twangster

Money everytime. Besides, it's not like they carefully go through guarantee assignments giving out the best ones first. You get what the process says you get.

Can you confirm if @Matt was picked to play an unvaccinated?

I don't think there is a global answer to this question. Everyone has to arrive at the answer that is right for them.

@Matt never embellishes like that.

All media invitees so they can report on it properly.

It can?

Connecting cabin. I don't want to hear about my neighbors day or plans for the evening.

The only restriction for dining is My Time. My Time dining is not available for parties that include unvaccinated. You will still be able to enjoy any formal nights in the MDR you just won't use the deck or area of the MDR allocated to fully vaccinated. Dining & LoungesIn the Main Dining Room, which spans multiple decks, we will designate areas for everyone, including parents and unvaccinated children, and areas for vaccinated parties only. My Time Dining will not be available to parties that include unvaccinated guests.

One more sleep!

Food is personal. In my opinion on some nights CK is closer to MDR and other nights it's closer to specialty dining. CK Ambiance and service is always a closer to specialty dining. Take a look in the app at CK menus for an upcoming cruise. If you like what you see you know the answer. Be aware that a JS doesn't get first priority in CK. While you are eligible for dinner in CK, a JS guests doesn't always get the best times or you may find all reservations are booked if you leave it too late.

I think generally the first revenue cruise with paying passengers is typically considered the inaugural. That should be July 31st.

So much will change before May. Many people will have had their vaccines for more than a year at that point. There will be more studies about vaccines and the scientific guidance will be updated causing policies to change a number of times before the end of the year and again before May. I know it's hard but be patient.

For the near term by sticking with CSO guidelines it absolves a great deal of potential liability if something goes wrong. Possibly legally and possibly in the court of public opinion. If they deviate from CSO guidelines and something goes wrong the outcome could be very bad for them. So I maintain my assertion the legal tennis match is a moot point for us cruisers and our likely experiences in the near term.

I think it's mostly a moot point. On the heels of the latest action Michael Bayley has already stated that Royal will voluntarily follow CDC guidelines and recommendations.

Odyssey in July was only available to book mid-June when protocols were already known to be required. Some guests were transferred over from Indy and given the opportunity for a full refund, no questions asked as the protocols were known to be a requirement at that time. Given the unique circumstances on an industry nearly wiped out by the pandemic we will have to disagree.

I'm still not sure Carnival is getting away with its lottery system for exemptions from their vaccination requirement in Florida. Very few win the lottery and are allowed to sail unvaccinated. Most are denied. How does that pass the Florida law? Maybe the state realizes it would face a difficult time in court so they aren't enforcing it. You know, like the whole thing was for show, a stunt.

As a business traveler I bought a sports coat with the criteria "must travel well". It doesn't wrinkle easy and it goes with everything. It's "good from far, but far from good". It checks the box on formal nights. Do I look like a million bucks? Nope. But I'm not trying to. I have worn it with my khawi hiking pants that have zip on legs. They are shorts by day, and check the box of "long pants" by night. A travel ready sports coat with a white dress or collared shirt, no tie. Sitting at dinner all everyone sees is a dress shirt and sports coat and it's very easy to pack. For me that's good enough while keeping in the spirit of the intention. YMMV.

There may be some holiday decorations up but I wouldn't expect anything special or notable for a cruise starting 1/1. Often this is the week they begin taking down Christmas decorations.

It depends. Is that a 3 night sailing? Is it an 8 night sailing? Is a holiday involved? It could be a great deal or it could be not a great deal. A lot of what Mariner does is short sailings that do see higher prices for the drink package. However Mariner does have a handful of longer sailings as well. Don't compare that to what others are paying for a 7 night cruise if it is a 3 night cruise. Royal doesn't work that way. One thing... I believe it when it says it will be $89 on board if it is a short sailing. So if $62 plus 18% gratuity is a price you are willing to pay and find value at that price, book it and watch for price drops. FYI - The "standard" pre-cruise discount is 25% from on board rates.

They will refund the whole cruise with no objection but it's all or nothing. You can't pick one guest to refund. Honestly the fact that they will allow full refunds due to protocols for Odyssey is very reasonable. However it's all or nothing, just like Cruise with Confidence.

It's like the CDC is desperately trying to retain control of cruise ships by a shoestring, or this case a mask string.

Might be an argument if the ship wasn't returning to US soil. I'm no maritime legal expert but many US regulations apply beyond the international water threshold because the ship is operating from and is scheduled to return to a US port. We see evidence of this on many fronts including immigration and customs rules, regulations and laws.

Generally speaking, for a last minute cancellation like this, most of the time with Royal you are better off simply having him no-show. They will refund his port fees and taxes if he does a no-show. Then you don't have to change cabins. When you do the no-show at check in there is nothing for them to gain by moving you to a 2 person cabin, they can't sell your 3 person cabin at that point. Upon check in at the terminal just explain he isn't coming. No need to justify that or explain why in detail. "Given the current protocols he decided not to sail and we agreed".

https://www.wctv.tv/2021/07/24/state-department-temporarily-shuts-down-online-booking-system-passport-appointments-adding-frustration-post-pandemic-backlog/ State department temporarily shuts down online booking system for passport appointments, adding frustration to post-pandemic backlog