swoopy2110

2 hours ago, mil76 said:

From June:

 

 

That Norwegian Salmon looks a bit off

Agreed. This sort or thing should be online in 2024 !

On 8/16/2024 at 4:16 PM, The Sunset Glow said:

 

In Canada your credit and debit cards never leave your sight - the machine comes to you. I can't remember the last time someone took my card and walked away to a machine to run the payment through - at least 10-15 years. We've had chips in our cards for about 15 years too, where we just tap or put a PIN in the machine. I think the chip & PIN is just becoming popular there over the last few years.

 

We also very rarely use personal checks in Canada (they are never used in a store and mostly used as a void check to get banking info to a company) but they are still popular in the US for everyday purchases. And we us e-transfers through our banks to send people money - I don't think you have that there either and have to use a third party like Venmo to send money?

 

I honestly can't believe how far behind the US is on this banking stuff. I mean it's such a large country with the biggest economy in the world - how are they not keeping up with the rest of the developed world on banking technology?

This is the way the rest of the world works too now. They bring the machine over more often than not, can add a tip on at the machine, then you just tap your card or use apple/google wallet and off you go.

It feels like the US system of running your card is much more "trust" based. I'd rather not have the card leave my sight (cloning) and they could charge whatever tip they want to it after I've left.

3 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

Agreed but surely then that market is well catered for. MSC on the other hand are embracing the younger UK demographic, I feel Royal are missing a trick giving up on the UK market.

Any insight into what ship X will have based in Southampton in 2026 ?

We did it last week on Oasis. Good fun in my opinion. Cheaper to book in advance. There were 12 on the team in total. Available throughout the cruise.

Everyone needs to work togrther. One clue seemed mega harder than all the others.

3 hours ago, Bennybooboo said:

Hi everyone, we are going on the Oasis of the Seas on Sunday and now England are in the Euro final I am trying to find out if the ship will be showing the final in the Playmakers bar at the very least. 

 

Has anyone been on one of the European departures (ours is going from Barcelona) and can confirm they have been showing the games so far?

 

Many thanks

Came off Oasis on Sunday.

Euro 24 was on in playmakers / cabins / other bars with TVs

I actually put this on the mobile app survey a few months ago advising them they should allow the setsail pass to be downloadable to google wallet on Android as they do on iOS to Apple Pay.

I haven't printed a set sail pass / flight boarding pass for years now but would definitely feel better if it was downloaded to Google Wallet.

Wonder if the dining room staff will be asking the President to rate them "10" on the survey

https://cruisedig.com/ports/key-west-florida/arrivals

Set cruise line to Royal Caribbean.

Not as many as they used to

3 hours ago, cello56 said:

Here is my first hand experience with RCI on board medical services. Two years ago I suddenly, and for the first time ever, went into Atrial Fibrillation. My heart rate was extremely high and we called the ship medical facility and were told to come down immediately. I had two doctors and two nurses taking care of me. The care I received was excellent. I was diagnosed, and treatment was initiated. They also placed a call to the RCI on call cardiologist in Miami for additional guidance. This is standard procedure for any patient presenting with serious conditions.

Interesting story. As a youngster (33) with AF I always wondered what the protocol would be on the ship. With a known diagnosis I wonder if things would be different though.

A few years ago I had an episode while in the Caribbean which I decided to ride out as I know that despite the high HR I've always converted back in 24 hours. Decided that if it went beyond 24 hours I'd go and see if they'd give me some blood thinners. It reverted as expected and I watched myself a bit better for the remainder of the holiday.

Thankfully I've been all good (touch wood) for over 5 years now after my 2nd ablation. Barely drink alcohol anymore and certainly not while someone out of the UK really.

Big sweeping statement to declare "malpractice" and "incompetent doctors"

Crazy good price for the upgrade that. The luck fairy must have been smiling on you that day.

According to this schedule:

https://sport24live.com/schedule/print?type[]=568&programme[]=572&days=06%2F06%2F2024 - 06%2F08%2F2024

Sport24 are showing the NBA finals starting this Friday overnight. Assuming it's the same by the time you get to game 7 it should be broadcast on the Sport24 channel. Sport24 should be available in your cabin as it has been on all Oasis ships I've been on in the past (both in the Caribbean and the Med).

Enjoy 🙂

On 5/30/2024 at 8:29 AM, Sekhmet said:

For our last two trips to Australia (most recent Dec 22), the eVisitor 651 has been used with no problems at all, but this one isn't appropriate for US or Canadian citizens.  We've found a few times that the general entry requirement recommendations provided by the US-based cruise lines are relevant mainly to US/Canadian citizens.  This seems fair enough to us - the majority of their passengers are from North America and they can't be expected to list out every nationality/citizenship possibility.  

Anyway, our first port of call (excuse pun) when investigating what's needed is the Foreign Office website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice which holds links to the relevant country's official information sites. 

Hope this helps. 

Helps perfectly. Gone with the 651. Can't see any reason it would be rejected as it's literally for UK residents, allows multiple entries, and says you can take a cruise with it.

TY

Just now, time4u2go said:

Also, when I saw your thread title, I thought, "that would be a short flight!"

Me too

2 hours ago, kernow said:

Not sure why this has been moved since you are asking about RCL requirements but I have found this for you on the RCL UK site (you were quoting the US one).

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/faq/questions/what-travel-documents-i-need-for-boarding-day

It states

'

• For cruises departing Australia calling into only Australian ports, Australian citizens require either a valid passport or government issued pictured and laminated ID card to be used as identification. Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Children under 16 years of age, who do not have a passport or Photo ID, must have a copy of their birth certificate or their parents Medicare Card.
• For all other nationalities, a passport (plus visa if needed in Australia) is required.'

 

No mention of a specific type of visa.

Thanks 🙂

Yeh I can't see why the free version wouldn't be accepted. It's on the Australian Government Website that the 'free' version is fine for 'going on a cruise'.

The cruise calls into NZ and I know we need the paid for visa there. Just don't know whether they'd want to check the AUS visa to.

Although, I know in the US they don't even bother to check the ESTA anymore, they just want to know that you've got it with you.

12 minutes ago, kernow said:

We sailed on Ovation from Sydney in Nov 2022, we used the Evisa you are talking about to enter Australia, I can't remember showing anything but our passports when we boarded the ship. We are also from UK.

Cheers :)

22 minutes ago, pcur said:

There is an Australian ETA app you can use to purchase the visa from your mobile phone.

 I've seen that. But as a UK citizen I can get a free visa for Australia - the 651 rather than the 601 (not on the app) I want to check that there'll be no issue boarding with this.

Tried to get on it 4 times just to say I've done it. Each time though it's been closed due to winds. The closest we got was the balloon being up in the air when we were arriving as they were seeing what conditions were like in the sky.

So near yet so far.

Hello

According to this page: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/plan-a-cruise/travel-documents a guest not from the US / Canada says that you are required to have an Australian ETA to board (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601) This costs $20 AUD

However, as a UK Resident, I am able to apply for an EVisitor Visa 651 (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651) which is free for entry to Australia.

Anyone with any experience of travelling to Australia for an RCI Cruise can confirm that a 651 visa will be fine to board with ?

Thanks

3 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

So someone is having a seizure and they should contact the insurance company before being take down to the medical center?🤔

UK Insurance does have in the T&C that you need to contact them ASAP to authorise treatment if it looks like it's going to be pricey. I think it's so they can rule out pre-existing conditions that you might not have told them about etc. and make sure the patient is covered.

If you wanted to be together you should have booked specific cabins. This is the risk that is taken with guarantees.

5 minutes ago, orville99 said:

There is a fool born every minute, and unfortunately most of them have a social media site, because fools love company🙄

It's the modern way. I don't take my own precautions so I start a go fund me and get the public to feel sorry for me.

3 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Not having medical travel insurance is an american thing. For us brits i would say 99% of people get travel insurance. Even though the vast majority will not use it for the sake of coverage its worth it. My travel insurance for a family of three is £158 a year and covers medical cost of £2 million GBP. I also do NOT need to pay up front. the insurance pays as long as you contact them at the time and they authorise paying for the treatment. 

I'd be interested to know what RCI would do if our UK Insurers promised to pay them via the phone.

The only incident I've had with the medical facility is that my girlfriend became unwell about 5 years ago onboard (continuous vomiting / faint). Needed an IV and monitoring for an hour or so. Then felt better. Bill was around $900. It was charged to my card and I claimed back from the insurance once we got back to the UK.

In a scenario of thousands of $$$ I'd like to know if they'd accept a UK insurer paying them remotely.

1 hour ago, gavvy said:

On Oasis last week I thought the food was very good.  The MDR food was consistently good and service was fast and friendly.  The Turkey dinner was a large portion of meat one night that I struggled to finish.

The WindJammer was the usual stuff, nothing exciting or bad, apart from the desserts- how do they manage to make something look so nice and taste MEH!

 

Overall I had no complaints with the food or the service.

I know someone who was on Oasis last week that has said similar. Really enjoyed it.

For contrast, I know someone who is on Oasis this week who has said the food is the worst they've every experienced on any cruise! Strange. They did say they've been mentioning all their issues to the staff rather than just keeping it quiet but said it's bland etc.