Chadster

Yeah..they just keep extending the international border closure for 30 days at a time....till June 21st for now....but even if/when that opens, I am pretty sure there will be the 14 day self -quarantine rule put in place....in the meantime, we cant leave our province so even if the border is legally open....it wont be easy or fun to travel.
 
Sucks when travel is your hobby and passion!

So here’s the update. I called at 9:59 am literally, and 10:01 one got through to a agent, but it took an hour for her to get someone at RC, but all set. Saved $457. 

Got a black Friday cruise booked, I hope it sails!!

I get that a lot of people find their "deal breaker" to be having to wear masks, but I just hope if people decide to sail, they'll do as they're told and won't try to push back against RCCL's requirements. That's the thing that worries me -- people deciding mid-cruise is suddenly a time to take a stand or something. THAT would ruin my cruise more than anything. Make up your mind before you get on board, please.

Added: Brilliance of the Seas,  8 May 2021.

It finally posted today to my CP. I’m able to take advantage of the great sale prices which left me with $400 left over! I decided to get The Key for $20. 

I originally got the DBP with VOOM but since VOOM is included with The Key, I rebooked just the DBP. Also did Ultimate Dining and CocoCay Beach Club. 
I still have $225 left and still have $100 to add for stock holder OBC. 
I may splurge on a spa thing or buy really good champagne! 
This one (October Symphony) better sail! Lol ????
 
 

I get that a lot of people find their "deal breaker" to be having to wear masks, but I just hope if people decide to sail, they'll do as they're told and won't try to push back against RCCL's requirements. That's the thing that worries me -- people deciding mid-cruise is suddenly a time to take a stand or something. THAT would ruin my cruise more than anything. Make up your mind before you get on board, please.

Ain't happening....look, I live here and I cant even visit the places the cruise ship would be stopping at...….if I am locked down as a resident, they aren't letting tourists in. We have  ZERO cases in the province next to us and ONE case here....ZERO deaths in either province,  and I cant take a drive or visit family there and if I try I will be charged or arrested...…..
 
I am doubting the ability to even do my cruise in Nov based on what  I am seeing and hearing from officials in Canada...its insane....until someone files a lawsuit that our rights are being violated, this is the new norm for Canadians.....
 
I would give anything to be an American right now..more so then ever before.....

I also forgot to mention that the 14-day quarantine rule on arrival in Canada is likely to remain throughout the summer too.

As an ex-smoker of about 11 years or more (honestly forget but somewhere in the 2007-2009 timeframe) I am "no change." Of course I'd love a smoke free ship, but I don't necessarily mind it (to a point) and remember what it was like to be one. Remember being, not realizing how the smell sticks to everything, the damage smoke does to stuff (interior of a car for example), and where the smoke actually goes (blowing it away is polite but it still lingers around you and drifts). 

Yikes !  Grandeur looks awful.  I hope they clean her up before they ship her off.

I personally don't see how any changes on board is going to make much of a different for a virus that is past via respiratory droplets. You can clean all the surfaces you want, but people in an elevator, walking down the corridor/boardwalk, in the theater, or around a bar/pool etc and game over if 1 person is asymptomatic. Masks are proving to be the significant factor in reducing the spread of the virus and yet a huge number of people refuse to wear one when inside public buildings.
Our deal breakers are:
1. The 14 day home quarantine my wife will have to take using PTO and then unpaid leave. She already had to use 2 weeks when we got back from England in March.
2. That there appears to be no answers (yet) on what happens if there is an active or suspected covid case on board a ship.  Will ports be open for that ship?  will it be refused entry? Will the US home port refuse the ship returning as planned?  Will the passengers will allowed to get out as normal or will the whole ship be quarantined?  Will airlines allow you to fly if they know you just got on a cruise ship where there were covid cases?
I continue to read a lot about changes on board ship. So far I have seen nothing on the logistics of the an active case on board a ship.
 

We gave the go ahead to our TA to L&S our October New England-Canada cruise to October 2021.  I also called Delta yesterday and got an eCredit as the flights for next October are not available yet. While I am happy that we lost no money this the L&S, I am sad that we won't be cruising this year. 

Thanks for the reassurance -- that's how it looked to me, but it's good to hear! And perfectly timed, too...my TA emailed me just now to double-check with me, noting the travel distance and potential time constraints. ?

I get that a lot of people find their "deal breaker" to be having to wear masks, but I just hope if people decide to sail, they'll do as they're told and won't try to push back against RCCL's requirements. That's the thing that worries me -- people deciding mid-cruise is suddenly a time to take a stand or something. THAT would ruin my cruise more than anything. Make up your mind before you get on board, please.

We’re keeping it in the RCCLtd. Family for thanksgiving. Trying Celebrity for the first time and sailing Apex. 
At this point, who knows, it may be her inaugural ?

Sailed thanksgiving for years and loved it every time, havent made it out the last couple, still pondering jumping on one this year ... will probably see how my September Indy cruise goes and then look to see if anything has a last minute sale going ?
 
 

you can make that easy ... depending on where in orlando you are 45 mins to an hour from the pier ...

Thank you for your replies/suggestions!  We have decided to cancel.
.By cancelling now, our United nonrefundable flight tickets do not have any cancellation fees. United has no fees ( for any flights cancelled by May 31st). Also our $100 per person nonrefundable cruise deposits will be given back for a future cruise credit (We booked on board for the lower $200 deposit rate.)
    I thought this information may help others decide what to do.  
   But if the Empress sailing on Aug. 24th is really going to happen, we will book again!!! What a wonderful itinerary it has!!!

Yeah. It would be great to say “I’m going to wear my brisket shirt today” but instead it just smells like the steel grates.