CJMini

We are trying to research how to order this test.  There are three couples in our group who are sailing in November.  Our daughter and spouse, our son and spouse and hubby and I.  We have read through eMed and Optum’s websites.  Currently eMed only offers a six pack of tests and Optum offers a two pack and three pack of tests.  It appears eMed encourages the six pack to be used for three people or less and any unused tests would be backup or used for another cruise by the names listed.  This is verified by only allowing three user’s names in ordering the tests.  Has anyone ordered the six pack and given a test to six different individuals to use?  I am aware that every individual who tests with eMed or Optum is required to have their individual Navica account.  I’ve also read information about how a prescription is “connected” to each test…would this be the reasoning behind only allowing and entering three names on purchasing the eMed six pack?

Optum would allow us more flexibility in the number of tests we could order but would cost more.  We could possibly end up with extra tests which would again pose the question of whether the extras could be used by others as a backup or a future cruise.  Their website only asks for the name of the person ordering a test.  

I’ve watched numerous YouTube videos but none have addressed the issue of testing multiple people and the most economical way to ordering.  I’m hoping someone might have actual experience in dealing with this issue!  BTW…I’ve tried calling eMed but no success just on hold for 45+minutes.

Thank you,

CJ

Are smoothies available on the Independence?  I’ve seen comments about smoothies offered in the Vitality Cafe in the Spa onboard the Oasis class ships.  Does the Deluxe Beverage package include smoothies?

Thanks in advance,

CJ

I apologize if my question has been answered on this topic.  I’ve read conflicting postings.

If I order the 6 pack of tests from eMed, can my daughter, her husband and child

use 3 packs and then 2 be given to grandfather and grandmother?  We do not reside in the same household if that is important.

Just trying to be economical.

Thanks in advance,

CJ

Thrilled to see this topic on the board!

Family cruise over Thanksgiving week on a 4 day itinerary.  We’ve been trying to do this sailing since 2019 (had to cancel twice). There will be 6 vaccinated adults and one unvaccinated 7 year old. 
As stated above, my understanding is (in our situation) our vaccinated adults may go to all the areas for vaccinated passengers IF we don’t have our 7 yr old granddaughter with us?   We, the grandparents, can babysit and other adults could do a comedy show and drinks in a bar later.  If we all choose to go to a show or say the ice rink show, then we will have to attend when unvaccinated are allowed.

Next concern we have is…granddaughter must have a COVID test 3 days prior to embarkation (as well as the rest of our vaccinated group), a test on embarkation day in the terminal, and again on day before we return to Pt Canaveral.  How did your kids handle that many tests?  I’m hoping we will be able to find a location which administers the antigen test for the 3 day prior because I’ve heard it’s less invasive.  Then the large candy store onboard may prove to be the perfect bribe for the embarkation test.  But the third test just three days later…well, I’m envisioning a LOT of tears!!

How was the experience when being out on deck at pool area and water slides?  Can granddaughter play put put golf?  I’m assuming it will be more accommodating when we have day at CoCo Cay.

Thank you, in advance, for any responses.  We are about a month from final payment and concerned about whether this may be just too many hoops to jump through…yet, I don’t anticipate the cruise protocol being relaxed what with numbers climbing so do we just dive in..make the most of it..and create some family memories (with masks on 😌)?

Thanks, CJ

Great video.  Certainly reassuring and appears to be less invasive.  My adult son had a test and he described it as “a frontal lobotomy “ 😳😩

Perhaps the testing technician is instructed to be gentle with children.

Thank you atricks.

Will be following this…

Have a 7 yr old granddaughter and we’re cruising in November.  She’s never had to be tested.  Hoping the candy shop onboard will be the “answer” to bribe her BUT apparently she will be required to have another test before disembarking ☹️😢.

I realize protocol is changing all the time and perhaps will be different by November…yet two tests in the span of 3 1/2 days…😞

Hi John,

As a huge fan of your reviews, I was thrilled to read your information on the Mariner of the Seas.  We are sailing on the Mariner this Thanksgiving.  Our adult children and their spouses are interested in the Escape Room, Laser Tag, and the Sky Pad.  I wasn’t able to see any mention of those in the Cruise Compass you posted.  The Escape Room is a fee excursion (plan to book through RC Cruise Planner) but wondered why it was not listed in the Compass for passengers to possibly “walk-in” if there were available spaces?  Are there certain times the Laser Tag and Sky Pad are open?

Thank you for any insight you might provide.

CJ

Looking at booking a cruise on Mariner.  Interested in the Spacious Panoramic Ocean View.  It appears these staterooms are on Deck 12.  Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed in this stateroom.  Is there noise from the putt putt golf above on Deck 13 or from the Spa on Deck 11?  Thank you, in advance, for any comments.

CJ

Thanks again for the info on the White Hennessy.  Apparently it is not sold here in the States.  I purchase it as a thank you for a dear friend who watches my Ragdoll cat when we cruise.  This is our first venture on Royal Caribbean and I wasn’t sure whether prices differed significantly between cruise lines.

Legaljen and The sea calls my name...shall we all sigh with envy... and then wait with unbridled anticipation for John&LaLa’s Symphony of the Seas Cruise review?  
John, your fans await!!!

“Fair winds and following seas”

Thank you SuiteLady and John&LaLa for your quick responses.

On another note...John&LaLa...your recent review while on the Harmony was wonderful!  I looked forward to reading every morning with my cup of coffee.  Your photos were exceptional...not only of the cruise but Bella too!  ☺️  Thanks for the preview.

Sailing on the Harmony in 30 days 😁.  A friend has asked me to purchase a bottle or two of White Hennessy.

Wondering if a recent cruiser can tell me the approximate price onboard?   Also, we visit St Maarten and I’ve heard the price is reasonable there.  Thanks in advance!

CJ

Thank you for your helpful replies BoDidly and Mackensie80.  The last time we cruised from Mobile was in 2010.  The drive to Mobile is a pleasant one and we gain an hour too!

We pre-booked our parking.  If we have to stand in line as a result of arriving early, no problem.  My DH is an avid chatter and will no doubt make new cruising friends.

Happy holidays,

CJ

We are booked on Fantasy January 21st out of Mobile.  She will have completed drydock on January 20th.  Our boarding passes show a 6:00 pm departure and the choices for arrival appointments begin at 1:30 pm.  There will be no disembarking passengers and the parking garage will be empty.

Able to select the earliest arrival appointment time (1:30-2:00 pm) and we prebooked our parking at the cruise terminal deck parking.

My questions are:

Do you think passengers will arrive earlier than 1:30 to try and park/board?  I am not sure what time Carnival will open the terminal to begin embarkation...I would think the 6:00 pm sail away would affect the opening?

We don’t want to miss the opportunity to park in the covered terminal parking...over flow will be directed to the Mobile Civic Center.  Do you think the parking garage will delay their usual opening time (I’m assuming it’s usually 10:00 am on other cruises which set sail at 4:00 pm)?

Just hate to arrive at 1:30 pm and discover there are passengers already onboard...the parking garage full...and DH in a fit when we’re told to turn around and head to off site parking at the Civic Center.

What would you do?

Thank you in advance,

CJ

Martincath, CVU, and Anita - thanks for the additional info and comments. I do love these boards and the ability to travel with all your questions answered!

Bon Voyage

CJ

Hello all,

My post here is for informational purposes.

We just returned from an Alaskan Cruise departing from Vancouver. Flying into Vancouver airport, we opted to take the Sky Train to Canada Place. Signs throughout the airport directed us to the Sky Train platform. There were plenty of kiosks to purchase our train tickets. I had previously viewed You Tube videos as to how to operate the ticket kiosk. Extremely simple - enter number of passengers, enter two zone travel, enter method of payment (credit card, debit card, or Canadian currency). Well...when we entered “credit card” and inserted our credit card into the slot the machine asked for our “PIN number”.

American credit cards do not have PIN numbers...only our debit cards. The only recourse we had was to return back to the airport terminal and exchange American currency for Canadian currency (the exchange rate is typically poor in an airport).

Again, this posting is for info purposes. I highly recommend using the Sky Train - approximately 25 minutes from airport to Canada Place - no issues accommodating luggage, no changing trains, and so simple a child could do it. Just have Canadian currency if you typically travel without your debit card.

Happy sailing,

CJ

Thanks to all for your replies. Just having a mini panic attack over changing flights in Vancouver. We will have about 40 minutes layover to get from the C gate to the N gate. If I look at the Seattle Airport diagram, we will just need to grab the mini train to go from one to the other.

** Martincath - so honored to have you respond. I have read SO many of your replies on Cruise Critic and you’re a blessing. When I see the Canadian customs/Immigration agent, I will turn on my Texan charm and manners. Hopefully my admittance into Canada will be a pleasant one.

Hello-

Hoping someone might assist me — flying Alaskan Airlines from Atlanta to Seattle to Vancouver. We will arrive in Seattle at Terminal C and change planes to depart from Terminal N.

Can we walk between these two terminals? Will we go through Customs/Immigration in Seattle or Vancouver?

Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

We are sailing on the Wonder in March. Our granddaughter is so excited to attend the Princess Gathering and the Frozen Meet and Greet. I reserved three tickets to these events online - now I’m questioning whether I just need one ticket for our granddaughter and tickets are not required for Grandpa and I to accompany her to the events? Clarification would be appreciated. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for the advice. In my research about the Oceaneers Club, I’ve found the Open House is offered periodically throughout the cruise. This might be a compromise where our granddaughter can see and participate yet feel secure we are nearby.

We are very excited about our cruise and our granddaughter is “over the moon” about going on Mickey’s boat!

Again, thank you and I’ll definitely complete the registration online which will be one less task for me to do.

CJ

Hello,We will be taking our granddaughter (age 4) on the Disney Wonder this spring. In completing the online registration, it asks to complete the Oceaneer Club registration. Our granddaughter is not interested in going. Can I bypass this part of the online registration? There was not an option to check “not interested”.

Hoping a previous Disney cruiser can answer my question.

Thank you in advance.

CJ

Also remember if you have onboard credit with your early saver fare, you might lose it if you submit a request to lower your fare.

I have an early saver cabin booked for a cruise in June. I also have $50 onboard credit in connection with this fare. My booking just decreased by $20. It’s not worth it to submit for the lower fare.

wind dawn

Thank you for your reply. Didn’t really think there would be any reduction on a casino fare but thought I would ask to make sure. We also have an interior booked early saver for our daughter so I will keep an eye for it.

May I add another question to this thread? I knew about the fare checker previously and I saved some money on Early Saver fares. We have an upcoming cruise next May but our booking was a casino fare. How do I periodically check to see if the fare has dropped if there is no casino fare listed?

I am posting to ask if anyone has used the SNAP! 6 iPhone camera case?

This began when I searched for a new case for my phone. We are sailing on an Alaskan cruise and I wanted a case with a wrist band for safety reasons. I’m the “point and click” type of photographer and my phone has always taken excellent photos. I stumbled upon this cover case, if you will, which adapts your iPhone into a camera.

snap6.bitplayinc.com

There is an actual button which pushes the volume up and snaps the photo. There are lenses available which attach to the phone, as well. Reviews state this case does not increase the weight any more than a normal plain case. I have found the case (on Amazon w/o lenses) for less than $60.

Thanks for any info.

CJ

Thank you for your prompt replies.

Grandma Knows Best - I had always thought one way tickets were more expensive, too. The problem I was having dealt with our return airfare costs. Returning to Atlanta if I booked round trip through Alaskan (keep in mind everyone recommended not booking flights till after noon to allow disembarking, transport to the airport, and any delays the ship might experience coming into port) resulted in dramatic fare increases through the afternoon. United offered a great fare for a 1pm flight but when I researched using United round trip I couldn't make the departure times from Atlanta work.

So..in conclusion (😁) I decided to go with the one way bookings and saved myself around $200.