twangster

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/05/18/cdc-will-only-require-cruise-ship-passenger-covid-19-tests-after-the-cruise-sailings-more

Florida's position is the CSO is unlawful and shouldn't exist. It's pretty hard to go anywhere from that position without admitting the CSO is lawful. Personally I hope FL maintains that position. CSO is unlawful, period.

Only if the July restart was predicated on the injunction. Some cruises lines are full steam ahead even without the FL lawsuit.

So with mediation... https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/05/18/judge-orders-mediation-floridas-lawsuit-against-the-cdc-get-cruise-ships-sailing This could be resolved by December. Right?

"lying around" - did no one get my jab at the CDC? ?

When you think about test cruises it sounds simple right? Simulated voyage, CDC tests the crew to make sure they follow protocols. The CDC doesn't have people lying about doing nothing. They'll need to ramp up a testing program to train and certify the observers so they are qualified to test the simulated voyages and rate the simulated voyages. Anyone who has been involved with any corporate training initiative will understand that isn't something you do overnight. Throw in the government and it's a massive project to stand up a testing program so they can grade the simulated voyages.

In this older photo prior to terminal A starting you can see how the channel is narrow in this general area. Cargo is also big business so cutting into the cargo terminal isn't a desirable solution.

You can see Royal's terminal A under construction in this photo from 2017-2018. Looking to the right of terminal A you see how the MSC terminal will encroach and consume some of the cargo terminal.

The live cam above display how much Allure juts out into the main channel. The MSC terminal should push ships a bit further out. It's going to be interesting.

Terminal J is a shallow berth with a small turning basin. Empress used to use it occasionally. Oceania uses it too sometimes with their R class ships smaller than Empress. Trying to do more on that side involves major dredging. The environmental roadblock over seagrass for Terminal V were a lot to overcome. I could only imagine what it would take to dredge out the South side of Dodge island. You can see the terminal V construction and dredging lower front and center in this live cam:

In 2019 there was talk of MSC having two ships at their terminal with an option for a 3rd. The option turned out to be Disney but it sounds like Disney didn't want to be shoehorned into the end or last slot. As it is the MSC terminal encroaches on the cargo terminal one and impacts at least the truck entrance to cargo terminal one and potentially some offices for cargo terminal one. The map conveniently shows the pier being straight along the edge of the channel but in fact Royal sticks out a little and the proposed AA/AAA berths would encroach further into the main channel. With ships like Oasis class coming and going and MSC upsizing their ships it's going to make for a very tight waterway.

There is a "shed" that has unknown use cases. What is it used for? Terminal G isn't allocated to anyone specifically, so there is that. Disney started looking at Port Everglades a long time ago, over a year now. If they are looking to do something on a Disney scale maybe that's why they looked at PEV, more land.

Royal has not released any protocols. The CDC has the noted requirement but so far no US sailing is permitted absent of any approvals granted by the CDC so it's a moot point.

I'm expecting something big like the 10% simulated voyage capacity minimum guest count will be dropped which sounds good until you realize the shoreside healthcare requirements still kill any chance of cruising under the CSO.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/05/18/portmiami-wants-broker-deal-shared-cruise-terminal-between-royal-caribbean-and-msc In 2019 the port of Miami first announced a series of terminal projects that would have a large impact on the cruise ship capacity. At the time MSC was looking to build east of Royal's Crown of Miami terminal A. The projected terminal AA/AAA was to accommodate two ships and would become the US headquarters for MSC. MSC has been trying to engage Disney for some time but those plans appeared to have stalled. News that MSC is now working with Royal on their expansion project is pretty significant especially if Royal will have preferential berthing rights. Other terminal projects are now in process including Virgin Cruises terminal H or as it's now called terminal V. NCL has completed their new terminal B west of Royal's Crown of Miami. Carnival began sprucing up it's two terminals D & E with plans for terminal F for its next generation of ships. A terminal map and overview of all projects can be found on the port's website. https://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/cruise-terminals.asp Note the terminal capacity for 11 ships in the port's terminal map which should keep the Port of Miami sitting in the throne and retaining the title of busiest cruise port in the world for some time. Hopefully the new terminal AA/AAA project will bring some road improvements to terminal A. Either way it's about to get a lot busier on Dodge Island.

Which does a good job to illustrate there is no one way to cruise or wrong way to cruise. For some dining packages and drink packages don't make sense, for others they are well worth it. You are not required to spend anymore than the cruise fare to have a great cruise and many times I don't. Other times I like to buy a package and enjoy some things beyond the included options.

It has more shade compared to the suite sun deck on other Quantum class ships. The structural piece that runs under the North Star arm will provide shade. Some ships like Oasis class can be too quiet on the suite sun deck. Sometimes it's nice being closer to some of the action so that is a personal preference.

In my experience the only thing you lose control over would be cabin selection if you are already booked and later see a more desirable cabin. In that one scenario you can't call Royal to change cabins, your TA must be engaged. For this reason it's important to choose a TA that is backed by some sort of team that can assist when your TA is not available on a whim. Even TAs need to sleep. Other than that you retain control over everything such as booking activities, entertainment and all cruise planner purchases.

Within 60 days of booking as long as it's not paid in full a new booking can be transferred to a TA. There are some exceptions but that is the easy answer. I still do all the research and narrow down my choices right to a specific cabin. I often book it myself on a refundable basis if I see something I really want then xfer it later and convert to NRD when I know I'm committed.

Several weeks ago while quanatining on Jewel and while at anchor in Poole Bay this crew member first encountered Odyssey. Odyssey stopped in the hood to transfer crew with Anthem shortly after Royal acquired the ship. Now, weeks later this same crew member finds her and her boyfriend on Odyssey. Gives you an idea how they are adapting to the situation as it evolves.

The bill that passed the senate specifically identifies Washington state. I'm not sure of another deep water port suitable for cruise ships in the state. Astoria, Oregon is close by relative measures but a rather technical port to sail in and out of and being in a different state takes it off the list even if it somehow made it on a list given it's other technical challenges. Nothing jumps out as an alternative to Seattle.

Yet another cabin tour...

Pool deck

SeaPlex

Found a crew member who was on Anthem but moved to Odyssey. She and her boyfriend started on Jewel where they quarantined before moving to Anthem before moving to Odyssey.