internetwhiz

Captain Filip Norberg from Sweden is a new Captain on Rhapsody of the Seas. We were onboard April 13-20. He has been a Captain since February 2024. 

On 9/2/2023 at 10:45 AM, GlasgowCruiser01 said:

It's definitely Captain James on Harmony (didn't get his surname but I assume MacDonald - from Tampa Bay). Just off and unfortunately was unimpressed - I trust every Captain employed by Royal to be good at the job, however a lack of Captain's Corner shows (to me) a disinterest in guests.

 

In addition, the tongue clicking noise he makes before every announcement is immensely grating, I really wish he would be more mindful of people who are sensitive to noises. Missed Captain Gus Andersson who was on Harmony before. But still a great cruise.

That’s funny. We love Captain James! His click-click is how he checks the mic and for those of us who have sailed a lot with him, we know to listen as his voice comes next. After the shutdown that click click was a beautiful sound to hear! He took us through hurricane Harvey and so many other sailings. Love his voice. Of course, the accent is a lot like mine. 😂 

8 hours ago, DELTABLUE said:

Can someone please confirm Allure hand off from Bobby Broughton to Steve Knisley on 6-18 and arrival of Cory Rogers on Harmony?

Cory came onboard for a week long takeover cruise, and is now in his first week as CD of Harmony. He’s gonna remain as primary CD onboard through Harmony going back to Texas. We love him and look forward to all the activities and his friendliness to all. — Karen 

24 minutes ago, Mommabo said:

Oof, that sounds beyond me 🙂

I can tell you it has our name, DOB, DL#, then results. 

RC says this info is required. 

52 minutes ago, linerode said:

In addition to now charging for testing the Walgreen's around us are not going to have their pharmacies open on the weekend because of staffing problems. We cruise on Monday so have to test on Saturday or Sunday so we can't depend on them to be available for testing. We're trying the emed Covid home test. 

We do great with them. There’s a link in a post above to a search I did on YouTube video walkthroughs. We watched one before our first one we did last year in September 

This is a place many have used in FORT LAUDERDALE. Lab Doctor. $49 with fast results. 
 

https://labdoctor.org/covid-pcr-testing/

Rapid test $49

pcr $99

Quick response. 

There are tons of YouTube videos to walk you through the EMed process. Watch a couple before you start your testing:

This is a search link. 

https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=emed+home+test+kit+walkthrough

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

Have you done the at home proctored tests without someone else there to help you?

Yes, I have. For multiple cruises. I created my account. Propped up my iPhone and started a session. There are TONS of YouTube videos walking through the EMed testing to get you more familiar with the process. 

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

You can use any legit test with them, not just the orange iHealth test. When you sign up there are about 8 tests to choose from or you can select "other" and type the name of your test.

I don’t understand why people want to use these newly found monitoring service upstarts with reports that no one has shared when the eMed tests, which include monitoring and acceptable reports are only $5-$10 a test more per test for what’s tried, and true, and RC recommends?

3 hours ago, Gregg00ss said:

I just did a mock booking on Walgreens, said it was for travel, no symptoms, etc..  Put my insurance info in and it let me book an appointment and said nothing about costing anything.  I have very good medical insurance so I'm not sure if my insurance is covering it no questions asked or if this is an oversite and Walgreens isn't even running insurance until you show up to see what you owe.  

Some insurances still cover covid testing. 

James MacDonald didn’t start on Liberty on 6/5. We were onboard 5/29 to 6/12 (this past Sunday). We had Captain Mal Bardsnes and he’s still onboard this week as well. So Mal is on until at least June 19. 
 

Also, Captain Michael Lindberg returned today to Miami, not Port Canaveral (Indy). He will be the master on Freedom for an undetermined period of time. 

11 minutes ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

It was $143 for me, the same price they had at CVS.

Wow we have never paid. Have likely had a dozen tests here. 

8 hours ago, graphicguy said:

My Walgreens is offering tests a week out.  Just checked.

Where do you live? Everyone else’s changed yesterday. 

Yikes. I looked early today and was ready just now to book tests for next Friday, the 27th for a cruise 2 days after that, Sunday May 29. Testing for Rapid NAAT is only available through this coming Monday…three days out!

I plan to call tomorrow to be sure they aren’t discontinuing them. We have EMed tests as backup, if needed. I prefer saving them if I can. 

22 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

well have a nice time on Wonder.  I got off her on 15th and I had Capt. Rob.  I am thinking Capt. Loy got on for the 5 day before the hand over.  He was master on my Ovation May 2019 first cruise in USA port.

He gives good captain talks and tries to give very complete answers.  I like the cruise director Mike as well.  He actually can skate and comes out at the end of the ice show.

 

Lots of ships heading over to Europe like the Edge left yesterday and Odyssey OTS leaving for Europe today.

I notice Wonder OTS is taking a more southern route so perhaps you will have less movement.

The Edge is in a more northern route.

 

Enjoy all the shows especially ice show and the show called voices.

And I suggest only doing Johnny Rockets for free breakfast as their burger and shakes are a bit lousy and tasteless IMHO.

Captain Loy took over April 20th for the TA. He had been onboard two weeks already. He is so nice and we sprint time with him yesterday. He’s excited about being on Wonder. We are having a great TA. 

On 4/20/2022 at 4:16 PM, Oceansaway17 said:

Captain Rob H will rotate off Wonder today April 20th.

Not sure who replacement is

 

Also where has Capt Henrik Loy landed.  He was supposed to have returned to Ovation or perhaps not since he has been on since 2016.

We boarded Wonder of the Seas April 20. Our Master is Henrik Loy. Very impressed with his professionalism snd friendliness. We skipped Nassau to get ahead of a huge storm system. It was rocky for a bit but it’s Day 4 of 14 and it’s lovely outside!

On 3/19/2022 at 7:20 PM, sharon&family said:

Is this test good for Royal?  We can't book it until about 5 days in advance and that has me worried.  The CVS near us that we used in the past only is doing PCR tests now and I dont want to wait that long for results. Quest Diagnostics through walmart is also doing PCR.  I like to schedule a second test as a backup but Im not sure what to do.  We test April 1st for our cruise leaving on April 3rd.  

This test works great. We schedule ours on the Walgreens app one week ahead of the needed date. About a week ago the test name shown was IDNOW (which is a NAAT test) abd this week Walgreens updated the test name to: Rapid NAAT

We have boarded  Four different ships with this test. 
 

So far, we have not had to pay for it. Hope this helps. 

On 11/28/2021 at 3:28 PM, wolfcathorse said:

ty! I already had Capt Malvin on LB until Dec 5. So you confirmed he was on board.

He was on the when we boarded October 24. 

1 hour ago, Pixie07 said:

Hi sorry to jump on this thread, do you know if you purchase something with OBC do you get email order confirmation? Reason I ask is I booked something with OBC and showing up as paid 0 when I log in , and never got a confirmation email, and I ordered something else with my CC and got confirmation email. Thank you!

Look at your Order History under the top corner tabs. If it’s not there, then call!

Steve Davis has left RC for a permanent position in his native Wisconsin. He will be missed. from Steve. 
 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
As of last Friday, I have sent my resignation to Royal Caribbean.  I have treasured 15 years with that amazing company, created lifelong friends and have countless amazing memories.  

Thank you to all of my mentors through the years (Cruise Directors, Hotel Directors, Captains, etc).  There are too many to name personally.   You have all helped to guide and teach me to become the manager that I am today.

I wish Royal Caribbean and the shoreside/shipboard Entertainment and Activities Team the best of luck in the future as you continue the Royal Comeback!  

As for me, I am now the General Manager for Bars and Recreation!  Bars and Recreation is a Milwaukee based company that has a number of amazing activity bars in its portfolio allowing us to create Blow-Your-Mind customer experiences.  
Barsandrecreation.com

Currently, I am managing the following bars in downtown Milwaukee:

AXE Milwaukee (Axe Throwing Bar) - AXEMKE.com
NorthSouth Club (Axe Throwing and Shuffleboard Bar) - NorthSouthclub.com
Nine Below - Build-Your-Own Miniature Golf Bar - NineBelowMke.com

We have also announced our newest bar (Opening Summer 2022) - AMPED!  Amped will be a Private Suite Karaoke and Events Bar.
Ampedmke.com

Check out all of the websites if you get a chance.
I have also been moonlighting as a Bingo/Trivia host at The Destination in Waukesha, WI.

So, while my time on ships may have come to an end for now...
RIP Thriller...I have found myself standing upright in the city that I call home doing similar things that I love!

If any of you are ever around the Milwaukee area....look me up!

Thanks for listening and love you all!

Steve

2 hours ago, ScottishRobbie said:

Daniel Dornas on Allure as posted by Marc Walker on Facebook

Sorry, but you need to re-read that post. Daniel has taken over as acting CD. Has not been named as permanent. 

Just now, renza said:

I have 2 booked and I get $500 off $1500 on two different cards. Yahoo. SVed $1000

Woohoo!

4 hours ago, travelgoddess1 said:

 

Thanks for that information, Karen.  I have always enjoyed sailing with him. Sadly, I do not have anything booked on Liberty.

I’ve never sailed with him, but with 3 Liberty cruises booked maybe I will. What’s the correct spelling of his surname?  I love Captain James, too. He was wonderful during Hurricane Harvey. 

On 9/14/2021 at 9:28 PM, ScottishRobbie said:

Captain Gus Andersson is currently undergoing isolation on Independence, presumably prior to taking over in the next 2 weeks.

Captain Gus took over on the September 19th cruise. We had Captain Michael on our September 12 cruise, and Captain Gus was the master from September 19 forward. We got off the ship this past Friday after being onboard Indy  for three sailings.