BrandonOwen

We actually ended up cancelling the cruise from Barbados so I have not been following their protocols.  

We did an ATV tour that included both sides of the island and an amazing lunch.  The people are very nice and the ATVs are easy to drive (it was my first time and I passed!)
https://www.splashinthesun.com/

Have you done any boat / snorkeling tours? Soualiga Destinations has a great all-day trip that takes you all the way around the island, with stops at Creole Rock, Pinel Island, and other places. My family and I did it and loved it.

I believe I’ve read elsewhere that she has since tested negative after returning home.  Why didn’t Royal do a second test to confirm the first positive?  Seems like a logical step to take given that these tests do have a history of false positives.

I believe I’ve read elsewhere that she has since tested negative after returning home.  Why didn’t Royal do a second test to confirm the first positive?  Seems like a logical step to take given that these tests do have a history of false positives.

I believe I’ve read elsewhere that she has since tested negative after returning home.  Why didn’t Royal do a second test to confirm the first positive?  Seems like a logical step to take given that these tests do have a history of false positives.

From the user's own comments about another test she demanded that she be allowed to observe the entire process, otherwise she refused another test.
I don't think it would be a good idea to expose the entire lab and testing equipment by having someone who has tested positive possibly contaminate the lab.  That could cause dozens of otherwise negative tests for other guests to turn positive.  
The lab isn't designed with an observation area for suspected or known positive cases to observe from.  To put someone who has tested positive in the lab testing room would be completely inappropriate.  
It was her own refusal to take a second test unless she could actively participate through the entire process that prevented a 2nd test from occurring.  

Possibly because she broke other rules, like violating the 'vaccinated guests only' areas.   We don't know all the facts, but RCI may have opted to just remove her because of that.  

I believe I’ve read elsewhere that she has since tested negative after returning home.  Why didn’t Royal do a second test to confirm the first positive?  Seems like a logical step to take given that these tests do have a history of false positives.

Hi Pascal & Matt!  Sign me up!!!    ?  ?
Just had to after listening to the Sunday Insiders chat this morning!  LOL
 

Hi Pascal & Matt!  Sign me up!!!    ?  ?
Just had to after listening to the Sunday Insiders chat this morning!  LOL
 

Hi Pascal & Matt!  Sign me up!!!    ?  ?
Just had to after listening to the Sunday Insiders chat this morning!  LOL
 

Precisely this. It's just the way viruses work. The go away they come back they go away they come. This one has been dying down since April. Yes it's worse then the regular flu but I can all but guarantee that if there is a new wave in the fall we will not quarantine like we did these last few months. It won't happen. Yes the virus was deadly but it's long term effects on businesses and economies world wide is insane. Many will be suffering for a very long time.

I think we need to keep perspective here. This isn't the first pandemic, or even the worst pandemic we've faced.
Most recent one I remember is the Hong Kong flu of 1968/69. It is remarkably similar to Covid in many ways.
The US death toll was 100,000, which on a percentage basis is worse.
How did we respond then? We put men on the moon and celebrated with a ticker tape parade in Times Square.  We held Woodstock.  Royal Caribbean started sailing just a few years later.
A vaccine was in development, but the virus burned out before it was available. 
 
I expect something similar with Covid 

Returning to my cabin I see that Fernando my cabin attendant had separated the beds per my earlier request.

It's amazing how much bigger and functional this makes the cabin feel.  It's also much easier to see out the window.

Fresh of the Empress with a night in a hotel in between I'm ready and pumped for my next cruise.
Did I mention...  IT'S CRUISE DAY!
I thought about starting this thread before my Empress cruise even left the dock (like some others around here do) but that just wouldn't be right.
This five night Majesty of Seas cruise was necessary.  I needed something to justify the airfare to Empress so this side-to-side was the perfect solution.
Itinerary
Ft. Lauderdale Nassau Perfect Day at CocoCay Sea Day Key West Ft. Lauderdale I love Empress but this way I'm upgrading to a much larger ship!  Plus, I gotta get back to CocoCay.  :) 
I originally booked a number of Empress and Majesty sailings when the Cuba cancellations were forced upon the industry.  I feared Royal might move these ships out of the fleet.  My plan was to take lots of pictures and document this legacy class of ship that were the foundation of so much that became even much more on later ships.  It was because of the success of ships like this that Royal has become what it is today.   Success breeds success.  As it turns out they aren't moving these ships out to pasture just yet plus I get to sail on some of the best (small) ships in the fleet!  That's a win-win.
To be fair I split my time between Empress (3 bookings) and Majesty (3 bookings).  I already had some fall bookings that were bucket list type cruises so I had push some my Majesty cruises into October but that's okay, she'll be here waiting for me.
When you stay in a hotel and pay for things like meals and drinks you quickly appreciate the value that cruising represents.  Spoiler alert - the view out my hotel window never changed and I woke up right where I was the day before.  #boring
Cabin this time is an Ocean View on deck 4.  

Music Hall still has a view during the day.

Upstairs theming is spot on..

It is enabled but says I need to scan my passport for it to get set up.

And guess where my passport is!?!?!

Welcome to the Dungeon.

Hello, my love ??

Walking into Portside BBQ you get hit with the smoke smell immediately.  Like they pipe it in right by the sliding door.  It's quick casual style and the lunch menu is a little limited.

There was confusion with the ultimate dining package and the cashier stated they had to charge and they would back the charge out later.  They explained the $20/day charge.
I picked the turkey leg.  Note they take it out of the warmer and put it on the grill to finish it.  Then they mop it with sauce before serving.  I omitted the sauce as I try to avoid sugar.

Thanksgiving came early for me!!!!!
My mom did the brisket and it came with two sides.  The brisket is a lean cut and has a rub but isn't sauced.  Sauces are available at the table.

??? at Mustard Drill sauce.  Didn't see that one coming.

Meh to the mac n cheese.  She said it was cold even though it came out when we arrived and baked beans were awesome and are gone.  The banana pudding in a cup dessert was delicious too.  The brookie got a verbal "omg".

At 9:45am with no debarking passengers is a dream at Terminal A.  Someone read our SetSail pass wrong and we got sent up to the Suites area to wait ?‍♀️.  Checked in on a tablet and told 10 minutes until boarding.  Plus free baby sodas!  

Thank goodness for small miracles!  JK!
Congratulations on making Diamond!
Enjoy your cruise!

Now that the sun is up. Can see the turning basin..Celebrity Infinity giving it a shot as she slips in.

 

Playing in the cruise planner..looks like excitement is on the agenda for today to send us off.

 
 

PRO-TIP: Before settling in to sleep at a hotel, check to make sure the prior hotel patrons have not set the desk clock alarm to go off at a way, way too early time.
I mean it's still CRUISE DAY and all..but it's still early!
Guess I might as well make sure the ship is still there ??
It is..and it has been joined by another Royal ship, Explorer of the Seas as you.can obviously tell here and not have to look up on the port schedule website.

For those following along closely, #currentkindlestatus: