loupana

1 hour ago, MaddyandMax said:

 

The cruise director was gone by the third day with a "lost voice"

 

Yep, the cruise director was no where to be found on our cruise. I actually thought Cici was the cruise director until I overheard someone say that Joff the CD got sick the cruise before ours so he must have been in quarantine.

17 minutes ago, broberts said:

Great report.

 

Driving down turned out to be a great decision.

 

Have you tested again? It is possible that the one positive test was a false result.

 

It does appear that mask wearing may be an important mitigation practice on ships. I wonder if crew will go back to N95 masks. Since cruise lines are loath to mention anything that might be considered negative, we will have to depend on more first hand reports.

Yes, driving was my best decision. 

I have not tested again, I'm sick enough to know I do have covid and I want to keep all our remaining at home tests to continue testing my wife.

I do have 2 Switch Health RT-LAMP tests. If I tested negative again this morning I was going to use one of those. I may save them for Mid to late April to do a good test to know I'm in the clear for our May cruises.

The Positive and Negative about our first cruise in over 2 years for all my Canadian Friends on CC. Sorry could keep this more brief.

This is my experience and my personal opinion and since I’m postings this on the Canadian board do not expect any negative comments.

After countless cancelled cruises we decided a couple of months ago to make things easier and take a cruise from New Jersey on Anthem of the Seas. Even though we’ve cruise on Anthem before we felt driving to port would be better than trying to fly somewhere (flying is still very unpredictable with cancelations and such).

We got pre cruise Antigen tests done at Shoppers Drug Mart. Negative as expected and drove to New Jersey on the March 19th a day early. Crossing into US we did not need to provide our negative test results, just the usual questions at the boarder and we were through nice and easy.

Embarkation day we had 11AM boarding time, arrived around 10AM and took a walk to the Teardrop Memorial to get some photos of NYC in the distance and the ship. About 10:20 we walk up to the terminal entrance and they were already letting people in with boarding times of 10:30 and 11. So we went inside to checkin. This was the fastest check-in we’ve ever done, they did not look at our vaccination records (I uploaded this during online checkin) so I was not too concerned about them not checking our Vax status. But they did NOT look at our Covid test results, we pulled out our folder and asked it they wanted to see the results and they so no that’s fine…hmm found that interesting.

We were only seated for a couple of minutes and we were allowed to board. By 10:35AM we were onboard and what a surreal feeling to be on a cruise ship again, took care of the muster asap to get it over with.

Since it was my 60th birthday on the 21st why not make this first cruise back a little more special and we booked a Jr. Suite. I tried for an upgrade but no luck we kept our Jr. Suite. Loved the room, nice having the extra space and loved having the two bathrooms (1 full bathroom with tub, the other with just toilet and sink). We were able to eat at Coastal Kitchen every night. Service was fantastic but I did not find the food better than main dining room. I do have another Jr. Suite booked on a future cruise, but not sure the minimal perks you get for a Jr. Suite are worth the extra cost.

Service was excellent throughout the ship. We were told there were just over 3200 guests onboard. Having said that it did feel crowed to me, even thought it was not max capacity. Unfortunately I did not get to see “We Will Rock You” the last two shows were canceled, no reason given, but assume I already know the answer. I was very excited that Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin tribute band) were onboard and took in 3 performances and enjoyed them all.

No social distancing in any dining venue or theatre. Lots of events seem to be on again. We went to loyalty event and they said that was the first one since return to service. Lots of game shows/trivia going on. Most people were not wearing masks (we did not, maybe we should have…more to come on that). All crew were wearing the royal branded medical mask, and I think they said this was the first cruise in a while where they didn’t have to wear N95 masks.

Now since our cruise ended on Sunday the 27th we needed a negative covid test to come home. We brought a couple of boxes of the at home antigen tests they are handing out in Ontario Pharmacies so we could do random tests on ourselves throughout the cruise. We did take a couple of the home tests to make sure we were good. We also brought the Switch Health Antigen test to do via video for our return home test. Because we did the at home tests and on Saturday we were both feel fine we had no concerns about taking the Switch Health tests. Doing the online video tests on the ship was a real pain, the bandwidth of the ships internet was horrible and we got disconnected several times but eventually got the tests done. Results came in fast and I went to Guest Services to print them for us so we could show Boarder Agent coming back into Canada. Also On Saturday I completed the ArriveCan app after we got our test results. So I was happy all that was done, and we were off to enjoy our last day.

Everything was fine on Saturday. We were both feeling good and were not too sad about going home because we have B2B on Oasis in May. BUT….

On Sunday morning I woke up with a very sore throat and very congested. I was stunned, I couldn’t believe how just a few hours earlier I was fine and have passed multiple covid tests. So no time to take another test and have already gotten our negative test from the day before and ArriveCan filled out we headed home. Once we arrived a the Canadian Boarder, Landsdowne crossing (Thousand Island Bridge) we handed over our passports, agent asked how long we were gone, then asked if we have negative covid tests. We said yes, and pulled out our folder to show the test results, he saw one and said ok thats fine, you are good. So we never needed to scan our ArriveCan bar code. Oh funny story about ArriveCan app, we stopped for a bathroom break just before the boarder and I tried to load the ArriveCan app to get it ready to show the bar code and the App would not work or load. After some cursing I thought I would be fine since I had the bar code in an email. But like I said they didn’t want to see or scan the bar code from ArriveCan so no big deal.

I felt very sick the whole drive home and I did stop for bathroom breaks but took into consideration that I was not feeling well and was very careful and I only stopped at self serve gas stations. Once I got home immediately took another covid test because I was so sick and really need to get confirmation, well the result was Negative again. I did get a good nights sleep last night and do feel better this morning compared to yesterday. So this morning I took another test and there it is POSITIVE for Covid. My wife is still testing Negative.

Our kids live close enough to us that they will drop off anything we may need at our door. So we are fine at home, no issues. I will say I feel like a huge weight taken off my shoulders. Medical experts say everyone will be exposed and now I’m done with it (once I recover). Will keep monitoring my wife all week but will be shocked if she keeps testing negative.

Final thoughts, still glad we went. I’m lucky I was able to get home. I’m lucky I’m not deadly sick. I will still have no problem getting a forth vaccine in the future if it’s recommended in the fall. Once I fully recover I will be so happy not to have to worry about Covid again for a while.

As for Cruise lines removing all masking and social distancing. You be the judge for yourself. I thought it was fine because I wasn’t reading or hearing of anyone being stuck in quarantine on ships anymore. No we did not wear masks on the ship, if we did would I have still gotten sick… don’t know for sure, but I think it would have helped.

So I’m busy today letting everyone know that needs to know. Got a funny feeling cruise line may not care now that I’m home.

3 minutes ago, seadog67 said:

 

Outstanding! Happy Birthday @LouTheGlue and what a great way to spend it. I am a big Zepplin fan so I will have to be sure to check that out in the music hall. It sounds like @DaniDanielle is indicating there is a good chance We Will Rock You will be going on!

 

Good luck with the upgrade as well, I had lost hope but other on this thread indicated the upgrades can happen even on the day of sailing so hope lives!!! 

 

Enjoy the week an happy birthday again!

Thank you very much... I hope @DaniDanielle is right. We've sailed Anthem before and I loved Queen so really enjoyed WWRY. Fingers crossed I get to see it again.

We board tomorrow as well. My 60th birthday on the 21st so really looking forward to this trip. First cruise in 2 and a half years, after having to cancel countless times like everyone else. Our bids are still showing pending. I've lost all hope, but I guess we'll see tomorrow. I'm very disappointed to NOT see "We Will Rock You" and "Spectra's Cabaret" in the Entertainment section of the app daily planner. This will be a huge disappointment for me. But am happy to see "Led Zeppelin" tribute band tomorrow in the Music Hall.

My Boarding Pass does not say "suite" just says "Sea Class". I'll just ask if it's ok for me to board in suite line. If not no big deal, have 11AM boarding.

On 3/10/2022 at 10:50 AM, Broons77 said:

 

I'll be the exhausted looking guy in the black (or yellow, I have a couple) Bruins cap 

A-ha, now I get the name. Nice play on words...love it...

We will be on Anthem next week, have a wonderful trip. Looking forward to reading more.

Thank you for all these great photos, and extra special thanks for putting spaces between them 😀

8 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

@LouTheGlue Get on over to the Roll Calls!  They're dead!

Yeah I've been on them vey quiet...

March 20 Anthem, May 1 Oasis, May 8 Oasis.

We are staying at "Holiday Inn Express Newark Airport – Elizabeth" mid March, seems close enough to the port and my wife works for Holiday Inn so we get employee rate which helps.

Haven't stayed there before, If we like it we'll stay again for our May cruises on Oasis.

1 hour ago, MississippiMom said:

What is a John Collins?

I am familiar with a Tom Collins, but prefer a vodka Collins.

Royal Caribbean Version of John Collins

Tito's Vodka, Club soda, Lemon, Powdered Sugar

Royal Lemonade

John Collins

Caribbean Cooler

Ultimate Bloody Mary

Amaretto Sour (great after dinner drink)

Love the frozen drinks: Miami Vice, Mudslide, BBC, Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri

Another vote for Trikes Aruba

2 hours ago, susan1957 said:

Can someone tell me how the RT Lamp tests work...Thanks

On 2/1/2022 at 10:28 AM, ReneeFLL said:

Do most CP balconies only have one nightstand? We are booked in one on the Oasis in 2023 and if that’s the case I’m going to change it.

I stayed in a CP Balcony on Oasis and there are two Nightstands.

My assumption is the other night stand is out in the hall next to the cabin door. That's what we've seen in other reports and photos for crew quarantining inside guest cabins. Again just an assumption.

4 minutes ago, CTP said:

Ive been trying to determine if the switch tests were FDA approved I was hopi g to take them down with us to use to get on the ship in Galveston …. This feels so complicated I might just cancel our Spring Break cruise.
 

Thought things might be simpler cruising Alaska out of Vancouver  however more I try to get testing answers there is also proving to be a waiting game as apparently Canada gov hasn’t yet decided on how that will look 

FYI @edrussell had no issues using the Switch Health Proctored test to get on Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas, out of Baltimore earlier this month.

23 hours ago, edrussell said:

 We used Switch Health antigen tests on the morning before we went to work for the day and it was uneventful and was quite easy. 

 

Thank you very much for the details. Just to confirm...You used the Proctored Switch Health Antigen test to get onboard the ship without issues?

I plan on doing the same so just looking for confirmation...

Nice looking forward to this...

Ok, guess I may as well give up. What a Cluster...

I purchase the box of 2 Antigen tests from Switch Health thinking I would be able to use them to enter the US and board Anthem of the Seas in March. I also purchased 2 RT-LAMP tests to get back home. Now it seems all these tests are not valid. These Antigen Tests are not FDA approved, and now it sounds like I may not get back by using the RT-LAMP tests.

I bought them early for two reasons, not sure about supply/demand in March. Plus for the RT-LAMP test I was thinking I could use them not only for the return to Canada after our cruise (now that seems to be questionable). But also because we cannot get PCR tests in Ontario, I thought if we happened to catch covid in the next few weeks, I could use them to get official documentation that we actually had Covid.

4 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Assuming that the kit that @LouTheGlue pictured is the proctored test sold by Switch Health, then it is not the one that the FDA gave an EUA to. The latter is the "COVID-19 At-Home Test" and is non-proctored.

Yes I purchased that test from Switch Health via Aeroplan site. It is the proctored test. Created my account planning on testing before trip in March.

9 hours ago, broberts said:

 

According to the Switch Health instructions the kit contains SD Biosensor Standard Q COVID-19 Ag Nasal Test Kit which has FDA emergency use authorization. 

 

I suspect Switch Health is simply remarketing that kit. Perhaps someone can post a picture of the contents of the switch health box.

 

 

I just purchased a box and was planning on using it in March for a Royal Cruise from Bayonne. Now I'm second guessing the purchase even though some say they have used it for Royal.

Here is was I got... SD Biosensor Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Test

The expiry date is 06/06/2023

12 minutes ago, LuCruise said:

What a horrible kick in the face.  There goes our March plans as we were going to drive to the cruise.

Wonder how long they'll keep this on as this is a huge problem.  We've done everything right and followed all the rules. And it seems to mean nothing.  

I couldn't agree more. We've done everything asked of us and are still being restricted and punished. That's why we booked in March so we could drive straight back home and quarantine if necessary. 

Not related to Serenade, but very interesting perspective. A synchronized swimmer on the Harmony of the Seas talks about her experience with Covid and being transferred to a quarantine ship.

16 minutes ago, homedepot124 said:

Is there a link to the video?

Just keep checking the prices. I did my weekly online price check a few days ago and I got discounts on all booked cruises this past week.

Anthem of the Seas March 20, 2022 saved $218.00

Oasis of the Seas May 1, 2022 saved $38.00

Oasis of the Seas May 8, 2022 saved $232.00

Wonder of the Seas October 30, 2022 saved $46.00 + $50 obc