Ovation of the Seas-Alaska-May 5, 2022-May 13, 2022

[graphicguy]

@CC Help Jenn

 

Hi Jenn….saw your post in the other thread.  This thread is “pre-cruise” live activity.  Will be going live with it once on board, too.  Got some Celebrity live reports from the past in my sig.  Oh….and I have a dog, too.  This is his “glamour shot”.  LOL!

Edited April 15, 2022 by graphicguy

[CC Help Jenn]

Just now, graphicguy said:

@CC Help Jenn

 

Hi Jenn….saw your post in the other thread.  This thread is “pre-cruise” live activity.  Will be going live with it once on board, too.  Got some Celebrity live reports from the past in my sig.  Oh….and I have a dog, too.  This is his “glamour shot”.  LOL!

Smart to know that pets are always the way to grab my attention 😛  Thanks for letting me know!

[graphicguy]

25 minutes ago, CC Help Jenn said:

Smart to know that pets are always the way to grab my attention 😛  Thanks for letting me know!

My dog is feeling the love....."woof-woof".  Actually, he's taking a nap from all the exhasuting activity of waking up  

 

Thanks for the badge!

[graphicguy]

So, we are now two weeks out from Embarkation.  Just checked, and unless they are restricting capacity, this ship will be sailing completely full.

 

Should be fun.

 

From here, I'll show packing shortcuts, identify how/where/where to get COVID test, update health status, Flying and getting into (and out of) Vancouver.

 

Getting close, now.

[Biker19]

27 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just checked, and unless they are restricting capacity, this ship will be sailing completely full.

Not sure where you are checking but cabins are still for sale and there could be lots of them still available via X and Z GTY bookings.

[graphicguy]

56 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Not sure where you are checking but cabins are still for sale and there could be lots of them still available via X and Z GTY bookings.

Looked this a.m.  It showed a few interior cabins, but the rest showed "Sold Out"!

[JessyCruises]

On 4/12/2022 at 9:06 PM, JessyCruises said:

We are in New Brunswick Canada.  We are testing here on Tuesday  (the 3rd) at a local pharmacy then flying on the 4th and boarding on the 5th.

 Change of plans for us.  We decided to order some Proctored online tests through Switch Health like we have in the past and just do them from home.  The cost is the same and I was paranoid that Shoppers Drugmart would not have any tests when we tried to get one.

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

 It showed a few interior cabins, but the rest showed "Sold Out"!

There could be quite a few cabins available under the X and Z GTY.

[chefestelle]

On 4/12/2022 at 7:37 AM, graphicguy said:

So, unfinished business before the cruise laundry and last minute planning begins.

 

Still have an upgrade pending.  Just did a quick look-see and it appears there are about 50 cabins total available.  I think only 4-5 are Jr Suites (one of my bids).  No full suites available.  So, looks like an upgrade ain’t happening.  But, am just fine with that.

 

Fully vaccinated and boosted.

 

A bit of a question surrounding Covid testing.  I will get tested before I leave the U.S.  But, we sail on Thursday.  I leave on Wednesday to fly into Vancouver (early a.m.).  That means, I test on Tuesday.  I have received two different answers from Royal Customer service.  One, the test results from a Tuesday test will be accepted.  Another said testing on Tuesday is one day and flying in on Wednesday makes day 2 (2 days being the maximum time for testing before embarkation).  I guess I could call again, but what good would another “opinion” be at the pier?

 

Unless I get a definitive answer, I’m making back up plans.  Not sure how far either of these places are from my Vancouver hotel (JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, 39 Smithe St), but looks like they’re no more than walking or taxi distance….

 

https://fast-test.ca/locations/

 

https://covidtravelvancouver.ca/

 

So, already used up my OBC.  Booked the 2 specialty restaurants special and bought the highest internet available for the week.

 

Looks like there aren’t many discounts on the excursions.  Plus, it doesn’t look like they’re selling out very quickly.  Still mulling over which I might want to do (open for suggestions….Royal Sponsored or not).

 

Debating buying new skivvies for this trip….. 😉

 

 

Your only real options of those locations are the Pan Pacific (it's at the pier) or the Hotel Vancouver. Either one is a nice walk if you're not planning on testing the day you're boarding. Smithe St is a bit far from those locations to be dragging luggage. 

[graphicguy]

9 hours ago, chefestelle said:

Your only real options of those locations are the Pan Pacific (it's at the pier) or the Hotel Vancouver. Either one is a nice walk if you're not planning on testing the day you're boarding. Smithe St is a bit far from those locations to be dragging luggage. 

I see there’s testing available at Waterfront Fairmont.  I’m staying at the Marriott Parq Hotel, which is a few blocks away from the testing site as well as from the pier.  I can walk there leaving my luggage in my hotel room.   Bottom line, I’m testing at home before I fly out on Tuesday, given testing is no charge at the Walgreens near me.  Barring anything unforeseen, that should suffice.  Just want to have a back up plan.

 

19 hours ago, Biker19 said:

There could be quite a few cabins available under the X and Z GTY.

Just going by what I saw when looking at bookings on line.  It still only shows availability for Inside Cabins with the rest of the categories sold out.

[Biker19]

44 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just going by what I saw when looking at bookings on line.  It still only shows availability for Inside Cabins with the rest of the categories sold out.

We have several recent reports and my own observations that fairly close to sailing you could have 20, 30 or more cabins available and then the whole category is gone and the GTY offering appears. I am suggesting that a good chunk of those cabins are still available but hidden under the GTY umbrella. 

[cruising twosome]

I’m on the 5/20 cruise and wondering about ArriveCAN…please let me know if this was necessary-thanks.

Edited April 23, 2022 by cruising twosome

[grayshark]

4 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I see there’s testing available at Waterfront Fairmont.  I’m staying at the Marriott Parq Hotel, which is a few blocks away from the testing site as well as from the pier.  I can walk there leaving my luggage in my hotel room.   Bottom line, I’m testing at home before I fly out on Tuesday, given testing is no charge at the Walgreens near me.  Barring anything unforeseen, that should suffice.  Just want to have a back up plan.

 

Just going by what I saw when looking at bookings on line.  It still only shows availability for Inside Cabins with the rest of the categories sold out.

I am seeing 51 inside cabins available this morning 

25 in 4U

12 in 2U

6 in 1U

4 in 2W

4 in CI

 

 

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, grayshark said:

I am seeing 51 inside cabins available this morning 

25 in 4U

12 in 2U

6 in 1U

4 in 2W

4 in CI

 

 

Same thing I’m seeing….only inside cabins remain.  The other categories are sold out.

[graphicguy]

3 hours ago, cruising twosome said:

I’m on the 5/20 cruise and wondering about ArriveCAN…please let me know if this was necessary-thanks.

Sailing in less than two weeks.  As of right now, it’s mandatory.

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html

[Ferry_Watcher]

Shore side staff were told that passengers will need to show proof of ArriveCan to enter the terminal at Seattle's Pier 91.  Plans are under discussion on how to help passengers who may show up without ArriveCan.

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Shore side staff were told that passengers will need to show proof of ArriveCan to enter the terminal at Seattle's Pier 91.  Plans are under discussion on how to help passengers who may show up without ArriveCan.

This particular cruise is sailing out of Vancouver.

[Ferry_Watcher]

42 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

This particular cruise is sailing out of Vancouver.

Thanks, just trying to get the word out.  CCer's read many threads looking for info.

[crzndeb]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

This particular cruise is sailing out of Vancouver.

But there is the Shakedown cruise leaving from Seattle on Apr 26 (stopping in Victoria). Technically, they need to complete ArriveCan today, if they need to show it on Tues.

Edited April 23, 2022 by crzndeb

[deliver42]

We were on the Ovation out of Seattle last September, and it's an awesome ship with a fantastic crew.

[graphicguy]

14 hours ago, crzndeb said:

But there is the Shakedown cruise leaving from Seattle on Apr 26 (stopping in Victoria). Technically, they need to complete ArriveCan today, if they need to show it on Tues.

Watching the thread on that cruise as I’m really curious how it goes.  There’s a YouTuber who works in the casino (name escapes me) that did a vid showing the OVATION totally empty and still preparing for paying passengers.

Edited April 24, 2022 by graphicguy

[crzndeb]

8 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Watching the thread on that cruise as I’m really curious how it goes.  There’s a YouTuber who works in the casino (name escapes me) that did a vid showing the OVATION totally empty and still preparing for paying passengers.

Chris Wong. He does quite a few cruise videos on YouTube, and posts occasionally on Cruise Critic. I don’t gamble, but will probably go by the casino and say hi..

[graphicguy]

On 4/22/2022 at 1:11 PM, JessyCruises said:

 Change of plans for us.  We decided to order some Proctored online tests through Switch Health like we have in the past and just do them from home.  The cost is the same and I was paranoid that Shoppers Drugmart would not have any tests when we tried to get one.

Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with the RAPID TEST location at or near the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel?  

 

That's a plan B for me just in case something goes sideways with my testing in the U.S. on Tuesday, the day before I leave.

 

I saw the eMED site here in the U.S.  But, they're selling in bulk of 5 tests.  I only need one test.  The rest will go to waste and not worth me buying.

 

Testing in the U.S. at some of the big drug store chains is covered, so no cost to me personally.  I like that direction.  But, in case my results get lost, my testing time is for some reason cancelled, etc, I want to have a back up plan.

[JessyCruises]

23 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with the RAPID TEST location at or near the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel?  

 

Sorry I am not.  I have never actually been to Vancouver before.  All of the provinces seem to have different rules about where you can get tests.  Here in New Brunswick there are only a few places you can get them done

[kmdress]

38 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with the RAPID TEST location at or near the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel?  

 

That's a plan B for me just in case something goes sideways with my testing in the U.S. on Tuesday, the day before I leave.

 

I saw the eMED site here in the U.S.  But, they're selling in bulk of 5 tests.  I only need one test.  The rest will go to waste and not worth me buying.

 

Testing in the U.S. at some of the big drug store chains is covered, so no cost to me personally.  I like that direction.  But, in case my results get lost, my testing time is for some reason cancelled, etc, I want to have a back up plan.

I ordered mine using the link on the RCCL site through Optum. You could order by a pack of 2. I think the 2 pack was around $69 US. The telemed is available 24/7. Our local Walgreens and CVS are not doing the rapid Antigen and only doing the send out PCR and antigen. Our insurance covers 100% of testing but buying them was worth the peace of mind for me.