Rose City Cruiser

Hubby & I just got our negative results back.  That’s 2 down, 4 people to go!!
ok now 4 negatives with 2 left to test.🤞🏻🤞🏻
5 down 1 to go!!!!

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...
 

Is there a better feeling than passing your pre cruise covid test?  It's a combination of relief and the now certain knowledge that I will be sailing in 2 days!
 

My TA just sent me an updated Booking Confirmation because he repriced our cruise and saved me $714.04!  Needless to say I am doing my "Happy Dance!" 

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

With the Refreshment Package, you'll have your pick of the below listed beverages including virgin mocktails (pina colada, mudslide); lattes, etc. at Cafe Promenade; and unlimited milkshakes at Johnny Rockets!  (Seems you can walk up to the podium at Johnny's, show them your SeaPass card, and just order the milkshake without having to pay the specialty restaurant surcharge and eat at the restaurant.  I saw several people do this on my last cruise).  Let the fun begin!  At Perfect Day,  I believe your options will be limited a bit to soft drinks, bottled/canned water, and (frozen!) mocktails.  Nice frozen drinks on a hot day at Perfect Day!
BTW, in addition to flavored & regular sodas, the Freestyle drink machines onboard have sparkling & flat Dasani water,  and various flavors of Vitamin water & Powerade.  So - lots of options.  If you want water/Powerade to take back to your room (besides whatever you dispense into your souvenir cup), just stop by any bar or Cafe Promenade and ask for it. (Some ships are serving canned water nowadays instead of bottled.  I got canned water on Independence, but bottled water on Harmony).  Most of the time, they would just hand me two waters at a time.  so it's easy to grab water cans/bottles and keep your cooler in your cabin stocked.
According to Royal's website FAQs:
The Refreshment Package allows guests to enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic beverages throughout their cruise. Package includes:
Fountain soda and refills at any venue Coca-Cola® Freestyle beverages Coca-Cola® souvenir cup Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)** (frozen drinks!) Johnny Rockets milkshakes** (without having to eat at the restaurant) Bottled still and sparkling water Premium coffees and teas **  (this mean's lattes, etc. at cafe Promenade, Main Dining Room, and Windjammer - but not at Starbucks) Fresh-squeezed juices **The notations marked with ** are my own, and not from Royal Caribbean.
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-is-the-refreshment-package

You can basically have any frozen cocktail drink made without the alcohol and enjoy!  On PDCC I drank quite a few of the virgin CocoLoco’s.  Very delicious…. I prefer no alcohol when in the heat and sun so the mock tails are perfect.  Refreshing but not mind altering.  

Among the coffee drinks, I am a fan of the Caribbean Coconut, an iced espresso drink, which is great in the afternoon or whenever it's hot outside.

I second the virgin Coco Loco's at PDCC!  It is also nice to have an after dinner cappuccino!  I think one of my favorites is a spicy virgin bloody mary in the morning by the pool!  Treat yourself to a milkshake or two at Johnny Rockets since they are included.

+1 virgin Coco Loco's at Coco Cay! Another favorite mocktail of mine is ginger ale with mint and lime - super refreshing! 
I also tend to drink lots of club soda with lime, or Pellegrino (often stashed and brought back to the room with me) through the day. Also, as has been mentioned, coconut lattes are definitely something I look forward to! Also make sure you take advantage of the fresh squeezed OJ during breakfast hours. 

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 found out that our interior got upgraded to a balcony!! This will be my 4th cruise and first one NOT in an interior! 😁 Have to share here because I am keeping it a secret from my teens. Their 2nd cruise and they really wanted a balcony but we talked them into accepting an interior because we won't be in the room much anyway. So they'll be over the moon!

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.  

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.  

It's good to know Canadian groups find their testing rules ridiculous, too.

I'm sorry you are having health issues. I do wish you rapid healing.
Unfortunately, if a cruise is booked with a nonrefundable deposit, that's pretty much what it is unless you cover it with travel insurance.  The terms are written on the invoice.  Some cruises book with refundable deposits, some don't, and some give you a choice.  As a consumer it is up to you to know the terms under which you are agreeing by putting money down.

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

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.  

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.  

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.

We will be Diamond after getting off the same sailing 🙂

Royal will go back to pre-Omicron protocols https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/02/09/royal-caribbean-will-end-stricter-face-mask-rules-its-cruise-ships

No, I booked through a different travel agent.

We will be Diamond after getting off the same sailing 🙂