Taking Deep breaths and booking a cruise over thanksgiving...

[20165]

We have been going to all inclusives since the pandemic and we 'need' to get back on a ship...  Kids also are ready, and when i say kids, they are 15 and 18 so fully vaxed.  I do have a couple questions for recent cruisers on Serenade and Mainer which are the two ships we are looking at.

 

First, i know masks are mandatory, but how strict are they?  By the pools and bars in particular.  We have no problem wearing the masks, but would rather not take a sip of a drink and have to put it right back on or have a funny tan on my face from laying out at the pool.

 

I have read that most ships aren't at full capacity.  Does anyone have an idea of what the to mentioned ships above are at?  BTW, that is a major bonus for us and one of the reasons we are considering going now.  Less crowded.

 

Do the shore excursions require proof of vaccination?  No big deal if they do, just curious.  The all inclusives we have been going to in Cancun and DR didnt ask for proof, but everyone was wearing masks everywhere.  

 

Precruise testing.  We know that we have to have a test 2 days prior to sailing and were wondering if anyone has had issues with that.  The reason im asking is because the cruises we are looking at sail on that monday before thanksgiving so that means we would have to get the tests saturday and we are concerned about getting the results over a weekend.  We are probably being overly cautious here given we had to do the same thing at the all inclusives to get back into the US which was stressful, but didnt have any issues.  Kind of a similar situation here to get on the ship.  We are also flying to either orlando or tampa depending on which ship we choose to that really makes for a narrow testing window.  

 

So glad to finally being to this point or at least given the green light from the family to start shopping.  We are really looking forward to getting back on a ship.

thanks 

 

[lazydayz]

As to the testing, I recommend you actually do it before boarding the plane, and again if needed, to board the ship.  It is easy to do now with the at home testing kit with monitoring.  If you haven't already ordered from eMed or Optum, you should check it out.  We ordered a six pack from eMed, which cost $150 plus less than $15 for overnight shipping.  

 

While I can't answer your other questions, we will be onboard the Mariner on Sept. 17 and will let you know how it was once we return.  But the Royal ships are going at pretty low capacity now, so I expect it to be less than 50% capacity.  I know they keep sending me an invite to do Royal Up, but we have a nice JS so see no reason to bid on an upgrade.  

[20165]

22 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

As to the testing, I recommend you actually do it before boarding the plane, and again if needed, to board the ship.  It is easy to do now with the at home testing kit with monitoring.  If you haven't already ordered from eMed or Optum, you should check it out.  We ordered a six pack from eMed, which cost $150 plus less than $15 for overnight shipping.  

 

While I can't answer your other questions, we will be onboard the Mariner on Sept. 17 and will let you know how it was once we return.  But the Royal ships are going at pretty low capacity now, so I expect it to be less than 50% capacity.  I know they keep sending me an invite to do Royal Up, but we have a nice JS so see no reason to bid on an upgrade.  

Thank you.  Great info about the tests and thanks for the info on the upgrade possibilities.  We didn't even think about that and there probably is a better chance of bidding on an upgrade given the lower capacity.   We may consider booking cabins at a lower level than we are currently looking at and hope we get to bid on an upgrade.

thanks again

[SilkySal]

I also read that RCCL will begin partnership with a company selling the home test kits which they will accept from cruisers. I think it's supposed to be linked to the RCI website sometime this month. I plan to utilize that option for our November cruise.

 

You can check for an upgrade here:

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade

 

 

Edited September 7, 2021 by SilkySal
add

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, 20165 said:

BTW, that is a major bonus for us and one of the reasons we are considering going now.  Less crowded.

The Thanksgiving sailing may not be as lightly attended as the other sailings, though still likely to be way under 100%.

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, 20165 said:

We have been going to all inclusives since the pandemic and we 'need' to get back on a ship...  Kids also are ready, and when i say kids, they are 15 and 18 so fully vaxed.  I do have a couple questions for recent cruisers on Serenade and Mainer which are the two ships we are looking at.

 

First, i know masks are mandatory, but how strict are they?  By the pools and bars in particular.  We have no problem wearing the masks, but would rather not take a sip of a drink and have to put it right back on or have a funny tan on my face from laying out at the pool.

 

I have read that most ships aren't at full capacity.  Does anyone have an idea of what the to mentioned ships above are at?  BTW, that is a major bonus for us and one of the reasons we are considering going now.  Less crowded.

 

Do the shore excursions require proof of vaccination?  No big deal if they do, just curious.  The all inclusives we have been going to in Cancun and DR didnt ask for proof, but everyone was wearing masks everywhere.  

 

Precruise testing.  We know that we have to have a test 2 days prior to sailing and were wondering if anyone has had issues with that.  The reason im asking is because the cruises we are looking at sail on that monday before thanksgiving so that means we would have to get the tests saturday and we are concerned about getting the results over a weekend.  We are probably being overly cautious here given we had to do the same thing at the all inclusives to get back into the US which was stressful, but didnt have any issues.  Kind of a similar situation here to get on the ship.  We are also flying to either orlando or tampa depending on which ship we choose to that really makes for a narrow testing window.  

 

So glad to finally being to this point or at least given the green light from the family to start shopping.  We are really looking forward to getting back on a ship.

thanks 

 

As for masking requirements, I believe all US sailings currently have the same requirements and must mask up when indoors but not in certain venues where only fully vaxxed are allowed (no kids) such as casino and solarium.    No mask is required when outdoors on pool deck.    

 

Read some of the live reviews on here from the last couple of weeks, that will give you a good idea of how passengers are doing with masking requirements.    Most passengers this summer have been saying it's no big deal.

 

As for masking requirements for whatever islands you visit is entirely up to those islands and they keep changing rules and requirements like the US.     I believe a mask is required in Cozumel but haven't heard about masks for Costa Maya, Costa Rica, Honduras, etc. yet.        It seems like the Eastern Caribbean islands have stricter rules than the Western Caribbean.  

 

Definitely recommend you look into doing one of the approval at home test kits.     Royal is scheduled to announce this week their partnership with online ordering of these kits, not sure about the price yet.     

If you order your self you can get 6 pack from emed for $150 or 2 pack for $70 form Optum.    

I expect the orlando airport would be extra busy during the thanksgiving holiday since kids have off from school and family disney trips. 

 

I would personally do the Serenade as that is one of our favorite ships.    

[20165]

44 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

As for masking requirements, I believe all US sailings currently have the same requirements and must mask up when indoors but not in certain venues where only fully vaxxed are allowed (no kids) such as casino and solarium.    No mask is required when outdoors on pool deck.    

 

Read some of the live reviews on here from the last couple of weeks, that will give you a good idea of how passengers are doing with masking requirements.    Most passengers this summer have been saying it's no big deal.

 

As for masking requirements for whatever islands you visit is entirely up to those islands and they keep changing rules and requirements like the US.     I believe a mask is required in Cozumel but haven't heard about masks for Costa Maya, Costa Rica, Honduras, etc. yet.        It seems like the Eastern Caribbean islands have stricter rules than the Western Caribbean.  

 

Definitely recommend you look into doing one of the approval at home test kits.     Royal is scheduled to announce this week their partnership with online ordering of these kits, not sure about the price yet.     

If you order your self you can get 6 pack from emed for $150 or 2 pack for $70 form Optum.    

I expect the orlando airport would be extra busy during the thanksgiving holiday since kids have off from school and family disney trips. 

 

I would personally do the Serenade as that is one of our favorite ships.    

Thank you.  Great info and we are leaning toward Serenade...  That is really neat they have an at home test that can be used for travel without having to send anything to a lab and bite your nails until you get the result...  Thats awesome and takes a lot of the stress out of it.

[not-enough-cruising]

36 minutes ago, 20165 said:

Thank you.  Great info and we are leaning toward Serenade...  That is really neat they have an at home test that can be used for travel without having to send anything to a lab and bite your nails until you get the result...  Thats awesome and takes a lot of the stress out of it.

I see you are in Dallas, as are we.

 

Just a little heads up, we are also cruising Thanksgiving week.  Cabins on Liberty out of Galveston have had a fairly significant price drop the last 10 days or so, may be worth a look if you don't mind the drive.

[badvector]

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

We have been going to all inclusives since the pandemic and we 'need' to get back on a ship...  Kids also are ready, and when i say kids, they are 15 and 18 so fully vaxed.  I do have a couple questions for recent cruisers on Serenade and Mainer which are the two ships we are looking at.

We just got off of Serenade yesterday.  We would absolutely go again tomorrow but we may just be in a different mode of thinking than others.  If you absolutely hate wearing a mask, I'd recommend waiting.  If you absolutely hate being in a crowded (non-socially distanced) area, I'd also recommend waiting. It's not a perfect world out there right now.

 

There are times when you are required to wear a mask on the ship.  When travelling the hallways, in stores, walking through the windjammer to get food, in a joint use (vaccinated/unvaccinated) area, etc.

 

There are also times when social distancing is not maintained.  In the theatre, on busses for excursions, in the dining room, in the windjammer, in the casino, etc.

 

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

 

First, i know masks are mandatory, but how strict are they?  By the pools and bars in particular.  We have no problem wearing the masks, but would rather not take a sip of a drink and have to put it right back on or have a funny tan on my face from laying out at the pool.

No mask was required when outdoors for us while on the ship.  Not sure how the Solarium was treated as we didn't really spend any time there.  We did hang out on 11 and 12 as well as played miniature golf on 13 with no masking.  No masks are required if you are in a vaccinated only area.  Once at your table in the dining room, you can remove your mask.  When seated in the windjammer, you can remove your mask but need to put it back on if you get up to get something else.

  

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

 

I have read that most ships aren't at full capacity.  Does anyone have an idea of what the to mentioned ships above are at?  BTW, that is a major bonus for us and one of the reasons we are considering going now.  Less crowded.

According to our cabin attendant, we were sailing at roughly 45% capacity.  I cannot attest to an exact number but you could definitely tell it was a reduced crowd.  It has been mentioned that the plan is to increase capacity by 10% each month.  As Biker stated though, Thanksgiving will probably be a busy time.

 

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

 

Do the shore excursions require proof of vaccination?  No big deal if they do, just curious.  The all inclusives we have been going to in Cancun and DR didnt ask for proof, but everyone was wearing masks everywhere.  

The only time we were asked to provide proof of vaccination was when we initially got on the ship.  Many of the locations we visited required masks when indoors.  We did notice that many of the locals were also wearing masks outside.  This was in Alaska though versus what you may experience in the Caribbean.

 

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

 

Precruise testing.  We know that we have to have a test 2 days prior to sailing and were wondering if anyone has had issues with that.  The reason im asking is because the cruises we are looking at sail on that monday before thanksgiving so that means we would have to get the tests saturday and we are concerned about getting the results over a weekend.  We are probably being overly cautious here given we had to do the same thing at the all inclusives to get back into the US which was stressful, but didnt have any issues.  Kind of a similar situation here to get on the ship.  We are also flying to either orlando or tampa depending on which ship we choose to that really makes for a narrow testing window.  

We fell under the 3 day requirement but I would do the same type of testing with the 2 day.  We scheduled the IDNow test through Walgreens and had our results in roughly an hour or two.  I understand not every location has it available but if you can find one, it worked great.  As you've seen, many people have done the proctored at home testing and it has worked well for them.

 

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

 

So glad to finally being to this point or at least given the green light from the family to start shopping.  We are really looking forward to getting back on a ship.

thanks 

 

Honestly, you will probably have more risk in picking something up in the airport or when you're crammed in the tube of aluminum rocketing through the skies.  Our flights were completely full and the airports were as busy as I have seen them since this started.  The other thing to remember is that anything I mentioned above will probably be different when you sail.

 

We sail again in January and can't wait to go again.  Sorry for the bold but I thought it was easier addressing your questions this way.