tx121

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Yes, they'll do it on Freedom.

Thanks! I'm guessing I will have to inform guest services and do you know if they will charge us for the test?

So we are kind of in a dilemma. We are cruising the Freedom 11/12-11/15 from Miami and then the Odyssey on 11/15-11/20 from Ft Lauderdale.  We are in a way doing a back to back but on different ships and departure port. Does anyone have any information if a covid test is required for the second cruise? 

They didn't have anyone monitoring the Jacuzzis last week when I sailed. But they were never full like when there is 100% capacity. Everyone kind of voluntarily social distanced when using the jacuzzi. All of the Jacuzzis and pools were open.

Does anyone have the menus for the main dining room? Have they changed pre covid? We are cruising on the Oasis but Im sure the menus are the same fleet wide?

Also has anyone eaten at Solarium Bistro? I see it is a free option for dinner? The menu looks good especially the appetizer section. Thoughts? 

Thanks!

7 hours ago, Travlin grrl said:

I've taken 9 cruises on Princess and Holland, but this is my first time on Royal Caribbean which is coming over to the West Coast. I always see the fun pictures of the whole ship, so was excited they are on this side of the U.S. Going out of L.A. for a quick 3 day (which I have never taken a short cruise before!) to try out this "new to me" cruise line. I'm actually really excited about the slides. haha. But what else is something I need to know that is different from the other cruises I have taken? I've checked out the restaurants, and would really like to try the Seafood one. Any advice? Thanks in advance. 

Royal Caribbean is different than Holland America and Princess in that it caters to a more active and multi-generational demographic.  Holland and Princess usually has a more older / mature crowd.  

As far as entertainment and activities, this is where Royal excels. There is a ice rink on the Navigator so you will be able to skate out at sea. There is also a ice show. There is a rockwall, slides, flowrider surfing machine. 

Food is better on Princess and Holland in my opinion.

We are sailing on the Oasis of the Seas on Oct 10th. Do we need to have a Bahamas Travel Health Visa since we are visiting Nassau and Coco Cay? Thanks for info!

On 6/28/2021 at 6:52 PM, MickeysGalPal said:

Excellent review!  Thank you so much for sharing the dailies, pics, tips and your experiences. We'll be sailing on the Encore August 14, 2021 to Alaska.  I know lots will probably be changed, but it's still a great planning tool. We are so excited! 

Thanks! I can't believe my cruise on The Encore was 1 month before the world would change in a lot of ways. I feel fortunate to have gone on this cruise and feel awful for the ones who were looking forward to their cruises but were not able to go. 😔

I hope you have a great time on your Alaska cruise! The Encore is a great ship with lots to do. 

Thank you for also posting on the thread as I was sent a notification and reread my live review again. Brought back good memories. Enjoy your cruise next month!

We have a cruise booked on a 14 Day Asia cruise on the Millennium for December 6th. I was curious to see what the going rate for the cruise is currently and noticed the taxes and fees is much less to book now than what I paid. We paid $244 in taxes from our booking and now the taxes if you purchase the cruise is only $74 in taxes.

Is this a sign that they removed the port taxes because the cruise /ship itinerary will be cancelled? 

We are debating about doing a lift and shift or just getting a full refund. We got a great deal on this cruise and not sure what to do. 

I just saw this video where this lady lives on the cruise ship, which I think is fascinating.  But during times like this, do you think the cruise line is forced to disembark residents of the cruise ship? 

What is the year, the ship (any cruise line) and itinerary? What is making this cruise memorable / favorite?

Never knew there was a extra glassed in area on the Monarch (Sovereign). 

I wonder how much the ship scrapping yard paid for each ship.

13 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

The sad emotional part in the video is that at the 1:27 mark the captain /officer says "She's strong, she's going up, she's ok". Kind of brought a tear to my eye knowing her fate.

I feel like the Monarch and Soverign had many more years to give. This is very unfortunate indeed. 

1 hour ago, Newleno said:

I was right with you until you said you went to cinque terre from Naples.  This has nothing to do with frugal, it has to do with bad choices.  I mean say what?  How many days were you in port in naples?  thats about an 8 hour train ride.

14 minutes ago, NancyIL said:

 

I'm reasonably sure you didn't visit Cinque Terre from Naples, as it's south of Rome!  My guess is your port stop was La Spezia or Livorno.

 

I'm still frugal, especially when it comes to cruises. Three of my four upcoming cruises in 2021 are in inside cabins, and the 4th is an OV on Empress - simply because the cabins are so small.

Yes you are right..wrong port it was La Spezia! Lol! In Naples we did Pompeii via public transport. 

I've always been in a way, not a cheap but a frugal cruiser.  I'm one to look for great deals but never splurge on anything above a balcony, even if it only cost $100-200 more per person. Im in the crowd that says, "well you're never in your room anyway, so why pay more to upgrade?"

When it comes to doing specialty dining, I'm in the crowd that says "Whats the point, I can get this type of meal back home, why pay more? Ive already paid for food in the dining room. Or no Ben and Jerrys, we can get free ice cream up at the pool deck"

When it comes to using the spa services and amenities, Im in the crowd that says "Wow these prices are overpriced and I can get a massage cheaper at home"

When it comes to excursions, I'm in the crowd that says "sheesh I'm not paying these inflated prices for shore excursions! I'm not taking a private tour, I will just use the public transport and explore on my own"

*Lesson learned, on our last attempt to do Cinque Terre on our own from Naples, it was a mess and almost missed the ship because of the inconsistent times of trains and crowded trains". 😳

You catch my drift. Well this pandemic has changed my frugal mind. When you realize these days when something like a vacation seems so out of reach, you appreciate things more. Life is short and we should pamper ourselves especially when on vacation (within your budget of course). 

Have you been a "frugal cruiser" like myself or have always been the type that says "I'm on vacation, spend the money"? Do you think your spending habits will change once you are able to travel again?

Surprising a beloved and popular ship in the RCL fleet is up for sale. I guess anything below 100,000 GT is at risk of being sold. 

Seeing the midnight buffet in the dining room on the Navigator of the Seas. The whole set up was beautifully displayed. Ice sculptures and chocolate fountains and a ton of food! Miss those days with the special touches that used to be part of the cruise experience. 

16 minutes ago, coaster said:

Original asking price was $235 million. Reduced $85 million to $150 million. Not 50 percent off.  Math similar to the beverage package 'sales'.

Plus gratuities and fees 😂 

I would definitely do a 7 night trip to Coco Cay and Labadee. 👍

35 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Carnival didnt say fantasy class was being sold.. Carnival CORP said it will sell 6 ships, from among their 10 criselines. No ship was mentioned, much less they were retiring all of their fantasy class ships.

 

If you want to speculate about rcl great, but please starting rumours that the ships sold will all be fantasy class starts off your post with inaccurate information. I spoke with a carnival agent just last friday who was annoyed people read carnival corp, and dont know they own 10 cruiselines. Sure there is speculation  see carnival threads. P & O, some others. Could even be a couple fantasy class, but unless you have a link saying fantasy class is being sold, and post it, please dont post as fact if you dont know.

 

See thread on carnival if you want to speculate. Only fantasy class can get under the bridge at high tide to Jacksonville port. Miracle at low tide. You are wiping out a florida port with your statement.

Thanks for correction on my first paragraph.  Do you have thoughts on the topic/question?

As Carnival announced it will be retiring most of their Fantasy class ships last week, speculation comes if RCL will follow suit and retire some of the older ships in its fleet as well.

RCL has already sold and transferred some of the older class ships like the Sovereign and Vision class ships to its sister companies. It seems like Pullmatur may be seizing operations. The Monarch and Sovereign are currently disembarking valuable equipment and art off the ship. Sad if their run has come to an end and will be scrapped due to this pandemic. Monarch of the Seas being my first cruise, kind of hits a soft spot to see it end this way. 

The vision and radiance class have not been scheduled to be Amplified as like the larger ships in the fleet.

Do you think the Empress, Majesty, the rest of the Vision and Radiance Class will still sail under the RCL flag? Or will RCL follow Carnivals suit and start selling their older ships? 

I think the Radiance class should survive since RCL still needs mid sized ships to fit in to the smaller ports. 

Thoughts?

Here are some photos of the crew being transferred from ship to ship in Coco Cay. Navigator just dropped off Filipino crew members on the dock and waiting for Liberty to pick them up. The Vision is ported and will pick up the crew members from St Vincent and St Lucia. What a sight to see. Hope everyone can get home soon and safe.

Due to the current situation and cruise lines struggling financially, do you think we will ever see Icon of the Seas? 

Right now the Anthem is transporting all the Indian crew members from the Caribbean based ships to India, arriving in Goa on June 3rd. The dry dock has been postponed and may happen during the summer instead. I'm doubtful they will have a European season this year unless a miraculous cure happens. 

The fall/winter season for the Anthem seems more likely but if a second wave hits, then who knows.  

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Where the ship is flagged has little to do with this current financial aid package, it is where the corporation is incorporated.  And, since about 2007, not all POA crew are US citizens or green card holders.  At that time, NCL petitioned Congress, and got a bill passed that allows some, or all, of the green card holders (which can only be 25% of total crew) to be non-resident aliens, known as NRAC (Non-Resident Alien Crew), who receive US work visas, and US merchant mariner credentials (much to the disagreement from the USCG), and who receive US wages.  These NRAC's must have been employed by NCL for 10 years prior to applying for NRAC status, and NCL accepts sponsorship of these crew, legally and financially.

Interesting 

So NCL basically wanted NRAC so they didn't have to pay higher salaries for jobs that would usually pay more? So I guess they can get away with paying minimum wage salary for say a non US citizen electrician for US minimum wage? And then this crew member pays taxes on it?