Coochuck

First time cruiseing since COVID.  Is the Diamond Lounge still open in the morning to make your own Latte's, etc?  

Great reading your posts.  We are driving to Port Canaveral from the Philadelphia Area next Thursday evening and boarding the Mardi Gras on 9/25.  Really looking forward to seeing all the new bells and whistles the ship has to offer.  Again thanks for such fantastic reporting on the ship.  One question...since we are driving...is it best to drop off our bags then go and park the car?

Should I be concerned, or will I be ok?  Just did online check in for our Mardi Gras 9/25 Cruise and noticed it when doc's printed out.

Thanks

Will the bartender's make frozen drinks on the pool deck with the classic package, or do  you have to upgrade?

As long as  you have a drink in your hand...no mask required....DRINK MORE...BE HAPPY WITH NO MASK!!

Just got notice from Royal that our March 2022 Australia / New Zealand cruise has been canceled.  

3 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

Celebrity has updated their Travel Protocol Requirements, you must provide a negative COVID test starting for sailings August 6 through September 6th.

 

All guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing.

For the Celebrity Equinox sailing of 8/1/21, pre-cruise testing in the terminal today will be optional for vaccinated guests and required for unvaccinated guests. This will be a complimentary rapid test and results will be available within 30 minutes. Additionally, as a reminder, all unvaccinated guests, under 12 years of age, must arrive at the terminal with a negative COVID-19 test result. For today’s embarkation, this test may have be taken as either a PCR test or an Antigen test, conducted within the past three days.  

For US sailings departing as of August 6, 2021 through September 6, 2021, all guests over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, will now be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result at the time of embarkation.  This test may be taken as either a PCR test or an Antigen test, conducted within 72 hours of embarkation.  Each guest is responsible for making their own arrangements with an accredited testing provider as well as all associated costs. 

Should a guest be unable to complete the testing requirements, a Future Cruise Credit will be offered.  Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to your sailing departure date in line with the most up to date recommendations from local government and health officials as well as our Healthy Sail Panel.  These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards. 

 

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

That's what yesterday's emails stated.  Got one this morning at 11:30 saying, no test required for vaccinated US Passengers.

1 hour ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

Here is what they currently provide under today's protocol. While you would be out some money for travel expenses, that's a risk you would have to be willing to take if you're traveling uninsured. They aren't going to place a bit of inconvenience over safety of the entire ship. 

 

Covid-19 Assistance

 

Book a Celebrity cruise that’s sailing on or before October 31, 2021 and you’ll have the following reassurance at no extra charge:

 

• 100% cruise fare refund for you, and your Travelling Party, if any of you tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the cruise or at the boarding terminal.*
• Pro-rated cruise fare refund for anyone who has their cruise cut short due to testing positive for COVID-19 or being suspected of having COVID-19 during the cruise.
• If you test positive for COVID-19 during the cruise, Celebrity Cruises will cover the costs of COVID-19 related medical treatment onboard, any required land-based quarantine, and travel home for you and your Travelling Party.

 

 

Note the last line....their policy applies 'during cruise', not prior to boarding.  As long as Celebrity does not apply the Royal notice of testing Florida Departures 3 days prior to sailing....it's all a moot point, however if testing is required at the point of entry to the ship...the above quote does not apply.  Lets just hope for smooth seas going forward.

So many people think it's a great idea to get tested at the Pier with a Rapid Test.

  OK...So I fly in from wherever.  Paid for flights, stayed at a hotel room for the night prior to the cruise.  I walk up to check in and test POSITIVE.  So, I'm out the air fare, hotel.  I might have to book a last minute flight home.  Do they quarantine me a hotel, medical facility(additional cost)?  And to make matters worse, I can't cruise!  Not a very good alternative.  This Strain of Covid is highly transmissible.  We are booked on the Equinox for the 8/8 sailing.  Weighing my alternatives.

In order to use Facetime,Wifi Calling, or Whatsapp, I would assume you need the stream package.  How did that work out for you?

Are copies or digital photo's acceptable, or do we need to original vaccination card?

9 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

I will accept that not having the Concierge Class embarkation day lunch on embarkation day right now is due to new Covid-19 protocols and boarding procedures.  But it's really ludicrous to have it on any other day.  It's a very limited menu, nothing that would make me interrupt my day for it.   The entire concept behind the embarkation day lunch was to give Concierge Class guests a quiet place for a sit-down lunch before staterooms were ready; no need to drag your carryon luggage all around the ship, or fight the crowds in the buffet.  The lunch was fine for that purpose, but, to me at least, it would be totally pointless on any other day.

 

We just booked a Concierge Class Aft Facing Cabin this past weekend.  We went to do our online check in, and the earliest time we could board the ship was 2 PM.   I called the Captain's Club Desk to attempt to have this moved up to an early time, due to the fact that we would miss our lunch.  I was informed that due to COVID, the Lunch had been moved, and we would get a notice delivered to our room informing us of when it would be scheduled.   I agree with  you, one of the main perks of the Concierge Room is the Embarkation day lunch, as it's hassle free and always good.   Guess we are a victim of Covid.  The cruise lines are doing their best, and we all have to be flexible.  This is not a game changer for us. Just happy to be in a ship again.

2 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I think you will be fine, just booked a noon flight on August 8 leaving FLL

We are also de boarding the Equinox on 8/8...we booked our return flight for a few minutes before noon.

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Honestly, I just returned from the EDGE out of FLL.  My flight was noon and I had plenty of time. They want you off the ship by around 8:00 a.m.  Taxi is about $20 to FLL.  There are plenty of them.  Takes about 20 mins from the port to the airport.

Thanks ....that's the confirmation I was looking for.  Now I can book return flight home😀

Just booked the Equinox for 8/8/21 out of Port Everglades.  Want to make flight reservation for our flight home after the cruise is over.  Will fly out of FLL.  Just wondering if 11:30 AM or Noonish is too early now a days.  We were always OK with those times Post Covid ERA.  Has anyone de boarded since the few ships have started up again?

Thanks

14 hours ago, BecAus said:

Not this time fortunately. I had final due on 30th June for September TP and we received letter from Royal stating that they were still working out what was happening and no final payments have to be made until they make a decision.  OP - we don't know when, we just have to wait.

 

OP - there's no chance they sail down here this year (which you probably know as you're asking about when they cancel)   I think our vaccine rate is up to 8% now but the rollout is going incredibly slow.  They banked on using AZ and got heaps of that but now not recommended here for under 60's.  They are getting more Pfizer and Moderna coming soon but we are looking towards the end of the year now.  I got my first shot of Pfizer last weekend - I jumped on and made an appt the minute they announced it for under 50's but I think people can't get an appt now till Sept/Oct or later.

 

We currently have outbreaks in most states bar a couple this week, nearly all states were in lockdown - our state came out of it at midnight - as we locked down quickly there was minimal spread.

Sydney currently has a large outbreak and they're having trouble getting it under control.

 

We have a Queensland only cruise out of Brisbane booked at the end of December that I had still hoped might cruise, it would be with Aussie's only, but I think there's about 0 - 1% chance of that happening.

The govt yesterday released a 'plan out of covid' and it's looking more and more like international travel won't happen till second half of next year.  Our current cruise ship ban is till Sept 17th.

We might have to wait a couple more months for an official cancellation which is very likely going to be the whole season gone - there's just no way they're going to let cruise ships in, even if it was just for Aussie's only. Until everyone can be vaccinated it won't be an option.

Very timely information.  Thank You

The Ovation of the Seas just started cruises out of Alaska.  Their season will wrap up in September.  At that point the Ship is scheduled to go back to Australia and cruise there from Oct 16- Mar 30.  Australia still has it's borders closed to all Foreigners.  We have a March 5th cruise schedule to depart out of Sydney to cruise around New Zealand.  Just wondering at what point Royal will announce that the Ovation will be moved to someplace that they can generate revenue.  At this point in time only about 4% of Australians have received the Covid Vaccine.  

34 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

 

Genuinely hoping...but unlikely...for the Ovation to:

* sail Pacific Coastals out of SF, LA, or SD.

* sail Hawaii, r/t, out of SF, LA, or SD.

* Have the Navigator sail the 3 & 4 nights and Ovation the 7 night sailings to Mexico, out of LA, SF, or SD.

 

In other words, please let it just sail somewhere in California.

OR, in my wildest dreams...sail the South Pacific r/t from one of the Ca. ports.

 

Some great ideas!!

I wonder where the Ovation will go when the Alaska Season is over.  Doubtful it will return to Australia due to it's borders still being closed to Foreign Travelers  

1 hour ago, laddcalcagno said:

So am I reading this right?  Each ship has to do a test run before its approved for use?  

No one really knows what's going on...all speculation at this point....events are fluid.  Until RCL makes some kind of formal announcement for each ship....it's pretty much up in the air.  All I know is that when I go to check my cruise on Cruise Planner I get Check In Unavailable for our July 9 cruise.

27 minutes ago, ATLfuzzy said:

I have lost all faith in RCL!  They know most July cruises won't go, however they are playing games with their Loyal Customers by not announcing anything.  Unlike MSC, NCL, and others who are at least communicating with their customers, RCL remains silent, I'm kind of fed up with them.  

1 hour ago, Pandamonia said:

after a long conversation with RCCL today they said they cant delay payment. But they will let me keep $200 of the $350 OBC per week even if i take the FCC to buy a different cruise. 

 

I nearly booked next year on Odyssey back to back but ive worked out that i can get 2 weeks in Mexico for less money with better food and more stuff to do. 

 

Its starting to dawn on me that Drinks packages, Dining packages and flights are adding up to double the cost of what i used to pay for a cruise. It seems that each year they make less effort to so maybe its time to relegate cruising to the off second holiday instead of my main summer holiday.

 

Royals behaviour has just exasperated the situation even further for me.

Agreed....Royals behavior has just exasperated the situation even further for me.

The thing that is so frustrating is the fact that as we get close to a cruise date, in our case July 9th, that Royal can't just cancel or confirm.  Is it  fraudulent to hold onto my money for 3 booked cabins?  Perhaps.  For sure it is unethical.  RCCL has to remember...the way they treat their customers will way in people's minds moving forward past the pandemic period.  

44Days to go  ......Our Oasis July 9th cruise is only 44 days out.   Royal has not canceled, or allowed online check in.  They know and I know they will cancel....From a Corporate Point of view....this is very unfair to their customers.....rather than stringing so many people along...get off the horse and commit to sail or no sail!!!

Just spoke with Crown & Anchor....no updated information....seems to be in a holding pattern.  Our July 9th cruise is getting close.....if it happens at all.

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