JennyJenny

I personally know two individuals that flew BACK INTO the US on "aeroplanes" into MAJOR airports (Dulles and San Francisco) from other countries (Honduras and Japan) AFTER the ban on non-US Citizens went into effect (they are both US Citizens so were allowed to come home) and when they both landed there was NO ONE to check those coming off the planes. They just walked off AS usual and got their luggage and went home. Walked through customs with no questions, no temp taking, no "where have you been?" or "how do you feel?" Nada. Zip. Zilch. My friend that came from Japan was shocked. They had expected to be screened getting off the plane before or during customs. From what I am hearing on the ground, cruise ships sound 1000% safer to travel via than planes. The airlines are doing zero screening or checking of anyone from what I am hearing.

I can't find anything in the future that works for me. Still trying. Sigh. Thanks.

So. Yeah. This is not happening. They canceled on me today.

UPDATE: Still planning to go! Pinged our TA yesterday to ask about keeping an eye on canceling folks to see if we could wrangle a free or cheap upgrade as they were out of balconies by the time we booked. One of the men with the group sent an email out asking if we should go ahead and cancel as a group and I think every wife in the group shut that down immediately. At this point in time he appears to the be the only one worried about going. The rest of us are still planning and now that my big event I had to put on is over, I can start thinking about packing! Luggage tags are printed out. We have booked our excursion through the TA. As we are in Bermuda for three days, the excursion is on day 2 in the middle so no worries about missing the ship. Our excursion is being put together by the TA who also happens to be a member of our group and is going to be a LONG all day one and includes: History of Dock Yard and Attractions 17th Century home and evolution of the unique Bermuda Home construction Somerset Bridge - the smallest drawbridge in the world The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Vista Tour along the beautiful South Shore (beach and ocean views) Horseshoe Bay Vista Botanical Gardens and the official home of the Premier of Bermuda Tuckers Town and Glimpse of the home of New York’s Mayor Bloomberg The Crystal Caves The town of St. George - a UNESCO World Heritage site & Bermuda’s Capital for 200 yrs While in St George Collect a few pieces of colored, weather worn glass at GLASS BEACH 17th century reenactment (Mon through Thurs) - participants in period costumes Lunch Bermuda Style Tour along the North Shore View the Governor’s mansion Driving tour of the City of Hamilton - current capital since 1815 Driving tour of Harbour Road - view of Hamilton from across the Harbour Scenic route back to Dock Yard

54 Days to Go. Another question. I am making a little checklist of gifts I need to bring back. You know, the usual, assistant at work, team members, parents, daughter, etc. I usually will get my dad either a bottle of wine or a new liquor/ liqueur when I travel. Anything interesting or unique to Bermuda? I have also seen "Cuban" Cigars for sale. To be honest, I know that many of them aren't REAL Cuban cigars but I don't think he'd know the difference, he'd just be tickled I got some. (He's not an expert or conoisseur.. sp?). Are there any recommendations for a Bermuda specific rum or wine or a good cigar shop so I can bring him home something special? Yesterday, I bought a cute little luggage tag to put on my backpack/purse. I also found printable magnetic sheets at Office Depot to make the signs for our doors. I am working on a custom piece of a vintage cruise ship poster that I am going to "customize" with our Club/Organization logo and name plus the year and destination on the side of the ship. Print it onto the magnetic sheet and Bob's your Uncle.... signs are done. I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on one more pair of Tieks. I have the creme colour ones so I am going to go ahead and order the navy blue ones for the cruise. I am working to coordinate my entire wardrobe to be more efficient with my packing. It appears to be moving in the direction of Navy Blue and Gray as my "foundation" colours then white and that soft pink colour. My usual packing strategy is to lay out each "Outfit of the Day" (OOTD) complete with jewelry and shoes and hair accessories, etc then pack each in a cube that has the day on it on a tag attached to the zipper. When I arrive in my room, I unpack the cubes so that all I have to do each day is grab the cube for that day. At the end of the day, I put all the clothing back into that cube and into my suitcase it goes as "dirty". Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I used to use Ziploc bags but after being on this board for a while, I decided to up my game and buy the cubes. I did attempt a short trip by packing all my shirts in one, all my bottoms in another etc like I saw others do in vlogs but I was so scattered and disorganized on that trip I swore I'd go back to my OOTD method. It works better for me.

Found photos of the Clocktower Mall on Trip Advisor and there is a photo of the list of shops and there IS a "Bermuda Triangle Shop" !!!! 🙂

I have gone to Las Vegas every single year for work for OVER 20 years. When I look at the "big ships" they kind of remind me of that (Las Vegas). Nothing wrong with Las Vegas. There are definitely things to enjoy there but it reminds me TOO much of "work". Definitely a perception thing for me. Some people want bright lights big city for their get away. Others prefer quiet, cozy, and less crowded. It's all good!

And Azamara (could not figure out how to quote both!) So then my hazy assumption about it being the ritzier lines with the rich old widows 😛 appears to be right.

Awww. Thanks! I just do what I do. Definitely a phoenix moment, for sure! I am looking forward to finding a good bar that can help me with some mocktails. I will probably have a glass of wine with dinner but for the rest of the day, coffee, water, and I am going to indulge in one scrumptious mocktail while lounging by the pool (I try not to go overboard on sugar etc.) I keep hearing about the Viking Crown Lounge. Do I have to be a certain level of passenger to go into that?

Good to know! Thank you!

Clocktower Mall! Check!

Oh wow! Four stories! I am really looking forward to seeing them. I am really looking forward to Grandeur after all I have heard about it!

I do have a dancing question... I have seen on old Cruise Compasses that they have dance "classes". I am not opposed to taking a class but assume you need to bring a partner? (Which I do not have). I have heard a rumour that on some cruise ships, they will have people that will dance with you in the evenings if you wish and don't have anyone to dance with but I have to wonder if that's only on ritzy lines with rich widows etc. I have been ballroom dancing over three years and am proficient in Argentine Tango, have a Bronze Intermediate in Waltz & Rumba, and studying now for my Bronze II in West Coast Swing, Foxtrot, and Ballroom Tango. I am not against a class but really don't want to do them if you need a partner AND all they will do is go over the very basics for those who have never done it before. Has anyone been to the dance "classes" or know about whether or not it's easy to find a dance partner in the evenings at some of the events? (Not club dancing but Ballroom).

Love the pics! Have you been to Luray? I hear they are better than Luray...

This may sound silly but I am making my list of gifts to bring back for folks. My gentleman friend LOVES the whole world of UFOs, Big Foot, Bermuda Triangle, etc. I want to find him a fun gift (shirt maybe? Hat? Hoodie?) that is "Bermuda Triangley". He'd get a kick out of that 🙂 I have done some googling but not really found a store that specializes in that stuff there so wondered if you recall seeing something like that or did most touristy places tend to have a handful of crap on that topic. Or will I have to hunt it down? (Or order it online from somewhere else and pretend I got it on the cruise lol)