Rose City Cruiser

They have sit & go tournaments throughout the sailing.  Sometimes they put it on the Cruise Compass and sometimes the host will announce it at the casino.  Good luck and have fun! 

29 minutes ago, Livtocruise said:

Do they advertise in the cruise compass compass about the different nights? 

Yes.  Once onboard,  you can check the themes throughout the sailing at the Windjammer Marketplace on the Royal app under Dining - Restaurants.  

We like Caribbean night at WJ for the oxtail and goat curry

+1 for Portside BBQ.  My wife and I split the 3 meat combo for lunch and each had their spiked iced tea.  We were so full afterwards!  We skipped MDR that night and had later dinner at the Windjammer buffet right before they closed.

Federal Government of Canada could be ending the pre-arrival COVID testing for travelers very soon.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/federal-government-end-pre-arrival-154237739.html?guccounter=1

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Now in search of lost luggage…

Shopping time!

It says they recommend booking at least 2 weeks prior to boarding.  Worth a call.

1-800-327-6700

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/plan-a-cruise/transportation

Currently, the pre-cruise covid test is the most stressful part of cruise travel.  Back then, it was going through airport security and the flight itself...

20 hours ago, monctonguy said:

Royals site that to board a ship out of the US or San Juan, it has to be a test done in the USA

Welcome back @monctonguy

Royal site says Rapid Antigen tests completed within 2 days of sail date are accepted.  We used SDM for our sailing back in February.  We drove from Canada to DTW and flew to FLL. 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go

We used our 2020 Annual Prime Tier complimentary cruise benefit on our Feb 12 Symphony sailing and received 14 cruise points (booked during double cruise points promo).

Just like above mentioned, check www.clubroyaleoffers.com and enter your C&A info for offers.  Give Club Royale a call and tell them you have not received any offers in your e-mail.  Sometimes if multiple passengers have the same e-mail address in their system, you won't receive their e-mails.  

Try deleting and re-installing the Royal app.  Sometimes a clean install can solve some issues with updates.

At Port of Miami, they were no enforcement for assigned boarding times.  There were no lines though so it did not warrant any enforcement.  Just like mentioned above, proof of negative test result and proof of vaccination prior to going through security.  

On 2/27/2022 at 11:04 AM, ChrisK2793 said:

It’s still an absolute zoo …… we were on Symphony 2/12-19 with only 2900 people on board …… every time we’d walk down to the the pool from the 17th floor during times it was open, as we’d pass the 16th floor on the way, the line for Windjammer was beyond ridiculously long.  LONGER than I’d ever seen it pre-Covid. I couldn’t imagine waiting in a line like that for the quality of food they serve!

I was on the same sailing.  I believe the back-up was caused by passengers required to check-in scan their Seapass card and washing their hands prior to entering the buffet.  Once you got in, there were plenty of tables.

We used the QR code for our sailings on Feb 12th and Feb 20th.  

We also crossed over to USA via land border.  US Border Agent only checked passports and let us through with no questions asked.  It was like pre-9/11 times.

12 hours ago, ChrisK2793 said:

both of us and our 10yo son will be D+ when we get off Symphony on Feb 19.

We will be Diamond after getting off the same sailing

Did you book the cruise with Costco Travel?  I have heard cruises booked through Costco are not eligible for RoyalUp.

Select Costco locations in Canada offer Asymptomatic Rapid Antigen Testing for Travel for $16.99.  

https://costcopharmacy.ca/

11 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Thanks.  So you mean wherever we get the PCR test done, they should provide some kind of letter that we need to quarantine?

I called them.  They said if the facility is will to give a note/letter advising to quarantine, call their emergency assistance number on the policy documents.  They can direct you to an urgent care centre where a physician can write a note.

58 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Question about the Manulife Covid 19 Pandemic Plan .  My husband started looking into this and he has a concern that it won't cover quarantine just from a positive PCR test (and Canadians not allowed to reutrn to Canada due to potential fine).  The policy states it covers if "you have been advised by a medical professional to self isolate or quarantine".  Does anyone know?  Do we need a doctor's note (from our current destination which won't be possible) in order to be covered for quarantine expenses?  Or is a positive PCR test plus the fact that we need to return to Canada enough?  In our case we are driving so we can in theory cross the border but with a very large fine.

Medical professional is any person licensed or certified to provide healthcare.  So a physician, nurse, pharmacist, etc. can advise you to quarantine/self-isolate.  I assume the insurance provider will require proof.

I also spoke to Blue Cross in Canada.  They will cover COVID-19 medical emergencies even while on a cruise.  BUT to eligible for quarantine expenses, you must be symptomatic.  So close-contacts and/or asymptomatic cases will not be eligible for quarantine expenses.    

20 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Thanks for that info!  That pretty much decides it right there for me! I just found it odd yesterday that when I priced it out online, the quote was $76.25 for all 4 of us for the Pandemic plan.  Seems too good to be true, hopefully I am not missing something.

I believe if you did the Family Coverage for the Pandemic Plan, they charge premiums only for the adults and the dependents are at no additional charge.  

16 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Looking into the Manulife Cover Me plan as well.  Debating between the Covid 19 Pandemic Plan or the All Inclusive policy.  I mainly want the insurance in case of unexpected quarantine.  Any thoughts of one over the other, other than cost?

I spoke with a Manulife rep.  They told me their standard All-Inclusive plan will not cover COVID-related quarantine expenses while there is an official travel advisory issued by the Canadian Government states, "Avoid non-essential travel/ avoid all travel", prior to departure.  That's why we went with the Manulife Pandemic Travel Plan.  We also have a credit card that will cover Trip Cancellation & Interruption for other reasons.

We were going to go with the Multi-trip All-Inclusive plan before speaking with the rep.  Will explore those options again once things calm down a bit.  Going with the Pandemic Plan for the next few trips.  Saves us some calling back and forth to the insurance company when/if Canada lifts/re-instates those travel advisories.

Ugh... with the new wording on the possible $5,000 fine, our plan would be to fly to DTW.  Get tested in Michigan.  If we test positive, quarantine in Michigan.  In the meantime, will keep my ears open if they are issuing these fines on every positive test crossing or if it is just depends on the CBSA officer you get.  

We purchased Manulife Pandemic Plan.  Covers up to $200/day for quarantine expenses even with "Avoid All Cruise Travel" advisory.