ledbyrain

I'm excited for you! It's all self-serve in the (awesome) buffet. They weren't allowing kids to hug the characters but it wasn't unfriendly, just distanced "photo op" opportunity. Everything else felt completed normal.

Wonderful trip (2690 passengers, about 60%)! Feel free to ask any questions for upcoming sailings. Everything was smooth as silk!

1 hour ago, Maitaivegas said:

Hi I’m thinking like you.

I sail on Symphony on 1/29/22, wish I was on a smaller ship.

1. I have both shots but not the booster. i got really Sick from the second shot.

2. Symphony has outdoor seating in Central Park and the boardwalk.

3. I might do room service 1 night for a change.

4. I’m doing all speciality dinning and not the MDR at all, I have no desire to go to the buffet other than to run in and out with cake 🍰 lol.

 

I’m going to use a surgical mask and cover it with a fabric mask while on board.

Off-topic but I also had a terrible reaction to the 2nd shot of Pfizer and so mix-and-matched with Moderna for my booster. I did fine with that but who knows if that's why? I wish you health and lots of cake!

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. I know we are all trying to do what is best for ourselves and our families. 🙂

We are sailing on Harmony of the Seas on 12/26, so it sounds like we may have some outdoor options for dining at times, albeit limited. This is our children's first cruise and is a (pricey for us) treat for our family after everyone could be vaccinated and COVID was "over" 😭

Again, I appreciate the varied perspectives and hope you all enjoy the holidays and hopefully any upcoming trips!

I'm hoping to benefit from some risk/benefit insight (I know nothing is zero risk, etc., etc.) for my upcoming cruise given current circumstances. A few factors seem to me to affect how things will play out in the next several weeks and I would love to hear thoughts:

1. Do you think most RCCL cruisers are boosted? Basically, are RCCL cruisers (generally) public health-minded consumers or does it vary widely?

2. Similar to #1, is it likely RCCL cruisers would make strong efforts to have their 5-11 children fully vaxxed (i.e., 14 days out from 2nd dose) by 12/26 sailing?

3. Are there sufficient outdoor dining experiences (non-specialty dining) to avoid any unmasked indoor dining during the trip?

4. Is there enough back up crew so that core experiences (e.g., shows, amenities) are unlikely to be cancelled/closed even with some crew members isolating/quarantined? 

Scenario 1: Everything great, no positives on board, smooth sailing (seems unlikely)

Scenario 2: Some logistical disappointments, don't get sick but enough positives on board to feel edgy about crowded hot tubs, etc. (seems likely). Feel okay about money spent. Questions: Any chance of FCC if it's not a good experience due to cancellations, etc.?

Scenario 3: Close contact of a positive passenger, test negative. Questions: Still have to quarantine? Can I stay in my own (balcony) room if I do?

Scenario 4: Close contact of a positive passenger, test positive, not feeling sick but forced to isolate. Questions: In another cabin? Poor food and without good access to entertainment (e.g., TV/movies, cards, boardgames)? Without family? Have to leave ship or can I just isolate? (seems possible given current doubling of cases every 3 days). Any chance of FCC if it's a disaster?

Scenario 5: Positive and one of my (vaxxed but not boosted due to age) children sick at a worrisome level (pneumonia or bronciolitis, as seen in SA). Enough pediatric medical care available, medical evacuation (to home city?). Seems unlikely (God willing) but obviously worst outcome and feel like a terrible parent for even taking this risk in the first place.

Hello,

My family is supposed to sail on the 26th and I'm trying to decide whether to cancel our reservation due to Omicron.  I'm wondering about the chances of RC cancelling the cruise themselves or CDC suspending cruising by then. Is this likely/possible? My main concern (given the level of contagiousness) is that so many crew/passengers could become positive that the cruise just can't function well (e.g., meals). I would love others thoughts. I'm so sad to even be posting this...