DunwoodyDad

If I could add onto the original question, does anyone know if the proctor sessions are available on holidays? We are sailing on 12/27 and I’m starting to get nervous about testing in either a CVS or at-home situation due with closings happening on and around Christmas.

Just posted this on another thread (slightly edited): All 4 of my kids have really enjoyed the teen clubs especially on the Oasis-class ships like Allure. The most important tip is always to show up in the teen club on the first night for the meet and greet which usually was around 8 I think. That’s when everyone introduces themselves and friendships are formed. My kids always did this, would make friends and then the club would be home base to meet back up with their new friends but they wouldn’t necessarily stay in the club all the time. I have a couple of slightly shy kids but they would really focus on this meet and greet event the first night to make friends. After that, I would still encourage participation in some of the scheduled events because it again brings the kids together.

All 4 of my kids have really enjoyed the teen clubs especially on the Oasis-class ships like Allure. I would lower expectations around how new the game tech is but think of it more as a way to play games with other teens. The most important tip is always to show up in the teen club on the first night for the meet and greet which usually was around 8 I think. That’s when everyone introduces themselves and friendships are formed. My kids always did this, would make friends and then the club would be home base to meet back up with their new friends but they wouldn’t necessarily stay in the club all the time.

Yeah. I’m talking about the double points. Just hate to miss the promotion if I’m probably booking a summer 2022 cruise anyways. I just know whatever I choose, there is a pretty good chance I will have to switch. We are currently discussing everything from a week in the Caribbean, one of the shorter cruises out of LA, and maybe even something in the Med.

I was wondering about this when I saw the article that the promo was ending soon. I was thinking I could book a cruise for this summer knowing there is a good chance I might have to move the ship/date in a couple months once I know my family schedule better. I read the FAQs on the RCL website but didn’t see it addressed, but after reading the comments above it sounds like if I move the sailing then it is most likely a new booking and would lose the double points offer.

Just read the story on Matt’s blog and I’m curious what everyone thinks Richard Fain meant by this: "Our focus is therefore on 2022, not the remaining months of 2021," Mr. Fain admitted. "Obviously, we don't like giving up on any period, but we are more determined to do well in 2022 and 2023, even if that means accepting short term hits this year." So for 2021 does this mean big discounts to sell more of the empty cabins (even with reduced capacity) and take the a hit on passenger margins? Or maintain pricing and continue to sail with very empty ships? I’m assuming he doesn’t mean cancelling some very empty sailings in order to maintain operations going into 2022. Thoughts? full story: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/09/23/royal-caribbean-group-ceo-looks-2022-when-cruise-bookings-really-take

So at this point does it seem like the original check-in dates will be restored? Or should we be planning around the new dates that are appearing in the app much closer to sail date?

I guess this is just a reaction to them seeing a higher than normal rate of people cancelling or pushing out cruises instead of making final payment tied to current COVID numbers. By moving it out, they are giving time for things to get better and keep people focused on 2021 sailings.

All great input everyone. I think overall I would prefer the differences of Freedom but not sure it’s worth the significant difference at this time. I have checked air and can get a similar or cheaper fare going into Melbourne which is about 45 mins away and I think is easier to deal with over Orlando. However, that’s still a 45 min drive vs 20 or so in Miami. The issue is do I want to deal with fees to change ships, or FCC, etc. And will whatever the change costs be reduce the savings with Indy to where it’s definitely not worth it. As barbeyg suggested, I might watch for a little while and see what happens with Freedom.

We are booked on Freedom out of Miami two days after Christmas this year. When I priced options and booked in June, i was looking at both Independence out of Port Canaveral and Freedom and they were very similar prices for basically the same 4 day cruise on very similar ships. I chose Freedom only because it was amplified more recently. But now, prices have significantly changed and it looks like I could save almost $1,000 in total for my family’s 3 cabins. So, question is .. assuming I can somehow switch, is Freedom a much better ship? Or are we essentially talking about the same experience.

Thanks and I’m definitely leaning away from it especially after seeing PGs lunch above and besides my family loves the Windjammer. One thing I wasn’t clear about is the $23 pp extra was compared to us getting internet packages for 6 devices for the cruise. So is the lunch (plus the priority stuff) worth the $138 for the 6 of us? Im still not sold and would rather spend that on something else onboard.

There was definitely a real, printed Indian menu in the MDR when we were in the Mediterranean (summer of 2019). It was at our table and wasn’t the big bulky menu you usually see in the MDR. When we asked our waiter about it he said it was usually only given out to the passengers who are Indian, but available to anyone who was interested. I told him to keep bringing it to our table every night since I love Indian food. There was also a native Italian menu that had dishes like Cacio e Pepe in addition to the MDR Italian staples. I wasn’t sure if these were a function of sailing from Italy, but would love to know if others have seen these for US based sailings.

I’m not sure if this is news, but I’ve heard Matt say a few times recently that The Key is not for sale yet, but it is on my December 27 cruise on Freedom. Trying to decide right now if it’s worth the extra $23 pp for my family of 6 right now… ?

Not only does Voom work seamlessly for texting with family members onboard and back at home, if you enable WiFi calling that works like you are right at home as well…I mean almost too well. I got calls from work while on Jewel in the middle of the Mediterranean and decided to answer and the other person had no idea I wast back at home.

Thanks so much! This is exactly what I was concerned about. We get away with this at our local place because they are selling food either way but I can see how in this case they want to be protective of the hibachi seating. I will have to convince my wife and kids to pick a menu. Thanks again!