sk8erguy1978

3 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Born and raised, although I don't live in that county any more.

That job wouldn't happen to have been at (Class) Action Park, by any chance? Only place I know of from back in the day that had go-karts (although I think those were regular gas-powered and not propane), but I don't remember them also having paintball or an arcade in the adult section.

For those unfamiliar with it, there was a documentary about the place just recently on HBO, actually titled "Class Action Park". That place is one of the surest ways to confirm your street cred as a certified northern NJ (and to some extent, tri-state area) child of the 80s. Even more so if you actually worked there. I never got the chance, my parents heard the horror stories before I could even think of trying to apply.

And I think I'm kind of glad for that.

Traction Park? I WISH! LOL. I LOVED that place. I actually lived in NY and the drive to Action Park would have been too far, plus didn't get my license until 1996 (after turning 18 - I was a year+ learners permit guy - dad didn't think I was mature enough, probably right ). I still remember the little seated car on the single rail taking you over 94 to go back and forth from the "motorway" section. They had a few different go-carts and the ones that required a drivers license, they let me drive them with my learners permit - fun fact, that's how I memorized my drivers license ID from going on that ride so much. The alpine slide, bungee jump, the wave pool, insane slides, what I wouldn't give for 1 more day in a place like that!

I was talking about Speedway 17 on route 17 North in Upper Saddle River. It originally had two go-cart tracks one was for the little guys, small little orange electric cars. They turned the electric car track into the paintball section. We would use the little electric cars on the other track when needed (usually just bday parties). The other track had the larger go-carts sprint style. We would toss this powder on the track so it would be slippery. We would purposely let it "dry up" to get the cars to go faster. It was indoors and propane, when the ceiling fans broke, oh boy, it got smoky. They were regular Honda - lawnmower style - engines. The owner also owned the big arcade in Paramas, Sportsworld I believe was the name.

I still have the t-shirt, wanted to frame it LOL.

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I'm surprised how many normally reputable hotel chains get subpar reviews in Nassau.

Just a guess, but going to assume a "Hilton" buys a hotel in Nassau. Before (or even after) they implement the Hilton way, it's still run the old way, by the same management. At the core it's still a run down hotel.

I remember trying to save people money for my bachelor party. The best man and I found a hotel next to the Tropicana in Atlantic City NJ. It was a hotel property owen by the Wyndham group. The photos looked nice so we gave it a shot. The hotel definitely didn't live up to the Wyndham name, it was trash, 2 stars at best. Everything from wacky parking, a messed up reservation, shady staff, and possible mold.

Years later at an RV show at a local community college there was a booth for Wyndham. I stopped for a second and looked. The nice gentleman called me over. I quickly explained my experience in Atlantic City and how I'd more than likely never stay at one of their properties again. They actually acknowledged some of their properties aren't what you'd expect from a wyndham experience.

Outside of Royal we've been on two other cruise lines, once each, Carnival (first cruise, 3 day, themed, lots of lessons learned), other was NCL.

Overall, we enjoyed the NCL product, freestyle dining, etc. We were NOT a fan of the ship, we sailed the GEM and it just had a weird layout and flow.

We've discussed trying the newer ships and will as soon as things normalize. They had me at go-carts!

One of my favorite jobs when I was a younger lad, worked for a go-cart place that also had paintball and a small arcade. The go-carts ran on propane, oh the stories I have... Any Bergen County NJ peeps? 

18 hours ago, twangster said:

Announcing a restart is a pretty big deal but it also admits all cruises prior to the restart date are cancelled.   Plus if the restart involves a small restart like two ships doing short Florida cruises as they've suggested that also admits all other cruises are cancelled.

That's a pretty big message that they'll want to be fully prepared for.  It's the kind of message that will drive the stock price one way or the other.  They'll announce something that big only once they've got a much bigger plan well thought out and ready for consumption by the public.  Not sure but that message might be better delivered by someone higher up.  

No disrespect meant for Vicki but that impacts other brands as well, so maybe it's something Richard delivers, or RCG corporate, coordinated across the brands.

I started to type something similar yesterday but decided not to post it. My comment was that an important announcement like cruises restarting wouldn't be delivered via "coffee chat" no matter their position in the company. However, everyone was still being so optimistic about the (sorry to say) "click-bait" "must tune in to my podcast" title I decided to let everyone have their moment.

On 3/14/2021 at 3:29 PM, twangster said:

Who is to say our governments are getting it right?  Everyone in Congress was vaccinated very quickly "so they can demonstrate how safe it is".  So much for need based distribution or the most benefit to society.  Hogwash.    

As stated definitely ask the Coastal Kitchen host, the worst is a no, but for 1 night, toss in a celebration excuse, with a little "thank you" and it might happen.

I've heard someone doing a b2b one leg Jr Suite one leg Grand Suite and the host extended some Grand Suite perks on the Jr Suite leg. So, it's not uncommon.

Good luck and report your experience. Most of all enjoy CK. I've sailed Anthem 3 times in a GS and ate at CK twice. Biggest reason was friends and family onboard in steerage.

Welcome. 

Great news from the doc! Fingers & toes crossed for you! I couldn't agree more about ensuring this procedure can last through the quality of life you expect from it.

What your sister-in-law is doing for so many people and giving up all her free time to do it is just amazing. 

My guess is September 1st with 1, maybe 2 ships. Still pessimistic about my September 2021 sailing on Oasis will go.  

4 hours ago, AlmondFarmer said:

If using “Price is Right” rules (going past/over disqualifies) my guess for U.S. departure is July 1. 

Poor Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) was only over by $132 dollars!

17 hours ago, CruiseGus said:

@sk8erguy1978 what "neat passport wallet that holds passport, credit cards & cash" are you using.  Always interested in what works for others

It's a duct tape passport wallet. I bought it years ago from thinkgeek(dot)com but it seems to be on Amazon too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M06PHIC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_RXD3KM67X03Z4Y1BCSMT

I used to always take it off the ship, then I stopped for a bit. I too had a fear of losing it or it being stolen.

I bought a neat passport wallet that holds passport, credit cards & cash so now I'm back to always taking it off the ship. 

It's not required to reboard the ship, but walking around a country without your countries passport doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

I bring photocopies for record of passport information. My driver's license is enhanced so that helps closed loops (if passport was stolen) and I'm finally embracing a password manager (1password) and will start storing copies of these sensitive documents there.

12 minutes ago, steverk said:

Another option is to book the October repositioning cruise as a refundable deposit. Cancel if you change your mind. 

Yeah, if I did book it would be refundable for sure. I know my vacation allotment for 2022, same as 2021, 2020, etc. This trip would cost me at least 10 of 19 days, not horrible but significant enough. At present, my wife would have a difficult time getting two weeks off if she was dead LOL (they are short staffed). She is also in the market for new opportunities, so who knows what her new vacation situation will be. All options are on the table :). 

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

One strategy is to book one of Serenade's 10 night round trip cruises from Tampa that stop in Colon.  There you can book an excursion boat that goes into the canal.  Cheaper cruise fare and you get a closer look at the canal in a smaller tour boat.  Best of both worlds.

Jan. 18, 2023

Feb. 22, 2023

10 night cruise means less days of PTO consumed.  

Thanks, I'll look into that!

I've been eyeing the October 2022 cruise @twangster mentioned above. I'd pull the trigger but cost & vacation time uncertainty is keeping me away.

But, the Panama Canal is a big bucket list for me, I'd even be happy with a "u-turn" sailing. Luckily, while Royal is my preferred cruise line, I am willing to cheat.

edit: heck, I'd go through in a rowboat.

It's not a matter of "if" but "when", May isn't happening. NCL and Carnival cancelled so RCL will too. 

"Stillness illness" my wife gets it, not bad, just random moments of feeling like she's still out to sea. I've had it happen a handful of times at best. She is also more sensitive to getting sea sick than I am, if that matters.

Ugh, just catching up. I'm sorry. Glad to see you have a positive attitude and trusting the doctors advice, judgement, etc. It's really important to have that. Fingers crossed for you!

I've always been a pretty simply guy with pizza. Cheese or Pepperoni as a go to but do enjoy a "meat lovers" as well. With that said, more variety could be fun and a "free" way for me to try what I normally wouldn't. 

On 3/1/2021 at 2:08 AM, chaotah said:

How about suggesting to RC to add a pizza section in windjammer?

I can finally use pizza as a bun for my double cheeseburger! This needs to happen.

13 hours ago, mook1525 said:

What about mandatory mask on pool deck?

 Any of you willing to do that too? Just curious

Walking around, maybe / sure. Sitting at lounger, no.

There are a lot of variables at play. I recall seeing something about drinking at bars only, that's a deal breaker.

Masks: if it is 24/7 outside cabin maybe, but if that's including a pool lounger, sorry, I'm out. If I cannot enjoy a drink on my lounger, I'm out. What's the point of taking in vitamin D with the mask on. For us, the pool deck, including hanging on the loungers, is a big way we spend a day at sea.

Vaccine: take it or leave it. I'm not anti-vax and will probably get it when it's my turn (last). Mainly to put my in-laws minds at ease and of course the suspicion places will ask for a "vax pass." As others my wife gave it to me after treating a C+ patient volunteering as an EMT. We had symptoms but nothing major, just felt like crap, fever, aches, etc.

Edit: I don't see my September Oasis out of NJ sailing anyway.

1 hour ago, Jill said:

Can’t believe they haven’t cancelled May. 

I had to rub my eyes when I saw April too. Guess they want to collect May payments. Rob Peter to pay Paul. Sigh.

Edit: since April was already cancelled, maybe they'll make that announcement soon. 

I am cautiously optimistic about late Q3 early Q4 (September / October). If things get moving soon it's possible. We know another round of cancellations are coming with Carnival and NCL announcements. I am not optimistic about my September cruise on Oasis.

18 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

At least we didn’t start talking about pizza! Lol

Fun fact, I leave the pizza stone in the oven. When not cooking pizza I just toss whatever pan on top of it. My wife says that's why things cook slower, I think the oven is just garbage.