Just off Odyssey Xmas cruise... honest review from Diamond plus member with 324 nights.

[bigeagle12]

Heaven forbid the passengers take responsibility and stay home if they are concerned about catching Covid when on a ship with thousands of strangers.  With current cancellation policy just move your cruise to later this year or get a refund.  Don’t blame the cruise line when you know the risks.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

6 hours ago, Ramona760 said:

Thank you for your report. If I had not already had a cruise in Dec. with RC, I would have canceled. However we had quite the opposite experience with one big difference. We are in California. We took the Navigator of the Seas Dec. 13 for a short 3 day cruise out of Los Angeles. All entertainment was open, Ship was at maybe 40% capacity. Only unvaxed were children. Mask wearing was never an issue as everyone was compliant which led to a perfectly enjoyable cruise. We are also booked with family in mid January and are hoping for a similar experience. 

 

Mask policy has recently changed and there are no areas for Vaccinated only (no mask) 

This guidance is for all guests age 2 and up. Guests under the age of 2 do not need to wear a mask.

Masks are NOT required to be worn:

• In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting
• In the pool or any activity where they may become wet
• In your stateroom when you are with your traveling party
• While visiting our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, unless you are in a crowded setting
• By any guest under the age of 2

Masks ARE required to be worn:

• While indoors onboard the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking
• While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them 

Will I have to wear a Face Mask on my cruise?

[JoelinSedona]

Royal has slashed entertainment and activities on a number of recent cruises because they were understaffed and unprepared. This is not a "busy holiday issue".  This is a "we increased passenger counts too fast so we could make more money" issue. They gambled, we lost.  The argument that you should be grateful to pay thousands to sit on deck and read a book or get blitzed at the bar is nonsense.

[not-enough-cruising]

1 hour ago, Nick67 said:

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-cruiseships.html

 

The CSO is not enforceable on Florida embarkation 

[Ocean Boy]

3 minutes ago, JoelinSedona said:

Royal has slashed entertainment and activities on a number of recent cruises because they were understaffed and unprepared. This is not a "busy holiday issue".  This is a "we increased passenger counts too fast so we could make more money" issue. They gambled, we lost.  The argument that you should be grateful to pay thousands to sit on deck and read a book or get blitzed at the bar is nonsense.

Don't attempt to imply that RCI has any culpability. Anything other than squarely blaming passengers will earn you some snark, too.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

1 hour ago, Nick67 said:

 

Q

How do you enforce new health protocols? What are the consequences of not following new health & safety conduct rules?

 

 

Our safety ambassadors onboard will enforce Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy as well as our Refusal to Transport Policy. Shoreside, our safety ambassador teams will work with local authorities to enforce both our Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy and any applicable laws. Failure to follow any of our policies or any applicable laws may result in enforcement action, up to and including denial of boarding or removal from our vessels.

Key words......may result. Not strong enough IMHO

[not-enough-cruising]

50 minutes ago, Jasukkie said:

There just has to be testing at the pier. Even that's not 100% because of incubation periods but it's far better than two days out. Other cruise lines are doing it just fine. 

 

 

Name one other than NCL (which is ending their port side testing in a couple weeks)

[topnole]

11 minutes ago, JoelinSedona said:

Royal has slashed entertainment and activities on a number of recent cruises because they were understaffed and unprepared. This is not a "busy holiday issue".  This is a "we increased passenger counts too fast so we could make more money" issue. They gambled, we lost.  The argument that you should be grateful to pay thousands to sit on deck and read a book or get blitzed at the bar is nonsense.

Understaffed?   How so. Are the supposed to have an entire backup crew for major shows?   That isn’t even possible even if you wanted to spend the money.

 

Also, Royal isn’t making money.  They are losing money.  Just less now as they ramp up capacity.  

[gracia98888]

8 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Name one other than NCL (which is ending their port side testing in a couple weeks)

Disney Cruise Lines

[topnole]

57 minutes ago, bajathree said:

I am not sure that lowering capacity and charging more is a loose loose for customers. They may actually find that people/families may be willing to pay a premium right now. People have been willing to pay big premiums over the past year for AirBnb's and home vacation rentals....so why not on cruise ships where you keep limited occupancy, be able to lessen restrictions and some protocols aboard and people still feel safe and are happier.

Average families aren’t going to pay $3000 per person for what they offer.  A family of 4 or 5 would be $15,000.  They need average families too to survive.  Way too much supply (ships) to put passengers on.  It’s a nice thought, but not practical.   They aren’t even profitable for a week at capacity unless they sell enough onboard stuff like drinks, specialty dining, etc.   

[JoelinSedona]

9 minutes ago, topnole said:

Understaffed?   How so. Are the supposed to have an entire backup crew for major shows?   That isn’t even possible even if you wanted to spend the money.

 

Also, Royal isn’t making money.  They are losing money.  Just less now as they ramp up capacity.  

Having gotten off Symphony a few days ago and being told by various staff members that they are understaffed....that's "how so".  And that's why many activities were eliminated or slashed. And when they did open up something for a short period, people would line up cheek to cheek.

Edited December 27, 2021 by JoelinSedona
grammer

[Jasukkie]

15 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Name one other than NCL (which is ending their port side testing in a couple weeks)

Virgin Voyages. I was very impressed with their logistics. No lines at check-in, straight to testing, 15 minutes wait, and then to the cleared waiting area where we sat for about 30 minutes then walked right on the ship. Very easy.

[Ocean Boy]

5 minutes ago, topnole said:

Average families aren’t going to pay $3000 per person for what they offer.  A family of 4 or 5 would be $15,000.  They need average families too to survive.  Way too much supply (ships) to put passengers on.  It’s a nice thought, but not practical.   They aren’t even profitable for a week at capacity unless they sell enough onboard stuff like drinks, specialty dining, etc.   

You mean the types of things that kids spend money on? RCI should be a bit more concerned right now with getting people aboard that own credit cards.

[topnole]

1 minute ago, JoelinSedona said:

Having gotten off Symphony a few days ago and being told by a various staff members that they are understaffed....that's "how so".  And that's why many activities and were eliminated or slashed. And when they did open up something for a short period, people would line up cheek to cheek.

You said entertainment was slashed due to understaffing.  They only ever have one guy play in the pub.  One in schooner.  One cast in shows.  Etc.  

 

They may be understaffed in other areas, but I seriously doubt they were understaffed on entertainment crew.  Sounds like Covid kept some from being able to work. It sucks, but that doesn’t mean understaffed.  

[topnole]

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

You mean the types of things that kids spend money on?

What d you mean?   

[SplashOfWater]

23 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Name one other than NCL (which is ending their port side testing in a couple weeks)

NCL has extended their port testing through the end of January.

[Ocean Boy]

3 minutes ago, topnole said:

What d you mean?   

I mean RCI is so concerned with getting kids aboard but they are not the ones who spend money in the profit centers. So maybe, for now, with capacity controlled sailing, it would be better for their bottom line to concern themselves more with adults even if they loose some family bookings.

[topnole]

7 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

You mean the types of things that kids spend money on? RCI should be a bit more concerned right now with getting people aboard that own credit cards.

You don’t think parents spend on their kids onboard?   Lots of kids eat specialty dining, particularly teens.  Internet.  Non alcoholic drink packages.  All the kids stores on the boardwalk.  Port tours.  Pictures.  Parents spend a lot on their kids.  Not all, but many.  And many adults spend little onboard too.  

[Ocean Boy]

1 minute ago, topnole said:

You don’t think parents spend on their kids onboard?   Lots of kids eat specialty dining, particularly teens.  Internet.  Non alcoholic drink packages.  All the kids stores on the boardwalk.  Port tours.  Pictures.  Parents spend a lot on their kids.  Not all, but many.  And many adults spend little onboard too.  

Maybe. I do know, at least from when the Travel Channel actually had something to do with travel, that the casino and alcohol sales were huge profit centers for the cruise lines.

[topnole]

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

I mean RCI is so concerned with getting kids aboard but they are not the ones who spend money in the profit centers. So maybe, for now, with capacity controlled sailing, it would be better for their bottom line to concern themselves more with adults even if they loose some family bookings.

So just cancel anyone with kids?  Yeah, that would be great for their bottom line.  
 

How exactly do you implement that and when do expect those customers to return after you disallowed  them traveling with their kids?  
 

In practice what you are suggesting is a no go and a quick way to destroy their business.   

[time4u2go]

36 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Name one other than NCL (which is ending their port side testing in a couple weeks)

Disney 

 

Oops just saw that somebody else had already answered.

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by time4u2go

[LGW59]

1 minute ago, topnole said:

So just cancel anyone with kids?  Yeah, that would be great for their bottom line.  
 

How exactly do you implement that and when do expect those customers to return after you disallowed  them traveling with their kids?  
 

In practice what you are suggesting is a no go and a quick way to destroy their business.   

Not

[topnole]

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

If the kids are not vaccinated keep them the hell off the ship, otherwise welcome aboard 

Yeah, only let the vaccinated on board who spread omicron just as much.  Brilliant idea.  

[LGW59]

Just now, topnole said:

Yeah, only let the vaccinated on board who spread omicron just as much.  Brilliant idea.  

Thanks I thought so as well, glad you agree 

[alwaysflyin]

6 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

If the kids are not vaccinated keep them the hell off the ship, otherwise welcome aboard 

It won't make a bit of difference since vaccinated and boosted adults easily catch and spread Omicron covid.

 

My point: everyone keeps saying "oh, if Royal only does _________ then no one onboard will get covid".  Everything suggested, from masks to lower capacity to only vaccinated allowed to sail, will not stop the spread of covid.  Royal is doing everything that they reasonably can and we all need to approach cruising with the concept that it is not Royal's job to keep us "safe" (oh how I have come to loathe that word).  It is our job to understand that Omicron is super infectious and that if you engage in normal life at all you have a chance to get it, whether that be in normal life or on a ship.  Then proceed accordingly based on your risk profile should you catch covid.

 

As for me, I'd go on a ship tomorrow if I could book one!