sandy toes

Adventure Ocean provides a different colored wrist band at sign up on the first day. They do not "do" anything. Their main purpose is to allow kids to be gathered up and "herded" (sorry for that word) toward the lifeboats in an emergency. They can also be a quick way to count the kids in the different leveled programs when outside of Adventure Ocean doing a parade, of scavenger hunt.

AMEN!

leaveitallbehind: you said that so well. Staffing is such a tough thing in this post Covid era. To recruit, hire, train, place and then, do some micro training specific to the individual ship is a challenge. Now, add to that, individual crew members becoming ill, not just with Covid but with all the standard issues. What was already a tight crew becomes short and even has the potential for a nightmare fairly quick. The BOGO seems to be ship and itinerary specific if you read some threads. I have found whenever I felt any upset, talking to "The LA", or even a trip to guest services, would end with an OBC for whatever might be missing. Honestly, right now, during this start up, YES we are still in the start up phase, I am just so VERY happy to be on ship and to share a few smiles with friends, and a bit of conversation with the crew. I can eat in the MDR and be just fine with that, even if things are not back to 100%. The sea is a chill pill for me, walk up that ramp, onto the ship, drop things off in the cabin, walk around a bit and ahhh, as we sail away the chill has hit me like the scent of a lovely English garden...calm. Nothing, will dissolve that feeling, especial a missing BOGO.

You CAN use your phone for azova.com That is another proctored company that Royal does accept and they do use several different FDA tests. They also have 24/7 hrs for booking. $20/ea

Think that one has happened to everyone at least once.🙃

Same here. Next week's cruise has had the tour cancelled and cost was refunded. I think they were hoping, like all of us, that the numbers stay down. But they are climbing once again and they just want everyone to be safe and healthy. Maybe the Dec sailing will be OK? Maybe not until spring? Will catch it whenever it is back on.

Absolutely agree. Can't justify 2 drink packages in excess of vouchers. Just buy extra drinks as needed each day.

Leaving next week and this is one of the things I am looking forward to, lunch in a speciality restaurant and a nice glass of wine, voucher #1.

IF she isn't yet a driver and does not have a state issued drivers license, you can go get her a state issued ID card that is much like a license. We have one for the kids too young to drive. They have helped in so many situations. This has actually happened to me in the past. While the passport is the easiest and best ID to use when traveling, a closed loop cruise allows a birth certificate and drivers license to be used. Just bring all the items so you can be ready IF/when someone notices the date on your passport.

I did that too, called for the waiver numbers. We were given numbers for each in our party/family and now if we don't have all the emails we won't have the hold up at the port. Makes me feel much better as friends had an almost 3 hr wait will clearance was being done as they had an issue with their paperwork. Heavens. Glad there is one less thing to worry about. Really looking forward to this cruise with the family.

Had our 10 mo old on and she was limited to a zone for babies and toddlers, a few younger kids were there too. NO pools and there was a lot of regulation monitors during the sailing. Staff and MANY guests telling us and others where we could and could not allow her. We had planned to follow the rules and did follow them. It was frustrating to hear so many comments from adults that should have been focusing on their vacation and not ours.

You said last week, so give it a bit more time. As soon as it is read, and "approved" it will be posted. You can always use the link in the side bar that says "How to contact us" by LauraS, if still not showing after 2 weeks. Looking forward to reading it.

killtheump answered the Royal Up portion of your post perfectly. RE: the OBC, that usually shows up once on ship, usually sometime on the first full day(so, the day after you board). IF any issues, the folks at Guest services can contact your TA. I always take a copy(either print or pic save to my phone) that I can show Guest Services to "prove" that I do indeed have an OBC when none is showing up in my account.

Since you have a year to go, make sure you check the Black Friday Sale and the NY Sale. Both of those is where I have always found the very best deals.

Look for "proctored tests" in this same Royal Caribbean section of CC. There are several different sites that offer the tests as video/telemed type test, sending you results within 30 minutes via email PDF. There are various price ranges and even some that will use the free test kits we got from the USPS/government link.

I have a friend in my travel circle that routinely does this twice a year. She gets group rates, books, uses her sisters name and pays for both. It is less than the Single Occupancy rate. Then, she boards and just says her sister is coming on a different flight. The sister is a no show, and the port fees are returned to her credit card.

The separation of siblings, cousins, or even friends that travel together always causes issues. We have an 11 year old and she wants to be allowed with a 13 year old and she can't. It used to be worse, back a few years. Also, it is bad when you have a 17 year old and a 19 year old. They can do NOTHING together. The 19 year old (considered an adult) is not allowed anywhere near the kids activities and the 17 year old can't enter the adult dance clubs. When they are brother/sister it makes it rough.

Great plan. Yes. They will be refunded. In my experience, back to the card that originally paid, not to an OBC. Is their absence due to Covid? That is another issue. Royal may still be doing FCC for people with Covid. If not, contact the insurance company you used and notify them. You should get a full refund.

They are about $8 One by the pool or when at Perfect Day at Coco Cay is great. The teens love them. Our family favorites: Miami Vice Mojito Tropical Crush Pina Colada Mai Tai Coco Loco/same as the Labadoozie Lime and Coconut Izumi has a drink for teen but I cannot recall the name. Ask and they will make it. Has a bit of Sriracha

6 weeks ago, one check in to get the band and that was it. We went about 90 min after boarding the ship. The band allowed them to access other activities on ship throughout the cruise. Things keep evolving and I am not sure if there have been any changes. Just ask at sign up/check in. They made the teen programming fun for the kids. Hope y'all have a great cruise.

With everything Covid, it has been a learning process. Reimbursement was meant for medical reason, clearly not employment (something needed). The people that drew up that design probably never thought people would use it for holiday/travel/leisure activities. There have been MANY other programs designed during Covid that did not have every situation addressed, and were filled with loop holes, just as the one you found in this design. I do not feel that it is totally meant for this purpose and cannot do it. You have your own conscience guiding your choices.

Really? Did you not read what I wrote? Did you only focus on the highlighted sentence? PLEASE, read what I wrote. Testing was designed for exposure and symptom testing. Then, reimbursement was designed to offset the costs individuals had to pay, especially those without insurance. Now, we have people submitting for their holiday testing. Do you seriously think because there is a loop hole and it is sliding by that it is what you are supposed to be doing? That it will not lead to increased cost of premiums in the future? Misuse is a major cause of rate increases.

Thank you for thinking! There is a clear statement that they will not reimburse for employment. Logic says, they never even thought people would submit for their leisure activities. There are so many loopholes and every one makes insurance costs escalate.

The document you provided, clearly states Plans are not required to provide coverage of testing (including an at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 test) that is for employment purposes. Testing is set up for testing when exposed or showing symptoms and is set up to be reimbursed up to 8 test/month. Travel is a leisure activity. MHO, you are stretching the limits.

I got to meet a marketing executive for Royal a few month back, and was told that the "price is good far out, ... as the number purchased grow, the price increases to maintain a level of relaxed ambience at the Club". Sounded like a reasonable economic plan. I will look as far out as I can (at booking or within a week or 2) and if reasonable to my wallet, will book. Otherwise, I will utilize other parts of the island for my stay. My personal limit is $100/pp.