Dan Curtis

Agree...we are avid cruisers and have decided not to cruise until we do not have to follow any social distancing, masking, testing requirements. I think that is probably not going to be until mid to late 2022. We just got back from an all inclusive resort in Mexico and it was fantastic. No testing to get into the country, the resort was operating at 50% capacity, very clean and safe. When hanging out by the pool no need to mask (there were tons of open chairs due to low capacity). Highly recommend this as an alternative. We never left the resort and felt safer there than in the US. 

drinks
 

We always get a ship model but the little one on a key ring and then take the chain part off.
We were gutted we couldn't get one on our last cruise on the Independence of the seas!  they sold out.

I want  to start collecting magnets or ornaments or something of the like for each new ship...but honestly they never quite scream to me when I'm on board.
BUT...I do always buy photos and somehow end up always buying something from the "street" sales.

Souvenir pen!  I always try to buy a $10 watch.

I don't buy magnets, but I've been collecting shot glasses of destinations for years now. And a cruise ship certainly qualifies. 

For me, its the ship model. Started that collection a few years back. 

For us.. we have to buy a ship magnet.. I know its dumb.. but we have to litter the Fridge with them lol 
 

Thank you anyway.

Our last cruise was early February of this year, had another in May, that of course got canceled, our February cruise was out of San Juan which was our third cruise out of San Juan and has became our favorite place to cruise from for many reason, the city is beautiful and people are friendly, we found a private owned hotel that is reasonable and treat you like gold, even use the same cab driver, plus we enjoy the islands that they stop at out of San Juan. Saint Luca and Barbados has become a couple of our favorite stops, the only down side is connections flying back to Cincinnati, no non stops, but I remember being at airport having a last lunch together as four different couples hugged and said good bye as we all had different airlines, we have rebooked for June this year, keeping fingers crossed for all the cruises friends.

Our last cruise was early February of this year, had another in May, that of course got canceled, our February cruise was out of San Juan which was our third cruise out of San Juan and has became our favorite place to cruise from for many reason, the city is beautiful and people are friendly, we found a private owned hotel that is reasonable and treat you like gold, even use the same cab driver, plus we enjoy the islands that they stop at out of San Juan. Saint Luca and Barbados has become a couple of our favorite stops, the only down side is connections flying back to Cincinnati, no non stops, but I remember being at airport having a last lunch together as four different couples hugged and said good bye as we all had different airlines, we have rebooked for June this year, keeping fingers crossed for all the cruises friends.

My chocolate martini at the English Pub on Symphony of the Seas last February.  This bartender was very good at making me drinks I never thought I'd like and having me fall in love with them (like a Blueberry Gin Fizz - I thought I hated Gin).  Man, I miss him.

Last memory...
May 26, 2019... a sad goodbye to Allure after an amazing cruise as we waited to board our Southwest flight home from FLL... ?

July 27, 2019 leaving the beautiful Port  of Miami on Symphony.

I never would have imagined that sail away would be my last one for almost a year and a half now.  The saddest part is that I don’t know even know when the dry dock ends. ?
However, with all the losses 2020 has brought, it has brought us many hidden blessings as well. It is important to fix our eyes on the little things in life.

I did not sign up because it would be unethical for my medical provider to write a statement that I do not have any underlying conditions. My asthma is very well controlled, but still qualifies as an underlying condition.

I'll probably not volunteer. It's safe to say the sailing will depart from Florida and living in New York means quarantine when I return. It has nothing to do with work, I'm just not willing to do that, unless of course I was exposed. Additionally, with rising cases in my area and new restrictions being put in place, I'm not sure non-essential air travel is a good idea. It does sound like an amazing "once in a lifetime" opportunity and would love to be part of it. (Honestly, what would be the odds of actually getting picked anyway LOL)

I volunteered because I love cruising, and I am eager to be part of the return to sea. I want to help test the procedures and provide the feedback they need so that we can ALL get back to cruising. 
If the other cruise lines put out volunteer forms like RCCL, I would volunteer for as many as possible so that I could help with comparison information "xx cruise line did this which worked really well, while yy cruise line did this a little different".

I volunteered because I'm in a position to (retired, able to quarantine if necessary, willing to accept the risks involved, in good health) and because I want to support RCL in returning to cruising.  My eyes are wide open; I know this will be a test, not a 'cruise' as such, and that many of the things I love about cruising will not be occurring.  That's okay.  I believe at this point, the industry needs support; more than that, I think it needs belief and trust.  

I have worked with the public everyday with my job since the pandemic has started. I wear a mask, use proper social distancing guide lines and wash and sanitize my hands often. I have also followed those guide lines when out in public places like the grocery store.  I don't see any differences if I cruise.

Looking for some help with a blog post I'm writing.
If you signed up as a volunteer for a Royal Caribbean test cruise, can you write 2-3 sentences why you did?
If you did not, can you share why you did not?
Can't promise I can use all the quotes, but thank you in advance!

RANT ON:  This is just another example of entrenched bureaucrats that have lost touch with reality.  They know nothing beyond the little bubble they live in.  Here is another news flash for them.  Pedestrians who cross streets are more likely to be struck by cars, than pedestrians that never cross the street.  Live is a series of calculated risks, let individuals weigh the risks and let them make their own decision.
Its easy for these government employees to advocate for businesses to shut down, they still are getting paid.  RANT OFF

Most definitely fly in a day early, especially if flying from the north in the winter, who knows it may snow a foot or so the day of and will be major delays, also if your flying a non major airline, they seem to have more canceled flights than say delta, I work at Cincinnati airport and have saw this happen in the winter, we always go a day early, will continue to.

Happy people going out ? --- sad coming back ? ---- happy again when booking next cruise ? and the cycle starts again

Haha. At one point I thought I had mistakenly stumbled upon a AARP blog! ?

It would be impossible to drive to our favorite port, San Juan, our last three  cruises have been out of San Juan, as far as state side ports, I guess Tampa or Orlando area would be around a 15 hr drive, which is doable, but I usually try to fly if over 5 hrs. Usually don’t mind driving to vacation, but always that dread to drive home when vacation is over, give me that 2 hr flight anytime.