The sea calls my name

They were on our December sailing on the Symphony.  This will be very interesting to see if they remove the "reserved" sign on every other table/chair combo and if they allow you to start sitting at the bars. Our go to place on Oasis class ships in the evening is the Trellis Bar in Central Park that has very limited table seating. We have always pulled up a bar stool and enjoyed watching the waiters make drinks and learn many things about and from them. I really missed that on the sailings we have taken since July. I can let you know on Feb 26 when we return from our Jewel sailing.

According to the information from Vicki Freed's Coffee Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2022 if the date where selected bars lounges, dining venues, shows, and the casino will not require mask for fully vaccinated passengers.

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Unfortunately for some I have also heard through a rep that read me an e mail that smoking in the casino would also start to be allowed

That is fact. It was reported today On Vicki Freed's Coffee talk. Mask are not required in the Casinos and smoking can resume after Feb 15.  I was hoping this was an avenue to end it once and for all. 

6 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Currently the only way to book it is the full journey. So we are on the whole enchilada 

Will Bella be a service support animal by then or maybe the ship mascot?

21 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Yea, it was crazy at dinner.  

 

They cancelled The Book

Now you know why you were booked for all of its performances.  A great show, just don't get bogged down trying to understand it.

1 hour ago, ReneeFLL said:

Mike had a blast doing this.

 

We are still waiting for ours. They were supposed to be available and shipped by December. Our cruises were in October. Hope John doesn’t have to wait on theirs.

Ditto for us. I will check once again on out Jewel cruise 2/20. If John and Laura get theirs that will be encouraging.

30 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I root for GA 364 days a year.

 

I just can't during the Missouri game.

 

MIZ....

That was the first thing my DH said when he saw the picture. He knew you were a Mizzo fan. It was a great year to be a Dawg fan for sure.

17 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Pictures from Harmony 

 

You have on the right shirts. GO DAWGS.  I didn't realize you were a Dawg fan. What an incredible year we had.  Great pictures of both of you. 

1 hour ago, Arzeena said:

I saw that! It is also all over the internet. One woman's name is mentioned over and over (I forgot). She must have broadcast this all over the world.

These stories drive me crazy with their titles that are so misleading and give the impression of total doom and destruction. AS my DH said," if it bleeds, it reads".  I guess she wanted her "15 minutes" of fame..

We are boarding the Symphony of the Seas today and my bid still says pending. I am hoping to know something before the staterooms open. What a luggage nightmare that could be, plus extra work for the cabin stewards.   

6 hours ago, twangster said:

Sailed Allure twice since the restart, still love the ship.

 

Harmony being newer has newer decor.  That hasn't changed for any ship that has been amped so a moot point in the realm of amplification.

 

It really comes down to slides and venues like El Loco Fresh.  Since Harmony doesn't have a Playmakers either that is a moot point as well.

 

Mamma Mia! is one of my favorite Broadway shows on Royal ships.  Grease is good, but Mamma Mia! is a reason to book Allure of you are into Broadway entertainment.  

 

Columbus the Musical is pretty good on Harmony though.  

 

 

Not yet and there has been no talk of her getting one.  Harmony still has Sabor.    

Oh WOW, I thought she was getting it while in Europe. My mistake.

Both shows are great. Grease on Harmony and Mamma Mia on Allure. We just sailed on Allure and I love that she doesn't have the ugly Abyss obscuring the beautiful site lines, but that is my personal opinion. Harmony has Playmakers if sports are important to you, Allure does not. The allure is showing her age in some areas like the mini golf course and the decking around the pool, but we still would choose her in a heart beat in this scenario, In fact we are sailing on her on this itinerary when she does her repositioning cruise to Galveston . I would think that either Perfect Day at CoCo Cay or Nassau would be your Labadee substitution.

11 hours ago, renza said:

I live about 35 min from port Everglades. Do not spend the money to park at the port. Park at park n go. So easy and much cheaper. They are awesome and safe. Go online and reserve ahead of time. 
if u went out of Miami I would tell you to park at port but not in Fort Lauderdale. 

I so agree. We just got back last week and Park n Go is the best. Right by the port and booking online it was only $54 for 6 nights. I am in $ shock for what we are going to have to pay next month in Miami for the RCCL parking terminal $25 a night. 

We also were on this cruise and agree with everything you stated. We have been on many RCCL cruises as well as their sister line, Celebrity, HA, 1 and only 1 Carnival, NCL, Oceania and Majesty cruise line . I personally feel that Royal has , by far, the best entertainment and on board activities in the business and it continues to escalate. Food is so subjective that it is hard to compare. I think that HA, Celebrity and definitely Oceania have better main dining room quality, but Coastal Kitchen and the specialty restaurants are all top notch in my opinion. I have always found the crew on RCCL to be very helpful and courteous and that has only been amplified in our recent sailings. 

So I would say that Royal has an excellent product top to bottom. If you want less numbers, smaller ships, and more 1:1 service then your luxury lines with smaller ships and usually an older clientele would be worth a go.

The problem with this list is you have no idea who your cabin steward or favorite bar tender etc are or their gender, so home snacks or socks would be difficult.  But the sim card is a good idea.  I do snacks, hygiene items, ink pens ( which a crew told me is high on their list also). I have also heard that razors and saving cream is always appreciated. 

5 hours ago, codeyell0 said:

I was not saying don't tip.  But this is a great Idea and doesn't cost much.
They might have a store but they would not ask for specific items if they had access to everything. 
If all you want is item X it can be worth its weight in gold if you can't get it.

My goal is to know what RCL employees want most. For all i know they can't get gum, or lotion.  
Also I don't know if the ship charges a premium for items the employees need. Like they charge us. 
 

I include, gum, mints, crackers, lotion in each of my gift bags. I am sure not everyone needs the same thing, but they can always, switch and swap. I read where the only place they can get off the ship is St. Thomas and it is a "bubble" trip to a store just for them and the fare is $10. I checked my booking website and it looks like the next stop there for the Odyssey ( our ship) is the week of Christmas.

I would love  if others would add items they have heard requested. 

We have started doing a gift bag with a lot of the items you mentioned. We also include ink pens which was one crew member wish list. The dollar tree is a great place to stuff a  bag full of snacks and personal items for very little money and our way of welcoming them back. ( incidentally this is not our tip just a little extra love). On our last cruise our cabin attendant was in tears when we gave it to  him. They really do appreciate it and if they don't need it they can give it to a friend. this way they can save their hard earned money for other items.

52 minutes ago, island lady said:

I was on hold for 45 minutes with D+ desk.  I only wanted to book the first leg.  Not interested in second leg that goes to Australia/NZ since we are already doing Radiance Aussie/NZ/TP early 2023.  

 

Finally was told, I was not able to do it.  Booking the full 4 legs only, so that was the pits.  Was told December 1st to try again for booking the portions.  

 

Well....there are way too many other lines that will book partial world cruises of 60-120 days.  You lose RCI!    😠

Beginning  in Dec. the four expedition cruises can be purchased. Individually or  a mixture of the four.

I have a cabin question. Are there any electrical outlets by the side of the bed? 

Thanks

1 minute ago, Tinkbelle87 said:

Anyone can use the tests you order. You put your info in to order and then you both separately set up Navica accounts to take the tests. Though I recommend you order one extra as some have reported having faulty kits (or have some other backup plan).

Thank you for the quick response. I have the iphone. Can I set up two accounts on my phone? ( As you can see technology is one of my greatest weaknesses & fears).

Help please. I just went to RCCL site for ordering the  Covid test ( 2 pack). I need one for myself and one for my husband.  In answering the questions, it ask if it was for me and then my DOB. It did not give me the option to put in my DH information.  Can you still purchase it with just my information and then add his when we get ready to test or do I have to order two 2 packs, which is a waste of money. 

What am I missing?

 I am So following!!! We are on her 10/31 ( embarkation should be fun with the Halloween costumes some have written they will be boarding in )  I have made a Royal up bid so fingers crossed. If you spend time during the day in the solarium, I am interested in the temperature and if it is hot. It seems like I read that it is air-conditioned. Is that possibly true?  Also I am interested in the temperature in the inside venues in the evenings ( such as Two70 the lounges and theater.) Wardrobe  planning and that fun stuff. New ship, so many question.

Thank you for the wonderful pictures and taking you time to do this review. You are correct, there are not many out there.

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

"science" also said never to touch it and if you do, immediately replace it. Also to wash it each night.

 

Then we found out covid was an airborne virus which made all that "science" obsolete.

And our thin face coverings that aren't fit tested basically of little to no  real protection.

1 hour ago, Funkytown83 said:

The Wonder TA departs April 20, 2022 and ends in Barcelona May 4, 2022. Personally we wait until we get a new booking confirmation, before we change flights or hotels... Just saying.

 

From the Email:

 

Option 1: Stay onboard the new Wonder of the Seas transatlantic cruise departing on April 20^th, 2022

• We’ll automatically move you to the Wonder of the Seas sailing departing 4 days earlier than your original cruise.

• Your new sailing will still offer the same beautiful destinations as your original cruise, and it’ll depart from the same destination.

• We’ll do our best to move you to a like-for-like stateroom and your original stateroom category price will either be protected at your original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower). This excludes taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. 

• • If you were already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for any difference in pricing. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment 30 days after we move you. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution.

• And, you’ll also be reimbursed for non-refundable airline charges with receipts (up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic flights or up to $400 USD per guest for International flights).

• • Please email your airline receipts and booking information to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement.

• Lastly, as we return to service, our sailing protocols will continue to evolve. To stay informed and up-to-date, please visit RoyalCaribbean.com/Health.

I definitely  will not make any changes until I have the new and finalized( LOL) itinerary .  I am just glad I purchased the Airline Insurance policy which should help cover any new cost.  Even with all of the changes beginning in 2020, I am beyond excited about being able to sail on the Wonder of the Seas. 

16 hours ago, xxHadleyxx said:

We just got emails from Royal regarding our TA booking on Allure and confirming we will be moved the Wonder sailing laving 4 days earlier.  I am not thrilled to need an extra week of vacation days now that we leave midweek, but getting the nice new ship at the old price is great...and I feel better having the email confirmation it will be switched.

I have not received my email yet with the change details for the April TA. You mentioned that the dates have changed. Can you give me the new dates of embarkation and Debarkation. I will now need to change my airline tickets and my Barcelona hotel reservations.