twangster

When I lived in a beach town and we saw people in the water in the winter we always said... "Look!  Canadians!"

Thank you for the pictures!  I was excited before, but seeing those pictures has increased my enthusiasm.  It was less than $200 to add a second person to the room (pricing is so weird), so if my daughter decides she will get too sea sick and my husband decides no, I really will not lose much money on a solo sailing.  
 
These days, I am not worried about guaranteed sunshine for this time next year-I will be happy with a guaranteed sailing.

I think we are in agreement.  More testing and tracing lets us identify individuals and close contacts who need to quarantine/isolate so that more of our society can be opened.  It's a means to open more, not less as it allows us to "see" the virus and regional trends so that the response can be intelligent as opposed to falling back on draconian widespread shutdowns.
Without becoming political some of the testing problems in the WH appear to be one of reduced testing that would be like saying the Captain of the ship doesn't need to test if everyone else has been tested.   To their credit the WH has helped us understand how not to go about accomplishing this, what doesn't work and why.
Until an effective vaccine is truly widely and readily available around the world there are mitigation steps such as distancing and masks that can be used to compliment increased testing to reduce spread.  These steps help to cover the period between tests when individuals don't yet know they are carrying and spreading the virus.
Cruise operations with proper testing, tracing and isolation can be a means to prove how this can work effectively.  Some public health organizations have used the early outbreaks as a means to learn what didn't work.  This includes failures in nursing homes as well as on ships including Naval vessels.  For those public health organizations that are open to learning from the real world, cruise operations now represent an opportunity to build testing models that can be referenced to scale these concepts on a larger basis to entire countries.

If your spouse and the kids are under 18 then you all become Diamond if you are in a declared relationship and the kids are associated with your account, all by you cruising solo and becoming Diamond.  Under current rules the kids would be Diamond for life even when they grow up.  That's a pretty good gift.  

Diamond is the single most important or meaningful level within the Crown and Anchor Society.   You gain more in this achievement compared (relatively) to any other level.  
Diamond Plus has some small incremental benefits that worked out nicely for my needs but nothing like the incremental gains from achieving Diamond.
That Diamond matches to Elite on Celebrity is another factor that makes Diamond more important to folks who sail both lines. 
Having said all that be cautious chasing status unless you don't plan on taking more cruises ever.  Spend money on vacations that have meaning to you.  Diamond will happen on some next cruise and once achieved it will be there for the next cruise and the next cruise and the next cruise after that. 
The Panama Canal remains to be one of my best cruises ever.  It's an amazing destination with incredible history and an accomplishment we'll likely never see the likes of again in our lifetime.  If you can't make it work this time there will be more opportunities at some point on Royal or Celebrity.  The canal transits on Millennial look just as interesting to me although Radiance class does have the open helipad which should be awesome during the canal (but it will be crowded). 
Given the length of a typical canal cruise you might want to level up before boarding a cruise through the Panama Canal so you can enjoy the benefits for the full two weeks.  Diamond status isn't achieved until the cruise is over and the points are added to your account so I'd be tempted to reach Diamond before boarding a Panama Canal cruise. 

I was Gold on Royal when I did my first Celebrity cruise.  I chose Celebrity over Royal on that occasion taking all aspects of status and climbing the C&A ladder out of the equation.  It was a better ship for money.  I could have climbed Royal faster and deferred Celebrity but I took status off the table and looked at the choice on the basic merits of the ship (itinerary was identical).  No regrets.    
Even as I have reached C&A milestones it wasn't lost on me I would have been here one cruise sooner if only... yet looking back I made the right choice and I'd do it again.  

I was Gold on Royal when I did my first Celebrity cruise.  I chose Celebrity over Royal on that occasion taking all aspects of status and climbing the C&A ladder out of the equation.  It was a better ship for money.  I could have climbed Royal faster and deferred Celebrity but I took status off the table and looked at the choice on the basic merits of the ship (itinerary was identical).  No regrets.    
Even as I have reached C&A milestones it wasn't lost on me I would have been here one cruise sooner if only... yet looking back I made the right choice and I'd do it again.  

Diamond is the single most important or meaningful level within the Crown and Anchor Society.   You gain more in this achievement compared (relatively) to any other level.  
Diamond Plus has some small incremental benefits that worked out nicely for my needs but nothing like the incremental gains from achieving Diamond.
That Diamond matches to Elite on Celebrity is another factor that makes Diamond more important to folks who sail both lines. 
Having said all that be cautious chasing status unless you don't plan on taking more cruises ever.  Spend money on vacations that have meaning to you.  Diamond will happen on some next cruise and once achieved it will be there for the next cruise and the next cruise and the next cruise after that. 
The Panama Canal remains to be one of my best cruises ever.  It's an amazing destination with incredible history and an accomplishment we'll likely never see the likes of again in our lifetime.  If you can't make it work this time there will be more opportunities at some point on Royal or Celebrity.  The canal transits on Millennial look just as interesting to me although Radiance class does have the open helipad which should be awesome during the canal (but it will be crowded). 
Given the length of a typical canal cruise you might want to level up before boarding a cruise through the Panama Canal so you can enjoy the benefits for the full two weeks.  Diamond status isn't achieved until the cruise is over and the points are added to your account so I'd be tempted to reach Diamond before boarding a Panama Canal cruise. 

Diamond is the single most important or meaningful level within the Crown and Anchor Society.   You gain more in this achievement compared (relatively) to any other level.  
Diamond Plus has some small incremental benefits that worked out nicely for my needs but nothing like the incremental gains from achieving Diamond.
That Diamond matches to Elite on Celebrity is another factor that makes Diamond more important to folks who sail both lines. 
Having said all that be cautious chasing status unless you don't plan on taking more cruises ever.  Spend money on vacations that have meaning to you.  Diamond will happen on some next cruise and once achieved it will be there for the next cruise and the next cruise and the next cruise after that. 
The Panama Canal remains to be one of my best cruises ever.  It's an amazing destination with incredible history and an accomplishment we'll likely never see the likes of again in our lifetime.  If you can't make it work this time there will be more opportunities at some point on Royal or Celebrity.  The canal transits on Millennial look just as interesting to me although Radiance class does have the open helipad which should be awesome during the canal (but it will be crowded). 
Given the length of a typical canal cruise you might want to level up before boarding a cruise through the Panama Canal so you can enjoy the benefits for the full two weeks.  Diamond status isn't achieved until the cruise is over and the points are added to your account so I'd be tempted to reach Diamond before boarding a Panama Canal cruise. 

Diamond is the single most important or meaningful level within the Crown and Anchor Society.   You gain more in this achievement compared (relatively) to any other level.  
Diamond Plus has some small incremental benefits that worked out nicely for my needs but nothing like the incremental gains from achieving Diamond.
That Diamond matches to Elite on Celebrity is another factor that makes Diamond more important to folks who sail both lines. 
Having said all that be cautious chasing status unless you don't plan on taking more cruises ever.  Spend money on vacations that have meaning to you.  Diamond will happen on some next cruise and once achieved it will be there for the next cruise and the next cruise and the next cruise after that. 
The Panama Canal remains to be one of my best cruises ever.  It's an amazing destination with incredible history and an accomplishment we'll likely never see the likes of again in our lifetime.  If you can't make it work this time there will be more opportunities at some point on Royal or Celebrity.  The canal transits on Millennial look just as interesting to me although Radiance class does have the open helipad which should be awesome during the canal (but it will be crowded). 
Given the length of a typical canal cruise you might want to level up before boarding a cruise through the Panama Canal so you can enjoy the benefits for the full two weeks.  Diamond status isn't achieved until the cruise is over and the points are added to your account so I'd be tempted to reach Diamond before boarding a Panama Canal cruise. 

This is good advice.  Thank you @twangster
Our “long” cruise plan for 2022 is a repositioning not the Canal, but the advice still makes sense. 

Based on this, it looks like I should try to reach Diamond before trying Celebrity.  I also will postpone the canal until I make Diamond, then I can choose between Celebrity and RC (although RC seems to transit the canal very rarely).
The historical significance is the reason this particular cruise is on my bucket list.  The engineering feat continues to amaze me!  My daddy was a civil engineer and loved David McCullough's book.

I presume you are on an Oasis class ship in a suite with Sky Class benefits.  
The suite lounge on deck 17 has complimentary beer and wine 11am to 11pm.  Each evening there are cocktail hours typically something like 5pm to 8pm but this can vary slightly by ship.  During the cocktail hours there are well drinks available for basic cocktails such as vodka and soda, rum and coke or gin and tonic plus many variations of basic drinks with cranberry, orange juice and other basic mixers.  
The included choices are from a preset basic menu.  If you prefer a craft beer or a better liquor those cost extra unless you have a drink package.  Frozen drinks are not included and during the day only the suite lounge on deck 17 offers these included drinks with a Sky class suite.
If you are at the pool or even on the suite sun deck, those bars are not included, you have to visit the suite lounge on deck 17 for the complimentary beverages.
Depending on your preferences and drinking habits that may work well for you just keep in mind that if you are at dinner in the dining room or in the theater watching a show or near the pub on the promenade you have to pay normally for beverages unless you make the trip up to deck 17.  
When I have sailed Sky class I have always purchased a beverage package because I like to be spontaneous and have a beverage when I feel like it wherever I am at that moment.  I also prefer better brands and nicer wines compared to the included well drinks on deck 17.  I also like frozen drinks by the pool and enjoying a drink at a show.  However that is me.  
What works best for you and your family is something only you will know.  There is nothing wrong with skipping a beverage package when in a Sky class suite, just remember you have to visit deck 17 for all complimentary drinks.  

Send pictures!!!

My family in Southern Ontario are thinking about moving.  They are restricting their search to somewhere so they can keep their doctor otherwise they don't know how long they'll be without a doctor.  

There is nothing wrong with cruising only in balcony cabins if that's all you can afford.  Some people can only afford interior cabins.  The ship visits the same ports regardless of the cabin you can afford. 
Enjoy your cruise.  
     

Looks like some interesting cocktail recipes...
https://discover.silversea.com/category/to-the-curious/salt-bar/

I was recently watching a Celebrity webinar on the Galapagos which opened my eyes to this exciting destination and other options within the Royal Caribbean Group family.  I quickly discovered a brand new ship that SilverSea built specifically for the Galapagos, the Silver Origin.  
The Silver Origin is a clever name since the Galapagos are known for Charles Darwin's famous book, The Origins of Species.  
The Galapagos is a unique bucket list destination.  Access to the Galapagos archipelago is strictly controlled and the few lines that operate there must confirm to controlled and approved itineraries.  These ships are unique in that they never dock, not even to embark or debark passengers, the Galapagos are that strictly controlled.  
SilverSea is known for luxury and you don't have to spend much time looking at the marketing material to see that Silver Origin fits the SilverSea brand very well.  It's an all suite ship with capacity for 100 passengers and a crew of 90.   The ship is so new that she hasn't carried passengers yet.  The pandemic spoiled the Silver Origin inaugural sailings but there is hope they can start soon.  Until then these marketing video from near the end of her construction are all we have:
https://discover.silversea.com/on-board/silversea-welcomes-silver-origin-to-the-fleet/
Deck 3: The Marina and Basecamp
Deck 4: The Restaurant and Explorer’s Lounge
Decks 5 and 6: Spa, Fitness Center and Suites   
Deck 7: Upper Deck, The Grill and Observation Lounge
Silver Origin provides a truly all-inclusive experience.  Short of spa services there is little on board that isn't included.  
It's amazing to me that the Royal Caribbean Group has such a broad spectrum of cruise products in the portfolio.  The Galapagos is not an inexpensive destination but there are a lot of reasons behind the scenes why it isn't mainstream mass market cruising.  As I began thinking about this incredible destination I was pleased to discover that SilverSea was within my budget for this extraordinary bucket list experience.  
In the coming months I hope to experience the Silver Origin myself and to bring this beautiful baby ship to you right here on RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.  

Looks like some interesting cocktail recipes...
https://discover.silversea.com/category/to-the-curious/salt-bar/

There is nothing wrong with cruising only in balcony cabins if that's all you can afford.  Some people can only afford interior cabins.  The ship visits the same ports regardless of the cabin you can afford. 
Enjoy your cruise.  
     

Suites haven't been released yet.  It's not fully loaded in the system.  Even balconies are scarce with only 4B and CB available to book.  Keep checking. 

Not sure what's going on with it.  Regular balconies have re-appeared but C&A discounts are still not loaded in the system.  
Keep an eye on Serenade.  She is in the Atlantic right now but is supposed to do Alaska next summer.  With Australia shutdown to cruising Serenade will probably stay put until she makes her way to the Pacific.  That could possibly involve the canal as well.   

There is nothing wrong with cruising only in balcony cabins if that's all you can afford.  Some people can only afford interior cabins.  The ship visits the same ports regardless of the cabin you can afford. 
Enjoy your cruise.  
     

I presume you are on an Oasis class ship in a suite with Sky Class benefits.  
The suite lounge on deck 17 has complimentary beer and wine 11am to 11pm.  Each evening there are cocktail hours typically something like 5pm to 8pm but this can vary slightly by ship.  During the cocktail hours there are well drinks available for basic cocktails such as vodka and soda, rum and coke or gin and tonic plus many variations of basic drinks with cranberry, orange juice and other basic mixers.  
The included choices are from a preset basic menu.  If you prefer a craft beer or a better liquor those cost extra unless you have a drink package.  Frozen drinks are not included and during the day only the suite lounge on deck 17 offers these included drinks with a Sky class suite.
If you are at the pool or even on the suite sun deck, those bars are not included, you have to visit the suite lounge on deck 17 for the complimentary beverages.
Depending on your preferences and drinking habits that may work well for you just keep in mind that if you are at dinner in the dining room or in the theater watching a show or near the pub on the promenade you have to pay normally for beverages unless you make the trip up to deck 17.  
When I have sailed Sky class I have always purchased a beverage package because I like to be spontaneous and have a beverage when I feel like it wherever I am at that moment.  I also prefer better brands and nicer wines compared to the included well drinks on deck 17.  I also like frozen drinks by the pool and enjoying a drink at a show.  However that is me.  
What works best for you and your family is something only you will know.  There is nothing wrong with skipping a beverage package when in a Sky class suite, just remember you have to visit deck 17 for all complimentary drinks.  

Pool heaters on this scale would have a bypass.  If they really intended to heat it they could launch it without a heater while installed the heater. 
I have to imagine though it would be a tremendous energy pig.  So much surface area and earth surrounding it to heat up.  It would cost a large fortune to heat a pool that big.