back to select a location. In researching other pharmacies, they advertise the lowest price but once you get to schedule your appt the price increases for the rapid tests. Most are $200 for a 2-3 hour turn around time. You may want to confirm the $135 is for rapid PCR and not standard 1-2 day turn around time so you don't get a shock upon arrival.