vplsh

4 hours ago, SanctuarySailing said:

Thank you for update regarding the masks....

 

If you are outside by the pool and socially distancing on a lounger can you take the mask off?

 

My husband is considering canceling this trip (8/15) if he can only have the mask off at the dinner table and in the cabin.

 

Can you expand on the mask usage?

 

I greatly appreciate your feedback!

 

Ok, so the only places you have to wear a mask are when moving around inside and in elevators and hallways. If you are at an event marked V for vaccinated only, you can go maskless. The same goes for outside, either around the pool seated or walking around. If you are at an event marked E for everyone, you must keep your mask on. If you’re sitting in the promenade, which I am now, you wear a mask unless you’re eating. 

9 hours ago, bobmarychris said:

How is the pool area with lounge chairs. I saw a viedo of the test cruise on the Oasis and it

didn"t look like there was a lot of chairs..Looked like 2 chairs every 6 feet..Not many..

Around the pool they have removed some chairs but there are still plenty. In the solarium, a vaccinated only venue, all the chairs are the same as they’ve always been. 

8 hours ago, lovelife said:

 

Vplsh - is it okay if I post more photos on your thread?

Sure!!!

11 hours ago, SanctuarySailing said:

If you are changing venues on the ship, do you need to wear a mask?

 

My husband is allergic to Purell so we will be bringing alcohol based hand sanitizer with us.  Do you think this will be a problem?

 

So glad you are having a great time!

 

Yes, any time you are out in public you need to wear a mask. I’m not sure how they will react to your bringing your own hand sanitizer but I’d make sure you show it to them at the sanitizer station so they see you using it. 

Welcome to Cozumel!! We were able to book our own excursions so we have headed to Nachi Cocum for the day. Masks are required everywhere in Cozumel and the taxis had us use hand sanitizer before getting in. Here at Nachi we had our temperature taken and wore our mask until we got our chairs. There are only 13 people here today, and if you’ve ever been to Nachi you can imagine how wonderful that is. Adventure is in port with us. 

Last night we had dinner in the mdr and went to the ice show ( an every person event so masks required) then to the show in the theater. 
Tonight is dinner in the mdr again then another headliner show. 
Still haven’t made it to the diamond lounge but definitely will tonight. 

12 hours ago, jillpra said:

We are considering this ship for next April? Do you know if they have did any updates in cabins since last year? Ship looks beautiful from photos! 

The ship is in very good shape. Our cabin seems to have new mattresses and pillows but otherwise are the same. 

3 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I have never cruised Royal, but I am scheduled for the 11/12 cruise on the Independence.  Is this a "typical" MDR breakfast menu for Royal?  I see about six things I would love, but I am not sure I could eat them all at one sitting!  🤣

We were told this is a new breakfast menu. 

20 hours ago, jcc1025 said:

One question for those on the test cruise. If possible could you get a picture of the list of venues that are vaccinated and none vaccinated. I have seen this for other ships and don't know if they are fleet wide or ship specific. We are traveling with a under 12 year old and would like to take him out to specially dinning one night but wondered what is available. Looking forward to hearing your comments, enjoy the cruise. 

  

Chops and Giovanni are both available for everyone. Izumi is vaccinated only. 

30 minutes ago, bobmarychris said:

Keep us posted with all the different protocols and tips for Independence..We are on the

Aug 15th sailing..It would be nice to know what to expect..thanks

The ship is spotless! Crew around all over making sure to sanitize chairs after people get up and every staff member is wearing a mask. Your sailing will certainly have more passengers but I think the ship is ready for them. Be prepared to sanitize your hands all over! But it’s just so great to be back and you’ll have an amazing time!!!

Sea day today. Just hanging out in the solarium. Right now we are two of six people here. Had breakfast in the mdr. We had to make a reservation but I don’t think it was necessary. Deck 3 is for vaccinated passengers. Service is excellent. New items in the breakfast menu. I’ll attach it here. 
 

Comedian  last night mentioned that there were 400 people on board and I can believe that’s all there are. In many places there are more crew than passengers. 
 

Dinner tonight in the MDR. We are my time so made a reservation for 7. Will check out the diamond lounge this evening as well and report back. 

3 hours ago, trippintex said:

We will also be on the Aug. 15 cruise . Do you know the name of the Diamond lounge concierge and how it will be operating ? Did they test you at the port for covid are did you even need to get one?  Thanks 

Will check the diamond lounge later this evening. No testing for vaccinated passengers as we are only a 4 night cruise. However there were people there to test, although I’m not sure why. 

My sister ( a travel professional) and I are on board for the four night Independence cruise to Cozumel. Bit of a glitch getting on board as we and several others had received two cabin assignments and when we got to the terminal we waited over an hour for them to figure out how to get us into only one. But once on board we were able to get right into cabins (7398 far aft starboard side balcony). 
Windjammer was well staffed and we were served at the various stations. Such happy and helpful crew members. 
Safety briefing is on the app and you must go to the muster station for a sticker to put on your sea pass card. With 30 minutes to sailing there were still 44 passengers who hadn’t done this. Sail away is set for 5.

Reservations required for all dining and entertainment venues, with vaccinated and everyone designated in the cruise compass and app. 
Dinner tonight in Chops. Bought wifi package so will check back to answer questions and post info. 

1 hour ago, dominicr said:

haven’t seen one yet and also haven’t heard when the dry dock will be complete.   All i have seen is that it’s first cruise is supposed to be 9/26 and we are supposed to be on 10/3.  

We are supposed to be on the 9/26 cruise, but it doesn't show up anywhere- not on the Galveston port schedule on embarkation day, nor on any of the port schedules. I'm thinking they're going to cancel it. 

11 hours ago, sweettxcruiser04 said:

I heard we just check into the one we want and the other will cancel.   Somehow it checked me into both but my husband is only on the one.  It will work out! Where are y’all coming from? 

We're coming from Georgetown, about a 4 hour drive, so Janet is picking me up at 7 and we'll be on our way!

12 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

NextCruise was open on Allure.

Thanks, John!

5 minutes ago, Blizzard54 said:

I am pretty sure they will be open.  I will check. 

Thanks!!!

Can you please check and see if there's a future cruise desk open for sales? On board Independence for a simulation cruise Sunday and thinking about booking if there is someone.

Cabin assignment received. 4B balcony on deck 7. More info to follow!

I’m really surprised how many folks got invitations yesterday. I wonder if they didn’t get the response they’d anticipated earlier in the week and so issued more invitations. Wonder also if that is why we haven’t gotten our cabin assignment yet. 

15 hours ago, trippintex said:

We are also on the Aug.15 sailing love to hear any info you can provide . Maybe the name of the diamond club concierge and how the diamond lounge will operate. Like to hear all you can tell us so we can get a heads for our cruise.Looking to hear from you . THANK YOU

I’ll check and let you know. As far as the lounge being open, I’d assume for this voyage it will be the same as on Allure- open but not with food or beverages. 

17 hours ago, GA Dave said:

If there is any way possible, I would love to see a live report on your cruise.  My very first Royal cruise will be on the Independence in November, so I would love to hear your thoughts on her current condition, changes, etc.

Thanks. 

I’ll try to post some updates throughout the four days if possible. 
 

We still haven’t gotten a cabin assignment but have begun packing!! Can’t wait!!!

Have a great cruise! I’ll be on independence starting Sunday for her simulation cruise!! Following along to see how yours goes!!

We got in!! Just waiting for a cabin assignment. Will come back and let you know when that happens!!!

So excited!!!

Well, we got the email to register and sign our informed consent forms so now we wait and see if we were fast enough. 
 

Just wondering if anyone has received confirmation that they are on the August 1 simulation cruise on Indy out of Galveston. We responded to the request for volunteers two weeks ago with our info but haven’t heard whether we’d been chosen. 

We have a May 9 cruise out of Galveston booked and final payment is due on February 8. I think we'll pay for it as well and see what happens. Fortunately we don't have any other FCCs to worry about!