USCG Teacher

Oasis is back to the insulated ones.

1 hour ago, JasonOasis said:

I can not stress just how important it is to have the app on your phone.  As a result of covid, the shut down, social distancing airlines have really poured a lot of money into their apps making them much more user friendly and you will be surprised how much you yourself can accomplish on the app never having to actually speak to an agent.

This is 100% spot on.  Last year my family had an AA flight out of Chicago O'Hare cancelled.  I was notified of the cancelation via a push notification and was able to rebook using the app on my phone before the gate agents even knew (or at least announced) what was happening.  I was even able to pick out our seats and we never had to speak to anyone or wait in a line.  Even my checked bags made it!

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

We enjoyed the excursion that took us to the Turtle Farm and Hell.  Hell is "meh" but we really enjoyed the turtle farm.

+1 on the Turtle Farm, it was surprisingly fun.  Also agree on how underwhelming Hell is.  The highlight there was that we sent a postcard.

2 hours ago, skittermagoo said:

I've only been on one cruise, but I had the DBP and almost every time I got a drink, I asked for a water too, no problem. We ended up with a nice stockpile of water cans in our cabin "fridge". 

 

Same here.  I even had a few bartenders offer the water prior to being asked!

10 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Question...Does anyone know if the ships have started to allow passengers to fill their own cones or is staff still manning the station?  Doesn't really matter to me but I was wondering....

Staff was still filling them 2 weeks ago on Oasis.

3 hours ago, JennaRCB said:

Hi everyone!

One of the benefits of staying in a suite is having priority bookings for spa and dining reservations. Has anyone ever used this before? How does it work?

 

Thanks!

I'm not sure if it falls under "priority booking" or not, but the cruise I just got off of, the suite concierge was able to get my family a 7:00 PM reservation at Izumi Habachi on night 6. 7:00 was a time that was never available on the Cruise Planner on any day for that entire voyage (believe me, I looked daily for over a year!), so maybe that was priority booking?

44 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

https://www.emed.com/

The Optum link also has the same tests and it's fine to order from. I think the number of tests is the only difference. 

That's correct.  Also, if you download the NAVICA app on your phone, you can access your results from the app any time.  You don't need to, because they email you a .pdf with the results within a few minutes of completion, but it adds an extra layer of access if you so desire.

Got it!

Good morning all!  Just got back from a wonderful 7 night cruise on Oasis of the Seas, and being the extra cautious person that I am, I had ordered a few extra eMed COVID tests just in case there were any snags during the pre-cruise testing.  Happy to report that everything went smoothly and the whole process couldn't have been easier.  The real point of this message is that now I have 2 extra tests sitting in my house that I have no use for at all, and I'd hate to see them go to waste.  They have an expiration date of May 2023.  I'm just looking to give them away, but I would ask that you Venmo me the actual shipping cost (I'll send them USPS Priority Mail).  First person to DM me that they're interested can have them!  Full disclosure: I'm leaving for a conference on Monday, so if you let me know by the end of the day today, I can drop in the mail tomorrow before I leave, otherwise they won't go out until I get back Thursday.  I hope someone can put them to use (and save a few bucks in the process!).

@Matt or @AshleyDillo, if this violates the board rules, I understand completely and please feel free to delete, I won't be offended!

21 hours ago, TKinRock said:

in the Port you have Fish Lips, Rising Tap & Tide, Grills, Gator's dockside.

I'll take you up on your generous offer if you don't mind!  As a local, which of these would be your choice for a family meal in port?

23 hours ago, Bowen said:

For me it's usually a cell phone charger or some type of cord that I shove in last minute.

Same.  Chargers.  Always chargers.

8 hours ago, burbuja0512 said:

 I don't know if I would work up the nerve to try craps, but we are definitely going to walk through the casino more than once to maybe catch in on other people's excitement.

I'm not sure if it's still a "thing," but I remember on a number of past cruises there were lessons given in the casino a various times throughout the week.  It cost a few bucks (maybe $20?), but they would walk players through how to play blackjack, roulette and craps, and even do a few simulated games everyone got play in.  At the end, you ended up getting what you paid for the class in free play to come back and try for real.  My wife enjoyed it immensely, and she ended up trying craps for the first time by the end of the cruise.  She promptly lost her $20, but she had a good time!

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

"Serious" but lacking in the understanding of the math of BJ. When someone at the table makes a play that isn't mathematically correct, they are just as likely to help others as hurt them.

100% this! I worked in casinos and have played in casinos, when some self-proclaimed expert would get mouthy/uppity, I would generally in a less than friendly manner direct them to find a higher-limit table if they were uncomfortable playing with less experienced players.  Everyone deserves a chance to sit at a real table and play for fun and to be comfortable doing so.

3 hours ago, SPS said:

Well, they are on the beach, so it's obviously dried seaweed for recipes. 

Mmmmmm.... jerk kelp.

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

You mean it’s called something else now??  I spent a great deal of my childhood going over the Tappan Zee to visit my fathers WWII shipmate in Englewood NJ.  We always took the Garden State to avoid I-95 in NY.

Now it's officially the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge (the original Tappan Zee is gone), but most locals I know still call the new bridge the Tappan Zee.  Sort of like how you can spot the tourist if they call the Sears Tower the Willis Tower!

1 hour ago, TXcruzer said:

We switched to hard side bags from Away Luggage a couple years ago. 
We love them, 4 wheel 360 degree design, good locks, and best of all LIFETIME warranty. 
We have used the warranty once for a broken interior zipper, and it could not have gone smoother. Called them and described the issue; 2 days later a new bag was on the porch, put the old bag in the shipping box, and Fed Ex came and picked it up. 

+1 on the Away bags.  Got "The Large Flex" and "The Carry-On with Pocket" and love them both for all of the reasons @TXCruiser stated.  I've never had to use the warranty, but it's nice to know I have it if I need it!

21 hours ago, leesam82 said:

Hello Everyone 

 

Has anyone seen this about the Margaritaville at sea being given a no sail order? 

 

https://youtu.be/XlTc3MNlmdE

 

 

I wonder what happened.

According to CEO Oneil Khosa, it was an issue with the automated doors.  Sounds like she's back underway as we speak.

https://www.thestreet.com/lifestyle/coast-guard-lifts-no-sail-order-for-jimmy-buffetts-margaritaville-cruise-ship

8 minutes ago, Stelkp said:

I did drive but my husband dropped me off. We didn’t park-but I did notice the garage right next door was for handicapped only. Which wasn’t like that a few years ago.

Good to know, thank you! Enjoy the rest of your time on board!

Oddly specific (and honestly rather unimportant!) question: I see you're from NY, so I'm guessing it's a strong possibility you drove in.  If so, were you in the garage or the overflow lot?  Just curious more than anything.  Glad to hear that you're enjoying yourself!

10 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Deck 3 Ocean view cabins are typically where the quarantine takes place.  This is to make it convenient for the staff who has to bring them food, medicine and take out their trash.  No one enters the cabin, the nightstand is set up outside for all "transactions".   The area is typically blocked off so passengers cannot enter it.  
 

I know this is the policy and where it is supposed to happen, but I have also heard more than one report of guests requesting and being allowed to stay in their own cabins, which is what lead to the question...

1 hour ago, Eric G said:

Yes he and his girlfriend were in isolation for days 4-7 per medical recommendation

Out of curiosity, did they move them to an isolation room, or did they isolate in their own cabin?

5 hours ago, Atlantix2000 said:

For the under 5 age group, Moderna's vaccine is a 2 shot series using 25% of their adult dosage.  However, Pfizer's vaccine is a 3-shot series using 10% of their adult dosage.  This is for the primary series, not including boosters. 

I did not realize Pfizer's under 5 series ran 3 shots for the primary series!  If that's the case, then @Atlantix2000 & @AspiringCruisePlanner would be absolutely correct.  My apologies, I didn't realize under 5 had a different series with Pfizer than the 5-11 year olds.

13 hours ago, Kamachaos said:

The doctor said he needs 3 shots and his 3rd shot is 7 days before boarding but everything I've read says vaccinated passengers will need 2 shots 14 days before (he will have his 2 by then for sure)

20 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

But, isn't only the original 2 shots required?  I'm seriously asking, not an agenda question.  

@Moby Dick is correct, for RCI's standards (at least as of now), you only need the two original shots in the series to be considered "fully vaccinated."  Boosters are not required.

5 hours ago, mackenziebroom said:

hi i'm bringing a small film camera and an extra film roll on my upcoming cruise and i was wondering what i should do when we are checking in and going through security to make sure that the film doesn't get ruined if there are any xray machines? thanks!

 

Simply requesting a hand check like @KristiZ suggested is of course the easiest way to go, but they also still sell the gold old fashioned lead-lined film bags (which will DEFINITELY be flagged to remove and hand check at the x-ray station!) at around $20-$30 for extra peace of mind if you're worried that you might forget!

19 hours ago, YOLO said:

Yes, as Pooch says - "Woo-Sox", but this is only their second season.  Prior to that they were "Paw-Sox" from Pawtucket, RI.  I grew up in RI.  I like the old mascot Paws better than the new mascot Woofster.

I saw Mark "The Bird" Fidrych pitch at McCoy Stadium for the PawSox.  The sox picked him up after he blew out his arm in Detroit.  I saw many MLB stars play there over the years...

I only speak tourist New England, but I believe you'd have to spell it "WorcestSox" then.  On second thought, I see the PR nightmare that possible phonetic issues could cause for outsiders.  Never mind.

Seriously though, MiLB is fantastic.  I'm a 15-20 minute drive to the Trenton Thunder.  Before the Yankees characteristically stabbed them in the back and withdrew their affiliation status without warning, I saw a number of Yankees stars rehabbing and making their way up through the system.  Not a Yankees fan AT ALL, but witnessing greatness is witnessing greatness, plus Bat Dogs!