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Y’all ready for a cruise this week? Abe Hughes (Cruise Director on Oasis) is doing a virtual cruise so jump on board! Here’s today’s cruise compass. I’ll post the link to his Facebook so you won’t miss out this week! https://m.facebook.com/cruisedirectorabehughes/

Morning sunrise and Coffees Today we are going to social distance outside.... apparently the golf courses are open? We are golfing Osoyoos Desert Golf Course so will put some pics up. Will try food porn but it will be nothing like on the ships....

Most of us have a favorite cruise we have been on and a favorite ship, no cruising going on, so time for some favorite memories. Mine is a couple of years ago out of San Juan on the Freedom of the seas. We enjoy the stops like St. Maarten and those type of islands, plus we had a group of 8 that had a lot of fun together. We do have one booked in late May we was sure looking forward to on the Independence with our son,his wife and the grandkids, would have been our first cruise with the grandkids. Let’s hear some good memories.

Nice topic Dan. My favorite ship specifically is the Adventure of the Seas and generally is the Voyager Class from RCCL. I've been on Voyager Class ships several times. The layout is great and the size is perfect from my view.. My favorite cruise is without a doubt January of 2007 on the Carnival Legend. It was Ships and Dips 1 (Barenaked Ladies Cruise). I've written about it here before. The Barenaked Ladies remain a favorite of many in my family and they gave an up close and personal experience to the passengers on the ship that week. There was the Barenaked at Sea photo, and it was there that my brothers and I met the band Gaelic Storm, a band that is not just our favorite band... a great band, but has become friends to our family. A band that is played at every family party. My parents, who are in their 80s, saw them live last year and loved it. My mom said she had to see them and meet them to thank them, specifically Patrick Murphy the front man, for their friendship and care during my brother's illness and ultimate passing. Bands and celebrities don't care, but Gaelic Storm does. Go see them live. It is unforgettable.

Our first cruise was amazing and where we caught the cruise bug. It was part of our honeymoon and we sailed on the Disney Wonder back in June 2004. We were not sure if we would like cruising ?, so we went with the Disney Land & Sea package. Needless to say, Disney set the bar very high! We’ve thoroughly enjoyed every cruise to date on Royal and are definitely loyal to Royal and look to book with them first. Best balance of variety, quality and value in our opinion (and newest/best maintained large fleet). We never feel disappointed or cheated with Royal. Each cruise seems to be better than the last somehow! We would consider other lines (Disney again, NCL, etc.), but have not been tempted to date. Our favorite cruise was our last on Allure back in May 2019. We stopped at Labadee, Falmouth/Jamaica, and Cozumel. Our first Oasis class cruise was epic! What also made it more enjoyable was that we went with good friends. Not that a cruise with family is not enjoyable, but one with only friends is completely different for sure! Hoping our upcoming 5/31 Oasis cruise is not canceled! We were supposed to be in Nassau on our anniversary date (6/4). May have to book a backup just in case in OCT. My wife and I are going alone on this one. We also can’t wait for our 4/24/21 cruise on Symphony... back with our friends from the Allure cruise... we affectionately refer to that upcoming cruise as “Epic II” the sequel!

We made dinner, relaxed with a couple of bottles and wine and called it a night. It was a long day travelling and we were exhausted! We had a time change too so we lost an hour which made us even more tired! Good night! I will be better tomorrow I hope ?

We have arrived! We are staying at Spanish Mid Century Villa on Skaha Lake in Kaleden BC. We found this through Airbnb and Jay is our host!!! Oh my goodness what an amazing individual. He is so kind! He had the patio furniture brought out for us so we can enjoy wine on the deck!!! This is the view from the deck and our welcome gift from our host!!! Thank you Jay

Drank Mai Tais out of this all weekend.....because I needed it....

Oasis of the Seas in 2017. Eastern Caribbean itinerary. We had 12 people (all family) and just had a great time. Highlight was chartering a boat in St Thomas for the day, snorkeling with sea turtles and then lunch on St John. All cruises are awesome but this one was the best.

Favorite cruise was Alaska on Ovation. Nothing better than just lounging and watching the beautiful scenery go by!

Have been on Oasis 3 times. Currently booked on Symphony for May. I just love Oasis class. Started on Song of America and have sailed several RC ships and Oasis I just live. Trying Odyssey October 2021. It’ll be my first Quantum class.

Playing devil's advocate: I presume that it would depend on the real target. If it was intended to create media fueled hysteria and tank the global economy, then it was 100% effective ?

My favorite cruise was on Allure of the Seas in September 2017 during Hurricane Irma. Although it negatively impacted many people and islands, it was a wonderful extended cruise for us. It was a great way to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday. We vlogged our cruise experience, which you can view HERE.

Every single cruise has special memories of time with family and/or friends...I can't name just one.

Without a crystal ball, we can’t know definitively how long this will last. I definitely believe the summer sailings are in serious jeopardy of being cancelled. When they do start up again, hopefully sooner than later, I’m sure there will be fewer sailings and/or very limited itineraries until these closed ports start to open up again. Hey, I’m game for only sea days, Labadee and Coco Cay for now!

Now we decided to ensure we have our own drink package! What does everyone think?

Ahhh Here is Lake Okanogan watch for the Ogopogo Monster , some beautiful mountain scenery and neat helicopters for a photo ?

Just what "difference" do you think that people will not discern? The correct nomenclature is SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that is currently circulating across the world. Covid-19 is the disease that SARS-CoV-2 causes (corona virus disease 2019). That information has been publicly available for many weeks. The genome sequences of literally hundreds of SARS-CoV-2 isolates have also been publicly available for many weeks and it is very clear that SARS-CoV-2 is most related to a bat coronavirus, even moreso that to its human relatives, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS corona viruses. There is no conspiracy to cover up a genetically manipulated or weaponized virus (it is a p*** poor weapon if it kills only 3% of its targets). The information is out there if you choose to look for it.

Our honeymoon on Mariner of the Seas was such a fun sailing. We "backed into" it as an option. Originally, we were going to go to Hawaii & Disneyland. Prices for that kind of a trip were way too high, so we then decided to go on a Disney Cruise. That was until our travel agent pointed out we could get 7-nights in a Junior Suite on Mariner of the Seas, or 3-nights in an inside on DCL. It turned out to be a great decision.

Trying to explain a cruise to someone who hasn't cruised is next to impossible. There are no words to describe the feeling of walking up the gangway for embarkation, the feeling of pulling away from the port, the feeling of being surrounded by vast oceans, the feeling of sunsets and sunrises at sea.........these need to be experienced in person to truly appreciate. and when you do.....you are hooked!

I felt the same on our first cruise back in 2006 on the Navigator of The Seas. We were with my brother & sister in law, who were seasoned cruisers and taught us some lessons and prepped us on what to expect. Even with that my wife & I were blown away. It was a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise. The biggest lesson my wife and I learned on that cruise was that 7 days is not long enough. So after that we only booked 11 or 14 day or two 7 days back to back and we now drive to the port. Trying to convince to try a two week side to side or a three week back to back. So far she doesn't want to discuss it. But we're young and still got many cruises ahead of us to enjoy, especially, now that we are diamond level.

Hi @Kathleen, I didn't take your question as rude at all. We selected Quantum because the price was a bit less than Ovation, and we will now be in a GS-2 bedroom, so that's why. If you sail Alaska again and can swing it, I'd suggest one of the open-jaw sailings that Radiance does and spend some time in Anchorage! When we go for the third time (summer 2022), we will do just that again. Also, I think it will be at least 6 to 12 months before sailings start up again. I also believe that the industry as a whole will take a PR beating and will see overall bookings drop for years to come. Therefore, I think that pricing will come down a lot and that our fare will fall further. Will still stay with Quantum and will enjoy any rate drops for a Radiance sailing.

? Makes for a good novel.

I was looking at that same Oasis sailing and ended up booking the group cruise. The thing that scared me off the Oasis sailing (especially given with how good the pricing was) was that the week of 11/14 is a Bliss adults swingers cruise. I’d be way too afraid of what might be on the mattress, I’d have to dress up like one of the Covid-19 drive up testing people.

@jticarruthers Exactly what I meant, notice I said we could have.......If people had headed the warning we could get down to fewer cases in 2 to 3 months. But people aren't doing what is being asked to slow the virus. Which will lead to a desperation to get things back to normal and will cause more problems in the long run. We are very much still in the dark, cold and flu season starts back again in late October. This virus appeared in November so who is to say it won't repeat itself? That could mean no cruising or traveling for 18 months+, I don't want that at all. Best case we end up with only "local" itineraries for a while. I don't mind cruising to only Cococay or the Bahamas but that can get old real fast.

The correct names, distinctions, and uses were well reported when they were first announced. However, outside of academics and researchers who actually have a need to speak correctly while they work, it is far simpler to pick one simple term and the media and the public seem to have settled on Covid-19 or coronavirus to refer to everything. Same thing happened with Obamacare (really the Affordable Care Act or ACA), same thing with just about any topic that gets complicated.

Just added Harmony of the Seas 11/21/21 Royal Caribbean blog Group Cruise.

the entire carnival fleet was displaying that message

@WannaCruise………..we just sailed Anthem for the New Year's Eve Cruise a few months ago. We had a balcony cabin AND a virtual balcony cabin for our teens. The weather was cold in NY/NJ and warmed up but still chilly by the time we got to Port Canaveral 2 days later. Weather improved dramatically for Nassau, Coco Cay, and our first sea day headed back. Rain/cold weather for our last day at sea. I would think you could get worse weather but what we experienced was probably typical for that time of the year. Here's the thing. We were disappointed with the virtual balcony. The room seemed small and dark. The "virtual" was neat but the novelty wore off pretty quickly. One day it didn't work at all. The actual balcony let in lots of light even on the chilly days, was great to look at the stars at night, and very useful for the 3.5 days of nice weather. The room felt significantly larger and the ocean air was refreshing no matter what the outside temps were. I would take half a cruise with decent weather in a balcony cabin even for the extra $$$ vs. the virtual cabin option.

How about the following in lights: "$500 in OBC" ?

??? I might just be willing to trade the proposed credit for 14 C&A points a week for the duration of the shutdown!!!

We're hoping our 5/31/20 sailing doesn't get cancelled, but we too plan on booking one in late SEPT or OCT with a refundable deposit just in case! We just have to think about how the potential FCC (if we wait for Royal to cancel to get the 125%) and final payment due date for the newly booked cruise will work! I believe it's currently 30 days from cancellation until we have access to the FCC. Hmmmm.... it may be a tight timeline for us if Royal waits until the last minute to cancel! The other thing that stinks is that we will likely loose out on the better CP sales and dining time slots, etc., the longer we wait to book! ? 71 days... hopefully!

I know that for a lot of people outside of this community, it may seem silly to be so upset about canceled/changed cruises. However, we all understand that vacations like these are a way to escape reality and make once-in-a-lifetime moments. We all come together to enjoy these fantastic ships and destinations and we truly get to appreciate the good times. So given the hard times at the moment and what may come up, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate this community. We will get through this and cheers to our next cruise vacation (whenever it may be)! (Also thanks to @Matt obviously lol)

I am fortunate that my company (a national retailer) closed all of their 600+ stores for the next 2 weeks. I am not sick, but I have chosen to quasi self quarantine. IOWS, I will still go to the store when I run out of milk, but otherwise I am staying at home. We live in No VA. I actually laughed/shook my head when I did my 1st milk run. There is a nail salon next to the grocery store and a hair salon on the other side of the store. I am watching women walk in and out. Seriously, what don't you understand about social distancing? On top of that any woman with nails knows that long nails can be a petri dish to carry those germs....YEP bc I work for a retailer the minute this virus became an issue in the US I cut down my nails to protect myself and my customers. I am also semi-ticked at a few of my friends that own small businesses. 1 is in NJ and 1 is in Florida. 1 owns a yoga business and she is saying if you are tired of being locked in your home, come on down. The other owns a craft attached to a café (every women knows what I mean...you and your friends paint something while your drink wine or coffee) She posts everyday about how they are still open, and holding classes, serving coffee etc. I get they are small businesses and need to pay rent, but what I don't get is that they are going to stretch how long this thing will last if they just shut their doors like my retailer did. As of yesterday, my boss called me to say, he was not sure how long we will be closed. Our company will re-evaluate on Mar 28th. Rumor is if we have to remain close after the 28th, than I will go unpaid. Those people, such as the person getting their nails done, or my friends with small businesses, may indeed impact my own pay because of remaining open. They actually are also impacting the travel industry. I feel for the crew. Think about it. Many of the staff are supporting families back home. No grats., and they are losing a huge pay check. Several of my friends are airline pilots. They are now worried about being furloughed just like after 9/11. Small businesses are risky, and contribute a huge amount of money to our economy, and they use this as a defense of why they are staying open, but they also are not realizing how they are impacting the economy negatively in the long run by staying open. Done venting.

I think it only entitles you to a full refund in the form of a FCC, not cash refund.

I love hearing these stories of first time cruisers!

already on the pool deck with an Ultimate Mai Tai!

Here Are Some Videos From My Last Sea On board Mariner OTS. This Is Part Two. I Hope You Will Enjoy The Video.

btw, if it's not obvious -- I'm an avid scientist at heart, if not by profession. My current career is in web application design and programming, but my Bachelors is in biology with a concentration in molecular biology and genetics. I also put in two years at Hoffman La-Roche doing cancer research before deciding that I didn't have the temperament for a career that's defined by years of failure with only rare successes. But I still keep up with science and developments along with whatever is going on in the computer science world.

May 29, 2020 that would coincide nicely with our Alaska cruise ?

We should be on lock down in Chicago but...people do want they want. My mother works for a grocery store called Jewel and she says people are crazy. They crowd on each other, buy up all the resources and seem to be just hanging out. All the malls are closed, there is no dining in most restaurants and downtown is a desert. Yet all I hear is traffic outside my window because I live on a busy street....worse all I see are older people just out. My grandmother normally never leaves, has spent 3 or more weeks at a time inside. Now she is itching to go places, said the government cannot tell her what to do...beside black people are immune. I had to remind her that the first death in Illinois was a 61 y/o black woman. We need to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others.

Here in the Midwest people are taking head of the warnings, very few people in stores and every one cognoscente of their distances. it is only the younger children in their 20's that are still running around and socializing, at least those with out family responsibilities. My 28 year old son with no family still runs around at night, his twin sister with a daughter has hunkered down with schools closed, she actually told him not to come over and as twins they are close, face-time it is

I’ve technically been on 5 cruises in my life, but 2 of them are from when I was younger than 14 so they are hazes of kids club talent shows and trying escargot and ox tail soup. From my cruises as an adult, I’d have to say my sailing on Allure. I learned how much I LOVE hanging out and reading on the balcony and that the juices/smoothies at the vitality spa cafe are as tasty as a margarita or other frozen drink but don’t make you feel as sluggish thanks to WAY less sugar. I also adored the shows and couldn’t believe how much entertainment was included in our cruise fare. Also it was our first time in Coastal Kitchen and living that suite life. There was a point while sitting in the solarium with my kindle and a frozen drink under a “palm tree” in front of the hot tub/pool that I felt for the first time “pure cruise bliss”. There was a nice slight breeze blowing some of the water spray against my neck while I laid there reading and sipping my drink. Heaven.

You would think that with only 2 cruises under my belt, it would be easy to pick one. Both out of Baltimore on Grandeur, the first was a 7 day April 2019 to Bermuda and Charleston SC ( where my friend's daughter lives), the second a 5 day to Bermuda September 2019. 7 days was nice, but on the 5 day cruise we swam with dolphins. I guess I would pick the first.

Favorite Royal Caribbean cruise? My first. 2001 or so, Sovereign of the Seas, 3 nights out of Canaveral to Nassau and Coco Cay. It was for my Moms 50th birthday, and my entire family was on the ship. Grandma, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.....it opened my eyes to the world of cruising, and was the first time I had been out of the country!

Thanks Mark - Europe will be back - better and cheaper than every soon for me!!

I'm a hard core conservative, but in this instance, I do think that the government does have some responsibility in regards to the cruise industry. The auto manufacturers dug their own hole with mismanagement and poor products yet they were "bailed out". The cruise industry, through no fault of their own, ran into headwinds due to COVID-19, and then willingly suspended operations at the behest of our government in defense of our nations health. If that doesn't deserve a helping hand, nothing does.