robandana

We did and it was a brand new cabin, a bit bigger than the normal interior cabin. The closet doors were damaged and they ended up removing them which was great as they did not open very much. The room was a bit noisy as it was at the entrance of the hallway. I would not choose this cabin again.

Can anyone confirm this info? Just because in the past there have been some mistakes made....

Yup, so far so good for us. We have received double points on our last few cruises. 

Just wondering if anyone has stayed in this cabin (9458 Oasis of the Seas) ?

This is a new cabin installed on the last upgrade to the Oasis. Just wondering on the layout, noise anything worth mentioning.

Thanks.

You have to have the dessert (The World....it will blow your mind!) You can order anything you like but they like to kind of tell you a story with the food. We just let our server bring us what she wanted. 

We loved it, really enjoyed the journey. Not every dish was amazing but the majority were. It took us about 2 hours to eat...they do not rush the experience. It was fun.

It's something we would do like once a year...not more. 

Someone posted that they were also preGold but did get the double points. 

Did you stay in a normal cabin or a studio cabin? Studio cabins do not qualify for double points because you are only paying a single rate. 

Might be worth calling C&A

I am a non smoker and I hate the smoke stink....but I like to gamble just a bit more...so I do play but I must admit no for as long as I would like...the smell eventually gets to me and I have to leave.

I was recently on the Ovation of the Seas and it wasn't too bad at all. Not sure if it was that there was only 1800 passengers (4400 is max) or they have a more modern air filtration system....

Anyways I would really prefer a non smoking Casino.

We are on the Oasis that week...just checked and only 2 ships are scheduled to be there on the 29th... The Harmony is in Nassau the 29th.

Should be OK with just 2 ships.

15 minutes ago, AlbertaCruisers said:

I used Shoppers Drug Mart in August for our flight (Air Canada) and Cruise (Celebrity Equinox) with no issues at all.  I called a Walmart by us and they are using the same type of test as Shoppers and confirmed they would insert our passport number in the result form if we brought it with us, so I think they would be fine too, but they don't start tests until 9:30 am, so I'm still going to Shoppers again next week (our local one will test starting at 8:00 am).

 

As an FYI, Walmart requires appointments (based on the website and the one I spoke to).  Shoppers have different procedures, so do walk ins and some do not, and some did walk ins and now want appointments, so it is best to call and ask.

We are in Calgary and both require appointments for now anyways. Thanks for the info.

Just wondering if anyone has tried out the Antigen tests at Shoppers or Walmart? They are so much cheaper then what was available a few months ago. Shoppers test cost $40 and now Walmart $20...

Just wondering how it went and if there were any issues crossing the boarder.

Thanks.

8 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Nope.  After a class action suit a few years ago, the cruise lines are very limited in what they can include in the "taxes and fees", and fuel surcharge isn't one of them.  I agree that it is unlikely that a surcharge will be added in the near future, but it could still happen if there is a great surge in bunker price.  As long as the ships continue to burn 3% sulfur (high sulfur) residual fuel (those ships that have scrubbers), bunker prices will not fluctuate as greatly as crude prices, since the residual fuel will continue to be an "end product" from many refineries, who will be looking for buyers for this byproduct of making their "bread and butter" product, gasoline.

Very interesting, thanks for the clarification.

I think Royal has integrated the fuel surcharge into the taxes and fees. Not sure if we will ever see a specific fuel surcharge anymore. 

We flew from Calgary to Vancouver to Seattle in September with AC we uploaded our neg, test results during our online check in and filled out an electronic attestation from online during the same check in. I also printed the CDC form and had it just in case but was never asked for it. At Vancouver we did US customs and they asked for nothing.... 

In the past (2 weeks ago) we were able to apply a certificate to an existing booking we had with the casino. If you booked while on the same cruise you earned the certificate they will also honor but they must transfer the booking to the casino and it gets repriced. If you already have a casino discount on your booking you will have to choose which you want, they say they don't allow 2 casino certificates or discounts per booking.

We recently got off the Ovation of the Seas and Royal did our PCR test to get back into Canada for free the day before disembarking. The results were in our cabin by 6 or 7 pm that same day. You need to speak with guest services once onboard so they can organize your test for you.

Enjoy your cruise!

The new drinks program is much better. As a Diamond Member you get 4 drinks on your card to use at any bar and at anytime during the day. The lounge is there but they still use the vouchers on your card. You can have any type of drink up to $13, which is amazing.

Enjoy your cruises!

I guess my biggest issue is that many people die from second hand smoke each year. I would really love to be in a smoke free Casino. Instead I limit my time when onboard. 

I remember we were on The Grandeur of the Seas and they had these smoke eater machines all over the place and it seemed to make it a bit better.

You would think that with Covid they would make smoking an outside only event.

I hit Prime status last year and enjoyed the free drinks etc. now that its after April 1 I think I have a free cruise but the other day I spoke with CR about not receiving there offers...(I do have a few $100 off offers under my account online) but I was under the impression they sent out specific sailing cruise discounts or comps a few time a year. Anyways the guy told me yes your Prime but becase your from Canada no offers can be mailed/emailed to me....He told me my free cruise should show up online in a few weeks.

Just wondering if any Canadians that are Prime are receiving emailed offers...

Thanks!

We have decided to receive a full refund on 4 of our cancelled cruises. The first 2 got cancelled 2 weeks ago and our TA handled the cancelation and told us 30 days for the refund. The other 2 came a few days later and I handled them myself right from the cancelation email Royal sent, filled out the online form and at the end it said we would receive our refund 30 days from this date...Hopping this will happen...

I too am worried that in the end Royal will run out of money....2-3 Billion bucks only goes so far!

It's a cash flow issue those bookings show projected earnings and that's how banks lend them money...I would guess that if the cruises industry does not get cruising by the summer they will all go bankrupt....the cost to run all those ships is enormous.

I would guess no more cruising this year....I say this because even if the USA get the virus under control by social distancing in 2 months (which is very optimistic because unlike China most of the world is not taking this matter seriously) there is no way they would let 2000-5000 people congregate on a ship (no way to 6 feet from anyone on a ship)....this just makes no sense.

Even China who technically are out of the woods have stopped travel into there country because of new CV cases being imported...

Cruise ships are much to confined quarters to start experimenting with until we have some sort of vaccine. A vaccine they say may take another 12-18 months to develop.....and then after that how do you control that everyone on the ship has been vaccinated...so more paperwork...maybe a stamp on you passport that shows you have been vaccinated...again limiting who can cruise.....no way they will fill ships. Cruise ships must sail almost full to work....

Between the ban on anyone over 70 (without a doctors note) and proof you have been vaccinated...will the vaccine be free to everyone....who will get vaccinated first....and lets not even start talking about the financial crisis that will leave many of us with much less money to live let alone cruise....

It will be amazing if any of the cruise lines are even around at the end of the year....no passengers, no revenue....banks start calling in loans.....

I hope I am wrong, I love to cruise!

13 hours ago, brillohead said:

 

OMG, I absolutely DETEST the Costa Maya port (as do the locals)!

The port company owns virtually all the shops (with all their "made in China" wares), and they make it darn near impossible to get out of the port to get a local taxi or take a private tour.  

Clarification:  Love Costa Maya as a port stop, but hate the PORT COMPANY itself!

The company that owns the Costa Maya port area also owns the majority of Mahahual restaurants, bars and shops. Many of the people are bussed in to work these shops. 

I was under the impression that the 3 drinks are for the member and not anyone else. An officer was explaining that some people share the drink vouchers and they were not suppose too at a lunch we had a few weeks ago.

I think when on a mega ships (Oasis Class) TA the 9-10 days is fine as there is so much to do but on the Vision/Radiance Class....not sure...the most we have ever done on that class was 6 days and it was great to finally reach a port. We love TA cruises but on the smaller ships its better to have more ports.

$5 per point, on my last cruise I reached 400 ($2000) points but did not put more than $250 of my own money the rest was winning that I kept playing. I got a $100 off my next cruise voucher for reaching 400 points during that cruise.

I am at about 1100 points for the year and I have 3 cruises still to go but I don't think I will make it....normally I do not do more than 200-250 points per cruise....

Would be great to have free drinks and a free cruise....