alleghator

We will be there this summer, and we're planning to rent a car and tour around for several hours. Hammershus, round churches, countryside....

Flying into Gatwick in July, landing at 11:45. Debating car service vs train to get to Southampton. Embarkation isn't until the following day.

I booked two beach beds (one a few months ago and one today). Since they are for bookings that are linked (my cabin and my daughter’s cabin), will the beds be near one another?

Thank you for your great review! How long does the balloon ride last on Coco Cay?

Our ship visits Bermuda on August 19-20. Still no Orange ferries. 😢

I'm curious about what time you actually sail out of Baltimore and the times you arrive and leave each of the islands.

22 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

We have never used the app for anything.  We also don't log on at midnight, nor try to secure an arrival time first.  We've never had a problem doing it all at leisure.

That’s great for you! It’s not what I was asking, but I’m glad it works for you. 

I have no issues with online check in, but I’m trying to prepare someone in our group who has never cruised before. Our check-in date is July 3. 
 

Is it true we can stay up to just past midnight tomorrow (July 2) and then check in at 12:01am?

Is it true we can secure a check in time without passport/selfie/etc and add that stuff in later?

What differences are there in the process on the app vs the web?

Thank you!

We had good reception on Verizon the whole embarkation day, even after sail away. I put my phone on airplane mode at bedtime (11pm).

Parking in Baltimore is very easy and convenient, right by the ship. Drive in, drop your checked luggage with the porters, then go through the gate and park. Walk into the terminal. Easy peasy.

My hubby and I are booked on this 15-day cruise also! I was wondering about the way this would work for those of use boarding this late in the worldwide tour.

I've sailed on Carnival and RC and each has its perks. I don't really understand the disparaging "Wal-Mart" comments that are so frequently thrown at Carnival.

Some of the things Carnival does better than RC ... more variety and options for included food. Better organization and coordination of games and recreation events (trivia, other group contests). Some of the things RC does better than Carnival ... better signage, slightly more elegant decor.

Everything else we found to be roughly the same. I think the biggest differences in clientele are not going to be found between these two cruise lines overall, but between itineraries and what time of year you sail.

When I had Covid this past December, my doctor immediately prescribed Paxlovid. My severe flu-like symptoms went away completely within 48 hours. I continued to isolate as recommended. The risk factors for Covid co-morbidity are not all immediately-life-threatening-you-should-never-cruise-again conditions. Asthma, age over 50, BMI over 30, etc .... MAAAAANNNNY cruisers fall into one or more of these categories.

Before my next cruise (a 9-day in August), I'm going to see if my doc will prescribe me Paxlovid to take along, just in case. If I test positive at any point, I'll be able to take care of myself. And, if my isolation period ends while I'm still onboard, I know I'll feel well enough to enjoy what's left of my vacation.

I have an interior, deck two. But my friends are booking an exterior cabin, not sure what deck.

How many outlets are in the cabin? In the pictures, I see one by the desk. Is there another by the bed?

Do the cabins have a minifridge?

Thanks!

FYI, everyone… 

30 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

It's a private "island". RC isn't going to make people test to go there and Haiti has no leverage to require it.

I'd hate to get there and be unable to disembark based on a hunch. Is this policy written out anywhere?

Thank you!

I also asked this on the Private Islands board, but it gets very little traffic, so my apologies for double-posting ...

With RC dropping the testing requirements for shorter cruises, what will happen with Labadee? I had heard that Haiti requires a negative test before disembarking. Is this true? Even with Labadee being an RC property? Not sure what to expect for my upcoming cruise (5-nighter departing on August 8, Labadee and Coco Cay).

Royal Caribbean has dropped pre-cruise testing for short cruises departing August 8 or later. (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center?icid=hlthys_wrnssn_hlt_nbrdxp_pghdr_3467)

I thought I'd read that Haiti requires a negative Covid test. Can anyone verify this? Does Labadee count, since it's a private RC space?

I think this is a great step in the right direction. Easing into it to see how it goes -- how many passengers and crew stay healthy before relaxing things further. They certainly can't provide the cruising experience we all love if they can't staff their ships.

Looks like we will all be good to forgo testing for our 5-night cruise on August 8, but until RC changes the info on their website, I'm not relaxing completely.

We've cruised several times, but always on Carnival. Upcoming is our first RC cruise.

Is the escape room on Mariner open? When/how do we book this? Is there any additional fee?

What is the deal with Johnny Rockets? Is there an upcharge? Is it per item or a flat fee (I've seen mixed messages on this) Does our refreshment package apply if we just want beverages at Johnny Rockets, but not food?

We are big piano bar fans on Carnival ... for anyone who has cruised both cruiselines, how do the RC piano bars (The Schooner Bar, right?) compare?

Thanks!

We're big piano bar fans and are sailing on Sunday. Have you been to the piano bar? Anything to report in that regard?