Sushitex

Wow! Hubby received an offer for a comped cruise with Carnival, so we booked a 5-nighter on the Breeze for late October, going out of Galveston. I hope that this is a sign of good things coming for all the cruise lines sailing out of the U. S .

Our local naval air station will resume its Air Show (Blue Angels, etc.) in a week or so. I haven't attended one in years. Luckily for us, we live close enough to the base that we can view the Angels flying overhead, which is all I really want to see anyway. All we have to do is wait to hear the roar, then go outside and stand around for a little while. Meanwhile, thousands of people stream into the base, and gather at the edge of the air field to watch all the airplanes. No thanks, especially not this year's show. I realize that they will likely limit the crowds somehow, however. The base CO has been very good at taking care of his people as far as COVID goes - as a military retiree dependent, I feel very safe shopping at the base commissary and exchange. They are strict about observing the protocols and many times, both stores have been almost empty anyway (like the commissary was today.)

In Texas, this will happen next week: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2021/20210323.aspx#:~:text=All adults will be eligible,in the current priority groups. If you don't want to click on the link, it's an official release from the state saying that TX will be opening up the COVID vaccines to all adults beginning next Monday (March 29.)

Thank you for posting the information @ TX opening up the vaccines to all adults! I just messaged my daughter and son with the official press release from the state; I know that my daughter has been waiting patiently for her turn. Busy graduate student son hopefully will also find a time and place for his (first) jab. Here's a link for the news release: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2021/20210323.aspx#:~:text=All adults will be eligible,in the current priority groups.

If anyone has a casino comped cruise, go to your casino offers page, then enter the reservation number of your recently-cancelled cruise. If you are fortunate, a new code offer and a list of replacement cruises will appear. Hubby and I did this for our 2 cancelled May cruises and found 2 satisfactory replacement cruises. The list of available dates went from December 2021 through May 2022. A word of warning, though - this morning, we were on hold for quite some time, and even had a dropped call, when calling to book the new cruises (we prefer not to book online.) https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com/

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24513-carnival-is-crewing-up-its-cruise-fleet.html

Two steamboat companies in the U.S.A. will be requiring both passengers and crew to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 shot, beginning in July, 2021: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24304-american-queen-and-victory-to-mandate-covid-19-vaccine-for-guests-and-crew.html

On a related note, Norwegian Cruise Lines is planning to vaccinate its and Regent 7 Seas Cruise lines: https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/norwegian-cruise-line-regent-seven-seas-require-crew-covid-vaccinations?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=algorithm&fbclid=IwAR2e9enWbVLnbnRkxVzbkHhjVDGZJtUeZHvNPz3r_7QMzWzqjU8z3oocKCI

So far, we've sailed on the Liberty, Enchantment and Majesty. Although she wasn't perfect, for some reason, I think that dh and I favor the Enchantment. Don't get me wrong: each ship has its own pluses and minuses (the ice show and Johnny Rocket's on the Liberty were great) but I think that the friendliness of the crew endeared us to the Enchantment the most. We also liked the Compass Deli on the Majesty, so much that we never made it to the Johnny Rocket's on that ship. I am hoping that RC will deem it necessary to finally address the rust problem on the hull of the Enchantment; we saw no rust issues on the ship's interiors. My goal is to cruise on one of the "big girls" - we have cruises booked on the Oasis and Allure for later on this year. I am so hoping that we will be able to sail!

Yes, as far as I know. We've only been on 4 comped or discounted (through Club Royale) cruises, but we've also collected Crown and Anchor points for going on those cruises.

This is from a blog from November, but perhaps it is still valid: https://cruisesimulationform.questionpro.com/ Good luck! There is also an active FB group that you can join, it is called Volunteers of the Seas. Only 63.3 k members, lol. Husband and I are in Group 1B, and today, we are going to attempt to sign up online for a "mega" vaccination drive-up clinic in our region of Texas. This would be for the first dose of Moderna. Because we are in that Group, we aren't interested in volunteering (too many health hazards for us, and we probably wouldn't be chosen anyway.) We just want to get vaccinated!

I will take the vaccine at the earliest time that it will be available to me. Based on my age and known health, however, it looks like I will be "last in line." DH will probably get the vaccine earlier because of underlying medical conditions and my two daughters and son-in-law are educators, so they will likely be invited to get the shot(s) after the first large group is invited. That leaves my other son-in-law, my 22-year-old graduate student son, and myself, to bring up the rear of the line. If cruise lines will require proof of vaccines in order to sail, then I may not be able to go on our May cruises - it would hinge on when I can get the 1 (or 2 ) doses of vaccine. If I don't have it by then, dh and I will likely just cancel the cruises. ?

Again, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/masking-science-sars-cov2.html Quote: Scientific Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Updated Nov. 20, 2020 Background SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted predominately by respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets (“source control”), which is especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of their infectiousness to others, and who are estimated to account for more than 50% of transmissions.1,2 Masks also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer (“filtration for personal protection”). The community benefit of masking for SARS-CoV-2 control is due to the combination of these effects; individual prevention benefit increases with increasing numbers of people using masks consistently and correctly. Source Control to Block Exhaled Virus Multi-layer cloth masks block release of exhaled respiratory particles into the environment,3-6 along with the microorganisms these particles carry.7,8 Cloth masks not only effectively block most large droplets (i.e., 20-30 microns and larger)9 but they can also block the exhalation of fine droplets and particles (also often referred to as aerosols) smaller than 10 microns ;3,5 which increase in number with the volume of speech10-12 and specific types of phonation.13 Multi-layer cloth masks can both block up to 50-70% of these fine droplets and particles3,14 and limit the forward spread of those that are not captured.5,6,15,16 Upwards of 80% blockage has been achieved in human experiments that have measured blocking of all respiratory droplets,4 with cloth masks in some studies performing on par with surgical masks as barriers for source control.3,9,14 Filtration for Personal Protection Studies demonstrate that cloth mask materials can also reduce wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets through filtration, including filtration of fine droplets and particles less than 10 microns. The relative filtration effectiveness of various masks has varied widely across studies, in large part due to variation in experimental design and particle sizes analyzed. Multiple layers of cloth with higher thread counts have demonstrated superior performance compared to single layers of cloth with lower thread counts, in some cases filtering nearly 50% of fine particles less than 1 micron .14,17-29 Some materials (e.g., polypropylene) may enhance filtering effectiveness by generating triboelectric charge (a form of static electricity) that enhances capture of charged particles18,30 while others (e.g., silk) may help repel moist droplets31 and reduce fabric wetting and thus maintain breathability and comfort. Human Studies of Masking and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Data regarding the “real-world” effectiveness of community masking are limited to observational and epidemiological studies. An investigation of a high-exposure event, in which 2 symptomatically ill hair stylists interacted for an average of 15 minutes with each of 139 clients during an 8-day period, found that none of the 67 clients who subsequently consented to an interview and testing developed infection. The stylists and all clients universally wore masks in the salon as required by local ordinance and company policy at the time.32 In a study of 124 Beijing households with > 1 laboratory-confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, mask use by the index patient and family contacts before the index patient developed symptoms reduced secondary transmission within the households by 79%.33 A retrospective case-control study from Thailand documented that, among more than 1,000 persons interviewed as part of contact tracing investigations, those who reported having always worn a mask during high-risk exposures experienced a greater than 70% reduced risk of acquiring infection compared with persons who did not wear masks under these circumstances.34 A study of an outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an environment notable for congregate living quarters and close working environments, found that use of face coverings on-board was associated with a 70% reduced risk.35 Investigations involving infected passengers aboard flights longer than 10 hours strongly suggest that masking prevented in-flight transmissions, as demonstrated by the absence of infection developing in other passengers and crew in the 14 days following exposure.36,37 Seven studies have confirmed the benefit of universal masking in community level analyses: in a unified hospital system,38 a German city,39 a U.S. state,40 a panel of 15 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.,41,42 as well as both Canada43 and the U.S.44 nationally. Each analysis demonstrated that, following directives from organizational and political leadership for universal masking, new infections fell significantly. Two of these studies42,44 and an additional analysis of data from 200 countries that included the U.S.45 also demonstrated reductions in mortality. An economic analysis using U.S. data found that, given these effects, increasing universal masking by 15% could prevent the need for lockdowns and reduce associated losses of up to $1 trillion or about 5% of gross domestic product.42 Conclusions Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The prevention benefit of masking is derived from the combination of source control and personal protection for the mask wearer. The relationship between source control and personal protection is likely complementary and possibly synergistic14, so that individual benefit increases with increasing community mask use. Further research is needed to expand the evidence base for the protective effect of cloth masks and in particular to identify the combinations of materials that maximize both their blocking and filtering effectiveness, as well as fit, comfort, durability, and consumer appeal. Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation. References Moghadas SM, Fitzpatrick MC, Sah P, et al. The implications of silent transmission for the control of COVID-19 outbreaks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020;117(30):17513-17515.10.1073/pnas.2008373117. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32632012external icon. Johansson MA, Quandelacy TM, Kada S, et al. Controlling COVID-19 requires preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission from people without symptoms. submitted. 2020. Lindsley WG, Blachere FM, Law BF, Beezhold DH, Noti JD. Efficacy of face masks, neck gaiters and face shields for reducing the expulsion of simulated cough-generated aerosols. medRxiv. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.05.20207241external icon. Fischer EP, Fischer MC, Grass D, Henrion I, Warren WS, Westman E. Low-cost measurement of face mask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech. Sci Adv. 2020;6(36).10.1126/sciadv.abd3083. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32917603external icon. Verma S, Dhanak M, Frankenfield J. Visualizing the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing respiratory jets. Phys Fluids (1994). 2020;32(6):061708.10.1063/5.0016018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32624649external icon. Bahl P, Bhattacharjee S, de Silva C, Chughtai AA, Doolan C, MacIntyre CR. Face coverings and mask to minimise droplet dispersion and aerosolisation: a video case study. Thorax. 2020;75(11):1024-1025.10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215748. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32709611external icon. Davies A, Thompson KA, Giri K, Kafatos G, Walker J, Bennett A. Testing the efficacy of homemade masks: would they protect in an influenza pandemic? Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2013;7(4):413-418.10.1017/dmp.2013.43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24229526external icon. Leung NHL, Chu DKW, Shiu EYC, et al. Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face masks. Nature Medicine. 2020;26(5):676-680.https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0843-2external icon. Bandiera L., Pavar G., Pisetta G., et al. Face coverings and respiratory tract droplet dispersion. medRxiv. 2020.10.1101/2020.08.11.20145086. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.11.20145086external icon. Alsved M, Matamis A, Bohlin R, et al. Exhaled respiratory particles during singing and talking. Aerosol Sci Technol. 2020.10.1080/02786826.2020.1812502. Asadi S, Wexler AS, Cappa CD, Barreda S, Bouvier NM, Ristenpart WD. Aerosol emission and superemission during human speech increase with voice loudness. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):2348.10.1038/s41598-019-38808-z. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30787335external icon. Morawska L., Johnson GR, Ristovski ZD, et al. Size distribution and sites of origin of droplets expelled from the human respiratory tract during expiratory activities. Aerosol Sci. 2009;40(3):256-269. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021850208002036external icon. Abkarian M, Mendez S, Xue N, Yang F, Stone HA. Speech can produce jet-like transport relevant to asymptomatic spreading of virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020;117(41):25237-25245.10.1073/pnas.2012156117. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32978297external icon. Ueki H, Furusawa Y, Iwatsuki-Horimoto K, et al. Effectiveness of Face Masks in Preventing Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. mSphere. 2020;5(5).10.1128/mSphere.00637-20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33087517external icon. Rodriguez-Palacios A, Cominelli F, Basson AR, Pizarro TT, Ilic S. Textile Masks and Surface Covers-A Spray Simulation Method and a “Universal Droplet Reduction Model” Against Respiratory Pandemics. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:260.10.3389/fmed.2020.00260. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32574342external icon. Viola I.M., Peterson B., Pisetta G., et al. Face coverings, aerosol dispersion and mitigation of virus transmission risk. 2020. https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.10720external icon. Rengasamy S, Eimer B, Shaffer RE. Simple respiratory protection–evaluation of the filtration performance of cloth masks and common fabric materials against 20-1000 nm size particles. Ann Occup Hyg. 2010;54(7):789-798.10.1093/annhyg/meq044. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20584862external icon. Konda A, Prakash A, Moss GA, Schmoldt M, Grant GD, Guha S. Aerosol Filtration Efficiency of Common Fabrics Used in Respiratory Cloth Masks. ACS Nano. 2020;14(5):6339-6347.10.1021/acsnano.0c03252. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32329337external icon. Long KD, Woodburn EV, Berg IC, Chen V, Scott WS. Measurement of filtration efficiencies of healthcare and consumer materials using modified respirator fit tester setup. PLoS One. 2020;15(10):e0240499.10.1371/journal.pone.0240499. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33048980external icon. O’Kelly E, Pirog S, Ward J, Clarkson PJ. Ability of fabric face mask materials to filter ultrafine particles at coughing velocity. BMJ Open. 2020;10(9):e039424.10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039424. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32963071external icon. Aydin O, Emon B, Cheng S, Hong L, Chamorro LP, Saif MTA. Performance of fabrics for home-made masks against the spread of COVID-19 through droplets: A quantitative mechanistic study. Extreme Mech Lett. 2020;40:100924.10.1016/j.eml.2020.100924. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32835043external icon. Bhattacharjee S, Bahl P, Chughtai AA, MacIntyre CR. Last-resort strategies during mask shortages: optimal design features of cloth masks and decontamination of disposable masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open Respir Res. 2020;7(1).10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000698. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32913005external icon. Maurer L, Peris D, Kerl J, Guenther F, Koehler D, Dellweg D. Community Masks During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Filtration Efficacy and Air Resistance. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv. 2020.10.1089/jamp.2020.1635. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32975460external icon. Hill WC, Hull MS, MacCuspie RI. Testing of Commercial Masks and Respirators and Cotton Mask Insert Materials using SARS-CoV-2 Virion-Sized Particulates: Comparison of Ideal Aerosol Filtration Efficiency versus Fitted Filtration Efficiency. Nano Lett. 2020;20(10):7642-7647.10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03182. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32986441external icon. Whiley H, Keerthirathne TP, Nisar MA, White MAF, Ross KE. Viral Filtration Efficiency of Fabric Masks Compared with Surgical and N95 Masks. Pathogens. 2020;9(9).10.3390/pathogens9090762. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32957638external icon. Hao W, Parasch A, Williams S, et al. Filtration performances of non-medical materials as candidates for manufacturing facemasks and respirators. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2020;229:113582.10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113582. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32917368external icon. van der Sande M, Teunis P, Sabel R. Professional and home-made face masks reduce exposure to respiratory infections among the general population. PLoS One. 2008;3(7):e2618.10.1371/journal.pone.0002618. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18612429external icon. Chu DK, Akl EA, Duda S, et al. Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2020.10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9external icon. Clase CM, Fu EL, Ashur A, et al. Forgotten Technology in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Filtration Properties of Cloth and Cloth Masks-A Narrative Review. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(10):2204-2224.10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.07.020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33012350external icon. Zhao M, Liao L, Xiao W, et al. Household Materials Selection for Homemade Cloth Face Coverings and Their Filtration Efficiency Enhancement with Triboelectric Charging. Nano Lett. 2020;20(7):5544-5552.10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c02211. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32484683external icon. Parlin AF, Stratton SM, Culley TM, Guerra PA. A laboratory-based study examining the properties of silk fabric to evaluate its potential as a protective barrier for personal protective equipment and as a functional material for face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One. 2020;15(9):e0239531.10.1371/journal.pone.0239531. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32946526external icon. Hendrix MJ, Walde C, Findley K, Trotman R. Absence of Apparent Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Two Stylists After Exposure at a Hair Salon with a Universal Face Covering Policy – Springfield, Missouri, May 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(28):930-932.10.15585/mmwr.mm6928e2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32673300external icon. Wang Y, Tian H, Zhang L, et al. Reduction of secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in households by face mask use, disinfection and social distancing: a cohort study in Beijing, China. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(5).10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002794. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32467353external icon. Doung-Ngern P, Suphanchaimat R, Panjangampatthana A, et al. Case-Control Study of Use of Personal Protective Measures and Risk for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection, Thailand. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(11).10.3201/eid2611.203003. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32931726external icon. Payne DC, Smith-Jeffcoat SE, Nowak G, et al. SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Serologic Responses from a Sample of U.S. Navy Service Members – USS Theodore Roosevelt, April 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(23):714-721.10.15585/mmwr.mm6923e4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32525850external icon. Schwartz KL, Murti M, Finkelstein M, et al. Lack of COVID-19 transmission on an international flight. Cmaj. 2020;192(15):E410.10.1503/cmaj.75015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32392504external icon. Freedman DO, Wilder-Smith A. In-flight Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a review of the attack rates and available data on the efficacy of face masks. J Travel Med. 2020.10.1093/jtm/taaa178. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32975554external icon. Wang X, Ferro EG, Zhou G, Hashimoto D, Bhatt DL. Association Between Universal Masking in a Health Care System and SARS-CoV-2 Positivity Among Health Care Workers. JAMA. 2020.10.1001/jama.2020.12897. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32663246external icon. Mitze T., Kosfeld R., Rode J., Wälde K. Face Masks Considerably Reduce COVID-19 Cases in Germany: A Synthetic Control Method Approach. IZA – Institute of Labor Economics (Germany);2020.ISSN: 2365-9793, DP No. 13319. http://ftp.iza.org/dp13319.pdfpdf iconexternal icon Gallaway MS, Rigler J, Robinson S, et al. Trends in COVID-19 Incidence After Implementation of Mitigation Measures – Arizona, January 22-August 7, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(40):1460-1463.10.15585/mmwr.mm6940e3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33031366external icon. Lyu W, Wehby GL. Community Use Of Face Masks And COVID-19: Evidence From A Natural Experiment Of State Mandates In The US. Health Aff (Millwood). 2020;39(8):1419-1425.10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00818. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32543923external icon. Hatzius J, Struyven D, Rosenberg I. Face Masks and GDP. Goldman Sachs Research https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/pages/face-masks-and-gdp.htmlexternal icon. Accessed July 8, 2020. Karaivanov A., Lu S.E., Shigeoka H., Chen C., Pamplona S. Face Masks, Public Policies And Slowing The Spread Of Covid-19: Evidence from Canada National Bureau Of Economic Research 2020.Working Paper 27891. http://www.nber.org/papers/w27891external icon. Chernozhukov V, Kasahara H, Schrimpf P. Causal Impact of Masks, Policies, Behavior on Early Covid-19 Pandemic in the U.S. medRxiv. 2020.10.1101/2020.05.27.20115139. http://medrxiv.org/content/early/2020/05/29/2020.05.27.20115139.abstractexternal icon. Leffler CT, Ing EB, Lykins JD, Hogan MC, McKeown CA, Grzybowski A. Association of country-wide coronavirus mortality with demographics, testing, lockdowns, and public wearing of masks (updated August 4, 2020). medRxiv. 2020.10.1101/2020.05.22.20109231. http://medrxiv.org/content/early/2020/05/25/2020.05.22.20109231.abstractexternal icon. This article has references from 45 sources from around the world. Scientists are saying that even cloth face masks are effective. It's one of the 4 major safety protocols that folks with common sense are using to try to get through this pandemic.

On the other hand, this far more recent study (November 20, 2020) shows how effective cloth face masks are: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/masking-science-sars-cov2.html

Yes, they still check IDs at the register. If one does self-checkout, you have to scan your military ID card before you can scan the groceries.

My husband is retired Navy and we have been using the local base commissary for over 20 years. I recall that not long after the national lockdown started, I stood in line (socially distanced, of course) to get into the commissary. Back then, there were people actively checking ID cards, no guests were allowed, they allowed only so many people in the commissary at one time, and they made sure that everyone wore a mask. The commissary and navy exchanges were the first two places (that I know of) that required masks, by the way. I felt that they were easily the best places to shop at during the crisis. Nowadays, at the commissary (I go there about once a week) masks are still mandatory, although they no longer check for ID cards at the door. Unfortunately, the commissary sometimes doesn't have a product that I may need. That's where curbside delivery comes in, for the off-base grocery stores. H-E-B has a great online setup and curbside service if you live where they have stores (Texas.) Addendum: Back in the mid-1990's, our family was stationed in Japan. I worked as a library aide at the base library, and part of the job was to contact people who didn't return their library materials on time. We didn't have fines, and every patron received 3 weeks for their borrowed items. What we did for those late items, if they were not returned after 1 or 2 written notices, was to call the servicemember's boss, and then those items were returned, pronto! This would have never flown in a civilian setting, but, it worked very well, lol.

My daughter gave me a set of packing cubes for Christmas @ 2 years ago, and at first, I was rather leery about using them. Two cruises later, I am sold! I roll my “like “ clothes ( t-shirts, for example) before putting them into the cubes. The best part is when I unpack, by simply taking the cubes out of my suitcase and placing them into the drawers of our stateroom. It takes just a few moments, then all that’s left to do is to tuck our suitcases under the bed or in a closet. Dh had a small set of cubes that we received for renewing a membership this past spring, which he used during our June/July cruise. After the cruise ended, I realized that he needed more cubes, so during Amazon Prime Days I ordered him another set. My tip is to try using packing cubes. If you don’t like them, somebody you know may gladly take them off your hands.?

If you are not receiving offers by email or regular mail, it’s best to call Club Royale to ask about each particular offer. My husband made Prime in early July and started receiving email offers the third week of August. He has been getting mostly the weekly jackpot offers, with a few other offers thrown in. He hasn’t received any snail mail offers yet. You can ask the reps to email you the offer - we had to do that last week when dh received an offer, but no email. Usually there’s a lag of several hours between the time that the offers are posted on the offers page and they are emailed to him, but he never received it, so he finally just called to request that offer. From what we’ve been told by the CR reps, if there’s a trade-in value listed, you must apply it to a cruise that sails by the last expiration date listed on the offer. So I would look at the list of sailings offered, and find the last date listed. You can book this non-qualifying cruise when you are on the phone with CR. If there’s a cruise listed ( either free or a discounted one ) on the offer you can either book it on the phone or redeem it using the offers page. We have always called because we always have at least one question for the rep about the offer. I am not sure how many offers can be used - my guess, is as many that haven’t expired yet. I believe that you can apply only 1 CR offer to a specific cruise, unless your partner/ spouse is also a CR member. I understand that the second person can use their offer to upgrade a stateroom for that same cruise. Be aware that I read there are call centers in Oregon, Jamaica, and Guatemala (?) - some other country in Central or South America, anyway. We have mostly spoken with knowledgeable reps, but there were a couple that were either new or just unsure about our questions or requests. One of the numbers listed on their offers is 1-866-578-3667.

Thank you! ?

Husband and I went on our one and only Royal cruise in late June - early July and he earned Prime status on the last night of the cruise. He left the casino in the wee hours of that night (morning, really) with the cruise certificate in his hand. On the back of the certificate is a list of cruises - some as short as 4 nights (I believe) and some as long as 7 nights. There may have been 1 8-night cruise as well. In any case, you have 30 days to call Casino Royale to book one of the listed cruises. If none of them will work for you, the certificate is redeemable for $500 off the price of a cruise of your choosing. The cruise that you reserve must sail within a year's time. We weren't picky and one date/ship worked out for us. From what I recall, the cruises offered were starting in September 2019 and went to April 2020, and I have read that they are updated every quarter. So maybe in October, another list will be available, but I don't believe that you can use any list but the one that is on the certificate, or the trade-in value. 2400 points earned will gain you a cruise for 2 for an interior stateroom. If you have better luck, you may earn a comped OV stateroom (3600 points) or balcony (4800 points.) I think that some people earn suites as well, of course, by racking up even more points. I believe that these certificates are always for 2 people, but I am sure that someone here will correct me if I am mistaken. I understand that these higher-level certificate will have a higher trade-in value, but again, that factoid was gleaned from reading message boards and Facebook group posts. Don't stop at 2499 points - that will earn you the interior cruise certificate, but you will need 2500 points to earn Prime tier. If you earn Prime status on your January cruise, in April, 2020, you should receive a "code" for your free annual Prime cruise (not the same one as the certificate cruise!) This can be a cruise of your own choosing, up to 8 nights, I believe, but no holiday cruises. Husband hasn't received this code yet, obviously, so we haven't experienced this yet, but we received the information about the annual cruise in an email from a Casino Royale rep.

Hi - we will be going on our second cruise with Royal this coming Thanksgiving week. The first cruise was this past June/July on the Liberty OTS, also out of Galveston. While on the Liberty, I took full advantage of the Cafe Promenade (and the Windjammer, when open) to enjoy some hot tea (London Tea Company's English Breakfast tea.) I am wondering, since it appears that there is no Cafe Promenade on the Enchantment, will there be hot tea available during late hours (after 9 p.m.) and in the early morning hours at the Park Cafe? I tend to wake up earlier than my husband and would love to sneak up on the 9th deck (we'll be on the 8th) to get a cup of hot tea to sip. If not in the Park Cafe, is there (free) hot tea available elsewhere on the Enchantment, and if so, where? Will it be the London Tea Company brand? Finally, has anyone tried the famous kummelweck sandwiches there on the Enchantment recently? I have never had them, didn't know they existed until I was looking at a message board sometime after our first cruise. I don't believe they were offered in the Cafe Promenade, or if they did, they must have disappeared rather quickly. Thanks!

It's a closed FB group and you will need to ask to join (and possibly answer a few questions and read their rules. Stuff about being nice and keeping on topic.) The group is called Royal Caribbean Club Royale Casino Patrons Forum (long title) but the people there are usually friendly and very active with their messages, etc. So I think that I just searched on FB and found it; asked to join, was accepted several hours later, then invited husband to join, who is actually the prime member of their casino rewards program (Casino Royale.) I find it addicting, because there are so many mysteries concerning onboard casino gambling, and I don't even gamble! I DO enjoy hubby receiving comped or heavily discounted cruises, ha ha!

If you earned 2400 points, you should (and you were) awarded the list of (interior room) cruises that you will need to book within 30 days from the date the certificate was issued to you. You will have 1 year to sail on any of the cruises on the list, or redeem it for $500 off the cost of another cruise of your choosing. If you earned 3600 points, you would get a different list of OV room cruises, or 4800 points, for a list of balcony room cruises. I don't know what the values are for the OV or balcony cruises if you decide to trade the certificate in for the discount on other cruises, but they are more than $500. We did not know about the free annual Prime cruise until husband (the Prime member; I actually don't gamble) called Casino Royale and the rep told him over the telephone about it, then emailed him the same information (that email helped us tremendously.) The posters above are correct; around mid-April 2020 all Prime (and above) members should receive an email with a code for the free annual cruise. We sailed on our first Royal cruise on June 30th; husband made Prime on the last night of the cruise, but just as you probably are, we were somewhat befuddled. The Casino Royale reps, Cruise Critic message boards, this blog site, and a Facebook group for Casino Royale members have been our resources for finding out any and every detail concerning the Casino Royale Rewards program. BTW, it took almost 2 months before husband started seeing Casino Royale marketing offers on the Club Royale website; the CR reps did warn us that it would be at least a month before anything showed up. We never saw the offer for the 2400 point certificate earned on the ship because we called the day after returning from the first cruise, and booked the free cruise right away!

I agree- anyone who is staring at an impending hurricane has huge worries swirling around in their heads. I went through this 2 years ago because my former job required that I stay put when Harvey was barreling towards our part of Texas. Hubby, our dogs, and I sheltered in a FEMA dome, and we were fortunate in that our fence was the only sustained damage , as well as losing all our perishables and no internet for a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, nearby towns (and even parts of Houston) were flooded or outright, demolished. Also, due to another extremely stressful event (husband suffering a heart attack) we once had to cancel a scheduled comped cruise ( with Carnival. ) We ended up recovering our son’s cruise fare ( he was scheduled to go with us) because we had paid with a credit card that covered trip cancellations. We hadn’t bothered to use travel insurance, but now, we do.

The night that we received the birthday cake, I had ordered 2 other desserts because I couldn’t decide between the Baked Alaska and the dessert that looks like Carnival ‘s Chocolate Melting Cake. So, imagine our surprise when our waiter brought us the birthday cake as well...and it was a table for two! After trying the other 2 desserts, I gave hubby the rest of the Baked Alaska and the chocolate cake just sat there. I then tasted the birthday cake, and devoured what I could manage to eat. I don’t remember what else I ordered that evening, but I definitely recall the 3 desserts. I am going to miss that little birthday cake on our next cruise; I don’t believe it will be available because it will be in January 2020. ?