crosby99

7 hours ago, Cool1054 said:

 

Yeah, it's closed currently. Will need to be at a higher capacity before it's worth having it open. 

Closed until capacity increases. Also, Windjammer closed for dinner.

7 hours ago, Pandamonia said:

 

I judge my holidays on how much fun i have and how enjoyable they are. Not based on some useless fake covid safety measures that make 0.1% difference in the chance of being infected. 

 

Did you get in a lift with other people or after there were other people in the lift? Because right at that point all those safety measures were worth zilch other than the vaccines everyone has had. 

What a strange and antagonistic reply. If you judge your holiday one way then reply on a post surrounding that.

You are wrong if you don’t think a cruise line can reduce risk when on vacation
There is always a risk but it is how a company chooses to manage risk

Risk can be reduced.

Do you really think the only way a company can manage risk is by giving vaccines?

IMO I was more convinced how that that risk was managed by RCCL compared to Disney. Less crowds, more social distancing, improved healthcare facilities, improved filtration on AC, staff all vaccinated etc. etc. Contributes to reducing that risk.

Royal Caribbean have put a lot of effort into getting sailing once more and it is worth giving them credit.

We are just off the Disney Magic after the week before being on Anthem. Getting a big cruising fix 😀

Royal Caribbean was, except for the odd PCR testing policy, so much more on the ball than Disney. 

I felt 100% safe on Anthem and would still have done with a significantly increased capacity. Unfortunately we didn't feel at all safe on the Disney Magic(not all staff are even vaccinated!)

Everything Royal Caribbean have introduced seems so much better including the improved AC, safety procedures, dining arrangements, entertainment and a much better App.

The Anthem was brilliant and tempted to book again if time and budget allows

We are currently on Anthem. I would have written regular posts, but WiFi seems to be struggling with number using App!

You can’t book any shows until you are authorised to board in Southampton. Availability is very good for all shows. Only problem is North Star and Skydiving which sea days are exclusively pay for experiences!

Have the drinks vouchers been confirmed now for all cruises or is it just Adventure?

Trying to decide whether it is worth cancelling our drinks package on Anthem next week

3 minutes ago, Highpeaklad said:

I still haven’t received anything for the 15th sailing. Luckily I’m off work and in the North West of England so hopefully shouldn’t have to go far. 
 

I’m still annoyed as I’m supposed to be holidaying in the North East and the nearest test centre is in Harrogate, a 2 hour drive away. 
 

I’m stressed out about it all as it is - if I was supposed to be at work my stress levels would be through the roof!

 

Lateral flow testing before boarding seems a much better way to organise it! 

We were meant to be in Orlando this week. We are staying in a lodge in Shropshire for a few days, then going to Watford to visit Warner Brother Studios Tour. The PCR test is going to probably have to be done the day we travel between Shropshire and Watford. The only other date is the day we have booked to do the studios tour.

I have seen a Eurofins list and Birmingham Airport seems the best bet, but it is a lot of hassle when you are planning to arrange other parts of your holiday. To be fair if I was at work it would be even more stressful

1 hour ago, BigRoger said:

Have people seen the X note about Eurofins struggling to deliver PCR tests before sail date? It was posted on ‘the other place’… I’ll get a copy if people want? It says to go to the port on sail day even if your results are not through from Eurofins…..

Be good to see info if you have it

I still have not received my email for 15th sailing. RCCL said yesterday will be in next couple of days. I wonder if they might change their strategy if they are struggling

We also have a cruise booked with Disney. Disney's testing does make a bit more sense. Kids do the PCR, those vaccinated don't, and everyone has lateral flow at port. RCCL those vaccinated do PCR and kids do lat flow at port

1 hour ago, strickers said:

Do you need special travel

insurance? As long as you are not travelling against FCDO which you aren’t then surely any insurance is OK?

Some policies(mainly cheap ones) don't provide cover for cruises, and charge you a supplement if you require.

However, the majority of annual polices are suitable for these cruises

1 hour ago, Trixie21 said:

I contacted RCI about this and they assured me that both can  be booked at no extra charge onboard the ship - if reserving in advance of the cruise you pay , and you get a bit of extra time .

I think if you book the extended experience the North Star goes over the side of the ship rather than just straight up. Not sure worth £15.20 though

4 hours ago, strickers said:

Our invitations for the test arrived at 7.30pm 13 days before the 7th July cruise.

3 hours ago, crosby99 said:

In 2 hours then(hopefully) 😀

Well, still nothing. Hopefully will be soon.

Incidentally, the cruise is back on sale this evening. Presumably managed to get below the 1000 or they are going with the MSC plan of increasing capacity.

Finally, noticed Solarium Bistro no longer seems bookable for evening dinner. Pity, as enjoyed that last time was on Anthem

56 minutes ago, strickers said:

Our invitations for the test arrived at 7.30pm 13 days before the 7th July cruise.

In 2 hours then(hopefully) 😀

We are due to sail on the 15th. Not heard about PCR tests yet, despite being 13 days until depart. Has anyone heard anything?

well if there are two more besides the announced 5 Oasis, I hope they remove the ugly PINK slide.

Completely agree. I had hoped it would be a one-of on Harmony but sadly not :(

Recently back from this cruise.

Really enjoyed it.

Kid facilities first class and dining was superb.

Would certainly do Disney again...just wish it wasn't so expensive

That seems to be the major change with the newest menu.

Oh dear...we are sailing with my parents too. My father is not going to like this at all.

Might have to tell him in advance to stop 1st night complaining

Love the Metropol in Isla Verde. Check out their website menu. They have some awesome specialties like the smoked chicken, cornish game hen, pork or lamb chops and of course, never, never pass on the sweet plantains!!!

We did the Metropol at the Sheridon Hotel & Casino. Ridiculous size portion of good but not great food. Would probably go again

Don’t leave the ship without purchasing a placeholder for a future cruise. Fully refundable and entitles you to 10% off your next cruise and $100-200 in OBC on your next cruise depending on length. Disney doesn’t discount or run specials like other cruise lines, so the placeholder or on board booking of a future cruise is key to keeping DCL costs down.

 

 

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Sounds interesting. How much is the placeholder?

Disney is far superior to RCCL in every way and it is ridiculously expensive. If money is not an issue you’ll never cruise with RCCL again.

 

Book what you can in advance through the website as things do tend to fill up.

 

 

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Agree over the ridiculously expensive.

Reason to start with a 3 day. Although the Star Wars Cruise was so tempting £8000/$11000 dollars wasn't

Yippee, we have booked our first Disney cruise.

Sailing on the Wonder 29th March.

Not long on board so what would be your must-do? What will convince me to ditch RCCL in future?

We had some fantastic Tapas in San Juan.

Would recognise the bar as soon as I saw it. No idea what it was called though. Seem to recollect it was near a Starbucks

Looks interesting. Our next cruise is Oasis so will be interested to try these menus.

However, do you now have to order dessert at the same time? I don't like that at all

Book your Aqua Theater shows for early in your cruise as they are the only shows that are cancelled by bad weather or rough seas.

Top tip always book for one of the first nights (y)

You can usually start booking shows about 90 days out. I would recommend booking the Comedy Club as soon as it opens. It is a small venue & fills up very fast.

Is there still 2 comedians on board or is t down to 1?

So still no concrete announcements for UK departure from 2019? Wouldn’t be surprised if RCCL pull out of the UK market altogether due to this Brexit nonsense

 

Looks like it’s the inconvenience of short haul to Europe or Long Haul to US East Coast... Yay for living outside of London :-(

Unlikely they have recently invested in the terminal and have a contract until 2023 http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14507785.Biggest_cruise_ship_in_the_world_leaves___200million_legacy_for_Southampton/

Absolutely Allure for me. Still my favourite ship.

Would rather do a few days less