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Yeah I got the flu shot this year because last year I got the flu so bad, it knocked me on my butt really bad. I swore I'd never go without a flu shot. It was such an easy process and I did not get sick at all. My wife got it and our 6 year old son too. No sickness. I can't say that's why I didn't get a the Flu this year but I ain't taking chances again. It really kicked my butt.

Airplane toilet. Yuck. One of the most disgusting places on earth, second only to a Porta-Potti in the summer heat. I used to plan my trip to avoid using an airplane toilet, at least on domestic flights. When I used to fly a lot for business I would frequently catch something from a sore throat, sniffles, common cold or the flu. Not sure if it was the airport, airplane, hotel room or rental car shuttle but since I've stopped flying so much and began cruising a lot my infection count has decreased significantly. In 2019 I had 140 nights with my head on a Royal Caribbean pillow and I didn't have a single ill moment. A cruise ship bathroom is infinitely better than an airplane bathroom. Oh how I miss cruising...

I'm sure most of you are aware, but for those that are not: https://www.portmiamiwebcam.com/ I've seen ANTHEM pull in and out a few times this week! Very cool and can switch to other ports and cities too. Enjoy and be safe! -Marc

Whew the pessimism persists in here. Wow I'm quite surprised at how strong the pessimism is. I thought there would be some but not this much. I'm extremely confident we will be sailing away on Oasis in Sept. Will be watching land disappear on our way to Port Canaveral. Then the beautiful Coco Cay.

I agree with the rest of your statement but flu shots never made me sick. The same with most people I know. I'm not saying it's not possible and that people don't get sick but just trying to be careful with the info out there.

Independence of the Seas, September 24th, 2020. Thanks again to all of you who participate on these boards

This popped up in my FB feed the other day, figured I'd share: A prominent linguist died. At the funeral, one of his former colleagues approached the linguist's widow and asked if he might say a word. She nodded, and he went up to the dais. He said, "Plethora", and sat back down. She smiled and through her tears said, "That means a lot."

This has been my favorite since I'm very cooped up and take my pup out constantly for walks. The first week she just stopped in the middle of the walk and was done.

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense. These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition. In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid. Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys. Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion. As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits. This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures. The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place. This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc. And thus coining the phrase: "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

No pessimism here. According to you I will be drinking a Mojito from Boleros in July.

Hi, I have Kathy Geiger who has been great with a quick response rate. Only just started using a TA wish I had done it years ago. I now have three cruises booked with her, all made in the past three weeks, thanks to Matts Blog. Happy Cruising John ??️

Ironically the concept of cruise line bailouts started at a podium in the White House by someone who is known for stating things that never happen. The cruise lines never held their breath or even skipped a heartbeat thinking they would get bailout money. They made other planes long before politicians beat their drums and made false claims that they would get bailout money. It's rather amusing. If you see a politician making statements suggesting cruise lines will get bailout funds you automatically know who you can't trust. Hint: It's not the cruise lines.

I think it's for the best anyways. I feel if they go back too fast there is a high change of 1 step forward and 3 steps back. Meaning possibly another break.

Here is Fort Lauderdale Beach right now. Sad.

I know it's off topic and I hope no one else posted this, but I used to work in radio and every time I see FCC all I can think about is the Federal Communications Commission.

Of course, this needs to be changed from Grandeur to Symphony. It’s now 1-8 August

These restrictions appear to be the same as were posted around March 12

Thank you. I was thinking that I was imagining some of the previous 'cruise to nowhere' offerings, or at the very least, time had gotten away from me. So, no waivers, just not a lot of enforcement until someone pushed it and ruined it for everyone. ??

Now we know why your moniker has 1912 in it.

I don't drink but I'll take seltzer. ?

There has never been a vaccine for any virus in coronavirus family...just treatments & a shot of the previous year strain...which gonna make you sick for a few days, like flu shots normally do. The vaccine cure thing is a gross misnomer, imo. Also they say it will take a year to make, because by next year, you will be getting injected with this year strain.

Slight mutations of the virus. The virus all over NYC is more similar to the one found in Europe, vs the west coast cases which are more similar to the ones found in China.

The answer is of course not. They will be long gone before that. Will it come down to that, the answer is of course not. Come on people, do you really think that is the answer? I'm not saying that specifically for you but as whole to people that see this thread. You don't need a vaccine for cruises to restart. June is possible, July is definite to restart. Delta airlines said the airline Industry hit bottom is going to start to improve from here. Look at the numbers of cases and deaths going forward from a reputable, scientific website. By June 6th in NJ where I live we are at zero deaths. There healthcare system and hospitals are back to normal. The peak and decline is a little later for other places but not that far off. Blood testing from the CDC started last week to see who has had it and recovered or never knew it and have antibodies. I volunteer to test. Who the heck knows if I had it and never knew. Let's not loose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel here. Sorry for the long post but this talk of waiting for a vaccine is getting on my nerves. Education is key.

I've never seen this channel, but it gives an excellent overview of the current situation.

I agree completely. It makes me recall a very recent flight in which I witnessed an individual attempting to appear over prepared for the current situation heading the to the airplane bathroom... equipped with a mask, rubber gloves and .... bare feet. ????

Cruising is a leisurely paced activity, which is why the CDC and public opinion is coming down so harsh. Are the medical facilities at WDW or any amusement park up to par for an outbreak? How about on Airplanes? The fact that you travel in a confined space for 3+ days is the issue. Given the rate of infection and death rate, it is unfair for there to be such a huge restriction on cruising. So issuing a 100 day no cruise order is just silly. At this point all these articles can only be taken with a grain of salt. Until they get a handle on this virus, the fear created by media outlets won't subside. There is no need to make it criminal to cruise...on the other hand you still have people gathering in churches, shopping without need, and throwing birthday parties with 100+ people.

Isn't that always how it goes?

I don't think another 100 days is out of the question. I don't think Royal does either based on the offers they are sending to their casino member list. They are sending offers to fill cruises starting on 7/14. Aside from not cruising right now, the cruise industries biggest problem would be to have a nasty outbreak on a ship because they rushed back to cruising. Waiting an extra week, two weeks or a month after this dies down would probably be better than having to suspend operations again because they tried to open up to soon.

I would have to buy it for you for sure.

I guess the next pandemic will be bunions ???

I think the healthcare industry has been overcharging for years. I think internet service providers have been overcharging for years. I think my taxes have been too high for years. I think grocery prices have been too high for years. Where should I stop? I blame data analytics. Once businesses could study sales trends and consumer trends they used data to maximize profit. That didn't happen 3 decades ago. Airlines do it. Cruise lines do it. Your doctor does it. The auto industry does it. And so on...

This doesn't currently apply to your September 27 cruise since it falls after the September 1 date for the Cruise with Confidence policy. Right now in your situation, the only date you need to cancel by is your final payment date. At that point you get the FCC for the deposit already applied less a $100 change fee per person. FCCs are issued out in a single person's name and can only be applied to a cruise in that person's name. If you cancel now there will be 7 separate FCCs issued for the deposit less the $100 change fee. You can book yourself online or use a travel agent. If you book online you do have to call Royal to apply the FCC. There's a space on the payment screen when you book yourself online where you can enter in the FCC, but it states: Trust me with Royal IT, you definitely want to call or apply. If you use a travel agent they will be able to apply your FCC when you book. This is absolutely the best advice here. If every single person in your cabin would not 100% go on the cruise if it were to sail as planned, then do not make that final payment. The future outlook for cruising may be more apparent by the end of June when your final payment is due, but if that date comes and anyone is on the fence about it, you would be better off canceling before sinking any money in.

This is a great idea, JLC! We were to cross over to (I know, lowly) Emerald status during our 4/26 cruise and that is one reason I'm bummed. But it would be so nice for RC to show that appreciation for our loyalty (credit towards a (hopefully) 11/29 cruise and not a refund) and we can climb up from the bottom deck and having to help paddle (my back is strong now, though).

I read it as it will be officially published on April 15, and the "DATES: This action is effective on [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]" (which they say earlier will be April 15. So 100 days forward of that.

I doubt these companies have the ability to spend money on upgrading their ships and private islands when they aren't operating. They are just trying to survive at the moment.

Please add Grandeur, August 1-6 2020. Thanks !!

But it's Frontier. Ugh. I've flown them before, once, then said never again.

A grasshopper hops into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender's a bit taken aback. "A beer? Ya sure, pal? Y'know...we've got a drink named after you!" "Oh, yeah?" the insect asks. "You've got a drink called 'Irving'?"

What do you call a fish with no eyes? FSSSHHHH.

Did you hear about the diminutive psychic who broke out of jail? She's a short medium at large.

What do you call an arrogant criminal walking down stairs? A condescending con descending!

Why couldn’t the fish sign onto the Internet ? Because he forgot his BASSword

You have NO idea how much I need this thread today.

I know 25 letters of the alphabet and I don't know Why..

And i didn’t think the Ric(k)s were the same either. If I remember from the periscope group @CruiseLifeRick is Cincotta and Rick from cruisehabit’s podcast is Rick Ross, sharing a name with the rapper.

She might be needing a staff of her own by now !

What are we up to? #151 for Michelle..