DJsMrs

Yeah - I'm Canadian too (west coast) so have a pretty clear grasp on what's happening north of 49. And I guess short term is relative (I'm thinking short term in terms of my lifetime, not short term as in "I'm hungry" - haha) and although reduced quantities are coming in, it looks like they're going to be close to meeting the estimated 4 million received (not just Moderna) by the end of March - and that hasn't taken into account any other vaccines being approved (AstraZeneca may just be a few days shy of approval, and J&J isn't far behind). We could discuss the receipt and efficacy of vaccine doses and new strains all day but it won't change the outcome - and the schedule will probably change about a million times in the short term - ha - see what I did there ?. It sucks, no doubt - but it is what it is. We'll get vaccinated as soon as we can. We'll hope that my kids still have their grandparents and great-grandma by the end of it so we can all go away together. The sadness and frustration about all of this is very real - but complaining about it doesn't put me in a better mood, so YouTube videos and old cruise reviews will have to do for now.? We all knew, in our heart of hearts that this pandemic would be about two years - and we're on track for that, and hopefully not longer.

Yeah - he's not messing around with Spring Break! wow. Oh well - if it keeps the new strains out and helps keep the numbers down while we get everyone nuked with these vaccines... short term pain.

Do you remember when people would have so much angst about one cancelled cruise due to a hurricane? Never mind over a year of cancelled cruises? ?

Agreed! We spend a lot of time up there in the summer and it’s amazing. Feel free to hit me up if you need recco’s on activities and food ? nothing like a glacier-fed lake to cool off in the middle of an epic bike ride!

People can barely manage their behaviour and adhere to covid rules on flights and in airports (never mind grocery stores and malls) - doesn't seem like putting several hundred/thousand on a ship ... with booze... and sending them off to motor around the Caribbean is even on the horizon in the world of things the CDC is worried about. In fact it's about the opposite - here in BC the premier is looking at the legality of not allowing residents of other provinces into BC (the Charter won't allow such a prohibition on movement), so that tells us where we're at in terms of non-essential travel. They don't even want us driving two hours from Vancouver to Whistler right now. Maybe in a few months? Hoping beyond hope our December cruise will sail.

I used to be "meh" with Labadee - but it is now one of our favourite, beach-do-absolutely-nothing-but-chill-out-and-relax days (where we don't feel guilty like we "should have" done some exploring or gotten out and done something). The beaches are easy to get to - so there's no stress about making it back to the ship on time. Food and beverage is everywhere and is included in your cruise price, the water is amazing, tonnes of chairs whether you want sun, shade, or a cabana. Love it here. Kids too. And if you WANT to do stuff - there are things to keep you busy and active. If we sail on our December cruise in 2021 (gawd willing this virus is calmer and we can go), we will be in Labadee for a day - I didn't realise that the suite beach can only be booked by genies and on board - this answers a lot of questions for me - so a big thanks to @Lovetocruise2002 for that little nugget. We're really looking forward to our SLS on Harmony and I've been trying to figure out barefoot beach. Good to know our Genie will handle it all :).

For the same amount of money - maybe consider a different activity that might be more rewarding, in terms of memories or quality time together. The prices are inflated - which is to be expected, and the massages aren't terrible... but is there an excursion you could explore? Or a couples massage on land that might be better priced, support a local economy, and provide a better experience? I've had three massages on board various ships - and they've all been fine... but for the extra price I always had a bit of buyer's remorse at the end and I don't book them any more

Main Dining Room - We really like exploring other options (when we travel as 4) - having said that, when we travel as 10 with the whole extended family - MDR is their favourite, especially lobster night, which we don't understand but we go (it's never as good as it's cracked up to be - cracked... ha - see what I did there ?) Stay up later and take an afternoon nap to support this decision ? Try staying on board on a port day when we've been to the port before (except Puerto Rico - where it seems a lot of people stay on board). I've yet to experience a quiet ship while everyone is off beaching.

If I recall, Thorogood was also a fan of one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer ? Either way - I like the way he thinks - haha!

I feel like it's not even a day on a cruise ship without my coffee and my mimosa I miss cruising. I should be half packed right now for a Dec 5 departure ?

Wow - I've only started seeing this last week!

oops - responded to a wrong post!

Probably because the Caribbean islands don't necessarily want to open their borders to tens of thousands of travellers coming through - and likely bringing Corona Virus with them. They do not have the capacity in their health care systems to deal with a significant outbreak on the islands. Just a thought?

I feel like I heard $150 on the news today. Healthcare probably won’t cover it.

Coming from Vancouver to FLL is long enough when we fly (usually a 15 hour day with a connection either in Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, or Houston) - driving would be 50 hours if we didn't stop. It'll be a while before we get to board a ship. Hoping Dec 2021 isn't too optimistic (fingers crossed!)

Right - I always confuse the two and correlate the border being closed with the quarantine... mostly because we had to quarantine in March this year and it wasn't a super positive experience and ends up having such a significant impact on school and work. ?

You think they'll open that soon? I'm feeling like our Mexico vacation in March will be a no-go because I don't think Canada will lift the two week quarantine until after spring break. The last thing they want is everyone jetting out of here and then coming home and passing the virus on back at the schools. I bet the 2 week quarantine stays in place until summer 2021 (despite me being hopeful that it's before then), especially with cases on the rise all over the place right now. The caveat being if we can get a test that has a quick turnaround time mass produced for travelers landing in Canada. There was talk here of a saliva test, which would be a great option as it could be self administered... or managed AT the airport, but as we are seeing in the Whitehouse right now testing doesn't prevent the spread of the virus - it just probably provides an earlier positive as people are tested whether they are symptomatic or not. Such a hot mess. I just need a beach ?

I think it's going to be a safety issue which will be magnified by the public's perception (and media's reporting) of cruise ships as petrie dishes. We all know how people love to hold up cruising as the travel enemy (which is so strange when you consider its similarity to an all-inclusive). While I think we can all agree that it's not at all possible (or realistic) to have zero risk, the cruise lines cannot possibly consider sailing until people who are boarding the ship are coming from a place with an equally low risk. If people are boarding and are coming from a hot zone, the risk to other passengers and liability the cruise line opens itself up to will be unacceptable. If passengers from an area in a country (or a different country) have low transmission and are boarding with passengers from an area with high infection and transmission rates, the cruise line would be responsible for spreading the virus. This is the last thing they need and they will end up being public enemy number one. Imagine the litigation stemming from someone catching corona virus on a ship and then dying three weeks later - people want to hold the ships accountable for a norovirus outbreak so just imagine the outrage over a covid death (or deaths). I also think reduced capacity will be a reality until we have global access to vaccination/treatment. Part of the conundrum everyone is facing right now is the lack of global understanding and agreement upon risk, transmission, and preventative measures. There are always people who don't wash their hands at the buffet, just imagine the stress onboard now regarding this very basic level of hygiene. I can't even imagine the mask debate on board - it's almost not even worth considering as the battle over it will be herculean, and no one wants to begin their vacay with a battle.

We lifted and shifted a Dec 2020 cruise to Dec 2021. RCCL cancelled my cruise planner booking for Labadee on May 6 when we moved the cruise. Still don't have my refund. Called RCCL today (60 calendar days - 45 business days) and have been told it was on hold and will be another 45 days before I get my money. So am looking at four months to get a refund. (insert facepalm here).

With what’s happening in Florida right now I’d be amazed if any cruises sail out of Florida at all in 2020.

Definitely pick one. We spent the day at the waterpark with our boys and stayed until they kicked us out - there’s a lot to do in there.

Out of curiosity - how is the fitness level of this group that thought this was strenuous? We’re a pretty active and fit crew (me, DH, boys 12 and 10) and are considering doing blue hole. No judgement - just trying to sort through all this. The waterfalls look like a gong show in almost every photo I see, but I don’t want to get anyone in over their heads somewhere else either. TIA

Isn’t it basic common sense that when you go to a restaurant you wait to be seated? Short of a fast food place I can’t remember the last time I was at a “seat yourself” restaurant. Especially if you look around and see that menus aren’t on the table. It feels sometimes like people are so worried about not getting the best table or having to wait 2 or 3 minutes for something means they’ve been slighted in some way. Everyone needs to chill out. The world won’t end. The ship isn’t going to run out of food. Wait a couple minutes. Talk to some people. Enjoy the view. Take a breath - you’re on vacation!!! And if you’re in that much of a hurry - then that’s your issue. Late for a show? Plan your day better. Plans didn’t go accordingly? Maybe modify dinner expectations. Your emergency isn’t someone else’s responsibility. (Not “you” specifically, I refer to the Royal “you” ?)

OOhh - we just got off Allure yesterday with Luciano... you're in for a good week. I did feel for him a bit though - we had zero pre-cruise communication with him... just a few emails from Alan (responses were always fast and complete though). It was Luciano's first week on Allure last week and I wonder if his head was spinning a bit! He is so lovely though. Anything you want (within reason) he will make it happen for you as long as you ask for it - I learned not to anticipate him reading my mind (same with my husband - lol). I didn't get the sense that he is a super proactive genie (which was totally awesome for us as we just wanted to take it easy for the week) - but we did receive a lovely surprise from him one day. I don't know what suite you're in - but if you have Karen as your suite attendant (we were in 10730 - 2 BR ATS) - you have won the lottery. She's easily the kindest and one of the hardest working people I've ever met. She is spectacular.

So... that just happened. Turns out that cruising in a group of 7, with 4 boys is a LOT busier than I ever anticipated and the whole "live" portion of the blog went completely out the window. We got home super late last night and are getting our feet under us today (kids actually went to school) and I'm plowing through a million work emails... I will attempt to recap and recount over the next few days. Needless to say - we all woke up this morning in official Starr Class Withdrawal (whaddaya mean there's no starbucks waiting for me on the table???)