KLA

2 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Only on Oasis and Quantum class ships as they are the only ships that give the free internet for Grand Suites and above.  If you can't cancel it yourself in the Cruise Planner because of a last minute RoyalUp you can ask the Concierge onboard to make sure it is handled for you and it will be a refundable OBC.

I'm on Odyssey so that's perfect!

Obsessively checks bid page again

Similar question - if you get upgraded to a Grand Suite, will your internet package be refunded?

2 minutes ago, barjpoe said:

We got accepted; from a balcony to a JS , Yeah!

How soon before sailing are you?

4 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

https://www.coralsprings.org/News-Articles/NOMI-Testing

Here's another option in the Ft. Lauderdale area for free testing.  You can schedule ahead of time for the testing.

I actually think I'm going to go through CVS (and don't require us to drive thru like Walgreens) - they open their slots 2 weeks out and have their tests labelled as "rapid antigen". I'm going to hop on early on Sunday and schedule for the Saturday (day before) we board the ship. It'll be a quick Uber for us. My Rapid AG Card kits will be our Plan B. 

1 minute ago, rcdave said:

So a now show for my 4 pack test from  Optum ordered last Wed. (9/8). No response to my email sent to support.  Just implemented plan B at a cost of $190 (not counting the $140 for the non-received kits) for an appointment at a location 45 miles away on Sept. 29. two days before our Oct. 1st cruise out of Seattle. 

Having invested $330 so far for this test - I would pay Celebrity (RCL)  and additional $100/person to have them do the testing at the port. 

 

They didn't respond to my email, either - but calling was pretty quick. Wait time wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it could end up being. They might have options around refunding if they aren't confident that your kits will arrive by the time you sail. 

2 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

They just look at the test date on the results at the port.  They pay no mind to the testing time.

All of this experience is confirming why I use a TA and avoid calling Royal whenever I can. 

7 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

Remember when you are talking to Optum, they have NOTHING to do with Royal Caribbean, anything they tell you regarding cruise line operations can not be relied upon. 

Yep, that was my main takeaway. 

Alternate testing arrangements are going to be made via CVS in Hollywood Beach, but still going to hope my telehealth tests show up in time. 

17 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

So if the cruise doesn't leave port until 6 pm Saturday, you can't test before 6 pm Thursday?

That's what I was told on the phone, but YMMV. I've seen other people here state two calendar days. 

11 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

True. I have been holding off on buying a 6 pack for the expiration date reason.  I don't have another cruise until November at this point but I have a lot of them next year.

We have one in just over two weeks and one in January - I have two tests that are within the expiration window based on the PDF that's been floating around but I hesitate to rely on just that. 

I'm going to get us set up at a CVS an Uber away from our hotel to hopefully get our testing done the day before our cruise and I'm going to keep our telehealth tests on hand as backup. Doing everything I can to avoid another cancelled vacation. 

4 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Uber or just rent a car for a day and plan the tests that day.  

Or just buy the eMed 6 pack of Ag card tests and trust that the expiration date extension is as expected?

3 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Probably the safest bet since you will be there anyways and can wait for results.  If you were to go with Walgreens or CVS tests (if you can find an appointment) you still have to worry that the results are delayed or messed up.  Plus if you don't have your own transportation to go to the testing appointment it gets awkward.

Yeah.. we're flying in to FLL two days early so we'll have to Uber?

They also told me that it was within 48 hours of departure, not 2 calendar days. 

I have two AG home tests so we would theoretically be okay - but I'm going to schedule something anyway in an abundance of caution. 

Final: Royal is definitely NOT going to test at the port and if the tests don't arrive you should make arrangements to be tested in the FLL area or get ahold of other tests.

On hold with a supervisor - they're checking in to the current protocols in this case for me. 

If nothing else maybe I'll be offered a cheap upgrade while they have me on the phone 

6 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Absolutely do NOT count on this.

And this is exactly why.  I'd be making a contingency Plan A - Z to get tested everywhere 

Yep - I wasn't counting on it. On hold with Royal - first person had absolutely no idea what I was talking about so I asked to escalate. Might just be looking in to testing at FLL airport. 

@Shari - confirmed, Royal has no idea what I'm talking about. 

Update 2 - waited to talk to support for maybe 10 minutes, got in touch with someone and shared my order number. 

Said that the order was still in packing for some reason but didn't know why, directed straight over to escalation team and placed me on hold. 

SOLUTION: Due to shortages completely out of their hands, they are supposedly going to offer to test at the port. I was given a number to call to arrange this. Will follow up. 

@Shari - hope this helps! @Matt - maybe not worth reporting on, but will offer more info. 

Update 3- Royal has no idea what I'm talking about. So this appears to be false?

Update - still have not received an update from Optum on my order from last week. Calling support now and will update with more information as soon as I have it. 

1 minute ago, Shari said:

I ordered 2 of the 2 packs last Wednesday.  They were supposed to arrive by Friday.  On Friday got an email saying Monday the 13th.  Nothing on Monday so still am waiting for my 3 business day shipment.

Awesome - relieved to see it isn't just me (not that I need these for a couple more weeks anyway). I'll let you know if I hear anything back from support. 

 

It came Fed Ex so check your front door!

Still nothing, no updates. Reached out to support via email - we'll see if they show up! 

 

Photos from Odyssey: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/09/05/odyssey-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-1-embarkation

I'm about to go lead a meeting and now I'm sad that it isn't 3 weeks from now. 

Thanks so much for the great advice @CruizIan!! We are definitely looking forward to Giovanni's kitchen, and equally intimidated by the amount of food we've committed to! We have gym goals included to (hopefully) offset some of that - haha! 

We have a few Royal Up offers out as well - so then if we end up mixing Coastal Kitchen in to that I'll be packing some extra gym clothes 

Hmm. I just realized I hadn't seen a shipping notification quite yet, but I did get a notice saying that my order would be delayed and arrive today. I'll check the mailbox again, I guess?

 

Hopefully you'll get an earlier boarding time and get first dibs on the spots.

I appear to be stuck with 2 PM for the moment. I booked this about a week ago and that was the earliest option available - so I'm holding out hope that they open up more early spots in the next week or so.

 

I had the same issue with an Anthem booking back in 2018, so this might be some kind of quirk with Q-class ships. I was able to get the pass on embarkation day, just had to go to the spa and purchase it there.

FWIW, I found the suite to be decent as far as what it offered, but I also felt like after spending that money I was kind of forced to find time to use it at least a few times. But this was on a short 5-night Bermuda sailing with just 2 sea days; your sailing is probably a better fit for using the thermal suite.

Hey, JL! 

It's a 6 night sailing with only two sea days similar to yours, but I think we'll go ahead and see if we can grab a 1 day pass for one of those since we've never tried these before.

Thanks so much for the tip - good to know it might not be just Odyssey having it sold out!

 

On our 9/26 Oasis, I can get all the way to checkout.  Not sure why it makes me select a time though, when it says it’s for an unlimited 7 day pass.

I suspect on my ship it might be sold out.