Tyro1

Royal Caribbean has stated “perfect day” is a brand to them and something they can do at multiple places, so it is possible celebrity could be creating their own version of that somewhere in the future. However, for now I do think it will be coco cay (that island prints money for the company) Who knows, maybe they got jealous of what princess announced, and will be adding ropes courses and roller coasters to all ships as well as sponsoring NASCAR. 

6 hours ago, Baron Barracuda said:

Parent Royal is currently developing a beach club on the Western end of Paradise Island that will offer an in-house option when visiting Nassau.  Unsure just when it will open and whether there will be an additional charge.

It’ll be an additional charge. I know in an interview they mentioned that it’ll fit less than the capacity of their ships. So I wonder if celebrity ships will even be offered to go there or not. 

To me Labadee or any private island is a “free” and relaxed day similar to a sea day. I wouldn’t book a cruise only because it is going to Labadee, but I’d prefer to go there over Freeport or Nassau. 

I was looking through cruises and noticed that sometime late 2024 and beyond, Celebrity will start sailing to Labadee. I’m curious everyone thoughts on this. I personally love Labadee and  think it’s a good fit for the demographic, with a good mix of chill and adventure options, but nothing over the top like CoCo Cay. 

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

It is not up to the cruise lines, but the maritime safety experts at the IMO.  The old system has been tried and tested for decades, but I am afraid it will take a disaster to point out the flaws in the new system.

Yes, but Royal Caribbean got their system approved by the IMO before covid was even a thing, so as long as everyone follows the system Royal has gotten approved there’s no reason to go back. 

I’m not sure about Carnival, but Royal Caribbean had their new muster system in development and approved by the coast guard a month before covid hit, so if anything I think Carnival would just have to pay for the rights on the royal system, vs the one they made that may fall under any kind of temporary exemption. I don’t see a world when any major cruise line goes back to old school muster full time. (DCL has so many kids on board it may be different for them)

The BCC reps are very inconsistent when calling, I got an offer for a free cabin, called to get pricing for 3 people including myself, fully expecting to pay for the 3rd person. The first rep told me $500 all in, which is just taxes and fees. Had to call back after getting the pricing to confirm with my family. The 2nd Rep told me the 3rd person alone would be $1700 (they were going to make the 3rd person pay double occupancy) Hung up on that call and called again and I got the pricing of $500 all in again for a crusie only fare for 3 people in one cabin. Now I really do think I should’ve paid something like an extra $500-800 for the 3rd person but the reps are not trained well enough to understand how to price situations like this. After booking I emailed just normal celebrity about how much it would be to upgrade to the all included fare, it would have been $1700 extra for 3 people, which is not worth it for my group as we are not heavy drinkers. 

2 hours ago, WoolworthAdventures said:

Someone mentioned that golf ⛳️ is $5 per play and Darts 🎯at $15 a hour that’s crazy 

Sadly it’s the small things like this that bring down my desire to go on this ship significantly, Especially considering this ship is more than almost any other cruise line right now. (Yes I know drinks are included but I don’t drink enough to make me buy a drink package on other cruise lines so that isn’t a fair comparison for me) 

I wish they would go the RCLL route on quantum class and allow everyone one free reservation to Tee time and darts (or free open hours) and then if you want to go again, or during peak hours you must pay. 

I can’t seem to find this posted anywhere and I know everything is subject to change, but is there a list of activities that are included and what are extra? I am most interested if the tee time mini golf is extra or included, along with the darts. I know go karts will be extra. 

Go to the restaurant as soon as you board and put the request in, they should be able to accommodate. My mom is GF so in the past she has requested desserts from other speciality restaurants on various cruise lines since GF options are almost always limited and they are more than happy to help. 

52 minutes ago, MSUjohn said:

honestly solo travel is great, the freedom is great. 

Yeah! I love it so far, I’ve started by going to theme parks and my next step is cruising. 

I will be 22 for my first solo cruise in January, I just started solo traveling this summer since no one else my age has the money/desire to do the trips that I want to do.  

I will be on the NCL Escape January 7th 

FYI for anyone doing hibachi, you must either call or go to the desk at the restaurant to make a reservation with UDP, you are able to make reservations for any other place at any station though. 

9 minutes ago, BennyBrun said:

Day 1 Embarkation Day

 

Grandma got places to go because we are flying pass by Mustangs and young punks in a Scion!  When you have all the time in the world you are in the fastest Uber but when you are running late the Uber always does 5 below the speed limit!  😂 

What is your arrival time window? We are also almost at the port, fingers crossed they are not checking arrival

times yet, as our arrival time is noon. 

I will also be on this cruise!

My mom is celiac, pretty much any specialty restaurant will go above and beyond to cater to GF, more so than MDR. the biggest issue for my mom is desserts at specialty restaurants, but if you go a day before normally they will be able to prepare something like a GF cake instead of the normal ice cream/ pudding they offer for GF. My moms favorite is Chops due to the fact nothing really has to be made special besides a few sides and dessert. 

Just got off the Adventure and during the entertainment panel they discussed that each ship coming back online will start with only one production show compared to the 2-3 they normally put on. This is due to the fact they are installing the shows on ship vs at the studios due to covid/timing issues. But they say the plan is to have every ship with at least 2 by the end of the year. 

You no longer get free drinks during happy hour, that is what the 4 drinks a day replaced, so if you get a drink during the “happy hour” it will count towards your 4. 

What are the current theater shows on board? (Not in two70)

27 minutes ago, mauraoel said:

You don't need to believe me if you don't want to.  But guest services specifically said that they were being warn due to medically fragile people who couldn't be vaccinated were on board.  Did they lie?  I don't know I am just giving you the information I have. These Damm wristbands are a pain in the butt and I am not happy about wearing it, as I am sure many on this board can attest to from previous threads.

I’m assuming there was some kind of specific group that complained enough on this particular cruise to be granted boarding, causing the wristbands. 
they also could just be following the exact same protocols as other ships due to the new mask mandate, and just have not received the plastic bands yet. 
EDIT: and they must have went through this process. 
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/who-should-i-contact-if-a-vaccine-is-contraindicated

2 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

As our Taxi driver said, Freeport will be a destination port in the future: 

Royal Caribbean Partners with Holistica for $300 Million Development Project in Freeport, Bahamas

https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-partners-with-holistica-for-300-million-development-project-in-freeport-bahamas/

 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/news/5382-royal-caribbean-purchase-bahamas-grand-lucayan

This deal is not actually finalized yet, but it still has the green light, the one they are building in Nassau is finalized and will open well before the one in Freeport. 

13 minutes ago, 3kidsncats said:

They changed it to PCR only

The website still says Antigen or PCR, and it includes the new mask updates, I also messaged royal and they confirmed what was on website. 

4 minutes ago, brillohead said:

Has been stated, they will accept any COVID test result that is through a drugstore/pharmacy, hospital, freestanding lab, doctor office, med center, etc.  

They don't care what brand or type/style of test it is -- just that it was administered by a "healthcare facility" of some type (like listed above) and not in your bedroom or at a corner gas station or liquor store or some random dude with a kiosk at the mall.

 

That is incorrect, I’ve messaged royal about the Walgreens IDNOW rapid test and they said it must be a PCR or antigen, that is also from some sort of medical facility. 

1 hour ago, rtazz17 said:

Yeah idnow is a molecular test. I would verify with rccl like 10 times b4 getting that test.

Yeah, I’ve sent them messages and they say antigen only, but who knows if they are actually checking the type of test at the port or just looking for a negative somewhere on the paper, but I won’t be risking it.