mndity

1 minute ago, hazeleyes46 said:

That will never happen, just like it will never happen on land. It is a virus and should be treated like every other virus. I was unvaccinated until a month ago and never (as far as I know and was tested for work for months) got covid. I went back to almost normal life last year too. If you are worried about getting any type of virus, I would say don't go to public places where there are a lot of people. Otherwise, the rest of us are not worried and want to start getting back to almost 100% normality. Cruises are the only place that most of us need to test and vaccine. 

It's too bad that everyone who can get the vaccine get the vaccine.  The world has dealt with other viruses that have been basically been eliminated by vaccines.  

I went on a cruise after having to reschedule twice due to Covid.  I had a great time until after getting home. I might have been better off masking more, but it was my decision.  I don't avoid public places or being in the public. I am doing everything I was doing pre-covid, but I do take a few more precautions. Would I cruise again? Absolutely, probably masking more though. Cruises are one, not only, place where most of us should test & be vaccinated.

I would like to know who you consider "the rest of us"?

On 7/18/2022 at 3:20 PM, hazeleyes46 said:

Right now I am just interested in the testing to stop since I already had to get the vaccine to cruise 🙂

I would rather no one be able to get Covid19 while cruising, So until that happens, keep the testing going.  I was vaccinated and booster twice but still got Covid, along with my wife, on our recent Alaskan cruise (June 13 - 20).

30 minutes ago, barb in ga said:

 

I've never been told I couldn't take them on, but I have been cautioned that they can't be taken off the ship. They do brighten up the cabin.

Barb

I use to order flowers for my wife on every cruise so I was disappointed when I could not for my recent Alaskan cruise. I did see many people bring flowers on board before we departed! 

19 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Needed to satisfy the PVSA requirement, not your enjoyment of the port.

Figured it was something like that!

On 6/22/2022 at 7:50 PM, SKSMIKE5 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were on the same cruise.  The weather at all the ports was amazing (mid 70s to 82). Brought too much cold weather gear. We did not take the tram to the top at Icy Strait but instead wondered around town.  IMHO Icy Strait might be a desired stop in a couple years but not now.  Did find a small restaurant in town (Fisherman's Daughter) with amazing fish and milkshakes!! 

Skagway was a very fun place.  Train trip was very nice. Salmon bake very tasty but I did not find enough gold to retire.....  Visited the Red Onion Saloon and learned a bit of the history of the place. Wondered around downtown and checked out the breweries!!

Juneau was last but perhaps the best. Went on a Whale watching tour through Alaska Shore excursions (not through RCCL as they were sold out months earlier)  towards the end of the tour we stopped by a group of boats watch a young whale having fun breaching and tail splashing.  We were surprised to see this whale swim towards our boat.  When it got within 10-15 feet it started splashing our boat, breaching, swimming under the boat and having a good ol' time with mom watching things from 30-40 yards away.  Our Captain, Branden said to never take a whale watching tour again because what had happened will probably never happen again. Very fun experience.

The stop at Victoria??  Sunday night after 5 pm???  I didn't see the reason for it.  We walked around, mainly through a residential area to get to the downtown area.  Back on the boat by 9pm and finished packing.

This was a cruise we to reschedule twice due to Covid but it was definitely a bucket-list experience.  The only problem..... we both tested positive for Covid.  My wife the night we got home and myself 4 days later. Nothing serious just rundown with cough and a fever.

In all I agree with SKSMIKE5 that it was a great time!!

On 6/24/2022 at 10:12 AM, mndity said:

I was on the 6/13/22 Quantum cruise.  It was the 3rd attempt to book this cruise due to Covid. So guess what??  My wife contracted Covid the last night of the cruise (although if was not confirmed until when we got home). She is vaccinated & boosted once. I have tested myself twice with negative results since coming home. I'm not sure what I could of done to stop this but wear a mask 24/7 and we wouldn't have done this cruise if this was the case.  Her symptoms are minor (slight fever, the "cough", and fatigue) but still a pain in the butt. I have contacted RCCL but expect to hear back maybe in 2-3 weeks (that seems to be the turn around time with them).  This is mainly just to get out the fact that Covid is still out there.

I did contract Covid the 4th day after getting home.  Minor fever, cough but major tiredness.  Quarantined 5 days and back to work yesterday.  I suppose masking might of helped but at this point who cares!! Glad it wasn't worse.

On 6/24/2022 at 11:05 AM, rudeney said:

 

I did not realize butt pain was a COVID symptom. Sorry, I could not resist.  😜  Seriously I hope her symptoms remain mild and she recovers quickly.  I'd be interested to hear what RCCL tells you.  I expect they will just say "thanks for the info" but you never know!

RCL has said nothing.

I was on the 6/13/22 Quantum cruise.  It was the 3rd attempt to book this cruise due to Covid. So guess what??  My wife contracted Covid the last night of the cruise (although if was not confirmed until when we got home). She is vaccinated & boosted once. I have tested myself twice with negative results since coming home. I'm not sure what I could of done to stop this but wear a mask 24/7 and we wouldn't have done this cruise if this was the case.  Her symptoms are minor (slight fever, the "cough", and fatigue) but still a pain in the butt. I have contacted RCCL but expect to hear back maybe in 2-3 weeks (that seems to be the turn around time with them).  This is mainly just to get out the fact that Covid is still out there.

she is off work all this week and will have to mask for a week when she does go back.  She does run a daycare center so the masking is an extra measure.

11 hours ago, PaddleAddict said:

 

Just off Quantum after 7 days visiting Alaska and 5 hours in Victoria (4pm to 9pm).  All staff was double masked and wore gloves.  Only problem..... wife tested positive when we got home for Covid.  Sure there is a chance with almost 5000 passengers of crew on board and she had both shots and a booster.  She just gets another few days at home.  No serious issues, just slight fever, cough and sore throat.  Don't know of any problems with unvaccinated. 

22 hours ago, SeattleAl said:

OK, strange question, I know. I'm sailing on Ovation in August with my 18 mo old grandson. Being a normal 18 mo old, he needs a bib at meals. We're figuring a cloth napkin could work OK (and not require us bringing 30 bibs). I assume there are cloth napkins in the dining rooms, but are there cloth napkins in Windjammer?

 

Thanks for your help! 

Can't you just tie the corner of the tablecloth around his neck?  Or just stick him over the side and shake the crumbs off??

2 hours ago, watertraveler said:

What is the normal 'all onboard' time before leaving a port of call?  We have a private excursion that arrives back fairly late to Juneau and, although its a reputable company, I'm a little concerned about the time that I will need to be on the ship. 

Most private companies know when ships are leaving.  They usually tell you up front that they will get you to the ship before departure time. Just let them know what ship you are on.

21 hours ago, Biker19 said:

RCI messaging is so inconsistent not everyone gets the messages. So even if someone else got it, doesn’t mean it was sent either to you or the TA. You already know the policy changed (to what it is now) sometime after you booked. Not sure what you expect the TA to do?

I am not sure the quality or consistency matters here.  This is Covid19 people!!  All a person needs to do is listen to the news once a week to know what is going on in the world.  This isn't about the Bars closing earlier on the ships.  This is serious stuff!!  Not knowing what the Vaccination guidelines are for a minor person in your group is more on the parent or guardian than is being admitted IMHO.  Sure the TA should monitor it, and RCCL as well, but if I had a minor in my cruising party I'd be monitoring it every day.

On 6/2/2022 at 10:05 AM, Phils01 said:

Just to let you know that on the Brilliance and it maybe fleet wide that there is no actual Menu for Vegetarians, there’s not actually a printed menu for Vegans but there are Vegan options on the App (which is rubbish btw)

 

I had this out with the Head Waiter in the MDR and was told it was company policy not to have a Vegetarian menu any longer but he could make anything he wanted for us - great so you’ve got to sit there and think up what you’d like to eat there and then whilst everyone else gets a choice, but he didn’t quite get it.

 

I just think it’s a very poor policy in this day and age.

 

This post is not a rant but rather a warning to other vegetarians 

 

btw - I am aware there is 1 veggie option on the menu but it’s not always to our liking (my wife hates mushrooms.. etc…)

I am looking at the RCCL App right now.  There are Vegan options for appetizers, soup, entrees, and desserts for main Dining Room.  Plus, I have heard many times, they will make almost anything you like.

On 6/1/2022 at 5:41 PM, SeattleAl said:

Hi folks. we're off to Alaska in August on Ovation and my daughter and (then) 18 month old will be with us. He takes an afternoon nap (sounds lovely), but tends to need a fairly dark room. I assume they're curtains in the balcony rooms, but how well do they block light?

 

Thanks!

I'd switch to an interior room..... Definitely no problems with light then!!!

I would believe it would be anytime Friday.

It's never been an issue for me.... certainly not enough of one to have it's own board!

I am SOOOOO glad for the responses.  I was up several nights thinking about just this subject!!!!  NOT!!

Come on, is this what is on the minds of cruisers now????  And yes I am aware of recycling and things being biodegradable.

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

You should see me trying to get my case of Coors Light bottles thru security  YIKES😇

I am assuming that if you were trying to smuggle something good they might stop you....

On 5/3/2022 at 12:34 PM, Painter4me said:

There seems to be so many negative complaints about food, cleanliness and service coming for so many people on a variety of ships now. We’re sailing in a couple weeks and all the negative comments are concerning. We were on 2 cruises in Jan/Feb and the RCCL food, service and cleanliness were excellent. I’m sure the food has to do with the escalating costs of food. You can’t continue to buy quality cuts of meats and with inferior cuts, it’s hard to get the same results. The cleanliness will be an issue. If this is what cruising is turning into, unfortunately, it’s time for another hiatus for us. I’m hoping it’s just people who can’t be made happy that are doing the complaining. 

Pure and simple, people complain to complain.  If you think the food should be 4-5 star you will be disappointed, even in the Specialty restaurants. It's good food, all you want, and if you want, its available 24/7 .

The cleanliness and service is very good.  I was on Freedom late February and it was great.  Granted the boat was half-full.  I have been on 8 cruises with RCCL and the service and cleanliness is always above average.  Excellent even.

I would not make judgements on what you hear on CC.....experience it for yourself!

On 4/29/2022 at 11:29 PM, J0Y0US said:

 

If I could pre-book everything like a Disney trip I likely wouldn't worry as much about arrival time. 

Well if that is important then paying 3 - 4 times more for your cruise IS worth it.

11 hours ago, J0Y0US said:

So there is no mention of actual check in time yet they randomly change checkin time.

 

It was said to be last night for me. I stayed up for the EST 12pm, my cruise port 12pm PST time, and for the ship time which was a random time in the pacific ocean. No check in was out there. Then now I am yet on another day of EST 12pm and nothing. Which is the end of the day my app said the checkin would occur.

 

So sick of being janked around.

Today was 45 days prior to boarding (Check in Day).  I woke up and checked my app while having breakfast. I downloaded my passport information and got to pick my check in time. Took less than 5 minutes!  No 'janking' involved.

I was on Freedom Feb 28th.  The only disappointing part of the ship, and this was my 3rd Cruise on her, are the rooms.  We had a Balcony and it looked liked it was a original part of the ship.  Now granted I really used it to sleep and relax a bit before bedtime but you could tell it was the only part of the ship that had not been "spruced up".

I like a lot of the upgrades......El Loco Fresh was a nice addition.

Going on Quantum in June.... would like to think this Balcony is a improvement as I will spend more time taking in Alaska!!

I am 53 days away from my Alaskan cruise & all I see is the kids menu every night. Cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, & cheese pizza every nite!!!

Simple answer.......... people are cruising again! Mask mandate basically over, Covid testing may be cut way back soon. The cruise lines are in control again....whether you like it or not!!