Ditchdoc

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense.
These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition.
In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid.
Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys.
Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits.
This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures.
The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place.
This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc.
And thus coining the phrase:
"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

Two Days After SEC Filings Reveal Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain Collected Over $14,000,000 in Compensation in 2019, Royal Caribbean Lays Off 1,500 Shoreside Employees.
 
 

Two Days After SEC Filings Reveal Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain Collected Over $14,000,000 in Compensation in 2019, Royal Caribbean Lays Off 1,500 Shoreside Employees.
 
 

The wife and I were on Harmony for New Years along with 8000 or so guests and crew..
About a week after returning home, around January 12th or so, I got sick with a fever for about 3 days and right after, my wife had the same. We shrugged it off.
Now I wonder could we have been early COVID survivors.

The wife and I were on Harmony for New Years along with 8000 or so guests and crew..
About a week after returning home, around January 12th or so, I got sick with a fever for about 3 days and right after, my wife had the same. We shrugged it off.
Now I wonder could we have been early COVID survivors.

How did the trees react to spring?
They were re leaved.

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense.
These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition.
In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid.
Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys.
Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits.
This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures.
The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place.
This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc.
And thus coining the phrase:
"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

How did the trees react to spring?
They were re leaved.

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense.
These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition.
In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid.
Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys.
Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits.
This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures.
The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place.
This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc.
And thus coining the phrase:
"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

Did you hear about the Indian that broke the world record for drinking tea?
The next day they found him drowned in his tea pee.
 
 

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense.
These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition.
In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid.
Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys.
Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits.
This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures.
The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place.
This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc.
And thus coining the phrase:
"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense.
These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition.
In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid.
Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys.
Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits.
This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures.
The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place.
This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc.
And thus coining the phrase:
"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

When ships were made of wood and men were made of iron, gun powder fired cannons sat on deck for defense.
These cannons used round cannon balls made of iron for ammunition.
In order to keep the ammunition handy, a triangle shaped rack sat next to the cannon. The cannon balls were stacked inside this rack, taking on the shape of a pyramid.
Like everything on ships, these racks had a name. They were called monkeys.
Since the monkeys were somewhat permanent fixtures on board and subject to sea and and salt, they were made of brass to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the ships navigated the world they would sometimes find themselves in arctic or antarctic waters with temperatures dipping into the negative digits.
This would sometimes create a problem in that metals would shrink or contract in cold temperatures.
The brass of the monkey rack, being a softer metal, would contract more than the iron cannon balls it held in place.
This resulted in the iron cannon balls sometimes being squeezed out of the monkey rack where they would roll around the deck generally creating havoc.
And thus coining the phrase:
"Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."

Ha .... its all true.

Ha .... its all true.

Did you hear about the Indian that broke the world record for drinking tea?
The next day they found him drowned in his tea pee.
 
 

Did you hear about the Indian that broke the world record for drinking tea?
The next day they found him drowned in his tea pee.
 
 

So surcharges, taxes and port fees are more than the cruise🤔

As a Paramedic, Nurse, Rescue Diver, Swift-water Rescue, HazMat Tech ...etc ... I have had some exposure to decontamination procedures and am familiar with the zoned (red, yellow, green) approach.
In my opinion, the entire ship was the red zone, Protective equipment/DeCon area would be the just out side the ship (the pier) with the green area outside that.(the street)

There are plenty of chairs, loungers. Virtually every place that is suitable for one or the other has one. That means IF people were to start bringing their own, the only place to put it would be in a walkway or some spot that would only add congestion.
Everyone's desire is different. Some want shade, some want sun, some want to be in the middle of the 'action', some want peace and quiet, some what to be at the bar or near food. If your desire is that strong, then go where you want early and 'stake it out'. Don't expect to reserve something all day and not use it. Be reasonable. Putting a towel on a chair and going for a bite to eat is reasonable assuming you come back in short order. Don't expect to get a seat in the middle of the 'action' 5 minutes in advance.
If I really intended to spend most of the day poolside, I never had a problem getting a seat somewhere suitable if I claimed it by 10am or so. If it is a Sea Day, it can be more crowded so go early. That's not to say you will not find seating somewhere, it just may not be where you would like. Be polite, be courteous and be early to get a location you want.

I'm not down playing  the corona virus because it does seem to be very contagious and if not contained, could be devastating, but ....
In effect its mortality is no more severe than the flu. Worldwide the flu kills about a quarter million people each year. So far, the corona virus is at about 1,800.
 

I'm not down playing  the corona virus because it does seem to be very contagious and if not contained, could be devastating, but ....
In effect its mortality is no more severe than the flu. Worldwide the flu kills about a quarter million people each year. So far, the corona virus is at about 1,800.
 

I'm not down playing  the corona virus because it does seem to be very contagious and if not contained, could be devastating, but ....
In effect its mortality is no more severe than the flu. Worldwide the flu kills about a quarter million people each year. So far, the corona virus is at about 1,800.
 

Ocean view is a window. Probably round, over the headboard of the bed.
Being low in the ship generally means less motion. Think of a pendulum on a clock. The end closest to the clock moves less distance than the end further away from the clock. Motion is pretty much totally dependent on the ocean. Most of the time you never notice it, especially on the lower decks. That is why ice shows and theatrical productions are low in the ship. Less movement for cast to deal with.
Being low in the ship, at the stern, means you may hear more of the engines. Not really loud, just a back ground hum. The sounds of the ship machinery vs the ocean are just a little different compared to the upper decks where you are more apt to hear people, bands, the general hubbub of ship life. None of this is really loud or concerning, just a bit different. If you are really sensitive to night time noise, think about bring ear plugs. Otherwise, you may find it somewhat comforting or you may not even notice it. Overall you are more apt to be disturbed by the occasional loud passenger or door slamming in a hallway, no different that staying in any hotel.  You will be off the 'beaten path' so to speak and 'people noise' will most likely be less.
The distance from some venues will  be further. Pools will be further away though some food and shopping may be closer than if you were on the upper decks. With elevators it barely matters. If you like to take the stairs, you can get a bit of extra exercise.
Overall, I would say there is little to be concerned about. Enjoy your cruise.

Ocean view is a window. Probably round, over the headboard of the bed.
Being low in the ship generally means less motion. Think of a pendulum on a clock. The end closest to the clock moves less distance than the end further away from the clock. Motion is pretty much totally dependent on the ocean. Most of the time you never notice it, especially on the lower decks. That is why ice shows and theatrical productions are low in the ship. Less movement for cast to deal with.
Being low in the ship, at the stern, means you may hear more of the engines. Not really loud, just a back ground hum. The sounds of the ship machinery vs the ocean are just a little different compared to the upper decks where you are more apt to hear people, bands, the general hubbub of ship life. None of this is really loud or concerning, just a bit different. If you are really sensitive to night time noise, think about bring ear plugs. Otherwise, you may find it somewhat comforting or you may not even notice it. Overall you are more apt to be disturbed by the occasional loud passenger or door slamming in a hallway, no different that staying in any hotel.  You will be off the 'beaten path' so to speak and 'people noise' will most likely be less.
The distance from some venues will  be further. Pools will be further away though some food and shopping may be closer than if you were on the upper decks. With elevators it barely matters. If you like to take the stairs, you can get a bit of extra exercise.
Overall, I would say there is little to be concerned about. Enjoy your cruise.