KWong

I wonder if they're taking measures to prevent the usual "kid soup" situation in the pools.

I think I like this idea. Barcelona is a lovely city (unless you're Lionel Messi in 2020), lots to explore in and around that you might not get to on a cruise. I've not been to Rome, but it's on my list.

I just realized that RBC is effectively using "Royal Bank of Canada Royal Bank" in Canada...

Some truth to that. But there's no cruise excursion that can get me to Alberta and back in time, so... (also, I've been rewatching TAR Canada, and it does a pretty good job of highlighting many, many places I've never been to in this country)

This reminds me that I really need to go back to Calgary/Banff/Jasper at some point.

I've booked mainly with a local GTA chain called Cruise Holidays. They're pretty good. But they also mainly cater to Hong Kongers and mainland Chinese, so a lot of discussion is in Cantonese or Mandarin.

Didn't realize they did Geoblocking. They might have it on Smithsonian Channel in the US.

In fairness, you can say this about the majority of Hallmark movies. It's best to watch it: - as a drinking game - in MST3K style - both Ahem. Anyways, the thread title works whether you're talking about the ship or the movie. And if you really need to watch some cruising, watch Mighty Cruise Ships.

I think a lot of people know, and personally I'd been looking at possibly going to Hawaii at the end of year (changed mind and it will likely be a Caribbean resort if we go). And because many of us are not working or working from home, I think that the self-isolation period becomes less of an impediment. But I think that many Canadians are still wary of going to the US because of the numbers there. If the numbers start going down and stay down in the US, then we'll see an upswing in southbound travel.

I think the airlines do have some strong lobby groups. But also, when you fly there is a paper trail that leads to your theoretical end point. I think it's still a little weak, but at least there's something to go on if contact tracing is required. The land border would have far too many people crossing to make this possible without tracking the car or something of that nature. And I'm pretty certain that this would not go over well.

I think you have this backwards. If you're so selfish that you refuse to get tested when everyone else is required to, then maybe you shouldn't be on the ship to begin with.

I can only imagine how dead the Windsor bar scene is without 19 and 20yo Michigan kids going over on weekends.

Yeah I don't think it's a huge amount of splash from the dispenser. But all the same, you could have respiratory droplets on your cup and not know it, so probably an easy ask (although perhaps not an easy task) to switch from the chipped cups to a paper or plastic cup. Even if it makes zero effective difference from a health standpoint, it might be a good psychological move.

With the cup I think the concern is more about the splash when you're filling it up.

It's a good question. I don't partake in the soda package, but I liked the souvenir cups from the "reusable" standpoint. Clearly we're going to pivot away from that. I'm sure that to start with, the freestyle machines will be off limits, and you'll only get the fizzy stuff from the bars. Inconvenient, but not a big deal in the long run. What comes next will be interesting, and it's probably predicated on what advances Coke puts into the freestyle machines. I'm reading that they're trying to add bluetooth/mobile app support for the next gen machines, so that might work. But from a cruiser's standpoint - and I realize that this is easier said than done - it might be best to transfer the freestyle activation chip to a card (or maybe even the Seapass card) and the scanning location to the front of the machine. Again, easier said than done, since I'm sure that on the inside there are circuits and wires running everywhere to make a simple drink dispensing operation work.

I don't recall there being a time frame for arrival. They do ask you to indicate what ship you're sailing, but I think that's it. Stores might not be open when you arrive, so if you intend to look around, consider taking your time before getting off the ship Also, many beach clubs - including Nachi - are closed on Sundays. If this is the case with your cruise, your options will be limited.

The problem wasn't so much the kids, but who was making the final decision on what they would bring, and the inability to edit things down from "just in case" to "this is enough".

Wish I could do that, but can't yet with the kids (too much stuff for me to carry). But soon, soon.

I think this. And also, the US needs to start on a downward trend on new cases/day, and keep going down. I simply don't see the CDC even considering letting cruising start from US ports before then.

If it makes you feel any better I had to schedule an interview as the final step in my NEXUS renewal (which includes GE. If you cross the US/Canada border often NEXUS is absolutely worth the $50). I think they reserve the right to interview you but it seems like for all intents and purposes they're trying to make sure that you are who you say you are.

Best xiaolongbao (soup filled dumplings) - Asian Legend here in Toronto. I know Din Tai Fung has the pedigree, and I've never been able to make it over to the HK location with the Michelin Star, but the one I tried in the Arcadia, CA location wasn't as good. Best street tacos - 100% Taquito in Houston. Being that it's off the Southwest Freeway it's a little out of the way for anyone heading from IAH to Galveston, but the food has some great flavour, to the point where I don't even mind the cilantro (and I HATE cilantro). Best pho - Well, it WAS Lac Viet Bistro in Orlando. But they've closed down and now I gotta figure out a new "best" place. Their pho was really flavourful without tasting too salty. It was a go to for us whenever we went to visit The Mouse. I will give a shout out to Saigon Noodle though. They got some shine on DDD a while back, and it's certainly deserved. Smoked Meat - I keep trying to think of a place I liked better than Schwartz in Montreal, because that's almost a copout statement. And yet, it's really good stuff.

Look man, it's not an addiction. I can quit whenever I want to.

I cheat and use the premade dough (the ones in bags, not the one in tubes), but I agree - it's tasty, you can put what you want on there, and the kids have fun doing it. OT, but I've also made garlic knots and sticky buns using the premade dough.

Ah, that explains why there's second breakfast and elevenses...

I know the chefs work hard at crafting a balance of meat, veg and starch with the daily entrees, but I wouldn't mind some sort of build your own thing (Column A | Column B | Column C) for the "Classic" ones. I'd like to see more Asian dishes, and hopefully they can refrain from making them too sweet.