3 hours to board odyssey of the seas

[ucf_knight]

It took three hours for our family of 4 (2 adults fully vaxxed and 2 kids 5,7). If you are going on a cruise soon pack your patient pants as they required our kids to have both a rapid rest and a pcr test at the port. It was total chaos. We were told via email to expect the kids to be tested at the port which we made a reservation for but once we got to the port it was a different story. We got the kids tested at the port prior to checking into the cruise as instructed. Then once we cleared the first test we went to check in. The lady at check had never seen a tablet before and it was a very slow process. She checked all of our vax and test info and let us through to security. Once through security we did our normal check in for the cruise. At that point we were told that the kids should not have wrist bands as they were for vaxxed passengers only (even though a port employee gave our kids once). They took the kids wrist bands away and then said they had to be tested a second time. We argued a bit but ultimately conceded and had to get in line for a second test. The email system for test results failed and a lady would run from downstairs at port check in where the printer was with test results and run upstairs with the results and call your name if you passed and let you on board (without a record of your results). Then to get on board we had to give our passport, vax and test results again even though they had photographed all of that info prior to going through security. We expected issues as this was the first sailing for the ship but it was a mess. Then come to find out A lot of families that we talked to once we boarded just complained about getting tested a second time and took 1.5 hrs off their check in process. Royal had no consistency or plan at the port. It was a free for all and whatever employees you ran across at check in basically determined your fate.

 

[atricks]

They changed testing requirements late last week for everyone based off of what happened with the Adventure of the Seas and Celebrity Edge last week, Delta stuff threw it into Chaos. Edge I hear was worse this past saturday at same port after a last minute (Thursday night) change, they tried to test everyone at the port, but didn't have capacity so folks were out in the sun 3+ hours. And wound up leaving 90 minutes late, you probably saw the Edge as you left the port. This is new to everyone involved there, so I can imagine the chaos.

Those attempting to cruise over the next 6 months or so will have to pack their patience and grace -- and check things constantly, because things probably will be all over the map and change at a moments notice.

That said, I hope the cruise is going well. I'm on Odyssey on Sep 5th with a 6 year old.

 

[LSUfan4444]

hey required our kids to have both a rapid rest and a pcr test at the port.

Then come to find out A lot of families that we talked to once we boarded just complained about getting tested a second time and took 1.5 hrs off their check in process.

I guess so...especially since they would let your children board with a negative rapid test THEN if the PCR test comes back positive, they are confined to their room. If they want a PCR result then make people show up at the port with the result so they can plan accordingly. If they test positive on the mid test cruise, I get it. BUT allowing someone to board then waiting on a test result from the PCR is ridiculous.

 

[ucf_knight]

I guess so...especially since they would let your children board with a negative rapid test THEN if the PCR test comes back positive, they are confined to their room. If they want a PCR result then make people show up at the port with the result so they can plan accordingly. If they test positive on the mid test cruise, I get it. BUT allowing someone to board then waiting on a test result from the PCR is ridiculous.

We weren’t allowed to board until both tests came back negative. And they aren’t doing the mid test cruise (this is an 8 night trip). Sorry if I wasn’t clear. But yes we would’ve preferred to have testing done prior to getting to the port

 

[starvenger]

New procedures + constant changes due to You Know = recipe for chaos. I can't imagine that anyone was happy about how things went.

With that said, you're on board now and hopefully you are now enjoying yourselves.

Also, have you seen Chris Wong in the casino?

 

[LSUfan4444]

We weren’t allowed to board until both tests came back negative

Yeah, it makes little sense to give you a rapid if they're just going to turn around and give a PCR right afterwards and wait on the result. I can see if the rapid is positive, do a PCR to confirm

 

[ucf_knight]

New procedures + constant changes due to You Know = recipe for chaos. I can't imagine that anyone was happy about how things went.

With that said, you're on board now and hopefully you are now enjoying yourselves.

Also, have you seen Chris Wong in the casino?

I only went to the casino just got get some cash so I haven’t had a chance to see him.