OCSC Mike

No.

I hear ya; that's more like personal preference not by choice but rather necessity.

Like most things cruise-related, it's all personal preference. I don't care much about my cabin and often book interior GTY's to save money since it's just a place to sleep, shower, and change to me. On my upcoming B2B, I got one undesirable location on deck 3 and one perfectly OK location on deck 6 (by my own preferences of course). I was just about to text my TA to move the deck 3 for free to a better location when I happened to win a small RoyalUp to a promenade view. Then I moved my deck 6 to a higher deck just b/c I could and we tend to spend more time on the higher decks. Totally understandable why others value their cabin type and location more than I do. Everyone has different preferences and it's great to have so many options.

Some markets? Meaning outside the US? We’ve booked quite a few GTY’s and being able to move for free has always made up for most of the “risk” to me, although I’d still chance it.

It could happen at any time. We got two recent GTY's officially assigned 16 days out each. I knew our cabins as soon as we checked in 45 days out via the bar code trick mentioned above.

Not true if you use the method above.

This as long you are OK sharing one account. If you can go without it until day 2 (since you likely have cell service until you leave port) you can save another day that way.

You can apply the value of your one free day of Surf (approximately $25.99) towards the purchase of a package onboard.

That sucks. Sorry to hear. I had RC Freedom class balconies in mind when I asked that though since that's what the poster asked about.

Or move to another available balcony in the same category for free. Additionally, not sure what balcony on the ship you would truly consider a "horror story." Everyone has their location preferences but would a less desirable one actually ruin your cruise?

Pick away. You are of course correct.

You have it right, better to have one but not required as it is a closed loop US cruise (i.e. leaves from and returns to the US).

This info was in my original post... Prior to the appointment, they sent numerous reminders via e-mail and text with a link to the Microsoft Teams meeting. You don't have to download Teams if you don't want to though, simply click on "open in browser" after clicking the provided link. This wasn't meant to be snarky, btw. I obviously shared my experience b/c I want to help people, especially those who are nervous and have not cruised since the pandemic began.

No, they do not ask. All seem to work.

This. Also don't try to figure out the RoyalUp algorithms. You have a better chance of making a breakthrough in theoretical physics.

Different strokes... we're doing a B2B 3-night/4-night on Friday and one of the reasons was so we could go to Cococay twice. We'll be staying on the ship during both Nassau stops. Definitely enjoyable to stay on the ship during port days.

That was my guess. You're good to go as far as the test kit is concerned.

Just to be clear, I obviously didn't ask to see her medical license, degree, etc. It was a friendly woman clearly in her home. That said, I tend to take things at face value unless given reason to suspect something more nefarious.

Check the calendar on their site.

We used a test that was past the original expiration date but not expired due to the extension with no issue. I had other test kits dated further out just in case but obviously didn't need them. I scheduled two consecutive times (15 minutes apart) and even had different proctors (their name comes with the confirmation e-mail) but I just told the the 1st one we'd like to be tested together and she accommodated us no problem, just as I was told via live chat. Are you sure you're not misunderstanding what's printed on the test kit box? I just read the back of another iHealth test kit (you may have a different type of course) and after it says not FDA approved, it says it is authorized under the EUA (emergency use authorization). I believe this is the same way vaccines were approved so quickly and I can't imagine the government sent you unapproved tests.

Yes, especially the comedy shows b/c the venue is so small. They tend to fill up quickly.

I believe so as it's actually a Canadian company and they have contact info listed for Canada, USA, and Australia. Our proctor was in Ontario. Their live chat was very helpful and quick to respond. Ask them.

I have no reason to expect any issues given how many reports I have read and my personal previous experience with how little scrutiny was given to my covid test (from Walgreens) on 5/29. I can't promise I'll update after I board on Friday but if you don't hear from me you can safely assume everything went smoothly.

Too hard to decide for me. Not meant to be a cop out, but I have specific memories from different cruises, some of which are fairly random, more so than entire cruises that stand out in my mind. Alaska was my most memorable "trip" but that largely includes the 10 days we spent on land prior to the cruise. My recent extended family cruise on Harmony was memorable as it was our first time in a suite and the Sky Class perks were amazing! Other random memorable events may not seem overly special but they stood out at the time and still do... We had a wonderful week on Freedom with an unusually small number of Diamond members aboard and spent each evening taking advantage of the open bar in the DL (pre-vouchers obviously) and chatting with a friendly server every night. It was so empty that she was able to sit with us. Love the DL on Freedom class in the crown as well. I also remember having a bagel with the DL concierge that week on a Saturday morning while we chatted and watched EPL (English football/soccer) on the tv's there since I was the only person in the DL. On an Oasis cruise during which we ate most dinners in the WJ, we met the happiest crew member we have ever come across. She was a greeter from the Caribbean and never stopped smiling. After the first couple nights she recognized us and we ended up chatting so much over the course of the week that my wife ended up friending her on FB. Lastly, we were on Mariner about 15 years ago and they played the same random song all over the ship before every show and activity. It was catchy and got stuck in our heads though we didn't even know what it was until we looked it up. It was "Love Today" by Mika and my wife has used it as her ringtone for me ever since. Sometimes it's the little things...

I used my laptop. I think it's easier to use a laptop just for the large screen but a phone would definitely work as long as you have a stand or lean it on something while you use 2 hands to open the test kit and perform the test. Anything the proctor asks to see (ID, test result, etc.) needs to be held up to the camera either way so it's probably just personal preference.