Blizzard54

We were also on the 11/21 and 12/5 sailings.   The first week we went into the DL to say hello to Mario and he was so busy with the crowd that we waited until later in the week to try again.  We did spend some time in Jazz that week.  We found the furniture in Jazz to not be very comfortable.  The second week we spent some time in each of the lounges.  Both weeks we never saw very many people in Jazz.  We only wear our pinns on boarding day and to Top Tier and P lunch.     

If they are fully vaxed 14 days before sailing they do not need a test the day of sailing.  They need the same as a vaxed adult.  Either PCR or antigen test within 2 days of sailing.  On our recent string of sailings, I received numerous emails about setting up day of sailing testing for those that are unvaxed.  We just ignored them.  

On 12/7/2021 at 12:20 PM, serious sealeggs said:

NO STRAWS on RCL anymore. If you order mixed drinks cocktails or even soda you will not get a straw. If fact you can’t find them anywhere not even a stirrer. So if you want them plan to bring your own. I did find a waiter in the casino who happened to discreetly give me a paper straw but no where else.  So plan accordingly. 

We were on for 2 weeks, ending 12/5, straws were available, you just needed to ask.

They really swung for the fences on this one.  

I can not imagine there will too many that book the whole thing.  Some of the 4 segments look interesting.

Yes it can be done with one device.  We have done that a couple times now.  It would not be a bad idea to have it on 2 just in case something like your battery dies when you are checking in at the pier.

2 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Plenty of time I hope to do it and get down here. Fingers crossed she'll take over the 7 nighter's for Mexico and or some new itineraries from here.

It would be nice but were are pretty booked up this winter.  Not sure if I could take advantage of it.

17 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

While the Ovation is sitting here in Seattle, they are going to retrofit her to accommodate shore power needed in Calif. 

Still sitting at Pier 91.

That would be great to do the retrofit.   I see that it is still here this morning.

5 hours ago, coaster said:

Did he really say lifetime? Did he originally post this below? Sounds like a carnival barker to me. Unlike Royal who many of us respect. Someone please correct me. if he did not post this.....

 

Get ready for the news of a lifetime. A big announcement is on the horizon. 🌎 Stay tuned!

I know I saw that but it have since been revised. 

3 hours ago, grahaminca said:

Do you know if Royal Caribbean on board the Symphony of the Seas conduct a free Covid PCR test prior to disembarking for international travellers returning home to Canada?

There is no charge for those needing a test for travel or moving to another ship that day or the next day.  Contact Guest Services to sign up for it.  That give you the test the last full day of the cruise.

2 hours ago, LUVTRAVEL6 said:

Thank you for this review Lioness! 

 

Can you tell us if they have had the Love and Marriage Game Show or Quest this week?

 

Thank you!

I do not expect we will see Quest on any ships for a while.  

Following along.   We will be boarding the Symphony 10/30 for a B2B.

Sounds like they are doing some things differently than we recently experienced on the Ovation and Serenade. 

Last month I got mine for Serenade 4 days before sailing.

With double points and some JS's we will be getting 4 blocks in 6 months.

The biggest problem I have with inside cabins is that I am not spending as much and my bank account grows.  I then have to book more cruises to keep my account at a reasonable level.

22 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I like the cut of your jib

 

Of course you get more props offing a Pin

are you volunteering?

17 hours ago, Ashland said:

Thanks for letting us know we can stop hoping Ovation will come to the west coast...Oh well!

It does come to the west coast, just not California.  🙂

17 hours ago, crzndeb said:

I was on the Explorer for a Pac Coastal in 2017, and I think they did 3 cruises. I know about the shore power thing, but are ships allowed a certain number of trips, and not fall under those rules?

I did some of those as well.  Current California rules allow 5 port stops per year without shore power.

16 hours ago, Ashland said:

What you read may have been true at first but I believe is no longer the case....also it's been posted no self serve..crew serves....but some recent pics show some items you can serve yourself.

Yes for items that are pre plated on small plates.

On 9/11/2021 at 1:12 PM, Kathscof said:

 

For a cruise to Alaska, your toes might get cold 🙂

I just wore Crocs and socks the whole cruise.

I spoke to a number of staff onboard last week.  Nothing is for sure yet but Alaska will wrap up.  I really doubt they will stay around the west coast.  The seas get rough on the Washington coast soon.  Because of shore power requirements California is not an option.  I assume they will head south and hang out until they can sail with passengers. 

On 9/11/2021 at 11:25 AM, Ocean Boy said:

Well, that statement coupled with keeping the Windjammer closed for dinner doesn't make much sense to me. 

 

I still suspect the issue is lack of demand.

My comment was based on what I was told onboard.  It may also have to do with staffing.  When the WJ is open it does require more staffing to operate with the protocols.  

They also showed the Thursday night game in the Music Hall on a big screen. 

Last month they canceled our 4/22 TP.  They did offer L&S.  So far it seems to be on a cruise by cruise basis if they cancel it.   

They have not yet installed the 2nd show.  They are working on it.  The female comedian is no longer onboard.  There is another male.  We were able to get everything on the app before we boarded the ship that morning so we could sort it all out prior to boarding.

We just got off the Ovation to Alaska.  There were a few dress up but not very many.