mbjonsn

1 minute ago, GJustice said:

Still moored at the moment - 

Was sail away supposed to be at 5:00?

22 minutes ago, dominicr said:

check in was really smooth.   Took awhile to wait for under 12 covid tests but everyone else got on pretty quick.  Doesn’t seem like they have a lot of  kinks 

Awesome. If you get a chance, can you post the daily Cruise Compass…front page and entertainment highlights is mainly what I’m looking for. That would be awesome!  TIA

Just now, dominicr said:

Ask questions and I’ll try to answer as I can.   I’m on the boat right now but chasing 2 little kids.  

Wonderful! Thank you.  
How was the checkin process?  Quick, organized, easy?  Or something else?  

I’ve been hoping someone would do a live review. But, if not, please give the rest of us updates. I sail in 2 short weeks and I cannot wait!

Does anyone who has cruised recently have any up-to-date pricing?

4 minutes ago, Katnisslove said:

Hi.  I was wondering if the ships that were scheduled to stop at Grand Cayman this month actually did?  I have a cruise booked for Nov on another line and it still has Grand Cayman on the itinerary. Just trying to plan and see if it will probably be changed to another sea day or if we will actually get there.  Thank you!! 

I’m pretty sure Grand Cayman is still closed. 
https://cruiseradio.net/grand-cayman-cruise-ships-early-2022/

42 minutes ago, molly361 said:

What ship?  On the Mariner last month the only one of the above that had seats at the bar was theSolarium.

As the Solarium is only available to guests who have been vaccinated and are not traveling with children who are not, this makes complete sense to me. 

We bring our own bottle opener, open the bottle in our room and pour a glass to take to dinner.  We have never attempted to take the bottle with us to the dining room, however. I would be interested to see if you did, would they waive the fee?  I would think so, but who knows?  🤷‍♀️

53 minutes ago, dominicr said:

Now the site says crew only…..approved for simulation.  
 

 

So, what exactly does this mean?  Ugh!  This is stressful! 😭 😂 

4 minutes ago, dwayneb236 said:

Our favorite excursion.. 

ours, too!

5 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Katy McCullagh



 

 

Currently Cruise Director at Royal Caribbean International British Female Entertainer, Actor, Dancer, Model and Brand Ambassador. Spotlight View Pin 1178-0193-7847

 

👍thanks!

5 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

Katy (didn’t get her last name). 

Thanks!

Oh!  And who is the cruise director?  I assume it will be the same person a month from now!

6 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

 

checkin was a breeze. So much so that I realized I’d forgotten something in the car (happily we are in POG Express Parking) so I got off, went to the car to retrieve the missing item, then strolled back on. The entire process took maybe 15 minutes. 

weve not been to any shows as the only performances are at 9:45 nightly and that doesn’t work for us as early as we get up in the morning. That said, the ap shows attendance by reservation only. Each time I looked, reservations showed to be available. 

dinner I’m the MDR is the same, reservations required. Windjammer closed for dinner. 
 

no temperature checks at any time during the entire sailing. 
 

we never used room service. 

 

feels like a ghost ship!!

Great info. Thanks!

18 minutes ago, jcc1025 said:

We did the Independence in its first pay cruise out of Galveston in Auguest and it was great. We had a 7 year old with us and were restricted to ship excursions so we did the Fury catamarian cruise to a private beach, which we had never done befor and it was great. 

Thanks for the info!

Looking forward to any and all updates on this!  We sail in just 4 weeks!  Praying all goes well and Liberty can begin cruising again for real!  Oh, and how are things in Cozumel?  Did anyone do the bar hop??

12 minutes ago, PigsCanFly said:

We are also in a Junior Suite on the Oasis in September and our Set Sail Pass does not mention suite.  I wonder if Bayonne and Miami treat it differently?

 

I just checked our Nov Symphony Set Sail Pass for those Junior suites and they do not mention suite either.

I’m on the Liberty, which might be the difference. Bigger ships have bigger suites? 🤷‍♀️

2 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

 

If your boarding pass says suites on it than yes. I think that includes JS but don't know. Earliest checkin time varies by ship I think? But most of the ones I've seen posted on here were noon or later. 

Perfect. Thanks. Our boarding pass says suite. Maybe we’ll try to arrive at noon and see what happens. 

1 hour ago, smplybcause said:

Unfortunately Crown and Anchor status means nothing right now when it comes to embarkation. They are strictly keeping you to the time window you select at checkin. With the exception of those in suites can arrive up to an hour before or after your window. 

 

Some have been able to get in before their time period, but others are told to wait outside the terminal until their time. 

Does this include those in junior suites?  And what is the earliest check in time?  We’re scheduled for 12:30 currently. 

1 hour ago, ssb said:

No the walkway is under total renovation plans. You will need to just walk across Harborside .

Thanks so much for the reply.

I know this might be a silly question, but will this walkway be available to use the day of our cruise?  We are staying half a mile from the cruise terminal and we would like to walk. But if that overhead walkway isn’t available, there are no sidewalks on terminal side of  Harborside Drive that I can see on google maps. In that case, we would have to hire a cab or something to get us to the terminal. The walkway is connected to a public parking lot, so I assume we can use it. I just don’t want to get there and be totally wrong on my assumption! 😉

TIA!

On 9/2/2021 at 11:37 AM, Southwest said:

Thanks for the reply.  

 

Just wanted to let other cruisers know that we decided to go ahead and book with "Great VIP Limo", and we were glad that we did.  They provided a prompt quote via email using their on-line system.  I called the office to ask some questions about required deposit, refund policy, if gratuity and all fees were included, because that information did now appear in the emailed quote.  Sandra answered my call and was very helpful.  Right now they charge a $50 deposit that is not refundable to hold your booking. Sandra said it is their intention is to eventually allow for refunds if given advance notice of cancellation, but that would be after they are fully up and running after the pandemic is finally something they aren't having to deal with.  The balance of the booking price was charged on the business day before the ride took place.  The gratuity was not included in the quote, I paid that directly to the driver after each ride.  I imagine companies are having to adapt their procedures to fit these ever changing circumstances, so asking about cancellation policies and what is included in the fare is a good idea with any company you are getting a quote from.

 

We were a party of 5 adults, we flew in the night before the cruise and stayed in a hotel near IAH.  Our driver arrived approximately 15 minutes before our scheduled pick up time outside the front door.  We were in the lobby ready to go.  The driver loaded our luggage into the back of the Suburban and we had a nice, comfortable ride to Galveston. There was bottled water available for us and the vehicle was clean.   At the end of the cruise we followed the instructions we had been given to meet up with our driver.  Once again we were ready a bit earlier than our scheduled ride, but we contacted the company and the driver was around the corner waiting for the pick up time, so he came on over to the pier ahead of schedule and we were on our way to IAH.  

 

We were traveling on a Sunday for both rides and it took about an hour way.  The driver mentioned that the ride can take longer on other days of the week because of higher traffic volume and highway construction that is often taking place.  We saw various areas where construction was in process, but no crews were working on the mornings we were traveling and there were no lane closures. 

 

If I am in the Houston area in the future and need private transportation, I would choose Great VIP Limo again.  I was pleased with their service.

How did you find your driver?  I’m curious how you knew what car he was in. 
I have requested a quote from them, so thanks for all the information!

I’m all checked in now, finally. It opened up for me on Thursday. Happy sailing, all!

On 9/3/2021 at 9:27 AM, Merion_Mom said:

Perhaps try a different device or different browser.  This shouldn't be the answer, but sometimes, it is.  🙂 

I did, hoping that would work before I made this post.  But it didn’t work. Thanks for the suggestion, however!

On 9/3/2021 at 10:01 AM, TheBucketLister said:

 

Exactly.  Every ship, as well as sailing month have varying check-in times.  Unfortunately, I don't think they publish this anywhere, and you can only get that from your TA or calling Royal directly.  The emails and the Cruise Planner show the typical dates, but those different dates, that vary from how far out you can actually check-in, aren't factored in.  Plus Royal has had some system issues today with check-ins (I tried accessing my already checked in cruise and got an error), so it may just be a temporary issue.

Thanks so much. I’ll keep checking, and if it still isn’t available on Tuesday, I’ll call my TA.