Andy & Sheryl Unwin

On 2/8/2021 at 6:15 PM, CruisingOz said:

Hello Guys, 

I wear glasses, and I have found the cheapest option was to visit a local dive shop who sell masks which are made to be able to click on lenses onto the from of the mask lens. The beauty of these is that if your prescription changes you can simply clip on a new lens. My right eye is different to my left and so able to mix and match lens. They generally come in 0.5 increments. They are quite durable, I use them for diving and snorkelling, and mine are about three years old.

There was an option where I could have glass lens ground and fitted into the mask, but they were very expensive and as a seasonal user, the clip on lens are great, highly recommend them. 

Thank you kindly Oz...  We have looked at a variety of options now, and have discovered none of them will actually go to a strength Sheryl would need. Sooo, we are investigating prescription masks, or in one case, adhesive (removable) lenses.  When we make a decision on how to proceed, or if we decide to save the cost, will let  you know.

A

On 2/2/2021 at 6:12 PM, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:

Me !  I am particularly looking for late 2023.  December 2023 will be Sheryl and I's 25th anniversary, so I want to figure out something rather special

On 2/2/2021 at 6:19 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Pretty sure that is not coming out with this release.   They will release December 2022 and December 2023 will have to wait for next year.  That has been the general trend.

Yeah, I looked yesterday...  did find a couple of cruises I liked, but will hold out till December 2023 to make it right for her

On 1/30/2021 at 9:12 PM, Drewtastic86 said:

Who else is dying for the 2023 itineraries to come out??? Part of me wishes they could release half or all 2023 so I can get excited and book ahead.  Anyone else chomping at the bit to book more cruises???

 

 

 

Me !  I am particularly looking for late 2023.  December 2023 will be Sheryl and I's 25th anniversary, so I want to figure out something rather special

8 hours ago, melmar02 said:

I need my glasses for distance, but my Rx is slight enough (about 1.25) that I don't even bother. There is a small magnification underwater anyway. DH on the other hand has terrible vision with an astigmatism (4.5 in one eye and 3.0 in the other). He uses a prescription mask for the magnification, but skips the astigmatism bit for the mask. I remember when we bought my gear when I was first getting scuba certified that they had Rx masks for sale in the dive shop (on land, not on a ship). However, he bought his last mask online at Divers Direct. This is the one he got, and you can can select a different Rx for each eye. $110. 

https://www.diversdirect.com/p/tusa-liberator-prescription-mask

Awesome, I knew the vast base of knowledge here would yield a great result.  Thank you sooo much

Our son and granddaughter live in the UK, while Sheryl and I live in Florida. We do not have any idea when we will be able to see them again. The last time I got me a "Squish" was December 2019 when I was over on business and took a side trip. For Sheryl its been even longer.

We had planned a couple of trips across the pond in 2020 but obviously those were a no go.  Skype chat only goes so far eh. But I would much rather make sure they were safe and have the travel restriction than take a risk

5 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

What I've seen (a long time ago) is custom masks that integrate a set of eyeglass lenses behind the main mask glass. No idea what they cost; I don't go snorkeling anywhere near often enough to justify buying a set of those. If I had to guess, those masks simply come with a set of lens frames at a fixed size and fixed distance between each other. Then you would take them to your optician, where they can take the right measurements to grind a set of lenses to mount into those frames.

Thanks Joe appreciated

So, a question for those dive experets out there. Both Sheryl and I wear glasses, me for long distance, Sheryl for close up and distance.

Obviously, unless we do something like helmet diving, we cant wear our specs under a mask.  But there has to be a way either by a custom mask, or applied lenses to the inside.  Are there any thoughts on which is best and why.

This is great news, we are already scouting out a short autumn 2022 break, so this is perfect....

On 12/12/2020 at 3:53 PM, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:

We had made final payment on our Feb 21 5 nights on Independence, then whammo, cancelled.  Out of the options available, we are going to take the FCC and rebook for Feb 22, leapfrogging our current Sep 21 4 nights on Navigator. We had booked a JS, so we may take the 125% and put it towards a grand suite and absorb the balance.

Yes we were disappointed the Feb 21 sailing was cancelled, but there is an advantage here, and we always look for the positive.

Well we didnt go for the Grand Suite.  Instead we opted to follow some sage like wisdom from Matt (thank you kindly good sir) and book onto an Oasis class to experience the bigger ship.  We now have a JS for six nights on Allure in March 2022.  So a big thank  you to Kelley Hardy at MEI for helping us with that

On 1/20/2021 at 5:22 PM, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:

Further update received. Royal advise cruise planner refunds were sent on Jan 17, so I need to check with Credit Card company to find out why not applied to the account yet.  For that, I will allow to 01/25/21 before I reach out to them.

Apologies for not getting back to this earlier.  Credits were received on my Royal Caribbean Credit Card on Jan 21st.  So there appears to be a four day period between being issued and being credited.

On 1/19/2021 at 10:14 AM, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:

We are in the same position, and additionally have not seen cruise planner refunds to the credit card, although we have the emails to say they are happening. This morning I emailed Royal to ask for a status update.  The first step in the chase.  I will give it another 7 days to see responses then will expedite by phone if needed.

Further update received. Royal advise cruise planner refunds were sent on Jan 17, so I need to check with Credit Card company to find out why not applied to the account yet.  For that, I will allow to 01/25/21 before I reach out to them.

On 1/16/2021 at 10:31 AM, Marsha M said:

I have been waiting for my FCC before reserving another cruise.  I thought we were suppose to receive the FCCs by 01/15/21, however, I have not received mine yet.  Has anyone else not received their future cruise credit?

22 hours ago, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:

We are in the same position, and additionally have not seen cruise planner refunds to the credit card, although we have the emails to say they are happening. This morning I emailed Royal to ask for a status update.  The first step in the chase.  I will give it another 7 days to see responses then will expedite by phone if needed.

Partial success, received an email with FCC numbers in it last evening.  Still waiting on word about cruise planner refunds.

Sadly, we will not be able to partake. A shame because I really do want to return to Dominica. We were scheduled to go with Serenade in 2018, but unfortunately hits from 3 hurricanes in succession shut that idea down.

In 1978, I was the guy on TV hauling down the Union Flag after Princess Margaret read the order of independence. So we deliberately booked a return on the year of the 40th anniversary

We did this on Navigator in Feb, and I have to say, it was a great time and totally recommended. I wont spoil it by giving you all the details, because we each have things we all enjoy etc.  But it was very much worth it

On 1/16/2021 at 10:31 AM, Marsha M said:

I have been waiting for my FCC before reserving another cruise.  I thought we were suppose to receive the FCCs by 01/15/21, however, I have not received mine yet.  Has anyone else not received their future cruise credit?

We are in the same position, and additionally have not seen cruise planner refunds to the credit card, although we have the emails to say they are happening. This morning I emailed Royal to ask for a status update.  The first step in the chase.  I will give it another 7 days to see responses then will expedite by phone if needed.

For us, Brilliance will always hold a special place. She was the first as a birthday present to Sheryl, and I finally said yes.  Instant conversion from the moment I felt the living soul of Brilliance under my feet.

36 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

For me, its the ship model. Started that collection a few years back. 

28 minutes ago, RickinSTL said:

That may be what we start next 

24 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Do it! My one regret is that we did not do it right from the start.

We have contemplated returning to ships we have cruised on previously.  There are always things we talk about relating to each ship (particularly Brilliance) and while the models arent exactly a motivator for rebooking on a previous ship, it is a bonus that we can pick up the models we didnt buy. 

We return to Navigator Sep 21, this time the model comes  home.  Serenade, Freedom and Brilliance to follow.

6 minutes ago, RickinSTL said:

I don't judge.. hell I smoke and drink lol 

 

The good cigars are special.  One of those and a fine brandy in a crystal brandy balloon out on my pool deck 4 times a year. It is my "you made it" moment. I won't give the full tale of woe, suffice to say I was born into the slums of late 50s Liverpool and will retire in Florida.

We had made final payment on our Feb 21 5 nights on Independence, then whammo, cancelled.  Out of the options available, we are going to take the FCC and rebook for Feb 22, leapfrogging our current Sep 21 4 nights on Navigator. We had booked a JS, so we may take the 125% and put it towards a grand suite and absorb the balance.

Yes we were disappointed the Feb 21 sailing was cancelled, but there is an advantage here, and we always look for the positive.

5 minutes ago, RickinSTL said:

Atta boy Andy!! lol although I need to look for Havana Club Rum next time in in a non American port 

 

I may have to follow you on that.  I did pick up some hand rolled havana cigars in Nassau.  They were astoundingly good. So I can't wait to get more.  Yes I know they are bad for me, but they are an occassional indulgence.

A ship name Tshirt is an absolute for Sheryl, if it is purple, so much the better.  My take away is 2 large bottles of Captain Morgan Private Reserve.

If RCL say masks are mandatory, and give instruction on where and when they are to be worn, then Sheryl and I will be wearing them. To us it is more important to cruise than to worry about the mask.

On 12/11/2020 at 9:47 AM, SpeedNoodles said:

Please explain to this stupid American what "taking the michael" means.

This is a more cultured way of saying "Taking the Mickey" or having a laugh at the speakers expense.

I havent seen anyone mention my own packing hack, so I am surprised.  Disposable plastic shower caps.  One shoe fits perfectly inside, so the soles (and whatever bacteria may be on them) are effectively prevented from coming into contact with clothing.  

1 hour ago, michelle said:

Oh its sad to see your "crossed out cruises"  makes it more real, lol

You are too kind.  But the crossed out cruises make the others more meaningful