cruiz2018

9 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

Right now going to Bermuda requires a travel authorization, though the rules have changed yesterday.

You aren't boarding without a negative test. If you test positive, don't waste your time going to the port.

What rules changed yesterday?  

45 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

1.  Yes, until RCI changes the requirements. 
2.  All RCI ships have some cases, can’t generalize how it will be handled. 
3. Generally you can’t get on the ship without a negative test. 
4.  See 2

5.  That may be true but again varies by ship and even sailing. All shows on Enchantment should be listed in the app (on current sailing. 

6. Be ready for anything. 

so you are saying they can leave you stranded at one of these stops if you get a breakthrough infection on the cruise and test for covid coming back on at a port?   Do they test at the ports when you come back on?

The family would like to go on a cruise on the enchantment of the seas to Bermuda/Bahamas out of Baltimore.  We are all vaccinated and will get a booster if applicable before travel date. I have been reading up on cruises in the news and seeing the following.  Would like to hear thoughts

(1)  some fine print on Bermuda cruises...I assume this will be a requirement (not optional):

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/additional-requirements-to-cruise-to-bermuda#:~:text=We recommend guests apply for,a negative COVID-19 result.
 

(2) im seeing recent news about Princess and Carnival having outbreaks, but not so much RC.   Anyone have a serious outbreak on an RC cruise (especially EOTS) that is not being reported?   Was it handled well?   Did it really suck to be isolated?   What happens if they run out of isolation rooms?

(3) Would they leave you at a port if you try to check on the ship and have covid?  Just read about a couple in spain that was dumped in Spain....horrible story

https://www.kktv.com/2022/04/27/couple-stranded-spain-after-testing-positive-covid-cruise/

(4) If there is a large outbreak, what is the policy for people who arent sick?   Will they shut down the pool, entertainment, etc?

(5)  I read somewhere (cant find the source) that there are fewer evening shows/events.   We have been accustomed to and my wife loves the cruises because of the really nice magic shows, music performances, and comedy acts every night.   Not sure if because of cost-cutting issues due to fewer people traveling and $1.2B in losses by RC, inflation, or something else.   Is this still an issue?  What should we expect about evening shows?   Can we see what events are planned are typically available on the EOTS?

(6) Is there anything else that we should expect to be different than pre-covid cruise travel?

There are no ferries to Horseshoe.

 

I recommend the $7 minibus shuttles.

 

Ferries to Hamilton or St. George’s are $4.50.

So $7 minibus shuttle or 4.50 public bus between Dockyard and Horseshoe?

I assume it's 7 both ways?

any particular reason.you recommend the mini bus shuttle over the public bus?

and are the mini bus shuttles easy to.find?

Someone mentioned that the ferry is a lot quicker than the bus from the dockyard to the horseshoe. But I can't seem to find the rate anywhere. I know the bus is 4.50 which is really cheap!! Can t find the ferry rates

We will be stopping at Bermuda, Cococay, and Nassau.

 

From what I have read, it's not really necessary to do an excursion in Bermuda or Cococay.

 

Bermuda: 4.50 to take the bus to Horseshoe and good snorkeling there (and at park next to dock)

 

Cococay: RCI property - no need for excursion

 

Nassau- ? not seeing any good or easy snorkeling near ship.

 

If we were to pick 1 snorkel excursion thos trip, would it make sense to save it for Nassau??

Anyone?

We will be stopping at Bermuda, Cococay, and Nassau.

From what I have read, it's not really necessary to do an excursion in Bermuda or Cococay.

Bermuda: 4.50 to take the bus to Horseshoe and good snorkeling there (and at park next to dock)

Cococay: RCI property - no need for excursion

Nassau- ? not seeing any good or easy snorkeling near ship.

If we were to pick 1 snorkel excursion thos trip, would it make sense to save it for Nassau??

There are porters when you pull up to disembark that take your luggage. (Please tip them!). Make sure you have your tags from your set sail pass on the luggage you're dropping off. It will be at your door later that night. I've never heard of luggage being lost as it goes through scanners then on to the ship in holding.

 

Sometimes, luggage is taken to the "naughty room" as scanners picked up something not permitted. You will have a letter in your room telling you to go down and pick it up, and you will have to open it in front of the ship security so they can see what it is. Then you can bring it up.

 

Yes, you can carry on a carry on bag.

Yes, I know you can carry on a carry-on bag. My question is more about bags that are larger than a carry-on. It sounds like you are suggesting that luggage is never lost.

Im sure if I dig around enough I can find this answer, but not immediately seeing it so I will just post a question.

From what I am reading, my understanding is that I cannot carry-on a bag onto RC if its bigger than a carry-on bag for domestic flights. So what happens to the bigger bag? Do i drop it off when we check in? Just wondering if I should avoid a bigger bag if at all possible. Is it like the airlines where the bag might not make it on the boat? At least with the airlines, they deliver your bag to you at the destination (if you are there long enough). I don't think I would get my bag in the Caribbean.

Also, is it more hassle to deal with a bag that you have to check?'

We are doing a 9-day cruise. 9 days of clothes + snorkel gear for the family + my laptop + formal night clothing (suit) is a bit much and it would be easier to bring a large bag (especially since we are driving to the cruise, not flying)

I think for once a customer service agent who was willing to tell the truth and gave you accurate info. The people who screen carry-ons at the cruise terminal are 3rd party contractors and I suspect there is no way to communicate accurately with them to treat one particular guest as a special case. The customer service agent also does not have control over what the security people onboard will do. So, I think it's accurate that they indicated they cannot predict or control what will happen in your case.

 

I suspect that you will have no problem because the bottle looks exactly like wine to the terminal security scanners. I cannot remember the last time a security scanner asked us to show them a bottle of wine we had in a carry-on. While putting the bottle in checked bags will likely get the bottle on the ship, security is also more likely to examine the bottle.

Here is what the bottle looks like:

I know someone that brought honey wine on a cruise and was hassled over it by security when trying to get on the ship. He eventually convinced security it was NOT an issue. But it required a lot of explanation and was a real hassle.

I am interested in bringing this honey wine on the ship. The 750ml is a $65 bottle. The problem is that it DOES NOT SAY "wine" anywhere on the bottle.

https://www.winetimenow.net/store/product/schramms-black-agnes-mead-39-99-while-supplies-last/

The always hard-to-get “Black Agnes” mead by Schramm’s is available in very limited quantities. Delicious, black currant-infused honey wine, carefully crafted by these Ferndale, Michigan mead masters!

I called RCI customer service and asked if there was some way that I could get a pre-clearance noted on my account to avoid any hassles at security. Oddly, the CSR said that this is only customer service and they have no idea what the ship will do. I think its crazy that customer service acts like they are completely separate from RCI and that there is nowhere to call to get an answer. They basically just tell you that you run a risk of losing your bottle if its not wine. They cannot guarantee that my bottle will be returned to me.

A couple of questions:

(1) With honey wine becoming more popular, has anyone had any issues or experience with honey wine specifically? Thinking about similar situations, I wonder if anyone has ever had any issues with sangria for example.

(2) Is there really no one at RCI that I can talk to about this?

(3) Should I try to carry it on or should I check it? Pros versus cons below:

(4) What happens in the carry-on security check? Do they have any mandatory rules like making you take out bottles? Or do they just typically go by the x-ray?

Pros and cons for checking it in my baggage: I feel like I have a better chance of getting it returned if I check it. At least it will be on the ship. I have no idea what happens to stuff if it gets taken at security before you get on the ship. Do rum runners and other contraband normally get returned at the end of the cruise when it gets taken from your checked bag?

Pros and cons for carry-on: Like the person I mentioned at the beginning of this message, at least I get a chance to explain, show some additional information, and basically make my case that it is wine. It doesn't sound like I have that opportunity if its taken from a checked bag. If its taken by security at the port as part of my carry on, will I ever get it back? Has anyone ever not gotten something back when they returned from their cruise? Is it just a scare tactic when RCI customer service says they don't know what security will do with it? It's not clear if they make you take out all your bottles or if they typically just x-ray scan?

PS If my wife didnt want to do a cruise so bad, I wouldn't ever do a cruise because of the games that they play. They scare tactics and vague answers about stuff is ridiculous.