Tira04

I think you have this backwards. If you're so selfish that you refuse to get tested when everyone else is required to, then maybe you shouldn't be on the ship to begin with. 

Your premise is flawed... You're not being "forced" to do anything. You would not meet the requirements to enjoy the company's products and that means you stay home. It's really that simple.

If your cruise is canceled, which in all honesty it probably will be, that means that covid is still a serious problem.  Therefore, I wouldn't worry about hosting a large Thanksgiving either way.

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Something local to the region you're sailing! I still feel sad that there was no key lime pie when we stopped at Key West! Or meatballs when in Sweden....

Hey all - first time posting here as I have never been on a cruise in my life.    My parents went on a RC cruise out of Galveston this past Feb/Mar and they talked it up enough for me to take the leap into trying my first ever cruise.   I have had an irrational fear of drowning and boats since a near capsize boating experience as a kid when we got caught out in a storm on a lake in Minnesota while we were fishing -  this was 30 years ago but I still remember it like it was yesterday,  but I digress.   
Anyways after my parents raving about their first cruise on RC (and subsequently booking same cruise for January 2021 and an Alaska cruise on Celebrity for sometime during summer) I figured what the heck.   Myself,  my partner and two of our very close friends booked the 12/17/20 cruise out of Tampa to Cozumel -  none of us have cruised before so its a first for all of us and we figured it would be a good starter cruise since it is short and was very reasonably priced.   
Couple quick questions from you cruising experts.  Up front I greatly appreciate any input.  
1)  Cabins close together.    My partner and myself booked separate from our traveling friends and we both just did the "interior guarantee" where you cannot select your stateroom.    What is the possibility of getting staterooms close to each other (does not have to be next to each other) if we call RC and let them know we are traveling together?   Not expecting anything here as we booked the bargain basement fare but figured it would be worth a shot.  
2) Brilliance of the Seas activities.   RC website is really not that great in showing what each ship offers and does not,   have found while looking at the portion for Brilliance it shows some activities that I don't believe are available on that boat.   I know its mid-age for the RC fleet so does not have all the newest and best things but I can't really find anywhere to figure out what it does actually have.   Our traveling group age range is 30-42.  
3) Cruise planner extras booking time.   Myself and my partner are planning on doing the deluxe beverage package (not sure about our friends),  and we all are planning on at least 1 shore excursion in Cozumel.   My planning personality wants to book it all ASAP so I can put it in the back of my mind until December, but then I step back and say 'what if shutdown causes cruise to be scrubbed'.    Should I bit the bullet and go for it or wait to get closer to departure?   
If you have any other recommends for a first time cruiser it would would be much appreciated,   I am not even sure what to expect with any aspect of it so any insight would be excellent!    
Thank you in advance! 
Adam 

I feel like this is a good time to reflect in our tourist habits and really think about what we want to do and experience at places we visit.  Must see lists are part of the cause of over tourism in a lot of places around the world. If everyone visits the same tourist attractions in places then it's less enjoyable and meaningful for everyone.  I love art but hated visiting the Hermitage in St. Petersburg because it was rammed with people just ticking off a list.
What do you and your family enjoy? History? Architecture? Food? Beaches? Then do some research and find out what is on offer that suits your interests at each port. 

Hi All,
The family and I will be going on a 7 day Greece cruise in June 2021 need some advise on the shore excursions Parents are in mid 50's kids are 19 triplets [Two Girls and one boy]
Ports:
Kotor
Corfu
Athens
Mykonos
Argostoli
 
What are some good activates we must attend.
 
Thank you
Michael
 

We’re just staying put for now.  Truly, aside from missing cruising, I really don’t mind staying home.  My work life was such a whirlwind the past few years - so much travel.  I’m glad to be home for a change.  Dan is busy as a bee with yard work and I’m cooking waaay more than I ever have before. I’m content.
For now, I am happy just seeing all of this <cancelled> cruise money come pouring back in !  I will stay home, put my money in the bank and wait until it’s time to cruise again.

To be honest, it took a couple of years as an empty nester to even start cruising (college bills).   It was a big deal to get a balcony on the Liberty of the Seas.   We loved the ship and the experience.   Total rookies.   Dunn River Falls anyone?

We've done guarantee when you could book it as refundable.  I was tempted recently to upgrade to a neighbourood balcony guarantee for about $300 but it would have meant switching to non-refundable and we didn't want to do that with all the uncertainty. 
If you do book a guarantee, note that once you are assigned a room, you can call in and switch to any other available room of the same category.  We did that twice when they assigned us front of the ship, and we got a much better location of the same room.

I booked a GTY cabin for the first time for next year. I saved about £400, which can go towards shore excursions or onboard expenses. It's a port heavy itinerary so I'll only be there for sleeping/showering anyway. Yay.

Walking through the nasty, smoky casino on my way to somewhere....

I have just been watching a report on one of our news channels here about the buffet restaurant in one of our many tourist hotels and thought it would be interesting to share.
Guests are not allowed to serve themselves or even get particularly close to the food. The displays are roped off and only the restaurant staff are allowed inside the roped-off area. Guests tell the staff what they want and the staff serve it. All staff wear masks. All guests wear masks when moving around inside the restaurant and are only allowed to remove them when they are seated and are eating/drinking. 
Social distancing plus staff serving means lines are long and move more slowly but the restaurant manager said that people were actually very understanding and much more patient and considerate than is often the case in normal times. 

I know a ferry is a mode of transportation.  ?
I just thought it was interesting. Especially as overnight routes will have some of same issues/requirements as cruises in terms of making things like buffets,  cabins, and public areas safe for travel during covid.19 

I pulled this up from early June because I want people who are anti-maskers, both ashore and if we ever cruise again, to see this video.
Wearing a mask isn't about party or identity politics. Wearing a mask isn't about giving up your personal freedoms or being forced to do things like one horribly offensive cartoon suggests the Nazis forced Jews to do - be marked with a star of David. 
Wearing a mask is about stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2 so that we can all get back to the thing we love ..... cruising. 
 

My upcoming Fjord cruise was cancelled and its sail date coming up at the end of June....
I booked a similar cruise for August 2021! Adventure of the Seas from Copenhagen to Amsterdam! Reduced fare and covered by CWC. I'm determined to stay positive that we will be able to travel and cruise again next year. 
Anyone else planning for 2021?

We would have been on the Allure out of Barcelona 3 weeks today. Lifted and shifted to the Harmony out of Barcelona on July 11 2021. We booked through Hays travel and they sorted everything out inc. flights and transfers. The only thing we weren’t aware of is that lift and shift is only the cruise price that is protected. We’ve had to pay extra because of port taxes and also the flights have been increased (which we were aware of). But now got something else to look forward to now.