Cruising With JT

34 minutes ago, teddy said:

My wife and I were talking about masks and cruising yesterday. 
 

We have a week on Freedom in November.  We’ve been mask free since may 24th and are both vaccinated.   I really am not looking forward to having to wear one again, even for the flight to Florida  

We won’t cancel if masks are still a requirement in November, but we will rethink our stateroom category. 
 

In the past, we have been perfectly content staying in an Inside Cabin.  A mask regulation will have us considering an upgrade to a larger room with a large balcony.  

Nice! We always go with Balcony or higher...nothing like waking up to that view and having breakfast on your own private balcony without the madness of the buffet etc!

I am most likely keeping my Ovation cruise from Alaska even with masks, just to see what the experience is like. I am in the process of booking Oasis in September and even if they have masks so be it I guess. Not really sure when Royal will get rid of them. That or I could book the Carnival Mardi Gras around the same time. That ship does look amazing as well...decisions decisions...

This post didn't age well, I just wish Royal stuck with doing the right thing and not requiring masks onboard for the vaccinated -- makes no sense to me. PS I have glasses so wearing a mask is even more annoying.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/05/24/royal-caribbean-group-ceo-we-will-not-need-be-wearing-masks-cruise-ships

Does anyone believe that Royal will actually change their announced health protocols around masks? They just announced their mask requirement for Alaska in August and now I am looking at Norwegian due to their 100% vaccinated / no masks or social distancing policy. Dang it, Royal!

I am hearing that things may change after July 18th? Lol...that is when the CSO may "go away"...and then Royal can do whatever they want. Who knows. Going to go make another batch of popcorn.

On 7/4/2021 at 10:27 AM, JohnK6404 said:

Definitely not... they just grabbed a generic cruise ship image.

I believe the estimated size of the Icon class is around 200,000 tons... somewhere in between Quantum and Oasis class... I don't believe any official drawings or schematics have been released to the public yet. They may not even be done with the final design just yet. Can't wait to see what she'll look like!

 

 

Well I know what cruise I am booking in Fall 2023...

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise?dPort=seattle

I

I am on Ovation of the Seas so I hope our protocols are different... they do vary from ship to ship...fingers crossed!

It is a little surprising but wearing masks indoors shouldn't really be anything new... most folks are used to it. Things may still change we'll see. Either way I am going on a cruise after 1.5 years and that is all that matters!

Wow, I almost booked Freedom in July! I am on Freedom in November, fingers crossed things look a little better by then! All these restrictions and such are happening because it is the restart...do it safely... and continue on safely but with less restrictions hopefully.

3 hours ago, LovetoCruise87 said:

According to Royals website, Odyssey will start sailing on July 31st

Royal Caribbean Announces Summer Sailings

Last updated June 15th, 2021

Our guests and crew's safety and well-being are always our top priorities. We are excited to announce the return to service this summer for many of our ships. As we continue working on our Royal Comeback, we will continue to update you as we announce additional ships returning to service.

Ships returning to service:

• Adventure of the Seas: June 12, 2021 departing from Nassau, Bahamas

• Allure of the Seas: August 8, 2021 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida

• Anthem of the Seas: July 7, 2021 departing from Southampton, United Kingdom

• Freedom of the Seas: July 2, 2021 departing from Miami, Florida

• Harmony of the Seas: August 15, 2021 departing from Barcelona, Spain & Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

• Independence of the Seas: August 15, 2021 departing from Galveston, Texas

• Jewel of the Seas: July 10, 2021 departing from Limassol, Cyprus

• Mariner of the Seas: August 23, 2021 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida

• Navigator of the Seas: November 19, 2021 departing from Los Angeles, California

• Odyssey of the Seas: July 31, 2021 departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Ovation of the Seas: August 13, 2021 departing from Seattle, Washington

• Quantum of the Seas: December 1, 2020 departing from Singapore

• Serenade of the Seas: July 19, 2021 departing from Seattle, Washington

• Symphony of the Seas: August 14, 2021 departing from Miami, Florida

Yup that is the plan right now, but the Odyssey is having a start like no other ship in history it seems like. I do hope it gets going on July 31st...

2 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

Odyssey is not showing August 2021 sailings on the Royal website. 

What is happening here?   Is this the answer to my prayers that the Odyssey sailings will be pushed back to November? I'm hoping against hope that my November 15th sailing will be the US Inaugural. (Are you with me @Cruising With JT?)

You know it @PG Cruiser! It would be awesome to have 11/15 be the inaugural, but I think she will start sailing sometime in the summer. Unless...well you know, something else happens, not like anything has happened yet  It will be a fun sailing regardless!

Whew well this is good news for anyone booked on Alaska including myself: https://www.ktoo.org/2021/06/18/judge-rules-in-floridas-favor-in-cdc-lawsuit-but-alaskas-cruise-season-is-still-on

13 minutes ago, ConstantCruiser said:

I *think* that is why the judge narrowed it to cruise ships arriving, departing and operating from Florida.  That way it doesn't impact Washington state and Alaska.

Okay whew...was beginning to get worried lol...hopefully that is the case.

Does this have any impact to Alaska cruises this summer?

So the unvaccinated have to get a PCR test a minimum 3 days before the cruise, and then another PCR test at the terminal too, and the an antigen test before disembarking? I think Royal is trying to make unvaccinated people not go on the cruise   that and all the masks requirement + not being able to go to certain events etc.

Meanwhile...vaccinated guests --> Vaccinated guests do not have any testing requirements.

Thumbs up from me (except wearing masks indoors if you're vaccinated part). I still think anyone who is eligible should be vaccinated before boarding a ship, but that's just my opinion. You want a safe restart to cruising. This is the way to do it. 

3 hours ago, danv3 said:

The exception will be (and should be) that they can sit together in the unvaccinated area. 

I got a feeling their vaccinated friends will say "yeah maybe we'll just see you around the ship" Lol

On 3/30/2021 at 9:53 PM, Cruising With JT said:

Hello fellow RCL Blog fans!

With all the excitement of cruising slowly returning across the globe, I was wondering what cruises you currently have booked and are thinking of booking in the near future! This should be a fun thread

We are booked on:

1. Symphony of the Seas in February 2022, first time staying in a Jr Suite!
2. Oasis of the Seas in February 2023, first time staying in a Crown Loft Suite!

We are soon going to be booked on:

1. Navigator of the Seas in Summer 2022 out of LA, staying in a Jr Suite!

Cheers to more cruising!

Been on 12 thus far and can't wait to go on more!

Thanks,
John

Well...after starting this thread back at the end of March, 2.5 months later I am now booked on 7 cruises LOL... (in Signature). Yay for the cruising restart! So excited  

38 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

That would be pushing it back too much.  November 15th, my sailing, sounds about just right.  

I second this  

14 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

Here we go again!

We can keep on jinxing this all the way to November 15th, right @Cruising With JT

Totally! It's sad to see man...sheesh...poor Odyssey can't catch a break...

That pic is hilarious btw @PG Cruiser

Notice that July bookings on Odyssey are not bookable at this time!

Odyssey can't catch a break...

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/06/15/royal-caribbean-delays-odyssey-of-the-seas-inaugural-sailing-us-due-covid-19-among-crew

Oh wow... here is the article from Matt

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/06/15/royal-caribbean-delays-odyssey-of-the-seas-inaugural-sailing-us-due-covid-19-among-crew

5 hours ago, barjpoe said:

According to an article in Cruise Critic this is what I read

Test Cruise Date: June 21, 2021

First Passenger Sailing: July 3, 2021

 

This is for Odyssey...? 

Oh yay...