Chadster

I haven't been around for a while, but I WILL be around on the group cruise with all you fine people....
...and @Matt. ;)

I haven't been around for a while, but I WILL be around on the group cruise with all you fine people....
...and @Matt. ;)

A pirate walked into a seaside tavern and asked for a drink. The bartender, turned away from the bar when the buccaneer walked in, pours the drink, but nearly drops it when he notices the sailor has a giant ship's wheel stuck to the front of his pants.
"Uh, capn'," the bartender says, "I hope you don't mind me askin', but what's with that-thar wheel?"
"Arrr...this thing?" The pirate asks. "|t drives me nuts."

2 1/2 hours on the phone this morning (plus the 3 1/2 last night from disconnected calls), and I hope I finally have a resolution for my other two cancelled cruises. The resolution department said that the FCCs weren't created, though they should have been, so I should receive both of them within a week.
Needless to say, if I don't receive them in 10-14 days, I'm going to be calling back and enlisting my TA's help as well.
I'm cautiously optimistic.

I received some news today that made me take new stock of this notion of unfair treatment by the CDC. I was originally going to be in Orlando just before Thanksgiving this year for a in-person residency for school. I was going to board Harmony afterward for Thanksgiving at sea.
Today, that residency was shifted to completely online. My school has evaluated the situation in Florida and how they think things will look in 3 months and decided going fully virtual is the right way to go. At the same time, two professional meetings I was slated to attend -- one in Seattle in 2021 and one in California later this year -- have both been moved online. Yes, I know that means all those activities will still continue while cruising will not.
But the fact remains per public health officials, there continues to be a threat and a spread, and organizations and corporations are doing their best in this situation. Would you rather they expose themselves to liability just so you can get your vacation? I get that people are upset. I was in a position I felt the need to lift and shift my cruises til next year. I got all my money back at this point. All I want is for Royal Caribbean to offer me a safe-as-can-be, fun vacation, however long that takes. Til then, my life continues to evolve around all of this going on...and as much as I look forward to cruising, it's definitely on the back burner right now. I'm just thankful I'll be able to do everything -- both personally and professionally -- with a greater measure of safety.

I received some news today that made me take new stock of this notion of unfair treatment by the CDC. I was originally going to be in Orlando just before Thanksgiving this year for a in-person residency for school. I was going to board Harmony afterward for Thanksgiving at sea.
Today, that residency was shifted to completely online. My school has evaluated the situation in Florida and how they think things will look in 3 months and decided going fully virtual is the right way to go. At the same time, two professional meetings I was slated to attend -- one in Seattle in 2021 and one in California later this year -- have both been moved online. Yes, I know that means all those activities will still continue while cruising will not.
But the fact remains per public health officials, there continues to be a threat and a spread, and organizations and corporations are doing their best in this situation. Would you rather they expose themselves to liability just so you can get your vacation? I get that people are upset. I was in a position I felt the need to lift and shift my cruises til next year. I got all my money back at this point. All I want is for Royal Caribbean to offer me a safe-as-can-be, fun vacation, however long that takes. Til then, my life continues to evolve around all of this going on...and as much as I look forward to cruising, it's definitely on the back burner right now. I'm just thankful I'll be able to do everything -- both personally and professionally -- with a greater measure of safety.

A pirate walked into a seaside tavern and asked for a drink. The bartender, turned away from the bar when the buccaneer walked in, pours the drink, but nearly drops it when he notices the sailor has a giant ship's wheel stuck to the front of his pants.
"Uh, capn'," the bartender says, "I hope you don't mind me askin', but what's with that-thar wheel?"
"Arrr...this thing?" The pirate asks. "|t drives me nuts."

Please add me to November 25, 2021 on Enchantment of the seas!   Just added my next cruise for Turkey day at sea 😀
 

When I first went with MEI, I just filled out the form and was assigned Sharla; she's definitely been fantastic! I was trying to move my Thanksgiving cruise from Anthem to Harmony this year due to a change in my availability and location for that week, and she spent 80 minutes on hold just for me...and got it done without any fuss!
I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of MEI's folks, based on all the stories I've read. And as for them being full-service, I think they're a go-to for RCCL/Celebrity/Disney simply because of their extensive experience with those cruise lines, leading to a bit more specialization. While I haven't tried to book a cruise with one of the other "Big 3" cruise lines through MEI, I certainly see no reason why they wouldn't be able to help you!

I've decided to take a much more measured approach to future cruises. Therefore, please remove the above cruises.
Instead, please add:
Nov. 21-28, 2021 Harmony (Blog Group Cruise!) I got the date wrong in my original post...
Dec. 23-31, 2021 Enchantment (Christmas at sea!)
I've lifted and shifted both of these to next year.
Right now, I'm recouping all my money from RCCL for cruises between now and Thanksgiving 2021 and making plans after things become more clear. I was being too knee-jerk/YOLO. 😕
Sorry for being a pain.

My February Odyssey sailing was cancelled (but I didn't have it on the master list anyway), so we moved it to Oasis of the Seas sailing Feb 21. First time on Oasis, so not too disappointed, and I got an extra night out of it! 

I've decided to take a much more measured approach to future cruises. Therefore, please remove the above cruises.
Instead, please add:
Nov. 21-28, 2021 Harmony (Blog Group Cruise!) I got the date wrong in my original post...
Dec. 23-31, 2021 Enchantment (Christmas at sea!)
I've lifted and shifted both of these to next year.
Right now, I'm recouping all my money from RCCL for cruises between now and Thanksgiving 2021 and making plans after things become more clear. I was being too knee-jerk/YOLO. 😕
Sorry for being a pain.

swinging and cruisinforabruisin as the OP soitenly twisted my mind retired "LEO" brain around the pole 🙊🙉🙈

This just in!!   RCI will limit swingers to 2 persons per hammock and/or 2 persons per room until further notice...
 

Me, seeing that headline and opening this thread to see what's being talked about...

Omg I thought the same thing....

Okay, I'm just relieved that this is direction this thread is headed in...

This also counts for cruises.

This also counts for cruises.

This also counts for cruises.

One of those memes that make me think of the RCB crowd, especially #TeamDX (myself included!)

One of those memes that make me think of the RCB crowd, especially #TeamDX (myself included!)

My passport if filling up fast! Don't be a hatter! 😆 

Not Covid, but funny to me...if you remember the show The Office.

one more.