3yorkies

I use my free days first, then I use the Verizon travel pass on land especially Mexico where only $5 a day, then if I want after that I pay onboard and go to the casino and get my 30% refund through them for being Prime. It doesn't make sense to buy for the entire cruise

But the more alarming part is that many, many more ended up positive the day they got off or the next. One person posted that 8 of their 10 got sick the day they left or the next day. So to become ill that quickly, it did happen on the cruise. And this was before they start allowing unvaxed to cruise and allow people to not test.

Got off Allure on 8/28 after 8 days with 5780 others. On the FB page for this cruise many many people tested positive within days of getting off, some the day they disembarked. We were told there were 90 plus cases on board during the cruise. I avoided it probably because vaxed and double boosted, only went into WJ once when few there, got a separate table in MDR, did not attend parades and other very crowded venues, sat on aisle at all shows, washed and sanitized hands regularly. Just normal precautions IMHO. I had a fun cruise and did not feel I missed out on anything taking these precautions. It's my 7th cruise since the restart. I have 3 more booked through early 2023. I believe Royal is moving too fast just like all the others, but I also will do what I can to protect myself and won't stop cruising. I think allowing unvaxed onboard is a mistake, as is not continuing to serve people in WJ, and eliminating the testing and resum9ing parades and other mass events onboard. These are small things that can keep numbers down. Cruises are by definition very densely populated venues for an extended period of time and they cannot be compared to going to the grocery store IMO. I would prefer slowing down, but I know much of this is a financial decision for a very stressed industry, and I will live with their decisions. If cases get too high onboard and start costing them too much, then I foresee them stepping back again.

Never been in one, as I like to choose where I am. I always do either a balcony near the Diamond Lounge or this past week just around the corner from Central Park. But having looked at her from port it is obvious that one floor is clearly obstructed by all the life boats and the ones above would have obstruction below you.

I am so sorry this experience has dampened your cruise. How insensitive of the restaurant staff. I know in the MDR you can be 30 minutes late and they are fine with it. If they are going to close 5 minutes after your reservation time it needs to be clearly stated in bold print on the app where you reserve it. Sheesh!!! Hope this next day is MUCH better. And I love the poblano soup! That and the mushroom are my 2 favorites on the ships. Tell your partner that they are so right about it!

I always do late dinner when sailing solo and request a single table by window so I can get in and out quickly. I don't care to sit through 2 hours of food with people doing multiple courses. Works perfect for me.

Sorry, but perhaps you are the one who did not read everything, " I then visited a bar for a drink + sorrento pizza." The casino bar is just stools at the bar, no tables or places to leave things, and she clearly said she left the casino and visited a bar.

The person said they left the casino with the ticket and went to a bar on the ship. They left the bag and ticket lying there while in the restroom (which on any ship I have been on is not actually even inside the bar but some distance away). So if the ticket was taken from the bag then it did not occur in the casino. No idea why you would say "crime occurring in their casinos." And we don't even know if the ticket was cashed, played, or thrown away. In any event, it is clearly indicated on it that it is a bearer note and anyone can cash it. To try to blame Royal or the casino is wrong. They may be able to help in some way by checking cameras, etc, but they did nothing to cause or allow the loss of the ticket and they have no obligation to do anything to right this "wrong." Any action they may take is voluntary on their part IMO. We can have a lot of valid complaints about things on the ships, but they have no culpability in this very sad event.

I'm the opposite and can't sleep on a soft or medium mattress, only a firm one. I have actually slept on the floor some places to escape a soft mattress. It would be nice if there were some choices on the ships to accommodate the differences in people's needs.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I so enjoyed reading your adventures on the Allure and it has made me even more excited for my Saturday boarding to Aruba and Curacao, I've done both of those Roatan excursions and will be doing them again in December for my birthday cruise on the Allure when she moves to Galveston. Happy cruising and let me know if you guys ever come to Tucson and I will find a gluten free place to take you!

I know this is an older thread, but I just want to tell you how much I appreciated you finding the link to it and what a joy it was to read. I have done the sloths and the iguanas at the same two places and they really are great memories. Most people write posts that are "infomercials" so to speak, but yours have so much of your personalities in them. If you ever get to the Tucson area, let me know. I'd love to meet up with you both in person!!

guess there is no way to go back and find that one. Would LOVE to read it.

This is the reason I always ask for and get a table just for myself. I have no desire to spend a couple of hours in a dining room. I always plan something for about an hour and a half after dinner and try to be out in an hour. I don't want to wait for those who are always fashionably late or want to order multiple things---soup, salad, appetizer, entree, and dessert. I order two courses (soup or appetizer and an entree) and politely ask for be served as soon as possible due to other commitments. I think staff appreciates getting us in and out so they aren't there all night (I always do late seating). I get the same thing to drink each night, so they usually have it waiting. I tell them the night before if I am not coming the following evening so they know the table will be empty. I try to make their job as easy as possible while still getting in and out as quickly as I can. Usually I am out in an hour and the longest ever was 90 minutes when I did not care for an entree and asked for something else.

yes, I get them on almost every cruise and have done about 8 casino ones. I never do the royal up, as I want to choose the location of my cabin and don't want to take the chance. Plus I hate having to pay double for one person in the room.

I love your writing style and your photos---and and the tats! Can't wait to follow along until I leave this Friday for my cruise on Allure to the ABCs.

I always book near the front elevator and never have I heard any noise, even in the morning when I am sleeping in. Of course I don't go to the room until 1 to 3 a.m., so maybe I miss the noisy times. I usually close the casino most nights. The only time I ever heard noise was when I booked an "adjoining cabin" to get the area I wanted. Never again. The walls are like paper between those rooms.

Actually I got one specific to my cruise on 8/20 that the testing was now allowed 3 days pre-cruise instead of just 2. So it applies to cruises after 8/14 but before Sept. 4.

I am booked for August 20 on Allure. Just two days ago I got an email that the time for testing was now three days instead of two days. I think that is the extent of the August 14 change, that they are making the 3 days a permanent change, as it was previously specifically announced just for cruises the week of August 6 to 13.

I've stayed at the Ramada and had no issues. It's a place to sleep, beds are fine, room was clean, just very dated, but mattress and A/C were fine. Guess I'm not picky for 8 hours. As for bugs, it's Florida. So if I saw a bug or two I would not freak out. I'm staying at the Ramada Wyndham FLL next Saturday night before cruise on the Allure. Price was $80.00

Yes, flying Friday, board Saturday. I won't miss it unless the airlines screw up really bad!

I board the following Sunday, the 20th. Still quite a few cabins available online. Hoping for a LOT fewer children. At least the casino, solarium, and most bars will be safe areas, lol.

Never got one either, but would not wear it unless it is magnetic.

Do you get on the cruise where you hit it during the cruise or on the next one, same as C&A changes?

I agree that they should be consistent in what they say and what they do. However, I don't think I would ever feel entitled to a refund if I were not quarantined, so would probably just forget about it. Also until it is in writing I doubt it is enforceable. Glad none of the rest of your party became ill!!!

Can you still cancel bids? I would not want if I did not know before I boarded. Too much hassle.