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Odyssey Right Now


Neesa

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Tonight was Chops. Outstanding. The areas all around the atrium, tree, stairs long lines of passengers some dressed to the nines, some totally themed all masked until picture time, sure looked to me like everyone there was making the best of the situation. A fun evening to people watch. 

Returned to room to be greeted by a nice holiday card from housekeeping.

* please note, I am not a blogger or a TA or even otherwise known to Royal. I am just an ordinary passenger and my insights are my own, I just hope to help our cruise community. Sometimes I question some reports of things knowing where they are coming from and what they "get" so I tend to read them with caution. 

I honestly still think Royal made a mistake by ramping up capacity the way they did. It is too crowded coupled with the protocols BUT honestly I also feel they have gone out of their way to be transparent, enforce protocols and then finally very generous compensation do to this bump in the road, and that's all it is a bump. I could scream when I read the reports. 

I supported them (Royal) by purchasing a ring, Tag watch, Next Cruise certificate and assorted other things with much of the OBC. I think they seriously knocked it out of the park when dealing with this situation. Just my 2 cents. 

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The captain message today came at about 1630hrs 12 passengers and some additional crew tested positive. His number was 1.9% of the Ships capacity. Not knowing that number makes it a bit more difficult to figure out, but 1.9% on this packed sailing to include crew does not seem all that bad. Protocols are containing the illness it appears. We are here in the waters outside port everglades enjoying our last evening on board. We saw a movie this afternoon and are going to see a comedian tonight both  in the Royal theater. 

I wrote the Captain a thank you note, I was told he would get it. I told him how we appreciated his transparency and felt well cared for. We congratulated him on his staff also, I made sure NOT to lick the envelope shut!! 

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20 minutes ago, Neesa said:

The captain message today came at about 1630hrs 12 passengers and some additional crew tested positive. His number was 1.9% of the Ships capacity. Not knowing that number makes it a bit more difficult to figure out, but 1.9% on this packed sailing to include crew does not seem all that bad. Protocols are containing the illness it appears. We are here in the waters outside port everglades enjoying our last evening on board. We saw a movie this afternoon and are going to see a comedian tonight both  in the Royal theater. 

I wrote the Captain a thank you note, I was told he would get it. I told him how we appreciated his transparency and felt well cared for. We congratulated him on his staff also, I made sure NOT to lick the envelope shut!! 

Thanks for keeping everyone updated!

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@GatorCruiserwhile I still don't agree with how much they loaded up the ship, capacity was ridiculous too many people, you are correct that was corporate. The ships Captain and crew were amazing and that is worth screaming from the roof tops. We were treated to an extended show last night. It was beautiful! All three of us are healthy and happy! They probably wouldn't print that!

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Once again the media casts the dark cloud over the cruise industry & everything is completely blown out of proportion. I’m already getting the “Are you sure you should be cruising” and the “didn’t you see that the ships aren’t allowed to dock anywhere” usual crap from people who don’t cruise. Personally my family & I have been to every single one of these islands so many times that we cruise for the ship and not the destinations. I really don’t care if we get 6 sea days + perfect day because Oasis is enough for my family. The haters will do whatever they need to do to make the cruise industry a scapegoat for Covid, and that won’t ever change. 

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So this I did not like at all. Leaving the ship today with my family and when they beeped my card they called security, wouldn't let me leave. My family was through so I asked for them to wait. I was told NOTHING and the three of us were walked to an area outside the ropes and made to stand there, another officer came and asked to see my passport, then took it from me....What??? Mr. Cabash was like what did you do? 20 minutes no one tells us anything, then an officer escorts us off the ship straight to customs, we were literally perp walked in front of everyone still not knowing anything. The officer and the customs officer have  a secret conference asking about my charges, really you couldn't advise me that this was an issue? They asked about over 7,000 worth of charges they want me to pay duty on, really? My invoice that I had in my purse was for 3, 700 or so our allowance was 2400 but the ring was 2000 at effy where there is no duty. Still holding my passport now they want all of ours, digging through purse wallet we showed our support docs, took all our passports and then gave the back. Royal partnered with customs and seriously handled this WRONG. 

I knew nothing, they wouldn't return my passport my daughter was scared out if her mind. Me I was just shocked after this sailing feeling pretty positive they pulled this. 

I will never sail a Xmas cruise again! I mean it worked out fine but it was handled WRONG! Some communication would have went a long way Royal, I know you read these!!!!😬

My Xmas cruise luck is 0

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5 hours ago, Neesa said:

So this I did not like at all. Leaving the ship today with my family and when they beeped my card they called security, wouldn't let me leave. My family was through so I asked for them to wait. I was told NOTHING and the three of us were walked to an area outside the ropes and made to stand there, another officer came and asked to see my passport, then took it from me....What??? Mr. Cabash was like what did you do? 20 minutes no one tells us anything, then an officer escorts us off the ship straight to customs, we were literally perp walked in front of everyone still not knowing anything. The officer and the customs officer have  a secret conference asking about my charges, really you couldn't advise me that this was an issue? They asked about over 7,000 worth of charges they want me to pay duty on, really? My invoice that I had in my purse was for 3, 700 or so our allowance was 2400 but the ring was 2000 at effy where there is no duty. Still holding my passport now they want all of ours, digging through purse wallet we showed our support docs, took all our passports and then gave the back. Royal partnered with customs and seriously handled this WRONG. 

I knew nothing, they wouldn't return my passport my daughter was scared out if her mind. Me I was just shocked after this sailing feeling pretty positive they pulled this. 

I will never sail a Xmas cruise again! I mean it worked out fine but it was handled WRONG! Some communication would have went a long way Royal, I know you read these!!!!😬

My Xmas cruise luck is 0

I thought it was odd that there was no opportunity to fill out a customs declaration form when debarking.  With the facial recognition scan, you literally are not asked about anything you are bringing in - nor any mention about any duties that should be paid. 

I would think that if customs wanted to check you closer, it would happen at the facial recognition station.

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9 hours ago, Neesa said:

So this I did not like at all. Leaving the ship today with my family and when they beeped my card they called security, wouldn't let me leave. My family was through so I asked for them to wait. I was told NOTHING and the three of us were walked to an area outside the ropes and made to stand there, another officer came and asked to see my passport, then took it from me....What??? Mr. Cabash was like what did you do? 20 minutes no one tells us anything, then an officer escorts us off the ship straight to customs, we were literally perp walked in front of everyone still not knowing anything. The officer and the customs officer have  a secret conference asking about my charges, really you couldn't advise me that this was an issue? They asked about over 7,000 worth of charges they want me to pay duty on, really? My invoice that I had in my purse was for 3, 700 or so our allowance was 2400 but the ring was 2000 at effy where there is no duty. Still holding my passport now they want all of ours, digging through purse wallet we showed our support docs, took all our passports and then gave the back. Royal partnered with customs and seriously handled this WRONG. 

I knew nothing, they wouldn't return my passport my daughter was scared out if her mind. Me I was just shocked after this sailing feeling pretty positive they pulled this. 

I will never sail a Xmas cruise again! I mean it worked out fine but it was handled WRONG! Some communication would have went a long way Royal, I know you read these!!!!😬

My Xmas cruise luck is 0

So what happened? Did you have to pay? 

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7 hours ago, Flopper said:

So what happened? Did you have to pay? 

Wait, I probably was not clear, if I had to pay so be it. But I'm a numbers person and am aware allowances etc. A couple hundred is not the problem or concern AND please understand the customs Officer could not have been kinder, an amazing and patient young man. A credit, as well as a positive interaction, he was pleasant when I presented all of my paperwork. 

My issue is with the way I was treated. Royal people treated us like criminals, taking my passport to look at it and then refusing to give it back AND not advising us of what was going on that is my issue. 

We were treated like criminals and we had no idea why. All they could have said was, we are making sure your proper duty is paid. I'm fine at that point, I had my receipts for my effy purchases, my on board account even the next cruises I booked. 

So customs was just doing their job, Royal personnel were very fresh, treating us like we stole from the ship. I was feeling many emotions but kept them in check as an example for my daughter, I knew we had done nothing wrong. It was just an awful way to finish our sailing. I was embarrassed as everyone was looking as officers with our passports in my fancy bright passport holders while we were being escorted through the terminal. 

Just personally feel it could have been handled better. Still Loyal to Royal so far...

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45 minutes ago, Neesa said:

Wait, I probably was not clear, if I had to pay so be it. But I'm a numbers person and am aware allowances etc. A couple hundred is not the problem or concern AND please understand the customs Officer could not have been kinder, an amazing and patient young man. A credit, as well as a positive interaction, he was pleasant when I presented all of my paperwork. 

My issue is with the way I was treated. Royal people treated us like criminals, taking my passport to look at it and then refusing to give it back AND not advising us of what was going on that is my issue. 

We were treated like criminals and we had no idea why. All they could have said was, we are making sure your proper duty is paid. I'm fine at that point, I had my receipts for my effy purchases, my on board account even the next cruises I booked. 

So customs was just doing their job, Royal personnel were very fresh, treating us like we stole from the ship. I was feeling many emotions but kept them in check as an example for my daughter, I knew we had done nothing wrong. It was just an awful way to finish our sailing. I was embarrassed as everyone was looking as officers with our passports in my fancy bright passport holders while we were being escorted through the terminal. 

Just personally feel it could have been handled better. Still Loyal to Royal so far...

While Royal did the dirty work, CBP was most likely the source to point the finger at.  Royal submitted the manifest sent to CBP for clearance in the days leading up to departure CBP likely informed the ship "seize XYZ and present to CBP in person" without a clear definition of why they were requiring Royal to seize you.  CBP may have taken several hours to inform Royal you were a person of interest.  Royal doesn't why you are a person of interest.

At that point Royal doesn't know if you are an international drug lord, a known drug mule or some other dastardly criminal, they simply know that CBP instructed them to collect you and do not let you pass Go.    For all they know you are an axe murderer wanted in 14 countries.  

Interestingly if you heard the new of three people from The Villages arrested for voter fraud, one of them was "caught" at Port Canaveral getting off a Royal ship.  I imagine a similar process took place.  Upon attempting to debark they mostly heard that tone when their seapass card was scanned.  "You're coming with us" without Royal being in a position to articulate why.  

CBP wants to make sure certain individuals are presented to them in person.  If another person dings like you when debarking they literally could be wanted by interpol overseas.    

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We have been in that situation before, disembarking and we were told that we would need to wait. Immediately there was a nice lady at our elbow escorting us off the ship bypassing all the lines with folks giving us dirty looks as to why we were special until she opened the door to CBP. We had no clue as to what was going on and we saw another couple frantically searching through their luggage. The lady asked us if we had our EFFY receipts and if so have them ready. My wife organizes all the receipts on our cruises and has them in her backpack and quickly pulled them out. The CBP officer then asked us if we had the jewelry receipts from the ship and my wife showed him the turquoise envelopes. He just glanced at them and sent us on our way. The lady from Royal told us they turn in the large purchases from the ship and CBP decides on who to check and informs them to send those chosen directly to them. Everyone was nice and the best part was we bypassed all the lines to get off.

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52 minutes ago, CrznTxn said:

We have been in that situation before, disembarking and we were told that we would need to wait. Immediately there was a nice lady at our elbow escorting us off the ship bypassing all the lines with folks giving us dirty looks as to why we were special until she opened the door to CBP. We had no clue as to what was going on and we saw another couple frantically searching through their luggage. The lady asked us if we had our EFFY receipts and if so have them ready. My wife organizes all the receipts on our cruises and has them in her backpack and quickly pulled them out. The CBP officer then asked us if we had the jewelry receipts from the ship and my wife showed him the turquoise envelopes. He just glanced at them and sent us on our way. The lady from Royal told us they turn in the large purchases from the ship and CBP decides on who to check and informs them to send those chosen directly to them. Everyone was nice and the best part was we bypassed all the lines to get off.

Another reason not to buy jewelry on tbe ship! 

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So, 1.9 percent of the ship was positive for the virus.  I would like to see no cases but this percent seems reasonable considering my state of Kentucky is dealing with over nine percent.  Amazing that the people affected had no or very mild symptoms. Also, your blog is wonderful. Love reading first hand accounts!  
 

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37 minutes ago, Yesiamthere said:

So, 1.9 percent of the ship was positive for the virus.  I would like to see no cases but this percent seems reasonable considering my state of Kentucky is dealing with over nine percent.  Amazing that the people affected had no or very mild symptoms. Also, your blog is wonderful. Love reading first hand accounts!  
 

Although I don't disagree that 1.9% of total ship population is an acceptable amount, I don't think you can compare that to your state's 9% positivity rate, as that is a whole different computation. The positivity rate is based on the percent of test positive for the week out of the total number of tests taken. I am a Kentuckian also. Since the pandemic began, over 19% of our population has tested positive for Covid and out of this past weeks numbers, 2913 new cases would be .06% of our population that tested positive this week. Although we are cautious in and outside of our home, (especially in these last two weeks before our cruise: Jan 9, 2022) I am fine with assuming a risk of 1% or a little more of infection rates on the ship. We are currently experiencing the pre-board Covid test anxiety as the cruise draws near!

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Thank you!  Math is not my strong suit. Thankfully, the new virus is milder than covid.  I think just one person (in his 50’s) has died from it.  I went on the Symphony of the Seas this past October.  Spent lots of time in their casino where very few people wore their mask.  Comedy club most didn’t wear their mask and we were all sitting on top of each other.  Far as I know we did not have a case of either virus for the whole seven days.  From the start of covid I’ve been out in the world, including flying.  This past November I had lots to do inside my house so only went walking and to get my sweet tea at Chick-fil-A  everyday. …..then I tested positive for Covid.  It’s an odd virus.  I have had friends who wear their mask literally everywhere outside the house test positive even though they are vaccinated. I’m in my 60’s and was really lucky that covid was like having a bad cold.  Some version of Covid is going to with us, just like the Flu, year after year, which makes me think we are always going to have to wear a mask!  Horrible thought!

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9 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

I had never heard of effy until it was mentioned twice in this thread. I googled it and it appears to be a brand of jewellery. Is that right?

Effy is a brand of jewelry.  My personal favourite! 

I was just surprised by @Neesa's post because I thought that Royal discontinued their partnership with Effy a few years ago and no longer sold their pieces on board.  I did not see it on SY pre-covid or on Allure last week.

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4 minutes ago, Neesa said:

Effy was there alive and well and now my new favorite! I do agree with @wordell1from now on if not Effy we for sure will not be making any jewelry on board purchases. Lesson learned. The Effy things were really nice! 

Effy has been a long time personal favourite of mine and I have never purchased a piece on the ships (even when they were there).  Their pieces are always cheaper on the islands.  Cozumel is my favourite place to purchase Effy (you get back the tax) followed by St. Maarten & St. Kitts (they are both willing to deal 😉).

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4 minutes ago, Neesa said:

Effy was there alive and well and now my new favorite! I do agree with @wordell1from now on if not Effy we for sure will not be making any jewelry on board purchases. Lesson learned. The Effy things were really nice! 

Thanks for this and for sharing your cruise experience @Neesa. I started reading because I will be on Odyssey in May so any title with that word in it immediately draws my attention. However, in the midst of this week's mayhem on board the ship, your report is one of the few that I've stuck with to the end and that's because you've been so matter-of-fact about everything. It's been very interesting and I'm really glad you were able to make the best of a bad job. 😊

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