Jill

We’ve done Blue Lagoon in Nassau twice. Once was the actual swim with the dolphins the other was the “encounter.” Both were good. Neither time was while cruising. Atlantis on paradise island also has a dolphin swim/encounter.

I’d book it with a refundable deposit and do not apply your FCC until final payment. By 90 days out you’ll have a much better picture of international travel. If still restricted, cancel and get your deposit back OR just move the deposit to a later cruise. You’re likely to get the best price now on the fare. As long as you don’t apply FCC now, you can still reprice the cruise all the way up to final payment/applied FCC.

It’s a lump sum added to the cruise of your choosing. It will appear at the top of your cruise planner.

So DeSantis just re-iterated on Fox that he will not allow cruise lines to ask for proof of vaccination (vaccine passport). He did this through executive order and there’s a bill in the Florida senate now for it to become law. He said he’s all for getting the ships sailing and has sued the government to do so but he won’t allow them to ask for personal health info. So what happens now? I think most agree mandatory vaccination initially is what’s needed to get ships sailing again however over 400k have sailed in Europe pretty successfully without required vaccines. Will the senate make an exception for foreign owned businesses or lay down the law?

My 125% OBC from a cancelled May 2020 that has been applied twice now (which were cancelled) is buying less and less as time goes by. If I purchased everything I did initially in May 2020, I’d barely be covering it with the credit for October 2021. Lesson is: redeem as soon as possible.

We have this from LL Bean. Super lightweight https://m.llbean.com/llb/shop/118114?page=stowaway-day-pack-multi&bc=&feat=backpack-SR0&csp=a&searchTerm=backpack&pos=85

I’ve mentioned before that I think the vaccine requirement may not happen for US cruises. By July I’m expecting cases to be very low. If there is no vaccine requirement, I would expect those not vaccinated would have to undergo frequent testing. However........given DeSantis’ EO, how would the cruise lines know who is/isn’t vaccinated? I have a feeling the only way to get around his EO is to state these are foreign companies and the EO pertains only to US based entities. Will be interesting how this plays out.

But hey, the CDC dropped the mandatory 12 hour interval between cruises. Whoppie doodle doo ?

https://www.cruisehive.com/uk-releases-framework-for-resuming-international-cruises/49543?fbclid=IwAR2YTT2U9WlAJoqhFgCUKErFtz7pT4vKGJbiEKzhJ1DJIoINuOnRpaPlJlM

Fingers crossed for a Central Park type area. Probably not but a girl can hope! We’ve got 2 bucket list cruises and a Symphony in the next year. My next booking after that will hopefully be on the new Icon. If she’s not ready by Spring 2023, I’ll have to book a quickie to the Bahamas. However, if she follows her big sisters, she’ll probably do Europe her first summer. Can’t wait to see her!

I think possibly by July we will be at herd immunity and people wanting a vaccine will be close to zero. Those that want it will have had it. We had one death in Florida yesterday. (However there were over 7,000 cases) I’ll go out on a limb here: vaccines won’t be required therefore DeSantis ban on private companies requiring vaccine to enter a business won’t be in play. I know it’s a stretch but DeSantis was pretty clear he won’t tolerate businesses requiring vaccine for entry. Will be interesting to see how this part plays out. Will the cruise lines be an exception to the “rule?”

I think odyssey was different because it was European sailings. Much harder to commit to Europe 2 years n a row. One week before or after original sail date was required though

I really wish they’d give the option to keep your booking if your cruise gets cancelled and the ship is relaunched on different itinerary. I can understand cancelling interior and ocean view, but if you have balcony or suite, I think you should have the option of keeping it.

I’m an Oasis class girl. Just love these ships, especially Central Park. My Royal Caribbean experience started way back with Song of America in 1991. We did Mariner 2 years ago for a quick 3 night get away since we live close to the port. We enjoyed it but it didn’t compare to Oasis class. With oasis class, the ship IS part of the vacation. That’s why you get 2-3 sea days. If you’re more into ports, the ship shouldn’t matter.

Time for DeSantis to circle the wagons and lawyer up. Bring Pam Bondi in to help AG Moody. I’m tired of this crap.

Wait did I miss the part.......... ........except cruise ships. No cruise ships can sail. Never, ever, ever again infinity! That wasn’t in there? Must have been overlooked. I’m sure they won’t let ships sail.

A few more words. “Soon” Who wants to guess how SOON SOON is? I’ll start: November 1 ? If I don’t laugh, I’ll say bad words. ? https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Miami-Dade-mayor-CDC-guidelines-vaccines?fbclid=IwAR1Y0DUU3UNT_ag1HV06f1omoiuEeYws6s_PG2Z-j9GXQifoDyHrqD1X5NM

We’ve got a corner aft JS on Radiance for Alaska next May. My only fear is we are under the Windjammer. I’ve been told not to worry lol

Slacker ? I expected more from you ? (Seriously hope you enjoy every one of them! If we sold our farm, we’d be right there with you but I can’t part with my animals, or more likely I can’t afford cruises AND farm sitters)

We’ve got 3 but 2 are biggies. Symphony in October (4th time rescheduling this one) Radiance Alaska May ‘22 in a JS Odyssey out of Rome 12 night Holy Land/Best of Greece October ‘22. (Replaces cancelled Odyssey Italy/Greece) #4 might be a spur of the moment 3-4 night Bahamas (we live close to port) #5 my plan is to hopefully book on the new ICON due in 2023. If she’s not on time, I’ll book Odyssey or an oasis class to the Caribbean

Right. I had a symphony for May that we (me and my MEI) knew would be cancelled. It was my 3rd time rescheduling that cruise. My FCC was applied to the previous October symphony and was a pain to get reinstated. This time we decided to just move my deposit before final payment (FCC applied) just so she didn’t have to go back and get it reissued. Now I sit and wait for this October symphony. 4th time’s the charm, right? May 2020 to October 2020 to May 2021 to October 2021. ?

So you already applied the FCC? That might be an issue at this point. Good thing you have MEI to fight for you. You’ve basically already paid. I don’t apply (or my MEI doesn’t) FCC until final payment because you can still take advantage of price drops up until final. Once FCC has been “used/applied” you have to wait for Royal to cancel to get FCC re-issued. What I would try and do at this point is try and see if you can cancel, get FCC re-instated, then pick a new date. Your biggest issue is you’ve applied your FCC. Hoping for some MEI magic for you. These are weird times. Royal has been somewhat accommodating. Good luck! ?

The Governor is also wanting to sue for loss of revenue for our ports. 7 billion a year is a substantial amount of our travel revenue in the state. Not to mention the job losses up and down the supply chain. I’m pretty sure the PHE will be extended for reasons I’m told not to post here ?

Another tool that could help get cruises up and running. https://thepointsguy.com/news/fda-approves-covid-screening-device/?utm_term=Editorial&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_content=AFDE7B16-8F22-11EB-A60F-02D7923C408C&fbclid=IwAR2skpM3__4r8_FYriGTmPqVW5Z8cC-ueazy7JI2-JsxaeakLn92GIPxL0c

I’m sorry you lost your paragraphs. I know you were excited. I hope you can move on without too much sorrow.