jticarruthers

Just off Indy and it was supposed to be Grease in Concert, we got Grease in concert lite. Wasn't clearly announced why but heavily hinted at as COVID related. Quote "This afternoon some members of the cast were pronounced as "not fit for duty" so we are unable to perform the show". They had some grease cast members perform a handful of songs both from Grease and other songs and then brought back the headliner from the night before to do a few new tricks. Overall it was a fun show but clearly "thrown together on the fly". In regards to why "Grease in Concert" talked to a regular Indy cruiser two weekends ago when we were on board and he indicated that they were having trouble getting/keeping enough back of house staff to run the prop changes, lighting, etc. so they were doing the "sit and sing without choreography" to get around that.

I got confirmation from RoyalUp on Day 2 that my bid was not accepted ... seems to confirm they were still weighing options on Day 1. Frankly i would not have been happy to find out on Day 2 of a 3 night cruise that my upgrade was accepted and i was being charged and expected to change cabins. Probably just convinced me not to bid on anymore RoyalUp options for short cruises right there.

I can no longer justify the beverage package, the convenience is wonderful but with 4 (soon to be 5) free drinks each for GF and I every day, it just doesnt make economic sense.

I read that as "we want you to wear them but we arent going to play the police except when you come to Adventure Ocean and check your kids into the club". I'm guessing they dont want to deal with are you a kid or not, are you vaccinated or not, etc.

I have been getting "special invites" to bid with half the usual minimum bid .. not sure what that means since anyone that bid the regular minimum would be "above" me in order but who knows.

Prices last year when they restarted were reasonable, sky high now and i havent seen a decent deal in a while. Guess we know how the "record onboard spend" comes about

Saw something from CArnival moving to 3 days post 3/1, my guess is Royal will update their guidance "soon" but I would stick with 2 days until they do.

I was just off Indy two weekends ago and we shared Coco with Harmony. Not crowded at all. We were told we had 2600 passengers and Harmony 1800 which is less than Harmony by herself pre-COVID.

I have used one on board multiple ships and multiple lines, never been questioned.

Used to be very loyal to Royal, had a couple of experiences that changed that opinion. Tried several other lines and in general I think they are more similar than they are different. Still end up on Royal on most of my cruises so i certainly am not anti-Royal but i no longer go exclusively to their website when i think vacation time. In general i look at the combination of ship features, destination and price now rather than "what does Royal have going when i have time off".

I'm an "experienced" diamond member and it is frustrating that the precruise/onboard discounts dont work well together, hopefully you find a method that works for you. I get a free day of internet if i buy on board OR a discounted internet package with no diamond discount if I buy ahead of time for example ... have to give up the diamond benefit if you use the "everyone gets it" benefit.

I am surprised that the port refused the luggage. I haven't had anyone ask about my check-in time at the luggage drop stage, but have not sailed Tampa since restart so its possible that's a Tampa thing. The port is next to the aquarium and has a tram line running out front that would take them to other nearby areas with coffee shops, etc. but if they cant dump their luggage that makes it much harder to relax and enjoy. (Note, I live in the Tampa are but don't cruise out of Tampa often so are knowledge is better than port knowledge)

Sorry for your experience and I agree that anything involving international travel is not worth the hassle at the moment, i am back to normal looking at US based options but there are too many different bodies involved when you start looking at flights, transiting different countries, etc. for me to be comfortable at present.

I keep getting the survey asking when i want to disembark AFTER the survey has closed .. not quite sure why but since i am just walking off anyway it hasn't been a problem.. Last weekend for example it was placed in the cabin on evening of day two, indicating response needed by noon on Day 2. I tried it anyway and kept getting "no longer available" back on the website.

With ships sailing at lower capacity the debarkation process goes much faster than "it used to". Couple of times now we have been basically the last ones off and it was well before 9.

IMO I think its rare that Royal is hitting any kind of limit and stopping people from booking cabins.

Looking forward to my first cruise on Celebrity so much more ....

Because you really really wanted to let the CDC know that you were totally supportive of them

I can confirm i got an email on Friday while waiting in line to board Indy reminding me of the "great deals on upgrades still available". i didn't do anything with said email, since it was just a weekend cruise anyway, so i cant say what would have happened if i bid but i was definitely being offered the opportunity.

Can be highly variable, we were just off Indy yesterday. They called walk-offs at 7.10, we were in the car at 7.30

Jut off Indy (2/11) - 2600 according to Guest Services Chatted with someone off Harmony @ CocoCay (2/6?) and they said they were told 1800

Or Feb 11th

I had COVID 3 weeks ago, only way I know is that i had to test to go on a cruise and "failed" ... three times, before i gave up and conceded. That makes me one of the lucky asymptomatic's but makes it hard not to go "seriously, all this for that?"

All depends on point of view, life in Florida basically went back to normal over a year ago so all of this stuff feels weird to a Floridian.

Prefer to dump them both but if its one or the other, masking is more annoying and testing is more meaningful .. so dump masking.