JC Pats

Snipped from Michael Bailey's Facebook Page.

Snipped from Michael Bailey's Facebook Page

20 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

I think that based on All cruise lines starting to sail from Seattle this season at the same time, all with fully vaccinated passenger loads, there are things going on between cruise lines and CDC that none of us are privy to.

Agreed. Let’s just hope that all the handshakes and discussions happening behind the scenes bear fruit and become actual policy.

8 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

We will join you, I'm happy with the itinerary.

My other take is it is going to be difficult for the CDC to not cooperate when there was a unanimous vote from both houses of congress.  Don't believe for one minute that any government agency does not take into consideration the political landscape.

Quick technical point.. it was not a unanimous vote. The bill passed both houses by unanimous consent.  Basically, no one objected. No roll call vote was taken. And if someone, anyone, had objected, we wouldn’t be talking about Alaska restarting. I wouldn’t be surprised if half of congress has any clue this was done tbh. So “pressure” on the CDC may not be as much as thought. 

Serenade sailings

12 minutes ago, cruisinghawg said:

One shot?

Yes

New on the Royal site - Serenade not loaded yet

As a side note, no new sailings have been added as of this point.. 

https://presscenter.rclcorporate.com/press-release/141/royal-caribbean-group-sets-summer-return-to-last-frontier/

1 hour ago, stevendom57 said:

There is an easy way to get around the Florida law forcing proof of vaccine.

Sail out of Galveston.

Or New York.. or San Juan.. or Baltimore.. or Seattle.. or Los Angeles.. saying nothing of Europe - lots of potential options! 

No different than a San Juan sailing IMO - it’s something different and seemed to be selling well - maybe one our resident TAs can gives some insight on that part. 

As you mentioned, Granduer doesn’t have a home, so I don’t see Royal scrapping these cruises, even if everything is fully re-opened. The ONLY thing (IMO) that changes this, is if there are a lot of cancels. 

15 minutes ago, BarbieBell said:

With so many other ships displaced right now, why couldn’t RCI honor their commitment to Nassau and restart sailings from US ports simultaneously?

This. I don’t think Adventure was even supposed to be stateside this summer (she had European sailings I believe) so there is no reason to cancel her sailings to resume what she previously had scheduled. 

The question then becomes, do they allow those past final payment to cancel without penalty? Do they allow CWC cancellations? I could see where AD passengers use CWC to cancel, get the FCC and rebook Florida sailings. 

I grant you we’re putting the cart before the horse as nothing has been announced but definitely something to think about. 

All that's needed, is for no one to object. As simple as that. 

Here's where we are with Congress and the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act

Now, what does "Held at the desk" mean? 

In English, that means the bill was requested by the Representative who introduced the Bill (Don Young of Alaska) to be held, so it could be considered by the whole House of Representatives (as opposed to being shuttled off to a committee) and passed by Unanimous Consent (Similar to the Senate, there is no vote, it just wasn't objected to). 

There is currently no indication of when Representative Young will request Unanimous Consent for this Bill. I am guessing he is probably checking with his colleagues to make sure no one WILL object. (An objection, by anyone of the 435 members, ends this request for Unanimous Consent, but it will also provide an opportunity, as we saw in the Senate, to resolve whatever differences are there and then make another request for unanimous consent.)

If passed, it will go to President Biden within a week or so for his signature. But the passage of the bill will more than likely be enough for the cruise lines/CLIA to get ready for a late Alaska 2021 season, as I don't see the President vetoing this.

THEN it'll be back seeing what happens with the CDC. (womp womp)

Personally, I am hopeful, 60/40 it'll pass on the 1st attempt.

For those who want to keep track of this themselves, 

Actions - S.593 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Alaska Tourism Restoration Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress 

If nothing comes up, just search congress.gov for the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act or S.593

26 minutes ago, BarbieBell said:

We have BTB cruises in June out of Nassau, my question is do we need separate visas for the Bahamas?  Also just to be clear - there is no longer a requirement for a negative COVID test results to be attached to your application for Bahamas Health visa?  
 

Also any idea why we can’t do online check-in for these cruises yet?

I don’t believe you need separate visas for a b2b. 

Yes, no requirement for a negative covid test When you provide proof of vaccination (photo of vax card did the job for me).

As for online check in, I believe Royal is waiting to release the protocols (so they also finalize what will be available on the cruise) before opening online check in. 

48 minutes ago, josassoc said:

So are you putting in a May date of arrival, then assuming a 45 day approval?  I am not able to get the calendar to extend to June (when we actually cruise on the 17th).

No I put in a 6/11 date of arrival - I have heard that the Bahamas has cut back on the ability to apply to his far out in advance due to being overwhelmed. 

12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

i've seen a few people getting a head start on the Bahamas visa. How long do these last for?  I'd be worried they'd expire before I got there.

Mine was issued on Tuesday (5/11)-

 

19 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

The health visa is $55, and I believe Royal is still giving an OBC to offset the cost. 

I paid $40 for my health visa and yea, that's what we've been told (About the OBC) but I'm guessing that won't be added until we're on board. 

Also, I do believe the fee is per traveler - maybe those travelling with families can confirm? 

Change.. sometimes it's good.. sometimes it's bad. I get both sides.. and eventually, everything will be digitalized, including pop up ads on the app for all those sales. I do hope they'll have paper copies at Guest Services. I mean, how else will @Mattkeep updated cruise compasses on the website??

9 hours ago, JeffB said:

As far as the house approval of the Senate's bill, there was resistance coming from the House to other legislation easing restrictions on the cruise industry imposed by the CDC's NSO/CSO.  The bimbo that was opposed and blocked passage was totally uninformed about any of the steps the lines intended to undertake if allowed to cruise. Totally cluless about vaccines. So wrong that objection wasn't shouted down .... not the way the house works.

I didn’t say it would be easy! If I recall correctly, the Senate version also failed its 1st unanimous consent request. But after conversations were had, it passed on its second attempt. I feel confident once conversations happen on the house side, it too will be passed by unanimous consent and be signed into law by the President.
 

There are other options if the unanimous consent request is objected to but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. 

Still has to be passed by the House and signed by the President but I think that’s very doable! 

12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

An odd one, but, being social. I'm largely an introvert when not on a cruise ship.

Same - that’s actually why I started cruising and cruising solo, to break out of my shell. I truly feel my non cruise friends would either not recognize me or be in absolute shock at seeing me on a cruise.. and for the most part, Vice Versa. 

3 hours ago, Mike.s said:

Can't see that you'll need one on Anthem this summer, it's only sailing around the UK and only available to UK residents.

I wasn’t sure if they are requiring a test to “re-enter” or not - but I’m sure if they do require one.. Royal will provide it.

15 minutes ago, josepena12 said:

Got a call from Jetblue and our Nassau flight was changed to a time that was not going to work for us. We change our flight date and now will arrive the day before our Navigator OTS cruise. My wife, 3 yr old daughter, and I will be arriving on August 6th and need recommendations on what hotel to place a refundable reservation for.

 

Jose P.

Navi? or Adventure? 

What you need to know about visiting Nassau on a cruise ship | Royal Caribbean Blog

36 minutes ago, icf75 said:

Will requesting a l&s be possible? is it only if rc cancel? And what happens if you have already done a l&s?