DublinFC

We have been strongly considering a land vacation instead of a cruise. We have been waiting for the vax requirement to stop. We would be losing out on the extra 25% FCC if we did rebook. With this news about the CDC stepping back we are going to hold out longer. I am hoping by the end of the year they drop the vax requirement.

That makes me thinking I will need to have 2 reservations to accommodate all of us. Thank you for the information.

Hello, I am seeing Casitas available (Oasis of the Seas) to rent on the Cruise Planner. How many people do they accommodate? We have 4 people total traveling. This would be a nice place to have and not need to fight with chair hogs. Any information on this would be welcomed.

Doesn't take an MBA to know cost, availability etc. have gone up/become harder in the 15 years your memory has been fading. Just look at the last 2 years as an example. Also, no, everyone in the world does not deserve a 10x raise. However, those who work for it should be rewarded. Sit on your ass and do nothing then you are not part of the conversation.

Now you are expanding the issue being discussed. Focusing on the crew, its not just a nice gesture. Providing a raise across the board is something companies do to stay competitive so they can retain their workforce. Or, to match industry standards. Or, to recognize the hard work the crew are doing day in and day out. I never said the wages were so wrong, I just think they could be raised higher. I get the sense you think I am saying all staff should be on $40K/yr, Im not. Maybe I am reading too much into what you are saying, this is the internet after all. We can go back and forth all day. I appreciate your conversation on the matter. I just do not see a problem with the cruise lines raising wages a little. You do. To each their own. As for the government forcing it to happen I can agree that they should not be who makes the decision. I am for way less government involved in pretty much everything.

Can anyone comment on the football helmet ice cream sundae? It looks like its a fun and yummy treat.

I have heard they make some really tasty smoothies there. Any favorites?

I know they are earning more compared to what they would be getting in their home country, but why is it bad to try and raise the standard for the crew that are working on the ship? I think trying to add their home country is irrelevant. We are talking about people who are working for companies that work mainly out of the US and UK. I know they work around the laws of the US and UK by being incorporated in other countries. I also know a lot of the crew are very happy and come back contract after contract, I just do not see a problem with raising their pay a little. Make them happier to come contact after contact. I fully understand your thoughts on the subject, I just have a different opinion. Normally I agree with your thoughts on cruising. Going back to what I mentioned when as my first post in this thread. I am happy to pay the gratuities and tip a little extra. Do I think I am saving them or some sort of knight in shining armor? No. I am just saying thank you for taking care of me and my family while we had an amazing vacation.

I thought it was tied to your stateroom? If 2 people in the same stateroom bring wine won't that be flagged? If not, go to! More the merrier.

I hope they drop it sooner than later. We have sailings with Royal and NCL booked for next year. Used FCCs to make both deposits, only out of pocket cost was $75. I am not putting any more money into either sailing until the vax requirements are dropped.

First I doubt it would go that high. It could, I don't have the numbers to figure out the ins and outs of what their salaries would need to be to make the cost rise that much. Second, I am not suggesting raising annual wages to $40K/yr and $50K/yr. My understanding is that those who are not in the service part of the staff make a good deal more than what I found in that article. Bring the service staff wages up to a minimum of $20K/yr plus the tips the get each sailing. Allow for some raises and upward movement still. I guess I find it odd that it seems like a bad thing to support the idea of people that work very hard for their money to earn a little more than what they currently do.

Raise their pay and keep the benefits the same. Cruise fare goes up, to help cover the increased pay for the crew.

Pay the crew, they work hard for the guests to have a great vacation. The crew have a lot of expenses included with their work, room and board, medical care, meals, etc. But, this is not a living wage and why I am more than happy to pay gratuities and tip extra while I am at sea. https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ship-workers-reveal-how-much-money-they-make-2019-5 Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings — reported in regulatory filings the following median annual earnings for 2018: Carnival Corporation: $16,622 Royal Caribbean Cruises: $19,396 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: $20,101 "In addition to their salary, crew members typically receive free medical care, room and board, meals, and many other benefits that are often unavailable in their home countries," said a representative for the Cruise Lines International Association, a trade association for the cruise industry. "Crew members are very satisfied with their jobs and the opportunities for career advancement, which explains why employee retention rates in the cruise industry are upwards of 80%."

Ice cold Miller Lite or a creamy pint of Guinness.

Do you think the vaccine requirements will take years as a personal opinion or is this an educated guess based on information you have heard through sources or press meetings with Royal Caribbean?

Thanks for the run down. I am not looking for a whole lot. arrive, eat, sleep, cruise. I will be looking at other places too. I just want something handy to get to and then to the port. We are not spending any time sightseeing in NYC.

Forgive me if information about this hotel has been asked and answered previously. I am doing my research to see where to stay for a sailing out of Cape Liberty. Has anyone stayed here? What was the stay like? Good enough to stay the night and get on the ship? Was the hotel/room clean? Thanks for any information to help with my research.

I was not aware of this option. Thanks for sharing. I am going to have to check this out for the next time we sail.

How was the food in Playmakers? The upcharge worth the bar food options? Subjective I know, just looking for your opinion. Thanks.

Just my personal opinion, nothing based in factual data or information. I would be surprised if the vaccine requirements are not lifted until the start of 2023 at the earliest. Now, I remember reading somewhere that spring of 2022 was the targeted time for the government to drop all covid "stuff". Have to see what happens. I have not heard or seen fauci out in the news lately and I take that as a very good sign that we are going to be seeing more changes back to pre-covid. Again just my opinion, I might be 100% off base here.

sofa by the balcony, seems easier to get in and out out to the balcony with out the bed there.

Well we are going to try and give this cruise thing another go. Just booked the Oasis of the Seas for May 21st 2023. Hoping the vaccine requirement is gone by then. If not, we will continue to wait. Living vicariously through others cruises for now

Which test do you recommend again? I am looking for the blog post about it, but not seeing it.

If we check in sooner than later do we get a better chance of an arrival time? I want to get as early of an arrival time as possible now that it is being enforced.

OK good to know, Ive been looking earlier to see if they might have opened it sooner. I feel changes to the rules are coming every other day so it can be hard to keep up.