the fish

Last day on the Allure and can confirm that no messaging apps we tried (imessage, google chat, hangouts) without Voom. We decided to hold off on the $2 Royal app texting until we felt like we needed it and made out fine without it. We did get a one day pass on Voom to make a couple wifi calls, but that stream service was so slow - couldn't stream any videos or music in a reliable manner.

Thanks for the responses. $2/day per device is fine but I hope they got the notifications working. Wasn't going to complain when it was free but if I'm paying...

Voom is great for those who need it - we like to unplug from the outside world on a cruise but want to keep in touch with family members on the ship. We were on Harmony 3 years ago without Voom and could text/chat over the Royal app for free, but the lack of notifications of new messages on the Royal app was disappointing (at least it was free). While connected to the ship's wifi for the Royal app, we were able to text/chat using Hangouts which does give notifications of new messages. I think we could also message family back home using hangouts without Voom but not exactly sure - our main goal is to communication with those family members on the ship. Can anyone share if the Royal app now gives notifications of new messages? Is it still free to chat using the Royal app with family on the cruise? We are going on Allure if the ship matters. Also, does Hangouts still work for getting messages out as an alternative to the Royal app without Voom? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for posting your positive experience and acceptance by the cruise line!

Yes, I am assuming it will work also. It would be nice to have some confirmation before showing up at the port this Saturday.

Anyone been successful using results from Rapid Test And Trace on RCL?

@Shipswap and @NextOne - did either of you have an issue using the test result from ‘Rapid Test And Trace’ and getting on the ship?

Here is a link to the policy as of 5/3/22 https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/covid-19-cancellations-and-refunds-policy.pdf At the bottom it says this: *By default, you will be issued a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the amount specified, unless and until you request a refund in lieu of a FCC. All refund requests must be made within six (6) months of the date your booking is cancelled or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier, or you will only be entitled to a FCC for the amount specified.

Thanks. If your cruise gets cancelled due to a positive COVID test in your group or a close contact, it seems the cruise fare would available as a future cruise credit with the option of a refund in the first six months. Taxes and ports fees are just refunded I think back to the original form of payment. Is there some incentive to take the FCC over the refund? If the dollars are the same, why not just take the refund and not be locked into RCL?

If your cruise gets cancelled due to a positive COVID test in your group or a close contact, it seems the cruise fare would available as a future cruise credit with the option of a refund in the first six months. Taxes and ports fees are just refunded I think back to the original form of payment. Is there some incentive to take the FCC over the refund? If the dollars are the same, why not just take the refund and not be locked into RCL? Also, one of our group might need to miss the cruise due to work and we are well past final payment with the cruise coming up next week. They are sharing a cabin with another adult. I would think if they were to cancel then it would raise the cost of the remaining traveler. And with it being to close to the sail date, I can't imagine they would get anything back other than the taxes and port fees. Would it be better to just have them be a no show? I think they still get the taxes and fees back.

How do you all chill the soda? There aren't mini fridges in the cabins. Are you just getting ice from the steward or a bar?

I like this idea as well. Having a backup like this give me some comfort. Anyone use this recently to board?