Thanks for posting. I’m still undecided about a transatlantic. Want to do an eastbound next April. Reading your post is helping me decide. Thanks

On 10/2/2023 at 8:51 AM, dg33 said:

We have booked a Caribbean cruise in January 2025 on Explorer of the seas based on itinerary, but are having second thoughts based on reviews. Any insight would be appreciated.

We were on Harmony last month on a B2b. We had reservations each night at 7:30. We ate in the main dining room 4 nights in two weeks because the lines were so long that you would have to wait at least an hour with a reservation. On one of the four nights we dined I returned my main entree three times for it to achieve room temp. The waiters were excellent but the food was subpar. 

9 hours ago, Teeara said:

It depends on the time of year you're planning on going.  If you're doing an Eastbound, then those are typically in the spring.  You'll generally go from warmer to cooler temps.  If you're doing a Westbound, then those are typically in the fall, so you'll generally go from cooler to warmer temps.

 

Here's a video of our Westbound TA on Wonder last year with our daily weather conditions (we left Barcelona on October 30th and arrived in Port Canaveral on November 13th).

 

 

We would be eastbound. Thanks for responding 

I’m also considering this same cruise on the Odyssey. Can anyone comment on what type of weather to expect. Thanks

We get off the ship at 7:00 and take shuttle bus to Fort Lauderdale to catch the 10:50 nonstop flight with Southwest to Chicago. Did this the last 5 cruises. No problem

You will have to pack the night before and they will move your suitcase to the suite. Last cruise I was on we had to pack items that were on hangers. They used to allow you to leave on hangers and they would move them. 

I just booked oasis of the seas, Feb 19-26. Using my senior discount and diamond plus discount for ocean view balcony. Cost is $2,142 which includes taxes and port fees. I always sail B2b. 

To achieve pinnacle

2,142 x 100 weeks=$214,200

100weeks=700points

Flights from MDW to mia 300/person

50x 600= $30,000

Hotel.  300x50 = 15,00

Spending money. 1,500/week

$150,000

Tips,Uber, excursions, casino, premium restaurants 

Cruise fare.      $214,000

Flights.              $15,000

Hotel.                 $30,000

Spending

Money.              $150,000

Total.                  $409,000

For the last two years I’ve been glued to cruise critic to get information about cruising and Covid. We have been on nine cruises since last October. Originally Royal had very strict protocols which I was in favor of which included reduced capacity, wearing a mask, vaccination requirements, and the crew serving at the buffet. People started to complain, I don’t want to be told to get a vaccine, I don’t want to wear a mask, let me on a crammed elevator and so on. Royal began to loosen protocols to a point that we can now jump on a ship without testing, not wear a mask and finally no one can force you to get a vaccine. Yes. Royal and the cruise industry has finally listened. Yes everyone hop on. Now a person states “So curious. If you tested positive for Covid 2-3 days before cruise and was vaccinated, would you still cruise?“. Why not. Hop on. The people arguing against all Covid protocols have been saying “you be responsible for you”. You’re not vaccinated, that’s YOUR problem. Get onboard! 

My wife, daughter and I were on Quantum of the seas for an Alaska cruise July 4th. We all had separate rooms. My daughter tested positive the second day back. We all have had our 4 shots. The only thing she did different was go to the gym each day. We try to be as careful as we can but I believe with the new variant it will be almost impossible not to get it. I don’t believe it’s if we get it, but when we get it.  We have six cruises planned for the rest of the year. It’s a risk you will have to take considering the fact that the ships are at full capacity. There are no requirements to wear masks or limit the people in the elevators.  The buffet is self-serve and I see people eating food in the buffet line. I don’t recommend the buffet.  

20 hours ago, mommao729 said:

I was trying to research how long the antibodies will be in a persons system with this strain. Couldn’t find anything. 
 

I am going. But was wondering if anybody did anything different.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID tracker, BA. 5 is the predominant strain of COVID-19. It is more easily spread than other strains because it evades immunity from past COVID-19 infection and vaccination. That means even if you were infected with delta or omicron BA.Jul 12, 2022

Following. Love the pics

20 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

That would seem to indicate that RCI is not as concerned about covid on the ships as some here would suggest.

The problem is from what I read on cruise critic is the vast majority of people don’t want any restrictions. They are happy returning to cruising as if there is no problem. Royal Caribbean is playing to that hand. If cruisers want that, I respect that. I’m not forced to go but I think in the long run it will hurt their bottom line. They want to make as much as they can till the next variant. 

We were on the Oasis the month of March and jumped on the Wonder for a week. We just got off the Oasis leaving from New Jersey. The ships are over capacity. Elevators are packed, absolutely no social distancing. Most of the days you couldn’t get in the pools because they were packed. Lifeguards don’t enforce capacity rules. I think they are more full than pre Covid. Love to cruise but I’ll wait awhile before I go again. 

https://cancellation.royalcaribbean.com/?brand=R&_ga=2.34518753.1356899661.1633381820-676038104.1628089689

I always book two adjoining balcony rooms for my wife and I. I snore, she has to have the tv on to fall asleep. Easier to get two rooms. I received an email to “Royal up” to a two bedroom suite. I called yesterday to ask what would happen to the other room if I won the bid. They told me I would get the $250 deposit as a future cruise credit and they would refund the money I paid on the second room but I would pay more to add my wife to the upgrade. This didn’t make sense to me because we just added my daughter to my wife’s room for Alaska trip and paid extra port charges. I asked how much more to add my wife to upgraded suite and they just replied significant. Guess I’ll leave it alone. 

1 hour ago, sharonlacey said:

We love Carabola Beach Club.  Cab it an they have a really nice restaurant also.

Another place is the Marriott Beach Resort. When I went they charged $30/person. Google it. Great place

21 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Punishment for what exactly?  The CDC does nat make the health protocol rules for the ships (at lease not the ones embarking from Florida)

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-cruiseships.html

21 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Punishment for what exactly?  The CDC does nat make the health protocol rules for the ships (at lease not the ones embarking from Florida)

21 minutes ago, bajathree said:

We also sailed Odyssey in Sept with 1100 passengers and with over 50 Royal sailings under my belt it fell in the top 5 ever. The ship was wonderful and the crew even better...moral was incredible...they couldn't do enough for you. Now look at the reviews from Odyssey. 

 

What the OP experienced and the problems stated sound somewhat similar to what we experienced on Allure in Dec with 3400 passengers. Like I posted in another topic....theses issue they are running into now I believe are a direct result of increased capacity that started with the Thanksgiving sailings....throw on top of that Omicron and that Royal has not changed protocol to fully vaccinated kids only.

 

I agree with you 100 % about the crew. They were wonderful and the ship was beautiful. I agree the three cruises were the best that I’ve been on. The problem is passengers who don’t want to follow the rules they agree to when they purchased their ticket. Ovation strictly enforced them and Odyssey took a laid back approach. I also agree increasing capacity is a major mistake. You can’t follow the protocols with maxed out ships

My wife and I have been on three cruises this year. One on the Ovation to Alaska and a B2b on  Odyssey  the month of October. The Ovation enforced protocols and if passengers didn’t follow them they were called out. I witnessed one passenger who refused to wear a mask and a staff member asked him to put it on or he would be escorted off at the next port. Odyssey was completely different, packed elevators, passengers not wearing mask and it was a general free for all. How could the ships be so different? Covid has become such a political issue but there has to be enforcement of the rules. You may have the option not to wear a mask where you live but the rules of the ship require it. There is no argument. Wear them or don’t cruise. You can argue all day whether or not you agree with them. Management is totally responsible for not enforcing these protocols. The passenger agreed to them when they booked their cruise. 

On 9/12/2021 at 2:05 PM, chengkp75 said:

As one who has actually maintained these "quality ventilation systems", I'd love to know what sets them apart from any ventilation or HVAC system in any building ashore?

You always provide valuable information. I’ve read a lot of your responses. Do cabins share the same air through the ventilation system. I can’t imagine each room having its own system. Thanks 

Just now, Nick67 said:

 

Thank you. The rate is coming down but still higher than January. 

4 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Have you looked at them lately?