leaveitallbehind

That happened with us in October, but it only affected those who arrived too early as they had to wait until their time. Our boarding process and timing was not affected. That is why I mentioned previously to not arrive too early - those who do should be the only ones affected by having to wait. At least with that cruise that is how it worked as they were not allowing anyone in line prior to their assigned boarding time. Everyone waiting was in groups along the building or elsewhere but not in the active boarding line.

If you mean that as the day progresses it becomes more backed up, in our experience the answer would be no, as they follow the boarding times with each line set and manage that group before the next group is queued. The lines move similarly all day long as a result. We boarded Oasis at 2:00 in October and Anthem at 12:00 and the approximate time and process was the same with both.

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The Covid situation with quarantine stateroom allocations has reportedly created occasional stateroom change issues. But those are unique and out of the ordinary circumstances when that does occur. Other than for a situation like that, once a stateroom is assigned it remains the booked stateroom.

Sailed on Oasis in October and Anthem in April from Bayonne (they both use the same terminal as it is the only terminal for RCCL). Was very organized in both experiences. Drove up, dropped off our luggage, parked in the garage and got in line. We arrived 20 minutes before our assigned time and were in line on time. The process was organized, but still a line process that takes you in turn. In October the check-in to on-ship time was about 45 minutes. In April it was about 30 minutes. (With double the total booked capacity than October). We also have cruised out of Port Everglades in December on Allure with a similar experience to our April Bayonne experience, if not a little faster. The key is to arrive just before your scheduled time and you will move well in your queue. Get there too early and you will just wait until your time for the line to be called. To @Jkaczanowskithe situation you experienced was likely due to the ship having to move in and out as you indicated and likely would not have occurred otherwise, at least based on our recent experiences. I can see how that would certainly tend to back things up.

To your other question, no test is required or done at the port for vaccinated travelers. The test results are shown at check in. Even though your vax card can be uploaded with on line check in, it is still required to be verified at check in at the terminal, so along with your test results and ID, bring your vax card as well.

Here is a link to the RCCL website describing accepted pre cruise Covid tests. The most common available now is the rapid NAAT test which in our area is provided (with insurance) at N/C through Walgreens. Tests are simple, done by Walgreens, and results issued typically within an hour. You can also do an at home proctored test (also shown on the website) for a fee if the other option is not available to you. In either case the test must be performed within 2 days of sailing. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go

Depending on the number of bidders and actual staterooms available on that particular sailing, typically most bids are unsuccessful. Yes, you will hear reports of getting the desired stateroom with the minimum bid, etc., but it is a bid process and the awards are made to the highest bidders first, and down from there until the availability is filled. And availability is limited within each category so the "competition" between bids within a category can be tight. As suggested, it sometimes is best just to determine a budget you are comfortable with for a given desired stateroom category and just book it to begin with.

On board upgrades are usually far and few between. They are, BTW, not related to or are influenced by the Move Up program and are facilitated directly by Guest Services. If one is available in a category you desire, you will pay the difference between the last published price for that category and the actual fare you paid for your current category.

I don't have any direct experience with this but am aware of their occurrences on board. As the name implies, it is intended for singles, targeting adults. The mix would depend on the demographics of those singles who happen to be on board that particular sailing. No real way to predict if they would be younger or older, but I would expect a mix of different ages. I would think the only way to find out would be to have her attend. If it is not to her liking, she can just leave and not attend any further planned gatherings. But I would think there would be others in her same age group so it may be a good way to meet others to be able to spend time with during the cruise if desired. What does she have to lose?

Once a stateroom is assigned, that assignment becomes your booked stateroom. You can, however, request to have it changed to a different stateroom within the assigned category if available. This is frequently done if there is an alternate location preference available within the assigned category. Just do a mock booking for your assigned category where you select your stateroom and that will show available staterooms within that category. Then just contact your TA, or if booked directly, contact RCCL and request the new stateroom be assigned to your booking number instead. You can only move staterooms within the originally assigned category, however. I realize you indicate you are happy with your location - I only mention this in case you or others are not aware you have this option.

Or you can talk with the LA on board and they can update your preferences. But chances are that unless you do so early in the cruise they may not be able to change the current gift indicated on your account, or it may not be possible if what you request is not available for that cruise.

It may be difficult to get the carb information you are looking for from the ship - a lot of meals and variables at play with carb related ingredients. However, it certainly can't hurt to ask special services - or the maitre d - to see if any of that information can be provided. You can also ask to see if there is any low carb meals that can be offered as a dietary request. Failing all that, a nutritionist associated with her recent diagnosis can certainly provide a guide to carbs that can give you at least a general overview as to foods to include v what to avoid so that you can better manage selections and help you balance carb and protein intake. They will also provide target ranges of carb intake with each meal and snacks. I would talk with them in detail prior to the cruise for their input. It actually can be relatively easy to calculate a rough carb and protein total just by understanding the different food types and and consumed quantities associated with total carbs absorbed. It does take some time and familiarity with what is good v bad to get used to, but it eventually will become a lifestyle-type of program. Once armed with this information, on board, buffet offerings may be an option in assisting with this if not easily done through special needs and the MDR. Diabetes is a complex and tricky illness to manage, but it certainly, over time and with experience, can be successfully accomplished. Type 1 is certainly different than Type2, and IMO is more complex to navigate. But I'm certain that you will be able to learn to deal successfully with this and be able to cruise with confidence.

It depends on the sailing. I have seen it - and experienced it with a recent booking - where the connecting staterooms were the lowest price offered in the balcony categories we were considering and as we were traveling with another couple, we booked it. (Actually rebooked from a non-connecting category in that instance). I have seen it where it was the most expensive in that category as well. It also can be anywhere in between. There is no set protocol in terms of that pricing as, with any category, it is a function of inventory mix, bookings, and the pricing algorithms for any particular sailing.

Unless it was a very serious break that requires current attention, or follow up during the time they would be on the cruise, I would have to think that a break that occurred 3 weeks ago that is in a cast as indicated by the OP would not be a cause for concern. If it was I kind of doubt they would be considering cruising in the first place. Besides, the OP's question was regarding a cause for concern with the cruise line, or issues and other people's experience with cruising with a broken arm. Doesn't seem like there is a medical concern with them from a doctor's perspective. If there was, why ask us for our opinion? Just wondering. 🙂

Why would you be concerned that the cruise line would have a problem with you cruising with a broken arm?

It certainly does! On all three of our recent cruises since October (2 from NJ / 1 from FL) only once did they even open our carryon which, along with the wine, had several bottles of water and soda in it. And the one time they did open it they only wanted to check a tablet charger and some other phone connectors. Never even looked at the bottles. Go figure! Will see what happens in June from FL.

...and naturally it would only be wine being recanted into those bottles.........😄😉

I would just let your TA work this out (if you are using one - and if not, for this scale of a booking I would suggest it), or call RCCL to have them work it out for you. The above reservation reference is a new one to me as well.

My understanding is that you can only book the total passengers in each stateroom that the category designates as its maximum capacity.. It is not a matter of passenger age, but a matter of lifeboat capacity for that deck location, as that is what total stateroom capacity is base on. So I don't believe you can book 4 in a 3 capacity designated stateroom, even if it is an infant. Sounds like a great family cruise, however!

If you see a sale, as long as it is more than 48 before departure, you can cancel and rebuy. Just keep monitoring the planner.

We've been on two Christmas cruises and the ships were nicely decorated and a celebration held with a Santa for the kids, and caroling on Christmas Eve. But please be sure to pay extra attention to the crew, in particular your stateroom and dining service staff, as they are away from home as well and appreciate the extra personal interaction from you. We've also been on two NYE cruises and they will have a party somewhere on board with music and champagne. Our most recent was this year on Allure and even with all the protocols they managed a decent gathering at the Aqua Theater. We've enjoyed our experiences and will definitely do it again in the future.

...and then perhaps allow for the cost of a divorce attorney on your account! 😄 (I'm pretty sure I would have to!)

The best and most effective way to deal with this is on board. I realize this is "would have / should have / could have" at this point, but they "should have" gone immediately to the excursion desk, or if not available, guest services upon their return to the ship after the tour. If they are still on board they should try to do so before they disembark. It will be more difficult to deal with this for a successful resolution after the fact when they return home. But that being said, if that is their only recourse, I would suggest calling 800.256.6649 which is the post cruise customer service number and ask, if need be, to have it elevated to Resolutions.

As mentioned, no way to predict. It is Captains discretion. As suggested by @njhorseman, I know from a few of our cruises there (on different lines - not NCL) as the ship is in port for three days they use that time for crew training and frequently will perform lifeboat drills. As the itinerary tends to be the same week to week, the Captain may choose port side one week for starboard drills, then choose starboard side the next for port side drills. Hard to know if that would be the case and, unless you know the docking side for the prior week to your itinerary, hard to predict which side would be the docking side if that were to be the case. Either side offers a nice view of the island.