Beth 2001

Did they enforce assigned boarding times at the port? DH and I are thinking of booking a last-minute cruise on the Symphony next week so I'm guessing we'll end up with a late boarding time. We are Diamond Plus (don't know if that lets us board early anymore).  

Also, were they still offering the UDP on board or was it only sold pre-cruise? Thanks!

We tipped $800 to our first Genie and $1000 to our second (who we felt really went above and beyond for our party of four). He put out a huge spread (including a custom anniversary cake) in our suite when we boarded; brought trays of vodka/whisky shots and buckets of beers to our suite every day;  delivered any snacks/bites we wanted from Jamie's, Izumi, Sabor, and other specialty restaurants every afternoon; arranged all of our shows/meals and met us at dinner and escorted us to reserved seats in the theater every night;  booked an overwater cabana for us at Labadee; scheduled a private bridge tour for the four of us hosted by the ship's captain; arranged for us to meet the Mamma Mia cast after the show and film a video of them singing a song for us; decorated our suite and organized a custom birthday cake for our twins; gave us very nice anniversary and birthday gifts with heartfelt handwritten cards; and escorted us off the ship in every port and walked us past all the lines to get us off quickly on disembarkation day.

We spent about three times what we would have normally paid for two balcony staterooms but we loved our Star Class suites and appreciated our Genies' excellent service. 

Harmony January 19, 2020. Spent several pre-cruise days at WDW so we were really grateful to have enjoyed normal cruise and Disney experiences right before the world shut down. 

Several folks have stated that they were able to use the UDP to eat lunch in  a specialty restaurant on embarkation day. However, on our last pre-COVID cruise (Harmony, Jan. 2020), we were told that we could not do so (and we tried at both Chops and Jamie’s).

When we got home from our cruise, I read the fine print on the UDP and it stated (as it still does): “And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days.” 

On our cruise, embarkation day was not considered a sea day for UDP purposes. Just a heads up for those who have their heart set on enjoying a specialty lunch after they embark.

I canceled a four-bedroom Villa Suite booked through my TA back in January and have only received refunds for two passengers and FCCs for four. Still waiting on refunds or credits for the remaining four passengers (which ironically includes DH and me, who paid for everyone else). Not sure why some passengers are getting refunds and others are getting FCCs. All 10 passengers were booked at virtually the same time (8 one day, then 2 the next) when bookings opened back in October 2019. The four who received credits are the least likely to sail so needless to say this experience has been very confusing and frustrating!

January 19, 2020 - Harmony of the Seas 7 night Western Caribbean. Also snuck in a few pre-cruise days at WDW. So glad I got both my cruise and Disney fixes early this year!

25 minutes ago, danv3 said:

Somewhat surprisingly (to me at least), page 32 says that the cruise operator must conduct testing at embarkation and disembarkation.  So having a test back home 48-72 hours before you board is unlikely to suffice.  

Tests must be conducted prior to embarkation and disembarkation, and results must be available prior to embarkation and "prior to passengers and crew departing for their final destinations after disembarking the ship." p. 32, para. (a)(4). 

This suggests that, if passengers are unable to obtain negative test results prior to disembarkation, they will be allow to leave the ship but must wait for a negative test result before they can leave for their "final destinations." It is unclear where (or for how long) passengers would be required to wait for their test results, or what will happen if they test positive.

The CDC also reserves the right to require post day of disembarkation laboratory testing of passengers and crew, as well as additional laboratory testing during a voyage. p. 33, paras. (b)(2), (3).

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Deployment schedule released 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/deployment/2021_2022/20074728_Deployment_Opening_Schedule_Flyer.pdf

 Thanks so much for sharing, Ourusualbeach! We are planning to cancel our June 2021 Harmony Mediterranean cruise and rebook for June 2022 (likely Caribbean) so this information is very helpful. 

5 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I was reading that Dr faucci wrote a paper about how many people died during the spanish flu, from bacterial in the masks they wore. Well one more thing to worry about.

Here is a link to the 2008 paper published by Dr. Fauci:  https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/198/7/962/2192118?fbclid=IwAR1iuzLdKkJOoFw-O8ZEoSNwOVKd2uh4Q4Zk4LOk8xvvrxBScuvBY5WLvQg

The paper does not reference masks or assert that mask wearing led to an increase in bacterial pneumonia during the pandemic. This claim has been fact checked and debunked by Politifact, Reuters and CheckYourFact.com, among others (links below). 

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/21/facebook-posts/dr-anthony-fauci-didnt-blame-masks-1918-19-flu-dea/

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-fauci-mask-pneumonia-1918/fact-check-fauci-study-did-not-attribute-1918-spanish-flu-deaths-to-bacterial-pneumonia-caused-by-masks-idUSKBN277200

https://checkyourfact.com/2020/10/22/fact-check-anthony-fauci-spanish-flu-deaths-face-masks-study/

Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us, Miaminice! Until reading this thread, I was firmly in the "I won't cruise if I have to wear a mask" camp. However, after seeing your photos of social distancing in action, I find myself reconsidering 🤔

We sailed on a shortened post-Hurricane Dorian cruise on the Symphony of the Seas last fall and greatly enjoyed the open space and lack of crowds on our half-full ship. Of course, there wasn't a global pandemic at the time so everything else about the cruise was "normal."  But much has changed since then and my "normal" today already involves wearing a mask and social distancing. If I'm willing to do that at home, perhaps I will consider doing so at sea, as long as adequate testing and safeguards are in place.

Chops: Wild mushroom soup, red velvet cake

150 Central Park: Urban Garden Martini, pumpkin bisque, roasted beef tenderloin

Jamie's Italian: Cured meat plank, garlic rolls, truffle and carbonara pasta, raspberry pavlova and lemon meringue cheesecake

Wonderland: Helios in the Sand, Cheshire Cat Cosmo, reconstructed Caprese, crispy crab cones, spicy tuna with yuzu ice, chocolate "World" dessert

Sabor: Paloma cocktail, spicy calamari, coconut flan, cafe con leche

Cafe Promenade: Coconut ranger cookies

Photos of Port Miami this morning 

Just received notification that our shortened 9/4 Symphony cruise will not be sailing to Coco Cay this Friday. The email says that they hope to reopen Coco Cay on Saturday 9/7. Royal Caribbean is offering us an additional days' worth of future cruise credit to compensate for the loss of our "perfect day," which I think is more than fair. 

From Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist via Twitter:

Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist just tweeted photos showing that the Coco Cay waterslides are still standing post-Dorian and the balloon is deflated and under weights. Great news, thought we obviously don't know when Coco Cay will reopen. Theoretically I'm supposed to go there this Friday on my shortened Symphony of the Seas cruise. 

Amazingly, Royal Caribbean just sent an email asking if I want to Royal Up for my 4-day September 3rd cruise. It seems the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing (and I think if folks battle a hurricane to make it to a shortened cruise they should receive free upgrades)!

Just received this email from Royal Caribbean re: our September 3rd Symphony sailing. The itinerary is obviously subject to change, depending on Dorian's impact on Nassau and Coco Cay and on whether the Port of Miami will be open on Wednesday. I called Royal to try to book a cabin on the Symphony for tomorrow's sailing so we could ride out the hurricane and go back-to-back, but was told they had already submitted the final passenger list and couldn't add anyone at this point.

My husband and I are considering booking a last-minute cruise on the Norwegian Escape next month. The prices for the H4 and H6 are the same and there will only be two of us. We've had aft balconies before and love them but have never been in the Haven. I'm leaning towards the Family suite for the gorgeous bathroom and proximity to the Haven, but would like to hear opinions on the pros and cons of these two categories for couples traveling without children. Thanks!

Tasting Aquavit on the Norway - still have the "collectable" horn shaped shot glass but couldn't drink the Aquavit then or now - too strong!

I remember the captain of the Norway walking down the grand staircase into the Windward Dining Room wearing a giant horned helmet and toasting everyone with one of those shot glasses. I hated the taste of the Aquavit but still have my glass from that night in 1994!

I also remember watching the flaming baked Alaska parade and waiting for the Maitre'D to wheel up his cart to make tableside cherries jubilee or crepes suzette. And going to the midnight buffet every night!

Seems like all of my memories are related to food or drinks . . .

Matt Yee’s Outrageous Adult Sing-Along Show: This was one of our go-to evening events. Matt Yee did his adult sing-along show in the Schooner bar every night and it was always standing room only. Do not miss!!

Thanks so much for your thorough and informative review! We're sailing on the Anthem in 11 days and it sounds like we would love Matt Yee's sing-along show. Was this a late-night activity?

Fleet Week mostly affects traffic near or right along the Hudson River in the general vicinity of 12th Ave in the low 40's to low 50's near the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. It shouldn't be an issue for you.

Thanks so much for your advice! I'm glad to hear Fleet Week won't affect our travel plans.

The airport bus has under the bus luggage storage. It will cost about $18/pp. Are you 4 adults traveling?

 

How early do you plan to do this on a Sat morning? There can be economies of scale with 4 people. I'd also price out a car Service like Dial7 or Carmellimo. Figure base price plus $15-17 tolls plus 18-20% tip on the base price.

 

 

There is likely to be space on the light rail since the train originates at 8th St in Bayonne. If necessary you will be able to stand with luggage on the NJ Transit train. Folks are likely to get off at Newark Penn Station to connect with other transit. PATH originates at Newark Penn Station, so if you go towards the front or rear of the train, you're more likely to get seats. For this trip you want to transfer at Journal Square, which is where PATH to 33rd St originates. The front of the train from JSQ will become the back of the train after Hoboken and the back of the train will become the front, if that makes any sense.

This is really helpful - thanks so much! Yes, there are four adults traveling (me, DH and 18 year-old twin sons). I'm not sure if I mentioned we'll be disembarking the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend so it will be Fleet Week. I don't know if this will make a difference in terms of traveling via road (i.e., bus) versus rail?

Reality check. How much are you into public transit if it's accessible? There are several ways to do this, but they almost all end with a short cab ride or Uber ride in NYC because I'm not a fan of trying to find the accessible ways with luggage onto the NY subway. The easiest but most expensive way would actually be to take a shared shuttle to an EWR terminal and the airport bus to Grand Central. The cheapest way would be to take a cab from the pier to the light rail station ($5/pp). Light rail to Hoboken - $2.25/pp. PATH to 33rd St $2.75/pp. cab to apartment - $10-15. Medium cost would be Uber to Newark Penn Station, train to NY Penn and cab/Uber to the apartment.

For me, a key determinant in getting from Cape Liberty to Manhattan will be space for luggage. It's a nine-day cruise and each of us (four in total) will have a 25-inch roll-aboard plus a backpack or tote. Is the train most likely to have space versus light rail? I'm intrigued by the airport bus to Grand Central since we're staying only a block away, but would there be adequate space for our bags?

After the cruise you would want to Uber to Newark Penn Station to take NJ Transit to New York Penn Station for $5.25/pp or PATH for $2.75/pp. What is the address of your hotel? This will determine which public transit option to use. Don't take the train from Newark Airport. It costs $13/pp and you would still have to pay for an Uber to the P4 station at EWR and schlep your luggage on the Airtrain to the airport train station which has NO vehicle access.

This is really helpful - thanks! We're borrowing a friend's apartment at 150 E. 44th Street (a block from Grand Central Station). Based on this, which mode of public transportation should we use from Cape Liberty?

Good point Joe. We're relying on cruisers to report back their parking experiences with 3 ships.

Thanks so much for the tip regarding potential parking issues! I had no idea three ships would be sailing from Cape Liberty that day.

We’ve actually been debating whether to rent a car to drive up from DC and return it at Newark airport so we don’t have to deal with parking it in the city for four days after the cruise. We would take a shuttle from the airport to our hotel and Uber to the pier the next day. After our cruise we would either take the train from Newark into the city or Uber. Then we would take the train back to DC (4 tickets for $196).

This approach is a bit convoluted but avoids paying for four days of SUV parking in Manhattan and gets us to the pier nice and early with no parking stress. Does this seem like a reasonable plan?