DublinFC

Possibly 3 more over here.  Can't say we are loyal to royal as only my wife has been on royal.  I really want to experience a RC cruise, but if we get to cruise sooner on a different line then so be it.  

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. 

Possibly 3 more over here.  Can't say we are loyal to royal as only my wife has been on royal.  I really want to experience a RC cruise, but if we get to cruise sooner on a different line then so be it.  

Possibly 3 more over here.  Can't say we are loyal to royal as only my wife has been on royal.  I really want to experience a RC cruise, but if we get to cruise sooner on a different line then so be it.  

Possibly 3 more over here.  Can't say we are loyal to royal as only my wife has been on royal.  I really want to experience a RC cruise, but if we get to cruise sooner on a different line then so be it.  

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. 

At least 2

Actually it is the Islands that are requiring this.  While you can visit the Bahamas unvaccinated if you are flying you still must present a negative covid test taken within 72 hours of your arrival. Many of these islands are no longer requiring airlines to check and verify documentation but your documentation (vax card or test results) will be checked upon arrival in the Bahamas and the Bahamas according to their website can refuse entry to unvaccinated individuals if they believe there are issues with the documentation or if they think you have covid. Other islands in the Caribbean have similar policies in place.  
Jamaica also updated their policy on July 5, 2022, they no longer require unvaccinated individuals to present any covid test to enter Jamaica however it isn't a free for all or business as usual.  Jamaica has warned unvaccinated individuals who choose to travel to their country if you should test positive you will be required (not optional) to quarantine for 10 days at a government quarantine facility.  You may be released from quarantine to travel home but only if the medical officer at the facility signs off on your release and the destination country allows covid positive individuals to travel.
St Maarten another popular destination also allows unvaccinated individuals to fly into their country.  In addition to presenting a negative covid test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, all unvaccinated guest flying into St. Maarten must purchase (prior to arrival) covid-19 insurance it is mandatory and will be checked upon arrival in St Maarten.  In addition to having covid-19 insurance and a negative test, unvaccinated travelers will be tested (at their own expense) at the airport upon arrival and must quarantine in their hotel room until the results of that test come back.
I could go on and on about the restrictions still in place in the Caribbean for those who are unvaccinated.  The responsibility to check this documentation should have never rested on the shoulders of the airlines but just because airlines have been removed from the equation does not mean they've flung the doors open to those who are unvaccinated.
Having said that I do think the pre-cruise testing requirement will go away by the fall at the latest.  If you're expecting cruise lines to drop the vaccine requirement I've always stated I think that requirement will remain in place through the end of this year. 

Anyone else putting their unused stock pile of proctored home tests on eBay? Curious of the competition. LOL 🙂 

OMG please let this mean the end of vaccines and testing, please.

Fauci's retirement isn't until the end of Biden's term.

Is this because Fauci announced retirement?

Would not recommend the norovirus craps. 😄

and no vaccines!

Hopefully this means no more “within 270 days of vaccination” too. I really didn’t want the booster. 
 
https://www.newsy.com/stories/tourists-rejoice-italy-greece-relax-covid-19-restrictions/?utm_source=MaropostMailing&utm_medium=Email&utm_name=05022022&omhide=true

 
 

You could get 1 casita and get 2 lounge chairs right next to the casita. Members of your group could rotate between them throughout the day.

They only have 2 padded loungers and side tables in them.
They are also only on the upper deck of the pool area.

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 🙂 

I did have the football helmet sundae.  My only complaint was it had too much chocolate and "stuff" on it.  Brownies, choc chunks, etc.  And I think all the ice cream was chocolate flavors. Next time I will ask for maybe for vanilla ice cream mixed in  along with chocolate, and the condiments and goodies "on the side".  It is large and 2 of us could hardly finish it, but we did!   Enjoy

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. 
 
 
 

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.  

From Royal CEO on March 30th At CLIA 360
Bayley added: “I think from everything we’ve learned about the CDC, who tend to guide a lot of this, is that when they really believe that it’s really moving from a pandemic to endemic, when they really believe that the positivity rates have declined to such a degree that it really poses no risk, I think that’s when we’re going to start seeing the government and governments start removing these testing requirements ... I think we’re going to see that probably by the summer.”
 
https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/cruise-line-presidents-provide-update-on-cruising-current-events.html

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.  

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.  

The Onion Ring Tower from Playmakers is insane