johnjen

My interpretation of the "pro-rating" refund bit - includes if, say, you're booked in a lovely suite, you test positive, and they stuff you in the hold in an inside or port-hole "steerage" cabin for the remainder of the cruise, feeding you coffee in a cardboard cup, cold food covered on a paper plate, etc.

I use Teams at work, on the laptop. But they never gave us a notice ahead this was required. We didn't have Teams on this desktop at the house, only Zoom. I just didn't get the warm and fuzzy from this company whatsoever. Wasn't feeling the support at all.

OK, I am realizing that this company called "Rapid Test & Trace USA" might not be a good way to test because they do not have a direct phone number to speak with anyone should the scheduled meetup go wrong. Also, they do NOT specifically mention that you MUST install Microsoft Teams to facilitate this. And, I don't see exactly what they do during the session. Anyone have the same feelings?

Hoping that, with the recent doing away with mandatory testing for travelers entering the US, the cruise industry will also ditch this nerve-wracking "insipid" nonsense about having to take a covid test two days before cruising.

LOL. Oh, we are all SURE that they'll refund us.....sarcasmaholics anon😁

Oh I don't care about recognition. As long as we get the benefits....EDIT. We probably won't.

We have been avoiding elevators since pre-covid as it is. We take the stairs all the time, great exercise.

Does this apply though, even after you've paid in full? aaah nevermind.....I think my questioned was answered....I just ran a mock booking....I see my price dropped by $34.

So, the "Monsters of Rock" cruise is available for booking: MOS!! https://monstersofrockcruise.com/ Only thing is, I was hoping it would've been listed on the RCL page as well? Wondering why not? The pricing is a bit steep though....for a regular balcony...wow! But you're paying extra for the prime entertainment!! ....I have friends who are part of some of the performers (SAXON, TESLA), AND a ton of friends booked...I'm seriously considering just an interior ($4358)....this'll be our first diamond cruise!

You're absolutely right - we all know this - but they WILL try updating AFTER airplane mode is turned OFF, just an added precaution when leaving the ship.

Eek. I hope your bill wasn't bad.....for me? Airplane mode, roaming turned off completely. And, one thing some people forget? Turn off those unused apps. Make them all go to sleep. If one wants to update, you're screwed.

That's what we do.

Not worth the risk of getting a massive bill - considering the poor cellular propagation that far out at sea (even three miles out is risky). But please let us know how it goes and the end result....happy cruising.

Tipping (separate from pre-paid gratuities, and don't forget you paid separate gratuities when you purchase ANY specialty dining) is entirely up to you. nothing wrong with slipping the table waiter a $20 for extraordinary things done.

Happy that judge shut them down. They were getting to be too militant!

Of course they are. We requested a table for 10 near a window. All good.

As a (left) hip repaced guy, just TAKE IT EASY and watch AHEAD for EVERY step. Remember, the cruise ship isn't familiar to you. I had mine replaced four years ago and still, to this day, I got into this habit of looking ahead where I am walking. Now though, the RIGHT hip started acting up.....but I've somehow managed to temporarily overcome it by taking joint pain meds/chondroitin. My hips were subjected to 20 years of the steel decks and ladderwells on Navy ships.

Any updates? How did the testing go? Did they go frantic over you not having this CLIA nonsense?

i never understood the "importance" of this thread. The captains are the bus drivers and we rarely see them...what's the revelance/importance of this???

Our 'head waiter' positive: 2004 on Grandeur, our 1st cruise. We were doing the midnight buffet thing, Jen wanted to get one of the chocolate strawberries but they were completely out. Our head waiter overheard her and went to see what he could do. Unfortunately, there were none left. The following evening at our table, he showed up with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and presented them to the table after dinner, saying "this is just a small extra for the table, with compliments" we knew he directed the gesture toward Jen. That's an extra tip for him! Otherwise, they've done nothing too grand for us. We always pre-pay gratuities. Now if we go on this next cruise in July and a head waiter does something extraordinary, I'll tip that waiter on the spot.

We tried it, thanks. Nothing available on their site for July 6th so we just now booked EWR Springhill Suites/Marriott the night before our cruise. We'll arrange our own transportation from the hotel; did that last time and it worked well.

We just booked the same hotel. Bear in mind, there is no shuttle service to the cruise terminal. We were at the same hotel 4 years ago, we got an Uber to the terminal with no problems. Can't recall the cost though. It was a little bit trouble back then though getting back and at the terminal there is usually a lot of huffing and fussing from the cabbies against Uber (the union thing). Have fun cruising!

OK. I gave this more thought. I contacted Rapid Test & Trace about this "CLIA" crap that's required by Royal. They told me that the CDC does NOT require it for travel, so they don't provide it. SO...just to be on the safe end, I may be canceling our proctoring with Rapid Test & Trace and now waiting for an answer from "On Point Testing" another proctoring service. If they say they provide this CLIA or not, I will post the answer here. Seriously. I think this is another technical writer gaffe from Royal Caribbean. They don't seriously need a CLIA. Someone at RCL is going above and beyond what the CDC requires for travel testing!

Yes, definitely let us know if you get a contrarian counter clerk! If they raise a fuss over the missing CLIA, just politely tell them you spoke with a RCL agent on the phone and she said that is not required any longer. You'll get a "deer-in-headlights" look from the clerk, they'll wave you in. Congrats in advance, you jedi mind tricker!

if I were you, I'd perhaps reconsider cruising in 2024 just to be safer.