Dan Curtis

It's definitely impossible with that spirit!

 
 

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.

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.

Deanies Cajun seafood in New Orleans
Montgomery Inn Ribs in Cincinnati ( Bob Hope had his ribs shipped from there)
Log Cabin In for fried chicken in Independence Ky
 
 

A few randomly organized thoughts on all this:
First of all, this all sounds very similar to the other cruise lines, which was expected. I also think that the urgency to get this out there FIRST THING in the morning on the day after the CDC's comment period ended seems like a good sign that at least RCG and NCL are interested in a slow start on November 1st, if things go their way. 
Tests: Testing before getting to the port seems far wiser than testing at the port. However, a couple things on this; say one gets tested five days before and doesn't have test results by sail date? Some places seems to give quick test results, but I have also heard of it taking a week or more. What does one do then? What about if one tests five delays before and gets a positive result 47 hours before sailing (for example). Will they still have the option for a refund, or a retest if not?  I also saw a mention of false negatives, but no mention of false positives. Would a retest be possible, or should those who really want to sail get two tests *just in case*? If they do institute quick testing at the port, say 30 minute results, and one does get a positive, is there the option to retest in case of a false positive? Lots of questions there that should be addressed by Royal before sailing. 
Masks: I expected about what this says about masks. Regardless of personal views on masks, which vary greatly, I have always felt bad for retail employees forced to play mask police. I hope this is not the role that all cruise staff are subjected to. I'm wondering how enforcement will be handled, especially with people coming in from all different states/political views.
Theaters: Will shows resume? I saw some mention of theater seating being spaced out, which makes me hopeful there will be shows, even if socially distanced! I miss live entertainment!
Temperature checks: Seeing as everyone on the ship might do something entirely different every day, how would temperature checks daily be enforced? Would they go stateroom to stateroom? More likely, on entry to MDR before dinner?
 
It should be interesting to see how this all plays out. I'm hopeful for cruises resuming soon!

I live in NSW Australia and cannot get out of this state at present.... holidays are now booked for resorts in this state and my next cruise from Qld in Jan on Radiance I have had to lift and shift to Sydney for safety's sake as we do not know when the Govt will allow cruising....

I was thinking they were cruising out of South Carolina which made me think Royal was opening a new port.  Charleston, SC might be nice because of family nearby.

...and here I was about to welcome you to South Carolina....

I 100 per cent agree, great tour with informative bus ride, we had an awesome tour guide, we did this both times we was in Barbados. 

In Barbados, I feel that THE must-do is a visit to the Mount Gay Rum distillery. Very informative tour and a great selection of rums. My favorite is the XO Triple Cask - best enjoyed like a fine single-malt Scotch.

No offense because I get it, this is not the cruise lines fault, this totally stinks all the way around but if you, me or some people can't board till 5PM then your vacation is really being cut short. We usually arrive before the cruise terminal even "opens" and are usually on board by 12 noon. If I can't board till 5 we are losing 6 hours of the ship. I don't think that is fair because you are paying for that first day, its part of the cruise. Just my 2 cents, I get its not their fault but this isn't exactly right either. 

Like everyone, I'm hoping for a slow return to sea beginning in November, but sadly don't think that will happen. While November would be better, I would be elated if there was a return in January!

I just checked my first sailings, which are Nov. 6 and 13 on NAV.  We had already checked in but when I went to look at the boarding passes it made me pick a boarding time.  This was not there when we did the original check-in last week.  The earliest time was 2:30.  We chose 2:30.
Now....I fully expect these cruises to be cancelled, but it's nice to see that they are implementing boarding protocols.  It's a step in the right direction, even if these particular cruises don't happen.

Y'know what I'd actually love to see added? Cajun / Creole dishes! What I wouldn't give for a good bowl of shrimp / crawfish etoufée and dirty rice!

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

I'd have to say my favorite is at Moonlite BBQ in Owensboro, KY.

I’m from Ky, you are correct, especially in the Western part, they have cook offs every year. My worst I think was the duck, in general I enjoy most of the food.

Maybe that one was a mutton shank. ? Mutton is delicious when in BBQ form. Ask anyone from certain parts of KY.

The 'Rona landed at my house 7 days ago, and I find myself watching more TV than I have since I was out of school for the summer as a teenager...
This morning I found myself watching "Untold Stories of the ER", and 1 of the 3 stories they featured was a doctor aboard a cruise ship. I'd watch a whole show with that topic!

Deanies Cajun seafood in New Orleans
Montgomery Inn Ribs in Cincinnati ( Bob Hope had his ribs shipped from there)
Log Cabin In for fried chicken in Independence Ky
 
 

Deanies Cajun seafood in New Orleans
Montgomery Inn Ribs in Cincinnati ( Bob Hope had his ribs shipped from there)
Log Cabin In for fried chicken in Independence Ky
 
 

Sticky Buns at Flour Bakery and Café, Boston MA
Croissants and Pain au Chocolate at Standard Baking Co in Portland, ME
Ice cream at Love Creamery in Duluth, MN
Tamales at The Tamale Place in Indianapolis, IN
Burgers at Kuma's in Chicago, IL
Hot Brown at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY

If testing is part of the new reality (and how can it not be ?), passengers will pay for it, one way or another.  Even if there is not a direct charge, the cost will be passed on.  In fairness, this is true for many other public industries...not just cruises.

I understand completely. The first cruise I ever went on had a partial charter of cruisers I was not particularly thrilled to be around, but they didn't give me much trouble. I just politely said no thank you the 2 times someone from them approached and started to speak to me. I know there was a thread about this earlier this year. I wish the cruise lines would let let potential guests know if there's a partial charter on any given cruise and who's doing it. I guess they don't do that because regular guests may cancel, or not book a cruise if they knew the one they're interested in is partially chartered. 

Escargot, prime rib and the strawberry cheesecake.