Pookie

I'm starting this Live Blog with the most optimistic of intentions and utmost hope that we will be able to sail.  I wonder if they actually place bets in Vegas as to when cruising will resume...  The last Live Blog I wrote was from the middle of February 2020, a few short weeks before cruising was shut down due to the dreaded Covid. On that cruise we did our first Star Class on the Oasis.
Since that time, quite a few life altering events have happened.  I was laid off work for 2 months. My husband has been working from home since March.  He works from our closet and is using an old boat swim platform as a desk. 
  In May, we were inundated with rain (I believe 8 inches), and had 4 dams fail in our area.  We were not directly impacted by this catastrophe, but people we know had houses, boats etc., swept away or their houses were under water.  Every bridge below these dams was washed away.  At that time, I was back to work so instead of having a 45 minute drive to work, I had an hour and a half.  In the scheme of things, no big, as compared to all who had lakeside property.
When our state opened back up for business, hubbie and I went out to dinner, had a few glasses of wine to celebrate being able to be social again.  On the way home, we decided to stop to a small beach and watch the sun set.  Apparently, I was out of practice with the whole drinking thing and my 56 year old self decided to strip down to skivvies and go swimming.  We were sharing the area with another husband and wife and the husband was washing their dog in the lake.  In my excitement to go swimming, I was not watching where I was walking and twisted my ankle and went down hard.  There I was, writhing around in the sand in excruciating pain, when the dog raced out of the water and started humping my head.  In my mind, everything was in slow motion, but hubbie quickly half carried me to the truck and home we went.  Two things of note, actually three. 1) I severely strained my ankle and limped for a couple weeks 2) There was sand everywhere-in the truck-dribbled throughout the house-in the bed. 3 ) The following day I asked hubster if I was hallucinating that the dog that took a liking to my head had only three legs and he assured me that it did indeed only have three legs. Life experience #102,049, humped on the head by a 3 legged dog.  How many people can claim that?
I do not know how these things happen to me.  It is a well known fact that I am not particularly graceful, however.
Toward the end of October we caught the dreaded Covid.   I can tell you I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.  We both made it through without having to be put in the hospital and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I am not one to wish my life away, but I will be glad when 2020 is in the rearview mirror.
Back to dreaming of cruising!  We are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for the end of January.  We are thinking that if it is cancelled, we will just move it to another time, but still fly to Florida and hangout there on vacation.  Hopefully, all this Covid business will have fallen by the wayside by then.
My experience with checking in:  I tried every few days since the 90 day mark to check in.  I kept receiving an error that there was a glitch and to try later.  Two days ago, (72 days to go) I was able to check in and can view my boarding passes.  I am concerned that when I tried to book a cruise on the same ship, same date, nothing shows up on Royal's site.
What is everyone else's experience with check ins, etc.?
Pookie
 
 
 

I'm starting this Live Blog with the most optimistic of intentions and utmost hope that we will be able to sail.  I wonder if they actually place bets in Vegas as to when cruising will resume...  The last Live Blog I wrote was from the middle of February 2020, a few short weeks before cruising was shut down due to the dreaded Covid. On that cruise we did our first Star Class on the Oasis.
Since that time, quite a few life altering events have happened.  I was laid off work for 2 months. My husband has been working from home since March.  He works from our closet and is using an old boat swim platform as a desk. 
  In May, we were inundated with rain (I believe 8 inches), and had 4 dams fail in our area.  We were not directly impacted by this catastrophe, but people we know had houses, boats etc., swept away or their houses were under water.  Every bridge below these dams was washed away.  At that time, I was back to work so instead of having a 45 minute drive to work, I had an hour and a half.  In the scheme of things, no big, as compared to all who had lakeside property.
When our state opened back up for business, hubbie and I went out to dinner, had a few glasses of wine to celebrate being able to be social again.  On the way home, we decided to stop to a small beach and watch the sun set.  Apparently, I was out of practice with the whole drinking thing and my 56 year old self decided to strip down to skivvies and go swimming.  We were sharing the area with another husband and wife and the husband was washing their dog in the lake.  In my excitement to go swimming, I was not watching where I was walking and twisted my ankle and went down hard.  There I was, writhing around in the sand in excruciating pain, when the dog raced out of the water and started humping my head.  In my mind, everything was in slow motion, but hubbie quickly half carried me to the truck and home we went.  Two things of note, actually three. 1) I severely strained my ankle and limped for a couple weeks 2) There was sand everywhere-in the truck-dribbled throughout the house-in the bed. 3 ) The following day I asked hubster if I was hallucinating that the dog that took a liking to my head had only three legs and he assured me that it did indeed only have three legs. Life experience #102,049, humped on the head by a 3 legged dog.  How many people can claim that?
I do not know how these things happen to me.  It is a well known fact that I am not particularly graceful, however.
Toward the end of October we caught the dreaded Covid.   I can tell you I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.  We both made it through without having to be put in the hospital and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I am not one to wish my life away, but I will be glad when 2020 is in the rearview mirror.
Back to dreaming of cruising!  We are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for the end of January.  We are thinking that if it is cancelled, we will just move it to another time, but still fly to Florida and hangout there on vacation.  Hopefully, all this Covid business will have fallen by the wayside by then.
My experience with checking in:  I tried every few days since the 90 day mark to check in.  I kept receiving an error that there was a glitch and to try later.  Two days ago, (72 days to go) I was able to check in and can view my boarding passes.  I am concerned that when I tried to book a cruise on the same ship, same date, nothing shows up on Royal's site.
What is everyone else's experience with check ins, etc.?
Pookie
 
 
 

Omg...I don’t know what to say other than you and @WAAAYTOOO never fail to make me laugh with your writing! Carry on lol...
Thankful to hear that you recovered from covid. ?

Even before I looked up your location info, I knew you had to be living in Michigan!  I’m mid state, so I wasn’t personally impacted, but have some co- workers who were.  Overall, this is a year I’m sure none of us will forget   

Here’s to hoping that 2021 offers you more positive experiences, beginning with your cruise!  

I'm starting this Live Blog with the most optimistic of intentions and utmost hope that we will be able to sail.  I wonder if they actually place bets in Vegas as to when cruising will resume...  The last Live Blog I wrote was from the middle of February 2020, a few short weeks before cruising was shut down due to the dreaded Covid. On that cruise we did our first Star Class on the Oasis.
Since that time, quite a few life altering events have happened.  I was laid off work for 2 months. My husband has been working from home since March.  He works from our closet and is using an old boat swim platform as a desk. 
  In May, we were inundated with rain (I believe 8 inches), and had 4 dams fail in our area.  We were not directly impacted by this catastrophe, but people we know had houses, boats etc., swept away or their houses were under water.  Every bridge below these dams was washed away.  At that time, I was back to work so instead of having a 45 minute drive to work, I had an hour and a half.  In the scheme of things, no big, as compared to all who had lakeside property.
When our state opened back up for business, hubbie and I went out to dinner, had a few glasses of wine to celebrate being able to be social again.  On the way home, we decided to stop to a small beach and watch the sun set.  Apparently, I was out of practice with the whole drinking thing and my 56 year old self decided to strip down to skivvies and go swimming.  We were sharing the area with another husband and wife and the husband was washing their dog in the lake.  In my excitement to go swimming, I was not watching where I was walking and twisted my ankle and went down hard.  There I was, writhing around in the sand in excruciating pain, when the dog raced out of the water and started humping my head.  In my mind, everything was in slow motion, but hubbie quickly half carried me to the truck and home we went.  Two things of note, actually three. 1) I severely strained my ankle and limped for a couple weeks 2) There was sand everywhere-in the truck-dribbled throughout the house-in the bed. 3 ) The following day I asked hubster if I was hallucinating that the dog that took a liking to my head had only three legs and he assured me that it did indeed only have three legs. Life experience #102,049, humped on the head by a 3 legged dog.  How many people can claim that?
I do not know how these things happen to me.  It is a well known fact that I am not particularly graceful, however.
Toward the end of October we caught the dreaded Covid.   I can tell you I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.  We both made it through without having to be put in the hospital and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I am not one to wish my life away, but I will be glad when 2020 is in the rearview mirror.
Back to dreaming of cruising!  We are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for the end of January.  We are thinking that if it is cancelled, we will just move it to another time, but still fly to Florida and hangout there on vacation.  Hopefully, all this Covid business will have fallen by the wayside by then.
My experience with checking in:  I tried every few days since the 90 day mark to check in.  I kept receiving an error that there was a glitch and to try later.  Two days ago, (72 days to go) I was able to check in and can view my boarding passes.  I am concerned that when I tried to book a cruise on the same ship, same date, nothing shows up on Royal's site.
What is everyone else's experience with check ins, etc.?
Pookie
 
 
 

I'm starting this Live Blog with the most optimistic of intentions and utmost hope that we will be able to sail.  I wonder if they actually place bets in Vegas as to when cruising will resume...  The last Live Blog I wrote was from the middle of February 2020, a few short weeks before cruising was shut down due to the dreaded Covid. On that cruise we did our first Star Class on the Oasis.
Since that time, quite a few life altering events have happened.  I was laid off work for 2 months. My husband has been working from home since March.  He works from our closet and is using an old boat swim platform as a desk. 
  In May, we were inundated with rain (I believe 8 inches), and had 4 dams fail in our area.  We were not directly impacted by this catastrophe, but people we know had houses, boats etc., swept away or their houses were under water.  Every bridge below these dams was washed away.  At that time, I was back to work so instead of having a 45 minute drive to work, I had an hour and a half.  In the scheme of things, no big, as compared to all who had lakeside property.
When our state opened back up for business, hubbie and I went out to dinner, had a few glasses of wine to celebrate being able to be social again.  On the way home, we decided to stop to a small beach and watch the sun set.  Apparently, I was out of practice with the whole drinking thing and my 56 year old self decided to strip down to skivvies and go swimming.  We were sharing the area with another husband and wife and the husband was washing their dog in the lake.  In my excitement to go swimming, I was not watching where I was walking and twisted my ankle and went down hard.  There I was, writhing around in the sand in excruciating pain, when the dog raced out of the water and started humping my head.  In my mind, everything was in slow motion, but hubbie quickly half carried me to the truck and home we went.  Two things of note, actually three. 1) I severely strained my ankle and limped for a couple weeks 2) There was sand everywhere-in the truck-dribbled throughout the house-in the bed. 3 ) The following day I asked hubster if I was hallucinating that the dog that took a liking to my head had only three legs and he assured me that it did indeed only have three legs. Life experience #102,049, humped on the head by a 3 legged dog.  How many people can claim that?
I do not know how these things happen to me.  It is a well known fact that I am not particularly graceful, however.
Toward the end of October we caught the dreaded Covid.   I can tell you I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.  We both made it through without having to be put in the hospital and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I am not one to wish my life away, but I will be glad when 2020 is in the rearview mirror.
Back to dreaming of cruising!  We are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for the end of January.  We are thinking that if it is cancelled, we will just move it to another time, but still fly to Florida and hangout there on vacation.  Hopefully, all this Covid business will have fallen by the wayside by then.
My experience with checking in:  I tried every few days since the 90 day mark to check in.  I kept receiving an error that there was a glitch and to try later.  Two days ago, (72 days to go) I was able to check in and can view my boarding passes.  I am concerned that when I tried to book a cruise on the same ship, same date, nothing shows up on Royal's site.
What is everyone else's experience with check ins, etc.?
Pookie
 
 
 

I'm starting this Live Blog with the most optimistic of intentions and utmost hope that we will be able to sail.  I wonder if they actually place bets in Vegas as to when cruising will resume...  The last Live Blog I wrote was from the middle of February 2020, a few short weeks before cruising was shut down due to the dreaded Covid. On that cruise we did our first Star Class on the Oasis.
Since that time, quite a few life altering events have happened.  I was laid off work for 2 months. My husband has been working from home since March.  He works from our closet and is using an old boat swim platform as a desk. 
  In May, we were inundated with rain (I believe 8 inches), and had 4 dams fail in our area.  We were not directly impacted by this catastrophe, but people we know had houses, boats etc., swept away or their houses were under water.  Every bridge below these dams was washed away.  At that time, I was back to work so instead of having a 45 minute drive to work, I had an hour and a half.  In the scheme of things, no big, as compared to all who had lakeside property.
When our state opened back up for business, hubbie and I went out to dinner, had a few glasses of wine to celebrate being able to be social again.  On the way home, we decided to stop to a small beach and watch the sun set.  Apparently, I was out of practice with the whole drinking thing and my 56 year old self decided to strip down to skivvies and go swimming.  We were sharing the area with another husband and wife and the husband was washing their dog in the lake.  In my excitement to go swimming, I was not watching where I was walking and twisted my ankle and went down hard.  There I was, writhing around in the sand in excruciating pain, when the dog raced out of the water and started humping my head.  In my mind, everything was in slow motion, but hubbie quickly half carried me to the truck and home we went.  Two things of note, actually three. 1) I severely strained my ankle and limped for a couple weeks 2) There was sand everywhere-in the truck-dribbled throughout the house-in the bed. 3 ) The following day I asked hubster if I was hallucinating that the dog that took a liking to my head had only three legs and he assured me that it did indeed only have three legs. Life experience #102,049, humped on the head by a 3 legged dog.  How many people can claim that?
I do not know how these things happen to me.  It is a well known fact that I am not particularly graceful, however.
Toward the end of October we caught the dreaded Covid.   I can tell you I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.  We both made it through without having to be put in the hospital and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I am not one to wish my life away, but I will be glad when 2020 is in the rearview mirror.
Back to dreaming of cruising!  We are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for the end of January.  We are thinking that if it is cancelled, we will just move it to another time, but still fly to Florida and hangout there on vacation.  Hopefully, all this Covid business will have fallen by the wayside by then.
My experience with checking in:  I tried every few days since the 90 day mark to check in.  I kept receiving an error that there was a glitch and to try later.  Two days ago, (72 days to go) I was able to check in and can view my boarding passes.  I am concerned that when I tried to book a cruise on the same ship, same date, nothing shows up on Royal's site.
What is everyone else's experience with check ins, etc.?
Pookie
 
 
 

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 ?

And all this talk of not getting our way with M & Ms, makes me want to ask for absurd stuff like this?:

And we’re back
Suitcases lined up in our suite for pick up at 7:00
As soon as daughter gets around we will head to Coastal Kitchen for breakfast and Allan will pick us up and whisk us off the ship and back to reality.
The Explorer went cruising by this morning.  Cannot remember if I mentioned we had Next Cruise come to our suite on the 2nd day and we booked the ABC islands for January 2021 on Explorer ?

Day 6:
We had breakfast and drinks delivered this morning then off to the Dolphin and Manatee Encounter.  There we had a ton of fun. I kissed a girl dolphin and a boy manatee.  I preferred the girl dolphin, so I don’t know what that says about me ?
Would not recommend lunch at the encounter. ?
we purchased the photo shoot and it turned out awesome!
grabbed a taxi and went down town for a real lunch and shopping, taxi back and port shopping.  Had enough of the shopping
back on board, drinks and cookies waiting for us.
cleaning up for a CK dinner!

ANOTHER CAKE

150 Central Park. Excellent food and service!

Happy pre-Valentines Day!

Escape room:  a little prodding helped us not still be in there!  It was fun!  
Used a lot of brain cells I could ill afford to expend. ?

Allan!

Ultimate Abyss: terror standing on the glass floor and getting settled on the mat, then it was fun.  Not the roller coaster  or claustrophobic feeling I thought it was going to be.  Hubs came to a screeching halt at the end and had to work his way out...?

Sunrise at sea and would you look at that? Someone did a pressed ham on the salty back window?

Greeting room service like this today?

Today’s Tshirt:

What great day 4!
Woke early, bellinis, mimosas, pot of coffee and Delaneys standing Starbucks order delivered right on time.
We braved the Windjammer after all the liquids, I believe to Allan’s dismay.  Miss D can now say she’s been there, done that.  I think the deciding factor of not doing that again for her, was there were no mini croissants?
Allan met us at the elevator with his magic card and whisked off the ship at warp speed.  We then bumbled around the market place, smoking the numbers off our credit card then hopped right back on the ship.  We placed an order for Johnny Rockets and drinks with no ice with Allan and everything was delivered in about 20 minutes and we ate it on the balcony. Napped and now we are on our way out to Izumi for dinner.  
And Delaney actually squealed when she saw what was waiting for her.  See pic for details?
 
 

Day 3 pics

Here’s one for the censors.  And he’s going out in public wearing it.  We will see how long it takes for the light bulbs to flash on and the censorious looks to set in?

Day three happenings:
After stuffing in enough breakfast to satisfy a medium sized whale, we heard the  Alpha, Alpha, Alpha call and shortly after a helicopter came. Hopefully that person is ok.  A second helicopter came and took the family.  Prayers for them.disembarkation was closed at that time as the helicopter lands on the pier.
Once the first helicopter left, we waddled down the half mile of hall to meet Allen at the elevator where he used his magic card to whisk us straight down.  The timing was off when they reopened disembarkation.  We were standing off to the side and they started up the escalator from the floor above.  They were not letting people off yet and a whole crush of people came streaming down with nowhere to go.  We were amazed no one got hurt or mutilated.
I believe they said it was 94 degrees. The trio of us sweaty Bettys traipsed about the island, taking gratuitous pics of ourselves and the scenery, then ended up Oceanside by the landing for the zip line watching people pretend to be birds.  Had some lunch which was ok at best. Then we hopped on a boat excursion that took us along the coast and came back.
Jumped back on our ship, watched sail away from our balcony, snuck in a small nap, spruced ourselves up and went to Chefs table.
Eight people did not show for this dinner.  At first they thought it was the family that had the medical emergency but it was not them. That would be understandable.  It was really awful of the no shows to do that after listening to how much time and effort was put into that meal, the timing involved in serving the food perfectly and holding up the rest of us at the table for over a half hour.  
The meal was lovely, the mucho wino even lovelier, conversation was witty and the event took about three hours.  We rushed back to catch the Journey cover band from the balcony.  Journey is one of my favorite bands. This band made my ears bleed. They must have thought having the bass and the instruments cranked to the max helped deliver a stellar performance.  It did not.  You could barely hear the singer.  
Pics of highlights in next post.
 
 

We have a standing order for mimosas and bellinis every morning at 6:30 and before dinner cocktails. Hubs likes the tropical old fashions and I like Reisling. Delaney likes Shirley temples. I have them bring them with no ice in them. But they keep us stocked with ice so we add it when we were ready.  Today returning from Labadee, we stopped at the Schooner bar for those items, they weren’t quite open yet but they made us jack and diet, captain and diet and Miss D’s Shirley.  Got back to the suite and our regular drinks were waiting, sans ice, with a bucket of ice next to them!  So incredibly spoiled!
Allan is absolutely a dream!  We already had gifts and he brought more!  They correspond to the things we said we liked ON THE SURVEY!  At the start of our cruise we gave him a bag of Michigan made and Michigan items.  Also quite a bit of candy.  Future Allan families note that he has a sweet tooth!