Doesn’t seem to be available for either my Anthem cruise next week or my Explorer cruise in May

59 minutes ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said:

Apologies for not reading the policy accurately. The third bullet point indicates that quarantine and travel home accommodations are only covered if you test positive while on the cruise. It does appear that if you test positive prior to boarding, they might not cover this.  I'm not sure of how they would handle this with a flight and hotel package purchased through Royal though.

Thank you @David Bennett for catching that.

Thanks @AspiringCruisePlanner  Yes that’s the way I read it. If you are on the ship you are covered. If not you are on your own. I have asked my travel agent to check this out for sure and also to see what my refund/FCC options are as it’s getting very worrying and that’s not what holidays/Vacations should be about. 

I’m sorry but forgive me as I feel like I’m missing something. I know if you are on the cruise and test positive then all costs are covered. But I can’t see a direct link to that statement covering all costs if you test positive before embarkation. 

15 minutes ago, AspiringCruisePlanner said:

This FAQ page should be helpful.  I made sure it was listed on the UK site as well.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/faq/questions/if-i-test-positive-for-sars-cov-2-what-is-your-refund-policy-and-costs-covered

If I test positive for COVID-19 right before my cruise, at the terminal before the cruise, or on the cruise, what is your refund policy and what associated costs are covered?

Guests sailing on or before April 30, 2022 will have the following COVID-19 Assistance at no extra charge. 

• 100% cruise fare refund for you, and your Travelling Party, if any of you tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the cruise or at the boarding terminal prior to the cruise. 
• Pro-rated cruise fare refund if your cruise is cut short for reasons related to COVID-19. 
• If you test positive for COVID-19 during the cruise, Royal Caribbean will cover the costs of COVID-19 related medical treatment onboard, any required land-based quarantine, and travel home for you and your Traveling Party. 

Will Royal still help with flights home if we don’t board as booked as a package with them?

According to the above policy, Royal has promised to cover the land based quarantine and flight home for your party.  This includes testing positive at the terminal.  It's not clearly stated so I'd presume that quarantine and flight arrangements are at their discretion so don't expect to be able to pick a hotel or a date your flight home.

is it worth the risk going as I have heard a few rumours re positive tests at the terminal?

There's always a chance of testing positive at the terminal.  I might add that since you're already going to have a PCR test (not antigen) to fly into Barbados, you've got a little better info before showing up at the terminal.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

International travel during this omicron variant outbreak is manageable but there are risks of testing positive at the terminal or on the cruise.  I'm not afraid of the omicron variant based on the latest information.  I will say that if you decide to go, invest in some comfortable N95 masks to wear on the flight and on the cruise.  It would surely give me better piece of mind. 

Another thing to make sure is that if you have a mixed 2 dose regiment for your vaccine they must be Pfizer and Moderna.  They are not allowing a mixed dose that includes the AstraZeneca vaccine.  If you have a 2 dose regiment of the AstraZeneca (no mixing) they are allowing that.  It seems silly they wouldn't accept the mixed dose with the AstraZeneca, but that's the way it is.  I mention this because I know the AstraZeneca is used in the UK.

All in all, if you're flexible and can roll with the punches in the event someone in your party tests positive, I'd say go for it.  Have a nice trip!

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Very useful indeed and agree with everything you say. The only thing that’s not 100 clear as you say is if I test positive at the port before boarding it’s not clear if they help with land quarantine and flights home. Once again thanks for your reply @AspiringCruisePlanner

17 minutes ago, Traveling Mike said:

I would go for the experience but I would make sure I had Travel Insurance.  Travel Insurance should cover anything Royal does not cover.  If you show up positive just look at it as an experience you can share with your grandchildren.

 

Thanks. Yes have travel insurance, just need the grandchildren now

15 minutes ago, Natalfaz said:

Hello, 

Im in the same situation as you, we are traveling on the 2nd of feb from Spain to Miami and will be going on symphony on the 5th, we are going to go, we have had a long though and we are risking, we have also covid insurance and just praying all goes well.. 

 

Thank you. Yes have insurance too but don’t want the inconvenience of using it 

Hi all. I am due to sail on Grandeur on 1/23 from Barbados. I know Royal have the cruise with confidence policy but for me there is a potential worry. 
We are travelling from the UK and Flights, pre cruise hotel, transfers and cruise have all been booked as a package through Royal. 
 

Once we are on the ship I am not worried as Royal will look after all our arrangements etc. but due to stay for 2 nights in Barbados before the cruise. My understanding is that if we turn up at the terminal and test positive then we get a cruise refund but have to claim from insurance for quarantine costs etc. Its a long way to go just to quarantine  

My questions are 

Will Royal still help with flights home if we don’t board as booked as a package with them?

is it worth the risk going as I have heard a few rumours re positive tests at the terminal?

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Thanks in Advance. 

Thanks for all the feedback. Will look into the options above and see what works out best. 
cheers. 

Hi we are sailing on Rhapsody out of Venice in May. There are 4 adults. Does anyone know the best way to transfer to the ship from the airport? We are flying straight in and out before and after our cruise with no real time to see Venice. I was thinking if there was a water taxi transfer to take in a little sights on the way to the ship. 
 

Has anyone previously done this or can give any advice?

Thanks in advance

David

Thanks @FManke  Plenty of time for me to book. Would love to hear about your experiences when you return in October. 

Hi I have just booked a 7 night Greek islands cruise from Venice next year travelling in May 2020 on Rhapsody. Booked it primarily because of the itinerary as I have never been to Venice and some of the other stops on the cruise. We fly in and out on the day of sailing/disembarkation arriving at 12pm in the afternoon with the ship sailing at 5pm. We don’t have any time going home between disembarking and our flight home but would really like to see some of Venice. I have 2 questions for anyone that can help. 

1. RCCL are not doing any shore excursions for our arrival day. What is the latest we can get on the ship if we arrange our own? 

2. If you get on the ship on boarding day can you get off and back on again before sailing time? 

Any suggestions to see some of Venice much appreciated

David. 

5 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

One thing for sure is that if you're going to stay awhile the Oasis class ships are the ones to do it on! 

Perhaps afterwards you could come back and post your impressions? I'm sure it would be helpful for others thinking about it too.

Have a great cruise. 

Yes I will definitely do that. Super excited as we sail this Sunday. Thank you. 

Thanks for all the replies. We took the plunge and booked it. Hate the fact of leaving the ship really early with no hotel room available. We will have breakfast and lunch, sunbathe for a while and then leave the ship for our hotel where our room will be ready. Our view is it’s worth it to spend an extra 7 hours on one of our favourite ships! ?. That’s only £5 ($7 dollars per hour)

Hi we are cruising this weekend on Oasis from Barcelona. We are staying a few days afterwards in Barcelona and are considering booking the stay awhile program for the last day as our hotel check in isn’t until 3pm. 

My question is has anyone done it and what do they do with your luggage? Is it free to store it while you “Stay awhile” and collect them when you decide to leave? 

Any thoughts on whether it is good value? 

Thanks for all the advice guys. Might have to rethink this one to later in the year!

Hi there. Just wanted to ask if anyone had cruised out of Cape Liberty in March? Looking at potentially booking for next year and wondering what the weather/journey down to the Bahamas is like at that time of year?  Is it a good time of year to go and what is the weather like in Bahamas in March? Thinking of end March around 22nd. Any advice appreciated. 

Thank you WAAAYTOOO for your kind comments. Can't wait to experience the newly refurbished Jewel.

So just wanted to give an update on our upcoming cruise. Thankfully things have improved with my wife's father. He is home from hospital and In decent spirits despite his illness. We have made arrangements that allow us to get away next Sunday and thankfully as my wife so needs a break. So we head to Jewel of the seas out of Rome and can't wait. If anyone has any questions re Jewel let me know and I will endeavour to find out whilst aboard. Thanks again for all the kind comments above.

Guys thank you for your kind comments. I will let you know the outcome.

I booked travel insurance with cover of only £1000 stupidly. Didn't see this happening so its an expensive lesson. Thanks DocLC -  I didn't realise drinks packages were refundable.

Looks like my luck is out!

Guys just wanted to get some thoughts of the group. My wife and I are due to cruise the Med in August this year. We have paid our cruise in full and also pre-paid our drinks packages. Total cost of about £2,000. Unfortunately my wife's father has taken seriously ill and is in hospital. It's not looking like we will get going on the cruise. I have travel insurance but I will get back less than half the cost. My question to the group is will Royal Carribbean allow me to,postpone my cruise and use my payment towards a cruise in the future?

All thoughts appreciated.

Folks I have to say I am most disappointed with RCI this morning. Went to buy my premium beverage package x2 for me and my wife last night with the 20% off and it would not let me add to cart. Took a screen shot and e mailed RCI at the time. Still no response. Looked today and prices have gone up , i.e. No 20% discount. Spoke to RCI customer services and they said here is nothing they can do despite being available on the website last night I now have to pay full price. Arrgh! Not happy.

Thanks guys. Booked this cruise for 2 reasons.

1. Always wanted to go to Santorini

2. Due to the refurb I thought it would be good to go on a ship that is as new and with new features.

Hi all. My understanding is that Jewel goes in for her refit today. I am sailing on her in August out of Rome. Any info regarding progress/ photos/ news and updates of the refit would be greatly appreciated. ðŸ‘😀