johnjen

8 hours ago, robmtx said:

Ok I had my coffee and did some reading.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-i-test-positive-for-sars-cov-2-what-is-your-refund-policy-and-costs-covered

 

Answers my question I suppose!

 

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.

1 hour ago, tj_shopper said:

There is a number they give you after you set up the test.  When my test time was up and I was on hold for 5 minutes, I got nervous, so I called them.  They said to be patient and sure enough, someone did come on.  It was very simple testing and I'm glad I did it in the comfort of my home.

 

I didn't have a problem with Microsoft Teams as I use this for work.  I did download it onto my husband's phone for his test.  Again, simple, not a problem.

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?

27 minutes ago, robmtx said:

If I understand the language, cruises booked after March 31 are not eligible for cruise w/ confidence. I booked a cruise today, it's for Sep 4 2022. We are still required to test 2 days before the cruise. If we test positive 2 days before the cruise, we aren't allowed to go on the cruise - but without the Cruise w/ confidence program, am I on the hook for the cost of the cruise? Or is there still language somewhere that says we'd get FCC or something?

 

It seems extremely high risk now to book a cruise where mandatory testing may sideline you, even if one party member tests positive.

 

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.

4 minutes ago, Tagsalong said:

What I find intriguing is this statement in the pricing page.

 

In addition, due to rising fuel costs, a fuel surcharge will be added to your booking at the rate of $55 per person. Should this not be assessed by the cruise line at the time of sailing, each guest will be refunded the fuel surcharge amount paid to their onboard account once on the ship.

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

14 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Good chance your Diamond status won't be recognized. Up to tour operators. You should get points though

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

2 hours ago, LaCal said:

There should be in at least Elevators and areas that are very crowded 

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

2 hours ago, little britain said:

Price drops after final payment are refunded as obc - non refundable… it will show up on your onboard account. 
 

Personally  I think it is unfair for it to be non refundable especially when if you get a price drop before  final you get the cash back. 

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!

8 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

If you are in Airplane mode apps won’t update over cellular. 

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.

1 hour ago, pcur said:

I found that sailing along the CA coast, I was slipping in and out of my cell provider's signal, and that's what happened when I was on a call.  It switched over to Cellular at Sea mid-call.

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.

4 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

we asked them to open the wine that was delivered by the cruise line- no fee.  Also we did pour our own wine in glasses and brought to the dining room another night.

That's what we do.

3 hours ago, sportmorgan said:

Sailing Oasis in July. Bought 4 device surf and stream to share between 8 people.  Are there locations where the ship sails that are close enough to shore where service (AT@T) would be available if we needed more people to have intermittent access. Not sure how far off the coast cell service goes, though we go offshore fishing on our own boat in Connecticut and never have a problem (but not sure we are ever out more that 20 miles or so). 
 

thanks!

lynn

 

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.

On 9/21/2021 at 1:11 PM, Ocean Boy said:

If the CDC had its way we would all be on home confinement.

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

On 6/4/2022 at 2:44 PM, willing292 said:

They are not mixing passengers with others for dinner, unless they have linked their reservations.  

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

19 hours ago, RoperDK said:

It looks like I'll have 8 weeks to recover before our Harmony cruise.  Am I crazy to think that I can actually enjoy the cruise?  We are in a GS and that tub is a bear to negotiate under normal circumstances.  Does Harmony have a public shower I can use if I can't get in and out of the tub?  I've had knee replacement before so I know healing can take a while, but everyone says that hip replacement has a much easier recovery.  My surgeon is of course vague because everyone takes different paths to recovery.  Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me?  This was booked under cruise with confidence so I can easily move the sailing out a few months.  Thanks.  

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.

On 6/3/2022 at 1:03 PM, tj_shopper said:

@infoseeking@johnjen

Agreed.  I’m going to try not to stress about this, but easier said than done as I’m a nervous sort of person lol!

 

I feel better knowing that we are think the same way.  I will try to remember to come back on here to let you all know.  We leave this Sunday.

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???

On 6/3/2022 at 4:17 PM, rudeney said:

 

Back when we handed tip envelopes directly to crew members, we'd never see the head waiters until that last night when they'd come by to collect their envelope.  I always felt they were useless and I resented tipping them (though I always do).

 

On one cruise we did have a head waiter that was fantastic.  He was funny and always came by the table to check on us and help his staff.  But that was the exception.  One night he came by and I told him that he was the best head waiter ever, and shared my opinion of the other typical head waiters.  He explained that he was only able to be so social because our table waiter was soon to be promoted to a head waiter, and he was helping out with those duties.  He said normally, head waiters are watching their crew and keeping up with wait times and re-orders and such.  He gave us some stories about things he had to deal with in the past and why he is often unable to interact with passengers.  I did gain a greater appreciation for that role, but still, if they are going to get a tip, they really need to come by at least once per meal and say hello.  

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.

On 6/2/2022 at 1:24 PM, njhorseman said:

Check trinityreservations.com. They've been a reliable source of these packages for a number of years. Depending on the date you need the hotel room they offer packages at several hotels.

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.

On 6/1/2022 at 3:19 PM, Ky Bill said:

We will be flying into EWR the evening before our cruise on AOS on August 18th, 2022.  I had Marriott points so decided to stay at the Springhill Suites at EWR.  Just wondering if anyone else had stayed there and had comments good or bad.  Also any comments regarding their shuttle service.

Thank You;

Bill

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!

4 hours ago, infoseeking said:

Has anyone successfully boarded with the Rapid Test and Trace documents? 

 

https://rapidtestandtrace.com/

 

My daughter and I both just tested with them and I noticed the results documents they emailed us don't list the lab CLIA number or certification number.

 

Per Royal Caribbean "You must receive a valid results document from your test provider that includes the name of the lab that processed the test, the lab’s CLIA Lab Number or Certification Number, the address of the lab, your name, the date the test was taken, type of test, and your negative result."

 

I have an email out to Rapid Test and Trace asking if this information can be added.

 

 

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!

36 minutes ago, tj_shopper said:

@infoseeking@johnjen

Agreed.  I’m going to try not to stress about this, but easier said than done as I’m a nervous sort of person lol!

 

I feel better knowing that we are think the same way.  I will try to remember to come back on here to let you all know.  We leave this Sunday.

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!

On 5/30/2022 at 6:47 PM, 3yorkies said:

I have never cared to dine with strangers, just not my thing.   But in the current covid environment, I have no desire at all to sit at a table with strangers for 90 minutes.

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