SheSailsFL

On 3/6/2022 at 1:56 PM, TreeCity said:

Thanks. I was wondering if it was just my check in. I read somewhere that April 14 was the date RCCL had listed for testing and then deciding. But like everyone else I have ordered tests just incase.  

I think it doesn’t appear during check-in because it is not part of the check-in process.  There is a “Be ready to board” message at the end of the check-in process that covers all of the required documents for boarding, including a negative test result.   

On 3/1/2022 at 4:53 PM, RVAcruiser said:

You weren't asking me, but yup, the new no-masking policy terrifies us.  We're doing a B2B on Navigator on April and plan to mask during the first cruise whenever we're around other people (unless eating or drinking) to minimize possibility of catching something during the first cruise.  

Agree. I feel like I need to be more careful knowing the test is coming the day before turnaround day.  Planning on spending as much time outside on open decks as possible.

On 2/26/2022 at 3:35 PM, 506canuck said:

Thanks, that’s what I thought but saw an excursion for beach loungers. I know things have changed since I was there in 1993.

There are photos on that excursion which show the clamshell covered loungers.  

I just can’t eat at 5-6 so that has never been an option for me.  We always did late seating until MTD became available. Now we schedule around 8 but make changes depending on the port schedule for each day.  I don’t want to have to hurry back from a port or come in from the sun so early to get ready for dinner. 

On 2/26/2022 at 9:55 AM, Sunshine3601 said:

I like to get iced latte with extra shot of espresso and smidgen of hazelnut flavoring added.   the machine in DL on our last sailing in January didn't do iced lattes. 

Now THIS sounds like a perfect drink for the drive home.  😋

1 hour ago, DrivesLikeMario said:

Someone on our B2B just got info that after the first cruise, we will not need to be tested for the next cruise on the same ship.  I don't know if I believe that info. though.

I hope this is true! It would be nice not to have to worry about getting infected on the first leg and not being able to do the 2nd leg.  

2 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Think about this for a moment though... you'd need to show you got a booster within the last six months (before a cruise).  That's going to be a lot of cards.  I mean if the vaccine "wears off" in six months, doesn't it stand to reason the booster (same formula) does also? 

Yes it does.  They are discussing approving another booster in the fall.  I have a feeling we will need them semi annually until they create one that works for longer. 
All 3 of my shots are on one card. 

I think they will drop the testing requirement when the definition of fully vaccinated (per CDC) includes the booster.  
I think they will drop the test for those have had the booster within a specified amount of time…(6 months?🤔)

It seems like the last variable that hasn’t been baked in. 

I have a 1.5 hour drive home from the port so no morning bev’s for me on disembarkation day. 

10 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

No, you have to purchase on board to use your Diamond free day. However, you can use it on board and then buy single days as you need to.

Thanks so much! 

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

You can buy a 24 hr. period. Plan on around $22.99 for surf & stream for the day.

Semi related question...  I know Diamonds get 1 day free internet.  Is that credited against total package if purchased in advance or does it have to be purchased on board?  
I don’t really need it for the week but wanted to check in at least once during the week and get test results for b2b. 

I like Deck 8 because it’s midway between Deck 5 with the Promenade and Deck 11 with pools, buffet, etc. so I can use the stairs easily.  

I also like the hump as it is next to elevators as well as the view.

47 minutes ago, mitz18 said:

 

ok trying to understand the math.  If a deluxe beverage package is say $60 per day and an average drink/wine (+ tip) is $15, that's 4 drinks.  So if as a diamond member I plan to have 7 drinks or less per day, dont buy the package.  If I plan to have 9 or more per day, get the package.  8pd is the break-even point.  Let's see.... 

2 mimosa for breakfast

2 wines for lunch

2 cocktails for happy hour

2 wines with dinner

 

I'm already at 8 and its only dinner.  I'm getting the package... 😇

Sounds like it makes sense for you.  For me and depending on the cost of the package,  it doesn’t make sense.  On sale right now on my b2b it is $69.  I will usually have maybe 3 drinks (wine) more than my vouchers on some days - but not every day - and that has always been less than the average package cost. I use the vouchers for the most expensive drinks.  I was delighted when I reached D+ to get that perk.  Cheers! 

On 7/4/2021 at 11:44 AM, SlightDraw said:

Help me on this. I get the beverage package. As a diamond member, how do these drinks benefit me?

Just a thought, you buy a  beverage package and you are diamond these drinks should discount the beverage package. 

Here’s a thought.  Don’t buy the drink package and use your vouchers instead! 🤔😀

My April sailing on Mariner has moved Labadee to Cozumel. 

5 hours ago, topnole said:

Simply scan and email yourself a copy.  Then you can access it anywhere you can access the internet.  This way you really don’t need to carry around a photo copy.  

Or, take a phot and you have it in your phone.  No internet needed. 

10 hours ago, Jj343434jj said:

Then the price should be lowered if we aren't receiving the full package. I'm fine with receiving the bare minimum if I'm not paying for everything else.  

Or, maybe, don’t cruise right now if you aren’t flexible with the experience you will have. 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️🤷‍♀️

8 hours ago, Rosy Season said:

This.  All of this.  I am one of the family members that wasn't tested even though I'm with my 7 year old who is positive.  

 

They are artificially keeping numbers down.  Passengers don't have to test unless they voluntarily come down to test. With the vast number of passengers on now in covid quarantine with us I am terrified to know how many of them are walking around on the ship.  Either asymptomatic or with symptoms and not reporting them.

I’m sorry this is happening to you.  Since the news about omicron has been coming out for a couple weeks now, did you consider cancelling before your sailing?   Asking because I am booked in 4 days on a b2b and not even taking a child, but I’m planning to cancel.  It’s just too much right  now.  The only way for the ship to know the actual number of infections is to test everyone daily.  The supply of test kits is too limited to allow for that with omicron exploding everywhere. 

3 hours ago, livingonthebeach said:

Also, positive crew that get offloaded before reaching land don't get counted in the total positive count -- which means the numbers reported to the CDC don't represent the true reality of the situation. reality is that the crew being offloaded onto other ships don't have the same medical resources they would have on land.  Should an emergency arise, they are far from land and necessary medical facilities.” 

 

There are doctors and nurses on every ship. This is a CDC requirement.  The crew members have signed on for a contracted period, usually 9-12 months and are well aware of the scope and limitations of medical care at sea.  The quarantine ships are less than an hour from an island (Nassau, St Marten) where critical care is available if needed, and evacuation protocols are in place with or without Covid. 

What you’re also not considering is that some of the crew leaving the ship may not be sick at all.  They are also using the Vision and Rhapsody to transport crew on/off ships at the beginning and end of their contract periods. 
 

“Also, positive crew that get offloaded before reaching land don't get counted in the total positive count -- which means the numbers reported to the CDC don't represent the true reality of the situation.”

If an infected person is not being reported on their home ship, they will be reported on the quarantine ship-another CDC requirement.  Ships are required to report infections whether or not passengers are on board.  The numbers are accurate at the time of reporting.  Unless everyone on the ship is tested every day, there is no way an accurate count is known anyway.   As I stated before, this is being done to prevent further spread and preserve any possibility of passengers being able to come ashore at ports, including their own private islands.  Two very good reasons for the strategy.  If they weren’t doing it, a shutdown would be inevitable with the case rates they are seeing.  Royal has been transparent in reporting in CEO briefings the number of cases on board their fleet.  They aren’t trying to hide anything..just mitigate the risk so cruising can continue. 
I won’t debate the topic further, it’s just rather obvious to me why this strategy is being used.

On 12/28/2021 at 12:50 AM, livingonthebeach said:

 

True, I've survived through this pandemic but not by cheating the system. 

To imply Royal is “cheating” anything by offloading infected crew is ridiculous.  🙄🤦🏼‍♀️They are removing infected crew to prevent further spread since they live in such close quarters.  
Doing this will also hopefully prevent being turned away at the next ports. if they took no action, the increasing infected cases would ensure no port stops and thousands of pissed off passengers. 
How could that possibly be considered cheating in any way?!

3 hours ago, emdia43 said:

Freedom had to wait until 1330 yesterday to be allowed onto Coco Cay.  According to pax who posted, the Bahamian govt was refusing access.    I asked RCCL on their FB page to explain what had happened and they did not respond; then deleted my post. 

 

There was real time coverage of the situation on the Fb page for Coco Cay.  Definitely the Covid cases were the issue. 

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Nope, if I cancel i lose

 

3 pts from a block

Hit diamond plus and additional perks

Double pts

Low cruisefare

Prepaid hotel

 

 

Same here except for the hotel.  I’m local.  
Current rates are double what I paid for this b2b. 😏

Delete.  Duplicate. 

3 hours ago, gg255210 said:

Is missing coco cay a possibility?  I was thinking that was the one stop that we could count on.  Why would Coco Cay be canceled unless the weather was bad?

Yes it is.  MSC was turned away from its private island this week and yesterday Freedom OTS was held at the pier for hours negotiating because of Covid cases on board.  They were finally allowed in but only had a few hours.
The Bahamas government will not allow ships to disembark passengers from a ship with a high number of Covid cases and out their residents at risk. 

B2B scheduled to sail next Thursday 1/6.  I’m on the fence, leaning to one side and then the other.  I’m not concerned about getting the virus.  I’m triple vaxed and have had the delta infection.  
The extra space with all the cancellations sounds wonderful.  The remaining passengers will likely be the die-hard “ride or die” cruisers.  I used to be one of them, but now I’m feeling less inclined to deal with the hassle, and the possibility of missing even Coco Cay is a deal breaker for me. 
90% sure I’ll cancel these 2 sailings.  I have another B2B booked for April and things should calm down by then.