SunnyTahitianDaze

5 hours ago, SAmome said:

I know it's spring break but it's Encore doing a 7 night (and these pax are older than spring breakers) but I'd still have guessed "huge fight on a cruise" would be a lesser ship sailing shorter duration to be having this sort of fight.  Just shows my bias/assumptions were inappropriate.

Hey man (or lady), it takes a big person to admit something like that when you could have just kept on scrollin.  Props to you. 👊

8 hours ago, graphicguy said:

This strikes a nerve with me for some reason.  People blame alcohol for this type of behavior.  Just about everyone has a drink package these days.  I don’t see fights breaking out among a bunch of passengers all the time.

 

The issue sits squarely On the shoulders to these idiots who for some reason believe common decorum does not apply to them.  I find they’re jackasses sober and that intensifies when they’re drunk.

 

Don’t blame the cruise lines.  Don’t blame the drinks.  Blame these idiots for being....well...idiots.

 

BTW...just returned from a Carnival Cruise.  Talking to a bartender there, she said over 95% of the adult passengers has a drink package.  So, nearly everyone has the package on these cruises, regardless of which cruise line.

I drink...a lot. On the days I set my mind to it. Haha. I’ve never felt inclined to fight with anyone. Alcohol just removes your “roadblocks” so to speak. Also a bartender for ~13 years so seen a lot of this. Not in venues where people are paying thousands but hey, money can’t buy class. 🍻🍻

This is the message they just emailed...we are booked on a Caribbean cruise on 3/8.  Repeated final paragraph is their own typo.

As someone not having planned travel to these areas, two things stood out at me:

1. The "enhanced" health protcols

and

2. The additional cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Curious as to what these may entail.

February 26, 2020 

Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners, 

The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority. We are aware of a new travel advisory recently issued by the U.S. State Department. We have been closely monitoring the situation and out of an abundance of caution and as a result of the uncertainty surrounding port entry and berthing availability in various destinations in Asia, we previously made the prudent decision to cancel all voyages in Asia across our three brands. A total of 40 voyages have been canceled, modified or redeployed including 24 voyages on Norwegian Cruise Line, 10 on Oceania Cruises and 6 on Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Following these changes, we do not have any vessels deployed in Asia through the end of the third quarter 2020. 

In addition, we have proactively implemented several preventative measures to reduce potential exposure and transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the health, safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew. These measures include: 

• Enhanced pre-boarding and onboard health protocols that go above and beyond standard operating 

procedures. 

• We are denying boarding to any guest and crew who has traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days of their voyage embarkation, regardless of nationality. The standard incubation period recognized by the WHO and US CDC for this virus is 14 days. 

o Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel. 

• For all guests, we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary. 

• Any guest who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to additional 

screening at our onboard Medical Center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation. 

• We have implemented additional cleaning and disinfection protocols on board all voyages. These protocols 

will be enforced in addition to our already rigorous sanitization standards in place. 

At this time, there are no significant travel restrictions we are aware of outside of Asia. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and consult with The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC and take appropriate additional action as needed. We appreciate our guests’ patience during this time and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. 

At this time, there are no significant travel restrictions we are aware of outside of Asia. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and consult with The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take appropriate additional action as needed. We appreciate our guests’ patience during this time and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. 

Sincerely, 

Katty Byrd Vice President, Guest Services 

24 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

One thing I wanted to mention because it blew my mind was something I saw during embarkation day.  As they say, truth is stranger than fiction.  We were on the waterfront and walking past the smoking "box".  There was a woman in her late 60s smoking a cigarette with an oxygen tank and she was taking oxygen and smoking at the same time.  I was in shock what I saw almost like if I saw a sasquatch in the woods.  She had an oxygen tank with the clear plastic  nose insert and smoking her cigarette at the same time. OMG.  It was not until the next day it dawned on me that oxygen is no supposed to be around anything with flames.  How crazy.

 

 

You must not work in health care haha.

I have a couple of questions: I saw you're in the haven, the sun deck is 16+ right?  I just put in an upgrade bid for 3/8 (showing sold out but I am hoping...you know) and I was hoping that would eliminate our need for Vibe passes, since someone ELSE commented that there is an MLM group on our sailing that buys out that whole section (bs if you ask me but I digress...)

Is the dining service in the Haven restaurant super slow as well?  I have heard it's that way in the MDR but I wanted to see if that was similar across those classes.

Do you feel like the spa is "worth it" like are you finding value in that area or is it just sort of "just ok?"

Also I wanted to say, I read your bit about your camera (man I hate when I break stuff!!!  The worst.) and your photos should still be on an SD card yeah?  My computer (super old macbook pro) has an SD card reader; if you're super desperate/want those photos the internet cafe place might have something available like that.  And if that doesn't work then you can bring it to a repair place on land, they can get most data off of most anything.  Just in case that is helpful idk.

Thanks a lot!!!  Have a great trip!!!

6 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Me, I just bring my own portable lounger.  😁

 

 

omg...can you actually do this??  I have no shame...

Here is one more data source for you https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1898994-flying-domestically-foreign-passport.html

I think you will be OK but I would talk to an immigration atty re the RealID situation.  The ship doesn't leave US waters so there is no reason whatsoever for immigration checks and if there are then it looks like according to precedent that those would have to be voluntary.  

In case you are wondering about domestic flights this is the ruling as of 2019 but as far as how that fits in with RealID again I don't know.  Honestly probably why they keep pushing that date back and rightly so imo.  Please don't flame me, these are people too and neither I nor you know their stories.  We are the land of the free after all.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/11/customs-officers-cannot-randomly-check-papers-domestic-flights/1700254001/

I assume you have some immigration status issue...don't forget that the plan right now is for October+ flights to require RealID which requires proof of citizenship/status.  Now, I don't know how that aligns with non-expired foreign IDs...can you still fly?  Does RealID imply an immigration check?  I have no idea.  But think about that if you have to make your way to Hawaii after that goes into effect.

5 hours ago, cplyons said:

...and speaking of jaded, all I care about is if this cruiser paranoia will result in enough cancellations to open up a better suite for the Royal Up bid we placed on our sold-out Anthem 2/15 sailing...

Amen brother, I am hoping the same for our Encore 3/8 sailing 🍻🍻🍻🍻😂

2 hours ago, tx121 said:

 

Also, I heard some people bought one VIBE pass and snuck in the rest of their party. Not sure what the procedure is in Vibe so I dont know if they scan cards when you go in. I know you have to scan the room cards to get in to the area.

 

 

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat.  This sounds like some stuff my best friend and I used to do at festivals back in the day (we hid in port a potties one time between sound check and gate opening so we didn't have to pay...ahhh my 20s hahahaha)

6 hours ago, phire said:

Thanks, although I really prefer a refund instead of letting me go on now.

Don't let a crap-tastic policy ruin your plans...you know where you reside and where you have been/who you have been in contact with.  If you do get to go (and choose to go) I am sure you will have a great time.  If not, well.  You will make the right choice for you.  I am so sorry you have to go through this.  What an awful waste of time and stress for something that is supposed to be fun.  😞

2 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

While these are valid points ,they were stranded in the largest metropolitan area of the United States not Gilligan's Island. There are free hotspots in many locations where they could have used free data if that were the case. Perhaps that McDonald's even had one. Darren is a 38 year old account. He is young and a professional. I am sure he must have had a data plan and is well versed in search engines. Also if you can give an interview you can also ask for assistance or a recommendation for a hotel stay . They probably took a taxi, Uber or Lyft to the dock so they could have arranged to go back to the same hotel.  They were sitting in McDonald's waiting to hear from Royal Caribbean so that alone tells me they had access to data in order to receive emails from the cruise line. They could have called the travel agent who booked them  and asked for assistance and if they booked directly online then they know how to book a hotel as well. This was just a publication looking to hype up a story line.

Thank you for saying the things that I wanted to say but just did not have the energy to...hahaha.  Also I lived in Brooklyn for ~8 years so I have no time for people's sob stories...call me jaded hahaha.

19 hours ago, hallux said:

 

Apparently not everyone feels the same - https://nypost.com/2020/02/08/stranded-royal-caribbean-cruise-passengers-slam-liner-amid-coronavirus-scare/

 

The article seems to be sensationalized a bit...

I literally LAUGHED when I read this article.  Why are these people so upset that RC told them to use a search engine to find a hotel room??  Like no kidding??!!  How else would you find a hotel?  Also the Post pointed out that they're "packed for a week in the Caribbean..." but the guy is wearing a sweater in the photo.  Also NYC has clothing stores.  Just saying.  I swear I wonder how some people manage to leave their houses in the morning...

1 minute ago, tx121 said:

 

The zipline is still in construction right now so there is no pricing available yet. Sorry! Here is a picture of the main point of the zipline. 

Also, I've been asking about the Bubly drink around different bars and some bartenders are saying no it is not included but....I can give it to you. So I guess you just have to get the right bartender who will do it for you. 😉

WELL that explains why I can't find pricing for it!!  And thanks for your detective work!!!  I am a pretty charming person irl so I hope I can work my magic and score some fizzy water hahahaha!!!! And since you're asking so many people, you absolutely have to try the mango version, it is SO GOOD!!!!!!!

Thanks again!!!  🍻🍻🍻🍻

Hello Cruisers!

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks now, what a wealth of information.  The collective experience here has helped me immeasurably for planning our first cruise!

My husband and I have booked a balcony room on Encore, we booked a BF and our res is now showing a 12th deck BA.  Which is great!  But I have perused the upgrades, and there is a mini-suite on offer for 25/pp as well as mini-suite and balcony spa staterooms available for bidding starting at 100/pp.  I don't think we should really spring even the nominal amount for the spa because frankly, we are going to be drinking at every bar a lot.  Haha.  We are taking our first real vacation from our 2.5 year old twins and we are both former bartenders so we are going to boogie down as it were. 😛  That said, I am pretty stoked about this BF to BA situation, so do you think I should chance it on the mini-suite?  I feel like we might get a terrible location.  Is 12th deck, mid ship a good spot for a balcony?  It seems like it but I thought I would ask. Am I being crazy and missing out on the spa?  What do you all think about this situation here?

Thanks so much and sorry if this is in the wrong place!!

🙂

6 hours ago, tx121 said:

 

Tomorrow- Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas!

Tex (is that the TX?) sorry to bother you again, but if you can possibly find out how much the zip line is at GSC I would be SO obliged.  I am trying to decide if we should zipline in St Thomas or at GSC.

Thank you so much!!! 

3 hours ago, tx121 said:

Using a little strategy, we decided to use only 1 of our dining credits and share the 4 items.

 

Since we only used 1 dining plan, we still have 1 more credit to use for tomorrow at a specialty restaurant. 

Now this right here is super solid advice. I don’t think I could eat four sushi rolls to save my life (well, I suppose if the situation were dire...). I never thought about doing this. Thank you for sharing, I think we will do this as well since food republic was high on our list. And thanks for checking on the Bubly!!!! I am going to have to steel myself bc I could rack up a LOT of extra charges with those haha 😛

enjoy the Bahamas!!!! 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

OK I have a really silly question.  I see that the ship now has Bubly (Pepsi's version of LaCroix).  I am totally prepared to bring my giant starbucks glitter cup and refill it at the soda fountain with club soda every hour or whatever (I am obsesssssed with sparkling water...yes I am a millennial sue me haha. Even my two year old twins are always saying "want so-a wadder" lol.  Please don't judge :p) but I cannot figure out if Bubly is included in the drink packages.  It's not "bottled water" but it's not fountain either.  I saw that they stock Bubly on the menus here (under "Non-Alcoholic Refreshers" ) but it is unclear whether that is included or not.

Thanks a lot! 

On 2/5/2020 at 5:41 AM, CazV said:

 

I'm not really a seasoned cruiser by the standards of many on here, and being from the UK I have never booked last minute. I've read that March is a popular month due to Spring Break and it's a less likely month for price drops. I've kept an eye on the balcony price for the last 6 weeks and they've stayed pretty consistent. 

Hey girl I just want to let you know the balcony prices dropped just a tad AND I checked travelocity/expedia and expedia was doing a 200 dollar OBC...BUT I also checked Delta Skymiles Cruises (I don't think you need to be a skymiles member to book) and we got all the free at sea deals, 9000 bonus miles (~a 90 dollar value but I fly w Delta a lot so I'll take it) AND FREE GRATUITIES which actually comes out ~10 bucks ahead of the Expedia deal.  Plus the miles as a bonus.  So I just wanted to let you know that.  I just booked like 2 hours ago and everything is all set up on the NCL app.  So excited!!!  See ya at sea!!!!  😛

9 hours ago, CazV said:

 

 

The solo studios have been sold out for ages, but I'm watching for price drops in case a balcony cabin comes within reach of my budget... if it does then Vibe will not be happening for me either lol I know the very man who will do us a shot o'clock elsewhere on the ship though so that can definitely be arranged 😉 

 

 

Howdy!  And I am in for a shot o clock for surrrrrrre.  Anyway I wanted to ask you, since you seem to be a seasoned cruiser, do you think the prices are going to drop in this sailing?  We haven't booked our actual room yet (I have a balcony on a courtesy hold until tomorrow pm) but we have our flight etc so we are for sure going haha.  Lmk what you think!

On 1/2/2020 at 11:49 AM, CazV said:

And then it was time to say adios Miami... until next time! 

 

And I'm actually returning way sooner than I thought I would be! lol I've been enjoying reminiscing so much about this cruise that I've decided to do it all again! I'll be back on Encore on 8th March. 🙂 

 

 

Omg I was literally going to post how bummed I was that you wouldn’t be on our sailing and how I am so glad that there are cruisers that enjoy things like drag brunches (this is our first cruise ever and tbh I was expecting a lot of old people and a lot of little kids haha) but then I saw you’re sailing March 8th!!!  So I hope we get to meet at one of the meetups. We are not springing for vibe tho haha, I think this ship might be a bit on the lighter side judging from the vast availability still on ncl’s website. Anyway hope we can grab a shot o clock on our sailing!! 😆😆😆🍻🍻🍻