DDaley

Yep, you can choose to apply it to an existing booking or a new one once you get the FCC. 

Yep, you can choose to apply it to an existing booking or a new one once you get the FCC. 

I like the big lettering. Something new and different.
Change aint bad!

Sovereign was my first cruise in 1998! I loved sail away.. I remember there were people down on the dock waving at our departure like an old school sailing vessel.

The 2021 restart should be enough to stem the losses for most cruise lines.  It should keep them around long enough to reach a future date when things will be closer to the old normal.  However 2021 won't be a banner year.  Look towards 2022 and 2023 for cruising to be back in concept but perhaps not at the same prices we used to enjoy.

Well this is interesting. Looks like the Oasis class has found a new dry dock in North America. 
Fincantieri To Build Shipyard in Mexico, Cruise Work Targeted - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
 

Do you remember when Nassau was NOT the most enjoyable port and folks would stay on the ship?  Now most would be Happy to have a cruise just to Nassau.

haha, I remember my parents finally cutting me out of their vacations after I turned 21 (we did a big 21st to Maui) and I was always so jealous!! Also, don't worry, if they like hanging with you at 21 and 17, they always will. Said as a 34 yr old who still has a ton of fun just hanging on the couch with my parents. 

haha, I remember my parents finally cutting me out of their vacations after I turned 21 (we did a big 21st to Maui) and I was always so jealous!! Also, don't worry, if they like hanging with you at 21 and 17, they always will. Said as a 34 yr old who still has a ton of fun just hanging on the couch with my parents. 

Try this ..... sort-of a combination of "this is not a personal attack against you" advice you got up thread and then lay out these facts on the table. Write them down and let your in-laws read them:
What was described as a cruise line debacle in March 2020 by the press anxious to lay blame on the spread of the virus to something, accounted for < 0.05% of global COVID cases over the month of March. Italy, China and a few weeks later other countries in the EU followed by NYC were epic debacles where thousands of people not only got COVID but died in droves. 5 people died from COVID that could be traced back to becoming infected on a cruise ship. Despite what the press makes cruise ships out to be, right now, given the adoption of mitigation measures recommended in the STS Plan, congregate settings like cruise ships will present an environment with a lower probability of becoming infected with COVID than the family gathering we are at right now, any large gathering like weddings, house parties or spectator attended sporting events, most restaurants and bars, going to the grocery store or ay retail store.  Misinformation and disinformation is the bane of my existence and it is everywhere. Disinformation is purposeful. There is a need to be aware that it is out there and designed to seed fear and lack of trust in all things official. The best advice for your in-laws is to always endeavor to seek alternative viewpoints or answers to all issues you have interest in or wish to comment on....see all sides.
 

i am hoping sooner than later.  But, I am not going to hold my breath.  With all the negative coverage cruise ships get, which is BS IMO, they will have to have to keep tighter rules longer.  I hope I am wrong, but the cruise lines need to show they are taking it even more serious than other parts of the travel industry. All because of the "petri dish" comparison that is used.

There is an alcohol loophole some consecutive cruiser attempt.  Normally if you buy booze on the ship during a cruise it is kept and distributed on the last night so people can pack it.  If you visit the shops on board on the last day they often let you take your purchases with you assuming you are going back to your cabin to pack it.  Some consecutive cruisers have acquired a bottle on the last day that they then can keep in their cabin for the consecutive cruise.  
Technically this isn't breaking any policy since you are not bringing the bottle of booze onto the ship.  

Like they say, timing is everything!

July 27, 2019 leaving the beautiful Port  of Miami on Symphony.

I never would have imagined that sail away would be my last one for almost a year and a half now.  The saddest part is that I don’t know even know when the dry dock ends. 😥
However, with all the losses 2020 has brought, it has brought us many hidden blessings as well. It is important to fix our eyes on the little things in life.

As a glass half-full kind of guy, I think @Matt may have accidentally provided RCG an invaluable service: a database of individuals who should ABSOLUTELY 100% NOT be involved on a test cruise due to an inability to process information and/or follow directions.  I'd think Dr. Johnson, Dr. Gottlieb and the rest of the Healthy Sail Panel would appreciate dodging this entire magazine worth of bullets.

Something just dawned on me about all these individuals who are volunteering, especially the "newbies". I hope EVERYONE realizes you are volunteering  to test protocols out AND THAT YOU STILL WILL BE PAYING FOR THE CRUISE!! IT'S NOT A FREE CRUISE!!

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/singapores-first-cruise-to-nowhere-sets-sail-with-safety-measures-in-place-to-prevent-coronavirus-outbreaks-2321753
All tickets were sold  but it was limited to less than third of its capacity. 
The cruise will be a 3 day cruise, lets hope it will be a good experience and will pave the road for RCL cruises which suppose to start in Singapore next month. 

Hey @Matt!! Since you started this post, you've had a surge of "newbies" coming out of the closet, in a manner of speaking. They were waiting to pounce on an opporunity.  WOW!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Wow, Matt! Have you ever had a single post gain so many new users/first time commenters? Impressive engagement!
Also, YES, if I lived closer to Florida I would. I am booked on Navigator Jan 25th, if that's a lucky early sailing I will definitely be there! 

Wow, Matt! Have you ever had a single post gain so many new users/first time commenters? Impressive engagement!
Also, YES, if I lived closer to Florida I would. I am booked on Navigator Jan 25th, if that's a lucky early sailing I will definitely be there! 

YEP!!!  Life is too short. Can't live in fear. Just follow the protocols and you will be fine.

Really a bummer, but at the same time that island can be really packed (like Saint Thomas, Nassau, others).  It's certainly a debatable, subjective opinion and everyone has different preferences.... I agree with the unfortunate sentiment that the real winners are the lawyers (as with a lot of things). 
 
I would add that there's another sea faring option and that is to take the Key west Express, a couple hundred passenger catamaran ferry that goes from southwest florida.  I am not an employee or anything, I'm not getting paid haha but I can say that I have taken it several times and will again.  It's a fun two or three hour trip and you can go down and back in a day or across multiple days.  The Catamaran itself is newer, clean and has a great three deck setup with food court, bar, different seating layouts....it's a great option if you're like me and the many other midwesterners who are in Fort Myers/Sarasota/Naples FL often.  If you look at a map, the way the keys curl back to the southwest, it's actually a pretty straight shot as the bird flies.  https://www.keywestexpress.net/

Fond memories of this morning when I had my finger over the mouse for the drink package at $44 a day on Oasis 12/6. I guess I'm glad I didn't now!

That is designed not to happen. The system is designed to catch cases early (through extensive testing, along with mitigating measures that limit the spread) and isolate just the people that have it.

It sounds like the CDC actually listened to the comments submitted by the public
While CDC bases its public health determinations on the best available science and not on public opinion, the willingness of the public to accept measures to mitigate the risk of transmitting COVID-19 onboard cruise ships is noteworthy. Accordingly, CDC carefully considered these comments in drafting this framework. It also sounds like the CDC actually did some due diligence and weighed other alternatives.  They also account for some operators (cough cough Carnival) that have yet to submit a response on their plans or protocols.   
Another alternative considered was continuing to issue No Sail Orders as occurred between March 14 and September 30, 2020. However, this alternative was not found to be as optimal as the current framework. The benefits of this framework outweigh the costs of not allowing cruise ships to sail because it allows for flexibility where cruise ships have taken the necessary precautions to mitigate risk, while continuing to prohibit passenger operations onboard ships that have failed to implement such precautions. As such, the current framework represents a tailored approach that was determined to be preferable to the status quo No Sail Order. This framework allows for individual cruise lines to progress through phases at variable paces. This enables cruise lines successfully implementing public health measures to return to passenger operations more quickly while others by necessity may move more slowly. The framework not only encourages cruise lines that are more successful at mitigating the spread of COVID-19 but provides a realistic timeline that anticipates COVID-19 continuing to be present and affecting cruise ship travel. It's beginning to look like the Healthy Sail Panel put together between RCG and NCLH was the right thing to do and money well spent.