SPS

@Lovetocruise2002 I literally saw that pop up on the homepage within a minute or so of asking! Pardon me, it looks like I got some work to do!

How can WE effectively add OUR voices? Does anyone know?

Agreed. I think what's getting lost in the mix here is that the CSO is a CONDITIONAL SAIL ORDER. It is NOT a NO SAIL order. I don't think that anyone is expecting that cruises will be free of any/all COVID restrictions before the November 1 date. What we DO expect to actually "conditionally sail" rather than just being continually denied by the CDC.

Us/Cruise Lines/CLIA: Can we start cruising again in July? CDC: No. Us/Cruise Lines/CLIA: Why not? CDC: BECAUSE WE SAID SO!

From the article: "@RoyalCaribbean cruises is now requiring you to get an experimental vaccine to book a cruise with them. I will be boycotting the company instead."

It's worth noting that rowdy, hard partying college kids vs. calmly gathered families/couples following cruise line mandated protocols are hardly comparable. Not that that would keep the CDC and/or the ever vocal "I'd never go on a cruise" crowd from playing a game of "I told you so".

This reminds me of the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

You're about 45 minutes late with this news. ?

This is all entirely outside the US, CDC has NO say in it. If nothing else, they can sail, gather data, give it the CDC and say, "SEE, WE CAN $%#$%#$%# CRUISE SAFELY! NOW LIFT THE BAN!"

This isn't gonna help at all! People will definitely break social distancing guidelines to pop the bubbles!

As an option, there are some pretty cheap Android phones available that could be used to connect to wi-fi without cellular service activated. Or someone could even borrow a used smartphone from a friend or family member that's had a recent phone upgrade to bring along. (Just a suggestion)

Hmm, that is curious, but, it does still keep me thinking about being able to electronically verify the documents being presented for check-in. I would think that the enhanced license could also be e-verified. Birth certificates are just not going to be as easy to verify online/through the app. I'm not even sure of what the process would be. Would a scanned copy have to be "hand verified" by a RCG representative somehow? Having a passport is just so much easier, but, I certainly understand why a family of travelers wouldn't want to go through the time and expense to get them for possibly one use or so.

No surprise since passports are "in the system" and are easily verified electronically, as opposed to birth certificates that have been issued who knows where or when with no one standard/format.

I had forgotten that Virgin never even got to get up and running as an operating cruise line because of all this. This sounds promising, though. All the best to your son!

I've had similar issues to this. (But, never with owing LESS than I expected!) A call to Royal has always rectified the situation and they can send you a receipt/confirmation to you by email to review while you're still on the phone. You'll definitely want to get this checked out. It would be terrible think there's no balance to pay and then be cancelled for not making final payment by the due date.

Well, I didn't see it until today and I'm working, so alcohol is not an option and I gotta do something to entertain myself during breaks!

I came to this post expecting it to be about how we are all "sick" of only being on "land" for the past year.

*Spectators may include Cows, Sheep, & Horses! ?

CORRECT! Like, when I see people complaining about the new large lettering on Odyssey, I respond with, "Once I'm onboard, I doubt I'll even notice it" ? (1/29/2022 - Odyssey 8-Night Southern Caribbean!)

Geez, I'm an idiot. ? I didn't even flinch at the date. Given posts I've seen in the past, I wouldn't be surprised if someone was here to complain about something that happened a year ago.

Agree with everyone else, it's probably just too soon. Besides, you'll want to keep checking back for lower prices on those items. FYI: Explorer is not available in the app yet. It was most likely going to be added to the app during 2020 when the ship was supposed to into dry dock for upgrades under the "Royal Amplification" program. Those upgrades have been put off due to COVID. Royal intends to have passengers using the app for more and more as sailing comes back so keep checking back. Welcome to Royal Caribbean Blog!

As a Michigander, I forgot to add that this is an added benefit to having a passport. We've liked visiting Ontario from time to time should the want/need arise. Unfortunately, COVID travel restrictions derailed our 2020 plans to tour the wineries around Hamilton and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Absolutely! It's good for ten years. I've paid far more for other items that have not been good for ten years! The convenience alone upon returning from a cruise is worth it. Many a time I've seen a group at customs held up for a good long time using birth certificates. Regarding another post that inspired this one, I think check-in with passports is easier because it's "in the system" and is easily verified electronically. The piece of paper you keep in your bedroom's strong box is not.