zuscruiserz

Interested in this topic also...

Just now, not-enough-cruising said:

That’s an old policy that only kicked in when onboard Covid cases reached a minimum threshold. These procedures haven’t been used in well over a year 

Thank you so much!

Section 4.c.  (re: Covid-19 Policies) says "(4) mandatory use by each Passenger (except where medically contraindicated) of face coverings in most locations outside of the Passenger’s cabin while onboard, during embarkation, disembarkation and shore excursions; (5) mandatory social distancing of Passengers at any/all times while on board and during embarkation, disembarkation, and shore excursions; (6) additional restrictions during shore excursions depending on local conditions, including but not limited to denial of disembarkation at destinations unless participating in only Carrier-approved shore excursions".  Is this a new update?  We have a cruise booked for April 30 (our 1 year anniversary) and OF COURSE they change this now!!! I'm sooo disappointed!

12 Royal cruises as of now (#13 coming up in Sept) and 2 on Princess. So far the balcony perk is keeping me loyal ;)

Last week on Radiance, my husband asked for a donut and was told they were only for those who bought coffee. It was not that way on the Liberty in August.

That's strange. On our Oct. 24 cruise on Radiance, I got pastries twice (2 different days), no coffee, and wasn't charged :confused:.

So, having children accompanying us in our group, 10 at ages 15 down to 4, which the little ones especially, would have BC but would not have photo ID's??? What would we do? Where do you get something like that?

You can get State picture ID's for minors at the DMV. That's what we did for our youngest daughter before she got her Driver's License in July. Never needed to show it, but I was much more comfortable once we had it :).

Terpnut - I totally agree with your assessment of the above. These threads often morph into "but my friend brought this and that and they were allowed on the ship", and we should be aware of the dangerous road that can lead where newbies can easily become confused (not only newbies, but me too :o).

I am glad we do still have a choice in the matter (BC's or passports), even though I immediately ran out to get passports for me and my family when questions started to be raised about whether they would ultimately be "required" for cruising. I don't want my cruise addiction curtailed for something like this :p.

Thanks for being so kind when I know many on this board would not be if they disagreed ;).

At the risk of belaboring my point at nauseum again: the central issue is not one of various immigration officials or ordinary people issues having different opinions. It is not a matter of whether or not you are complying with the law, regulation or rule. The central issue or problem is that (and this is even if you feel you are complying with the law), there is only ONE official, authoritative form of identification for US or other citizens -- it is called a passport. Every other piece of paper on the planet are just "things" that are locally or school-issued or home-made, non-authoritative, non-verifiable forms of paper. Even a state-issued driver's license does not qualify! None of these things are identification for international border control, identification or citizenship purposes.

 

Think about it. Anyone can fake a school ID, driver's license, etc. Even states have few means to authenticate or corroborate each other's state-issued driver's licenses so even a driver's license is NOT a good form of identification within the US! Heck, I have a home-made photo ID I carry for each of my kids in the event of emergency but I wouldn't think to offer it up as "ID". This is why border agents need and ask for passports. While temporary exemptions to passport requirements exist, do you really want to play that game with border control officials to save a few bucks? So people, please stop rationalizing this and that as "photo ID" for children. You are playing with fire. There is only ONE that is official and works universally--a US passport. So please, for the sake of your kids, just go get one. :rolleyes:

I believe most people on these boards know all of this, ad nauseum. We have heard it many, MANY times before and really do realize the risks.

BUT, some are like me (who has had a passport for years) and are travelling with a friend who does not. This is her first, and most probably last cruise she will ever take. She has never been out of the country or on a cruise before in her 50+ years, and I am paying her way as she is very strapped for cash at the moment (just lost her job, has extra family living with her, etc.). I just cannot see telling her to get a passport for this one trip she is taking with her finances the way they are. How rude of me to do so when a Birth Certificate will suffice (and yes, I have checked, it is a certified copy with the raised seal, I used mine many times before getting my passport and know what they look like).

Can you justify the extra expense to her??? If you were in her shoes with no job and many (adult) mouths to feed at home, would you spend the $100 on a one-time only frivolous item? She actually asked me if she "needed" a passport and I told her no, correctly I believe.

So please, if people are asking if they really need a passport, tell them about the circumstances they may encounter, then let them choose whether this is acceptable to THEM or not. You are not in their shoes.

And BTW, my friend is so excited to go on this cruise that she can hardly stand it. Please don't tell me she shouldn't be going if she can't afford it, her great pleasure in this little vacation has been more than worth it to me for the relatively small price I am paying.

Food for thought...;)

Just ask any of the cashiers. Sometimes they'll reach into their own pockets to trade with you :D (they did this in Grand Cayman for my DD who collects foreign currency, she got some from all 4 ports this last cruise - Labadee, Haiti, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Jamaica). This is her favorite souvenir!

SON was my first cruise experience in 1976/1977(?) - I was just a teen back then and we watched ALL of the Love Boat episodes. Experienced my first "shipboard romance" - he was from NJ, me CA, it was never meant to be - lol! They also had a penny dive that my brother loved :D .

And how about the Cherries Jubilee flamed right at your table - sooooooo cool!!!

I think that all of you who are responding to *merryecho* and urging her to give RC a try are WAY off base.

 

If this is the sort of thing that puts her off, then she *should* find another line.

 

There is a suitable cruiseline for everyone, but not every cruiseline is for every cruiser.

 

If just reading this makes her uncomfortable, she would be happier on another line.

 

Let her go.

I don't agree.

I've been on 6 RCI cruises and will be on my 7 in just a few days, and I have yet to see even one Quest because I choose not to. This is DEFINATELY something my husband and I do not wish to attend, and would never allow our teen daughters to see, but we have had a FANTASTIC time on each and every cruise so far without the "entertainment" of Quest.

Not seeing Quest is my choice, but there are so many other things to do and see on a RCI ship that I believe everyone can be entertained in his/her own style.

Merryecho - I say to try RCI with an open mind, and you may be so well-pleased that you'll never consider another cruiseline (like me :D ).

BTW, I have also been on Princess, and while I had a good time, my RCI cruises have far excelled in every aspect. So much so that I am content to stay with RCI until I reach Diamond+ - lol!

I agree with all of the above - the wine tastings are a "must do" in my book (even if I didn't get the free vouchers, which I do;) ). Convinced DH to try one - he had a blast! Nothing stuffy about them, and you do pick up a bit of knowledge, along with trying some wines you might not otherwise be interested in. Found a new favorite on the Navigator by attending one of these tastings.

BTW Scott - I just LOVE Max!:D :D :D

"Rockin' the boat" ;) !!!

That's what doorstops are for;) .