kirian
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Posts posted by kirian
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Fabulous review and great pics!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your wonderful trip with us 🙂
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I was able to purchase an at home iHealth antigen test from my CVS. However, you must also purchase the proctoring service separately online if you need the test to be valid for the cruise.
I plan to have this as my backup if I'm unable to get a rapid test done in person and have to resort to a PCR which may or may not get back in time (I have noticed less and less of the drugstores in my particular area are offering rapid NAATs or antigens).
I chose iHealth over eMed because I can get the test right at the corner drugstore, they are reimbursed through my insurance (they only cost $20 for a two pack), and if I don't need the proctor service, then I'm not out any extra money. If I need it, I can easily go online and add it for $25pp (and they seem to have tons of next day appointments available).
Just wanted to toss out another option in case you find it helpful. Enjoy your Med cruise!!!!
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43 minutes ago, cementhands said:
Smile from ear to ear! 😊
Smiles will returned! 🤣Enjoy and let loose you’ll never ever see these people again 😇
LOL! That was the mantra my mom and I had on our last cruise, "We'll never see these people again." It helped to remind us that it was ok to re-wear the same outfit, take part in silly games, etc.
I drop off my bag as soon as possible, tour the ship if I haven't been on it before, grab a snack wherever it's not a madhouse and then grab a glass of bubbly for a sail away toast.
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Thanks for doing this! I'm set to sail on her Jan 8th, so I'll definitely be following along to see how your experience is during these wacky times.
Melissa
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First of all, you´ll need to take the metro and not the train in order to get to Forum station.
But yes the hotel is located behind Forum concert hall so its a short walk from the station.
You can take bus 25 to the pier without any problems, just take the metro one stop to Nørreport and then catch bus 25 from there.
I can´t help you with the last question.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help!
Melissa
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Thanks Melissa, much more helpful and insightful. Do you remember how much you paid onboard? Wondering how it compares to the $150 listed (even though it won't let me purchase). I hear you on the folks camping out, that could get annoying quickly. And appreciate the recommendation on researching hours. We're thinking of staying onboard in Nassau (did it on another cruise, not really interested in much there) as it would give us more time to explore the ship without the full crowd. But if it's closed, you may have just saved me a chunk of change.
Thanks again!
You're very welcome! I get so much helpful info from folks on here and I'm happy (on the rare occasions) when I have the opportunity to help someone else for a change :)
If I recall, the price was exactly the same onboard.... $99 per person for the cruise, or $150 per couple. So, don't worry that you're missing something by having to wait until you board to purchase.
I believe the spa is usually open when in port, so you will probably be ok in Nassau (still good to check though). On one cruise, my mom and chose not to do the pass because we were in port 9/12 days and knew we would be getting back onboard most nights after the spa was closed. In that case, it just didn't make sense for us because we knew we wouldn't be able to use it that much (and we figured if on 1-2 evenings we did want to, we could buy the $20 daily pass and still come out cheaper). Our next cruise as lots of sea days and some port days where we know we will be back on board before it gets too late when the spa should still be open, so we will definitely get our use out of it.
Good luck with whatever you decide and please let me know if I can answer any other questions about the thermal suite.
Happy Cruising!
Melissa
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Apologize in advance if this is a newbie question, but couldn't find an answer...
The cruise planner for our Dec trip shows the Thermal Suite Couples Week Pass for $150 for a couple, but when I try to add it to my cart it says "item not found". I've gone back and tried it a dozen times over the past few weeks to no avail.
So questions...
1) Is this just not able to be pre-booked (seems like the "sale" should be)?
2) Any insight into what it actually entails (how much time in the thermal spa? daily? etc)?
3) Is it worth it to those of you who have done it before?
thanks! 143 days and counting....
I can at least try to answer your questions based on my experience in the past with this pass (I haven't done it recently though, so things may have changed)
1 - I have never pre-booked it.... always just purchased the pass on the 1st day. I also noticed today when I was on my cruise planner (my cruise leaves in about 2.5 wks) this wasn't listed as an available option to book (but it was listed before... I don't know why it's gone or if it will return... but I've never had a problem purchasing onboard)
2 - Again, just speaking from my experience (assuming here that most ships that offer the pass have similar facilities) the pass gets you into the "special" thermal suite area of the spa. I say "special" because most ships have a sauna/steam room in the gym locker rooms that you can use for free. The "special" area on the ships I have been on had a dry sauna, 2 (or maybe three... can't recall) different "wet" steam rooms of various temperatures, some sort of special waterfall/rain shower (I never really figured out the appeal of this), and a couple of hot tile beds (which are amazing except when people decide to camp out on them (and fall asleep) for over an hour so that no one else can use them :mad:)
3 - Is it worth it? Well, I guess that's up to each person. My mom and I have always really enjoyed it and we plan to do it again on our next cruise. The one thing I would suggest taking into account though is how much time you will actually be able to use it. If you have a few sea days, then you will probably get your monies worth. But, if most of your time is in port, then it might not be worth it. The thermal suite is only open when the spa is open, so it might be beneficial for you to check the operating hours on your particular ship/itinerary.
Also, if you want to see what it all actually looks like before you purchase the pass, you can stop by the spa when you board and they will most likely be offering spa tours (which include showing you the thermal suite... you just have to ignore their hard-sell tactics during the tour)
Hope that helps!
Melissa
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Thanks for all of your insight, Danish Viking! I have a couple of quick questions I'm hoping you can help with...
My mom and I arrive at the airport in the afternoon on Aug 23rd. We are staying at Cabinn Express (Frederiksberg). We will have 2 larger suitcases and 2 smaller carry-on size rollers. I'm "thinking" we can handle these on the train (not sure if we would be successful on buses). So, if we took the train to our hotel, would we take the M2 to the Forum station and then have a short walk to our hotel (based on my research, I believe this is correct, but would love some verification). If so, is this plan doable with the luggage we will have (we don't have any mobility issues) or are the trains difficult to navigate with 2 pieces of luggage per person?
From Cabinn Express, I was thinking we would just take a taxi to Oceankaj (we are on RCCL), since it looks like the train might not be a good option and to use a bus would involve some transfers and maybe too much walking... or am I missing something?
Finally, and you may not be able to answer this but perhaps someone can. Do you know if they enforce the suggested boarding times for RCCL at this cruise terminal? Our tickets "suggest" we board around 2p, but we would prefer to board around 11-11:30 if they will allow it.
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Melissa
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Thanks to all for offering their insight on the "Copenhagen Boarding" question (although I'm still having a difficult time accepting that there is something Bob doesn't know about RCCL...lol ). Sorry for highjacking this thread.... I only realized after my post that my question, while related to another post, didn't really pertain to the topic of the Royal app itself.
Melissa
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Suggested arrival times have not been enforced at US ports.
Hi Bob,
Do you know if they are enforced in European ports (specifically Copenhagen)... or can we just do the same as in the US and show up anytime we like during the boarding window?
Thanks,
Melissa
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There was a mention of this on my local news. I believe they said the person was airlifted to my local hospital here in Wilmington, NC (New Hanover Regional Medical Center). I'm so grateful that we have such a wonderful and prepared Coast Guard to help out in these situations. Kudos to them and all involved, and prayers for the woman involved & her family.
Melissa
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Thanks for taking the time to share your review. It was informative and entertaining.... I LOVE your writing style :D
Melissa
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Thanks for sharing your story, OP. I experience panic attacks (horrible things). I also occasionally get, what I would call a "mild" asthma attack mainly in response to an outside allergen (like when I am cutting grass or hedges) or if I'm doing a lot of exercising (especially outdoors).
I have an inhaler and it works in a jiffy to help me breathe freely again. However, it happens so rarely (and nothing in the past few months) that I would have never thought to bring my inhaler on my upcoming TA. Your thoughtful post has reminded me that it would be worthwhile to pack it (especially considering the nature of my next cruise and the excursions I plan to take), so I've just added it to my packing list. If I'm unfortunate enough to have to use it during my TA, I'll at least be sure to send my thanks to you over the mental airways (oh, there's a little, unintended pun there....lol) that I had it with me :)
Melissa
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I'm so sorry you are experiencing so much trouble getting something emailed to you which should be relatively simple in this day and age (although we are talking about RCCL who doesn't have the best track record when it comes to things IT-related). Regardless of whether or not a paper copy was left that you missed, or left at the wrong room, or that you didn't go to GS that morning to get a copy, or any of the other things so many people want to tell you that you did wrong, the fact remains that RCCL should be able to provide you with a copy of the receipt via email by now. There is simply no reason for someone to have to call and request something like this 3 times. Again, I am sorry for this hassle you are going through.
I completely understand why you would like to double check the receipts and make sure everything sounds like it was correctly charged. While I haven't (yet) has a personal experience with RCCL overcharging me, from what I have read on these boards, it happens often enough that I still continue to check my bill. I also go the extra step of checking my credit card statement a few days after I arrive to be sure RCCL didn't add anything after I received my paper bill (because I have heard of this happening to people). I realize not everyone does this, but it makes me feel better to double check.
All this being said, the only suggestion I can make as to your next step is to call them again (which is super frustrating, I know) and when they tell you they will email you the receipts, tell them that you will remain on the line with them until the email shows up in your inbox (I have done this with other companies before and I've never had an issue with the representative telling me they had to hang up). It's at least worth a try.
Best of luck!
Melissa
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Someone on my roll call (Aug 26th, 2018 Serenade Transatlantic) just mentioned that our roll call is suddenly showing 157 (after being at zero, again, last week). Dare we believe this issue is finally fixed????
Melissa
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We will be getting out tomorrow but the doctors won’t let him fly.
Because of the amount of blood he has lost and the amount of fluids they needed to gave him his hemoglobin has dropped to almost half of normal, that’s why he’s heart is pumping so fast. This will take a few week to recover so his immune system is low too, so a plane or boat is not the best to recover.
So to all sailing from NY on the Adventures of the Sea on the 15th have a great trip, hopefully meet you all on another one in the not too distant future.
So sorry to read that you won't make your trip, but very happy that they know exactly what is going on with your son and that he will be ok!!!! That's the most important part.
I had to cancel a cruise three weeks before departure in 2015 that I have meticulously researched and planned for 14 months (my dad suddenly needed open heart surgery and things went a bit haywire to say the least... he spent 3 months in various forms of hospitals and rehabs after the surgery, but eventually got home). The insurance I had (via insuremytrip) covered every single penny including flights, hotel, cruise, pre-paid transfers.... even the private tickets I had purchased for the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.... everything. Thank goodness I had kept very meticulous records of all purchases (because so many currencies were involved, I had to show multiple pieces of paperwork for each thing). Once I gathered everything I needed (including the info from the doctor), it only took the insurance company a couple of weeks to issue my full refund check. I hope your process goes as smoothly as mine did.
BTW - my mom and I are finally getting around to re-taking that missed cruise (we leave in just 2 months)... yay... and the itinerary is even a bit better than the one we had to cancel. So, from the way I choose to look at it, things ended up just fine (perhaps better)... only a tad later than we had planned.
Again, best of luck to you and your family, and a continued speedy recovering to your son.
Melissa :)
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Same thing has happened now 4 times on the Serenade Transatlantic for Aug 26, 2018. At one point, we had over 80 people signed up, just to have it revert back to zero. It never ceases to amaze me how the IT dept can manage to mess up even the simplest of things... over and over :confused:
Melissa
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So sorry to read about all that your son, you and your family are going through. I hope that whatever is going on with your son turns out to be minor and easily rectified. Best of luck to all of you!
Melissa
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When I was at my TA's office a couple weeks ago, I had her call RCCL to ask if I still had any Next Cruise certificates floating around (I knew my mom and I each bought one in 2013, but couldn't recall if we used them both or not). RCCL indicated there was still one remaining in my name. At first, they told my TA that I had to book a cruise before Jan 1, 2019 or else I would lose the cert (didn't have to take a cruise before then... just have one booked). However, after my TA questioned the agent further, s/he then changed their story and said that the certificate didn't have an expiration date after all.
I'm glad to read that this lines up with what others have stated as well. There will definitely be another RCCL cruise in my future and I will use it then, but I just didn't want to have to rush to make a decision before Jan 2019 on which cruise to book next (I need to get my upcoming transatlantic cruise under my belt before I can think about what my next one might be....lol)
Melissa
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For most ships out of the US, around 11am if things are going smoothly.
Hi Bob,
Like you mentioned, I know when ships sail from the US, we can pretty much ignore the suggested boarding time (my mom and I usually get on the ship around 11a-12p regardless of what our documents say). However, our next cruise leaves from Copenhagen. Do you (or does anyone else) have any insight as to whether or not we can show up there around 11a as well (regardless of what our documents might suggest)?
Thanks in advance!
Melissa
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What a beautiful tribute for your father, and nicely assisted by RCCL. Thank you for taking the time to share your story (especially when folks don't often take the time to report a good experience).
Melissa
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I know it's already been said, but heck, you deserve to hear it again.... GREAT intro video!!!! I was particularly fond of the shout out to the towel animals (the mayhem they get up to in my cabin keeps me on my toes...lol). Looking forward to reading how you survived with all those kids :eek:
Melissa
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In 2013, my cruise out of Barcelona docked in La Spezia. Here, my mom and I walked through town and caught the train to Cinque Terra. We visited 2 of the 5 towns and had a lovely lunch at one. On our return via the short train ride, we still had time to stroll through La Spezia and stop in some shops as we walked back to the ship from the train station. You could consider this option (Cinque Terra) if you don't want to spend quite so much time making the journey to Florence (although I'm sure Florence is worth the travel time)
On the same cruise, when we docked at Civitavecchia, we walked to the train station and took the train approx 1 hr into Rome. When we exited the train, we walked a short distance to the Metro station and took that to the Coliseum. To save time, I had purchased tickets ahead of time for the underground tour of the Coliseum. We arrived before our scheduled tour time, so we walked across the street to the Forum and spent over an hour there (probably closer to 2 hrs). Truth be told, we actually ending up enjoying the Forum more than the Coliseum (don't get me wrong, the Coliseum is amazing....we were just so surprised by all there was to see in the Forum). For our time in the Forum, I had previously downloaded Rick Steves free walking tour and it was excellent.
By no means am I some super world traveler who speaks Italian and is an expert at navigating public transportation (I have no clue how to catch a bus in my own town....lol). But with a little research and planning, I was able to figure things out just fine to make the most of my time in these two cities without going on a formal tour (which I have no problem with and did in other places). Depending on how much time you have at each stop, I would suggest you definitely consider venturing to Florence or Cinque Terra, as well as Rome... either on your own or as part of a tour group (whatever you are most comfortable with). By no means will you get to see everything those cities have to offer, but you can at least get a feel for a couple of the highlights that might just make you want to visit again for a longer period of time in the future.
Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!!!!
Melissa
PS - there are many more details of exactly what we did in these two stops in the review found in my signature
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Not sure how I missed this thread the various other times it was making the rounds, but so happy to have come across it today. I've been crying reading about the plight of the poor bananas....oh the humanity!
(ok, the crying was from tears of laughter, but still.... :'))
Thanks for resurrecting it!
Royal Changes Next Week b/c of Lee?
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
I truly do understand that this is for safety reasons, but I'm so bummed. Switching from NE/Canada to Florida and the Bahamas is a pretty massive change. Trying super hard to look at the positive and remind myself that I love sea days.