Navigating from Los Angeles November 29, 2021 Semi-Live

[AJSkarbo]

Hello all!

This is not my first time sailing Royal but this is the first time I am going to attempt a live thread. 

 

A little about me. My name is AJ and I am going to be travelling with my mom. This will be my mom's first cruise AND we board on her birthday so she is very excited about that. As far as I know, our sailing is the 3rd sailing for the Navigator since the re-start not counting the test cruise. I grew up in Southern California but moved to Texas about 9 years ago for work. I still come "home" at least once a year to see friends and family and help my mom who has mobility issues. I saw that the cruise was leaving on my moms birthday and figured it would be a great birthday and Christmas gift. 

 

We are departing on Monday out of the San Pedro Cruise terminal. We have opted to drive to the port from San Diego and park in the port parking for $18/day. 

[AJSkarbo]

To answer some of the common questions:

 

I booked while there was no single supplement so I got us each our own cabins. I will be in a virtual balcony. I paid for a GTY inside then bid $40 total for a RoyalUp to the virtual balcony and got it. Right now my mom is in a regular inside. However, I had not anticipated how her mobility issues have worsened in the year and a half since I have been back so we will be requesting to move her into an accessible cabin once on board. I have no idea if they will be able to, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Without knowing what capacity we are sailing, I convinced her to bring her walker to help her get around on board. 

 

We both purchased the DBP for $44/day on sale a couple weeks ago. I know I will get my monies worth because I am a good drinker on cruises. My mom is not a big drinker but she thinks between the alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages she will make good use of it. 

 

I do have one device surf and stream as a TA perk but I do not plan to use any up charge restaurants or purchase any other packages. I do plan on spending some time in the casino to use up some OBC I have. 

[long4acruise]

Enjoy your cruise and precious time with your Mom celebrating her birthday!

Looking forward to your review.

[Jragland]

Hope you both have a wonderful cruise!  We will be aboard with you!

[billslowsky]

I've done this itinerary on Carnival.  Catalina is really nice but mobility issues may limit you.  There is a paratransit service available.  

 

To be generous, Ensenada is a dump.  One time we took a winery tour from the ship.  The tour of Cetto was very good and well-run.  Then they take you to some smaller place where you get hit on for tips for an "authentic native performance" and to buy lousy wine and souvenirs.

[Tree_skier]

Enjoy, I'll be following along.

[AJSkarbo]

2 hours ago, long4acruise said:

Enjoy your cruise and precious time with your Mom celebrating her birthday!

Looking forward to your review.

Thank you! We are really excited. Me to be back on the water. And mom to be on her first cruise. Hoping to get her addicted like I am!

 

1 hour ago, billslowsky said:

I've done this itinerary on Carnival.  Catalina is really nice but mobility issues may limit you.  There is a paratransit service available.  

 

To be generous, Ensenada is a dump.  One time we took a winery tour from the ship.  The tour of Cetto was very good and well-run.  Then they take you to some smaller place where you get hit on for tips for an "authentic native performance" and to buy lousy wine and souvenirs.

We don't plan to get off in Ensenada. We hope to get to see Catalina but that will depend on her pain and mobility that day. If we spend all 4 days on the ship, that is A-ok with me!

 

2 hours ago, Jragland said:

Hope you both have a wonderful cruise!  We will be aboard with you!

Awesome! And thank you!

[binro01]

I will be going on this cruise on April 4th 2022. Looking forward to your updates. Please post the entertainment schedule if you get a chance 🙂

[Ashland]

4 hours ago, AJSkarbo said:

Hello all!

This is not my first time sailing Royal but this is the first time I am going to attempt a live thread. 

 

A little about me. My name is AJ and I am going to be travelling with my mom. This will be my mom's first cruise AND we board on her birthday so she is very excited about that. As far as I know, our sailing is the 3rd sailing for the Navigator since the re-start not counting the test cruise. I grew up in Southern California but moved to Texas about 9 years ago for work. I still come "home" at least once a year to see friends and family and help my mom who has mobility issues. I saw that the cruise was leaving on my moms birthday and figured it would be a great birthday and Christmas gift. 

 

We are departing on Monday out of the San Pedro Cruise terminal. We have opted to drive to the port from San Diego and park in the port parking for $18/day. 

Port parking ...I thought it was $20 per day.

We'll be doing the 7 night on Jan 17th (my Birthday)...So excited to drive to our home port.

Edited November 28, 2021 by Ashland

[suzyluvs2cruise]

3 hours ago, AJSkarbo said:

Hello all!

This is not my first time sailing Royal but this is the first time I am going to attempt a live thread. 

 

A little about me. My name is AJ and I am going to be travelling with my mom. This will be my mom's first cruise AND we board on her birthday so she is very excited about that. As far as I know, our sailing is the 3rd sailing for the Navigator since the re-start not counting the test cruise. I grew up in Southern California but moved to Texas about 9 years ago for work. I still come "home" at least once a year to see friends and family and help my mom who has mobility issues. I saw that the cruise was leaving on my moms birthday and figured it would be a great birthday and Christmas gift. 

 

We are departing on Monday out of the San Pedro Cruise terminal. We have opted to drive to the port from San Diego and park in the port parking for $18/day. 

 

Have a great time! We did the test cruise and parking is $20/day. The ship is amazing. What a great birthday gift for your mom. 

[bonsai3s]

AJ see you tomorrow! Happy Birthday to your mom!

 

We are currently onboard the Navigator.

 

Last week, 1875 passengers, 471 children.

This week, 2533 passengers, 379 children.

Anticipated for tomorrow, 1575, 133 children.

 

There are 11 accessible cabins but guest services cannot/unable to tell how many will be vacant tomorrow. Guest services said to check with them when you board. Happy Sailing!

[CruzDayz]

Have fun, I'm going too. It's not a big deal but parking is now $20 a day. Take your parking ticket with you as you now pay at a kiosk at the end of the cruise. Saves time walking back to the car to get your ticket. You then insert the paid ticket at the unmanned gate to exit.

[Californian]

Hope you both have a wonderful cruise.  We will be on the ship in a couple of months.  If you get the chance, would you post a copy of the each day's cruise compass, please?  Thanks!  It's much appreciated.

[Coralc]

6 hours ago, AJSkarbo said:

We both purchased the DBP for $44/day on sale a couple weeks ago. I know I will get my monies worth because I am a good drinker on cruises. My mom is not a big drinker but she thinks between the alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages she will make good use of it. 

 

Thanks for the info about the DBP.  That gives me hope that the price will go down to a reasonable level sometime before our sailings. 

[AJSkarbo]

5 hours ago, binro01 said:

I will be going on this cruise on April 4th 2022. Looking forward to your updates. Please post the entertainment schedule if you get a chance 🙂

I will! I plan to post the cruise compass daily as well depending on internet reliability.  

 

4 hours ago, Ashland said:

Port parking ...I thought it was $20 per day.

We'll be doing the 7 night on Jan 17th (my Birthday)...So excited to drive to our home port.

It may be $20. Either way since we are only a 3 hour drive, much better to park conveniently.  

 

4 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

AJ see you tomorrow! Happy Birthday to your mom!

 

We are currently onboard the Navigator.

 

Last week, 1875 passengers, 471 children.

This week, 2533 passengers, 379 children.

Anticipated for tomorrow, 1575, 133 children.

 

There are 11 accessible cabins but guest services cannot/unable to tell how many will be vacant tomorrow. Guest services said to check with them when you board. Happy Sailing!

Thank you so much for looking into that for me. I anticipated this weekend being high numbers due to it being a short weekend cruise. Glad to see it should be a little less than half for our trip. And THANK YOU for checking about the accessible cabins. Guest services will be the first stop on the way to lunch. Can't wait to "sea" you tomorrow!

 

1 hour ago, Californian said:

Hope you both have a wonderful cruise.  We will be on the ship in a couple of months.  If you get the chance, would you post a copy of the each day's cruise compass, please?  Thanks!  It's much appreciated.

As internet is reliable I will! 

 

1 hour ago, Coralc said:

Thanks for the info about the DBP.  That gives me hope that the price will go down to a reasonable level sometime before our sailings. 

Be sure to check in with your roll call! That's how I found out about the price dip!

Edited November 28, 2021 by AJSkarbo
Spelling

[AJSkarbo]

COVID tests were negative! So we are planning to leave San Diego around 8am to give plenty of time for traffic along the way!

[newmercies]

We're also onboard tomorrow!  Finished our covid tests, completed the health questionnaire and printed backups of all required documents. All that is left for us is packing.  Hope to run into you and your mom onboard.

Sea you soon!

Melinda & Steve

[AJSkarbo]

2 minutes ago, newmercies said:

We're also onboard tomorrow!  Finished our covid tests, completed the health questionnaire and printed backups of all required documents. All that is left for us is packing.  Hope to run into you and your mom onboard.

Sea you soon!

Melinda & Steve

Same here! Thankfully not too much needs to be packed for such a short trip!

[EllieinNJ]

Have a great trip 

[imola]

Thinking of booking this ship for February. Does it leave out of San Pedro?  Also where were folks able to get their Covid test with the short turn around. 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful cruise with calm seas. Happy Birthday to your Mom. 

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, imola said:

Thinking of booking this ship for February. Does it leave out of San Pedro?  Also where were folks able to get their Covid test with the short turn around. 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful cruise with calm seas. Happy Birthday to your Mom. 

Yes...RCI has always sailed out of San Pedro.

Walgreens does it in 24hrs.

Edited November 29, 2021 by Ashland

[bonsai3s]

1 hour ago, imola said:

Thinking of booking this ship for February. Does it leave out of San Pedro?  Also where were folks able to get their Covid test with the short turn around. 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful cruise with calm seas. Happy Birthday to your Mom. 

If your question is regarding b2b, rccl provides free swab test the day before turn-around. Results in about 2 hrs via email.

[imola]

11 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

If your question is regarding b2b, rccl provides free swab test the day before turn-around. Results in about 2 hrs via email.

Somehow I was thinking Long Beach but guess that is Carnival. 

Sorry I clear about the test. I meant with only 48 hours prior to boarding.  

[DesireeC03]

This is so sweet - love that you are celebrating your Mom!!!  Enjoy every second.

And if you see Dinesh at Playmakers please tell him that Desiree says hi - he makes the best Chocolate Martini in case you or your Mom are inclined.

[AJSkarbo]

11 hours ago, DesireeC03 said:

This is so sweet - love that you are celebrating your Mom!!!  Enjoy every second.

And if you see Dinesh at Playmakers please tell him that Desiree says hi - he makes the best Chocolate Martini in case you or your Mom are inclined.

I've never had one so I will have to give it a try! With the drink package there is nothing to lose!