GunnerGuy

On 5/18/2022 at 10:20 PM, She Sails Away said:

I’m so sorry you caught Covid! Not a surprise though… It just seems like we should all pretty much expect it these days. especially with the ships at full capacity, it’s just not possible to keep even a little bit of distance from each other anymore. Like tonight when I was standing in line for the wind jammer, the guy behind me absolutely had to stand on my heels every second, as though he would get to the food faster if he did that. I would take a little step forward and he would take one right with me and still be standing on my heels. I didn’t want to crowd the lady in front of me, as she was wearing a mask and obviously trying to be careful. 
I plan on testing the day after I get home and then testing several days later. I hope you’re feeling well and that you guys don’t get  ill. Thank you for reading and for commenting. I hope you guys get well soon.

Thanks for the well wishes! We're fine for the most part now, just lingering symptoms, nothing serious...testing negative. Glad to hear your experience is going well up to this point

On 5/19/2022 at 7:28 AM, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Were  you able to quarantine in your room or did they move you to the COVID rooms?  So sorry you ended up I’ll…and your wife!  Hope everyone is doing well now.

We're from Canada, out of fear of being stuck on the ship in an enclosed stateroom (rather than our balcony cabin) and being stuck thereafter in the US we did not disclose. We kept to ourselves for the rest of the trip and ate only in our room. We left at times during the day for the attendant to make up the room and only went to the outdoor places away from other. Obviously not the protocol thing to do but it was our judgement call and we tried to not impact anyone else. Kept our masks on basically for the rest of the cruise haha...

I wouldn't worry, I brought champagne on Allure last week and when I told them just before they scanned my carry on, they casually said that's fine and I went onward. 

All I can say is stay away from the budget motels unless you know you won't spend any time there except to sleep and don't mind a bit of a run down look. Wife and i opted for the cheap cheap and went to red carpet inn, I've also stayed at rodeway next door in the past. If I had the chance to do it again, I'd spend the extra $100 a night to be more comfortable and feel a bit more safe. 

Thanks for sharing your detailed thoughts on your Allure experience! My wife and I were on the ship last week May 8 to 14 and had similar experiences. It was very crowded but we found ways to have our own space at times. I found that depending on the time of day you could get easy access to food / drink / activities if you timed it right (off-peak hours I'll call it). I am curious how the covid situation has been on the ship, as sadly by day 5 I had contracted it and once we returned home so did my wife. We hand sanitized constantly and were semi-liberal with mask wearing, which probably caused me to get it (either during the theatre showing of mama mia, or during the my time dining with long lines and big crowds). Suffice it to say we had an all around great vacation and can't wait to do royal again, though next time we may opt to spend a little more for a newer ship. 

Thanks everyone for the helpful tips and advice !!! We can't wait for this trip!

Does anyone know if these will continue into May? I'm a gold member sailing Allure at that time? Also curious how do the coupons works are the loaded on your seapass or physical coupons? 

Does anyone know how picky or attentive the bartenders are to using the cards to buy drinks with your package? I know my wife and I aren't going to benefit enough from each getting our own "refreshment package" but just wondering how they are with getting a drink to give to someone else? (I understand it's a moral grey area but just want to see what other's experienced) 

1 hour ago, Jen W said:

Did you have Voom Surf or Surf + Stream?  I’m hoping to save a few bucks and just get the Surf, but scared to risk getting disconnected. 

My thoughts too! Would love to hear people's experience with the Surf only VOOM.

Would like to know this as well. When I cruise in May we'll be disembarking at Port Everglades but aren't flying home until late that evening so would be great to find somewhere local to save a bit on cost to try and get an antigen test for return to Canada! 

Hi all,

Would love to hear from you what your experience has been in places like costa maya, Cozumel and coco cay for excursions? I'll be sailing Allure May 8th out of Fort Lauderdale. 

I'd say wife and I are pretty adventurous so we're up for most things but would love to hear it from someone who has first hand experience!  

I just checked, about 2 weeks ago with the prior sale our agent got us. My wife and I are going on Allure from May 8th out of Ft Lauderdale oceanview balcony for $1750 whereas now a room nearby ours with the current sale (%30 per guest) is $2800 almost !! Yep...I'm glad we booked when we did. 

PSA: Update, went onto my cruise planner and the VOOM packages are %20 off now ! Going to lock it in now and maybe later it'll go even cheaper. At least I'm more comfortable with this rate.

1 hour ago, SaveTheSharks said:

Sales come and go. But the common advice I've heard repeatedly was to purchase the package and just cancel and re-buy if the price goes cheaper. That way you've guaranteed the price.

That being said, I got my surf+stream when it was 35% off (2 devices), which came to about less than CA$20/night/device.

Thanks I'll keep my eyes peeled, may I ask when did you get your %35 discount? 

Hi All, Canadian here...does anyone know if there's any hope for getting a better deal on a VOOM package before I set sail on Allure May 8th? Currently it's showing as only %10 off Surf only $23 / day and Surf stream $29 / day which is pretty steep in my opinion. 

12 hours ago, CdnAngie said:

The RAT test at the port can be booked thru customer service while on the ship (or you can do it if you have internet package). It is $105 USD though so very expensive dive. I brought the SH Antigen and the SH RT-LAMP test with us. I had bought the molecular tests prior to Canada changing their protocols so may just use them. I also brought some home tests we can use on ship for random testing. We came prepared. I can update once off the ship to let you know the process.

Thanks for sharing, truly appreciated! Yeah Since SH tests cost the same as shoppers I might just stick with shoppers (it's works for our flight down later that day) but I might purchase the SH for the return trip...I assume you just have to book the proctored test the day before the end of cruise / fly back to Canada? 

As a backup I also found out Naomi health has a clinic at the FT Lauderdale airport and seems you can book the antigen test for $60 / per so might keep that in the back pocket if needed.

If anyone has any insight for returning cruises after Feb 28th....Wife and I will be flying into Fort Lauderdale from Toronto in May for Allure cruise, I am wondering what options there will be to get rapid tested at port / near port and the cost prior to flying home later that day? Any advice would be appreciated. 

I'm going on allure of the seas in a week or so. Is there anywhere they serve chicken wings or tenders? Curious