GaryAA

Thanks for tip. We always add a few days at the port. With all of this Barbados talk, I’m looking into a 14-day trip.

6 hours ago, vmagestro said:

I'm not sure if anyone has looked at hotels yet but the Hilton Grand Vacations at the Crane is a BEAUTIFUL property and is a steal for around $270 a night IMO

26 minutes ago, joshgates said:

Got my first dose earlier this week and yeah, you get a card that has the manufacturer, lot number, location, date of shot, etc on it. It's very similar to the yellow fever vaccination cards, just not yellow.  To get it and the first shot I had to show ID and a consent form at the door and be on the preregistered list (consent form stayed with them), show ID again at the checkin desk where I also got a wristband with a scanable code and gave them my insurance to bill it to, sat down at the one of the vaccination stations where they verified my ID again (and twice more with birthdate), scanned the wrist band, scanned the barcode on the vaccine vial, and my wristband again.  

Long story short, there's absolutely a record of my getting it out there and I've got a card that'll get another stamp next month with the second dose.  I'm going to still believe that most people are too honest to try and fake a vaccination card.

That said, I'm actually pretty interested in what a verification system would look like, and if RCCL would implement it.  My guess is that they'd rely on the cards (or whatever they change to) unless there's a larger vaccination verifications system built that they could use.   I don't know nearly enough about health information regulations to speculate on what those might look like, but not surprisingly there's been a fair amount written about those in the last couple months.

That’s good to know they are documenting each vaccination. I’m also wondering if there will eventually be a database that the cruise lines can access.

I saw the comment about “verified documentation”. Are people getting a card or letter after being vaccinated? I see this as something to be worked around in this day and age. The temperature checks and mask wearing is harder to avoid.

Right now the onboard credits don’t excite me since I have a ton of FCC for cruises and excursions. I’d rather see the final payment deadline shortened to 30 days. I’m sure that wouldn’t work for the cruise lines while they trying to stay afloat.

18 minutes ago, rjac said:

Is it possible that once the ship is fully loaded with fuel, water, staff, crew, passengers, etc. the water line will raise up and cover the bottom of the "C" and "S"?

That is possible with all of the food consumed

I don’t care for the big letters either, looks less classy to me.

On 1/31/2021 at 8:29 AM, FJ28 said:

How sad is it that we all get excited to see what the new schedule will be.  This is the only pleasure in the cruising world now. Can't wait to get back!

It’s the anticipation that keeps you going. If we did not have things to look forward to, life would suck! As soon as the new schedules come out, I start booking way in advance.

We stay at the Marriott which is next door to the Doubletree. Those two hotels are connected to a mini-mall that separates them. In the mini-mall is a Starbucks, few restaurants, hair salon, deli, fruit smoothie shop, etc

On 2/8/2021 at 2:15 PM, Cub said:

Since we already had June 2020 then August 2020 canceled and Jul 21 looks like it's gone too. I just wish they would yank the band aid and let me get set for 2022. Of course I have already purchased all my excursions and drink package and will have the fun of doing that again.

We did the exact same thing, had June 2020 booked then August 2020 and finally August 2021. We figured we were safe with that date and booked airfare and excursions. 

That sounds like a reasonable request but it depends how committed the Canadian government is to sticking with their original statements:

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. This means:

• Adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters.
• Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
• Cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.

I’m glad now that I booked another Alaskan cruise in August 2022. I will keep my August 2021 booking active in hopes there is a new itinerary at some point.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

In fairness to Canada your Alaska cruise in August is in jeopardy because of the pandemic and the CDC's orders banning cruise ships from US ports.  

It's well known that the initial restart of cruising will begin with short Florida cruises for a few months before gradually longer cruises are allowed.  At best we will be fortunate to see those short cruises during the months we know as the Alaskan cruise season.  Alaska cruises are at best in phase 3 of the cruise restart.  Seven night cruises to a remote region with no medical facilities for mass events (Alaska) isn't going to happen in 2021 and that is because of the CDC's response to the pandemic, not Canada.  

Oh I didn't mean to blame Canada, it is just another factor to consider along with getting workers back to Alaska. Like you said, the initial restart will be short cruises from Florida. I'm concerned about our 12-day cruise in December from Bayonne NJ. 

We have a 12-day cruise in December on the Anthem. I was hoping that would be late enough in 2021 that it would be okay but it is over 7-days so who knows. Our August Alaska cruise is in jeopardy because of the Canadian port closures now. We have been looking into land vacations instead but it is frustrating having many cruise credits from previous canceled cruises. Like Linda R said, I want the double points too! 

I'm more concerned about the protocol for getting off the ship in regards to booking flights. In the past I've done self-assist with the luggage and been to the airport fairly early.

I would imagine the suite guests might have earlier Checkin times. 

We made the Diamond Plus level after our cruise in February 2020. Since the Pinnacle level is a long way off, those double points in a junior suite will help!

A home port in Cozumel would be a scuba diver’s dream. Get a few days of diving then leave on a cruise.

Same thing here, white blank image

Please add my dates! thanks
August 20, 2021 Ovation

December 12, 2021 Anthem

February 5, 2022 Symphony

February 12, 2022 Symphony

March 26, 2022 Odyssey

August 19, 2022 Ovation

Thanks for the great video. We are on the Ovation out of Seattle in August of 2021 (if it sals). We will have to consider a one-way route in the future.

I’ve been on both and prefer the glass balconies like on the freedom.

We like the Embassy Suites near Newarks airport. On one side of the hotel you can the the airlines landing from your room.

Marriott Biscayne Bay. It is next to the Doubletree with a mini strip mall between the 2 buildings that includes a few restaurants and shops.

We always book junior suites and get the double points, it will be nice getting 4 points per day on our next 5 cruises

We get junior suites every cruise. Like Waaaytooo said, the GS has the divider wall between the bedroom and living area which is less “open” feeling. We are diamond plus members so we get other perks. If we upgrade, it will be a star class suite.