ampurp85

With reduced capacity, the Key has been cancelled on a lot of sailings

Since the restart none of the shows and most forms of entertainment haven't been able to book online. With protocols changing and cancellations, they seem to be mitigating their risk in this aspect. So other than excursions for the time being nothing will be showing. North star may come available when it is much closer. 

@Darkingnj It is Royal Caribbean with blog added to it, known on this site as the blog that shall not be named. 

@clochetteNo, on the Optum storefront it is an actual pack of 2 test or 3 test. They are not in sets, although the recommendation is 2 test per person. Emed sells 6 pk which has 6 test.

Also I sail Oct 31st and on the app and CP I have a Be ready to board tab that basically list the protocols for  my sailing. It mentions testing, vaccination and what happens if you don't comply. However, it says nothing about masking, which may be something that is going away towards the end of Oct. I also wouldn't hold my breath on the CSO expiring the 31st. CDC won't be slacking up during what is originally cold/flu season. 

@suzyluv2cruiseRCG has partner with Optum, so its not RCG selling the test. Optum allows you to use HSA/FSA which is why their test are more expensive.

This has been happening and I have only read once where they were slightly unhappy with the room. Op should wait and see where they land. Since many bookings are often open a year or 2 in advance, I can see why this might happen. It sucks but it may be necessary.

I sail Oct 31st, up until last week the Key was available for purchase, it is no longer available for my sailing. On the blog that shall not be named, someone who had it on a Nov sailing said it was just cancelled for them.

As far as the staterooms being ready it is a mixed bag. Some SC pax said their room was available at 11:30 when they boarded, the same for some sky class pax. I have also heard some people saying their rooms were ready at 1pm even though they were quoted 2pm. This situation like everything going on with cruising is a YMMV. Apparently Miami is allowing anyone who shows up early to board while Canaveral and Seattle are somewhat strict.   

@Deez123 Well considering that the suite lounge was created for suite guest, who pay for the perk and access was a bonus not a stated perk .....I don't get the issue. I think most pins love to cruise and weren't spending 100k to get maybe $500 in perks.

Every ship that has sailed has cancelled the Key. In fact the Key has even been cancelled for Oct cruises and some Nov ones as well.

Suites can board early but your pass has to say either sea, sky or star class. Choice has to do with casino level. Several people since the restart have posted about this. Also the terminal plays into things as well. Some terminals like in Miami have a suite boarding area, while in PC they don't. I also have heard that some jr. suites don't say suite so they have not been able to board early. All in all YMMV as I heard recently they haven't even been enforcing the strict boarding times.

@TheBucketListerCP prices are rarely an error. It could be something to do with this sailing. Maybe its been charted and they have higher prices. I sail Mariner in Jan on a 5n cruise, the UDP and 3 day dining package both cost more than my 7n Oct 31st Allure sailing. Even the UBP cost more per day on Mariner.

@cruisetorelax44 I would wait a few days closer to when you sail and see if it was being used. I know people brought it and they got refunds on previous sailings. Nov is a couple of months away and Odyssey may reach 50% sailing so who knows. I know that CP purchases can be cancelled up to 3 days before sailing. 

@Colorado Babe Vaccine does work, it was never specified that you won't get the virus. It was specified that it protects you from the severity of the virus. 

Staying in a suite cost a lot more than an interior or balcony. While the wine and beer from 11-11 is not a listed perk, it was a driving point during the covid restart as a ton of the actually listed perks have been suspended. These perks are suspended while the prices have not. I am not a drinker but 2/5 of my party is. The other 2/5 take medication and pretty much only drink water. So buying 2 drink packages and 3 refresher packages would have been a huge waste of money. We will be eating dinner around 8:30 in CK, that effectively cuts off the added perk of enjoying happy hour with dinner. As cruising as a whole is a first world/1% problem, I have every right to complain. I am not saying they want to drink at 11am but at least have it available for all diner seating.

I don't think that anyone has actually used the Key. I honestly think that even though they are selling it, it won't actually be put into use until the ships stay above 50% capacity.

Mariner was amped in like 2018/ 2019, so I don't think she is suffering. This was a holiday sailing and it looks like the numbers for Labor day sailings are all higher, closer to 50%

Mariner was my first RCG ship, she is the perfect size. I will be on her in Jan as part of a S2S

This is from current 9/5/21 Allure sailing

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/uploads/monthly_2021_09/20210907_132325.thumb.jpg.fb4d365b2283eda81f4e0ef27554010b.jpg

This is from RCG website

We can accommodate vaccinated guests on as many consecutive/back-to-back cruises as they wish. Guests who sail on back-to-back cruises must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and are required to take a COVID-19 test producing negative results between each sailing. This test will be administered by Royal Caribbean at no expense to the guest, as long as your consecutive cruises are less than 3 days apart. Visit Guest Services while onboard to arrange this test ahead of your next cruise. (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-book-back-to-back-cruises-at-this-time)

I am following a live blog on another site and they confirmed it was 2300 pax.

@DJLDRUMSI was told this by a crew member but we all know there are exceptions to every rule. But an exception is just that, accommodating an extra 1 or 2 people is not the same as 5. But like everything YMMV.

They never do tables greater than 10, they always split after that number. That is often the case of some restaurants on land as well. 

It is better to buy the 2 device option for 1 person as it will be cheaper. You will receive two codes that can be entered into 2 devices. If you want to change the device just remove code and swap. The codes aren't automatically assigned to the pax.

On Allure, except for her first sailing, they have had the 11-11 suites drinks. I was told that on Symphony they were open 11-3 with drinks and closed until 5 and started happy hour. So its a possibility that for 2hrs there will not be suite drinks.

@cruisefoodie1946They would only get 2 points, it doesn't matter who pays, each individual would be assigned a C&A number. Those who are already members will receive 2 point per night on none-suite rooms. Those with no number now, will be assigned a number and 1pt per night after the cruise.