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I enjoyed the blog also but it did not include my top saying: "I'm only _______ cruises from Pinnacle" My other favorite saying is: "Some day they will call me Super Steve!!"

This thread just gets funnier and funnier. Best one in a long time. I too would like to volunteer. However, I think the best way to trial all of these protocols is to test them under the most severe conditions. I volunteer to captain which ever ship is chosen. The largest ship I have been at the helm is a 17.5 ft Norseboat. I have never tipped it (although I have come vey close). I honestly say I would be, by far, the worst captain in the fleet. Still, we need to have the worst conditions at sea to really stress the systems. I will be bringing along some help: Chief Medical Officer: Major Frank Burns (all you young people can look it up). Master Lookout: Mister Magoo Anti-Piracy Watch: Jack Sparrow Navigator: My Mom (I loved her dearly, but she never took the same route home for our trips from Plattsburgh). ? CAPTAIN CURT FROM CANADA

As a glass half-full kind of guy, I think @Matt may have accidentally provided RCG an invaluable service: a database of individuals who should ABSOLUTELY 100% NOT be involved on a test cruise due to an inability to process information and/or follow directions. I'd think Dr. Johnson, Dr. Gottlieb and the rest of the Healthy Sail Panel would appreciate dodging this entire magazine worth of bullets.

@WAAAYTOOOanswered your questions quite well, but she forgot the most important part! Congratulations on 50 years! You must be doing something right if she's put up with you that long. ?

Hey @Matt!! Since you started this post, you've had a surge of "newbies" coming out of the closet, in a manner of speaking. They were waiting to pounce on an opporunity. WOW!!!! ?????

We are also early diners and relatively light eaters. We always purchase the UDP. Unless 5:30 - 6:00 is too late for you (most specialty restaurants begin serving at 5:30 or 6:00), the UDP will work fine. My only concern for you would be the possibility that the repetitiveness of the menus at the somewhat limited choice of specialty restaurants on Radiance could be an issue on a 9 night itin. The nice thing about the UDP is that it includes both dinners and lunches whenever the specialties are open for lunch (usually on sea days). Also, realizing that on an Alaska itin you are often off the ship for lunchtime, it’s just a matter of what is most convenient for you. Here’s what I would recommend. If they are offering a 5 night dining plan, I recommend that. That would give you plenty of opportunities to utilize the specialties but also give you the flexibility to make alternate arrangements for some nights. Just remember that only the UDP offers the option of complementary lunches. Between the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer and other options around the ship, you will not go hungry on nights that you do not have specialty reservations. If they are only offering a 3 night dining package, I would get the UDP. It’s very nice to be able to board the ship and go to Chops for lunch on boarding day. I will note, however, that with the COVID restrictions (whatever they may turn out to be), lunch on boarding day at Chops may no longer be an option. ?? Enjoy your first cruise ! You’ve picked a wonderful way to start out !

Good grief. Looking through these posts it seems that many think this is a place to apply to be a volunteer. They really don't understand what this site is.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/singapores-first-cruise-to-nowhere-sets-sail-with-safety-measures-in-place-to-prevent-coronavirus-outbreaks-2321753 All tickets were sold but it was limited to less than third of its capacity. The cruise will be a 3 day cruise, lets hope it will be a good experience and will pave the road for RCL cruises which suppose to start in Singapore next month.

The true beauty of KW can only be experienced at sunset on the water. This place is incredible and certainly not a “one and done”. Along with the party vibe there’s tons of culture & history. The dining options are great as well.

??? This thread finally got me, a long time lurker, to register. And to answer the hypothetical question: nope. Too much hassle with travel restrictions, I’m also high risk for covid and I don’t have the possibility to spend a week or more of my vacation time on a “working holiday”. I was thinking that test cruises with highly motivated test subjects wouldn’t give the correct info for how passengers act in various situations. Thinking the test subjects would be self-selected to people who read and follow instructions, extra careful etc. But who knows.

Ah, that's definitely worthy of the list!

I'm sorry, but I'm removing any post that has personal/contact information (as though they are applying). This has gotten totally out of hand.

Just do this! In fact, forget the chips! Not much to add accept personally, our eating habits are different on a cruise ship. At home, at best, breakfast is a yogurt (if anything at all), lunch isn't much bigger. However, when cruising, at breakfast 1 I start to stress about breakfast 2 let alone lunch 1. So, add in your vacation eating habits. I too thank you for your service & congratulate you both on 50 years! We will only be 5 years in September (although dating way longer than the average couple) and she's already sick of me :).

I tried to use LARGER PURPLE FONT but that was a lost cause. It appears that GREAT BIG RED LETTERS are as well. Oh well, I give up on this one lol.

Maybe that lead post needs a giant disclaimer in GREAT BIG RED LETTERS to inform them. The other posts in the thread reminding folks that this isn't the place to volunteer surely aren't working.

The rule has never been that it has to be the same ship or itinerary (as in it didn't need to be the exact ports of call or embarkation point). The sticking point most people had was length of sailing.

Thank you both for your service.

100%. The local conchs are very anti tourist especially since the start of COVID19. Key West is pricy and most of the service staff catering to tourism cannot make end meet. It’s a constant battle between the wealthy transients trying to restore the small island vibe and the reality of the rest of the islands residents fighting to bring the tourists back so they can afford their rent. Let me also point out the local government seriously sucks (trust me I know).

You should actually consider doing the drive. I am currently numb to it after doing the trip every Fri and Sun back and forth for the past decade or so but it’s quite the drive. Once you get off the mainland the overseas highway is very scenic. Key West’s charm cannot accurately be captured in a 4 hour cruise stop. There’s so much to see and do that you would need many return trips to experience it all.

Just an update https://cruisepassenger.com.au/exclusive-australian-government-studies-ways-to-restart-cruise/

Over the last several days the DBP on Radiance (Alaska May 2021) has become $43 per day. Is this happening all over the fleet? I, of course, hopped right on that deal.

So when you board a ship, you get affected by the same magic spell as me? You know, the one that turns you into a hobbit? ?

CALL ROYAL CARIBBEAN DIRECTLY.?

They won't. That's the point of the CSO. The milestones have yet to be detailed to the point that any cruise line can determine what they actually need to do. That will take 30 - 60 days. Then cruise lines can continue to progress towards the first step of many in the CDC qualification process. That will be in 60 - 90 day window. Then the CDC will be under a new administration that will support them. The CDC will drag its feet and allow ships to advance toward CSO certification at a snail's pace. It will just so happen that the CDC will allow cruise ships to sail once the pandemic numbers are down - at some future time. 2021? Perhaps. 2022? 2025? 2030? Only time will tell when the CDC will let cruise ships sail.

Trying not to be negative.. I want to get back to the US as much as anyone, but with a 100,000 new daily cases, how is the CDC going to justify letting these ships sail? Correct me if I am wrong, but it’s worse than when the original no sail order was put in place? And if they do allow real passengers, well this framework could have been put in place from the beginning.

The information that I have received from an unreliable source is that volunteers will have to complete a 15 page application form and submit that, along with their Social Security number, credit card information, and a copy of their current resume by email to [email protected] by midnight, November 30 (or the date that the presidential election is resolved, whichever is sooner). The selection committee will consist of RCCL employees from all walks of the company including sales/marketing, customer service and upper level administration,... and maybe Matt.

I saw a new high for the Deluxe Beverage Package today. It is $84 pp/pd on an 8 day sailing on Allure in January. I have always thought the DBP was a good value, even at $52 or so, but I cannot imagine getting my money's worth at $84. I like the freedom to be able to grab a fun drink anywhere on board and I do drink a lot of bottled water, but I cannot figure out a way to break even (or even come close) at $84 per day. We are in a GS, so I will get extra exercise popping up to the 17th floor unless the price comes down.

Atlantix2000, in a blinding flash of the obvious, I see your light!! We're central time so that means it's already 2 - 3 hours earlier..... Maybe this isn't the issue that I thought it may be. Of course the whole body schedule is messed up anyhow. Now, if I can just get the Captain and crew "onboard" (so to speak) with my time needs!

We, more than once, commented that the Navy folks had all the luck - cruising all the time... while she waited at home and I rode around in vehicles that were not particularly water-friendly! I (we) appreciate the many folks who affirm our crazy life. Many have served - we'll remember that over the next several days. There were a lot who were in harms way more often than I. I give thanks for all of them - many of whom post to this blog.??

This was something we were considering prior to our (cancelled) Symphony cruise last summer but in between switching jobs and lack of vacation time we couldn't justify the extra couple of days. The catamaran option seems interesting to me and I'll have to look into it if/when the border opens (non-loophole edition) and I can look at heading south again.

Guess 2022 deployment schedule is pushed to the end of the month per Matt's latest blog. Although trying to figure out port availabilities and local rules is really a crap shoot 2 years out.

yes, I think Europe will be December or later. They just have too many ships moving and not enough to go on into 2022 for Europe yet Keep watching their announcements, hoping its not too far out

They actually do need to tourism dollars really bad. KW is hurting. The absence of large ships will further cripple the economy. KW has not been the same since March.

I would love to volunteer for a cruise. I would feel honored to have the privilege. I have never been on a cruise before I'm feeling like life is too short I'd love the experience ! Therefore I'll be ready to set sail , whenever Royal Caribbean contacts me! ?

I have experienced the same flexibility when interacting with RCL for lift and shift. Neither Itinerary nor number of days seem to be a limitation. For recent move, I was offered a 9 day Southern Caribbean to replace an 8 day Bahamas and Cococay.

That'll be addressed on the next ballot.

Yup, moved my 3/21 Rhapsody out of Tampa to a 3/22 Harmony out of Port Canaveral. So doesn't even have to be same departure port. And got the new cruise for half price!

The only reason I get off the ship at Key West is to get Conch Fritters. I guess I'll have to settle for the ones in Nassau.

You can't: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/11/04/royal-caribbean-has-not-determined-yet-how-it-will-pick-volunteers-test-cruises

Very cool - didn't know that was even an option. Many thanks!

The 4-hour drive from Miami is not too bad if you plan on arriving a couple days pre/post cruise. Depending on which direction the "tide" goes, maybe possibly Cuba will be opened up again? Majesty/Empress will have purpose again.

Yes, and to me it seems the number one inhibitor to controlling the virus is freedom of movement. Lockdowns work in controlling the virus but cripple the economy at the same time. Plus the greater opposition to the lockdowns result in a lockdown that lasts longer and is less effective. Who knows where the balance needs to be.

This was an incredibly vibrant (and I think interesting) industry - I'm incredulous on how its being gutted.

Well stated. And the changing goalposts that a few have mentioned. I refrain from politics here, but the fact remains that much of this cruise shutdown and pandemic in general, has become more politicized than a health related situation should be. I have seen many organizations, governmental or otherwise, use this as an opportunity to gain more power, and I'm afraid the CDC is one of the organizations that sees the pandemic as allowing them to have broader powers than they had before 2020.

So true. I just posted this on the facebook page: the biggest lack of clarity is in terms of what will be considered "cruising safely." Will the CDC view one case of Covid-19, a statistical "outbreak", or failure to adhere to meet the standards as the end all be all. Clearly, not following rules will result in one line being shut down but will it shut down the industry? Will one "outbreak" on one ship out of 10 mean anything for a particular cruise line? Is one Covid case too much for the CDC? None of this has been made clear and this is problematic. Trying to kick a field goal with moving goal posts is impossible. I think these things need to be set out in advance in a very clear manner so passengers, cruise lines, and other industry partners understand what is at stake.

Emotional support elephants are not permitted to cruise.

And that you are not at pre-gold status with the C&A number.

Freedom class is a stretched version of Voyager class. Voyager Ultra class. Other than the extra 90' feet in the middle, the ships are basically the same. They literally took the Voyager class design and added 90' in the middle. This new space afforded a dedicated Sorrento's pizza venue and a Ben & Jerry's ice Cream shop in the promenade instead of pizza being offered in cafe Promenade. Personally Voyager class is a real sweet spot for me. I have always found them to be the perfect blend between being a large ship but also being easy to get around. Voyager class is still larger than anything in the current Carnival whale tail fleet so they are large ships, make no mistake. Explorer's cancelled amplification is definitely unfortunate. Much like Allure's cancelled amplification is also a disappointment. These are extraordinary times without a doubt. When I sailed Explorer in 2018 for a Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise I was surprised my cabin was already refreshed. Many areas of the the ship had been refreshed without calling it an amplification because Royal did that back then without all the marketing hype. The Tavern for example with a large screen TV for watching sports. Here is the 2018 trip report from that group cruise with Explorer pictures. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/6634-explorer-alaska-62218-7-nights-rclblog-group-cruise/ The big thing lost from the missed amplification is water slides. If water slides are important to your family that is probably the biggest consideration. The pool deck area may have been updated with new furniture and decor but that is largely cosmetic. I understand change is always unwelcome at first. It represents an unknown. Take a second to look at Explorer with fresh eyes as if you weren't already booked. I'd have no issue booking Explorer tomorrow absent of the history of how you got here. With that fresh perspective made an informed decision.

I have been using Jacki York with MEI for years now, only good things to say, highly recommended!