Considering last minute cruise on Navigator but feeling confused

[PaddleAddict]

32 minutes ago, Jasukkie said:

I did a weekend cruise on Nav in January and there were quite a few kids. No idea on the kids club operations. The pool was in use when the sun was out so I guess it was warm enough. The kids looked happy in it, I didn't go in myself.

 

If you go to Ensenada, the sea lions would probably be very entertaining for your little ones. You can't miss them on the rocks at the end of the dock. 

 

I don't think ice skating for passengers was operational on my cruise but maybe I just missed it. The ice show was really good, loved the drone light display. I believe the escape room is not running either, but the ones I've done on other ships are for 12+.

 

It is a diluted experience compared to before but I think a short cruise to introduce them is a good idea. It's not like they will know what some other ship has and be disappointed, just keep a positive attitude.

Thank you so much! We would definitely be going into it with very low expectations and I'm pretty sure the kids would love it no matter what!

[Merion_Mom]

21 minutes ago, PaddleAddict said:

I know, this is the main thing that's holding us back. We will need to decide today if we are going to do this or not so we can get everything scheduled in time. 

 

A concern I have is the fact that we all had covid in December. I am worried that the kids PCR tests could still turn up positive since they say they can have positive PCR tests for 90 days after covid infection. 

 

Have them take the PCR test before you make a booking.  Then you'll know.

[jonbgd]

I remember the free sushi on RCCL back in the day 

it was the starboard forward section of the Navigator WJ

I miss those days of a little pre dinner snack of sushi

 

[Cel_cruise]

1 hour ago, PaddleAddict said:

I know, this is the main thing that's holding us back. We will need to decide today if we are going to do this or not so we can get everything scheduled in time. 

 

A concern I have is the fact that we all had covid in December. I am worried that the kids PCR tests could still turn up positive since they say they can have positive PCR tests for 90 days after covid infection. 

While it would be a bummer - if any of you do test positive - you would at least be refunded your cruise…but you would probably already be packed and have to explain things to the kids…but if you can pull off the surprise…

[reallyitsmema]

38 minutes ago, jonbgd said:

I remember the free sushi on RCCL back in the day 

it was the starboard forward section of the Navigator WJ

I miss those days of a little pre dinner snack of sushi

 

 

I remember it on the Mariner, it was on the starboard side after the bar.  It was called Jade and had sushi at night.

[ano]

52 minutes ago, jonbgd said:

I remember the free sushi on RCCL back in the day 

it was the starboard forward section of the Navigator WJ

I miss those days of a little pre dinner snack of sushi

 

How about midnight buffets!!  Remember those.

[taglovestocruise]

3 hours ago, Ashland said:

Casino is open...when kids aren't with you if you're vaxed you can use any venue....I believe ?

Do you know if the parents get the vaccinated color wrist bands when the kids are unvaxed? 

 

[jonbgd]

54 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I remember it on the Mariner, it was on the starboard side after the bar.  It was called Jade and had sushi at night.

Yep remember it well

before we were Diamond i would be waiting for the wife to get ready for dinner so i would head up a deck or 2 and get a snack

41 minutes ago, ano said:

How about midnight buffets!!  Remember those.

Yep they were good  for my younger party days

but at my age now, im usually snoring by 1130p

[PaddleAddict]

3 hours ago, jonbgd said:

I remember the free sushi on RCCL back in the day 

it was the starboard forward section of the Navigator WJ

I miss those days of a little pre dinner snack of sushi

 

Yes! My husband hit it up every night! 

[PaddleAddict]

3 hours ago, Cel_cruise said:

While it would be a bummer - if any of you do test positive - you would at least be refunded your cruise…but you would probably already be packed and have to explain things to the kids…but if you can pull off the surprise…

That is a good point. Nothing lost, just postponed. I think we’re going to do it!

[HBCcruiser]

I just heard form the concierge that they are expecting about 2000 passengers for the February 18th sailing - in case you are interested. 

 

[PaddleAddict]

1 hour ago, HBCcruiser said:

I just heard form the concierge that they are expecting about 2000 passengers for the February 18th sailing - in case you are interested. 

 

How interesting! Yes with a holiday weekend I would expect more. That is still less than capacity though, correct?

 

[Ashland]

18 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Do you know if the parents get the vaccinated color wrist bands when the kids are unvaxed? 

 

Not sure...but the parents are vaxed. They should be able to go into vaxed areas when the unvaxed aren't with them...right? Hopefully someone that had this situation will answer.

[HBCcruiser]

5 minutes ago, PaddleAddict said:

How interesting! Yes with a holiday weekend I would expect more. That is still less than capacity though, correct?

 

Yes, that is about 50%. The ship can hold up to 4000. 

[PaddleAddict]

59 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Not sure...but the parents are vaxed. They should be able to go into vaxed areas when the unvaxed aren't with them...right? Hopefully someone that had this situation will answer.

Hmmmmm this could be a deal breaker

for my husband. I might try to call or chat with Royal Caribbean on that one.

[Merion_Mom]

1 hour ago, HBCcruiser said:

Yes, that is about 50%. The ship can hold up to 4000. 

 

It's under 3400 at double occupancy.  4000 is only if all 3rd and 4th berths are filled.

[HBCcruiser]

2 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

It's under 3400 at double occupancy.  4000 is only if all 3rd and 4th berths are filled.

I was going off of this info: 

 

[PaddleAddict]

2 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

It's under 3400 at double occupancy.  4000 is only if all 3rd and 4th berths are filled.

So …. Would you say this is still pretty “uncrowded” or more like off season cruising from years past? 

[Merion_Mom]

1 minute ago, PaddleAddict said:

So …. Would you say this is still pretty “uncrowded” or more like off season cruising from years past? 

Quite uncrowded.  Not empty, but not crowded.

 

What would be your husband's issues, that you want to "clear up" with RC?
 

[bradski]

22 hours ago, PaddleAddict said:

rockmom

• 
• •  1k
• January 17, 2018

• #22  

Posted 23 hours ago (edited)

Oh, one more thing @PaddleAddict  Since you'll have at least one unvaccinated in your party, they will need a PCR test, an antigen will not suffice.  Turn around times are longer than antigen.  They must be done 3 days or less prior to sailing (but not on sail date).  And you must have the email from the health facility that did the test/processed the results that shows it was negative.  Then the child will also have to be tested at the pier--that one is done by royal and is an antigen.  So if you are thinking of going this coming Friday, you'd need to figure it out ASAP and get that PCR test scheduled for Tuesday morning and hope you get the results in time.  Those that are vaccinated must get a test within two days--but it can be antigen. So that means Wednesday or Thursday or morning of the sailing--but again, you'll need the emailed documentation before you'd be allowed to board.  

 

 

I know, this is the main thing that's holding us back. We will need to decide today if we are going to do this or not so we can get everything scheduled in time. 

 

A concern I have is the fact that we all had covid in December. I am worried that the kids PCR tests could still turn up positive since they say they can have positive PCR tests for 90 days after covid infection. 

Me and my wife are vaxed but our young kids are not.  In Royals instructions we have to take an antigen test 2 days prior and they have 3 days prior for the PCR.    They also take a rapid at boarding I guess. Where are people seeing that vaxed passengers need to take a PCR?  Royals website disagrees with the above statement about vaccinated needing PCR.

 

How do I figure out when to get my pre-cruise COVID-19 test? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Edited February 14, 2022 by bradski

[bradski]

23 hours ago, rockmom said:

I'm booked on this sailing along with my daughter and grandson.  Kids club you will need to sign up ASAP when boarding as it is limited.  Since you have a 3 year old, that will be a different group than your other child.  Not sure how they are handling the unvaxxed kids, just a month or two ago there were reports that kids weren't allowed to interact with other kids not part of their family/travel group in order to not spread the virus.  Since you'll have an unvaxxed child in your party, you will all be considered as unvaxxed when it comes to dining and shows.  There will be places that are marked 'for everyone' and some that are only for those vaxxed. HOWEVER, if you and your husband are by yourselves and don't have the kids with you, you can go anywhere since (I assume) you are both vaccinated.  To get off the ship, you'll need to book an excursion through Royal if the kids are joining you.   I just checked the app and I can't tell if you'd be able to do ice skating since it's inside and I can't see if they have it broken out for vaccinated only or not. There is a morning and afternoon session on Day 2.  

 

Not sure about the escape room, but there's been an age restriction for those even before Covid, so yours would be too young.  

 

One other thing, those of us sailing on Friday have a pretty strong feeling that the capacity on this one is likely quite a bit higher than some of the more recent sailings.  Some categories opened back up a couple of weeks ago, but I think they had hit their targeted capacity and then either people bailed or they increased the the capacity.  Suites on this one have been sold out for a while.  Those who were hoping for a Royal Up have been bummed that so far only one person on our roll call was able to score one.  

 

Hopefully that answers some of your questions, but if you decide to go, heading to kids club as soon as you board is probably wise.  

I was able to go from an interior to a spacious ocean view for a minimum bid on this Fridays Navigator cruise. 

[rockmom]

6 minutes ago, bradski said:

I was able to go from an interior to a spacious ocean view for a minimum bid on this Fridays Navigator cruise. 

I did see a lot of that--what I was seeing were those that had bid on suites didn't have much luck.  There are far fewer suites overall compared to interior and balcony rooms, and most of them showed as booked already.  

Edited February 14, 2022 by rockmom

[PaddleAddict]

1 hour ago, Merion_Mom said:

Quite uncrowded.  Not empty, but not crowded.

 

What would be your husband's issues, that you want to "clear up" with RC?
 

He would not be OK if he was denied access to the casino because we were traveling with unvaccinated children (who obviously would not be accompanying him into the casino 😆).

[MommaBear55]

51 minutes ago, PaddleAddict said:

He would not be OK if he was denied access to the casino because we were traveling with unvaccinated children (who obviously would not be accompanying him into the casino 😆).

He'll be fine going into the casino. 

[chaswelf]

6 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

I just heard form the concierge that they are expecting about 2000 passengers for the February 18th sailing - in case you are interested. 

 

Any word on who many people will be on the 7 day leaving the 21st?