jerseygirl3

I love using the app. You can do all sorts of things on it. You can even see the menu fir the MDR for each day 

On 8/14/2022 at 7:48 PM, CRUIS4ME said:

Just made a reservation for Armando By the Pantheon.   Thanks for recommending…hope it is delicious!   

How was your meal at Armando?  It's been a couple of years since we've been there, but plan to go back next year.

Just got off Enchantment last week.  There was a noticable decline in MDR food.  However, the beef dishes were almost exclusively very good.  Food served room temp or downright cold at times.  We did mention it to the Head Waiter (he was very engaged and asked), and the next evening everything was hot.  But after that, several dishes were served room temp at best. We found it to be very hit or miss with the quality, but the Windjammer Buffet was usually very good.

14 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

2024 or 2023?

Oops. 2023!  

On 8/31/2022 at 11:25 AM, Wineaux007 said:

Probably the same time the Spring TA's come out.

We've already booked the Odyssey TA for October 2024.  

16 minutes ago, Babr said:

That is the best part. The solution was in your hands all along.

Right!  And I just went ahead and purchased it for a TA we have planned for October 2024 as well.  I pray my furbabies stay healthy, but at their age, I  don't want to take any chances.  Thank you again so much for pointing this out to me!!!

16 minutes ago, Babr said:

That is the best part. The solution was in your hands all along.

1 hour ago, Babr said:

35. Your or Your Traveling Companion’s Pet or Service Animal is sick, diagnosed with a terminal illness, injured or dies within thirty (30) days prior to the Scheduled Departure Date. You must provide veterinary records documenting the illness, injury or death of Your or Your Traveling Companion’s Pet or Service Animal;
 

Here is the language in question. It should appear in your policy as well. The link is to the SE policy - not state specific.

Thank you so much!  I didnt realize i was covered fir this when i purchased the insurance. 

23 hours ago, Babr said:

See Item 35 under Covered Reasons for Cancellation and Item 31 under Trip Interruption in the IMG plans. It is rather low on a long list of covered reasons, but it is there.

I have IMG for our upcoming trips, but I don’t see Item 35. Can you tell me what it says?

As our dogs age, it becomes more of a concern if we would have to cancel a trip if one of our dogs developed a serious illness. Anybody know of any travel insurance that covers that besides "cancel for any reason"?  

We just returned yesterday from our sailing aboard the Enchantment of the Seas 6 night Bermuda sailing from Baltimore.  Here's a review:

Demographics:  Me (67), friend (73), my sister (61) and BIL (70).  We are all very experienced cruisers, but this was our first cruise back since the pandemic.  DH stayed home due to work schedule, so a friend shared the cabin with me.

Precruise:  All of us tested through Rapid Test and Trace and it was a great experience.  $20, used our own home test, and had results (all negative) within 15 minutes. We all stayed at Best Western Plus in Elkridge and used their Park and Cruise package.  Included complimentary parking, breakfast, and shuttle to and from port.  My friend and I drove there from southern New Jersey, and sister and BIL from Williamsburg, VA.

Check-In:  Was rather slow due to the fact that they now have to take a photo of your negative test and Bermuda Travel Advisory and download it into the system.  They used to have the passengers do this, but now the check-in staff does it.  I would say we stood in line for about an hour. They also weren't verifying your check-in time, so I'm sure people showed up earlier than they should and that slowed down things.  We were given a time of 11:30 to 12 and we arrived at 12. 

Cabin:  My friend and I shared an interior cabin on Deck 7.  We had the cabin attendant split the bed into twins.  No complaints about the cabin; everything was as expected.  Our attendant was wonderful and kept it spotlessly cleaned.  Our wine bucket was always refreshed with ice.  My extra pillows arrived promptly .  The shower is small and since the shower head is on the wall opposite the shower curtain (it's usually on the same wall as the faucet), it was difficult to keep the water inside the shower stall and not all over the bathroom floor.  I had an issue one evening with the safe in the cabin, and when I called maintenance, they sent up a maintenance worker within 10 minutes of my call. 

Main Dining Room:  We had My Time Dining and had pre-selected a 7 p.m. reservation for each night.  The first night we were seated at a lovely 4 top table by the window.  Our wait staff was wonderful, and upon leaving dinner that first night, we spoke to the hostess and requested that table for the duration of the cruise.  She took care of it and that table and wait staff was ours for the rest of the cruise.  The Head Waiter (Charles), was excellent.  We've been on over 40 cruises, and we've never had one that was so engaged in ensuring our dining experience was good.  The first night none of our food was hot (some was downright cold), we mentioned it to him, and the next night everything was served as it should be.  To be honest, the food in the MDR was hit or miss.  Some items good, some great, and occasionally inedible (don't order the chicken parm).  Charles said he had so many complaints that evening about the chicken parm that it will prompt a meeting to find out what was the issue.  The pasta dishes weren't great, the beef was always outstanding.  Forgot to mention that our first day we had made arrangements to have lunch in Chops because the Windjammer can be crazy on boarding day.  While the food was good, the service was not.  It took forever for a waiter to take our order, and the same with ordering a cocktail.  In all fairness, I think there was only one waiter on duty, so I don't blame him.  There did seem to be plenty of waitstaff in the MDR at all times.  Our Asst. Waiter had just come out of quarantine (he was sent to the Serenade for quarantine) due to a case of Covid, and he seemed happy to be back.  Although masks are not required for the guests, all staff must wear them.  I think it was more for the crew's safety because they don't want to lose them to quarantine.  It was, at times, difficult to communicate.  Between different nationalities and masks, communication at times was difficult.

Windjammer Buffet:  Although we were going to avoid the buffet and go to the MDR for lunches, the Windjammer proved to have very good food.  Our first lunch in the MDR was not good, so we gave up on that and had breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer from that point on.  Plenty to choose from and the staff were always willing to help you with getting your coffee, juice, water, etc.  And the main attraction in the Windjammer continues to be The Sheriff.  What a happy, joyful man!  He represents Royal Caribbean well and it's a treat to engage in conversation with him. 

Entertainment:  The piano player and, of course, everyone's favorite band, Rockport, was always enjoyable.  We didn't attend any shows. My sister introduced my friend and I to Skip-Bo, and we became quite addicted, so that's what we spent our leisure time doing. 

Staff:  The staff on this ship are outstanding.  Probably the friendliest we've ever encountered.  Always smiling, always happy, always going overboard (forgive the pun)to make your cruise experience a positive one.  I can't say enough about how wonderful every staff member we encountered were. 

Debarkation:  The easiest, quickest of any cruise we've ever been on, and we've been on a lot!LOL  From the time our group was lead off the ship from the lounge until we were outside the terminal waiting for our shuttle was less than 10 minutes.  The Port of Baltimore has this perfected and kudos to them!

I'm sure I've missed things, but I'm busy with laundry and getting my land legs back.  Any questions, ask away!  

3 hours ago, patattack said:

I did as well.  Received them 2 weeks ago

Most have extended the expiration date. Check it out 

On 9/6/2022 at 8:37 PM, Airbear232 said:

Okay, bring on the haters - I miss actual formal nights.  Now it’s anything goes.  Takes away from the experience IMHO.  

We just got off the Enchantment yesterday.  Our Head  Waiter told us that "technically" shorts are not allowed in the dining room.  However, they are not allowed to say anything to the passengers for fear of getting written up.  He said he had a couple show up one night to the MDR (he didn't stipulate if it was a formal night) in bathrobes and their wet bathing suites underneath.  He said they were still dripping wet!  He told them they could not enter the MDR in that attire, because 1) it was inappropriate, and 2) the dripping water was a safety hazard.  He was written up because this couple reported that he was rude.  So now he says nothing.  

By the way, although we did see some in shorts and very few tuxes, the majority of the guests on our 6 night sailing to Bermuda this past week were very dressed up, especially the women.

12 hours ago, Jessejo said:

I was at Walgreens today for Omicron/Covid booster and asked about Covid testing for travel.  They said Medicare no longer covers testing for travel.  I think they said it would cost $129.  Looked online and found that Walmart is testing for $75 - I’ll check tomorrow and may make an appointment there.  I know there are some online proctored tests that were advertised at $19.95 but you have to download their app and jump thru hoops to get signed up.

Actually, the proctored test through Rapid Test and Trace is exceptionally easy.  It's $20, no app to download.  You schedule your date and time on their website, you can use your own at home test kit, and  they are very diligent about sending you reminders of your appt. time that you selected.  The proctor was extremely nice and while still on the zoom with her, she made sure I received my negative test result in my email before we disconnected.  I highly recommend them.  I think it was On Point that was more complicated and you had to download two accounts or something like that.  But Rapid Test and Trace was excellent.  

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

I thought the government ran out and stopped sending out free tests. 

Not until after September 2.  But Medicare recipients, as well as some other insurers, allow 8 free tests per month.  Just got ours at CVS.  

8 hours ago, rudeney said:

I always have to laugh when I hear the word "free".  One of the first things I learned in life is that nothing is "free".  The "government" has no money - they have my money that they spend.  All the money that my health insurance company has is money that I and other customers of theirs have paid in premiums.  

 

My primary care "internal medicine" doc does not provide any COVID testing. The chain store pharmacies claim that they do testing, but searching their websites for testing "appointments' yields no results within then next 10 days.  Think about that: Why would I need to make an appointment to test for an infection for more than 10 days in the future when I'm sick "today" and likely will recover in about a week?  

Go to Urgent Care.

44 minutes ago, nelblu said:

The 8 are from your insurance company or Medicare?

Medicare. But my son's insurance company allows 8 free a month. 

34 minutes ago, DrewCC2225 said:

Likewise I’m going Thursday for Sunday. My TA is on standby to reschedule for the following week if need be 😂 

Doesnt it have to be within 48 hours? 

39 minutes ago, gmkgks said:

We still have to test for RC leaving Saturday. Based on recommendations from this board, we ordered test kits from Rapidtestandtrace two weeks ago.  When they didn’t arrive after the promised 6 biz days we tried to contact them. There is no number on the website. The live chat doesn’t work.  No one has returned our messages.  I’m afraid it’s too late to order tests from another company and I don’t want to spend a hundreds times 3 people for Walgreens or CVS.  Any ideas??  

Most insurances allow you to get 8 free tests a month from your loval pharmacy. My husband and I just got 8 each at CVS. I'll use one for my test tomorriw with Rapid Test and Trace. 

I see on Celebrity’s website that they now allow people who test positive during their sailing to stay in their own cabin. Is Royal doing the same?  I wouldn’t want to give up a balcony cabin for a less desirable cabin in the Covid “ward”. 

I'm guessing that since they are now allowing all unvaccinated to sail, and have relaxed testing, there will be no more protocol updates in the near future.  We have to test for our upcoming cruise because Bermuda requires it (have no idea why, since you can fly into Bermuda without a test), and we have to test in Europe because our itinerary includes Greece (which also does not require testing to enter by air).  

I'm not too concerned with the Bermuda cruise.  If we test positive, we can just drive home.  But we'll be in Europe for 4 days before the start of 21 days on the ship (which includes a TA), and if we test positive, it will be a nightmare trying to find a hotel to quarantine and a new way to get back to the States.  I was hoping all testing would be over by now.  Seems they just really wanted to appease the unvaccinated.  

We will be on Enchantment of the Seas next week. I know we can bring onboard a couple of bottles of wine. What is the current corkage fee?  I've heard it's rarely enforced. True?  If so, is it poured by a sommelier ir your waiter. Just want to know who to tip.  

13 minutes ago, Finnsmom13 said:

I was referring to getting sick while already on board

Hence the discussion regarding quarantine cabins being needed

My husband was quarantined when he developed influenza on our Feb 2020 cruise. No refund for quarantined days. It didnt even occur to us to ask for ut

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

You can only use OBC for paying them onboard.  Is $21.00 for a week for 2 really going to break you?

She simply asked a reasonable question since the  option to prepay is given in the notice. Why be so snarky?  We’ll be on a cruise for 21 days, so for us it adds up. So we, too, will prepay. 

I cant believe they are removing vaccine mandates before they do away with testing for vaccinated pax, specifically Transatlantic cruises or any cruise over 10days. 

19 hours ago, VCR said:

No problem getting her out of school.  It is 4 days because of the holiday, but it literally takes this school 3 or 4 weeks just to straighten out schedule changes.  

 

They are out this Tuesday, so she will only miss 2 days this week, because according to the school she can go back after five days as long as no fever and feeling better.  She is vaxed and boosted.

Once our kids were in high school, they were not allowed to take off more than 3 consecutive school days without a doctor's note.