whitsmom

We have a VPN with AT&T on our iPhones and iPads.  We had issues with Oasis Wifi not working with our VPN.  Even if we toggles the VPN off it would automatically turn itself back on.  We had to delete the VPN off of Hubby's phone so he could use it to talk with his employees and etc.  Now that was a 3 almost 4 years ago so maybe that has changed.  It was so frustrating.  Once we got off the cruise, we reinstalled the VPN.

43 minutes ago, Skigoofy said:

I heard the same thing. Went to the ihealth webpage and it's true. You can use the government issued tests and purchase a proctor appt for $20.

https://ihealthlabs.com/products/ihealth-verified-covid-test-service

 

Wow!  Good to know.  Now that Canada doesn't have to test to enter now I hope everyone else follows suit and stops the whole testing!!

When we returned to Atlanta from Cancun in February, we used our Global Entry for the first time.  We just went up to the kiosk, touched it and looked at the camera an we got a small piece of paper and we were good to go.  So easy and simple.

4 hours ago, Matt said:

If they're both on the same reservation, yes.

But if you have a FCC you want to "gift" to your sister and you're not cruising together? I don't believe so.

You can gift your FCC to someone.  Our friends that usually cruise with us is now currently on a transplant list and can not cruise before their FCC expires so that have to send an email to RCI requesting to gift them to us.  We just got confirmation that they changed them to us last week.  We then applied them to our July cruise coming up.

We love Labadee!  We get a Cabana and just relax.  We had no complaints on the food as it is lunch outside. 

Not sure if this is helpful or not but to get the eMed proctored test they come with an approval Rx from eMed. 

10 minutes ago, SPS said:

I'm afraid not. You have to present the original at the port. You will need to get a replacement.

Knowing that we would need to travel with these for the foreseeable future, I purchased these Passport/Vax Card holders so that we always know where our vax cards are AND to protect them from being damaged. Who thought these flimsy pieces of paper with VERY IMPORTANT information on them was a good idea? 

https://www.amazon.com/Doulove-Passport-Vaccine-Holder-Leather/dp/B09BCT1M7K/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6_IF4cgslBTItCtSZV1Ty4ZyTd2Ew7ibWjJuquqh08esXCxsRJ6T3MV5XBoC6lwQAvD_BwE&hvadid=511430690376&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9051951&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9756741064692047628&hvtargid=kwd-1218745837133&hydadcr=10844_9896005&keywords=passport+and+vaccine+card+holder&qid=1647344595&sr=8-5

We got these too!  We also put our vax card into a plastic sleeve for added protection as you said, the paper is flimsy.

Maybe the parents can give you cash to apply to their seapass account.  Then if there is any left on the account, they will give back what is left.  That way you don't have to keep up with how much they owe you.  We have put cash onto our Grandkids accounts and it worked great.

We have VPN on our iPhones and it kept getting blocked.  We finally had to delete it (we tried just turning off the VPN but it kept turning itself back one) while on the cruise then installed it back when cruise was over.  It was very frustrating for Hubby who had to check on his employees.

6 minutes ago, Toby said:

We have had 2 excursions cancelled on our August cruise to Alaska on Ovation.  The first one was rescheduled about a month ago from 10:30 am to 7:46 am which we cancelled on our own.  No way we were going to get up that early while on vacation.  Yesterday I received an email from RC saying that excursion was cancelled along with another one.  Not sure why the first one was included in the email since we already cancelled.  I wonder if the pandemic put some of the tours out of business or lack of reservations caused their cancellation?

I wouldn't think it would be due to lack of reservations as it is till early for people to reserve them.

12 hours ago, Pooch said:

So the lesson here is bring anything you might remotely need.  I bring a small pharmacy!  It’s been some time since I’ve had the problem but I think most women have an idea when they might have need of certain products and if they should pack some.

I do the same thing!  I bring a mesh over the door (similar for holding shoes) with lots of pockets that I put that stuff in.  I bring all sorts of OTC medicines, band-aids, sunscreen, and even insect repellent wipes.  Even IF you could get it on the ship, it will cost more than what you would pay at home.   I rarely need a lot of the stuff I bring; however, I would rather have it and not need it than they other way around.

My TA just sent me an updated Booking Confirmation because he repriced our cruise and saved me $714.04!  Needless to say I am doing my "Happy Dance!" 

52 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

There is covid testing available at the Orlando airport and you can schedule ahead of time.  Also, while you say you won't be "hiring a car" (I  have no idea what that means since we use different terminology here, I'll assume you mean renting one for you to drive yourself), you could take an Uber or Lyft to drive you to a Walgreens or CVS to have one taken.  Or maybe that's what hiring a car means, no clue.  But those would be two options if you needed to get one done here in the states preboarding.

If your hotel has airport shuttle, then schedule to have it done at the airport - take the shuttle to airport and then have them pick you back up when you're finished.

3 hours ago, THinPH said:

FYI, as of today all the Labadee excursions are now available for my May cruise (after emailing them earlier this month), so some of your sailings may be available now too.

Just checked mine and got the last Beach Cabana at Nellie's Beach.  Wow!!  I'm glad I saw your post!!

Not unless someone from the stateroom that purchased the package is in the picture or if your children are in the 2nd stateroom.  This was the case for us on the Oasis.

I ordered mine from eMed in late December, received them early January will expiration dates late November.

10 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

A later check in time can also be considered.  It’s less frenzied after lunch.

We have the Key so I hope they have the line back for that in July as we get lunch at Chops.

2 hours ago, fa-li said:

If you look through the live blogs, I’m sure there will be someone who has boarded Harmony at PC and will have shared photos. Your daughter might like to look at these to have an idea of the process. If you can’t find any, shoot me a message and I’ll take some when we go in April. 

I never thought about looking for shared photos.  I will have her start looking for some. 

On 2/16/2022 at 10:27 AM, Cruisin_with_the_Oldies said:

I purchased the Key package for my cruise in May and one of the perks was a welcome luncheon (Chops menu) and a disembarkation breakfast, but then I saw that due to COVID, this was changed to 'complimentary' room service throughout the cruise and a 'grab bag' breakfast on the last day.  Then I heard recently that was changed once again back to the original plan (welcome luncheon and disembarkation breakfast).  I'm totally confused.  Does anyone know what the Key includes anymore?  I originally purchased it for the internet/stream package, but my head is swimming.

Same for us.  My son-n-law called Royal and asked about it.  He told them that we have the email stating that we get complimentary room service throughout the cruise.  He told him to print out a copy of the email and show guest services because sometimes they will still honor it and sometimes not.  We don't sail until July so we shall see.

On 2/10/2022 at 10:09 AM, Matt said:

I put the date of my 2nd dose, not my booster 

I was wondering which one to use also. 

1 hour ago, morgaNhank said:

This is exactly what I was assuming and, what I was afraid of. If they stopped practicing this before covid, I didn't think there was a chance they would be allowing it now. And if I had to buy the soda package just for the water, I'd rather buy it now and save a few bucks. I searched for threads pertaining to this and got nowhere. At lease there's the transfer from tiny cup method. LOL!! Thanks for the info!

 

 

Reverse osmosis water is perfectly fine by me, in fact I prefer cold tap to bottled. I'm just a nerd when it comes to drinking fluids from a source that a stranger has spit, washed grime and germs away in, and possibly puked in. Drinking from the bathroom sink is not an option for me, I know I'm weird. I just can't, its a phobia. Absolutely no shade to anyone who does this . My husband does it all the time.     

You can't get bottles water with the soda package. You would have to get the Refreshment Package to get that.

I remember Chris Wong saying Cup of Noodles were a welcomed treat.  I have never given anything except money.  We always prepay our gratuities but always give extra to our room steward and wait staff.  I think this time we will purchase some (at a port of call) chocolates or etc as an addition to the money. 

16 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Only lines you'll experience will be those for your own ship.

These are large terminal buildings that are dedicated for each ship in port that day.

This is good news.  We are getting dropped off with GoPort so getting there and dropping our luggage should be easy.

We sail on Harmony on Sunday, July 17th.  Is there anywhere that I can see how many ships are in port that day?  I figure if there are several ships unloading and reloading cruisers that the lines will be crazy.  I would like to be prepared if that is the case as my daughter gets anxiety in large crowds sometimes. We have the Key but I'm not sure that they even have a special line set up for that yet and it is too early to get our check in time.

4 hours ago, twangster said:

Passport cards can be used exclusively to cruise without a BC or DL (also for driving to Canada & Mexico).  

Passport cards cannot be used to fly internationally.  The cards only work at sea and land border crossings.  

If you are going to acquire a passport card you should consider a passport book at the higher cost.

If there was ever an issue during the cruise and you needed to fly home, BC/DL or the passport card do NOT allow you to fly home.  You also never know what may lay ahead in the years to come.  Investing in a passport book now may be a better investment.

Just keep in mind that when he turns 16 he will have to get another passport.  My Granddaughter just turned 16 and had to get a new one.  The under 16 passports are only good for 5 years and luckily she got 5 years out of it.