GalwayGirl03

I was also on 12/26/21 cruise.  All in All it was a wonderful time but  I would never ever cruise out of Barbados again.  I feel the same exact way as Jean does.  Barbados can't handle the huge influx of people coming into its country for these cruises.  I didn't have the issue of our PCRs not being accepted but the lines in the airport were crazy.  I was on a United Flight, 2 Virgin flights and an American all came in at the same time...so there were like 600--800 people crammed into lines to show their PCRS and BMI App....then you are given a colored bracelet ( ours was white..I am assuming the best it can be) and we were ushered to customs which was another long line.....it took over an hour to get from PCR line to the baggage area and our bags still weren't there.  We luckily arrange transpiration with a wonderful 3 party taxi service but once we got the port were you pulled aside and had to show every body passports again.  After registering for the Anitgen test the week before, I never received the email saying we had a test scheduled so after so many hours I was told I had to register my family again ( 2 adults and 3 kids) I was bewildered by then...got all of us registered and then had to be ushered into another line to wait for our Antigen test...thanksfully all 5 of us were negative but then we had to go through getting on the ship.  All of 5 of us are vaccinated but they still made us show negative PCRS for our 2 boys  5 and 9 b/c supposedly they couldn't possibly not be vaccinated...well luckily we had the valid PCRS from flying in but FYI they still asked for valid negative PCRs for my vaccinated children....Once we were on board it was great but a much different cruise than my other royal cruises ( we are diamond so we have been on a few).  I am still very loyal to royal but will never ever cruise out of Barbados again!!!!

MY kids got the vaccine the first day it came out and became fully vaccinated this past weds (12/8) we are on a cruise on 12/26...I am assuming the will be treated just like vaccinated adults...wristbands, allowed into vaccinated areas...able to independent tours..etc!

The same thing is happening to us too and I posted on another page and messaged Royal about it.  My three kids  (12, 9, and 5) are in a connecting room to my husband and I and we are in two different muster stations.  They told me not to really worry about it but to be sure that the kids get the bracelets  for our muster station in case of emergency so that they come to us.  This is what Royal said.   Hope this helps!

Strawberry Blonde!

17 hours ago, blueslily said:

 

Maybe reach out again, i wonder how things are running during COVID. 

I called and left a message too...hmm

I put a deposit down on his website for our December stop at the end of the month last week but I haven't heard anything back nor have I gotten an email....is this normal or should I be getting a confirmation email too? thanks!

They won't let a 2 year old age up to 3 -5 ( My son was one week shy of being 3 in 2019 and they wouldn't move him up) but they will allow a 5.5 year old move to the older group ( this has happened in August and October for us so my youngest can be with his 2 older siblings).

4 hours ago, little britain said:

I would hope so. They took people with later flights on Jewel ( Cyprus) to a day resort for lunch etc.

The only 2 excursions which drop you off at the airport are to a rum place or to the beach. The beach one has no mention of washing/ hair drying facilities so zero interest in sitting on plane for 10 hrs with a rum induced headache or being salty!!  

Our flight back to the states got pushed back by 3 hours so now we leave at 1750 rather than 1430...we arranged a private tour and airport drop off and they will also take us to get COVID testing.  I would love if Royal did a resort thing too!

28 minutes ago, long4acruise said:

Yes, this is my issue. There are many options to take an antigen test (CVS, Walgreens, eMed proctored test, etc.) and get quick results vs waiting 1-2 days for PCR test results and hoping a scheduled test isn't canceled (staff shortage, bad winter weather, etc.). 

 

Little to no backup plans as there's no home PCR test kits. May have to schedule multiple AM & PM appts @ different sites and cancel the later test, but this may take a time slot someone else may need.

 

Hoping some restrictions will later be relaxed timely!

If you are flying into teh states you can take an antigen test it doesn't need to be a PCR per the US embassy site in barbados...I scheduled antigen testing at the Crane Resort the day we disembark and results are given in less than an hour....if royal's pricing is similar to the crane i will cancel those tests.

We were on odyssey in August and there was a good number of kids ( my kids are 11, 8 and 5).  Less than normal but still a good number.  We are doing a quick 2 day on Freedom at the end of this month.  My kids love Adventure Ocean!

You can get an idea of what the price for 5 is in a Ultra Spacious Oceanview by doing a mock booking of 4 and looking what the price is for the 3rd and 4th guest b/c the 5th guest would be the same price but then you will have to call up to get book...but I do that all the time for my family of 5 before I contact my TA.

23 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

approved by the end of the month - yes, good to poke by the end of October - nope, no go. Best case scenario - end of November.

 

We all need 5 weeks before the cruise for kids under 12 to be fully vaxxed.

CHOP's vaccine line says Halloween is when the shots will begin so I am holding out hope for our 12/26 sailing...our daughter turns 12 on 12/1 so no way she can be fully vaccinated unless 5-11 vaccines start early!

We have stayed a the holiday inn Port of Miami and it was great! Super close and with a pool and right across teh street from an open area mall with a hard rock cafe!

My hubby was going to do the 10/29 Freedom cruise solo but the price dropped so we decided to make it a family cruise (one last cruise before my daughter turns 12 in the beginning of December!).  Does anyone know how they handle COVID testing for the kids?  I remember reading something like cruises 5 days or longer they get covid testing the day before they disembark but I don't see that anymore. (which was true on our August sailing)...it looks like the will get tested on 2 to 3 days at home before we leave, friday before they embark and then saturday before they disembark on Sunday...seems like a lot of testing!!  Not sure but I am ok with whatever royal says...we were on Odyssey in August and felt so safe with Royal's protocols! Thanks!

5 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Someone reported being able to get an alcoholic drink with their kids' D voucher.

oops I just asked about this sorry!

Here is a question and I hope I don't flamed for it!!!  My kids get my automatic status so they will have 4 free drinks loaded to their card...I am assuming they will have to be non-alcoholic b/c they are kids or could I take their card to order something...I know normal drink packages aren't shareable but after reading the responds to this thread people say the diamond drink vouchers are. Thanks:)

18 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Well, September 3 has arrived, and no great deals for either of our January cruises.  
 

Now to wait for Black Friday. 

Too bad I cruise on black friday but I did snag the key for 16.99 so not too bad!

I was on Odyssey last week at the 1450 number and it was just the perfect number! Enough people to not feel like a ghost ship but no lines anywhere and space to social distance easily! 

32 minutes ago, bajathree said:

Wonder when people on that sailing got their accepted emails?

 

around 2/3 days before...so I knew I was getting a rejection but was surprised when I got it on the ship!

we got our reject emails around 7pm the night we sailed on Odyssey last week. 

I have teh same issue for our NYE cruise.  My daughter turns 12 on 12/1 and our cruise is 12/26...I am hoping and praying that the vaccine roll out happens at the end of September for the 5-11 age group!!!  I want to cruise on NYE!! I think they should make the policy for 12 year 6 week olds...not just a blanket 12 year old. They should take in account the actual birthday and the cruise date.

Just off odyssey on saturday...

You must stay with your booked excursion and follow the rules.

Adventure ocean gave us 15 hours upfront and then we could add from day two on.  My kids went a lot...everynight from 7-10pm and 2-5 on sea days and the Costa Maya when we stayed on.  Make friends with the Adventure Ocean staff...and go right to it when you first board!!!  

They also allowed my 5 year old to age up to the 6-12 age group which was great b/c he got to stay with his older siblings!

We had connect balconies last week and had no problem with the divider  being taken out 

Anyone who sailed out of Fort Lauderdale and had to do covid testing with their kids.. quick question..how long did the results take and do they do a nose swab or mouth? Thanks! We sail tomorrow!!!

I have hard copies printed and as well I have saved the PDF that was texted to me on the files app on my iPhone.  I just want to be doubly prepared for Sunday!