jcross2

10 minutes ago, 3CatsInMA said:

I would love a link to that quote.  Thanks!🙂

Here's one of many articles quoting Trump on this issue: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-on-allowing-grand-princess-cruise-passengers-to-disembark-id-rather-have-them-stay-on-personally-2020-03-07

‘They would like to have the people come off. I’d rather have the people stay [on the ship]. But I’d go with them. I told them to make the final decision. I would rather — because I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault.’

— President Trump

Got this email this afternoon. Looks like they have lifted this restriction now:

Dear Guest,

It’s important to us to be as communicative as possible during this very fluid novel coronavirus situation. Over the last few weeks, governments around the world have been restricting travel for Chinese, Hong Kong, and Macau passport holders – often times with little advance notice. As a result of these restrictions, last week we decided to add a similar policy to our travel regulation, to avoid disruption to impacted guests’ vacations.

Now that governmental restrictions have been clarified, we have made a change to our travel regulation. We’re happy to share that effective immediately, passport holders from China, Hong Kong, and Macau will be able to sail with us.

If you had to cancel your upcoming reservation due to this travel regulation and you’d like to reinstate your reservation, please contact your Travel Advisor, contact us at 1-800-256-6649, or visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number. Please know, we can help reinstate your reservation and your rate will be protected. We are terribly sorry for the impact to your vacation and the inconvenience.

27 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

The VCL isn't on the same level as the rest of deck 12.  This deck plan above makes it look like the VCL is on deck 12 but it isn't.  Majesty doesn't have a deck 13 so in the elevators you press the 14 button to reach the VCL.

 

In this picture you can see how the VCL is one deck above deck 12.  Since there is no 13, the VCL is deck 14.

 

Thanks so much, Twangster, that makes perfect sense! 

Coralc, not my intention to point out an error, except in the rcl site. Which, as we all know, is flawless ... 

1 hour ago, Coralc said:

jcross2...it's an elevator button. No one cares. You will find your way to the VCL, or not....

Yeah, well I was trying to be funny ... guess it didn't come across! 😏

Ok, so as often is the case, the rcl website is wrong. Go figure!

I'm sure we'll be able to find it when we cruise Majesty in October. Hard to get lost on that size ship!

On 8/4/2019 at 12:35 AM, Merion_Mom said:

 

The post of mine that you quoted says that the aft elevators go to Deck 14, where the VCL is.

 

There is no Deck 13 on the Majesty.

 

Shockingly, Deck 14 has always been there.

Maybe the deck plans on the RCL site (and others) are wrong? They all seem to show the Viking Crown on 12, on Majesty, and don't show a deck 14 at all. Here's what I'm seeing:

For those who have not received the email ... again...check your spam/junk folder.

jan

For those who have not received the email yet: check your junk/spam folder.

My email came in an hour ago, and went straight there. Just found it.  I am sure they are sending these in bulk, and many spam filters automatically flag any emails with lots of recipients.

I agree with other posters that this was the smart (and ethical) thing to do on RCL’s part.

We have never purchased a beverage package before (and have taken many RCL cruises). Now we have purchased six 7 day packages.

I think many folks may be like us ... so this may well turn out to be profitable for RCL. I hope so!

Jan

Hi Abby, enjoyed cruising with y’all! Looking forward to the rest of your review. Jan

While we generally make all of our own reservations, and seldom have special requests for the suite concierge, one service we always greatly appreciate is the escorted, expedited disembarkation they facilitate.

They work so hard coordinating with other staff, calling express elevators, and making sure everyone in the group is tagging along! What a hectic day it must be for them.

Since this happens the last day, after tips and thank-you notes have been handed over the evening before, it may be easy to overlook when considering what to tip based on their services during the week.

Just a thought ... even if we haven't asked much of them during the cruise, if we plan to take advantage of expedited disembarkation, this service alone is worth a nice tip. :D

Jan

On many cruises, especially the longer ones like the transatlantic and repositioning cruises, there will also be a "progressive trivia" offered. This meets every sea day, usually at the same time. You form a team on the first day, and stay with that team the rest of the cruise.

(This won't be offered on the 3-5 day cruises, but it was offered on our recent 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Harmony.)

Often there are small prizes for the team that wins each day, and then at the end there is a "grand prize" for the team that has accrued the most points throughout the tournament.

This can range from a medal on a ribbon to a bag full of pens, highlighters, water bottles, etc.

Another favorite trivia of mine is tri-bond, where you are given three words and need to find what they have in common. For example: blue, goose, and black. Answer is "berries."

Jan

I agree, 9:45 would be pushing it, especially considering the wheelchair. We just got home this afternoon from Harmony. We did not do self disembarkation, but were off fairly early, and arrived at the airport at 8:30.

Since your new flight will be mid-afternoon, have you considered luggage valet? Fort Lauderdale is one of the few ports that have it.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=luggage_valet_service

You could then take a taxi or Uber/Lyft somewhere your MIL might enjoy, maybe a beachside hotel or restaurant for lunch? And then taxi to the airport closer to your flight.

Just an idea!

Jan

That would be great. What type of room are you staying at?

 

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We are in a 2C balcony, but since we are Pinnacle, will have the suite perks. :D

Will check back here to see if someone has posted the letter or actually answered your question, and if not, will do so.

Best,

Jan

I think a lot depends on the port and the destinations. Have heard people say they had no problem, and have personally seen flowers being confiscated in Seattle.

Agricultural restrictions and regulations vary so much from region to region.

Hopefully someone with personal experience bringing flowers on board in Amsterdam will chime in.

Jan

Kind of surprised no one has answered you yet, but if it helps any, I can find out next week when we sail Harmony and will post the letter here if no one else has.

Jan

Looks like they have now updated their site to show the shortened list: https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/booked-guests/onboard-packages/complimentary-beverages

Ha, well it certainly wasn't mammoth like some of them are. But yeah, I guess I really meant I want a different ship. One I haven't been on before. We are going on Vista in 2019 and that will be my first "big" ship. I just would love to see a different RC ship and even better, a different itinerary.

 

We stay in Texas City for a night before the cruise and it works for us. It's just a short drive to the port in the morning. I would love to stay in the Strand and will if they ever get rid of the 2-night minimum.

I remember when Freedom Class (which Liberty is) first came out. Oh my, all the hoopla! Two flow riders! Cantilevered hot tubs! Biggest ship in the world! Such a frenzy of promotional ads and videos. :D

So of course we had to sail on Freedom asap! ;) And we weren't disappointed; lots of fun. I even climbed the rock wall (was much younger then, haha).

We've sailed out of Galveston often, as it isn't a far drive from home. Nice to hear that she may get more terminals and an Oasis class ship, yay.

We almost always go the night before, and have never had a major issue with the 2-night minimum if we shopped around. (Try hotels dot com maybe? Or someone suggested calling the hotel direct.) But then, we don't cruise over spring break, so that may have made it easier.

Have stayed at a variety of Galveston hotels over the years: Hilton, San Luis, Harbor House, and many of the budget motels. Always one night. We have a one-night rez for this weekend at Tremont House, downtown near the Strand.

For sure agree about different itineraries! Years ago, Celebrity had a ship out of Galveston that did partial Panama Canal trips, 10-11 days. We sailed on her last one. Really wish we had something like that again out of Galveston.

Best,

Jan

If you don't get the post-cruise survey, check your "junk" email folder. The past 4 surveys they have sent me have gone automatically to my junk folder, and I've had to go look for them there. (Isn't their IT team just great?! :rolleyes:)

I'll also be on the Vision Repo cruise next month[emoji1]

 

 

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Oh yes! How did I miss that. See you on board!

Jan

Dennis, that is good to hear, thanks.

Richard, the crystal block is about 5 x 3 x 1 inches, and beveled. There is a laser inscribed ship inside, with its name. It looks like it is floating inside the block. It comes in a very sturdy custom box.

It's a gift you get at various milestones as delineated earlier in the thread.

Jan

Carolyn and Bob, thanks for the advice. I will try to ask for one ... would really like a Vision block. (Carolyn, look forward to sailing with you on the Vision t/a next April.)

Gary, thanks so much for explaining about the stratum. How nice that it is engraved like that!

Best,

Jan

Just the stratum...........at least that is what we got.

Thanks, Gary!

Jan

Have a question for Pinnacles ... since 700 points is both a crystal block level and the Pinnacle level, when you reach 700, do you get a crystal block in addition to the Pinnacle stratum? Or does the stratum replace the block?

nyllrap, so glad you recovered and are enjoying cruising!

Yes, being very nearsighted is another risk factor for a detached retina, which, like you said, strikes out of the blue like some other illnesses. I hope your friend was able to get fast treatment and retained her eyesight.

Being at high risk myself, I also find the OP's query very interesting. It is reassuring to know that there are specialists available in at least some Caribbean ports; thanks so much to the posters who shared that information.

Actually, ponch, retinal detachment is a very serious problem, and many people are at risk for this, especially older folks and those who have had cataract surgery.

Prompt treatment is essential. It is not "weird " for someone to ask if specialists are readily available and accessible at Caribbean ports.

Paul, thanks for asking the question, and Steve, thanks for your helpful response.