Virtopia

Thanks for this live report - I'm on the 1/31 sailing and I'm letting myself get excited by seeing these pictures!!

Thank you for doing this - I'm on the 1/31 sailing and this is helping with my excitement. 

Reservations for the Windjammer? Does this need to be done through the APP once you've boarded?

17 minutes ago, Teknodude said:

I’ll reiterate this about the crew.
 

The crew are working under very difficult personal circumstances.

 
All crew social areas shut. 
Crew must go from work station to their cabin. Only detour is canteen to eat

. 
You can only eat alone or with someone from your immediate work environment - same office / team etc. 

Any co mingling or rule breaking will be met with immediate removal from the vessel. 
 

It’s tough for the crew too. Just remember they are working in trying circumstances - which hasn’t lent itself to giving guests a positive experience. 
 

hence why I think the reset was necessary.

I can only imagine how difficult this would be. From all the staff I've talked to, they really enjoy the social time they get with each other when off shift so that definitely changes their mindset.

Don't know if this was asked earlier but is the gym open? Boarding 1/31 and would love to visit the gym a few times during the sailing.

It appears to only be cruises from Florida at the moment? I'm booked for Anthem on the 31st, hope they don't get affected.

On 12/29/2021 at 3:57 PM, JessyCruises said:

TESTING

We ordered proctored antigen tests from Switch Health to use to fly and board the cruise.  We used these same tests when we cruised on the Allure and had no issues.  They are $79 CAD for 2 tests.  We will be taking the tests on New Years Eve.  We fly to Florida on Westjet on the 1st.

 

On 12/20/21 Royal announced it would no longer be providing PCR testing for international guest that needed it to fly home for cruises leaving after Jan 5 and that we would need to find our own PCR test either at the terminal, or another venue.  I tried to get the cost of the testing at the terminal, but RCL was unable to provide me any information.  I ended up buying some RT-LAMP tests which are proctored online like the antigen tests but they are accepted by Canada for re-entry.

(https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/#collectionKits).  I only ordered 2 to start so my husband and I would have them before we leave this weekend in hopes we would be able to get more information on the terminal tests while onboard before the others had to pay for tests.  The cost of the tests was $149 CAD per test.  I ordered them the same day Royal made the announcement which I believe was a Monday and received them by Wednesday.  They do not expire until July.

 

On Sunday 12/26/22, Royal came out with additional information.  They are now providing the in terminal testing for cruises departing 1/5/22 to 1/31/22 at no cost to passengers.  For cruises after January, guests will need to pay $105 USD for antigen or $210 USD for PCR.  These are starting prices and will fluctuate based on the port.  We will be saving those RT-Lamp tests we bought for one of our other cruises this spring and using RCLs testing for this cruise.  If the pricing at the ports is going to stay that high, we will continue to order the tests through Switch health for future.  $210 USD x 5 = about $1365 CAD.  That is a lot of unexpected expense, so I am glad RCL decided to grandfather us January cruises in.  Results should be received within an hour and our flight on the 23rd is not until noon so if we get off early, that should leave us plenty of time to get our results and load them onto the ArriveCAN app in time.

 

These is lots of speculation about why RCL is no longer providing the tests.  I am assuming it is a combination of 3 factors:

1) To save $$ for the cruise line by reducing testing costs

2) If the test is not given onboard and a guest test positive, that guest and their party would no longer fall under the cruise line’s responsibility (ie quarantine hotel, flight home, food, etc). 

3) I assume since the guest is no longer onboard when they get tested, RCL may not be required to report the positive tests to CDC?

 

I may not like it, but I guess all these reasons make sense to me.  To combat #2, we are bringing some rapid antigen tests with us.  We are planning to test the 5 of us onboard on the 22nd.  If any of us are positive, then we will report it onboard on the 22nd and request a full test from the cruise line.  We would then fall under their positive covid policy.  Paul and I will have been onboard a ship and in RCLs hands since Jan 2 with testing for our S2S and B2B, so if either he or I get Covid and test positive on that last cruise, it will be pretty clear we got it on their watch.

 

More to come

Thank you for these very specific details. I just used Switch Health to order my tests. I have a couple questions if you don't mind (or any Canadians, for that matter!)

1) Do you have to book an appointment for doing the video testing or do you just go online and join a queue? I'm flying out the afternoon of Sun Jan 30th and plan to jump online early in the morning to get it done.

2) Based on the email that was sent, my impression is because my sailing leaves on January 31st, we would still be covered by Royal for our testing. Is it possible to ask if that's the case?

Appreciate your help and have a great sailing!

I did mines yesterday as well and just checked now - it's approved.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

The D+ BOGO is a Crown & Anchor perk offered on board so it only works on board.

 

 

The actual offer verbiage varies by ship but it is general something like the above.  "Buy one cover charge, get one free.  Redeemable on day 1 or 2 only".

 

In practice, like many things Royal, it depends.  There is little consistency.    

 

Since it can be redeemed on day 2, does that mean you could use it for day 2 and day 3?  It depends on the ship.  

 

It really seems like they often make up policy on the spot.

 

I tried to use on Indy in November.  I was solo.  Usually on most ships they allow me to buy one dinner and get a second dinner on another night free.  Not this time.  "It's only for couples. Solo can't use it".  I had never had a ship say this before so I thanked him and walked away.  Later I walked up to different restaurant and made reservations for my two dinners just like on other ships.  Crew literally make up rules on the spot.  

 

YMMV.

 

Thank you for this - I’ll be solo on an 11 night cruise later this month and want to use it for two nights.

1 hour ago, livingonthebeach said:

Glimpse of the MSC buffet post Covid -- sign of things to come for RCI Windjammer?

 

 I absolutely hope so! I wouldn't mind this at all.

As a solo cruiser, I am usually frugal as I am paying more than the average cruiser, but with everything going on, I will only be doing balconies going forward. The Diamond discount will help out tremendously and the 4 future sailings I have booked are all in balconies.

I'll also probably stay clear of the buffet and use the main dining room and room service. If my pocket can afford it, I'll get a dining package.

I currently have Oasis booked in November, Harmony TA booked for next April and Anthem for next December.

Right now, the first 2 sailings are up in the air. My concern is based around the fact that I typically cruise solo and wanting to see cruising get back to normal before I indulge again.

Final payment for Oasis is not until August so I have plenty of time to decide. I also booked cancellation insurance with my flight so I wouldn't be out much money. 

I'm' booked on Oasis in November and I've been going back and forth. I cancelled the hotel booking and will continue to watch how things develop but I plan to make a final decision by May.

I have the Harmony TA booked for next April and I'm even questioning that right now. Not really fear but more getting my deposit money back as I could use it right now for more pressing things.

Thanks for this great review - I board the Navigator on Monday and I can’t wait!!

Single female travelling on the Nov 25th RCI Navigator sailing followed by the Nov 29th RCI Explorer sailing.

I’m about to do my 8th and 9th solo cruises next week and I absolutely cannot wait.

From my first solo cruise in 2010, I just can’t stop. I love the freedom and independence it provides. I can do what I want when I want and I don’t have to worry about pleasing anyone. I will cruise with people but I will always request to have my own cabin.

31 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

You can also redeem your drinks in speciality restaurants.

I've tried to do this a few times and they told me I couldn't.  Now, I just stop at the DL before my reservation and walk in with 2 drinks in hand.

Do they have day passes available? How can it be booked and what's the cost? Just checked their website but didn't see anything. 

Thanks for this review - were you traveling solo? I'll also be going on the Navigator solo at the end of the month in a JS on deck 9! It was nice to see the JS room tour - sooo looking forward to exploring the amped ship!

I have a question as well.

I'm looking to book onboard during my Navigator sailing later this month for a TA next fall - I don't remember exactly, but is there a reduced deposit for longer cruises as well? I know it's usually $480/pp. Also, how the OBC work again? Is it for the current sailing or the booked sailing?

On 10/23/2019 at 11:00 PM, parrothead34984 said:

Our experience so far. We always do early seating dinner. We are dressed and ready well before dinner and we go to whatever bar we prefer at that time for our 3 drinks. Typically the British pub if that is what is on our ship.

 

We go and have our early dinner and then head to the diamond lounge. At this point, about an hour before late seating, we typically find the diamond lounge empty for about an hour and have great service and get our fill for the evening.

 

When the lounge opens, it is packed, but the last hour is mostly vacant from our experience.

This is a good plan - I will try this on my upcoming sailings.

I've been able to watch many NBA games in my cabin when I cruise during the season but looking forward to more variety - especially watching a game at Playmakers this November!!

I've only been heavily questioned once while traveling solo - I was going on a cruise through Cape Liberty and the Customs person was surprised I was solo. He said, "where's the company?". I said excuse me? and he quickly realized the question was a bit out of line. I told him I travel solo to get away from the every day stresses of life - he handed me my passport and said have a great trip.

They do tend to look me up and down but they wave me through fairly quickly.

I have a solo S2S in November - first 4 night Bahamas sailing on Navigator of the Seas and then a 9 night Southern Caribbean on Explorer of the Seas - I can't wait!!

RCL Explorer of the Seas 9 night sailing on November 29th out of Miami - for an inside cabin, it was $1,300 CDN so I can only imagine what it is in USD.

Stops at Labadee, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire.

I'm on this sailing and upgraded from an interior to a balcony since the huge price drops.

My first cabana was on Labadee in 2012 during an Allure sailing. It was $200 for an over the water cabana that we enjoyed immensely. 

I'm going on the Navigator in November the cabanas are showing around $800 CDN. Glad I got to enjoy one when I did.