sharktums

I know that the cruise ship wasn't supposed to go into that area, but at the same time, they leave every Sunday at the same time and this was SpaceX's like fourth try trying to get that rocket up! Maybe they just bet on it scrubbing again? 😃

I get cold easily. One of the  best things is to make sure you have a good warm hat. You lose a ton of heat through your head so wearing a warm hat can really help.  I also LOVE a good thin pair of long underwear. Uniqlo, MeUndies, or even just search on Amazon for a good pair. 

Former super picky eater here. Cruise ships actually helped me get better!  Go and try something. I'm sure you can fill up on sides and bread while the wife eats and then you can always go do 'second dinner' at Windjammer or Pizza or Cafe Promenade if you didn't get enough at the specialty restaurants. 

^I don't know what you mean, we've done Antigen and PCR rapids tests at MCO airport with Advent Health and they've been great every time.  We've had an appointment and been seen at or before our time with results within 30 min for Antigen and 60min for PCR. If you do it, make sure to get an appointment especially for PCR as those are much more limited. 

https://centracare.adventhealth.com/urgent-care/covid-19-testing-orlando-international-airport

We had friends on this sailing and they also had a great time.  Saw a few covid cases getting off at the end, but Mariner definitely seemed to have the best ship experience of everyone over christmas week! Thanks for the report!

The drinks were loaded onto our daughters card on our Thanksgiving Cruise, but not all of the perks were, for example the free photo.  She qualifies for Diamond Plus completely on her own, but since she's a minor they don't give them the full benefits that adults get. It's nice that they do now do the drinks as they didn't used to. 

Getting somewhat back on topic, although I didn't mind the photos one bit!

It was just colder (and windier) for us at CocoCay over Thanksgiving than it was the last time we were there in January!  Like others have said though, it's all relative.  I'm in Orlando and my blood as thinned. I see people doing the water parks here when it's under 75 degrees and I'm wearing a hoodie! 😃

Try to get your kid moved up since they're vaxxed.  My daughter had the BEST time in teen club on Mariner last week! They were doing all the normal activities and having a blast. 

^Yes, they are providing boosters.  We were on Coco Cay last week and our cabana attendant was late because he was getting his booster. He was super excited and showed off his bandaid when he got back. 

We had a friend with us on Mariner last week, debarking on Thursday, he was booked for Harmony on Sunday. As it was within 3 days (on RCL's website) they gave him a free abbot at home test at Guest Services that he did no problem on Friday.  If you're within two days, from what I understand they'll test you onboard. 

When we did Radiance Alaska back in 2014 they absolutely set times for everyone to be allowed to use the normally adults only solarium area.  I can't imagine they would have stopped this?

A few years back we had a Rhapsody Greek cruise booked and after sailing on Vision out of Florida (same class of ships) we switched to a Brilliance Greek cruise instead and loved it.  We just really didn't like Vision. We're doing it again this summer with a teenager and two college aged kids and again chose Brilliance as it's a better ship.  Even if the itinerary was a *little* worse I would go for Brilliance.  I know that these cruises are super port intensive but I still want an awesome ship to come back to every day.  Santorini is an awesome port and like you said Dubrovnik will have your Game of Thrones tie in. 

And yes, your kids will be able to drink on the ship and in the ports.  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/legal-drinking-age-onboard-policy

This is a great upgrade! Hope it's on all ships!

Is this new that they can get the drinks?  Only 18+ maybe? Before the pandemic it was super hit or miss depending on the Loyalty Ambassador/ship.  I have a now 14 year old who qualifies for sometime now for Diamond Plus on her own, and some ships she was given full benefits and some they would only give her the crappy kid benefits.  She would love a free photo and free non-alcoholic drinks!

Did mine at 12:05am, no problem with boarding. Like others have said you just want to make sure whatever time zone it comes up in is the day you need. 

I live about 25min west of the airport (farther from the port) and as much as I hate chancing stuff, that seems like a 99% success rate for making that flight.  I would feel comfortable with it. Like others have said, be ready to go with all your luggage before the first self assist is called and have your transport booked and waiting for you.  MCO airport is not as bad as people seem to make it out to be, maybe for tourists? Us locals know how to use that airport just fine!

Really great interesting review, thanks!

I'm surprised to hear everyone getting them so quickly.  I sent away for my husbands renewal on September 27 expedited service and express mail and we only got it back yesterday. So that's almost six weeks. 

Yeah, I agree with others, if you have water park passes I wouldn't book a cabana outside of the water park. It's too much walking back and forth and you won't be able to get your money's worth and really use and enjoy the cabana.  I would keep looking online and even on the ship for a water park cabana though as it sounds perfect for you guys!

We helped an injured bird on our Allure cruise last month. Tried going to Guest Services to report it and find help but they didn't seem to care at all.  I believe the ships used to have horticulturists onboard, perhaps they help with the birds in Central Park?

On 10/29/2021 at 1:38 PM, Jerseygirl1416 said:

I wonder what they’re going to do with increasing numbers but continuing with the social distancing protocols. At some point they’re going to have to add back tables in the food venues, loungers on the outside decks and chairs in the theaters. We sailed at about 50% on Oasis and it felt full in the sense that available chairs, restaurants and show venues and reservations were full.

THIS!  We had a great sailing on Allure last month with 2400 people but felt that if they went even up to 3K with the current protocols, distancing, hand washing stations, etc. that it would be a mess.  They'll have to scale up operations if they also want to increase capacity. 

Everyone here is correct, we always tip our servers individually even with the UDP as we know they don't get much from that initial 18% when you book the package. 

I have traveled with the kits in my backpack and had no questions or problems. 

Just adding another ship to this. For Mariner I entered our information and the photos, and then it's gone but the green check remains. 

It popped up at midnight for me when I did my last check in and I was able to get the noon check in time.