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This is what I already told my girls. ?Seriously, I am not waiting around for them. Bit selfish, but that is what happens when you have a cruise crazy mom who has not been cruising for a while.

Started this new thread topic spurred on by the news of Azamara canceling cruises through June, 2021. If I'm not mistaken, Azamara ports predominantly in locations other than the US (they list Miami as a port of call). I'm not taking much from this news because of that as I think the tendency is going to incorrectly associate Azamara COVID decision making with RCG. I think Azamara will work closely with RCL wrt health protocols but not undertaking test and restarting revenue sailings from US ports with Azamara not sailing from any of them. Having gotten that out of the way, back to the thread title: IT'S COMING. I started to title the thread It's Happening but that wording suggests things are underway or will happen imminently. Instead, I think ..... The CDC will green light test sailings from US ports by mid-May at the latest. Given a green light to start test sailing, all the majors will slowly restart revenue sailings during the first week in June in combination with additional test sailings. Each ship is required to do these to obtain technical certification from the CDC before each ship is allowed to embark passengers. Initial itineraries will launch from a select number of ports in FL and TX - that's because (1) These states are politically more liberal wrt mitigation measures and lifting them. (2) Governor Desantis in FL has already said his state is ready to welcome back the cruise lines to ports in Fort-Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and Orlando. The first region to have cruise ships sail within it will be the Caribbean Basin. Three and four day cruises to no where or just as likely to private islands will predominate until the cruise lines work out details with countries that have cruise ports within the Caribbean basin to include Mexico. When that is achieved we'll begin seeing 7d and ultimately longer itineraries but still in the Caribbean. Australian, Asian and European itineraries with US citizens on board are less certain in my mind and that is because of the perception by health authorities there that US travelers are higher risk for disease spread than EU or Asian citizens. As for Australia and New Zealand, I doubt cruising will resume from there anytime soon. The UK could be an exception. Land based tours and river cruises in the EU and Asia will happen before mega cruise ships carrying US passengers return to the major foreign ports - maybe smaller ships carrying under 1000 passengers by June/July 2021. September is a more likely time frame for the aforementioned regions, not including Australia and New Zealand, for large ship cruising to resume there. What do I base this on? To be clear, other than my medical background and the amount of time I spend researching and reading COVID related medical literature, I have no special insight. I have a re-opening bias and have since February of 2020. I was stupendously wrong about the length and social, economic impact of SARS-2 but I attribute some of the damage done to certainly politics and just as importantly to overreacting to the virus when it hit the US. US public health authorities used the proverbial sledge instead of scalpel. Rather than scientific facts driving public health policy, fear and a "do something" mentality prevailed and a lot of "something" at the local level was flat-out wrong and unnecessary. . There's room for debate here and I acknowledge that but barring unnecessary overreacting and politics, IMO, the US could have avoided a lot of COVID deaths, got kids back in school and avoided the shuttering - social and economic - that did take place. You have to be hiding under a rock to not have heard that the introduction of vaccines to what should be the primo target population - over 65 - has dramatically lowered all three standard measures of COVID disease burden - death, hospitalizations AND, surprisingly, new infection absolute numbers and rates of infection (R0). If one is strictly following the emerging scientific data, vaccinated people should be granted increased mobility and be subject to less stringent mitigation measures. In a mixed group of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, sensible, layered mitigation measures (limited access - to include negative RAPID testing for entry, capacity control, distancing and masking) will keep everyone safe by reducing risk, not to zero - as it can't be - but good enough...... the later being particularly applicable to the cruise industry. I'm 50/50 on a vaccine mandate to cruise (or travel for that matter) for a lot of different reasons. But you can bet someone at RCL has asked how many bookings do we have for over 65s and what is the estimate of how many of those have been vaccinated? Can we cruise and make money with just that population? Given my optimistic bias take all of this FWIW. I'm also, admittedly, reading between the lines of recent cruise talk from cruise line executives to knowledgeable cruisers. For example, the Biden administration and it's two main public health spokes persons (Fauci and Walenski -CDC) are purposely articulating easy to reach COVID goals for political purposes. You have to believe these people have a much clearer understanding of a likely return to some level of post-COVID normalcy than they are letting on and will spring it on the electorate pronouncing a job well done, exceeding all the goals and beyond expectations by the present administration and President Joe Biden. Or, take for example, Fain ..... "we should be getting technical guidance from the CDC any day now" or, this ...... at least in the case of RCL, shoring up the company financial ship to, IMO, secure a viable approach - insuring the cash is at hand to return ships from warm storage and assemble/train crews, all on short notice. It's coming. Check back with me in 60d to see how wrong or right I might have been with this post.

Havent tried the suite but did try one of the regular panoramics on Mariner. Very pleased with it, missed the balcony a bit but it was a short cruise and a short walk to the solarium so not a big deal. Didnt notice any wind noise at all, actually very very quiet ... I will say that i was surprised to realize that you can see in through the windows (not sure why that surprised me since they are made of a transparent material called glass but hey ...) Standing in the window on embarkation day and realized people were waving at me from the deck below ... glad i realized that at the start of the cruise while still fully dressed, etc.

So it’s random? Lol. Typical Royal. Why am I not surprised? I just did a quick calculation. If we can get sailing soon, with the double points next year, plus the 3 years after that before oldest daughter turns 18, she should be pretty close to D+ on her own. My younger one will definitely make D+ on her own before 18 if we can keep up this pace. She still has 5 years. If we can sail March 2022, with quad points they will turn Diamond on their own merit with that sailing. My children really need to thank me lol.

In other news, this week I have booked a studio interior on at least 3 cruises, albeit short cruises. They are so cheap!!! What could go wrong?

What I have done while sailing with my game obsessed 11 year old is to add funds to his SeaPass card at the start of each day. That way he has to budget. Otherwise he would likely use all of his arcade money on day 1, then would complain each day afterward ?

I think an even more interesting theoretical question would be whether it is possible for someone who has NEVER cruised to receive and pass on Diamond status. Let's say my wife and I cruise and attain Diamond status. We sign our child up for C&A but never actually bring him on a cruise. But he has Diamond status right? Fast forward a few decades. My son gets married, has a kid, and signs them up for C&A. They become Diamond right? Now that kid (my grandchild) grows up and at age 30 takes their very first cruise with Diamond status. Does this matter? As Matt points out above, sure I've created several Diamond family members but if they never cruise, they aren't taking away space or anything from the regular cruisers. I've put too much thought into this. When is my next cruise???

....... an additional comment as my initial post took an over 65 view of matters. It's important to understand that EVERYONE benefits from a vaccination priority system that vaccinates the 65 and up US population. The cohort from 65 and up has produced 77% of COVID related serious illness and deaths. That's not to say that there haven't been under 65s who have suffered. There have been, and not just a few. But to simultaneously reduce SARS-2 disease burden and control the virus (R0 < 1 on a regional or by state basis or, % positivity < 5% by county) requires initially vaccinating the over 65 population when supplies are limited like they are now. With regard to "best bang for the buck" this is the right strategy and it is paying off handsomely in reduced hospitalizations and deaths - big time. Related to vaccination priorities is the news in the last two days that a large increase in doses from Pfizer and Moderna can be expected in the next 2 weeks. We're talking a plus up in the multi-millions of additional shots. Next, J&J got approval from the FDA today - as promised as the go/no go date by the FDA - for emergency use of their one shot vaccine. Those won't get to arms until late March. Side note: ignore the MSM's reports that the J&J vaccine isn't as "strong" as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines ..... bull hockey. It will work just as well and just as dramatically as the two mRNA vaccines and are much easier to transport, store and administer. Moreover, it is impossible to compare vaccine efficacy product to product because testing protocols and reporting requirements were different for each of them. Bottom line, if you are offered a vaccine, no matter which one, take it. If you are onboard the anti-vax ship to start, I can almost guarantee you, like Israeli public health officials are messaging to their citizens, "you'll be left behind." You're going to continue to be mostly homebound as far as travel goes if there is wide introduction of "vaccine passports." Over the next 2 months the availability of the vaccine for under 65s is going to expand exponentially. Don't not take it because you might think you really don't need it or have concerns about safety or side effects. First, the benefits far outweigh the risk (except for a few exceptions due to allergies) and second, yes, you do need it if we are going to reach herd immunity and all of us are able to return to a post-COVID normalcy that includes cruising.

Actual footage of @Lovetocruise2002 as she responds to these Star Class posts that she can't sail on

The good news or positive spin is... Congress didn't address that cruise ships can't sail yet because of the CDC CSO, so maybe they already know the CDC will be allowing cruise ships to sail this summer.

Bad mom!

"One of these days - just one of these days"

We sailed this room on Mariner fall 2019 and I loved it. The location is great, there is hardly any reason for folks to be above or below you. Having the additional half bath and the sitting area makes this a go to for me going forward, with @Lovetocruise2002's caveat about the Covid protocols and lack of balcony nagging at the back of my mind along the way. We had the portside room, a few more visuals are attached.

They absolutely can survive without allowing kids.

We need someone who had a kid turn 18 recently to settle this. This is important stuff! That is what my mini me just said. ?

Yes! How could a forget the Oasis class suite lounge, my happy place. Way better than what Q class has. Clearly it has been waaay tooo long. ?

Exactly what @Lovetocruise2002and @twangstersaid. The suites themselves and lounges are waaay better on O class. But the amenities relating to entertainment (if not the actual entertainment) are better on Q class. Given a choice, I would choose O class every time UNLESS I was going to take children along and then I might be tempted to do Q class. Overall I am a huge fan of O Class. The lounges are better and better located (as are the suites themselves) and the casinos are bigger and nicer on O class. Having a Genie on Q class comes in very handy if you want to go to the front of the bumper car line ! ...and I can’t wait to go up in North Star when we go by Kilauea volcano at night !

I'm not suggesting the CDC should wait for zero in the community. We are rapidly approaching the point where two lines on a graph will cross making it safe to resume cruising very soon. As community cases continue to drop and vaccinations continue to climb their lines cross on a graph and it's safe enough to cruise.

The government will never allow that...even though no tourists would come ashore..ppl here would be in an outrage at the thoughts of that... Ppl here are so brainwashed about Covid, that the vandalize cars of fellow Canadians if the license plate is from not around here......that should tell you all you need to know. Why doesn't the US change their own stupid law and solve the problem...like really?......

They don't, unless it is the lawmakers in Congress that are suggesting it ?

There is hope yet! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/02/25/congress-sends-bipartisan-letter-canada-asking-compromise-cruise-ship-ban

I wore my ironman helmet to the office for a bit mid-summer last year, then I got tired of going to the wrong floor because I couldn't see the elevator buttons.

I'm not sure the world is ready for me in a cat woman suit, but if that's the price..... Formal night could be interesting.

Now that I think about it. ? Wearing A Mask on Allure this December would be the coolest way to cruise. ? (unless I'm misunderstand what the CDC is recommending ) ?

It's been my experience, over the years, that there is some kind of food - somewhat meager, at times - almost all the time in the Lounge. Yes, the hours are specific - morning continental breakfast and snacks sometimes during the day, but there's usually something there. The self-service coffee machines are maintained during the day fairly well so you can usually go in and get a cup of your favorite poison. I will say, that on my last Oasis cruise (Dec 2019), the bartender in the SL was very scarce. There is supposed to be someone there 11-11 to serve beer, wine, water, sodas but for some reason, there was rarely anyone there during the day. I consider that to be a one-off on that cruise; there is normally someone around to get you a beer or a Coke if you want one. Food ? During the day can be scarce but usually a stale cookie or something around. ?

Caveat - pre-pandemic discussion follows: O class Suite Lounge offers complimentary beer and wine from 11am to 11pm. There is an evening cocktail event typically from 5pm to 8:30pm give or take 30 mins depending on ship. During the evening cocktail hours mixed drinks are available in addition to the complimentary beer and wine. This is for all Sky and Star class suites and Pinnacle members. The bar menu is limited for the complimentary beverages such as well drinks or table wine. Star Class includes the beverage package. The beverage package allows better choices beyond the basic complimentary bar offers and it works any time a bar is open. Better wines, better beers like the limited craft beer on board and better liquor compared to the well brands used for the complimentary drinks. For example New Amsterdam vodka is complimentary during evening cocktail hours while better vodkas like Grey Goose are covered by the drink package included for Star Class guests. The Suite Lounge has food at various times but that is often things like continental breakfast, pastries, fruit or hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hours in the evening. On O class the Suite Lounge and the suite restaurant Coastal Kitchen share the same space on deck 17. For Sky and Star class Coastal Kitchen offers full service meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Coastal Kitchen is not "all day" but opens for specific hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Star Class has the ability to order food from any specialty restaurant when that restaurant is open and have it delivered to your cabin. Sky Class can only order from the MDR when the MDR is open. Both Sky and Star can order from the normal room service menu without any fees. There are limits to what the Genie can provide in your cabin and bottles of liquor are not included in their powers. They are also not a personal bartender where you can snap your fingers and ask for a gin and tonic to appear. Consequently you will be using bars like the bar in the suite lounge at times.

I don't think it will come to needing to ban anyone under 18 from cruising. Soon enough it is likely that children will be approved for emergency vaccine use probably before people in the 18-65 without other conditions group is getting the vaccine in large numbers. At some point soon one of the vaccines will be available like the flu shot is... walk up and get one. I suspect children will be approved before we reach that point.

We currently have 5 sailings booked, 4 in the grand and 1 junior suite. But after @Lovetocruise2002’s comments concerning Covid, i might have to stick with a room with a balcony. While we were looking at late 2022, hopefully the Covid nightmare will be behind us. But that is going to be something we think about before we book now as even a short cruise can be kept at sea, denied debarkation, etc. the balcony in a bad situation can make the difference. As @WAAAYTOOOsaid, they seem to be a great value. All of the sailings I looked at, they seemed to be about 50% of the Grand suite and either just above or just below the junior suite by less than $100. thanks for all the additional pics.

When my oldest turned 18 his status reverted back to his points level, this was 5 years ago. It didn't really matter as it was just the one sailing he was gold (while his 16 yr old brother was platinum) as they both earned enough points on their own to be Platinum once that cruise was added in. We were Emerald by the next time the boys sailed with us, and they were both over 18 at that time. Their cards said Platinum. I've heard of it going both ways - some kept the parent's status and others have not.

I had 3 of these rooms booked. All cancelled due to covid. I too thought it was a fantastic option. Newer, more modern room, lots of space, fantastic views, refundable suite option, and full suite benefits. However, I might be the minority here in saying this, but I have since given up on booking this room for the time being. With covid protocols so unknown, even once cruising starts, I want a balcony just in case. I passed on this room recently with my new Adventure and Freedom bookings. I have one booking remaining with this category of room. It’s November 2021 on Navigator. Even if it does sail and I can get out of Canada, I might be moving to a GS or OS instead. We’ll see.

Awesome view that comes with full suite perks. This is sister ship Explorer: Location is great for access to the top decks too.

In the Bahamas, we've found that any month containing vowels and consonants has a similar weather forecast. ?

^^^TRUTH!

I've heard through my travel agent that it is going to be Allure of the Seas. I'm waiting with bated breath for the official announcement, which I expect next week. I can't wait to get on the repositioning cruise and triumphantly ride Allure in to Galveston!

Oh I did not know this was possible. Thanks. I will see if Eli can do anything about that. I will be going to chops for 2 dinners as my dad absolutely loves seafood (I’m looking at you seafood tower ?) I can spread out the filets. But I’m an absolute carnivore, so filet twice in one day may not actually be out of the question. Lol

I think we agree, but Singapore has single digit cases of detected community transmission right now (maybe double digit, but you get my drift). It would be disingenuous to say "we have zero cases in Singapore because of these protocol" when it likely isn't causative. And like you said, we don't need it to be! I think the cruise lines obviously get this, but as members of the thinking public I think it's kind of our duty to pre-empt the idea that we're willing to wait for zero cases to claim victory... I see the notion that a single case (or even dozens of cases) will derail the return of cruising too often.

I'm a big fan of Q class in general but it always struck me odd they put all the SC at the very back of the ship. It's such a long walk! I am surprised they didn't do something midship, some sort of loft suite or something somewhere else on the ship. SC can offer more opportunity for it's huge benefits related to entertainment on O class. With more shows in more venues there can be more SC red seat covers to be had. It definitely helps on Q class but entertainment choices on O class grab my attention more so maybe this is influenced by my personal choices. The suite lounge has a full bar on O class so you can leverage the drink package in the lounge to a far greater extent compared to Q class. Since the Concierge Club is also at the very back of the ship but on a different deck compared to the SC cabins it's twice the walk and no full bar, only evening limted cocktail service from a menu of well drinks. The entire deck 17 suite area works better for me on O class. I enjoy the Suite Lounge on O class more and combined with the drink package it's a home run. On Q class the drink package becomes a reason to avoid going to the Concierge Club.

My counter to The Key not being worth it is that if this is the cruise going to Maui it is a Tender port and I have read that many times rough waters causes delays and in that instance having The Key to get Tender priority would be a big plus. I got The Key for $24.99 on our Greek Island cruise September 2019 because we were going to get an internet package anyway so it wasn't that much more and I knew we had at least one tender port, Santorini. I would not pay more than $25 per day though.

No one is asking me but I’m about to put my two cents in! Lol. This question comes up a lot! They are both good in different ways. Star is way better on Quantum class for activities like North Star, Bumper cars, iFly, etc. Star is way better on oasis class for variety in dining, entertainment, and types of SC cabins. It all depends what you are after. Me, I am #teamOAclass all the way. Hubby and kids want the Genie for the bumper cars and iFly so that is why we will be trying that too.

Thanks for updating this Steve!

If only there were personal vessels that could easily transport you between cities on a high speed corridor that would cost you a reasonable rental rate.....

After dinner we ended back at Studio B to watch Charles Peachock, a juggler who has been on America’s Got Talent. No SC reserved seating as we never told Araceli that we were going. When we returned to our room, we found this: More evidence that she reads the pre-cruise survey. There was a question on there about what foods you like. I mentioned that I loved the chocolate bar and tapioca pudding from CK and here it was, in our room. Because we stayed out later, the mango ice cream in the pudding melted. Still delicious though. Tomorrow is Cozumel. We are staying on board. Hoping to sleep in a bit.

That sucking sound you hear is all your future savings -- college, retirement, rainy day fund -- going into all your upcoming Star Class bookings.

This was the “special delivery”...from Araceli Off to get ready for dinner!

Star Class kid problems... D10: I don’t want to eat at Park Cafe with you, I want to eat Sorrentos and go swimming. Me: Ok. Sorrentos isn’t open yet. Call Araceli and ask for a pizza to be delivered from room service. I’m going to the suite lounge. (Leave the room) D12: (Picks Up the phone) Araceli, can we get 3 slices of pizza? (Hubby in the background...”Get a full pizza cause room service comes in a box.”) D12: Ok, Araceli can we get a full pizza? Araceli: So 3 pizzas? D12: (Still thinking of Sorrentos slices) Yes, 3 pizzas. 1/2h later... ? They ate 3 slices ??

Dinner Night 3: Chops Tonight marks the first night that we have ever dined at Chops on any cruise. I went tonight with a mission in mind. You all know that I am #teamCK and one of the things that I love the most there is the Filet on Night 1. I have also heard good things about the Filet at Chops. I figure that if I am going to continue to promote CK to @Matt and get those shirts made, then I better check out the competition. The girls decided long ago that they were not interested at all in eating at Chops so Araceli asked what they wanted for dinner, they chose Wonderland. Our Perfect Day in Labadee turned into a nice “date night” for Hubby and I. From Wonderland, the kids picked the “Popcorn Chicken with Vegetables”, “Crispy Mac & Cheese fries”, and a side of cherry tomatoes. Here is the series of texts that I received through dinner: ??? Popcorn Chicken: Mac & Cheese fries: Cherry tomatoes: And condiments were a bust too as they could not figure out how to open them ? Meanwhile over at Chops....100% wonderful dinner both in service and quality! Drink Menu: Dinner Menu: Ceasar Salad: (Side note...that Lavender Tonic in the background was delicious!) Bacon: Grilled Tofu (personal favourite from CK that I had delivered): Seafood Tower: delicious, just as many have described. 6oz. Filet Mignon Sides: Mac & Cheese, Truffle fries, Creamy Spinach, Tater tots Interesting thing happened tonight at Chops. We ran into the CK manager that we met back in 2017 when we last sailed Harmony. Turns out he received a promotion since we last saw him in 2017 and he is now the speciality restaurant manager on board Harmony. He came to check in on us towards the end of dinner and what a perfect time to bring up my research mission tonight. He asked me what my verdict was and I mentioned to him that I thought CK has a better cut of meat (more tender) but Chops has better flavour. He told me that the cuts of meat are supposedly the same in both restaurants. So, not 100% sure of who I give the edge to. They are very comparable but I still think I prefer the filet at CK slightly over Chops. Nevertheless, we had a fantastic meal tonight! The bill was even more fantastic!

Nope, I don't like peanuts at all!

I was born, raised, and live in the south. I won't eat them because they have the texture of wet sand. Where do I turn in my southern girl card?