Cruising89143

Just tested this morning for a cruise. We had to register for emed as it would not accept our Navica credentials. This is different than four weeks ago when we used it before a cruise.

You have obviously missed many of the posts that have been removed or you would understand my comment. 🙂

No, $1.44 is not enough IMHO and will leave it at that.

This is what I’m not understanding. There has to be other reasons why someone would care how another person spends their money.

There was no gratuity added to our room service order. Maybe because it took one hour and forty-five minutes to deliver which was the reason for my comment that I have explained but thank you for not taking the time to read my prior comments. 🙄

Upload on the app but you will also need to show your information at check-in also.

There was a charge of $7.95 for each order placed. I’m referring TO THAT. I ‘m not referring to the standard gratuities that we all pay. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I was referring to the surcharge with RCI keeping that and not giving the delivery person any part of that.

Last month the delivery attendant brought our lunch into our stateroom. She went over the complete order to ensure that everything was correct as we ordered. Yes, we gave her a gratuity even with the surcharge as we always do. There was no added gratuity. I assume that RCI is keeping the surcharge.

The other poster is correct. Have you looked on the Walgreens website to see where the nearest location is that offers the rapid antigen test? In my area of southern Cal there is currently zero stores within a 100 mile radius that offers them. They’re becoming less and less available as more people are moving to home tests. I suggest doing a Google search to see if anyone in your area or nearby is offering the rapid tests. We will test in the morning using the emed proctored tests here at home. Easy to use.

It has shown up when we receive our final invoice. Just shows a zero charge.

Saw shorts a few weeks ago on the NV in Chops. Would have never known that they were wearing shorts until they stood up to walk out. Not a big deal. It’s not my job to decide what a person wears to dinner.

Head to the MDR after boarding and have a conversation with the maitre d’. I’m sure they would be happy to help you. You won’t know unless you ask.

Have been cruising on the NV recently and her guest count has been fluctuating a good bit. We’re on again Friday for a B2B and it’s looking as though the 6/06 sailing will have more capacity. Haven’t sailed on this ship with full capacity in twenty years and that was before they amped her and added additional staterooms. On our recent cruises it was more like 1100-1500. Ship felt empty.

LOL…What’s the Magic number for reducing Covid which was one of the OP’s complaints? What’s the magic number for RCI to limit capacity that will eliminate Covid? Let me help you…There isn’t one. By the way, I can give the same SA eye roll. 🙄🙄😉

Interesting. Have been cruising for thirty-six years and have always had our stateroom serviced twice a day and that includes Carnival but then I haven’t stepped foot on a fun ship since 2004 but I see twice a day service as normal.

Be careful to label people that you don’t know. We’re D+ and have never used the drink vouchers. We purchase the DBP as I don’t want to sit and count drinks. Too many people assume what others intentions are when they really should worry about themselves. Comments on this thread is why we avoid the Diamond/suites lounges like the plague.

Go to Ephesus. Downtown was a pain with the markets. I got tired of saying “no thanks” every other step.

Our last cruise on the NV in early May got off to a rough start but things quickly improved as I found out my first issue was an RCI issue and not the ships. Yes there was a few areas where I could tell a difference in service versus a few months prior. Crew is being held over and not allowed to go on vacation. Our room steward was our same room steward from March. We were surprised to see him still on board. He was on his third contract extension. We spoke with a bar waiter who should have gone home in April. She was now scheduled to leave mid June. RCI is having difficulty getting replacement crew due to a number of reasons with the main issue being visas. Overall it was still a great cruise. The crew was busting their butt to take care of guests. We will be back on Friday for a B2B and will see if any of the old crew who brought the ship back into service is still on board. I expect a lot of new crew. Packing my patience and my understanding just in case.

We enjoy the Celebrity AI package. We’re at the stage where we book suites. RCI lacks here unless you’re on a newer ship such as the Oasis or Quantum class to book Star class. I have checked my price on X versus RCI and on RCI when I add in the deluxe drink package, gratuities, internet, OBC that is included on X the prices that we receive on X are very close. At times X has been less expensive plus you get a dedicated suite dining room, lounge and a butler. We’re cruising RCI now due to the NV being placed on the west coast plus Casino Royale is sending offers almost weekly for this ship. Hard to pass up. Bottom line, book what you want or fits your wallet. No right or wrong answer.

Seems pretty simple. If the cost is too high then don’t buy it. It’s a choice. We happen to have it booked on our next four RCI cruises. Obviously it’s not for everyone. We like it. To each their own.

And how long do you think they would stay afloat with keeping capacity lower? What is “your” magic number for lower capacity? Sounds like cruising is not for you at the moment and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Covid is not just a cruise line thing. It’s everywhere. It’s at your local Publix, Winn Dixie and Walmart. It’s at your local restaurants. What would you like for RCI to do? It’s not just cruise lines. It can be picked up anywhere and more than likely it’s being brought on board by guests. There is no way to keep it off ships. Labor shortages is not just a cruise line issue. We’re annual pass holders at Disneyland and right now they’re hurting big time with cast member shortages and it shows in some areas. Doesn’t make us happy but we deal with it because we understand the situation. Same situation when we go to the grocery store and selves are not stocked because they can’t get help to stock them. The list of examples goes on and on. Also, the same exact crew shortage that’s currently affecting RCI is affecting just about every other line. Add to that crew must test weekly and some test positive for Covid and must therefore quarantine. There’s no way to simply replace crew who must quarantine. Other crew members are forced to pick up the slack. It’s difficult for them right now. They work hard enough when things run normal. No, things are not back to pre Covid service levels and won’t be for a while. Every person should look at the current situation and decide if maybe it would be a good idea to hold off on cruising but Covid is not going anywhere anytime soon. We have to learn how to live with it. Sorry that you did not enjoy your cruise.

Never saw parades on the NV. They did have parties on the Royal Promenade such as a 70’s and 80’s nights.

Does not mean the crew did not test positive at a later date since all crew must test weekly. If they did then they’re forced to quarantine. That may have happened. None of us have access to that information. Others have posted here that other ships had the same issue where entertainment was affected by crew testing positive and being forced to quarantine. Unfortunately that’s a possibility right now.