laura85

I’m nearby in the Inland Empire and can’t find any rapid tests at cvs, Walgreens, Walmart or even through my health insurance, Kaiser. 
 

We are going to a local urgent care tomorrow morning, but they charge $100. Today on the phone this location told me they can’t guarantee I get a test tomorrow due to low supplies and being short staffed. 
 

At this rate, we may not get a test before our Friday cruise out of Los Angeles. 
 

So, no I don’t know any places for a free test… or even a guaranteed paid test! There seems to be a real shortage in SoCal. 
 I’m definitely interested in any suggestions!!!! 

6 hours ago, Ashland said:

Navigator has been amped and we're very much looking forward to sailing on her in January.

Of course it doesn't hurt that it will be our first post covid cruise and she's sailing from our home port.

I'm sure you'll enjoy RCI OP.

Same! We are so excited to finally have Royal back in So Cal! 
 

We’ve only sailed Royal and Princess. I’ve been happy with both overall. Like others have said, Royal typically has more activities going on. And certainly more physical activities- rock walk, water slides, ice skating and more. Even with a more festive atmosphere, I’ve never found it to be too much of a “party” cruise. 
 

However, this will be my first time doing a 3 night cruise. I’ve always heard them referred to as “booze cruises”. Since we are leaving the kids at home - that nickname may prove to be (somewhat) accurate for us! 
 

One thing I really love about Royal vs Princess is the Royal Promenade. To me, this always feels like the heart of the ship, and it is something I do miss on Princess. 

We were booked for a Crown Loft Suite in June of 2022. Like so many others, we have been moved to a Junior Suite on Wonder. 
 

We will definitely be canceling. There is just no comparison. The CLS is huge and has a second bathroom, these were huge factors since were traveling with 2 kids. Also the proximity to the Coastal Kitchen and Suite Lounge were a large consideration for booking the CLS. We had a decent price when we originally booked. However that same price just cannot justify a Junior Suite for us. 
 

It’s unfortunate since this would have been our first post-covid trip with several other family members on this sailing. In hindsight, we would have just been better off booking a balcony room. The balcony rooms are now going for almost double of what we would’ve originally paid! 
 

I understand things from Royal’s perspective, and knew booking a cruise was a gamble due to Covid. So while we are disappointed, we are glad we can get a full refund. 

Are you booked with a travel agent

 

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No we each made our own booking straight through the royal caribbean website.

Thank you cb at sea. At this point I am just worried that if we wait until we get on the ship, everything will be full and we won't be able to switch anything so we can dine together? That would really be a damper on our trip.

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Yes At this point they are telling us to switch to my time and all that is left is 5:30.

And with my time dining they have said they will not take the kids to adventure ocean.

Thank you for your input. I will try that email. Every time we cal we get conflicting info.

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We are sailing on the Harmony in just over a week.

We are a family of 3, traveling with another family of 4 (we have our reservations linked online).

We both originally had My Time Dining, and we were both on the Tradition dining wait-list.

Now, my family has been moved to Traditional Dining, while our friends are still on My Time. We have called several times to have our friends also moved to traditional dining, and the phone reps told us no. (This is frustrating because our reservations are linked. Why would they split up our dining?)

Does anyone have any idea if we can have them changed to traditional dining with us once on board? Our entire group is 4 adults and 3 kids. We wanted the early traditional dining so we can take advantage of the "My family Time dining" (they get the kids food out quickly, then take the kids to Adventure Ocean so the parents can finish dinner at a more leisurely pace without boring the youngsters).

We really don't want to be split up from our group every night. Thanks in advance for any info/advice.

This sounds amazing! Does anyone know a website for this zoo?

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This practice sounds in incredibly wrong to me. Hypothetically, what if a customer books one of these low glitch rates and then goes ahead and gets airline tickets, requests work off, maybe buys some new clothes etc for the cruise. Then royal calls them with this scam. Pay more, or your stuck with all the airlines tickets and other purchases you made. I sure would be angry if this happened to me. Luckily, we are paying an arm and a leg for our upcoming Harmony cruise so they haven't tried this on us.

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I worried so much about DS falling out on our last cruise (he was almost 5.5 at the time). At home, he has been known to fall off the bed occasionally. I would put a pillow longways towards the outside edge, and that coupled with the rail kept him on just fine! He never fell out and loved sleeping up on the Pullman! Such a fun memory :)

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I don't know about splash park on the ship, but I do know DS always hated splash pads when he was that little.

There will definitely be lots of stuff for your baby to look at all over the ship!

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I usually bring back food to the room several times on a cruise, mainly for DS. I use the stairs, and never run in to a lot of people. Never worry about someone coming too close and sneezing, and I'm not about to start to.

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Enjoying your review so far!! I like your succinct breakdown and grading system!!

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As a female, there are many times I am in an outfit with no pockets! Dress, skirt, even many pants or shorts!

I still will probably bring a lanyard with a clear plastic pouch. Knowing me, I'd manage to punch the hole in the wrong spot!

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I've never even noticed the water pressure in the bathroom sink on a cruise.

I suppose I'm too busy squeezing myself into the tiny showers! Oh, and enjoying my fabulous vacation [emoji106]

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I love adults only vacations when we can leave DS (age 6) at home with family!! I wonder if the more pricey lines like crystal, or other smaller ships have less kids? I always thought we'd try one of those when we don't bring DS for some reason.

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I like just about everything!

I'm still a bit of a newbie cruiser, and have only sailed on Princess and Royal Caribbean. I prefer Royal because it seems to be a more active, fun, young cruising experience. With physical activities, ice skating, rock wall, etc. And it is still very family friendly for kids. I loved the Royal promenade, and can't wait to experience all of the different neighborhoods on Harmony.

I'm definitely open to trying other lines. Perhaps a more all-inclusive line?(when I can live DS at home), or another "fun" type line such as Carnival or NCL.

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Oh wow those all look amazing! Can't wait to go on the Harmony in June!

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I like bingo,but have never played on a ship. It sounds like I'd be doing it more for the experience than for a huge prize. Do they only have the electronic machines? Or can you get paper cards as well? I get bored if I don't at least have one paper card!!

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This has got to be the most entertaining post I've ever seen on here!!!

How dare a cruise line not provide me with adequate privacy for sex, when I book teenagers in the same small room as me! Lol!

I do find all the hard sales going on around ships to be tacky, but I don't give it much of a thought other than to walk on by and enjoy my vacation. I've found the selling on Princess to be more intense than Royal!!!

It never ceases to amaze me. I can go on a fabulous trip, roll with the punches, and be thankful for the opportunity. Another person can be on that same cruise and have nothing but complaints.

Some people just aren't happy... unless they have something to be unhappy about!

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I don't think it's the end of the world. Hopefully if you complain to royal Caribbean, they will be more mindful of movies shown in areas focused on kids.

I do wonder if movies are directed by strict corporate policy, or if there is just some random employee who pushes play on whatever they feel like? This sounds like it could have been an oversight?

There are definitely worse things that could happen, on a cruise or at home. Don't sweat the small stuff :)

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Ships that use RFID technology instead of the magnetic strip cards use cards that have an antenna all the way around the card and a chip inside. Those cards are significantly more expensive than simple mag strip cards. It could easily render the card useless if the hole was punched in the wrong place.

 

 

 

dp

Awesome reply, thanks! I had no idea- and this is very interesting to know!

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I'll be on the Harmony for the first time in June. Have definitely been considering a wow band, especially for my 6 year old. Usually we do punch a hole in our cards, or put them in a clear pocket on a lanyard. Why can't you punch a hole in the Harmony card?

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From my own experience, I would not want to take a baby on a cruise. That's not a vacation for this mom! Lol

Once they are old enough for a nursery program or a kids program onboard, then it's well worth their cruise fare! And it's an awesome trip... fun family time with the kids and some "me time"!

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I make really good guac too! But the class (at least on Harmony) includes tequila tasting, lunch at Sabor and 1 adult beverage. I think it sounds fun, and maybe I will learn a new trick to add to my guac!

From the website:

Become a green, mean guacamole machine and observe the step-by-step process of preparing this renowned avocado-based staple just like we do at Sabor. Then enjoy an authentic lunch paired with a margarita or Mexican beer.

• Watch the step-by-step preparation and secrets in making authentic Guacamole.
  
• You will also enjoy a sip of three Tequilas to gain knowledge of their history and how they can be infused into our signature Margaritas.
  
• At lunch time experience the fresh made Guacamole, Salsa's and a Chef selected lunch menu featuring Sabor's most popular dishes. Buen Provecho!