handbellplayer

We have had Colon as a port stop on two cruises. One was a canal excursion and one was a tour of Panama City. There is nothing near Colon and Panama City is at least (in my memory) an hour bus ride away. On our canal excursion, we were caught in terrible traffic in Panama City and they held the ship for us - I was SO glad to be on a Royal excursion or we would have missed the ship! We are usually fans of non-ship excursions, but I would never recommend one from Colon.

This! We had it in January and enjoyed it, but I would never pay more than $80.

Oh, I don’t mind at all! I ask for two reasons. First, I am a compulsive planner and like to know what to expect. Second (and more logically), we have been on enough cruises that we have seen some these entertainers one of more times. Some of them we’ve loved; others not so much. It helps to know so that we can decide when to make or change dinner reservations, etc.

Thank you! I'll try that one.

In the past, I've been able to inquire via email about the entertainers scheduled for a particular sailing. I can't seem to find that email address. Post-COVID, does this still work? (Harmony of the Seas 8/21 departure)

We're sailing with you and anxiously watching for changes. Of course, I made our appointments for testing two days out yesterday....

That's not what the web site says: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center?icid=hlthys_wrnssn_hlt_nbrdxp_pghdr_3467

Everyone says FLL is the fastest, and it is, but things can happen. We once had a cruise departing out of FLL, and our ship paused that morning to assist a boat in distress. We didn't dock until 8:30. We made our 11:00 flight, but I wouldn't have been comfortable with anything earlier.

@Jaynay - One more question for you. I assume you have to "break the seal" of the test in front of the proctor. Is that the seal on the box or on the individual test? One of the tests we got from the government has 5 tests in a box. Does that mean only one of us can use that box, since the first person would have broken the seal?

Thank you SO much! Very helpful!

Most helpful response yet! Thanks!!!!

Thank you!!!!

Thank you for all the responses. I was in a bit of a funk yesterday after the announcement because I was so hoping this would all be behind us. I appreciate that so many of you have had good results with the inline testing, but my point is that many have not. I guess we'll make an appointment with one of the telemedicine places with a Walgreen's appointment as backup.

I was planning to use them until I read many negative experiences on these boards.

Sorry! I wish I thought the cruise lines cared what we think. I'm pretty sure $$ is all that matters to them.

Wow - thanks for the helpful responses! I have heard of problems with the eMed tests, too. If I order two tests, what if one doesn't work? Should I order more? Thanks to those who are sympathetic. I know I come across as a nut, but I have been confidently cruising for many years....before COVID.

I was hoping and praying that the testing requirement would be over by now (we sail in 4 weeks). People on this board act like, “What’s the problem with getting tested? Easy peasy!” Here’s our situation: We drive to PC, so on a Sunday cruise, we drive down on Saturday. That leaves Friday for testing. We keep two toddler grandchildren Thursdays and Fridays, so everything we do – testing, packing, etc. must be worked around drives to and from pre-school, baths, naps, etc. I have read here of issues with Walgreens/CVS, eMed and OnPoint. And now the pharmacies charge $140/pp for testing. So I figure we need at least a Plan A and a Plan B. So I’m spending some amount of money that may well be wasted, not to mention the stress of praying that the solutions I choose don’t work out for whatever reason. Sorry to be so whiny, but I am wishing ow we’d never booked this cruise. Can anyone help me feel less stressed?

Back when you could make show reservations before sailing, I don't think they did (or we never needed it). Now that you have to make them after boarding, it's necessary.

We always book the Radisson at the Port Stay/Park/Shuttle package, although it's gotten really pricey lately.

I believe only Oasis class ships have JR breakfast.

We love the Roasted Tenderloin Beef!

Here's what I do. I have a general strategy for which restaurants I want to reserve for which night before boarding. Immediately after boarding, I go to Guest Services and get an Entertainment schedule for the week. Then I find a comfy spot and make my dining reservations in the app, working around entertainment. Much easier than talking to a person!

When are you sailing? If you're at least a couple of weeks out, I'd wait to see if the site reconciles with the info in your email. If it does, I would expect RCCL would cancel your excursion. I believe your can cancel excursions up to 48 hours prior to sailing(?)

Loved CATS on land and loved it on the ship. That being said, after several cruises on Oasis, I'm ready to see them change to something else. BTW - Watched Hamilton (the TV version). I didn't last 10 minutes. To each his own!

Great idea!