SpeedNoodles

My company has formally announced that all employees in IT, such as myself, now have the option of being 100% remote for work. Not a couple of days per week, not "remote primary" -- truly 100% remote every day of the year, never to set foot in an office building again. I don't know a single person in my department who hasn't taken that option, except for some of the director-level staff who just prefer to be in an office building a few days a week. I was almost literally singing hallelujah when the survey asking for general interest in that idea went out to all IT staff.
There are still people who work the trading desks who will be in the office, but I think that's mainly because there are still clients who insist on real face-to-face meetings. If the pandemic has done one positive thing, it's utterly transformed the work landscape for IT. I know tons of people who've been clamoring for this for years as broadband became commonplace in pretty much all of suburbia, but management never accepted the idea because they believed the only way to stay productive was to be in a building where you could directly collaborate with your teammates (maybe with a manager breathing down your neck and/or watching over you from a high perch). This last year has finally taught many companies that the cubicle farm, and the office building as a whole, has become an outdated concept.
I hope we never go back, because the amount of money I'm saving by not traveling and not buying breakfast and lunch every day, never mind gas expenses and car maintenance, has been mind-blowing. I'm saving almost $200 $100 a month just on the elimination of Starbucks; with the side benefit that I've found a local store that sells way better coffee beans at a lower price per pound, so I'm actually enjoying good coffee every day for way less.
EDIT -- Changed the SBUX savings, because I realized I didn't factor in the replacement coffee beans expenses or the fact that I'm still buying groceries to replace the breakfast items I was buying every morning. But still... I mean, the overall reduction in sodium, preservatives, sugar, and other things is probably saving me more money over the long haul in medical expenses related to all those things I'm not putting into myself in anywhere near as large volumes.
Oh, and instead of spending $50+ a week on gas, I'm spending about $40 a month because I'm basically not driving anywhere any more. That'll probably go up again when things become a bit more normal, but by that point I'll be in a hybrid car and monthly gas will likely be no higher.

I agree with @twangster and @BarbieBell. Royal has to get back to cruising somehow and this appears the only way to do it.  There's no point in waiting further.
As far as people that don't want to sail because of the vaccine, well that is their choice.  The requirements to go on these cruises is well understood and publicized. Anyone that chooses to go, also chooses to abide by them.  Anyone that can't abide by them, is free to stay home. 
People that complain about these kinds of things are just making trouble.  Kinda reminds me of this woman: Woman refuses to wear mask in Texas, again, gets arrested - ABC News (go.com) (Of course it is rather ironic. She's probably the first person to get arrested for refusing to wear a mask at a bank!)

I thought you were going all Bronx on us for a moment there. ?
As for your friends, that's simply the way they're dealing with it that helps them cope.  Some people are serious germaphobes and it's a way of coping that allows them to feel as if they have better control of a situation that gives them great anxiety.  I am very close to one myself, and his routines have nothing to do with "this country".  Just continue to be kind.  

You definitely can.  They have had to-go containers to pack it all up every time I have done it, chopsticks, soy sauce packets, etc.  Still have the same $35/person limit per visit as take-out.

Royal is doing what it needs to do to survive.  It's obvious the CDC has no intention of letting them sail soon in America.  Numerous ports have agreed to allow Royal ships to visit on the premise that everyone will be tested and everyone will be vaccinated.  Virgin Cruises is doing the same.
There is no way any Caribbean nation can tell it's people they are opening their ports to thousands while those countries haven't been vaccinated unless everyone arriving is vaccinated and tested.  That is the only way to better ensure the safety of the Caribbean nations being visited before those residents can get the vaccine.  
I realize many will not choose the vaccine and some can't get the vaccine for medical reasons.  The problem facing Royal is the very real possibility of collapse if they wait any longer.  
Boycott if you must, spend your money elsewhere if you choose.  However understand the company has to do this to survive.  

A tweet with 7200 likes is hardly an indication of a boycott.  C'mon Newsweek.

Funny cat videos get a lot more likes than that.

More like Shaggy.

Honestly, right now, I wouldn't expect any OBC from TAs (meaning I personally simply would not expect it from them)..  They have been hammered with so much work and very little/no reward over the last year.

Honestly, right now, I wouldn't expect any OBC from TAs (meaning I personally simply would not expect it from them)..  They have been hammered with so much work and very little/no reward over the last year.

It's not an unheard of thing that someone's reservation gets canceled by Royal Caribbean accidentally.  I'd definitely confirm with Royal or your TA asap.

Honestly, right now, I wouldn't expect any OBC from TAs (meaning I personally simply would not expect it from them)..  They have been hammered with so much work and very little/no reward over the last year.

It's not an unheard of thing that someone's reservation gets canceled by Royal Caribbean accidentally.  I'd definitely confirm with Royal or your TA asap.

It's not an unheard of thing that someone's reservation gets canceled by Royal Caribbean accidentally.  I'd definitely confirm with Royal or your TA asap.

I thought you were going all Bronx on us for a moment there. ?
As for your friends, that's simply the way they're dealing with it that helps them cope.  Some people are serious germaphobes and it's a way of coping that allows them to feel as if they have better control of a situation that gives them great anxiety.  I am very close to one myself, and his routines have nothing to do with "this country".  Just continue to be kind.  

Honestly, right now, I wouldn't expect any OBC from TAs (meaning I personally simply would not expect it from them)..  They have been hammered with so much work and very little/no reward over the last year.

Please don't get her started...

I'm fairly certain the UK starting banning Americans once they heard your British accent.

The condition of being adopted is putting up with my Australian accent every day.

I can vouch for @Sharla with MEI. Since our first Covid canceled cruise in May ‘20, I was not happy with our travel agent at the time in the way it was handled. After getting our FCC’s, I switched agencies after reading so many good recommendations about MEI here on the blog. Sharla has gone above and beyond booking numerous cruises and subsequent cancellations for us in the hopes of one day the cruising world (and the world in general) is back to normal. I also check for price drops frequently and if I see one, I just drop Sharla an email and she checks into it.  
 
Communication is the key to having a good travel agent and I couldn’t be happier with everything Sharla has done for us. 

The obvious advantage to booking the 2 BR GS is that you would qualify for all of the Suite benefits.  That includes access to the Concierge/Suites Lounge, breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants, services of the Concierge, invitation to the ship tours (assuming they still offer those after the re-start), reserved seating in the theaters. Are those things worth $2K ?
Personally, I think you will have more room, overall, with the 2 JS.  The second bedroom in the 2 BR GS is really the size of an inside room - very small....but 2 full JS would be LOTS of room....and if they were connecting, it would be like having 2 giant suites !
This would be a tough one for me.  You know I love the suite perks...but to be completely honest, I'm not sure that the suite perks on a non-O/Q are worth $2K.

@michellealways checks prices when a new sale is announced BUT  she does not, nor do I expect her to check prices daily.  That is MY job and I do it every. single. day.  If I happen to catch a price drop (this has not happened for some time, BTW) I notify her immediately and she looks into it.
I have never ever been charged a single dime in fees from MEI.  Never.  Ever....and I've been using them for nearly 10 years.

The saliva test is even better (also RT-PCR). I've done 3. Pretty handy (although as a woman I was really never taught to spit well when I was a child, lol).  I'm hoping for something like cheek or saliva for these cruising tests.

I'm holding a room at the Hilton on 6/11 ...just in case ?

Royal has stated the last antigen test on board will be timed so this can be used for the purpose of flying home.

MEI-Travel does monitor- I often check and we have an alert tool that works for us (most of the time). However, if you do see a lower price, you can email your agent and they can check on it. We work together!