DublinFC

On 9/19/2020 at 6:29 AM, Baked Alaska said:

After this class, you won't NEED to take another class. I also learned a few tips and tricks that I can use elsewhere in my kitchen. A big one was using plastic wrap to cover the counters/tables where participants worked to keep cleanup to a minimum. This is one of those "more is caught than taught" situations. Now, when I make bread (daily), I cover my countertop with a 3'x2' layer of plastic wrap. With that in place, I rarely have to use my bench knife for cleanup. We were rolling our sushi before this class, but it was nice to pick up a few pointers, and we made a lot! Took it back to our cabin for a mid-day snack!

I am hoping to have plenty of leftovers too so I can snack on it later too.  I already told my wife our bill might be a little steep from the grab and go sushi option.  I plan to have it a few times on the ship

@Pima1988I looked at the report wanting to see exactly what was stated.  I am not a fan of forced mask wearing.  I think what was written was to be expected, but I do not see it as a deal breaker for me.  This passage is what I am referring to.

"Specifically, guests should wear face coverings in any indoor, congregate setting regardless of physical distancing measures, but should not be required to wear face coverings in their own cabins. A notable exception is indoor dining. Seating in restaurants and bars/lounges should allow for physical distancing, so guests can eat and drink without needing face coverings while seated. Face coverings are not required in outdoor settings as long as physical distancing is feasible. However, if physical distancing is not feasible in certain outdoor settings, masks/face coverings among guests should be required in those locations. For crew members, masks should be worn any time they are engaging with other crew members or guests (i.e., in all public settings, both indoors and outdoors)."

I think this is a good compromise.  Being outside at the pool then we are not required to wear them.  I am not sure what they are going to do about the hot tubs though.    On the way there and back yes, but I will take that over all the time.  

Also, this passage is encouraging to me.

"The Panel recognizes that as disease prevalence goes down, face covering requirements may be loosened over time based on the latest available scientific data, public health agency recommendations, and risk modeling. However, in the initial period of sailing, they are an important tool that should be regularly used"

I am taking this information, and the rest of the panel's report,  as a positive sign that we can get the ships back in the water and sailing again.  I hope the CDC agrees with the panel's report.

3 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

We loved the sushi making class on our Alaska sailing. We roll our own, now. 

I am the only one in my family that likes sushi, so I am rolling solo for the class.  I might start making it for myself after the class.  I have looked locally for a sushi class without any luck.  

4 minutes ago, twangster said:

I don't want to be forced to sit on a boring bus ride because it is the least undesirable excursion option available.  

Terrific point.  I did not think of that.  Things are going to be different for awhile.  We usually pick cruise line excursions for peace of mind if we were delayed for some reason.  But, now there looks like we won't have a choice of going out on our own.  For now at least.

I would like to try river cruising.  I have looked into it and for what it is @twangster has a great point about the cost.  Correct me if I am wrong I think they are all inclusive and include excursions.  We talked with someone who has been on a couple and that is what she told us.  They did the Mississippi.  

I think a European river cruise will be something we need to put on our radar.  They just seem to really get you to the heart of the places you visit.  

So if Royal started this sort of cruising we would check it out.

On 9/16/2020 at 9:26 PM, RWDW1204 said:

developing a plan and creating a timeline to implement it. Isn't this things cruise lines have been working on for months?

This is my annoyance with the whole thing.  Why has it taken this long to even get to this point?  I love cruising, I want to cruise.  The lack of action by the CDC or government has been terrible.  I am glad something is now being done, but why did it take so long?  I know I am bitter about having to postpone my cruise this year.  I know I am not the only one.  We have another one booked on a different cruise line for this coming April.  I really hope cruising is back and running before we sail so all the new kinks are worked out of the new operational procedures.  

I had this booked for our postponed Dec cruise.  I can book it for the next cruise but it is on the last day.  I personally would prefer if it was earlier in the cruise.  I am still debating on signing up again.  I am already doing the sushi class.

I hope so, but I am not going to hold my breath on what the CDC says now and two weeks later.

On 7/30/2020 at 4:11 PM, JLMoran said:

Escargots!!!! MY GOD, DO NOT THINK ABOUT TOUCHING THE ESCARGOTS!!!!!

 

EDIT: Unless there's actually a way to make them better. I mean, this is the head chef who actually made Sorrento's pizza fairly decent. Imagine what he can do with something that's already at the level of "OMG!"

On 7/30/2020 at 8:42 PM, SpeedNoodles said:

^^^^ THIS.  THIS. A THOUSAND TIMES...THIS!!! ^^^^

never had escargots, was planning to try it on our cruise we had planned for this year.  I guess I am going to have to wait until next year.

We have had a lot of shakeups for our cruising future.  The only RC cruise we are now booked for is Dec 12-19 2021 Oasis of the Seas.  All others had to be cancelled  

10 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

That is one of the major reasons I did a lift & shift to next year.

That and I am worried that they may have venues closed, like the hot tubs. I want to have a fun relaxing time on a cruise not be worrying about what others have or might be spreading. 

We decided to do the Lift and Shift to next year as well.  Started the process today.  We made the decision since time was running out on L&S and we have no idea what cruising is going to look like when it resumes.  Limitations on pools/hot tubs, entertainment, etc is not the vacation we are signing up for.  Seriously disappointed, but this is the right decision for us as well.  The count down will be starting all over again....

2 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@DublinFC Yes you can L&S any cruise that is booked before Aug 1st...until Aug 1st. Cancelled cruises have a different L&S date, some have until July 10th.

Thank you

Is the deadline still Aug 1st to do a L&S?

1 hour ago, Marlena said:

It's taking away some hope for us going on our dec sailing.

I will be surprised if we sail in Dec too.  I hope we do, but I really think we are going to be disappointed.

21 hours ago, SteveinSC said:

plenty of time to get a cruise in......

The cancellations are getting dangerously close to December.  I hate that so many people have been effected so far, but I am trying to be positive about our chances to cruise this Dec.  

16 minutes ago, Ogilthorpe said:

2. Effectiveness will be secondary to profitability 

Bingo

23 hours ago, BunnyHutt said:

Yup. My family is supposed to be on Anthem over NYE. We’re not going to cancel until Royal forces our hand, but I’m not too optimistic. 

We are going to hold out as long as possible too.   Hopefully some good news will come soon.

I am growing less and less confident that our Dec sailing is going to happen.  I am really hoping to end this crap show of a year on a high note.

55 minutes ago, mworkman said:

“Me” the first day on Allure in November! Step back kids and let an old man show you how it’s done. 

Must find this ice cream location.....

34 minutes ago, jaredhamburg said:

My oldest son would be jealous of you.....

Im jealous!  

On 6/3/2020 at 4:26 PM, Wilson said:

There is a small price drop on the DX package for an upcoming cruise. I don't bother canceling and repurchasing unless it's going to save me at least $20. This one would be a total savings of $42, but I don't want to wait up to 90 days for the refund. Do these transactions get put in the que with canceled cruises? 

In the past it only took about 4 days.

I am going on a month waiting on a CP refund 

I sent an email and asked about the requirements of masks.  Here is the response I was given.

We are currently finalizing our protocols but do not have the answers to your questions at this time. Once we do have additional information we will be sure to share with our valued guests as soon as possible.

Regards,

Norwegian Cruise Line

I am encouraged from what I read in this article and the one Matt posted on the blog.  I pulled a quote from Matt's article that has me thinking this could mean masks without being upfront about it. "NCL will take necessary precautions and follow applicable public health guidelines to ensure guest health and safety, which is our highest priority at all times." I am hoping I am just reading too much into it.  I really do not want to be forced to wear a mask anywhere. 

The reduced access to public areas need to be clarified for me.  I am wondering how they are going to handle it.  Will there be people counting who is going in and out of the pool deck?  Each bar?  Just a couple of points I am wondering about.  I guess we will know in time.

34 minutes ago, Jill said:

I use Sharla and she puts up with my endless emails! Seriously she’s been great. She’s got our group of 4 couples for Odyssey Italy/Greece next year and she’s been very attentive through all this cancellation mess with FCC’s, OBC’s etc. 

Heather Coursen is our TA from MEI and I am surprised she has not dumped us after all my emails and questions etc.  I recommend her services to family and friends.   

21 hours ago, Clear Laker said:

We are looking for current experiences with Cruise Planner refunds.  A while back we purchased the Deluxe Beverage Package for a cruise this fall.  Currently there is good price for the DP plus Voom.  We called and asked to upgrade one of the packages to DP plus Voom. Was told you have to cancel the original purchase and repurchase the new package.  In the pre-Covid days this would be no problem as you would get your refund in a few days.  We were just wondering how long we will have to float the $400 to RC for a $54 Upgrade?  Any current experiences on Cruise Planner refunds would be welcome.  We understand the current expectation is 45 days, but RC just canceled 7 weeks of additional cruises.

I cancelled and re-booked a few items.  That was on May 6th.  I am still waiting on the money to come back.