Got Covid on Odyssey of Sea's New Years Cruise 12/30/22-1/8/23

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 19

Review summary

Caught Covid on Odyssey of the Seas New Year's 2022 Cruise 12/20/22 to 1/8/23 My husband and I got Covid for the first time ever after getting off of the Odyssey of the Seas 9 day New Year's Cruise on 1/88/23.Husband took sick later that day and I got sick two days later. Overall we took many precautions. We wore a mask everywhere on the ship. We also bought the Ultimate Dining Package ( $630 for nine dinners and five lunches), to keep us out of the Main Dining Rooms and Windjammer. We took breakfast in the smaller Solarium restaurant or the Cafe Promenade, later in the morning. While we did see the shows in the Royal Theater, we sat way in the back in the handicapped section, so that we were not in rows of seats with people all around us. Despite all the precautions we got Covid, full force. Had to go on Paxlovid, which was very helpful in managing this debilitating illness. The one thing I am reminded of on this cruise which we watched on the cabin TV and did not attend is the "Belly Flop" contest at the pool earlier on in the cruise where many hundreds of people were crammed next to each other viewing the competition. Talk about a "petrie dish for spreading germs". Even though we kept to ourselves, did not get off at any of the ports, and were super cautious, we managed to enjoy this cruise. This ship is certainly not as nice as the Oasis series or the Celebrity Apex or Beyond. Shows were very good and entertainment enough for the 9 days at sea. New rules! You only have to book "The Book" ahead of time and now can walk into any of the other shows, with no reservations. We had very good food at Giovanni's ( better than Jaimies on the Oasis ships) with terrific made to order pizza) and Chops was superb. Had their rack-of-lamb ... highly recommend. Start with the Colossal shrimp cocktail! Ate at Teppanaki and Izumi for both lunch and dinner. Again the idea was to stay away from the 4790 guests that were aboard. Tried El Loco fresh on a port day when we did not get off at the port and it was very basic ( premade dishes) with salsa bar. Easiest embark and disembark ever. Both RCCL and Celebrity have this down to a science. Passengers were grumbling at how the Royal App was not working. Be Aware! There are no computers for use on this ship. ( like the iLounge on Celebrity ships or in the library on RCCL ships). NADA! even though third party reviews say there are 6 computers in the library/board room. Even the Diamond Lounge does not have a computer to print off boarding passes. The Concierge in the Diamond lounge helped us make contact with family in the US to let them know we would not be communicating at all with them during the 9 days aboard. She was even surprised that there were no computers for use by Diamond passengers in the Diamond lounge while on the ship. This was the first time in 55 cruises that there were no computers for use by passengers who did not bring their laptop or tablet!. Service was excellent everywhere. M

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