Paid4c4

RCCL issued major changes in testing for passengers sailing from the U.S. August 8 - August 14th, 2022. So what will the changes be for August 15th, 2022? Could RCCL end testing for passengers who have been vaccinated and boosted. We're sailing on August 18th on AdOS out of Cape Liberty so we're keeping a close eye on any changes. I already have our Covid kits from Emed so we'll be ready no matter what the changes. Bill

ADOf Seas has a Solarium but it is not a Bistro with food, drinks only. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Bill

Does the Solarium Bistro on the Adventure of the Seas also serve meals? If so is there an on line menu. Bill

We used it a number of times without any problems. I wished this service was available at every port. Bill

In the good old days RCCL give out FREE upgrades. When we first started cruising all we could afford was an inside cabin. Then those nice people at RCCL upgraded us to an ocean view cabin, boy were we excited! Then those same nice people upgraded us to a balcony state room, boy we had hit the big time! Then those nice people upgraded up to a Jr. Suite and next cruise to a Grand Suite. That was it for us, suites were for us. A smart investment on the behalf of RCCL as we are 25 cruises in Grand Suites. We'll be on a GS on August 18th on the Adventure out of Cape Liberty and really looking forward to a new adventure. Bill

We'll be on AdOS starting August 18th for a nine day cruise. Did you hear any comments regarding MTD while on the ship. Thank You; Bill

It is being reported this morning during the quarterly business briefing RCCL stated effective August 8th, 2022 on cruises six nights and less will not require pre-cruise covid testing for vaccinated passengers. I'm sure more will be coming out. Bill

We will be sailing out of Cape Liberty in August and just wanting to know if there are porters to assist with baggage for disembarkation?Bill

Just wondering if dinning with the Captain has returned sin Covid. We will be on the ADOS on August 18th and just wondered if this still happened. Bill

We have a leather portfolio which is just right for Sea Pass, Passports, Covid documents, meds, etc, etc which I always keep in my rolly carry on.

I read this many years ago and have used it ever since and it helped save us on an Hawaiian cruise. The last thing I put in our suitcases is an itinerary from the time we leave home until we return home. This includes names, cell phone numbers, address, flights, hotels and cruise line and ship. One of our pieces of luggage got lost and unfortunately our identification tag had been torn off. Our piece of luggage was eventually opened, our itinerary was discovered. Delta called us to inform us they had our luggage and would forward it to our first port in Hawaii and would be at the pier waiting for us. I mentioned this to the Concierge and she said they would take care of getting the luggage at the pier and to our room. Much to my relief everything went off without a hitch! Made a believer out of me. Bill

This is going to be one of those items that is a personal choice with no right or wrong answer accept it has to be right for you and your family. We probably won't take advantage of this option. We enjoy our vacations and cruises and generally stay in a Grand Suite. I would prefer our rooms to be cleaned everyday instead of extra points. A cruise is special for us and I'd like to keep it that way. Bill

For those interested I am including a link to all of the health inspections for cruise ships sailing from the US. We will be on the AdOS in August so I thought I would have a look. Historically AdOS has almost always had 95-100 percent cleanliness and sanitation reports. Sure glad we're not sailing on some ships with under a score of 50 or less! Here is the link; https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionDetailReport.aspx?ColI=MjEyNjAyMjI%3d-No%2fPuGLgR0g%3d Bill

I filled ours out yesterday for ADOS cruise on August 18th. An email verifying submission came immediately. Now the wait begins. Everything I've read says the approval will arrive about a week before the cruise. Like you I hate last minute details. Bill

The website doesn't mention this but the registration sites do take walk-ins. You may have to wait a few minutes, in our case there were two appointments that didn't show and we took their time slots.

Thank you for the great report. Please let us know how boarding went. Bill

I commented on the blog last evening regarding TSA Pre-Check and thought of a couple of other things you might be interested to know. TSA Pre-Check has a separate TSA line for Pre-Check members at most airports. The line is almost always shorter or non-existent. When going through the TSA Pre-Check inspection you don't need to remove your belt, shoes or computers. Also some liquids are exempt from inspection. To obtain Pre-Check also called a Known Traveler Number, it costs $85 dollars for 5 years and is readily obtainable. TSA Pre-Check offices are at most major airports, some Staples Stores and other locations depending on location. We went to the local Staples Store without an appointment. We walked up to the TSA Pre-Check office spoke with the official who was very polite and waited on us immediately. Total time for both of us in and out of Staples was 30 minutes. There are a number of companies which will assist you in obtaining a TSA Pre-Check for a fee. I would suggest you follow the included link to a U.S. Gov site and avoid the private companies that charge a fee. The first time we used Pre-Check was in March on our ExOS. When we arrived at the airport the security line wrapped around and out the door. The Pre-Check line was virtually empty and was literally a walk through. From the time we applied until our Pre-Check number was issued was 4 days. Here is the link: https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/workflows?servicecode=11115V&service=pre-enroll&utm_campaign=WT-TSA+|+Enrollment+-+Priority+Direct&utm_source=google_ads_search_direct&utm_medium=Precheck&utm_term=tsa precheck&ds_rl=1283576&ds_rl=1283576&gclid=CjwKCAjw2rmWBhB4EiwAiJ0mteI7pueB8RGqJVW7JecVQ9VBp6bPWrU__ZpyJVg7MF2iCfFberSRJxoCFKUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Bill

I have shot skeet from Carnival Tropical and RCCL Song of America. It was a great past time and I really enjoyed it. I'm sure those things are in the past and will stay there. Bill

When we cruise we generally prefer Uber over RCCL transfers. Uber is almost alway cheaper and there are no long waits while the bus loads. With Uber it is load and go. I was hesitant to use Uber until we were stranded and didn't have much of a choice. I've been a fan ever since. Uber sends you a photo of the driver, car type and license number so you know you're in the right car and driver. I am a retired LEO and suspicious of most things, however I've never felt uncomfortable in an Uber or with the driver. It is strange to have a driver who doesn't speak english we've never had a problem getting delivered to the correct address. Bill

We've sailed out of Galveston many times usually on the Liberty or Freedom. We fly into Houston as we have relatives there and simply Uber to the ship in the morning. It is a well designed port making dropping the luggage and boarding easy. Keep in mind it is a working industrial port so there are container and tanker ships. It is a deep water port so getting in and out of port is no problem. We've been east and west but we have no preference, I really think she will be happy either direction. Bill

Slow and steady wins the race or in your case the Diamond. We cruise when we can and usually in a suite which doubles our points. When RCCL had the double point special we booked enough greatly discounted cruises to accrue 100 points. This moved us along way toward making Pinnacle which I can now see at the end of the tunnel. Keep up the effort and it will come. Bill

If you are in a Suite discuss this with the Concierge. If not a suite ask to speak with a member of the Hotel Directors staff which may start at the Purser's desk, (Guest Services). Hope she says YES! Bill

If I remember correctly the owner's suites on that ship has not only a bathtub but also a really nice shower. The Suite's lounge is for suite's guests only or Pinnacles. That said I would still ask the Concierge about your friends. BTW, the Enchantment is one of the oldest ladies in the fleet but is one of my favorites. It has no bumper cars, star ride or flumes. But it does have a lot of class and cruise ship qualities of a more gentile time which many of us enjoy. Hope you have a great time. Bill

We generally book at least one future cruise while we are on a cruise. Last cruise we booked a cruise for the Greek Isles and another cruise to be booked later. The lower deposit cost and OBC are nice perks. They transfer our future cruises to our TA and all is well in the cruise world. Bill

As long as you're traveling together and you have an 11:00 check in time she will be fine checking in with you. On our cruise in March the line supervisor only looked at my documents and ask if we were traveling together, I said yes and she waived us through. Best of luck and enjoy your cruise. Bill