sk8erguy1978

I make it a point to get travel sized stuff (& other helpful travel accessories) from Harmon.

Welcome to the forums. Like many things this is completely uncertain. I'd wager if you're on one of the first sailings and there isn't a vaccine and that vaccine isn't widely distributed - cruise excursions only. From the Healthy Sail Panel Recommendation: However, I'm sure there will be constant change to the recommendations over the next year or two.

Trump is supposed to attend the game at West Point according to some articles, too bad West Point is ~13 miles south of me, would have been neat to see Marine One. Maybe I can time it right and watch from Storm King Mountain (great views of West Point). I did get to see Air Force One circling when doing some touch and goes at Stewart Airport in 2018 (that's only 5 miles and we get to see all the military aircraft). My Wife volunteers for our local ambulance squad as an EMT, she attended several Army Black Knights games last year as our town provides extra support for their games. She was kinda bummed out they aren't needed for this game. Oh well. My FIL is retired Navy. A few friends are Army. I was interested in the Navy in my younger years, spoke to a recruiter but didn't purse because of reasons I'll not get into here (post is long enough LOL). With that, I'll say "Go, Sports!" and just hope for a safe and healthy game!

I'll never forget the reaction from one friend (a first timer) as we drove around the bend and he saw Anthem of the Seas.... He was impressed to say the least. I'll also not forget a comment my other friend (not a first timer) made when we saw the first ship that happened to be a container ship... "Look it's a Carnival Cruise ship."

Oh! I have definitely put on some "poolside cruise ship music" for my commute to work too. Sometimes I'd lower the windows to add a breeze effect.

Not being able to cruise this year made me realize we missed out on our pre-cruise tradition and it's something I really look forward to. Within two weeks of the sailing my wife and I watch Titanic. It started the night before our first cruise, in the hotel with not much to do and Titanic was on, so being the last movie someone would watch the night before their first cruise, we watched it; that was also the first time I've ever seen it (well, most of anyway since we tuned in after it started). Needless to say, I enjoyed the movie and wanted to see it again from the beginning. When our second cruise came around a few months later I joked "we should watch Titanic again before we sail", well the joke turned into reality. It has become such a tradition that in September 2019 we hosted a Titanic Movie Party for a bunch of our friends joining us on the cruise. Hopefully I get to see the Titanic in September 2021 :). What's your pre-cruise tradition?

The only thing that comes to mind is Anthem of the Seas to Bermuda September 2018. We were still in Bayonne, NJ enjoying an unusually warm September day at the pool when a lady says "I wonder if the pool is salt water or not." Without missing a beat, a fine young man, not known to the lady, who may or may not have already enjoyed his drink package a bit too much, bent down, dipped his finger in the water, put finger in his mouth and said "tastes fresh to me." That may or may not have been me, but it sure got one heck of a laugh from all that witnessed. Edit: not sure if it classifies as "strange" but to onlookers I am sure they found it odd someone was tasting the disgusting pool water.

Sounds like me... Example: I was in the supermarket a few days before Thanksgiving and apparently pudding isle was the hot spot. We kept having to move to the side so others could pass with cart (I didn't have a cart). One lady says, if we are going to do this we need to be going the same direction. I said, well there are arrows on the floor for a reason. (Both loud enough so the people going the wrong way could hear.) For reference, in NY (at least Hudson Valley) most, if not all, supermarkets (and other stores) implemented one way isles.

I'm certain I would have made a backhanded under breath but loud enough for her to hear comment. I am constantly scolding my wife for double dipping in sauce we are sharing... Heck, even if it's her own personal helping! Dip once, and only once.

Great analogy! On a separate note, I am running out to purchase Swiss cheese as I suddenly have a craving.

I wouldn't go as far to say they don't work but unfortunately they are definitely not the "silver bullet." I'd assume they need to proceed with caution and suspect everyone is a carrier. Sadly, rapids aren't all that reliable from my understanding and it needs to build up in your system for a few days before you test positive on the reliable PCR test. My wife's an RN & EMT had a few exposures and always needed to wait a few days. Some she knew would test negative from PCR only to test positive on a second test (whether another PCR or rapid) because they felt ill a few days later.

If they are doing rapid tests while boarding they can easily say a positive person is negative. My understanding is they are only reliable if you have symptoms even then not that great. The PCR test is most reliable but only says you weren't positive the day it was done, even that isn't always true as @ericfromripppoints out it could take 14 days. I believe it takes 3-5 days incubation time in your system to show up as positive. So, if I had an exposure to a positive person, I'd be told to quarantine from the contact tracers and advised to get a test on day X, if that came back negative I could stop quarantining. I'd like to be positive and say we could be close to paying passengers, but I think your 6 month estimate is probably more realistic. Guess we will have to see how these test cruises go & how many are required for the CDC to give the clearance.

LOL. Yeah, I need bathwater temps myself! While the OTW are really, REALLY nice we aren't ocean swimmers. We like to walk in and "hang out" but not swim & touch the ground. Also, we want to spend time at the pool, so more reason to save the $400 for something else :). We have friends on the same cruise that have an OTW cabana, excited to see what they think.

It's the Beach Cabana. The over-the-water is $1199 which I think is a good price too. I am half tempted for that instead but between the $400 more & distance from potty wife is happy with the Beach Cabana.

Oasis of the Seas September 19th, 2021 The cruise price for same cabin is a few hundred more than when we upgraded. Deluxe Drink Package: Same as previous sale at $46 (still an excellent price) 75 minute Swedish massage I saved $23.60 (was $175.82 now $152.22 after gratuity) Coco Beach Club Cabana $799, over the water $1199 - not sure previously but for the same cruise this year it was considerably more. It is not marked as a Black Friday deal but does indicate I have 9 hours left to pull the trigger. Other cabanas look like great prices too $499 water park & $599 Chill Island. Coco Beach Club access $53.99, again forget exactly but over $100. Water Park is $33.99, again no idea previously but recall it being WOW even Six Flags isn't that much! None of these are marked under the "Black Friday Deals" button, those sales don't seem to be anything special, in fact the prices look the same to me on those items.

Water park for Oasis September 19th, 2021 was around $33 bucks, I almost jumped on it but so far I'd be roaming the park solo. The CocoCay Beach Club is $54 on Oasis September 19, 2021 almost pulled the trigger but thinking about the Cabana instead. Here I thought $46 was a steal! LOL .... AND You're the winner to talk me into the Coco Beach Club Cabana because ours is priced at $799. So, I saved $23.60 on my wife's massage. The drink price is the same as a previous sale of $46. Looks like I'll pull the trigger on the Coco Beach Cabana for $799.

Ha ha ha ha ... Possibly, but I think it's this API. https://sling.apache.org

Every one has different vacation budgets, that's what is great about cruises, they can accommodate most of them. Even at $400 difference I'd want to pick my own room, at $141 (actually $170 I'm a midship guy) it's a no brainier for me. That's because I can afford it and don't like to gamble with guarantee category. If you can still afford the cruise comfortably and not have to cut out a "must do" to get the room, do it. However, if it comes at a sacrifice, think about how much time you spend in the room and if it's worth it to you.

I agree with the above, it's not worth the argument. Been there, done that, they know better than you, even have "insider info" (Insert eye roll). Honestly, without knowing voice tones and volume it's hard to say if she took it as a personal attack or not. I'd say, to relieve yourself, a simple... "If I came across as a jerk before, I apologize. It's not you personally, I just get fired up with all the incorrect facts the media drills into people about the cruise industry."

I'll probably not volunteer. It's safe to say the sailing will depart from Florida and living in New York means quarantine when I return. It has nothing to do with work, I'm just not willing to do that, unless of course I was exposed. Additionally, with rising cases in my area and new restrictions being put in place, I'm not sure non-essential air travel is a good idea. It does sound like an amazing "once in a lifetime" opportunity and would love to be part of it. (Honestly, what would be the odds of actually getting picked anyway LOL)

Just do this! In fact, forget the chips! Not much to add accept personally, our eating habits are different on a cruise ship. At home, at best, breakfast is a yogurt (if anything at all), lunch isn't much bigger. However, when cruising, at breakfast 1 I start to stress about breakfast 2 let alone lunch 1. So, add in your vacation eating habits. I too thank you for your service & congratulate you both on 50 years! We will only be 5 years in September (although dating way longer than the average couple) and she's already sick of me :).

Is there another way to use a web browser ?

Yes. I don't travel for work but recent years have flown a lot to visit friend on weekends, etc. Last year alone... I had 2 AA flights delayed. I had a United flight delayed by 12 hours. That's just what I remember. Personally, not worth the risk.

You're correct. Whether Star class or not, you paid gratuity already, you're under no obligation to tip above that. If you order a drink (with or without a drink package) the gratuity is automatically added, you're under no obligation to tip above that. If you eat at Chops (whether paid or as a Star class perk) the gratuity is taken care of there too. The reason people tip more is the understanding that tips are pooled among crew & the tips are insultingly low (see below). Personally, I tip extra when specialty dining (I usually paid months ago anyway so why not leave an extra $20 (or more for large party)), and I tip extra when I have a beverage package. I also leave extra for the stateroom attendant and whomever else went above and beyond. I'm not as generous as @WAAAYTOOO, wish I could be but I'm 14 promotions away from that level of cash LOL but, I do what I can when I feel it's warranted. Does Royal intentionally keep the daily gratuity low? Good question. The problem with charging each person a set higher amount, I'd imagine is "sticker shock" and allocating it to the right people. Figure, $5 for stateroom, $5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch, $20 for dinner (I am stealing @WAAAYTOOO's numbers which I've tipped more for dinner & lunch on land, but it's a good base) that's $40 per day * 7 that's $280 extra and that's just dining & room steward tips so daily/week gratuity would be even higher. I think the better solution is to pay a little more to crew, remove the daily gratuity and people can tip as they see fit, just like on land. (Oh, but leave the 18% added to drinks & food and that can go to the actual person & maybe give people a way to tip when dining in a complementary restaurant ... it would be a good reminder that tips aren't included.) https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-gratuity-expense