CGTLH

Not trying to defend the CDC... Did anyone actually read what is required for a ship to reach red status? I would hope refunds to future guests would be offered if the ship hadn't voluntarily shutdown already. Only part I might be concerned about is misuse of "variant of concern". Sustained transmission of COVID-19 or CLI, defined as a 7-day Crew attack rate greater than or equal to 10% occurring at least once weekly over 3 consecutive weeks; Passenger attack rate greater than or equal to 10% occurring at least once weekly over 3 consecutive weeks; Crew attack rate greater than or equal to 20% occurring on any single day; Passenger attack rate greater than or equal to 20% occurring on any single day; or Traveler (crew AND passenger) attack rate greater than or equal to 30% occurring on any single day Severe COVID-19 acquired onboard resulting in: Shortages of supplemental oxygen or other medical supplies related to COVID-19 treatment, or 2 or more deaths in passengers and/or crew in a 7-day period. Potential for COVID-19 cases to overwhelm on board medical center and/or public health resources, defined as the inability to maintain: Adequate staff to Evaluate symptomatic travelers and their close contacts, Conduct routine and diagnostic testing of travelers, Conduct routine medical checks of travelers in isolation or quarantine, or Conduct contact tracing of close contacts. Adequate supplies of Personal protective equipment (PPE) listed on CDC’s Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected or Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019, Testing equipment for routine and diagnostic screening, Antipyretics (fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen), Antivirals and other therapeutics for COVID-19,external icon if commercially available, Oral and intravenous steroids, or Supplemental oxygen. Inadequate onboard capacity to fulfill minimal operational services, including but not limited to housekeeping and food and beverage services. A variant of concern or a new or emerging variant with undefined characteristics identified among cases on board.

Always hated the use of terms of double and triple when describing 2 or 3 points. Point math... 1 point per night on the ship, 1 point per night sailing solo in a non-solo stateroom, finally 1 point per night when sailing in a Junior Suite or better (non Royal Up). Two people sailing in a balcony stateroom: 1 point (per person) Solo person traveling in a solo-balcony category stateroom: 1 point Solo person traveling in a balcony stateroom: 2 points (1 base + 1 solo) Two people traveling in a booked Junior Suite: 2 points (1 base + 1 JS or better) per person Solo person sailing in a booked Junior Suite: 3 points (1 base + 1 JS or better + 1 solo) 7 night sailing solo booked in a JS with double points promotion: 42 (7 [nights] x 3 [base, JS, solo]) x 2 [double point promotion] No JS or better nightly point if the JS or better was via RoyalUp.

Biggest challenge with this photo is not having an idea of what is behind the photographer. Not seeing any entry to a bathroom or if a counter exists distorts the perspective of the suite. If you took the two sides of a Grand Suite in this picture (from Oasis) and stacked the on top of each other vs side to side. The perspective starts making some sense. Keep in mind my picture was probably taken either right next to the counter or a few steps after it. Adding in a picture of the foyer area on Oasis. Plus an idea of space taken by the bathroom. If I had to guess based on deck plans. The Grand Suites are same size as the main level of a Crown Loft. Just keep in mind no staircase when trying to visualize. --Correction, stock photowise the GS looks a tad wider than a CLS.

I've gone crazy trying to cross check things as well when I've seen recently published videos. Then suddenly one very small detail is noticed and the "wait a second" thought occurs.

Sorry to say the seafood towers are now gone. Think timeline wise it was discontinued fleetwide as of the restart.

No, Dynamic Dining only made it to Allure in decor only still using the standard fleetwide menu. On Quantum and Anthem it all dining rooms share the same fleetwide menu. I do think some items from the various Dynamic Dining restaurants did eventually make it to fleetwide menu.

Decor Extended answer: At one point in history Royal has introduced a concept known as Dynamic Dining on Quantum when it entered service in 2014. The goal was to have several small dining rooms that guests could pick and choose where to dine. At the time traditional dining times were still being held on to by many. During this period Oasis and Allure during their dry docks had the main dining rooms separated in name and décor to match what restaurant they'd eventually become. The actual separation of menus never occurred as the deployment was canceled. Come 2016 after several attempts to gain attraction the plug was pulled on the program. When Oasis was Amped the dining room was once again unified. Allure with getting Amped delayed never got the unified dining room make over during dry dock. Sure this is somewhat butchered, just the way I remember things. More reading about Dynamic Dining: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/dynamic-dining

Sure that was the original intent. Some sort of high roller enclave. Will be interesting if it has been modified to swing back to a music/lounge venue. Going to be fun watching all the crew "leak" videos as the make the journey across the Atlantic.

Wow, either our Genie on Wonder sent the wrong information or dynamic pricing strikes again. For the March 4th sailing. Standard $350.00 Hilltop $495.00 Beach Front $495 Over the Water $595.00

Going over a menu from December 2016 on Oasis... 9 sides in 2016: Yukon golden and gruyere croquets (now called Gruyere cheese tater tots), grilled jumbo asparagus, truffled french fries, sauteed mushrooms*, sauteed spinach*, roasted garlic mashed potatoes (changed to Yukon gold mashed potatoes), salted baked potatoes, creamed corn*, creamed spinach. Items above with a * are gone from todays menu. Additional is the mac and cheese. I know if requested they'll do sauteed spinach. No change with the grilled black pepper bacon. Change of soups is a fairly recent change. Always fun looking over old menus and getting the remember when moments. This occurred seeing the everything crusted tuna. Rounding out the subject of entrees, Chops use to have a smaller cut NY strip and didn't have a ribeye. Also, can't forget about veal chop, braised short rib, plus the extra cost dry-aged NY strip and dry-aged porterhouse. Chops also use to have a scallop appetizer and three cheese roasted onion soup. Circa 2016 menu that was posted outside.

I'm not going in with high hopes either. More or less I'm glad it is something different.

Clearing up some confusion... 18% tip is applied towards certain purchases. Mainly beverage, specialty dining, and spa services. When purchasing a beverage or specialty dining package this 18% is included when purchasing. It might be a separate entry or included in a bundled price. You can also tip additional if you desire. Pre-paid tips are the either $14.50 or $17.50 per person per day that goes towards housekeeping and dining services. This is added to your invoice for the cruise. If you don't pre-pay they'll be charged onboard. This is separate from the 18%.

What you're looking at are the technical instructions. Mask use details are in the operations manual: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html#mask-use The operations manual is where it is mentioned crew and passengers meeting 95% "Vaccination Standard of Excellence" a ship can be mask free.

Got confirmation this morning that brunch will be offered on sea days 10am to 2pm. Now the waiting game for the brunch menu to become available in the app.

That'd make two of us.

It just moves to bar to "up to date" vaccinated. Cruise ship operators choosing to opt into CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to passengers and crew who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines where masks are not required (e.g., casinos; bars; spas; entertainment venues; and dining areas, including self-serve buffets). Added: I'm also under the impression they'd have to opt-in to the "extended CSO" as well.

Exactly, "up to date" is also how the CDC defines a ship as meeting the "Vaccination Standard of Excellence" requirement.

Read the operations manual: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html#mask-use The mask policy being referred to is the one for public conveyances. This is the reason why you're required to wear one on a plane. In the operations manual for ships. Being fully vaccinated gave an out to requiring full time use, except when drinking or eating. At the time 95% fully vaccinated passenger and crew allowed no masks at all.

You're not the only one that has been questioning lobster in gumbo. I've been pondering if some chef creating the menu was thinking that lobsters were nothing but oversized shrimp.

NCL can drop masks and stay in compliance as long as they meet the terms of "Vaccination Standard of Excellence".

Yeah, new mask use policy really makes my head spin: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html#mask-use

Going to be interesting how many lines are willing to adopt a "Vaccination Standard of Excellence" if they opt in to the program. Not Highly Vaccinated: ships with less than 95% passengers and 95% crew who are fully vaccinated. Highly Vaccinated: ships with at least 95% passengers and 95% crew who are fully vaccinated, but with less than 95% of passengers and 95% of crew who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination Standard of Excellence: ships with at least 95% passengers and 95% crew who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Answer is still inaccurate according to the fine print. This is from the 3 night dining package on Wonder.

The Royal app just got loaded the menu details for Wonder. One of the major menus loaded was the one for The Mason Jar. Right now only dinner is showing as available.

This is Labadee cabana pricing I just got for my upcoming Wonder sailing. Standard $350.00 These cabanas are in the main part of the beach. They are ideal for guests who desire easy access to the beach and other activities in Labadee. These cabanas are wheelchair accessible; guests will need to able to climb 2 steps. Hilltop $495.00 These cabanas offer breathtaking views of Labadee and the ship, providing excellent picture opportunities and a quiet environment to relax away from the crowd. These are the most private cabanas. They are not wheelchair accessible and guests need to climb a full flight of stairs and walk across uneven surfaces to gain access. Beach Front $495 These cabanas are next to the beach at the waters edge with full views of the bay They are not wheelchair accessible However guests with limited mobility may access. Over the Water $595.00 These types of cabana are in a premium location above the sea with direct access to the water and beach. These Cabanas are not wheelchair accessible, and guests will need to walk in the water and up the stairs to get to the cabana.