ALSEAU

As for the Muster Drill. RCL has made it very easy and efficient. Remember the Royal App  I referred to well that is how you will do your Muster Drill. We just got off of a B2B on the Symphony of the Seas in September. Both weeks on embarkation day we used the App to watch a series of safety protocols videos which takes about 10 minutes and that completed 95% of the drill requirements. As soon as we boarded at the promenade we went to our muster station and a RCL rep took 5 minutes to complete the process.

Our Muster Drill requirements were over when the rep updated us.

21 minutes ago, vcmds said:

My husband and I have been on several cruises but only Carnival and Holland America.  I have a few Royal Caribbean questions.

 

1.  When the itinerary says we would sail from Los Angeles, does that really mean San Pedro?  Is it better to fly into LAX or Long Beach?  Even though we live in Northern California and could easily fly the morning of the cruise, I'm a nervous traveler and don't want to risk the chance of a flight delay due to fog.  I would prefer flying in the day before.  Are there hotels with transportation to the port the morning of departure?  Where do you usually stay?  On debarkation day, does RCCL offer bus transportation back to the airport, or does everyone grab a taxi or Uber?

RCCL always offer bus transportation back to the airport for a fee.

21 minutes ago, vcmds said:

 

2.  I love to eat, and part of the fun for me on cruises is trying new foods.  I was so disappointed last time with Carnival's new American Table (or whatever it was called).  I don't need gourmet meals, but are the choices in the main dining room something other than steak or grilled chicken?

 

I eat mainly in the MDR for dinner. I will get a shrimp cocktail and escargot every evening. My favorite entrees are the two nights they serve Lamb. There are fish and pasta offerings every night I also love the pork offerings.

 

You didn't say when your sailing is. But when you load the Royal App I think you can view the menu for  cruise.  .

 

3.  We are scoping out RCCL in anticipation of a large family/friends trip in 2023.  Has anyone sailed in both the virtual balcony and interior promenade view rooms?  Which did you prefer?   Or if you've sailed in only one of those, what are the pros and cons?   I'm paying for all of my kids and grandkids, so we won't be sailing in balcony rooms!

Personally I prefer the Interior Promenade. We didn't  have noise that bothered us. Liked sitting by the window and people watching. Just remember to close the curtains when you want privacy.

As for the virtual balcony it is a pleasant experience. You have a visual and audio experience which you control remotely. I considered the virtual balcony a night light and an alarm clock that let me know it was daylight. It is truly a unique experience.

Just off a cruise on the Symphony out of Port Miami

For what ever reason when check-in times first became available the earliest time was 1:00. We are Diamond+ and got a 1:30 check-in time. A few weeks before our cruise one of our cruise critic members posted that they were able to change there check-in time to 12:00. I immediately went to edit my check-in-time and was able to get a 12:00 check-in,

We had somewhere between 1,800 to 2,000 passengers on this cruise. When we got to the pier there was already a long line. Suit guest had separate check-in area with a short line and it appeared they were letting them in the building. . Our check-ln time was 12:00 to 12:30. Port personnel continued to check our line to make sure only 12:00 to 12:30 passengers were in the line. They created a different line for the 12:30 to 1:00. They started letting us into the building a few at a time at 11:45. While outside in line lots of people were unmasked. Inside the building everyone wore a mask.

Hi Chris

Thanks for taking time to share your cruise experience with us.

To us one of the strong points of a Royal cruise is the outstanding entertainment. So I am interested in any information about the entertainment venues. Also how it feels in the different public areas with  the ship having a lower capacity level.

If anyone is doing a B2B in August could you please share your experience?

I am doing a B2B on the Symphony in September.

I would appreciate any shared comments, tips and experiences from pre-boarding to disembarkation.

Questions?

How many cruisers on board? How many vaccinated and not vaccinated?

How many under 12 if possible to guesstimate?

What do you think about the separation of vaccinated and not vaccinated areas?

What has been the impact in the Windjammer and the Main Dinning Room?

Do you have an event where there is a Q&A with the Captain?  

How are the entertainment venues?

How has the passengers participation been impacted?

Any and all impressions.

Pro and Cons

Brief summary after cruise

If anyone is doing a B2B how was that experience?

August 21st cruisers please chime ln.

Have a great cruise everyone!

13 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

We were in St Maarten today.   Not on a Royal ship but on the Celebrity Equinox (owned by Royal).    You could walk off the ship on your own but had to wear a mask.    The shops off the ship had signs that said to enter you had to wear a mask.  But you could walk around on your own with a mask. Very easy.

My understanding is that all Celebrity cruisers are vaccinated. So rules may be different for a ship having passengers not vaccinated,

I am guessing that there isn't going to be a Q&A gathering with the Captain or any RCL reps. 

That seems to me to be a big missed PR opportunity.

Hi Anne

Thanks for taking time to share your experience on the Symphony simulation cruise.

Have fun!

Do your best to make for sure Symphony passes her test,

By chance are you playing any roll? 

I want to add my thanks for taking us along on your cruise.

I hope someone will step up and be so kind in July when RCL begins test cruises from US ports. 

I think the only responsible way to restart cruises is to mandate vaccination of crew and guest. Don't have a problem with weary a mask in crowded public places.

I thought when we could not social distance we had to wear a mask. If we are all wearing a mask and vaccinated why is social distance still an issue. 

On 1/15/2021 at 7:30 PM, time4u2go said:

It's such a shame that the U. S. has about 4% of the world's population while having about 20% of the world's covid-related deaths. 

This percentage assumes that the world's covid-related deaths are being accurately reported by all the world's governments. 

I may be in a minority but I believe the test should be mandatory even with the possibility of things changing days later

I think it would helpful if you have had the virus to be able to show some kind of qualified proof that you have had the virus and have had a successful recovery.  

I also think a temperature check should be mandatory before boarding the ship

.

The Q&A paper is a waste of time and only a CYA for the cruise line.

1 hour ago, Bradison said:

Doubt it is gone but I am more optimistic about the cruise happening.  Hope you are healthy as they may have tight restrictions.

I agree

Us old folks that might have a hard time getting a Doctors note may still miss the boat.

I would think that some of the ships will take advantage of a chance to do some routine house maintenance. Replacing furniture and carpet while upgrading behind the scene equipment. If these things are needed there would have already been plans to purchase for installations. 

Every ship probably already had a long to do list. This will give then a chance to catch up without interfering with passengers..

3 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I doubt that, have never been given an unopened anything during happy hour, and even if you do- this is the type of behavior that screws a good thing up for everyone 

I am a little confused in how us using our card for our 3 drink limit is a behavior that screws a  good thing for everyone.

We don't drink any HH drinks in the Diamond Lounge.

When we used to go to the lounge it seemed that some members spent almost the whole time in the lounge drinking free drinks. So I don't feel like I am screwing anyone when we get our 3 beers and 3 cokes each evening and yes I do request those drinks to be unopened..

On 2/19/2020 at 6:25 PM, NHuffman said:

I signed off the Serenade January 20th with Scott Rosen taking over for me for a full contract. I'll be heading to take over from Hannah on Symphony March 21st. 🙂 Hope that helps beautiful people!

See you on the next cruise! 😘 

How long is your contract?

I know September is a long time away but when you get a clue of who and when you will be replaced please post an update. 

17 hours ago, tomroach said:

On Harmony of the Seas, how do the three free drinks work for Diamond and above members?  Can they be used throughout the day or only in the evening?

My wife and I are not big drinkers. (we will not drink 3 drinks during Happy Hour)

So what we will do during happy hour is get unopen containers of beer and soda to take back to the stateroom and put in the refrigerator to consume during the next day.

Just curious what are the production shows in the main theater. 

Sometimes I have just shown my card and received our drinks and nothing run through a machine. I have requested that they ring it up so that I can add a tip to the zero charges.

My wife and I are not big drinkers so what we will do sometimes is use our vouchers to get unopen beer and soda cans to take back to  the room to to be stored in the refrigerator to be consumed at our convenience.

On 11/22/2019 at 5:14 PM, garnetpalmetto said:

 

Playmakers has food as well as drinks.

What is the menu like at Playmakers Sports Bar?

Following

Enjoy your reports

I am not sure if you do this but could you report which side of the ship is docked against the pier when you are in port?

We like to booked cabins that will be pier side when in ports.

Planning a B2B in Sept,. 2020.

Is there a link to go to identifying  the location on the ship you will muster?

Specifically the Allure of the Seas.

14 hours ago, Paulette3028 said:

Updated  8/7/19  ---

                       

My hope is to put update this thread every few days or at least once week.  To do that, I need cruisers (or others that somehow have 'insider information') to let me know who they come across on sailings.  HAPPY CRUISING!

 

What Activity Manager have you come across?  Post the name, ship and sailing date to help keep this thread as accurate as possible.

 

****Allure OTS – It has been mentioned to me that Moe was reassigned to Allure instead of going to Coco Cay.  Assata Young-Mayers was expected to be taking over on July 14.  Looking for a cruiser to confirm who is onboard.

   

I don.t know who is currently on the Allure.

I am doing a B2B on Sept 22 and Sept 29.

I requested information from RCI about who will be on board those 2 weeks.

The information they gave me stated that Assata would be our Activities Manager.

Who has sailed the Allure Eastern and Western lately?

Do you have copies of the daily compass?

Need help finding out the current formal nights on the Allure of the Seas