coffeebean

On 9/4/2022 at 9:06 AM, smokeybandit said:

It's basically no different than it was pre-covid, just now people feel compelled to get tested than just say "oh I got a cold, oh well"

You are so right about that. With all the home tests that are available now, why not test? Medicare insurance pays 100% for eight tests per month but I'm not sure what private insurance covers for Covid tests.

On 9/4/2022 at 12:38 AM, Cruisin Around said:

Definitely not saying that you should (or shouldn't), but I'm just curious about those testing positive - is anyone wearing masks or is it pretty much no precautionary protocols?  Again, not saying anyone is right or wrong.  We plan on masking next month and most likely staying out of crowded shows.  Wondering if this might keep us pretty safe (definitely not without risk) or if people are getting covid even with masking.  Thanks!  

I'm DONE masking and I did test positive three days after disembarking Indy. I'm fully vaccinated and boosted and I am old but I did not bother to mask anywhere on the ship. I felt confident enough that I would not get very sick so I even got in crowded elevators at times.

I tested positive and hubby tested negative three days after disembarking the ship. I tested negative on day 11 after symptoms started and hubby remained negative the entire time. I did not isolate from hubby in our home. My symptoms were so minor, most people probably wouldn't have even tested for Covid.

Agree this virus is endemic now.

9 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

If two extra adults eat lunch with you in Giovanni’s, they should, of course, expect to pay the cover charge for Giovanni’s lunch.

Exactly!!! I can't believe the OP even considered doing what they asked about.

29 minutes ago, rudeney said:

 

Obviously faking a COVID test would constitute fraud, but I think the real issue is that RCCL realizes it's just as easy to fake a vaccination card or a proctored test result, so it really doesn't matter.  By telling the passengers they have to take a test and show some results on their own, they are transferring liability from them to the passengers.  

How can you fake a proctored test? The proctor watches you continuously as you perform the test and get the result.

10 hours ago, bjlaac said:

Now that we are approaching the September 5th testing protocols I've not seen any info on specifically what RCCL wants as proof of self tests.  For the tests I have at home there's no web site for results, no printouts and no apps for results as specified for proof of the self administered test.  The only remaining option is a photo of the test results...but a photo of what exactly?  The lines on the test, a photo of me holding the lines showing the test result, a serial number of the test, etc. or any combination?

 

I realize this is going to generate lots of "this is the reason its a stupid policy" comments but before we go there, this is a serious question especially anyone saling on a 10 day cruise in the next few days.

 

Anyone have insight or already asked RCCL for what they want?

This is absolutely ludicrous. Anyone who does test positive can get someone they know (who tests negative) to do the test and present THAT test as their test. Someone at Royal does not have their thinking cap on.

You get what you pay for. Chops is better.

2 hours ago, CruisingJoe09 said:

Sounds like Allan Brooks?

Yes, that is him. Thank you.

Alan once read a suggestion from me on his morning show and acted upon the suggestion I made. I really enjoyed him as a CD.

1 hour ago, md80fan said:

I never though a CD would make a difference as we never interacted with them. Then we had Marc Walker on Harmony a couple years ago. I actually liked watching his tv show in the morning and it added just a little something to the cruise. We had I think it was Bobby Brown on Symphony after that and you cSpeakiould tell the difference between the two and how much hearing Marc on the ship just added a little bit extra to the cruise overall. Just my 2 cents

Speaking of the morning show.......There was a CD from Canada who was funny as hell on his morning shows and also did a great job in other venues. I can not remember his name. He would wear a bathrobe and curlers in his hair for the morning show. Of course the curlers were a "wig" because he shaved his head. Anyone remember his name? He was a Royal Caribbean CD for many years.

Hubby and my favorite cruise director of all time is Matt Baker and YES, he most certainly made a difference in our cruise experience. He hosted the game shows and had everyone in stitches. He was a natural. There are plenty more on YouTube.

Matt Baker Welcome Aboard Show

Matt Baker - Newlywed Not So Newlywed Game Highlights       (10:16 is the BEST Don't miss this)

4 hours ago, davekathy said:

Only one CD we thought was funny. Richard Spacey. But he didn't make a difference.  

Ahhh yes, Richard Spacey.............

Richard Spacey as Borat

Richard Spacey - Evolution of Dance

I just verified with hubby. Yes, he was asked if we wanted a reservation for a hibachi table.

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

2 separate restaurants.  Izumi is one (Sushi) and Hibachi is the other.  While dining at Hibachi you can order for an upcharge items off the sushi menuI'm j. 

I'm just off Independence OTS, four night. On deck 4, just outside of Schooner Bar, there is the Izumi restaurant. There was only one sign outside that said, "Izumi". When we made our reservation, we specified that we wanted to sit at a Hibachi table. In fact, hubby made the reservation and I think they asked him if he wanted to sit at the Hibachi table. I can only assume that depending on where you sit in the restaurant, there are different charges.

There is a Sushi bar with bar stools and a couple of tables set up to dine on Sushi. Hope that helps the original poster.

On 8/5/2022 at 12:05 PM, BND said:

Well, let's crack open this nut.  First, I'm not responsible for someone who is at high risk who decides to cruise (or do anything else).  They are.  Second, lots of people are exposed on a regular basis and no one tests to go shopping, out to eat, to movies, etc. Everyone is responsible for themselves and just like they've always done, anyone at high risk of any illness needs to take care of themselves.  Testing is far from perfect.  I understand you're afraid, but by your argument no one should go anywhere or do anything without testing first in case they might expose someone.

I agree. Anyone who is at risk of severe Covid symptoms or are immunocompromised, must protect themselves. Don't expect me to protect you at this point in time. An N95 mask is protective for anyone who is at risk.

On 7/28/2022 at 11:27 AM, CruiserNic said:

I've wondered about that, too.  And their statement says something about "maintaining a percentage of vaccinated guests."  Does that mean they are going to allow more unvaccinated on the ships?

Nothing like being clear as mud. Royal needs to be more specific with their updates.

30 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Yes - a bit of exploration would have perhaps yielded a better experience.

There is also a map of the island so it is very easy to get a feel for where everything is.

41 minutes ago, pattycake08 said:

I was on the 7/25/2022 Inde of Seas sailing to Bahamas.  Our Stop at Perfect Day left me a little disappointed. I had been hearing over the last 2 years how they were building it up, but I was not impressed. I found out as we were leaving Perfect Day that there are actually 3 beaches on Perfect Day, that I was unaware of, Chill Island, South Beach & Harbor Beach.  We stayed on Chill Island which was full of seaweed & the ocean floor was very rocky.  Should we have stayed perhaps at either South Beach or Harbor Beach for a better Experience?  Also, was their a community free pool at Perfect Day that we could have went to, I didn't see one?

Too bad you did not use the pool. It is absolutely glorious with lounge chairs that are in shallow water, a swim up full bar and one end of the pool as a beach entry. The pool is so large each end has its own zip code.

It is pretty safe to say men in tuxedos on cruise ships is a very rare site on Royal Caribbean.

23 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

I considered this to be a foregone conclusion when cruising restarted, and am frankly surprised that there haven't been more complaints about blocked toilets.  And, it could very well have taken 4 days to resolve, depending on what was flushed, and where it lodged.  I've had two events that took days to resolve, one where a passenger decided it would be a good idea to flush their bikini down the hopper, and it lodged in a bend in the pipes that was particularly hard to reach with the roto-rooter to chop it out.  The second was when a passenger decided it would be great fun to flush a hand towel down the hopper, and this also lodged where we were lying on top of ductwork, in the overhead against a steel bulkhead, trying to chop this out.  Due to that position, it required three plumbers at a time to operate and feed the roto-rooter in, and then it took days of cutting to get it clear, working shifts around the clock.

I do understand some of these clogs in the toilet system can be very challenging to clear. Having said that, wouldn't the cruise line offer another stateroom to anyone on that clogged line, providing the ship was not at full capacity?

22 hours ago, mianmike said:

 

I don't fear the unvaccinated affecting my health, it's when the unvaccinated 80+ year olds get covid and require immediate advanced medical care necessitating a medivac which will disrupt the cruise and ports.  This is entirely predictable and easily mitigated by a current vaccine mandate.  

Totally agree. It is in the cruise line's best interest to minimize the amount of passengers who can get seriously ill from Covid. Vaccinated individuals pose much less of a risk of becoming severely ill and requiring advanced medical care.

22 hours ago, 2flacruisers said:

It is nobody's business whether someone is vaccinated or not...I am, but my husband is not...and I respect his decision, just as he didn't harass me when I got mine.

It was Royal Caribbean ships that had "vaccinated only" venues. The wrist bands were in place to identify those who were "legal" to go into a "vaccinated only" venue. No wristband, no entry. That worked very well to keep the unvaxxed people out of those areas.

23 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

On Harmony this week, very few masked crew members 

Great. That is a step in the right direction for the crew. I always thought it was ludicrous for the life guards, standing alone poolside, wearing a mask. How silly is that?

On 7/18/2022 at 4:11 PM, hazeleyes46 said:

Where did you see this?

Tony (La Lido Loca) read this letter on his vlog on his channel yesterday.

d

On 7/10/2022 at 6:23 PM, Nunagoras said:

Welcome aboard!...

 

Nice review, thanks! X is at another league... If you want something more similar try the MSC Yacht Club (YC as it is known on the CC boards). Perhaps it will suit you better for a longer cruise. Oh, and these days, perhaps, an YC suite will most likely to cost you the same or less than some X regular cabin!...

 

It doesn't surprise me to see MSC using the Divina for those little US getaways... Maybe the ship will need a dry dock they aren't able to do now? Maybe.

 

If they use it carefully, Ocean Cay is set to become one of the best private islands on whole industry!...

Have you been to Royal Caribbean's Coco Cay? There is no comparison......absolutely none. Royal's private island has a gorgeous pool that has a different zip code from one end to the other. CocoCay also has a water park that rivals parks on land.

MSC's private island is lovely but is basically lots of palm trees and beaches. CocoCay has that plus LOTS more.

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Because it take 4 or  5 days to show up you are positive.............so where was the person 4 or 5 days ago.................Hello............, on a cruise, cruise ship.

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Because it take 4 or  5 days to show up you are positive.............so where was the person 4 or 5 days ago.................Hello............, on a cruise, cruise ship.

This is one reason why testing two days before boarding a cruise ship is not beneficial to keeping Covid off the ships. I guess it is better than nothing though.

1 hour ago, BecciBoo said:

Yes there is, but it costs money for the antibody test

I should have clarified my statement with "without any testing". I am aware of the antibody testing.