Psycho and Barb

18 hours ago, flipflopper said:

I logged into Royal Caribbean’s Singapore website and found guidance that states the Covid PCR test has to be done 72-48 hours before departure, so that would suggest the elimination of the possibility of having a test in Florida in between cruises on the day of debarking/embarking

 

So if you've had COVID-19 with 180 days of sailing...You can't sail?

23 minutes ago, Scoular said:

Hi All,

Do you know if the double points offer will work if I book a cruise through a travel agent, rather than through RCL direct?

Doesn't matter how you booked...It only matters that you actually  take the cruise.  Too bad we don't receive the points for our Covid cancelled cruises...Lol

29 minutes ago, twangster said:

Residential internet service will become available in rural and underserved areas as a result but will cost an estimated $100 per month for the general consumer, triple that of land based providers.

 

We have a deer camp in the woods of Alabama with no cell service or internet.  We just recently had HughesNet satellite internet installed for $60 per month for 10GB per month with no hard data limits.  10MG is not much but we don't watch videos or play games...We only use it for test messages, WIFI calling and have one Ring security cam.  So far we are very happy with it and haven't had any problems with our limits.

On Sea days...Start the day off with regular free coffee and head upstairs to watch the sunrise.  After breakfast...Or sometimes with breakfast a spicy bloody marry or two.  After laying out in the sun for a few hours it'll be time for a Mudslide or some other iced drink.  Diamond Lounge for a few before dinner and usually two Crown and Cokes at dinner.  May have a couple more Crown and Cokes at what ever show we attend.  

9 hours ago, Zambia-Zaire said:

According to numbers, there is not enough vaccines to vaccinate a huge percentage of the population, in the U.S. alone 

Not according to our new President Biden and his plan to distribute 100 million vaccine shots in his first 100 days in office. Its a nice goal but I don't believe it to be realistic.

Got a feeling that will become the industry standard. 

We call it...Royal's Fuzzy Math!  We have learned a long time ago to not believe in their so called sales.  We constantly check on the items we are interested in from the day we book till we cruise...We learn what the basic price is.  If we find it at a lower price, we know if it's a good deal and we buy it.  If we find it lower again...We cancel the first one and re-buy.  Takes a bit of work on our part to check our cruise planner several times a week but it has payed off in the end.  

Are you thinking of the SS Azure Seas?  That was our first ever cruise...Out of Cali.  Here is an old link to some discussion on it.  

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/177415-ss-azure-seas/

Labadee is one of our favorite beach ports.  We will attempt to be the first ones off the ship and hurry to Nellie's Beach and snag our favorite spot...Close to the bar but under one of the few palm trees that provide a little shade...Not that that we sit much but spend most of the day in the water.  However, close to a bar is important.

Buy meds on the ship.  Psycho had a head cold one trip and had to purchase medicine from the ship's store at about the double our home price.  Lesson learned and we now cruise full stocked.

6 hours ago, Matt said:

That's because Florida's governor decided to offer it to anyone over 65

Yep and we love our Governor 

5 hours ago, Linda R said:

Where are you located?  In US every state is different and we cannot get them here, even if over 65.   I have already rec'd mine and want my husband to be able to get his too.

We are also in Florida...North West Florida and its being given by our county.

I believe its actually 2.1 Mil have been vaccinated and 11.4 Mil doses have been distributed according to the Washington Post.   

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-states-distribution-doses/

Barb got her Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shot yesterday...She's a RN at our local hospital.  She was not scheduled to receive it yet but she was assisting in giving it to other Doctors and Nurses.   A couple of people scheduled failed to show up.  After the Moderna is removed from the cold storage, it must be used in a few hours or it goes to waste...So she got it a little early.  No side effects so far.

Sorry to say but the strangest thing we've seen is one of them things we will never be able to forget.

On the Oasis of the Seas in the Solarium pool.  An intoxicated elderly gentlemen was...Less just say...He was enjoying the water pressure jets on the center fountain way to much and didn't care what the other guests thought.   A pool attendant was called and arrived just as the gentleman was...Done.  Pool was closed, drained and cleaned.

We are sort of in the same boat for our 18 Apr 2021 cruise out of Puerto Rico on Freedom of the Seas.  We have seen some great deals on airfare but we are very hesitant to buy not knowing if that cruise will sail or not.  We lost quite a bit on two tickets to California for my Mom's 80th Birthday.  That was just as the Covid was kicking off and all Delta would give us was one year extension and no change fee. 

More at Thanksgiving...Barb's an AWESOME cook...Lol

We always declare everything.  However, We don't list the quantity of items...Just what we paid.  IE. Cigarettes $20.00, Alcohol $35.00.  We have had a Custom Agent ask a time or two how many we bought for the amount listed..We honestly tell them how much we purchased.  We have only been asked to pay duty one time..Of course it was alcohol and with the duty, it was still cheaper then we could buy it at home.  I was told one time by a Custom Agent one that as long as you declare everything...Then its up to the agent, if you are to be charged duty.  But he also said if you don't declare it and we find it...Its going to cost you a lot more.

Psycho always brings his CPAP and fills out the special needs form.  Sometimes the ext cord and distilled water are in our room waiting on us and other times its not.  Never been a big deal...Just asked our room attendant and they have always made it happen.  Did one time get a super long heavy duty ext cord but the room attendant always put it away in the morning. 

2 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Princess Cruise lines has suspended global operations.

Princess Cruises has not had the best track record.  They have experienced the most norovirus outbreaks (and other gastrointestinal illnesses) of any other cruise line over the last decade. 
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm

Well yesterday was interesting for us.  Unfortunately for us, its not the CDC recommendations stopping us from our 5 Apr cruise...Its Work!!!  We are cruising with our son and family.  Yesterday our sons boss informed him he would be required to self quarantine for 14 days after he returns.  Barb who is an RN found out yesterday also that she will have to self quarantine for 14 days after we get home.  I work for Uncle Sam and so far have no requirement to self quarantine...YET.   

So since Royal has offed the 48 hour cancellation rule...We are going to chill and see what develops.   Then decide if we want to cancel or spend the extra leave.

On the Allure last year they had a Cigar under the stars event.  It was listed in the daily planner and I believe it was every night thing. 

The biggest problem is there seems to be no consistence on what is allowed and what is not allowed.  Anything with a 110v port may be confiscated by the ports contract security during check-in one cruise and not the next cruise.  If its in our luggage it may or may not require a trips to the naughty room...Just depends on who is doing the scanning.  Since just about all of our electronics are USB rechargeable, we only us this USB charger hub and have never had a problem. 

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-PowerPort-iPhone-Galaxy/dp/B00P936188/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-dXNiIGh1YiBjaGFyZ2Vy-ac_d_rm&cv_ct_cx=usb+hub+charger&keywords=usb+hub+charger&pd_rd_i=B00P936188&pd_rd_r=f99b56ae-dfe4-4b71-ba18-d5fc7aa82650&pd_rd_w=E0WeQ&pd_rd_wg=i6Bqr&pf_rd_p=ec111f65-4a46-499c-be78-f47997212bd0&pf_rd_r=EQM5WJNPFQDYYVEQ0977&psc=1&qid=1583249549

We always use the Department of State Website

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

7 hours ago, twangster said:

The system does allow someone to kick off someone else. 

Barb and I seem to kick each other several times during a cruise because we always only get one device.  Its more funny than an annoyance for us.  But can see how it could be a problem.  Grandson asked for my code last year...Didn't happen but I did let him use my iPad to text some of his friends.