Semi-Live April 6-Scarlet Lady

[barbiecruiser27]

We’re back!!! Decided to do a second sailing on the beautiful Scarlet Lady. Got such a steal using our Sea Blazers coupons from our 2021 sailing and then the $200 JLO credit- this was too good to pass up. This sailing goes to Nassau and Bimini. We have an excursion booked for Bimini to snorkel with sharks. Eeeek. And then in Nassau  we plan to stay on board- maybe spa day? 
 

We’re 48 hours out and virgin now allows self testing so we went to Walgreens today to get our tests done. Our test was called a Rapid NAAT, which I’m not even sure works…. The Virgin rep said that all that mattered was that it was a laboratory test and not a home diy kit. So we’ll see….

 

Can’t wait to share our sailing! 
 

Catch our first sailing here: YouTube.com/travelsaltandsea 

[barbiecruiser27]

Laying in bed too excited to sleep as we head off for Miami tomorrow morning. Man did I over pack for this one. Also- tried packing cubes for a first time… not sure how I feel about them…

 

Got a 12:30 check in but I believe boarding is around 2pm so we might be sitting around a while- not sure? I do plan to vlog as usual so I am excited to share footage of the new terminal! Hopefully this time around we have less time spent waiting outside in the sun. 
 

Forgot to mention previously, but tomorrow is also my birthday wahoo! First time cruising ON my birthday. I’ve been close but never on.

 

Going to try and sleep. Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

[barbiecruiser27]

We are on the way.  Left Orlando around 8:30 and our eta says 12:30 on the dot. Our check in is 12:30, but I’m not in a dire rush given we most likely can’t board until 2pm or so. Being a remote worker I forget what commuter traffic is like. Orlando was yucky! 
 

 

[Raiders4Life32]

We have a check in time of 12:30 for this Sunday's sailing so my wife and I are interested to hear/read your embarkation experience.  We are also planning on pre-testing in California before flying out to avoid some of the boarding debacle we've been reading about on CC.  Hopefully you have time to update us on your experience.  Bon voyage!

[barbiecruiser27]

Our test was hardly looked at lol. We did a rapid NAAT at Walgreens. Much easier than going to the testing tent and sitting waiting with angst. We showed up 12:45. Dropped bags. Went to the Covid test verification table. Got a wrist band and headed inside. Check in took 2 minutes then we did security. Now we are waiting in a seating area (with charger plugs!) to board. We are group 2 but I just noticed a group 4 person walk up (it’s 1:23). Guessing rockstars go first and assuming we start at 2… so early boarding is good to get a first check in group, but now we’re just sitting here (in ac atleast). Hope to be on board soon!! MUCH smoother than our October experience 

[Raiders4Life32]

Thanks for your information...this was extremely helpful!  We booked a Megarockstar Suite for our voyage so I think we will plan to show up at the terminal around 1:30pm to avoid sitting in the terminal.  From the sound of your experience, if you show up with a negative lab test the boarding proces should take less than 15 minutes.  

[briguy1314]

11 hours ago, barbiecruiser27 said:

Our test was hardly looked at lol. We did a rapid NAAT at Walgreens. Much easier than going to the testing tent and sitting waiting with angst. We showed up 12:45. Dropped bags. Went to the Covid test verification table. Got a wrist band and headed inside. Check in took 2 minutes then we did security. Now we are waiting in a seating area (with charger plugs!) to board. We are group 2 but I just noticed a group 4 person walk up (it’s 1:23). Guessing rockstars go first and assuming we start at 2… so early boarding is good to get a first check in group, but now we’re just sitting here (in ac atleast). Hope to be on board soon!! MUCH smoother than our October experience 

Can you share a bit more about the Walgreens plan? Where was it in relation to the port. And did you make reservations for the tests in advance? Debating trying this route as I’ve read testing at port can be a rough experience. 
thanks!! 

[barbiecruiser27]

Last night we dined at the wake. Our favorite!! The filet, lamb, clam chowder, and twice baked potatoes can’t be beat!! We plan to dine here night 4 again it’s so amazing. We also dined during sail away and had the best view from our table. We did lunch at the galley upon boarding. Everything was amazing. The food on this ship is no joke!! We spent most of our evening in the casino since we had already seen the untitled dance party on our last cruise. The occupancy on board is 650! Insane feels like we own the ship. 
 

As far as the Walgreens test. I scheduled maybe a week in advance for a Monday test in my town. I did the Rapid NAAT and testing was done at the pharmacy drive thru. Very easy and worth avoiding port testing for sure. 
 

I’ll be sharing a more thorough review once back but wanted to give a brief update!

[Raiders4Life32]

1 hour ago, barbiecruiser27 said:

Last night we dined at the wake. Our favorite!! The filet, lamb, clam chowder, and twice baked potatoes can’t be beat!! We plan to dine here night 4 again it’s so amazing. We also dined during sail away and had the best view from our table. We did lunch at the galley upon boarding. Everything was amazing. The food on this ship is no joke!! We spent most of our evening in the casino since we had already seen the untitled dance party on our last cruise. The occupancy on board is 650! Insane feels like we own the ship. 
 

As far as the Walgreens test. I scheduled maybe a week in advance for a Monday test in my town. I did the Rapid NAAT and testing was done at the pharmacy drive thru. Very easy and worth avoiding port testing for sure. 
 

I’ll be sharing a more thorough review once back but wanted to give a brief update!

Crazy that there are only 650 people on board a ship that size!  How are the app and Wifi working so far?  I've read a lot of people previously complain about issues with both of those things.  

Edited April 7, 2022 by Raiders4Life32