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Just off Odyssey...For anyone holding off from sailing right now...think again.

bajathree

By bajathree,
in Royal Caribbean International

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bajathree

bajathree

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I just came off an 8 night Odyssey sailing. Embarkation and debarkation was an absolute breeze as we were sailing with ONLY just over 1000 passengers. From parking lot to cabin in 20 minutes. The ship was absolutely gorgeous and immaculate....crew is cleaning all the time. Protocols are in place and weren't a bother...felt VERY safe at all times. Crew is Wonderfull ...you are sailing on a ship with more crew than passengers. They couldn't do more for you....very friendly and so happy to be sailing. No waits for anything and everything on the ship up and running. Shows every night as well as several parties including the 70's party. Elevators were mostly always empty....think I can count on one hand how many times I shared an elevator with anyone. Masks were worn indoors walking around but could take them off at many venues once inside...including the casino...they became second nature and weren't a bother at all. It was like being on an exclusive sailing that will spoil the heck out of you. This was my second sailing since restart as I was also on the very first Edge sailing out. I couldn't recommend cruising more right now...just an excellent experience that will be fondly remembered when cruising is back to full capacity. So if you have been holding back because of current testing protocols and masks......think gain....it is so worth cruising right now!!!

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ryano

ryano

Posted
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2 minutes ago, bajathree said:

I just came off an 8 night Odyssey sailing. Embarkation and debarkation was an absolute breeze as we were sailing with ONLY just over 1000 passengers. From parking lot to cabin in 20 minutes. The ship was absolutely gorgeous and immaculate....crew is cleaning all the time. Protocols are in place and weren't a bother...felt VERY safe at all times. Crew is Wonderfull ...you are sailing on a ship with more crew than passengers. They couldn't do more for you....very friendly and so happy to be sailing. No waits for anything and everything on the ship up and running. Shows every night as well as several parties including the 70's party. Elevators were mostly always empty....think I can count on one hand how many times I shared an elevator with anyone. Masks were worn indoors walking around but could take them off at many venues once inside...including the casino...they became second nature and weren't a bother at all. It was like being on an exclusive sailing that will spoil the heck out of you. This was my second sailing since restart as I was also on the very first Edge sailing out. I couldn't recommend cruising more right now...just an excellent experience that will be fondly remembered when cruising is back to full capacity. So if you have been holding back because of current testing protocols and masks......think gain....it is so worth cruising right now!!!

 

Just off Ovation last Friday and I concur with everything posted.   Especially the last sentence 🙂   Best.cruise.ever!   Im spoiled for life Im afraid 😞   

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AustinCruise

AustinCruise

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2 hours ago, davekathy said:

Bummer.

Yup. This is the trade off.   I enjoy those events, but the lack of crowds more than makes up for it to me in other ways.  Nice change over the past. 
 

Our family also spends lots of time on the sports deck.  Managed more flow riding the Covid trip than the previous 3 combined.  No lines for the slides or rock wall also a plus.

 

Those big events don’t work well (imho) without a crowd. Someday they will be back. I fully understand there are folks that find those a key part of cruising and will be disappointed.

 

Someday I’ll miss it, but for now I’m hoping our November cruise is laid back and relaxing.

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Oceansaway17 Holiday Sharing Rare

Oceansaway17

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3 hours ago, ryano said:

 

No Quest unfortunately on our cruise.  

 

 

Note the Ovation did not do the Quest back in May 2019 either.  Sometimes the cruise director or Captain do not want it as it is rather wild.  I did have it on the Anthem out of Bayonne with CD Abe Hughes.

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bajathree

bajathree

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1 hour ago, AustinCruise said:

 

Our family also spends lots of time on the sports deck.  Managed more flow riding the Covid trip than the previous 3 combined.  No lines for the slides or rock wall also a plus.

 

 

There were days on Odyssey the Flowrider only had 2 people in line....actually 1 riding and 1 waiting.

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ONECRUISER

ONECRUISER

Posted
Posted (edited)
39 minutes ago, AustinCruise said:

I bet!  Also got some fantastic pricing after both Costa Concordia & Carnival Triumph.  But eventually did fill to capacity. 

Yeah, two of ones I remember then was 5 nite for $9ea plus $50 Port, total $118 for 2 of us. Second $700 SOLO in a then Cat B on the then Newest/Largest Explorer of the Seas. Low Prices and Ship Capacity ran into May2002 on Royal, was doing my first 10 niters and Solo's without Single Supplement. People remember 9/11 but forget it was one scare after another back then. Got off Cruise getting home hrs before 9/11 with my 3 kids. We were in Orlando 4 weeks later when Florida Anthrax Scare hit. Couple months later got off that Explorer of Seas Cruise arriving at MIA Airport being told remove Shoes? Day of the Shoe Bomber

Edited by ONECRUISER
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davekathy

davekathy

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33 minutes ago, Psycho and Barb said:

The Quest is always one of our cruise highlights.

Agree. Whether we sit back and watch or " I" participate in the craziness we always leave felling like damn, that was a blast and the time went way too fast. Hopefully when we cruise in March 2022 Quest will be back in action. Can you say, whose got a face mask or vaccination card, this quest is over!  😷🤣

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davekathy

davekathy

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1 hour ago, AustinCruise said:

Yup. This is the trade off.   I enjoy those events, but the lack of crowds more than makes up for it to me in other ways.  Nice change over the past. 
 

Our family also spends lots of time on the sports deck.  Managed more flow riding the Covid trip than the previous 3 combined.  No lines for the slides or rock wall also a plus.

 

Those big events don’t work well (imho) without a crowd. Someday they will be back. I fully understand there are folks that find those a key part of cruising and will be disappointed.

 

Someday I’ll miss it, but for now I’m hoping our November cruise is laid back and relaxing.

Agree, the more people the crazier quest is. I wouldn't mind a reduced capacity cruise either. 

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Psycho and Barb

Psycho and Barb

Posted
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16 hours ago, davekathy said:

Agree. Whether we sit back and watch or " I" participate in the craziness we always leave felling like damn, that was a blast and the time went way too fast. 

We took one of our sons on his first cruise.  He was a football offensive lineman for a Division 1 college at the time.  One of the quests was "Find the biggest and baddest person"  Everyone in our section was pointing to him...He was 6' 3" and 300 Lbs.  I tried to warn him but lets just say...He looked cute in high heels with a bra and lipstick"  We brought the video...Lol

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cruiselvr04 Great Review Rare

cruiselvr04

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We booked for February.  Amazing price for a new ship. We got one of the large balcony cabins.  I know that it won’t happen again once the pandemic is “over”.  On the other hand the airfare and hotel were outrageous.  ( I’m guessing that was because Florida is high season late February.)

 

 We really started picking up on cruising right after 9/11 when the prices were low.  Right now I don’t even care where we go.  I just want to get on a ship.

 

Can you comment on the speciality dining?  Packages are on sale and I’m considering one for the first time.  

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livingonthebeach "Live from...." Rare

livingonthebeach

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I just recently went on a cruise and I have to say the cruising experience today is definitely without the minor aggravations of the past, i.e. long lines, crowded elevators, unavailable reservation times. This is all good but what's missing is the spirit of cruising as we knew it.  As some said there is no Quest and other games, parades, theme night parties, etc. etc.  Hopefully, the way it once was will come back again. A combination of the best of now and before would be ideal!  Happy Cruising! 

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OSUZorba

OSUZorba

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1 hour ago, thjeepster said:

We are sailing on odyssey in 3 weeks (17th). 
did they do love and marriage?

are the main dining room tables close or are they spaced out?l and do you feel crowded?

were they selling the ship models?

 

I haven't been on yet,but have seen Love and Marriage list on multiple Odyssey Compasses. 10:45 pm in 270, can't remember the night.

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Trixie21

Trixie21

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Posted (edited)

Agree totally. 

We were on Anthem in August with 1500 guests. Fantastic cruise - just amazing service. And enough people onboard for atmosphere but no lines.

We are booked on Odysseys first Mediterranean cruise in May - i wonder what planned capacity is by then?

Edited by Trixie21
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