SteveinSC

Probably the least anxiety inducing change ive encountered this year....kudos

It's time to let go of IE anyway.  ?

We already have to wear masks everywhere already at home. I REALLY need a break from my farm! Farm work is killing me! I need to sit for long periods sipping fruity drinks and not have to cook. I’d rather do it on a cruise ship than at a Holiday Inn

@MattJust a short post to say the Boards look FANTASTIC on Chrome! Love what you've done with the place!!

Here's a cut-away showing the progress on Sovereign .... depressing for those that have sailed her.  Almost all of the Half Deck (Deck 6) is gone.  The photo of all 4 ships is about a week old.

Last question on the survey . On the scale of lots of money versus metric crap ton of money, how much do you want to spend on the Deluxe Beverage Package?

Im starting to feel a little better after todays Richard Fain video, and @Matt's recent posts....things ARE looking up. I wont REALLY feel better until there is an announced plan, though.....and Go Heels. I wasnt Tarheel born, but I was Tarheel raised, and ive been to too many basketball, football, and baseball games in Chapel Hill to count. 

Im starting to feel a little better after todays Richard Fain video, and @Matt's recent posts....things ARE looking up. I wont REALLY feel better until there is an announced plan, though.....and Go Heels. I wasnt Tarheel born, but I was Tarheel raised, and ive been to too many basketball, football, and baseball games in Chapel Hill to count. 

Im starting to feel a little better after todays Richard Fain video, and @Matt's recent posts....things ARE looking up. I wont REALLY feel better until there is an announced plan, though.....and Go Heels. I wasnt Tarheel born, but I was Tarheel raised, and ive been to too many basketball, football, and baseball games in Chapel Hill to count. 

Though this blog is the one place I go to get real info, I do follow and see chatter elsewhere. Yesterday I saw  a few posts fro people who supposedly have friends in the game that were asked to be ready to come back late this month and early next month. Normally I dismiss stuff I have no way to verify but two of the reports came from people who got crew departures correct some time back. I made mention a few weeks ago when I booked another spring run I was making small talk about upcoming cruises likely to cancel. The agent was probably the very best I ever had  the pleasure of dealing with. She was adamant that my Harmony in November would be sailing... Who knows... The extensions will eventually end . First trips will eventually happen. I see no reason that we can't be at that crossroad now???? 

Negative....but look for us on America’s Most Wanted b/c someone is likely to die before it’s over. ????

I am bored and tired of not having any live blogs to read, so I’m going to create a live blog about coming to Florida on a house-hunting recon.
While no one is interested in my house-hunting per se, I will devote this blog to discussions on travel and public discourse.... I mean, being out and about ...during the plague.
We left Virginia on Thursday morning.
Uber to the airport - Uneventful.  This was the first time we had gone north (in, towards DC) since the lockdown, so we had no idea what rush hour traffic would be like. We gave ourselves plenty of time, but it was unnecessary. Traffic was a breeze (for NoVa).  Part of that could have been b/c it is a holiday weekend, but primarily I just think people are still working mostly from home.
Airport - This is the first time I have EVER seen zero-zilch-nobody in line at TSA.  There was not a soul waiting to go through security.  It’s the first time I have not needed Cleared to breeze though. The bad news...since I now have a fake knee, I can no longer go through the Pre Check scanner.  I have to go through the regular line, therefore negating my TSAPre Check advantage.  Not happy about this. Had to take off my shoes and everything.  Major bummer.  The good news is, the AA Admirals Club in Terminal C was open.  The bad news is, it’s pretty meager.  No more buffet breakfast (we got a breakfast “box” with some stale crackers and nasty cheese).  No avocado toast !  What is this world coming to ?!  It was still better than waiting at the gate but not like the good ol’ days.
Flight - so much for social distancing !  Completely sold out flight.  Uneventful...had to wear a mask the entire time but nothing untoward happened.  One of the smoothest flights I’ve ever taken.  DCA-PBI.  First time flying into West Palm.  Very nice airport.  Must be b/c Trump moved to FL.  Just kiddin’
Hotel - Residence Inn in Port St. Lucie.  Very nice.  Must wear a mask in the lobby and when in the elevator. No food service at all.  They also subscribe to the box meal philosophy. No idea what’s in their box.  We declined.   No housekeeping service unless you give them 24 hours notice and you must vacate the room at least 3 hours prior to service (not sure how you’re supposed to know when they’re coming...).  I can get replacement towels at any time.  This works for us, just fine.  I don’t care for housekeeping bustin’ in on us anyway.  I can make my own bed !
Restaurants and other public spaces - Honestly, if it weren’t for the masks, you would not even know there was a plague.  It’s pretty much business as usual, as far as I can tell.  The restaurants seem to be blocking off every-other table, but basically, that’s it.  People are extremely compliant with the whole mask thing.  I’ve been very pleasantly surprised that I have seen NO one out in public without a mask.  As far as I can tell, everything is open....except for the cruise terminals.
More on the first day of house hunting later.  It was a long day.  It’s hot in Florida.  Why am I moving here again ?

I came across this video today of someone that is onboard one of the ships that has started sailing (MeinSchiff Blaue Reise). He talks about how boarding was different and the procedures they have on the ship. I thought it was interesting and possibly what it would look like when we can start back.
 
 
 

Don't tell anyone please....I have been stalking my "possible sailing" scheduled for Thanksgiving this November because I lost my August VP cabin this past August and I really needed this cabin. (only 1854 or 1804) and both were previously booked so unavailable for this sailing. Of course we have no assurance this sailing will go, BUT it appeared available Friday night, OMG can I switch ??  Enter Sharla our MEI guru, I called her and shot off an email, understanding fully it was after hours so I did all I could do. 
Within minutes of my email I received a response simply saying " I'm on it" I was flabbergasted, this amazing lady interrupted her personal evening and secured my preferred cabin, shhh don't tell anyone SHE.IS.AMAZING. 
I am so thankful for the day I reached out on this blog and was put in contact with Sharla, I feel like she is more then a TA, she is a friend. Thanks @Matt for being the conduit for our amazing advocate all things Royal, @Sharla. [email protected]
LISTEN CDC, we are more then ready to sail, let's go!

 

Steve - we're cruising on Nov 29.  Mark it down, brother.
And we're cruising on Feb 28.  
So you guys are definitely good to go!    Don't listen to the negative nit-wits, man!
 
I wouldn't (intentionally) lie to a fellow South Carolinian!
 
Plus, we got football starting next weekend!!!!   Go Heels!!

I have a feeling that once your cruise is a go... Your Meh will become a HOLY CRAP WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE!!! 

Not gonna lie, with everything going on in the world...social media....and the seemingly no end in sight bad news in the cruising world....my outlook on cruising, and especially my March Harmony sailing has been nothing more than MEH. I feel like its increasingly doubtful we will sail, and if we do, the itinerary will be nothing like the cruise booked (which may or may not be fine.) I need some good cruise news, some good signs, some glimmer of hope....What do yall have for me? 
 

DCL always enforced their arrival times. I remember seeing DCL people standing around at the parking garage in Port Canaveral because they were waiting for their arrival time

it's a (much) smaller line and right now operating strictly in Norway, but Seadream's been having some fantastic success with it's sailings so far.  They had a webinar yesterday where they went into some details about the precautions they're taking and how excursions/etc are working for them. 

Have you seen the great results MSC and others have had in Europe to resume cruises? That's fantastic news.

Here’s another one.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3611466-cruise-line-stocks-higher-after-carnival-takes-baby-steps-in-europe-cruise-resumption?utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&mail_subject=rcl-cruise-line-stocks-higher-after-carnival-takes-baby-steps-in-europe-with-cruise-resumption&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-3

DCL Fan – Disney Cruise Line Information Port of Galveston CEO Says Disney Cruise Line to Sail at 70% Capacity, Enforce Arrival Times
 
 Tom Bell 9 hours ago During a recent Board of Trustees Meeting for the Port of Galveston, Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees shared information from his talks with Disney Cruise Line, including ship capacity goals and other operational changes. The Disney Wonder sails from Galveston several months each year.
Rees told the Board that, while 30% capacity seems to be the “break even” point for most cruise lines, Disney has told him that they intend to sell up to 70% of their cabins for each sailing.
Disney also said that they would begin enforcing port arrival time windows in order to control crowd levels inside the terminal. Guests have been required to choose an arrival time for years, but those arrival time windows have not been enforced at most terminals. Enforcement of those arrival times may also force ships to leave port later in the day.
Port Canaveral CEO John W. Murray also talked about enforcing arrival times at a recent meeting, adding that cruise lines would need additional time for COVID-19 testing of guests.
Rees said that the cruise line has talked about ways to bring fresh air into the terminals, rather than recirculating the same air through air conditioning units.
Finally, in the most promising statement about cruising, Rees said, “I believe that the cruise lines think they’re close.”
The Disney Wonder has its next cruise from Galveston scheduled for November 20th, however Disney Cruise Line has not confirmed with they will once again begin sailing.
Source: Port of Galveston / DisneyCruiseLineBlog
 
 
Tom Bell
 
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Categories: Latest, News Tags: dcl, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Wonder, Port of Galveston Leave a Comment DCL Fan – Disney Cruise Line Information
 
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