MariettaGuy

Actually, you're leaving on the 8th, as am I. They are supposed to let us know by Tuesday. A number of RCL ships have cruised for months at reduced speed - they may eliminate a couple ports to compensate. The big issue right now is that they would have to get the ship from Seward to Vancouver by Friday. I am guessing that they may know by Monday if they will go to Vancouver, or if they need to go to a drydock. I'm scheduled to fly to Seattle on Wednesday morning, and then the Amtrak Bus to Vancouver on Thursday afternoon. If I know by Monday, I think the only money I'll be out is the non-refundable Amtrak fare of $50. My flights and hotels are all using points, but the cancellation policies vary, so I'm hoping for a Monday notification!

I have my first Alaska cruise booked for September on Radiance of the Seas as my second solo cruise. My first solo was the recent Transatlantic on Rhapsody and I loved it! They didn't do a whole lot for solos - based on the numbers, there must have been at least 150 solos, but the second day solo lunch only had 16 people. The activities person in charge said she's NEVER had that many, and it's usually no more than 5 that show up for lunch! I guess a lot of solos aren't interested in meeting other people... I saw some of those people throughout the cruise, and also met a lot of others because I was planning a tour for our final destination (Haifa). I had to contact my tour guide multiple times to ask for a bigger bus - we ended up with 48 people, and I've stayed in touch with a few.

If I reach Prime while on board, can I get the discount right away? I'll be on a TA that starts with 8 sea days, so I figure I should reach Prime in the first few days and can be without Internet until then (plus I'm Diamond and can use my one 24 hour period to cover 2 days). My current VOOM offer is 30% off, so this way I can skip a few days, use my Diamond benefit, and then still get the same price for the remainder of the cruise.

For the spring Transatlantic (and Transpacific) cruises, the rules have now changed. You can now do an at-home COVID test without supervision. This is a Royal Caribbean restriction - it is not imposed by any governmental agency. They deem it necessary for safety on the longer cruises. And I am glad they are doing it - I am doing a 17 night TA the end of April. For Transatlantic and Transpacific Cruises All guests age 2 and older must bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 test taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing. Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. Guests under age 2 do not have any testing requirements.