Dan Curtis

It was a nothing burger in Fort Lauderdale. Passed abeam our city about 10am slowly moving N. We're about 3 miles from the coast and if we had 25 knots I'd be surprised. No power loss for us. Cruise ships in Port of Miami were asked to take to sea - a common approach for large vessels. Sea is safer (they just sail out of it's path) than port in a bad storm. There are two cruise ships docked at Port Everglades. Did not hear anything about them.
This was a dress rehearsal for the rest of the Hurricane season in S. FL. It's very early. Chances of this region getting hit are pretty high through early October. From all reports state's emergency management strategy with COVID around looked like they had a plan. 7 shelters were opened in Palm Beach County to the N of us and yesterday, when that area was forecasted to be ground zero, the shelters took in about 500 people. Reportedly orderly, good distancing and compliant folks inside them. FL is good at this.

Wishing you the best through this weekend and beginning of next week. Stay safe, stay dry and enjoy that UHDP (unlimited home drink package)! 

I was introduced to cruising by my father, a Navy veteran who fought in WWII. He loved ships and being on the water, and shared that experience with his family, although in a much more glamorous way!  My first cruise was in the Mediterranean when I was a teenager, and I was mesmerized by the calm blue waters, clear sky and exotic destinations.  Cruising became a type of vacation experience that was simply a part of all our lives--more than just an addiction.  Yes, I do many other kinds of vacations as well--drive, fly, all -inclusive and so forth, but boarding a ship, unpacking once, dressing for dinner, formally meeting the captain, enjoying live shows, seeing all the stars at night, and pulling into a port that beckons with beauty, history and adventure totally enriches the story of my life.  I am a lifelong cruiser!!

We also use the Holiday inn, no complaints.

Thank you all!  Let's just hope my Dec 28th sailing will still take place.

As I understand it, Majesty was used for a repatriation voyage for UK based employees.  I also know the harbor there rather well, I cruised "Grey Funnel Lines" out of there for 10 years.  Majesty is the largest cruise ship to have berthed in Portsmouth.  There are as far as I am aware, no RCCL storage facilities available in Portsmouth harbour, so whateverr is being off loaded is probably simply routine.
If, and its a big IF, she heads into the mediteranean after her visit, I think  you will have your answer.
 
Edit: Majesty is currently in transit from Portsmouth to Southampton, her track on AIS shows her to be moving at about 7.5kts, on a circular route about 10 miles off Shanklin in the Isle of Wight,. Which tells me she is simply cruising in econo mode. I do see she has itinerary through 2022. However, she has been in service for 28 years, so may be coming to the end of her profitable lifespan

We visited Jim Beam in Louisville area, probably Makers Mark our favorite, but the drive to Woodford May be the most scenic, we are as about as far North as you can get in Ky, but we think the Ohio river area is also scenic. But sure we sure anxious to eventually get back on a cruise ship.

Sorry - I've been accused of being a realist over my lifetime ?

I hate to be negative BUT. I didn´t think we would be sailing before 1st of Sept or Oct,  I thought Nov 1 was more doable, I wish it would be sooner. They still have not even received the blue ribbon panels recommendations let alone forwarded anything to the CDC. I don´t have a good idea how long it will take to gather up all the crew members, but I would assume it´s not over night. It would be nice to have some more concrete news but I know we will get it when we get it. I also know,  I am not alone in my frustrations. Thank you royal caribbean blog for all the news and information and views. I think a lot of us feel the same way.

On a conference call hosted by Royal Caribbean employees (TA partners?).  They just said that they imagine we'd hear more about protocol and policies by September but that's not a hard fast rule. I  imagine we'll won't sail til at least Jan 2021. 

Where one goes, the others will follow suit.  RCCL will follow, for sure.
Especially after they are working with NCL on the protocols.

To be expected, I figure anything that I have booked between now and spring will be canceled.  Worst case...I'm right and my vacation fund for next year just keeps getting bigger (maybe I'll finally get to Antartica?). Best case I'm wrong and "yay cruise day!".

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!

 
If my 11/29 cruise is cancelled, just take me out back and hit me in the back of the head with a shovel.  I'll dig the hole.
 
 

Seconded! Kentucky in Spring is one of my favorite places. If youve never been to Louisville for the Derby, you havent lived. It will change your life. You combine the beauty of Kentucky with BOURBON and horses???? Whats not to love?!?!?!!?  I need a mint julep. 
 

(Like I know anything, but) IMHO Royal needs their 2 smallest ships, Majesty & Empress. Not only are they what's left of the old time cruise experience ships, because of their size they can go to places the others can't. And right now (OK not right now) they do.
 I'm looking down the line right now, but for example, if (in the unlikely event) they got rid of Majesty and/or Empress and shortly after that we we're allowed to cruise to Cuba again, what's Royal to do? Build new Sovereign size ships so they could go there?

We visited Jim Beam in Louisville area, probably Makers Mark our favorite, but the drive to Woodford May be the most scenic, we are as about as far North as you can get in Ky, but we think the Ohio river area is also scenic. But sure we sure anxious to eventually get back on a cruise ship.

We visited Jim Beam in Louisville area, probably Makers Mark our favorite, but the drive to Woodford May be the most scenic, we are as about as far North as you can get in Ky, but we think the Ohio river area is also scenic. But sure we sure anxious to eventually get back on a cruise ship.

I think unfortunately because politics gets in the way people just don't see how incredible each state is in their own unique way. I watch a show called "Aerial America" on The Smithsonian channel all the time and each state is beautiful and interesting in its own way. I love all our states. From NY to Cali, from North Dakota to Texas. My favorite episodes are the really big but less populated states because they are they are so different from NJ where I live because we are so populated. The North, and South Dakota episodes, the Wyoming and Montana episodes are fascinating. We live in a gorgeous country that is for sure. Kentucky was a great episode as well, beautiful state indeed. 

Fellow Kentuckian here!  We love bourbon though!!  We are just south of Louisville and a little over an hour to Lexington (daughter & family are there).  Kentucky is a beautiful place for sure.

I'll actually miss the old muster drill. It was symbolic of the beginning of a cruise for me. It's like tradition.
Everything has to be done by tech now which sucks, I'm just not as enchanted by it as everyone else. And before someone accuses me of being old fashioned, I'm possibly one of (if not) the youngest members of this forum.

There's an easy fix for that though ....
Passenger attempts to buy drink ... ding ... i'm sorry sir the computer says you haven't completed the EMuster so your charge privileges have been deactivated, please follow these instructions to reactivate your account.
 
 

I said I wasn't going to book another cruise and I held firm on that...  I booked two.  

Good friend is trying to get me to go ... Got to be on the next 'guys trip' idea list for sure! 

Ive done the bourbon trail....well.....a good portion of it. Woodford, Buffalo Trace, Makers, Wild Turkey, Evan Williams, Heaven Hill (makes a lot of different ones), and Willett!  LOVED IT!!!! 

WE have been visiting the bourbon trail, we’re not even huge bourbon fans, but the country side in Ky is so beautiful and all the horse farms near Lexington are nice to visit, also enjoy the Smokey Mountians, we had a cruise canceled in May, have not tried to rebook anything yet.