PTAngel

On 9/28/2021 at 12:24 AM, Lou33 said:

I've always just sent an email directly to special_needs@rccl.com and I get a confirmation shortly after.   See if that works better...

Thank you for this suggestion.  I emailed them directly & got response a few hours later.  Another item checked off my to-do list.   My cruise is Oct 17.  Can't wait!  I have been trying for over 2 years to go on a cruise. 

I filled out my Special Needs Form & sent it off.  For past cruises, I received a confirmation that RCI received it.  I have not received confirmation yet.  Is this something new?  Or should I do it over?  

I have seen CATS a couple of times on Oasis.  I am cruising on her again Oct 17 so I don't have to spend time watching again.  I am sure we can find something else to do.  I do enjoy almost all shows but "been there done that".

If this cruise is Jan 2021, you missed the boat!

I ordered a 2 pack for myself & my friend.  She lives a distance from me so we may do the tests separately (her on an iphone & me on the computer) or since she is a nurse, we may meet up & do them together.  I'm not quite sure I can do this correctly on my own.  How would I set up an account on the computer?  

I just got nervous trying to find a location to process our tests as I have heard too many stories about CVS cancelling appointments shortly before scheduled.  My urgent care location said they would send the bill to the insurance but couldn't say how much they would pay.  I called my insurance company & they said I needed the code to see how much they pay.  Boy, talk about being caught in the middle!  That made me decide to just pay for the home proctored tests from RCI.  

We sail Oct 17 on the Oasis of the Seas.

If the crew can't get shore leave, how do you get your toiletries restocked or any other shopping for that matter? 

Thanks.  I was always afraid it would be me with a problem.  According to the latest CDC recommendations, I hit the age, obese, & medical conditions issues.  So far, they have not mandated me out with those issues.  (I am 76, overweight, & have diabetes.  I know there are a lot of people like that.)  It seems the cruise lines would lose a lot of revenue by not letting us cruise.

I searched but couldn't find the answer. 

My travel friend may have covid.  She wasn't feeling good so went for a test.  If it is positive, when can she cruise? 

We leave 10/17.  She has been fully vaccinated.

I believe I read that we can transfer the cruise or get our money back if she is unable to go.

I am a little confused.  Did you need the Bahama Visa to get off in Nassau?  We leave on 10/17 on the Oasis OTS & will be stopping at Port Canaveral, Nassau, & Coco Cay.  Also, do you know if Ardastra Gardens is open during the week?  If their website is correct & current, it is only open on the week-end.

I looked it up on CVS website for my location.  I would have to go out of state (Pennsylvania) to get this test.  I live in Delaware.  I know it's not far, but why doesn't CVS do it in my home state.

You can also bring your own scooter.  Yes, you can also rent one & have it waiting in your stateroom then just leave it there at the end of the cruise. 

My husband brings his scooter & his rollator.  It's easier for him to use the rollator when we go out on excursions.  Your insurance might help you with the cost of either.  He uses both on occasion when we go out from home.  If your issues don't improve you'll find it useful at home when you go out anywhere.  You might actually get your moneys worth out of it.

Prices vary for scooters depending on used or new.  If you drive to the port, it's easy to throw it in the car.  They do fold up or disassemble.  Then you can ride it on board at embarcation & disembarcation as well as on the ship.  I have met people who brought it with them on the plane if flying.

You could go the the handicap forum for more information.

Sorry this is so long a response.

1 hour ago, RumJunkie said:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise

 

I went into this link but so far it does not apply to me.  We are cruising October 17, 2021 from Bayonne, NJ.  I know Oasis hasn't had its test cruise yet.  I guess they are waiting for that cruise & seeing how ships are doing from other ports besides Florida.  Not all ships leave from FL.

My question is how do I download the app?  I am assuming I can find it in the app store.

I am sorry to see RCI cave to the governor.  I would have felt safer with more people willing to say they were vaccinated.  That would also have included no masks in some venues.  But how will they know who to test without asking if you have been vaccinated?  Is that because we (voluntarily) tell them we don't need the test?  Just get me on a ship!!

5 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Hopefully we will start to see other ports - such as Cape Liberty and Baltimore doing test cruises.  My next booking is for Oasis end of September out of cape liberty.    I really really hope it's a go.

I read something on CC about Cape Liberty & Oasis.  They said the cruises in October will be cruising with 95% vaccinated.  My cruise is Oct. 17, 2021.   However, it seems all everyone wants to talk about is FL.  I'm feeling more comfortable about making my final payment in July but there is always a concern about it actually going.  Thankfully, we don't have to worry about flights.  We are driving.  I wonder about any changes in the parking situation.

Is it just me or has Grandeur OTS been in St Maarten for longer than usual?  It seems like it's been at the dock for 2 weeks or more.  Ships usually stay a few days.  

I am scheduled for a cruise in October.  It will be sailing to Port Canaveral, Nassau, & Coco Cay.  I have no problem staying onboard in Nassau (was looking forward to seeing Ardastra Gardens) but will we be able to go on our own in Port Canaveral & Coco Cay?  I had ideas in Port Canaveral but I am okay with staying onboard if necessary.  I'm assuming we can go alone in Coco Cay.

Mine were not locked in when I did a L & S from last October to this October.  I'm just hoping I won't have L & S to next year.  It looks promising but I'm booked from Bayonne & I have heard nothing leaves there until next year.  

I love these itineraries out of Barbados.  I love the Grandeur OTS.  I have been to  the A, B, & C islands but wouldn't mind going again.  The island of Grenada, Trinidad, Tobago,  & St. Vincent in addition to Barbados are all new to me.  I've also been to Dominica & St. Lucia.  My travel buddy had not been to the ABC islands.  I am seriously considering booking either 3/27/22 to the ABC islands or 4/10/22 to the other islands.  I think we will arrive a couple of days early & stay 1 extra day before flying out.  I know I won't get correct flights now, but where do you think we would have to change planes to get there?  We will be flying out of Baltimore.

I carry an extension cord in my CPAP bag.  DH & I both use them & the cord the ship supplies only has 1 plug in.  We need 2.  I haven't had any problem yet.  I bring with me a 3 or 4 port USB charger & that works great.  

I did a Lift & Shift from Oct 2020 to Oct 2021.  I got the same cabin & price protection but I did have to pay an increase in port fees/taxes.  I'm just hoping Bayonne will be open by then.  It is all a waiting game for me.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I'm booked 10/17/21 on the Oasis.  

I'm sure some people are having the same problem.  I made final payment in January for a May Bermuda on Empress cruise.  It was cancelled by RCI.  I requested a refund.  I received everything but the NRD.  I later booked an Oct 2020 cruise to Bahamas on Oasis.  I paid my deposit of $500.00.  I got uneasy with the possibility of that cruise so I did a Lift & Shift to Oct 2021.  With all this activity,  I did not receive my original of $500 for NRD from Jan.  I had to call my TA yesterday & inquire about it.  She called me back today with an apology from RCI & a statement that I will receive it within 14 days.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  The Lift & Shift worked fine for me because my original price is about $200 to $300 cheaper than the current price.  I did have to pay an increase of port fees.  My excitement has been delayed but I'd rather be safe than sorry.  For a while there I would not have been allowed to cruise anyway because of age & pre-exsisting conditions.  Yes, I will take the vaccine when required (after seeing how it works). 

I need to use the elevators due to difficulty walking (sometimes using a cane).  I cannot use the stairs.  I can manage 1 flight slowly holding on to the railing to pull myself up but that is tops.  I hope there is some kind of line to get on the elevator.  So many times my husband (who uses a scooter) & I have waited for an elevator only to have someone jump in front of us & take up the space we need for the scooter.  Some people can be so rude!  Will a line prevent someone from jumping in front of us?  DH is not going on the next cruise but I still need to use the elevator. I wonder what the process will be for the elevators going forward.

I thoroughly enjoyed your video & all these comments.  I've only cruised the Caribbean, Panama Canal (one way). & New England/Canada so these other countries are very interesting to me.  

I have a couple of questions.  It looks like they emptied all the stock out of the stores.  Where do they store all that stock?  Also, I was wondering if the crew had a pool or hot tub to use but I saw in your video that they were all emptied of their water.  Do you have to stay in your cabins when not working or eating or is there a recreation area for you to use?  

Thank you for all your information.  I appreciate the time it took you to make that.

I hope you don't get in trouble for your comment "I've worked with so many CEO's/Executives/Politicians, and the more well-known/influential/important they are, the dumber they are."  That would be a shame. 

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

So 4 people infected... let's say. I'm not sure it's as easy to trace as that. Here unless you are in the hospital takes 2 weeks for results and they cant do tracing here. I'm not sure I buy it's as easy as what you say or they wouldnt be having so much trouble tracing here. Biggest problem is the results lacking so far behind testing. 

 

I was tested last week & got the results back in 3 days.  They used a mouth swab, but I understand it is just as reliable as the nasal swab.  It came back negative by the way.