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Dang if y'all ain't as uplifting as a funeral on Christmas day. #wesailin

Lets not loose sight of the fact there is a child who is now a triple amputee at the heart of this story as we post. As mentioned the child would have been infected before arriving on the ship. Meningitis can often be misdiagnosed as the flu, especially in children. Not being in the consulting room I have no idea of the symptoms being exhibited at the time. Saying that most doctors, no mater if it was your GP or hospital (or ships dodctor), would want to rule meningitis out due to how quickly a patient, especially youth, can deteriorate. If the child was exhibiting flu like symptoms and the doctor didn't go through the process of eliminating meningitis then i would consider this abnormal. However.... again, we weren't in the consulting room. Maybe the doctor did check for symptoms (Fever, vomiting, nausea, stiff neck (both hard to determine in kids that can't communicate), light sensitivity etc) but there were non present. The sad thing is of course due to either a misdiagnoses (be it one that should have been made or one that wasn't made because symptoms weren't apparent and thus no fault) a child is now a triple amputee and my heart goes out to them and their family.

When our Nov cruise gets canceled, collect the 125% FCC and put it on the Mar '21.

I'm with @Floski. Perk UP PEOPLE ! I think we will be sailing by early 2021. The right palms are being greased and egos stroked. I think the wheels are going to start turning very soon.

Maybe they all studied for the retest??

Advanced care is certainly not the equivalent of "world class and world leading" (as would be Mayo). You can beat me up all you want with this, but it's not the same. And you're believing the lawyer's version of this story. That's one side, and everyone lies.

Haha! Just wanted to see how far back the blog entries went. Ahhh, the good old days! Seems like a lifetime away these days.

Read CDC wanted to push to Feb '21 but others in the gov't believed too long so Oct was used as starting peg with the option for a month-to-month slip. Think that reduces probability of Nov restart. The CDC could still just sit on the plans until they decide to allow.

We are hurting down here in Fort Lauderdale. The lack of ships in port has turned the 17th street area into a ghost town. I have to admit it was nice for the first month or so without all the people but at this point it’s just sad. So many small businesses made a large portion of their living off the cruisers that came into town weekly. I am really excited to cruise again and most importantly bring some life back to 17th street.

I am a medical practitioner (30 years, albeit not in pediatrics), you have your thoughts, and I have emergency medical and surgical experience. It’s obvious we will not see eye to eye on this. I postulate that appropriate care was given with the facilities at hand. i also know for a fact that your opinions on airlift from a cruise ship are just plain wrong; however we will also not agree on that. Enjoy your day.

It's fair that the forum rules don't support political discussions and I can easily adhere to those rules but to think that this whole shut down is not at least as much political as it is health based would not pass the smell test. The emerging stories, Royal hiring a Government Relations expert, the different port authorities making their comments heard, CLIA weighing in, even some other line's CEO's speaking out, it's all too much. The writing is on the wall with what's actually happening and we can safely say that without weighing in on the actual politics of it. I know it doesn't change the fact we are all not sailing but it is a different type of frustration compared to just waiting for the health factors to be sorted out.

An Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman, a Welshman, a Ghurkha, a Latvian, a Turk, an Aussie, two Kiwis, a German, an American, a South African, a Cypriot, an Egyptian, a Japanese, a Mexican, a Spaniard, a Russian, a Pole, a Lithuanian, a Swede, a Finn, an Israeli, a Dane, a Romanian, a Bulgarian, a Serb, a Swiss, a Greek, a Singaporean, an Italian, a Norwegian, a Libyan, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist and an Ethiopian went to a night club. The bouncer said, "Sorry, I can't let you in without a Thai.

The tragic FOTS fatality is a prime example of this, where lawyers blamed everyone apart from the grandfather and it was only when cctv of the incident was leaked that grandfather changed his story and took responsibility for his actions.

Rarely do all the facts get published in cases like this. A lawyer for a family is free to state just about anything or twist events in an attempt to pursue a settlement. Statements made outside of courtroom can include blatant lies and misrepresentations. I have no idea if that is the case here, but use caution when reading one side of the story.

We've done Blue Lagoon Island twice - once with the Dolphin Swim and once just for a beach day. Both times we really enjoyed it. The island seemed super clean and well maintained, the staff was all very friendly and helpful and there were tons of umbrellas for shade. Just keep in mind that you have an approximate 30 minute boat ride to/from, so factor that in to your day. Sometimes if the ship is in Nassau for a shorter period of time it may not be worth the time it takes to get there and back.

My bet is stray marks outside the bubbles. Happens all the time.

Just... wow. Love it and hate it at the same time.

@Misty K, wow I thought I was positive, I like the way you think! Our sailing was scheduled for 11/23/20 and we checked in but that's it. No luggage tags and definitely no Royal Up. I thought if the no sail order was lifted the cruise might go, now while I am not cancelling I am feeling the sailing won't go. Minimal time for crew to return etc, but I will still hold some hope. Oh well, back to the RCCL website I owe myself a future sailing. Stay positive, let's cruise safely soon!

I’ll just leave this here. CDC overruled by White House https://www.axios.com/scoop-white-house-overruled-cdc-cruise-ships-florida-91442136-1b8e-442e-a2a1-0b24e9a39fb6.html?fbclid=IwAR15ckHNDNUw02i4px52o_OAV_Ld-XK20Zll1XZWWJGxpWDI_H0Ieg1X1AM

Oh I hear you. Mine are seventh, sixth and fourth. Told the sixth graders math teacher last year that NO ONE needs to be able to divide fractions and IF he did, there would be a computer to do it for him!!! And thank you all for your kind wishes. Hope to meet each and every one of you one day!!

And clearly you're a potential employee who the new boss sees as a must-have, if he / she is making this much of an effort to draw you in, even knowing how much PTO you'll need next year.

Thank you! We decided that for the money we would do the beach club instead of the bed. Drink service and lunch not to far away!

Here's the article on it: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/09/29/royal-caribbean-extends-ability-cancel-cruise-credit-until-november-30

Trying to stay in the positive mindset, we are eagerly looking forward to the BOTS offerings (tomorrow) departing Tampa Fl Summer 2021. If and probably when our November 2020 Mariner sailing is cancelled, (still holding out some hope and positive juju) we will have FCC that needs to be applied or we will lose it. H E double hockey sticks NO WAY!! As I stated previously we will most likely NEVER do FCC again as even the extra 25% does not make the inconvenience worth it for us and our sailing parameters. I digress.... we have 3 sailings in 2021 already with FCC and this impending maybe cancelation allows me to book an additional sailing...a summer 2021 Tampa sailing which is a positive for us as *RCCL does not offer summer sailings from here previously. Anyway, my research is limited so I pose my question to my RCCL blog friends, very nearly the same price would you do 2 connecting JS or a 2 bedroom grand? Stay with me here, kinda cheating but if my daughter and I are in one cabin and my hubby in another by himself he receives more C & A points, correct, 3 per night? Thus he is attributed additional points that I can then have assigned to me because we are a couple? Is it true he gets 3 points a night in the JS if he is staying by himself? Then upon conclusion I am also matched? @twangster@WAAAYTOOO Thoughts? We don't really imbibe so the grand suite concierge lounge benefit is pretty moot. Thanks for your input! I will test, I will drive to the port, I will test again, I want to sail!

I agree with Sabrina. If the Suites Lounge is not something that matters to you, then I would definitely do the 2 JS for the extra points and the savings. GS are very nice but I think you will have WAAAY more room in the 2 JS plus 2 bathrooms. Your daughter will think she's really SOMEbody having a JS to herself ! It's a shame that you are not drinkers. Since you would be staying in separate rooms, one of you would be able to get a drinks package without both adults having to buy it.

I was looking at Spring Break cruises to replace my cancelled Odyssey sailing. Started last night looking at all-inclusives.

Trying to leave politics out of it, but simply by comparison, restricting cruises now, and especially until February, makes no sense. I think Vegas is the closest land based approximation of a cruise. - Trying to keep people in a small bubble (the Strip) - Casinos, fine dining, hotel rooms - Visiting different destinations during the day but returning to home base at night - Live shows (currently closed in Vegas due to COVID, but scheduled to return in November.) Vegas is open (with restrictions like social distancing and masks). I see no reason that is not politically motivated for either A. It's not dangerous. Cruises can reopen like Vegas, Walt Disney World, etc. B. It's too dangerous. Cruises should stay closed, and Vegas, Disney World, theme parks, need to close down as well. Having said that, my trust that the CDC is doing this out of goodwill for our safety is very low.

There is ONE important thing you are constantly avoiding to see which is that cruise lines are NOT governed in any by the United States, but have different standards and requirements outlined below: Ships from the main cruise lines all will have at least one doctor and two nurses onboard. Many larger ships sail with two doctors and three or four nurses. Ships must have medical staff on call 24 hours. Medical personnel (both physicians and registered nurses) must have at least three (3) years of postgraduate experience in general and emergency medicine or board certification in emergency medicine, family medicine or internal medicine. To get an idea of the staff's credentials, most cruise lines requires that its physicians be registered in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, a European Union country or any other country approved by the fleet medical director. Medical personnel must also have completed the required number of years of training in a recognized school of medicine. Staff must be able to perform advanced life support practices, emergency cardiovascular care and minor surgical procedures. They are expected to stabilize seriously ill patients, perform reasonable diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and help evacuate seriously sick or injured patients. Doctors and nurses also are required to be fluent in the predominant language of the ship. Cruise ship medical facilities must adhere to the standards set by the American College of Emergency Physicians. The ACEP guidelines dictate that the infirmary must contain the proper equipment to handle a range of treatments and diagnostics. Among its equipment, the facility should have wheelchairs, a stretcher, back board for spine immobilization, lab capabilities for tests, oxygen, EKG capability, two defibrillators, cardiac monitors and other equipment to gauge vital signs. The Cruise Line International Association, the world's largest cruise industry trade organization, also sets standards of care for its member cruise lines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says ship infirmary capabilities vary depending on size, length of sailing and passenger demographics. The CDC compares shipboard facilities to ambulatory care centers. As it stands now, their are stories floating around of what really was done. In my 30+ years in the Medical Malpractice field, I've seen and heard alot of stories and I've learned not to jump to conclusions as we have not seen the videos, transcripts, meds, etc. in order to come to a FINAL conclusion as to who is at fault, but, what I've seen so far is that this child had meningitis before boarding the cruise and RCG did the best it could. No doubt this is a child who will have a rough road ahead of them. My prayers will remain with the family who is going through this whole ordeal. Let's all keep calm and be rational thinkers as we cannot be put in the same shoes as this family or this child.

I'm supposed to cruise this Nov. 8 to the Western Caribbean. 7 night cruise. I still have not received any word about it, but I'm betting it will not happen. Not sure now if I want to go if they have a lot of restrictions. I want no masks, no social distancing, etc... I have a funny feeling cruising as we once knew it wont be normal (if we're lucky) until 2022.

Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzalez. "How was he killed?" asked one detective. "With a golf gun," the other detective replied. "A golf gun! What is a golf gun?" "I don't know. But it sure made a hole in Juan."

Tragic, but not the fault of RCG

I feel RCCL should start giving a full refund offer to anyone who wants it, starting 30 days out from your boarding date. With airfare, hotels and work schedules, I feel it’s not fair to be held hostage waiting for them to cancel. My daughter is looking to start a family next year so a FCC or lift and shift don’t help me, things change daily and I would love to cruise, but to travel to Florida with rising numbers I’m don’t feel it’s safe. Have Us cruisers buy a insurance package that would cover our care if we get covid and start cruises November 1st for whom ever wants to, but give others the easier option to cancel with no penalties.

You are right, we should all huddle up at home and wait for someone else to care for and make decisions for us. BTW, The article states the child was given antibiotics, and sought treatment in St Maarten once docked. For the life of me I can’t imagine what more could have been done from the ship side perspective. Arranging an airlift as you mentioned above almost never happens for a multitude of reasons. I am curious what you feel could have been done differently.

Yes, you can still L&S proactively. They extended the program for another month. YIPPEE !!!

Haven't seen any Royal Up emails yet, but ?

Or they just marked the letter C for every answer?

Or use a #2 pencil?

Since they do not have the capability to perform cardiac procedures on board; should they stop marketing to the elderly, obese, and otherwise compromised? While this tragedy is very sad and unfortunate, your statements regarding the expectation of the ship’s medical clinic are very unrealistic. I wonder the parent’s stance on vaccinations? A child this age should have had the meningitis vaccine.

We stayed at the Doubletree Suites in Jersey City which was a reasonable Uber/Lyft in both cost and distance from both the port and the airport. It was walking distance to the PATH so you could easily venture into NYC and it was also walking distance to a lot of shops, restaurants, and even a grocery store.

This is one of the most well-known causes of severe illness and death among children and babies. Any properly licensed doctor, who is qualified to provide medical care to children, should know the signs and the risks associated with meningitis.

Probably from this floating around Looks like the White House overruled the CDC director. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.axios.com/scoop-white-house-overruled-cdc-cruise-ships-florida-91442136-1b8e-442e-a2a1-0b24e9a39fb6.html

For me it all depends, and it will depend on where the cruise leaves from, and the distance that it is from our home in VA, if the cruise leaves from Baltimore then we are definitely driving, if the cruise is leaving from Miami or Fort Lauderdale then we are DEFINITELY flying. I just flew from VA to WA to assist my niece in moving to CO, so getting on a plane does not worry me as much. I do not fear COVID 19 but I do respect it, and take all the necessary precautions in order to keep those that I love the most as well as those around me safe. I actually must say that I was surprised with how packed the plane was as well as the airports that we stopped at, but once again mask was worn, hand sanitizer was used, and I definitely socially distanced prior to sitting in my seat on the plane.

I forgot that's an option for us New Jerseyans! Not the cheapest option, but definitely a good one to keep in mind when flights are even pricier.

We are on the May 23 Serenade out of Vancouver. Really looking forward to it.

You mean that Hubby is all set. lol I just need a cruise! Look, you can see that desperation is setting in, I currently have a hold on a Radiance class ship sailing to Alaska! @JLMoran was right earlier today, I am losing it! ?

Good news...RC canceled our booking by accident. So thankfully it isn't a booted situation. Bummer for me, I have to go rebook all our planner stuff. Fingers crossed I get the same pricing.

Ok. New plan. Changed our minds AGAIN. Now we are staying here, I am taking this da*n job and we are not going to FL right away. Even after telling my prospective employer that I would be gone basically 25% of the next year (slight exaggeration), he still extended an offer that I just can't turn down. An increase in the salary offer plus very attractive signing bonus has been introduced....I just can't say "no". So...we will be making an interim move locally and we will spend the best part of the next year right where we are. This actually takes quite a bit of pressure off. We now can take our time moving as we can move incrementally rather than 1 big swoop-move. Of course, there will be the whole WORK thing, which sucks...but since their office is still under a limited onsite situation, a significant amount of my work time will still be from home - I think. The one and only time I went there it was basically abandoned. I only saw 2 live bodies in the whole building. So much for retirement.

“Dreaded”? Lordy, I’m hoping I can hit 59 1/2 and officially start retirement (or at least semi-retirement). Really looking forward to the day I can tell my employer I’m done working and going cruising for the next 25 to 40 or so years.

Hello from Florida! The home of *RCCL headquarters! We are in phase 3 so restaurant capacity has been lifted. The snow birds are showing up in full force. Most are arriving in our neighborhood anyway and staying indoors probably by choice for a week or so. We are still wearing masks pretty much everywhere. Before you enter any establishment there are signs requiring masks. You wear your mask inside the restaurant and can take off once at the table. Servers all still wear masks. Social distancing marked everywhere on floor and with signs. The kids have been back in school, the classes are smaller than expected as some chose to distance learn. They wear masks in class, not at lunch but are distanced while eating all is well. Hand sanitizer and signs to wash hands everywhere. While we are excited to be in phase 3 we are very respectful of it and are being very cautious. We believe this phase will allow the CDC to see it can be done and not extend the no sail order so maybe we can start to *cruise.

If I was traveling on the most well known cruise line, I would expect competent doctors, not butchers. RCL loves to flaunt it's world class facility and staff, why does medical fall outside of those parameters?