cruisegirl1

This is common practice for travel in many areas. We had the same in the Gulf of Aden on Rhapsody a few years ago. We had a "safe haven" drill, as I suspect you did as well. I didn't mind lowering the lights/closing curtains as it allowed the extra security on board to get a better view of surroundings. M

best wishes for a pleasant cruise. The upcoming cruise will be nothing like your last November cruise. It will be difficult to be in areas away from others, especially indoors. Enjoy M

OP - no protocols at all. Back to most pre-Covid procedures with the exception of some staff who want to wear a mask. Dining tables (especially those for 2) are just inches apart from each other, elevators are packed, shows at capacity, passengers in tight lines around the ship. Those not vaxed are encouraged to wear a mask. M

We learned last week that the option is up to the individual. M

Good luck in getting a different cabin assignment. Just off topic but commenting on your post, you say you plan to eat all meal in your (inside) cabin the entire time because of Covid. OK. Are you aware that there is no dining table or even dining chairs, maybe one desk chair? Also, if this is to avoid others, please be aware that the Windjammer is often crowded at mealtimes and may be so when you go to get your meals to take back to eat in the cabin. Do you expect to remain in the cabin the entire cruise as the cruises are sailing pretty full and you will likely encounter others in all venues? M

The seven night menus haven't changed in a while, but when additional nights are added, there are different options. I hope you enjoy. M

No problem at all. There is a process with clear instructions for those who want to leave the ship and return later. The info will be in the B2B letter that is provided near the end of the first cruise. Your friend will be able to leave the ship with his children and will return alone when general boarding begins. Many on a B2B leave the ship. He will be told where to get the new sea pass card (prior to leaving the ship) and should also be issued an "in transit" card. He will likely have to wait in the terminal for general boarding to get back on. ( some ports allow him to get back on at any time, some will make him wait for boarding to begin.) He will also have to go through the security line at the terminal. Since he is B2B and has an "in transit" card he will be able to go back to his cabin at any time. He will not go to the B2B meeting place ( on turnaround day), as he will be off the ship by then. I've needed to take care of a few things in Port Canaveral and have used this process several times. I was B2B on Indy. NO ISSUES. Hope this helps M

Been on Serenade for the past and current sailing. Wings are available on the room service menu I have not seen wings at the buffet. However, I’ve only been there once for lunch and once for dessert after MDR dinner. m

Most of the items on the list are no longer available. Doesn’t matter what you select, they substitute it with something else. m

They will generally stay up till NYE and are removed after then. m

If you don’t mind me asking, what is “a few”? The reason I ask, is on a recent Harmony cruise, Pinnacles were only allowed to reserve two nights in coastal kitchen. Of course, every ship is different, the number of Pinnacle’s varies as well. In our situation we about 70 pinnacles on board Thank you. m

14 is too many for the cabana with a capacity of 8. There is a cabana attendant who will be checking wristbands. You will receive 8 wristbands. m

No issues. When I went for the latest booster it was a different company from all the other shots. NO PROBLEM The past few cruises, (and boarded Serenade a few days ago) no one even cared to see a vac card. They simply asked if I was vaccinated. m

Yes, to D+ and up, that is my understating. The wording is something like ....5 nights or longer. Do you have your current welcome letter? It might be on there. m

No. No more free drinks in the D lounge. If you want to sit there and have a drink, you will have to use a voucher. The anytime/anyplace/any drink voucher takes the place of the free drinks M

A seasonal dinner is a TERRIFIC idea. You should suggest that to a Hotel Director. Except..... it is always "summer" on a Caribbean cruise. 😀 M

Not yet. The menus rarely change. The cruise model is not designed for a frequent cruiser. M

Your SIL's status won't get her an earlier reservation on line than what is showing as available for everyone. Once on board, the staff will do what they can to accommodate your preferred time, luckily regardless of C&A status. They really do try to accommodate EVERYONE. I suggest someone in your group see the Maitre D early the first afternoon. Be prepared to wait in line some evenings, even with a reservation. The line is LONG, but it moves fairly quickly. Just a FYI - one evening the NON reservation line was shorter than the reservation line. We got in the shorter line. have a good cruise M

No one is sailing for just a can of soda or a bottle of water. The RCCL loyalty package is generous at every level. M

Pool chairs go fast. PLENTY of seating at the beaches. enjoy m

Five years ago our cruise was extended three days. Royal said that they were covering the gratuities for those days. Just about everyone I spoke to was giving extra gratuities to all the staff. Royal had reduced all of the specialty dining and bar drinks to 50% off. So not only were the drinks inexpensive but the gratuity was on the 50% off price. The gratuity to the bar staff was SO low that we added more. m

You can still use the voucher, for a glass of wine priced over $13. You simply pay the difference (plus 18% gratuity) between the wine price and $13. m

If not covered, some drinks will cost just $1.18. m

Exactly. Same with the dining packages. M

not yet.