OCSC Mike

I scheduled mine maybe 10-14 days out but it looks like you can schedule all the way into August right now. They have a preview calendar on the site you can use to check for availability before actually making an appointment. On a related note, their first appointment time is 8am et. That was our preference but it was unavailable when I first booked. I checked back a few days later and it was available so I rescheduled our appointments from 8:15 & 8:30 to 8:00 & 8:15 using a link in the confirmation e-mail. It was all automated and very simple.

Wife and I took our tests this morning and it could not have gone more smoothly. Before scheduling, I asked via live chat if we could both get monitored at the same time by one proctor even though you have to schedule two separate appointments. I was told absolutely, just let the proctor know. We did and it went just as I was told. 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. We used free iHealth rapid antigen tests provided by the government (from our stockpile) but they will let you use any FDA approved test. Our proctor (a registered nurse) was very friendly and professional. She double checked all our information and made sure to ask if we had any questions throughout the process. She also stayed online while she sent the PDF results via e-mail and had us go over the info to ensure it was all correct before ending the session. Cost was $20 per person. Just wanted to share my experience. I'm not trying to convince anyone to use this service. Everyone should use whatever testing method they feel comfortable with. If you are interested, here's a link... https://rapidtestandtrace.com/product/observed-test-for-travel/

You schedule two separate tests, yes, but they told me to just tell the proctor of whomever has the 1st appointment that you and your husband/wife have B2B appointments and they will do both at once. Haven't used them but my appointment is at 8am et tomorrow morning. EDIT: EMed is only for the tests they sell. That's the point of using a 3rd party site like RT&T, you can use any FDA approved test you got for free from the government, pharmacy, wherever.

Go to 1 of the 3 snack shacks, order mozzarella sticks and the chicken sandwich, put the mozz sticks and sauce on top of the chicken... wonderful chicken parm sandwich. After that, eat as many funnel cakes as you can from the same location.

Or just use a free government test if you have them with a 3rd party online proctoring site like RapidTestAndTrace or On-Point.

If all you care about is the ship… Allure & not even close imo. Oasis class (ships like Allure with Central Park, boardwalk, etc.) is a huge step up from anything older.

We didn’t even know we had a doorbell til our stateroom attendant used it while we were in the room. 🙈

Only the 1st 2 people pay. So 2X your bid if you wanna look at it that way.

Yes.

You can RoyalUp from a GTY. The timing of the e-mail varies. No I don’t believe calling would help. Also, once you can check-in (usually 45 days out), you can use the “bar code trick” to figure out your cabin number if not assigned yet. Go to your set sail pass in the app and either scan the bar code or add it to your apple wallet if using an apple device. You will see a string of numbers under the bar code. The numbers after the dash are your cabin number.

Yes. Reservations required for dinner. Can best be described as somewhere between the MDR & a specialty restaurant (based on my extensive experience of having access for one 7-night cruise on Harmony recently).

As mentioned, any other Oasis class ship will be more than close enough for the kids (and the adults).

No, those are the safety videos. Watch them on embarkation day then report to your muster station once onboard.

That's pretty much my take, also from reading, not doing. OnPoint also asks for some additional info (although you can decline to share it apparently) and asks you to sign up with some sort of portal on another website. Live chat customer service with RT&T went very well for me on multiple occasions so, in addition to the above, I reluctantly spent the extra $5pp for them (I'm as frugal as it gets, lol). Will be testing with them Wednesday morning.

You're very welcome. I'd love to say I just like to help others, I do of course, but incessantly reading CC and checking my RoyalUps are help keeping me busy while I wait to test on WED for my B2B on Friday.

Yes.

No. Anytime on Friday, even 12:01am. You can use the government issued tests at 3rd party proctor sites like RapidTest&Trace or On-Point. It's normal, it can take a while and they prioritize cruises leaving soon. No need to call. No. Only onboard (or if you can connect to the ship wifi from the terminal).

From what I’ve read, yes, good chance you got the one left pending. 🤞

Sorry you found it useless. I answered your question. Again, yes, tons of people have had no problem with non-emed proctored tests.

Yes. Same with bottled water, bottled beer, cans of hard seltzer, etc. Many people use any leftover vouchers to take back to their cabin if they have some left at the end of the night.

You can view the current sailing in the app.

Yes, many have. Search through the forum.

Couldn't agree more. As someone who doesn't care about the cabin itself, I loved my first time in a GS recently almost entirely because of the Oasis class perks. I can appreciate that the room was nice and big and the bigger shower was nice but I enjoyed the perks 1000x more than the room itself.

Yes, from 11-11 you can get beer, wine, hard seltzer, soda, bottled water for free. Nightly open bar for 3 hour happy hour. All separate from your Diamond vouchers.

I think you have your answer.