Btimmer's Not Very Almost Live Quantum trip to Alaska - 5/16-23/2022

[twangster]

10 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Maybe because the Covid is ramping up again on RCL ships they just don't want people to ride all together in a bus 1 hour each way.

Maybe if you really want to see it and confirm beforehand it is actually open , take either a private car service or taxi.

 

British Columbia is struggling with the virus.  The BC ferry system has become unreliable.  You buy a ticket, show up and no ferry today as they couldn't get enough crew to sail the ferry.  Or they have a skeleton crew and the food venues are closed which on a long ferry ride can be an unpleasant surprise if you are used to eating dinner on the ferry and didn't know you needed to pack food..

 

I'm betting they had some bus drivers call in sick and couldn't get enough drivers.  Royal isn't going to cancel an excursion and refund money if they don't have to.  All those people on the bus are from the ship so if the concern is the bus is causing COVID those people are already sharing spaces on the ship so that's a moot point.  If Royal is refunding an excursion it's because they had to when the excursion provider said no go.  

[J0Y0US]

11 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

Can you please post the Dim sum Noodle resturant menu?  Did not know that this was an option.  The trip looks fabulous.

 

It was replaced when coming state side and is now Splashaway Cafe although still has the old name.

 

They supposedly have a $$$ Lobster option as well from what I heard.

 

 

[Jimbo]

41 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

British Columbia is struggling with the virus.  The BC ferry system has become unreliable.  You buy a ticket, show up and no ferry today as they couldn't get enough crew to sail the ferry.  Or they have a skeleton crew and the food venues are closed which on a long ferry ride can be an unpleasant surprise if you are used to eating dinner on the ferry and didn't know you needed to pack food..

 

I'm betting they had some bus drivers call in sick and couldn't get enough drivers.  Royal isn't going to cancel an excursion and refund money if they don't have to.  All those people on the bus are from the ship so if the concern is the bus is causing COVID those people are already sharing spaces on the ship so that's a moot point.  If Royal is refunding an excursion it's because they had to when the excursion provider said no go.  

Don't think it was Bus drivers calling out,  The excursion the OP was canceled 3or 4 days ago when OP boarded the ship and the excursion isn't scheduled  until 2 days from now when they are in Victoria on the 22nd?

Edited May 20, 2022 by Jimbo

[Btimmer]

3 hours ago, WeMissSeaView said:

Did you notice when you boarded if the COVID testing was being done in the terminal or outside the terminal?  We have a 2-year-old grandson that has to be tested again when we check in.  If it was outside the terminal, we will show up early to get it done by our check in time.

I did not see anything, but I wasn't really looking.  We always use Emed.com tests.

[Btimmer]

We were in Juneau today and it was picture perfect.  We ended up booking a shoreside city and glacier tour with M&M for $65/person.  Vendors were right at the end of the gangway and from what I could tell they had lots of space. None of these vendors had any ship sponsored tours.

 

We were joined in port today by the HAL ship Zuiderdam, Carnival Spirit, and Disney Wonder.  We had the primo mooring location right in front of the library and the Red Dog Saloon.  Disney Wonder passengers had at least a 20 minute walk to town.

 

I got our ArrivCan updated on my phone with the really slow internet.  I hope the speed picks up as we head south to Victoria.

 

Here are a few pictures from today including sailing up Endicott Arm fjord.  It was gorgeous!

 

 

We reached the arrow.
 

 

 

Mendenhall Glacier

 

Food truck halibut and shrimp ceviche-  it was really good!

 

It got worse!  Our food truck is in the upper left.

Here's what a $10,000,000 whale sculpture looks like 

Edited May 21, 2022 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

Duplicated 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by Btimmer
Delete duplicate

[Btimmer]

Here's the simple Splashaway Cafe menu.  It's been difficult to get a picture because the hours are so limited.

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

Here are some miscellaneous observations.

 

1.  Yes, it is possible to walk up to specialty restaurants and inquire about walk-in space.  Tonight we are enjoying Jamie's Italian in Victoria while many are off the ship.

 

2.  There's a very animated gal who is at the entrance to the Windjammer to direct people to wash their hands.  "Washy, washy" is her cry.

 

3.  Don't miss the cast practices in the Two70° in the afternoon.

 

4. I have mixed feeling about the value of the internet.  Up north it was very slow, but got much better with the ship pointed south.

 

5.  If one likes trivia, there's 3-4 different games every day with different themes.

 

6.  There are very few announcements during the day over the PA system about upcoming events or disembarkation.  It's a pretty quiet time of sailing.

 

7.  In the late evening, Sorrento's & the Bakery next door are about the only places to get a snack.  There's no late night buffet.  The Sorrento's pizza is excellent, but limited in options.

 

8.  Various forms of live music are available throughout the ship in the evening.  It's really good.

 

9.  Be prepared for long lines at the front desk most of the time.

 

I may have further observations, but this is a good start.

 

it's been a great cruise and I'd heartily recommend it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Catmoon]

I've loved sailing with you. Thank you for your posts.

[boonsterrific]

I am sailing next month and have thoroughly enjoyed your recaps!

[Btimmer]

Here's a picture of the "Washy Washy" crew member.  She's perfectly cast in this role.

 

A final picture from our balcony.

 

 

It's over and all too soon!

 

 

[J0Y0US]

 Hope you had a great trip.

 

With Sorrento's I am wondering if they do custom pizza's if you are taking the whole thing.

[celoplyr]

26 minutes ago, J0Y0US said:

 Hope you had a great trip.

 

With Sorrento's I am wondering if they do custom pizza's if you are taking the whole thing.

On the Symphony in December, they would not.  They had their list, and would make you a pizza from the list to take, but would not do a custom pizza (like chicken and pepperoni on a regular pizza when they had all the ingredients).  

[Aquahound]

Thank you Btimmer.  I was on this cruise as well and I enjoyed reading through this thread.  What fantastic weather we had!

[Btimmer]

32 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

Thank you Btimmer.  I was on this cruise as well and I enjoyed reading through this thread.  What fantastic weather we had!

We sure did.  We really enjoyed virtually all aspects of this cruise.  The comedian last night was really good as was all of the entertainment we partook of.

[Aquahound]

4 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

The comedian last night was really good as was all of the entertainment we partook of.

 

Steve McGrew. Yes!  That guy was the funniest comedian I've ever seen on a cruise.  

[Btimmer]

1 minute ago, Aquahound said:

 

Steve McGrew. Yes!  That guy was the funniest comedian I've ever seen on a cruise.  

I agree!  He took on "R" rated material and made it super funny for all to hear.

[LaCal]

Thx for the review and photos 

 

We were on this cruise as well and had a absolute awesome time

 

It was our first time on Royal and we’ll definitely sail on her again 

 

Disembark today was a breeze…off the ship in about 15 minutes and waiting for a taxi about another 20 minutes 

 

The weather for this cruise was approx 60-71 in ports and no rain 

 

There were quite a few cases of Noro virus reported both at n my FB group and by people onboard…..many totally sick starting Thursday/Friday on and most likely caught in the Windjammer 

 

Also a decent number of positive Covid cases on this cruise and the one before.  Both staff n guests 

 

Guests wearing masks were few and far between even in totally crowded elevators or shows, casinos etc 😷😷

[Btimmer]

5 minutes ago, LaCal said:

Thx for the review and photos 

 

We were on this cruise as well and had a absolute awesome time

 

It was our first time on Royal and we’ll definitely sail on her again 

 

Disembark today was a breeze…off the ship in about 15 minutes and waiting for a taxi about another 20 minutes 

 

The weather for this cruise was approx 60-71 in ports and no rain 

 

There were quite a few cases of Noro virus reported both at n my FB group and by people onboard…..many totally sick starting Thursday/Friday on and most likely caught in the Windjammer 

 

Also a decent number of positive Covid cases on this cruise and the one before.  Both staff n guests 

 

Guests wearing masks were few and far between even in totally crowded elevators or shows, casinos etc 😷😷

We both caught colds (No Covid!).  I would agree that it's likely the Windjammer.  I wish the staff would do the serving there like is done by HAL on their ships.  We tended to wear masks much of the time.

[Btimmer]

Unfortunately, we contracted Covid-19 on the cruise and tested positive at home today.  We both caught mild colds and masked up while on the cruise.  I even self tested negatively a week ago.  So we're quarantining at home.

 

It was still a great cruise that we'd do again on an RCCL ship.

Edited May 25, 2022 by Btimmer

[Jimbo]

30 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Unfortunately, we contracted Covid-19 on the cruise and tested positive at home today.  We both caught mild colds and masked up while on the cruise.  I even self tested negatively a week ago.  So we're quarantining at home.

 

It was still a great cruise that we'd do again on an RCCL ship.

Wow, another, did anyone get off that ship that does now not have Covid?

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Wow, another, did anyone get off that ship that does now not have Covid?

The other 3900+ customers who are not on CC?

[Jimbo]

24 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

The other 3900+ customers who are not on CC?

How would you know?, the +3900 don't have covid?

[Biker19]

5 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

How would you know?, the +3900 don't have covid?

I don't know how many had COVID on the ship but it seems once you get into the 2+% range, the ship, RCI and/or media would probably be involved and say something. RCI (nor many others) care that you tested positive once off the ship.

Edited May 25, 2022 by Biker19

[Jimbo]

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I don't know how many had COVID on the ship but it seems once you get into the 2+% range, the ship, RCI and/or media would probably be involved and say something.

I hope you are right with  that assumption but I wouldn't put any of my money down on any of the 3 doing what we hope they would do.

Edited May 25, 2022 by Jimbo