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This will be me after Covid! Who wants to join me?

@Neesa On this note, I'm working on a blog post about things someone going on Adventure needs to do between now and the cruise. Look for it this coming week!

Good to hear you have had some time away. No still no resolution. Even Sharla escalated and has gotten no where. I know they are really busy getting the non US sailings going but this is bad. Poor treatment of an existing customer. I guess they figure they already have my monies but no the 5000.00 in FCC is still no where to be found. It's infuriating. Thanks for checking back, DCL Wish I'm on my way.....

This is from CLIA, and I think everyone here supports cruising restarting. There is a difference between political discussion (left vs right) and what this is about.

For the benefit of everyone on this forum, I decided to book the June 26th Millennium cruise sailing from St. Martin to BVI, St. Lucia and Barbados. 50% capacity, verandas only. As of right now everyone over 18 needs to be vaccinated, PCR test 120 hours before the cruise and everyone 2y and older to have a rapid test by Celebrity prior to boarding. Ship departs at 10:00 pm. I am sure all of these protocols will change before we set sail. Millennium is currently off the coast on Ensenada and I do not know if it has a full crew as right now. Hopefully it will have a full staff and get through the Panama Canal in time! Let me know if you are on board. I would offer everyone a drink but we are all required to buy the drink package now so I guess we can order round together!

Pack your passport and vaccine, we're going to Singapore!! https://cruisepassenger.com.au/aussies-welcome-to-sail-with-royal-caribbean-in-singapores-bubble-says-boss/

@Neesa well at least getting a new booking number for the one sailing has worked thus far! No more auto-cancels!

Hooray for the internet..is this the guy? Steve Duell: http://www.onebusyguy.com/initial.htm

It hasnt been announced yet. Southampton anyone????? Well he is from ?? and with all of these travel restrictions in place would make sense for crew to be near ports

I hope you have a few hours to kill: https://attorneysgeneral.org/multistate-lawsuits-vs-the-federal-government/list-of-lawsuits-1980-present/

Royal Caribbean SVP Vicki Freed said last week a free test will be provided for guests onboard at the end of the sailing.

Did this last year. Would agree that the class is worth it. It's a lot of fun, and it's a LOT of food (what you make can easily satisfy two people). Everything is set up for you, sure, but I feel like making the rice and frying the shrimp would be too hectic for the number of people they are teaching. Plus I'm likely to eat that freshly fried shrimp before it comes close to becoming maki.

You get the SL and I get a paragraph or six. Oh boy! I always wanted a paragraph.

Did it through them and direct to my senators.... My congressman sucks but Rubio, Scott and Mast are on our side... And they are good...

I have just used the CLIA site to email my Congressman and Representatives. Very easy to use.

Unless it pertains DIRECTLY to cruising. Which, in this case, it does.

Which cruise is more appealing for you guys this summer? Adventure sailing out of Nassau, or Vision sailing out of Bemuda? Here's the latest update I have for you guys with regard to me going back to work.

Your welcome Nessa. You may know I'm a retired PA. I'm following the research on C-19 and SARS2 closely. I'm not going to share any of the information in the link below on this forum with you because of the forum rules. But see if you get your daughter to read this. https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20210112/why-covid-vaccines-are-falsely-linked-to-infertility

This is why the CDC's imposition via the NSO and CSO on free trade and unrestrained commerce seems like such an easy target for a law suit. I dunno, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. One thing I feel fairly confident about is that the declaration of a PHE gives enormous authority to government that appears on its face to be entirely lawful. We ought to be concerned about that in the future.

Will starting a live blog be one of the recommended steps? Haven’t seen one yet and the first sailing is less than 80 days away.

And most of the lawsuits are pretty small or niche in scale. HHS just isn't a common target. In this case, we're talking hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact.

I'd love to get clarity from RC (and maybe that's covered in their "we'll let you know 30 days prior" disclaimer) on how to best manage the PCR testing requirement contradiction between the Bahamas and RC. Those over 10 need a negative PCR test within 5 days of entering the country, but need to apply for the covid visa with that negative result within 24 or 48 (depending where on their website you look) hours of arriving. Meanwhile RC requires the negative covid test for all those under 18, but doesn't specify the time frame that negative test needs happen in. This could cause some headaches for those who would prefer to arrive a day or two prior to cruise day, trying to balance the timing of PCR tests for adults that Bahamas requires and PCR test for kids that RC requires.

Oh I'll still definitely be stressed in getting my PCR test in enough time to get my Bahamas covid visa. But I know I'll be stressing over nothing.

Interesting stuff smokeybandit ....... I looked at the cases on the first 4 pages involving the Biden and Trump administrations. I didn't find anything involving HHS and the PHE. I'm not certain but it seems that attorneys have probably looked at HHS's authority to issue PHE's and found them lawful. I still hold, unless shown otherwise, that mounting a successful suit against the FEDs in this narrowly defined circumstance is a non-starter. Too many obstacles to a successful challenge.

I would be willing to wager that Celebrity has negotiated (or is actively negotiating) with St. Maarten to require just one fee, and that it will come out with the final protocols around 30 days before sail date. This sounds very similar to how things are being run in Bermuda for immunized visitors, and I would expect that final protocols will look very similar between the two.

We took the bridge tour on Liberty, and this sounds like what they told us. Their contract is longer than 20 weeks (don't remember how long the actual contract lasts), but they follow this pattern getting 50% time off.

And therefore we should be rewarded with cruising! ? Those damn airplanes keep bringing the infected home, that’s way more of a risk as it’s jumped hotel quarantine through the hotel workers many times.

Australia & NZ are 2 countries that got it right!! Close the doors ...No one in...No one out....sorted!!!! No messing about!! just common sense that allowing people in and out of an island increases the risk to others

Many public health agencies made mistakes at the beginning of the pandemic and they are using the cruise industry as scapegoats. So in that sense they are taking a common approach.

On board antigen tests were first used in Singapore for arrival after the cruise so they have a process in place that has proven workable. The scheduling of the test will be done specifically so that it complies with requirements to board a flight home.

Important Note: Saint Martin now requires a vig of $30 per adult and $10 per child every time you enter the island - with an application submitted within 3 days of entry This government run "visitors protection plan" is supposed to cover any expense related to a positive COVID test / quarantine / medical treatment etc. Your private trip insurance policy does NOT count. I emailed just now to find out if a cruise passenger has to pay this once or twice- since the way the website reads- a new $30 and application needs to be submitted for every entry. https://www.sxmprotectionplan.com/#CONTACT

Woohoo! Keep us up to date as you learn more about protocols and such.

I live in FL. I like most things Desantis does, not all, but most. Threatening to sue is political posturing and that's not to say this isn't the place for it. About a month ago I did some research on this - I'm not a layer so, take it for what it's worth. But I understand the legal basis upon which CDC recommended and HHS promulgated the NSO and subsequently the CSO. Both of these engaged multiple agencies and relied on taking action through complex, existent legislation. It is very difficult to know who is in charge and who are the decision makers. IMO, it's Becerra of HHS but that is not altogether clear. The questions posed by the Alaska delegation to Director Walenski (see Matt's post on the home page) highlight the complexity of what is keeping the cruise industry banned from operating from US ports and who, in government can grant relief. On review of this a couple months ago, I didn't find anything that the US Government is doing with the CSO that it is not authorized to do under a PHE that was declared in January of 2020 and has been continually renewed every 90d. Last renewal was on January 7th with the next renewal due before it's expiration on April 21st. I posted elsewhere that it is likely the PHE will be extended for another 90d. That does not mean, however, that nothing can be done to get cruise ships sailing from US ports. There are two legitimate gripes but neither of them form a legal basis upon which a violation of US code or law or a tort claim upon which an injunction might be granted: (1) The failure of the CDC to timely release the "technicals" everyone is talking about that tell the cruise industry how to move through the 4 phases CDC laid out in October last year. (2) Those phases have been overcome by events. They're simply not relevant and neither is the CSO now that vaccines are out there and proven to be effective in mitigating both the disease burden and spread of SARS2. The real stumbling block to legal action though is jurisdictional. Who would hear the complaint even if one could be brought. So many obstacles that talking about legal action, IMO, is no more than good theater.

Both FL and AK are turning up the heat. We'll see if it has any real impact.

More layers of complexity to the CSO ........ I have heard of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) but was not clear regarding it's origin and the implications of the PHE on the CSO. I did some digging; The PHE was initially issued by the former HHS Secretary, Alex Azar, January 20th, 2020. Apparently it has a 90 day renewal cycle and it has been renewed on a regular basis - the last renewal done by Azar on January 7th, 2021. Without renewal, it will expire on April, 21st, 2021. One of the provisions in the PHE states that states will be given 60d notice that renewal is not anticipated so that states can prepare for the transition to normal operations. I found this on a CMS (Medicare)web site as Medicare is operating under a different set of policies and procedures within the scope of the PHE: The current PHE declaration expires on April 21, 2021, but the Biden Administration has indicated the PHE will likely remain in place throughout 2021 and that states will receive 60 days notice before the end of the PHE to prepare for the end of emergency authorities and the resumption of pre-PHE rules. Buzz Kill. That notice would have had to gone out sometime in late February and we would have heard about it. I suppose it's possible it will not be renewed but, man, the messaging coming from Walenski and Fauci doesn't seem to make that very likely. Another thing is that the PHE declaration by HHS covers a huge range of government activities. The CDC's CSO is quite limited in it's scope so, political pressure to end it is too narrowly focused to not renew the PHE as a means of ending the CSO.

Can we have that intern press the $18 drink package button again? ? No one really got to use it in 2020.

Just to clarify what happened today. Royal Caribbean called me and told me the information posted was accidentally posted by them on their website and inaccurate. Whether it is 99% inaccurate or 1%, remains to be seen. Ultimately, it doesn’t make sense to leave knowingly inaccurate information up that spreads the wrong info. So I decided to pull it down.

I think it's safe to say someone at Royal needs to practise their copy/paste and proofreading skills! ? I'd be thrilled to have even just the 4 anytime drinks that D on Quantum have been getting. Fresh orange juice at breakfast and maybe a concoction from the vitality cafe in the spa. Hmm, nice.

Agree. The extra drink coupons are worth much more than old rules in Diamond Lounge.

Tony from La Lido Loca has interesting take on this on his YouTube channel. The latest public health emergency order expires on April 21. If it is not renewed the CSO becomes null and void. Given Biden’s new goal of having 200 million vaccinations administered in 100 days there could be reason (both scientific and political) not to renew the public health emergency order. This may be optimistic but has some merit and is an interesting consideration.

My wife apparently agrees with you, @monctonguy. Just had a talk with her, and between her concerns about these protocols, and the cost of airfare on top of the cruise ($1,000+ for the two of us, per Kayak; plus long-term parking or a car service), she's lost her desire to book this. So, no more cruise booking for 2021. ? But at least we had that conversation now and not after I made a booking on Monday that would likely be NRD.

With that said... Here are other businesses that are non-essential and a luxury to some people as well but are allowed to resume operations: 1. Airlines. 2. Restaurants 3. Casinos 4. Hotels 5. Sports and attending games 6. Colleges 7. Massage parlors 8. Nail Salons 9. Gyms 10. Certain Retail Stores Keeping Cruising suspended for 2 seasons affects more than just passengers and crew. It affects all the jobs created at the Embarkation port cities in the US as well. Port Workers, Hotels, restaurants, etc. Even the airlines are affect because of less flights being scheduled because of cruising is shut down. Thus, jobs lost, layoffs and furloughs. I understand that the CDC is concerned with the physical well being but that is where policy needs to be set looking at all factors, including economics which in turn create their own set of societal issues. This where pressure needs to be put on local governments and politicians in the areas that are hardest hit with economic loss. Just look at how the "science" changed from the CDC with schools reopening. All of a sudden the magic 6ft rule is now 3ft. The CDC is ignoring the science in this case in 2021 and refusing to look at the data in other parts of the world where cruising has resumed The CDC and US Government at large is making a big mistake if they do not allow cruises to return to the US before November 1.

i was just considering this same question for Quantum to south pacific! large balcony rooms, have a balcony that is bigger but room that is smaller so depends whats important to you. ultimately for us, a bigger room is worth it, there is plenty of room to sit out on the balcony in any case. to answer your question we usually book forward and up high without being near any entertainment venues or the kids club. if your further away from the buffet makes it easier to justify the extra dessert. I'm looking forward to checking out the new cruise terminal and new for me ship in 2022.

My frustration has never been higher then right now, thank goodness I have Sharla in my corner. I can't even get excited for the newest offerings my booked sailing is canceled for third time after being reinstated, I paid the balance a week before it was due BUT my almost 5,000 FCC while taken (the balances reflect this) they are not applied to the sailing NOR can they locate them. Seriously my FCC tethered monies are just gone ? they keep literally taking monies and "loosing them" it is so unbelievable. FCC clearly state to be used for a future sailing not taken by Royal and incinerated or lost. I wish now I had taken the refunds in hindsight but I had so much faith in this company, my family has given them our support the entire time, I am literally making myself sick over this. ? please, send prayers ? and positive thoughts, and Sharla is feverishly working every day to find my monies. I feel so duped.

I only ever consider it if I can get it for under $20 pppd - I always buy Voom anyway, so under $20 works for me. I think it has more of a benefit on an Oasis or Quantum class ship than a smaller ship (where I've found it's much easier to find seats at shows anyway). But who knows what the Covid protocols will be and how that will affect The Key, so, even though I've snagged it for a few sailings at very good prices ($16).

Whenever I visit a new port I always do a general overview kind of excursion to just get a taste of what is there...then if something peaks my interest, I do that the next time I go there. I think your Discover St. Thomas excursion is perfect !

I'm not sure what the title of the excursion was that we took a number of years ago. It included a trip to hell and a visit to the Turtle Farm. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the Turtle Farm. I found the facilities to be modern and very interesting. I recommend it and would go again.

I'm thinking that they could at least push back the date of final payment to let's say 30 days before cruise because of the virus. To me final payment 3 months before in this situation doesn't make sense.