Royal Caribbean's priority access program that anyone can buy, The Key, is coming back, and already many guests are reporting changes to the program on various ships.
Last week, RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com reported on changes to The Key on Symphony of the Seas, and those same changes are being done on many other ships in the coming weeks.
RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com readers have reported getting emails from the cruise line informing them of new policy changes to The Key, primarily a result of Covid-19 protocols.
The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP treatment in certain situations onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
Emails sent to guests that purchased The Key list the same changes as a result of Royal Caribbean's need to maintain healthy protocols onboard.
Here is a list of the changes to the program:
Priority access in the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1
Priority access will not be offered in Vancouver, Canada or any Australia ports
Carry-on luggage drop-off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery
Carry-on luggage is limited to two pieces per guest cannot weigh more than 25 pounds per carry-on.
Complimentary room service for the duration of the cruise and 25% off onboard dining purchases
Private time at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more
Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore
Early access at shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70 (all guests must have a reservation to qualify)
VOOM Surf & Stream 1-Device high speed internet — 1 package per paying guest
On debarkation day, a special "grab and go" breakfast bag and choice departure
The changes to The Key began with Symphony of the Seas on the October 2 sailing, and will fleetwide (excluding China sailings) as Royal Caribbean begins to roll out the changes across the ships.
The price of The Key varies, and starts at $25.99 per day, per person, although there can be discounts available to bring that price down.
All guests over the age of 6 in the same room must purchase The Key.
Most of the comments seemed to be in favor of the changes.
Melanie Harris simply said, "I really like the changes, glad we have it."
Erin Berton Baker added, "If that is permanent I’d seriously consider. Love the free room service!"
Susan Christmas bought The Key after reading about the changes, "I think it's better. After I saw this post, I went and booked it."
Yvonne P. Dumont did not like the change to the boarding day lunch, "I’m disappointed about the amazing lunch not offered anymore on boarding day anymore."
Most people have lots of questions when they plan their first cruise, but some people have the added concern of mental health conditions like anxiety and/or panic disorders, which makes planning a vacation pretty challenging.
Anxiety isn’t just being nervous to do something--it creates strong feelings of insecurity and worry over every detail, and can lead to terrifying and painful panic attacks. According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated 275 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. That's around 4% of the global population, with a spread of between 2.5% and 6.5% of population per country.
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
The goal for every vacation is to relieve as much of that extra stress as possible, so I've listed some tips tailored for those who experience anxiety, to help make cruise planning much more accessible!
Watch videos about your ship!
Are you nervous about your first cruise? Maybe you’re worried about feeling trapped and claustrophobic, or the opposite--overwhelmed at how huge the ship is.
I’ll admit to feeling both when I was planning my first cruise (I even asked my husband if we could just do a land vacation instead). So I started watching everything I could about cruises, every YouTube video I could find.
By embarkation day, I had the deck plans nearly memorized; I knew what food I was going to order at what restaurant; what drink I would order first. I probably went a bit overboard (no pun intended), but it turned my nerves into excitement.
While I recommend researching the ship, watching the heck out of videos to get the lay of the land (sea?)--reviews are another beast altogether.
For someone with anxiety, reviews can totally scare us away from a potentially amazing vacation. We tend to zoom in on negativity, but it’s good to remember that the cruise industry is meant to be tailor made for your own experience.
If you are having a difficulty, bring it up to a staff member and it will be corrected right away! Instead, try reputable, well rounded cruise bloggers like Sheri at CruiseTipsTV.com and Billy at CruiseHabit.com, both with Youtube channels. They will share tips, thoughts on different cruise lines (#loyaltoroyal), and all the information you need to know about the industry!
On land, my husband and I only have a drink or two a week, but we let loose on vacation.
Bloody Marys in the morning, frozen concoctions on the beach, wine at dinner, and cocktails afterward. It adds up, and we always are busier than we expect to be (with a cocktail in hand, of course)!
Buying the drink package before boarding allows us to budget in advance, then relax on ship. A swipe of a wristband, and that’s it. No calculating how much we’ve spent, how much to tip, etc. Gratuities are prepaid, and we don’t have to carry cards or cash around.
The point is to relax without panicking about money all the time.
There are so many itineraries to choose from--it can be a little overwhelming at first. There really is something for everyone!
For your first cruise, especially for those of us with a tendency to get overstimulated, I recommend choosing a trip that balances busy port stops with rest days. Rest days don’t necessarily have to mean sea days, where you don’t leave the ship, but could also mean relaxing on the beach!
For example, I love an itinerary where Mr. Mills and I go on a walking tour or do some activity, and then the next day we have a beach bed on Coco Cay or Labadee. It’s a wonderful balance of busy and relaxation!
Don’t count out a good afternoon nap. This is vacation, after all, and there’s no shame in hitting the snooze.
Sometimes we will take a morning excursion, and then head back to the ship where I can lay down for a nap in the afternoon. Mr. Mills wanders off to do whatever Mr. Mills does, while I can recharge for the night’s activities.
Don’t try to do it all
Royal Caribbean’s ships are like mini cities: There are all kinds of activities on board: Flowriders, Ziplines, iFly, Broadway Shows, Bars, Dining, Shopping, Pool and Jacuzzis, Gyms, Spas, etc.
The choices are limitless on what you can do each day. But, just because you can choose from anything, doesn’t mean you have to do everything.
Every evening, you’ll receive a Cruise Compass newsletter for the next day. Go through it and mark any activity that looks fun to you, and then breeze through the next day and hit a few of them. If you miss a trivia? It is not the end of the world! You were doing something else that captured your attention.
Cruising is all about taking the moments that are important to you, and not what the schedule says.
I know, I know, this is the worst thing to tell a person with anxiety. But, I promise you, cruising is the best vacation for us.
Before I started cruising, I was never able to relax while traveling. Something was always going to go wrong, or change, or I was obsessing about how much I was paying for each drink, meal, activity in my head as we went along.
With a cruise, all that work is done before you set sail. And much of it is fun to do--choosing itineraries, excursions, dining, it all becomes exciting once you fall in love with cruising.
Then the countdown starts...you hit the "Double Digit Dance" (99 days or less), and then it’s embarkation day! Can you imagine a week with no worries except what to order off the menu?
Cruising for the first time can be a little intimidating, but I recommend it to everyone I meet. To me, it’s the perfect vacation. I can plan and pay for everything in advance, and then completely relax once on ship. I can be totally alone, or meet new people. My trip can be full of action, or I can hang out by the pool and read a book.
Cruising allows you to do anything you want to do, every day, for your entire vacation. The options are almost limitless. I hope you find you enjoy the experience as much as we do.
The State of Florida is ready for another round of a legal fight over mandating Covid-19 vaccines.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) won a lawsuit earlier this summer against Florida over a state law that banned businesses from denying entry to customers who were not vaccinated.
Florida filed documents on October 4th with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to appeal the preliminary injunction NCLH won, and asking the appeals court to vacate the decision.
United States District Judge Kathleen M. Williams granted NCLH the preliminary injunction, but Florida wants that decision reversed.
In the 69-page filing, Florida argues the U.S. constitution gives companies no right for private companies to refuse service to prospective customers who fail to disclose private medical documentation.
NCLH argued that Florida's law violated its First Amendment rights and dormant Commerce Clause claims.
Florida says its law that was shot down by NCLH's lawsuit neither violates the First Amendment nor the Commerce Clause.
Section 381.00316 does not violate the First Amendment because it affects what businesses cannot do—condition service on customers providing documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination—“not what they may or may not say,” Rumsfeld v. FAIR, Inc., 547 U.S. 47, 60 (2006), and thus does not implicate the First Amendment. Indeed, FAIR and Wollschlaeger v. Governor of Florida, 848 F.3d 1293 (11th Cir. 2017) (en banc), compel this result.
Nor does Section 381.00316 violate the dormant Commerce Clause. Under the Pike balancing test—the analysis that all parties agree applies to the statute—Florida’s law is constitutional because any indirect effects it has on interstate commerce do not clearly exceed the local benefits of the law.
In May 2021, Florida passed a new law that banned businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring people to show documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccinations or post-infection recovery before gaining entry.
Breaches of this law would face a fine of $5,000 per violation.
Subsequently, in July 2021, NCLH sued Florida to get an injunction against the law, because the company says the law prevents them from operating their business safely.
NCLH believes the law puts them, "in an impossible dilemma" to operate sailings from Florida. In their view, they would either have to be "on the wrong side of health and safety" or on the wrong side of Florida law.
Judge Williams agreed with NCLH's points, and said the law did not go far enough if it meant to protect the medical privacy of private citizens.
The Judge pointed out that businesses and employers are able to require Covid-19 test results, hospital records,other vaccination records, as well as information regarding exposure to third parties with Covid-19. Therefore, Florida failed to explain why proof of Covid-19 vaccination documents are more medically sensitive or need more protection than these other documents.
In the past, guests who were Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club in the cruise line's customer loyalty program were allowed unlimited drinks from a specific menu in the Diamond Lounge for a three and half hour window nightly.
The new benefit has drinks added to your SeaPass card daily that can be used for any drink (up to $13) at any bar (with the exception of Starbucks, The Bionic Bar and the Rising Tide Bar) at any time. You can also use your vouchers for bottled water and sodas.
The vouchers (which is what I will refer to them as for the purpose of this article) must be used each day, they do not carry over.
We were on Allure of the Seas three weeks ago and decided to forego buying the deluxe drink package and just use our daily vouchers. We did, however, buy a coffee card for our morning vanilla lattes from the Café Promenade so we could use the vouchers strictly on alcoholic beverages.
As soon as we boarded, we got appletinis in the Champagne bar. We get ours made with vanilla vodka, which was a suggestion from a bar staff friend of ours from many years ago. It makes the vodka sting less potent.
We still went to the Diamond Lounge for cosmos during their happy hour time. They still have staff serving drinks and appetizers, however any drink you order does come off of your daily allowance.
That night we had dinner at Sabor. We ordered the Simply Perfect and Jalapeno Cucumber Margaritas that were on the drink menu We ended up using five of our six vouchers that day.
The second day, we started with BBC’s (Bailey’s, banana colada) at the Solarium pool bar. Before dinner we went to the Champagne bar for two martinis.
My husband likes the red velvet cake martini. It used to be a standard at the Champagne Bar but has since been removed from the menu. Our bartender said they had the ingredients and she knew how to make it. I ordered my standard favorite, the pomegranate martini.
After dinner we ordered chocolate martinis in the main theater before the headliner show. We only ended up using four vouchers that day.
It was day three and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t made it to the Schooner Bar yet for one of my favorite cocktails, the lavender daiquiri, only found at that location.
I didn’t want to leave the Champagne Bar because of the excellent bar staff there. Not only did they remember the special way I like my appletinis, they also knew my father would ONLY drink Jack and coke. So much so that one night halfway through the sailing, they had written his name on a piece of paper and taped it to the bottle of Jack Daniels so everyone knew it was his.
Once again our bartender told us she could make the lavender daiquiri there. She also made us a martini version of it with vodka instead of rum.
Other places to use your free drinks
On the second formal night we dined at Izumi.
We used our vouchers on their signature sake infused cocktails, “She’s a Geisha” and “Japanese Strawberry.” Along with our nightly martinis in the Diamond Lounge and the Champagne bar, we ended our night with the drink of the day the “Portside Punch” at the Trellis Bar. It was a beautiful evening to enjoy a drink in Central Park with the guitarist playing soft music.
For lunch on day six, we enjoyed pizza from Sorrento’s on the promenade with a Michelob Ultra. At the Champagne Bar that evening, I discovered a new favorite, the watermelon martini. Can you tell I like fruity vodka martinis?
Coco Cay is included!
You can even use your vouchers at Royal Caribbean’s private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay. There is nothing like a mai tai in paradise.
It’s even better when it’s included in your daily free drinks. We also cooled off with strawberry daiquiris and a frozen mudslide.
Conclusion
We never got to the point where we used all of our allotted vouchers for the day. The most we used was five on any given day.
I know everyone is different, but for us, the free drinks benefit is perfect and we wouldn’t consider buying the deluxe drink package on future sailings. I feel that this was a welcomed change to the daily happy hour.
It is so nice to be able to have the flexibility of time and the venue of your choice to enjoy your favorite drink or discover a new one.
While the drinks are free as part of your Crown and Anchor benefits, it is still a good idea to tip your bar staff. They took such excellent care of us, we were happy to return the favor.
Just like any theme park, entertainment plaza, or local attraction, cruise ships will try out an idea for an activity and later on decide to get rid of it.
What is new and interesting today could become passé and old hat tomorrow. Cruise lines are always looking for ways to keep their offerings in line with customer trends, so it is not uncommon for a ship to offer a certain activity but have it replaced later on.
Over the years, Royal Caribbean has tried many different activities for guests. Some have become staples of the Royal Caribbean brand, while others had a short run and were replaced by something else.
Here is a look at nine things you used to be able to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that are now gone.
Golf simulator
Royal Caribbean is known for having a surf simulator and even a sky diving simulator, but they used to also have a golf simulator.
A number of cruise ships had a golf simulator, including Voyager and Radiance Class ships, where you could practice your golf swing on a variety of virtual golf courses.
It cost $25 for up to 4 people, and there would be a selection of a few different clubs, including a driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-9 irons and a sand wedge.
Just like the real thing, one passenger would stand in front of the simulator to take their swings, while the others in the group stood off to the side to watch.
Golf simulators are no longer offered onboard, with the space taken up during recent sports deck refurbishments.
Inline skating rink
Another sports deck feature found primarily on the Voyager Class ships was an inline skating course.
Alongside the mini-golf course was an inline skating track for guests to use. Royal Caribbean would provide helmets and skates and navigate the course.
The track had padded barriers in case you (likely) slammed into the wall on your way.
Like the golf simulator, the inline skating was ditched to make room for water slides and a FlowRider.
Night clubs
Royal Caribbean used to have dedicated night clubs on many of its cruise ships, including the Voyager and Freedom Class ships.
Each had its own name, such as The Crypt or The Labyrinth, and they were a two-deck level space with an entrance near the Schooner Bar.
During the day, the nightclubs were closed, but at night, they became a loud party zone.
Royal Caribbean decided the space was not being utilized well by only being open at night, so they converted the lower portion to new staterooms and the upper part became a specialty restaurant.
Not to worry, there is still a nightclub experience offered onboard, just not in a dedicated area.
Pets at Sea
Remember when Build-a-Bear was a really big deal? As a parent, I remember my kids always wanting to go get a new pet every time we went to the mall, and I guess that trend made it to Royal Caribbean as well.
Royal Caribbean's first Oasis Class ships had a dedicated shop in the Boardwalk neighborhood where you could create your own stuffed animals, many with a nautical theme.
Pets at Sea was a souvenir option where guests picked an animal and outfit, and then stuffed the pet with a fun machine before taking it home with them.
Alas, the shops were replaced during ship refurbishments to make way for other retail experiences.
Boxing ring
A neat idea to enhance the fitness center offerings was to include a boxing ring on Freedom Class ships.
For an additional fee, the full-sized boxing ring allowed guests to spar with an experienced instructor.
Whether it was not popular enough to warrant keeping it, or perhaps another reason, the boxing ring was removed, leaving a fairly large dance studio space in its stead.
Eco-learning station
On at least Explorer of the Seas, there used to be something called the Eco-learning station.
The ship's Eco-Learning Stations were located on either side of the Aquarium Bar on deck 4. The stations produced a large data set of complementary, comprehensive atmospheric and oceanographic measurements along the cruise ship's itinerary and provided over 80,000 cruise ship passengers with guided tours of the research laboratories aboard.
Data collected by the Ocean Lab program was placed in the public domain, and made available to researchers, students, and the public through an online portal.
Royal Caribbean then downsized the scope of the station, allowing it to still acquire atmospheric and oceanographic data, but the outreach program aboard with a full-time marine technician and a different visiting scientist researcher or lecturer on each cruise was removed.
Eventually, the area was completely removed and replaced with The Tavern in a 2015 refurbishment.
The Barbie Premium Experience was available for girls aged between four and eleven and included a pink Barbie themed stateroom and signature gifts, including a Barbie Doll to take home.
In addition, there was a Tiaras & Teacups party, Mermaid dance class, Fashion Designer workshop and a Barbie Fashion Show.
The premium experience cost $349.00 and was only available on cruises over 5 nights long.
At some point, Royal Caribbean removed the offering from its ships.
DreamWorks Experience
Back in 2010, Royal Caribbean partnered with the animation company DreamWorks to bring its well-known characters from movies such as Madagascar and Shrek to its cruise ships.
With this partnership, some Royal Caribbean ships featured DreamWorks parades, ice skating shows and AquaTheater shows. There were also character breakfasts, movie screenings, photo opportunities, special Adventure Ocean programming and more.
The DreamWorks Experience was found on:
Oasis of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
In 2018, it was announced the partnership would end for sailings on or after April 1, 2019. Royal Caribbean said the decision was made as part of its regular process of reviewing and refreshing its onboard offerings.
So many things from the 1970s
All of the activities listed so far go back to the late 1990s or 2000s, but going on a cruise in the early days of Royal Caribbean was a completely different experience all together.
The cruise experience, and the ships, have radically changed since the 1970s and 1980s, and with it what you used to be able to do onboard.
Song of Norway had its own radio station where you could send radiograms or make ship-to-shore telephone calls.
Passenger talent night allowed passengers to sing, dance, make magic, or just about anything else they were brave enough to demonstrate in public.
Casino night was held on two-week cruises, and the crew would allow guests to run the games.
Lest we forget skeet shooting was available on sea days where you could shoot clay pigeons off the back of the ship.
When you think of budget travel, cruising might not be the first thing that comes to your mind. Budget travel can often be associated with sleeping on overnight trains and lugging around an oversized backpack from one hostel to the next. However, cruising can be a hidden gem for those looking to travel on a budget.
Cruises offer an incredible travel experience with an easy, all-inclusive vacation style that cuts out nearly all of the typical logistics of traveling. Each morning you’ll wake up with a new view of a different country or city without even needing to repack your bags.
Here's a break down of how cruising with Royal Caribbean can not only ease your travels, but also offer a very affordable vacation.
Cruising isn't what you think
Time is limited on vacation, and it’s understandable you want to squeeze in as much experience and culture as possible.
Unlike land-based vacations, cruises give you the ability to easily see multiple countries on a single voyage without worrying about any logistics or coordination. Lucky for Royal Caribbean cruisers, there’s so much to see both on and off the ship that you’ll undoubtedly get the most bang for your buck.
Most travelers might not consider cruising because of a preconceived notion that it’s too expensive or doesn’t cater to a younger demographic. While some cruise lines still market towards older travelers, Royal Caribbean has continued to both innovate and renovate its ships to appeal to younger travelers.
Royal Caribbean is an excellent choice for younger travelers looking to spend their hard-earned money on memorable travel experiences - without sacrificing cultural experiences!
Most itineraries allow for 8-12 hours in each city if you’re looking to optimize port stays. Some cruises even offer multiple nights in one port to allow extra time for exploration.
More affordable than you might think
Take a note from Millennial travelers - you don’t need to skimp on luxury to enjoy an affordable vacation. Millennials have actually been lowering the average age of cruisers within previous years. Gone are the days where budget travel means staying in a hostel and backpacking between cities.
While hostels can certainly be affordable, there could be multiple strangers sleeping in close quarters and sharing your bathroom. You might be paying for train tickets, taxi rides, airline tickets and bus fares to travel between cities. Buying 3 meals a day can also add up quickly unless you prefer living off granola bars or skipping meals.
In this way, cruises can end up being more affordable when adding together daily travel expenses - from food each day to transportation costs and accommodations. Also, the time you typically spend traveling between cities is now spent as extra time relaxing onboard or exploring the port.
See the world in a more reasonable way
Cruising is so efficient that you’ll be shocked how much you can squeeze into your travel days.
Picture this: you spent all day exploring the ancient temple of Kek Lok Si in Penang, Malaysia. You hiked up so many steps to visit the temple and enjoyed some local shopping along the way. Lunch was enjoyed at a Malaysian food-court where you tried the coolest shaved-ice dessert concoction. You learned all about the history of the city from your local guide.
It was a great day immersing yourself in the culture and sights of the city; however, you’re sweaty and sticky from exploring in the scorching heat of Southeast Asia.
Instead of heading to your hostel or budget accommodation, you head back to your ship docked in the city. You’re welcomed back to your air conditioned cabin, which has been meticulously cleaned by your stateroom attendant.
After taking a much-needed shower, you head to dinner for a delicious 3-course meal in the dining room.
The evening ends with a Broadway-style musical onboard in the theatre. While you loved trying the local delicacies at lunch, relaxing with a familiar meal at the end of the day is just what you needed. Tomorrow you’ll be arriving in Phuket, Thailand for another full day of exploring, so it’s time for bed in your cozy, clean cabin.
This scenario is a great example of why you should consider cruising - you can have elements of luxury and vacation while still immersing yourself in different cultures. Visiting different ports and exploring the world is exhilarating, while coming back to the ship is both comforting and relaxing.
Cheap cruise deals are there for you to find
The ship is a safe and comfortable home base to return to each night. Not having to worry about logistics and travel coordination is also a huge benefit of cruising that will definitely put your mind (and wallet!) at ease.
When it comes to pricing, cruise fares cover lodging, transportation and food all in one price and place. If you’re flexible with your travel schedule, off-season itineraries and dates can offer very low fares.
Repositioning cruises and last-minute sailings can also offer very low rates if your schedule allows. For an inside cabin, plenty of Royal Caribbean cruises can cost less than $100/day. You can even find some cruises for half that price depending on the sailing date.
For example, you could cruise on the Rhapsody of the Seas from Venice and visit Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome and Florence for 7 nights in June 2022 for $75/day. One repositioning cruise in November 2022 sails from Barbados to Spain with stops in Portugal, France and The Azores. This sailing costs only $49/day for an inside cabin.
Another affordable option includes a 7 night cruise to Russia, Sweden, Finland and Estonia for only $88 a day on the Voyager of the Seas in July 2022. These are just a few examples of affordable and culturally immersive itineraries offered by Royal Caribbean.
While you could easily spend more on your sailing, it’s not difficult to stick to your prepaid cruise fare throughout your trip. Independent exploration while in port can cut down extensively on costs, along with enjoying meals on the ship whenever it fits your schedule.
With some planning and flexibility, cruising gives you the opportunity to see the world while traveling in luxury, even on a budget.
Why I went from hostels to cruise ships
When I first started to travel in my early 20s, I was all about budget accommodations, including hostels, cheap motels and sketchy Airbnbs. I wanted to be as cheap as possible, even if it meant sacrificing comfort. I’d pack a protein bar to get me through lunch, meaning I only had to buy 1-2 meals a day.
I learned quickly that these accommodations were not worth the savings. I ended up having elevated anxiety when traveling. I was constantly worried about my belongings getting stolen, especially my passport or money.
I also didn’t love the idea of sharing a room with a stranger or staying in a private room of an Airbnb host.
Once I started doing the math, I realized that cruising was essentially the same price when I added in all my travel costs.
Staying on the ship also offered safety, reliability, and comfort that I couldn’t find with other budget accommodations.
I started to cruise because I wanted to see the world on a budget – and I never returned to the hostel life.
Four days from now, I will be boarding Ovation of the Seas ready to take on my most anticipated sailing yet: a 7-night Alaska glacier cruise leaving from Seattle. This particular sailing is Royal Caribbean’s final Alaska sailing of the 2021 season.
Each day, I will be live blogging here to share with you what it is like to go on an Alaskan cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship. Whether sailing through the Alaska inside passage, hopping onboard a train through the mountains, or enjoying the views from onboard, it is certainly going to be one epic adventure.
The Cruise
I am expecting a totally different experience on an Alaskan cruise compared to my Caribbean sailings in August and September. From sand and sunshine to glaciers and snow, the landscape and ports of call in Alaska are, of course, much different than the Caribbean.
Our seven-night sailing departs from Seattle on Friday, October 8th and brings us to three ports. We will dock in Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, Alaska.
In addition, we will spend a morning sailing around the Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. While we don’t get off the ship that day, I am excited to hopefully catch some stunning views of the glacier.
This will be my first time on Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum-class ship built in 2016. If Ovation of the Seas is anything like the Odyssey of the Seas, which I was on last month, there should be a plethora of both indoor and outdoor locations onboard to view Alaska’s scenery.
Weather-wise, October is not necessarily the most ideal time to go on an Alaskan cruise. I am fully prepared to be flexible in case of any itinerary changes and unpredictable weather. That being said, the snow capped peaks and the possibility of seeing the northern lights are two benefits of sailing to Alaska later in the season.
I will be staying in an interior room with a virtual balcony. This is my first time having a virtual balcony, so I am looking forward to comparing Ovation's interior cabin experience with the interior cabin I stayed in on Odyssey of the Seas last month.
When I booked this cruise one month ago, Royal Caribbean was not charging a single supplement fee. As I am bringing my dad along for this Alaskan adventure, this worked in our favor. We were able to book two separate interior cabins for around the same price of staying in the same cabin together.
This is one of the benefits of booking a cruise with a travel agent or at Next Cruise onboard. I did not see any advertisements or notices on Royal Caribbean’s website stating that the single supplement fee was waived. If I had booked it myself, I likely would have just booked one room for the two of us without knowing about this great deal.
The Itinerary
With three ports, one half-day sailing to the Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, and two seas days, the itinerary has a good mix of time on land and at sea.
Alaskan cruises offer really unique shore excursions and activities, so I spent quite some time researching what I wanted to do in port. As I have never been to Alaska before, I wanted to experience a good mix of historical, cultural, and outdoors activities.
I decided to book Royal Caribbean shore excursions in both Skagway and Sitka. In Skagway, we booked the “White Pass Scenic Railway,” a two and a half hour journey on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad in a vintage train car. The tour also includes a guide that will share stories of the Klondike Gold Rush.
In Sitka, we booked the “Best of Sitka” tour. This is a three and a half hour tour that visits the Fortress of the Bear, Sitka National Historic Park, and the Alaska Raptor Center.
The days in Skagway and Sitka are fairly long, which should allow for plenty of time to explore the towns independently after the shore excursions end.
I do not have anything booked in Juneau, but plan to get a taxi to visit Mendenhall Glacier and do some hiking, weather permitting.
When my Ovation of the Seas sailing begins on Friday, October 8th, I’ll be sharing updates on the blog. Be sure to follow the Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook page so you can receive updates when a new live blog is posted.
In addition, I will be filming an extensive full ship tour of Ovation of the Seas and videos highlighting the ports of call. Make sure you are subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel to be notified when we premiere these videos.
I am interested to hear your thoughts, tips, and experiences cruising in Alaska! Feel free to comment or ask questions on this blog post and our Facebook page.
Stay tuned for exciting updates from Alaska; I can’t wait to set sail!
Royal Caribbean cruises in October 2021: What to expect
Have a cruise in October, or are you thinking of booking a cruise?
Between the end of the Alaska and European cruise seasons and the heating up of Caribbean itineraries, there are lots of ships back in service this month.
While cruising is a wonderful vacation all on its own, who wouldn’t like some extra perks to enjoy?
As you cruise more frequently, you’ll earn discounts and gifts along the way through the loyalty program. Today I’m going to focus on the top tiers of the Crown and Anchor Society and which ones I love the most.
These are just a few of the many perks offered to Crown and Anchor members. While they have changed over the years, it’s still a great program!
Diamond (80 points to 174 points)
Suite and Balcony Discounts
I like to have a balcony to enjoy watching the sunrise, so saving money on a balcony is always nice.
Once you become Diamond, you can get those rooms for less, thanks to a balcony discount.
For example, on a seven day sailing, Diamond members receive $225 off of their cruise fare. The discount applies one per cabin, not per person but every little bit helps!
One free photo
I have gotten some amazing photos over the years from the ships photographers, but paying $20 or more for those 8x10’s gets pretty pricey.
We use this discount on every one of our cruises. Since it’s per person, my husband and I can both get a free photo.
One free day of Voom internet
Many people like to unplug on their cruises, but we need to stay connected so having a free day of internet is convenient.
Diamond members get one free day of internet access, which doubles when you reach Diamond Plus.
If one day just won’t be enough, you could instead get a discount off of a package that is equal to the cost of one day of internet. That way you can keep in touch with home and upload those cruise pictures to social media!
Crystal blocks
Once you reach 140 points, you will receive a beautiful crystal block that is etched with the name and outline of your ship. You will then receive one every 70 points thereafter.
I have mine in a display case that has current and former ships represented.
Access to the Diamond Lounge
This was, and still is, one of my favorites perks.
I am always looking for a quiet place onboard during the day and that can be found in the lounge. They offer continental breakfast in the morning as well as specialty coffee throughout the day. There is a light lunch option with small sandwiches, fruit and desserts.
The evening happy hour features appetizers and bar service. Royal Caribbean changed the drink benefit, where you get four free drinks per person per day that can be used at any bar at any time.
Diamond Plus (175-699)
You receive all the same discounts as you did when you were Diamond, except now your balcony/suite discount is $250, the internet is for 2 days, and you get five drinks per day added to your SeaPass card.
Buy one get one free specialty restaurants
A BOGO offer for specialty restaurant means you can dine at any specialty restaurant and pay the cover charge for one person, but get the second person's cover charge for free.
It cannot be used for Izumi Hibachi or Chef’s Table.
Since each Diamond Plus person gets one, I can use a BOGO for the first night and my husband can use it the second night. It’s a great deal!
Backstage tours
This is a pre-pandemic perk that I hope comes back soon.
On cruises at least seven nights, you will receive a card in your cabin on embarkation day that lists complimentary tours you could take.
Some common options were behind the scenes of the ice show, the main theater and the bridge. You could choose one or all of them, you just need to drop the card off at the Loyalty Ambassador’s desk and take the tours usually the last sea day of your sailing.
While Diamond members also had access to the theater tours, the bridge was exclusive to Diamond Plus and Pinnacle.
Lunch with an officer
Lunch with an officer is available once you reach 340 points for sailings seven days and longer.
Lunch is offered in the main dining room on a different floor than the regular sea day lunch, with a special menu that includes wine.
Pre-pandemic an officer would sit at your table, and it was nice to get to know their jobs and ask questions about cruising in general.
It is now being offered as a “toast with an officer.” You still get lunch but now the officers come around the tables and chat for a minute or two and do a champagne toast. It usually takes place on the last sea day.
Extra amenities
At 340 and 525 points, you receive extra bonus gifts. There is a list to choose from that includes towels and tote bags, but we choose the wine.
On a seven day sailing we received three bottles, which we bring to the restaurants for dinner.
The Top Tier Event
When I started cruising, this would have been known as the repeaters party. Now though, only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle are invited to the event.
I’ve always liked them because they recognize the top cruisers and tell you a little bit about the new ships being built.
Pinnacle Club (700 points and beyond)
Your balcony discount increases to $275, there are 6 free drinks added to your SeaPass card and you now get free internet!
The Pinnacle Kit
Once you reach Pinnacle Club status, Royal Caribbean shops you a kit after your 700 point sailing.
It includes your stratum (a tall “crystal block” that has your name, the ship and date of your Pinnacle cruise engraved on it), luggage tags, passport cover and your lapel pins.
Free cruise certificate
At 700 and 1050 points, you get a certificate for a free 7 night Caribbean cruise in a balcony stateroom.
At 1400 points and every 350 thereafter you qualify for a complimentary Junior Suite!
Daily breakfast
Chops is usually the location of your Pinnacle breakfast. Its hours vary but will match the main dining room.
Royal Caribbean has returned to sailing, and many Canadians are now planning their winter getaways. In preparation for a cruise from a U.S. port, there are a few key requirements to plan ahead of time.
The cruise line’s Healthy Sail Centre outlines new Covid related protocols. Requirements for vaccines, mask usage, and excursions are all listed by port of departure.
Canadians travelling to U.S. ports for their Royal Caribbean sailings need to be aware that flying and cruising testing requirements differ slightly in terms of timelines and the types of tests that are accepted.
There is also new Covid related documentation for entering the U.S. and returning home to Canada.
Pre-Cruise
Insurance
Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence Program provides guests will the ability to cancel a cruise up to 48 hours before their sailing, some added peace of mind for travellers. Beyond this, it is beneficial to purchase out of country travel and medical insurance.
Policies should have enhanced coverage for Covid related costs such as quarantine or hospitalization abroad. Benefits should also include trip interruption or cancellation within 48 hours of sailing.
For sailings departing from the U.S., the CDC now recognizes a mixed series of mRNA vaccines (e.g., 1 shot of Pfizer with 1 shot of Moderna, in any order) as fully vaccinated.
The doses must be administered a minimum of 28 days apart.
Guests will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose.
AstraZeneca is not yet authorized by the CDC. For those Canadians who received AstraZeneca and a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, they are not considered fully vaccinated at this time.
Dr. Teresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, recently announced she has been in discussions with U.S. counterparts to provide support for the approval of AstraZeneca. No time frame for approval has been announced.
Cruisers should carefully review vaccination records provided by the provincial health authority (or approved pharmacy) to ensure all of the criteria have been met. Names and date of birth need to match passports, flights, and cruise bookings and must specify dates of immunization.
Testing
As Canadians travel to U.S. ports for their Royal Caribbean sailings, they need to be aware that flying and cruising testing requirements differ slightly.
Testing for flights
Canadians, aged 2 and over, flying to the U.S. must provide a negative Covid test within 3 days of their flight. More specifically, the test must be performed no more than 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary.
For example, if a traveler’s flight is at 1 pm on a Friday, the traveller could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Tuesday or after.
For flights to the U.S., either an Antigen or PCR test is accepted.
Testing for the cruise
For Royal Caribbean, testing is 2 days before the sail date. The day a passenger sets sail is not included as one of the days you count back from. If sailing on a Saturday, the test can be taken on Thursday or Friday.
Vaccination requirements apply to guests 12 and older.
For Royal Caribbean cruises out of the U.S., either an antigen or PCR test is accepted.
Where to test
Several airports in Canada offer on-site testing. Toronto’s Pearson Airport offers a Rapid Antigen Test with results in 30 minutes. Tests can be booked weeks in advance.
Another option is to arrange testing locally. Shoppers Drug Mart and Costco offer testing in many locations.
Air Canada, the nation’s largest domestic airline, has a robust “Travel Ready hub” on its website, which contains detailed information on flying and current protocols. A list of testing locations by province, along with discount codes is provided on the hub.
For those spending some extra pre-cruise time in the U.S and need to test nearby, there are numerous options. Popular chains such as Walgreens and CVS offer vaccine testing close to the ports and can be booked up to two weeks in advance.
Unfortunately, the take-home Covid test available for purchase through Royal Caribbean does not ship to Canada.
Required Documentation
Canadian travellers must complete a “Travel Attestation” form before arrival in the U.S. This is a brief form that will be provided by the airline
Embarkation Day
Along with the SetSail paperwork, cruisers should have proof of vaccinations readily available. Ensure this includes full name (as listed on the cruise booking), birthdate, and dates of vaccinations.
It is recommended to have hard copies in addition to electronic records.
Disembarkation Testing
A major benefit to sailing with Royal Caribbean is that they currently provide PCR testing onboard. This can be arranged through Guest Services during the cruise.
To return to Canada, results of a negative PCR test must be presented. Antigen tests are not accepted for return flights.
Required Documentation
Travellers must complete the required documents on the ArriveCAN app, 72 hours before their arrival in Canada. It would be best to download this pre-cruise from the app store (Apple, Google Play).
Passengers will be required to provide travel and vaccination details along with proof of a negative Covid test. Once complete, a receipt will be emailed to the applicant for presentation upon re-entry to Canada. Families travelling together may submit one application.
Future Requirements
Policies and protocols can change daily so it is best to monitor cruise and flight updates regularly.
The Canadian government announced in August, that passengers (of eligible age) must be fully vaccinated to fly.
Similarly, the U.S. government has released plans to only admit international travellers with proof of full vaccination starting in November.
Implementation details have yet to be announced for both policy changes.
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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