twangster

I use kayak.com for flight purposes.  They offer purchase advice (wait, buy now, etc) as well as fare alerts.  I find if you book airfare too far out prices are high as airlines don't know if fuel prices will rise so they hedge and keep fares high.  At the 2-3 month mark they have a better understanding and begin to become competitive.   
I understand the appeal of driving, something that will never happen for me in Denver but I often make it to South Florida for under or around $400.  Consider Southwest too, if they are convenient for you as they can have some cheap fares far out and include checked bags so no additional fees.
Fortunately Anthem of the Seas has some variety in itineraries if you can deal with the North Atlantic seas for the 1st couple sea days.  
As far as cabins, book what works for you.  I've been lucky to enjoy suites but have also gone back to inside cabins on the next cruise and had an equally great time.

I'm really not sure.  They do change things once in a while.  Grandeur OTS has a stream of regular cruisers in the Baltimore area who sail her often.  If they do change the menu, I'm sure it will be equally as good.

I took a TA on Anthem from South Hampton to Cape Liberty at the end of October. Leaving South Hampton was cold and rainy (as expected). I think the high was maybe in the 50s? Waves and wind were so bad we were confined inside for the first two days, with many things cancelled on board (bumper cars, shows), due to all the movement. Personally, I found it to be quite enjoyable. Something strangely scary, yet peaceful.. out in the middle of the ocean like that. There was still plenty to do though. Definitely warmed up a bit coming into NY despite it being early November and how far north the route took us.
As far as the internet goes, we had a terrible connection in our room. Deck 6 JR Suite, mid ship. I dont know if we were in a dead zone on the ship, or if it signal wasn't the strongest out in the middle of the ocean. I wasn't able to FaceTime or stream video when we were on the middle days, but able to check email and Facebook just fine. This was about 3 years ago though. 

It's a nuance of extra large ships.  The venues can't possibly hold everyone so they use reservations to manage it.  Shows are typically offered on more than one night.  This applies to all Oasis class and Quantum class.  The rest of the fleet works the old way you experienced on Liberty.  Reservations are general admission, with a few areas reserved for certain suite guests.  

This is why people need to consider travel insurance.  Read the contract, cover your investment.   Just the facts.  

This is why people need to consider travel insurance.  Read the contract, cover your investment.   Just the facts.  

When in doubt ask the crew just as you step off the ship in port and as @KLAconQueso  stated, watch your smartphone.  I disable automatic time zones in settings and fix it to ship time.
To the general question do they change ship time?  The answer is... it depends.  Ships most often stay on the time of the departure city.    While Nassau tracks the eastern time zone year round,  a lot of islands in the Eastern Caribbean do not observe daylight savings.  Half the year they align to eastern time, half the year they don't but many are actually in the Atlantic time zone.  When I had a contract on St Thomas this was very confusing for coworkers back home trying to schedule meetings.  This also causes confusion for cruisers.  They take a cruise in the summer and islands are aligned to ship time then someone else takes the same cruise six months later and the ship time is different for the same ports. 
On Grandeur out of Baltimore they changed the ship clock in the middle of the night as we approached Bermuda.  The day we left they changed the ship clock back that night.  That tends to be rare though and most of the time ship clock is fixed the whole cruise, unless you cruise the weekend that daylight savings starts or ends.  On the Grandeur they put a note on the bed as well as stating on the front page of the cruise compass.  They also mentioned in at all the shows and entertainment.  
Transatlantic and transpacific change ship time mid-cruise.  No sense arriving in the US and being 5 hours off or vice versa.  Most cruises though, do not change ship time mid cruise.  Confused yet?
Fortunately for you the Bahamas follows eastern time and they do observe daylight savings time so the Bahamas is the same time as Florida year round.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates
 
we're sailing on oasis 10/8, st Martin replaced with Nassau. We were refunded on our st Martin shore excursion and there are no shore excursions offered (yet?) for Nassau.  With Maria threatening Puerto Rico, likely that'll be off the itinerary soon. 
Not clear if RC is offering cruise credit for 10/8 oasis or not, but I'll still go even if we only stop at Nassau and Labadee.
What are the chances of oct 8 sailing of oasis being cancelled? 
non refundable airfare and hotel before and after cruise will make rescheduled cruise pricey, but I won't complain considering the devastation and suffering of millions in hurricane affected areas. It's also an accepted risk taken by saving $ on the non refundable reservations.
i am impressed with RC's humanitarian efforts to provide relief of supplies and transportation to affected locations. Makes me happy to accept itinerary changes, or rescheduling if necessary, and not demand refunds, but rather applaud RC and be happy my vacation  $ assists RC humanitarian efforts.

I got an update from Capt. Bob Cass, who owns and runs Soualiga Destinations in St. Maarten. This was in response to an email I sent yesterday simply to express my hope that he and his crew were all well and safe:
He also said that he thinks Maria might pass to the south and may not be too bad. Granted, that's now two days ago and the track has been updated, but I didn't hear any comments in last night's news broadcast about St. Maarten being under threat, only St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. Might just be US-based focus of that broadcast, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that he's right.

When in doubt ask the crew just as you step off the ship in port and as @KLAconQueso  stated, watch your smartphone.  I disable automatic time zones in settings and fix it to ship time.
To the general question do they change ship time?  The answer is... it depends.  Ships most often stay on the time of the departure city.    While Nassau tracks the eastern time zone year round,  a lot of islands in the Eastern Caribbean do not observe daylight savings.  Half the year they align to eastern time, half the year they don't but many are actually in the Atlantic time zone.  When I had a contract on St Thomas this was very confusing for coworkers back home trying to schedule meetings.  This also causes confusion for cruisers.  They take a cruise in the summer and islands are aligned to ship time then someone else takes the same cruise six months later and the ship time is different for the same ports. 
On Grandeur out of Baltimore they changed the ship clock in the middle of the night as we approached Bermuda.  The day we left they changed the ship clock back that night.  That tends to be rare though and most of the time ship clock is fixed the whole cruise, unless you cruise the weekend that daylight savings starts or ends.  On the Grandeur they put a note on the bed as well as stating on the front page of the cruise compass.  They also mentioned in at all the shows and entertainment.  
Transatlantic and transpacific change ship time mid-cruise.  No sense arriving in the US and being 5 hours off or vice versa.  Most cruises though, do not change ship time mid cruise.  Confused yet?
Fortunately for you the Bahamas follows eastern time and they do observe daylight savings time so the Bahamas is the same time as Florida year round.

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

$119 on Harmony.  Booked in May for end of September sail date.  

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

On a side note, in 2016 I sailed Oasis and the souvenir cup came with the deluxe drink package.  I never used the cup, all of my drinks were from a bar.  
The cup has a chip embedded in the base which is how it works in the self serve soda and flavored water machines.
Recently on Grandeur I opted out of the drink package but brought my 2016 Oasis cup with me.  It worked!  
I guess they don't track the RFID of each cup and which ship a particular cup is distributed onto, as long as one has never been used, it seems to be accepted. 
YMMV

9-18-2017 and St Thomas is in panic.  Just heard from my friend on island.  Hurricane Maria forecast to arrive in a day or so.
Here we go again... 

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

Agreed.  From what I've seen you can enter your Voom code, if you bought a Voom plan, or you can purchase a Voom plan from the terminals.  They do allow free browsing to the RC website, but other than that, they are pretty locked down.  

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

Became an insider today as well.  Keep the blogs and scopes coming!

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

"Fly By Night Away From Here...Ship Isn't Coming and I Just Can't Pretend."  hmmm, sounds like a cruise hurricane season song.
Million miler on Delta.  I've seen delays, misconnects and cancellations, lots of them.  With elite status I get added to the standby list at the very top, bumping everyone else down, yet I fly in the day before, always.  
Grew up not far from YYZ.  Watched the Concorde do a fly by at YYZ from the old parking garage.  Good times.
 

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

Five years ago I had a contract on St Thomas that lasted almost two years.  In those two years I got to know all of the USVI.  There is nothing like living somewhere to really get to know the culture.  I've been communicating with a local resident I used to work with who lived through Irma and the struggles since.  This morning was the first sign of hope in his communication, they've been pretty bleak up to this point.  
His message today read "Yesterday was a great day.  Tim Duncan, pro basketball player, also a virgin islander, distributed a lot of food at the Innovative parking lot.  I volunteered to assist giving bags of food away".  That's the most hopeful and positive message I've received so far.
Up until today his messages have repeatedly discussed a lack of food and water.  Even after Majesty OTS visited there dropping off supplies earlier this week, its taken time for those and other supplies reaching the island to make it into the hands of the residents.  I understand that, it takes time for local authorities and relief organizations to triage the situation and with so many in need, to get more supplies flowing and distributed to the people in need.  Watching this unfold from both sides has been nerve racking and frustrating but in my heart I knew it would be a process that wouldn't happen overnight. 
I'd like to personally thank any Royal Caribbean employees at all levels of the organization who might read this post.  
In a natural disaster anywhere an immediate response is critical to saving lives.  With island factors involved that is even more so the case.  As first responders, relief organizations and governments began to mobilize their forces, Royal Caribbean employees worked to fulfill the gap in those critical first days after Hurricane Irma had passed bringing much needed supplies and evacuating stranded travelers, reducing the number of victims vying for limited food and water.
Since 2016 I've been evaluating new cruise lines to sail with.  My upcoming Harmony cruise will mark the 5th with the Royal Caribbean family in support of that goal.  It had been my intention to continue to explore different cruise lines not because I was unhappy with any of those cruises,  more because I just wanted to be familiar with all my options before zeroing in on any line in particular.   My search is over.  Watching Royal Caribbean's response to Irma I know I found the right cruise line.  
For me with my St Thomas connection this is personal.  I look forward to cruising back there one day when the time is right.  I'll find other ways to help when the time is appropriate, going there right now would just make me another mouth to feed.
For those with cruises impacted I'm sorry and I know its upsetting, but Royal Caribbean made a real difference deploying their ships as they did.
Before joining this forum, I posted in another forum shortly after talking to my friend earlier this week.  His call came in late one night and after I couldn't sleep so I started writing.  
I apologize for making this post very long, but thought the context was important.  Things on island are improving.  There is a still a long way to go.  It will take months to get power back.  Recovery is a process and it has begun.   It's only going to get better from here.
 
Here is my post, from 9-12-2017:
I finally heard back from a former coworker and friend on St Thomas tonight.   
Area code 340 appeared on my phone as I watched the evening news in Denver.  My heart skipped a beat, I know that area code, I know it's the USVI. It felt surreal having to mute my 70" big screen TV and look at my large glass of ice water beside me as he explained how things are on St Thomas.  I used to work there with him.  I know the islands well. 
Now, no power, no water, little food.  Multiple check points.  Curfew 6pm to noon.  They can't open the supermarkets fully for fear of looting, so the National Guard allows 8-10 in at a time to pick from the small selection of food. Long lines waiting for your turn.  He seemed pleased to have a few items of food from his last visit.  He had found a working ATM and was able to get cash for food.  Small miracles.  Between getting there and waiting in line, it's an all day affair.  Curfew.  
He was aware of the cruise ship visit today and why they were there - to pick up stranded travelers, but he knew nothing of the supplies being left by the ships.  "Where did they go?" was his question, meaning the supplies, not the travelers.  
He still works for the same company where I was a contractor.  He explained how he works noon to six because that is when curfew is lifted.  He goes to the office building where I used to work from and tries to keep some of the equipment from over heating by moving fans around.  They have a generator, but not one to run the air conditioning for the building, a building which is damaged.  They all are. Today he tried to make it to the Home Depot to buy something for the office.  That took 2 1/2 hours.  It used to take 10 - 15 minutes from Tutu.   Lots of check points. VI police at one, National Guard at another, Marines at a 3rd.  He wasn't sure they were Marines, but some sort of military.  Turns out Home Depot was closed.  No power and damaged.  With no time to lose, he headed back.  He had to, curfew in 2 hours.  A work day lost.  Many of the company buildings are damaged.  Some of these are the central offices of the local Telco where we worked.  They were the backbone of island communication before Irma.  He was grateful to have cell signal tonight.  I felt guilty talking to him for so long knowing it was draining his battery, but it seemed like he wanted to talk, needed to talk. He can charge it in the office tomorrow he explained.  Our calls dropped numerous times but he promptly called me back each time. 
"It's hard" he explained.  "Everything is hard".  I could hear it in his voice.  Even doing nothing all morning but laying in bed until noon.  Curfew.  Can't go outside, nothing to do inside.  His house damaged he is living with friends.  Even bathing is hard.  No water and it's hard to bathe in the ocean and be salty.  
He was hoping to make it to St Croix soon.  The company has offices there.  He could keep his job.  That's really important in the VI, jobs are hard to come by and he is grateful to have one.   St Croix felt some effects from Irma but nothing like St Thomas and especially not like St John.  "I'm blessed" he told me.  "People on St John have it very bad".  He explained they are resettling anyone they can from St John over to St Croix.   For the moment that means he can't go to St Croix.  Maybe soon he hopes.  They have power, and water.  Some of St Croix does he heard.  He told me several times how fortunate he is.
I felt silly asking if he needed anything, both of us knowing there would be no way for me to ship it to him.  Maybe soon. Until then I've got to find a way to help.  We all do.
Since writing this late last night I woke to the news that Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas remains in the area and is doing runs between San Juan and St Thomas.  Shout out to the NCL Sky for her visit Monday, I was checking out her webcam while she was there.  Even bigger shout out to Royal Caribbean for keeping Majesty OTS in the area for a few days.  I know other lines are helping in other places too.  
 The biggest challenge in a natural disaster anywhere is surviving the first few weeks.   Add the island factor and the fact that there are two islands, St Thomas and St John and it becomes a massive challenge.  With more supplies continuing to arrive they will eventually make it to the people.  Looters won't feel the need to loot, curfews can be relaxed, people will shift focus to items like getting the power on and water running.  
 It won't happen overnight but don't underestimate the resolve of VI residents, these are American citizens after all.  St Thomas and St John will rebuild.  I look forward to returning on a cruise one day.  Until then donate if you can and thank the cruise lines for their role in this critical phase of surviving the next few weeks.   
 

On the Grandeur a few weeks ago I stuck to MDR, all 9 nights.  When I've sailed Oasis class I had access to Coastal Kitchen and/or specialty dining.  Being a newbie on RCI ships I wanted to have the full MDR experience to validate my overall switch to RCI that I've begun.   I was very happy eating in the MDR.  Menu was different each night, with a theme.  Saffron, Portobello, Sage, etc.  I've attached the MDR menus, the theme for the night in the upper left corner.
Grandeur MDR Menus.pdf