CRUISEFAN0001

Beyond was nice on our November 2022 cruise. 

Looking forward to APEX later in summer. Since that experience will be much more about the destinations stops, the ship becomes secondary in terms of specific differences from Beyond.to us - the Martini Bar area was nice on Beyond, but not worthy of a lot of hoopla.

Sorry to hear about the Quantum Skagway port move.

We're on sister ship Ovation, and Skagway remains on our itinerary as of today (ship is same size as Quantum). Looks like Royal chose Ovation to remain at Skagway and could only keep one of their bigger ships at that port site.

UPDATED TESTING (EASED) REQUIREMENTS ON CELBRITY CRUISES HERE:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/updated-us-travel-requirements

It's not out the realm of possibilities that the itinerary of ports could yet change again - in the past - a few cruises literally changed ports the day of departure and a few after departure (for a wide range of reasons beyond just COVID). We're going with the flow on this one...relax,  take a few shows, enjoy some meals, enjoy the ship and cruising.

On 9/21/2021 at 3:22 PM, nelblu said:

Booster shots ok'd for those 65 and over.

Yup.  We got all of our 3 vaccine shots (including the booster this past week) each at Publix Pharmacy.

8 minutes ago, Oxo said:

In the USA you can get the Pfizer Booster if you are 65 and older, too.

Yup - there's 2 of us here fully vaccinated earlier in 2021 and now both with the booster. Ready to come aboard again soon.

2 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Day 3- September 12, 2021, Juneau, Alaska

 

Ship’s arrival time 2:00pm.  We are in much calmer seas now.  We can

check out the ship some more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forecast for today is cloudy with chance of rain.

 

We took the Express shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier and hiked the Nugget Falls Trail which is 2 miles round trip.  There you will see the waterfall and as close as you can to the glacier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brings back nice memories from our trip there in 2014.  A must see for sure.

22 minutes ago, F27TW said:

Why that huge ugly opaque shield covering the stern of the ship?    Why block the view of the sea?   

 

 

A functional but not esthetically-appealing feature for many folks.

5 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Just got back from family visit to Georgia- Covid horrible in that state- Listening to many news channels.  We were very careful and hopefully, will not come down with Covid.  However some people not wearing masks in supermarkets and other indoor venues.  Florida also a mess- lack of hospital beds.

Watching the history of things here in Georgia...everyone we know has been vaccinated but as you stated...there are plenty of unvaccinated people still "running around rampant and foolishly"  Most in stores are masked, but we still see a fair number of unmasked people there.  What we do know is that as of a week ago...97% of those hospitalized in Georgia with COVID are unvaccinated people...so one would think the rest would wake up and stop putting everyone else at risk as well. On our Florida trip last month...similar situations on both the masks or no masks and hospitalized.

Overall following some care in distancing, masks, and having been vaccinated...we shop, eat out, travel, and are 90% back to do what we wish - and its been that way for virtually all this year for us.  Our next cruise is coming up in a couple months...and we have every intention of getting our booster prior, and getting our testing done - life is full steam ahead.

5 hours ago, loman said:

What i find surprising is the lack of flexibility with such trivial things as not having your favorite soda or brand of water for only a week. A week goes by pretty fast. 

Having choices is certainly a good thing.

On 8/31/2021 at 2:13 PM, Lloyd555 said:

Seeing the French flag on the stern of the ship for the first time. 🇨🇵

📷 Christian Plagué 

 

 

 

This really brings out a strong desire to do the "bubble wrap pop"...

14 hours ago, spunks said:

good thing I just drink the tap water in the cabin.....then again most everybody else is also drinking tap water from plastic bottles....

Indeed.  The bottled water snobs will never be happy regardless of what brand is provided.

18 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’m tapping out. Water pun on purpose. 

That's interesting because some of us thought you looked a bit flushed.

On 8/22/2021 at 8:15 AM, A&L_Ont said:

Fact… ship toilet water probably tastes better than Dasani. 

Speaking for your experience most likely...

Ginormous of the Seas

6 hours ago, PhoenixCruiser said:

Hope so!

Indeed.

3 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Marriage has perks!    

Cruise points can't possibly be the best perks...if so....well...you know...

8 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

 

Both St Thomas and Bahamas requirements have exceptions for this under the age of 12, which will change when the 5-11 year old group becomes eligible for vaccine. 

Then again...stay tuned....stipulations will all likely change several more times by year end (based on the last few months).

If you purchased travel insurance through Royal...it will be listed on your cruise documents.

Yeah...for trips of that length...at least 2 days in advance makes sense.  Totally agree that with transfers, etc....plenty can delay flights. Time zone differences also come into play.

For our 1 hour nonstop flight to our most common port...same day is very low risk.

I read this thread with great interest.

As a surviving cancer patient, my spouse went through Chemo and other related treatments for some time.  During that period - we actually tried 17 different types of water, since her taste sensors changed drastically during that timeframe.

Evian, Deer Park, and Aquafina were 3 of the brands nearly immediately eliminated based on "tasting bad" during the cancer treatment time.

Interestingly, Dasani was the ONLY brand bottled water that she could drink for more than a 1-year period, and still does to this day (after her taste sensations returned following cancer treatment.

In contrast...to me....all bottled water tastes so much the same that blindfolded I could never taste any difference (I tried all 17 of the same brands my wife tried).

I'm also reminded of the Clark Howard (Consumer Advocate) position that bottled water is one of the biggest ripoffs in America. It costs about 3.75 centers to produce 1 bottle, yet a gallon of bottled water costs more than a gallon of gas in most locations.  A case (on sale) of bottled water now lasts us about a month. We'll even refill them at times from the filtered refrigerator water tap. 

Evian or other...it's all just water.

Carnival might be doing folks a favor...with other cruise lines following at some point...

Eat Bacon - Uh....NO!

16 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

What about families/children?  I understand a vaccine will be  offered to 5-11 year olds sometime  this fall/winter.  That leaves children under 5. 

M

 

 

Their time in line (for vaccination) will come...but unfortunately not soon enough for some folks.

16 hours ago, forgotmyCCname said:

 

Nope! There are still going to be masks in shops, public indoor areas , etc. it's all on the website. Despite everyone over 12 being vaxed there will be plenty of kids under 12 and the cruises are not 100 vax

With St. Thomas & Bahamas mandating vax cards...and other destinations following suit soon...it's only a matter of time before Royal no longer accepts unvaxxed passengers (thankfully).

22 hours ago, dasi11 said:

I went to my prescription refill company on line and checked my history.  Sure enough my vaccine shots show up in the history.  I was worried since Walmart spelled my first and last name on my first vaccine card incorrectly.  I did not see it until the second shot.  Then they tore it up and asked me to spell it for them.  They filled out a new card and handed it to me.  I was worried the incorrect spelling might still be in the system.  I have a photo of both cards in my phone just for the record.

I just printed out my financial summary from caremark and it shows both shots!  I just put it with my cruise documents just in case I need it.  I want to cruise!  

If you were asked for your drug insurance card, it should be in the insurance system.  It could be a backup for proof.  

Great - and not surprised.  I can pull up my insurance provider app, and it has the full info on our COVID vaccinations.  So does the pharmacy account record.  Also have our cards in photos on our phone, as well as the originals laminated. Getting a new card with a booster if/when needed.