jaredhamburg

5 minutes ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

I'm glad that I'm not the only one as well. People who don't have kids with ADHD don't understand how challenging it is in just a normal day, let alone something like this. He has sensory issues as well which can just make things even worse. If they really want to see a parent look like a tyrant then have them make my son wear one and me trying to keep it on him or not mess with it constantly. It'll suck the fun out of more than just OUR vacation.

Our son is five, and we are still in the stage of figuring things out.  We know he has severe ADHD, but he has been going to speech, occupation, and physical therapy due to developmental delays.  We are left trying to figure things out and treat symptoms for now; but we are very blessed that he has made progress and can now go get more therapy in our state because the COVID-19 lockdown measures have lessened.  Like you said, life is just hard.  We have four kids.  Our oldest is a type one diabetic, then we have our son, and two kids with no known issues at all.  People with a child or children with no issues usually have no idea how blessed they truly are.

6 minutes ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

Due to anxiety issues, we wouldn't be able to wear them either. My son has ADHD and they would be a big issue for him as well. I just hope that we will be back cruising soon!

My son has severe ADHD, and it would be a nightmare to try to manage him with a mask...The vacation would have a lot of fun sucked right out of it.....I am glad someone else understands that "just make him/her wear a mask" can be different across the population of people....

16 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@mworkman I didn't call anyone who doesn't match my opinion careless. But it seem to me that people read what they want. Disregarding facts is careless and I am shaming people who choose to ignore a virus because they believe it is a conspiracy. I have NEVER shamed anyone for not sharing my OPINIONS.

Which facts?  The facts reported in the news seem to change non-stop.  When the information keeps on changing, people do disregard it.  It is not a sign of carelessness.  It is a sign that maybe you have stopped believing media/CDC/government/etc.  I personally feel like you pick an article that supports your view and try to use it shame others.  I am so over debating this, but I do want you to be aware of a different viewpoint.

This is awesome!  Masks in heat can cause other health issues.

Thanks for sharing!

34 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:

Drink, Drink, and Drink.

You might also find a few places where you can experience a contact high from all the blue smoke.

LOL.  If you drink beer, what is your favorite place for them in the city?

14 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@jaredhamburg I chose the word careless precisely for that reason. With all the mixed messages, we should rely on our internal moral compass and comprehension. Tons of people are being contrary or spiteful. But ultimately it boils down to choice: I have every right to choose what I want to believe, buy, do or see. My facts are simple: people need to wash their hands and not be up on me, businesses need to be clean... or I stay right where I am and pay you dust.

In one part of your message, you mention people relying on their own internal capacities to determine what is right or wrong; but call people careless who apparently have come to a different opinion through their own internal capacities.  That is my issue.  It does boil down to choice, and talking down about people who disagree will not really get us anywhere.  It sounds like my opinions differ from yours as I am willing to weigh the risks and go out; but, I assure you, I and many others like me are not careless at all.

6 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@Mrs. Thomas There is no way the US will have zero cases by the end of the year. Right now numbers are dipping but will surge again as more things open up. I read an article on HuffPo that stated over half of America feel like COVID is done, they wished it away or the numbers were lies. All these careless people are going to increase the numbers, look at Vegas; the workers are protecting themselves but people are like "meh its vacation/leisure." People want to get back to normal asap, all it take is one person to mess up on a cruise line. A hundred(s) sailing went on during the same time as the Princess ships, yet they focus on the 2 or 3 with COVID cases.....never mind the fact that millions of people caught COVID without even being near a cruise ship.

Hi!  You mention these people as being careless.  The problem with this whole situation is that all of the data out there is dirty with no really good answer to support either argument.  The rules for certain gathering types and business and in which ways large numbers of people can gather make no sense.  I think this is why some people are not listening to government mandates as much as some would like.  I would not call it careless.

Please find below the plans we have for our walking tour.....

• We will take a walking tour of Key West.
  • We should arrive in the Mallory Square area when leaving the ship.  There are fun shops, artisans, food, and even an aquarium here.  We will grab some wonderful key lime pie at Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shoppe (431 Front Street # 2, Key West, FL, 33040).
  • We will leave Mallory square and walk SE down Duval Street (this street is supposed to have fun shops and eateries along the way) until we reach the end of the street and hook a left on South Street (SE direction-ally) to visit the Southernmost point in the continental US buoy (this walk should take about 1.30 miles).
  • Once we get pictures of a see the buoy, we will NE back on Whitehead Street basically heading back where we came.  The Hemingway House & Museum (907 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 3040) will be along our way back on the right (east side of the street) right before Olivia street (about a 2,000 foot walk).  Admission is $15/adult and $6/child over 5 (cash only).  Across the street from it is also the Key West Lighthouse (938 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040).   For the lighthouse, admission is $12/adult and $5/child over 6.
  • Then, we will walk up Whitehead Street (going NW), and turn right (going east) on Fleming Street, then turn right on Duval Street (next major street).  We should be able to walk right down to Margaritaville - Key West for a snack and drinks.  I know it is cheesy, but I love listening to Jimmy Buffet as I plan the trip and really want to go there and have a cheeseburger and margarita.
  • If we want more to do, we can take Duval Street up (going NW) back up to Greene Street, hook a right (going NE) and Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery (Hemingway Rum Company) will be on the right (south side) right after Simontim Street.  They give hourly tours for $10/person.

39 minutes ago, Mark B said:

Thanks! We're scheduled to be there in September out of Galveston.

I am going to Key West on Enchantment of the Seas.  We leave Galveston on 9/25.  When are you going?  Would be nice to meet someone on our ship (still very hopeful we are going).

I am hopefully going there this fall....I found this link to be useful in planning...https://www.cruisehive.com/fun-things-to-do-in-key-west-florida/26552

And I am just here wishing I could complain about experiencing slow food service on a cruise ship.....

I canceled my Voom Internet package on 5/21 for a cruise in September 2020.  They told me today it had been processed on 5/31 for a refund and will take 30 days after that.....

The name SEAFACE makes me think of the look of the person on the Lido deck who has enjoyed their Deluxe Beverage Package too much that day.

You probably have to have your travel agent do it or call them directly.

23 hours ago, Matt said:

This is how casinos looked on day one, but cruise ships are under the kind of government scrutiny that made the McCarthy hearings seem trivial.

 

This is what annoys me so much through this whole process.  How things are done, which gatherings are limited, and how different businesses are treated has been inconsistent and unfair.  I would be thrilled to get back on a ship using the health standards pre-COVID-19.

55 minutes ago, KJones said:

It might be different now with covid changing everything, but once we hit final payment for our Harmony cruise last September, our available shore excursions never really went on sale again. There might have been a couple that were advertised as "20% off" but the majority were 10% off if they were on sale at all. Just our experience.

From looking at the cruise planner prices, I have always found the % off to be a suspect number.  I just go off of gross dollars....

2 minutes ago, Kcusack89 said:

I ended up having to cancel my thrill water park tickets and rebuy both thrill and coco Beach together to by pass their calander restraints

58 is the lowest Iv eve seen. In my canceled cruise they were liek 199 . I'm not even sure we want to go but we had the extra OBC I figured we can cancel later but right now it's a steal.

We've done thrill water park last trip (2 30 year olds) and finished in a few hours then went to Oasis pool for the rest of the day. That's why I feel like we have time for both. But last trip only one ship was at port and this time we have two so a private pool with a guaranteed chair is nice to have

The Harmony of the Seas will be there the same day as my ship (Enchantment of the Seas).  Also, it will be there first......So, I want some place to relax and go to.  We think we will do the Beach Club and the chill side of the island more this time.  We have comparable water parks for the age of my kids (all younger) at home, so the Beach Club just feels more special for now with the Thrill Waterpark maybe being done when they are older.

I wonder if they put in this limit to help spread out the limited number of passes to each (especially the Beach Club).  I am going to Coco Cay for the first time this fall and booked the Beach Club ($59 adult/$47 child) and was looking at the Thrill Waterpark ($47/pp) and thinking of booking it as well to give me time to decide.....I guess I will stick with the Beach Club then!

The capacity is 450 (total for all guest types) per the article below.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/21672-coco-beach-club-set-to-debut-for-royal-caribbean.html

1 minute ago, Ampurp85 said:

So all of this sounds good on paper but I wonder what happens at practice. Staggering embar/disembark is going to affect the ship leaving as people literally show up whenever. Temps taken multiple times means less leniency for shows and schedules. How about sections for shows, will they add more?

I think there will be enforced boarding times.  I think this makes sense to control the flow better.  It just needs to be communicated well so there are not misunderstandings.  The shows concern me, but I am there for pools, beaches, and the MDR mostly.  If there were less shows for a time or harder to get into ones, I am okay with that.  I just want a vacation so bad.

As a disclaimer, this is my first Royal Caribbean cruise; and I am on a smaller ship September 2020 (Enchantment of the Seas out of Galveston).  We picked it less for the fancy shows and doodads and more for relaxing and the Bahams itinerary (stopping at Perfect Day at Coco Cay).  So, it is easy for me to say I can give up some shows and activities when I am not on a grand dame like Harmony of the Seas.

1 minute ago, Va4fam said:

I think this is a very encouraging response that NCL has created.

I do wonder if the masks will be added at a later date if mandated by CDC/WHO.

I hope not.  Disney World is going to do masks.  In Florida's humid heat.  In the middle of summer.  That is a health concern from too much heat and not enough oxygen.  I do not want mask in the Caribbean unless it is part of a pirate show on a Disney cruise.

This gives me so much hope for Royal's own plans.  Nothing is outlandish.  No masks (thank you, thank you, thank you). 

The lower seating at events could make being in a Suite or having The Key more valuable for going to shows.....I am hoping for more shows if they have less seating, but this is a small issue.  I was expecting so much worse.  This overall pleases me.

On 5/31/2020 at 8:58 AM, mworkman said:

@Debsters41 Tell them that I said you could have all mine!

I can never make it trying to get one in my mouth.  My wife was able to, but it made an sudden trip back out.  That was our one experience with them.  Never, ever again.

12 hours ago, Hoski said:

I would skip both and enjoy the sand toys you take and the free lounge chairs.  If your kids were a little older I'd say go for the water park because the wave pool is fun for all.

Thanks.  I have reserved the Coco Cay Beach Club but will probably cancel when I get closer to the cruise.  The Chill Island area looks pretty nice.  If cruises start on 8/1, I just want to hear how things are operating on the island if possible.  It would be nice to use that money for some keepsakes.

1 hour ago, Pima1988 said:

I believe @Ogilthorpe is correct.  For some reason I recall them saying the beach club day pass would be limited to @225 people.  

@Pen  I am kind of shocked that they still have availability.  We will be there next May and as soon as it showed up on my planner I jumped on the day pass knowing it was limited in number and we would be on Symphony.

I have it reserved on the Enchantment of the Seas for 9/25/2020.  Harmony of the Seas is supposed to be there the same day.  So, I have reserved the Beach Club just in case it is crazy busy in the free areas (as the Harmony naturally docks first....).  I do not want crazy, and can always cancel later if I do not want it.  I think some people may not be booking as many excursions right now as they are fearful about the state of cruising.  This may be why Royal has had a few good sales as of late (for my cruise, at least).....

If I get to go, I will be soooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!