Gears

Here's the announcement... https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates

As most people know, the Royal Caribbean Group of companies made some modifications to their final payment deadline policy (likely to be temporary). They changed the policy of final payment required no later than 90 days prior to sailing to 60 days prior to sailing. Yesterday evening, we received a detailed communication from Celebrity regarding all the Covid policies, etc. for our upcoming cruise at the end of February (booked back in the day of February 2021). Standard stuff and not much different from our RCL cruise six weeks ago. However, there was one thing off. Celebrity is offering complimentary home country re-entry testing (important for us Canuks) for guests with cruise reservations booked and paid in full prior to November 16, 2021...the old 90 day final payment deadline. But...they changed the payment deadline to 60 days. So, if we made final payment at the 60 payment deadline...we're SOL?? Let's see if our TA earns her stripes.

This is a major change. And a big logistical problem for some...!!

As far as I understand you will require Internet. However, the Guest Services on a particular ship may have a way around this. Also, one person can setup/schedule more than one person...so not all people would need Internet. But...you will need Internet to complete the ArriveCAN app...again, you can register more than one person.

Yes, go to Guest Services when you can. The test is performed on the last day, but the sooner you get your QR code the sooner you can book your time for testing.

Separate website, no app to install. You will get a QR code to scan from RCL, it will send you to trustoneapp.com. The testing is done by Eurofins and TrustOne is used for the info and results communication. The test report is not actually produced by RCL.

Just got off the Jewel yesterday and back to YYZ. Here are some things to be aware of: Do not assume Royal/Guest Services will reach out to you for your PCR test. Expect to ask. Testing typically takes place the day before disembarkation. They currently provide no charge testing for antigen and PCR, make sure they know you need PCR. There is an app/website to fill in your information, including passport number and some other details before you go for the test (you make your appt here too). You will receive an email with your results, or, if you don't have email access, Guest Services should have the results by 6:00pm. Make sure you review your results to ensure it says PCR test. We had a friend travelling with us who got a result saying antigen when he did in fact have a PCR test. It was sorted out by Guest Services, but not without a great deal of stress. If he did not specifically examine all the details on the document, it would have been a big problem at the airport. Hope this helps.

An oldie but a goodie...time tested and true.

Pretty sure this is why they dropped Key West and replaced it with Bimini on our Jewel of the Seas cruise in a couple of weeks.

Crunch, Crunch, Crunch - Carnival ships crashing into each other in Cozumel.

We did the drive from Toronto to Baltimore to get on the Enchantment when it sailed out of Baltimore. That was an eight hour drive and not bad going down. Coming back seemed to take forever. It was just two of us...more people would take longer. Would probably not do it again.

Seems the waived room service fee and 25% off dinning is not available with The Key on all ships/cruises. After the announcements, I went to our Nov 28/21 reservation and looked, no free room service or dinning discount. Too bad, I would have clicked 'buy'.

I agree with CJS2766. Done this many, many times. Keep in mind...it's you and probably over 10,000+ other people disembarking from cruise ships at the same time. Without any delays of the ship docking (seen that a few times), it is not uncommon to require a significant amount of time to get to the gate. A 10:30 flight means the doors close at 10:30. Boarding starts closer to 10:00...which means you should be at the gate by 10:00. Budget 1.5 - 2 hrs to get to the gate after you get to the airport plus the wait for transport and delays getting from the ship...oh, and customs!...I would be budgeting to get off the ship before 7:00, probably 6:30. Your ship is not scheduled to dock until 7:00. 12:00 or after...if it was me.

Hmmmmm...I guess I will be writing up a report on Bimini! Also...I am finding reports that there is now a cruise port dock in Bimini...can handle an Oasis class ship. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25356-resorts-world-bimini-cruise-port-debuts-with-first-docked-vessel.html

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-travel-documents-are-required-for-cruises-from-united-states-ports

The explanation provided by RCL for the change from Key West to Bimini does not make sense. The explanation is "Regrettably, this impacts our visit to Key West, Florida because of its distance from Mexico. Instead, we'll visit Bimini, Bahamas.". Given that Bimini is approximately 175 miles northeast of Key West (further from Mexico)...and Key West was the first port of call...puzzling what Key West and its distance to Mexico has to do with anything. The only thing I can come up with is that the visit to the Bahamas instead of Key West changes the vaccination rules they will use(?).

Bimini Bahamas is the alternate for Key West. Costa Maya is the alternate to Grand Cayman.

Unless you're on a ship...in which case it may be cached. Maybe open a trouble ticket with RCL IT?

That's what was on the site this morning...since been updated to: Mixed Vaccines from Different Manufacturers We accept a mixed vaccination series consisting of doses from different manufacturers, as long as your vaccine series meets the following requirements: Must consist of at least two doses of vaccines that are fully approved or authorized for emergency use by the U.S. FDA or the World Health Organization. The 2 doses must be administered at least 28 days apart* The final dose must be completed at least 14 days before sailing. *For guests sailing from non-U.S. homeports, who have a combination of AstraZeneca plus an mRNA shot (Pfizer or Moderna), the shots must be at least 42 days apart. Mixed vaccines may not be accepted at all ports of call. Guests who are vaccinated with a mixed series may not be allowed to go ashore at these ports, or may need to undergo additional testing if they wish to go ashore.

Looks like the policy has now been updated: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-vaccines-are-accepted

274 days of red velvet cake??

Who's up for doing a 274 day live blog?

Our November 28th cruise on the Jewel has a stop in Cozumel scheduled for December 2nd. As of right now the itinerary remains unchanged.

Have a read: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/07/08/paradise-beach-cozumel-2021-shore-excursion-review